Chapter Two Evening of Thursday April 11, 1912 You slowly make your way to the elegant dining hall, drinking in every exquisite detail of the grand ship as you go. Once you reach the beautiful glass doors of the dining hall, a crewman opens the door for you with a wide smile. “Enjoy your meal, miss.” You thank him and enter the dining hall. The room is so beautifully decorated and the tables so elegantly set you feel almost as if you are in a dream. Your eyes scan the room for an empty seat when suddenly you hear that elegant voice from earlier behind you. “Well hello darling! I was so hoping to see you at dinner tonight!” You turn quickly to see Tom standing behind you, looking even more handsome than earlier in a black tuxedo with tails. He bows and looks up at you, flashing that perfect smile at you as he takes your hand, placing a polite kiss to your knuckles. “My dear, you look simply stunning in that gown.” He says as he straightens back up, grinning down at you. You feel your cheeks get hot as he compliments you. “Well, thank you Mr. Hiddleston. You look quite handsome yourself.” ‘Did I really just tell him that?’ you think to yourself, surprised at how comfortable you feel around a complete stranger you met for the first time only hours before. He chuckled softly, a very faint blush briefly flitting across his face, giving you the opportunity to better admire his sharp, yet beautiful cheekbones. ‘This man is an Adonis…’ you think as your eyes scan his face. Soon after, you realize how long your eyes have been lingering on his features and you tear your gaze away, blushing softly. His smiled widens at your blush and he offers you his arm. “Would you do me the tremendous honor of dining with me this evening, y/n?” You nod politely, trying to hide just how excited you are that you won’t be dining alone for one, and two that you will be sharing a meal with such a handsome gentleman. “I would be most honored to join you, Mr. Hiddleston.” You reply, smiling kindly. He laughs suddenly and his laughter sounds like heaven. “Y/n, please as I asked you when we first met I beg you, call me Tom. ‘Mr. Hiddleston’ is much too formal for a friendship. At least for a friendship I greatly hope will develop by the end of this evening.” His bright smile flashed your way once more and you felt yourself growing weak in the knees. “Tom…” you loved how naturally and smoothly his name rolled off your tongue, and he smiled gently as you said his name. He led you to a table in the far back, more secluded from everyone else, but still visible to those in the dining hall. He pulled out your chair for you and pushed it under you as you sat down. “For you, my dear.” He then sat opposite the table from you as the waiter brought some appetizers to your table. “So, my dear tell me of yourself- where are you from, why are you going to America, what’s your family like, I wish to know everything!” he scooted his chair closer to yours, his eyes locked on yours. He looked so excited, like a child at Christmas. For the next half hour as you dined on the first few course, you told him all about your past, your reasons for going to America, your childhood, anything he wished to know. Finally the main course came and you both began eating, though not in silence. “So tell me about /yourself/ Tom!” you told him, equally excited to hear more about him now. He laughed his adorable ‘Ehehehe’ laugh and told you all about how he was an actor on the stage and how he became such. He told you of his family, his childhood, and /his/ reasons for travelling to America- he wished to perform on Broadway. You scooted your chair closer to his and listened intently, hanging on every word as the two of you ate. The more you talked and the farther into dinner you got, the closer the two of you became. Soon you felt as if you had known him your whole life and the two of you were long lost bosom companions. When the meal was done, and the last few minor courses were being served, the two of you scooted even closer, your chairs now directly beside each other at the small table. Tom reached out and gently took your hand, his long elegant fingers entwining with yours. He kissed the back of your hand and smiled at you. He stared deeply into your eyes "Has anyone ever told you what beautiful eyes you have?" He asked sincerely. You chuckled softly, "No Tom... Well, no one outside of my family at least." He shook his head. "And I suppose outside of family, no one has ever told you how beautiful you are either." It was not a question- it was a statement, and he knew he was right long before you nodded in agreement. His eyes were sad as he replied, "That's most unfortunate darling, you deserve to be told it every day..." His eyes scanned yours and there was silence between the two of you as you looked deeply into each others eyes. He then took a deep breath and tore his gaze from yours. He looked around to see the dining room mostly empty. It was getting rather late. Tom then turned back to you. "Might I escort you to your room, darling?" You smiled brightly and said "Yes of course!" He grinned widely and stood, pulling you with him. He held your hand tightly in his as he walked you to your cabin. You stopped in the doorway and turned to face him. He was gazing lovingly at you and then looked into your eyes. "I had a lovely evening Tom, I truly did. Thank you so very much." He smiled. "The honor was truly mine, y/n..." He said softly as he ran his fingers through you hair, his eyes gazing deeply into yours. He let his hand rest at the nape of your neck and pulled you gently closer to him, his face mere inches from yours. "I should greatly like to kiss you, y/n... May I?" He asked softly, almost a whisper. He was such a gentleman about this! You nodded shyly and his lips pressed softly to yours for a brief moment before he pulled back to scan your eyes. When he saw nothing but love and happiness in them he kissed you again, a bit more passionately but still sweetly and tenderly. He pulled back after a few moments and sighed happily. "You have witchcraft in your lips, y/n..." You swooned as the realization of what he has just said crossed your mind. 'Oh my gosh... He's quoting Shakespeare!' It was the most romantic thing you had ever heard, especially being said to you. You couldn't help yourself and you said "As do you, my dear Tom." Your words caused him a faint blush and he smiled that perfect smile once again before kissing your knuckles. "Good night my sweet y/n. I greatly hope to see you at breakfast in the morning." He bowed slightly and turned on his heel, heading back to his own cabin. You sighed happily and placed your fingertips to your lips as you watched him go and then turned into your cabin and shut the door. You dressed for bed and climbed into the deep, soft bedding and soon fell asleep your mind lulling you off to dreamland with thoughts of Tom and the wonderful evening you had just shared. ~End of Chapter Two~ (( nothingbutadespicablebeast ))