Tom was running. Running from the shadows chasing him. He didn't know how long he'd been running, but at every door he tried along the isolated corridor, he found them bolted shut, locked, and held firm against his hammering. The echoes, shouts and shadows got louder, closer, and he started running again. Faster. Harder. He kept pushing himself further, to run faster, but the noise and shadow followed. He could feel the air getting thinner around him as the corridor became longer, narrower, darker. His heart pounded in his ears. His hands slammed against the solid walls, but there were no more doors. Just the dead end. Tom spun around to turn back, to run as the noise crescendoed.  But he was trapped, by the shadow and the sudden silence. The shadow advanced closer. Smiling. Grinning. Laughing. They reached into their pocket, and pulled out his fate. Tom's body froze rigid in fear, making him stumble backwards. Until he hit it. The wall which would now become the soil for his grave. His back was against it, the pressure in the air swarming around him in the silence as he struggled to breathe. He held his hands up in desperation, words of begging and mercy escaping his lips, the voice no longer sounding like his own. The shadow did not hesitate. The shadow didn't care as it took a step forward, and pressed the cold barrel of the gun against his head. Tom looked up into the face of the shadow. And saw himself looking back before they pulled the trigger, and his life ended. 

Within a second Tom was awake, sitting bolt upright in bed, a cold sweat running down his brow as his chest heaved up and down, his racing heart pounding against his ribcage. One hand clutched at his chest, the other his forehead, shaking in panic as he tried to calm himself down. His eyes darted all around him, terrified as timed slowed and his pace calmed. He was okay. He was alive. It had only been a dream. Just a horrible dream. He released a long, thankful sigh as he rubbed at his eyes, trying to clear his head. The more he tried to remember the dream, the quicker it vanished from his memory before just a single slither of it remained, locked in scarily realistic detail. 

Steadily getting up to his feet from where he'd collapsed on his bed what felt like days ago, Tom staggered across to the en suite and quickly splashed his face with cold water to make him come back to his senses. He was glad he hadn't turned on the bathroom light, as in the sickly orange glow from the street lights outside, he saw the terrified shadow of himself staring back at him through the mirror. The dark bags under his eyes only made them appear more sunken and hollow, his skin pale and ghostlike, the water mixed with his sweat. He couldn't tear himself away from looking at his eyes, looking straight into himself, seeing that final memory engrained in them. Seeing the shadow lurking behind them. Feeling the killer slowly consuming his mind. Realising the shadow had been no illusion, but a mirror, of himself. 

"No", Tom whispered, shaking his head, trying to get rid of the imagine as he splashed another handful of freezing cold water into his face to try and clear it. It wasn't him in that dream. It was just a dream, nothing more. Snap out of it Tom, come on! Eventually after a few minutes, and several more splashes later, when Tom looked back at himself, he no longer saw the memory hiding in his eyes. In fact, the dream had all but vanished from him. Only his fear remained, rooted deep in his chest, like a solid piece of metal, hard and constricting around his beating heart. He looked like hell, and felt like it too. His curls were damp and clung to his skin and his baggy shirt and sweatpants were soaked now. To an outsider, it looked as if he'd been running a marathon and accidentally fallen in the Thames on route. No one in the real world knew what was going on behind these closed doors or inside his head. No one could see his fear, or doubts, or even his nightmares. Beyond these walls he was Tom Hiddleston, the bubbly, kind, gentleman  who's career had landed him the adoration of millions. However, inside these walls, behind the smiles, he was the lonely scared man, terrified for what was to come. 

Casting a sidewards glance out of the bedroom windows as he walked slowly back into the room, he watched the droplets of rain hit against the panes of glass, casting a scattered pattern across the floor in the fluorescent orange glow from outside. His clock on his bedside table read 3:48am, the red digits glaring at him warningly as he began to wake up and regain his senses. Like the trickles of water still running down his face, the memories of only a few hours ago began to flow back to him, sparking life back into his numbed mind. A cold shiver rushed down his spine, his breathing becoming more laboured as he leant against the door frame to try and stop himself swaying. Now the alcohol he'd had to calm his nerves before and let him sleep was making itself known again, a bitter tasting lump growing in his throat. Shakily, he tried to wipe the sweat from his brow before his stomach lurched violently, and he flung himself at the toilet just as the awful bile surged up. "Ughhhh", Tom groaned after his stomach had finished throwing up, resting his head against the toilet seat, wiping the trail of saliva from his mouth. 

Either Luke had sensed Tom was awake or he'd heard him wrenching his guts up, as he was soon stood, leaning in the doorway worryingly. "Bad dream of the alcohol?", Luke asked sympathetically, holding out a glass of water down to him. "Both", Tom sighed in defeat as he slumped down on the tiled floor, leaning back against the cabinet as he took the glass from Luke. "Well you did drink nearly a whole bottle", Luke chuckled trying to lighten the mood as he knelt down in front of his friend, studying him. He looked as if he'd seen a ghost, Luke thought as Tom's hands shook as he sipped the water, a little colour coming back to his cheeks, although his eyes were still as terrified as they had been only hours ago in all the chaos. "Wouldn't you, after what happened? I doubt I'll be able to sleep properly ever again", he replied back after finishing, resting his head back, closing his eyes as Luke eased the empty glass from his hand. 

Tom was exhausted, and right now he just wished that he could do something, anything, to turn back time. He hadn't asked to get caught up in the events of what happened at the restaurant, and nor had he wanted to catch the attention of the media. Now, he knew he'd never be able to go anywhere without having to check over his shoulder, as even as he sat in the safety of his own home, he didn't feel safe. He felt completely exposed, with everyone in the world able to see him, yet he was completely alone, and isolated. With every passing second, an invisible countdown was ticking, and he knew that soon, the timer would reach zero, and he'd breathe his last. He could almost hear it inside his own head, mixed with his heartbeat, drumming faster and harder with every breathe he took. But for how long? Weeks? Days? Minutes? He wanted to live out his golden years well into retirement, with a family and a loving wife, and when the time came, peacefully slip off into the afterlife. Now, he faced an ever ticking clock with a net closing in around him, a cross over his heart, and a waiting bullet aimed and loaded. This was not how he wanted it to end.

"Tom mate, everything will be okay. Just breathe and try not to worry about it, which I know sounds hard given the circumstances. The police are doing everything they can and I'm here for you. You can get through this, trust me", Luke encouraged, reaching out a hand to shake Tom's shoulder gently to try and bring him round from he sickly daze. "How can I Luke? Just look at me!", Tom yelled through a broken sob as he choked up, forcefully shoved his hand away as his eyes fought back tears, drawing his long legs up to his chest. "Tom-". "NO!", Tom screamed in frustration, burying his face in his hands, his shoulders trembling. Luke remained frozen still in silence listening to Tom's gravelly pants of breath, hearing his voice tremble and break. "I'm scared, Luke. Beyond terrified. I-I feel so pathetic and helpless, and I don't know what to do. I-I just-". Eventually his emotions got the better of him, his voice strained and cracked, and he broke down. Compelled by compassion, Luke carefully sat beside him, easing his arm around him. Without holding back, Tom wept, tears freely rolling down his cheeks as his whole body shook with each ragged breath. He sunk into Luke's shoulder, unable to keep himself supported as he felt his whole world falling apart. Instinctively, Luke immediately drew him in closer, wrapping his arms protectively around him as Tom caved in on himself, both emotionally and physically. It could have been several minutes, or it could have been a whole hour of them both sitting there before Tom's wails and cries silenced to quiet whimpers and an occasional sniffle. 

Neither one of them said anything, as nothing that could be said could change the solid facts of the situation both of them were in. Tom was scared for his life, and Luke was scared for him. Over the years since Luke had first met him, their friendship had become somewhat close, if a bit brotherly at times, even if Tom was like a child and Luke the mother, constantly chasing after him. But even though Luke was not always with Tom, he never stopped caring or worrying about him. Every day he would be inundated with news and information regarding Tom, and no matter what time of day it was, or wherever he was in the world, he would be straight on the phone, telling him to stop trying to eat the fans teddy bears or to persuade him to not wear his favourite white shirt. He had become a part of his life, just as he had with the rest of the world. Everyone knew who Tom Hiddleston was, and its pretty difficult to go about life without hearing or reading some reference to him. 

But then there were the fans who were in another world of their own; the obsessed ones. You'd only have to go to the dark side of the internet to find them. As sweet and innocent as they first appear, god help you if you insult their man. Some of the comments he'd read that they would send to Tom himself were just outrageous. Kids as young as 13 if not younger, asking him to marry them, or to 'be their daddy', believing that they know him and that he would just willingly accept them into his life and claim them as his? But that's what happens when you get into their clutches; you'll never escape them. Luke knew how much Tom's big break at Marvel was, and how much it advance his career, shooting him straight to the stars, making him an instant icon. He will forever be know as 'Loki'. But even now, many films after, he still is known as 'the guy who plays Loki'. Even though he has done nearly every possible type of film since then, and even been on stage and TV, that role which brought him his fame still follows him, regardless of how much distance he tries to put between him and it. 

He's grateful for it, and so thankful for it, but Luke always had the same question in his head which he only ever thought, but never asked. Would you take it back? Loose the fame, quit the job, and become like everyone else? Even though he never said it, Luke could see the frustration sometimes, in the interviews, in the press meetings, in the little sigh he let out so silently and the well rehearsed smile he always played. Luke could never tell with Tom, as he was becoming harder to read as the years progressed, but he thought he could see that question in his mind sometimes when the fans hound him for more autographs or the interviewers who make reference back to 'that' character, but never any of his other ones. Sometimes you could see the sparkle missing from his eyes, or a twitch of almost anxiety to get an interview over and done with quickly. Over the years, Luke had watched the young, talented actor grow, but at the same time, be chipped away at by the pressure of fame and the constant demand to give the fans what they want. Tom's life was no longer his own. 

The drumming of the heavy rain against the windows was actually quite peaceful and calming, surprisingly, as both men sat there together on the bathroom floor, waiting for the right moment to speak. This new found silence made a welcome change to the noise of the day, with Tom's ears still echoing with screams and gunfire, Luke's a rabble of frantic voices, sirens and ringing phones. "You're heartbeat is, erm, very irregular", Tom's muffled voice noted, breaking Luke from his deep trail of thought. It was only then that he noticed, or seemed to realised, what a compromising position both of them were in, as Tom resembled that of a large child, curled up in Luke's arms with his head buried in his chest, almost as if Luke were a mother cradling a son. "I-It's usually like that", Luke replied slowly as he loosed his grip slightly around Tom. "Oh, right", came Tom's confused reply as his puffy, tear streaked face popped out from his mass of curls as he looked up at Luke. Both men held eye contact for a second, before bursting out laughing hysterically like drunken idiots, immediately letting go of each other and sitting up straight. 

"Well, erm, that was .... eheheh. Awkward", Tom chuckled with a sniff, wiping at his eyes as they both tried to regain their composure. "Yeah, just a bit. I know I'm your nanny but we might have gone a bit too literal there", Luke sighed as he scratched the back of his neck, a habit which he knew he'd picked up off Tom, as he did it too subconsciously to try and ease their embarrassing situation. Tom just hummed back in reply, his eyes watching the raindrops in the light from the window on the floor, his mind starting to drift off elsewhere. "Hey listen, I know that you probably don't feel like, but you should think about getting some rest Tom. Seriously mate, you've had a hell of a night and you'll end up regretting it in a few hours if you don't". Persuasive as he might be, Luke knew that Tom would be reluctant to go back to sleep, but he didn't want to be dealing with a cranky Tom in a few hours time, which usually ended up with Luke in a losing battle against a moody Loki who hasn't been given a caffeine fix. 

Sighing in defeat, Tom nodded, giving Luke a warm smile. "You always know what I need Luke, and you have no idea how thankful I am for you. I truly mean it man. Without you I- well ... ", Tom trailed off into thought again, shaking his head, letting his words get lost into the air. "You don't have to say anything Tom. I'll always be here to pick up the pieces, don't worry. It's my job, remember. Just make sure you don't do something you'll regret", Luke concluded, giving him a pat on the back as he got back up to his feet, collecting the discarded glass. "Yeah ...", he sighed, drawing it out in one long breathe as Luke continued on his journey out of the room, probably to the kitchen, Tom thought. He had become more reliant on Luke recently, more so than before, and with everything kicking off, he was certain he'd be sending his dear friend to an early grave. I need to give him a holiday, Tom concluded as he got back to his feet, taking his time to steady himself. But Luke was right, he needed to make sure he didn't do something stupid that could destroy everything he had achieved so far. But as much as he didn't want to admit it to Luke, sometimes he wished that things had played out differently. That perhaps even, he had never walked through Marvel's door in the first place .... 

"Are you going to stand there all night, or am I going to have to carry you to bed as well now?", Luke chuckled, starling Tom. He hadn't realised he'd come back, and regrettable, caught him lost in thought. "Sorry. I was-". "Miles away. Noticed. But brought you this. It'll keep you out for a couple of hours", Luke charmed, waggling a packet of pills as he set them down along with a glass of water on the bedside table. Even though he was aware of Luke and what he was doing, his mind was thinking as his gaze drifted to his bedroom windows. On a clear day, he was able to not only make out the gardens of the next street, but also see the larger buildings of London. Tonight however, in the early hours of the morning, with the rain splattering against the windows and the ugly orange glow from the street light nearby, he couldn't see anything but blackness. "Tom?", Luke asked a little uncertainly as he watched his friend as he stood motionless in the bathroom doorway, his eyes fixed outside. "They can see me", Tom muttered under his breath, just audible for Luke to hear, his eyes widened slightly as he caught onto what Tom meant. "Don't worry. I'll close them", Luke reassured him quickly, scooting over to the large window, drawing the blinds closed until they were in semi darkness. 

"Thank you", Tom whispered, feeling a little more at ease. He didn't know why he had felt this sudden terrifying feeling that he was being watched, but he came to the conclusion that if he had been watched and targeted outside in public, then what was not to say that they were outside right now watching him. "And before you think that they are going to come and get you during the night whilst I'm asleep, you can relax. Armed police are outside and a few are downstairs just in case", Luke quickly cared to inform him as Tom made his cautious walk back to bed. "Will this nightmare never end?", Tom whispered aloud, but mostly to himself as he popped the pills from their packet, quickly swallowing them with a sip of water as he got back into bed. Luke didn't know if Tom had meant for him to hear him or not, but he felt a pang of guilt, knowing that he could not fully sympathise with Tom as he'd never known fear like this before.

"Just so you're aware, I'm taking care of everything so don't feel like you have to get up for any particular reason Tom. You can mope about the house all day and not have to worry about a thing", Luke reassured him as he came back around and grabbed the pills, popping one in his mouth too. "I'll explain more tomorrow when you're up, but I'll see you in the morning. Some of us need our beauty sleep too". "Wait. You're not sleeping on the sofa, are you?", Tom asked, sitting up again in bed, just managing to catch Luke in the doorway before he left. "No, I was going to use the space room. Police have nabbed the sofa for themselves", Luke replied, his words laced with enthusiasm. "Luke, you know all the stuff from the basement is in there right?". "Shit yeah. Damn. I forgot about that", Luke sighed, mentally cursing himself for not remembering. Tom had called him asking for a hand as part of the wall in the basement was beginning to leak with all the heavy British rain they'd been having, and he didn't want his stuff getting ruined so they'd bunged it all up in the spare bedroom. "I'm sure I can squeeze in. It'll be fine".

The eye roll off Tom was enough to change Luke's mind about even trying to get past all the boxes in the other room. He guessed he'd have to settle for sleeping in the bath like some passed out uni student. "Luke, be realistic. There is no way you are sleeping in my bath", Tom growled at him with a chuckle, knowing exactly what he was thinking. He knew Luke, and he knew that look too well. "I will say this only once Luke", Tom said seriously whilst holding back a yawn. "There is space in this bed for two, heck three people. Get in that side and go to sleep". With a gesture Tom indicated to the rather large empty space on the other side of the bed. If Luke could have raised his eyebrow any higher, it would have been up in the upper atmosphere. "You're ordering me to sleep with you?". "NO! Eww", Tom yelled alarmed at what he'd said, realising Luke had interpreted it wrong. "No. Eheh. What I meant was I sleep here, you sleep there, and no one crosses over the line. That way you get to actually get some sleep and don't end up being grumpier than a donkey's ass". 

Most women would immediately jump at the idea of sharing a bed with Tom for all the obvious reasons, but given the circumstances, this was usually the arrangement made between most friends. "Okay, fine. One time only", Luke sighed, admitting defeat as he closed the door, before jumping in the bed on the other side.  As Tom laid back down on the pillow and Luke settled in on the other side, both men remained in silence, save the rain from outside which filled it instead. "Tom?". "Yeah?". "No spooning". Luke had to hide the flush of embarrassment for having to ask it, but he didn't want anything to go the wrong way, but what made him flush even more was Tom's response. He couldn't distinguish if it had been a sigh of agreement or a silent chuckle, as Luke's side profile view of him gave nothing away. "I shall try not to. Goodnight Luke", Tom said sleepily as he closed his eyes, and after a few minutes, was  soon snoring peacefully asleep. Pretty soon, the pills dragged Luke down too into the peaceful slumber, as he fell asleep to the sound of the rain hammering against the glass, and Tom's mumblings, as he rolled over in his sleep, lost in the dream world again. 

[A/N: Hope you liked this little update. Sorry it's nothing action packed, all that will be coming up, but not for a while yet. I'm sorry that it is taking me so long to write. Hope you like it] xxx