#idk WHAT tumblr is doing to the 8th gif because it did NOT look like that before I uploaded it | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lizzybeth1986 · 5 years

Text

Quick Thoughts on TRR Book 1 Chapter 8

• So…umm…I LOVE this chapter! More in hindsight than when I was actually playing it because back then it just sounded like a jealous woman trying to sabotage the MC and failing. But now having played through this chapter and even written a fic about it…I have to say there’s a lot going on in this one.

• I’ve often found the 8th chapter in the series pretty interesting. This was the first chapter in the series to feature diamond scenes from all three of the original LIs in a single chapter. This would happen again in Book 2, but by Book 2 the imbalance was a lot more tangible. I will speak more about this later…but suffice to say that back when we had just two books in the series, I would call the 8th chapter The Magical Number Eight.

• A common misconception that seems to stem from this chapter (and others, often by Kiara-haters) is that Kiara “agrees to be our friend” this chapter, and then jumps ship to Madeleine in Book 2. That’s bullshit. Kiara never mentions the word friend. She says ally. And she delivers.

• THIS is also where you get the first little inkling that Maxwell could be romanced, though we would only know for sure by the middle of Book 2. This chapter is also where you also get the first of many Drake’s plot related scenes. Which meant that sometimes, even if a fan did not like him, they would end up buying his scenes anyway for some crumb of information on their LI. Drake was already getting popular, but dropping hints of plot into his scenes gave him an added edge and often encouraged fans of other LIs who didn’t like him, to buy his scenes.

• Anyway, since the buildup took an entire chapter, the book pushes us straight into the dressing room for this one!

• Title: A Waltz to Remember.

Alternative Title: Lizzy Turns This QT into a Kiara Gush-fest And Does Not Regret It (Even If It Gave Her Hand-Cramps).

I love how over the course of three books, this particular dance form of Cordonia has gained the importance it has. And it’s lovely how - even though we’re not meant to like Olivia at this point - our first glimpse of Cordonian culture through this dance, is in her estate.

• Hana’s silver dress makes its debut here! Honestly, I kinda would’ve liked this one a LOT better as a gown than as the bodycon it eventually became. That pleated bodice really needed a long, flowy skirt to work. I’m always going to be a little sore they made it a short bodycon instead 😑

• Okay I love both our options for the ball, okay. They’re both big, and glamorous, and make a real statement. Which is necessary, because the plan is to show Olivia up at her own home.

Winter Goddess is gorgeous - it has that vintage Hollywood feel to me, and the caption for it sounds pretty romantic (“will capture the winter moonlight”). Snowflake Sweetheart is very on-point for the whole snow/ice theme Lythikos itself has going on. I’m very fond of the crystals and the illusion sleeves on the second one….but I have to say that silk-satin one with the fur stole is the winner for me 😅

Me Back Then (on one of my million replays): If I really have to take a diamond option, I’m taking the second one. I’m cheap.

Me Now: Still cheap. I’m not spending 25 whole diamonds on another gown when there’s already a cute one free in my closet.

• Maxwell is trying hard to channel Bertrand 2.0, and is badgered enough by 1.0 over the phone to almost succeed.

• One of the formal phrases he uses is “a diamond of the first water”, a phrase you’d see very commonly in the Regency era…which kind of solidifies my belief that Regency England was one of their world building inspirations even back then.

• We don’t fully understand the kind of power the hostess can wield in her homeplace, until this sequence. On principle, Olivia is not exactly answerable to anyone, not even the royals visiting her in Lythikos - she can decide on seat arrangements, she can give instructions to the staff on who gets the best portions of the meals and who gets the worst, she can monopolize on the Prince’s time with her if she wants. And she takes full advantage of that.

• However, her being the hostess doesn’t always leave her completely free to do what she wants, without consequences. Lythikos is not just a turning point for us - it’s one for her as well. And not exactly in a good way.

• Here’s what Olivia does to sabotage us at the ball:

- seats us away from our sponsor, and away from the head table. In fact this is something she does to all the suitors - Maxwell tells us that not a single one has a place at the head table.

- seats us way back, next to a commoner who is also constantly given the same treatment - which Hana points out is meant to be viewed in the court as an insult. To an MC who is still learning the ways of the nobility, this move is pretty much a miss…but it does give us a very clear idea of how hypocritical the nobility and royalty can be. Hana is not immune to the prejudice either (seen as she does not censor the statement when she says it in front of Drake, a commoner), but she eventually grows to fiercely guard him and defend him from those kind of attitudes later on… and you can see a lot of that growth in TRH’s Walker Ranch chapters.

- has her servers give us ice-cold lobster bisque on purpose, thirty minutes after serving has begun. With no lobster in it. Remember, we’re in a wintry region where you require piping hot, creamy, fattening foods to stay warm. This isn’t just ruining a meal: Olivia is sending a clear message about how unwelcome they are, by giving them cold food devoid of the main protein, in the freezing cold of Lythikos.

- given the timing of her kiss on Liam during the waltz, she probably did that to send a message to us as well. It happens shortly after our dance with him, and from her reaction (angry, immediately establishing claim on him) to Liam’s dance with the MC, we can tell she’s more affected than she’d like to admit, and that’s what informs her actions during her second dance with him.

• Me Back Then: There is a nice option and a rude option. It’s Drake, but he’s Liam’s bff and I want to be nice.

(+ romance point)

Me Back Then:

Me Now: Romance points in Lythikos fall from Drake the way pee falls from someone with weak kegels. One tiny laugh and pssssshhhh.

• From the rude option you find out that Drake plays chess and often wins in his matches with Liam, so that’s a nice touch.

• The MC can acquire the fresh bisque for herself and her friends if she dramatically faints in front of a server. I quite like this (optional) moment because it shows her thinking on her feet and quickly ensuring she gets her way. The other options are pretty hilarious too, though, the obnoxious “do you know who I am” option comes with a Game of Thrones reference 😂

•

Me Back Then: …someone should leave Drake hungry at a party till the wee hours of the morning with access to only whiskey bottles. Whiskey for entrèe, whiskey for main, maybe we’ll be kind and give him brandy for dessert. Let’s see how far his love for whiskey goes then 😈

Me Now: Holy shit, Me Back Then, you just predicted the best scene in Book 3 🤣.

• One of my favourite TRR Tumblr posts ever, was the one where someone took a screenshot of Drake saying “I’m not one to complain about food” from this chapter, and placed a gif of Nicholas Fraser’s “Why You Always Lying” lyrics just beneath it 😄 If that isn’t the truth idk what is.

• Most of the chapter after this will focus on the Cordonian Waltz, Olivia’s little stunt and getting allies, so the buildup to Drake’s scene will happen now (and Hana’s just before we meet Drake). Hana will be dancing with Tariq, and then other partners in the meantime, so no opportunities to dance with her there.

I loved this dialogue option when I first saw it, but now that I know how much in love with dancing Maxwell is, this scene is ten times more fun! 😃

• On first playthrough…this didn’t seem like that big a problem. Maxwell was fun, and seemed to genuinely like us, and was berated a great deal by Bertrand - so it was easier then to perhaps forgive his gaffes and want to comfort him instead. But when you approach his character as someone who brought a complete foreigner to his country and then didn’t make much of an effort to educate her with what little time they both had…I wind up finding his character a lot less endearing. I’m honestly more irritated by his carelessness. There was a lot he could have done even if he forgot or didn’t know what to do. He could have asked around! Hana was right in front of him! He could have found out what to prepare for if he didn’t know or if Bertrand didn’t handhold him (which Bertrand himself isn’t exactly doing a good job of in the first place). The other LIs shouldn’t have to constantly step in and do his job as sponsor and guide!

• It’s only when we’re dancing that Maxwell realizes he’s not taught us the dance. Of course, if you bought Hana’s waltz scene, she whispers her advice just before you dance with him, and you give her credit for teaching you. If not, you go into it knowing very little (but because the options are easy to choose from, so you can still manage). Maxwell does explain its uniqueness in terms of the flirting potential and the fact that it’s a courtship dance…but the true beauty of that description only comes with Hana.

• Istg, if Hana weren’t around to repeatedly save our ungrateful asses…

• So THIS is the first opportunity you get to ‘romance’ Maxwell. He looks sad and tells you that you should only be here for the Prince, but it’s also that vague kind of sadness that you can interpret differently and write detailed fanfics about! I think a huge part of Maxwell’s appeal (besides the overall sparkling personality, and the fact that he was so different from both Liam and Drake) was the “will-he-won’t-he” nature of the LI question itself.

• We now move on to Liam, who is fighting a losing battle with his desire to favour the MC exclusively, but wants her to know that she is special to him. Notably he does say this in the “courtship” part of the dance.

• How do you know that the Cordonian Waltz was a strategic choice? Because Olivia chose to dance with Liam twice! And because she’s the hostess, it’s harder for Liam to refuse.

I remember being pretty uncomfortable with this scene the first time I saw it, I still am, and often I wonder if I’m the only one who feels that way. Whenever I see this scene being referenced, it’s often referenced in the most flippant ways. And it baffles me.

• Honestly, Olivia was clearly overstepping her boundaries here and didn’t even bother to ask Liam before doing it (Liam himself mentions he was “caught by surprise” and calls it an “unexpected advance”). Was Olivia doing it out of complex, understandable reasons? Like jealousy or frustration or showing the MC up? Well, sure I guess. But it doesn’t take away from the fact that her doing so was nonconsensual and downright wrong.

The funny thing is often this incident is either downplayed or erased completely, especially in contexts where people try to argue that Olivia “deserves better” than Liam, or sympathize with her for loving a man who “does not care about her”.

Does Olivia deserve to be loved back by a person she loves? Absolutely.

Is Liam a lesser person for not loving her back? No, and he shouldn’t have to be penalized or judged by a fandom for not doing so.

Is the fact that most people who uphold this “penalizing/blaming Liam for not returning Olivia’s feelings” argument, also tend to forget/downplay this particular incident…particularly disturbing? Well, yeah, definitely.

• Even the narrative fails with regard to this, actually. It is written in a comical style, with a couple of out-there dialogue options (like screaming loud enough of break poor Maxwell’s eardrums) and the MC is given a chance to lash out at Liam for not reacting fast enough or throwing Olivia off of him. And guess what his reaction is. Sad, contrite, trying to explain his position. It’s almost like it’s okay for him to feel guilty about something that was done TO him, that he was never asked permission for.

Olivia does suffer consequences, but more for her “power play” than for anything else. Her move isn’t viewed as negative for what it may do to Liam, it is negative because it is seen as a direct “fuck you” she is delivering to her competitors. The scene itself is written for laughs…which I’m surprised more people don’t find even a little uncomfortable.

• The reactions from the other suitors is pretty on point for their character types at this point. Madeleine is smug and condescending, confident that she will never be “unrefined or insecure” enough for such “ostentatious displays” (says the woman who will bully her entire court, run around Italy roaring drunk and name a drink after herself in Book 2). Penelope doesn’t exactly have a personality at this point, she merely comments that the kiss was a bold play. It is Kiara who points out the power dynamics involved and views it as the last straw in her waning support for Olivia.

Remember - the ladies of the court weren’t treated half as badly as we were, but they were probably more aware (than us) that they were being denied a seat at the head table, and had to put up with Olivia monopolizing Prince Liam’s time. While Kiara’s suspicions that Olivia is “mad with power” here probably aren’t too far off the mark (even though her feelings of jealousy and confusion may be involved, we can’t deny that there is a clear sense of “I’m the hostess here, I can do what I want”), it’s not just an assumption that simply stems out of nowhere.

• Maxwell sees and opportunity to gain allies, and encourages us to capitalize on it. The wrong options are pretty interesting: if you mention “slapping the smirk off Olivia’s face”, Maxwell tells you that the political equivalent would be to “attack her alliances”. If you suggest making out with Liam in public, Maxwell exclaims that doing so would lead to people gunning after you. Which is telling, because in Book 1 PDA is mostly shown as being frowned upon in Cordonian society in general. So Olivia’s very public kiss isn’t just brazen and bold to the courtly ladies, but also viewed as inappropriate and a jab at their own lack of power in this situation.

• I love that Maxwell gets the opportunity to encourage us to play politics. Love it. He is the first one to notice the change in Kiara’s attitude towards Olivia, and he recognizes that the time is ripe for us to captialize on it. While Bertrand, or Bertrand-and-Maxwell, are the ones who tell us the importance of gaining support from the press and the royals, getting the court to support us is wholly Maxwell’s idea. This added another layer to the way he was built in the story, and I’m not happy that we didn’t see a lot of that perceptiveness and skill around court later on. By Books 2 and 3, he was mostly relegated to the funny guy, the court jester. Book 1 Maxwell may make a lot of mistakes but you bet he’d be too smart to toss brushettas in the face of dignitaries at the UN. It was like his own writers forgot Maxwell was capable of more.

• OKAY SO THE KIARA SECTION IS A FAVOURITE OF MINE OKAY. And it only wound up being a favourite when I realized there were changes in her dialogue between my Esther playthrough and my Persephone one. I mean if I weren’t already a fan of her…this definitely would have converted me.

Before I get into the actual gushing…I’ll just summarize what the MC has to do to gain her approval:

- Language: Kiara is known for her proficiency with languages - it is the skill that defines her in court (to the point that you barely notice her other qualities). Her home language is French, and if you know how to respond to comment ça va she is cheerful and more willing to hear you out (if you choose the fromage answer she’ll a bit surprised but not too hostile, and if you say voulez-vous coucher avec moi, well…of course she’ll be pissed off because you just accidentally asked her to sleep with you). In any case, to gain her approval you need to respond in French.

In fact even Kiara’s goodbyes vary based on whether she becomes your ally or not. If she’s your ally, she says à bientôt before leaving (which is “see you soon”). If she’s not convinced by your arguments, she says adieu, which has more of a sense of finality to it and is often said when you don’t expect to meet again (in fact I’m surprised they had her say it) and is different from au revior (which means “until we see each other again”).

- Olivia’s Actions: Kiara reiterates to you what she’d just told the others - Olivia is on a power trip, and while Kiki is well aware that she’s not a top contender in this competition, she is not going to stand for being treated like she is lesser than the ones who do have power. Interestingly, in both Chapter 7 of Book 2 and this chapter, Kiara’s first visible signs of discontent/frustration come when both Olivia/Madeleine go on massive power trips (“she even named a drink after herself. Quelle narcissique”, Kiara says about Madeleine in the next book).

I feel like Kiara’s frustration may have already been there with Olivia’s treatment of the ladies of the court at the start of the Ball (but perhaps she may have been brushed it aside as a strategy you could expect from a noblewoman in her own estate) but it is Olivia kissing Liam and trying to establish a claim on him that is seen as the tipping point for her.

However, she’s also pretty pragmatic and is lowkey impressed with Olivia if you state that she went too far. She is irritated by the message Olivia is sending, but acknowledges that not many would have dared to do that in her place. A more neutral response works well with Kiara’s train of thought, because to her the important thing is seeing what works in the long run, and the MC has to convince her that she is a good alternative.

- Alliance: Kiara already anticipates this, since she is the one who straight-out asks this question. At this point Kiara is not exactly aiming to be Queen - she knows she is up against more powerful people, people who have more access to the royal family (perhaps her dad Hakim would have had a similar amount of access if Constantine wasn’t such a dick). She is not going to waste her time wishing for what she won’t get, when she can easily network instead. The answer that works best with her is the one where the MC speaks of Olivia’s friendship as being a one-way street where she always gets her way, which is ironic considering how the MC behaves in a likely worse manner towards Kiara in Book 3.

• One of my favourite Kiara lines is from the wrong option (“I’m nicer than Olivia”) for the Alliance segment: “Nice? Nothing about being here is nice. If I wanted nice I’d buy a teacup pig. 😡”

• Back in Books 6’s QT, I mentioned Queen Regina and Duke Bertrand as being the two people in the first book who watch out and keep track on our progress. Bertrand does it because he is our sponsor, Regina does it because after all we are one of the candidates for her stepson’s hand in marriage, and we’re the one he eventually shows the most interest in. But there is one other person who seems to be taking notice of our good performance as well:

On my fail run, where Persy doesn’t gain approval either from the press, or from the royals, those last two lines simply do not appear. She asks us about whether we’re looking for an alliance, and we immediately answer her. She will still join hands with you if you convince her (I did a test run where Persy said all the right things) but those words will not feature anywhere. Because the dialogue is coded such that it will only appear if you’ve done well in your previous two tasks.

That is fascinating to me, because Kiara is the only lady of the court who is written as noticing these things at such an early stage in the competition (the Lythikos Ball is only the third event in the social season, and the maximum approvals come from the Derby, which was the event just preceding it). She is the only person, besides Bertrand and Regina, who keeps track of our progress (even if that is only uptil this point, because if you win her support here, it stays that way until the Coronation). Even Madeleine, who has been part of a social season before and is viewed as having a lot of experience in the court, compared to the other ladies, spends most of her time simply underestimating the MC. It isn’t until Applewood and Ramsford that Madeleine even begins to think there might be more to this person.

Kiara, on the other hand, is observant. She is competitive but she knows when other people have the upper hand, and she will honestly acknowledge that you have an edge if you have proven yourself to the press and the Queen. For someone who would be seen as just a lady of the court….that level of foresight, observation skills and pragmatism is pretty phenomenal to me.

• I’ve said this many times and I will say it again: Kiara has always been upfront about what she’s bringing to the table in an alliance. She isn’t your friend and she won’t pretend to be your friend either. She mentions she will put in a good word and support you in becoming Queen, and she keeps her promise.

She keeps her distance from you otherwise, so you can’t dub her a ‘friend’ even then, but she will do her work as an ally. She doesn’t get involved in smearing your name while supporting you to your face. At the end of the day, she is a woman in the court trying to thrive and carve a space of her own, but she won’t dirty her hands to do that - and I don’t think she gets enough recognition for that.

• Alright I’ll stop gushing about Kiki otherwise this QT will never end 😂

• We now meet Liam, who tells us about the hot tub in his room, and invites us there. The intent is clearly romantic (the MC specifies as such, smiling, and Liam winks at you before he leaves).

• This chapter also marks the second time you see Penelope with Liam, after which you will only see her directly interact with him at his Coronation. Funny how Kiara doesn’t get even one opportunity in the narrative to talk to him.

• It’s the end of our big night in Lythikos, and we’ve got three invitations to spend time with an LI! Liam’s setting up candles near the hot tub, Hana is playing exquisite melodies on the piano, and Drake is drinking whiskey in Olivia’s wine cellar. Maxwell is…doing Maxwell things that we are not privy to yet. Or taking a nap.

• I won’t be going too much into detail esp for Liam and Hana’s scenes - because I have essays written on both! Both will be under the “Liam: Diamond Scenes” and “Hana: Diamond Scenes” sections of my essay masterlist if anyone is interested 😃 They will be titled “Hot Tub at Lythikos” and “Piano at the Parlour”, respectively. (another recommended read is “Exploring Hana in Her Context” where I talk about this scene, and her characterization. It’s a little further down on the masterlist).

•

(Screenshots for Drake from the HIMEME YouTube channel)

Liam: This is undoubtedly meant to be a romantic scene, and is hinted as much in the lead-up to it while still giving the MC the space to not go (since she says “I won’t make any promises”). He puts candles around the tub, and the tub itself is situated in an area where you can get a wonderful view of the mountains.

This scene is divided into two parts: the first where Liam gets to sincerely tell the MC he trusts her (optionally) and where they lightly flirt, and the second where he admits to feeling conflicted between giving in to his feelings and being fair to the other women. At this point he knows his feelings for the MC are stronger, implicitly trusts her (“I thoroughly believe that if you thought I was a pompous ass, you wouldn’t hesitate to tell me. I trust you, MC. Anything you say”), doesn’t want to call it love just yet but is well on his way to doing so. He tells us about his brother Leo, hinting at the events of the RoE series and explaining that seeing how love affected him made Liam think more about it. It’s not one of Liam’s absolute best scenes…but it is a sweet one where Liam tentatively explores his growing love for her - in some ways leading to his “almost-declaration” of love at the Forgotten Falls. In each scene of Liam’s, he takes a step further, and another, and another, to admitting his love for her and growing less guilty about his desire to be with her. He is still torn between his duty and his desire at this point, but you can already see him slowly inching towards the prospect of keeping what he wants first, for once.

Hana: This, in my mind, is Hana’s most powerful scene. As many adjectives as I can use to describe her in this scene would be inadequate, because it’s that good, that layered, that rich with nuance and detail. But I do think I can sum a bit of it up with a quote from a Book 3 Liam scene that instantly took me back to this one:

“Hana’s a tough one. She’s clearly had the kind of lessons I’m giving you now, and then some. Her posture is almost always polite and attentive…but when she feels strongly about something, you can sense her real feelings even before she speaks up. Her eyes grow darker and more serious.”

Compare the scenes from last chapter where she speaks about ice-skating, or even waltzing, to this one. In both those scenes, her expression is mostly neutral (or joyful when she is imparting her knowledge), speaking of it in a way that makes you understand that her heart isn’t truly in doing those things. But in this one, she is lost in her music when she plays it, she is feeling its melody in her bones, she speaks of guarding her most precious skill fiercely against her parents’ control because it’s the one thing she wants for herself. She is fierce and passionate and absolutely beautiful in the way she expresses her love for music.

In an essay I did on exploring Hana’s character in her larger context, I spoke at length about how this scene is important because it highlights that her struggle for her own autonomy began at a very young age - she recognized her art as sacred to her and had the foresight to understand that parading it around the way her parents wanted her to, would make her love it less. This scene is amazing because Young Hana is described as pushing back in the only way she knew how, so she could keep what was hers, on her terms.

The other thing this scene explores is her childhood loneliness and lack of friends, and how music helped her in those difficult times too. At this point we now know how deep that loneliness was, and how damaging to her, but back then this scene gave a wonderful insight to Childhood Hana.

So for her to trust us with her art - with the art she fought to keep her own…that’s a tremendous leap in that relationship - whether the MC is a friend or a potential lover. Romantically, she is at the point where she is slowly…slowly getting comfortable with the MC’s touch, allowing it to linger before she pulls away from her. She’s a bit like a butterfly who doesn’t know yet if she’s ready to leave her cocoon.

Drake: The picture presented to us of Drake here is the diamond-in-the-rough, the underdog, the one who views court and palace differently from everyone around him. He is there to remind us that this is not the charmed place we think it is, that even friends can stick knives in our backs. He speaks of the forced politeness of the nobility, the fact that he’s here only to protect Liam, that the MC is an innocent woman who doesn’t know what she is getting into and needs protection as well.

This scene comes with what was regarded as an important plot point at the time: who almost sold pictures of Liam’s bachelor party to the press? Drake and Bastien managed to get hold of them and prevent them from being published, knowing that having those printed before the social season would cast Liam in a more negative light, and make things harder for him. At this point, Drake is sure that someone he knows and possibly considers a friend is involved (close enough, but not quite there yet), but can’t yet figure out who (because, yknow, Olivia was the brains between the two, she cracked that mystery in under five minutes or something).

If you don’t buy this scene, you only get to know about the pictures in Book 2 Chapter 4. A lot of Drake’s scenes involve important plot points - some of which we won’t even hear the same way - or at all - if we don’t buy the scene (eg. the flashback scenes about Hana’s return and the Italian restaurant scene about Liam’s assassination). I recall buying quite a few of his scenes in the latter half of Book 1 and most of Book 2 just to find out stuff about other LIs.

The scene is pretty sweet - it highlights his now-famous whiskey obsession, has Drake openly show his protectiveness towards her minus the jaded sarcastic veneer, and has him warn her about the nature of this court. It has a line that I quite liked when I first saw the scene, but that fandom has pretty much ruined for me - “the moments in between”. Where he speaks of how the nobility are so busy schmoozing and being superficial that they miss the really important parts. It’s a beautiful thought, but the fact is I’m still paying like 17 diamonds to get it, which makes it a…pretty expensive moment.

But overall…it’s a nice scene. The look and feel of it is different from the other two, and so is the purpose.

• The focus of all these three scenes is clearly trust.

Liam completely trusts her opinion of him and confesses openly his desire to let go of all that is holding him back, even though he is still confused and conflicted about his own feelings.

Hana trusts her so much, that she will share piano pieces that she lovingly composed to the MC, even though she never performs for people. It is a measure of how much Hana values the MC that she will share such a secret part of herself with her.

Drake, who once came this close to calling the MC a crown chaser, now views the same woman as an innocent who doesn’t know what she is getting into. He will later tell her that that aspect of her journey reminds him of Savannah. He trusts the MC enough to give her important information about something he still views as a possible plot targeted at Liam, and tells her their moments mean something to him.

Chapter 8 of the second book took this theme forward for the initial three LIs, by showing us trust in other forms. Liam’s firm belief in his father’s dedication to his nation (which will crumble soon). Drake’s being convinced by the MC to stay on and hear out his sister, to give her a chance to explain what really happened to her, and his emotional reunion with her. Hana’s scene…was more about gaining someone’s trust - particularly Penelope’s. (it is also one of the worst scenes the series has ever given an LI, whoever wrote that one can fall on a cactus).

We are approaching a midpoint in the story, so at this point the narrative is progressing each of these relationships towards the point where they trust this woman, view her as a valuable person in their lives, and inch ever-so-slightly towards that eventual realization that they are in love with her.

•

Another point in the Tariq shoe tally!! I wonder if this ‘ghost’ deals with 'future misdeeds’ as well…

• We spend a few more days in Lythikos before we move back to the Capitol for the Royal Regatta, and both Esther and Persy are like “YOU HAD A FEW DAYS TO ASK IF I KNEW WHAT A FUCKING REGATTA WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MAXWELL”.

• So…a lot happens this chapter. The MC begins to rope in (or not) her first allies in the court, she has a strong foothold by now and is beginning to get noticed as more than just a random contender who wouldn’t last, she gains the trust of the people she is growing close to.

But most of all…Lythikos is where Olivia begins to lose the hold she once had on the court, and this is never more apparent than if you are losing supporters rather than gaining them (if you are more popular, it won’t be that apparent, since you will move far ahead of the competition). There will be times when the press may not pay attention to her, there will be ladies who club the MC and Olivia both together as “not a proper fit for becoming a queen”. She is still very much a frontrunner, she may win the Regatta if you fail all the steps to the boat race, but after this it will be harder for her to gain support whether or not the MC succeeds.

Shortly after this point, Olivia also doesn’t antagonize the MC as blatantly as she did in Lythikos, save for a snide remark to the MC (with a life jacket of all things) if you choose to go to her yacht in the next chapter. She will eventually begin to thaw towards you in Applewood.

• Constantine and Regina are conspicuous by their absence this chapter, and Constantine announces that he is stepping down the next. Which probably means he found out sometime between the Masque and this event that he was ill (since we don’t see him at the Derby). I’m headcanoning that they visited Leo around this time (optionally with the RoE MC, since the housewarming party in Newlyweds seems to happen sometime around the social season (it could be earlier or later too…but humour me 😂)

• So…Regatta in Chapter 9! Lots of sun, fun and (Persephone-willing) PLENTY of mess.

• Before I sign of, here is Persy’s Share of Mess this chapter (except for the bloodcurdling scream she gives when Olivia kisses Liam, I forgot to screenshot that 🙈 How on earth did Maxwell’s poor ears survive??):

• Until next week, folks!

–

• Tally Counts:

Number of Times Drake has Called Esther/Persy by Their First Names: 5

Number of Times Tariq Has Mentioned His Shoes: 3

Number of Times Drake Has Taken An Alcoholic Drink that’s Not Whiskey: 1

Number of Times Someone Has Called A Reigning Monarch 'Your Highness’: 2

Number of Times You Can Leave Hana Shook. SHOOK I TELLS YA: 4

Number of Times We See Penelope’s Angryface: 2

–

#long post #the royal romance #trr quick thoughts #trr qts #hana lee #trr kiara #king liam #olivia nevrakis #drake walker #i stan for kiki #this was honestly one of my fave chapters to write for

36 notes · View notes

jamilelucato · 6 years

Text

We’re Just Friends [T. HOLLAND] - Pt 3

THIS HAS BEEN REWRITTEN! (April 8th, 2023)

Request: @anon so, since you’re accepting requests, could you do something w Tom Holland, where the girl is a marvel actress too and she’s in an interview where she’s asked about if she ships Tom and Zendaya and she says she ships it, but she actually has a crush on Tom but since she and Tom aren’t really dating yet she has to pretending? idk feel free to change anything 10x

Summary: Y/N is a Marvel actress playing a superhero character who shows up for the first time in a Spider-man’s movie. Working with Tom is a dream coming true, he’s so nice… but he’s always with Zendaya. Do they have a thing? They never told you, but your crush on Tom was getting obvious, so your agent found an unpleasant way to cool down your reputation.

A/N: Hope you guys enjoy this last part! Thank you so much for the support and the divulgation!

Part 3/3 Part 1 Part 2

@highladyjel @daydreamer2025 @batclimb @yourwonderbelle @loxbbg @im-meant-to-be-bi-myself @greenarrowhead @fijiangecko @skittles-anime-123 @mxrihollxnd @iwillalwaysbevictorious @laurercohan @leelee--thebaek @shyriss-23 @maryxhanna @importanttimemachinenerd @bubbles8898 @lemirabitur @dennythepooh @sogaywara @221bsherlockedfaiith @actual-queen-of-hell @muloui @embrace-themagic @vogueworthy-barnes @fangirl-with-a-mission @savannah0111 @justanobody99 @betterfeelsorethansorrytomorrow @roaringgoodshow @almostrosadiazz @racewife2004 @mor-gagged @yourbitchyqueenblog @mellowholland @hadesgirl1015 @thebadassbitchqueen @starlightfound @end-of-strangerdale @daiiybuugle @hauntingnightterror @anxietyisthebestme @gray-rose13 @pleasejustletmeletyougo @thellamalord @shootingstarsaretearsofheaven @oxodianaoxo @futuremrsb-r-main @an-asexual-pancake @thegreat-annamaria @potter-head-phanatic @winchestergirl907 @gocheescakegirl @buenostardissherlock @caffeinated-bumblebee @marvelrose @spidey-prince @holllandhugs @bibbo-boggerns @controloffandoms @infamous-webhead @littlephansoul @awshucks-ace @kindalike-what @blackcoffeeand-cats @ocaensqueen @lunarlunatix @chennyetomlinson @marvelmadwoman @awesomeness-valerie @thegirlwhoolived @used-up-cigars @orange-jps3497 @omgpeterxparker @wildlyjoyfultyrant @aisling-studying @3003st @bananzaa @southsiderepresent @fangirlcore @marvel-gives-me-feels @justagirllookingforherplace @deadlyaffairs @lisssays @sparkheels @yoursharleyquinn @samanthagraceg @delusionsofnostalgia @petertomparkerholland @drunk-valkyrie @elenapatricia99 @wonderwall23s @sabrinabrentin @saltymermaid @vagabondfairy @infamous-webhead @savethebabyseals @quotemeow @1life-4hope @jubaydahk @stuckychild @tvshowsmovienerdlove @theres-a-frog-in-your-holland @everythingeverywherelistening @1enchantedfantasy1 @clairesitzm (i’m really sorry if you didn’t get tagged at all, I had some issues with Tumblr because of it, and I really tried but it just didn’t work)

*Y/SH/N= your superhero name (as in the character you’re playing)

“Ok, can you please stop staring at me like it is my fault?” you asked, trying to ease the tension.

He looked at you like an angry father, as if he had caught you doing something you weren’t supposed to.

As Phillip watched the video, you took the opportunity to skim through the new scene that had been added to the script. It didn’t make sense at first — why would your character kiss Peter Parker when he had already kissed MJ in the last movie? But then it hit you — your character didn’t know about the previous kiss. So this would be her first kiss, and it would be with Peter Parker. Which meant you would have to kiss Tom Holland for the first time.

“I don’t know what to do,” Phillip said, finally tearing his gaze away from the phone.

“What do you mean?” you asked, confused.

“I told you to stay away from that boy, and you clearly didn’t,” he replied sternly.

You rolled your eyes. “My interview was perfect!” you protested. “I even said I shipped Tom with Zendaya. What more did you want me to do?”

Phillip let out a sigh; his frustration was evident. “Yes, but Marvel saw something between you two. Chemistry. And you know I don’t believe in that shit. Chemistry is a way to say the actors are hooking up off-screen.”

You stood there, staring at your agent in disbelief. He was always so sceptical, so cynical, so different from you. You believed in fate, romance, and true love, but Philip saw everything as a business. He had a point, though. Marvel executives were always looking for ways to boost the movie’s publicity. So what better way than to create a real-life romance between the two leads?

“But Tom and I are just friends,” you protested, feeling a knot forming in your stomach.

“Because you don’t want to, I watched”, he quoted Tom’s answer. Philip raised an eyebrow. “The way he looks at you, the way he talks to you, it’s not just friendly. And don’t even get me started on how you look at him.”

You opened your mouth to defend yourself, but he interrupted you.

“I’m not saying you’re in love with him, but you can’t deny that there’s something there. And now, with this new scene, you have to kiss him. Do you know how much pressure that puts on you? On both of you? If you mess this up, it could ruin the movie.”

You sighed, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. Phill was right, of course. This kiss was not just any kiss. It was your character’s first kiss, and it was with Peter Parker. And it was with Tom Holland. So you had to get it right.

“I don’t know what to do,” you admitted, feeling a tear roll down your cheek.

Philip softened his gaze, and for a moment, he looked like a caring dad.

“Listen,” he said, his voice soft and comforting. “This is hard, but I’m here for you. We’ll figure it out together.”

He lowered his gaze to the paused YouTube video, his mind racing with thoughts of the problem only he could see. His heart ached for you, knowing the backlash you would receive from Zendaya and Tom’s fans, but he knew you and Tom had your own shippers now. And he wanted to be with you. That was what his words meant, wasn’t it?

But why was Phil, who was supposed to support you, against the idea?

“You know,” he began, his eyes locking onto yours. “When your parents gave me your legal guardianship, I took on a huge responsibility because I believed in you. You were only fifteen when I gave you a room and your first part.”

You remembered that day vividly when you left your parents’ house. Your father was shaking, afraid that Phil could be a scammer or a rapist. He had even taught you boxing lessons, and your mother bought you pepper spray. You still had it in your purse, a reminder of where you came from.

“Now you’re nineteen,” Phil continued, “your fortune has tripled, you have your own house, and you visit your parents whenever you want. You get whatever role you desire.”

“Phil, I’m thankful for everything,” you said, trying to comfort him. “You know that. You’re like a second father to me. I just don’t understand why you’re against me and Tom kissing or having something more.”

“Y/N,” he tried to interrupt, but you pushed on.

“No, Phil. I want to understand. Tom is a good man. He respects women, and he gives his family the proper attention. And apparently, he wants more than just friends with me. So what’s the problem?” You looked at him expectantly, waiting for an answer.

Phil’s eyes held a mixture of concern and frustration. “The problem is that it’s not just about you and Tom. It’s about your career, reputation, and the public’s perception of you.”

You frowned, feeling a knot forming in your stomach. “What do you mean?”

“People are invested in your on-screen and off-screen chemistry with your co-stars. It makes people want to watch your movies, ship your characters, and follow your life,” he explained, his voice full of experience. Phill wasn’t an actor, but he was just as good with his words. “However, if you start dating Tom, it will change the dynamic of your on-screen relationship, which could affect your fan base and future opportunities.”

You felt a pang of disappointment in your chest. You had worked hard to get to where you are now and didn’t want to throw it all away for love. But you couldn’t help the way you felt about Tom. He was too charming!

“I knew you had a crush on him from the moment you auditioned the second time with him,” Phil said, ignoring all the emotions displayed on your face. “But he was dating Zendaya then, so I knew your crush would eventually fade away.”

“What do you mean he was dating Zendaya?” you asked, shocked that you had missed this crucial information. It was one thing for your legal guardian to know when you have a crush on someone. Still, it was entirely another thing when he, the outsider, knew about a couple no one else knew about.

“Come on, deep down, you always knew they had a thing,” Phil replied, trying to calm you down. “But it’s over now. And you know why?”

You shook your head, feeling confused and angry. You didn’t want to listen to Phil’s reasoning anymore.

“Well, of course, I don’t, since I didn’t even know they dated,” you said, your voice rising.

“Neither do I,” Phil answered, leaving you even more confused than before. “Yeah, I knew they dated because his agent told me once. But he never told me why they broke up, which scares me, Y/N.” He held your hands tightly. “What if he cheated on her? What if he cheats on you? I can’t see you heartbroken.”

Philip’s words resonated in your mind, and you couldn’t help but feel a sense of fear creep up your spine. You didn’t want to be heartbroken, especially not by someone you had grown to care about. You knew the risks of dating a co-star but didn’t expect it to affect your career and personal life this much.

You looked at Philip, who was holding your hands tightly, and you saw a flicker of concern in his eyes. Seeing this side of him was strange, but it made you appreciate his presence in your life even more.

“Philip, you don’t need to worry so much,” you said softly, trying to alleviate his fears. “I understand where you’re coming from.”

You released his hands and wrapped your arms around him, pulling him into a tight hug. You felt his arms encircle you like a warm embrace from a family member.

“Thank you for caring so much, Philip. You mean a lot to me,” you whispered into his ear.

He hugged you back just as tightly, and you forgot about the problems and uncertainties ahead for a moment.

As you parted, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease in your chest. The thought of Tom cheating on you or hurting you in any way was terrifying, but you couldn’t let it stop you from taking a chance at love.

“You know, that was the closest you ever got to telling me you love me,” you chuckled, trying to change the mood.

Phill welcomed the try.

“Yeah, well,” he shrugged, embarrassed. “Find your peace with it.”

“You don’t need to worry if he will break my heart. I mean, we can’t control these kinds of stuff. Anyone can break my heart,” you said, biting your lip. “Chances Holland will do it are the same as Shawn Mendes, which means it can come from anywhere.”

Philip’s eyes narrowed as he spoke, “But Holland...what if he cheated on Zendaya?”

You could see the worry etched on his face, and you couldn’t help but feel grateful for his concern. “Look, we better wrap up for tomorrow ’cause I’ll have an early day, but I promise I’ll find out more about why they broke up before I try anything,” you said, getting up from the couch. “Thomas and I still have to discuss what he meant in this interview.”

Philip rose from the couch as well, his gaze never leaving yours.

“Who knows, maybe he was only joking with me. Maybe we’ll end up still split,” you said, trying to remain optimistic.

“I highly doubt that,” Philip said, his voice low. “But now I know you can watch out for yourself. I wish you the best.”

The sincerity in his words brought tears to your eyes. You hugged him tightly again, grateful for his unwavering support.

“Thank you, Phil,” you whispered.

***

The night had been restless, filled with questions and concerns about Tom and his past relationship with Zendaya. As Phillip left, you were too exhausted to even consider contacting Tom. You knew that you needed to talk to him in person anyway, but the thought of confronting him was overwhelming.

The following day, your mind was consumed with whether Tom had been unfaithful to Zendaya. It didn’t make sense to you; they were still friends and even planned to host a party together. Holland was the sweetest guy you had ever met, and Phillip’s concerns were probably exaggerated.

When you arrived on set, you headed straight to the makeup trailer, hoping that Alexa would have some answers. You cut her off nervously as she greeted you before she could respond.

“I need to know why Zendaya and Tom broke up,” you said urgently.

Alexa rolled her eyes and responded sarcastically, “Good morning to you, too, Y/N. I don’t know. Have a nice day.”

You sat on one of the chairs facing the mirror and explained, “I need to know, Alexa. At least tell me all you know before they arrive.”

“I don’t know much, Y/N; I’m sorry,” she said, coming closer to you to start your makeup process. “But I do remember when rumours of their breakup started spreading. It had something to do with cheating.”

Your heart sank at the mention of cheating. “Please tell me it was Zendaya’s fault,” you pleaded.

“Why are you so...?” Alexa started to say before realising what was happening. “Oh, you have a crush on Tom!”

You scolded her, “Keep it quiet! I don’t think the directors heard it.” Alexa couldn’t contain her excitement and started jumping around you.

“I can’t believe it! You’ve got to talk to him! He’s been waiting for your sign since the Spider-man 2 premiere!” she exclaimed.

“What do you mean he’s been waiting for signs?” you asked, confused.

“Oh, Y/N, he’s been into you for a while now,” she explained, grinning from ear to ear.

Your mind raced as you thought about what Alexa had just told you. Could it be true that Tom had feelings for you? And if so, why had he yet to make a move? You knew you needed to talk to him about everything and get to the bottom.

“No way!” you exclaimed, breaking the silence.

“Yes, way!” Alexa grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, my G, he gave you so many signs! Firstly, he asked you to sleep in his hotel room in the second country of the tour...”

“He wanted to do a pyjama party!” you interrupted her, trying to make sense of the situation.

“With only you two? Get real!” she retorted, her voice laced with amusement.

“How do you know all this stuff?” you turned to face Alexa instead of looking at her through the mirror.

“You’re not the only client I’m friends with,” she smiled, “He asked to escort you to the red carpet of Spider-man 2. Wasn’t that a huge sign?”

“I thought he was being my friend since I wasn’t friends with the whole cast,” you explained, feeling slightly embarrassed.

“Oh, poor Y/N!” Alexa said, messing with your hair. “I’m so happy you’re finally gonna get together!!”

“Not yet, Lex,” you said with a sad face. “I promised my agent I’d find out who cheated on who in his previous relationship.”

“Y/N, he’d never cheat on you,” Alexa emphasised.

“It’s not because of me that I’m worried,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper, and your sentence rested in the silence of the makeup trailer.

Alexa paused and looked at you with a frown. “Then why are you worried?” she asked softly.

You bit your lip, trying to find the right words to explain your feelings. “I just don’t want to be the reason for anyone’s pain or heartbreak. And if he really did cheat on Zendaya, it’s not fair to her either.”

Alexa’s expression softened, and she placed a comforting hand on your shoulder. “I understand, Y/N. But you can’t blame yourself for something that might not even be true. And besides, Tom is his own person. He’s responsible for his own actions.”

You nodded, knowing she was right. But the thought of causing anyone pain still weighed heavily on your mind. You took a deep breath and stood up, determined to discover the truth.

“Thanks, Lex,” you said, giving her a small smile. “But I’ve got a day of work ahead before I get to solve all this.”

Leaving the trailer, you saw Thomas arriving, but he was too far away for you to try and talk to him. Nevertheless, your chance would come — eventually.

Besides, there was a big scene ahead of you. It would be your character’s first interaction with Black Widow. Still, it would be your second time in a movie with Scarlett Johansson. You guys had worked together in a small film about a disfigured family a year before. You couldn’t tell if you liked the movie, but working with Johansson had been fun.

You heard a voice calling out as you were lost in thought.

“Hey, Y/N! Over here!” It was Scarlett, waving at you from across the set.

You smiled and waved back, feeling grateful for the distraction. Scarlett was always the life of the party, and you knew she would help you forget about your worries. As you approached her, she pulled you into a hug. “How are you, girl? Excited for our scene together?”

You nodded, “Definitely! I can’t wait to see what Black Widow will put me through.”

“Trust me,” Scarlett chuckled, “it’s going to be epic. You seem nervous? Is it because of my presence?”

“Ha-ha,” you faked a laugh, tilting your body away from her hug. “I am nervous, though. However, it’s unrelated to our shooting.”

“How so?”

You felt your cheeks heat up, “Oh, it’s nothing. Just some harmless gossip, I guess.”

Scarlett raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

You sighed, avoiding her face.

“Ok, ok,” Scarlett shrugged, dropping her eyebrows and keeping her expression light again. “I won’t pressure. How’s Spider-boy?”

Everyone knew that Thomas was only the actor behind the character of Spider-Man. Still, he had been such a kid on his first movie appearance that none of the old cast would let him forget, and the nickname, “Spider-boy”, just was a catch.

The fact that the first thing Scarlett suggested to light up the mood was Tom Holland didn’t go unnoticed by you, who raised your shoulders and looked away quickly.

“He’s doing great,” you answered, trying to hide how talking about Tom was weird. “He’s been working hard.”

Scarlett grinned, “That sounds like him. But, you know, we should play a prank on him later. It’ll be hilarious.”

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite yourself. “What did you have in mind?”

Scarlett leaned in conspiratorially. “You eat a bunch of garlic before the kiss scene,” her eyes sparkling with mischief, “it’ll be like a garlic bomb went off!”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Scar,” you couldn’t help but laugh at the thought, but then your eyes widened as you imagined actually doing it.

Scarlett shrugged, her grin fading slightly. “Suit yourself. It would’ve been funny, though.”

You nodded, relieved that she didn’t push the issue. The two of you headed to the training room for your scenes together. As you went through the motions, you couldn’t shake the nervous feeling in your stomach. The last thing you wanted was to accidentally hurt Scarlett during the fight scenes. You breathed a sigh of relief when the director called for a break, allowing you to regroup.

Scarlett stood beside you as you leaned against the wall, catching your breath. “You ok?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

You smiled at her, grateful for her concern. “Yeah, just a bit nervous. These scenes always make me worry about hurting the other actors.”

Scarlett laughed, “Don’t worry, I can handle myself. Just remember to follow the choreography, and we’ll be fine.”

As the shooting continued, the characters focused entirely on their training, their eyes on the task. In the scene, Black Widow, played expertly by Scarlett, noticed that Y/SH/N seemed distracted. You couldn’t help but feel the same way, lost in your own thoughts.

“You seem distracted,” Black Widow said to Y/SH/N.

Wiping the sweat from your forehead, you let out a sigh and responded, “It’s Peter.” The line was delivered as your character Y/SH/N, who never shied away from her feelings. “I think I like him.”

Scarlett’s portrayal of Black Widow was so convincing that you were completely immersed in the scene. She replied, “I can’t help you there, kid. You’ll have to elaborate. Is that a good or a bad thing?”

You knew that, on a personal level, your feelings towards Tom Holland (who plays Peter Parker) were complicated, but the question was about your character’s feelings, not your own.

“It’s a weird thing,” you answered, looking up to meet Scarlett’s gaze. “A complicated thing,” you added, ad-libbing as it wasn’t in the script.

Scarlett/Black Widow picked up on the unease in your voice, “Scared he doesn’t feel the same?”

You shook your head, “No. I’m scared of getting hurt.”

Scarlett stepped closer and placed a comforting hand on your shoulder. “You’re a superhero, kid,” she said in character. “Getting hurt is part of the job.”

Her words hit you hard, and you realised that her advice was more valuable than just for the scene you were shooting.

After wrapping up the shoot, you were exhausted and drenched in sweat. All you wanted was to take a long, refreshing shower. However, the filming schedule was tight — you still had to reshoot the scenes from different angles and try new performances, leaving you with no time to freshen up.

Your curiosity to talk to Tom Holland about serious matters consumed you, so you barely touched your lunch. Sitting next to him and Zendaya had been a poor choice; it had only worsened things, for you kept your head down quietly.

You three weren’t alone at the cafeteria on set, so that was why the place was not the best for confrontation. Next to you, you felt Tom shift, and you knew he would question you about your weirdness.

As you exited from the crowded table, Tom ran towards you, sensing something was off. His big brown eyes were focused on you as he asked, “Hey, Y/N. What’s this all about?”

Feigning ignorance, you tried to avoid the topic, but Thomas didn’t back down.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said with a tinge of sadness. His hand reached out to hold you but stopped midway, unsure how you’d react.

He continued, “Is it my fault? Is this about the interview?” His voice cracked as he lowered his eyelids, suggesting he was hurt.

You kept your gaze away, watching the crew scuttle around, preparing for the next shot. You felt guilty for ignoring Tom, and it broke your heart to see him upset. You had to know why his past relationship failed and if he could hurt you.

“It’s not about the interview, Tom,” you confessed, still avoiding his gaze. “It’s about some stuff that I have to figure out.”

“What stuff? Can I help?” Tom asked, genuinely concerned. His expression softened as he thought of the possibility of the matter not being about him.

After taking a deep breath, you decided to open up to him. “Actually, you can,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper. “But not here.”

You knew Tom had your back and was always ready to support you. After all, you guys were friends, first and foremost.

So what you developed feeling for him? That wasn’t news. Ok, maybe it was news he also had developed feelings for you, but that was life. You had to keep your focus on your friendship.

His offer to help gave you hope, and you felt grateful to have someone like him.

***

As Thomas opened the door to his trailer, he gestured for you to enter, closing the door behind you both. You could finally relax, at least for a little while. This was your chance to get the answers you were looking for.

“Y/N, you’re freaking me out. What is this about?” he said, his concern palpable. You took a deep breath before speaking, trying to choose your words carefully.

“Thomas, I… I hope this is not too personal, feel free to say this is none of my business, but I’ve got to know,” you started, hoping not to offend him. “Did you and Zendaya used to date?”

Tom looked straight into your eyes, and for a moment, you wondered if you had crossed a line. But then, he sighed and sat beside you on the couch.

“Yeah, but it’s water under the bridge now,” he answered, his voice low. “I mean, we broke up almost a year ago.”

“Ok… can I ask why?” you asked softly, trying not to push too hard.

He looked at you with the saddest eyes you had ever seen, and at that moment, you didn’t need him to answer who cheated on who.

“We were never meant to be a couple. We knew that from the beginning, but there was so much pressure…. we eventually gave in,” Thomas elucidated nervously, his voice barely above a whisper. “And it hurt us both. But, in the end, I kept our friendship. It was neither of our faults.”

You couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. It must have been painful to end a relationship like that, even if he knew it was fated to end from the start. You wanted to comfort and make him feel better, but you didn’t know how.

“I’m so sorry I asked, Tom. I just...I didn’t know how else to bring it up,” you said, feeling guilty for such a painful topic.

“It’s ok, Y/N. I knew you would eventually ask,” Tom said, still holding you close. “I’m just glad it was me you asked instead of someone else or Zendaya.”

“Why would it matter if it was someone else?” you asked, curious.

“Because I don’t think anyone else would understand as well as I do,” Tom said, his voice softening. “I don’t think anyone else could see it from my point of view.”

You nodded, understanding what he meant. It was clear that Tom deeply understood Zendaya and their relationship in a way that no one else could. It was a testament to their bond, even if it was now just a friendship.

“She hasn’t forgiven herself,” he said, breaking the silence that had been recently installed. “I’m sure it hurts her more than it ever did on me,” he added. “I never loved her like that; it was just a way of breaking up for me.”

“She is always trying to be the professional one….” you trailed off, remembering all the scenes you two had worked on together. “Cheating is probably the thing she’s most ashamed of”, you completed out loud Tom’s thoughts.

There was a long silence before you decided it was time to change the subject.

“So...I presume you read the new script,” you said, trying to keep your voice casual.

“I did,” Tom finally gave you a smile.

“And what do you think about that new scene?” you asked, trying to keep your heart from beating too fast.

“Which new scene?” Tom asked, his eyebrow raised.

“You know which,” you looked away, feeling your cheeks flush.

“I can’t remember,” he pretended to shrug.

“Urgh, the kiss’ one, Thomas!” you exclaimed, and he started laughing.

“I’d say it was about time,” he answered, eyes locking onto yours.

“For our characters to kiss?” you asked, confused. Peter had just kissed MJ, and Y/SH/N didn’t know what she was feeling...

“I’d say it was about time for us to kiss,” he said, his face getting closer to yours.

“Not on set!” you protested, jumping up from the couch.

“What have I done wrong now?” Tom looked at you with a playful smirk.

“Nothing. Urgh, the problem is with me! I’m too nervous about doing this right now,” you explained, trying to steady your racing heart. “I’ve waited for this kiss for so long...” you said, moving closer to his face. “I don’t wanna ruin it.”

“You won’t,” Tom reassured you. “But you’re right. This is not the perfect moment.”

He got up from the couch, and you couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed.

“And don’t worry, Y/N,” he turned to face you. “I’ll find our right moment.”

***

You stepped out of Tom Holland’s trailer, still reeling from his words about finding the “right moment”. Your mind was racing with possibilities as you searched for someone to confide in. But, unfortunately, Alexa was nowhere to be found, so you turned to Zendaya.

With shaking hands, you scrolled down to her name at the end of your contact list. You hesitated momentarily, wondering if it was appropriate to bring up Tom. But you needed her advice, and she was always there for you. Taking a deep breath, you typed a message: “Zen, I need to talk to you about Tom.”

To your relief, she replied almost immediately. “Spill it out!” she wrote.

You took a deep breath before typing out your confession. “We almost...kissed?” you wrote, feeling your cheeks flush with embarrassment.

“Is that a question?” Zendaya called you immediately, and her voice was high in your ears. “And why ‘almost’?” she added.

You explained that you had freaked out and backed away before anything happened. Zendaya patiently listened as you recounted the day’s events, and then she asked the question you had dreaded: “Do you want to be with him?”

You hesitated before answering. Of course, you had feelings for Tom. But you were worried about a relationship’s impact on your career.

Before you could respond, Zendaya dropped a bombshell. “After what I did with him, I’ve been doing all I can to make him happy,” she admitted. “The party this Friday, it’s all because of you. I suggested it for him as a way to ask you out.”

Zendaya cut in again, unable to wait for your reply. “Just come to the party on Friday,” she said firmly. “As his date. I’ll tell Tommy. Dress sparkly.”

You were surprised and touched by her kindness. You had been so focused on your problems that you hadn’t realised how much she cared about you.

“How long have you been shipping us?” you asked, suddenly curious.

Zendaya didn’t answer.

You smiled to yourself as you hung up the phone. You were nervous about the party, but also excited. Maybe this was the “right moment” Tom had been talking about.

***

The clock struck four, signalling the end of your exhausting day as a superhero on set. Your body ached from all the fighting and stunts, but the thought of a free day ahead of you was a welcome reprieve. Walking towards your car, you saw a figure beside it, adorned in the famous Spider-Man costume.

It was Holland, his face uncovered but his body clad in the iconic outfit. In his hands was a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and his smile widened as he saw you approach.

“Y/N, I know I should have done this before,” he said, his voice warm and genuine. “And technically, Zendaya did it for me already, but do you wanna go on to Zen’s party as my date?”

You felt your heart race at his words, and you eagerly accepted the bouquet as you wrapped your arms around him in a tight embrace.

“But I’ve got to ask, why the costume?” you asked, pulling back to look at him.

“First, because my job isn’t done yet,” he replied, his grin never faltering. “And second, because you couldn’t call me by my real name when we first met, so I thought this would be a fun callback. You were always like, ‘Hey Pet… Spi... —Tom!’”

You couldn’t help but laugh, knowing he was telling the truth. It was true that you called him “Spider-Man” at first, but you had long since gotten to know him as Thomas.

As you stood face-to-face with him, the air around you was thick with unspoken words and feelings.

“Party is tomorrow, right?” you asked, trying to break the tension.

“Yep,” he confirmed, tilting his head down shyly. “I’ll pick you up at 8?”

“Sounds neat,” you blurted out, mentally scolding yourself for the awkwardness of your words.

“Perfect,” he said, his charming smile on full display. With one last look, he turned and returned to his set to continue filming, leaving you behind with your head spiralling. What now?

***

The day of the party had finally arrived, and you found yourself standing in front of your closet, trying to decide what to wear. You had been looking forward to that night since Tom asked you out. Even though that had happened only the day before, it was enough for your mess of a mind to twist nervously.

You pulled out dress after dress, each seeming more wrong than the last. You knew you wanted to look good for Tom but didn’t want to look like you were trying too hard.

As you mulled over your outfit choices, your agent, Phill, walked in. He took one look at your face and knew something was up.

“Hey, kiddo,” he said, giving you a gentle smile. “Nervous about the party?”

You nodded, grateful for the distraction and not even bothering to wonder how he knew about Zen’s party. He was an actor’s agent. He had to retain those kinds of things. “Yeah, I just don’t know what to wear.”

Phill chuckled. “Well, I’m sure whatever you choose will be perfect. But that’s not really what’s bothering you, is it?”

You shook your head, knowing there was no fooling Phill. He had been your agent since the beginning of your career and had become almost like a father to you.

“It’s Tom, isn’t it?” he asked gently.

You blushed, surprised that he had guessed so easily. “Yeah, it is. I’m nervous about being his date tonight.”

Phill’s reaction was immediate and palpable. “Wow,” he gasped, “I did not know you talked to him already. You are not confident, so I thought my worries would have a break.”

You sighed, placing your hands over your hip.

“Apparently, your character has been rubbing off on you,” he tried to joke. Still, it was a miserable attempt since you knew he was dislinking your choices.

Phill put a hand on your shoulder. “Listen, kiddo. I know I pretend like I only care about your career, but the truth is, I care about you too.”

“I appreciate that, Phill,” you said, feeling a lump in your throat.

“I can tell you like him,” he continued thoughtfully. “And if you want to pursue something with him, then I support you, of course. But you have to be prepared for the consequences.”

You nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. Dating someone in the industry was never easy, and you were fully aware that it could impact your career. But you were willing to take that risk for Tom.

“So,” Phill sighed, “does this mean you know how his last relationship ended?”

You couldn’t help but roll your eyes. “You are one to gossip,” you said, trying to lighten the mood with a teasing grin.

Phill’s expression turned serious, but he was just messing with you. “I’m not gossiping. I’m just concerned.”

“All you need to know is that I trust Tom. He’s not like other guys in the industry,” you leaned away from where Phill stood, shrugging as you paced. “And besides, we’re just going on a date. It’s not like we’re getting married.”

Phill chuckled at your retort, but his expression remained serious. “I know, I know. But you know how these things go. You’re going on a date one minute, and the next, you’re the latest Hollywood power couple.”

You groaned, rolling your eyes. “That’s not going to happen, Phill.”

He ruffled your hair, and you felt like a little kid again for a moment. “I hope not. But just in case, you should wear that red dress you wore to Oscar’s last year’s after-party. It looks stunning on you.”

As he made his way to the door, you felt a sense of relief wash over you. It was good to have someone who cared about you and your career, even if he pretended not to care about the personal stuff.

You laughed, shaking your head. “Thanks, Phill. I’ll keep that in mind.”

***

When Tom arrived at your door, he was in awe of how stunning you looked in the red dress. Of course, he had seen you wear it before, but something about how it hugged your curves and flowed with every movement made him feel like he was seeing you for the first time.

“You look incredible,” Tom said, his eyes shining with admiration.

Blushing, you thanked him and took his arm as you made your way to Zendaya’s party. As you walked through the door, you couldn’t help but feel like all eyes were on you. You had never felt so exposed, and for a moment, you wished you had chosen a different outfit.

But then Tom squeezed your hand, and you looked up at him to see the pride in his eyes. He was genuinely happy to be by your side, making you feel confident again.

Walking through the crowded room, you heard whispers and murmurs from the other guests. You knew you were the subject of their gossip, but you tried to ignore it and focus on enjoying the night with Tom.

Eventually, you spotted Zendaya, and she made her way over to you and Tom. “You guys look amazing!” she exclaimed, giving you both a hug.

You thanked her and then turned to Tom, grateful for his company. Usually, Zendaya kept her gatherings small, but something had happened that night. She had primarily invited the whole Marvel crew, from filmmakers to actors to people from other productions. You and Tom were familiar with most of them, so you stopped to say make small conversation, and you two barely had time to talk in private until the music started popping louder. People were finally getting drunk, and the dance floor started to get alive.

As you and Tom made your way to the dance floor, you couldn’t help but feel a bit self-conscious under the scrutiny of so many people. But when Tom took your hand and pulled you close, you forgot all about the stares and lost yourself in the music and his embrace.

You swayed together to the song’s rhythm, and Tom whispered in your ear, “You look stunning tonight, as always.” You blushed at his compliment and smiled.

The night wore on, and you and Tom danced and chatted with other guests. You even caught sight of Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo sharing a laugh in the corner of the room. It was an incredible experience to be surrounded by so many talented and creative people.

But as the night went on, you couldn’t help but notice how some people kept looking at you and Thomas. It was as if they were waiting for something to happen between you. You could sense their curiosity and excitement but weren’t sure if you were ready to become the subject of their gossip and speculation.

Sensing your hesitation, Thomas leaned closer and whispered, “Don’t worry about them. We’re just here to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.” You smiled up at him, grateful for his reassuring words.

As the night came to a close, you and Tom said your goodbyes to Zendaya and the other guests and made your way out of the party. As you walked hand in hand towards the car, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation.

You got in, sitting next to him as he sat in the driver’s seat. He crookedly commented that Americans were weird for having the driver seated opposite the normal.

“You do know you Brits are the only ones with the driver on the right, right?” you asked, laughing.

It was nice to see you two still manage to break the discomfort. Tom’s hand found yours as you approached your house, and he laced your fingers together. The world seemed to fade away as he leaned in closer, his eyes intense as he gazed into yours.h

“This is weird, isn’t it?” Tom asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“What do you mean?” you replied, your heart beating faster.

“This whole celebrity thing. Everyone’s watching our every move, expecting something from us,” Tom said, his thumb brushing over the back of your hand. “You must feel it more than I do. You had more time in the normal world.”

You nodded, smiling after listening to the way he phrased it. “It’s like we’re always under a microscope,” you joked, unnoticing he had stopped driving for you were at your house.

“Exactly. But right now, it’s just you and me,” Tom said, inching closer.

His lips brushed against yours, sending shivers down your spine. The tension between you was palpable, and you deepened the kiss, feeling his hands sliding down your back.

When you finally pulled away, you both were breathless, but Tom’s eyes were still fixed on yours. “Goodnight, darling,” he whispered, his voice low and husky.

You smiled, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort in his embrace. “Goodnight, Tom,” you murmured back.

But as he leaned away, a mischievous glint sparked in his eyes. “Although,” he added, with a teasing grin, “we’ll have to do this again tomorrow. For the cameras, of course.”

You laughed, feeling the tension from before dissipate. “Of course,” you replied with a playful roll of your eyes. “It’s all part of the job, isn’t it?”

With a final kiss on your forehead, you stepped out of the car, knowing he would only disappear down the street after you were secure inside. You felt a mix of excitement and nervousness for what the future held, but you knew it sure would be great.

***

“How’s it hanging, everybody?”

Jaymes, the interviewer from Movie Time, had finally gathered enough attention to be invited to work on a TV show where he was the host. So, naturally, all of his fans on YouTube followed, and his career couldn’t have been bigger than now. But, of course, some would say it was all thanks to the two interviews he did just before he skyrocketed the access views number — and the two interviewed had been none other than Y/N Y/L/N and Tom Holland.

It sure was a race to get the duo back with Jaymes; after all, their last movie, Avengers: A New Era, was finally out, proving to be a huge success. Whether it was the old Marvel buffs or yours and Tom’s shippers, the Internet was sure: everybody was buying tickets for that movie.

“We’re here today with Y/N Y/L/N and Tom Holland!” exclaimed the show host. “I couldn’t be happier to be with you two again.”

“It’s been a while,” you said, smiling politely.

“It sure has,” Jaymes agreed with a broad smile. “A year and a half?”

Thomas knew it by heart. “In a month, it will have been two years, Jaymes.”

“I can’t believe it!” the man exclaimed, looking at the audience, which roared with laughter as Jaymes playfully shook his head. “Time flies when you’re making blockbuster movies, huh?”

You couldn’t help but chuckle at his joke, feeling a sense of ease over you. Of course, being in the public eye could be overwhelming, but you had gotten used to Jaymes’ way of interviewing, for you had become his fan over the two years.

“So, Y/N, Tom, I have to ask, what was it like working on Avengers: A New Era?” Jaymes asked, turning his attention back to the two of you.

“It was a dream come true,” Tom replied with a grin. “To be a part of it was just incredible.”

“And the fans have been amazing,” you added, eyes scanning the crowd. “Their support has been overwhelming.”

It always had. Tumblr had never shouted your name louder since the movie came out, and the fans got to make GIFs of Tom and yours kisses. After all, they had known about the relationship (those things were hard to hide for so long). Still, you two had never done anything in public besides holding hands.

Jaymes nodded, a look of admiration on his face. “Speaking of fans, your shippers have been going wild on social media. What do you have to say to them?”

You exchanged a quick glance with Tom, feeling a hint of nervousness. “Uh, well, we’re just really grateful for their support,” you said.

Tom spoke up, his voice filled with teasing, “I do like their edits.”

You couldn’t help but laugh with him and the audience.

Jaymes chuckled. “Well, do you have one in particular?”

Tom couldn’t help but smile as he turned to you to reveal, “There was one particular scene I’ll never forget, and the fans have been editing it a lot.”

“Oh, do tell,” Jaymes said, leaning forward in his seat.

Tom took a deep breath. “It was the characters’ first kiss. I don’t know if everyone knows this, but every single kiss in that movie is absolutely real. And I have to say, Jaymes, that’s when I knew I was in love with Y/N.”

You blushed furiously, feeling the eyes of everyone in the room on you. Tom reached out to take your hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

Jaymes let out a low whistle. “Now, that’s an exclusive, folks. You heard it here first!”

You couldn’t help but turn to Tom and kiss him on the cheek mid-interview, making the crowd erupt into cheers and applause. After that, the rest of the interview flew by in a blur, with you and Tom stealing glances at each other and smiling every time the other spoke.

As the cameras stopped rolling, Jaymes leaned in and whispered, “You two are the real deal, aren’t you?”

You laughed, feeling Tom’s arm wrap around your waist. “I think we might be,” you replied, resting your head on Tom’s shoulder.

“I love you, you know,” Tom whispered to you as soon as Jaymes was distracted with his crew.

You looked up at him, a smile spreading across your face. “I love you too,” you replied softly.

Tom leaned in, brushing his lips against yours. The kiss was gentle at first, but it soon deepened, and you felt lost in the moment. When you finally broke apart, you were both breathless and smiling.

“We’re going to get in trouble,” you giggled.

“I don’t care,” Tom grinned. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”

“Thomas,” you chuckled, “we’ve been together for almost two years.”

“Still not enough,” he said, and he smiled. You knew he was going to make a joke, and you were right, for he added, “After all, I have to make up for all the time we lost as just friends.”

1K notes · View notes