With Love, From Italy

Embarrassed by all the attention and concern Leigh tried to limit her hobbling as they continued, forcing her legs to move properly despite the gasps that rose in her throat each time. Nothing was terribly damaged, but she knew that her kneecaps would be a lovely shade of black and blue to match the scrapes and it was sending a dull throb through her as she walked. By the time they reached the town she was beginning to feel exhausted from the will power it had taken to act like nothing hurt.

Immediately Tom was on the scout for a bench or seat, dragging her over to one when he spotted it. Leigh had quietly hoped that Belle would tag along, but it seemed even despite being injured the girl had a mission. Instead it was just the two of them and the first aid kit, as everyone else agreed to meet them at a nearby café for refreshments.

“You certainly managed to bang yourself up pretty well, are you sure you’re okay?” Tom asked as he re-examined the wounds. She wanted to shy away from his touch and the worry in his voice, but instead found herself opening up to him.

“It hurts,” she admitted, looking up at him sheepishly. His gaze hardened before immediately softening and she knew that she had just been silently told off for not speaking up earlier.

“I’m going to clean them again for good measure, okay darling?” he warned and she nodded sharply. She had already been through the sting of the antibacterial wipes once and wasn’t looking forward to them again. Flipping the first aid kit open she watched as he pulled one out and took her right hand. Now that she was away from ogling eyes Leigh felt she could be a bit more emotional about things and let out a hiss as he pressed the cloth against her palm. He muttered an apology, gently wiping the skin and she clenched her jaw tightly. The other one was no easier and she found she had broken out in a sweat by the time he had finished both. “I don’t want to leave these exposed, so I’m going to attempt to cover these with some gauze.”

Her pain turned to amusement for a while as he placed a patch of gauze over each hand, holding them in place with several strips of tape. It was amateur at best and she couldn’t help but let out a giggle. “I don’t think you’ll ever make a nurse Mr. Hiddleston.”

“I may not be an expert at bandages, but I make a mean chicken soup,” he commented, smiling at her and she chuckled again. It was quickly cut off however, as he shifted and a moment later was kneeling in front of her. Reaching for more of the wipes he didn’t look up, though there was a sly grin on his face. “What’s wrong darling? Did you think Loki only makes others kneel?”

Leigh managed to choke on air, the shock of his statement briefly overpowering the burn of her knee as he cleaned it gently. She watched as he began to shake, wondering if everything was alright when it hit her that he was laughing silently. Immediately she reached out to smack his head despite the pain and it shot up, his baby blues wide. “I am trying to tend to your wounds here, I would appreciate it if you didn’t abuse me or I might just press a bit too hard.”

As if to support his words he squeezed the back of her calf lightly and she yelped, whacking him again. This time he burst into loud laughter, rocking backwards and almost sending himself off balance. It was only the fact that he was grasping onto her leg that kept him upright and Leigh crossed her arms over her chest.

“You’re a terrible doctor, I have every right to beat you up,” she said as his laughter died off and he moved onto the other knee. He grinned up at her and she caught his eye for a few moments before glancing away. As he finished up and began placing large plasters over each knee she couldn’t help but think how just a few hours ago she had been feeling anxious about his presence. She realized that she preferred the current a lot more and became determined not to let Belle’s words get to her. After all, why should she make things awkward when he had yet to do anything to warrant it?

“Well I believe you’re all bandaged up now,” he said as he smoothed the last corner and rose to repack the first aid kit. Leigh stayed where she was as he did so and a few moments later he sunk back down next to her. “I’m sorry I made you come on the hike, Leigh.”

She snapped her gaze to him with his apology, a puzzled look crossing her face. “You didn’t make me doing anything Tom; I could have easily refused to come.”

“I can see why you were hesitant. I suppose you’re wishing you had now,” he murmured and her brow knotted at how guilty he looked. She reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it.

“Surprisingly I don’t, so please stop beating yourself up. It’s not your fault, if it absolutely has to be anyone’s it’d be Caleb’s for distracting me from watching my footing,” she assured him and he smiled at her softly. “So if you want to beat him up go for it, I’d gladly watch.”

“You can be quite the Cruella De Vil my dear,” he said with a small smile and she raised an eyebrow at him.

“I’ll have you know I am fully against the cruelty of animals!”

“Then why would you gladly watch Caleb be beaten?” he asked and she inhaled sharply before laughing wildly. Nudging him with her elbow gruffly she doubled over, clutching at her stomach as she gasped for breath.

“And you say I’m the cruel one? Ouch. I should march up there right now and tell him what I just heard,” she said and he made a show of looking panicked, grabbing her by the shoulders and turning her to face him.

“Oh please no, I’ll do anything if you promise not to!”

“Anything? Hmm, well I have a terrible housemate back in London that needs getting rid of,” she responded after mock deliberation and he enthusiastically nodded along, jumping to his feet.

“Consider her as good as gone!” he cried, placing his hands on his hips before chuckling. When it faded away the smile was still stretched across his face and Leigh found it infectious. “Well my darling, do you feel up to catching up to the others or am I escorting you back to Levanto on a bus?”

She couldn’t repress a shiver at his endearments and shocked herself when a previously silent part inside her wanted to choose the latter and have him whisk her away from the rest of the group. Instead she swallowed thickly and pushed herself to her feet, gazing past him and down the street in an attempt to spot the others.

“I think I’m up for staying, if we take it slow,” she said and he nodded, offering his arm for her. As she slipped hers through and they started along the road Leigh chewed on her lip in contemplation. Sometime since last night she realized Belle’s words had become more than an observation to her and she was now beginning to entertain the idea that maybe Tom saw her as more than just his cousin’s friend.