#hiddlestoner

As you sink into your chair, you still can't shake the feeling of resentment that gnaws at your insides. Despite your best efforts to remain professional, Tom's jabs and insults still managed to get the better of you. His words still stung like salt in an open wound. 

With a frustrated sigh, you bury yourself in your work, hoping that the intriguing story of Moriarty: Dead or Alive would whisk your mind away. But trying as you might, you still can't seem to shake the feeling of unease that hangs over you like a dark cloud. 

Hours somehow manage to pass by in a blur. Many emails and phone calls exchanged manage to distract your mind for a while. But despite your attempts to focus on the article in front of you, your mind always manages to drift back to the exchange in the meeting room. 

A soft knock on the door pulls you away from your thoughts. You look up from your keyboard to see Audrey in the doorway, her expression sympathetic. 

"Hey, Y/n," she says, her voice gentle. "I know things got a bit heated in the meeting and just wanted to check if you were okay." 

You nod, forcing a smile despite the turmoil that churns inside you. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit tired, I guess."

Audrey frowns, clearly unconvinced by your facade. "Y/n, you know you can talk to me, right? Whatever happened between you and Tom, I'm here to help."

You hesitate for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. But as you look in her kind eyes, you realise that you can't keep your feelings bottled up any longer.

"It's just...seeing Tom again brought back a lot of painful memories," you admit, you voice barely above a whisper. "I thought I had moved on, but I guess some wounds take longer to heal than others."

Audrey reaches out and places a comforting hand on your shoulder. "I understand. Old wounds are sometimes the hardest to heal. And I deeply apologise for not asking if you were okay to take this article. Had I known that you two had history I would've given it to someone else.

"But you cannot let your past with Tom, whatever it may be, to dictate your future. You're stronger than anyone else I've known. I know that you'll find a way to overcome this."

You offer her a grateful smile, grateful for her unwavering support. "Thank you, Audrey. I really appreciate your kind words."

With a reassuring squeeze of your should, Audrey turns to leave, leaving you along with your thoughts once more. As you reflect on her words, you realise that she's right. You can't let your resentment of Tom hold you back any longer. 

You need to confront your past, no matter how ugly it may be, and move past it. 

Muttering curses about Tom under your breath, you just need to figure out how to deal with it. 

-

A/N I don't think this will be many chapters.

Maybe 15 at the most.

But it's something at least :)

🏷️ @km-ffluv @huntress-artemiss @goddessofchaoss @asgards-princess-of-mischief