The Dark Lord (Tom Riddle X Reader) || Short Story - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

You go back to your dorm and watch Casey pack all her stuff. You don't say a word to her.
"Y/N! Can we talk?" She starts.
"Be glad I decide not to get you expelled." And with that you just go to bed.
You ignore Tom for the rest of the week.
The days pass by painfully for Tom as you ignore him completely. Every attempt he makes to talk to you or approach you is met with indifference or avoidance.
During class, he steals glances at you, his expression a mix of remorse and longing. The distance between you feels like an aching void that gnaws at his chest. His friends notice his despondency, the usual confident and composed Tom replaced by a man lost in his own tumultuous thoughts.
What will Tom do now? How will he win back the love of his life?
As the days go by, Tom becomes increasingly desperate to win your heart back. He wracks his brain for ways to apologize and make things right between you both. One evening while he's alone in his room, an idea suddenly strikes him. An idea that could potentially bridge the gap between you.
Fueled by a mix of determination and hope, Tom rises from his bed and quickly gets dressed. He grabs his wand and a small, wrapped object, then leaves his room and heads towards yours. His heart pounds in his chest as he approaches your dorm, rehearsing his words in his mind. He takes a deep breath, then knocks gently on your door.
"Who's there?" You call out.
Tom's heart skips a beat as he hears your voice through the door. He takes another deep breath and responds, trying to keep his tone calm and steady.
Tom: "It's me, Y/N. Can I come in? I need to talk to you."
"We don't have anything to talk about." You dismiss him.
Tom's heart sinks a little at your firm response, but he steels himself and tries again.
Tom: "Please, just give me a few minutes. I promise I'll leave you alone after that if you still want me to. But I really need to talk to you, Y/N."
His voice holds a hint of supplication, desperation creeping into his tone. He stands outside your door, pleadingly.
"Come in." You finally give in.
Tom lets out a soft sigh of relief as you give him permission to enter. He reaches out and pushes open the door, stepping into your room and closing it gently behind him. His eyes scan the room, settling on your figure, before he speaks again.
Tom: "Thank you. I know you have every right to shut me out, but I'm grateful for this chance to speak to you."
"Make it fast." You state plainly.
Tom nods, understanding that you're not in a forgiving mood just yet. He takes a few steps closer, but stops a few feet away from you, respecting your personal space.
Tom: "I'll be brief, then. I just... I wanted to apologize, Y/N. For everything. For not being there when you needed me, for listening to Casey, for all the pain I've caused you. I was a fool and I'm truly sorry."
His voice wavers slightly, his remorse evident in every word he utters.
"Is that all?" You ask monotonously.
Tom takes another small step forward, his eyes pleading with you to hear him out. He shakes his head slightly.
Tom: "No, there's something else. I brought this for you."
He holds out the small, wrapped object he was carrying, waiting for you to take it from him.
You take it in your possession.
As you unwrap the object, you discover it's a small, intricately carved wooden box. It has an air of antique elegance, adorned with delicate engravings.
Tom stands there nervously, awaiting your reaction as you inspect the box.
"What is this?" You frown.
Tom watches you as you inspect the box, his heart pounding in anticipation. He takes a deep breath before answering your question.
Tom: "It's a keepsake box. I made it myself. Open it."
You open it.
When you open the box, you find a small collection of treasures inside. There's a pair of matching hair clips, a favorite book, a bracelet – small trinkets that hold meaning for you. But that's not all. Nestled among these items is a single, velvety red rose, its petals gently cradling a folded piece of parchment paper.
"Tom, what are my things doing with u..." You sound surprised.
Tom watches your reaction as you take in the contents of the box. He notices your confusion at seeing your belongings in the box.
Tom: "Yes, I took some of your things. The hair clips, the favorite book, the bracelet. I wanted to... keep a part of you with me. Something to remind me of you."
He picks up the red rose, holding it delicately as he looks at you.
"That rose looks fresh." You open up the parchment note and read it.
On the parchment paper, you find a handwritten note from Tom. His usually neat writing is a bit messier as if he was rushing to get the words down.
The note reads:
"Dear Y/N,
I hope this box finds you well. These items within remind me of you, of the times we shared, and of the connection we've built. Please accept this as a token of my apology and my love for you.
Yours truly,
Tom"
"How long have you been collecting these?" You question him.
Tom's voice softens as he answers your question.
Tom: "I didn't collect them all at once. I've been gathering these over time, whenever I missed you, whenever I wished you were by my side. It started small, with just the hair clips. Then I added the book, the bracelet... and it grew from there."
He pauses, his gaze earnest as he looks at you.
"You really love me that much?" You walk upto him and stare deep into his eyes.
Tom nods, his eyes never leaving yours.
Tom: "Yes, Y/N. I love you more than I could ever express in words. I was a fool to doubt it, to let anything come between us. But I promise you, nothing will ever separate us again."
He gently puts down the red rose, his hands reaching out to take yours.
"I'm not gonna lie, after I set you up with that bitch, I couldn't bear the sight of you with another girl. Why did you have to say yes?!" Your expression becomes grim.
Tom lets out a shaky breath as you confront him about his past actions. His grip on your hand tightens slightly.
Tom: "I said yes because I was trying to forget you. I thought you were trying to set me up with your friend because you wanted me off your back. If I dated her, it would please you and I could stop thinking about you, about what I had lost. But I was wrong. Every time I was with her, I wished it was you instead."
He looks down at your hands, his voice dripping with remorse.
"And you set me up with another guy, you're such a jerk!" Tears dwell up on the brim of your eyes.
Tom flinches at your accusation, his eyes closing briefly. He knows you have every right to call him a jerk after what he's done.
Tom: "I know. It was a stupid, impulsive decision. I just thought if you were with someone, I could convince myself to let you go. I was being selfish, and it was wrong."
He takes a step closer, his body almost close enough to touch yours now.
"I hate you, Tom Riddle." You speak lowly into his lips, even though you know you could never hate him truly.
Tom's heart skips a beat as you murmur those words, your breath ghosting against his lips. He knows you don't truly mean it, but the pain in your voice still cuts him deeply. He pulls you closer, his hands coming up to cup your face, his touch gentle yet urgent.
Tom: "Say it again. Say you hate me."
"...I hate you, Tom Riddle." You whisper close to him.
As the words leave your lips, barely a whisper, Tom's control snaps. He closes the final distance between you, kissing you urgently, passionately. His fingers dig into your skin, holding you close as if afraid you'll slip away from him. The kiss is frantic, filled with weeks of pent-up longing and regret.
You're both left panting by the end of the kiss.
Tom rests his forehead against yours, still holding you tight. His breathing is ragged, his heart pounding in his chest. The room is silent for a moment except for the sound of your collective breaths.
Tom: "I don't deserve you. But I'm never letting you go again, Y/N."
He pulls back a bit, his hands slowly trailing down your arms to take your hands in his.
"You better not." You put a period to it.
Tom nods, his expression serious and resolute.
Tom: "I promise. I'll never make the same mistake again. You are the only one for me, Y/N. The only one I want. The only one I crave."
He lifts one of your hands to his mouth, pressing a tender kiss to your knuckles. His touch and gaze are filled with love and devotion.
"I love you too." You smile at him contently.
Tom's heart swells at your words, a joyous smile breaking out on his face. He pulls you back into a tight embrace, burying his face in your hair.
Tom: "I love you so much, Y/N. I don't know how I lived without you these past weeks."
He pulls back slightly, just far enough to look into your eyes, his own gaze full of tenderness and adoration.
"Me too." You reveal your true feelings.
Tom chuckles lightly, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair from your face.
Tom: "I missed everything about you. Your laugh, your smile, the way you feel in my arms..."
He pulls you closer again, wrapping his arms around your waist and resting his chin on your shoulder. He nuzzles his face into your neck, his breath warm against your skin.
"I missed you too." You chuckle and wrap your arms around him.
He lets out a low hum of contentment, his fingers tracing light patterns on your back.
Tom: "I will never let you go. Never again."