Chapter Text
I was still pinching myself. I was currently sitting in a very swish limo third in line to the red carpet for the Golden Globes. I was wearing a gorgeous custom made Ralph & Russo dress and sitting next to a god-like man. Superman himself was rubbing circles on my palm trying to quell my nerves.
“How do you feel, darling? Still ‘shitting bricks’ as you so eloquently put it?” he teased focusing his megawatt smile at me. Those bicuspids making his appearance almost devilish.
“The bricks have definitely been downgraded.” I chuckled. “Thank you, babe.” I said as I rested my head on his shoulder and looked out at the passing sea of camera flashes.
“We’re next up Mr Cavill.” our driver informed Henry. I took a deep, calming breath. This was the biggest event I had attended since the release of my first studio film. An epic romance filmed on the moors of Scotland with the man at my side. After starring in a few indies I had secured my first leading role which had swept me on to the other side of the world filming a wild romance that ended up seeping into my real life. Henry was too hard to resist with his smooth British accent and charm. Not to mention he was drop dead gorgeous and had a body that didn’t quit.
Now here I was at an awards show I’d only dreamed of attending with the man of my dreams. “You ready?” He asked as the door to the limo was opened.
“As I’ll ever be.” I breathed. All of my senses were assaulted at once as I stepped from the car. I was almost blinded by the flashes of bulbs and deafened from the screams of the spectators. “I guess your a hit, Superman.” I laughed.
“Something I’ll never get used to.” Henry replied as he took my arm in his. Besides the enormous scale of it the red carpet was pretty standard fare. You’ve done one, you’ve done them all. I was more nervous about presenting on such an international stage. I had just started the press tour of my film The Goodnight Girl and so had been invited to present tonight. Not alone, thank god. I was set to present with Armie Hammer whom I was so excited to meet after falling for him in Call Me By Your Name.
As I traversed the carpet with Henry we both fielded the usual questions “Henry, Maddox, is it safe to say your love story has translated off screen?”, “Maddox, how is Hollywood treating you so far?” etc etc. The whole time Henry held on to me keeping me calm. He was my rock. As we entered through the doors of the Beverly Hilton I let out a relieved sigh.
“How was it?” Henry asked, eyes shining down at me.
“Easier than I expected. However I still have to present in front of hundreds of people.” I laughed nervously.
“You’re going to knock ‘em dead, kid.” He beamed.
We were ushered into the main ballroom with the rest of those around us and before I was able to take my seat with Henry a very overwhelmed looking woman with an earpiece and a clipboard rushed up to me.
“Miss Swann?” she asked.
“Ah, yeah that’s me.”
“I’m so sorry to collect you so soon but Armie has come down with food poisoning so we need you to quickly meet and prepare with his replacement.” she apologised.
“Oh wow ok. Sure. I guess I’ll see you later.” I said biting my lip turning to Henry.
“You’re going to be amazing, darling. Just breathe.” He whispered kissing behind my ear. And with not a second to spare I was whisked away backstage.
“Who, um, who am I presenting with?” I asked as she hurried me to the green room.
“Well it was totally last minute but we actually managed to secure Sebastian Stan. Lucky you.” she giggled waggling her eyebrows suggestively. I felt like the air had been punched out of my lungs as I stopped frozen in my tracks.
“You’re kidding me?” I choked.
“Is there something wrong?” she asked obviously shocked that I could possibly have an aversion to the man. Because who could possibly not fall instantly for Sebastian. He was dangerously charming, had a wicked sense of humour and handsome to boot. But that was just my problem. This man had already worked those charms on me to utter success. He had also however, completely shattered me. My first serious relationship. My first love. And my first broken heart.
“This is a joke right? Am I being Punk’d? Wait, fuck, that show doesn’t even exist anymore. Please tell me you misread the name, or something.” I begged.
“Uh, no. Is there a problem? Because he seemed delighted when he was told he was presenting with you.”
“Oh my god, this can’t be happening.” I breathed, bending over trying to regulate my breathing and stop the lights dancing in front of my eyes.
“I’m so sorry Miss Swann, there’s nothing that can really be done. You’re presenting the first award. Do you, do you need some water or something?”
“Or something.” I mumbled. “No, no I’m fine. It’s fine. Everything is fine.” I stood up straight and took a deep, calming breath. “ So where do I go then? Through here?” I asked pointing to the door ahead of me.
“Yes, ma’am. We’ll come get you in twenty minutes.” And then she left me alone. Standing on the other side of the door to the man I now loathed.
“Well this should be fun” I laughed bitterly.