You Expect Me To Carry On? (A Newtmas Fanfic)

Chapter Twelve: Start Line

Newt agreed.

Thomas thought that more than anything else, he was just trying to avoid another argument.

But, reasoning be dammed, it still meant that they had a shot at saving him.

They took one day to get ready.

Sonya and Frypan went back to the Haven for supplies- food, packs, bottles, first aid kits etc- and Brenda fixed up on of Jorge's more battered trucks.

Jorge himself had been anti cure-mission.

He said that it was stupid to put the location of the Haven in jeopardy for one stupid vial of cure.

Needless to say, he was not invited on the field trip.

Minho scratched a rough map into a bit of driftwood, planning how long it would take them to get back to the city, and where they should stop.

Newt was teaching Thomas anti-Crank manoeuvres.

"You've gotta avoid their hands."

he said, moving Thomas's wrist up.

"They have stupidly strong grip, so when you jab, aim for the eyes. Ok, go."

Thomas jabbed at the air in front of him.

Newt grinned.

"Better Tommy. Better."

Thomas smirked.

"Ok go again."

Thomas kept punching the air in front of him, and as he did, he spoke to his friend, not looking away from the landing point of his blows.

"So... um... about what I-I said..."

Newt smirked

"Yeah? What about it?"

Thomas frowned.

"C-can I stop?"

Newt jutted his chin.

"Sure."

Thomas let his arms flop, panting, and sat down on a mat.

Newt came and knelt beside him.

"Listen, Tommy. I know that you were only saying stuff to try and... try and stop me. It's totally fine if you didn't... mean it."

Astounded, Thomas looked into the blonde's eyes.

"Didn't mean it?! Are you kidding me?!"

Newt looked down.

"Newt, I've never meant anything more in my life. I... I love you."

They met each other's eyes, and Newt's frown cleared, forming the easy, lopsided grin that Thomas knew so well.

He leant in.

Newt leant in.

And-

"Newt?!"

It was Minho.

"Are ya gonna teach me Crank Killing now or never?!"

Newt grinned, and stood up.

"Later, Tommy."

He walked away.

~

Soon, dusk fell, smothering the clear blues and fluffy clouds with a low, overhanging sunset.

Brenda was loading the truck with their supplies, Frypan was triple-checking the food stores, and Thomas was helping Minho with the directions.

Brenda cleared her throat.

"So," she began.

"To recap. We head off North East as soon as it gets dark. Drive until sunrise, then rest and eat until midday. Then we drive until sunset, rest and stop till sunrise, and then it should only take us till noon to get to the Ruins. We search the rubble for a vial, fight off any cranks or wckd survivors we encounter, save Newt- then home for tea time. Easy peasy"

Newt spoke up

"And we stay alive. Very important step of the plan."

Brenda nodded.

"We stay alive. Everyone got it?"

Thomas grinned at his friends

"Yep. Don't die. Clear and simple. Newt, I'm looking at you."

Newt smiled and blushed.

"Yeah... um... sorry about that e-everyone."

Minho, who was already buckling himself into the shotgun seat of the truck, smirked at Newt and Thomas, who were standing next to each other.

"Don't sweat it shuckface. We all forgive you... if-"

Thomas's eyebrows shot up.

"If?!"

"IF... you and Newt sort out whatever invisible barrier is separating you and just..."

he jutted his chin

"Just... get on with it already!"

Thomas choked.

Newt blushed even more furiously and stared down at his shoes.

The two boys cleared their throats awkwardly.

Brenda was laughing, and Frypan and Sonya (although slightly grossed-out) were smiling at them fondly.

"C'mon." Brenda said, getting her breath back.

"Time to go."