𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 - TMR AU, Thomas

𝟢𝟧𝟧，𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡

༺ FIFTY - FIVE ༻

"I got shot," Chuck says. "Never thought I'd experience that."

Thomas and I let out a laugh. "Well, unexpected or not, you survived and I think that's the most important," he says.

"Of course that's the most important!" He almost throws his hands in the air, but a shot of pain flashes through his face so he keeps them down. "What else would be the most important? That I'm the first person to get shot in a ballet attic?"

I smile. "I'd go act sad to all your teachers so you don't have to make your homework."

Thomas gives me a soft push. "Don't tell him that! He's gonna need good grades to pass."

"You've literally told me the exact same thing yesterday, Thomas." Chuck scoffs. "But no, I don't think I will do that. I feel like crying when I think back about it, honestly. I didn't like seeing Thomas all beaten up."

"But I'm okay now," Thomas assures. "So keep that in mind."

"I will. Also, I've got this." Chuck takes the now dirtier figure out of his pocket. I handed it to him the other day, so he could give it to Thomas himself. We did our best to clean it, but the stains are still there. "It's for you. I don't want to keep a figure of myself, but don't want to throw it away either."

Thomas's smile turns so big that his eyes squint, and he gives Chuck a hug. "Thanks, buddy. I'll forever cherish it."

"Good," he says.

"I'm going to talk to Gally now. See if he has any words." The boy gets up. "You two will make it, right?"

✵

To distract myself from the weight I'm about to gain from this plate full of pasta, I ask Vince any question I can think of. "What's gonna happen to Janson?"

"A lovely trip to jail."

"What about a lawyer? Do we have to be involved? Thomas stole! He's not going to jail too, is he, Vince?"

"I talked y'all out of it," he says. "They've spoken to Thomas and he told them everything he knows, but made sure not to give away he was interfering as much as he really was. And I managed to have a good word with Janson. One word about either of you to the police, and I'll make sure that trip will be longer than it already is."

"So he won't say Thomas stole?" I urge. "All our problems are solved?"

"Pretty much," he confirms.

I make a little jump, and smile at him. "Thank you, Vince! It really means a lot we don't have to go through more things now."

He gives me a nod. "You're welcome."

"I owe you a lot."

"And you'll make it up by finishing that," Vince promises, motioning at my plate. "Does it taste nice? Your boss, Luca, brought it here. Said he hoped you'll be back soon."

"For sure." I take a careful bite. It's hard, but... I don't know. Now that all the other problems are solved, I already feel more comfortable in my skin. It makes this way easier. Just gotta kill the part that wants me to vomit this right out again. Because after all, it is still there. And it'll take a lot of time before leaves.

Then there's a yelp I'm afraid someone's hurt, until Minho runs into the hospital room with the biggest smile on his face and a flyer in his hands. "Look, look, look!!" He presses it into my hands now, yelping another time.

Confused and curious at once, I turn the flyer around. It's a poster, a picture of a nutcracker placed in the middle. Above it, it says "THE NUTCRACKER, A BALLET PERFORMANCE", and below it, there's two names.

Our Clara and The Nutcracker: Rosalind Isaacs and Aris Jones.

My eyes widen so fast a yelp also leaves my mouth. "Oh my god!" And then my hand slams on my mouth to keep myself from screaming out loud.

"You got it!" Minho claps in his hand, attacking me with a hug. "Let's fucking go!"

Tears are streaming down my face from happiness a few seconds later, and I'm still jumping around with Minho when Thomas enters the room, his face worried. Probably because of our screaming.

I almost knock him over because of the force my hug brings. He catches me in a way that force me to wrap my arms around his waist. "I got it back, Thomas!" I yelp. "I got the role! I'm still gonna be Clara!" And a second after that, I'm also hugging Vince. "Ohh, I gotta tell Newt and Sonya!"

I don't think there's anything that can ruin my mood right now. "Newt!" It doesn't take long for him to pick up. "I'm still gonna be Clara! Wait, I've got to call Mom. See you!"

"Don't suffocate," Minho warns, grinning. "Proud of ya, Frenzy."

I smile at him. "Wait, when is it?" I take the flyer back in my hands. "In a month and a half! But then I've got to hurry up."

I don't know how it happened, but it doesn't take long for me to finish the full plate. Maybe it's not gonna be this easy all days, but I can't think of anything else but the play right now.

Thomas cups my face once I've finished eating and kisses me right on the mouth, deeply enough for me to be taken aback for a second. Once I'm kissing back, I can't stop. It's been too long.

"Vince, popcorn," Minho says.

"Minho, no," Vince says. "I'm out."

"Minho's proud, I'm prouder," he tells me against my lips, then slides his hand into my hair to pull me closer. "Minho, would'ya excuse us."

"But—"

"It wasn't a request."

"Man, I've helped you all along and I can't even see one ki— oh, damn, never mind. I don't want to see the shuck neck kisses. I'm out!"

I laugh, but at Minho and the ticklish feeling Thomas gives my skin. "I'm so happy."

"Good," he says. "Then I am, too. And I can't wait to watch you dance."

"Got to get my body to work again, though. Do you think it can go from this to the full dancing state in two months?"

"You'll make it happen."