Break-Ups (Newtmas Short Story) (COMPLETED)

IV

2 months later

Everything hurt.

Two months, twelve days, fourteen hours since they had been made official, and yet still, every time Thomas saw Newt and Ryan holding hands, his heart ached. He didn't want to hurt anymore, just like he didn't want to hate Ryan for taking Newt again. Unfortunately time kept ticking however, and as the hours and days and months continued to add up, Thomas still couldn't manage to ward away his hurt.

Thomas stared at his reflection in the side of his white porcelain coffee cup, grimacing slightly. He felt like broken glass. It was as if he had been shattered by Newt and Ryan's rehatched relationship, and now, as he tried gluing himself back together, he just kept cutting himself on his own shard remains. He felt like maybe he'd never stop bleeding.

He glanced at the vacant seat across from him--the seat Newt usually occupied. Thomas could almost visualize his friend's laughing form in his usual seat, though, with a shake of his head, the image was quick to vanish. Newt wouldn't be joining him today.

He was too busy looking for apartments with Ryan.

Thomas took a deep sip of his coffee as he was reminded yet again of his rejection. The friendzone, that's where Thomas stood. He almost couldn't help the heat that rose behind his eyes at the thought.

Thomas sniffed slightly, glancing towards the door of the coffee house as the opening bell rang. Immediately his eyes widened and he sank down low in his seat. With his eyes just barely peeking over the edge of the table, Thomas watched the subject of his thoughts settle himself into a vacant chair. His eyes narrowed in dislike.

Ryan didn't notice Thomas in the far corner of the shop. Thomas watched as the muscular, blond man reached for a menu, eyeing his watch carefully. His hair was ruffled and his clothes unkempt, flustered almost. Peculiarly, Thomas noted that he seemed to fidget nervously in his seat, almost as if uneasy.

Thomas felt confusion wash over him. Why was he here, but Newt wasn't? Weren't they supposed to be packing up Newt's belongings right now? Together?

The bell to the coffee shop rang again, and Thomas's eyes flickered to the doorway. Still, Newt didn't enter, but a small man with jet-black hair. He didn't even hesitate at the door, taking a strong, sure steps inside the room--

to join Ryan at his table.

Thomas's brow crinkled. He shifted in his seat as he watched Ryan look up at the small black-haired man, smiling radiantly once they greeted each other. Ryan seemed to relax as he gestured towards the seat across from him, clearly offering for the other man to join him.

Thomas felt his stomach clench. He felt a vague suspicion crawling at the corners of his mind, but he didn't want to acknowledge it. He refused to have a biased opinion of Ryan, nor did he want to jump to any extraneous conclusions. Biting his tongue, he watched the two interact.

The low hum of the coffee house prevented Thomas from hearing the conversation. With his head bowed and his coffee mug covering half of his face, he was sure Ryan had yet to spot him. Feeling something stir within his chest, he watched as the two smiled and talked normally. Ryan didn't make any suspicious moves, and yet Thomas was simply unable to make himself relax.

He gnawed on his lip, never letting his eyes leave the couple at the far end of the room. He strained to hear anything, any wisp of a conversation that might ease the suspicion curling in his stomach, but the regular chatter and scuffle of others made it virtually impossible. All he could do was watch and wait.

It was twenty minutes later when Thomas finally decided he was being ridiculous. Ryan, no matter how much Thomas loathed him, had yet to do anything to Newt to earn his mistrust. Yes, he was a total cock-blocking asshole who didn't understand how truly lucky he was, but it was unfair of Thomas to assume that he would cheat on Newt. Ryan was an asshole, though Thomas was sure he couldn't be that stupid.