Everything is Not What it Seems-Newtmas AU

Chapter Eight

When they left the theatre, the night was dark, and thousands of stars lit the sky. The moon was full, glowing brightly. Street lamps coloured the pavements orange and the sound of cars driving past filled the silence. Laughing teens and chatting adults were merely a background noise. 

Thomas watched as Newt unlocked his car and gestured for him to get in. Thomas expected the car to be warmer. He was rubbing his arms, shaking from the cold, but he didn't want to trouble Newt, so he tried not to show it. 

"Cold?" Newt asked, worry laced in his voice. 

"Y-yeah," Thomas stuttered, his teeth chattering.

"Here, have my jumper." Newt took off his jacket first then his hoodie, handing it to Thomas. 

"Thanks, Newt," he said as he put it on. Thomas breathed in, taking in Newt's scent. It was musky, and smelled faintly of cigarettes, but Thomas didn't care about that. He was warm and comfortable in it, and that was all that mattered.

"Better?"

"Much." Thomas checked the time, noticing it was almost ten o'clock. "It's getting late."

"Ten o'clock is late? Early bird, are you?" Newt joked, making Thomas feel self-conscious. He visibly stiffened, regretting ever speaking in the first place. Newt noticed, because he put a hand on top of Thomas', and he would be lying if he said he didn't feel sparks shooting through his body. "Sorry, Tommy. Do you want me to take you home?"

"Would that be okay? Teresa is staying again and she's waiting up for me, and I don't want to be home too late." Thomas looked away, feeling embarrassed. 

Newt squeezed his hand, assuring him there was nothing to worry about. "It's not a problem, Tommy, really. Besides, I can always come visit you at work on Tuesday, or we could meet up again next weekend."

"Thanks, Newt."

When Newt removed his hand from Thomas', he felt cold again. He desired the contact once more, feeling lost without it. He breathed out heavily, resting his arm against the car door, his hand holding his head up. 

Newt started the car, reversing out the parking lot and driving on the main road. The headlights were on full beam, lighting up the road ahead of them. Thomas dreaded each metre they drove, not wanting to go back home yet, but not wanting to leave Rosanna and Teresa for too long either.

They were round the corner from the apartments, and Thomas sat up, realising neither of them had spoken during the entire journey. He rubbed his eyes tiredly, unbuckling the seatbelt afterwards. He did it slowly, trying to spend a few more seconds in Newt's presence. 

"I had a lot of fun tonight," Thomas said, sounding tired. "Thank you."

"Any time, Tommy," Newt replied, his voice soft as to not unsettle Thomas. "Do you want me to walk you up?"

"Would that be okay?"

"Of course." 

They both got out the car, gently closing the doors behind them. Thomas pulled out his phone, sending a text to Teresa.

Thomas: Newt's walking me up, come out and meet him

Teresa: okay. Rose is sleeping so knock the door quietly

He put his phone away, his heart beating out his chest. Newt let Thomas lead the way, trailing behind him, walking three flights of stairs.

"You do this everyday?" Newt sounded out of breath.

"It gets easier once you do it more often," Thomas laughed. They got to the third floor, walking along the balcony to Thomas' flat. They stopped at number eight, and Thomas gently chapped the door three times.