flaunt your growth | newtmas au

οκτώ

"The quest is simple. You will use the same mode of transportation as you did when rescuing Newt here, but this time, we cannot spare Argus and the van. Brenda will get you to Florida. Before going to save the demigod, you must be 100% positive that she is energized if you want a clear and safe escape. Please understand that there will be things in your path, monsters, spirits, etc. and if she needs it, you two must defend her as she prepares to move again. Brenda is vital. All you have to do is rescue him and get back here as intact as possible."
Thomas and Newt looked at each other, understanding that this would be a lot of time with them on their own. Brenda's expression was stern, imagining the nightmares she'd have and how dependent she was going to have to be on the two boys. It's not like she didn't trust them. Thomas was like her big brother at this point, and if he trusted Newt, she knew she could too. She was simply terrified of what she'd see. Demigod dreams were known to stir up awful memories and visions, especially children of Hecate. Brenda was terrified that she wouldn't be able to decipher dream from reality. It was a common issue among demigods. She would often find herself discussing the issue with Hypnos kids rather than training. That cabin always made her sleepy.

"-or you won't survive."
Thomas and Newt exchanged looks as they noticed Brenda tuning it out.
"Get your things packed. You leave tonight. We will have a celebration in your honor when you get back."
Both the boys sighed and began their walk back to their cabins. Brenda, however, stayed back, a look of concern obvious on her face.
"I'm not strong enough for this Chiron. I barely managed to save Newt, and what you're asking is ten times harder."
The centaur laughed lightly to himself, causing Brenda to flash him a confused expression.
"Brenda, dear, you're the strongest child of Hecate we've had in decades. You are one of the only in this camp that can manipulate the mist to travel. Do what feels right to you. I trust you and your judgement."
Brenda nodded and prayed to the gods that the training she'd worked so hard on was enough to save someone else.

...

Brenda wasn't the only one with doubts. Newt anxiously fiddled with his hands as he and Thomas made their way back to the cabins. The brunette noticed but didn't say anything about it. Newt, like most of the demigods in the camp, had spent his whole life training himself to not trust anyone. He was drastically thrown into a world with the principle that trust was the most important part of survival. And now, he had to trust two people he'd met not long ago with his life again.
"Do you need to talk about it?"
That's what Newt loved about Thomas. He didn't push or pry. He was gentle and understanding. His eyes were always as caring as his heart, and Newt could get lost in them.

Newt stopped.

I don't love Thomas, do I? Because according to my subconscious, I do.
More doubt flooded his mind and it was all too much. He realized then that he had waited to long to answer Thomas for it to be normal. Concern was evident i️n his expression as he stopped the blond with furrowed brows. Thomas' muscular hands rested on his shoulders comfortingly. Newt couldn't stop focusing on every little detail of the brunette, his eyes that were so intoxicatingly soft, his plump lips, everything. Before he could stop himself, the two boys were caught in a tight embrace. It was all Newt could muster to restrict himself from crying or kissing him, and either of those options would surely freak him out.
He felt Thomas wrap his strong arms securely around his waist as Newt brought his hands to the locks of hair on the back of his head.
This feels like home.
The thought kept replaying in his mind as Thomas mindlessly muttered reassuring words.

...

Newt sat in bed, thoughts swarming his mind like tidal waves crashing around him. His siblings were filtering into the cabin silently, taking their respective places on their own beds and didn't take much mind to him. He hated how he hadn't gotten close to any of them, even their leader. Although it was hard to admit, Newt was an outsider with them. Every spare moment he had, he tried to spend with Thomas, Brenda, Minho (the Hermes cabin leader), or Gally (the Hephaestus cabin leader), who didn't mind one bit, taking a liking to him. They all worked together in an unlikely power group. It was crazy how fast their bond grew, honestly. It was also crazy that Newt loved Thomas. The discovery wouldn't stop running through his head over and over like a wheel turning. His eyes shut as his thoughts overcame him.

...

Newt almost dozed off completely when he was shaken awake. Thomas stood over him with his signature smirk plastered on his face.
Shuck, as if right now is a good time to be turned on...thank gods he can't read my mind. And is oddly oblivious.
The two boys quietly made their way out of the Demeter cabin to meet Brenda and the camp leaders that were supposed to send them off. Brenda had a bag slung over her shoulder and a determined glint in her eyes as she stared at the camp for the last time until their quest ended. They joined her standing near the tree line Newt remembered so long ago. It gave him an unsettling feeling that everything was coming full circle, and too perfectly. Thomas either didn't notice this or didn't care. His gaze was focused on his mentor who was wishing them good luck. Chiron then stopped, nodded at them, and trotted back to camp. Newt felt guilty that he wasn't paying much attention. Everything was too overwhelming.
"So losers, how the fuck are we gonna survive?"
Brenda's question continuously repeated in Newt's head.
Unprepared and unsure, the trio began their journey to Virginia.