STATIC → newt , tmr [EDITING ; VERY SLOW UPDATES]

chapter vi

"I think he'll be alright for a while longer. Our main priority right now is finding the Right Arm. To do that, we need Marcus."

"Where's his place?" Tiago asked.

"Not far from here," Jorge replied, "we just need to make sure you can walk right."

Tiago looked down at his leg, eyebrows drawn together. He wouldn't know how bad it was until he put pressure on it. He glanced up at Newt before reaching his hand out. Newt looked skeptical, but he gripped Tiago's hand tightly and stood, pulling Tiago up with him. Newt settled a steadying hand on his hip, which Tiago was grateful for because he was sure he would've toppled without it. He still gripped Newt's hand tightly as he rested some of his weight on his injured leg. He flinched immediately, clenching his teeth as he transferred the weight back onto his good leg.

"It's pretty bad," he admitted. "I don't think I'll be able to walk on my own for a while longer."

Jorge nodded, running a hand down his face. "Alright, well ... Okay, we can do this. Newt, you're good to keep helping him, right?"

Newt nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Let me know if you need a rest, alright?"

Newt nodded affirmative. Tiago could stand fine, he just needed a body to lean on to help with walking. Newt kept his arm around Tiago's waist. Tiago glanced up at him, only to find that the blond was already watching him carefully. He quickly averted his gaze, feeling something burst in his stomach. Tiago suddenly felt strange about Newt's hand in his hair earlier. He figured the only reason he was okay with it in the first place was because he wasn't in control of his thoughts at all. The nightmare he'd had was proof enough of that; he hadn't suffered from a nightmare for years, since he was fourteen. He blamed it on the delusional state he was in.

Tiago could only hope that the nightmare was a one time thing, because if it wasn't, he had a whole other battle to worry about.

― ➶ ―

"This is his place."

Tiago raised an eyebrow at the building in front of him. It was crawling with people, too many people for Tiago's liking. There was a reason he spent most of his time on roofs if he could. He felt uneasy and wary as he looked around the area. It was a reflex for him to try and spot danger, something he'd picked up during his childhood that had only worsened when he was found by Jorge. In the world they lived in now, it was better to be hypervigilant.

"You think they're in there?" Minho asked Jorge, his own eyebrows raised to his hairline.

Jorge shrugged. "No idea, but it's out best bet. Brenda would've come here looking for us. She knew I was looking for Marcus, and this was his place last we were here."

"There's nowhere else she would've gone," Tiago concluded with a nod. He took a deep breath, eyes nervously scanning every face he could see. He went to move into the throng of people, but the arm around his waist tightened.

"There's too many people, you'll just hurt yourself more," Newt said, pulling Tiago back to his side.

"I'm not waiting out here," Tiago replied, irritation lacing his words. "If Brenda's in there―"

"They'll find her," Newt finished, gesturing to the others. "You've been up for too long. We need to find somewhere to sit."

Tiago glared at Newt, then moved his eyes helplessly to Jorge, who just shrugged again.

"I agree, Tiago." Jorge walked closed and clasped his hand on Tiago's shoulder. "We'll find her, alright? You don't like crowds anyway." Tiago knew he was right, but he grumbled anyway. "Just stay here."

Jorge and the other teenagers headed through the crowd and disappeared into the building. Tiago kept his eyes on them until he couldn't see them anymore, then he blinked twice and looked around them again. He glanced up at Newt, who also seemed to be looking for somewhere to settle for a few minutes.

"Why do you care whether I get hurt or not?"

Newt blinked. It was a random time to ask, but Tiago figured they had nothing else to talk about while they waited. Newt didn't answer at first, instead gripping Tiago tighter and turning him towards a small shaded area he could see. Tiago glared up at him. He wanted an answer. He wanted to know if the feelings he kept getting in his stomach meant anything. He'd never felt it before. The only thing he could think of to solve the problem was to go straight to the source.

"I don't know," Newt finally answered after he'd gingerly set Tiago on the ground.

"What do you mean you don't know?" This wasn't the answer Tiago thought he'd get, and it wasn't what he wanted.

Newt shrugged. "I ... don't think I've ever really cared about a stranger this much."

Tiago blinked. That was more of an answer he'd maybe expected, but it still wasn't what he wanted. He wanted it to be simpler than his own feelings, but it turns out it was the same.

"Do you ..." He trailed off, wanting to ask Newt if he felt weird sensations in his stomach as well, but he felt slightly embarrassed. What if Newt didn't feel weird sensations in his stomach? Wouldn't that make it weird and awkward?

"Tiago?" Newt asked gently, frowning down at the older by from where he was leaning against the wall.

Tiago shook his head, backtracking. "Nothing. Never mind."

Newt raised an eyebrow, but he didn't push it. Tiago wished he was pushy; he'd probably give in if Newt asked.

"Is that them?"

Tiago straightened his back, trying his best to see what Newt was seeing. It wasn't easy from where he was sitting on the ground, but he could see Aris' pale white skin between the bodies in the crowd, and then he said Minho's tall stature as well.

"Help me up," Tiago said, holding his hand up. Newt grasped his hand immediately, yanking him up with a little too much force. Tiago let out a grunt as his weight was settled on his injured leg. Newt opened his mouth to apologize, but Tiago had taken off hobbling as fast as he could towards their group of friends. Newt rushed to grab him before he fell over, wrapping an arm securely around his waist again.

"Jorge!" Tiago called out when he was close enough.

Jorge turned around, a man Tiago didn't recognise hanging off his shoulder. Then he looked at Teresa and Aris, who were supporting Thomas' weight between them, and Minho, who was carrying―

"Brenda!"

Tiago moved as fast as Newt allowed him towards Minho and Brenda. When he reached them he reached out a hand to touch her face lightly. He could feel emotions welling up inside him. He'd prepared himself for the worst; that Brenda and Thomas hadn't made it out of the compound, and they were buried underneath rubble. Seeing Brenda now made a weight Tiago wasn't even aware of lift from his chest. He felt tears coming, but he shoved them back and swallowed the lump in his throat.

"We need to get back to Kim's," Jorge said quickly. "They're all passed out, we need somewhere safe where Marcus won't be found." He locked eyes with Tiago. "He's gonna take us to the Right Arm."

― ➶ ―

ahhh these chapters are getting harder and harder to write, but i'm pushing through it because i do love this story and i love writing it for you guys!! plus, we get a bit more action soon, and also a lot more newtiago that i'm excited to write :D

anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter!! see you in the next one :)

p.s. this is not proofread hahah