No Better Version of Me Than When I'm With You

Chapter 3

"Hm, yeah, very subtle."

Newt laughed, then after a moment his expression turned a tad more serious. "You know I wouldn't though, right?"

"I'd have fought a lot harder for your phone if I thought you were serious." Thomas looked up, "I wasn't worried."

"Okay good." Newt nodded, setting his phone down again. "Now you're sufficiently awake though, should we properly get started on painting these bloody walls?"

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With it being the weekend, finishing painting the walls went much quicker than during the week. They worked for most of the day until midafternoon rolled around and Thomas was reminded of the fact that Newt had a date that night.

When he stepped out, hair laid decently and looking for all accounts and purposes like he'd stepped out of a magazine, Thomas lost his voice. When he found it again, he managed to splutter, "Are you – is he taking you to some Michelin star restaurant? You look. . .great – I mean, like, wow."

Newt gave him a look he couldn't read, holding his gaze for several seconds, then looking down at his shoes. "I got a new shirt, yeah, but I just wanted to look nice, I s'pose." He shrugged, "It's a first date and all, and he said to dress nice."

Thomas startled as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He fished it out to see Minho facetiming him.

"Let me see him!" Minho exclaimed by way of greeting the moment Thomas answered the call. Thomas grinned and flipped the camera around as Newt rolled his eyes.

"Is this really necessary, Min?" Newt asked.

"Of course it is, you're going on a first date for the first time in what. . .a year? You look great, man."

"That's what Tommy said." Newt chuckled, making eye contact with him over the phone. Thomas grinned. "He should be here any minute."

"Tell me how it goes! And Thomas, you better wait up until he gets home or else."

Thomas laughed, flipping the camera to face him, "Yeah right, that's not creepy at all."

"He's your husband now, I don't make the rules! At least leave the light on."

"He doesn't have to do any of that." Newt chimed in, stepping up next to Thomas so Minho could see him, "It's no different than when we lived in our flat."

"Sure it's not. But whatever, I just wanted to see your fit and wish you luck. Have fun out there tonight. I expect all of the details tomorrow."

"I'll tell you how it goes later-" Newt cut himself off at the sound of a car door slamming in the driveway, "He's here, bye Minho!"

"Bye!"

Thomas ended the call and pushed his phone back in his pocket, nerves churning in his stomach as he waited for the doorbell to ring. Newt glanced over at him, clearly nervous as well. He tried to give him a reassuring smile, letting his hand rub circles on his back. "Have fun."

"Thanks, Tommy. See you later." Newt returned his smile, and pulled open the door just as the doorbell rang. Thomas stepped back and out of the direct line of sight. He saw only a glimpse of the man Newt was meeting – what was his name again? Ah, Nick, right; and then the door was pulled shut as Newt stepped onto the front porch.

The house was far too silent without Newt, Thomas realized as he wandered back into the living room once he heard the car pull away from the house. He was used to the comfortable silence of having him around, even if they weren't talking or doing anything together specifically. It was a disconcerting feeling, and one he was unaccustomed to. Had he really gotten so used to having Newt around he felt off when he wasn't around? Or was it this moment specifically, as he'd left the house to go on a date? But why was that any different?