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

Chapter 6

"I've always liked blue raspberry too, I think I got that one last time I was here." Thomas said, looking over the board. The line was slowly but steadily moving forward, and he hoped Newt would get back in time for them to order, or he'd pick for him.

They lapsed into silence for a moment, until Caleb shifted to stand beside him and cleared his throat. "So, Thomas, are you uh, here with anyone?"

He opened his mouth to answer when he heard a familiar voice before arms wrapped around him from behind. "There was a mad line at the toilets, sorry I was gone so long babe - oh, who's this?" Thomas could hear the false sweetness in Newt's voice, warm and syrupy and just enough to cause his insides to go absolutely molten. Caleb looked away, suddenly uncomfortable.

He only just managed not to jump away when he felt a brief ghost of lips press into the side of his neck before the arms slipped off of him and Newt moved to stand beside him, his hand sliding snugly into his own like it belonged there.

Caleb cleared his throat, giving Thomas and then Newt an awkward smile. "Well, uh, that answers my question, I guess." He chuckled, gaze drifting to their joined hands where Newt's wedding band was on full display.

"Don't worry about it," Thomas tried to give him an apologetic smile, subtly trying to disentangle his fingers from Newt's but his husband just clung tighter. "This is Newt." He gestured with his free hand, glancing over at him. "And this is Caleb."

Caleb gave a small wave in Newt's direction, still looking like he wanted to run away.

"He was just telling me about the good shaved ice flavors." Thomas continued, hoping if one of them kept talking, it would keep the awkwardness at bay, as well as the weird confusion of. . .whatever he was suddenly feeling, coiled in his chest instead of exploding outward. "Tiger's Blood has a good flavor, and so does Piña Colada. I'm thinking I might get Tiger's blood, just to try something new, since I got blue ras last time."

"Thanks for showing him the ropes," Newt said, "but I believe it's our turn."

"Oh, right, yeah of course." Caleb backed up, gesturing for them to go ahead. The knot loosened in Thomas' chest as they turned away and focused on ordering.

Newt let go of his hand when he reached for his wallet, and as soon as they were walking away from the shaved ice stand, food in hand, Thomas rounded on Newt.

"What was that for?"

Newt frowned at him, "He was hitting on you, you knew that, right? I could see it from a mile away."

"Yeah, and?"

"And I'm your husband - thought it was appropriate to get a little protective. Isn't like you haven't done it to me before." Newt scoffed defensively.

For several seconds, Thomas didn't reply. Conflict warred within him, because he knew Newt had a point. He had done the very same thing many times before. But that was different. He was warding people off because Newt was with Nick, and all they needed to know was that he was taken, didn't matter who with. Newt on the other hand, had just butt in and shot down his chance with someone Thomas wouldn't have minded getting to know.

"You can't have it both ways, Newt. I'm allowed to get hit on and to hit on people back. But I'm not yours. We're not actually together, you know."

Hurt flashed across Newt's face so briefly he barely caught it before it turned into irritation. "You think I don't know that? Of course I bloody do. I just thought -" Newt cut himself off with a grumble, pushing his hand roughly through his hair and looking somewhere over Thomas' shoulder. "Doesn't matter. Didn't know you'd get upset about it, I'll stop from now on."