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

Chapter 8

"Suuuuure," Thomas teased, reaching for the remote and beginning to search through their various streaming services for something interesting.

Not half an hour into The Lion King – which happened to be both his and Newt's favorite childhood movie, and he'd been hoping it would cheer him up - Newt was dozing on his lap and Thomas turned off the tv, less interested in that than the relaxed, peaceful expression on his best friend's face. He sat still for a few minutes, then shook him awake gently so he could go sleep in a proper bed.

Early the next morning, Thomas got up and readied for work. Just as he was getting ready to leave, he stepped back into the bedroom to see Newt still lying in bed, facing away from him. "Newt?" He asked quietly, not wanting to wake him if he was still asleep, but wanting to let him know he was leaving.

"What?" Came the tired, low reply.

"I'm heading to work, I'll be back later. Want me to pick you anything up at the store while I'm out?"

"Don't bother. I called out today, out of therapy too." Newt rolled over to face him, and all Thomas could see was a mess of blond hair, and a pair of brown eyes peering at him. "'N' before you say anything, I know I should go anyway, that it's 'specially important on days like this but I just can't do it. Not today."

It hurt to see Newt so dejected, so fatigued and out of energy for living. "Okay, that's fine." Thomas nodded, "I gotta go, I'll see you later. Love you." As he backed out of the room, he caught Newt's mumbled 'love you too' in reply.

Around lunchtime Thomas felt his phone buzz in his pocket, and pulled it out to see a text from Newt.

[Newt, 12:47pm]

Nick's coming over when he gets off work. Just a heads up

[Thomas, 12:47pm]

Want me to make myself scarce?

[Newt, 12:49pm]

No, be here please. Not sure how he's going to react seeing me in an episode like this and I want you here just in case

[Thomas, 12:50pm]

I'll be there

When it became apparent Newt wasn't going to reply anymore, he dropped his phone back into his pocket and got back to work.

There was no extra car in the driveway or parked along the street when Thomas got home, but he knew it wouldn't be long before Nick showed up. He was right, as he only had time to change out of his work clothes and greet Newt, who was sitting on the couch watching an early episode of TNG when he heard a knock at the door.

"Hey, Nick." Thomas greeted, attempting to sound more casual and light than he felt.

"Hi, Thomas." Nick replied, flashing him a smile as he let him in. Thomas watched from the door as he made a beeline for Newt, sitting down beside him. His stomach tied itself in knots as he watched Nick try to greet him and ask about his day, and the way Newt hardly reacted.

He left the room, intending to read some reports from work he needed to catch up on, but kept one ear out for the living room. Thomas could hear Nick's voice, and then Newt's much shorter, quieter replies. The Playstation booted up, but minutes later it was paused again and he heard Nick's voice again, sounding disheartened.

Reports spread out on the bed forgotten, Thomas tuned entirely into the conversation happening in the living room.

"What happened to you last night?"