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

Chapter 12

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"I can't believe Brenda bailed on me." Thomas grumbled for the umpteeth time Friday afternoon, and Newt bristled.

"If you don't want to be here, feel free to leave, Tommy." He snapped.

Thomas startled, looking taken aback. "I - no, I don't. She just never bails like this so it's weird to me, that's all."

"I wouldn't put it past her to have done that on purpose, knowing Nick's coming over and all." Newt rolled his eyes, annoyed at the fact that once again, it seemed his friends were trying to interfere with his and Tommy's love lives.

"I'll be on my best behavior tonight, don't worry." Thomas reassured, and Newt just snorted.

"You better be."

As soon as Nick arrived the atmosphere, which was already slightly tense, became unbearably awkward when the three of them found themselves on the back porch on rickety folding chairs cracking open beers in an attempt to keep the mood light. It didn't work. Newt could see plain as day that Nick felt weird being around Thomas in a way he hadn't in the past, and Thomas didn't quite know what to do with himself. He wasn't entirely sure what had changed in regards to them being around each other's significant others - it had never been this weird before.

"So, uh, Thomas." Nick said, clearing his throat. "Remind me what it is you do again?"

"I'm a biomedical engineer. Basically that's a fancy way of saying I design equipment that helps diagnose and help medical issues, like artificial limbs and stuff." Thomas replied before lifting his beer to his lips.

Nick's eyes widened. "Wow, that's cool." He chuckled lightly, "Bet you rake in the big bucks then, huh?"

"I mean. . ." Thomas gave a huff of awkward laughter, "I guess? Newt's job at Haven is way less stressful than mine is, though. So I'm not sure who has it better."

Newt scoffed, "Obviously you have it the best out of the three of us, Nick. Mr. Barista bringing home amazing coffee everyday."

"That's about the only perk." Nick shook his head with a laugh. "It's shitty pay with shitty hours, but I do get good coffee at least."

Newt felt the tension between them relax a fraction as the conversation continued. Maybe they'd get through the evening without too much incident.

When he went back inside to check on their food - he'd made something easy, salad with lettuce from their garden that was finally back on track, and a pasta dish - he saw Thomas lean forward and both him and Nick seem to start a much more serious conversation than he'd left them on. He frowned and watched them through the closed sliding door from the kitchen, wondering just what they were talking about.

Thomas made a somewhat accusing face when he next spoke, and Nick nodded impassively before replying in what had to have been an equally accusing tone because Thomas shook his head and rolled his eyes. Whatever they were talking about, it wasn't good, and he was worried it would only get worse if he left them for long. But if they were talking things through and could reach an understanding. . . maybe that would be better than him going back out there immediately and interrupting.

Newt decided to wait and watch under the pretext that he was preparing dinner - not that either of them were paying attention to him in the slightest. Thomas was speaking now, and seemed to be going on some sort of rant. When he finished, though, Nick's face was contemplative rather than upset or accusing. Instead he seemed to have come to a realization and decided he was okay with whatever it was he had decided. When both men leaned back in their chairs, appearing to have reached that understanding Newt had been hoping for, he went back out to announce that dinner was ready.