necessary | newtmas au

𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐨𝐧𝐞 | countdown

❝know it's for the better,❞
- phoebe bridgers

-

FIVE days before Thomas and Newt took off, the two spent the entire day with each other, walking around to all the places they'd been to together before: the museum, the park, the karaoke place, the cooking place, the coffee shop, the suit shop—everywhere.

"I'm really glad I met you, Tommy." Newt would say, over and over again that day, countless times, knowing that he'd said it before but saying it anyway.

And every time, Thomas would respond with the same thing:

"I wish I'd met you sooner."

⥃☕︎⥂

Four days before Thomas and Newt took off, Teresa left. They said goodbyes to her alongside all their other friends and then sat in Newt's dorm for the rest of the night, watching the final Maze Runner movie.

"I'm scared that I'm going to cry this much when you're gone." Newt said with a quiet voice into the crook of Thomas's neck.

Thomas didn't answer, but instead just moved his hand from resting on Newt's arm to up into his hair for comfort.

⥃☕︎⥂

Three days before Thomas and Newt took off, Brenda and Frypan left to return to their own homes. Coincidentally, their flights were on the same day, making for a long and hard hug goodbye from the other three of the group.

"We'll stay in touch, I promise." Thomas said, hugging both Fry and Brenda in front of the airport's security line.

⥃☕︎⥂

Two days before Thomas and Newt took off, Minho left—making the couple to be the only ones left. Their friend's departure was definitely a sad one, and brought the whole mood down. But what brought down the mood even more was Newt noticing throughout the day that Thomas was getting more and more distant.

"I'm gonna go to my dorm, I have to pack." Thomas said as soon as they arrived back at the school after dropping off Minho at the airport.

"I can't talk right now, Newt," Thomas would say over the phone when Newt called.

"I have to cancel our dinner tomorrow, I need to go meet with my counselors and stuff before they leave." Thomas would add later on that night when Newt called him again.

⥃☕︎⥂

One day before Thomas and Newt took off, Newt approached the brunet's dorm room and knocked on the door.

Thomas opened the door in response, looking Newt up and down quickly as he realized who he was standing before, "Newt, I told you... I can't make it to dinner tonight."

"I don't see you particularly dressed and ready to see your counselors," Newt called out, gesturing at the sweats Thomas wore and his unkempt hair. Thomas looked down at himself, processing the fact that he'd been caught—his face slightly flushed and he moved his head to the side so his forehead was resting against the edge of the door in embarrassment.

"Why'd you lie?" Newt asked, stepping closer.

"I didn't mean to, I swear," Thomas sighed, "I'm sorry, Newt, I'm so sorry, but... I don't know, I'm just not ready—for tomorrow. For the last moment I hold your cold hand, or give you a kiss, or fix your hair—it's all coming too soon."

"Oh, Tommy..." Newt smiled softly, while still looking down at Thomas, who had his head dipped down to hide his face, "I feel it just as much as you do. But it's all a part of life—you need to feel some hurt to feel some love. And for that, I am ever so grateful for you, in addition to everything else that makes me feel appreciative of you and love you."