Chapter Text
Newt was aware of today, Thomas told him in advance he was going to be gone for a day or two, going to visit the family, and yet he still fought an uncomfortable surprise when he got back from work and didn’t find his husband there. He checked his phone and the fridge’s door for any kind of memo, found nothing, and after few minutes of wondering he looked at the calendar, just to find it marked and his consciousness calmed down.
Newt – 18:21 – You told me like ten times you’re going to be gone today and I still searched for you :D How desperate am I? :)
Thomas – 18:23 – Aww, babe :)
Newt chuckled and mentally praised his husband to be who he was – there was food ready in the fridge from him with a note of eating properly, and it was so out of what Newt had been used to before Thomas overruled his life it was almost ridiculous. Yet Newt loved it to the bits, no matter what.
Newt – 18:26 – Am I interrupting?
Thomas – 18:28 – I can postpone the orgy until you’re asleep, dw :)
“Cheeky,” Newt smiled while replying with the same word and asking about the household. He wasn’t sure why Thomas had to leave at such specific day, but he didn’t mean to pry. He alone didn’t like when somebody was too pushy, so he never did it to others either, and when Thomas said he was going to be gone for a day or two to visit family, he took it as it was.
Thomas – 18:37 – A bit gloomy, but that’s expected. Ava downed the whole bottle of red wine. Expect her to cry about it tomorrow, her head usually hurts like bitch.
“Gloomy?” he blinked in confusion.
Newt – 18:40 – How’s gloomy expected when you visit? I thought Ava is always happy about it.
Thomas - 18:50 – Of course she’s happy about it. It’s just an anniversary of my mum’s death, so… gloomy.
“Bloody hell,” he cursed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Not prying my arse.”
Newt – 18:52 – Sorry. I didn’t mean to pry. Are you okay?
Thomas – 18:55 – Yeah, I am, I don’t remember her as much, so it’s just kinda… distant? I guess. I’m here more for Ava. Sorry I didn’t tell you btw., I didn’t want you to feel bad over it as well. Guess I’ve failed.
“Oh boy,” Newt sighed, the longing for hugging Thomas was strong and unyielding. They never really talked about his family, as much as they never talked about Newts’ (for much obvious reasons though). He knew Thomas’ mum died when he was about six years old, but he never heard how or why, and also never learned about what happen to his father. But since he lived with his aunt, his dad probably died too, or maybe simply refused to be part of the family.
Newt – 19:02 – Don’t worry about me, dumbo. How is Ava holding up? Except for the wine escapade.
Instead of a text the display lit up with Thomas’ name as a caller and Newt quickly pressed the green button, not expecting him to call at all. Geez, if this was practically a family mourning, he had no right to even bother them during it.
“Tommy?” he called his name hesitantly and the first thing he heard was a relieved sigh.
“Sorry, just wanted to hear you,” Thomas responded right after, and sounded more or less normal. “And wanted to have a reason why I can.”
“You don’t need a reason to call me, you know,” Newt chuckled.
“Look, I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you about this-,”
“I told you it’s fine,” Newt stopped him gently. “Family business is a family business. I didn’t mean to barge into it like that either.”
“I’m actually glad you did,” he imagined Thomas shrugging. “I mean, I know it’s a sad thing and all, and I do feel sad about it still, but it had been years.”
“Sometimes it’s simply not enough,” Newt reminded him. “For some people.”
“Yeah, Ava is always taking it bad,” Thomas mumbled. “We had been on the grave and everything, as every year. I’ve skipped it last year, I’d feel bad not going now.”
True, he didn’t leave last year.
“Sorry,” Newt rubbed his eyes. “I never actually thought of asking you about this…”
“It’s not a very cheery topic,” Thomas commented. “Nor an interesting one. Mum died in a car crash and Ava is always taking it as her fault, because it was her who should have drove her that day, but didn’t have time. So she took a taxi from an airport and there was an accident. She died on the spot.”
“Sorry.”
“Yeah, well. It had been 17 years already,” Thomas concluded it with a sigh. “I wish I remembered a little more than I really do, but it’s all kinda hazy.”
“Yeah, it had been a long time, no wonder,” Newt agree. “But at least you can support Ava, if she’s taking it so bad. Pretty sure she needs to know there are people for her.”
“Of course we are here for her,” Thomas muttered and then let out another sigh. “I kinda wish you were here too. I need a hug.”
“I’ll give you as many hugs as you want once you get back, deal?” Newt smiled softly and Thomas made a whining noise on the other side of the line, but then said yes. “Good boy. Tell Ava hi.”
“Yeah,” Thomas agreed and Newt could hear doors opening somewhere near. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Love you.”
“Love you too,” Newt responded immediately and when they both hung up, the lonely, quiet flat was just making it gloomier.
“Come home soon,” he whispered and put the phone on the table. He was not looking forward to the cold bed at all.