Chapter Text
Newt wasn’t really one to make friends easily. Truth be told, Newt didn’t like meeting new people. He was always dubbed as approachable and easy to talk to and nothing bothered him more. Newt liked being alone, and yes, he was a great conversationalist and could carry the conversation (which was great especially if he was asked to wingman for someone) but he liked being alone more. He’s also very helpful, especially when it concerned school work. A lot of people thanked the heavens that he exists, but sometimes he cursed his own charm and wanted to become a social recluse just to stop all the chit-chat. So the day his best friend, an overly enthusiastic Asian kid named Minho, asked if he could introduce him to his Physics partner was the day wherein half of his life’s happiness probably escaped him due to the number of sighs he sighed.
“Oh c’mon, it’ll be fun! He’s a really cool guy!” Minho assured him, patting Newt’s back. “If you say so.” He groaned in response, reaching for his sling bag to pop a Hershey’s kiss in his mouth. He always carried a pack for some reason unknown to even him. It was better than drugs though so at least his parents don’t have to worry.
They had decided to meet at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf a few blocks away from their school. The day CBTL opened near their area was the day Newt rejoiced and handed out kisses to everyone he saw. Finally, a café that served tea he liked. Starbucks was never quite on par with CBTL for him, and it was far too overrated. “As long as I get my tea.” He muttered, at least he was getting something nice out of this.
Minho knew how much Newt didn’t like socialising. He was forced to everyday in school and now he was forcing the poor guy to do so as well, but that didn’t matter because they’ve known each other since they were in diapers and he always got his way. “Don’t mutter. Also don’t be overly sarcastic like you usually are.” He reminded him, since he did want them to get along. “Thomas is cool, ok? I’m sure you’ll get along.”
“Uh-huh. You said that about Gally, too.” Gally was another friend of Minho’s which Newt didn’t really get along with. They were fine but there was something about him that he doesn’t like, though he can’t quite put a finger to it. He just didn’t like him, is all, and that’s reason enough to avoid him during school hours.
“Gally’s cool, but I never said you’d get along. With Thomas, I’m sure you will.” He retorted with full confidence. There was something about his physics partner, he didn’t know what, but he was sure Newt and him would get along. The personalities didn’t quite match or anything, but the way he carried himself and his overall nice guy personality was something akin to his own (not really, but he’d like to believe he’s a nice guy most times).
“Alright, alright. We’ll see.” Newt was unsure as to whether or not he should even trust his best friend with all the failed attempts to get him to like socialising thus far. But it (usually) didn’t hurt to try and he’s never seen Minho so confident in what he’s doing (besides picking up chicks) so it was worth the shot.
———
Upon reaching CBTL, Minho immediately saw Thomas sitting in a corner table for three, alone and tapping his half-empty glass of what seemed to be a frappuchino waiting for them. “Thomas!” He shouted, attracting the attention of half the café’s customers which earned him a kick from Newt accompanied by a “Shush!”.
Walking over the boy who seemed to appreciate Newt reprimanding his friend due to his light blush and low chuckle after he’d done so, Newt offered a casual I’m-being-forced-into-this-but-I-can’t-look-like-I-am smile as he shook his hand. “Hi, I’m Newt.” His introduction was lacking, along with his motivation to befriend the boy. “Thomas.” He replied, nodding as he retracted his hand. Newt honestly couldn’t care less for the boy, but that was until he had a proper look at him and found him breathtaking. He was beautiful, and that was an understatement. The seemingly unkempt brown hair, a jawline he wouldn’t mind trailing kisses on, moles splattered artfully on his lightly tanned skin, lips so plump and pink and kissable, chocolate coloured eyes he wouldn’t mind drowning in even though Newt hated coffee framed by lashes so long one would think he’d gotten eyelash extensions. He didn’t even realise he was staring till Minho tugged on the hem of his shirt and gestured for him to sit down.
Oh hell, now he was interested. Very interested.
———
After what seemed to be eternity but in reality was only two hours of talking about themselves over tea and coffee, Newt decided he liked Thomas. He felt as though he’s known Thomas since forever. They liked the same movies, music, and both of them were self-proclaimed social recluses even though they knew they weren’t. Their personalities instantly clicked and talking to Thomas seemed like the most natural thing in the world. They felt like they’ve known each other for far longer than what the past two hours seemed to let on. But even if they felt like that, the situation they were in now was still awkward due to the donning realisation that yes, they did just meet and yes, the conversation had died along with Newt’s pride in being an amazing conversationalist.
Minho had left thirty minutes ago to finish a paper due before midnight and now they were left with the decision to either continue their little meet-up or end it there. The conversation had died down shortly after Minho had left, enveloping the two in oddly comfortable silence. Newt was reading a book assigned during English and Thomas had started fiddling with his phone, checking his e-mail and Facebook feed. Newt was at a loss as to what to do, this had never happened before. He always carried a conversation but oddly enough, he didn’t feel the need to do so and landed him in the situation he was in now. Did he regret it? Of course. Did he have the nerve to break the silence? Usually, but today he’d have to go with a flat out no. It was only five o’clock and he didn’t need to be home till around eight, where his parents would start to get suspicious as to what he’s been doing. Contrary to popular belief, yes, Newt did have a curfew.
“Um,” Thomas finally spoke up, giving Newt the chance to properly look at him instead of taking quick glances (with a small prayer every time asking god to not let him start to stare at the boy), “We should probably leave now, if we’re not gonna do anything else. I mean we’ve finished our drinks and it seems kinda impolite to take up a table if we’re finished idle.” He quickly explained, earning a huff of discontent from Newt. “I— I mean if you’re finished and all.” He added, raising both his hands and gesturing for the other to continue.
Seeing the boy panic wasn’t supposed to be attractive, usually it’d be funny but never attractive. It wasn’t supposed to be, but it was, and Newt inwardly cursed himself for finding the boy just so beautiful and he just wanted to push him down right there. But the fact remained that he had just met the boy and he wanted to leave. He wasn’t against it or anything, but the silence was comfortable for him and he’d never met anyone besides Minho that allowed him to just sit there and do his own thing without becoming a restless prick he had to pay attention to. “No, it’s fine.” He assured him, smiling as he got out his pouch of kisses and popped one in his mouth. It was a habit for him now, really, and he was about to put the bag back till a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist. “Wha—“ He started, putting his attention back to the gorgeous human being at the other side of the table. “Want one?” He asked, placing the bag on the table and cautiously, as if he was feeding a wild animal, slid it over.
“Sorry, sorry! Overreacted there. I just love kisses and my mom doesn’t really get them for me as frequently as before since I have low tolerance to sweets and my sugar crash is crazy.” Thomas explained, discreetly taking two kisses pieces and pushing it back towards his newfound friend, blushing a little as he did.
Oh god he’s adorable, Newt thought, chuckling as he put the pouch back in his sling bag. “No, that’s fine.” He replied, still chuckling. He was used to unwrapping his chocolate kiss quickly, but the boy had both of the pieces in his mouth before he could even put the bag back. “You seem to really like ‘em, don’t ya.” He comments, pointing at the foil wrappings on the table as he readied to leave. “They’re my favourite,” the boy replied, smiling a lop-sided smile that made Newt melt a little bit, “and I rarely eat them nowadays so I had to take the opportunity while it was there, y’know.”
“Oh. Makes sense.” Newt nods, getting up and gesturing for the other to go ahead of him. “I always carry them around. They’ve become my version of coffee.” He explains, watching as the boy opened the café door for him. Nodding in thanks, he continued his story to not miss the chance to have a decent conversation with Thomas again till they had to part ways to go home. “I don’t know when I got addicted to them, but now I always have a pouch with me. I sometimes give them out if I feel generous.” The last part earned him a muttered “Oh.” from Thomas, cocking his brow as he tilted his head to the side ever so slightly when he heard it. “Why?”
“Well,” Thomas started, scratching the back of his head which messed up his hair more (though Newt totally wasn’t paying that much attention to his hair and his amazingly well manicured hands that was so soft against his wrist and—stop.), smiling his lop-sided smile. “Nothing, really. Just glad you felt generous back at the café.” Now it was Newt’s turn to mutter an “Oh.”, absentmindedly reaching to ruffle the boy’s soft, soft hair that resembled cat’s fur and— cough. “Well, I wouldn’t mind sharing some with you. Just ask for some whenever you see me, yea?” Newt wasn’t really thinking when those words spewed out of his mouth. It suggested them seeing each other more often than not and suggested he actually liked the other boy’s company, which was true but he had a reputation to only hang out with the “cool kids” and he didn’t know what group Thomas was in but quite frankly, he didn’t care.
“That’d be amazing! You’re great, Newt!” Thomas’ excited tone got Newt out of his current train of thought, realising it was his street and they had to separate now else he go out of his way to bring Thomas home which was weird since again, they’ve just met. “Glad you think so.” He says, gesturing to his right. “But hey, this is my street. See you ‘round school!” Newt shouted, quickly sprinting towards his house before the other could say anything. But of course, the boy just had to shout back, and of course Newt had to look. “See you, Newt!” And oh god he was in deep, and oh god he just developed a crush on a guy he just met, and oh god he’s come into terms with it.
But well, at least Minho did something right for once, Newt thought, fishing out his keys from his bag’s front pocket and entering the house with a smile plastered on his face earning him confused looks from his parents.