Work Text:
"So, Chuck where do you want to go first?" I ask turning to my younger brother as I continue driving my jeep down the highway
"I don't know I was thinking we could wander around and decide as we go" Chuck shrugs from the passenger seat
"Well, we have to go to the food court they have fried ravioli and you need to try it"
"Just remember Mom said we have to get new clothes for the new school year"
"Yeah, yeah clothes, school whatever do you want to—"
"EYES ON THE ROAD THOMAS!" Chuck shouts pointing out the window. I look to the left and see an oncoming truck and gripping the steering wheel I swerve at the very last second just missing the bumper. We continue in silence for a few minutes down the road still shaken from the brush with death before I say "So, that was a close call"
"Yeah, you can say that again" Chuck rolls his eyes at me
"Okay, That was a clo—"
"Oh my god, Thomas not really you sarcastic shuck" Chuck groans into his hands rolling his eyes
✵⭑✵⭑✵
I slow down as we get closer to the Mall. I scan the lot and surprisingly there seems to be more shoppers today. Normally there isn't more than ten cars. Sadly it seems malls seem to be going out of style. I remember going there when I was young before Chuck was born and getting soft pretzels and riding those tiny cars.
"C'mon, Shuckface we got stuff to do today" I shout to the other side of the jeep where Chuck was
"Shut up I'm coming" He yells back
⭑✵ In The Mall ✵⭑
"So, I'm thinking food first right Chu—" I turn around and stop talking. Chuck isn't there. I start to panic. I don't think I can breath. My hands are getting clammy as I turn spin around in circles trying to find him. I run my hands through my hair and close my eyes and I can't've lost him.
A hand taps my shoulder. A fluffy haired blond boy stands in front of me.
"You all right?" He says looking down at me in a wonderfully beautiful british accent "You seem to be upset about something"
"Ye-yeah I uh I'm fine" I stutter out the lie trying not to look at him
"Are you sure because you seemed to be really bloody upset are you lost or..?" He trails off leaving me to figure out the rest. I don't want to tell him but the pure worry and care in his brown eyes make my knees weak.
"No uh I'm not the lost one" I say "You see my brother, Chuck, and I came here and I was talking and I turn around and he's gone"
"What does he look like?"
"Um, brown hair, about this height" I bring my hand to about how tall he is "He's wearing wearing a gray Gladers band t-shirt"
"Brothers got bloody good taste" The boy nods his head looking wistfully into the distance before shaking it and saying "Not that it matters at the moment, how about you search the left side of the mall and I take the other side and I can give you my number so we can text each other saying where we've checked"
"Great!" I exclaim "I just realized I never got you name"
"Names Newt Greenie"
"Thomas"
"Okay, give me your phone and I'll type in my number" Newt says and I hand over my phone and stare at the hair hanging in his eyes as he punches in the numbers "There ya go Tommy"
"Tommy?" I glance up at him
"Oh um I'm sorry I uh—" Newt blushes stumbling over his words in an adorable way
"Nah, it's fine I like it my friend Teresa is the only one who calls me Tom everyone else calls me Thomas"
"Oh" He looks crestfallen I wonder why
"We should probably start now" I say and he nods and starts to walk away but not before he says with a half smile "Text me if you find him"
⭑✵ However Long Later ✵⭑
Ding
A text. From Newt.
Newt: Found him
Me: Where?!?!
Newt: In the bathrooms
Newt: Apparently he told you he was gonna go but you didn't hear
Me: Oh
Me: I feel stupid now
Newt: Don't worry about it just meet us in the food court by the subway
Me: K on my way
⭑✵ In The Food Court ✵⭑]
"There you are!" I run and hug Chuck "Shuckface you scared me"
"You should've seen him he was practically pulling his hair out" Newt smirked and Chuck looked at me with a grin and says "Oh, Is that so I thought you didn't care about me?"
"Shut up shank you know I only tolerate you" I laugh as he rolls eyes
"So, is this what siblings act like?" Newt pipes up from beside us grinning
"Do you not have any?" Chuck asks
"I do I have a sister, Sonya, but my parents are divorced and my Mom got custody of her and my Dad me"
"Oh, well sibling are like your built in bullies for life but you" I say
"Also love them and they're your best friends" Chuck finishes
"Yep" I agree ruffling Chucks hair
"Thanks, I'm planning to see Sonya for the first time in seven years in a few weeks" Newt says sheepishly grinning and looking at the floor
"Hey, it's okay" I grab his chin forcing him to look me in the eye.
We stay like that for a few seconds just staring into each others eyes before Chuck says "Ahem, guys you still in there? No more goo goo eyes please? You only met today you're not married yet"
"Oh um yeah" I say looking down as my face heats up. I risk a glance at Newt to see him looking as red as I probably do
"Now, Newt do you want to help us do what we came here for which is shop" Chuck says professionally
"Um, sure Don't have bloody else to do" He says. He starts to walk and so does Chuck but not before smirking at me and wiggling his eyebrow so I give him the finger.
⭑✵ After Shopping ✵⭑
"We should probably get going or Moms gonna kill us" I say checking the time on my phone to see 6:27 PM
"Yeah, probably should" Newt agrees looking disappointed
"But um thanks for helping me find Chuck" I rub the back of my neck "Would you maybe want to go out for coffee or some food I mean you do already have my number but uh you don't have to if don—"
"I'd love to Tommy" Newt cuts me off gently placing a kiss on my cheek and turns on his heel and walks away
"C'mon Thomas let's go you can fanboy over your boyfriend later" Chuck says
"He is not my—"
"Sure whatever you say but can we please go already?" He whines
"Fine let's go" I say and we head out of the store