Work Text:
Snap.
Click.
Flash.
Ding?
Newt was at a photoshoot for the newest magazine that wanted him, and heard his phone go off. His phone typically was blown up with DMs from random people just trolling him and seeing if he’d respond. He didn’t know why he got this notification, so he ignored it. He continued to pose at the camera in the way he was told to.
He never really cared about any notifications unless it was from anyone he worked with, and they all had a special notification. As soon as this shoot was over, he made his way to his phone. Newt saw the start of the dm, cocking a brow and tapping on it.
@photogramas_: Hey Newt, I’ve seen your ads on some billboards around, and I was wondering if you’d be interested in working with me. I’ve been following you for a while and I have some ideas for a shoot, just reply if you’re interested. Thank you!
Newt rolled his eyes. He got lots of messages from amateur photographers begging him to help gain a following. It was annoying. He clicked on the account which displayed the name “Thomas.” Newt looked at the profile picture, which was someone standing in the city during the rain, the city lights shining and making a rainbow aura over the camera lens. Cool…
He was completely uninterested scrolling through the random landscapes, wondering why this guy even wanted to photograph a person if he didn’t do that like…ever. That was until he came across a post with varying photos of this beautiful man he had never seen before. Was this another model? He wondered if he had competition.
@photogramas_ I tried taking photos of myself, don’t know how I feel.
Newt cringed at the caption, noticing the awkward person this guy was through it. But he couldn’t keep his eyes off him. He decided to give this guy a chance, just because he was so bad. He returned to their dm, replying.
@newtofficial: hey, thomas. i looked at some of your stuff and i’m definitely interested. tell me more about these ideas of yours.
He cringed at himself this time, wondering what the hell he was doing. Newt didn’t even consult his agent about this. He’d just get to that later.
Newt tugged at the button up he wore, pulling it off and getting into much more comfortable clothes for the ride home. He grabbed his keys off the table in the changing room and walked out to his car as quickly as possible. Being famous was annoying.
Over the drive home, his phone dinged twice. He felt a bit excited to see what the brunet he had just come into contact with had planned. As he drove, he called his agent via Bluetooth.
“Hey, Albs.” Newt greeted over the phone, squinting his eyes to limit the amount of sun he took in as he cruised down the highway.
“Hi! How did your shoot go?” Alby typed loudly behind the phone, obviously filling up Newt’s schedule even more. He sighed, just wanting a day off.
“‘Went well,” He started, trying to ease into the topic. “Also, I had this photographer reach out to me wanting to do a shoot…” Alby cut him off.
“Newt, you know that you’re busy like all month. We can’t squeeze in the time for some amateur to practice.” He groaned over the phone, and Newt could hear him facepalming through the screen.
“Look, he’s good, and he’s cute!”
“Seriously? You only want to book with him because he’s cute?”
“Alby, please. Just a week. Everyone will understand!”
Alby sighed, pausing for what felt like an eternity.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you so much!” Newt beamed, clicking the hangup button as he pulled into his driveway. He immediately whipped out his phone, checking the notifications from Thomas.
@photogramas_: Thanks for replying! I have just had some outfits I thought would look nice, and I didn’t have any model for it.
@photogramas_: It would just be on some furniture, very cozy setting. I just want to capture the autumn essence.
“What the fuck is an ‘autumn essence’?” Newt rolled his eyes at the photographer’s speech, taking the keys out of the ignition and getting out of his car.
@newtofficial: cool. i’ll see if i can clear something. when are you free?
@photogramas_: Next week?
@newtofficial: i’ll do my best.
And his best he did. He called Alby five times, begging and pleading for his week to be cleared.
“You don’t get it, Alby! He’s so bloody cute!” Newt whined loudly into the phone, causing Alby to grimace.
“Give me his Instagram, Newt. Then we can talk.”
“Just clear my damn schedule!”
“Newt.”
“Fine.” He sent Alby a link to his profile.
“Newt,” Alby started, suspicious. “Why does this guy want to shoot with you if he hardly ever takes portraits?”
“I’m not sure…”
“Three days next week. That’s all I can do for you. Monday to Wednesday.”
“Thank you, Alby!”
“You owe me one, Newt. You really owe me one.”
@newtofficial: hey, i spoke to my agent. can you meet at the glade café on monday?
@photogramas_: Yes! I’m totally free on Monday. Does noon work?
@newtofficial: yeah, that’s good.
@photogramas_: Perfect. See you Monday!
When Monday rolled around, Newt was up early and ready to go by 10 AM. He wore a black turtleneck and some trousers, his hair styled to perfection. He stood on his balcony, smoking a cigarette and enjoying the rush of smoke into his lungs. Newt held the cigarette between his lips as he continued to stalk Thomas on Instagram, taking in the beautiful photos he took of himself. Newt wondered how taking portraits of yourself was even possible, and how he made them look so good.
Newt was at the café at 11:30, one leg crossed over the other as he scrolled on his phone. He sat next to a window, the sun shining down and casting a golden aura over him. He was here alone, since Alby said he didn’t even need to sign a contract. It felt like he was waiting for a date.
He loved the café. Newt loved the faux ivy on the walls, the grittiness of the whole place. It felt dystopian, that’s why he loved it. It was different, unique. Newt also loved the Maze, a café with a jazzy, cozy vibe. Maybe they would meet there next.
Newt nearly expected to be stood up, but as soon as the clock hit noon, a brunet man was walking through the door and looking at him with a grin. He stood, waiting for him to reach the table.
“Thomas! Hi!” Newt beamed, offering his hand for the other to shake. When they touched, he nearly shivered. He couldn’t believe he was meeting such an attractive man, let alone one who just wanted pictures of him.
“Hi, Newt,” The latter replied, sitting down. “It’s nice to meet you in person!”
“It’s nice to meet you as well.”
“Wow, you look the same as you do in all of your ads.” Thomas stated, crossing his arms over his chest. Newt didn’t know if this was a compliment or not.
“Yeah…” He chuckled a bit awkwardly. “So, about this shoot.”
And once the conversation started, it went on and on. Thomas showed Newt his portfolio, which had a surprising number of portraits of this one woman, brunette, blue eyed and beautiful. Newt couldn’t help but feel a bit jealous, but maybe that was just his brain trying to distract him from work. Yes, Thomas was beautiful, but Newt had to keep it professional, at least for now.
Thomas never stopped talking. He showed him photos of the clothes he’d be wearing (which Newt quite enjoyed, seeing some nice sweaters, turtlenecks, and linen button-ups), photos of his chocolate lab puppy, photos of his nieces, and so many vacation photos.
Newt learned that Thomas actually did have a bit of a name for himself, and sometimes got paid to do photography in different places for different companies around the continent. He thought this was cool, knowing he did the same but instead he travelled to be photographed.
They agreed to meet again the next day at Thomas’ apartment. Newt was ready to be kidnapped, murdered, or both. Luckily, neither happened!
He entered Thomas’ apartment the next day, wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt. Newt liked to wear casual clothes to photoshoots, knowing they’re easier to change in and out of.
He was there for hours with Thomas. Newt loved the feeling of being blinded by the flash, of how Thomas praised each pose he would strike to the camera, even if they were silly. He realized Thomas liked to take quite a few candid shots when they were just having conversation, and he admired how natural Thomas made a lot of the posed shots look. It was wonderful.
Newt and Thomas kept shooting together. Newt liked the company, Thomas liked Newt. He liked the way Newt looked, the confidence he had, the way he presented himself, the standard he held himself to.
At a particular shoot, Thomas rented out the entirety of the Maze café for a backdrop. Newt and Thomas sat there speaking for hours, and they also took photos. Newt gained a knack for taking photos of Thomas as well, taking his camera from him multiple times in the night and taking more candid shots.
In the Maze, there was a photo wall. Thomas had Newt posed in front of it, the warm, ambient lighting falling over his head. He looked like there was an angel shining down on him, keeping him safe. Thomas couldn’t help but stare, even after taking a few photos. Newt looked at him like he was crazy.
Newt then pushed forward, knocking the camera out of Thomas’ hands and cupping his face. Newt gave him a quick, yet aggressive kiss, leaving Thomas stunned.
“I knew you were imagining it.” He said as justification.
This was the start of something new for Newt, and something surreal for Thomas. He never pictured himself dating a model, but here he was. His Instagram page was full of photos of Newt and had lots of photos of them together as well. Newt had begun to take Thomas on work trips with him, allowing him to take photos of landmarks while Newt was getting his photos taken.
Thomas moved into Newt’s home and would wake up to the scent of cigarettes every morning. He would look and see Newt on the balcony, leaned over the railing and smoking while the sun beamed into their room, past the lace curtains.
Newt had begun to love Thomas and his stupid dog. Thomas loved Newt, nearly as much as his stupid dog. They loved each other. They loved the way each other looked, they way their skin felt against each other, the way their voices sounded, the way their lives collided.
Thomas had changed his Instagram handle.
@newtography_: Hey babe, when will you be home from the store?