Work Text:
The energy throughout the infected city was high. A revolt had been set in motion and a large scale uprising was due to happen the next day. People were partying wildly outside of the walls of the last ever city. Thomas was not.
Jorge had encouraged him to loosen up and have fun before the mission, but he couldn’t bring himself to relax. His friends, however, were drinking and singing together in a happy trance.
Brenda, Frypan and Newt all stood on a table, chanting a song loudly before a crowd of drunk people while Gally and Jorge played cards competitively in the corner. One half of Thomas was annoyed with them. How could they all be so carefree even though they could all possibly die the next day? And Minho was still with W.C.K.E.D too- had they all forgotten him?
The other half of him was jealous. He wanted to relax, to not care, but he couldn’t. Alcohol would help but apparently it was ‘Gally’s special recipe’ and Thomas wasn’t too keen on the concoction.
Newt approached him as he wallowed in self pity.
“What’s got you in a bloody mood?”
Thomas put his head in his hands, “Stress. And calm it with the drinking. You’re pissed.”
Newt laughed and patted Thomas’s shoulder, “I’m sober enough to be worried Tommy-“
Newts tone shifted and he sounded sad,
“Big day tomorrow. We’re all scared, but letting off a little steam helps.”
Thomas looked up at Newt and sighed, “Feeling better yet?” He gestured to Newts arm.
Newt subconsciously grabbed the area on his forearm that had been infected and frowned, “Course not shuck-face. Now go on and enjoy yourself before I kick your arse for that stupid comment.”
“Sorry, just worried. I’ll head to bed.”
Thomas quickly stood up and dashed out of the room. He hadn’t meant to make the conversation awkward, he was just trying to look out for his friend. He attempted to push all of his bad thoughts to the back of his mind.
He turned a couple of corners before entering the room he had chosen to sleep in. A small storage area, dark and cold but out of the way. He crept inside and sat on his sleeping bag, staring into space. Anxiety seeped into his every thought.
Not knowing what to do with himself and being way too energised to sleep, he reviewed the plan for the following night in his head over and over again. Break into the last city, find Teresa, make her help them, enter W.C.K.E.D’s base, free some kids, save Minho and leave. The revolutionaries would tear apart the city so there was little chance they’d get followed. The plan seemed foolproof, but Thomas couldn’t help his mind wandering and thinking about one crucial thing.
Newt.
The boy had the flare and he seemed to be slowly getting worse by the hour, would he be alright? Surely they could find a cure while they were inside of W.C.K.E.D’s base right? Didn’t Brenda even have a cure on her? Would it work?
Thomas was about to go down a dark rabbit hole mentally when Newt appeared in the doorway of his room.
“Sleeping huh?” He walked in and took a seat in front of Thomas.
“‘Bout to…”
Newt raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been muttering nonsense for the past half hour.”
“You were stood out there for half an hour?”
Newt scowled, “Not the point. You’ve got a lot on your mind. Relax a bit.”
He handed a bottle to Thomas who took it reluctantly.
“If this is the same crap from the Glade…”
Newt grinned as Thomas took a swig and immediately started coughing.
“Eugh- this stuff is klunk.” He handed the bottle back and wiped his mouth. “Reminds me of when we first became friends at that bonfire.”
He pretended to choke himself and Newt laughed, “C’mon Tommy you shank. It isn’t that bloody bad.”
“It is.”
The boys laughed harder and Thomas felt more calm already. Was the drink really that strong? Music wafted through the corridor outside and Thomas found himself staring at Newt in the dim light.
“What?” Newt crossed his arms, amused.
Thomas shook his head, “Nothing.”
“You’re still too tense. How about a game.”
Thomas huffed, “A game? I’m not five Newt.”
“Well I’m treating you like you are until you crack another proper smile for me.”
“Still acting like the Glade mother are you?” The boys glared at each other briefly with a false sense of loathing before falling into fits of laughter once more. Thomas managed to collect himself first.
“I smiled. Happy?”
“Very.”
Newt paused, “What about truth or dare.”
This piqued Thomas’s interest.
“Go on.”
“Alright. Truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
Newt smiled, “I thought you’d be braver Tommy.”
“Get it over with.”
“Hmm, do you ever miss the Glade?”
Thomas was caught off guard by the question. Newt seemed somber all of a sudden.
“Uh, yeah I guess. I wasn’t there long but it was homely.”
Newt nodded slowly, “Good that. Your turn.”
“Truth or dare.”
“Truth.” He raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms.
“Are you scared?” Thomas looked at the floor. Newt’s smile faltered and he gulped.
“Scared? Be more specific Tommy…”
“I mean, about tomorrow.”
Newt sighed in a relieved way and shrugged.
“Yeah, obviously. Just like I said earlier; We all are but we’re together and we’ll get through it. You’ll be fine.”
Thomas looked into Newts eyes and smiled, “Maybe you are more sober than I thought.”
Newt cracked a smile too and without breaking eye contact, took a large sip from the bottle.
“Truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
Newt pondered for a moment.
“Do you ever wonder what it would be like to die without knowing what it was like to kiss the person you love?”
Thomas froze. He didn’t know where this was going.
“You’re an emotional drunk.”
“Answer the question Tommy.”
Thomas thought it over, “I mean… yes.”
“Good that.”
Thomas sat up straight, “Truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“Again? We should just play truth or truth at this point.”
Newt smirked, “Aren’t you going to ask me something?”
“Patient shank. Do you ever dream about finally finding a safe haven?”
“Who doesn’t? Like s-“
“Do you.”
“No.” He paused, “Not really, but there is a place out there somewhere for us Tommy.”
Thomas punched his arm gently.
“Yeah. Gotta persist and get through this together.” He added emphasis to the word together.
Newt took another swig from the bottle and placed it down slowly.
“Truth or dare?”
“Let’s mix it up a bit. Dare.”
“Kiss me.”
“What-“
“You heard me.”
The boys stared at each other in silence. Music hummed through the air.
“Newt you’re drunk.”
Newt raised his eyebrows, “Am I?”
He leant forwards and Thomas’s heart rate increased.
“I’m sober enough to mean what I’m saying Tommy.” He paused. “Do you want to?” Newt asked it as if he was prepared for a heartbreak.
Thomas made up his mind, “I did choose dare.” He quickly closed the gap between them and their lips met. Immediately, Thomas’s breath was taken away and he felt flushed. He pulled away after a few seconds and Newt stared at him intently.
“I’m not a crank yet Tommy. It won’t hurt, I don’t bite.”
Thomas felt the alcohol give him confidence and he smiled before leaning back in. Electricity filled the room as the boys made contact. Newt put his hands in Thomas’s hair so he didn’t pull away, but Thomas wasn’t planning on it.
He put his hands on Newt’s face and closed his eyes.
They had to catch their breath briefly and when their lips parted, they said nothing and instead just looked at each other with awe.
A tranquil quiet filled the room as the music and shouts from the party faded. Thomas sat back and stared at the ceiling. “Truth or dare.”
“Still playing are we?”
“Mmm…”
“Dare.” Newt had a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. The hallway lights were shutting off one by one, leaving them in darkness.
“Stay the night.”
“Don’t have to ask me twice.”
Newt dived down and took Thomas with him, the pair tumbling onto the floor in a heap. They laughed quietly before staring into each other’s eyes. Once all of the outside noise stopped and everyone was asleep, the boys found themselves laid beside each other on Thomas’s sleeping bag.
“You're still drunk.” Thomas murmured and ruffled Newts hair. Newt grinned.
“You too.” He paused and looked at Thomas sadly, “Oh, and I’m still sorry about….” He didn’t have to finish his sentence, Thomas already knew what he meant.
He thought back to those few moments where Newt had lost his wits and threatened him, “Don’t lie to ME!” Those words were permanently etched into his memory.
Thomas smiled sadly, “You shouldn’t be sorry. It’s not your fault.”
Newt didn’t respond for a while.
“Goodnight Tommy.”
“Newt..?”
No response.
Thomas frowned but chose to sleep, he needed it.
In the morning, Thomas bolted awake. He had a small headache but it immediately worsened when he thought of what had happened. Him and Newt… had kissed?
His cheeks flushed just at the thought. He buried his face into his hands groggily. Then, he realised Newt wasn’t beside him anymore. His headache vanished and his thoughts were replaced with worry. Had something happened to him? He pulled himself away from his sleeping bag and rushed out of the room. The others were all tucked away in other rooms, still sleeping, and Thomas passed the odd person passed out on the floor. Still, there was no sign of Newt.
He was about to walk past the meeting room when he saw someone sat in a chair.
“Newt?”
The boy glanced up and smiled weakly.
“Tommy.” He nodded.
Newt looked tired and ill. The flare was definitely eating at him. Thomas walked into the room and stopped beside him.
“Newt I-“ he didn’t know what to say.
Newt looked at him pleadingly, “Don’t Tommy…”
“No, I’m sorry for using the fact you were drunk, I- I don’t know… just-“
“Tommy.” Newt sounded stern now.
Thomas stopped and looked into Newt’s eyes.
“I was sober enough Tommy. And hey, it wasn’t bad.”
“What?” Thomas was really confused.
“You’re not a bad kisser y’know.”
He winked and Thomas felt himself go red.
“Uhh… thanks.” They didn’t break eye contact for a while.
“I should be thanking you.” Newt mumbled and turned away, staring at the table.
Thomas kept his gaze focused on him, “Why?”
“Remember my question to you last night?”
Thomas did remember the question. It gave him a terrible gut feeling.
Newt continued, “I hope it’s mutual, fine if it’s not, but,” it seemed like every word was painful for him to say, “but now I know. Now I know what it’s like to kiss the person I love. I can die peacefully now. Thank you Tommy.”
Thomas was dumbfounded, “M- me?”
“Gally’s right, you are a slinthead.” Newt laughed but with no humour.
Thomas knew he had to say something. “I don’t fully understand. Die? You’re not going to die Newt.”
Newt frowned, “Nice of you to think like that. Tommy, but it’s this disease-“
“Just shut it about the flare! We are all making it out of here alive, Newt.” He breathed heavily for a moment before dipping his head.
“Tommy?”
“Mhm?”
“I’ll try.”
Thomas smiled softly and looked up, “Okay.” Then his mind switched to another matter, “What are we?”
Newt looked back at him and frowned, “What do you mean?”
“Well? What are we? Still just friends…” His voice trailed off as he saw Newt nod slightly. Disappointment filled his heart.
“Right.”
Suddenly, a smile flickered on Newt’s lips.
“But kiss me sober and maybe that can change.”
Thomas had never done something so quickly.
He dived forwards and wrapped his arms around Newt’s neck. Newt didn’t expect the action and froze, but smiled when he realised what was happening. When they pulled apart, Newt shrugged.
“I think that just sealed it. What do you want us to be?”
The sounds of people waking up and footsteps in the corridor reminded the boys that there were still others around.
Thomas held Newt’s hand tightly.
“Right now? Alone.”