Chapter Text
Newt rolled over beneath the covers, reaching up and running a tousled hand through his hair. He could just see the dawn rays peeking through the gap in his curtains and shining across the array of polaroids tacked to the opposite wall.
He stretched, shoving his toes against the worn bed base, warm and content. He watched the specks of dust floating in the air above him, listening to the birds outside announcing the arrival of another beautiful day.
His phone chirped quietly. He reached out and grabbed it, squinting at the bright screen with one eye.
From: Min-Min
TOMORROW’S THE DAAAAAAY!!!!!
Grinning, Newt quickly tapped back a reply, any remaining sleepiness falling away as excitement hit him with full force. He glanced across his room to the suitcase propped against the wall - and the various socks and underclothes thrown haphazardly on top.
Don’t know what I’d do without you, Min, my dear personal alarm clock.
Another chirp.
From: Min-Min
YOU BET! NOW GET YOUR SHANK ASS OUT OF BED. DON’T MISS YOUR FLIGHT.
Newt laughed.
Yes, Mum.
Minho sent back a row of middle finger emojis.
Still smiling, Newt rolled out of bed and stretched again, his back clicking satisfyingly. The cold air suddenly hit him and he recoiled, but he refused to clamber back into bed.
Finally, after what had felt like another eternal semester, he was heading back to his hometown - their hometown. And tomorrow, he would see all his best friends again.
His phone gave a short ding sound. Newt glanced down, opening it up to the active conversation screen. Shaking his head and laughing again, he began to type.
FROM: JUMANJI GODS [GROUP CHAT]
cartography, b*tch: TOMORROW’S THE DAAAAAAY!!!!!
the backpack guy: I’m just hitting the road now. Looking forward to seeing you shanks.
killer of men: Agreed. It’s been too bloody long.
cartography, b*tch: I’ve missed all your beautiful faces <3
the backpack guy: [vomiting emoji]
[cartography, b*tch EDITED A NICKNAME FROM the backpack guy TO bravestone’s sidekick]
bravestone’s sidekick: oi
cartography, b*tch: speaking of which TOMBOY WHERE YOU AT BRO
Newt laughed at that, but felt a painful tug in his chest. He wasn’t optimistic about a reply.
However, moments later his phone dinged again. His heart lurched.
no weaknesses: Watching the chaos unfold, apparently.
cartography, b*tch: we’re descending on you. there’s no stopping us.
cartography, b*tch: yes that is a threat.
no weaknesses: Am locating my bunker as we speak.
bravestone’s sidekick: Damn, someone actually knocked some sense into you, greenie?
cartography, b*tch: his name is newtie-patootie [kiss emoji]
Shaking his head, Newt paused, his thumb hovering over the call button beside his boyfriend’s picture icon, Thomas beaming in the still image. Biting down on his lip, Newt settled for a text instead.
Heading off to the airport soon, can’t wait to see you xx
The reply came nearly an hour later.
FROM: Tommy <3
Have a good flight <3
o-o-o-o-o
Two hours later, Newt was exiting the Arrivals hall at their hometown’s local airport, his wheeled suitcase clunking along behind him.
His parents always met him outside in grab-and-go style when he came back for the semester breaks, so he excused himself through the crowds and walked out into the brisk air. Newt shivered, pulling his jacket from his rucksack and hurriedly tugging it on.
“Newt! NEWT!”
There was the frantic beeping of a car horn. Squinting his eyes against the glaring sun, he lifted his hand to shield his eyes and saw his family car pulled up in the loading bay - but not the driver he had been expecting.
Newt blinked, then grinned at his sister. “You passed your driving test!”
“Yeah, no shit!” Sonya yelled back, beaming as she clambered out of the front seat, rounding the vehicle. “Come here, you!”
She hauled him into a fierce embrace, Newt hugging her just as tight. He closed his eyes. “It’s good to see you, sis.”
“Ew, you’re getting sappy now? What happened to you?”
“Shove off,” Newt laughed.
Pulling back, Sonya stuck her tongue out at him and opened the trunk, hauling his suitcase in. “Dude, what’s even in here? It weighs a bloody tonne!”
“Careful, that’s all my worldly possessions.”
“Plus thirty pairs of dirty underwear, I bet.”
“You know my laundry’s the only reason I bother coming home.”
Sonya laughed, closing the trunk and sliding into the driver’s seat, Newt already on the passenger side.
“The usual, thanks,” Newt said, passing her a ten dollar bill.
Sonya plucked it from his grasp with two fingers. “Chocolate or strawberry?”
“Chocolate.”
“Wrong.”
“Wrong? How - it’s my choice!”
“And I’m driving,” Sonya told him, grinning.
“I’m about to mutiny.”
“Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.”
“You’re underage -”
“And you’re not?”
Fifteen minutes later they were pulling away from the drive-thru of their favourite fast food chain - Fry’s Burgers - with milkshakes in hand. After a round of tedious negotiations, Newt had managed to secure his favourite flavour.
“That hits the spot,” he said, slurping the chocolate sauce loudly through his straw. “Wish they had one near campus.”
“Should’ve considered that when you accepted their offer.”
“Yes, I absolutely should’ve. I’m an idiot for putting my studies first.”
“You said it, not me,” Sonya grinned.
They fell quiet, sitting in comfortable silence as they consumed their treats, watching the familiar neighbourhoods pass by. Things hadn’t changed, but Newt’s perspective of the world had since he moved out of state, his trips home now tinged with a nostalgia he couldn’t quite escape.
Growing up was strange, he decided.
“How’s Harriet?” Newt asked suddenly, a twinkle in his eye.
Sonya blushed. “Harri’s good,” she said. “Next week’s our first anniversary.”
“Already?!” Newt grinned. “How she’s put up with you for this long, I don’t know.”
Sonya shoved him. “And I don’t know how Thomas puts up with you,” she retorted. “How is ol’ Tommy boy, by the way?”
Newt’s smile faltered a little. “He’s good,” he finally answered. “Busy.”
Sonya squinted at him. “Everything okay with you two?”
Newt nodded, forcing a laugh. “Yeah, why wouldn’t we be?”
Sonya gave a non-committal hum, her expression still suspicious. Clearing his throat, Newt quickly pulled out his phone and began to text.
Hey, love. Just getting home from the airport, you free to hang out tonight? x
They were just pulling into the driveway of their home when a response came through.
FROM: Tommy <3
Hey I’m really sorry, got a project that needs finishing. I’ll see you tomorrow with everyone x
Fighting back his disappointment, Newt gave a quiet sigh.
Alright. Goodnight, Tommy <3
“Trouble in paradise?” Sonya asked quietly, her voice unusually soft.
Newt shook his head. He heard a door open, and looked up through the windscreen to see his parents venturing outside to meet him. “I’m sure everything’s fine,” he told her. “Like I said, he’s just busy.”
He just knew that tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough.