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It happened so quickly – Newt getting sicker, making their way through the city, Minho and Gally going ahead.
Newt turning. The fight to keep him.
And then, out came the knife. The knife that Thomas had forgotten about, tucked away for Newt to defend himself. He remembers the way they’d divied up all the weapons, Newt arguing that Thomas had always had better aim with a gun and Newt would be better off with the knife; he was more accurate with that.
A little too accurate, as it turns out.
The struggle to hold Newt back ends with a dull thud between the two of them, Newt pressed up against Thomas. Thomas knows what Newt’s done; he just knows. But when he pulls back and sees the knife embedded in Newt’s chest, he’s in disbelief.
“Newt, no, no, no, no.”
Newt’s dark, bloodshot eyes meet Thomas’, widening in shock as he realises he’s back in control.
“Tommy.”
Newt’s legs crumple beneath him and Thomas reaches out, gripping him tightly, lowering him to the ground. They end up sprawled awkwardly on the floor, Thomas’ arms wrapped around Newt from behind, with Newt’s head and shoulders resting on Thomas’ lap.
“Newt, I’m here. I’m right here. It’s okay. We can fix this.”
Newt’s hands reach up and clasp Thomas’ own, holding them tightly over his heart. Thomas hadn’t even realised he’d placed them there, holding pressure on the life-threatening wound. He tries not to look, to see the damage done. Instead, Thomas focuses on Newt and Newt alone, staring into his eyes, desperately clinging to that contact.
“Tommy,” Newt splutters, interrupted by a cough. He winces and curls slightly in on himself. “Please stay. Please.”
It’s the same look as before, with the necklace. The plea for Thomas to do this one thing for him, to help him. It’s so frightening to see Newt so vulnerable and Thomas does his best to reassure him.
“I’m not going anywhere, Newt. You gotta do the same for me, alright? Stay with me.”
Newt’s eyes flutter closed. “I thought…” he trails off. “I thought it’d be easier if you left me, but I don’t want that. I want you here.”
Left him? In what universe would Thomas ever leave Newt? How would that ever seem like the easier option? Was this the Flare talking, or Newt’s insecurities finding their voice?
His eyes remain closed and seeing Newt fading so quickly has Thomas’ heart racing in fear. Where the hell is Minho?
“I know, buddy. I know. I’m not leaving you. Eyes open for me, okay? Keep them open so I know you’re with me.”
“Sorry,” Newt blinks them back open, taking a moment to find Thomas again, staring up at him. “I’m with you Tommy. Always have been.”
“And always will be, okay? Minho’s coming with the serum.”
To Thomas’ complete surprise, Newt manages to smile. “S’a bit late for that, don’t you think? That serum can’t fix everything.” He risks a glance down at his own chest and shudders. “‘specially not… that.”
Thomas blinks to clear the rapidly-forming tears in his eyes. “We’ll fix it, Newt. We’ll get you better.”
“Thanks for holding me while I go.”
“Hey. You’re not going anywhere, Newt. You hear me? Minho’s coming with the serum. We’re fixing you and getting you home.”
“But I think I am, Tommy. Your arms are home.”
Thomas barely has a moment to consider whether Newt has become delirious when they’re interrupted by a yell in the distance and Thomas looks up to see Brenda running towards them, followed at a distance by Minho, Gally and Fry. Thomas breathes a sigh of relief.
“They’re here, Newt.”
But when he looks down, Newt’s eyes are closed again, his face free of tension.
“Newt?” He wriggles his arms a little, trying to shake Newt just enough to wake him up. “Newt, come on. Eyes open, remember?”
But Newt’s eyes stay closed. There’s a sudden rushing sound in Thomas’ ears as his heart begins to pound twice as quickly. Everything begins to blur in front of him as he’s struck with the sudden terror of never seeing Newt’s eyes open again.
“Newt! Come on, buddy! Wake up!” He looks up as the others approach. “Help! Brenda, the serum! Somebody help! Please! ”
“I’ve got it, Thomas.” Brenda is already on the ground beside him, fiddling with the serum with shaking hands.
“Help him, please!”
“I’ve got it, Thomas. Is he breathing?” Brenda’s injecting the serum into Newt’s arm.
Thomas leans in, trying to focus, his mind swimming and vision blurring. He feels like he’s about to pass out. “I can’t… I can’t tell. Shit, I can’t tell, Brenda.”
Then Minho’s there. And Frypan. And Gally. They try to take over from Thomas but he won’t move. He can’t move. There’s no way he can bring himself to.
The last thing Newt had said was that Thomas’ arms were home. The one place they’d all been trying to find for so long. The place they were still hoping to reach. And Newt had said he’d finally found that feeling, right there in Thomas’ arms.
“I’m here, Newt. I’m right here. I won’t let you go.”