If Only You Understood

Hours later they sat alone, watching the bright flames dwindle until they were nothing but embers with that gentle orange glow.
Side by side, arms brushing with every movement, they kept their lips sealed as their minds pondered and leapt from subject to subject.

It wasn't until the late hours of the night did one speak up.
"I did miss you, just so you know."

The laugh that followed was one of exhilaration. The corners of his lips curled upward and his teeth peeked through his parted lips.
"Shut it shank, of course ya missed me. Who wouldn't?"

Thomas snorted, though delight was written across his relaxed features and soft smile.
"You had all of us worried."

"What are ya? My mother?" He quirked a brow in question, but amusement shone in his eyes and slipped into his tone. The blond nudged Thomas playfully and rolled his eyes. "'M fine. Don't wrinkle your pretty little face worrying 'bout me Tommy."

The boy shook his head with a huff. "I won't Newt." He breathed, pushing himself to his feet and dusting off his pants. Thomas offered a hand to his friend and pulled him up when it was taken.
He didn't quite trust Newt to find his tent alone, being in a new place and he must be incredibly tired after all the events that took place, so he walked alongside him on a gravelly path.

Newt paused just in front of the entrance and glanced over at his companion with an almost nervous expression. "Tommy? Would you mind if I slept in your tent tonight? 'Ts weird sleeping all alone after all those years."

Understanding washed over the dark-haired teen and he swept past the other boy, snatching his thin pillow and blanket, before exiting and nodding his head as he slipped past the blond. "C'mon."

Naturally, Newt grumbled about being able to carry his own things but Thomas muttered a firm shut up and that was the end of it. For now at least.

Upon reaching the younger teen's tent, they rearranged things as quietly as they could, as to not wake the other islanders scattered in their own tents nearby. And finally, with things now situated, they headed off the bed, tucking in and whispering soft goodnight's that were soon lost in the chatter of crickets. And they slowly succumbed to sleep not long after.

•••

The sun was high in the sky by the time Thomas managed to break himself away from the murky depths of sleep. He blinked slowly and took a moment to adjust to his surroundings.
Newt was gone, not much of a surprise considering how late in the morning it appeared, and a second blanket was covering him. Just like back in the Glade, someone was playing mother.

And seeing as his friend's blanket was missing he knew exactly who it was.

With a chuckle he untangled himself from the blankets and stretched his muscles with a yawn. After his legs finally felt stable he stood up and ran a hand through his messy hair to make it at least somewhat tidy before exiting the cozy tent and making his way to the small groups that sat around the crackling fire.
He plopped down beside Newt and offered a tired greeting, stifling yet another yawn.

The blond patted his back with narrowed eyes. "Go back to bed shank, you're exhausted."

"'M fine." Came the gruff response as he slumped against his friend. Cold morning air nipped at his skin and he groaned, scrunching his nose with disgust.

"Tommy, take yourself back to bed or I'll drag ya there myself." His voice was firm, entirely unamused as he directed a motherly glare at the dark-haired boy.

"I'm not tired, just cold. You don't have to be such a mom."
The way his eyes flared with irritation would usually indicate that Thomas either needed to do as he said or run. Which, he did neither and gazed back with that same challenge.

"'Scuse us, I need to go drag Thomas back to his tent because he clearly doesn't know how to take care of himself." Newt hissed, shaking his head and exhaling through his mouth.

Minho turned his attention to his friends, who were currently trying to pull one another different ways (his bet was one Newt, that boy always got what he wanted when it came to caring for someone), and rolled his eyes.

"Who do you think is gonna win?"

He glanced over at Frypan and smirked. "Obviously Newt. Just like when we were in the maze. Always caring for us like he was our shucking parents. But especially his 'Tommy', always very particular about him."
Fry nodded his agreement and he too watched as the teens pushed and pulled and dragged one another all around the clearing.
To his surprise, Thomas actually gave in.

Newt gripped his arm and yanked him along, locking his elbow with Thomas's so their arms were linked. To prevent escape and so he was stuck directly beside him, which meant he couldn't slip away.
They marched away arm in arm, gaining confused looks, laughs, and eye rolls.

When arriving at the cramped tent, Newt shoved his friend down on the thin mattress and bustled about, collecting blankets, pillows, and anything that was out of place.
"Sleep, Tommy."

"I can't." The teen groaned like a child, frowning at the blond-haired boy.

"What? You need a kiss on the forehead or something? Go to bloody sleep and stop your whining shuck-face." Newt snapped, tone harsh.
This drew another groan from Thomas who rolled about to simply annoy his friend now.

"Thomas I will kiss you, don't test me shank. I suggest ya stop."

"But I'm not tired."

"Thomas."

"Neeeeeeewt."

"Five."

"I'm not a baby."

"Four."

"Why are you counting?"

"Three."

"Newt why are you counting?" His tone shifted to one of confusion and his voice became frantic, as if he thought the older teen would attack him, despite how idiotic it may have sounded.

"Two."

"Stop counting! It freaks me out!"

Newt stomped over, eyes slitted in a glare and lips twisted in a deep frown. He dropped the items he'd been carrying at the end of the bed and seated himself beside Thomas on the edge.
His cold hands came to rest on either side of his friend's face and angrily tugged him forward, placing an irritated kiss on his forehead before releasing him.

Thomas was stunned in silence, mulling this over. His face was a light shade of pink from how flustered he'd become, from confusion and embarrassment, and his jaw was slack, forming a soundless 'o' of surprise.
Newt paid him no mind and simply pushed the boy back so he was laying down, pulled his planets up to his chest, ruffled his hair and closed his mouth.
"Go back to bed. If I see you up again within the hour I will drag back. Sleep well Tommy."

Finally returning to his senses, he squeaked out a thank you and then the blond was gone.

(End of Chapter Two)