Teresa went back to their seat with coffee on one hand and tea on the other. After a heated discussion about where to go back at the car, they ended up at The Maze and Fry was glad enough to give them a discount. Fry eyed Thomas slightly as if to ask where Newt was. Thomas just shrugged to tell him it was not his business. Fry just chuckled and continued wiping the counter.

"Here you go!" Teresa smiled and sat across from the brunette placing his tea in front of him. "I see Newt's British culture rubbed off on you."

"So, what is this thing I need to help you with?" Thomas asked as he sipped his tea, ignoring Teresa's snide comment. It was refreshing and it made him calm his nerves from the emotionally draining day.

"Actually, it's not something about me." Teresa smiled and sipped her coffee, "it's you." Thomas was confused at first but then sudden realization dawned on him.

"Bloody hell." Thomas whispered absent-mindedly.

"And Newt's influence just keeps coming." Teresa teased.

"What?"

"You just said 'bloody hell'." Teresa announced, smirking at him.

"Slim it. And no, we are not doing that." Thomas said, throwing Teresa off.

"Spoilsport!" Teresa shrugged and slumped on her chair. "Come on! We have too!"

"WE ARE NOT THROWING A PARTY FOR MY BIRTHDAY! THAT'S IT!" Thomas raised his voice in exasperation.

He really does not have any problem celebrating his birthday. It was the people that came to the parties. His social skills are not exactly that great and the surge of people coming to him and greeting him is too overwhelming. Last year, Gally and Teresa threw him a surprise birthday party back at Gally's place and Thomas was on the verge of crying. Half of the school was there and it was just very difficult to deal with it.

"We're not gonna throw a party!" Teresa objected.

"What do you mean?" Thomas looked at her suspiciously.

"It's just gonna be us. You, me, Gally..." Teresa trailed off. "and maybe Newt." Teresa announced, feeling confident of herself.

"What about Minho?" Thomas asked. It was weird he thought of Minho every time Newt is mentioned. He guessed it was because they were together and that means they have to do stuff together too. If he wants Newt to hang out with, he's gonna be getting Minho too. Teresa just looked at him in disbelief.

"I am planning for you to have fun on your birthday, not push you into the pits of hell." Teresa spitted out before putting her coffee down and staring at Thomas.

"Sorry..." Thomas said, "so, when is this 'gathering' gonna happen?"

"This Friday."

"Why? My birthday's still not till Sunday." Thomas asked, confused.

"Remember the week off the school permitted all the students after prelims this 2nd semester? That starts next week. So if we are going to go back home this Sunday, we need to celebrate in advance so that everybody is still here." Teresa explained briefly.

"Oh." Thomas stated. He forgot about that.

"So?"

"So... what?"

"Are you okay with a small gathering?"

"Yeah. Why not."

"GREAT!" Teresa piped up and sipped her coffee again. There was a glean in her eyes. She was really excited about birthdays. She says that it's a time to be thankful for a person that was born in this world. She's poetic like that.

Thomas stared at the ceiling for minutes now, pillows covering his ears, trying to draw out the noises that came from upstairs (no doubt coming from Minho and Newt) even though it was faded. This was a rare incident because often times, the couple always do the do back at Newt's place, but there are times like this that would mean that the place was not available and that they cannot control their biological urges.

He was woken by the sheer silence. Did he just fell asleep? The moaning and he groaning was not there anymore. He looked at the clock, 1 AM. Everything was quiet again and Thomas took the pillows off his head and stared at the ceiling again and then he heard this faint knocking. He got up and listened, maybe it was his imagination? Or maybe it was some ghost pranking him?

"Tommy?" Someone called from the outside. The voice was harsh and strained, and he knew for a fact it belonged to Newt.

Thomas got up quickly, straightened himself and opened the door.

"Oh, thank god." Newt sighed.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Thomas said as he let Newt in his room. The blonde was shivering from the cold.

"Well, I was suppose to be home by now. I was upstairs," Newt sat on the opposite bed, "Date night."

"Sure sure." Thomas said as he turned the heat up. "Better?"

"Yeah, thanks." Newt smiled and took of his coat, "anyways, I left him falling asleep, telling him I'll let myself out. I locked his room and started walking until I realized that my phone and keys were not with me." Newt lamely said, chuckling.

"Ah." Thomas chuckled too and sat right across from Newt.

"I tried knocking and waking Minho up but knowing the idiot, he's a heavy sleeper. So, I came and knocked on your door." Newt smiled.

"Well, I'm glad you did." Thomas said and turned the lamp on, "Do you want to shower? I mean you smell.." Thomas despised to say 'smell like sex' but gladly Newt got the idea.

"OH GOD YES! I'M SO SORRY!" Newt stood up and went to the bathroom. "Can I borrow clothes?"

"Yeah!" Thomas got up and approached his drawer, got some towels and some clothes for Newt to wear. He offered the towel to the blonde and he placed clothes on the second bed neatly as he heard the shower being turned on.

Thomas laid back on his bed again, blindly staring at the ceiling. It was dawn and Newt was here, with him. He knows it was a social call but sometimes it's difficult for him. How can he still be alive when he tortured himself with all these? The constant interaction/flirting with Newt? Was it even flirting or was he just overthinking again? God, he was pathetic. Thomas shook his head and turned to the wall.

"Thank you for letting me- Oh." Thomas was jolted awake by the voice. Thomas turned and rubbed his head when he hit the wall from his sudden surprise.

"Ow!" Thomas said, still disoriented.

"Sorry!" Newt said, laughing a bit.

"Not a problem." Thomas sat up, rubbing his head, eyes closed. When he felt the pain subside, he looked up and saw Newt without a shirt. Thomas' mouth suddenly went dry and he felt his throat tighten. "Th-The clothes are o-on the bed." Thomas said, well, tried to say. It came out more like of a whimper.

"Thanks!" Newt said and turned his way to the bed. Thomas looked down and chuckled to himself. He needed to keep his cool. Thomas looked up again and his smile faded so quickly when he saw Newt's back.

"Newt?" Thomas stood up and inched closer to the blonde.

"Yeah?" Newt was still busy ruffling with the clothes so when he felt Thomas' hands on him, he jerked. "Woah! Hey there, Tiger!" Newt turned to Thomas and smiled but seeing Thomas' serious look, the blonde became worried.

"Tommy, you okay?" Newt asked.

"Y-Your back..." Thomas said, worry on his eyes. Thomas suddenly felt the blonde stiffen, like a horrible secret was being uncovered. Newt turned and quickly put the shirt on that Thomas offered.

Thomas' hands suddenly clenched and he remembered Newt telling him that Minho punched him at some point in the past. Seeing the bruises on Newt's upper back was enough to make his blood boil. Was Minho doing it again? Why was Newt keeping this a secret?

"Newt." Thomas pressed.

"It's nothing, Thomas."

"Bullshit." Thomas raised his voice and said in gritted teeth. Newt turned to him in disbelief. He sat on the bed and laid there, facing his back on Thomas.

"Leave it, Thomas. It's just from the sex." Newt said weakly.

"Those are not claw marks, Newt! The bruises are circular! I'm not stupid!" Thomas said, anger rising to his face not even bothering to get jealous about the mention of Newt and Minho's sex life. But the bruises, the dark and faded blue and purple bruises on Newt's back was crushing his heart. Based on the faded look, it must have happened weeks ago but the darker ones was recent. This was not okay.

"I said leave it!" Newt screamed and it made Thomas surprised. "Look, I don't want to talk about it."

Thomas stayed silent for a little while. How can he leave it alone? He can't let this happen to Newt! This was too much for him. Thomas was on the verge of crying and does not know what to do.

"Newt, you know you can always talk to me." Thomas sat on the bed slowly. And touched Newt's hips assuringly. He felt the blonde sigh.

"That's the problem..." Newt whispered.

"What?" Thomas asked, confused by the statement.

"Nothing. Just... Thank you for letting me stay here." Newt turned to him and flashed him a genuine smile before facing the wall again. "Get some sleep, Tommy, we have lit tomorrow."

Thomas sighed defeated. He got up and laid on his own bed, facing the back of the blonde. He felt hallow and empty. How can someone do this? He really thought Minho loved Newt. Thomas felt tears running down his cheeks and he just can't take the distance. He needed to comfort Newt no matter how good the blonde was keeping this from him. He got up and walked to the next bed, carrying a pillow and lying down next to Newt.

"Wha-" Newt stirred but was silenced when Thomas wrapped his arms around Newt's waist. This made the blonde breath rugged but relaxed at the same time. Newt stopped moving and instead nestled more into Thomas, making the blonde to scoot more into Thomas' embrace. Shit, they were spooning.

"Thanks, Tommy." Newt said, sleepily. Thomas grinned a little, this was not enough to call this a win. He still have the bruises to worry about but right now comforting Newt is his main priority, not his pining feelings. The lines between Newt's gratitude broke Thomas' heart. It was filled with longing of comfort. Like an unspoken defeat of barriers.

"Anytime, Newt." The blonde moved more into Thomas' chest and Thomas hugged the blonde closer, sharing his heat with him.

"Anytime."

Thomas stirred in bed when he felt the sun rays on his face, slightly burning him. He tried to turn but he can't because his arm was stuck. He turned and almost panicked when he realized someone was on his chest. He relaxed after disorientation left him and made sense that it was only Newt. Newt who was sleeping. On top of him. In his bed. Breathing on his neck.

SHIT! They were cuddling! (And it felt so good)

Thomas wiggled out of the embrace, to his dismay as nature was calling but Newt only groaned and pulled him closer.

"Stop bloody moving!" Newt complained and hugged the brunette closer.

"Um.. Newt, I kinda-"

"Minho! Stop moving! Geez!" Newt raised his voice and rested his head on the crook of Thomas' neck. Thomas' chest tightened a little when the blonde thought he was cuddling Minho. Thomas sulked and the smile on his face faded. Why would even this be a surprise to him? Of course Newt would thought he was Minho. The only person he was suppose to be doing this is with his boyfriend and not his friend. Newt opened his eyes lazily and looked at the brunette.

"Shit. Not Minho. Tommy! Oh God! I forgot, sorry!" Newt shot up, sat on the bed and rubbed his eyes.

"It's okay!" Thomas lied, "I need to pee!" He got up and went straight to the bathroom. Shit! How could, for one second, Thomas let his guard down? So stupid! He bathed himself in self-loathe, which was not exactly his plan this early in the morning. After he washed his hands, he went out again only to find Newt seated on the bed looking lost on thought.

'It's still 8. I have a class at 10 and Newt at 1.' Thomas thought as he saw the time and internally groaned. How pathetic was he that he memorized Newt's schedule? Even the rooms to his class. 'God help me.'

"Hey, deep fried brains for breakfast?" Thomas teased as he sat down next to Newt on the bed, playfully punching his arm.

"Wha-Sorry." Newt smiled and then returned the playful tug.

Thomas just chuckled and laid back to the bed and hummed contently.

"Don't sleep. You have a class at 10, remember?" Newt stated, a smirk playing on his face.

"Oh, you looking out for me is so sweet!" Thomas teased and it earned him a laughter from the blonde.

"That's cause I love you." Newt said. Thomas opened his eyes and looked at the blonde in disbelief. He can basically feel his heart pounding against his chest just because of that 5-word phrase.

"Y-You what?" Thomas asked, stuttering like a crazy person. Who can blame him? Not when Newt said things like that!

"I love you, you dork." Newt nudged him, but nervousness from that gesture was still there, "That's what friends are suppose to feel for each other." Newt stated, tearing his gaze away.

Of fucking course.

Thomas smiled at the blonde, but his disappointment was still there. Thomas hated himself, always looking for ways to assume the best and then gets thrown into a chipper. What fun.

Thomas was about to shrug it off when he remembered why he slept right beside Newt last night. Or this morning. And by looking at Newt's distanced look, he can feel the blonde was thinking about it too. Probably making an excuse.

"I'm still not letting go of it, you know." Thomas announced. Staring at the blonde carefully. "I care too much to let it go."

"I know." Newt lamely said, "It's not too bad. He was drunk..." Newt's face scrunched up from the memory. "He does not even remember it happened."

"Did you tell him?"

"No."

Thomas expected that. Newt wanted to protect Minho. That's how much he loved the bloke. He wanted to tell Newt he was being stupid but that was just filled with painful irony.

"Just... Please tell me if it happens again." Thomas stood up and took Newt's shoulder in a reassuring hold.

"I will, Tommy. Sorry." Newt smiled and stared back at Thomas. They smiled at each other but the gaze was not stopping.

Thomas was not sure how many seconds, hell even minutes, have passed but they were just lost in each others eyes. Newt was caressing Thomas' thighs and the brunette had to bite his lip to stop the groan that's threatening to escape. The sudden gesture averted Newt's gaze to his lips. Newt kept his stare there and Thomas decided to lick his lips which made Newt's breathing hitch and Thomas swore they were starting to close the gap between them when they were interrupted by a persistent and loud knocking on Thomas' door.

"Shit." Thomas sighed as they broke their contact (to his disappointment). He got up and left Newt on the bed, shaking his head like he was freed from some kind of trance.

"Hey! Is Newt he- HEY!" Minho ran inside and Thomas rolled his eyes as he closed the door.

"Good morning, Min." Newt's face lighted up and got shoved back to the bed by an overexcited Minho, wrapping the blonde in a bear hug, "how'd you know I was here?"

"Well, when I woke up your keys and phone was still at my place so my guess is you either slept outside your house or you here with Thomas, cuddling your ass off." Minho chuckled and kissed Newt's cheek.

Thomas gagged silently when he made his way back to his own bed.

"Well, your not wrong. Tommy's a great hugger." Newt beamed.

"Yeah yeah," Minho said sarcastically, a light tone on his voice. It kind of annoyed Thomas a little, Minho was suppose to be jealous that another guy was this close to his boyfriend but he guessed Minho did not consider him as a competition, which makes his blood boil even more. "So, I have a class to get to. What do you want to do?" Minho asked the blonde.

Thomas drowned out their conversation, not really interested on knowing the progress on their relationship. He can't even look at Minho right now. How can he be so oblivious? Did he not see the bruises on Newt's back when they were fornicating? Maybe Newt was hiding it perfectly.

"What do you say, Thomas?" Minho's voice pierced through his thoughts like a knife. "Wanna go and have breakfast with us?" Minho offered with a smile.

"Uh.. No, thank you," more like 'HELL TO THE NO' "I have a class to get to." Thomas declined.

With that Minho dragged Newt of the bed and out the door with the blonde chuckling. Thomas had a bitter taste inside his mouth and he was pretty sure it just wasn't his morning breath.

"Min!" He called before the couple was out of sight, "take care of Newt, yeah?" Thomas said ironically, plastering a hidden meaning under the request.

"'Course, buddy!" Minho winked at Thomas and wrapped his arms around Newt. Newt threw Thomas an apologetic look and went on. Thomas got up and closed the door, wallowing in his disappointment.