Newt absolutely despised anyone touching him, even a simple gesture of tucking his hair behind his ear from his mother sent his nerves on edge. Not even his own boyfriend dared touch him, which was thankful for the understanding and patience he had for the quirk. Newt desperately wanted the intimacy that came with cuddling, kissing, and hand holding but the barrier in his mind prevented him from even attempting such small things. Thomas was even the one who suggested separate beds and bedrooms when they moved in together, afraid that he would freak Newt out if he curled up to close while asleep. Newt turned on his back again as his thoughts kept him up for yet another night. The bed he'd always slept in suddenly felt too big and far too cold for his liking. Newt wanted to be next to Thomas, drawing in his warmth. He shoved his blankets off in haste as he made his way to Thomas' room with a sudden surge of confidence. He poked his head in and found his boyfriend laying in his darkened room with his phone in hand. Thomas propped himself up on his elbows and waited for Newt to speak first.
"I'm cold," Newt said simply, his head tucked low between his shoulders.
"Do you want me to turn up the heart? I've got some extra blankets around here if you want them," Thomas offered. He moved to stand but was stopped by Newt moving to the edge of his bed. He sat there nervously pulling on a loose thread on the edge of Thomas' comforter.
"I'm lonely in there by myself. Mind if I stick around here with you tonight?" Newt asked. Thomas watched him with a cautious eye, trying to figure out where the turn-about in Newt came from. "I understand if you'd rather be alone like normal, though."
"Come here." Thomas lifted up the blankets for Newt, who crawled under them quickly.
"I hate that I won't let you ever touch me," Newt admitted, settling closer to Thomas than he normally would.
"Don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with just for me. I understand the circumstances," Thomas soothed. He wanted to reach out and erase the worried expression on Newt's face but he kept his hands close to his chest.
"You had nothing to do with it, so you shouldn't have to suffer. Would you help me get better?"
"It would be my pleasure." Thomas grinned when Newt relaxed into their shared space yet still remained far enough away to feel in control. It was a start, for sure, and Thomas was more than happy with that.