As long as Newt lived, he wouldn’t forget those three gunshots. One, his father shoot that solider’s legs and starting it all. Two, the shot that killed his mother. Three, the shot that killed his father. He’d never forget wanting to throw his arms around Lizzy. Wanting to shield her eyes from the horror that had become their living room. And when he couldn’t manage it- He wouldn’t forget her crying either. The nightmare played out in his minds eyes. Sleep forcing him to relive it again as he had so many times in the past.
Like always, he woke up to Lizzy crying in his ears. Mind ringing with the painful dream. He jolted a bit, upon waking up, sucked in a deep breath and blinked a few times as he came too. Lifting his head slowly, Newt wasn’t sure were he was at first. It was dark and warm. Too dark for the hour it no doubt was and far warmer than his own bed. Reaching to touch his own face, Newt found his arm unavailable at the moment. Looking up, Newt managed a smile. Oh. He was in Thomas’s room. Right, they’d fallen asleep here last night after he’d stayed just a little too long. His arms were wrapped around Thomas’s waist and there legs were so twisted together not even Newt could tell were one ended and then other began. Thomas was sleeping still. He was good at that. At least most days. Pressing his face back into the other boy’s chest Newt breathed out, His heart was still hammering away in his chest but realizing were he was helped.
He wasn’t alone. He was safe. He was with Thomas.
Closing his eyes once more, Newt settled in for just a moment. Another jolt ran through his body when Thomas’s alarm clock went off. Leaning up, Newt wiggled one arm free and smacked his hand down on to the clock before snaking back into place. Only he pulled the covers over both Thomas’s head and his own. Just to hide them away for another moment or two before they had to face the day.
