March 6th 1998

     "I'm sorry you're from the...future?"

     "Yes!" Thomas exclaimed, starting to get frustrated. "From 2003!"

     "That's like...five years away."

     Thomas pulled at his hair. "Why would I be making this up? I'm mutant too."

     Hank took a deep breath and leaned back in his chair. "Look at it from my point of view okay? A weird kid strolls in here, saying he's from the future?"

     "But you know Xavier! You know he's capable of doing something like this!"

     "That's a fair point, but why are you here?"

     "There was a raid, a group of us infiltrated WICKED and it uh...it went badly."

     "So you're here to reverse it?"

     Thomas nodded. "A big event led to it and I need to prevent it from happening."

     He could see Hank starting to believe him, his resolve was fading.

     "And that is?"

     Thomas took a breath. "I need to stop Newt from killing my dad."

     And Thomas lost him.

     "I'm sorry what? Newt? Like moody asshole invisible Newt?"

     Thomas nodded.

     "HE killed your dad?"

     Another nod.

     "Why?"

     "It's a long story." How was Thomas supposed to sum up the past, well future, five years? "I could sit here and explain every detail to you, but that would take days. A lot has happened. Basically the short version is that Newt killed my dad which sent my mom into a murderous revenge rage. She lured me to WICKED through creepy hallucinations and ended up killing almost all of us. If he's not dead she won't try for revenge and then everyone is happy and alive."

     "When did or do you come to the school? I don't recognize you."

     "In 2001, you rescued me actually, rescued me from WICKED."

     Hank rubbed his forehead. "This is a lot to wrap my head around."

     "I just need to stay here, I need time. I have to convince Newt to spare my father's life."

     Hank paused. "Who died in the invasion?"

     Thomas winced. "I-I probably shouldn't say, I can't let that get out. I'm here to fix the past, not destroy the future."

     Silence again. Hank stood up and sighed. "You're mutant so I'm not going to throw you out."

     Thomas internally cheered. He was counting that as a win.

     "I can get you a room, uh you can stay as long as you like."

     "Hank?"

     "Yeah?"

     "Maybe don't tell people what I told you today? Besides X."

     The man nodded, his small glasses slipping down his nose a bit. "Right."

     "Thank you," Thomas said as he stood up and pushed in his chair. "Seriously, thank you."

     "Don't mention it kid." Hank lightly grabbed his arm. "And hey, try and straighten the blonde one out, he's been through a lot I think he needs someone to care about him."

     "I know."

     Hank cringed a bit. "Future, right, yeah...sorry that's just so fucking weird. Whatever forget it, there's an open room..."

     Thomas smiled a bit as he saw the page Hank was staring at. "My room."

     "What?"

     "That's my room."

     "I'm uh guessing you know where it is then?"

     Thomas nodded. "Thank you."

     "Good luck I guess Thomas?"

     "When the professor gets back, tell him I say hello."

     Hank nodded as he watched Thomas leave the room.

     Well, that could have gone worse. Thomas thought as he walked down the hall toward his room.

     "Yo! Fuckwad!"

     Thomas turned around fast at the voice, gasping when his back was slammed against the wall.

     Newt appeared in front of him, holding the collar of his shirt.

     Newt was so close to him, their faces were almost touching.

     "The fuck's your problem?!"

     "W-what-" Thomas brain was doing that annoying short circuiting thing again.

     "You're talking to Hank!" Newt dropped him before shoving him roughly into the wall.

Don't pop a boner, don't pop a boner.

     "I-I don't-"

     "He put me on fuckin babysitting duty! The fuck's up with that?!"

     "It wasn't my choice!" Thomas managed to sputter out. "Newt I-"

     "How do you know my name?" The blonde boy narrowed his eyes at Thomas as he took a step back.

     "Hank told me."

     "Why were you asking Hank about me?" Newt's look turned into a cold glare.

     Goddamn did Thomas love him but he really wanted to choke the boy right now.

     "I wasn't!"

     "Newt!" Someone groaned from down the hallway. "Be nice!"

     Thomas turned his head to see no other than Minho walking down the hallway. It seemed he was always coming to his rescue when it came to Newt.

     Newt scowled and pushed Thomas again.
Minho rolled his eyes. "What did this poor kid do to get you so mad? Not that everyone gets you mad..."

     "I'm on babysitting duty! Fucking babysitting duty."

     "I feel like it's not babysitting if he's the same age as us."

     "I don't care what it is!" Newt snapped. "I don't wanna do it!"

     "Okay." Minho gently pulled Newt back by his shirt which just fired him up more. "Why don't you go find the girls and talk about dicks or something and I'll talk to our new friend here okay?"

     Newt looked like he was ready to tear Minho's head off but he just scowled and disappeared from sight.

     Minho shook his head before pulling Thomas away from the wall.

     "You okay? I know he's skinny but he hits hard."

     Thomas huffed out a laugh as he straightened his coat. "I'm fine."

     "He's kinda a hot head, don't take it personally."

     Thomas shrugged. "It's fine. I can take a little pushing."

     Minho looked him up and down. "No offense, but you're a little weird. Walk with me."

     Thomas obeyed, falling into step with the buff boy.

     "Where did you come from?" He asked as they walked down the hallway.

     Thomas huffed out a laugh. "It's a long story but McDonalds I guess."

     Minho snorted. "McDonalds? Really that's your answer."

"It's the truth."

     "How old are you?" Minho asked as he looked at Thomas again. "I pegged ya for around fifteen but you talk like you've been around more."

     "Nah you were right." Thomas guessed he was right. He knew he was younger, he wasn't sure by how much though so fifteen seemed like a good guess.

     "You know Newt doesn't actually despise you right?"

     Thomas nodded. Of course he didn't, well he may dislike him now, but watch in fifteen years they'd be married. That almost made Thomas laugh, Newt had no idea how he was treating his future boyfriend.

     "He doesn't like being told what to do."

     Tell me about it.

     "Where are we going?" Thomas asked as Minho hooked around a corner.

     "We're going to my friend's room. I'll make sure Newt controls himself."

     I don't think it's Newt you have to worry about.

     "I'm not afraid of him."

     "I know," Minho said as he approached a door and stopped. "It just sucks having someone be mean to you all the time, especially when you've had no one for a long time."

     God Minho I forgot how much I loved you when I first met you.

     "Sup bitches?!" Minho called as he barged into the room.

     "You can't just open doors like that!" A girl snapped. "What if I was shirtless."

     "Bonus for me," Minho snickered as he sat down on the floor.

     Thomas' breath caught again. All four of them were piled onto the floor, his four friends. El's hair was a lot longer, it curled around the middle of her back. She still wore the same bright colored shirts she did in the future. Kis was...well she was alive. Her hair looked like it hadn't been brushed in a while and she had on blank pants and a dark green hoodie but it was definitely her. She had her hands tangled in Newt's hair, pulling on it focusing so hard her tongue popped out between her lips.

     "Bitch ow!" Newt scowled as he swatted at her.

     "Stop being a baby! I can totally get this into a braid."

     Minho snorted. "He really does need a haircut doesn't he?"

     Thomas' mouth was moving before his brain. "I like his hair long.'

     Newt stopped and looked up at Thomas. "Why'd you bring that Minho?"

     "Oh!" Minho piped up before motioning for Thomas to join him on the floor.

     "Guys this is Thomas, he's new here. Uh the pretty ones El and the one who looks like a tombstone is Kis."

     Kis smiled and held her middle finger up at Minho.

     "She's a joy," Minho smiled back as he patted her leg which earned him a kick.

     "He doesn't look like a kid," El said as she looked up and at Thomas. "I don't see why you call it babysitting Newt."

     "Because I'm responsible for him."

     "God you are so dramatic." Minho rolled his eyes. "Thomas is a cool dude, he can hang with us."

     Newt stuck his tongue out at Minho before wincing as Kis pulled on his hair again.

     "I think you need a few more inches, I could totally do a man bun then."

     "Ah yes, just what I wanted," Newt groaned as he shook out his hair which was now all messy. "That's the last time I let you touch my hair."

     Thomas had to stifle a laugh again. He remembered all the time his hands spent tangled in Newt's hair while they kissed for hours on end. He was itching to kiss the boy, at least touch him, but Thomas waited months, he could wait a little longer.

     "There he goes with the staring again!" Newt waved his hand in Thomas' direction. "Creepy as hell."

     "He probably thinks you're cute Newtie," Minho teased as Newt threw a balled up wrapper at him.

     "I'm not cute."

     Yes you fucking are.

     Kis scoffed and flopped onto her back, letting her head rest in El's lap who just smiled down at her. Thomas should have seen it, the two were obviously smitten for each other just either too stupid to see it or too scared to admit it. They deserved to be happy together, not admitting their feelings on their deathbed.

     "You are cute," Thomas said as he looked at Newt with a small smirk. Yeah Newt, I'm not afraid of you, I know I have you head over heels for me three years from now.

     Thomas could have sworn Newt's cheeks flushed red, but he ducked his head to avoid eye contact. "Fuck off."

     Thomas knew that none of them knew who he was but sitting in that room with all his friends made him feel at home. He was happy.

     "Shit did you just make Newt blush?" Minho asked, looking actually shocked.

     "Shut the fuck up Minho!" Newt snapped.
Minho put his hands up in mock surrender. "Okay okay I'm done, don't bite me jeze."

     "Thomas would like it if you bit him," El whispered which caused Kis to snort out a laugh.

     "You're all on my shit list," Newt grumbled as he crossed his arms in some sort of little temper tantrum.

     "Newt I'm sorry baby, accept my love!" Minho said as he tackled Newt into a hug.

     "What the bloody hell you fucking fatass!" Newt yelped as he squirmed trying to get Minho off of him. "Get off!"

     "Not until you forgive me." Minho snickered as he held onto Newt tighter. Newt was about a third of the size of Minho, he literally had no chance of getting free.

     "You're so fucking annoying!" Newt groaned as he punched Minho in the arm which literally did nothing.

     "Is that forgiveness I hear?" Minho asked as he pinched Newt's cheek.

     "Yes! Fucking hell I forgive you, now get off you monster!"

     Minho grinned and climbed off of him while Newt laid on the ground gasping for breath.

     "Really?!" Newt sat up and glared at the two girls. "You just sat there while I was being pressed to death!"

     "Uh Kis is asleep," El said as she pointed to the girl literally passed out in her lap.

     "I can't even say I'm surprised." Minho snorted out a laugh.

     "Well she did eat that whole box of cheez its."

     "Eating is exhausting work."

     "You guys are so fucking weird," Newt said as he stood up and tugged his long sleeve shirt off.

     "Porn!" Minho screamed as he covered his eyes.

    "Shut the fuck up." Newt flipped him off. "I'm hot because some giant beast just tackled me to the ground."

     "Well if that's all it takes to get you hot baby." Minho snickered as he tossed Newt a t-shirt.

     He pulled it on over his head, frowning when it fell down his mid thigh.

     "Is this your shirt?"

     "Well I mean, we're in my room so yeah it's my shirt. Unless you want me to go to your room an-"

     "No," Newt said quickly.

     "That's what I thought."

     Huh, Newt was weird about letting people in his room, even back then.

     Minho reached under his bed, making a triumphant noise and pulling something out.

     "Hankie didn't find this one." He grinned as he popped off the cap and started downing the two liter of coke.

     "That's literally disgusting Minho you're going to die young."

     Ouch. If only Newt knew how right he was.

     "Death by coke isn't a bad way to go," Minho grinned as he smacked his chest and burped.

     "Alright newbie, tell us something interesting," Minho said suddenly.

     "What?"

     "I don't know, tell us something like Newt's a twinky gay boy with an attitude problem, I'm overly sarcastic, unfairly muscular and good looking, Kis over there is dark, kinda creepy and always looks like she's plotting your murder and El is sweet and too good for this world...who are you?"

     Thomas thought for a second. "Chaotic bi who can summon up people's worst fears and make them a reality?"

     "The fuck?"

     Thomas shrugged. "It's my oh so wonderful mutation."

     "Hey all mutations are good," El piped up from where she was poking Kis' forehead and watching her frown in her sleep.

     "I suppose, it's not fun when everyone's afraid of you." Well, everyone except you Newt.

     "So you can like sense fear and stuff?"

     Thomas nodded. "I know when people are scared and what they're scared of.

     "That's intense man."

     Newt was looking at him carefully now. He didn't look happy, he didn't look mad, but he looked curious.

     "Can you uh, erase fears?" Newt asked, his voice coming out a little shaky.

     "Erase? No. It's more like I feed off of them."

     Newt nodded and was quiet again.

     "So if you have nightmares, do they turn real?" El asked as she looked at him.

     Thomas nodded. "In the beginning yeah it was really bad."

     "But it's not anymore?"

     Thomas hook his head. "Someone taught me how to control it, I had to stop being afraid of myself."

     "Who taught you?"

     Thomas smiled softly to himself. "Someone I loved very much."

     "Loved?" El asked, cocking her head in interest.

     "He's uh, not around anymore." Thomas frowned as the memory rushed through his brain. The feeling of his hands on Newt's chest as he stopped his heart and the panicked messy way his lips pressed roughly against his. He remembered Newt's sad smile and the sickening way his body hit the ground. He almost reached over to the actual Newt sitting a few feet away from him. He knew what he was going through, he wanted to hold him and tell him it would all be okay.

     "I'm sorry." El frowned but Thomas just shrugged.

     "Well one thing we all know is what it feels like to lose someone you care about," Minho said as he lightly squeezed Thomas' arm. "You're our friend now Thomas, we're here for you okay?"

     "I'm fine," Thomas tried to reassure him. "I am, but thank you."

     "I-I have to go," Newt said suddenly as he stood up and crossed the room before quickly leaving the room.

     Thomas was up in an instant, ready to follow him but Minho grabbed his arm.

     "Thomas, I wouldn't."

     "I understand more than you think," Thomas said as he pulled his arm free. He hurried out the door, looking up and down the hallway with no sign of Newt. He could have been there, invisible but Thomas had no idea where he went.

     "Fuck." He sighed as he pulled on his hair. He needed Newt, this Newt to like him, he figured helping him was the best way to do that.

     Thomas really didn't want to go back in the room so he started walking down the hallway, trailing his fingers along the wall. He didn't expect Newt to come running into his open arms, but he had a false expectation that Newt was going to fall for him all over again and it would be like it was before he died. Newt was also his best friend, yeah he liked kissing him, but he also liked just spending time with him and even though Newt was technically here he missed his Newt. He missed the Newt who would tease him and kiss him before he could get mad, he missed the Newt that slept with him every night and pinched his sides when he wanted cuddles.

     Thomas was so lost in thought, he didn't even notice when he ran straight into someone.

     "Shit, shit I'm sorry," Thomas stammered as he grabbed the person's arm and tried to help them up.

     "It's alright."

     Thomas froze as he looked at the girl's long dark hair and cold blue eyes. He had to bite his lip from shouting out her name.

     "I haven't seen you around before, my names Teresa."

     Holy fuck.