Chapter Text
“I don’t know what to do, Tommy.” Newt groaned, looking at him from his position to Thomas’ right on the couch where they sat watching a movie.
“In regard to what?” Thomas asked distractedly, rather enjoying said movie, but it sounded like Newt was ready to figure out life plans less than a day after graduation.
“My student visa runs out in two months.”
“I know, and?” Thomas still didn’t look over at him but could see out of the corner of his eye that he was being stared imploringly at as if he were just supposed to have the answers to Newt’s visa problem.
“I want to keep living here, obviously, y’know; hoping to make this a permanent thing.”
“I can’t believe you waited until the last minute to try and figure something out.” Thomas paused the movie with a sigh, turning to meet his gaze. A small grin jumped onto Newt’s face as he finally got his full attention.
“I know, it’s such a you thing to do.”
“Hey!”
“Just statin’ fact.” Newt shrugged, grin widening.
“Mhmm, sure.” Thomas knew he was right, but admitting to that would be a crime.
“So d’you have any ideas, then?” Newt asked, sobering slightly. “‘cause I’m shit outta luck over here.”
Thomas thought for a second, absentmindedly chewing on the cuticle of his thumb. What would help Newt get his green card before his student visa ran out? Was there any such solution? His mind wandered for a few moments to earlier that morning when he'd checked his pay stub as he’d gotten paid. He remembered vividly cringing at the amount of taxes that were taken out of his check and shook off the thought. He was making decent money, but the taxes were killing him. Felt like more was being taken out there than needed to be taken, if he was honest.
It was then, as his mind began to wander to other things, that the idea struck him. “Crazy idea. . .” He said with a slow grin, gaze focusing again on Newt.
Newt narrowed his eyes suspiciously, “I can see your wheels spinnin’ Tommy, what’re you thinking?”
“What if – and hear me out here – what if we get married?”
Newt blinked, expression blank for several seconds. Thomas waited for the reaction he knew was coming.
“You’re out of your bloody mind! We aren’t getting married.” Newt scoffed, laughing wryly.
Ah, there it was.
“C’mon, just think about it for a second!” Thomas pleaded, suddenly entirely onboard with the idea. “You can get a spousal green card, and I’ll get a break in my taxes by not filing as single anymore.” Newt watched him, expression back to suspicion; but he was silent, which meant he was thinking about it. That was good, he could work with that. “And, if we join our money, we could probably even afford a house. Like an actual house, better than this shitty thing.” Thomas gestured at the walls around them. They’d been living in the same cramped, outdated apartment for the last two years, having been more focused on their studies than where they lived.
“You actually have a point,” Newt sounded begrudging. “I can’t believe I’m considering this, but you have a point. It would help both of us, this. . . union.”
“You can call it a marriage,” Thomas laughed, “it’s not like we have to worry about falling in love with each other. I mean, we’ve lived together for how long and I’m pretty sure if it was gonna happen, it would’ve by now.” He leveled his gaze at Newt, who nodded.
“It’s the best idea anyone’s come up with so far, and I wouldn’t have to move back home while we wait for the card to go through, I don’t think.” Newt said thoughtfully.
Thomas nodded, “Exactly. Sounds like a crazy plan, but is it really?”
“Yes.” Newt said without hesitation, and Thomas laughed. “Me, marrying you, my best friend; just to get a green card? Isn’t that something that happens in drama tv shows? But. . .it’s doable, I’ll give you that much.”
Thomas grinned, scooting until he was hip to ankle next to Newt and throwing an arm around his shoulders. “So is that a yes?”
“Well-” Newt’s gaze sharpened, and he grinned back at him. “You oughta do it right, if you’re going to propose; and wait and see what I say.”
It took Thomas only a second to catch on, and he hopped eagerly off the couch, casting around for something to fashion into a ring. He landed on a twist tie sitting on the kitchen counter and snatched it up.
“Newt.” He twisted the tie into a circle shape and kneeled in front of the couch, directly in front of his best friend who grinned down at him. “Will you make me the happiest man in the world and give me the honor of marrying you? To set us up with a green card and tax breaks galore?” Newt rolled his eyes, but his grin sobered into a warm smile as Thomas held up the ring and waited, oddly anxious to see if he would say yes.
After several anxious seconds, Newt reached forward to grab his hands and pull him up. They stood as one and he plucked the makeshift ring out of his fingers to slide it onto his own, letting that be his answer as suddenly Thomas was pulled into a hug and a brief kiss was pressed to his cheek. “Yes, I’ll marry you, Tommy.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Thomas couldn’t help but laugh as he pulled out of the hug and let himself flop sideways onto the couch, tugging Newt with him; and then they sat there laughing their asses off, coming to the realization of what they had just agreed to do.
It wasn’t until the next day that everyone else found out about their plan, and Minho was the most vocal about his support. He had been teasing them for years about how they were already practically a couple, and hearing they were getting married seemed to only add fuel to the fire. He was insufferable, but Thomas was glad for the support despite the near-constant nudges and inappropriate jokes and teasing. In the end, he and Newt managed to get the point across of why exactly they were doing it, and that no, they hadn’t gotten together in the process. Even both of their parents were excited, calling them brilliant for figuring a way forward that seemed to work for both of them.
They decided to have a small civil ceremony, only inviting a couple of their friends as witnesses, until Thomas’ mother decided she had to show up to take photos of the ceremony. At first, Thomas didn’t know if he should dress up into a tuxedo, until Brenda brought up a solid point: who was going to believe they’d actually gotten married if they went and signed papers and exchanged rings in their casual clothes? He didn’t want to make a big deal out of it, honestly, but then he thought of seeing Newt in a tuxedo and excitement took hold. He’d seen Newt dressed up before, but not like this, not about to get married to him, no matter how fraudulent the reason, and it felt different somehow.
“You ready?” Thomas asked as they sat in the waiting room with several other couples in the city hall, waiting for their names to be called. They had filled out all the appropriate paperwork and got their marriage license, now all that needed to be done was the small ceremony where it was officiated and witnessed to make it legally binding, and they were all set.
Newt nodded, fingers fiddling with the hem of his tux jacket. Thomas took the moment to appraise him; he had done his hair so it laid nicely, only a few stray pieces flopping over his forehead, and he had to admit Newt looked incredible in the tuxedo he had picked out. They had both rented one because neither of them had had the pleasure of attending any weddings yet, nor did they think they’d need one again any time soon. He had picked out a burgundy so dark it almost read as black but not quite, and Thomas had coordinated by wearing a red lapel with his traditional black tux.
“Can’t believe your mum is coming to take pictures. It’s not like this is that important.” Newt said quietly, conscious of the other couples that surrounded them.
Thomas laughed lightly, “I agree, but you know my mom. She likes to go overboard with these things. Plus, won’t it help to have some sort of documentation- ”
“You mean other than the marriage certificate?”
“Besides that, duh. And I meant for your green card application, they’re going to want proof, you know.”
“Let’s worry about that later, hm?” Newt rolled his eyes, but Thomas knew he agreed with him. He was right in a sense, though. One thing at a time. Focus on getting the marriage certificate, then worry about everything else.
“Thomas Greene and Newton Isaacs?”
Thomas startled when their names were called, turning his head to see the officiant standing in a now-open doorway. Just behind him he could see several rows of seats, a few of which were filled with the most familiar and comfortable of people. His friends and family. Even his younger brother Chuck had insisted on coming, despite it being wholly unnecessary. He looked back at Newt and held out his hand. Newt took it and they stood as one, Thomas suddenly flooded with self-doubt.
Was what they were about to do absolutely insane? Being legally bound to his best friend was a big deal, but then again, they’d shared everything in each other’s lives for the better part of four years, so realistically not much would change. Still, the ring burned a hole in his pocket. He’d be relieved when the ceremony was over.
Pressure on his hand dragged him back to center, and Newt nudged his shoulder. A comforting smile bloomed on his face and everything was okay in the world again. “We got this, Tommy.”
Thomas nodded, “Yeah, we got this.”
The room was silent as they walked in, and suddenly all eyes were on them. As they walked up to the front, Thomas saw the glint of a camera lens aimed at them. He hoped he didn’t look too fraught with tension, and forced himself to relax.
He let go of Newt’s hand as they stepped up to the officiant and turned to face him. Newt did the same, and the officiant began a small speech about the joining of two people and what it meant, before asking them if they’d like to say their vows.
Thomas’ heart beat rapidly as Newt cleared his throat, preparing to begin.
“I, Newt, take you, my best friend, as my lawfully wedded husband. Honestly, I never thought we’d be here, but here we are. You’re stuck with me, whether you want to be or not. And I’m stuck with you, for the good days and the bad days and every one in between. So here’s to hoping this works the way we want it to. I love you, Tommy.” His voice was steady, and his gaze held Thomas’ so intensely, until he looked down to take his hand and slide the simple gold band onto his finger. Their fingers stayed intertwined as Thomas took a deep breath and began his own vows.
“I, Thomas, take you, the man I knew would be important to me the moment I met you, as my lawfully wedded husband. You have since proven time and time again you’ll let me drag you into all of my crazy plans at the drop of a hat, and I’m forever grateful for your steadying presence by my side. I couldn’t do this without you.”
Feeling oddly emotional over seeing the smile Newt aimed at him as he spoke, he cleared his throat and then slid a matching gold band onto Newt’s ring finger.
“I now pronounce you husband and husband.” The officiant said, and Thomas could hear the smile in his tone.
Excitement at having officially married his best friend thrummed through Thomas and he smiled widely, pulling Newt into a tight hug. He was sure his mom was photographing every moment, and had been since they stepped through the doors, but for several moments as he embraced Newt, it was only them two in the room and everything else faded to the background. Newt’s arms held him tightly, and he nestled his face into the crook of his neck, breathing him in.
“I can’t believe we did this.” Thomas laughed incredulously as he pulled away and held up their joined hands, rings glinting in the light.
“Me neither,” Newt echoed his sentiment, laughing as well.
Thomas looked out to the small crowd to see everyone cheering and clapping, and as he and Newt stepped down from the raised floor, everyone surrounded them. An elated feeling rose in his chest, and he held onto it for as long as he could. Minho clapped them both on the shoulder with a wide grin and a wink, Thomas’ mom pulled him, and then Newt, into a crushing hug, Chuck gave him a high five, and Brenda hugged them both.
It wasn’t until they returned to their apartment that they found someone had left them a basket with a bottle of champagne, two flute glasses, and a note that wrote, “For you and your platonic soulmate. Love, Mum and Dad.”
Newt snapped a picture of the basket and sent out a thank you to his family, then Thomas gladly opened the bottle and poured them each a glass. He clinked the glass lightly to Newt’s, “To tricking the government into giving us a break, and letting you live here permanently.”
“I’ll drink to that.” Newt chuckled as they both took a drink.
“Y’know,” Thomas mused as he set his glass down, “I’ve never worn a ring before.” He held up his hand, twisting the ring around on his finger.
“Me neither,” Newt agreed, looking down at his own. “Gonna take some gettin’ used to.”
“Not to mention I’m going to have to field so many questions about you from everyone at work.” Thomas added with a grin.
“Oh, you think you have it bad? I work in a place where the same three old ladies come in regularly with their pets and try to learn my life story. They’re going to be chomping at the bit about this.” Newt laughed, shaking his head.
“They just like your accent.” Thomas teased, and Newt rolled his eyes. “But hey – good news about this whole ‘getting married’ thing. Now we can combine some finances of ours and put it towards a house!” It was funny how excited Thomas was about owning a proper house – even a small one. He didn’t think he’d be able to do that in his lifetime, but then he got an excellent paying job at Black Mesa Labs as a biomedical engineer, and now was married to Newt, who worked a none-too-shabby job at Animal Haven as a vet tech, and suddenly the world opened wide with possibilities.
Everything that seemed overwhelming and daunting earlier that day now felt easier and more manageable knowing who would be beside him throughout it.
In the days that passed he and Newt began to search for a house, as well as researching what it took to get a green card. Neither were simple, but it wasn’t long until house-hunting ended in boxes being packed up from their apartment with help from their friends, and a rented moving van carrying everything over to their new place.
It was a modest house, and even though it was small, it was their own and nobody else’s and that simple fact made everything else irrelevant. The price, despite the size – they were in California, after all, and nothing was cheap there – was not too unreasonable, though higher than either he or Newt had been expecting. But they could afford it, having created a joint banking account in both their names, and after signing off on the property, it was theirs.
And so, as the first whirlwind of a day moving into their house – their house! – came to a close, Thomas turned off the bedroom light and fell into bed beside Newt. After all the chaos of trying to unpack what they needed for their first night there, it had been much easier to only make up one bed rather than two. It was only temporary, of course, but Thomas found himself comforted by the fact he wasn’t lying in the dark alone for his first night in a new place. He sighed, staring up at the dimly lit popcorn ceiling as a lamp clicked on beside Newt. “That’s gotta go.” He pointed to the ceiling, glancing over at Newt.
“Do you realize how much that is not at the top of our to-do list right now?” Newt replied, arching a brow. “But yeah, eventually, the popcorn ceiling will go.” He reached up and grabbed Thomas’ hand, looking at the ring on his finger, then held up his own next to it. The lamp cast a warm glow across the bed, and both rings glinted in the low light. Newt met his gaze and gave him a soft, crooked smile. “Aren’t you glad we did this, husband?” He emphasized the last word in his question and Thomas grinned.
“Sure am, husband.” He winked and Newt laughed, dropping their hands and rolling closer, face pushing into his shoulder. He stayed there for a moment and Thomas relished the warm and comfortable atmosphere. He knew they’d made the right decision, and hoped everything else would go as smoothly.