Perks

                                    

                                          
Thomas is pretty nice. He really is. Hanging out with him at the bonfire last week was cool. He seems to ask a lot of questions, but that’s reasonable. Actually answering a lot of them is hard, and he’s new to everything. It's a lot to take in. I get it. We were all the Greenie once, and it's stressful as shuck. 
The thing is that he's very attached to me. Like attached attached. Like he specifically yet ‘coincidentally’ requested to try to be a Cook after he learned I was one. 
Listen. I think he's cool. I do, but the thing is he's not my type. It's nothing against him. He’s just very curious about everything, which is understandable but sometimes a bit irritating. Once again, I get it, but it feels like he asks a million questions a day. He can also talk a lot. While he never says anything bad and always lets people say something back so the conversation flows easily, it's still a lot. Sometimes, I really like sitting in silence with the people I care about.
Also, I’m with Newt. I love him with everything I have. He gets my sarcastic and friendly fire sense of humor. He always has his mind made up. He knows when I crave his presence more than a conversation. Those are just things Thomas doesn't have.
Newt’s also sweet but not in an overdramatic, attention earning way. He’ll bring me a flower he found in the garden during lunch. He’ll bring me to the watchtower at night and look at all the stars with me. He’ll take me to his hut during lunch to be alone and talk. He’ll wake me up by whispering that he loves me in my ear. He’ll let me lay my head on his lap as we stay away from everyone during the bonfire. He’ll hold my hands and kiss my forehead. He’s perfect, and I could never see myself with anybody else. I don't even want to imagine it.
Thomas likes me. I know that, but I pretend not to. Besides, when he found out I was with Newt he stopped trying to be around me as much. We would still hang out sometimes, and I would still catch him staring but he’d look away. He clearly didn't mean to, and it's not his fault. You can't control your emotions, and he’s not trying to sabotage my relationship. 
He would stick around for a lot longer when he did find himself near me though. He would speak a lot, sometimes tripping over his words. I would listen and nod and make conversation. 
I had finished up with dinner. I also told Fry to just go hang out with Gally. I know the two have been wanting to lately but haven't actually been able to. Now that they were both free, they should. Plus, he would do the same when Newt and I wanted to sneak off before anyone could ask the famous Second-in-command something. Why wouldn't I return the favor? Our stuff gets done, and that's what friends do. Lend each other a hand. 
That obviously meant I was alone. That meant I was just picking up the kitchen,, putting food in storage bins and washing pans.
“Hey Y/N,”a now familiar voice greeted. Taking a breath, I smiled as I turned around and asked what he needed.
“I mean, I was just wondering if you know? If you wanted some help?”He trailed off.
“No thanks. This is just part of the job,”I shrugged.
“I know, but a little bit of help never hurts. You know?”
“Yeah, but neither does some independence,”I pointed out, keeping that same smile. He really was sweet but still. It was the end of the day, and my social battery was getting more and more drained.
“Oh. Well, I could just stay here? Give you some company?”
“There ya’ are Greenie,”Newt greeted, popping out of nowhere. When Thomas turned to look I mouthed for him to help me out. Subtly nodding his head, he promised he was already on it. “Why don't you go help out Chuck? Give the kid a hand? He’s already buggin’ attached to ya’ so he’d definitely appreciate it,”He suggested, though we could all tell that was essentially an order. That was probably his favorite Second-in-command perk. Sending the guys that liked me somewhere else. He didn't do it often, but when he did, he did it perfectly. I love how he knows how to make people leave me alone. It just makes him an even better boyfriend.
“Yeah. Okay,”He quietly agreed, almost sighing.
“That's the spirit. Besides, my girl likes to do things by herself. She's stubborn, but I love her anyway,”He shrugged, making it crystal clear that I was taken. Rolling my eyes, I leaned on the counter as Thomas walked off. 
“Your girl?”I grinned when Thomas was out of earshot.
“Yes. My girl,”He repeated.
“I take it you like when you get to pull that card?”
“No. Just makin’ sure they know you're not interested in anyone else. I mean you're not, right?”
“No, Newt. I’m not interested in anyone but you,”I promised, rolling my eyes again.
“I’m just makin' sure. I don't want to lose you to someone else,”He defended, putting his elbows on the counter and getting just inches from my face. Leaning forward, I brushed my lips against his. Holding my face in his palms, he kissed back. With our lips just pressed together, we savored the more than loving feeling for a moment before pulling away. Grabbing both my hands, he held them as he gazed at me.
“I love you,”He whispered, taking one of my hands and kissing the back of it.
“I love you too, and I only want you. It's you and I forever and ever,”I promised.
“As it should be,”He said firmly, making me laugh for a second despite how true his words actually were.
“Yeah. Exactly how it should be.”