kiv !!

First, we've changed how Kaidan is introduced. His introduction quest, A Bounty for Hunter, will no longer appear automatically in your quest journal. Instead, there will be a couple of ways for the player to start the quest naturally. Players will also notice various quality of life and other immersive changes sprinkled throughout his introduction.

Once you recruit Kaidan, players will notice Kaidan’s idle commentary has been expanded. From remarks on the weather, the player's skills, and various locations, Kaidan will have more to say about the world than ever before. This includes roleplay options for players with 14 new backgrounds, 11 new homelands, and over 30 new religious responses that Kaidan will respond to and helps ensure the character you present to Kaidan reflects who they are.

We have also expanded his commentary during Skyrim’s main quest where Kaidan now has reactions for alternative starts, idles, and conversations tied to major story moments. This includes a before and after conversation from Sovngarde.

Along with the main questline, we are thrilled to introduce unique commentary for Paarthurnax Quest Expansion by Jayserpa! This is a patch that focuses on Kaidan’s morality and his journey of redemption in which Kaidan will have set beliefs that he will hold to, no matter what you decide to do.

Kaidan also now has expanded dialogue for the Companions and College of Winterhold questlines. With these additions to Kaidan’s dialogue, we have also included three new unlockable titles: Thane, Harbinger, and Arch-Mage to Kaidan’s nickname system.

In addition to questline commentary, the Book Review Pack allows Kaidan to provide more commentary on the various books that you may encounter in your journeys across Skyrim. If the book is among those he can comment on, all his responses will be unique to the book given and you can ask him for his thoughts on those books. After completing the mini-quest of collecting the Eslaf Erol series for Kaidan this will unlock Kaidan’s training dialogue! Kaidan will be able to help train you in a handful of combat skills that he himself is proficient in: Archery, Block, Heavy Armor, One-handed, Two-handed, and Stamina! These scenes will also involve unique commentary and sound effects based on player skill.

We have also added new interactions between Kaidan and his horse, Kiai! She will now start her journey as “Horse” until Kaidan gives her the name “Kiai” as Kaidan definitely does not get attached.

Along with this, we now have patchless compatibility with the mod I’m Glad You’re Here with full nickname and title support and responses based on location, progression, and friendship/romance level with Kaidan! When the mod is enabled, the vanilla romantic hugs will be replaced with a custom hug animation— no more vampire hugs! DAR or OAR are required to ensure the custom hug animation works.

Lucien fans rejoice! By popular demand, a patch for Kaidan and Lucien’s banter is now available! All existing banter between them has been fully revoiced with Kaidan’s new voice actor, Paul Warren.

Along with these new expansions, patches, and additions to Kaidan’s integration into Skyrim, we have also included general changes and bug fixes to improve overall quality of life.

Boromir is a very naturally affectionate person, and he sees no shame in acknowledging his love for you. He is, however, understanding that not everyone is as affectionate as him - so if you don’t want as much acknowledgement/affection in public, he’ll respect your wishes. 

B = Best friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?) Exceptional best friend, probably one of the most (if not the most) supportive of the men in Middle Earth. He’s a soldier, so he understands the seriousness of topics - how to treat people with tact. But he also is good at raising the mood, at making people see the hope in a dark situation. Having people laugh even when things seem to be falling apart. Also, he’s Faramir’s brother - he simply will be good at being emotionally supportive and validating of feelings. It just comes with the territory.

C = Courtship (How do they finally ask you out? What do they do in the days before?) Has a rather good facade of confidence. The key word there being facade. He’s determined to do it properly, catching you as you’re heading out for the day and asking you if ‘you’ll honour him with a meeting’. You smile as you see the way he lights up when you say ‘yes’ (and then the brief flash of terror in his eyes). Because Boromir doesn’t truly know what he’s doing. He knows how he feels about you, he has for a while, and he knows what he wants to do - to convey - he just doesn’t have the words for it.

Waiting for you, he wishes he had a silver-tongue like his brother, that he could accurately confess. But as you walk in, he barely needs to. The way he sits up, eyes shining with a smile (the blush across his face), makes it so obvious he’s in love with you. So obvious even you begin to realise, once he’s risen to greet you. Still, you say nothing as he greets you. You feel your own cheeks heat up as he confesses to you. There are times when he rushes, or repeats itself. But it’s sincere, genuine - a singing of your praises, and a gentle ask if you’ll accept his heart.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?) Yes. Boromir definitely wants to settle down - it’s part of why he fights so hard. For a home. For somewhere he can truly feel safe. But his brother is also a ranger, so he can accept if you need to be away and travel for a period of time - as long as you could come back to him. (A little piece of his heart always breaks off with you when you leave, but it mends as long as you return.) Also, regarding Finduilas, he knows how much living in happiness and where you want is important. He would not be the one to keep you in Minas Tirith.

Very good at removing dirt and dust from the house, not incredible at keeping it ‘tidy’. His desk is a mess, yet he somehow inexplicably knows where everything is. Sometimes chooses very odd places to put things (‘my sewing needles, they’re probably near the kitchen knives in the small container. Why?’) Decent at cooking - can be very good when he puts the day aside to make things for you.

E = Effort (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, everyday tasks?) Again, Boromir is the type of person to put as much effort as he feasibly can into everything he can. Dates are sometimes spontaneous, when your schedules happen to be clear and the weather is good enough to drag you outside, or around the streets of Minas Tirith (or to cuddle and read with you if not). Other times dates are planned in advance, a nice location or unique activity. As steward’s son, his marriage to you is probably an unofficial holiday (if he was steward, it would probably be an official one). It makes him smile, knowing that so many of the young couples he sees on that day and their smiles are because of the love the two of you share. It also makes it much easier for him to argue for the day off.

In terms of everyday tasks, he’s good at completing them - although it’s never to a perfect standard. From constant duties to attend and wanting to spend a little time with you he doesn’t always have the time to see to his more domestic tasks. Should that be the case he generally tries to send a servant up with his apologies.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?) Always expected that marriage would, eventually, be something he had to do. He could never have imagined he would be able to marry for love - to be able to marry you. He buys the ring quite quickly, only about a year into courtship, although it takes him longer to present it. There are moments before the proposal he feels he wants too, but the moment he does end up choosing is perfect.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?) Mixture with both of them. He’s certainly in tune with emotions (his and your own), and is neither afraid to cry in front of you or comfort you if you need it. Similarly, he’ll always look out for you - he’s not going to randomly roughhouse with you or do anything similar - but he also doesn’t see the point in treating you like you're made of glass. He will give you big hugs that, for a second, are accidentally quite tight. He will ask to spar with you, and then laugh when you hit him successfully with a sword.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like? What about cuddles?) I think I say this for all Tolkien characters, but he’s also a very tactile person. Will certainly hug you when he can. It’s a proper hug as well, fully enveloping you as he rests his head on yours (or the other way around). Definitely a cuddles person. Cannot get the armour off fast enough for him to cuddle you after a battle, to feel your heartbeat next to his and be reassured you’re alive. Generally the big spoon in bed, but should you ask he’s happy to switch roles.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?) Like with proposing, it happens quite early in the relationship. He means for it to be a large moment, a grand gesture. Instead it’s after a battle. The two of you finding each other - you’d just run into his arms and he could breathe knowing the blood wasn’t yours. In his arms, he’d whispered how much he loved you. Both of you stilled realising what he’d said, before you repeated it.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?) He does get jealous of people. Not horribly, he can behave himself, but it’s something that you notice. Generally more hover-y or protective after he’s jealous, staying closer to you with one of your hands in his. Faramir likes to tease him about it, which can often break his mood when he stops to laugh and realises what he’s doing.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?) Views kissing as very intimate, so isn’t always as liberal with them as some of the others are. A kiss in public will often be reserved to a gentle, almost ghost-touch on your hand at formal occasions. The number of times he's kissed you in public are few and far between, but always full of joy and emotion. The strength of his love for you outweighing almost anything else.

When in private, his kisses are full but not demanding. A hand gently cupping your face, with complete love and devotion in his eyes. Occasionally a kiss is simply pressed onto your form while cuddling, but it’s even rarer. Boromir enjoys kisses more as personal ones - a show of affection, but he does enjoy you peppering him with kisses. A soft touch while your in his arms will always make him smile.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?) Boromir is great around kids. He’s strong enough to lift them, which they always love, and is very willing to play with them and listen to them talk. Thought he’d have to be a father one day, so did take effort to make sure he was good with them.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?) Likes to lie with you in bed for as long as is socially acceptable. Perhaps a tiny bit longer. (Has been late to at least one meeting because he was tired and just didn’t want to leave your arms.) Generally both of you will get up around the same time, and he’ll either start making a drink or some breakfast. Occasionally he surprises you with breakfast in bed (does it very successfully as well, there’s about six different options that are all beautifully cooked).

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?) Tends to stay up later at nights talking to you. At first you can see Boromir scribbling away over some important document, but he’ll always be nearby you. Taking some strength in your company - in a way, you’re the reason he gets everything done so quickly, so he can spend more time with you. (You’re also the reason his resolve begins to crumble, but he digresses.) Once he's finished he’ll come directly beside you, and then you often talk with each other until one is too tired to continue. He does often carry you into bed.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?) Boromir is open about most of his life stories because, as Captain of the White Tower, if he doesn’t tell you a number of his men wil volunteer. And he’d rather you hear his life story from him. The only thing that takes him longer to open up about is his personal life, his true opinions of Gondor’s fight and of his family. This comes more slowly, and when he truly trusts you. But it does prove his love for you yet again.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?) Okay, he did train to be a diplomat. He tends to be quicker to use harsh words or let his emotions slip than some men, but you always know there’s no malice behind it - just his frustration at his inability to help in this specific moment. Generally good at recognising when he needs to calm down, and he will give an apology before briefly leaving the situation. Is always very obviously guilty afterwards.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?) Pretty good at remembering things, both the big picture and some small details. I think it comes from him listening to Faramir so much when they were children, and remembering all the facts and stories. You’re important to him - and it will make you happy for him to remember things, therefore he does. Some details do slip his mind sometimes, but they’re rarely anything that’s actually important.

R = Remember (What is their favourite moment in your relationship?) When he finally proposes to you. There have been moments before, but the stars seem to align on that day. It had just been the two of you, on a date and laughing together. Your face had been illuminated by starlight and he’d realised he’d never loved someone this much before. That he’d never love someone as much as he would you. You didn’t even register he’d stopped laughing until he was on one knee in front of you, a ring box in his hand. He gets very emotional and almost chokes finishing the speech (his voice does break a few times) but you wait patiently. And he is the happiest man alive when you say yes.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?) Protective person. ‘Just let me come with you, please.’ ‘Are you okay?’ ‘Do you need anything?’ He is a certified hoverer, who has realised that and now pretends to look busy. Does a very similar thing to you as he does to Merry and Pippin. He will always try and be there for you, but if he cannot be then he wants you to be able to take care of yourself. Very patient and remarkably good teacher.

He’ll say he doesn’t need protection, or to be protected. And in a way he doesn’t - Boromir can handle himself. What he needs is more of a net, a wall that he can lean against and be sure of. For the days when he’s working too hard and everything is going wrong, something about you helps to bring him out of it. Some of the protection you end up offering him is from his own mind.

T = Trinkets (Do they give gifts to you? What kind of gifts do they give?) Not a massive, massive gifts person. A lot of them will be practical, although thoughtful. A new cloak with the softest lining you’ve ever felt, dyed in the colours of Gondor and with embroidery like a night sky. A new set of quills and an inkwell after you had a mishap with one a few days earlier. Occasionally he’ll get you something nicer, a commissioned necklace or bracelet that made him think of you, although he always blushes incredibly when he presents them to you.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?) To state the obvious of overworking himself. To state the second obvious, the feeling he shouldn’t need to ask for help. He knows you’ll always be there for him but - especially in the early stages of your relationship - he doesn’t want to intrude upon your help when he’s ‘sure’ he can deal with it himself.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?) Does want to look nice, both for you and for himself. As a public figure he always tries to keep some level of presentability - but he’d be lying if he said most of his nicer dressing up wasn’t because he wanted to see your reaction.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?) Yes. Boromir has spent most of his life fighting for various beliefs or ideals and they become a part of him (in a way). You are a part of him. Your love is a part of him. Yes, if you were gone he’d seem just as occupied as before - but in reality he’s trying to replace the bit of his heart he gave to you with work. And that won’t work.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.) Really good at hair maintenance. Including curly/wavy hair. Great at brushing it without making it hurt, and putting it in elaborate hairstyles. Always compliments it and - somehow - knows exactly what you did to make it that way.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?) Someone without duty, honour, and discipline. They’re all things that have simply been ingrained in him for so long that the lack of them would be too alien for him.

Z = Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?) Goes to bed late, wakes up.. In the middle. As mentioned, he will lie with you for a long period of time. It’s only to be close to you, but he does truly enjoy your presence.

A/N : Thanks to a request, you now also have 'C is for Cuddles'

You don't even want to think about it. None of you did. Thomas had said that Newt was acting weird, and you all knew why.

Newt isn't immune. He never has been. He was sent into the Maze as a control variable, and he'd decided to spend the remainder of his sanity in the Crank Palace.

He's gone. Someone you've been with on this insane journey and spent some incredibly important moments with- and you're probably never going to see him again

Brenda and Jorge had settled in the cockpit of the Berg whilst you'd left Thomas and Minho to talk in private. They'd both know Newt a lot longer than you- Minho longest of all.

You're not really part of either party. You're a stranger that they found during their travels through the Scorch. To everyone's surprise, you revealed you were immune when you showed some old teeth-marks from a Crank; making you one of the few Munies that WICKED didn't manage to gather up.

You were a thief and a con artist, smuggling goods and providing drugs that you stole into infected places. It was a dangerous job, but one you did willingly. So, imagine your shock when you find two hung-over teenagers tied up in a room with one of your regular buyers.

After sitting in for Thomas' explanation and hearing all the shit to do with WICKED, you lend them a helping hand and have been a regular member of the group ever since.

It was almost fun at first. The whole group looked up to you and thought you were some badass powerhouse.

But now it all feels very real. You sit on the floor, the faint hum of the Berg sending vibrations through your skull as you rest your head against the wall. You often hid in a corner, somewhere, choosing to not be a part of the rage-filled political debates that take place. You're a sort of middle ground between the ex-WICKED personnel and the torture victims. It's a weird dynamic, to be sure.

You watch from the safety of your spot as Brenda speaks to the boys, saying something that clearly triggers Minho as he storms off, slamming the door to one of the sleeping quarters. You cringe as the action shakes the whole ship.

"Sorry," you tune into the conversation, hearing Brenda's anxious words.

"It's okay," Thomas shrugs, "He was with Newt for two years before I showed up in the Maze. It'll take him some time."

You'd always known Newt and Minho were close- easily the closest out of the group. You're not exactly a genius, but you don't last as long as you have, doing what you do, if you can't read people.

You consider Minho your friend. You don't consider many people your friend, and you still have your suspicions about Brenda and Jorge, and you're on edge every time Thomas's face drops whenever Teresa is mentioned. You're not a trusting person, but you do enjoy Minho's company.

He's witty and sarcastic, easily matching your dry humour. There's been many of times you've exchanged smirks and knowing glances during some, actually, quite serious conversations. You have similar opinions, and despite your tendency to play devil's advocate, you do appreciate having a more forward guy on your side.

Minho wears his heart on his sleeve and is more than willing to kick the shit out of someone to protect what he loves.

Not to mention, you'd be lying if you didn't find the boy attractive. It's not like there are many people out in the world that you deal with that won't eventually rip your face off with their bare teeth. So, Minho is basically a God in comparison to your last couple of flings before they started frothing at the mouth.

Brenda says something about making some food, earning some agreeing mutters from Jorge as she leaves Thomas alone, probably to process the day's events himself.

I'm a Crank!

Newt's words ring in your head. Apart from your parents, you've never been close with anyone that's gotten infected- always moving from one gig to the next and never really getting attached. So, when Newt started showing symptoms, things cracked pretty fast.

The way he was waving that Launcher at you all, wildness forming in his eyes and the screaming at you to leave. Thomas, unfortunately, was right to force you all to leave. It was becoming dangerous.

Minho didn't fight. He barely even argued. Thomas dragged him and Brenda away, grabbing whoever was closest to him. You stayed behind Jorge, preparing to be at the back of the group since you're probably the one with the most experience regarding Cranks.

You weren't prepared for Newt to speak.

"(Y/N)," you froze, glancing back over your shoulder to meet the wild eyes of the once level-headed blond boy.

"What is it, Newt?" Your voice was barely a whisper as you turned to face him. Your lack of presence wouldn't go unnoticed by the rest of the group, but you didn't know why he'd chosen to speak to you. "I thought you wanted us to leave?"

"I did- I do," your eyes never left the gun that he held in his hands, his finger never fully leaving the trigger. "Look after him, please."

"Thomas can take care of himself," you'd assumed he was talking about Thomas, after all, he'd dramatically given Thomas a note, and they all seemed to look out for the reckless boy.

"No, not Tommy," Newt almost scoffed, a moment of clarity taking over. "Minho." You furrowed your brow, "He needs someone to look after him, and I ain't gonna be there to do that anymore."

"Newt, c'mon-"

"Stay. Please, stay with them. This isn't just another job you're doing for fun anymore- this is their lives. It's Minho's life. Look after him. For me, please, take care of him. Please."

Newt had seen right through you. You never really intended on staying. Sure, you'd thought about it, especially when the boys spoke about the perfect lives they'd had when this was all over. But you never planned to be a part of that. Not really.

You'd never known anything other than the adrenaline-filled smuggling life that you had, and some part of you wasn't ready to find out who you are when you're not risking your life. You just wanted to help these guys, because people like them deserving helping. Because they deserve to be happy.

But you?

You don't know about that. Surviving after the Solar Flares requires thick skin and a strong stomach. And you have to be willing to do so inhumane things. All of which you have.

So, the plan was to keep moving, even if there is a Safe Heaven. Do you really deserve to be there?

But now, you're not so sure. For all you knew, Newt's dying wish was for you to protect and stay with his friend. And who were you to ignore a dead man's wishes?

The thoughts churn over in your skull until you finally bring yourself to stand up again. You can't leave Minho alone now. If you did, then you'd be ignoring Newt, not even a couple of hours after your last interaction.

Time feels weird, but you know he's not come out of the room in about half an hour.

You pull yourself in front of the room where Minho's hiding, knuckles rhythmically tapping against the door.

"Shuck off," his voice is wavering and scratchy, like he's trying not to cry. "I've had enough klunk for today, and I don't wanna talk anymore, alright, slinthead?"

"Wow, now I'm sure that might work on Thomas here, but you know me better than that." You force a playful tone into your voice. You'd never been good with serious conversations- if a job got too tense, you'd normally just dip and run. But that's not exactly going to work here.

And, for the first time ever, you don't really want to.

It takes a couple of seconds, but you hear movement, and Minho pulls the door open. You send him a sympathetic smile, and he pushes his lips into a thin line, sighing.

"Hi," he scoffs slightly a this as you try to push a more joyful pitch.

"Hey," he responds, though his voice is heavy. His eyes flicker over to behind you, where Thomas is sat on the sofa in the common area. You follow his gaze, and Thomas immediately looks away, doing a terrible job of hiding his eavesdropping. "What do you want?"

"To talk to you? Obviously." You rock on your heels, hands in your pockets as you look up at the taller boy. Minho doesn't respond, he just kind of looks at you. "C'mon, man, I'm just tryna help."

He gives in, sighing.

Minho nods in the direction of the room, stepping aside and letting you walk in. It wasn't exactly unusual for the pair of you to sit together or talk away from the rest of the group. But that didn't stop Brenda, Thomas, and Jorge from nudging each other and snickering whenever it happened. Even Newt used to join on occasionally.

Minho shuts the door behind him, wordlessly slippingly past you and flopping backwards onto one of the beds in the room he's sharing with Thomas. His hands cover his face, so you can't read his expression.

"You okay?" You know it's a dumb question, but you're not sure how else to approach.

"What do you think?" You sit next to his legs, which are still hanging off of the bed.

"Yeah, that's fair." He scoffs again, and he goes quiet. "Do you wanna talk about it?"

"Not really."

"Minho," you try to get his attention, but he doesn't even move. "You can talk to me, man." Again, nothing. You nudge his leg and he moves his hands away from his face. "Come on. You're just gonna feel even more shit if you keep it to yourself."

"I ain't no sissy." You almost laugh at this. Sometimes, you forget that being stuck with a bunch of boys for two years probably wasn't great for anyone's perception of masculinity.

"I never said you were, dumbass- you're a person. People feel things. That doesn't make you a pussy- or a sissy, or whatever weird fuckin' word you Glader freaks use. It just makes you human," you pause as he watches you, some form of relief washing over him, "and there ain't nothin' wrong with that."

"I just..." Minho trails off, his voice catching in his throat as he sits up. "I can't believe he's gone." He leans forward, hunched over as he looks at the floor, arms resting on his spread legs. "We went through all that just for him to tell us to leave."

"I know, but he's probably doing what he thinks is best," Minho looks at you from the corner of his eyes.

He doesn't agree with you. Of course, he doesn't. You guys have completely different life experiences. But he appreciates it. He appreciates you. You're a guide through the world as it is, and despite Brenda and Jorge's help, you have connections and street smarts like no other.

Not to mention you're hot. Like, Minho spends his nights fantasising about you kind of hot. Not just your appearance, but your take-no-shit attitude. You're not scared to fight with him, and for some reason, he's into that.

"He's my best friend, dude- I've known him for literally as long as I can remember! And he thinks he can just leave some klunky note and vanish to hang out with those psychos? And when we go to get him, he threatens to shoot us? And, obviously, I don't mean klunk to him 'cause all he cares about is good ol' 'Tommy'."

You know it cuts deep from how Minho is mocking the cherished nickname.

"After everything we went through- and he just- we- shit." His voice breaks as his face drops to his hands.

"Hey," your voice is soft and low as Minho sniffs, the events of the day, and his entire life, finally catching up to him. "Hey, it's okay." You shuffle closer, lightly placing your hand against the small of his back and rubbing delicate circles. You rest your head on his shoulder, looking up at him as he pulls his hand away.

You look at each other for a second.

He sighs, "Shuck it." Throwing his arms around you, he knocks you back slightly. It only takes a second for you to recover as you accept the hug, allowing him to find comfort in your warmth as you let him cry into the crook of your neck.

You play with his hair, mumbling sweet nothings to him as he calms himself down. You press your lips to his forehead, giving him another source of affection in an attempt to make him feel better the best you can.

He pulls away. His tear-stained cheeks and messy hair are something that you'd never expected to see. "God, this is shuckin' embarrassing."

"Hey," you wipe away some of the liquid from his cheeks with your sleeve, "no it's not, okay? This is some heavy shit, dude, I ain't judging you. Here." You run your fingers through his hair, trying to fix the state of his appearance.

You're too busy trying to fix him to notice how he's looking at you. His eyes have fallen on your lips, admiring your features like he's never even laid his eyes on another woman. You're so close, and he's so used to your lethal nature, and you're now being so nice to him and he doesn't know how to react.

He doesn't care anymore. He's lost another thing he cares about and he just wants to feel okay.

"Minho, are you-?" You don't get to finish because his lips are on yours. Your entire body freezes, eyes wide as you sit there in some form of shock.

Minho pulls away as you attempt to process what just happened. "Shuck, sorry," he mumbles upon seeing your almost blank reactions. "I just- it's just... today has been a lot. A-and you're- I don't know, really. I think I like you, but I've never liked anyone like that before so, I don't- shit. I don't even know what I'm saying anymore." He drops his head again, returning to his original position.

A small smile has crept onto your face, but you're not about to make things worse by taking advantage of Minho's vulnerable state.

"Minho?"

"Yeah?"

"I like you too."

His head perks up, "You do?"

"Yeah, but, I think you've also had a pretty shitty day and I don't want to do anything you're going to regret. I don't want you just acting like this because you want another way to cope."

Minho blinks at you. He doesn't know why he's shocked at this level of common sense, because it's one of the reasons he likes you.

"I've literally been crushing on you ever since you showed up with Thomas and Brenda," his tone is blunt and almost hollow as he's finally getting another thing off of his chest. "I fall asleep thinking about a life with you, and I get where you're coming from, but I want you."

Your chest feels tight, and you shift uncomfortably, trying to control yourself and the heat forming in you. He notices this.

"You want me?" You subconsciously lean forward, almost like two magnets pulling together.

"Yeah, I want you now, the same way I've always wanted you." His words make you feel some type of way. It's not like you've never been with anyone, but you've never had feelings for them. Not really.

Not like this.

"I just want to feel okay, and you help me."

Despite what you just said, you push your lips against his again. He lets out a nervous breath, and goosebumps cover his skin. He lets you take the lead, allowing you to show him how to move his lips. You have a lot more experience than he does, so he's not going to challenge that.

You pull yourself onto his lap, making him hum into your mouth, his hands immediately coming to your waist. Your tongue brushes against his bottom lip and he releases a groan as you take it between your teeth, lightly pulling on it.

You push him back, reconnecting your mouths as his thumbs rub your skin under your shirt. He dares to be bold, slipping them further under as his hands glide against your back. When you buck your hips against him, he digs his nails in.

You hiss, the sting being surprisingly pleasurable, which just eggs Minho on more. He thrusts up, getting more riled up and needing more friction to calm the hungar building up in him.

You move from his lips to his jaw, causing his eyes to flutter shut whilst you move further down, letting your tongue brush against the sensitive skin of his throat. You're almost experimenting; seeing what kind of responses you can get out of him. You move to his ear instead, dragging it up the side before pulling on his lobe with your teeth. You can help but smirk as the action makes the normally unwavering Runner shiver and grab at the flesh on your hips, his hands returning with a sudden jump.

You slow your grind, quickly gaining a rhythm and providing you both with a relief, even with all of your clothes still intact.

"Ah, fuck," your hand flies to Minho's mouth, flashing him a warning look. The Berg might be loud, but the walls are thin, and the soft hum won't drown out anything if he's that loud. "Sorry," he mumbles, leaning up to kiss you again.

You pull away pretty quickly, fiddling with the hem of his shirt, and he takes the hint. Struggling and half sitting up, he pulls the shirt over his head. It's enough to make you try to squeeze your legs together as you gingerly run your fingers down his abs. His breathing hitches as your hand travels lower, one arm flopping over his face, using his forearm to try and hide.

You fiddle with his belt, watching his chest rise and fall, the clicking of the metal coming undone is like music to his ears.

"Hey, is everything okay? I thought I heard-"

Thomas stands blankly in the doorway. Everyone in the room freezes. Thomas stares at the scene in front of him, trying to process what exactly is going on.

You're straddling a shirtless Minho, who is very visibly aching for more. Thomas immediately starts to change colour to a deep shade of red.

"Dude!" Minho snaps, "Don't you know how to shuckin' knock?"

You snort, climbing off of Minho's lap, clearly not nearly as embarrassed as your partner. He raises slightly, leaning back on his arms for support as he shoots daggers at his friend.

"Sorry- I didn't realise that- I just heard something-" Thomas seems somehow even more flustered and freaked out than Minho. "Brenda's made us sandwiches." He sighs, and you laugh, your legs hanging off of the bed.

"Bro, get out!" Minho snaps and Thomas seems to return to reality.

"Sorry! Sorry!" The door slams behind him and you burst out laughing.

"You guys are something else," you shake your head, and smile at Minho, who simply scoffs. "You feeling any better?" The atmosphere changes, becoming more serious once again.

"Honestly, not really," you push your lips together as Minho pulls his shirt back on, sitting up properly, "but I know that I'm going to be- some day, 'cause you're gonna stick around, right?"

You pause. Even if Newt didn't say anything, how could you possibly even consider leaving Minho? Maybe your feelings are stronger than you originally thought.

Wooooo, this one was actually pretty fun to write and I enjoyed writing for something outside of the Glade. It makes a nice change and I love these types of more specific requests.

"Yeah," you lean forward, pecking him on his lips, making him smile, "I'm not going anywhere."

You were the newest Greenie welcomed to the Glade. But, lucky for you, you remembered your name on your first night here. The amnesia was still getting you good here and there, but by the time the sun set on your second night, you were adapting well enough. A large group of you Gladers sit out on some logs in the Deadheads, the sun softly setting over the horizon of the maze walls as you sit around a little bonfire.

A small kind of lake structure sits beside the group, the soft sound of the streaming water filling your ears instead of all the other boys around you talking and chattering over drinks. You sit beside Minho, the Keeper of the Runners, sharing a drink with him. You took small sips here and there, just trying to fit in with the others under the blanket of trees and brush around you. Minho sits the glass jar back on the ground between his left leg and your right leg, talking to Fry a few feet away.

You're more focused on the water than anything else now as the boys talk loudly.

"What's the Greenie looking at?" Gally asks, an eyebrow raised as he talks in almost a mumble, looking between a few other Gladers.

Newt, sitting beside Fry, shrugs. Ben looks over at you, studying the dazed look in your eyes.

"Shank seems focused on the water," Ben speaks, giving a little shrug.

Gally's eyes light up as some invisible light bulb flicks on in his head. "Why don't we give them a proper Greenie welcome?"

"What're you suggesting, shuckface?" Jack sighs, sitting beside Gally.

A smirk tugs at the wannabe tough-guy's lips as he looks at you. You don't notice, as you're still zoned out, staring at the water.

"Let's throw them into the water for a minute"

Gally's plan had been set into motion behind mostly everyone's backs. Ben didn't say a word, considering he didn't actually think they'd be mean enough to throw the newest Greenie into that deep water. Newt and Fry hadn't heard as they'd been bickering about food, and the others, Winston, Minho, Eric, Adam, and Scott hadn't heard either.

Gally stands up, setting his special drink down. Jack, and Doug follow his actions, standing up and setting their definitely alcoholic beverages down. They sneak their way over to you, and stand over you, their shadows cast over you as well due to the fire.

You look up at them, shaking yourself out of your trance-like state.

"Can I help you?" You ask kindly, not wanting to start any drama.

Gally grabs you by the shoes, then Jack and Doug lift you up at your shoulders. They pull you toward the water, where you try and squirm out of their grip and fight back, but are unable to. The attention of the others is caught as they watch and laugh, thinking that your desperation to get away is to just not get wet and cold, unknowing that you couldn't swim.

Minho is the only one concerned, not knowing he was the only one to know that you couldn't swim. You'd brought it up when you first met him, explaining how you weren't much of a special soul, and that you couldn't swim or climb trees, or run that fast like some others could. It was a little dimwitted comment that clouded his vision in the moment.

"No, no, no, please! Please put me down!" For some reason, you didn't want to admit that you couldn't swim.

Doug hands over your other shoulder to Jack so he and Gally could rock and throw you into the water, standing off to the side. You continue to shout in protest as they begin rocking you side to side like they were reading a jump-in jump rope.

You look down at the water, fairly still, but clearly deep. You wouldn't be landing on rocks and busting your ass, you'd be drowning in five seconds if they didn't put you down.

Minho stands up, deciding to intervene as he sets his drink down. "Hey!"

"I can't swim! Put me down!-"

They toss you into the water, listening to your shriek of terror as the water splashes beneath your crashing weight. You reach your arms up as you'd fallen in on your rear, and kick your feet rapidly under you, unable to feel the bottom on your feet.

Being soaking wet was the least of your worries as you felt the water rush into your mouth, struggling to keep your head above the surface. You choke up the dirty, muddy water, trying to use any strength you had left in you to call for help and keep yourself floating.

Minho, now wide-eyed, quickly jumps in after you, realizing you truly couldn't swim. The water splashes under his weight like it did yours, and by the time he resurfaces, you'd fallen under the surface, water quickly filling up your lungs.

Newt quickly rushes forward, Frypan and Ben following him. Newt shoves Gally.

"What're you thinkin' klunkhead?! They said they couldn't swim, yet you throw them in that deep water!" He shouts, looking for an answer or at least some remorse.

Minho pulls you out of the water, the help of Fry and Ben leading you back up to land. You cough up a fair amount of water, completely dripping wet. Your clothes cling to your cold skin, weighing ten times their normal weight.

"What is wrong with you? Are you that shuckin' stupid?!"

Fry pulls Newt away from Gally before he potentially ends up in the slammer. Doug and Jack share unsympathetic looks, same as Gally. He uses the excuse that he didn't know until you shouted it at the last second, and it was just an innocent prank.

The second in command steps away from the three boys, rushing to your aid. Your legs hang over the little ledge, feet still emerged in the water. Minho is slapping your back, trying to help you cough all the water in your lungs and throat out.

Minho rubs your back softly as you finish coughing, your face pale, your eyes clearly showing the adrenaline rush and panic.

"You need the Med-Jacks, Greenie?" The blonde asks, one knee in the dirt while the other leg supports him.

You shake your head no, leaning forward as you pound at your chest and cough on command, wanting to make sure your airway was clear of any water or debris. Minho quickly stands up, stomping toward Gally to repeat the same things as Newt, the two essentially swapping roles.

"Are you stupid? Can't you leave anyone alone?!"

"It was a joke!"

"A joke that could've killed someone, Gally!"

You share a look with Newt.

"Thanks for like, helping me, by the way" You softly speak to Minho.

The group is now departing the Deadheads, seeing as the moon indicates that it's about one in the morning by now. The fire is slowly dying out, crackling as dead leaves crush under your feet while you walk away. You and the runner lag behind a bit, wanting to stay far away from Gally and his friends. Newt leads their way, making sure you're all accounted for. Gally, Doug, and Jack would only have to hope that the blonde wouldn't tell on them to Alby in the morning.

Minho nods in response to your thanks. "Yeah, of course. I mean, I know you can't swim, and it just." He holds his hands up to his head, mimicking an explosion as he opens them. "Sorry about them, really. I think they were just trying to innocently mess with you cause they didn't know, but they should've at least asked. They know that water is deep"

You nod, your hands stuffed in your pockets. You're still damp, but not as cold and not as wet, thanks to the fire. Luckily for all of you, Zart and Jeff didn't have to wake up at that hour to tend to you. They would've killed you all for that.

"Thanks for being nice to me and stuff, I appreciate it," you comment, feeling like you aren't remorseful or thankful enough as he'd probably saved your life.

"It's cool, Y/n." He lightly smiles, making sure you're able to see it.

The fact he called you by your actual name and not Greenie made butterflies rise in your stomach. You didn't even know why, just the thought of fitting in, with him, was infatuating. Your name on his tongue sounded like the most beautiful song you'd ever heard, like your brain was going to melt if you heard it again.

You both stop in your tracks, putting space between you two and the rest of the group, now at the edge of the Deadheads. You share soft smiles, exploring each other's eyes for some sort of look, which you mutually shared.

You lean against the tree behind you, trying to read his expression as he does the same. He's inches away, like he's taunting you.

"I think you owe me, actually," He smiles. Christ, he's really gonna dangle that over your head.

"How do you want me to repay you?" You ask with a soft chuckle. "Not much I can do"

He shrugs, leaning in a little closer. When he speaks, it's just above a whisper, sending a shiver up your spine. "I know that you know how use those lips of yours"

You quickly place your hands on his cheeks, closing the distance between your lips. His hands dig into your waist, pinning you against the tree. Your left hand transfers from his cheek and into his hair, tangling your fingers in it. You feel him melt into your lips, unable to not pull you any closer.

You can feel the bruises he's creating against your lips, the way he's draining your lungs of air for the second time tonight.

He pulls away, needing to control himself. "Thanks, Y/n." He smiles before jogging away, wanting to catch up before Newt discovered their lack of presence.

You watch as he jogs away, then walk behind him as he's a few yards away, a goofy smile on your face.

Right now, he’s by himself in the Map Room, the product of finishing the day’s run early yet again. Minho has already recorded all the twists and turns of today’s venture through the Maze, and his partner, Ben, is long gone. 

The guy probably found an empty corner of the Glade and disappeared for a nap, where he can emerge hours later, shaking his head like he’s forgotten where he is. Minho is deeply envious of his friend’s ability to sleep so easily. There are few things he wouldn’t do for a good night’s rest for once.

Ben’s absence also means that Minho is completely unsupervised, which should be a red flag to anyone else. Luckily, no one has noticed yet, which means that Minho has time to set up the perfect prank. It’s fantastic, and no one will have any idea it was him. 

A voice from behind Minho makes him startle. Looks like he isn’t the criminal mastermind he thought he was.

“What the bloody hell are you doing?”

Minho turns around slowly to face Newt, another one of his good friends. The blond second in command has his arms folded across his chest, the picture of weary disappointment.

Minho grins as innocently as he can. “What? Nothing. Just another day in the Map Room, you know. As a Runner, I can do whatever I want in here, and–”

Newt cuts him off irritably. “You mean that you’re not trying to hide all the writing supplies so Y/N can’t find them?”

Minho glances conspicuously at the door to the Map Room supply closet, which refuses to close. That might be because he’s stuffed every box he can find in there, but who knows, really?

“Oh, this? That’s just, uh, some spring cleaning. It gets really dusty in here, have you ever noticed that?”

Newt rolls his eyes. “Can I ask what Y/N’s done to deserve this, at least?”

Minho chuckles. “Nothing in particular, but you know that. Listen, this is going to be fantastic. The second she opens the door tomorrow afternoon, every box on this side of the Glade is going to come sliding out like a supply avalanche. It’ll be hilarious.”

Newt groans. “You do realize that being Keeper of the Runners means that you’re actually supposed to be responsible, right? Not doing whatever this is?”

Newt gestures vaguely at the pile of stuff behind Minho. He’s not wrong, obviously, Minho knows that he’s just being a slinthead, but at least doing ‘whatever this is’ keeps him distracted. 

Already, though, the thrill of doing something wrong is wearing away, leaving him twitchy and prickly with guilt. His stomach feels hot, like he’s some kid who’s gotten caught trying to skip school. If he knew what school was like, that is. Regardless, it’s probably better than here.

Minho sighs, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “You can skip the lecture, I already know it’s dumb. Just need to do something, I guess. At least this’ll make someone laugh.”

Newt arches a brow, although he’s starting to smile. “Yeah, you and me. Not Y/N so much, though. Really, why is it that you two are at each other’s throats all the time? I would have thought that you’d get along.”

Minho steps away from the supply closet at last, leaning up against a nearby wall. “We do most of the time, it’s just more fun to squabble. We try to see who finishes their daily run faster, who’s more accurate, that sort of thing. Fills the time, I guess.”

Newt shrugs. “Whatever keeps you two on track. Just make sure that your cascade of boxes doesn’t mess up any of the maps, or you’ll have to do some spring cleaning there, too.”

Minho shudders. “Trust me, I didn’t touch the maps. I’m not completely out of my mind.”

Newt smirks. “Only a little bit, then?”

Minho chuckles at last. “Only a little bit.”

He leaves the Map Room soon after that, Newt having done his job of convincing Minho not to start anything else. The rest of the day passes in a blur, as it always does; the Gladers stick with their respective jobs, the sun is hot, the night is cool. The Doors slide shut and everyone pretends it isn’t completely terrifying to be stuck in here week after week. The last Greenie day was far enough away that the newest arrival has stopped crying at last. It’s frustratingly repetitive, but at least they aren’t dead. That’s all Minho has going for him at the moment.

Minho rises at dawn like usual, but this time Newt does too. Minho shoots his friend a questioning glance, especially when the second in command gestures for Y/N and Minho to follow him a few paces away.

Newt speaks at first, voice low to make sure he doesn’t wake up the rest of the Gladers. “I need you two to run together today. The next section we need keeps getting switched up by other Runners, and you two are the best we’ve got. Alby figures that if both of you run together, you’re less likely to mess up.”

Minho shoots a suspicious glance at Y/N, but she seems fine with it, so he nods. “Sounds good to me.”

Y/N lifts a shoulder. “We’ll see you this afternoon. If we get everything right, can we get a day off?”

Newt laughs. “Not a chance. Get running, you useless shanks.”

Minho grins and heads towards the Doors, Y/N at his side. She looks at him just before they enter the Maze, expression somewhat bemused.

“I don’t think I’ve actually run with you in forever. Scared you won’t be able to keep up?” She says, grinning so brightly Minho thinks she might be able to outshine the sun.

If Minho had any misgivings about why today’s section is so difficult to run that he’d need to go with Y/N, they’re banished by the sound of his own surprised laugh.

“Not a chance. I’d be worried about you, though. I’m rumored to be the fastest guy around.”

Y/N laughs too, and they take off into the twisting stone corridors. As they pass tangles of ivy and progress further into the Maze, Minho finds himself secretly grateful that he’s here with Y/N. At least now he can deflect his own paranoia by making jokes, although he’d never admit that to her face.

Truth be told, the longer the day wears on, the more thankful he is for Y/N’s presence. Their ever present rivalry lets him hide behind a familiar shield of sharp tongues and false criticisms, their painted veneers thick as ever. He’s never said a word that wasn’t a lie. He’s never been more true in his life, but man, who even knows that when you’ve been forced to forget all but the last year?

Even beyond his favored coping mechanism, Minho still feels himself getting nervous when they reach their halfway point far past noon. They should have had their lunch break here about an hour earlier, they should have turned back by now. It’s not that the road is difficult, it’s that it’s impossible. The creators of this godless Maze have a new hitter with this section, it’s somehow different from every other segment Minho has run.

He’s used to thinking that he owns the place like he runs it, that he could find his way inside and out, blindfolded, in the dead of night. Today is making Minho doubt himself like he never has before. When at last they reach the turning back point, Y/N and Minho lock eyes and decide not to eat their lunch. There’s no time for a break, not when they’re so late already. He pushes aside the dull ache in his stomach and keeps going.

It’s harder and harder to keep his spirits up. Even though he’s already been down most of the section this morning, it’s no easier to find his way back. His already existing stress just builds and builds until Minho second guesses himself at every turn. Y/N’s no better, he can tell that, but at least the two of them are halfway decent at doing this together. They can keep each other in check long enough to make it out, Minho is certain of it. Or, he’d like to be certain of it. He’s not sure what he believes in anymore, nothing really matters in this face of the Maze.

Truth be told, he’s getting really worried. The sky is darkening at a far too rapid rate, and although Minho would like nothing more than to thrust his hands up and beg the time to stop long enough for them to just get out, it’s far too late in the afternoon. They should have been out of the Maze for at least half an hour by now, yet they’re still running. It’s not good, to say the least.

At last, they make the final turn and spot the Doors up ahead. Minho glances towards Y/N, sparing enough time to flash her a quick grin before picking up his pace even despite his screaming lungs and legs. They’ve barely turned the corner, though, when the ground starts shaking beneath his feet.

It takes Minho a couple of moments to realize what’s going on, why it sounds like thunder even without a drop of rain. He should know this sound from hearing it twice per day, yet for some reason being on this side of the Maze when the Doors start to close makes it completely, utterly foreign.

That’s what’s happening, after all, the Doors are closing and Minho is about to be locked out. His breath surges in his chest, absolutely terrified. He can’t be dying now, not after everything. He sprints with everything he has, Y/N right beside him. They have to get out, but they can’t. They’re too far away.

Still, he tries. They both do. The gap is already shrinking, just out of reach. Minho’s steps start to slow for just a second as he realizes that this is impossible, that there’s no way he can actually make it in time. Just before the Doors shut fully, though, something slams into him from behind and he’s pushed through.

A half second later, Minho is standing on the other side of the Doors. He doesn’t know how it happened until he turns back and sees Y/N still in the Maze, and then he knows. She must have shoved him through just in time, but she won’t make it now. Minho has just enough time to lock eyes with her before the Doors slam together, and then she’s gone, gone forever.

Minho stalks towards the Doors as if expecting them to open again, but there’s nothing, no movement from the solid stone. He raises a hand to them tentatively, then slams his fist into the Doors, again and again until it comes back bloody. There’s a hand on his arm, Newt maybe, trying to guide him away, but Minho shakes him loose as if the boy were a fly. 

Minho shouts until his voice is hoarse, begging for any sign that Y/N is somewhere on the other side, but his screams go unanswered. At last, he’s exhausted, and barely manages to drag himself to the Map Room. He has to get this down so Y/N’s sacrifice won’t be in vain.

He walks into the Map Room and stares at the model in the middle of the room, scarcely able to concentrate long enough to register that he’s in the right place. Minho reaches for the door to the supply closet to grab a pencil and paper, and stares uncomprehendingly as stacks of boxes slide out at him, puddling around his feet like a cardboard sea.

It hits him then, that this was his doing, his supposed prank on Y/N from yesterday. It feels like he set it up centuries ago, and the weight of everything he’s just lost comes crashing back down on his shoulders. Minho slumps to the ground, sitting in the mess he’s made. He can’t believe that Y/N would do that, save him when it meant damning herself. 

Truth be told, he’s not sure if he would have made the same choice as easily as her. When it comes down to it, would Minho have saved Y/N, or would he have been content that at least he wouldn’t have died alone? Would he have even realized that was a possibility in the first place? He’d like to say that he would have done it every time, but he won’t know for sure until he’s in a position like that again.

Everyone is treading carefully around Minho, he can see that. The second he sits down at a table to pretend to eat his dinner, everyone either flashes him brief sympathetic glances or just looks away completely, as if by not meeting his gaze they won’t have to deal with what just happened.

Minho kind of wants to do something to force them to think about it, like clamber up onto a table and start shouting about how they’re all being useless shanks by sitting around and pretending nothing ever happened. It’s not like any of them could possibly do anything, not really, but at least he’d feel better than this constant guiltiness.

He can’t sleep at all that night, too caught up in the fact that Y/N is out there somewhere, absolutely terrified, if she hasn’t already died. That, too, is almost unmentionable. What will he do if he’s out running the next day and finds her, broken and bloody, no longer able to laugh with him or even draw a single breath? It might kill him too.

The sky brightens eventually, although Minho has yet to be convinced that the day has actually begun. Maybe it’s just one endless night forever, again and again until there is no end to any of this. Minho sees a couple of Gladers starting to get up and stares at them, confused, until he realizes that they’re Runners, which means that he has to get up too.

That’s the worst part about all of this, how he’s expected to go about his day and head into the Maze once more as if he didn’t just lose Y/N. He doesn’t know if he can do this. Frypan asks if he wants to sit the day out, but Minho’s already up, so he just shrugs and says that he has nothing else to do. It’s true, but not a good excuse, and both boys know it.

Minho finds himself standing outside the Doors with a small crowd of Gladers. Most of the others are still asleep, having assumed that today will play out the way every other day does, in which those who stay in the Maze overnight will be dead. That’s the way it’s always been, but Minho still finds himself silently praying that Y/N might be the exception.

Newt walks over to Minho just before the time comes. “You going to be alright?”

Minho lifts a shoulder, voice dull. “I don’t think I have a choice.”

A rumbling sound emanates throughout the Glade, and Minho turns his fragmented attention back towards the Doors. Despite the odds, he still feels his spirits fall when he notices that nobody is there waiting for him. He didn’t realize how much hope he was still holding out that Y/N would survive until he’s faced with this empty corridor.

Minho stands there a moment longer, just staring and watching his very soul bleed away from him, and then he sees it. A flicker of movement, just at the end of the hallway stretching out before him. Minho doesn’t know for certain until he’s already moving, and then he’s running as fast as he can towards Y/N.

Y/N, who is by some miracle still alive, who’s limping towards him around the corner. Minho runs faster than he ever has before until he’s before her. He wraps his arms around her before he knows what he’s doing, pulling her so close that they might become one and the same. His eyes flicker shut, at last dropping off the last bit of his stress.

“You’re alright,” he says, barely able to manage the syllables.

“Mostly,” Y/N mumbles against his shoulder. He holds her closer anyway.

At last, Minho reluctantly lets her go, immediately starting to scan her for injuries. Her ankle looks bad, maybe twisted, but other than a few scrapes and gashes on her arms, she’s mostly unharmed. It’s a miracle.

Y/N arches a brow as if she can tell what he’s thinking. “Surprised to see me?”

Minho laughs quietly. “Something like that. Mainly relieved that you made it out.”

She smirks. “Of course I made it out. Did you really think I’d ever let you stay the fastest Runner forever?”

“Not a chance,” Minho breathes, “I need you more than anyone else here.” 

Her smile widens into something genuine. She’s not gone, he’s alright. Nothing could ever be better.

And, see– that’s the problem, isn’t it? You wouldn’t mind the flirting if you were anywhere else. If this were a better world, you’d have your memories and you wouldn’t be in the Maze and if Minho flirted with you, you’d do it back in a heartbeat. You’ve harbored a small crush since you first met him, and some days, you want nothing more than to cave and let Minho know that his efforts haven’t been in vain.

The moment you let yourself start thinking about, though, you remember all too well that it won’t come true. The Glade needs you focused. You have a job here, and you won’t let Minho’s absentminded flirting get in the way of it.

It’s tempting, though, it always is, and he’s starting to wear you down. This morning, Minho’s on his day off from running the Maze, and for some reason he’s chosen to spend his down time with you instead of sleeping in or loafing around like the other Runners.

It was a good gamble on his part, too. Minho catches you laughing at one of his jokes and beams as if he’s just won a contest. “See, there’s that pretty smile! I knew it was in there somewhere.”

Instantly, you try to stay serious again, but your smile can’t help but keep flickering back. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m working, Minho, I’d never let myself get distracted.”

Minho pouts exaggeratedly. “But I’m a wonderful distraction.” When you don’t immediately agree, his normally confident smile slips slightly. “You would tell me if you wanted me to leave, though, wouldn’t you? Alby says I’m harassing you too much.”

“You’re not,” you reply automatically, surprising yourself with the quickness of your response. “I mean, I’d never let you distract me that much. Yeah.”

A knowing grin starts sliding over Minho’s face. “I think what I’m hearing is that I’ve got a chance, then. Is that true, Y/N?”

You tentatively meet his eyes. “Depends. I’m an awful lot of work.”

“I’m a hard worker,” Minho tells you. “I bet I could figure it out.”

At last, you stop trying to hold back your smile. “Then yeah, I would say that you have a chance. Better not waste it.”

“I won’t,” Minho promises, immediately swooping forward to press a kiss to your cheek. It occurs to you that loving Minho might not be as bad as you worried. In fact, it might even be perfect.

maze runner tag list: @blondsauduun, @ellobruv, @retvenkos, @neewtmas, @mayfieldss, @hiya-itsamber, @gods-fools-heroes, @hope92100, @23victoria, @w1shes43, @imwaysthelastchoice, @fadedver, @il0vebeingdelulu