It had started few weeks after their arrival in Paradise. Things were going well in their little community. Everyone had a job, everyone knew what they had to do.

They had decided that they needed a small leader group in order to keep things running and Minho had immediately proposed himself as one of the leaders. Everyone accepted it, given the natural leadership the teen had. It wasn't for nothing that "The Leader" was tattooed on his neck.

Surprisingly, he had also wanted Thomas to be on that team. Since Thomas wasn't sure any of the jobs fitted him, he accepted Minho's invitation, even though he was recalcitrant at first. But it turned out well and Thomas got to spend time with Minho, which was really all he wanted.

But even after moving to a small cabin together, going to the beach alone, and spending most of their time glued to the hips, they still felt like something was missing.

So one day, Minho proposed to go on a run together. To bring back some sort of normality to their life. Even if the brown-haired boy hadn't been a Runner for as long as the Keeper, he agreed that it'll indeed be something familiar. Something he felt he was good at, and that was something he terribly needed to feel again.

It became a routine. It was their moment together. Just the two of them.

They loved it. It was their favorite moment in the day. They often changed routes, exploring different part of Paradise. Sometime it was on the beach, other times in the small forest close by.

Months passed by. Those daily runs with Minho made it so much better for Thomas. He could finally feel better about everything and it was such an amazing feeling. He was smiling more, laughing more – mostly at Minho's jokes because he was the number one person in making Thomas laugh – and was overall happier then he had ever been.

That morning wasn't different.

After a quick breakfast with the others, they prepared themselves, taking some snacks and water with them, putting on their running shoes, before going into the forest. They wanted to go to the clearing they found some weeks ago on their run.

It was still early in the morning. The air was crisp and the sun wasn't too strong yet. It was perfect. Following Minho down the paths they both created along with the other immunes who often went into the forest, Thomas was reminded once again of the time spent into the Maze. But only the pleasant part of it.

He was reminded of how tough and reliable Minho was when they were in the Maze. He was reminded of that time when they discovered the Griever hole. He was reminded of the bond they formed during those times. He was reminded of them becoming best friends.

Following Minho was natural. He knew when the boy was about to make a turn or go faster or slower. Running alongside the leader was the best feeling because it showed they were a team. A duo. Something unbreakable. It warmed Thomas's heart every time he thought about it.

Minho started to slow down, making them take a walking pace, allowing the dark-haired boy to grab the water bottle from his backpack. After taking few sips from it, he passed it to Thomas who drank, thirstier then he imagined he was.

"We're not so far" Minho said, voice sturdy as if he hadn't been running. After all this time, Thomas was still impressed by his friend's capacities. "We'll get there in like 20 minutes. Think you can keep up with me?" he added, sarcastically.

Thomas bumped him on the shoulder, more for the sake of it than him really being hurt. He knew his best friend by heart now.

"Then, let's race!"

Taking the boy by surprise, Minho started sprinting, already knowing his friend was going to follow him in his childish antics.

"You cheater!" Thomas screamed, sprinting to catch up, a big smile on his face.

"You'll never catch me Greenie!" the leader teased, running as fast as possible. Thomas was laughing as he chased down his friend. When had he been this happy before? The adrenaline, the playfulness and childishness he never was able to get as it had been taken from him, this moment with his best friend, the person that meant the most to him, his past behind him with even happier moments ahead of him… It was like flying. Free from everything.

Floating on this feeling, he didn't realize at first that they had arrived at the clearing.

"I won" Minho said smugly while catching his breath.

"Yeah because you cheated" Thomas replied, pushing his friend playfully.

"That's part of the game, shank!"

"No it's not!" Thomas was about to shove Minho again when his friend took him by surprise once again by pushing him to the ground along with him

The two boys started wrestling, rolling in the grass, fighting to get on top. Thomas never had so much fun, never felt so free.

Free to race. Free to fight like a kid. Free to live.

Their combined laughter was all he could hear. Minho's smile was all he could see. He never wanted it to stop. He always wanted to feel that joy in his heart.

Their playful battle came to a stop when Minho, the strongest of the too, managed to pin Thomas to the ground, both of the younger boy's wrist in his grip, holding them in the grass besides the brown-haired head, his face inches from his friend's…

"I won, Tommyboy" he said again, voice lower than before.

Their laughter died, replaced with a strange yet strong feeling in their chests.

Thomas could hear his heart pumping and wondered for a moment if he was also hearing Minho's heart. The morning quietness was still present and the silence allowed him to hear every breaths, every shifts, from Minho, as they realized in what position they were in.

It was… intimate. So oddly intimate. And yet, Thomas wanted to stay like this forever. He wanted Minho to keep staring at him like he was discovering him for the first time, like he was the only person in the world.

Instinct took over.

Minho leaned in and softly pressed his lips to Thomas's, kissing him so delicately as if what he was doing shouldn't be allowed, a temptation that should have never been crossed, amplified by a pinch to the heart indicating that it should have been crossed a long time ago.

It was such a huge contrast to the roughness he previously showed, but Thomas could not bring himself to care because Minho was SHUCKING KISSING HIM! And he was liking it so much!

Nothing made sense in his head, in his body, except that he needed Minho. He wanted everything. His body still trapped under his best friend, he moaned, hoping the boy would get the hint.

He did, and soon enough, the kiss was deepened, unleashing what seemed to be months if not more of suppressed passion, lust and love.

Thomas was feeling overpowered by it, his wrists still in Minho's controls, but he loved every moment of it. Wave and wave of pure pleasure kept crashing down on him and he could only guess Minho was feeling the same as his movements became more desperate. His body moved accordingly, pressing against Thomas's in a way that made him feel completely safe and surrounded. Surrounded by the only person he just realized he wanted that close to him. And re couldn't believe how good it was.

They parted, breath short and uneven. They stared at each other, speechless. What were you supposed to say after making out with your best friend?

Instead, they laughed once again as fondness filled their eyes. Minho released Thomas and went to hug him close.

"How long?" they both asked at the same time, which only added to their laughter.

"I don't know" Thomas said after they calmed down. "Does it matter?"

"No" Minho replied "what's important is right now I guess."

"Yeah…"

They kissed again, taking their time exploring this new thing in their relationship, those new feelings. Because they just realized they were in love with each other all this time and needed to make up for lost time.

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