#subjecta5

Newt sighed and ran a hand through his choppy blond locks. His palms became clammy. The dullness of the glade that had pressed heavily on the inhabitants was nothing compared to what wracked his body right now. Even the dread and fear of stepping out into the maze seemed minesquel right about now. All around the glade, the boys were preparing whatever they needed. They walked by, their faces cast down, a shadow of fear plastered where happiness had once been. He limped across the glade, crunching the dry grass underneath his worn out shoes. He stopped in his tracks and almost retreated. His heart leaped up into his throat. He couldn’t move his legs. He just stared down at his feat, the panic crawling across his body and seeping through the cracks in his skin.

“Newt?” at the mention of his own name, he flinched and turned to face the person he had decided to meet. Her face was plastered with worry as he turned to face her fully. Behind her gentle eyes, something was being pushed back into the depths of her mind. Just looking at her usually sent all his worries into the griever hole, but today, right now, it just worsened the symptoms, “You alright?”, she went to touch his arm but he moved out of her grasp. The motion would’ve hurt her any other day, but right now she was too focused on what lie ahead of her and the gladers.

“I...I uhm...I just wanted to make sure you really want to go through with this.” He bit his lip, a reminder that he was being too paranoid. Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked to her feet, making him want to run a hand through her hair to comfort her...but he didn’t. For a split second his fingers twitched like they were about to reach up, but he didn’t dare.

“To be quite honest, no...but...you know, when you wake up surrounded by twenty-nine guys, and continue to be surrounded by them and more for two years,” she paused to push a stray hair behind her ear and took a deep breath, “you learn that you’d do anything for any of them...some more than others,” she paused again to look up at him but continued, “so if we really can get out, we have to try, right?”

“Right. Utterly and completely right.” Newt pressed his hand to his chin. Y/N searched his face, as if not really believing his response, “Y/N, there’s something else…”

“Hm?” She rose one eyebrow. The rest of the world shut out as he took a shuddering breath. Everything closed in on her. Her sweet, gentle eyes, that smile...it seemed like all his anxieties had crawled out through his ears and began to push him down into the earth by his shoulders. There were countless outcomes to this situation...countless things he could say...he shook his head and took another deep breath. He lifted his head once more, the fear and panic drained from his face as determination seeped up from his neck.

“Okay, listen, I know if I don’t do this now,” He stepped closer to her, wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her into his bubble. Her eyes went wide as she stared up in confusion, “I may not get the chance later…” his voice was soft before he dipped his head and like a feather, pressed his lips ever so lightly against hers. As if she’d break. Instead of freezing, she willed herself to move her lips the smallest bit, attempting to put her feelings into it. Her hand went to grip his elbow as he held her in place. And just like that, it was over. Only a few seconds. Newt slowly pulled away in attempt to read her expression. When he saw her face fully, a big goofy grin was slapped onto her lips.

“Glad it took a life or death situation for that…” She muttered, letting out a breathy laugh. Newt let out an identical one and pressed his forehead to hers. For two years, this girl had been Everyone’s best friend. His best friend. His partner. The beam of light in this enclosed prison. He was going to do everything in his power to make sure that light left this lonely place.