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"You don't suppose there really is a way out, do you?" Newt asks.Really, he was beginning to fail to see the point of running this thing every day. At this point, they'd run the whole Maze. There was just no way out. Newt was sure that Minho could see that just as clearly.Minho turns around. Newt didn't think they really had to stop running, but he wasn't opposed to a break, either. And besides; Min was the Keeper of the Runners. If he thought it was fine, then it probably would be. Minho leans back against the wall of the Maze, sliding down to sit on the floor. He pats the concrete beside him, gesturing for the blond to join him. Newt, of course, obliges."Nah," Minho says finally. "Yeah, we're totally shucked. There ain't a way outta here." He sighs. "But Nick says we gotta keep runnin'. For morale, or whatever."Well, this was certainly not the conversation Newt had been expecting. Where was the confident Minho that always told him anything was possible?"Or so it seems, you mean," Newt presses.Minho considers this. "...Yeah, no. There's no way outta this thing." He hesitates when he sees Newt's incredulous expression. "Think about it this way; have you ever found anything that could lead to us gettin' out?"Newt does mull it over. The answer was no, of course, because there was nothing to find. Maybe they were right, then. They were stuck in a Maze without an exit. Was that just something they were going to have to come to terms with? Or was there something they were overlooking? It was all so frustrating. "So we run this every day for nothing, then," Newt concludes."Exactly right," Minho says, gesturing at him with a finger gun before standing back up. "Well, come on, then, dove. The walls will be closin' soon."Newt's brow furrows. He gets up and follows his friend all the same, but he's very confused. Where the hell had that nickname come from? They weren't really nickname people. Well, Newt was, but Minho wasn't. "What was that?" Newt demands."What was what?" Minho asks. "Why'd you call me that?" Newt elaborates. "You've never called me that before."Minho shrugs. The action is barely visible in the gloom of the Maze, especially since the older boy is still running. But Newt catches it. He always catches these sorts of things. It's just what he's good at. "I dunno," Minho finally answers. "You're pale like a dove, I guess. And clearly ya don't like it, so I'm not gonna stop usin' it."Newt rolls his eyes, but doesn't bite back. He'd never admit it, but he's really not so mad about the nickname. It doesn't sound so bad when Minho says it. And so they keep running, and so they fall into silence. This leaves Newt alone with his thoughts. His thoughts hadn't been very kind to him lately. It seemed, of course, that they were only going to get worse. It was becoming a problem. What was wrong with him, Newt wondered? Why did every little thing cause him to despair these days? Why had everything begun to feel so helpless and taxing? Newt was beginning to wonder if there was even a point to any of this. Maybe there wasn't.And if there was no way out..."Hey, dude," Minho calls out. Newt looks up, finally free from the shackles of his own mind. "Forgot to tell you this at lunch."Now Newt is intrigued. They always gossiped while they ran, but Minho hadn't had any good dirt this morning."But Nick totally has the hots for you," Minho says.Newt finds such a notion absolutely absurd. "No he hasn't," he says. "Nick's the straightest guy I've ever met.""You're gay in a Maze full of guys, and you'll still be single for the rest of your life," Minho says teasingly. "Your mindset 'bout this is horrible."Newt rolls his eyes again. "I like being single, thanks very much."Minho laughs at him. "Dunno how you do it, man," he teases. "If there was a girl in here, we'd be dating in, like, three days flat.""No way you could woo anyone in three days," Newt scoffs. "You're far too bloody obnoxious for that."Minho stops running again. At this rate, they're never going to make it back to the Glade. Newt stops running all the same, waiting for Minho to say something as he catches his breath. This felt impending. Like something big was going to come of it."I could woo anyone in the world," Minho says matter-of-factly. "Hell, I could pull you in three days, if I really felt like it."Newt quirks an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?""Yeah!""I'd like to see you try," Newt says, and then he starts running again. "Fine," Minho says. "It's a bet, then.""Fine," Newt agrees. "What are the stakes?""If I win," Minho begins, "you have to write a love song about me and perform it for the whole Glade.""If I win, you have to let me pick the next shank to become a Runner," Newt says."I accept these terms," Minho says as they make it back into the Glade. "Shall we shake on it?" He offers a hand to Newt."We shall," Newt agrees, shaking his friend's outstretched hand."C'mon you two, what have I said about racing?"Newt nearly jumps. He hadn't noticed Nick standing there. The man had a way of sneaking up on you. The racing thing was totally off, but Newt does realize that this is not a bet he should go around telling just anyone about, so he hangs his head and plays along. "That it defeats the purpose of the buddy system."Nick nods. "It's just plain dangerous. Surely you know better than to join in on Minho's antics, Newt."But he's not angry about it. Newt has never heard Nick be angry at anyone before. He's such a cheerful, light-hearted person, and he reflects that energy every single day. It's what makes him such a good leader. Everyone just wants to listen to him. "Yes, sir," Newt says playfully, saluting him. "Won't happen again."Nick laughs, and nods, and goes off to make more of his rounds. Nick was a great leader. Newt wasn't sure how he did it. How'd he even have time to do all these things in the run of a day? Sure, he had Alby to help him, but running the Glade was a lot of work for only two people."Well, I guess we should head to the Map Room now," Minho announces. "Just the two of us. Sure hope nothin' happens."Newt rolls his eyes and elbows his friend in the ribs. "C'mon, Min, you're gonna have to try harder than that. 'M not that easy."Minho laughs, tells him to just wait and see, and then leads him to the Map Room. He even holds the door for Newt. He's taking this more seriously than Newt thought he would. It's actually a little disconcerting. "Shall we discuss the parameters of the bet, then?" Newt prompts. "How do we know how it ends?""If you kiss me in the next three days, then I win," Minho tells him. "If you don't, then I lose. Easy."Newt nods slowly. "So I've got this shuck win in the bag, then. Prepare to suffer a great defeat.""Whatever you say, dove," Minho says. And there's that nickname again. "But I think I'll surprise you. You'd better start brain-stormin' for that song."Newt says nothing. He was not going to be wooed by his best friend. This was Minho, after all. There wasn't a single appealing thing about him. Newt was absolutely going to win this. There was no way he could lose."Here," Minho says. "You wanna do the maps today?"Newt doesn't get an opportunity to respond before Minho has dropped paper and a pencil on the table in front of him. So Newt starts sketching out their route, which is the same as always. There isn't even really a point to mapping out anymore. The paths never actually changed out of their normal sections. That's when a hand lands on the back of his thigh. Of course. This was all an evil scheme. Newt's eyes widen. Minho's chest is way too close to his back. And when that hand starts to gravitate up a little higher... "Watch it," Newt says, smacking Minho's hand away. "Your sneaky hands aren't doin' you any favors. I don't take kindly to shanks that grab my ass."Minho's hand very quickly moves to the side and back up to rest at the small of Newt's back. He's not pleased about this, either, but it's more acceptable placement than last time. This feels more domestic, more caring, more like it's going to be effective. Newt doesn't push Minho's hand off of him, though. He can't come up with a reason to. Not one that wouldn't count as him trying to cheat the bet. "Oh, I see," Minho says slowly. "You prefer a nice, slow courting. I can play it that way." He pauses. "Do I get bonus points if I get in your pants during the three days?""...Alright, whatever's goin' on here, I really don't wanna know."So now was a really bad time for Alby to walk in. Newt absolutely needs to explain himself before this whole thing blows up in his face. It was a small Glade. Word got around fast. Not everyone was as supportive as one might think. If this got out, his life would be over."We're not hooking up," Newt manages.That's all he gets out before Alby sighs and leaves, shutting the door behind him. Well, that was just great. Absolutely fantastic. "That's not good, huh," Minho says."I'll talk to him later."Minho's hand falls to Newt's hip. The blond instantly feels his face heat up, but he tells himself it's because of the awkward situation he's in, and not because Minho has any effect on him. Besides repulsion, of course. Or maybe it's just that Minho's hand placement is everything he could ever want, but that's not Newt's fault. And it has nothing to do with Minho himself."Or," Minho says, "now that your reputation is compromised, you can admit you're into me.""I'm absolutely not into you," Newt informs him. "And this pushy thing really ain't doin' it for me."Minho stops touching him. Thankfully. He was taking this dumb bet really seriously. Even though he didn't stand a chance. Because he didn't. There was nothing about him that Newt found any kind of attractive, and that wasn't going to change. Certainly not in three days. "I'm going to talk to Alby," Newt announces. "So better luck tomorrow."Minho quirks an eyebrow. "The night's still young, dove.""You're not going to ask?" Newt prompts as he locates Alby in the Homestead. Alby has not yet questioned him. As is Alby's way, he's barely spared Newt a second glance. He's been this way ever since Nick appointed him as second in command, and so Newt is used to it. The blond sits down on the bench beside him and waits for the older boy to speak."I've decided I don't want to know," Alby says plainly. "If you two are sneakin' around to hook up in the Map Room, I don't wanna know about it."Newt sighs. "So you don't even care to question it? You've just accepted it?""Do I have reason to question it?"Newt groans, dropping his head onto the table. What, so people were just fine with this? Newt and Minho's new "relationship" didn't even come as to a shock to them? This was just absurd. Alby had to be messing with him. "It's not real," Newt says irritated. "'S all a stupid bet we made."Alby frowns pointedly. "What kinda bet involves Minho grabbin' your ass?""'S only part of it," Newt informs him. "He's tryin' to get me to kiss him. That's the bet. He's got three days to do it, or I win."Alby says nothing for a while. It's so hard to tell what Alby's thinking sometimes. Maybe Newt doesn't want to know. Not about this dumb bet. He just needs to make sure Alby knows it's not real. Then he can go back to pretending he doesn't care that he's not Alby's top priority anymore. "I don't get why you bother to accept bets like that," Alby says finally. "Seems like a shuck waste of time to me."And it was. It absolutely was. But it kept Newt busy; or his mind, at least, and that was the part that mattered. That was the part of him that needed to be kept busy. Especially these days. His thoughts never seemed to let him alone these days. "You're worthless" this, and "you're better off dead" that. Newt couldn't catch a break. "Keeps me distracted," Newt answers, shrugging. "Stops me from askin' questions I don't want the answers to."Alby sighs. "Channel that into your job, then. No point in foolin' around with Minho."Alby could stand to do a little more fooling around. Ever since he'd become second in command, he's been so uptight. Newt missed the old Alby sometimes, but he'd never say that out loud. It wasn't right to feel that way. Alby had adapted to be the guy the Glade needed him to be. He just wasn't the guy Newt needed him to be anymore. Newt was going to have to get used to that. "I reckon you're prolly right," Newt admits. "I just wanted to let you know Min and I weren't shackin' up. That's all." He stands up. "I'll let you get back to work."Alby doesn't stop him, so Newt goes off to find Minho. Not that he really wants to go do more with this bet, but he knows Min will have a real conversation, and not treat him like a petulant child. Minho was never too busy for him.He finds Minho in the showers. Given their current situation, it might be counterintuitive to visit him here. Newt finds he doesn't really care. The bet is irrelevant. Newt just needs to talk to his friend. Minho is surprised to see him, but he plays it off very well. Unfortunately, Newt knew him too well to fall for such a charade. "Y'know, dove, seekin' me out in a place like this..." Minho's voice trails off. "You're makin' this bet too easy."Newt rolls his eyes. Yeah. Keep up the 'totally fine' charade. He can't let anyone know how utterly miserable and alienated he's been feeling. He's everyone's good, sunshiney Newt. Always smiling Newt can't afford to have a depressive episode for no damn good reason. "Slim it, Min," Newt says. "This isn't about the bet. I need you as my friend so we can talk about how Alby's always ditchin' us for work."Minho turns to face him, leaning over the half-wall separating them. "Alright, then," he says. "You wanna join me? The water's nice and hot.""C'mon, I'm bein' serious."Minho sighs. "Okay, fine. Yeah, I guess Alby's been busy lately.""I just feel like he doesn't care about us anymore," Newt admits. "He still cares," Minho says. "He's just busy.""Maybe, I dunno," Newt relents. "Maybe I'm just bein' stupid.""You're just feelin' lonely, dove," Minho says. Oh, so this is about the bet again. "I can fix that, y'know." He tops this off with a wink."Oh, yes, I'm sure you can," says Newt sarcastically. "Unfortunately, I'm gonna have to decline your kind offer."Minho laughs at him, muttering something about being in denial as he turns around, shutting off the water. He wraps a towel around his waist and hops out of the stall to stand closer to Newt. He's still soaking wet, little beads of water dripping down his neck and -Oh, come on, Newt, don't look down- running all the way past his toned abdomen.Okay. Newt wasn't attracted to Minho, but he had to admit he had a really nice body. Just, yunno, conventionally. His muscled build -muscled builds in general, more like- was quite a turn on. And his biceps were -ugh, no, Newt, don't think about that either. Well, fine, maybe Minho was a generally attractive guy, but Newt wasn't actually attracted to him. Just... C'mon. You put a wet hot guy in front of him, and Newt's going to look. It's like putting Minho and Gally in a room together; you're inviting a fight to break out.Minho stages a gasp, feigning shock. "Are you checking me out, Newt?""No," Newt says immediately. "Now put some clothes on, will you?"Minho laughs at his distress and begins to get dressed. "Look, dove; I think if you go tell Alby how you feel, he'll make more of an effort. Good that?""Good that," Newt agrees, even though he will absolutely not be doing that under any circumstances. That was just embarrassing. He couldn't talk about his feelings to Alby. Minho finally finishes getting dressed and then comes back over to him, wrapping an arm around his waist. "Well, dove? Shall we get to bed?""I ain't that easy," Newt reminds him. "Surely you could have done better than that.""Right, I forgot you wanted a slow courting," Minho teases, rolling his eyes. "May I kiss you goodnight before we part ways, my dove?"Newt rolls his eyes and whacks him. "You certainly may not."Minho laughs and takes his hand, brining it to his mouth. He presses a kiss to the back of Newt's hand. "Ha! Did it anyway!"And then he runs away. Newt scoffs, and stands there for a moment, and then he makes for the Homestead. Absolutely nothing good would come from this bet. That much, Newt knew for certain. He runs into Alby again on the way to bed. The older boy is having a serious sounding conversation with Nick. The latter spots Newt first and waves him over, disregarding his discussion with Alby. Alby looks quite displeased by this. Newt pretends not to notice."No racing tomorrow, right?" Nick asks teasingly. "No racing," Newt agrees."No shackin' up, neither," Alby tells him. "Quit that dumb bet before you get hurt.""I won't get hurt," Newt says indignantly. "Like you said, 's just some dumb bet."Alby cocks an eyebrow. "Yeah, but you'll fall for him, and then you'll get your feelin's hurt. Ya know you will. It's just who you are. You'd kneel down and blow anyone that gave ya that much of that kinda attention.""I would not," Newt scoffs, crossing his arms. Because he certainly wouldn't. Alby was just making stuff up at this point. Newt had never done anything like that and he didn't plan to. And he certainly didn't plan to do anything like that with Minho. Now Newt just seemed like a slut, and Nick's never going to look at him the same ever again. Why had Alby even cracked a joke like that? They had never joked like that before, and Newt really didn't like it. It's not like he can say anything, though. He's not a sensitive person, and if suddenly he can't take a joke, what reason would Alby even have to talk to him?"Am I missing something here?" Nick asks."Newt and Minho made a dumb bet," Alby answers. "Minho's got three days to get Newt to kiss him. I think it's a total shuck waste of time."Nick frowns. "...Yeah, Newt, that doesn't seem like the smartest idea. Do you even have the time to do this? You guys can't slack off in the Maze. It's not safe.""Hey!"Speak of the devil. Minho immediately comes over and stands beside Newt, slinging an arm over his shoulders. Newt quickly pushes it off. Minho is so losing this bet. "What d'you want?""Forgot to say goodnight to you," Minho tells him. "So, my dove, I bid you goodnight. Sleep well. And you can always come find me if you get lonely. I'll make ya feel real loved."Newt rolls his eyes. "In your dreams, slinthead.""Oh, of course I dream about having you in my bed," Minho teases. "Who doesn't?""That's not helpin' your case," Newt informs him. "Why can't you have good intentions? I'm more likely to kiss a shank with good intentions.""Right," Minho says. "Should I offer your father goats in exchange for your hand in marriage, then?"Newt scoffs and whacks him again. "Yunno, that would win ya more favor than your current ploy is. Have some class. Be a proper suitor."Minho rolls his eyes. "A proper suitor. Sorry, dude, didn't realize I was courting the princess of Wales here.""'S almost like you don't want me to kiss you.""Sorry, sorry," Minho says playfully, raising his hands in surrender. "Princess.""Alright, I ain't kissin' ya for that one.""Aw, c'mon, dove, you know you want to.""I can assure you I do not."Minho leans over and kisses him on the cheek. Immediately, Newt's face heats up. Not a good sign. But how was that Newt's fault? Minho can't just go around doing that without asking first. "Then why is your face so red?""Cause you're bloody embarrassin', that's why," Newt says. "This bet is supposed to be a private thing, remember?"Minho sighs teasingly. Then he looks at Nick, smirks, and looks back at Newt. "Sounds like you just don't want someone to think you're spoken for.""'M not spoken for," Newt says indignantly. "You're not winnin' this shuck bet. There's no way I'm kissin' you. 'M nauseous just thinkin' about it."Minho winks at him. "We'll see about that, won't we?" Then he offers Newt his arm. "Might I tuck you into bed, my dove? Assure your dreams are as sweet as you?"Newt laughs at him. And then he considers it. "I suppose," he agrees, taking Minho's arm. Minho pumps his fist in the air triumphantly. Then he looks over at Nick and Alby. "If you'll excuse me, gentlemen, duty calls."Then Minho guides him upstairs. Alby and Nick have the courtesy to wait until they're nearly out of ear shot to burst out laughing. Quite frankly, Newt's trying his hardest not to try in. This whole thing was just so ridiculous.But Minho, as promised, tucks him into bed. Actually, it was very funny. Not at all romantic, but maybe that's what made it so endearing. Newt was almost surprised when Minho didn't try to get into bed with him. "Goodnight, sweet dove," Minho whispers, brushing Newt's hair out of his face. "I'll see you in the morning."Then Minho bends down and presses a kiss to his forehead. It's hot, searing hot, and sends shivers running down Newt's spine. Minho leaves then, but the heat of his kiss lingers for long after that. Who did he think he was, doing something like that?

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Minho had this win in the bag. C'mon; he'd seen how red Newt's face had gotten last might. His sweet songbird could deny it all he wanted, but Minho knew the blond was into him. The content, peaceful look on Newt's face after Minho had kissed him goodnight? That wasn't platonic.And last night had just been the start of it all. Minho was going to step up his game for today. He was going to get Newt to kiss him. It wouldn't take that much. Newt could claim he liked being single all he wanted, but he was as touch deprived as they come. Some well-considered hand placement, and Newt would be falling hard.He meets up with Newt in the kitchens. Newt's sweater is falling off one shoulder. Minho decides that at this point in their bet, it's perfectly acceptable for him to stare at the blond's pronounced collarbones. God, they're arousing. Is that still an acceptable thought? Probably not. That one might be a little far."There you are," Minho says loudly, crossing the room to stand next to Newt. "How'd you sleep?""Quite well, actually," Newt answers. His cheeks are a little more colored than usual. Aw, cute; he's so thinking about how Minho kissed him goodnight."I bet you'd sleep even better if you were in my arms," Minho suggests. "I'd keep you warm.""Think I'll pass on that one, actually," Newt decides. "Nice try, though, mate."Minho's gaze drifts back down to the blond's bare shoulder. "Yeah, I'd mate with you," he says without thinking."What?" Newt asks."What?" Minho repeats, trying to play it off. Newt frowns at him. "Your dumb sex ploys aren't doin' ya any favors.""Yeah, yeah, sorry, dove," Minho says. "It just slipped out. Couldn't help myself."Newt rolls his eyes, but says nothing. Ugh, that attitude. Minho wondered how fast it would disappear when he had the blond pinned underneath him. Woah. That was not a thought he should be having. Maybe Minho was taking this bet a little too far."Shall we eat then, little songbird?" Minho prompts, offering his hand to Newt. Newt wrinkles his nose at the petname. "Sure," he agrees, "but I ain't holdin' your hand."Minho could live with that. Frypan looks at them funny as they approach. He gives them food with an expression that demands answers. That was fair enough. This whole thing would be quite confusing to anyone that hadn't been provided with the context. "I'm courting Newt," Minho informs him."No, he's not," Newt says."Right," Fry says hesitantly. "Gotcha.""It's a bet," Newt continues.Frypan nods slowly, finally understanding. "I see," he says. "Well, good luck, then.""Thank you," Newt says."He was talking to me," Minho tells him."He definitely wasn't.""Alright, you win," Minho says. He looks at Fry. "Marriage is all about sacrifices. You'll learn that some day, dude."Frypan at least has the courtesy to wait until they walk away before he bursts out laughing. Newt does whack Minho for the whole thing, but Minho doesn't really mind. It'll all be worth it when he gets Newt to kiss him. The second they sit down, Minho puts his hand on Newt's thigh. Not in a sexual way, or anything. Minho's not trying to disrespect him. Bet aside, Newt was his best friend in the whole world. Minho didn't want to risk ruining their friendship by making him uncomfortable. "Will you quit that?" Newt says. "I-""What? Does it make you wanna kiss me?""No," Newt says defensively. "But someone's gonna see, and then-"Minho gently squeezes his thigh to cut him off. "I don't think that's why. I think you're starting to fall in love with me.""You wish," Newt says, scoffing. "Fine, then. Keep your dumb hand there. See if I care.""Hey," Minho says gently, speaking seriously this time. Newt's eyes meet his. "If it's making you uncomfortable, I'll stop. Just let me know.""No," Newt says quietly, his cheeks tinting pink. "No, it's alright."Satisfied with his wooing abilities, Minho slides his hand up a little higher. Newt's face gets more red, but he doesn't make a single complaint. Minho absolutely would have stopped if he had. Oh, Minho is so winning this thing. "In love with me yet?" Minho asks."Nope," Newt answers, grinning cockily a him. "Try again later."Minho laughs, and goes back to eating his breakfast. They'll have to head out into the Maze soon. He could curse the responsibilities of a Runner. It'd be hard to put any effort into this bet while they were running. He would, however, have lots of alone time with Newt. He could really use some alone time with Newt. "Are you feelin' better today?" Minho asks, remembering how upset Newt had seemed the night before. "You were pretty shuck mopey last night."Newt sighs, clearly not appreciative of the subject change. "I s'pose."So he wasn't. Minho didn't get why Newt had been so glum lately. Minho had picked up on it, even though no one else had. Even though Newt tried so hard to hide it. So Alby was busy lately; Minho didn't see why that was such a big deal.Maybe Newt was just feeling lonely. Out of the loop. As long as he could get a kiss out of it, Minho was more than happy to keep him company. And maybe, once this bet was over, Newt would realize he wanted to be in a relationship, and accept Nick's blatantly obvious advances."We ought to get runnin', yeah?" Newt adds, an afterthought. "Doors'll open soon."Minho checks his watch. Newt was right. They were running late this morning. Ha. Running. Runners. That was a good one. He refrains from laughing at his own joke, though, so Newt won't think he's insane.So Minho gets up. They really do need to get going. He extends a hang to help Newt to his feet. The blond hesitates, and then begrudgingly accepts it. Minho leads him out to the East Entrance. He doesn't let go. Newt does not comment. This is a win. "Are you really gonna hold my hand the whole day?" Newt asks him. Minho nods. "What happens if we get too sweaty?"Minho shrugs. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." He pauses. "If you don't mind, anyway."Newt looks away. "I don't mind." Then his gaze shifts back to Minho. "Shouldn't ruin your chances, I s'pose. Might sound like cheating.""Well, no one likes a cheater," Minho agrees.Newt's hands are really cold. They've been running all morning, and his hands are still freezing. It's like Minho's been holding a block of ice for hours on end. Quite frankly, though, Minho's not complaining. He was really hot, and holding Newt's hand was serving to cool him down. "Dude, I'm gonna get hypothermia from holdin' your hand," Minho informs him. Newt shrugs. "No one's stoppin' you from lettin' go, mate.""Can't let you go," Minho answers. "You'll be lonely without me.""I'll be fine," Newt says, but he doesn't let go. This is such a win. Newt's totally gonna end up kissing him. Then Minho gets to win, and Newt will realize that he's happier in a relationship, get with Nick, and then Minho won't have to listen to him mope all day. So basically, it was a double win scenario for Minho. "So you like holdin' my hand," Minho speculates."No," Newt says defensively. "I just don't wanna sabotage ya. Bet's gotta be fair."He totally liked Minho holding his hand. He was just too stubborn to admit it. Minho was so winning. He was basically handing Nick a relationship with Nick wrapped in a big bow here. Ugh. Nobody recognized Minho's real contributions to the Glade."You look very pretty today, by the way," Minho says, deciding to take it up a notch. "You never look disgusting after running. I dunno how you do it.""So you're sayin' I don't look... disgusting," Newt ventures. "I thought you were supposed to be the king of charisma, or whatever."Minho rolls his eyes. "Okay, that's not what I meant. I mean to say that most people in this shuck situation would look disgusting, but you look just as beautiful as you always do. It basically defies biology, you're so shuckin' attractive.""Aw, Min," Newt says, leaning over to whack him with his free hand. "Real cheesy, mate, but you still ain't gettin' in my pants.""A kiss would suffice," Minho teases, pressing one finger to Newt's lips gently before removing it. Newt rolls his eyes. "My kiss costs more than a few compliments."Minho flashes him his best charismatic smile. "Well, you're certainly right, my dove. Your kiss is invaluable. I was hoping that you'd gift it to me, so I don't have to buy it.""Well, I dunno if you've convinced me I should yet, Min," Newt says playfully. "Oh, I will though," Minho assures him. "Maybe you'll be inclined to give me more than just a kiss." He winks to top off the whole performance.Newt scoffs. "I am never having sex with you.""What? Would that be so horrible?" Minho asks. He'd only been joking, but Newt sounded way too repulsed for Minho to laugh it off now. "It wouldn't mean anything. Just a hook up, so it wouldn't be a big deal. It's not like you're a virgin."Newt says nothing.Okay, so maybe Minho had made an assumption. But if you looked at Newt and Alby, you would think that they'd done each other at least once, too. Now Minho feels bad. He'd definitely made Newt uncomfortable, and that hadn't been his intention. "Sorry, dove," Minho says, speaking seriously now. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, or make assumptions, or anything."Newt shrugs it off. "'S not a big deal.""But hey," Minho jokes, "you and Nick can get to it once this bet is over.""Will you stop it?" Newt asks, sounding genuinely hurt by it. "I've already told you I don't wanna go out with him.""Shoot, my bad. I didn't know that was so upsetting to you," Minho says. "If those jokes frustrated ya so much, why didn't you say anything?"Newt sighs. "I dunno. It didn't really bother me at first, but now..." His voice trails off. "Now just about everything kinda bothers me."Minho was starting to get a little worried about Newt. The blond had seemed really despondent lately, and just generally in a bad way. He was taking absolutely everything a lot harder than he needed to. He needed a good day off, filled with rest and relaxation. That would set him right. "You wanna talk about it?" Minho asks."Since when have you cared about feelings?" Newt presses."Since I became the man of your dreams." Minho winks at him. Newt rolls his eyes. "'S really not that big o' a deal. 'M prolly just overtired. I'll be fine tomorrow."Minho nods slowly. If Newt said it wasn't anything serious, then it wasn't anything serious. Newt was the most realistic, honest person Minho knew. Sure, his lack of sunshiney personality was a little concerning, but it was hard to be positive when you were tired."We can head back now, if you want," Minho offers. "It ain't like we'll find anythin', anyway."Newt quirks an eyebrow. "Won't we get in trouble?""Not if we don't get caught.""So your genius plan is to hide in the Map Room all afternoon?" Newt asks, incredulous.Minho shrugs. "Well, I can think of a way to pass the time." He winks."'M gonna tell Alby you're sexually harassin' me," Newt teases. "Then you're gonna get locked in the Slammer all day, and you'll lose by default.""All I do is worry about you, and this is the thanks I get?" Minho asks sarcastically. "Sorry for carin', then, shuckface."Newt shoots him a look. "Callin' me that ain't helpin'," he says. "And you only care cause you want me to kiss ya."Minho frowns. Okay, sure; maybe that was how it looked, but he actually was worried. And it was a bit upsetting to discover that Newt had so little faith in him. "That ain't why I'm doin' this," Minho says. "I'm doin' this because I care about you, and you need to take a break before you shuckin' worry yourself to death."Newt stares at him in disbelief. Minho sees the exact moment his eyes soften. "I told you I'm fine.""You told me you were tired, which means you're exhausted," Minho corrects him. "And that's basically a cry for help. So I'm helpin' ya. C'mon. Get some sleep."Newt looks around the room for dramatic effect. "In the Map Room," he repeats. "Where am I supposed to get any sleep in here?"Minho sighs. Newt had a great point there. There really wasn't anywhere to sleep in here. Nowhere comfortable, at least, and that was the same thing. He hadn't thought this out. Very well, then. Minho would just have to improvise. So he sits down on the floor, leaning back against the wall. Newt watches him curiously. He pats the ground beside him. The blond hesitates, and then reluctantly sits down beside him. Minho gently grabs the backs of his thighs, lifting the younger boy's legs on top of his own. Newt stares at him, confused. "I guess I'm a little softer than the floor," Minho says. "Don't let this get to your head," Newt says quickly. "I'm just really buggin' tired. It doesn't mean anything."But the blond falls against Minho's chest, head tucked under his chin. Minho is absolutely letting this get to his head. He's totally gonna win this thing. Though, he finds, the more time passes, the less he cares about the bet, and the more he cares about seeing Newt happy. Was that weird? Probably. It was his own head playing tricks on him. Minho wraps his arms around Newt's waist, both hands settling on his far hip. Minho likes the way it feels to hold him. That was an very odd and very precarious thing to think about your best friend, but it was the truth. "Remember," Newt whispers. "'S only cause 'm tired.""Sure, sweet dove," Minho says. "Whatever you say."Newt doesn't answer after that. He falls asleep quite quickly. He must have really needed this. At some point, he nestles in closer. Minho counts that as a win, too. His left arm is totally asleep, but Minho can't bring himself to care. Newt's sleeping so soundly, so peacefully, it would be a crime to disturb hm. So Minho brings his right hand up to the back of Newt's head, fingers threading through blond curls. Minho has no idea how he manages to keep it so soft all the time. Ugh, he's just so pretty, and he has no idea.Okay. It seemed to Minho that this bet was beginning to backfire on him. He was supposed to be the one pulling Newt. How the hell was Newt pulling him? Because that had to be what he was feeling. The urge to keep him happy all the time? The way Newt seemed so ethereal and perfect to him all of a sudden? Or maybe... maybe he always had? None of it could be platonic. Uh oh. He was in love with his best friend. Well, maybe 'in love' was taking it a little far. Minho wasn't in love with him. That's not something you ever get over. He was just attracted to Newt. You could overcome attraction any day. It wasn't love. So it was... What? Sex appeal? There was something oddly alluring about a pretty boy without any experience. Minho was not in love with his best friend.The door opens. Minho should have locked the door. Newt wouldn't want anyone to see him like this, all soft and vulnerable. But it's only Alby. Newt would be fine if it was only Alby. They've been friends longer than he and Minho have.Alby's eyes widen as he takes in the scene. He opens his mouth to speak, but Minho cuts him off."Stay quiet," Minho whispers. "You better not wake him up. He really needs this."Alby sighs in exasperation, but does not retort. Minho's one of the only people that can get away with talking to him like that, and he loves it. Nick can, though he never would, since he's the boss, and Newt can, since he's Alby's favorite, but he never does, either. Minho's the only one who takes advantage of this power."You guys got back early," Alby murmurs. "How long has he been asleep?""Not long," Minho answers. He had no idea. He'd lost track of time ages ago. Newt lifts his head. Damn. They tried so hard, and they still woke him. "What's goin' on?" He asks groggily. God, he's adorable. Stop thinking like that. He's your best friend."Nothing, dove," Minho says gently. "You can go back to sleep."But Newt had already pushed out of his embrace. Minho missed the weight of his body already. He liked having Newt against him. "I'll assume this is part of your bet," Alby says. Newt is very quick to agree with him. Alright, fine. So Newt doesn't feel an inkling of anything romantic towards him. Whatever. Minho couldn't even figure out why he was upset by this. They were friends. Regardless of this regrettable bet, they were friends."Seems like Minho's winning, then," Alby observes."He's not," Newt says defensively. "You just caught us at a bad moment, is all. He's not winning, cause I ain't gonna kiss him."Minho quirks an eyebrow, but says nothing. He knows for a fact that if Alby hadn't walked in, he totally could have gotten Newt to kiss him. He had been so close to success, despite his own little mental crisis."Really? Cause it looked like I'd walked in on the aftermath of some shuck hookup," Alby deadpans. "Sounds like Minho's winnin'."Newt pulls himself to his feet. Minho is quick to follow. Lounging around like that wasn't helping Newt's case. It was doing wonderful things for Minho's, but he would always follow Newt's lead. Always. He just wanted Newt to be comfortable. "You must be a little wobbly," Minho says kindly, remembering that he'd only just woken up. "Here, let me help you. We'll get headed to the Homestead. Maybe we could eat somewhere more private. Would you like that? An evening just for the two of us?"Newt hesitates, and then he nods slowly. "I reckon I ought to give you a fighting chance in this, but you won't be gettin' any pity kisses."Minho smiles. Newt was so into him. He puts a hand on the small of Newt's back, gently guiding him out of the Map Room. Minho winks at Alby on their way out. He had a sneaking suspicion that he would be getting kissed tonight. A few well-placed touches, a bit of flattery, and some kind words, and bam; Newt's mouth would be on his. Fry asks how the bet was going as they pick up their dinner. Minho doesn't make a cocky remark, or even wink. He just says that it's not his biggest concern right now. Frypan doesn't believe him, but Newt shoots him a content little smile, so Minho knows he said the right thing. "Where would you like to spend the night, little songbird?" Minho asks kindly, bringing his hand to Newt's waist instead. Newt gestures at the Deadheads. Minho did notice that Newt spent a lot of time in there.So Minho leads him into the woods without question. Newt takes the lead once they pass the first tree, taking Minho wall the way back to the wall. Minho knew the window was back here somewhere, the one leading into the Maze. Why on Earth did Newt want to spend the evening here? Around that?"It's quiet back here," Newt mutters. "And all the other shanks are scared of it. 'S nice to sit and think. Now I'm sharin' it with you, so you gotta keep it secret.""I promise," Minho assures him. "Cross my heart, and all that klunk."Newt nods slowly, and then sits down against the wall, dragging Minho down with him. "You hungry?" Minho asks.Newt shrugs. "Not really.""You haven't eaten much today," Minho notes.He can't really remember Newt's food intake from other days, but he can't imagine it's much different. That's a little worrying. Minho wasn't having any of that. Newt's despondency could run its course, but he had to put a stop to it once it started putting Newt at risk. "Am I going to have to feed you?"Newt wrinkles his nose at him. "No.""Really, cause I don't see you eatin' anything," Minho says. He picks up a sandwich and brings it to Newt's mouth. "Here. Bite."Newt frowns at him, but he takes a bite anyway. He doesn't look unhappy about it, but he doesn't look happy, either. Mostly just indifferent. That's not so good. Newt just didn't seem to really care either way, and that's what was worrying. "Bite again."Newt quirks an eyebrow. "Are we really doing this?""Until you eat the whole thing, yes," Minho agrees. "C'mon. Bite."Newt takes another bite. And another. This was working. That was good. At least Newt was eating. He didn't appear to be too pleased about it, but he was eating. He could be burned out all he wanted, if Minho could take care of him for him. "How long have you been feeling all... gloomy?" Minho asks. Newt shrugs. "I dunno. A while, I guess. 'S been a gradual decline.""Why didn't you ever say anything?""Doesn't matter," Newt says. "'M fine."Minho didn't believe him. Not even for a second. Newt wasn't fine. But he was going to be. He'd have to be. Sweet, happy Newt couldn't be all sad for very long. Minho would make him take the day off tomorrow, and the by the next day, he'd be totally back to normal. That's just how he was. Minho makes sure Newt eats everything. Staying nourished would help him get back to normal, too. He just needed to take better care of himself, and he'd be fine. "You're so pretty," Minho mutters, tucking a lock of hair behind Newt's ear. "So, so pretty.""'M still not gonna kiss you."Minho grins at him, knowing he's going to get kissed at some point. "I'm not askin' for a kiss right now," he says. "Just wanna make sure you're doin' okay.""'M fine," Newt assures him. "You believe me, right?""Yeah," Minho says quickly. "Yeah. Are you still tired? You can go back to sleep, if you want."Newt considers it. And then he nods slowly. "Yeah... okay."The blond's head drops on his shoulder a moment later. Minho wraps an arm around him, hand brushing back and forth along his side. "I dunno what I'd do without you," Newt murmurs. "'M glad we're friends."Yeah. Friends.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Newt only wakes up when he does because he feels like he's being watched. But then he feels hands on him, and he knows it's just Minho. Minho has one arm around his waist, and his other hand is on the back of Newt's thigh. It's more than interesting placement, and that's what leads Newt to realize he is, in fact, curled into Minho's side. So that wasn't good. Was he losing this bet? It's not like he was inclined to kiss Minho, or anything, but he felt more comfortable with the older boy now than he ever had before. That didn't mean anything. He still wasn't going to kiss him. "You're awake," Minho says quietly. "What time is it?" Newt asks groggily, fighting back a yawn. "We're gonna be late-""We're not running today," Minho tells him. "We're taking the day off. Only Alby doesn't know, so we're gonna have to stay out of sight of him and Nick. And anyone else that'll snitch on us for skipping work."Newt nods slowly. That sounded like a ridiculously bad idea, but Newt didn't really feel like running. He was more than content just hiding from the world today. Even if that meant having to play into this stupid bet. He was really starting to hate it. Before they'd started the bet, Newt had been totally fine and perfectly happy being single for the rest of his life. He hadn't been interested in being in a relationship, and had been content avoiding the idea of one like the plague. Oh, Nick was into him? Play dumb. That way Nick would never end up asking him out, and then Newt wouldn't have to turn him down. Easy peasy. But now Minho was actively trying to seduce him. And, well, it was working. Newt hated to admit such a vile thing, but it was the truth. Being in a relationship with Minho really wouldn't be so bad. Maybe Newt would like it. Maybe that 'maybe' was more of a 'definitely.' Maybe now, Newt actually wanted to kiss him. He wasn't going to, not in the next day, because he didn't want to lose the bet, but maybe the second it ended. The second it was over, Newt would do it. Because Minho had to feel the same way about him. Right? It was that, or he was a really good actor.Newt had never felt safer and more cared for than he did right now. Minho just saw him. Minho was willing to take care of him. He was picking up on all the little things Newt had failed to hide. Nobody else had noticed this mental decline of his. Not Nick, not Alby, no one. Just Minho. And when it had really mattered, Minho would cast away the bet. He always put Newt's comfort first. He'd made that abundantly clear. Every time he did something a little risky, he made sure Newt was okay with it. He offered to stop. Those little efforts were what was causing Newt to fall for him. Not the names, not the innuendos, not the touching. Although those things did help. Maybe a little bit. "Are you feeling better today?" Minho asks him. Newt shrugs. Not really. If anything, he was feeling more conflicted today than he had yesterday. At least yesterday, there had been that little inkling of doubt. Now he had just plainly accepted that he was totally romantically into his best friend. "Yeah," he lies, even though Minho will probably pick up on it.He does. "It's a good thing we're takin' a day off, then," Minho says. "Get you back to your cheerful self."Newt thinks he'd be a lot more cheerful if Minho's mouth was on his, but that was going to have to wait till this evening, when the bet was officially over. "Well, where are we s'posed to hide out?" Newt asks. "We'll be found if we stay in the woods, yunno."Minho nods slowly. Clearly he hadn't thought about this yet. "I guess we could stay in the Map Room all day. It's kinda borin' in there, though.""We can make it interesting."Minho's eyebrows go up. "Was that a sex joke?" He asks. "Did you, Newt, just make a sex joke?""What? Like it's hard?"Minho snorts. "Pft. That's what she said."Newt stifles a laugh and rolls his eyes. "I hate you."Minho's hand moves from his thigh to his stomach, fingers splayed out. Minho has big hands. Newt's not going to admit it, but he really likes the touching. He brings his own hand to rest on top of Minho's, hoping he won't say anything about it. "You like it when I touch you, don't you?" Minho teases. He doesn't move his hand, though, so neither does Newt. "My touch starved little songbird.""'M not yours," Newt says, denying neither Minho's accusation nor his petname. "Put a ring on my finger, give Alby's some goats as a dowry. Then we'll talk."Minho laughs. "Hey, you know where we should hang out today?" Newt looks up at him, not at all sure where he's going with this. "In the barn. With Bark."Newt rolls his eyes. Minho had a peculiar weakness for Bark, one that Newt really did not understand. It was a dog. If anything, the dog really just got in the way. But Minho liked him. Minho used to spend his evenings playing with Bark. Now, thanks to this bet, he spent his evenings with Newt. Newt kind of liked that change."What, you're replacin' me with a dog?" He asks, pretending to be hurt."I can keep you both busy at the same time," Minho says, shrugging. "Throw a stick for Bark to fetch while I-""I do hope yunno I was joking when I suggested we have sex in the Map Room," Newt interjects. "I have no intention of sleepin' with you." Today. Minho's hold tightens on him a little. "Don't act like you don't want to.""I don't want to," Newt says. "And we're not spendin' the day with Bark."Minho looks down at him. "Are you jealous of a dog?""...What?""You are, aren't you?" Minho prompts. "You want all my attention on you. That's why you don't wanna go play with Bark." He pauses, grins, and winks. This is not going to be any kind of good. "You'd rather I play with you, I imagine.""I would certainly not.""...What are you two still doin' in the Glade?"Uh oh. They were too late. Alby had already found them. "We're ditchin'," Minho answers. "Don't tell Alby."Alby rolls his eyes, unamused. "Why are ya ditchin', then?""Cause Newt's ill," Minho says dramatically."Oh, is he," Alby says, not believing a word out of Minho's mouth. Minho nods gravely. "Very. Look at him-" he squishes Newt's cheeks with one hand- "he's all pale and sickly, like a little Victorian child dyin' of typhoid.""So what's the real story?""...He's tired."Alby sighs. "Didn't I tell you this bet was a waste of time? You guys can't just be skippin' work to mess around.""We're not messin' around," Minho tells him. "Newt seriously needs a day off. You didn't hear him talkin' last night. I was worried. I think a day off could really help him. So we took a day off. I ain't riskin' Newt's health to go to work every day, so you're gonna have to deal with it."Alby frowns pointedly. "Well, that's not really how it works.""I'm puttin' my foot down," Minho says. "Doctor's orders, and klunk. Newt needs his rest."Newt fights back a smile. Minho might care about his health more than he does. Okay, he really, really wants to kiss him. "Alright, fine, ya get one day," Alby relents. "Just stay outta everyone's way."Minho waits until Alby leaves to scoop Newt into his lap. Newt considers pushing out, but Minho's a lot softer than the ground, so he stays put. And maybe there's a few more reasons. But probably not. "Did you hear that, dove?" Minho asks, grinning. "We're above the law."Newt laughs. "We're Alby's favorites.""Let's get to the Map Room before he changes his mind.""Good that.""You know who's gettin' on my nerves?" Minho prompts.They've been lounging around for the last three and a half hours. Newt hasn't had a day to sit and do nothing since... well, ever. It's kind of weird. Not really in a bad way, since talking with Minho has kept him quite entertained, but not in a good way, either. He's had too much time to think. Newt doesn't like to be left alone with his thoughts. "No," Newt says. "Who?""Gally."Well, that was nothing new. Minho and Gally had had beef since the very first day they woke up in the Glade. They'd gotten into a fist fight the first night they were in here. Newt remembers laughing when Nick and Alby had to physically drag the two away from each other. That had been funny. "You're always buggin' each other," Newt says. "Yunno Gally's not that bad. You two are just... genetically coded to hate each other."Minho nods solemnly. "Absolutely we are," he agrees. "And next time we fight, I'm gonna win.""Remember that Glade rule?" Newt teases. "Yunno, the big one that says 'no fighting'?"Minho rolls his eyes playfully. "Yes, but we've already established that I'm above the law.""Really? Cause last time you guys fought you got pit in the Slammer for three hours," Newt reminds him. "Remember? I came to visit you just so I could laugh in your face."Minho nods. "I do remember," he says. "Will ya come visit next time, too? Give me a kiss so I don't feel too lonely?""Nope," Newt tells him. "Can't reward bad behavior.""But you'll reward good behavior?"Newt scoffs, but he doesn't say anything. He really does want to kiss him, but he is not going to let himself lose this bet. Once it was over, they could kiss, and laugh about it, and do whatever people that loved each other did. But not a moment sooner. Newt wasn't going to lose.Minho was just making it really hard.Of course, there was always the possibility that Minho didn't actually care about him in that way, and he was just doing this for the bet. He had gone from zero to one hundred very quickly, after all. But Newt didn't think that was going to happen. Minho wasn't that good of an actor. And even if he was, Newt could feel the love and care behind every action, every touch. You couldn't fake something like that. Besides, the little things he'd done to make Newt fall for him hadn't been attempts on Minho's part. They had just been him being Minho.Now that he had considered the possibility, however, that Minho was doing all of this for the bet, Newt couldn't shake the thought from his mind. Really, what could Minho possibly see in him, anyway? He wasn't worth all of this effort. He was just Newt, and Minho was... Minho. Right? Newt wasn't anything to write home about. Especially now that he was gloomy, and despondent, and couldn't bring himself to care about much of anything.Unless, of course, he was getting mad about something that didn't really matter. He seemed to be doing that a lot. The idea of dating Nick wasn't that despicable, but Newt had snapped anyway. In fact, the only time Newt showed any real emotion was when he was upset. That wasn't good. Who would want to be around him, when he acted like that? Nobody. So what reason did Minho have to go out with him?None at all."Hey," Minho says softly. "You alright over there? Ya got pretty quiet."Newt looks up. Right. Minho was watching him like a hawk. What did Minho even see in him? Why was he worth all this effort? All this attention? Why did Minho care so much when Newt couldn't bring himself to care even a little?How could Minho love him when Newt couldn't even love himself?"'M fine," Newt says quickly. "Just fine."Minho doesn't believe him. Newt's usually pretty good at hiding what he's feeling, but not when it comes to Minho. Somehow, impossibly, Minho always knows when something is bothering him. It's quite intolerable. Alby always believed him right away, when he said nothing was wrong. Why did Minho have to try to get him to open up about it? He was fine. Nothing had happened. He had just randomly woken up one day and decided he didn't deserve to be alive, and that was the end of it.It's not like he was gonna act on it, or anything."C'mere," Minho says.Newt considers refusing, but decides to follow the instruction. He closes the distance between him and Minho by a few meters, leaving about half a foot of space between them. Minho takes another step forward. So much for keeping some distance.Minho rests one hand on Newt's cheek, his thumb brushing back and forth. Newt hates it. Well, actually, he loves it, but he hates it because he doesn't deserve to have Minho care about him so much, and all it does now is fill him with guilt. Minho should be showering someone else with attention, not him. Someone worthier."I love your eyes so much," Minho says quietly. "They're such a pretty green. I guess you've never really seen 'em, but I'd say they're your most redeeming quality."Newt has not, in fact, ever seen what his eyes look like. No mirrors in here. He'll have to take Minho's word for it, though he's sure they can't be that pretty. Minho's just trying to make him feel better.Minho's gaze is still fixed on his eyes. Newt doesn't know where to look. He brings his stare to Minho's eyes, even though he's not the biggest fan of eye contact. Newt feels like he's being dissected, analyzed. Like Minho's looking into his eyes and staring instead at his soul."So, so pretty," Minho murmurs. "'M not that pretty," Newt says."I wish you could see yourself the way I see you," Minho says. "You're shuckin' ethereal."Newt's not sure what to say."And I'm not just sayin' that because of the bet," Minho continues. "I'm sayin' it because it's true. Guess I just never stopped to look at ya properly.""You don't really mean that," Newt says. "I do," Minho presses. "I love everything about you. Maybe ya don't realize it yourself, but you're so, so perfect, my dove. You're so good at makin' people feel comfortable, and you're the calmin' presence in every debate. And you're really, really pretty. I mean that. Your hair, and your eyes, and your freckles that you can only see when the sun hits 'em right."Newt has no idea what he's supposed to say. There was too much honesty in Minho's tone for Newt to be able to call him a liar. This wasn't just for the bet. Newt still didn't believe a word out of Minho's mouth, but he did believe that Minho believed everything he was saying. "...This isn't just for the bet, is it?""No," Minho agrees. "I'm just makin' sure you know how much we value you. How much we need ya. You know that, right? That we really need ya around here?""I dunno," Newt presses. "I reckon I'm pretty replaceable.""You're absolutely not replaceable," Minho says immediately. "You don't see me goin' around makin' kissing bets with anyone else, do ya? It's cause you're the only shank in here I'd ever even consider kissing."Was that the truth, or was it because Minho thought Newt was the only one who'd pity him after his great defeat enough to let him win? Because Newt couldn't see why Minho would want to kiss him in the first place. Maybe now was a different story, but back when the bet was made? They had been close, but they hadn't been that close. "You mean it?""Of course I do," Minho answers. "I wouldn't lie to you."Newt can count at least thirty seven times where Minho has blatantly lied to his face in the past week, but he doesn't bother pointing that out. Newt got what he meant. Minho had never lied to him when it counted. This was one of those times where it counted. "I mean it, dude," Minho says. Newt's breath catches in his throat, but he plays it off as a little scoff. "If you were a girl, I'd get down on one shuckin' knee right now and ask for your hand in marriage."Newt's heart sinks. If he was girl. As in, Minho wouldn't ever want to date a boy. Or maybe Newt was reading too far into this. If he was willing to kiss a boy, sure he would be willing to date a boy. Wasn't it basically the same thing? If Minho would want to marry the girl version of Newt, surely he'd want the regular version, too. Right?"Oh, shoot, dude, I forgot to give you this earlier," Minho says, reaching into his back pocket. He pulls out a single green calla lily. "I found it yesterday. And it's green, and I've never seen a green flower that isn't, like, grass, so it reminded me of you. Cause of your eyes."Newt takes it tentatively, rolling the stem between two fingers. The thought behind it was so... well, thoughtful. A few days ago, Minho never would have ever done something like this for him. Maybe this bet wasn't so stupid after all. "I was talkin' to Fry, and apparently it symbolizes beauty, cause of some Greek word," Minho continues. "And the green or yellow ones represent gratitude. Which I thought was kinda fittin' for you. And for what we were talkin' about earlier, too."Newt smiles softly, keeping his stare fixed on the flower. He wasn't going to look up and meet Minho's gaze. He didn't think he could without breaking his facade entirely. That wouldn't be good for the bet. He just needed to hold out a little tiny bit longer, and then he could kiss him. Just not for another half hour. He could wait a half hour. "Here." Minho takes the flower from him and tucks it behind the blond's ear, fanning his hair out around it. "There. Perfect."Newt can't get a single word out. He's totally, completely swooning, and that's the end of it. He's head over heels in love with his best friend, and there's no way out of it. Maybe he has been for a long time, and just never realized it. That would make sense. Nobody knew him better than Minho did, and nobody knew Minho better than he did. "Well, we've got half an hour till midnight," Minho ventures. "Not even. twenty seven minutes."Twenty seven minutes, and then Newt could kiss him, and this whole bet would have a good outcome. He wondered if this would mean he and Minho were dating. How would the others feel about that? Would they have to keep it a secret, or should they just be open about it? Newt knew there were some shanks in here that weren't so supportive about that kind of thing. "Twenty seven minutes," Newt echoes. "Then the bet's over.""You feel like givin' me a kiss?" Minho asks."No," Newt says, even though it's a lie. "Are you sure?" Minho presses. "Not even a little peck?""You're wastin' your-" Newt checks his watch- "twenty six minutes."Minho rolls his eyes. "How should I spend 'em, then?""Pleadin' your case."Minho laughs gently. "Well, I don't wanna pressure you into kissin' me," he admits. "I thought I did at first, but now I wanna earn that kiss fair and square. If I can't do that in... twenty five minutes, then I can live with that.""...What, you grew into a mature person in three days, too?" Newt teases.Minho just shrugs. "I dunno. I guess. I've decided that you bein' happy matters more than some bet. I don't wanna make you uncomfortable or upset, or anythin'. If that means no kiss, then I'll just have to try again some other time. Easy."Newt looks at him, expression softening. He really does care. This couldn't possibly be all for the bet, when Minho was making it so incredibly clear that he didn't care about winning anymore? That he really only cared about what Newt wanted?"...That's real sweet, Min," Newt says quietly. "Yunno, outta everything, that's what makes me want to kiss ya. Not all the other stuff. Just the respect.""Really?" Minho asks, surprised. "That's all it takes?""That's all it takes," Newt agrees, nodding soundly. "So, if I'd skipped to that part at the beginning, you would have kissed me right off the bat?" Minho presses.Newt frowns pointedly, taking the time to consider it. "Well, no," he says. "But I would have been more inclined to.""You're confusing," Minho informs him. Newt shrugs. "I don't think so," he says. "I just... like knowin' you care. Does that make sense?"Maybe that was stupid. It probably was. The fact that all it took for him to want to kiss his best friend was knowing he cared. That was just how it had played out. He wasn't so mad about it. Holding out for another twenty minutes was fine. Doable. Especially when it would have such a great reward."Nah, I think you're confusing," Minho says. "I mean, you'd wanna kiss me but ya wouldn't? What's stoppin' you?""Well, how do I know what your intentions are?" Newt asks. "Maybe you're just pretendin' to respect me so I'll kiss you. Then it's not respect at all. I've gotta play it out, to make sure you really mean it.""So, at this point in the bet, you know that I really mean it?" Minho inquires. "Since I've given up on winning, and just care about respecting your boundaries?"Newt tilts his head from side to side, pretending to consider it. "Well, yeah, I guess so," he admits. "But I will not be kissin' you in the next eighteen minutes." After that, however, would be another question entirely."I guess you can't blame a man for trying," Minho says, shrugging."No," Newt agrees. "No, I s'pose not."Minho quirks an eyebrow at him, that goofy grin back on his face. "But you do want to kiss me, is what you're sayin'.""No," Newt says quickly. "I'm sayin' that I'm more inclined to want to kiss ya when you treat me with basic human decency.""I'll always treat ya with basic human decency," Minho declares.Newt looks at him, surprised. He had no idea where this was going. Newt had mostly just been teasing this whole time, but Minho seemed to be taking it all quite seriously. Was that a good thing? Newt didn't even know. "You'll never lie to me?" Newt asks. It was a good promise for him to make. Newt would sleep a lot better knowing that Minho would never lie to him about anything. Alby liked to sugarcoat things sometimes. Especially when he was talking to Newt. Nick never did anything but sugarcoat things. If Minho wouldn't do that, then he'd be a lot easier to talk to than Nick and Alby. Newt needed someone who would give him the hard, honest trust. "I'll never lie to you," Minho assures him. "Promise.""I promise.""You can't go back on it now," Newt tells him. "Never. Or lightning will strike you down and then you'll die. All because you broke a promise."Minho nods slowly, a little concerned by Newt's response. "Well, I won't break my promise.""Good," Newt says. "I'm holdin' you to that."Minho laughs, and rolls his eyes, and then sticks out his pinky. Newt chokes back a laugh, and then completes the gesture."Well, now if you break your promise you'll be double dead," Newt informs him. "No goin' back on a pinky promise."Minho nods gravely. "Well, now ya know I'm serious."That was very true. Ugh, Newt wants to kiss him so bad. So, so bad. How much longer did he have to wait? Fifteen minutes? Fourteen? Newt was losing count. He was starting to stop caring about the bet. If he lost, he lost. It would still be a win in the end. "Why are you lookin' at me like that?" Minho asks teasingly. "You wanna kiss me? Is that all it took to change your mind? A pinky promise?"Newt rolls his eyes. "What? You scared I'll do it?""Scared," Minho repeats. "You wish.""See, you brought back the cocky attitude," Newt says. "I don't wanna kiss you anymore."Minho sighs. "You're right," he admits. "Maybe I'm a little scared."That gives Newt pause."You're scared?" Newt asks, surprised. "Really?"Minho shrugs. "I guess," he says. "What happens if I totally fall in love with you after we kiss? How am I supposed to get past that?""No one says you'd have to," Newt breathes.Minho's face is a lot closer to his now. Newt's not sure who did that. Maybe it was the both of them. It was a good sign either way. "Newt," Minho murmurs. "I think you're about to lose the bet."Newt tilts his head to the side. Just slightly, but if Minho were to bring their lips together, it would be a great angle for it. "Don't call me that.""Dove," Minho amends, tucking a lock of hair behind Newt's ear. His hand lingers on the blond's cheek. "My sweet songbird.""I like when you call me that," Newt confesses. "Do you?""A lot," Newt agrees. "I feel special."Minho leans forward and kisses his cheek. "How do you feel now?""Like I'm floating."Newt's gaze fixes on Minho's eyes. They're dark, dark enough that they're almost black. Newt's never been one for eye contact, but now he finds he can't bring himself to look away. Minho's eyes are on his lips. He wants to kiss him. Newt wouldn't stop him. Not at all. Newt's never wanted to be in a relationship before now. He'd never once desired that kind of connection. But now Minho had come along and actually tried to love him, and apparently that was exactly the kind of attention Newt had been craving all this time. This was just... it. This was where Newt was meant to end up. It was like fate, maybe, or destiny. Newt wasn't sure. He didn't follow any of that. He just knew there had to be some kind of divine intertwining that led up to this. "How about flying?" Minho asks. "With all the bird names.""You'll have to do more than kiss me on the cheek for that," Newt murmurs. "Flying is, like, top tier.""We can get to that," Minho says. "Not tonight.""No," Minho agrees. "Not tonight."Newt finally allows his gaze to drop to Minho's lips. He wants to kiss him so bad. Just... okay, he's lost count. Just a few more minutes, anyway. But then Minho grabs him by the waist and pulls the blond into his lap, and all thoughts of the bet go out the window. Screw the stupid bet. Newt didn't care about it anymore. If he lost, he lost. He'd be with Minho, so nothing else really mattered. As long as he could get Minho's mouth on his, he'd be happy.Newt shifts to straddle Minho's lap, hands braced against the older boy's shoulders. He can't remember ever kissing anyone before, but surely he must have at some point, since he knows how to do it. Newt can almost bring his lips to Minho's, almost shut his eyes and embrace the loss. Of course, this is when the alarm goes off. Minho looks down at his watch, laughs amiably, and shuts it off. "Ah, well," he says, regaining his composure. "Guess I lost. It was worth a shot, though. I mean, I almost won. I've got some braggin' rights, I'd say."Newt rolls off of him, not sure what was going on. What was he saying? Did that mean that all this time, absolutely everything had been for the bet? Minho had never actually felt anything for him? It had all been an act? One last attempt to get a kiss?"I mean, maybe it was a bit over the top," Minho continues, shrugging. "Y'know, to say I could pull anyone in the Glade. Can't blame a guy for givin' it a shot, though."Newt manages a forced, hard smile. "Yeah," he says quietly, feeling his heart drop into a black abyss. "Guess not.""We can just go back to bein' friends now. No more dumb bets," Minho concludes, standing up. "Catch ya tomorrow, dove."The name feels like a punch to the gut.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Newt has decided that he's unlovable. Or, at least, Minho didn't love him, not in that way, and no one else's feelings on the subject mattered. Maybe Minho had been right in insisting that he could pull anyone he wanted, because he had certainly pulled Newt, and now Newt was facing the consequences. So was there any real point? Newt couldn’t seem to find one. Alby was too busy for him, Nick cared for him in a way Newt couldn’t reciprocate, and every waking second he spent with Minho felt like a blow to the gut. His job was meaningless, and he didn’t have anyone. That was great. That was fantastic. He was doomed to live in a Maze which had no exit, and he just had to pretend that that wasn’t the case. There wasn’t any point. That was the conclusion Newt had drawn, and he didn’t see that changing in any way, shape, or form. He had lived all his life in here, all of it he could remember, and he was going to die in here, too. He was going to die without having been able to make any real mark on the world, and without a single person ever actually understanding who he was. So why not speed along the process?He wasn’t going to. He wasn’t. There were still people depending on him, and he couldn’t let them down. Newt could be as depressive and despondent as he wanted, but he wasn’t going to commit suicide. That was the rule he had set for himself the moment he allowed himself to wallow in his despair. So he ran, and he laughed politely whenever Minho cracked a joke, but that was all. Other than that, he tried to keep to himself. He didn’t want anyone to worry about him, and the more he said, the more they worried. He didn’t deserve their concern. “Are you alright?” Minho finally asks. “You’ve been actin’ weird for the last two weeks. Even the shuck Greenie noticed, and he didn’t know ya before the whole… despondency thing started.”Newt just shrugs. “’M fine,” he says evasively. “Yeah, well, I don’t believe you,” Minho says plainly. “That might work on Alby, and it might work on everyone else, but it doesn’t work on me.”“I said I was fine,” Newt says, a little firmer now. “Can you just slim it?”“Did I do somethin’ to piss you off?” Minho presses. “You’ve been all indifferent to me for a while now. I took that bet too far, didn’t I? Made you uncomfortable, and now you’re scared I’ll do somethin’ like that again?” He pauses. “I won’t. Y’know? I lost the bet. And all that was for the bet. It’s over now, so I’m just your best friend again. Nothin’ more.”Yeah. That was the issue.“You didn’t do anythin’,” Newt says. Not on purpose, anyway. “Can we just run?”“Yeah,” Minho relents. “I guess so.”He feels bad that he's snapped at Minho so much recently. It wasn't Minho's fault that Newt was unlovable. Minho had just been doing exactly what he'd promised Newt he would do. Unfortunately, there was just something so incredibly gratifying about snapping at him. That part was even less fair, but Newt couldn't help it. Minho still doesn't love him, though, so, unfair as it was, Newt was going to be filled with spite for a while. It still wasn't right. Now Newt was wracked with both self-loathing and guilt. Not a good combination. Minho didn't deserve that. Newt was acting ridiculous, and being upset with Minho for something that wasn't his fault just made Newt even more hopeless and undeserving. He should just die. Everything would be a whole lot easier if he just died."Look, we've got... what? Ten minutes till we get back?" Minho says, stirring up the conversation again. "Once we get back to the Glade, Newt, we need to talk about this whole... despondency you've adopted. I'm gettin' real shuck worried about you."Newt frowns pointedly. "I told you I was fine.""Yeah, and I know you lied," Minho says. "So either you're gonna talk to me about what's buggin' ya, or I'm gonna lock you in the Map Room so you can't do anythin' you'll regret."Newt's brow furrows. Minho would absolutely do that. So now Newt has to play sunshiney, totally fine Newt, and hope he's played the part well enough that Minho will get off his ass. "I'm fine, alright?" Newt says. "Really, Min. Just real bloody tired, is all. Not everything is somethin' big, mate."Minho sighs. "Alright, dove," he says. "Whatever you say."He still doesn't believe him. Minho's always been a little too good at reading him. But Newt's off the hook, for the time being, and so it's alright. Minho will bring this up again, no doubt, but Newt will just have to cross that bridge when he comes to it. And there was that stupid nickname again. It had felt special, during the days of the bet. It had meant something back then. Something more than what it meant now. Now, all it did was serve as a reminder that Newt could never have what he so desperately wanted. Each time Minho said it, Newt felt it as a physical blow, but he couldn't say anything. He couldn't give himself away. By the time they make it back to the Glade, Newt's patience meter has been exhausted. Minho's worried. But only as far as a friend would be, because Minho didn't love him, and Minho never would love him. That all being said, he was still worried, and his worry was very hard to shake. This is, of course, when Nick tracks him down and asks to speak with him privately. This day just kept getting worse.Newt knew what Nick wanted to say. Of course he did. But he couldn't very well decline the offer, because then he'd have to come up with an excuse, and continue to come up with excuses to avoid Nick like the plague for the rest of his life. Besides, he didn't really have an excuse to give him. "Sure," he says, through a false smile, and then he lets Nick lead him over to the Map Room. He's had a lot of revolutionary moments in the Map Room. Most of them were with Minho, so know every moment in the Map Room was a terrible one. He really didn't need the reminder that life was horrible and nothing could ever possibly go his way. "Look, I don't know how much you know," Nick begins. "I mean, like, I don't think I've been very discreet about it, I don't think. That's what Alby says, anyway."Oh dear. Here it was. How was Newt supposed to turn him down? There was no easy way to do something like that. Nick was a great guy, and he was one of Newt's good friends. Their dynamic would be ruined forever after right now. Who knew how Nick would even react? Sure, he was one of the nicest people Newt knew, but what if that changed the second Newt rejected him?"But Newt, I just have to say that after all the time I've known you, I really, really-""Oh, please don't do this," Newt interrupts.Nick stops abruptly and stares at him, surprised. "I- what?""You can't do this to me," Newt continues, rambling now. "Not now.""Newt, I'm trying to confess to you," Nick says. "Is the whole... slightly hysterical outburst really necessary?""No, don't do this to me," Newt says. "Don't say it. Please don't say it, cause then I have to reject you and I really, really don't wanna upset you. You're such a great guy. You shouldn't set your standards this low."Nick frowns pointedly. "Hey, I'm not setting my standards low at all," he says gently. "You shouldn't think so poorly of yourself.""Please stop," Newt says, quite near to begging. "Nick, please."Nick's brow furrows. "Well, I... Okay," he relents. "I'm sorry I made you uncomfortable. I'll just...""Sorry," Newt says. "I didn't mean to-""No, no, don't apologize," Nick says, already half way to the door. "I should have... read the room. Minho's been tellin' me that you've been kinda down lately. I picked a bad time."He sounded so disheartened. There was a disappointment, a forced indifference, that Newt recognized all too well. Oh, he'd done to Nick just what Minho had done to him. He was so horrible. All he did was upset people. He should just go hide away and die somewhere.Nick has already left him alone in the Map Room before he could get another word out. Now he just has to live with it. Suffer alone with his guilt and his self-loathing. "I'm sorry," he mutters, one last time. He really didn't want to hurt Nick. That was the absolute last thing he had wanted. Nick was a great guy, and Newt had just torn his heart out. He was such a terrible person. A terrible, terrible person. Maybe he really should just die. It'd make a lot of things easier from a lot of people.He leans back against the wall, running one hand through his hair as he lets out a breathy sigh. Now what should he do? All he seems to be doing these days is disappoint people. Useless. He was entirely and totally useless. So he sinks to the ground, bringing his knees up to his chest. All he ever did was make mistakes. No wonder Minho didn't love him. His eyes are stinging with tears. Newt doesn't know if that's out of guilt or frustration. Maybe it's both. It's probably both.God, he just couldn't do anything right, and everyone else was suffering because of it."Hey."And there Minho was. Speak of the devil. Or maybe Newt was the devil in this situation."...What d'you want?"Minho sits down on the ground beside him. "Heard ya rejected Nick."Yeah. Two minutes ago. Word must travel fast. "I already told you I didn't wanna go out with him," Newt says miserably. "Why couldn't he take a hint? Now I've just ruined everything."Minho sighs. "Okay, maybe it's my fault," he says. "I told him you'd be more open to a relationship, since after the bet... Well, dude, you seemed like you would be.""I don't want to go out with Nick," Newt says firmly. Minho frowns. "Well, yeah, you made that clear," he says. "You couldn't have gone easy on the poor guy? Begging him not to ask you out was too far. You know that."Newt buries his head in his knees. "I know," he admits. "I know, okay? I know. I was an asshole. What? You want me to scream it from the rooftops?""I just don't get it," Minho says. "You were so much more at ease when you had someone takin' care of you.""I don't want Nick takin' care of me," Newt argues."Really? Cause you were fine when I was the one doin' it," Minho presses."Yeah, well, that's cause you're the one I want doin' it!" Newt shouts.Minho stares at him, eyes wide. Shit. He hadn't meant to say any of that out loud. Now Minho was going to hate him forever and Newt's life was ruined. Everything was ruined. "Newt-""Nothing," Newt says quickly, cutting him off. "Never mind."He rushes out of the Map Room before Minho can say anything else. He's ruined everything. There's absolutely nothing he could ever do to make anything better. Why did he say that? Did he really have that little impulse control? Minho's never going to look at him the same ever again. Life would be so much easier if he just died.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

For the last five days, Newt has been avoiding Minho like his life depends on it. This has proved to be very, very difficult, given the fact that they work together every day. It's been a lot of tense silences. They run in silence. Maybe that's worse. No distractions from the horrible, hateful thoughts running through Newt's mind. Now he's just trapped in this vicious cycle of self-loathing. He should just die. Everything would be a lot easier if he just died. Then maybe finally, his thoughts would be quiet, and things would be better. Newt often had to shake those thoughts from his head. He's not going to do that. It was the rule. Rules were what made everything work. Minho would turn around to look at him every now and then, when Newt had trailed behind. Newt would refuse to meet his gaze. He couldn't bring himself to. Minho doesn't love him. Minho never loved him. It had all been for that stupid, stupid bet. He never should have agreed to it in the first place. Maybe then he wouldn't be so miserable. He wouldn't know what he was missing out on. So Alby had been right, then. So Newt had fallen in love, and now he had gotten hurt. Just like Alby had said. Stupid Alby. Stupid Minho. They didn't know anything. Minho keeps trying to talk to him, and Newt keeps shutting down his efforts. So now he's lost two of his closest friends, and the other one is too busy to pay him any attention. So now Newt is completely and entirely alone, and has never wanted to die more than he does right now. Minho, of course, notices this. Because despite everything, he can still read Newt like an open book. It's so not fair. "Alright, you're killin' me," Minho says finally.Newt immediately makes to run off in another direction. Minho grabs him by the shoulders and holds him firmly in place. Stupid Minho with his stupid upper body strength. It's really not Newt's fault, then, is it? Minho could choke someone out with those biceps. "You obviously ain't in a good way," Minho says. "So take the day off. Do whatever the hell ya want. Try and cheer yourself up. We'll talk tonight. Good that?"Newt sighs. Well. Avoiding Minho just got a lot easier. "Alright," he relents. "Fine."Minho squeezes both his shoulders gently and then jogs off. So now Newt has a whole day to himself, and nothing to do. He starts by helping Fry in the kitchen. Anything to keep himself busy. There was always something to do in there. Frypan seems grateful for the help, so Newt stays for an hour or so, doing what he can. There's absolutely a reason he wasn't picked to work in the kitchens, but he's fine with cleaning duty. By the time that hour is up, Frypan is shooing him away since he doesn't trust Newt to do any of the actual cooking. Alright, fair enough. Newt really couldn't fault him there. Newt helped out in the gardens next. Then he helped the Medjacks restock the medical closet. He debated tracking down Alby to ask if there was anything else that needed to be done, but that meant that he'd have to see Nick, too, and that was someone else he had been avoiding. He glances over towards one of the entrances to the Maze. It'd be real easy to die in there. Especially if you're on your own. There are a whole lot of ways things can go wrong. Things that would look, to an outsider, like an accident, or an attack, rather than a suicide. Maybe that was the coward's way out, but it was the only way out Newt could see at all. "Hey," Alby says.Newt could swear Alby snuck up on him on purpose. "Oh," he says, playing it off. "You.""Me," Alby agrees, brow furrowed. "Why aren't you in the Maze?""Oh, I'm headed in now," Newt tells him. "We were just... testin' something. I'll be back with Minho in a second."Alby nods slowly, unimpressed. "Alright," he relents. "You get running, though. Can't have ya skippin' work all the time.""Course not," Newt says. "Hey, would you, um, would you apologize to Nick for me? We haven't really talked since..." His voice trails off. "Anyway. I just feel bad about it."Alby hesitates, a little confused, and then he nods slowly. "I... guess so," he says. "You could just do it yourself.""I'd rather you do it," Newt manages. "Please."Alby sighs. "Yeah," he relents. "I can do it.""And tell Minho 's not his fault," Newt continues."What, that this little theory of yours... didn't work?" Alby prompts."...Yeah," Newt says. "Um. I know he'll beat himself up about it."Alby frowns pointedly, but he nods one last time. "Yeah," he agrees. "I guess I can do that." He pauses. "Newt, are you-?""I've got to get goin'," Newt interjects. "Only so many hours in a day, yunno. I'll see ya, mate.""Don't go too far," Alby says, a sentence with more than one meaning. Newt nods pointedly. "I won't," he says, and it's technically not a lie. And then he's off. And Alby doesn't stop him. Hopefully he'll figure it out, but not before it's too late to do anything to prevent it. At least then Nick and Minho will know he's sorry for all the trouble he's been causing lately, and it'll be one last shard of possible redemption before the end. That's all Newt can hope for, really.Logically, he knows that this is an irrational decision. He does realize that much. Unfortunately for reason, he can't bring himself to care. His brain won't allow him to come up with any other alternative, and so suicide is his only possible course of action. He has to pick a good spot. He can't go out too far, or nobody will understand. Nobody will find him until some poor, unsuspecting shank comes across his half-decomposed body. That won't be good for any of them. He can't be too close to the Glade, either, or everyone over there will be able to hear what's going on. No. Newt needs to pick a spot that's just far away enough that nobody will be able to stop him before it's too late. That's not too big of an issue, though. He already has the spot picked out. He's had it marked for the last few days. Just in case. So when he reaches that little turn in the Maze, the one that's the perfect distance from the Glade, he stops, and he looks up. That wall was a whole lot taller when he looked at it like this. A beetleblade scurries past him, settling on the wall he's supposed to be climbing. So these damned Creators couldn't give him a moment of privacy at the end of his life. That was great. So, so great. Every waking moment is going to be part of their spectacle, it seemed. Newt glares at it, and then he grabs the ivy on that wall beside it, and starts to climb. There's a nervous energy surrounding it. His hands are shaking. His whole body is shaking, really, and nothing feels quite real. Almost... liminal, maybe, or like a mirage. This sort of peculiar numbness overwhelms him, surrounds him until it's all that he can feel. It's better than the hate; better than the loathing and the fear and the misery. He welcomes the numbness. It's giving him what he wants. Everything's quiet. Completely and utterly silent, apart from the ticking and whizzing of the beetleblade. That's seriously starting to get annoying. It's the only thing that proves to Newt that this is all really happening, and not something he's hallucinating. It makes it all feel even more surreal. Newt hates it. On the bright side, he won't have to worry about that for much longer.So he keeps climbing. It's a little bit of effort now, but it's not much. Especially not when it's finally going to give him what he wants. There were a million better ways he could have gone about this, he notes, as he reaches the top of the ivy. More definite ways to die. A good knife. Even starving himself would have been better. There were more ways this could go wrong. So why had this been his choice? Was it because maybe, deep down, he wanted someone to save him?Or maybe, just maybe, it was because this was a suicide that didn't look like a suicide. Maybe he didn't want anyone to know the truth about his death, and this was the only real way to assure that came to pass.Newt looks to his right. The beetleblade's right there, right at eye level. Watching this for its own twisted entertainment, probably. It seemed like the sadistic kind of thing the Creators would do. "This is your fault," he says to it. Is it, really? Probably not. Newt doesn't know. Clearly he doesn't know much of anything anymore. Whatever. He'd rather blame the Creators than blame himself, or blame Minho, or blame anyone else. It was easier to blame the Creators, the situation they were in, than facing the truth. No one would find him in time. If he just.. just took a little step off. One foot in front of the other. That's all it would take. And then he'd be free. From all of it. From the Glade, from the Maze, from all of this downright misery. From Minho. It hurts. Really. It's a constant ache. Newt had just grown acclimated to it. Learned to live with that constant yearning, the constant pain and fear and anxiety. He sits down at the edge of the wall. Does he really want to do this? What about the Glade? The Glade didn't need him.And really, there's nobody that will really properly care. Maybe Alby. Maybe Minho. But he'll understand. He'll get it. He's the only one that gets it. Gets him. So he clutches onto that ivy tightly. He lets out one last deep, full breath, and then he pushes off the wall. Falling isn't so bad, really. That one final time. It's a little bit like flying. Soaring, knowing that soon, everything is going to be okay. That he'll feel peace like he never has before. It's liberating. Completely and utterly liberating. The ivy, the walls, everything gets bigger around him, but it still feels small. Insignificant. Newt sees it all. And then he hits the ground. Dying hurt a lot more than he thought it would. Not everywhere, exactly. Just in a few select places, though the pain was so intense that it felt like maybe his whole body was on fire, anyway. It was difficult to pinpoint exact locations. He didn't really care. He could breathe through it until he died. That would be coming soon. It was too late to turn back now, so he didn't have any other choice.Everything changed drastically within a matter of seconds. He was fine. Then he was too cold. Then he was boiling hot. Feverishly hot. Then both at the same time. At one point, he felt totally dry. The next, the ground around him was slick with what had to be blood. After that, things started getting to difficult to discern. Everything got fuzzy. Woozy. Newt couldn't tell what was happening, and what was just in his head. Maybe it was all in his head. Maybe he had already died, or maybe this was just what dying felt like. Time passes. He doesn't know how long, exactly, because it feels like half a second and an eternity all at once. But then there's hands on him. Two fingers pressed to the underside of his wrist. A hand on his cheek, turning his face to the side. His eyes peek open. His vision's too blurry to make out anything but vague shapes and colors."You're a shuckin' idiot," Alby says. "Finish it," Newt utters. Clearly this isn't going to do him in. Something must have gone wrong. But Alby would understand. Wouldn't he? He felt this kind of pressure. He knew how condemning it was. He would fulfil this one last wish. If Alby couldn't do it, then nobody could, and Newt couldn't accept that kind of defeat. "I'm not doin' that," Alby tells him. "We're gettin' ya back to the Glade, and you're gonna be fine."Newt didn't want to be fine. "Don't," he begs. Alby's already lifting him up. It's a slow process. Newt's pretty sure he blacks out at least once. But he manages. "You're gonna be fine," Alby says again. "You're not allowed to die on me.""I'm-""Save your energy," Alby interrupts him. "You're gonna need it.""Kill me," Newt chokes out. "Please just kill me."Alby shakes his head firmly. "You're not dyin'.""..Can I walk, at least? If you're gonna... drag me back there..." His voice trails off, but it's more the loss of blood than the loss of thought that causes this. "Can't worry anyone. Don't want 'em to think I'm...""Here's the thing, Newt," Alby says, glancing down at him briefly. "I don't think you can walk." He pauses, clearly not sure how to phrase the next part. "Definitely not now. Maybe not ever."Newt doesn't say anything else after that. Mostly because he can't find a way to respond, but also because he's lost so much blood that he has to focus all his concentration on not passing out. Not a good combination. He has given up on dying today. Clearly Alby is not going to let that happen, and Newt's not going to be able to finish the job himself.There went that plan. Minho is waiting for them at the Doors. Right away, he's being shifted around. That hurts a lot. Newt grits his teeth and tries not to black out. But then he's being held to Minho's chest, and he feels a lot safer than he ever has before. If he was gonna die now, he might as well do it here. That wouldn't be so bad.Nick rushes over right away. Newt still can't make out faces. But the voices... the voices are loud over the ringing in his eyes. There's a lot of commotion all around them, actually, but it's muted. At least, it's muted for Newt. He can't tell what's going on, except for the things that are happening within a foot of him. "What happened?" Nick asks. Alby shoots him a glance, then looks back at the leader. "Griever attack."Newt stares at him, expression softening just a little, for just a moment. "You lied for me," he whispers, just loud enough for Alby to catch it.The second in command winks, and then refocuses his attention on Nick, and the crowd forming around them. He starts barking out orders. It's at this moment that the noise comes to be too much, and finally, finally, Newt allows the blackness to overwhelm him.In the few hours he's been here, no one has come in to visit.The Medjacks have been by to treat him, but they haven't said a word. That's probably on purpose. Alby probably asked them not to. Then Minho comes in. The world instantly feels better."What's the jurisdiction?" Newt asks weakly, assuming Minho has the medical updates that have not yet reached Newt's ears.Minho's expression is grim. He reaches over, taking both of Newt's hands in his. That action alone hurts, but Newt tries not to let it show. So this is bad news, then. Really bad news, it seems. Okay. Okay. He saw that coming. "Newt," Minho manages. "Your running days are over."Yeah, well, Newt had seen that one coming. His heart drops anyway, but he wasn't all too surprised. The pain had subsided into the places he should actually be feeling it. He knew he'd really messed up his left leg. Probably a severe concussion, too. That's sure what it felt like. But he had liked running. It had given him a purpose.Now what was he supposed to do?"How over?""Over over," Minho continues. His grip on Newt's hands tighten. This conversation must be just as hard for him as it is for Newt. "They don't..." His voice trails off. "They don't even know if you'll be able to walk again after this."Newt nods slowly, trying to appear unfazed. All he'd tried to do was make people's lives easier, and he'd made them even harder. Not only was he worthless, now he was useless. He wouldn't even be able to walk. "...I want to die.""I know," Minho murmurs. "But I want you to live."Somehow, that one felt like it mattered a little more."Get some rest for now, okay?" Minho prompts. "We'll talk more in the morning."Newt knows that look. He can tell how hard Minho is trying to stay composed. For him. Minho's only staying strong for him. So he nods slowly, as much as he can manage, and then he shuts his eyes. He's not going to get any rest, but he'll let Minho think he's trying. "Stay," he whispers. He can't be alone."Believe me, Newt," Minho manages. "I'm not goin' anywhere."Newt doesn't sleep that night. He's in too much pain to do so. But Minho doesn't let go of his hands, and the heat of the older boy's touch... it's its own kind of painkiller. Newt focuses on that, even though maybe he's not quite ready to face what it means. It's certainly better than thinking about the other thing.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

True to his word, Minho did not leave Newt's side for even a second. He hasn't let go of his hands, either. Clint had cracked a joke about this in the night, when he came in to check on Newt, but the jest was waved off. Easy access to his pulse is all it was. Or maybe, just maybe, Minho liked having his friend so close to him. Especially after all the recent distance. Especially after what Newt had almost done.Because he'd tried to kill himself. There was no way to accept that, or try to understand why. Had he really been so unhappy? Had something pushed him to that irreversible breaking point? Had it been Minho's fault? Was it because of that bet? He'd been so very despondent after his victory. That being said, though, he had been dismissive before the bet even started, too. Was there anything that could even be done? What if Newt decided to never open up about it? What if he tried again? Were they just going to have to watch him, day in and day out, to prevent him from trying to hurt himself? Is that what it was going to take? Minho would stay with him all the time, if that's what was needed. He'd do it a thousand times over.At some point in the night, Nick and Alby come in. They sit next to Minho, and they say nothing. Not for a while. They just sit there and stare at Newt. Broken, bloody Newt. He was looking a little pale, too. Sickly, almost. Clint and Jeff both said that was to be expected. That he might even run a fever before the night was through. Minho hoped not. Newt shouldn't have to go through anything else ever again. "We can't tell anyone about this," Alby says finally."Everyone saw him," Nick says, not quite getting Alby's point. "We can't just play it off. Everyone knows he's badly hurt."Minho shakes his head. "Sure," he says, "but no one can know it was a suicide attempt.""That's what it was?" Nick asks, incredulous. Alby hadn't even told him. Maybe Minho shouldn't have said it outright. Newt wouldn't want anyone to know. Newt never wanted anyone to know about any of his problems. Then again, that was probably what had put him in this kind of position in the first place."Yeah," Alby confirms, sighing. "That's what it was.""And nobody can know," Minho reiterates. "That's not what Newt would want. That's why we'll say it was a Griever attack."He's very adamant on this front, and he intends to stay that way. He needs to advocate for Newt while he's in a position where he's incapable of doing it himself. And knowing Nick... he had the best of intentions, but he was just too honest of a person. They all knew that. "A Griever attack," Nick repeats. "He got attacked, but he didn't get Stung? Is that even... a thing?"Minho shrugs. "Who cares? If I say it's a thing, these shanks will believe me. They don't know the Maze like I do."“Do you really want to take that chance?” Nick asks. “If someone calls out the lie, it’ll be pretty obvious what the truth is.”No one was going to call them on the lie. Nobody really knew what the Grievers were capable of. That being said, they’d still have to be vague when discussing what had happened. The more details they added, the easier it would be to slip up. That wasn’t something they could afford to do. “We’re not telling the truth,” Alby insists. “Nobody can know the truth.”Minho was thinking along those same lines. Newt would feel a thousand times worse if everyone found out what happened. Especially if people started to pity him. That would probably just drive him back into the Maze to try again. So nobody could know, plain and simple. "Y'know, Minho," Alby ventures. "You could let go of him now. He's asleep. He can't tell the difference."Minho frowns. "No.""...No? You like havin' both your hands full for no reason?" Nick prompts. "What happens if Gally comes in here and picks a fight with you? You'll lose. And we all know how sore of a loser you are."Minho rolls his eyes. But he still doesn't let go. It feels like a betrayal, letting Newt go, and Minho has betrayed him enough for one lifetime. And, besides, Minho's scared that if Minho's not there to keep his hand warm, it'll go cold for reasons more than one. Schrödinger's Cat, and all that; if Minho can't constantly feel Newt's pulse, it might as well have faded away to nothingness. "I can't let go," he says honestly. "Newt asked me not to." Not in so many words, but Minho was sure that was what he'd meant. "You're spending the night here, then?" Nick prompts."Course I am," Minho answers instantly.He didn't intend to let Newt out of his sight for a very long time. Or ever. Ever definitely works."On that note," Alby says. "I think we should have someone with him at all times.""Yeah," Minho agrees. "He's a pretty guy. Put him in a position where he could be taken advantage of-""No, Minho, no," Nick says, cutting him off. "We need someone to watch him in case he tries to hurt himself."Oh.That made more sense. Logically, Minho had known that from the start. It was just so hard to think that Newt, his sunshiney, perfect Newt, would ever try to do something like that. Of course, it was hard to think that his perfect Newt would ever try to kill himself, either. It had still happened. Newt was always good at hiding how he was feeling. Obviously Minho should have paid more attention. He should have caught on. He should have never let the blond out of his sight this morning. Giving him that day off was the worst thing he could have possibly done.If Newt had just gone into the Maze with him, if Minho had never separated from him, this never would have happened."I'll stay with him," Minho says. "We have a lot to talk about when he wakes up."Alby quirks an eyebrow at him. "This wouldn't have anything to do with that bet, would it?""It didn't end so well," Minho admits. "I've been trying to talk to him about since it happened." He sighs, disheartened. "Now I wish I'd tried a little harder.""Listen, man," Alby says. "I guarantee that bet isn't what led to this."Minho wasn't so sure. Minho didn't sleep at all that night. That was okay. He didn't exactly feel very tired. He wasn't tired. All he cared about was making sure Newt was alright. Absolutely everything else could wait. Was this what being in love felt like? Probably. Minho could wait to put a label on it until a better time. There was just too much going on right now.But Newt had wanted to kiss him, hadn't he? They'd been about to, when the alarm went off. If that thing hadn't sounded... well, this would probably be a very different story right now. It was too late, though. There was no real point in dwelling on it. That's not what had happened, so it doesn't much matter. What does matter is making sure Newt is alright and happy and not verging on attempting suicide. So he stares at the blond's pale face, paler than usual. What else can he do, but dream that Newt will wake up and tell him that all of this was a joke, and that he hadn't really resorted to trying to take his own life?Was he so miserable? How had Minho failed to pick up on such a thing? This was his best friend in the whole world. The best friend he was actively in love with. His best friend, the love of his life, had been suicidally depressed, and Minho hadn't even noticed.One green eye peeks open, and then the other. Thank God. Minho wasn't sure how much longer he could dwell on this on his own before he just simply lost it.He looks so weak. So tired and drained and done with everything. Paler and more fragile than he's ever seemed before. That was the facade, though; the one Newt put on so nobody would worry about him. It had done its job well, it seemed. "How are you doing?" Minho asks quietly. He still hasn't let go of Newt's hands. He doesn't intend to.Newt hesitates for a moment, eyes foggy as he takes in his surroundings. "Hurts," he says honestly."Yeah, it's gonna," Minho says. "You totally shattered your left leg."Newt doesn't say anything for a long time. Those big green eyes fill with tears, and Minho immediately regrets saying that. He should have eased into this part. The part where the Medjacks aren't sure Newt will ever recover from this. They don't know if he'll ever be able to walk again, let alone run. His whole life is going to change. That's a scary concept regardless of everything else he's going through. All combined? A total nightmare."...I wish it worked."That's absolutely not what Minho wanted to hear him say, but it didn't exactly take him off guard. Especially not after everything he'd said to Minho the night before. After the little "I want to die" bit, with all the dreadful honesty and verity behind it, nothing could possibly catch him off guard."I'm glad it didn't," Minho murmurs. "I don't know what I'd do if it had.""You'd be fine," Newt manages. "And I'd be dead.""How could I ever be fine if you were dead?""You wouldn't have to feel sorry for me anymore."Minho sighs, squeezing Newt's hands tightly in reassurance. "I don't feel sorry for you," he says. "I don't pity you. That's not why I hang out with you.""Then why do you?"He speaks like he genuinely can't come up with any other reason. Like he finds himself so useless and insignificant that there isn't any other possible reason Minho would want to be around him. That alone tells Minho all he needs to know about Newt's mental state."Because I like you," Minho tells him. "Because you're patient, and kind, and oddly gentle, given everythin' we do in the run of a day. Because you're the only shuck person in this Glade I can actually talk to, cause you're the only one that will actually listen, and not crack a joke at the end."Newt stares at his lap. He refuses to look Minho in the eyes. Minho doesn't mind. This is a hard topic of conversation. He knows Newt's been struggling with this for a long time. He's not a patient person, but he's going to have to do his best here. He's the one that has to help Newt through this."I want to die," Newt whispers, eyes brimming with tears. "I just want to die.""I know," Minho says, his own heart dropping. "I know you do."The first tear falls down the blond's cheek. "I just... I just want it to be over." And then he breaks down crying. Minho's never seen him cry like this before. He's seen Newt cry, sure, but never this hard, and it's never been this devastating before. It's never felt so detrimental before.So Minho hugs him tightly, deciding that hand holding simply wasn't enough to handle this dilemma. So Newt cries into his chest, and Minho sits there, holding him, feeling entirely useless. He doesn't know what he's supposed to do. He never knows what to do when people cry.Especially not Newt. Newt never cried, not like this. Newt never needed proper consoling. That must be what had led to all of this. Newt needed taking care of, and nobody ever took care of him. If Minho had just tried a little harder... maybe none of this ever would have happened."You're... You're okay," Minho assures him, holding him tighter. "You're okay. I've got you.""'M sorry," Newt chokes out. "'M so sorry. I just-""Don't apologize," Minho says. "You never have to apologize to me. And... and I should be the one doin' the apologizing here. If I hadn't been so shuckin' stupid, this never would've happened. You've got every damn right to hate me."Newt doesn't answer right away. Minho wants to retract his statement. He can't be making this about himself. This is about Newt. He needs to keep this about Newt. All about Newt. Newt, Newt, Newt. He was hurting, and he was vulnerable. Minho was the one that was supposed to take care of him."'S not your fault," Newt whispers. "Just mine.""None of this is your fault," Minho promises him. "Newt, you haven't done anything wrong. You know that? You haven't done anything at all. We've failed. We've disappointed you, but you haven't disappointed us. You hear me?"Newt blinks at him, not sure what to do. "You're so, so perfect," Minho continues, bringing one hand up to run it through Newt's hair. "And I mean that. A while ago you said... you said some things, and then you ran off before I could respond to them. But I really wish you'd stayed to hear what I had to say."Newt pulls away from him, the tears still running down his cheeks. Minho wants to kiss them away. He's still so pretty, even though he's so battered and broken. God, Minho loves him. He wants him to be happy and at peace all the time. He'd do anything to keep it that way, if only he could. "Cause maybe if you'd stayed, I could've told ya I felt the same way about you," Minho says. It occurs to him that he shouldn't have said all this yet. Newt's going through a lot. He shouldn't have to deal with this right now. Minho should have waited. Unfortunately, it was too late to take it back. And so now Minho was just going to have to make the best out of this situation. "You love me?"It was a strong way to word it, but for the sake of Newt's fragility, Minho's not going to comment on that. Besides, Minho can't look into those big sad eyes and say no. And isn't it the truth? Doesn't he love him? That word certainly felt right. Love. Yeah. That must be it. "Of course I do," Minho says. "...You couldn't have told me that yesterday?" Newt asks, laughing weakly. Minho shoots him a smile, trying not to let all the guilt and worry he was feeling show. He reaches forward, cupping the blond's face with both hands as he brushes his tears away with his thumbs. Those big sad eyes. How could anyone look into those big sad eyes and try to hurt him? It's at this point that Minho realizes Newt's trembling under his touch. Not an emotional thing, but a physical strain. Right. He was dangerously weak in the physical department right now. Minho was putting too much strain on him at a time like this. Newt can't walk, he can't even stand, and the thought alone is tearing him apart, let alone the physical pain behind it all."Alright, here, you lay back down," Minho says, gently pushing him back down against the bed. "You need all the rest you can get. Gotta heal up so we can get you back to your best."Newt grabs Minho's hands before he can pull them away. The blond's fingers trace the lines of his palms nervously, like he's not sure if he's allowed to do that or not. Minho doesn't stop him. "You can't put me to bed without tellin' me what this means."Minho laughs quietly, trying to ignore the heat of Newt's fingers all over his hands. "Well, I guess it can mean whatever you want it to mean."He'd be okay with whatever Newt wanted. As long as Newt was happy. That seemed to be all that mattered to him. And maybe that was weird. Maybe that was wrong. Minho didn't care. It was worth it to see a smile on Newt's face."That's not fair," Newt says. Minho has no idea what the hell he's talking about. "It can't always be what I want.""Why not?" "Because I don't deserve that," Newt says. He speaks in a way that is so impossibly honest that it hurts to hear. He really doesn't believe that he deserves to get what he wants. That's what hurts so much. How could Newt not see how much he was worth?"You deserve the world," Minho says. "But I can't give that to you. I'm all I've got to offer."Newt stares at him, incredulous. And now Minho sees how he has to do this. How he has to play this. Newt's never going to go after what he wants unless it's made out to be him doing what Minho wants. He doesn't want to be an inconvenience. So Minho has to do the heavy lifting here. Newt doesn't want to voice his own opinions. Minho can work with that. He knows what Newt wants. He knows what Newt wants more than Newt does. "I wanna date you," Minho says. "If you'll have me. I know I was an asshole durin' that bet, and all, but-""I'll have you," Newt says, cutting him off. "As long as you still want me. Since I'm so... yunno.""No, I don't know," Minho presses. "You're so... what? Perfect? Desirable? Everything I could ever ask for? Why wouldn't I want you? I think I've made it pretty obvious how much I love you."Newt stares at him, eyes still watering. His bottom lip is trembling, but it's not because of the physical strain this time. "I love you," Minho repeats. "And you're worth every bit of it."That's all it takes to set him off again. Minho sits down on the edge of the bed, wiping the tears from his eyes and holding him close, whispering condolences that don't even really make sense. They seem to make Newt feel better. Or, at least, they get him to stop crying, and that's a win in Minho's books."I love you," Minho says again, leaning down and kissing his forehead. Newt looks up at him, green eyes a little less sad looking. "Does this make you my boyfriend?""Does it make you mine?"Newt looks away. "I'd like that."So he could only vouch for what he wanted when he wasn't looking. Eye contact was hard. That was okay. Minho could work with that. He'd do whatever he could to make Newt feel more comfortable. "Will you-" Newt cuts himself off. Minho looks over, waiting for him to continue. He reaches forward, brushing the blond's hair out of his face as he waits for him to continue. Newt will talk. He just needs to gather his thoughts first. Minho can wait. Minho can always wait. "Will you stay?""Newt, I'm not goin' anywhere," Minho promises him. "Haven't left you since you got here."Newt's brow furrows a little. "That's..."Not what he meant. Okay. Fine. It was hard to figure out what Newt was trying to say with the amount of context he had received. Did he want Minho to sit here all night? He would, if Newt asked him to. He absolutely would."I mean here," Newt says, gesturing weakly to the bed. "Stay here.""I'll sit here all night, and all day tomorrow, if that's what you want me to do," Minho assures him. "No," Newt says. "I want..."Oh. Minho got it now. He braced himself with one hand as he pushes onto his side, wrapping an arm around his boyfriend (his boyfriend!) as he lays down. He tries not to get too close. That's hard to do, when Newt wants to be close to him, and when Minho wants to hold him tight, but he can't make any of the blond's pain worse. One accidental bump to that horribly broken leg, and Newt would be hurting a lot more than necessary. Minho wasn't going to do that to him. "This?" Minho prompts.Newt hums. "Yeah." He nestles in a little closer, tucking his head into the crook of Minho's neck. "Don't leave.""I won't," Minho says quietly. "I've got you.""'M just gonna...""Yeah, you get some sleep," Minho says, holding him a little tighter. "You need all the rest you can get. I'll be here when you wake up.""Promise?""Yeah," Minho says. "I promise."

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

Minho had been watching Newt sleep for the last three and a half hours. Not in a creepy way, of course, because they were dating, and it was allowed. He just looked so peaceful asleep, a peace he didn't get when he was awake. He looked so much less miserable right now. It was a nice reminder that Newt actually could be happy sometimes. Or tranquil, anyway. He wasn't sad all the time. Minho was going to have to make some adjustments to that ratio. He shouldn't be sad ever. Happy all the time.His sweet songbird had gone through more than enough. Alby, of course, chooses this moment to walk in. He stares at the two of them eyes wide, looking altogether unsurprised. Minho couldn’t quite get that one; had the way Newt and Minho felt about each other really been that obvious? And if it was so apparent, how come they had failed to see their feelings were reciprocated?But Alby, being Alby, doesn’t say a word about it. He probably considers it a waste of time. Newt had been right about one thing; Alby was seriously too busy to do anything fun these days, and it was starting to bum Minho out. Alby instead focuses on the bigger picture, that, of course, being Minho’s job. That he’s currently supposed to be doing.“Why aren’t you in the Maze?” Alby asks, quirking an eyebrow. “You should have been out there an hour ago.”Minho senses he has a choice to make here. A big, defining one. One that definitely has a right answer, even though Alby’s not going to like it. So maybe it’s a bit of a sacrifice, too. Minho could get into a lot of trouble for this, and he definitely would, should this all have been under different circumstances.“I quit,” he says plainly. Alby stares at him, incredulous. “You’re funny,” he says without any amusement. “Get to work, Minho.”“No,” Minho says. “I don’t have my buddy.”“The buddy system isn’t actually necessary,” Alby informs him. “We’re disestablishing it, actually. We’ll get more done that way. So go on, get runnin’.”Minho’s brow furrows. “I already told you I quit.”“You can’t quit,” Alby tells him. “It’s not an option.”Minho sits up, carefully extracting himself from Newt’s hold without waking him. This is a serious conversation. Alby needs to know he’s not messing around about this. That he really, truly means every word he’s saying.“Look,” he begins. “My boyfriend just tried to kill himself. He’s struggling. I’m not leaving him alone for even a second, and I won’t be goin’ back to work until he’s doing better. I intend to continue my strike until I have every confidence that Newt is fine on his own. I plan to stay with him day and night, and help him relearn to walk when he gets strong enough, and make sure that he’ll never try somethin’ like this again. There’s nothin’ you can do to stop me.”Alby stares at him for a moment, and then he nods, content with Minho’s response. “Good that,” he says. “We’ve got tons of Runners. Bein’ Newt’s babysitter takes priority. I get it.”Minho frowns. “I can’t tell if you’re bein’ serious or not.”“I’m not,” Alby says. “Newt might be… strugglin’, but he’s just as capable as he was before. He doesn’t need ya here all the time. We need you runnin’ the Maze. Newt will understand that.”“I’m strikin’,” Minho says firmly, “and you can’t stop me. Newt needs me more than the Glade does. He’s my priority, and he always will be.”Alby sighs, exaspaerated. “Fine,” he relents. “But you better be the best damn babysitter the Glade’s ever seen, if you’re makin’ it your full time job.”“Yes sir,” Minho says, saluting him. “How’s he doing, then, babysitter?” Alby prompts, changing the subject. “Has he said anythin’ about it?”“Just that he really, really wants to die,” Minho says, a little more disheartened now. It was so horrible, to hear Newt speak about himself that way. “I’m hopin’ to change his mind about that.”Alby nods slowly, saying nothing this time. His gaze is fixed on Newt. He hadn’t heard Newt talk yet. He didn’t realize just how bad this situation really was. He didn’t realize how much Newt was struggling, how horribly he was doing. “You should have heard him last night,” Minho says quietly. “He hates himself. I’m not sayin’ that lightly. He really does. He thinks he’s worthless and that he doesn’t deserve anything good. I told him I loved him and he burst into tears because he decided he didn’t deserve that.”Still, Alby says nothing. Not for a while. It was a tough pill to swallow. It was hard to realize someone so close to you was struggling so much. It was worse when you didn’t catch on until it was too late. “I knew it,” Alby finally says. “I knew he wasn’t doing well the second I caught him starin’ at the Maze. I still let him go. Thought he’d meet up with you. I knew you’d take care of him. I can’t believe I didn’t realize…”Minho shakes his head slowly. “It’s not your fault. Newt’s too damn good at hiding how he feels. That’s just who he is. Nobody’s at fault here.” Except maybe for Minho, but he wasn’t going to say that out loud. This wasn’t about him. It was about Newt.“Yeah,” Alby relents, “yeah, maybe you’re right.”"Of course I'm right," he says. And then he pauses. "I called him my boyfriend, didn't I?"Alby nods slowly. "You did, yes.""Well, I don't think I was supposed to say that," Minho admits. "I think we're keepin' it a secret. So don't go around tellin' anybody. Not even Nick." Actually, not telling Nick was probably the very best course of action here. "Especially not Nick.""Wouldn't dream of it," Alby says. He pats Minho on the shoulder. "I've got to get goin'. Give your boyfriend my regards.""Yes sir," Minho says, saluting him teasingly.Alby laughs as he makes his way out. It's loud enough that by the time Minho looks away from the door, Newt's green eyes are pouring into his dark ones. He still looks so tired, so weak and vulnerable and exhausted. "How are you feeling?" Minho asks, brushing the blond's hair out of his face, tucking a curl behind his ear. Newt manages a small shrug. "Not so hot," he says. At least he's not lying anymore. Not to Minho, anyway, but that's not important. As long as Minho knows everything, nothing bad is going to happen. He's going to help him. He's going to make him want to live. None of this would be worth anything if Newt didn't want to live. "Anything I can do to help?"Newt considers the question, and then shakes his head. "Not really.""Is there really nothin' I can do, or do you just not want to ask for it?" Minho presses, knowing the second option is probably the most fitting in this situation. "...The last one."Okay. So Minho was going to have to guess here. That was okay. He could do that. He had a whole lot of time on his hands here. Taking care of Newt was his full time job. He knew Newt better than anyone. He'd be able to guess. Hopefully. Newt struggles to sit up. Minho helps him up, getting the blond to lean against his chest so he's not straining under the weight of his own body. This isn't what he wants Minho to do, he just doesn't want to be laying down anymore. Minho's quite stuck. He has no idea what Newt wants from him. "You can ask anything of me," Minho tells him. "Anything at all. All I want is for you to be safe and happy.""Will you-" Newt cuts himself off, shaking his head slightly.So there is something he wants. He just refuses to ask for it. Okay. Minho can figure this out. Context clues, and all that. He can work it out, and then he can give Newt what he wants, and he'll do this a million times a day until Newt sees himself the way Minho sees him.Newt's eyes are fixed on him. Or, more specifically, on his lips.Oh. That's what he wanted. Minho could totally do that. He'd definitely do that one a million times a day, if Newt asked it of him. Even if he didn't, Minho would be more than happy to. But this was their first kiss, and that had to count for something. It couldn't just be plain and meaningless. Minho really couldn't screw this up. This was probably Newt's first kiss. Ever. Minho really had to make it special. "Can I kiss you?" He asks quietly, hoping he hadn't misread that sign. Newt hesitates, and then he nods uncertainly. Minho can see the want in his expression. His only uncertainty was that he thought he wasn't allowed to ask for something like that. If only Newt could see himself the way Minho sees him. Then he'd see how perfect he really was.Minho brings one hand to Newt's jaw, gently tilting his chin up. So this is it. The very thing he'd been after for the entirety of their bet. It felt a lot more significant. In this way, and in many more, Minho was glad he lost that bet.Newt's big green eyes meet his, and then they close. Uncertainly, expectantly, maybe even nervously. Minho does not intend to disappoint him. The blond tips his head to the side, ever so slightly. He's sure. He wants this. So carefully, incredibly carefully, Minho leans down, bringing their lips together. Newt's lips are soft, and perfect, and everything Minho had hoped they would be. No fireworks go off. There are no bells ringing. No ringing, or cheering. It's just them. Just the two of them. That was all Minho wanted there to be. It was quiet and timeless and so incredibly them that nothing else really seemed to matter. In that quick moment, nothing else was of any import. The world was not horrible, they weren't trapped, and everything was perfectly fine. Newt's the one that pulls away. He stares at Minho for a heartbeat. Two. And then he leans back in, kissing Minho harder this time around. Minho's hands immediately drop to the blond's waist, gently grabbing the flesh just above his hips. Newt's hands are on him, too; resting so tenderly on his shoulders that Minho barely realizes they're there.Minho breaks the kiss this time, purely because he's not sure he'll be able to control himself if it goes on for any longer. He keeps his hands on Newt's waist. The younger boy doesn't complain about this. Minho counts that as an okay. "Is that what you were looking for?" Minho asks, not sure what else he's supposed to say. Newt hesitates, and then he nods once, eyes darting down to stare at Minho's chest instead. Okay. So eye contact was still hard. That was okay. They'd work on that, if they needed to. Minho was more than okay with the lack of eye contact. That was the absolute least of his worries."Is there anythin' else I can do?"Newt doesn't look up. "Can you, um," he begins. Okay. This was progress. "Just hold me? Please?"That, Minho could do.He hugs Newt around the stomach, carefully leaning back, taking the blond with him. Newt waits all of four seconds before slowly rolling onto his stomach, wrapping his arms around Minho and dropping his head onto the Runner's chest. Minho keeps his arms around Newt's waist, fingers tracing patterns into his lower back."How's your leg?""Hurts."Yeah, well, that wasn't very surprising. Minho wished there was something he could do about that one, but there really wasn't. He wasn't a Medjack, and even if he was, they didn't have strong enough medication to do much of anything to make Newt feel less pain. Did they even have pain killers at all? Minho had no idea."...Will I really never be able to walk?" Newt asks.It's the first unprompted sentence he's said today. That's progress, too. Even if it's a horrible question that nobody should ever have to ask. Minho didn't know how to respond. What was he supposed to say? He wasn't any kind of medical professional. He had no idea how this was going to play out."I don't know, Newt," Minho says honestly. "I think you'll be able to. If we work on it. Physiotherapy, and all that." He pauses. "I think your running days are over, though. I can't see your leg ever healing enough for you to be able to do that."Newt nods slowly. He doesn't say anything. That's probably not what he wants to hear. Minho doesn't want to sugarcoat it for him. He knows that Newt wants the truth, terrible as it may be. He wouldn't like any lie Minho had to offer. "But you don't reckon I'll be... bedridden forever.""No," Minho says. "No. You'll walk again. I'll help you get back to that, at least. Then we'll see what we can do about running.""So I'm useless, is what I've gathered," Newt says, sounding disheartened. "I'm out of a job.""You're not useless," Minho assures him. "We're just gonna have to find somethin' else for you to do. That's a long way off, anyway. We've gotta heal you up, first."Newt doesn't say anything right away. So he disagrees. That was fine. He doesn't have to agree right now. Things would feel a lot more hopeful once he started healing. Things would get better. Or, at least, Minho had to think like that, or he'd lose his mind."I don't deserve all that," Newt says finally. "Maybe this is all just some punishment for causin' so much bloody trouble."Minho hates to hear him talk like that. He deserved the whole world. Why couldn't he see that, especially when it was so painfully obvious to Minho? Some day, Minho hoped he'd be able to see himself the way Minho saw him. That'd be the day the world got a whole lot better. "You don't deserve any of this pain," Minho assures him. "And I'm so sorry it's happened to you, Newt."Newt frowns pointedly. Has Minho said something wrong? He certainly hadn't meant to. Newt looks quite discouraged. Clearly Minho has managed to mess up somehow."Why d'you keep calling me that?""Because... it's your name?"Was Newt really upset that Minho had been calling him by his name? Sure, he was fragile right now, but was he really that fragile?"But you never call me that," Newt points out.Oh. He missed his nickname. Minho wasn't sure if it was appropriate to call him that anymore, after everything that had happened. Doves were mourning birds, and Newt had almost died. It just felt wrong to call him such a thing now. It might bring up some bad memories. There was too much negative sentiment around it now. But Newt still liked it. He still wanted it. If Newt was okay with it, then Minho was, too. "Do you still want me to call you dove?" Minho presses. "After... everything?"Newt frowns pointedly. "Why wouldn't I?""Well, doves are, like, mournin' birds, and you... y'know..."Newt holds him a little tighter. "Doesn't that just make it even more special?""Alright, dove, if that's what you'd like," Minho says, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "I really like when you call me that," Newt confesses. "I know," Minho says. "That's why I do it."Minho has stayed entirely true to his word, over the last three and a half months. He hasn't once left Newt's side. This had been a very simple task when Newt was confined to the bed, since Minho always knew where to find him. He'd also had only one job, at that point; keep Newt happy, and help him recover mentally. Seeing as Newt no longer regularly informed Minho that he wanted to die, and he had become considerably brighter, Minho thought he'd done his job well.Of course, Newt wasn't better. That wasn't how it worked. Minho had figured that he could make get Newt all the way there one day, but he'd learned a lot these past few months, too. Depression, in Newt's case anyway, wasn't something that ever went away. Newt would have it forever. He'd always feel at least a little insignificant, a little worthless, and no matter how hard Minho tried, he wouldn't be able to make those feelings go away. But Newt was doing a lot better than he had been. He was smiling, and laughing, and cracking jokes again. He was talking without restricting himself now, and wasn't afraid to ask for what he wanted.So things were better, even if they weren't perfect. Now, however, Minho's job was a little harder. Remind Minho never to have kids. Teaching someone how to walk sucked. And now it was harder to locate his boyfriend at any given moment. It was still comparatively easy to find him, since Newt wasn't very good at walking, and couldn't get very far on his own. That was a difficulty in itself. Not that Minho minded helping him around, but Newt did. Newt hated depending on Minho for everything. Minho loved having an excuse to spend every waking moment with him. "Do not let me go," Newt says. "I think you can do it on your own," Minho tells him. "It's the same thing. You've barely needed me.""We're in the middle of the buggin' Glade," Newt says. "If I fall in front of every shank in here, I'm takin' you down with me."Minho laughs, even though he knows Newt is entirely serious. The blond has him by the forearms, clinging onto him like a lifeline. Minho knows he can walk on his own without faceplanting. He's done it before, though that had been in the security of the Homestead. And they had been alone. There was no one to judge him or think he's weak, other than Minho, who would never do that. This was different. The final test. This might just be the first time Newt's spent a substantial amount of time outside since The Incident. Minho had taken to calling it that. Capital T, capital I. It was a lot easier to call it that than to call it Newt's attempt. "You can do it," Minho promises him. "You've done it before.""Not out here," Newt says. So Minho was right. Newt was concerned with all the Gladers watching them. There were quite a few sets of eyes on them, but that was to be expected. No one had really seen Newt in months, aside from a few choice people. On that hand, no one had really seen Minho, either. There was a bit of mystery to them now, from the perspective of the others. No one really knew what happened to Newt, or just how gravely he'd been injured. No one really knew why Minho was so adamant about staying with him, either."I want you to try," Minho presses. "They're all watching.""Only cause they care about you," Minho says, even though he's not really sure. "They're still watching," Newt argues. His brow furrows, and Minho can tell that this is something he's quite upset over. He shouldn't press, then. Unless there's something he can do to make this situation easier. "They still know I'm weak and useless."Minho glances around the Glade. He could get everyone back to work. They were all at least a little bit scared of him, and the ones that weren't respected Newt enough to listen anyway. "Hey! Get back to work!" He barks out. As expected, the heads all turn away quickly. "There," Minho says, speaking gently again. "Just you and me.""I'm gonna fall," Newt tells him. Minho shrugs. "I'll help you back up if you do. No harm done.""I'm lame," Newt says, half-joking. "Lame and useless.""Don't say that," Minho says quickly. "You're not lame or useless. And learnin' to walk on your own is only gonna make you less useless."Newt shoots him a look. Okay. That wasn't the right thing to say. Minho was still getting used to the rules of being Newt's boyfriend. There were jokes he wasn't allowed to make anymore. He forgot about that rule quite frequently. Some boyfriend, he was."Okay," Newt relents. "You've got a great bloody point there.""I'm gonna let go now," Minho says. "But I'm right here."Newt nods, and Minho lets him go. Newt wobbles in one place for a moment, but he's a lot steadier than he has been. He can do this. Minho has complete faith in him. Newt takes one step, and he's fine. All his weight is on his right foot. This next step is going to be the harder one. Newt steps. He wobbles. And then he's going down. It happens so fast that Minho can't catch him in time, and in turn cringes as Newt faceplants into the ground. The blond sits there, face down on the floor for a good ten seconds before lifting his head to glare at Minho. Oops. Well, this isn't exactly Minho's fault, is it?"Sorry, dove," Minho manages, trying hard not to laugh. "It all happened so fast.""Do not give me that," Newt says. "'S a good thing no one was watchin', or I'd- oh."Minho follows his gaze. The new Greenie was watching them, having strayed behind while walking with Nick. What was that kid's name? Minho couldn't even remember. He had caught a glimpse of the kid, and that was all. He devoted his every waking moment to Newt. No one else really mattered that much. "I've never seen him before," Newt continues, looking back at Minho. "Who's that?""The new Greenie," Minho answers.Newt's brow furrows. He looks back at the kid. "He's just a baby," he murmurs, voice laced with concern."Yeah, the Creators suck," Minho says. "No one's disagreein' with ya there.""He's so young," Newt presses. "What kinda sick bastard would do this to someone his age?""What kind of sick bastard would do this to anyone?"Newt doesn't respond. Instead, he calls out to the Greenie. "Hey, Greenie, c'mere a second, would ya? Nick won't mind."The kid doesn't move. He just stands there, wavering uncertainly. Alright. That was to be expected. Minho probably wouldn't go talk to a stranger that was laying on the ground, either, even if Newt, despite everything, was very warm and approachable."C'mon, you've seen what it's like when I try to get around," Newt continues. "Don't make me come to you."The kid laughs a little at that, and then he makes his way over.Newt kicks Minho in the shin with his good leg. "C'mon, Min, help me up. 'S your fault I'm on the ground.""It really isn't," Minho says, but he helps the blond to his feet all the same. "I've been a little... incapacitated recently," Newt says to the Greenie, ignoring Minho. "You're the new Greenie, yeah? I don't think we've met. I'm Newt, and this is Minho. He's usually the Keeper of the Runners, and I'm usually a lot less useless.""Are you the one Nick told me about?" The Greenie asks. "The really nice one? He had a lot to say about you. I think he has a crush on you, or some klunk."Newt smiles grimly. "Well, I see you've taken to that word right fast."He doesn't comment on that last part, though. That couldn't be something Newt wanted to be reminded of. Minho wasn't sure the blond had even talked to Nick since the rejection. Given everything that's happened, he had probably forgotten all about it. That rejection really wasn't something Newt needed to be reminded of right now. "You have a name, Greenie?" Minho asks, hoping to change the subject. "Oh, yeah," the kid says. "Chuck." He pauses, looking at Newt. "Nick wouldn't tell me what happened to you, though. Just that you got really hurt. Is it that dangerous in here?"Newt's face falls. Ah. Already, he's taken it upon himself to look after this kid. He just can't function without someone to take care of, can he?"No," Newt says. "No, it's not. You just do what Nick tells ya, and you'll be just right. You stay nice and safe in the Glade, and you'll be fine. 'S the Maze that's so lovin' dangerous."Minho nods in agreement, even though he's not so sure why Newt cares so much. Sure, it sucked that the Creators had sent up a kid this young, but it was just the way it was. There was nothing they could do about, Newt the least of all. He could barely get around on his own. "But-"This, of course, is when Alby comes running over. Alby didn't run with news. Never. That meant something bad had happened. Newt's grip on Minho tightens. So he'd picked up on that, too. Chuck was staring blankly at them, his gaze shifting from them to Alby and back again. "What's goin' on?" Minho asks, cutting to the chase.Alby stops right beside them, expression hard. That wasn't a good sign, either. "Nick's dyin'," he finally says, wasting no time. "Some freak accident while helpin' the Slicers."At first Minho thought he'd misheard. Nick? Dying? There was just no way. Nick was great. The best leader they could ever ask for. Everyone loved him. And now he was dying? It couldn't be possible. It just couldn't. "You're not serious," Newt says, incredulous. Minho glances over at him. He looks just as mortified as Minho figured he would. This wasn't good. The whole Glade was going to fall apart here. They couldn't function without Nick. They'd never really stopped to consider what would happen if he died. Now they had to face the dilemma head on without a plan. "We've got him in the Homestead," Alby says. "He's not gonna be around much longer." He pauses. "Think he'd like to see the both of you before he goes."But he glances at Newt, and not Minho, as he says this. Minho wanted to leave some space here. Alby was thinking similarly. The two of them hovered in the door way, and neither said a word when Newt pushed past them. Minho tried not to look at Nick at all. The Medjacks were trying to stop the bleeding, but it wasn't going to work. He'd already lost too much blood, and he was continuing to lose even more. "You came." Nick, strained as ever, sounds genuinely surprised."Course I did," Newt says. Minho can hear how choked he sounds. "...Sorry it took me so long."Nick's laugh is ragged and harsh, and more like a weak yell than a real laugh. Newt doesn't flinch away. "I'm glad." Nick's hand rises a little, and then falls again. "That you came.""Don't talk like that," Newt says. His hands close over Nick's. "You're not gonna die. You hear me?"Nick shakes his head slowly. "I am," he says. But he's still smiling. It's faint, ever so faint, but a smile all the same. He's quiet for a moment. "You're... like an angel, y'know?""Am I?" Newt asks. His eyes have already gone glassy. "So beautiful," Nick murmurs. "Thank you... for coming.""I'm sorry I haven't been by sooner," Newt answers. "I should have come to talk to you ages ago. I wasn't very nice to ya the last time we talked. I've been meanin' to apologize for so long, and now..."
And now it's too late.
"Don't be sorry," Nick tells him. "You've been... preoccupied.""I'm sorry," Newt says again. "I'm so sorry.""Alby," Minho calls out, cutting off their conversation before the both of them start breaking down. Two sunshiney people in a horrible situation? It wasn't going to be good. "How about you take Newt out for a walk? He should be getting a lot of exercise every day. Hasn't hit his quota yet today."Alby recognizes what he's trying to do. He nods curtly, keeping himself void of emotion as he takes Newt by the arm, gently steering the blond out of the room. Newt protests. Nick shoots him one last look, and he stops. Alby moves too quickly. Newt's shaky at the best of times, but it was worse now that he was a mess. Alby glances behind him, takes the hint, and slows down. Good."Minho," Nick says, the very second the door closes. Minho takes a few steps closer. He didn't get why Nick wanted to talk to him. Sure, they were friends, but they weren't that close. Minho shouldn't be one of the last people he talks to. It just didn't feel right to him."You..." Nick's voice trails off. "You take care of him."Newt. He was talking about Newt. Even in his last moments, he was thinking of Newt. That was another thing Minho had to feel bad for. Did Nick even know? Probably not. Minho didn't intend to tell him. Upsetting him before he died was just pouring salt in the wound. "I will," Minho promises him. "He loves you," Nick says. "...I'll take care of him," Minho assures him. "You don't have anything to worry about. Just let the Medjacks heal you up. Good that?""Good... that.""You're not gonna die," Minho says, not sure what else he's supposed to say. Nick finally turns to look him in the eyes. It probably took a great deal of effort, and Minho has to commend him for that. "Yes," he says. "I am. I'm... covered in blood. My blood. Isn't that... crazy? Funny?" He pauses. "I'm dying, Minho. Alby's gonna take over, but..." His voice trails off."But?" Minho presses."He's not... not... amiable," Nick manages. "Too cold. We need... Someone happy. Or... friendly. As his second. We need..."
Newt. 
"I gotcha," Minho says. He's not going to make Nick strain to speak in full sentences when he doesn't have to. "Newt. Second in command." He nods. "He'll like that, I think. It'll give him something to do. He's good at takin' care of people."Nick nods slowly. "Yeah. He'll... excel. He's... my first choice."At leadership. Nick would choose Newt, over Alby, to run the Glade. Minho nods, even though he knows very well that Newt would absolutely hate being in that kind of position. Nick was dying. His ideas didn't need to be shut down. "Go," Nick says, breaking the silence. "Newt needs you.""I don't wanna leave you alone.""Has it... ever occurred to you that... that's what I want?""You want to die alone?""I don't... wanna make anyone watch.""I don't mind," Minho says.And so he stays.It was well after midnight when Minho came down the stairs. Immediately he looked for Newt. He and Alby were sitting side by side, leaning against the far wall of the Homestead. No one else was around. That was new. This place was usually crammed full by this time of the night. "Sent everyone out," Alby explains, reading his mind. "Didn't want 'em in here when Nick was..."Newt looks up, eyes fixing on Minho's. Those big, sad green eyes, already red. He's been crying, then. The guilt, the irrational guilt, he felt probably wasn't helping. Those sad eyes ask him a question, a question he doesn't want to answer."He's gone," Minho says quietly.Newt looks at the ground. He doesn't say anything. Neither does Alby. "So, bright leader," Minho says, half-sarcastically, "as per the demand of your predecessor, I'd like to inform ya that your right hand is sittin' to the left of ya."Newt looks more surprised than Alby does."What?" Alby says to Newt. "You thought you were gonna be unemployed forever? Ya need somethin' new to do, and Nick's right about this one. You're the best shank for the job. Need another friendly leader to take his place.""Feels kinda heartless, to be makin' these decisions so soon," Newt admits, refusing to move his stare from the ground. "He just died."Alby sighs. "If we don't, then the whole Glade will fall apart," he says firmly. "'S not our job to be sensitive. It's our job to maintain order."Minho crosses the room, sitting down beside his boyfriend. Newt drops his head onto his shoulder. Minho wraps an arm around him. There's not much else that can be said, because Alby's right. Minho knows that, and Newt knows it, too. But they don't have to like it.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

"You met the new Greenie yet?" Newt asks, sitting down beside him.Minho rolls his eyes. He has yet to meet the new guy, but he has heard plenty of stories. He's not so sure he wants to get too friendly with a guy that's that apt to get himself killed. That was how it worked, when you were inquisitive. You died. That was one thing Minho knew very well. "Do I want to?""He kinda reminds me of you," Newt says. "A right idiot, but his heart's in the right place. Yunno?""...Are you calling me an idiot?" Minho teases. Newt shoots him an unamused look. Minho laughs, leaning over to peck the blond on the cheek. Instantly Newt tenses, looking around to make sure no one had seen it happen. Right. This was a secret relation. There was the "Newt, as a leader, can't have favorites" factor, but the bigger issue was the homophobia factor. Not that Minho really had any reason to doubt the Gladers. They literally had a rainbow flag put up by the Box. But, as they had learned, you can never be too careful, and so they kept it a secret. It made Newt more comfortable. Minho was willing to do pretty much anything in order to keep Newt safe and happy. It was basically his number one job. If he couldn't do that, what kind of boyfriend even was he?"'M not callin' you an idiot," Newt says."Good, 'cause that word's not allowed anymore," Minho declares. "I think slinthead's all the rage now."Newt scoffs. "Says who?""Says me."Newt laughs, but he doesn't argue against it. He's come to terms with the fact that Minho introduces new words every time they get a new Greenie, just for the sake of confusing everyone. They've had lots of discussions about it. Alby's had to sit him down and tell him to stop. Minho is not going to stop. It's absolutely hilarious. "So what's up with this Greenie, then?" Minho asks."Just asks a whole lot o' questions," Newt answers. "Never shuts his mouth. Chuck's taken to him, though. I think it's nice. They do look quite similar. 'S like their brothers.""Shank's only been in here for a day," Minho points out.Newt nods. "Yeah. 'S why it's a little odd.""You seem awfully fond of this Greenie," Minho teases, elbowing Newt gently in the ribs. "Should I be jealous?"Newt rolls his eyes, whacking him back. "A right laugh, you are," he says sarcastically. "I just think he's... interesting.""Interesting," Minho repeats. "I should be jealous, shouldn't I? This guy is my shuckin' competition.""Not that kind of interesting," Newt scoffs. "But he's funny. All these questions, next to none of the usual fear that goes with 'em. He's here, and he's ready to do somethin' about it. I guess he's... well, I reckon he might just be the catalyst to something.""A catalyst," Minho repeats, still teasing. "To what? Your undoing? Your marriage? Am I going to have to fight for your hand?"Newt whacks him again. Okay, fine. That was entirely deserved. Minho did love to bug him. Their relationship hadn't changed that. This whole thing with the Greenie, though, sounded a little stupid. No offense to Newt, who was looking for a miracle, because Minho loved him, but there was just no way a single Greenie was going to save the world. "Don't be an idiot," Newt says. "Tommy's just an interesting critter to analyze.""Tommy," Minho repeats. "You've already given him a petname? I don't stand a chance, do I? It's a lost cause.""You're being absurd," Newt informs him. The blond crawls into his lap, straddling his thighs. Minho does, in fact, love where this is going. "I don't care about the Greenie. 'M all yours.""All mine," Minho muses. "I do like the sound of that."He leans forward, capturing the blond's lips and kissing him hard. Frankly, he didn't care if anyone saw, but he figured Newt might. So he kept it short. Chaste. He pulled away quickly, holding his boyfriend at arm's length. Newt blinks at him, just once, and then kisses him again. Okay. So maybe Newt didn't care, after all. Minho's hands drop to Newt's hips, gripping them tightly. He trails kisses along the blond's jawline before moving down his neck, pausing to suck a hickey into the pale, pristine flesh of Newt's throat. "Quit that, will ya? I can't cover it."It would be fine. Minho knew the parameters of what could and couldn't be covered. Four months of a secret relationship? They knew what could and couldn't be covered. Newt knew that, too, and he liked the danger of it. "That's your favorite part," Minho teases, pressing a gentle kiss to the mark before moving on, directing his attention to the blond's collarbones, instead. "And you know it.""Maybe, but-" Newt begins, "oh, that's really-" Minho moves back to that spot, kissing it again- "Yeah.""You like that?" Minho asks playfully, teeth scraping Newt's skin as he speaks. Newt's hips roll into his. This is when Minho decides to call it quits. They haven't really talked about any of that yet. And, of course, there was the fact that Newt was still recovering from an incredibly severe injury. Minho didn't want to push that. "We're in the middle of the Glade, dove," Minho says, lifting the blond out of his lap. "Oh. Right," Newt says, looking around quickly to make sure no one was around. "Forgot about that.""Bet that Greenie of yours is lookin' for ya by now, anyway," Minho teases, trying to ease some of the tension. "He sticks to you like glue."Newt ignores his comment entirely. "Are we ever gonna do it?" He asks, brow furrowed. He won't meet Minho's gaze, quite content with staring at his hands folded in his lap. "Do... it," Minho repeats, not sure what the hell he's talking about."Yunno what I mean," Newt says, cheeks painted red. And then Minho does, in fact, get it. Okay. Quite frankly, Minho hadn't been sure Newt had even wanted to do anything like that. Minho had only ever shut him down for the sake of his own recovery.But if he wanted to...Well, that did change things, didn't it?"'S just every time I try to start something, you shut it down," Newt continues. "Is it just... Am I, like, not sexually appealing to you? Is that it? Is it because-""Hey," Minho says, cutting him off. "I've only ever shut it down because you're supposed to be taking it easy for the next... however long it takes for you to heal properly." He pauses. "You know I'm right, dove. You're never going to minimize that limp if you don't let yourself rest."Newt groans, dropping sideways into Minho's lap. "I can't," he says dramatically. "I've got a Glade to lead.""No," Minho corrects him. "Alby has a Glade to lead. He knows what he signed up for when he approved you as his second in command.""He didn't," Newt points out. "Nick made me second. Not Alby.""Well, Alby approved it, didn't he?" Minho prompts. "And he knew what he was gettin' himself into. A little break wouldn't kill ya."Newt doesn't answer, but Minho didn't really expect him to. These conversations typically ended this way. It was still hard for Newt to acknowledge that he deserved to take care of himself. Minho had no problem reminding him of it, of course, but sometimes Newt just couldn't formulate a good answer, so he didn't answer at all. "...So you do want to have sex with me," Newt says finally."Of course I do," Minho answers honestly, wasting no time in responding. Hesitance meant that Newt was going to doubt it. There was no wiggle room when it came to hesitation. "You're not just sayin' that to placate me, then."Minho nods curtly. "Of course not." As if having sex with Newt (Newt) was the worst thing in the world. He could just about jump out of his skin at the thought of it. "Maybe you and I can sneak off to the Map Room tonight. If that's what you want.""I'd like that."Minho runs a hand through Newt's hair, fingers twisting through blond curls. He does love Newt's hair. He can never get enough of it. It makes him look so angelic, the way it fans around him like a halo. "'S not fair," Newt says. "You touch my hair all the time, but 'm not allowed to touch yours.""Yeah, well, my hair is God's gift to the Earth," Minho informs him, only half teasing. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.""Dude, you've got to do it," Alby says.Minho groans. "No way," he says. "I'm not doin' the shuck tour for you. I've heard more than enough about this Greenie. I ain't answerin' any of his stupid questions.""You owe me," Alby points out. "Ya distracted my second in command earlier. He was off task all afternoon.""No, I didn't," Minho says. "We were only talkin' for, like, ten minutes. And that was mostly complaining."Alby quirks an eyebrow. "Yeah. Only talkin', huh?" He teases. "I guess Newt got in a fight, then? Only got hit once? In the throat?"Oh. Right."That left a mark, then," Minho ventures, keeping his tone casual. "It did, yeah. A big one," Alby says. "You'll be lucky if I'm the only shank that notices it."Okay, so Minho did feel bad about that. He knew how much Newt wanted to keep their relationship a secret. He knew how scared Newt was of word of it getting out. There was no bigger evidence of a secret relationship than a big, sudden, inexplicable hickey. And Newt was working with the Greenie. The ever so curious Greenie that never stopped asking questions and couldn't keep his mouth shut to save his life. Oops. Minho owed him an apology for that one. "Listen," Minho says, only half serious. "I was just doing my second job. The whole taking care of Newt one. I'm supposed to keep him content.""You're supposed to keep him off the walls," Alby corrects him, a little firmer than before. "That's a job that doesn't require you biting him.""Okay, well that's not-""It's a small Glade, Minho, and people ask questions," Alby says finally. "I was under the impression that Newt wanted this romance of yours kept all hush hush.""He does," Minho admits. "And we are. One bruise isn't gonna prove anything. Half the shanks in here are too shuckin' obtuse to even notice somethin' like that, anyway.""Only takes one," Alby says. "And that Greenie does love his questions.""Yeah, whatever," Minho says. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Newt and I are going to hook up in the Map Room." He winks. "If the door's locked, don't bother knockin'. We'll have our hands full."Alby scoffs, rolls his eyes, and walks away. Excellent. Minho has discovered that if you say the truth sarcastically enough, then people will just assume you're screwing with them. Minho has used this to his advantage on several occasions. This sort of thing worked especially well with Alby. That had been discovered through much trial and error. But Minho could still totally guarantee nobody would be coming into the Map Room tonight. Alby might not really believe him, but he wouldn't be taking any chances on that, either. He knew very well how much Minho liked to try and cheat the system. So he makes his way over to the Map Room. He almost gets run down by Chuck. And then again, by some guy he's never seen before. And then again, but by Gally. Okay. Not going to ask. Sometimes, you just didn't ask. Minho didn't want to get involved in that. He had bigger things to do. Yes, very, very big things had to be done now. Bigger things than Gally or Chuck or the other guy who was probably the Greenie he'd heard so many horror stories about. So he ignores the yelling and the commotion, and slips back into the Map Room unnoticed. Now, if someone had seen him, there wouldn't, technically, be a problem. Minho was still a Runner. Of course, everyone in the Glade knew that Minho hadn't done any running in months, and therefore had nothing to map. Maybe he was a little thankful for the distraction. He hadn't anticipated that kind of issue."You're late.""You're early," Minho says, shutting the door behind him. Newt tilts his head to the side. "Well, I reckon all that depends on perspective."They don't have a whole lot of time. Minho pulls his shirt over his head, tossing it to the side. He'll go find it later, when its whereabouts actually matter. Newt's eyes widen, his cheeks going red."You gonna come over here, or what?" He asks, struggling to regain his composure. Minho quirks an eyebrow. "What, you don't wanna come to me?""Yeah, make the cripple do all the walking," Newt teases, quite intent on staying seated on the table. "Really gentlemanly of ya."Minho rolls his eyes, but he comes over anyway. He'd do absolutely anything that Newt asked him to do. This was quite the small favor. And Newt was totally in the right, there. Minho had totally forgotten. He stands in between the blond's spread thighs, hands falling to Newt's waist. "Are you sure you want to do this?" He asks.The blond wastes absolutely no time, pressing his lips to Minho's. The Runner kisses back, just as passionately. Well. That answered that question, then. Minho gently pushes him back onto the table, the younger boy falling willingly, hands raking through his hair. Minho's hands are stroking the blond’s thighs as he licks into the younger boy’s mouth, tongue gliding along the backs of his teeth. Newt practically whimpers at the sensation, so Minho does it again, eager to please. The older boy bites at Newt’s bottom lip, nearly sucking it into his mouth. He’d never been in a relationship before, but he’s had his fair share of experiences with one night stands. Newt, however, was no one night stand. This was his boyfriend. His innocent, loveable boyfriend who deserved the best first time ever. And that was exactly what Minho was going to give him. If he wanted it, that is. So Minho pulls away, the string of saliva connecting them oddly arousing. Newt’s lips are red and already bruising, eyes blown wide with lust. His cheeks flush as he notices Minho just staring at him, making him all the more desirable. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Minho asks. “You’re still in recovery. Are you sure you want this to be your-”"Yes," Newt breathes. The response came instantly, cutting Minho off mid-sentence. There wasn’t any hesitation in it. So Minho continued. He bit at the junction between his neck and shoulder, absolutely relishing the first actual moan that came out of the blond's mouth. So he did it again, this time a little harder as he added sucking and kissing into the mix. The moans just grew louder, and damn- if Minho thought that his laughter was the best sound he’d ever heard, what did that make this?Minho slowly works the blond’s clothes off as he kisses and bites up and down the younger boy's elegant neck; nipping at his collarbones as the Runner works his way down his chest. He tugs at one nipple; Newt moans, bringing the older boy's mouth back up to his and kissing him harder, licking the lines of his lips. Minho doesn’t pay much more attention to his chest; he’ll come back to that later. He’s never taken his time with this sort of thing, and has undoubtedly decided that he’ll enjoy watching the blond fall apart with relentless teasing.  He licks a line down to his stomach, biting and kissing his waist and hips. The blond whimpers, probably murmuring something along the lines of ‘hurry up and fuck me’ but Minho's a little too busy for it to register, so he sucks another hickey into the skin above his left hipbone. He kisses down the blond’s thighs, sucking hickey after hickey into the smooth milky skin. His hands, previously on Newt's hips, come down to caress his inner thighs with the utmost tenderness, knowing Newt’s on the verge of losing it with lust.But Minho is determined to give him attention everywhere but where he needed it most, kissing the blond’s inner thigh as sensually as he can manage. Then he feels hands caressing his jawline. He looks up, only to find Newt sitting up slightly, pupils blown wide with arousal. He isn’t going to actually vocalize the plea, but he doesn’t need to. Minho knows what he needs. Minho presses just one kiss to the blond’s length, his skin feeling like it’s too tight for his body as Newt lets out the most shamefully lustful moan yet. And then he straightens up, refusing to do anything else just yet. He lifts on hand, three fingers hovering in front of the blond's mouth. The order goes unsaid. Newt knows what he needs to do. The blond takes them into his mouth, licking earnestly. The sensation sets a fire deep in the Runner's gut, even if all he’s doing is lathering his fingers with spit. Satisfied with the makeshift lubrication, Minho takes his fingers back, almost laughing when Newt pouts. He sits beside the blond, gently nudging his legs apart with his dry hand. He pushes one finger inside slowly, carefully, trying to be as gentle as possible. He looks up at his boyfriend, trying to check his expression for any pain or discomfort as he pushes in to the third knuckle. Seeing nothing but lust, he crooks it to the side.“Ah- Minho…” came the heavily accented praise. His voice is so beautiful. So, so beautiful. Minho can never get enough of it. "You're so pretty," Minho whispers. "So, so pretty.""Minho, it's really- well, you don't need to-" Minho cuts off his nervous rambling by adding a second finger. "I love your accent," Minho continues. "It's so much more prominent when you're this turned on. You know that? I can barely understand a word you're sayin'."Newt frowns pointedly- probably a great effort, once Minho starts scissoring. “May- ah- maybe you’re the one with the bloody accent, Min. You ever- fuck- think o’ that?”“Okay,” Minho says, kissing his neck. “Sure. I’ll be the accented one, if that’s what you want. Anything for you, little dove.”“I hate you.”“No, you don’t,” Minho says, pushing in a third finger, crooking them to the left apologetically as the blond's face scrunches up with discomfort. “Shit- are you okay?”The blond exhales shakily. “Y-yeah, burns a little. Goo- ah- good burn, though.”“Okay,” Minho says, slightly unconvinced. “You tell me if it hurts though.”“I will,” Newt assures him. “I- I think I’m ready now. Can you just-?” Minho grins, stilling his movements. “Can I what?” He prompts teasingly. "Use your words, dove. Vocalize it. That's what songbirds are known for."“Just bloody fuck me!” “Well, since you’ve asked so nicely,” Minho teases, removing his fingers and lining himself up. “You sure this is okay?” Newt glares at him, more lustful and impatient than angry. “Yes! Please just do it. Please, Min, please.”And who is Minho to deny a request like that? He pushes in, staying totally still until the blond has enough time to adjust to the intrusion.“Okay,” Newt says. “Move, please.”Minho pulls out half way, and then pushes back in- slowly, carefully. He doesn’t want to hurt him. He’s so fragile; one wrong move and Minho feels he’ll break. The blond does absolutely nothing to prove him right, instead telling him to go harder and faster.Despite the half-coherent orders from the younger boy, Minho maintains the steady pace. All of his other engagements had been hard and fast. The slow drag was just as satisfying. And this way… it felt a lot more intimate. Loving. And Newt deserved sentiments like that. Especially for his first time.The blond didn’t seem to be complaining either way, moaning high and low into the Runner's chest, hands raking through his hair and scratching down his back. “Min-Minho, I’m gonna-”“Yeah?” Minho prompts, cutting him off, even though he wasn’t sure the blond was actually able to finish his sentence at this moment. And besides, he was pretty close, too. All it would take was a little more… “Come for me.”And that he does. Hard. Untouched. His screams are muffled by Minho's neck, which, paired with the clenching that came with the blond’s intense orgasm was enough friction to push the Runner over the edge, too. Minho collapses on his side next to the blond, kissing his cheek as he carefully pulls out and relaxes on the table beside him. “Ho..Holy shit.”Minho is inclined to agree. “That was your first, right?” The blond nods. “Well? How was it?” He asks. (Mostly to assure Newt had been comfortable, but also to feed his ego a little.)“Oh my god,” Newt gasps. “Why haven’t we done this before?”Minho kisses his neck and then leans back again, about ready to pass out. A lot had happened today. There was a lot he needed to think over. But then he feels something heavy on top of him. Knowing what, or, more accurately, who, was on top of him, it certainly wasn’t heavy enough. He opens his eyes, quite pleased to find his boyfriend straddling his hips, kissing his neck and jaw. “Wanna go again?” He asks, having at least the decency to pretend to be sheepish about the request.Minho stages a groan, feigning exasperation to hide his amusement and affection. “Am I going to regret dating you?”“Probably,” Newt says cheerily, rolling his hips into the Runner's. “No,” Minho corrects him, running his hands up and down Newt’s sides. “How can I possibly complain about this?” “I love you.” It’s not the first time Newt’s said it, but it’s the first time he’s said it in such a context. And that makes it feel a lot more special. And a lot more real. Minho grins. “I love you, too.”Newt leans forward, kissing him again. “So now you’ll fuck me so hard my legs feel like jelly in the morning?”“Fuck,” Minho whispers. “Yeah. Okay. I can do that.”"Well, here you are," Newt says, pulling his shirt over his head. "Your first day back to work. Excited?""Exhausted," Minho offers. "You've worn me out, dove." He pauses, glancing at the blond. "Is that my shirt?"Newt looks down, and then back at Minho. "Yup," he says, going off in search of his pants. "You can wear mine. Or you can go find another one.""Yours isn't gonna fit me," Minho says, pulling his pants back on. "It's fine. I have another one layin' around in here. Bein' a Runner does have its perks, if you recall.""Oh, all too well," Newt says. Minho shifts through one of the cabinets until he finds another shirt. There it was. He knew he had one in here. A back up for this specific scenario, actually. He'd put it there during the age old days of their bet, all so long ago. He pulls it over his head, hoping it would be good enough to run in. Newt hugs him from behind, burying his face in his back. "You'll be careful, won't you?" He asks quietly. "My Runner.""Of course I will," Minho says, turning around to hug him properly. "I always am. Never do anythin' too risky."Newt leans onto his toes, kissing him gently. "Find somethin' fun for me, yeah?"Minho laughs. "I'll do my best."

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"I just don't get this thing with the girl," Thomas continues. "I mean, why is she-?" He pauses, letting out an exasperated sigh. Yeah. Newt felt that one. "I think she's talking to me inside my head."Newt frowns pointedly, brow furrowing. "Well, she's- sorry, what you think what?""I think she's talking to me in my head," Thomas reiterates. "Like, she said my name. And that was it. I thought it was you. But it didn't sound like you. So it had to have been her."Okay, so Thomas was insane. Completely and entirely insane. That was cool. Newt was unequipped to deal with a situation like that, but whatever. He was unequipped to handle most other things, too. He could deal with this. What was he supposed to say to someone that was crazy?"I know what you're thinking," Thomas continues. "I'm not losing it. I definitely did hear her.""Yes, and we've just found a way out of the Maze," Newt says sarcastically. "Now we're both sayin' things that are completely ridiculous."Thomas sighs. "Are you okay?" He asks. "Look, I know I haven't known you all that long, but you've been acting weird all day. Did something happen? Is there anything I can help with?""I'm fine," Newt says plainly. Was he really that on edge? Sure, he was worried about Minho, but that didn't mean he was bouncing off the walls with nervous energy, or anything. He was allowed to be worried about his boyfriend. Not that anyone actually knew that's what they were to each other. Maybe that's why everyone was looking at Newt funny. Maybe he really was acting irrationally in order to distract himself from his own concern. "I know you're lying," Thomas says."You're awfully knowledgeable, for someone who can't remember anything, Greenie," Newt says. Thomas frowns. "I'm not the Greenie anymore. That girl is," he points out. "I'm just Thomas.""Fine," Newt relents, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Right you are, Tommy. Shall I bow down and kiss your feet now, too?""This is what I mean," Thomas says. "You're all snappy. You're supposed to be the nice one. Something's obviously bothering you. You've been yelling at people all day for no reason."Yeah, well, sorry that his boyfriend was in a horribly life threatening situation and Newt wouldn't know anything about it until it was too late for him to do anything to help. Minho could die out there in that Maze, and Newt wouldn't even know until it had already happened. Heaven forbid he's a little on edge. "It's nothing," he says blankly. "Not important.""Seems important.""I mean it, Tommy, it's nothing," Newt argues. "I'm worried over literally nothing."Thomas reaches over and squeezes his shoulder gently. Newt's not so sure how to feel about that. "I know you're lying." The way he says it is so kind and understanding that it doesn't feel like an accusation. "I sorta get the feeling you always say you're okay, even when you're very obviously not.""Licensed therapist, are you, Tommy?"Thomas sighs. As if Thomas has the right to be exasperated with him, and not the other way around. As if Newt's doing literally anything wrong in this situation. Was he overreacting? Oh, yeah. Totally. Minho was always incredulously careful. Always. Newt was the one that took to taking risks, back when they worked together. Minho was going to be fine, just like he always was. There was no reason to suspect that anything was going to go wrong.Except it had been months since Minho had been in the Maze, and Newt had kept him up all night. He was at a pretty big disadvantage there. Muscle memory could only do so much for him. He had to be a little out of shape. Right? Running the Maze was on an entirely different exercise level than dashing around the Glade to keep Newt from face planting. He could die out there, and it would all be Newt's fault."I'm seriously worried, though," Thomas presses. "Do I need to get someone? Do I need to tell Alby? I'm scared of that guy, but I'll do it for you."Newt rolls his eyes, pushing past Thomas to get out the door to the Homestead. That place really smelled sometimes. Of course, this conversation is getting quite tiring. He's going to have to crack a better joke to get Thomas off his tail. "Your chances of becoming a Runner are pretty bloody slim if I can overtake ya," he teases. Thomas rolls his eyes. He opens his mouth to retort, but that's when Minho comes running back into the Glade. At noon. That was way too early. Something must have happened. Newt was right all along.But he looks unharmed. He looks totally fine. Tired, wheezy, and... he's literally collapsed onto the ground from sheer exhaustion, but he isn't hurt. That's what matters. Newt feels like a weight's been lifted off his shoulders. Minho's alive and well and he's back early. Everything's fine. Everything's going to be fine.Alby's there first. Then Minho says a few things, and he's running off. Towards Newt. Was this a good thing, or a very, very bad thing? Thomas takes this opportunity to go introduce himself, or something. Whatever. As long as Thomas if off Newt's ass, now.Alby pats him on the back as he passes him. "Go get your boyfriend some water, will you?""Wait staff, is that all I am to you?" Newt teases. "Has it not occurred to you that I want Minho all to myself?""Minho has a big report to make to me," Alby says. "Get the man something to drink. You can jump him all you want after that.""...Fine. Deal."Newt was not allowed in to the meeting. He found this quite disrespectful. Then he remembered that Minho was his boyfriend, and that he'd get the full story in even more detail than Alby later on. That made him feel better. Not good enough to keep him productive, but not bad enough that he was mad about it. So he sat down outside the Map Room, and waited for the door to open. Now that Minho was back, Newt did want to talk to him. Wanted to make him pinky promise that he'd be as safe as was humanly possible. The door opens. Alby leaves first. He shoots Newt a knowing look, but he seems rather stressed out about something. Minho comes out. Newt jumps him. Minho seems quite amused, in a relatively good mood, and hugs him tightly, his hands falling to Newt's waist. That was a good sign. Obviously Alby hadn't ripped into him for anything. That was a good thing. Things were totally, totally fine."Hey you," Minho says, kissing him on the nose. "What's up?""I missed you," Newt says, dragging his hands up Minho's chest to poke him in the sternum. "You left me alone all day, and you barely even kissed me goodbye in the morning. Now I've been stuck with Tommy all day, and he's drivin' me insane."Minho laughs. "Sorry, dove," he says, half teasing. "I did find a dead Griever, though. So I found something fun for ya. Happy?"That was interesting. Newt certainly hadn't been expecting a discovery like that. Maybe a weird plant, or an unknown bug. A dead Griever? That was just unheard of. Maybe it was going to lead to something good. Maybe it was going to be the clue to their way out. "Intrigued," Newt says. "Not quite happy, but I'm certainly curious. What's the verdict on that, then?""Alby and I are gonna go check it out," Minho says."Right," Newt says. Then he brings his hands up to the Runner's face and kisses him hard. Minho's grip on him tightens. He pulls away. "Here's a crazy idea. Let's have sex."Minho takes a step back before Newt can jump him again, holding him at arm's length. "Didn't you hear what I just said? Alby and I need to go back out there and check out the dead Griever.""Can't that wait?" Newt asks seductively, dropping into Minho's arms. The Runner pretends to struggle under his weight for a second and then straightens him back up. "Wouldn't you rather have me?" He winks.Minho quirks an eyebrow. "Sure I would," he says. "But there's not enough time in the day for that. What's goin' on with you?""Nothin'," Newt says. "Just want you.""No, somethin's goin' on," Minho presses. "You can't lie to me. I know you too well for it to work. Remember? I can see into your brain and read your mind."Newt stares at him, brow furrowed, and then shifts his gaze the ground. "I don't like it when you go into the Maze.""That's... kinda my job, dove.""I know," Newt says. "It's just... anythin' could happen. And I wouldn't have a buggin' clue."Minho sighs, hands falling from Newt's shoulders to his forearms. "Oh, Newt..." He pauses. "I'll be fine," he promises him. "I'll always come back from the Maze, sweet dove, I promise.""You don't know that," Newt argues. "Somethin' could go wrong. Something could always go wrong."Minho presses a kiss to his forehead. "Nothing's going to go wrong. I'll be back tonight, and then you'll have me all to yourself. I promise.""Please don't go.""I'll be back in an hour or two," Minho assures him. "And I'll pull you away from everyone, and it'll be just you and me. Like the good old days.""Fine," Newt relents. "Go run the Maze. Have fun, play nice, be home before your curfew. Don't take candy from strangers, or whatever."Minho laughs gently. "Where's your Greenie? Thought he followed you around like a lost puppy.""He's off insistin' that the girl's talkin' in his head," Newt says. "Actually, on the subject of Thomas, you're going to make him a Runner."Minho frowns pointedly. "And... when did you get the authority to make that decision for me, exactly?""Since I won that bet," Newt reminds him.Minho scoffs. "You didn't win. We're dating.""Sure," Newt agrees, "but I still didn't kiss ya in those three days. I won the bet. That means you have to make Tommy a Runner."Minho groans. "Ugh. Fine."Amazing. Great success. Minho looks over at the East Entrance, and then back at Newt. He needs to leave. Newt really doesn't want him to, but Minho needs to leave all the same. "I love you." He looks around quickly to make sure no one was around before kissing Newt on the mouth."Love you, too," Newt says quietly. He watches Minho run off with Alby, trying desperately to ignore the sinking feeling that was overwhelming him. Something bad was going to happen. He just knew it. "Minho said I need a recommendation to be a Runner."Newt actually, physically, jumps. "We ought to put a bell on you, mate. Jeez. A little warning before sneakin' up on someone wouldn't kill ya.""Sorry," Thomas says. "I was standing here for a while. You were standing there, staring at nothing, and I was starting to get worried. Are you okay? It has to do with Minho, right? You totally lit up when you saw him, and now you're all gloomy again."Newt sighs. "'M fine, Tommy.""You like him, don't you?"Newt's brow furrows. He wheels around to face Thomas head on. "Excuse me?""It's cool if you're gay," Thomas continues. "I don't care if you're gay. I think it's kinda sweet. I mean-""Don't be ridiculous," Newt says quickly. "I don't like him like that. He's just my best friend.""Okay," Thomas says, making it obvious that he knows the truth. "Whatever you say.""It's really not your concern anyway," Newt continues. "I can associate myself with anyone I'd like to.""Sure," Thomas agrees. "You're just getting quite defensive about this one." He pauses thoughtfully. "I still don't have a problem with it, or anything. It's cool."Newt sighs. This was going to be one long afternoon. The next few hours fly by. When Newt says that, he means it felt excruciatingly, painfully long, and Thomas tormented him with stupid questions the entire time. That, or he was going on about the girl, and Newt really didn't care about the girl, either.The whole thing with this girl was so stupid. Everyone was so obsessed with her. Newt really didn't see the appeal. So she was a girl. Who cared? She was still dead, or comatose, or whatever. Her being a girl didn't make any difference. She was also just another mouth to feed, which was getting tricky, since the Box still hadn't gone down. Really, that's what everyone should be focused on. They weren't going to survive in here without the Box. But no. Let's all focus on the girl, and our raging adolescent hormones. That's all that matters when you bring a girl into the picture. Newt thought that was ridiculous. The issue now that several hours had passed, however, was that Minho and Alby still weren't back yet. They should be back by now. That means that something went wrong. It means that something bad happened.Thomas, of course, being a complete idiot and entirely too observant simultaneously, picks up on this. Damn Greenie. "They should be back by now, right?" Thomas asks. He's only trying to help. He's absolutely making it worse. If even the new guy has recognized how late they are coming home, obviously everyone else knows. It's risky. They're putting themselves in a lot of danger, coming back this late, and Minho would never do that. Minho promised he wouldn't. Which meant that something had gone wrong. "Yes," Newt admits, seeing no reason to lie. "Yes, they should've been.""Maybe they just found something big," Thomas says. "They were looking for a dead Griever. That's got to take up some time. They'll be back soon, for sure."Newt isn't so convinced.He loiters around the Maze Doors, hoping to catch sight of them sooner rather than later. And, of course, Thomas loiters around him, continuing with his endless string of questions that Newt really doesn't want to answer right now."What happens if they don't make it back in time?" Thomas asks."They will," Newt says firmly. "They're going to make it back. Those two know what they're doing. They'll be back any second. Good that?"Though he really wasn't sure if he was trying to convince Thomas, or himself."Okay," Thomas relents. "But what happens if they don't make it back?""Then the Doors close on 'em," Gally says. Newt nearly jumps. He hadn't even noticed Gally standing there. He was off his game when he was nervous. "And no one's ever survived a night in the Maze."It felt a lot more grave when someone else said it. Or maybe just when it was said out loud. Were they going to get trapped out there for the night? Were they going to die? They couldn't. They just couldn't. It was Alby and Minho. They knew what they were doing. And besides, they wouldn't leave Newt all alone. Not that they really had any choice in the matter."They'll be back," Newt says, more to convince himself than to convince Thomas or Gally. "They have to be."Gally shoots him a concerned look. Ugh. You know you look terrified when even Gally catches on. So much for oozing confidence on this front."Newt," he says. "You know that-""They're gonna be back," Newt says firmly, cutting him off. "Those two know what they're doin'. They're gonna make it back in time.""Newt," Gally tries again, "you can't just lie to yourself. At this point, you need to prep-""Look!" Thomas interjects. "There they are."Newt looks up instantly, watching them round the corner. Yeah, there they were, but something was wrong. They were moving too slowly. They wouldn't be going at that kind of pace if everything was fine. Not when the Doors were so close to closing. Then he gets it. Alby's barely conscious. Minho's dragging him along. It looks like it's been that way for quite a while. At the pace they're going currently, they're not going to make it. Minho might, if he lets go of Alby, but he wasn't going to do that. And so Newt was going to lose them both. Just like that.The Doors start to close. The mechanisms shift and turn and each creak is like torture. They're going to die tonight, and there's absolutely nothing Newt can do to prevent it from happening. The both of them. They're both going to die. Just like that. Minho stops moving. He knows he's not going to make it in time. And he doesn't even try to. That makes it all feel so much worse. Thomas pushes past him. What the hell was he doing?"Tommy, get back here," Newt hisses, trying to grab him. "Thomas!" Chuck shouts out. "You can't-"But Thomas slips through. And the Doors shut behind him. Just like that. The Doors make this thundering, echoing crashing sound as they shut. It reverberates around the whole Glade. Twice. And then everything goes quiet. A sickening, deafening kind of silent that sends no one dares interrupt. Because there's nothing to say. There's too much disbelief, too much horror. The air is too thick for anyone to say a word without choking on it. And so they stand in silence, waiting for someone to ease the tension before it drives them all mad.Eventually, people start to move. Start to file away from the Doors, start to get ready for bed. Standing there wasn't going to do anything but waste time. Standing there was really just going to make it worse.Newt can't bring himself to move. He can't bring himself to say anything, either, and that's the worst part. Everyone's looking to him to say something. He's the one that's supposed to make all of this better. His silence, his odd form of paralysis is making everything a hundred times worse. But he can't help it.The love of his life just died right in front of him.And there was nothing he could do.The last few bystanders shoot him a sympathetic look before leaving. They didn't know the half of it, and Newt hated their pity. Their pity made his eyes sting and his heart ache. Even after they left, it was all he felt. Everything else was just radio silence.Eventually the stinging and the aching faded away, too. Then Newt just went numb. The numbness didn't give way to anything else. But he got his common sense back. No feeling, of course, but he could think logically. The Glade was going to need a lot of help now. They'd need a new Keeper of the Runners, and if Newt was the leader now, he'd need a new second in command. There was also all the pressure surrounding the Box and the girl, which was now entirely on his shoulders.Maybe he couldn't fix his Maze issue, but maybe he could do something about that. Even if he couldn't, it keep him busy, and that was all he could ask for at the moment. He makes it half way to the Homestead before he stops. The girl wasn't going to wake up. The Box wasn't going to go back down. There was nothing he could do about that, either. He was just useless. Then someone starts tugging on his sleeve. He turns around, relaxing when he sees that it's just Chuck. That poor kid had to be just as worried about Thomas as he was about Minho. They were in the same boat here. Newt wraps an arm over Chuck's shoulders. Chuck seems to appreciate that. "They're gonna be okay, aren't they?" He asks.Now this was a very tricky question to answer. Newt couldn't tell him the truth, but it wasn't right to lie to him, either. Apparently he takes too long trying to find the right words, because Chuck nods slowly, brow furrowed. He could read between the lines. "Why would Thomas even do that?" He continues, dismayed."Because he's a bloody idiot," Newt answers. "But he was just tryin' to help. A righteous idiot, I s'pose, but an idiot all the same." He sighs. "S'alright. They're all idiots, it seems. All three of 'em."Chuck nods slowly. "I was gonna wait by the walls all night," he admits. "Just in case. You wanna come?"Newt hesitates, and then he nods slowly. "Yeah," he agrees. "Lead the way."They stop right by the Doors. Chuck sits down first, leaning against the wall. Newt is quick to join him, bringing his knees up to his chest. So. Here they were."Do you think they're gonna die?" Chuck asks.Newt sighs. "I certainly don't like their odds.""But Minho's there," Chuck presses. "Right? And Minho could do anything. He knows the Maze better than anyone."Newt doesn't answer. He really doesn't need a reminder that Minho's trapped in the Maze. That Minho's going to die tonight. "Y'know," Chuck continues, speaking quietly, "when I first met you guys, I thought you were, like, lovers.""Oh yeah?" "Yeah," Chuck says. "I mean, you were all... unstable. But Minho... I guess the way he was holding you made it seem that way. He just seemed to care a whole lot." He pauses. "I guess what I'm saying is, uh, that I think Minho was in love with you."This, of course, is when Newt's composure crumbles, and he bursts into tears. It was a little odd, how quickly so much misery came on, after he had been so, so numb just seconds before. Maybe it was just the reminder that he had lost the love of his life, and nobody was ever going to be able to fill that void, because nobody else was Minho. "I'm sorry," Chuck says quickly. "I didn't mean to-""No, you're right," Newt manages. "I just... we were supposed to be forever.""...I was right?" Chuck asks, incredulous. "You guys were really together?""Yeah," Newt admits, staring at the ground. "Yeah, we were.""I'm sorry," Chuck says again. Newt's never heard the kid sound so sincere in his whole life. Normally he's being sarcastic or cracking jokes. None of this was happening tonight. It's weird. It's abnormal. It's totally natural for such a situation, but it feels like the whole world is breaking.Newt doesn't answer right away, either. He doesn't really want to talk about how Minho's going to die, and how he'll never see him again, and how it wasn't fair because they were in love and they were supposed to be together forever. It wasn't going to change anything."So I'm widowed, and you're orphaned," Newt says sardonically. "What an eventful evening."Chuck just stares at him, brow furrowed. It's a little disconcerting. Maybe Newt shouldn't be making jokes. He shouldn't be. But what else is he supposed to do? If he accepts defeat, he's never going to recover, regardless of what happens. Making jokes is his only defense currently."What?" He says, trying to ease some of the tension."I've just never seen you cry before," Chuck says honestly. "I didn't think you could. It's kind of...""Weird?""Scary," Chuck corrects him. "You're the leader. Leaders are usually all hard and emotionless. But not you.""I loved him, Chuck," Newt says. "I think I'm allowed a break down this once.""Widows and orphans, huh?" Chuck prompts, trying to lighten the mood. Newt immediately sees what he's trying do. He really appreciates it. "We should start a club, or something.""Yeah," Newt agrees. "Club it is."Anything to keep the numbness from coming back.The numbness was worse than everything else put together.

----- CHAPTER BREAK -----

"You might just be the dumbest shank I've ever met," Minho declares. Seriously, what had this guy been thinking? Running into the Maze was a terrible idea any day, when you weren't a Runner. But right before the Doors closed? Thomas had to have a death wish. It was simply the only logical explanation for what had happened."Wow, thanks," Thomas says sarcastically. "I save Alby's life, and all you do is insult me in return.""You signed your own death sentence," Minho corrects him. "That's what you did by running in here. Maybe you killed a Griever, but that doesn't mean a whole lot. We're still gonna die tonight."Thomas sighs. "You sure are optimistic, aren't you?"There were a lot of people Minho would be moderately okay spending a night in the Maze with. Thomas was not one of them. Actually, there was really only one person Minho would be moderately okay spending a night in the Maze with, and that was Newt. Oh, Newt.Minho was worried about him. Physically, he'd be fine. But if Minho died tonight, all the progress they've made on his mental health would disappear. Newt would fall back into the circle of self-loathing and inferiority and end up tangled in that ivy all over again. Minho couldn't have that."Listen," Minho says, "I know this Maze like the back of my hand. You know who else does? The Grievers."Thomas shoots him an unamused look. "We got past the Grievers already tonight. We can do it again. Can't we?""Maybe," Minho says, shrugging. "And maybe not.""You sure do like accepting death with open arms, huh," Thomas ventures, speaking in an exasperated tone. Like he had any room to talk."I'm not pleased about it," Minho says firmly. "I'm gonna die in here, talkin' to you, instead of dying seventy years from now, talking to Newt."Thomas is quiet for a moment. A good half minute, at least. That might be a new record. "Do you love him?"Well. That was certainly an unexpected inquiry. Where had that even come from? Was it ever so obvious that they were in love? Minho had thought that they were doing a pretty good job of hiding it from the general population. "Oh, what the hell," he says finally, relenting. "I'm gonna be dead soon, anyway. Yes, Greenie, I love him. We've been dating for months, and I love him." He frowns. "Now I'm leavin' him all alone.""You were dating?" Thomas asks, incredulous. "Seriously? I never would've guessed."Minho quirks an eyebrow. "It's that surprising to you? Really? Right after ya asked me if I loved him?""Well, I knew Newt was in love with you," Thomas ventures. "That much was super obvious. After hearing you talk a little, I knew you felt the same. I just kind of figured it was an awkward tension thing. Like, you guys were too scared of ruining your friendship to bring it up.""Well, it's been brought up, talked over, and acted upon," Minho informs him. "So, y'know, man, I could've been getting laid right now." He sighs dramatically. "Instead, I'm talkin' to you."Thomas rolls his eyes. "I'm not that bad.""You're not better than a night with Newt, either," Minho tells him. "Not by a long shot, Greenie."Thomas tilts his head to the side in consideration, and then nods, relenting. Yeah. That was a pretty good argument. No rebuttals for that one. Nothing beat a night with Newt, in any kind of context. Minho loved being with Newt, regardless of what they were up to. Everything about the world felt a little better when Newt was with him."We're gonna make it," Thomas says finally. "And we're gonna get back to the Glade, and I'll deliver you to Newt myself, and everything's going to be fine.""I'm gonna be in a lot of trouble," Minho teases. "Has Newt ever been mad at you?" Thomas shakes his head. "Good. You really don't want that to happen. He's terrifying when he's angry."Thomas nods slowly. "Maybe he won't be angry," he offers. "Maybe he'll be so happy to see you he won't get mad at all.""Oh, I'll get a warm welcome," Minho says. "Then he'll remember how bad I scared him and get mad. Leads to some killer make up sex, though.""It's all about sex with you, isn't it?""No," Minho says honestly. "It's just funny to see your face go red every time I say the word." He pauses. "...Really, I just wanna make sure Newt's doing alright. I know he's a mess right now."Thomas's brow furrows. "I feel like it should probably be the other way around," he says. "Shouldn't Newt be the one worried about your wellbeing?""Typically yes," Minho agrees. "And I'm sure he is. Unfortunately, Greenie, when you're in love, rationality goes out the window. You'll learn that some day, when you're older."Thomas rolls his eyes again. Minho did miss the scared, quiet Greenies that were so frightened they'd mess up that they stayed silent. Maybe those guys were just scared of Minho. Either way, they were slightly more tolerable than Thomas was being right now."You think Alby's gonna be okay?" Thomas asks, changing the subject. "I mean... I don't think the Grievers will get to him. But if he's already been Stung, then..."That was a tricky question. Typically, Griever victims were immediately injected with the serum. They started going through the Changing right away. That was what kept their success rate relatively high. Alby would have to wait a considerable amount of time before getting the serum. That decreased his odds. So Minho wasn't too sure what was going to happen. They'd never let anyone go this long without the serum before. He didn't have very high hopes, but he wasn't going to tell Thomas that. If they could get him back to the Glade for exactly when the Doors opened, they might have a chance."Might" being the key word."I dunno," he says eventually. "Ain't the professional. Medjacks handle all that. Not the Runners.""So Alby could still die," Thomas says, reading between the lines. "I could have done all this for nothing.""Not for nothing," Minho says. "We learned some stuff here. I dunno what it means yet, but it means somethin'. And you showed every shank in here that ya cared. That's a good thing to do. Not in the way you did it, sure, but carin' is always a good thing, I guess.""I only wanted to help," Thomas admits."And ya did," Minho says. "Don't tell anyone I said that, though. If anyone back at the Glade asks, I'm real shuckin' mad at you. Good that?""Um... yeah, sure," Thomas says. "Good that."Minho nearly laughs. It never ceases to amuse him, hearing the Greenies try to use their slang. It was why Minho kept adding complexity to it. Purely to make it absolutely hilarious. Now, of course, isn't the time to laugh at the Greenie, so he refrains. But just barely.The rest of the night goes by without incident. That in itself is a miracle. Thomas, surprisingly, doesn't drive Minho crazy during this time, either. Another wonderful miracle. By the time they head out for the Doors, Minho has moved on to his worrying routine. Will Alby survive? Probably not long term, but he might make it through the day. He'll cross that bridge when he comes to it. Will they be able to get him to start going through the Changing in time? Possibly. Minho didn't know the exact parameters of that yet. Everything regarding Alby was to be determined.Newt, however, was another story. Minho wasn't sure what kind of state Newt would be in. Complete hysterics, or entirely numb. He could really tip either way. The one thing you didn't want to do, under any circumstances, was push someone with severe depression and suicidal tendencies to their breaking point. Which is exactly what Minho had done. So he was a bit more than a tad worried about that. "Should we bring Alby down now, or should we wait?" Thomas asks."We can wait," Minho says. "Really wow them with a big finale of impossible feats.""Do you have any logic behind that?""Nope," Minho says. "But if we wait, then we can make other people cut him down. That means less work for us."Thomas considers this. "Alright, yeah, that works for me."They continue their walk in silence. They're almost there. At this point, Thomas has begun to realize that he's going to be in a lot of trouble when they get back. He did break the number one rule. Minho finds this quite funny."Hey," he says, "at least we didn't die."Thomas frowns. "Yeah, but everyone thinks we're dead, so we basically are," he says. "Schrodinger's cat, and all that.""And when we prove them wrong, we'll look totally badass," Minho says, really hoping Thomas doesn't launch into a rant about boxes and cats and philosophy. Thomas nods slowly. "And you'll be able to talk to Newt."Minho hums in agreement, waiting in front of the walls as they slowly began to open. There were only two people standing there, waiting, but more people start to crowd as the Doors open wider. Chuck and Newt are the closest. It looks like they spent the whole night out by the walls. The both of them look like a mess. Minho can tell from here that Newt's been crying, and so has Chuck. Newt looks like he hadn’t slept a wink the night before. Despite that, he looked beautiful. He looked up at Chuck’s exclamations, making direct eye contact with Minho, his big green eyes going glassy at the sight. The ghost of a smile tugged at his lips, and Minho had the sneaking suspicion that everything was going to be okay. Feeling a sudden burst of adrenaline, he rushes forward, letting out a breath he hadn’t noticed he’d been holding as he stepped foot in the Glade. Newt met him half-way, having fully broken into a smile. Newt hugs him tightly, one of those bone crushing, heartbreaking hugs that told Minho just how worried his boyfriend had been. And then he pulls away. Minho hears it before he feels the palm of Newt’s hand collide with the side of his face. “Don’t you ever do that to me again,” he snaps, releasing Minho’s shoulders. “I thought you were bloody dead!”“I’m sorry,” Minho begins, “I shouldn’t have gone back-”He stops mid-sentence as the other boy wraps his arms around his neck, crashing their lips together hungrily, easing each emotion he’d felt during their separation into the kiss as it deepened. Minho raises his hands, hesitantly cupping the other’s cheeks. He tastes the saltiness of Newt’s tears as the kiss became more passionate, quickly coming to the realization that he, too, was crying. He released the other’s face, instead wrapping his arms around the older boy’s slender waist. Minho's the one that pulls away. He holds Newt close, close enough that there's scarcely an inch of space between them. "Newt," Minho says quietly, "people are looking.""Let them," Newt breathes, and then he kisses him again.