#that I was planning on wearing tmr. so rip me. but it’s fine I’m not obsessing (< is obsessing)

[taketheringtolohac]

I’ve literally never considered using a blow dryer up until this point in my life. Like I get it now.

[iwillbeinmynest]

Safer Behind It - Newt x Reader(f)

Authors Notes: Well here it is my first Maze Runner fic! Hopefully y'all like it, or at least don’t hate it. This is based on moments from The Scorch Trials (book). Bold words are direct quotes from the book. I do not take any credit for Dashner’s work.

Word Count: 1.7k

Notes/Warnings: mentions of injuries, mentions of violence, mentions of trauma (from the maze), some fluff and angst if you look hard enough.

Masterlist

 Jorge found them after the lightning storm. Eleven new faces in the building on the outskirts of town. You listened as Jorge gave them the rundown of how things were going to go. When he called for the rest of you, you followed Brenda close.

You and Brenda hadn’t known each other too long but she was good and you trusted Jorge more than anything.

One of the new kids- a boy with dark hair- asked for a few minutes with Jorge.

“Me and you,” The kid begged. He stood over another boy who looked like he had been fried by lightning. Maybe he had, that storm was brutal.

“Ten minutes. Alone. That’s all I ask.” He went on.

You were surprised when Jorge agreed. He must have seen something in the kid you didn’t.

He told you and the others to watch this new group and to kill them if they made any moves. You knew he was being dramatic, adding the threat of death to remind the other Cranks behind you that he was in charge.

One of the boys you were supposed to be watching caught your eye. He was blonde and thin. He had a limp - you’d noticed it as he walked over and checked on the others in his group.

Brenda caught you staring at him. “Careful, Y/N.” She said quietly so the Cranks couldn’t hear her.

You rolled your eyes. “I can handle myself.”

“He’s not gonna like it if you don’t keep up the facade.”

“What’s he gonna do, have you run me through?” You tested.

You saw the twitch of a smirk at the corner of her mouth. “Just don’t be stupid.”

 You tugged up on the thin, tan, scarf that covered your nose and mouth. You didn’t like it to be down.

You walked over to the limping boy. You say boy, but really he was near your age if not a bit older. “You need to sit down,” you told him.

He looked at you carefully. “I’m just making sure these guys are alright.”

His voice sounded funny but you kinda liked it.

“I’m not going to ask again.” you drew the makeshift dagger you had from where it usually was sheathed at your lower back.

 He sighed but sat on the hard concrete next to the fried boy. He pulled a knee to his chest and mumbled, “Bloody shank girl.”

You smirked at that.

“What’s your name?” You asked him.

He looked up at you and there was no hiding the annoyance in his eyes. “Newt.”

“Newt?” You almost laughed. “Like the lizard?”

The boy next to him chuckled.

“No.” Newt huffed. “Like Issac Newton.”

 “I think I like my reason better, lizard boy.”

“Hey!” One of the Cranks behind you caught your attention. It was an older man, you didn’t know his name but you knew you didn’t like him. “What are you talkin’ so much about?”

“None of your business, old man.” You turned to him and left no room for him to think you might be afraid of him, which you weren’t.

“Back off, Murph.” Brenda said calmly as she whacked the flat side of her machete on his chest. “Let her have some fun before we rip them to shreds.”

It seemed to tide him over and he walked away but not before he stared you down again.

You rolled your eyes when his back was turned and exhaled a silent groan. You looked to Brenda.

She had her eyebrows raised and was clearly waiting for you to say,

“Thank you.” You muttered.

“Mhm.” She grinned. You knew she’d never say it out loud but she was starting you like having you around.

You turned back to Newt and crouched down, your sharpened letter opener gripped tightly in your hand. “So, tell me, Newt, What brings you out into the Scorch?”

“Don’t tell her klunk, dude.” The burnt boy said with spunk.

“I bet you’re the fun one.” You teased him, “You look like garbage. What happened to you?”

“He got struck by lightning,” Newt answered, “Or close to it anyways.”

“Yikes.” You responded. You’d been right.

“Didn’t even hurt.” He lied.

“Shuck off, Minho. You’re not fooling anyone.” Newt rolled his eyes.

“Screw you, man.” Minho all but pouted.

 “Why do you cover your face?” Newt asked, ignoring his friend. “No sun in here.”

You paused but tried to cover it and said, “So you don’t get distracted by how pretty I am.”

He smirked at that.

He had a nice smile. It lit up his eyes.

You stood up quickly and walked back to Brenda. Why did you care what his smile was like?

“You good?” She asked low again.

“Fine.” You lied. Actually you were scared by how much you were starting to like Newt. No sense in hurting yourself by getting attached.

Jorge and the dark haired boy reappeared from down the back hall.

Jorge told everyone that he, Brenda and yourself were going to take these few to get some food and that you’d all meet back up at the tower.

You didn’t know what he was planning but it had to be something, because he was putting on quite a show. He mentioned cutting off Minho’s fingers for punching him earlier and you honestly thought he might be serious about that part.

The other Cranks left and you walked behind Brenda as she led the way to the tunnels where you had hid the stash of food.

You helped pass out cans of food and watched as Brenda sat by Thomas - you’d recently learned his name.

You looked around, wondering where to settle amongst these new boys and found Newt looking at you.

“Here goes nothin’” you muttered to yourself beneath your mask.

You made your way over and sat against the wall beside him.

“Enjoying the meal?” You asked. He sure looked like he was.

He nodded, mouth full of cold beans.

“When was the last time you ate?” You realized that he, and everyone else that he’d come with, were eating like they’d been starved.

“Not but a few days ago,” He said when he’d finally swallowed. “But we were out in that bloody heat for so long.” His eyes stared into nothing for a moment and you could tell he was reliving something awful.

“How long were you actually out there?”

“Three, four, five days,” he asked himself. “I’m not sure.”

“Where did you come from?”

“You ask a lot of questions.” He returned to the present and out of the bad memories he’d been replaying. You watched him plaster on a smirk.

There was that smile again. You were glad your cheeks were covered because you were pretty sure you were blushing.

“Do I get to ask you any?”

You nodded, “Sure.”

“Why do you wear that over your face?” He repeated.

“Why do you care?”

His head ticked to the side. You’d asked another question.

You relented. “I already told you.”

“But we both know that wasn’t the truth.” He said before taking another bite.

You sombered and sighed. You were trying to find the words.

“I only partly lied.” You finally said.

 Newt stopped eating and shocked you with what he said next. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business if you don’t want to talk about it.”

It was so...considerate of him to say that. It had been a long time since anyone other that Jorge was considerate to you. Even Brenda was harsh when you’d met her and she still makes comments about it.

The look in your eyes must have revealed something to him.

“You really don’t have to tell me.”

For some reason you did, though. Maybe it was his soft voice, maybe it was the random kindness he’d displayed, but suddenly, you wanted to show him. Almost like a test to see if he was genuinely kind at heart.

You slipped your index finger under the cloth near your nose but before you pulled it down you said, “Just...brace yourself.”

You pulled the mask down below your chin, revealing the angry red scar that ran from your upper lip, just below your nose, all the way to your ear, which had a notch missing from it.

Newt barely flinched. He just looked at you.

Your scar had healed thick which made it distort your lip slightly.

“When I was first sent here, after finding out I had the Flare, a crank attacked me with a shard of glass. He got me pretty good but Jorge was there and he saved me. He couldn’t do much to make me look better, though.” You pulled your mask back up. “Most people just stare at it, instead of me. So, I cover it up.”

“You shouldn’t.” He offered a hint of a smile as he switched to his second can of food. “Nothing wrong with the way you look.”

You sat stunned.

“I broke my leg in three places. That’s why I have a limp. Do you only see the limp when you look at me?” He asked.

You shook your head, unable to think of anything to say.

He shrugged his shoulders. “See?”

 You bit down a smile that threatened to spread across your mouth. Good thing your mask was on.

“I’m sorry I called you lizard boy.” You felt bad for teasing him, now.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve been called worse.”

The two of you sat in silence for a short while. Then, you wondered something.

“What’s a shank?”

He chuckled, “Just something we say. Why?”

“Back in the building you called me a ‘bloody shank girl’.”

His cheeks flushed and he stared down at the can he was eating from. “Sorry.”

“So, shank isn’t nice then?”

“Depends…” He smirked, almost embarrassed he’d said that about you.

“And here I thought you were soft.”

He looked at you. “Nope, just wrong on occasion.”

“I’m Y/N, by the way.” You suddenly realized you’d never told him your name and now you wanted him to know it. To say it.

“Nice to meet you, Y/N.” He paused a moment before adding, “ I have a feeling I won’t regret it.” He glanced over at you again.

“You won’t.” You promised.

 *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

TMR Tags: 

@mo320 

[writemoment]

A Pick Me Up

Writer: Ellie-Mae (Pen Name)

Parts: 1/3

Summary: {Request @incorrect-artist} “I was wondering if you could do (maybe a series) about the reader moving to a new town and almost getting mugged but newt saves her and becomes her bodyguard but falls for her or something like that.”

Pairing: TMR Newt x Reader

Warnings/Rated: Brief violence (mentioned during a mugging scene), lightly feeling insecure and minor fluff.

Word Count: 2,726

( Reader ) P.O.V.

This was finally my chance to take control of my life.

I had lived in the same house, the same place with the same people, for all of my life. There was never a great unknown that I hadn’t already known. Now that I’ve managed to take charge and decided to move to Glade, I’m so stoked to embrace this change.

My flat was already filled with my boxed up belongings, waiting to be unleashed. The apartment walls were blank and white, a perfect canvas to color with my own individuality. It felt like a metaphor for this new chapter of my life; blank and awaiting new memories.

Everything around me was filled with new and drenched with the unknown. It was both exhilarating and terrifying. Before this change, I fell into a cycle of doing the familiar and tempting the edge of getting too close to something different.  However, it was always just testing the limits before shying away.

Now I’m diving headfirst into something I am not completely comfortable with. Because there’s something out there in the world that’s calling me to explore further past that line. Something that I feel in my core-being that’s telling me to push forward and make my own way. 

The only familiar sight in this area was my friend, Brenda. We had met each other in middle school and had become quite close before her family moved away. Despite this, we kept in touch through all these years. I hadn’t seen her in person for some time but when she told me that she, too, lived in Glade, it made me take that final leap into this brand new world. 

Now she’s working beside me, helping me to bring in what’s left of my stuff from my car. She looks exactly how I remembered her. Though it’s been many years, she didn’t grow much taller and continues to have a kind smile on her face. Even with her small stature, she tosses boxes onto her hip with surprising strength.

Once everything is brought in, I begin unloading my things; pulling, pushing and tugging boxes to their designated areas. Opening each flap of cardboard at a time, the flat begins to look more like a home. That very thought tugs wildly at my lips and I give into a broad smile. This is my home.

Brenda and I catch up as we file through the cardboard cubes. Laughter and miscellaneous chatter fills the air. I believe that having a friend here makes the unfamiliar appear less bizarre. It takes away some of the anxiety that comes with the irrational fear of new.

Hours go by and we’re finally dwindling down on what’s left to do. Brenda’s phone buzz’s and she snickers at her illuminated screen. I question her with a raised brow, curiosity peaked. “It’s just Thomas and Newt. They’re friends that I want you to meet sometime.”

My mind swirls around the idea of settling into this town and getting to know new and interesting people. I nod at Brenda with a smile playing at my mouth. My hands resume whatever I had previously been doing but my thoughts get lost with prospects of learning what Glade has to offer. 

Truth be told, I was very inexperienced when it came to being a quote-on-quote “adult”. Though I tried very hard to exude a confident persona, I often felt small, unskilled and clumsy on the inside. It’s something I have become accustomed to hiding, covering it up with sarcasm and jokes mixed with laughter. I never wanted to feel like a failure at what I was doing but, at times, it seemed as if those feelings were inevitable.

As evening set into night, I thanked Brenda profusely and bid her a goodnight as she left my place. Being alone brought a wave of nerves as I wondered what my next step was to be. The apartment was still scarce of furniture and lacked a lived-in comfort. I made a mental note to go into the city to shop for items to reverse this feeling.

My hands fumble over light switches, switching them off as I slug my way up the stairs to my room.  Once inside with the door closed behind me, I sag into the naked mattress and drag a comforter over my exhausted body. Sighing deeply, I let the night pull me from my restless thoughts.

****

By the third day of living in Glade, I’m so beyond thankful to have Brenda living in the same complex. Brenda has always had a sure kind of personality that I’ve envied since we were younger. She was a leader, she was supportive. When I’m unsure of what I am doing with myself, she’s there with just the right words and suggestions. It’s never in a derogatory way.

That’s why I deflate a little when she says she can’t join me in the city to shop. I quickly brush it off with a smile but going into an unknown city by myself has my nerves jumping. Still, I mentally encourage myself, hyping myself up before I make the thirty minute drive in. I chuckle lightly at my behavior.

Look at me, being all adult-like and stuff.

The ride felt longer than thirty minutes and I felt silly at the pounding of my heart. “Get a grip on yourself...” I scold underneath my breath. There was a few things I wanted to do in the city and I wasn’t going to let my anxiety ruin those plans.

I take a deep breath and try to calm down as I pull into the parking lot of my first destination. I am in control of my own life now. This is what I want and no one but myself can stop me now. 

****

My laughter fills the vehicle and I smile excitedly. Brenda called me just as I was pulling into the lot of the home store, the last stop I had planned before calling it a successful day. She had a way of instantly bringing joy bubbling inside of me. I told her about my day, mentioning all the things I had done and found.

“Well, I just wanted to check up on you! Hopefully I’ll be able to join you on your adventure next time.” We exchange our final words before I close my phone, slipping it into my back pocket before clambering out of the car.

This home store was sure to have the type of furniture I was seeking. It was getting dark and I had already spent many of my hours exploring the city. There was so much to look at inside since it catered to my exact needs but I knew I needed to focus.

When I had entered, I asked the worker at the front how late they stayed open. He told me that I had an hour before closing, which gave me enough time to browse the aisles.

Making haste, I cart around and pick out what I want. By the time I’m checking out, I have fifteen minutes to spare. This gives me enough time to wheel my purchases out to my trunk and jog the cart back inside the building. They lock the doors behind me and I internally fist-bump myself for managing my time well.

Now the night has set and the adrenaline of the day starts to wear off. I’m so looking forward to going home. Just as I plop into the seat and go to turn the key, my car refuses to start. Try and try again, it wheezes angrily at me.

Trying to not let panic set in, I whip my phone out and dial Brenda for help. Only- she doesn’t answer. By the third time I dial her and after the dozen of texts I spam, it’s become nearly impossible to not freak out.

I’m sitting in an almost empty parking lot, in the dark of a unfamiliar city with no contact to help me out. My mind races as I attempt to think rationally of how to go about this situation. I try to search for someone to come tow me but none of them are loading. Groaning, I lay my head against the steering wheel.

That’s when I recall a deli around the corner, just a few minutes walk from here. It’s not the ideal solution but my phone is already running low on life and I decide to risk it. Still, I linger a few more moment in the comfort of my car, hoping and praying that Brenda will call me back.

She doesn’t. So, I walk.

Focus. Just focus and you’ll make it there in no time. Stick to yourself and everything will be fine. That’s what I keep telling myself. And it works, mostly. My feet step steadily, one foot following the other in a rhythmic pattern. I focus on the thumping of my soles contrasting between the beats of my erratic heart.

The bouts of darkness pockets in the corner of my vision and down ominous alley’s. Still, I am determined to prevail. Well, until I hear footsteps slapping the pavement behind me. It’s quiet but prominent in my ears. 

Clutching the strap of my bag closer against me, I try to increase my pace subtly. My mind is heeding me: don’t run, don’t run, don’t run. I try to remain confident and unperturbed. The neon lights of the deli are within my sights and I can feel the tension in me unwind a bit only to build back up.

There’s a pinch twisting around my shoulder as something yanks on my bag. This can’t seriously be happening to me right now. A part of me is in denial that this is reality. It seems like something straight out of a nightmarish movie. I fight back against the rough tugging, crying out to alert anyone nearby of my struggle. The figure is hooded and hidden in the shadows of the night.

I kick my legs out and punch wildly, not giving in without a fight. I would honestly just let them have my bag if it weren’t hooked across my body. Pain radiates up my arm, spreading from where my knuckles had connected to flesh. I feel my skin tear as it swipes harshly against my target. There’s another set of running footsteps approaching.  A scream rips through my throat and my attacker lets go.

So much happens at once and adrenaline still courses through my veins. The next hand that lands on me, I wind my arm back and punch blindly in that direction. I can feel it sting, the raw of my skin exposed from the impact. There’s a muffled grunt before I hear a voice.

“Hey, hey, hey- I’m not going to hurt you!”

My eyes frantically search the darkness for the face I hit. It lands on a guy, lit up by the glow of the neon; a tall, lanky man with a cut on his cheek. A welt decorated his face from me punching the wrong guy.... His eyes leave me to search the shadows for my attacker. He must not see anyone because he ushers me forward and into the deli. He calls loudly for someone to get a hold of the police, his voice leaving no room for questions.

“Are you okay?” His voice is soft, though thick with an accent. Finally seeing him properly in the light, I spot where I had hit him. He doesn’t seem overly concerned but I feel a pang of guilt as I stare at the drying blood.

“I’m alright, I think. Are you? I didn’t mean to hit you- I’m really sorry. I was just so caught up in what was happening...” My explanation is awkward as I stumble over it with a lousy apology.

The corner of his mouth tilts up in a ghost of a smile, though he flinches a bit at how it pulls at his injury. “No worries. I was quite impressed with how much power was behind your punch. I’m sure you left the other guy with a good shiner. Well deserved.”

His words are light-hearted but I’m still shaken from the encounter. There’s a tremor in my hands and a dull throb spreading through my bloodied fist. A worker from behind the counter says the police are on their way and I feel myself ease a bit.

He thanks them before turning his attention back to me. “My name’s Newt, by the way. Is there anyone I can call for you?”

The name is unique and it rings a familiar bell in my head. Surely my phone is dead by this point, so I’m quite grateful for his offer. “I’m Y/n. I’d like to get a hold of a friend, if I can.”

****

Brenda didn’t call back until after the police left. She spoke to Newt in hurried, frantic words through the phone. Turns out my suspicion was right; this is the Newt she wanted me to meet sometime. Knowing that Brenda trusted him automatically calmed me down. I wasn’t with a complete stranger. 

Newt offered to drive me home since it’d be more convenient than making Brenda come get me. “What about my car?” If I were being honest, the thought of sticking around any longer made me sick to my stomach but I still didn’t want to leave my things in the lot.

“We can come get it tomorrow. If you’re not comfortable with me driving you, we can make other arrangements. You’ve been through a lot tonight.” The thoughtfulness strikes me with shock. I mean, I did punch him in the face... He has every right to be irritated at this whole scenario. Yet, he’s showing me nothing but kindness.

“Thank you, Newt. Can we grab my stuff from my car before heading to my place?” He nods in agreement, his eyes softening.

So after getting my purchases from my trunk and loading them into Newt’s vehicle, we start the thirty minute drive back to the apartment. If I thought the drive in to the city felt long, it was nothing compared to how it feels on the way back.

Thankfully, Newt helped pass the time with small talk. He asked about my feelings on Glade and my decision to move there. We conversed about Brenda and how we’ve both come to know her. It was light and felt comfortable. The complete opposite of how I felt previously.

There’s an unfamiliar scratch in the back of my throat aching to ask him questions, to learn more about him. Yet, I don’t voice any of them due to an overwhelming shyness.

When we arrive back in Glade, he parks in front of my flat. Brenda is awaiting us and comes bustling over to make sure we are alright. I try to reassure her but she’s apologizing profusely at not being available when I needed her.

Newt helps load my things into the threshold of my apartment. Brenda disappears inside while I linger at the front door with Newt. “Thank you for tonight. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you running over to help. Or how sorry I am about that.” My digit points at his swollen, bruising skin. 

 He waves me off and looks into my eyes. “I’m just glad you’re alright. Though, from the looks of it, you put up a decent fight.” His lips spread into a playful grin and it warms my cheeks. “Here, let me give you my number- in case you need someone in the area to call again.”

We exchange information and he tells me he’ll swing by tomorrow so we can retrieve my car. Once we’re in agreement, I bid him a goodnight with another ‘thank you’ tacked onto the end. 

Newt doesn’t start up his car until he’s seen that I’m inside my place with the door closed. Brenda is in the kitchen fixing a warm drink, “I’m so glad Newt could help you. It’s actually pretty lucky that he was there. Amazing, really.”

I watch his vehicle disappear around the corner. There was still particles of fear lingering inside me but something else floated in the pit of my stomach as I watched the night stand still. “Yes. Amazing.”

****

Part Two Here

Masterlist Here

A/N: I’m so sorry this has taken so long! I’m still working on the rest of the story but wanted to post this anyway. Hope you enjoyed it! Stay safe out there, everyone. - Ellie-Mae xx