The Maze Runner Imagines

Frypan [2]

 The runners had always been, and would always be, Frypans biggest struggle here in the glade. In his eyes, they were little ravenous monsters who he could never keep food and stores of cold water out of their grubby hands.

When Y/N became a runner, all of that changed. He was a little softer on them for being hungrier than the rest of the gladers and understood why they were so desperate for cold water when they returned from a day running in the maze. Sneaking them a couple apples in the evening became the norm.

He also came to understand that being a runner was gruesome at the best of times. He'd also recently noticed the glades best had been struggling as of late. Frypan had taken a notice to her slightly more reserved approach to life and her sad smiles instead of a bright thanks at meal times.

Lately, Frypan decided he was going to do whatever he could to make things just ever so slightly better. So, each morning, he dropped off warm water to get the runners up, making breaking away from those hammocks not so difficult, especially on the colder mornings. He'd made his fair shot at making types of teas for the runners but they never really seemed to work out. Nevertheless, they were happy to be woken up each day to a warm drink rather than Minho kicking them awake.

Sitting down for lunch, Y/N pulled out a nice looking lunch Minho was quick to eyeball up. He looked down at his own and scowled. Sure, his lunch was better than it used to be, but it didn't quite compare to Y/N's. "You know, Frypan never treated us runners this nice till your shuck butt showed up."

Y/N raised her brows and stifled a laugh. "Yeah, you know, Minho, that's what happens when you're nice to people."

"Ehhh," He narrowed his eyes and disagreed with her. "More so seems the shank likes you."

Y/N rolled her eyes and tossed a rock at Minho's shoes as she stood up, getting ready to run again. "Nah."

As the pair walked back into the glade, Frypan noticed their arrival and waved happily into the air. Y/N waved back with a wide smile.

Minho scoffed and nudged her side. "You don't believe me? All the extra apples?! Those things used to be like gold here. He wouldn't give them away for anything! Giving us all warm water in the mornings??"

"Minho," Y/N hissed through her teeth.

"Wha!?" He threw his arms up in defence. "Oh my god you're so oblivious. Utterly hopeless."

"Shut. Up." Y/N swat at him. The boy jumped up and away from the girls arm and then sprint off toward the map room. Y/N chased after him, chucking her shoe at him.

When evening came, Y/N sat outside the kitchen late while everyone else had since moved elsewhere. She was, per usual, exhausted and unsure about how she was going to wake up in the morning and do it all again. She stabbed her fork into her bowl a couple of times and sighed, wishing she could just pass out for a few days.

"Stop playing with your food." A voice came softly, yet mischievously, from behind.

Y/N smiled when she noticed it was Frypan who sat down next to her. "Hey, Fry. Sorry, your food is great, I'm just not really feeling it."

"Ah, no biggie." He shrugged. "I get it. I mean you do have to put up with Minho all day. That oughta ruin anyones appetite."

Y/N laughed and rest her head on her hand. She peeked through her fingers to see Frypan smiling and laughing ever so slightly. He really did have the most beautiful, genuine smile. Just by looking at him, it was clear how much care he held for everyone here. Y/N truly did feel lucky to just be in his presence, let alone the centre of his attention at the moment.

Frypan was just too good. Too good to be in a place such as this. He was too kind, too selfless, and far too supportive of everyone. If there was anyone Y/N wanted to find a way out of this maze for, it was him. He could do a whole lot out there in the real world, whatever that constituted. He could bring a lot of smiles and Y/N knew that in full confidence because he already did that here.

"Is it true?" Y/N suddenly asked. " That you were never this nice to the runners until I showed up?"

Frypans expression fell for a moment before a nervous smile replaced it. He rubbed the back of his neck and wrinkled his nose. "Oh damn. Someone exposed me. Minho?"

Y/N pursed her lips and nod in sympathy. "It's always Minho."

"That's true," He point at her and sighed. "Listen, I aint gonna lie to you. Yeah, I do think you're pretty damn amazing and I really admire the fact you go out there each day to kick some griever butt. I respect you even more for running alongside Minho everyday. And maybe you sort of were the reason I softened up on the runners a little.''

"Ah, I'm guilty. Noooo—" Y/N threw her head back and smacked the palms of her hands against her face. "Minho was right."

Frypan chuckled. He reached out and lowered Y/N's hands from her face and sent a warm smile. "And I get you're all busy with your runner biz, but your company is always appreciated around the kitchens. I'd like to hang out with you some more."

Y/N tilt her head and contemplate for a moment. "You can bet I'll be stopping by more often."

"Good that!" He giddily shot up from the table, full of nervous energy. He swooped her bowl up off of the table and dropped an apple in its place before walking off quickly. He had to get out before he said something totally wacky and scared the poor girl off. He was proud of what he'd said and done here tonight already and was more than comfortable calling it a day.

"Smooth, Fry. Smooth." She called out after him. He threw an arm up in the air and Y/N wasn't quite sure if he attempted a little dance or if he tripped—either way, it made her laugh.