Virtual vs. Reality (Newt x Reader)

6

Newt was honestly surprised at how easily he'd fallen back into the routine of training. WCKD left all the gyms and workout facilities open for coming and going, and for the first couple of days, it was him, Gally, Alby, and Winston sparring, running laps, or doing any sort of training exercise in the otherwise deserted gyms. 

Others started joining after the initial shock of changing from virtual reality to actual reality started to wear off, and it was clear who'd been spending the most time together. There were some pairs, a couple of trios, but the largest group was Newt and his friends. Apparently WCKD had scattered the rest of the boys so far and wide it was hard to stick together or even find each other. 

"This is sad," Gally said while he and Newt did bench presses, other boys milling awkwardly around the gym. Alby and Winston were on the track above them, alternating between running laps and doing different types of parkour while chasing each other. 

"I know," Newt said, angling his head up slightly as he pushed the bar away from him. No one seemed to be associating with each other at all in here. It seemed as the shock wore off, so did some of the earlier associations or partnerships. He looked over at Gally. "On another note, I bet I can do more than you." 

"Doubt it, skinny." 

"Excuse me?" Newt practically threw the weight away from him and sat up, swinging his legs over and glaring at Gally. Said boy simply laughed, lowering his own weight. Newt set his weight back up, shoving more rings onto it. "I'll show you skinny." He then resituated himself. "Ready, thick?" Gally snorted. "Go." 

Five minutes later, both were still going, but slowly. Alby and Winston sauntered over to them, each stopping in front of both competing boys. "What do we have here?" Winston asked, leaning over Newt and smirking. Newt blew out a breath. "Didn't you say you were going to spar with me? You gonna do it looking like that?" 

"Shut it; I'm focusing. And winning." 

"Yeah, right," Gally puffed. Alby was simply chuckling, arms crossed. 

"Hey! Who's having a competition without me?" The sound of the newcomer's voice effectively ended the competition as Newt threw his weight up and bolted upright, eyes locking instantly on Minho as said boy sauntered into the gym. "I got filled in on what happened. King of the virtual reality right here, coming through!"

"Minho!" Newt shouted. His friend grinned, jogging the last few paces to them. 

"Ha!" Gally exclaimed triumphantly from his bench, pushing his weight away and sitting up. Newt ignored him, looking Minho up and down. 

"I know, I know," the Asian said, patting his chest where the pipe had gone through. "But I'm just that smooth." 

"There's not even a mark?" Winston asked. 

"Nope. Not even a little bit. Wanna see?" 

"No," Gally deadpanned. Minho cast a half-hearted glare in his direction. 

"Well, you put up a big fuss," Winston finally said. "You were all the buzz after we were pulled out." 

"It was so sudden," Minho said in a rather dismissive tone. "I think it was just the shock. I was ready to go a couple hours afterwards, but they wanted to run tests or something. Research, I'm guessing." He lifted one arm and flexed his bicep. "But now I'm ready to jump back into action. Who wants to go against me?" 

~

About an hour later, Newt was ready to face plant and go to sleep. Gally was about the same while Alby and Winston were simply chugging water and talking about going to the shooting range.