Glader Baby (TMR Fanfic)

Eight || "WE'VE GOT A RUNNER!"

Today was a particularly hot day in the glade. All the gladers were doing their jobs as they should. Newt was finally able to help the track-hoes out with the plants now that he could trust Chuck to babysit Corbyn. Of course, the two young boys were never out of sight. Newt was too much of a mother hen to let them do that.

"How's the baby?" Alby asked Newt. Newt stopped shoveling and wiped the sweat off his eyebrows.

"He's great," Newt said, his eyes moving from Alby to the two kids sitting under a tree shade. "He's able to walk a bit and the little man can crawl faster than anything."

Alby's eyes followed Newt's gaze and landed on the two kids. A smile appeared on the leader's face. "Got him something to do, hm?" Alby asked.

"Yeah," Newt smiled, "He seems more happy babysitting Corbyn than helping out the others. It keeps both busy and happy and lets me help you shanks out."

"Well," Alby said, patting Newt's shoulder, "Get back to it, then. Those tomatoes aren't going to grow themselves."

Newt nodded and dutifully got back to shoveling and planting. He couldn't wait until the day was over and he could go rest with Corbyn. That baby became a huge part of his life and made his days brighter. Corbyn was one of the main reasons why he could wake up with a smile. He would rather die than let anything touch the baby. He glanced over at the two young boys and smiles as he saw Corbyn stand up and walk slowly to Chuck. He was getting better at walking.

The day went by and soon enough it was close to sundown. Newt was sitting down under a tree near the maze doors, waiting for the runners to get back from their daily run.

"MinMin!" Corbyn cried out when the runners came back, seeing Minho's familiar frame running closer.

Minho smiled and slowed his running, opening up his arms. Before Newt could do anything, Corbyn stood up and started to run to Minho. Well, really, it was more of a fast waddle but by baby standard it was fast. Minho's smile grew as he saw the baby pick up speed and run to him. Minho picked him up into his arms as soon as Corbyn was slow enough and laughed.

"We've got a runner!" Minho exclaimed, laughing. Corbyn giggled along the older man.

"Absolutely not!" Newt said as Minho sat down next to him. "No bloody way is he running around the shucking maze! It's dangerous. He's better off as a track-hoe."

"Track-hoes are lame, aren't they, Corbyn? Aren't they?" Minho asked the baby in a silly voice, booping the baby's nose.  Corbyn giggled and reached out for Minho's fingers.

"Anything new?" Newt asked.

"Nope, same old same old." Minho sighed. "Sometimes I think we should spend a night in the maze. I feel like we're missing something."

"Don't be dumb, shank." Newt shook his head. "It's too dangerous to spend a night in the maze. It's instant death. It's as if you're asking me to throw you off the cliff myself."

Minho sighed and shrugged. Newt was right, the maze was a dangerous place at night, more than it is in the day. But, Minho was getting frusterated with the unsolvable maze. He looked at the cheerful baby and sighed. Corbyn was also one of the many reasons why Minho wanted to get out here so bad. A baby like Corbyn didn't deserve to live in such a harsh place.

"We'll figure it out one day, Minho." Newt reassured him. "Or maybe the Creators might get sick of watching us be dumb shanks and guide us out."

Minho chuckled at the joke. He knew it was impossible that that'll ever happen but it was funny to think about.

"Hey guys." A familiar voice called out. The three looked at the boy that had walked up to them and sat down in front of Minho.

"Hey, shuckface. Have you finished your portion of the map?" Minho asked.

Newt covered Corbyn's ears. He didn't like it when people used harsh words around him. He was too young and still learning to talk. Newt was afraid that Corbyn will pick up on the harsh words and start saying it.

"Yep. I've locked up and everything. How are you two.. er, three, doing?" Thomas asked. His hand reached out to pat the baby.

"We're doing okay." Newt answered, smiling at how Corbyn waddled over to Thomas and sat on his lap. "He likes you."

"Pfft." Thomas scoffed. "Who doesn't?"

"Captain eyebrows?" Minho asked, a smile on his face. The three burst out laughing at the silly nickname. Gally was well known for his temper, his secret recipe drink, and his eyebrows.

"Besides him." Thomas chuckled.

Before Newt could answer, Corbyn started to yawn, rubbing his eyes with his small fists. "He's sleepy, we better get going. The baby needs sleep." Newt said. Thomas passed Corbyn over to Newt and Corbyn slowly fell asleep in Newt's arms.

"Goodnight, little runner." Minho said to the sleeping baby in Newt's arm, giving Corbyn a kiss on the forehead before telling Newt to go ahead. Minho wanted to stay back with Thomas to talk about something.

Newt nodded and made his way to the homestead and put Corbyn down in his crib.

"When you're old enough, you can be anything you want. I will support you." Newt whispered to the sleeping baby. "Be it a track-hoe, a builder, or even a runner. I will support you and make sure you get the best training this glade has to offer."

And with that, Newt laid in his hammock and slowly drifted to sleep.

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