Transparent ☆ [The Maze Runner] Gally

Will You Stay?

I had stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours. My thoughts never ceasing. Thomas's information was a rather hard pill to swallow.

I had just gotten here and now we needed to leave. The idea had overwhelmingly swarmed my brain, and the pitch black of the room seemed to only heighten my inquiry.

I let out a sigh listening to Chuck's light snores, wishing I too could get some rest. Though, my mind soon focused on Chuck as his breathing grew heavier, his body moving around as if he was running.

I became startled when a hysterical sob left his throat. Sitting up alert and panicked I looked over to Chuck who now sat up, his face dropped into his palms. "Hey, hey buddy what's going on", I stood soon sitting next to him.

"It was just a nightmare", he cried. I wrapped my arms around him tightly our backs now resting against his headboard, "Do you want to talk about it?". He placed his head into my shoulder as his voice trembled, "Are we ever going to get out of here?".

"We will, someday", I soothed, yet I was unsure if my statement was even close to being truthful. "I just want to meet my parents", he stammered.

"Do you remember them?". He shook his head trying to slow his breathing so he would be able to speak, "No, but I'm sure I had them. I just hope they know I'm okay...I hope they're okay".

I looked to Chuck sadly waiting for him to continue as he placed his head onto my lap. "I get dreams of this man and woman. I always run up to them, but once I reach them, they always disappear in my arms. I don't know if they're my parents, but it feels like they are", he whispers shakily.

My stomach felt as though it had been flipped inside out, my heart now aching to comfort him. Chuck's yearn to meet his parents was giving me an even larger reason to find a way out.

"I wish I knew my family. I wish I knew if they were proud of me, or if they loved me", he pondered. "I'm going to find a way out Chuck, for you", my words came out quickly not even pausing to process what I was saying.

"I promise you'll meet your parents. I promise I'll help you find them. Until then, I am your family and I'm so proud of you. I know this is sappy, but I do love you. You've been the closest thing to family since I've gotten here", I placed a soft kiss on his cheek then wiped away his tears.

He grinned then closed his eyes. "Thank you...for being a good friend", Chuck's words were quiet and came out in a bashful manner. I smiled to myself knowing I gave him some sort of security. Now, I was determined to help Thomas, not only for myself or the other gladers but for Chuck.

The silence soothed us into serenity, only being disrupted by the click of a door handle. Gally's figure appeared in the doorway. My breath soon caught within my throat and my heart beat rapidly.

He stumbled for a second noticing I was wide awake before he attempted to speak, "I heard screaming, and I- I wanted to check up on you". He stood almost awkwardly, hesitant as to what else there was to say. His uncertainty only made my cheeks burn up more.

I looked down noticing Chuck had now fallen asleep in my lap. "Chuck has been having nightmares", I spoke in hopes of easing the tension.

"I know, I used to come up here and help him get through them", he scratched the back of his neck soon grabbing the door knob. Gally opened the door to leave shuffling his feet clumsily. "Well, um goodnight", he rushed.

"Gally wait, will you stay with us..with me", I bit my lip anxiously scared he would reject my offer. To my surprise, he stood still, soon turning around as he made his way to the other side of the bed with uncertainty.

He sat down swinging his legs onto the bed making it dip slightly. He leaned against the frame of the bed reflecting my image, but his body remained tense. "Relax, I'm not going to hurt you", I giggled.

"You might", he joked bringing about another amused laugh to escape my mouth. There was a small break between our laughter, but Gally's voice rekindled our conversation, "You know he has a crush on you".

"Who?", I furrowed my eyebrows confused. He let out a low laugh at my expression, "Chuck". I smiled down at Chuck moving his hair out of his face, "Really", I laughed.

"Most of the boys here have a crush on you", he shifted uncomfortably in the bed. "You're kidding", I had been entirely oblivious to anyone liking me, but now that I had thought about it the playful teasing and anxious gawking was made more than obvious.

"Nope, they all talk about you", his voice held a tinge of jealousy as his eyes roamed my face almost as if he was taking a mental picture of it.

A sudden cheeky question popped into my mind, "Do you have a crush on me Gally?". He doesn't say his head merely resting against the wall behind him, leaving his neck exposed to the chilling air around us.

"I'll take that as a yes. I mean you did kiss me", I teased trying to conceal my embarrassment from his lack of commentary. He seemed to find my words entertaining as he tilted his head smirking at me.

I had never seen Gally this happy, and it had caused a warm sensation to build within my stomach. His upturned lips soon fell, his appearance becoming serious once more, "About our kiss...did you..did you like it?".

"I kissed back didn't I", I reassured. I moved closer to Gally making sure Chuck didn't wake in the process, then rested my head on his shoulder. Gally hummed in content at my answer and new position.

"What did Thomas tell you earlier?", his lips pressed together making a straight line. I lifted my head fluttering my eyelashes innocently, "Why, are you jealous?".

He shook his head laughing out of annoyance, "You're cute". His eyes returned to mine our faces only an inch apart, "Gally, was it you who checked up on me the night Ben tried hitting on me?".

He said nothing. Instead, his lips were pressed tenderly onto my forehead, soon turning upwards giving away his little secret. His lips lingered until he placed his forehead against mine.

"Gally, will you stay the night?", I closed my eyes trying to revel in his close proximity. "Of course", he whispered. "Promise?", I asked hopefully. "I promise", he smiled.