Pulling The Heartstrings (Thomesa)

Recovery III

Set after the Death Cure au
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"You're hiding something from me, Teresa." He muttered, firmly and pinned her wrists above her head. His worried brown eyes stared at her, knowing he had noticed the malnutrition and tiredness in her body ever since he woke up.

At first he thought it was just his imagination, the cold attitude directed towards her or how people hardly talked to her. What he found the most strange was Teresa always changing the subject when he asked where her hut was.

Her beautiful smile was a sight he desperately missed so he was simply glad to be in her company, enjoying his days in Paradise. They loved their time together, catching up with each other near the beach or mess hall even if they had their responsibilities.

He always took note of the sound of her bewitching laughter, feeling a sense of victory whenever he made her laugh as his lips tilted up into a amused smirk. She was mesmerising.

Being a runner with Minho and exploring the forest reminded him of their time in the glade and maze. He also often saw Teresa busy with doing odd jobs around the settlement like helping in the kitchen and cleaning the mess hall or council room. Only problem was she always looked tired and he didn't know why until recently.

It was now evening, the sun setting in the horizon as they stayed isolated in his hut. Her weak struggling against him said everything, something was wrong and he wanted to hear the truth from her mouth.

He quickly pressed her further against the wall, blocking any possible exits. His fingers softly traced the outline of her dark eye bags and slim cheek bones, his other hand still holding her wrists.

Teresa soon gave up on her escape attempt, feeling trapped as she stared back at him. His brown eyes captured hers with such an intensity that she couldn't look away. She didn't want him to find out like this and held back her tears.

His jaw clenched, spotting the hidden pain in her watery blue eyes and hated that he didn't find out the truth sooner. He knew and understood Teresa more than anyone, her selflessness was one of the reasons he loved her.

He let out a shaky breath just thinking about it, that she had been willing to play along like everything was fine for days. Just so Thomas didn't need to worry about anything.

When he found out how they were treating Teresa and the proof of her fenced off home, his fists clenched in anger. Barely controlled rage spread through him, her forced smiles and body fatigue finally made sense. They were treating her like a prisoner just like WICKED.

The last straw was Teresa getting hit by a small rock from another citizen, his teeth gritted angrily at the mere sight of her hurt. The people of Paradise certainly made it clear what they thought of Teresa and her part in the trials, she was the betrayer.

He felt frozen in that moment, watching the dark red blood drip down her forehead from afar as she stared blankly at the man. She didn't say anything, simply just let the citizen throw insults at her before she turned to walk away.

Harriet and Gally quickly handled the man's hostile outburst as he stared in her direction. She didn't know he was there at the time, thinking he was still on his run with Minho. Unknown emotions swirled in his brown eyes, it took all of his efforts not to burst when she told him the injury happened because she accidentally fell that day.

"I'm sorry, Tom...." Teresa whispered, quietly as tears glistened in her beautiful blue eyes. Her brave facade was breaking and it was because of him. She was exhausted from all the pretending and just wanted to curl up in his strong arms, forgetting the outside world for a while.

His expression unknowingly softened at her timid voice, releasing her wrists before he gently tugged her towards him.
"You don't have to pretend anymore, I'm here...." He muttered, softly as he buried her close against his chest.

She slowly nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck, breathing him in as she absorbed his addicting warmth. Her walls came crashing down, helpless tears streaming down her cheeks as his strong arms became her home.

"I....I don't deserve this kindness...." Teresa whispered with a crack in her voice as her hand clutched his shirt. Strangled sobs escaped her mouth as his arms instinctively tightened around her small waist.

Thomas softly stroked her dark raven hair, feeling her tears soak into his shirt and murmured sweet words into her ear. He knew the people of Paradise especially his friends, he was going to fix this.

He would persuade Minho and the others to let Teresa live peacefully just like the other immunes in their new home, confident he could make them change their minds. They were not like WICKED.

Silence filled the air, the sun already gone as the night darkness clouded upon them. He could faintly hear the hustle of people getting ready for their slumber in the distance.

He slowly looked down and saw the alluring sight of Teresa sleeping in his arms, her raven hair curled up against his forearms and her small body pressed against his. She had cried herself asleep, noticing the tear streaks on her angelic face.

"I'll protect you." Thomas muttered, determinedly as he gently tucked her into his bed. She was going to stay in his hut from now on. He wouldn't let anyone hurt her anymore and that was his promise.

Author's Note: Please do comment what you think so far of the story. It really helps motivate me by hearing your thoughts. I'm hoping to update soon :)