Aris Jones X Reader One Shots

Defender

Aris's P.O.V

I didn't have a fun time betraying Thomas. I didn't want to hurt him, to hurt anyone. I didn't want to kiss Teresa or lock him in a cave.

I never wanted to do anything bad.

WICKED though, had other things to care about than what I wanted, but to be fair, when didn't they?

So yeah. I expected the backlash from everyone, even after the explanation. I mean they already didn't exactly trust me, and some of them (Minho) hadn't been so subtle about it.

Still, we had to retell the story after explaining it to a groggy, confused, injured, upset Thomas. Fun.

But alas, we didn't have a choice. We told the story from the beginning (as far as anyone needs to know) and awkwardly stood there. Well, Teresa and I. Thomas was sitting down with a halfhearted glare on his face. So much for forgiving us.

For around a minute after that everyone let Minho go off. That wasn't unexpected either.

He wasn't what I was worried about though.

Y/N.

I was focused on her, watching her reaction when we explained the kiss while hoping she knew we had to. I need my girl to know I only wanted her, only ever had eyes for her, even if I had to pretend that I didn't.

She didn't react at all though, which was worse than anything. The only thing that changed was a split second of her eyes going wide before she just nodded along to the story.

As Minho was spouting insults or lecturing or giving a speech on why we suck, that look changed though as she rubbed her forehead and took a breath.

“Minho, cut the klunk,”She spoke up, her tone walking the tightrope between a sigh and harsh demand.

“Excuse me?”He asked, looking back at her.

“Cut the klunk. What did you want them to do? Let Thomas be killed by WICKED? It's better that he's hurt than dead,”She shrugged.

“Do you not see him-”
“I do, because he isn't dead. Something he would be if they didn't do what they did. They did what they had to, and I’m not even sure you would be able to do that,”She defended, at the same time making us just gawk at her.

“Excuse me?”He scoffed.

“I don't think that you would be capable of hurting and maybe losing someone you care about to save them. I think you would be too stubborn to think it through,”She clarified.

“What if he did that to you?”He snapped.

“I’d be glad my boyfriend has enough common sense not to risk my death? I’d rather be hurt than dead,”She shrugged.

“Did you miss the kissing Teresa part? How are you not angry about that?”

“Oh no. My boyfriend made sure someone didn't die? However could he not risk Thomas’s life like that?”She deadpanned.

“Why don't you care about Thomas?”

“I kind of do. That's why I’m just happy he's not six feet under or whining that he had to see a little kissy kissy and get some blood on him. I mean seriously? If you want me to get mad at them for helping you're out of your shucking mind. If you're mad at them for helping you're also out of your shucking mind,”She shrugged.

“I would find another way to save anyone,”He defended.

“And that is why whoever you were supposed to be protecting would be dead. You wouldn't be capable of doing what they did.”

“I can look out for my friends,”He scowled.

“Maybe, but are you capable of hurting them and trusting the bad guys, resulting in you looking like one? Or would you put up too much of a fight?”She asked, standing up and putting her bag over her shoulder. “Can you walk, Thomas?”

“Yeah, but-”
“Are you breathing?”

“Yes, but-”
“Are you on the brink of death?”

“No, but-”
“Are you bleeding uncontrollably?”

“No, but-”
“Then, everything is fine. You can throw yourself another pity party about it when we're not at the risk of being attacked by Cranks. For now, everyone stop whining, and just be grateful you're alive because not everyone has that luxury,”She reminded us.

“But they-”
“Shut your trap, Minho,”She sighed, gesturing for everyone to get up. Following her, everyone did as they said. Stepping to the side, she let Minho lead again, choosing to stay in the very back. Lagging behind, I joined her.

“Aris,”She said in a sharp tone.

“Yeah?”I asked quietly.

“Whichever one of you hit him hit too close to the part of the brain that would kill him. While it was probably panicked, the jaw is a better option. It's not as close to the really important part,”She explained.

“Oh. I’ll keep that in mind in case I ever have to hit someone with a stick again?”I sort of asked.

“It's great for interrogations.”

“How do you know that?”I dared to ask.

“Don't worry about it, love,”She shrugged, squeezing my shoulder before still continuing to walk alongside me in total silence. With my mind completely quiet, I just looked at her, at her nonchalant behavior after doing something that was supposed to make her hate me. “What's up with you?”She questioned, meeting my gaze.

“Nothing. I just love you,”I answered.

“I love you too, pretty boy. I love you too. Even if people complain about you.”

“Y/N-”
“I’m kidding. Now let's keep lagging behind everyone so that I don't have to defend your sorry self again.”

“Y/N-”
“What? It's true.”

Shaking my head, I put my arm around my girl to keep her close.

To keep my flawless defender right by my side where she belonged.