EPIPHANY ✁ newt

39 , losing to tranquility

"Teresa?" It was way past midnight by the time I finally found the girl I was looking for, having gotten delayed by Mary wanting to give me another dose of the Lyther antidote before she let me wander off. The brunette turned to me, her bright blue eyes still bright even in the inky darkness of the night sky as she stood up from the bench she'd been sitting on, taking her eyes off the glittering ocean and them landing on me.

"Hey, Sephora. What are you doing here?" she asked softly, a small forced smile on her face as we both started walking down the beach together.

"Uh... I just wanted to come say hello, see how you were doing and all." I suddenly wasn't sure if finding her out had been the best idea - its not like we'd been very close in the first place, so maybe she found it strange me trying to make conversation like this." "I-I'm sorry if I'm bothering you, by the way. Just... let me know if you want to be left alone and I'll go."

"No. It's... it's nothing like that, Seph, please stay. And thank you. Thank you for what you did back in the city for me. I'd be dead if you hadn't forced me onto that burg and... well, I can't say I'd regret it, but being here? Yes, I would regret not seeing all of this. So thank you for saving my life, and risking yours in the process." she sighing, taking a second before going on. "I... spoke to Thomas, today. He hasn't forgiven me or anything, obviously, but he said he was glad I was alive and he hoped we could go back to friends some day."

I smiled slightly, not having ever heard the girl speak so openly before. "You don't have to thank me - I'd do it again, Teresa. I hate to say it, but I can't blame you for wanting to avenge your family. Do I hate what you did? Do I hate that Newt almost died because you gave away our location? Sure. But he's here, and we're safe, and theres no point holding onto grudges."

The blue eyed girl didn't reply, but I could see her demeanor relax as I spoke. We walked in silence for a while, just listening to the sea crash near us and the seagulls scream at each other overhead. We were only interrupted by Newt, Minho and Thomas charging across the breach towards the woods, the latter two seeming to be chasing my boy as he laughed. As mush as I'd like to go see what they were doing, I could see Teresa still wanted to talk, and as we watched I saw the blonde vanish into the trees. "Do you think he'll ever forgive me?"

I turned to her, watching her eyes being ripped away from the burnette boy as he disappeared with the other two. I sighed, not really knowing what I could say to her. "Teresa... I think he's already forgiven you. Is he ready to forget everything that you did... I don't think so. I don't think its that easy. But I don't think Thomas is upset with you. It just may take him a while to trust you again."

Teresa smiled, "I really hope so. I know what I did was wrong in almost every way, but... it would have killed me - not doing anything. I really hope you guys can understand that, even if you don't forgive me." I placed my hand on her shoulder gently, bidding the girl goodbye after a few more minutes and making my way back to the main camp, where Brenda was waiting for me, a grin on her face.

"Well... don't you look happy. Want to share whats got you grinning like that?" I asked lightly as she turned around, picking up her basket of fruit she'd probably harvested and was taking back to the kitchens, and following behind me as we walked.

The girl laughed, "Thomas and I talked a lot of things out. And... it's clear he still has feelings for Teresa. It's like a pressure has been taken off me, honestly. Its a bit disappointing, sure, but at least he was clear about it - and I can move on now. Speaking of moving on... it looks like you kind of did the opposite with your little crush."

My teasing smile faded as my eyes widened, trying to keep the blush off of my cheeks. Brenda giggled, "So you haven't spoken about it... I see. You should probably do that soon - from what I've seen at least... somethings changed between you and Newt, and from the way he looks at you, I don't think you guys are just friends in his mind." she went on, a spark playing in her eyes.

I was sitting with Newt a few hours later as the sun started going down, the blonde had got us both a bit of freshly baked bread that we enjoyed as I knelt beside of the seed beds that needed replanting, carefully dropping the lettuce seeds into the little holes and covering them up. "You should take a break, love." Newt said softly as he took a seat of one of the rocks nearby. I only mumbled a hardly coherent reply, too invested in the little seeds.

"Newt!" I yelped in shock as the boy grabbed hold of me by the waist and pulled me onto the bench with him, almost dropping both of us off it. I laughed as I managed to catch myself before I fell, watching the blonde land on his back on the ground, looking bewildered at how the last few seconds had played out. "That's what you deserve!" I said playfully, holding my hand out to him.

A few minutes later we were both sitting peacefully on the makeshift bench, my head resting on Newt's shoulder, eyes closed, as the blonde filled me in on everything that had happened around camp that day - when I was too busy chatting with people, tending to the plants, or just spaced out in my own little world. I could get used to my days going by like that. I never had any time to myself in the maze, really. And of course I didn't even get a second to think while on the run from WICKED once we'd gotten out - so the feeling of having a choice was new to me.

Once he was satisfied that he'd told me everything important, the two of us fell into a comfortable silence and I could feel my eyes slowly drooping, exhausted from my hectic but fun day. I was practically lying in the blondes arms when I heard his soft voice call me name. "Seph?" I hummed in response, letting him know I was still awake, yet too tired to give him an actual reply. "Can I ask you something?"

I shifted slightly, prying my eyes open as much as I could to meet Newt's warm ones - firelights flickering in them. I tried to sit back up, but the blonde pushed me down gently. "No, don't get up... its fine. I just... this may be a bit strange to ask right now, but, uh, what do you want us to be, Seph? Like - I think you know what I'm saying, and I don't want to rush things or anything, but I really don't know how this works and-"

I pushed myself up, propping my body on one of my arms as I lifted one finger to Newts lips, causing the boy to trail off into an incoherent mumble. "Yes, Newt. Yes." When the boy simply searched my eyes, as if not sure what I was saying, I sighed, bringing my lips closer to his ear and softly whispering a few words to him. "Okay, how about this - Newt... will you do me the greatest honour of being my boyfriend?"

The blonde laughed lightly at my over the top posh accent, pulling me in for a quick kiss before replying. "Hell yes - every time, always. And trust me, it's my honour, my lady." he said softly, doing a small little bow that made my heart melt before pulling me into another kiss, a grin present on both of our faces.

It really didn't matter who all could see us right then, because everything else drowned out. It was just us. And... before that moment, I'd honestly always found the concept of love or romance or anything in that field excruciatingly embarrassing. But right then... I realised I didn't care one bit who saw us. In fact, I was proud. I almost wanted to show him off. In that moment, I had the most perfect boyfriend possible - and I knew that.

It was crazy how fast life could turn around... a few days ago, I wasn't sure if either of us would be alive, yet here we were.