Aris Jones X Reader One Shots

The Real Traitor

There's double cross and there's double double cross.

It was quite ironic really. The way the original WICKED worker would get the worst of the bargain, and the one who backed out first essentially got nothing. He got his feelings hurt and maybe a concussion, but that was nothing compared to what Y/N was about to do. Not at all.

Childhood best friends. It's a beautiful thing really.

Y/N and Aris had been close since they were little. They would study together, sneak into the halls together, eat together, laugh together, and spend most of their time together. Sometimes they’d even share a bed when one of them was too tired to go back.

They were truly loyal to the cause. They had given their lives for a cure, doing whatever was demanded of them. They didn't stray from the goal, even if they love each other. That's why they're such a good team. They know what comes before everything, even the other.

The cure.

Recently, Aris has thought differently though. After seeing Rachel and the Icers and the Gladers die, having to betray Thomas, and going more deeply into his childhood memories, he couldn't help but doubt that WICKED was good. In fact, he wasn't sure if they were even a side to be on. Sure. Their intentions may have started out okay, but have they changed? And what if he was only brainwashed to believe that?

Y/N was never like that. She would give her life up for that cure. She would literally be willing to die if it meant finding it. Her sleepless nights and exhausted days will not be for nothing. No matter what, it will have all been worth it. She would make absolutely sure of that. While she is alive, there will be a way to save the world.

WICKED knew. They knew Aris was starting to doubt what they had told him. He was on the path to being Thomas.

And Thomas had already been so much trouble. They can't have another one.

Y/N was hesitant, but at the end of the day, she agreed. WICKED asked if one life or millions meant more. They said if she said one that she was being selfish. Having been around these people for as long as she could remember, she blindly believed them, swearing to make up her hesitance as if she was repenting for sins.

Aris loves her. He does. He loves her more than anything. He loves her more than the thought of a cure. He loves her so much it's almost unreal.

Y/N does love him, and even though it's screwed up, she always will.

She just has priorities.

Y/N didn't have to betray Thomas. After all, she had something much harder to deal with.

Teresa was by the cave, waiting in the dark. The Gladers and Icers were still moving, looking for them.

Aris was standing where nobody could hear, crying on his best friend's shoulder.

“I didn't want to,”He repeated through hiccuped sobs. Running her fingers down his spine, she held him as she resisted the urge to let her own tears spill. She couldn't not do this. It was too important, and if she was emotional she may get too blinded to remember why.

She wanted to give him another chance though. He’s her Aris. The one she grew up with. The one she would read books with. The one she would eat lunch with. The one she would hold hands with. The one she would talk about a good world with.

They used to hold each other in the night, when they would get nightmares. They would lay down and wrap their arms around the other while they sobbed. Exactly like right now.

Aris remembers it more than clearly. The last time it happened. They had been up late quizzing each other until they could barely keep their eyes open. They just decided to call it quits and slept on his bed, on top of the covers.