His Teddy-Bear 🥾Minho TMR💨 (Pre Thomas)

Banishment Day

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That night, Delilah found herself lying awake in her bed, staring up at the dark ceiling of her small room, every nerve still raw from what had happened. She hadn't wanted to be alone. After Minho walked her back, she couldn't shake the terror, couldn't silence the echoes of Joshua's threats or the feel of his weight pinning her down. She didn't need to ask, and Minho didn't need her to-he'd stayed. Without a word, he had spread out a blanket on her floor, his presence a silent promise of protection.

"Try to get some sleep," he'd murmured, voice gentle. He lay close enough that she could see him in the dim light, his steady breaths a reminder she wasn't alone.

She hadn't slept much, but when she did, it was fitful and brief, her nightmares broken by the occasional glimpse of Minho's shadow, still there, vigilant even in sleep.

When morning came, she was too exhausted to talk, too emotionally drained to do anything but let herself exist in the silence. Minho hadn't said much either, just watched over her as she slowly prepared herself for the day ahead, his dark eyes reflecting a fierce, quiet protectiveness.

As the day wore on, word spread quickly. By mid-morning, everyone in the Glade knew what had happened. She could feel the weight of their gazes, the outrage simmering among her fellow Gladers. She hadn't expected the anger-hadn't expected that so many of them would care this deeply, that they'd be furious on her behalf. It was both comforting and overwhelming.

In the Dining Hall, Alby, Newt, Ben, and Frypan were gathered, talking in low voices, their expressions dark. When Alby saw her, he gave her a nod, a steady look that told her he had her back. Newt came over, his usual lightheartedness replaced with a grim, serious expression. "You okay?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes filled with concern.

Delilah nodded, her voice failing her for a moment before she managed a quiet, "I think so." Newt's gaze softened, and he placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

Ben and Frypan joined them, both of their faces hard with anger. "He's not getting away with this," Frypan muttered, his usually friendly demeanor now ice-cold. "Alby's already got him in the Slammer. Damn lucky that's all he got so far. Give me one minute with that freakin' shuckface and I swear he-"

'Thanks Fry' Delilah mumbled, patting him on the shoulder. She couldn't help the small tremor that ran through her at the mention of Joshua, still trying to process everything. The idea of him being locked away, unable to reach her, was a relief, but it didn't erase the memory of his hands, the way he'd looked at her. She felt a wave of nausea just thinking about it, but the support of those around her kept her steady.

Alby stepped forward, his tone calm but carrying an edge that brooked no argument. "We're calling an emergency gathering, Delilah," he said, his voice like steel. "Everyone's going to know what happened. I won't stand for any Glader feeling unsafe, least of all you."

The gathering was held, all the Gladers could feel the weight of the decisions that they would make together. Delilah was sat off to the side of Minho-he was in the centre with the other keepers- feeling Minho's steady presence beside her, as well as Newt, Ben, and Frypan, each of them ready to defend her.

Alby addressed the crowd, his voice steady and commanding as he laid out the events of the previous night. He kept it concise but didn't sugarcoat anything, explaining exactly what Joshua had tried to do, and why it was an offense that could never be tolerated. Delilah felt a mix of emotions as she listened-fear, anger, relief, but also a sense of power in knowing that her voice had been heard, that her pain wouldn't go unnoticed.

By the time Alby finished speaking, the crowd was buzzing with low murmurs of outrage. She saw some of the Builders muttering, their faces dark with fury, while the Track-Hoes exchanged tense glances. Chuck stood close, his young face pale but filled with a fierce loyalty she hadn't expected. She could tell from the looks on their faces that every single one of them was furious-and on her side.