Aris Jones X Reader One Shots

Suspicious (Part 1)

Everyone seemed to have warmed up to Aris. Trusted him enough. I mean I know we're all stuck out here together, but they seem to genuinely not think he has ill intent. Not like when we first ran into him.

I’m suspicious of him. I don't trust him as far as I could throw him. I don't think he’s as clueless as us, and I don't believe anything he says. I mean I don't trust much, but I trust him less than anything else.

“We need someone to keep night watch,”Jorge instructed.

“I’ll do it,”I instantly offered.

“You offered the last three nights too. Someone else-”
“I’m fine,”I said firmly.

“And sleep deprived.”

“Be quiet, Fry. Everyone just go to bed. I’ll make sure we're safe.”

“We’ll have to pair you with someone then. Don't want you snoozing on the job,”Minho said.

“I am not sleeping.”

“Yeah. We can tell,”Newt deadpanned. Rolling my eyes, I kept my spot, not planning on backing down.

“Aris, you get to be her watch partner first,”Frankie volunteered.

“No he does not. I do not need a partner.”

“The bags under your eyes say otherwise.”

“We all have bags under our eyes, you twat.”

“Well, we’re going to bed. You two make sure we don't die and all that,”Fry said, patting Aris’s shoulder. He stiffened at the touch, silently and awkwardly glancing up at Fry until he removed his hand.

I am not going to stay with this guy. I might just kill him first. This is an awful idea, and everyone that disagrees needs their brain checked. Besides for being a Crank. It's a bit late for that.

The others, as they said, fixed up the fire before rolling over in their spots. With a huff, I turned back around on my rock, my eyes watching for any movement in the darkness.

“So how have you stayed up for three days?”

“Shut up,”I demanded, not wanting to remember his existence. I’m just trying to do my damn job. I don't need a sidekick sitting under my rock and looking up at me.

I can feel it. I feel his eyes on me, and it makes me want to tear myself into pieces.

Nobody is to be trusted, but him, there's something about him that I just can't let go of. So I won't. Simple as that.

♡ Time Skip⁠♡

The fire was gradually going out. The flickering of it behind us and crackles were fewer and fewer, leaving it essentially useless. It only illuminated a few sleeping shadows and us.

“Do I still have to shut up?”He whispered.

“I’d prefer it.”

“What if I have to ask you something?”

“I could not care less.”

“Can I just ask you something?”

Sighing, I took a breath before looking down at him. With his eyes already meeting mine, he seemed to silently repeat himself.

“Fine,”I gave in.

“Why do you hate me?”

“I don't know you. I don't know you so I don't trust you. I’ve made that clear.”

“I just mean you look at me as if you genuinely despise me. You look at me with anger in your eyes, and I just,”He trailed off, his voice growing softer with each word. By now the only thing I could see of him was his outline and the time the sparks would make his green eyes bright for just a second before fading.

“You just what?”

“Don't know why. Everyone seems to look at me like that. All the time. And you wouldn't care about me enough to lie about why so do you know why? Why everyone looks at me like that?”

Staring down at him, I took a moment to think about it, making sure his suddenly sad, maybe even vulnerable, gaze didn't change my answer. If he wants one, then he should know why. Not for his sake. Just for the sake of being fair.

“Do you know why?”He repeated.

“You rub people the wrong way. There's just something about the way you carry yourself that's off. There's no way to describe it. It just doesn't seem authentic. You move, and walk, and talk like everything you do is for a purpose. Every action and word is just not quite right.”

“Oh,”He mumbled, facing the openness right as the dying fire went out. Staying silent, I sat on the rock while still looking down on him. “I don't mean to.”

“Look,”I sighed, getting down from my spot for the first time throughout this. Sitting a few inches away, I pulled my knees to my chest while staring at the same emptiness he was. “In both situations where you remember meeting people, there's something weird happening. Don't you see how that’s a little odd?”

“Yeah. I just have, or I feel like, I’ve always been looked at like that.”

“Why?”

“I don't know. I just do.”

Nodding despite the deadness of the night, I looked over only for him to be looking back. Even though there was almost less than no light I could see the way he wore a small frown, his face having this hint of defeat.

“Maybe you don't seem so bad when people know you longer?”I suggested, absentmindedly running my hands back and forth in the sand between us.

“What if I do?”

“I don't know. I guess just accept it.”

“I don't want to just accept it.”

“Your best bet is to find the right person then. Someone who you know you won't rub the wrong way.”

“And if I don't?”He whispered, his words devoid of hope.

“Find someone who's okay with that.”

“It sounds so simple like that.”

“Did you want it to be complicated?”

“Doesn't something being complicated mean it's more genuine? Because you have to work for it?”

“All I can say to that is every boy guy's relationship with me when I first got in my Maze that started complicated ended with nothing. Because there are some things you shouldn't twist your bones for. I won't do something I don't have to for a result I can get another way.”

“And if there is only one way?”

“Then, do it right. If you have to do something, don't screw it up.”

“Okay,”He nodded.

“Do you have to do something?”

Staying silent, he looked over at me, his expression melancholic and worried.

“Do it right then,”I repeated.

“Yeah. I will.”