Little lies - NEWT

{fin}

Hi,

I don't usually do author notes as I find they ruin the flow mid fic and I don't really have anything that important to say... However, just before you scroll to the good stuff, I just wanted to say thank you for all the kind words. I appreciate every single comment, even the ones where you guys threaten my life for Newt's path... I find those ones hilarious, I must say. The comments on this fic, one that I had originally thought was not one of my best, all give me such a confidence boost over the years and I really do appreciate that. It still amazes me that people choose to not only read this but make comments throughout. I read and appreciate every single one.

I sincerely want to thank my re-readers too.... I do love to see when you guys return.

And this is what happens when I, still groggy from sleep, have an idea after a fic has been completed for two years...

Enjoy :)

~k

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THE GLADE, BEFORE THOMAS

"Tell me something Pepper..." Newt, with glassy eyes and a far too relaxed demeanor, grinned as he turned towards her with a glass lazily grasped in his hand.

"Oh here we go," she rolled her eyes as she took the glass from him and gulped down some of Gally's famous brew.

Though his lips curled into a smirk, Eden knew the question that followed was entirely serious from the way he attempted to look her in the eyes. Though given that they were both drunk, veins thrumming with the warmth of peaceful intoxication, it was just slightly more difficult for him to focus. "Why did I see you sneaking back from the runners hut this morning?"

She swallowed deeply and averted her gaze entirely, cheeks pickening as the feeling of being entirely caught took over. "Ah...."

Newt shuffled in his seat, now closer to her with both their bodies touching from the very bottom of their legs to their shoulders. "I thought we discussed letting Alby deal with those meetings to take some stuff off your plate?"

"I know, I know," Eden sighed softly as she leant back against the tree behind her. "Alby just felt sick."

Newt, not believing a word, looked towards the fire that burned in the middle of the glade and searched the crowd for Alby. Once he spotted him, and noticed how he laughed and danced around as always with no difference that would suggest any sort of illness, he turned back towards her with a raised brow. "Did he?"

"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry, I just... I just love it so much," she paused as she handed him the jar back. "Forgive me?"

"Fine," he sighed with a hoarseness caused by the sting of the drink as he took another swig. Wordlessly, he handed the jar back and Eden wasted no time taking another large gulp."You know we practically just kissed, right?"

Eden laughed as she passed the jar back, saving the last for him. "Yeah you wish Newt."

And he did not know whether it was the alcohol or the flickering of the firelight that lit their faces, but he could have sworn her cheeks further pinkened at his comment.

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THE SAFE HAVEN

Eden lay in her bed in her small home, unable to move as debilitating pain shocked through her head and down her spine. Over the passing weeks, where she'd gotten to a space of being somewhat okay if she just busied herself with work, Eden had tried to ignore her head. She'd popped pill after pill, often too many in one day, just to try and counteract the agony that now surrounded her skull. It, on most days, felt as if someone had stuck a red hot piece of metal into her skull and the pressure would just build and build with no hope of diminishing. It became rare for her to wake up without physical pain. Despite this, she hid the progression from everyone. With no one around who could spot how she could not relax in the safety of her home, no one detected the change.