𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

so... are they a thing?

Evening settled over the safe house like a warm blanket, the fire crackling in the center of camp as a familiar hush fell across the Gladers and Right Arm crew.

Thomas sat sharpening his knife. Minho flipped a rock in his hand out of boredom. Nancy leaned against Vincent's shoulder, half-asleep. Vicky was curled up beside her mother, both sipping soup.

Nico and Bea weren't even there yet — they were still on the far side of the camp, Nico helping her practice one-armed archery as she recovered.

And then Hugo, ever the chaos gremlin, broke the calm:

"Okay. Real question."

Everyone looked at him.

"What are Bea and Nico?"

A pause.

Thomas blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Like, are they... together? Not together? Secretly together but they think we don't know? Actively fighting the urge to be together but completely failing?"

Minho raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot of options."

"I've had time to think," Hugo said proudly.

Vicky giggled. "I mean... they act like something."

Vivian gave a knowing hum. "He doesn't let anyone touch him when he's injured. Except her."

Nancy yawned, eyes still closed. "She stitched his side with her teeth clenched so hard I thought she'd bite through the needle."

Thomas crossed his arms, frowning. "If he hurts her, I will drown him in the bay."

"Bro," said Minho, "she's more likely to kill him first."

Vincent, from the shadows: "I bet they're both too stubborn to admit anything and it's been a slow-burn mess this whole time."

Just then, Bea and Nico walked back into the firelight, unaware of the conversation they'd just walked into.

Bea had her hand lightly on his back, and Nico was smiling — the kind of smile he never wore around anyone else.

Everyone fell into suspicious silence.

Bea paused mid-step. "Why is it so quiet?"

Nico narrowed his eyes. "What were you talking about?"

Hugo grinned and leaned forward. "You."

Bea squinted.

"More specifically," Hugo continued, "you two. What you are. Or aren't. Or might be."

Bea looked at Nico.

Nico looked at Bea.

A beat.

Then, squinting their eyes at everyone:

"None of your business," they said in perfect unison.

The camp howled.

Minho fell over. Nancy actually clapped. Hugo dramatically groaned and shouted, "THAT'S WORSE THAN NO ANSWER."

Bea just rolled her eyes and walked past them all, but not before swiping a piece of bread from Thomas's plate.

Nico followed with a grin, tossing Hugo a wink that only made things worse.

Later that night, as the laughter died down and the firelight dimmed, Bea nudged Nico gently.

"They're not wrong, you know."

"About what?"

She gave him a sideways look. "You and me."

Nico just leaned back beside her, fingers brushing hers in the dirt.

"Let them wonder."

★