For As Long As I Can Remember

Newt Is Not Pathetic

It was the day Newt was going to try to walk. He'd been bed ridden for over a month but Clint was finally going to let his try his luck at walking. Newt had been very anxious for this day and Minho knew he was trying unsuccessfully not to get his hopes up. He'd told him last night as they lay together that he was really scared to try it. They'd talked about how it will take time and Newt seemed to understand. Yet now that the time had come he looked frightened. His determination was fueled by fright. Whether it was the fright of injuring himself more or the fright of being unsuccessful it was obvious on his face when Alby and Clint walked in to join them. Clint gave him the run down that he'd been expecting: don't expect much, be careful, don't be ashamed to use support. Alby helped Newt out of the bed; his legs hung over the side and his hands gripped Alby's forearms tightly. He glanced at Minho who smiled back in reassurance. Then he tightened his grip on Alby and pulled himself up into a standing position with all of his weight on his good leg. His heart beat heavily and his arms visibly flexed when Clint gave him the go ahead to put weight on his other leg. He did this and the second the weight was transferred was the second he came crumpling down to the ground. Alby clutched him quickly under the arms and caught him before he hit the ground. Minho found himself distinctively lunging forward towards Newt. Alby helped him back up to his feet once more. Newt's face was scrunched in pain and he was chewing on his bottom lip. Alby spoke quietly to him and he nodded. Then he stood up on both his legs.
"Let go." Alby prompted. Minho watched with his breath held as Newt's hands unclenched from Alby's forearms but they never left them.
"I can't." Newt said through heavy breaths.
"You can." Alby looked at him. "You can do this."

Newt's hands slipped from Alby's arms and he stood on his own. He took a deep breath and reached out for Alby once again as he attempted a step forward with his bad leg. He fell again, toppling into Alby who righted him immediately.
"You're doing really well." He said.
Newt shook his head, "Am I really?"

"You can't be so hard on yourself Newt."
Newt sighed. Alby was right. He stepped with his good leg easily then lifted his bad one and put it down. His face contorted in pain and he took a sharp breath.
"Are you okay?" Clint asked.
"I'm done." Newt moved his good leg back towards the bed, "Put me down Alby."

That night Minho skipped eating with the rest of the Glade to bring Newt his dinner. He sat down beside him on the bed crossing his legs over each other. They sat and ate while making easy conversation.

"You did good today." Minho told him with a smile.

"It wasn't enough." Newt shrugged in dismay.

"You can't expect this to be easy."
"I'm not expecting it to be easy!" He exhaled, "Easier maybe."
"It's going to be hard." Minho warned, "But you'll be up and going again in no time."
"Easier for you to say." Newt scoffed, "You have two working legs."
Minho shook his head, "Newt you can't just-"

"I know!" He cut him off, "I just don't want to be here anymore."

Minho's blood ran cold, "Here as in?"
"This bloody hut!"

Minho was relieved. He'd been worried Newt had been thinking of something a little more permanent.

"I want to go back outside." Newt continued, "It's horrible being trapped in here. I want to go out into the Glade. I want to see people again." He looked at Minho and added quickly, "You and Alby are great. Clint too. Shuck, even Gally is nice to see. Don't get me wrong I appreciate you being here. I appreciate it so much, but I want to see everyone. There's a greenie out there that I should have been showing the ropes."

"I can take you out there." Minho smirked, "I'll pick you up. Carry you around the Glade if you'd like?"

Newt smiled sheepishly, "No you shank! I want to walk out of here on my own two legs."