Free (Maze Runner fanfic Newtmas Newt x Thomas)

Chapter 27

"Cramped."

"Well you can free up some space by having that alley all to yourself. We'll be thankful for it!"

Minho dropped the keys on the counter to make a point, making the other boy grumble. "Just saying."

"Well maybe if you got a job like the rest of us-"

"Quit it!" Newt yelled from the doorway, making Thomas -who was carrying him- wince away. "Can we just be thankful for everyone's hard work that went into this? If you're not grateful then you can leave."

That shut them up.

It had been a few days since Newt and Thomas entered the city, which even before then only amounted to just over a week, but collectively the boys had enough to buy a very run down, small, apartment. It only had one bedroom, one bathroom, but every floor except the bathroom was carpeted; hard floors weren't exactly a new way of living for the ex-gladers.

Thomas carried Newt because apparently coming back from being a goner was extremely energy draining; to the point that Newt was unable to walk and spent most of his days sleeping. When he was awake, he mostly talked to Thomas in private at a distance from the others, occasionally talking to the boys who approached him, but as he was now back in authority like Minho they tended not to go to him unless they wanted to ask something. Minho just kind of assumed he was his wingman again, so Newt had this authority whether he wanted it or not.

He didn't mind it, nor did he mind being carried; he leant his cheek on Thomas' shoulder as they explored the apartment together. It seemed nice for what it was, and they could hear the others arguing in the main room from the bedroom. "I bet it's about sleeping arrangements." Newt commented, stretching out on the bed quite lazily.

"Do you want to break it up?" Thomas asked, checking the view out the window; it was just the main road.

"Only if their verdict puts us apart, but I'm far too comfy right now."

Thomas laughed. "Fair enough."

Minho stormed in later on, looking quite miffed. He collapsed himself into the arm chair that was in a corner of the room and crossed his arms, mumbling something about not getting his way. Newt had fallen asleep, so Thomas had to deal with him. "What happened?" He asked, voice hushed so as not to wake Newt.

"I got the damn floor. You lucky lovebirds get the actual bed." It sounded great, and it kinda was, but they were sharing a single. "Mostly because Newt isn't well and none of the other gladers wanted to share with him, or someone else." Minho's voice got grumpier and grumpier, looking down at the floor with distaste.

"Do you want the bed? I really don't mind where I sleep."

"Thanks, but I don't want you getting mad when I get curled up next to your boyfriend." Thomas rolled his eyes. "You know I'm grabby!"

Thomas had discovered one night in the glade while sleeping near Minho, that he got grabby. They slept fairly far apart, but he woke up with a hand on his face and their legs practically entwined like a vine. Thomas had tried to escape without waking him up to avoid embarrassment, but Minho only gripped tighter to him when he moved and ended up stuck. "It's Newt you'd have to worry about, he can have a mighty temper if he wants one."

"You mean from the virus?"

"Oh no, pre-glade. He could get bossy. I was the slob, he was the cleaner."

Thomas and Newt were fourteen, only a couple weeks before Newt was due in the glade. They were roommates, and Newt was reading on his bed.

Thomas came in and dropped a wrapper onto his desk, having one each on their own side of the room. "Could you not?" Newt asked, lowering the book.