The Tributes from the Maze (Newt/OC)

Tickle Fight

Ariadne sat with her knees brought up to her chest and her head in her hands on the edge of the lake. She was mesmerised by the water slowly lapping against the rocks. Everyone was at lunch but she had managed to sneak out. When she heard the footsteps behind her she knew someone was there. She pretended that she was unaware for a few moments. Then she noticed that the footsteps were uneven. Newt.

"Newt, I know you're there." She sighed.

"How'd you know it was me?" He slowly sat down with his back up against a tree trunk next to her. The lanky boy plucked at the strands of grass, twirling them between his fingers. Ariadne watched him closely.

"I heard your footsteps and I could tell." She said pointing at his ankle. He nodded his head. A part of her wanted to be closer to him and for him to hold her and play with her hair and whisper with his soothing voice in her ear. But he kept his distance.

"It's peaceful here." Newt observed the pattern of the water, holding himself back from reaching for her.

"I wish things could be this calm forever." She sighed in reply just as her stomach emitted a loud rumble that would challenge even the best efforts of a herd of elephants.

"It sounds like there's a war going on in there. Lucky I brought you a plate." Newt laughed and motioned behind him to a still-warm plate of the delicious creamy pasta lying on the thick log people often used as a seat or table. The amazing smell made her mouth water but she recalled Irene's words from the previous night and subconsciously rubbed at her stomach.

"Frypan really outdid himself this time. Thanks, Newt, but I'm not hungry." She lied and her stomach protested and sold her out with a loud grumble. Newt looked at her, concern etched into his frown.

"Come on, gorgeous, you've got to eat something. I've been paying attention, you know. You haven't eaten since dinner last night and even then you didn't eat much. If you keep going like this you'll get sick. I know it's hard to eat when you've been put off but you are hungry and you don't need me to tell you that. Your stomach is complaining loud enough for both of us." Newt prompted.

"Really, thanks Newt. But I can't eat." She refused and he got up off the ground, brushing his jeans off. "Where are you going?"

"Relax, gorgeous, I'm just getting the plate. If you're not going to eat it willingly I'll just have to force-feed you." Newt said casually.

"I'm not a baby." Ariadne scowled.

"Well, if you act like one by refusing your food, I'm going to have to treat you like one." Newt jested and sat back down next to her with the plate of pasta. Ariadne's stomach groaned and wanted her to eat but she couldn't bring herself to. It wasn't only Irene's words that put her off. After what she saw...

She scrunched her nose up at the dish and looked away. Newt pulled her to sit in his lap.

"Newt, I really don't want to eat anything. I promise that if I could, I would, but I just can't. What happened in the forest..." Ariadne shuddered at the thought.

"Tell me about it. You can't keep everything bottled up or you'll bloody explode. So talk. I love listening to your voice." He said and put the plate to the side to free up his hands. He pulled her long hair out of the low ponytail it was in and started to braid it.

"Well, it was terrifying. It's like I could feel myself going insane. Then I remembered your name. I held on to all the memories I had of you and it brought me back." She explained, her eyes landing on the same black and white bird she had seen on the balcony rail the previous day. She watched it flying from tree to tree and hopping on the branches.