The Tributes from the Maze (Newt/OC)

Night Terrors

Ariadne's eyes were fixated to the screen of the control room as she watched him running. Newt. There was a deep yearning for him, yet simultaneously it felt as though she had been smashed in the ribs by a sledgehammer. Once she escaped the initial shock of seeing him after a year of suffering without him, there was an intense pain. Despite the heartache, she could still feel the warmth, comfort and hope that he had always brought into her life.

When he started climbing up the ivy that clung to the towering walls of the maze, she assumed he was searching for a way out. It rapidly became clear that this was not the case when he pushed off from the wall and jumped. A jolt of panic exploded in her chest, knocking the air from her lungs as she watched him fall. No. No, no, no, no, no, no. Why would he jump? No, no, no! She couldn't lose him. She was ashamed at the relief that spread through her when his leg became tangled in the thick vines, until she heard the sickening crack of his bones and watched him collapse to the ground, writhing in pain and begging for death to collect him.

She didn't even register that she was screaming, tears streaming down her face, when she reached for the control panel and brought up another familiar profile. Typing furiously, she sent Alby into the maze, searching for Newt. She couldn't let him die there, by himself, suffering. She couldn't bear a life without him, even though she knew it was selfish.

Ariadne gasped as she sucked air into her lungs, pushing the covers off and fighting the arms that wrapped around her shoulders.

"Ari! It's okay. Take deep breaths. It's just me." a soothing voice with a British accent whispered into her ear. "Hey, just breathe. You're safe. You're with me and you're safe."

"Newt! But you were...I saw you...in the maze...you jumped...I couldn't help you..." she sobbed, clutching his forearms tightly.

"You did help. Without you, I wouldn't be here right now. I am here. I'm right here, with you. I'm okay now." he reassured her, voice still husky from sleep.

The cold skin that chilled her to the bone alerted her to the fact that he wasn't wearing a shirt. She froze, not knowing how to react. Averting her gaze, she pulled away from him and settled back onto her pillows. He brushed her hair back from her face with frozen fingers that sent goosebumps rippling across her flesh.

"Are you cold?" he questioned, pulling the sheets back over her body, discreetly covering the plunging neckline of the dress she hadn't been bothered to change out of.

"No, but you are." she took a few steadying breaths before risking a glance at him.

He sat on her mattress in only a pair of light grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips. She couldn't stop her eyes from trailing over every curve of his toned chest and abdomen. This was new. He'd never slept shirtless before the maze.

"Sorry, I just heard you screaming and rushed over. I didn't think to put a shirt on." He must have caught her staring because a sheepish expression took hold of his features.

"No, it's okay. It's perfectly fine. Absolutely no problem here." she stumbled over her words, ignoring the heat that burned in the pit of her stomach.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, shuffling closer to her.

"Hmm?" she raised an eyebrow in appreciation as she took in his tousled hair and the gravelly texture of his voice. What was he talking about? What had he just asked her?

"The nightmare?" he clarified.

"Oh...that. No. Not much to talk about. You pulled me out before the punishments could begin." Ariadne rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Are you okay? Do you want me to stay?" Newt nodded at her response.

The brunette hesitated before she gave a slight nod and her best friend slipped under the covers beside her. The two of them lay there, staring at the ceiling, arms held straight by their sides despite wanting to seek more contact. They found solace in each other's company.