Greenie

Chapter 19: Save Me

You stayed in Newt's arms for a while, allowing yourself to feel safe and protected. You didn't talk, you didn't want to ruin the moment.

He didn't pull away. He just held you, running his fingers through your hair and kissing your head softly every now and then.

You liked that part. It was comforting and exciting and new and it felt right.

When you finally did break the silence, it was to ask, "What now?"

He pulled back, studying your face.

"Now, we have the gathering. We discuss what happened and we decide a suitable punishment.

We don't have to go just now tho. If you still need a minute that's alright."

"We? I'm going?"

Nope nope nope. You were not gonna be in the same room as Galley. No sir. Not again.

"Yeah, we'll need you there."

"But I'm... I'm not a keeper."

At this point you were reaching for any excuse to not go.

"You're the only one who knows what happened and is willing to tell the whole story. We need you to be there. Just to tell the others what you told me. Let them know what happened."

Your breathing picked up as you realized you couldn't get around this.

"But... But isn't Galley a keeper?"

Your voice trembled slightly. You were scared, more than you had realized.

"Yeah," Newt whispered, holding you tighter in his arms, "he's a keeper, and he will have to be there. Those are the rules. I can't change that, but I'm not gonna let him anywhere near you remember? I promised to protect you."

You nodded slightly, resting your head on his chest.

"The problem is Newt, I don't want you to have to fight my battels for me. Because then, when you're not there, I'm an easy target. Remember?"

"Yeah, yeah I remember."

He appeared to be verry deep in thought for a moment before he asked, "What if we had a signal?"

"A signal?" You were confused.

"Yeah, a signal that just you and me know, and when you do the signal it means you feel unsafe and need me to get you out. That way no one else will know you're scared and you can keep acting tough."

He smiled as he teased you and you laughed but he had a point.

"It's not a bad idea," You whispered looking up at him, "but if we're gonna do it you can use it to ok?"

"Deal."

"Perfect... whats the signal gonna be?"

"We could... Umm... You could play with your hair?"

"No, I do that when I'm thinking. Uh, rubbing your neck?"

"That wouldnt work. I do that without thinking."

You both laughed lightly, still considering.

"We could do a hand signal," you sugested.

"That would work. What hand signal tho?"

"I'm not sure, like... sign language... maby? We could sign H for help... or... S I guess is pretty easy."

"How do you sign an S?"

"It's not hard, it's just a fist."

You signed an S to show him.

"I can do that, but what would S stand for?"

"Uh... Save me? Or like SOS?"

"I like save me. Then we get to take turns being the hero."

"I get to be the hero too?"

"Yeah, you're not much of a damsel in distress."

You scoffed and punched him in the arm.

"Alright alright," he said rubbing his arm, "you are a delecate flower. I thought you couldn't move, that hurt"

You snorted at that.

"I know, I'm truely a maden in need of rescue."

He laughed and it sounded so incredibly genuine. It had been far to long sence you had gotten to hear that sound and you couldn't help but join him.

You both laughed hard, gasping for breath. Almost geting ahold of yourself a few times, but then you would make eye contact with Newt and you would both crack up again.

It felt so good to laugh. It had been far to long.

When you finally stoped laughing you had your head resting on his chest again. Your broken ribs throbed from the uncontrollable laughter but it was worth it. You couldn't remember the last time you had really laughed.

"Thank you Newt."

"Any time love. Are you ready?"

You took one last deep breath, not allowing yourself to pannic about what you were agreing to as you nodded your head.

He smiled proudly and whispered, "Adda girl."