Feral → newt, tmr

The fabric of the tent barely shifts before Jorge lunges forward, wrapping Katherine in a tight, bone-crushing hug. The suddenness of it nearly knocks the air from her lungs, but she doesn’t complain. She knows the emotions Jorge keeps buried far too well.

“Hermano,” Jorge mutters, his voice hoarse. “If anything were to happen to her, I—”

“You don’t have to say it.” Katherine cuts him off gently, patting his back. Her touch is light, but her words carry a quiet strength. “We know.”

Jorge steps back, his hands lingering on her shoulders before pulling Thomas into a briefer hug. "Thank you," he says, voice trembling with something close to relief. “Both of you.”

Thomas clears his throat, brushing off Jorge’s gratitude like it’s unnecessary. "You should go talk to her now," he suggests, nodding toward the tent.

Jorge doesn’t need to be told twice. His head bobs in a quick nod as he moves to pull the flap aside, but he pauses, glancing back at the twins. "Guess I owe you both now." A faint grin flickers across his face, the kind that tries to mask too many feelings. Then he disappears into the tent.

Katherine exhales, a weight lifting off her chest. “This feels good, you know?” she says, glancing at Thomas. "The freedom."

Thomas’s smile softens, genuine and unguarded. "It does."

“Let’s find the others then,” she declares, lightness creeping into her tone. But before Thomas can reply, she takes a running leap onto his back, arms looping around his neck as her legs lock tightly around his waist.

Thomas stumbles forward, nearly losing his balance. "Kat! What the hell?" he exclaims, his hands reflexively grabbing her thighs to steady her.

“You owe me a piggyback ride,” she says with a grin that’s equal parts mischievous and smug. “Consider it payback.”

“For what?” Thomas grumbles, adjusting her weight begrudgingly as he trudges toward the higher point of the camp, where the others are gathered.

“For ditching me in the maze, obviously.” Katherine’s voice is teasing, but there’s a sharp edge beneath it. “You ran off and left me with the Gladers. Ugly move, bro.”

Thomas groans, exasperated. “We’ve been over this. You’re never gonna let me live that down, are you?”

“Nope.” Katherine’s reply is instant and unapologetic.

By the time they reach their friends, Thomas is out of breath. Katherine slides off his back with a satisfied grin, plopping down next to Minho like she owns the place. Thomas collapses beside her, muttering something about sibling abuse.

“Hey, monkey,” Frypan greets, his smile easy and warm.

“Hey, Fry,” she replies, stretching her legs out in front of her.

The group lapses into a rare, peaceful silence. The camp buzzes with quiet activity in the background, but for a moment, it feels like nothing else exists.

It’s Newt who finally breaks the silence. “I wish Alby could’ve seen this,” he says, his voice quieter than usual.

“And Winston,” Frypan adds solemnly.