The healer [Maze runner Newt x OC]

Chapter three

Grace rolled her eyes but bit back a grin. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"Yeah, but you're stuck with me," he replied, his voice tinged with something softer than his usual sarcasm.

And just like that, the tension between them eased, replaced by something tentative but hopeful.

It was late in the evening when Grace walked into the Medjack hut, a plate of food in her hands. Newt was sitting upright in his bed, propped up against the headboard, his injured leg stretched out awkwardly in front of him. He glanced up when she entered, his face shadowed with unease.

"Hey," she greeted softly, placing the plate on the bedside table.

"Hey," he murmured, his voice hesitant.

For a moment, silence settled between them. Grace sat down in the chair beside his bed, her hands fidgeting in her lap. She had barely seen him since his recovery began, unsure of how to approach him after what had happened.

"I, uh... I wanted to say sorry," Newt finally said, breaking the quiet. His voice was low, his accent thicker than usual. "For how I acted. For yelling at you. For... everything," he admitted, his eyes dropping to his hands. He was picking at the edge of the blanket, avoiding her gaze. "I was an absolute git, and you didn't deserve that."

Grace leaned back slightly, crossing her arms. "You weren't exactly nice," she admitted, her tone soft but pointed. "But I get it, Newt. You were hurting."

"That's no excuse," he replied quickly, shaking his head. "You've been nothing but kind to me, Grace. And I pushed you away when I needed you most. I shouldn't have done that."

She studied him for a moment, noting the guilt etched on his face. "You scared me," she said finally, her voice trembling slightly. "When I found out what you tried to do... I didn't know if I could face you. And then, when you yelled at me... I thought you hated me."

His head snapped up at that, his eyes wide. "Hated you? Grace, no. Never."

"Then why?" she asked, her voice cracking. "Why did you push me away?"

Newt exhaled deeply, running a hand through his blonde hair. "Because I hated myself," he admitted, his voice raw. "I felt useless, trapped. I thought... I thought if I couldn't run, I had no place here. And seeing you, so full of determination and kindness... it just made me feel worse. Like I was letting everyone down, especially you."

Grace's expression softened as she reached out, placing a hand over his. "You never let me down, Newt. Not once."

He looked up at her, his eyes glassy. "I don't deserve your forgiveness."

"You don't get to decide that," she replied, squeezing his hand gently. "I'm not angry, Newt. I just... I want you to let me help. Don't shut me out again."