Lover || Newt x reader

DONT BE A SILENT READER ♥️
Maya's POV:

I woke up to the dim light filtering through the small medjack hut, my body aching, my head heavy. A dull throbbing pulsed in my arms where Ben's nails had sunk into my skin, and my throat felt like sandpaper. I heard voices murmuring nearby, low and serious, but my focus drifted to the warmth wrapped around my hand. Someone was holding it.

I shifted slightly, blinking up at the ceiling, and turned my head just enough to see a familiar figure sitting beside me. His blond hair was a mess, eyes dark with exhaustion, but the relief that flooded his face the second I moved told me everything.

"Maya," Newt breathed, his grip tightening ever so slightly.

I swallowed hard, my voice hoarse. "Newt..." I managed. "Can I have some water?"

He moved instantly, grabbing a bottle from the nearby table and handing it to me. I took slow sips, letting the coolness ease the dryness in my throat. Sitting up fully, I winced at the soreness in my muscles.

"What happened?" I asked.

Newt hesitated. "You passed out... right after, you know." His jaw clenched.

I nodded, remembering the chaos, the fear—Ben's hands around my throat, his rage-filled eyes. My stomach twisted.

"Where is he?" I asked quietly.

"In the Slammer," Newt said, his voice laced with something I couldn't quite place. "He won't hurt you anymore." But guilt flickered in his expression, a war behind his eyes.

I swallowed hard. "And Thomas?"

"He's fine. Probably stuffing his face in the kitchen," Newt said, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly.

I chuckled weakly. "I could eat a cow."

Newt smiled . "Let's get you a cow, then."

He helped me up carefully, his hands steadying me as I found my balance. The second we stepped outside, the weight of the Glade pressed down on me. It was quiet, the usual chatter replaced with hushed whispers. Gladers threw me glances filled with pity, their expressions unreadable.

Then, before I could react, a small body barreled into me.

"Maya!" Chuck's voice cracked as he wrapped his arms around me. "Thank god you're okay."

I blinked in surprise, then smiled, hugging him back. "I'm okay, Chuck."

He pulled away, eyes scanning me to make sure I was telling the truth, then trailed alongside me and Newt to the kitchen. Frypan had prepared a large meal, setting it in front of me without a word.

I handed a chicken skewer to Newt, but he shook his head. "No, love. Eat it yourself."

"But I know you're hungry too."

"I can wait," he said simply.

Once I finished eating, Minho, Thomas, Frypan, and Winston joined us.

"How are you, Maya?" Minho asked, watching me carefully.

I sighed. "Alright, I guess. Still sore, mostly just... shocked. Why did he act like that?"

Minho's face darkened. "He must've been stung by a Griever."

Silence fell over us. I clenched my fists under the table.

"He'll get banished, won't he?" Thomas asked, his voice tense.

Newt nodded, and I caught the flicker of something in his expression—pain, guilt.

"Today, actually," Frypan muttered.

My chest ached. "He didn't deserve this."

"Neither did you," Winston pointed out.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "No... but Ben didn't know any better. He wasn't himself."

Silence stretched between us again.

"Did he say anything?" Thomas asked.

I hesitated. "No." I lied

Newt's gaze snapped to mine, sharp and knowing. He could see right through me.

Minho sighed. "We better get ready." He patted Frypan and Newt's shoulders.

Newt gave me a long look before standing.

I nodded, forcing a small smile. But deep down, my stomach churned.

The Glade felt heavy as the sun began to set. Every Glader gathered near the walls, the Keepers and stronger boys standing at the front with poles in hand. The air was thick with something unspoken—dread, regret.

I watched Newt. His face was unreadable, but the way he stared into the Maze told me this was killing him.

Ben was dragged forward, thrashing, his screams shifting between desperate pleas and furious growls. One moment, he sounded like himself; the next, he was a monster. My heart twisted painfully.

And then... it was done. The walls closed behind him.

Everyone remained frozen for a moment before slowly disappearing towards the kitchen, heads down, murmurs hushed. Newt lingered, eyes still fixed on the place where Ben had disappeared.

I didn't think—I just moved.

I wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my face against his chest. His breath hitched, and then his arms slid around me, pulling me close. Neither of us spoke. We just stood there, holding onto each other in the suffocating silence.

Eventually, we pulled apart slightly, but Newt kept one arm around my shoulders as we walked back, side by side.

A voice cut through the quiet.

"Happy now, Greenie?" A builder sneered. He had been close to Ben.

Newt stiffened. "She didn't—"

"Shuck it," Alby interrupted. His voice was sharp, commanding. "This was terrible, and we all hate that it ended this way. But our rule is clear: you don't hurt another Glader. Ben was our friend, but he was stung. He wouldn't have been himself again."

I swallowed hard. Alby was right. And yet, it still didn't feel fair.

"Alby's right," Gally muttered. "No one could've stopped this."

The crowd murmured in agreement.

Newt sighed and glanced at me. I nodded, letting him know I was okay.

"Newt, a word?" Alby called.

Newt gave me a final squeeze before following him.

The rest of the Gladers sat down for dinner in silence. I slipping away to my hut. As soon as I was alone, the tears came.

A quiet knock made me wipe my face quickly.

"Come in."

Chuck entered, his small frame carrying a belt filled with random supplies. He set them down and hesitated before sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Were you there?" I whispered.

"No. I hid in the kitchen." His voice was small.

I exhaled. "Did you steal some chocolate while you were there?"

"Yep," he admitted. "But only to calm my nerves."

I chuckled. "Good."

Another knock. Newt.

"Oh, sorry," he said when he saw Chuck.

"It's alright," Chuck and I said in unison.

Newt sat down, exhaustion etched into his features. The three of us talked about nothing, trying to drown out the screams that echoed from beyond the walls.

Chuck flinched. I shut my eyes tight.

Newt's voice was steady, reassuring.

"It's alright. It will be alright."

I wasn't sure if he was trying to comfort Chuck, me... or himself.