Wastelands → Newt [Movie Trilogy]

01 → "MORE THAN I CARE TO ADMIT"

"We're trapped here, aren't we?"

The Greenie's question was somewhat normal; they were surrounded by four towering walls that closed at night and re - opened each morning. Adeline had felt just as trapped when she arrived — she was Claustrophobic and dealt with the anxiety of them closing at night.

"For the moment." Newt stated, almost as if he was trying to convince himself. Newt peered around his shoulder, the Greenie's gaze following him. "But, see those guys? Over there, by the fire? Those are the Runners. And that guy in the middle there, is Minho. He's the Keeper of the Runner's. Every morning when those doors open, they run the Maze. Memorize it. Trying to find a way out."

"How long have they been looking?" The boy queried. Newt turned himself back to look at the Greenie. 

"Three years." Newt answered. The boy looked taken aback by Newt's answer.

"And they haven't found anything?" The boy quizzed. Newt just scoffed at him; the Greenie was acting like the way out was easy to find. If they had — if they had found the stupid way out — they'd be long gone by now.

"It's easier said than done." Newt stated, giving a discouraged sigh. But, the Greenie didn't seem to notice it. Instead, he went to ask more questions; Newt shut him down, wanting to end the conversation about the Maze. "Look, Greenie. You'll learn more about this tomorrow during the Tour."

"But —"

"No buts, Greenie." Newt stated. "Let's bloody drop the subject."

The newbie nodded. Newt couldn't help but feel relieved by that; sometimes talking about it made Newt relive the events of when he broke his leg. The Newbie seemed to sense his unease on continuing with the conversation, letting it drop.

"Good that." Newt grinned. The Greenie seemed annoyed that Newt made him drop the conversation, curious about the Maze. About finding a way out. "Now, I need to address somethin'."

"What?" The boy questioned.

"Well, Greenie." Newt started, taking a sip from the mason jar, before proceeding. Newt turned back around, looking for the familiar face in the crowd of boys. It was easy to find her amongst the boys, but Newt was unsure if she'd joined the bonfire yet, or had even at all. Adeline would either skip the bonfire all together, or join for a long while, before she decided to call it a night. Newt found her, finally, making her way over to talk to Minho by the fire. "D'ya see the girl? By the fire?"

The Greenie followed his eyeline. He'd met Adeline earlier — Newt had been talking to Adeline when Alby introduced them. The Greenie had only gawked at her, and Adeline had mocked him.

"Close your mouth, or you'll catch flies." Adeline had gibed at the boy. The boy closed his mouth instantly, realising his behaviour. He'd stuttered out some apology about staring, but Adeline had only laughed. "Calm it. I'm only messin' around, Greenie. Oh man, your reaction was hilarious. Make sure he doesn't break anythin', Alby."

"Yeah ... Adeline, right?" The boy queried. Newt nodded. "What about her?"

"Well, Greenie." Newt stated, suddenly serious. "Listen to me loud and clear. OK? She was the first girl. Meaning we set boundaries. No flirting. Nothing."

"... Okay?" The boy drawled. "Does she not like it? The flirting?"

"Depends." Newt shrugged. The newbie stared at him for what felt like a long moment. Then, his face flashed with what appeared to be a look of realization.

" ... You don't like the flirting. Do you? That's why you're telling me?" The Greenie realises, staring at the Blonde boy. "You like her. Don't you?"

Newt directed his gaze to his hands, feeling his cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Newt has had this conversation with the last few Greenie's — with the exception of Chuck. But, none of the boy's had questioned it, just nodded and moved on. The boy sitting beside him, on the other hand, had put two and two together. And Newt couldn't deny it. Not in that moment. Although it was a rule not to try anything with Adeline without her consent, Newt seemed to warn the newbies as a protective way.

"I — uh, yeah ..." Newt stuttered, not denying it. " ... I care about her, Greenie. More than I care to admit."

"And does she know?" The newest Glader questioned. Newt shook his head, feeling suddenly unsure that it was the best idea to admit his feelings to the boy he'd only just met today.

"Well ... no ..." Newt trailed off. Newt watched as the Greenie's gaze shifted to behind him, and he motioned to behind Newt with a quick nod. Newt felt his cheeks heat again. He knew who was behind him. He could sense her now, and Newt craned his neck. Adeline was behind him, her hair plaited down her back. She wore a long sleeved grey - ish green top, black pants, and her usual boots.

"Hey, Newt." Adeline grinned at him. "Hey, Greenie. Haven't broken anythin'?"

The Greenie shook his head. "N ... no."

"Good that." She gave him a smile. "So, what're you two talkin' 'bout?"

Newt froze, but the Greenie spoke before he could come up with an answer to her question. "Just 'bout the Maze. Newt's tellin' me about the Runners. I think I wanna be one."

Adeline gibed at the Greenie, snickering at his words. "Greenie, do yourself a favour and never say such words again. You don't wanna be a Runner, ya hear me? So don't get your hopes, good that?"

The boy looked dumbfounded; but, nevertheless, he nodded at her. Adeline nudged Newt's good leg, and Newt met her gaze.

"Don't stay up too late." She stated, before turning her attention to the Greenie. "And don't let him get too drunk, Greenie. G'night."

"G'night." Both chorused, and Adeline gave a wave, before sauntering off towards the direction of the hammocks. Newt exchanged a look with the boy beside him. The boy just gave him a nod, before Newt steadied himself, got to his feet, before motioning for him to follow.

"C'mon, let's go introduce you to the other shanks, Greenie."

—

A/N:

This chapter was originally apart of an "Imagine series" I wrote a while back and had to be edited a lot. It's still kind of cringey, but here we can see how much their relationship has developed in the year time skip.