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Thomas sits in front of the memorial rock, his tears have dried to his cheeks as he clenches the necklace that Newt had given him in his fist. The sun is beginning to go down, people have packed up their things from work and are gathering in the kitchen to get dinner. Thomas can’t seem to bring himself to move, though. Not that he isn’t hungry, he’s starving, but he doesn’t want to leave the rock. Doesn’t want to leave Newt .
Thomas then hears footsteps coming up behind him, he doesn’t bother with turning around, he already knows who it is. No one else is allowed to come near Thomas when he’s visiting the rock, a rule that no one argues with.
“I found daisies by the shoreline.” Minho’s voice reaches Thomas’ ears. Thomas feels himself relaxing at the sound of Minho’s voice. Minho sighs before he continues.
“Sonya told me that daisies represent friendship, hope, freedom, a whole bunch of stuff. I figured I’d bring some for him. He always liked the daisies that grew in the cracks in the Maze.” Minho says, Thomas can tell that his voice is still raw from the nightmares he had the previous night. Thomas nods, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. He turns around, his breath hitching in his throat as Minho stands in front of him, wearing Newt’s red jacket that he had on all throughout the city and Scorch. It’s slightly big on Minho, the sleeves coming past his hands. Thomas can see that he’s holding a small bundle of daisies wrapped together in a bow made from a tattered piece of white lace.
Minho walks past Thomas, looking at Newt’s name on the rock for a moment. He takes a deep breath before kissing his index and middle fingers, placing them on Newt’s name. He lays down and lays the flowers down in front of the rock, crouching there for a moment. Thomas can see tears welling up in his eyes as he stands up, rapidly blinking them away.
“I was.. Wondering if you wanted to go grab some food and go sit by the ocean. Figured it might be relaxing.” Minho shifts on his feet, as if he’s anxious to ask Thomas to join him. Thomas finds himself smiling despite everything they’ve been through. Minho knows how much Newt had meant to Thomas, Newt meant just as much- if not more -to Minho.
Thomas nods, following Minho to the kitchen where Frypan is waiting for them with sandwiches and fruit. The cook doesn’t say anything, just smiles at the duo and hands them their food. Minho leads Thomas across the camp, the pair occasionally waving at some of their friends that call out to them as they weave through the crowds of people and tents. They finally reach a good spot to settle down at. There’s a rocky shoreline that Thomas has been eyeing for the last couple of days, he just never made it far enough to reach it. Minho smiles as they start laying their food out on a flat rock. Thomas grabs a couple of mugs, pouring some of Gally’s drink into them.
They sit in comfortable silence, letting the sun tan their skin as the wind sweeps through their hair.
“I miss him too. More than anything.” Minho finally says after watching Thomas take a few bites of his sandwich before fiddling with the necklace that’s looped around his neck. Thomas closes his eyes, a fresh tear rolling down his cheek at the mention of him.
“He’d be proud of you, of us. You always knew how to take care of us. You still do, no doubt about that.” Minho gives Thomas a small smile, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder gently. Thomas turns to Minho, meeting his eyes.
“Thanks, Minho.” He says, shifting closer so that he can lay his head on Minho’s shoulder. Minho’s breath hitches for a moment before he wraps his arms around Thomas, pulling him closer.
“You can cry if you need to. He wouldn’t want you to keep it inside, you know how he was.” Minho’s voice is quivering as he reassures the taller man, running a hand up and down Thomas’ back soothingly. Thomas grips Minho’s shirt in his fists, sobs erupting from his throat as Minho shushes him.
“That’s it, Tom. You don’t have to hide it around me.” Minho holds Thomas closer as the brunet cries, his knuckles white as he clutches Minho’s balled up shirt in his hands.
“I miss him so much, Min. I don’t know what to do.” Thomas manages to say through his sobs. Minho nods, tears rolling down his face.
Minho feels the same way, lost without their glue to hold the pair together. They were a trio, they were always supposed to stay a trio. Now, they have to pick up the pieces themselves, without Newt’s strong, reassuring presence to help guide them.
“I know it’s hard. We’re going to be okay, though. We’ll be alright, I promise.” Minho finds himself speaking without thinking. Minho isn’t one to make empty promises, but this promise doesn’t seem empty or hollow. It feels real . Like he genuinely feels as if they’ll be okay. Thomas puts all of his trust into the promise, all of his hope that has been shattered from losing Newt, Teresa, Chuck, all of their friends that they’ve lost. Thomas nods into Minho’s chest, hugging him closer.
“Thank you, Minho.” He says as Minho runs his fingers through Thomas’ hair. Minho smiles through his own tears. Those words were the same thing Newt had said to him right before Minho had run ahead to get the serum from Brenda. Minho sighs quietly as he watches the sun set over the ocean in front of them, the colors reminding him of Newt.
The yellow hues that are reminiscent of Newt’s hair. Newt was the personification of the color yellow in Minho’s eyes. He had figured this out in the Glade. He smiles to himself at the thought of Newt being here with them. Minho runs his hand up and down Thomas’ back again as his cries calm down. Thomas lets go of Minho’s shirt, his hand moving to hold Minho’s. Minho smiles as he gives Thomas’ hand a gentle, reassuring squeeze. The motion saying more than words could. It’s a silent swear that Minho will always be there for Thomas, and vice versa, a swear that they’ll be okay if they have each other.
The two sit like this, comforting each other silently as they watch the sky turn from dusk to night. Soon enough, the sky begins to light up with speckles of stars as it gets darker. They’ll be okay, Minho is completely sure of his promise now as he watches Thomas fall asleep on his chest. His breathing evening out into slow, deep breaths. It’s the first time that Minho has seen Thomas fall asleep with ease since they arrived in the Safe Haven. Minho plants a quick kiss to Thomas’ forehead before he relaxes against the rock behind him, feeling himself drift off as well.