Alex was discharged from the MedHut with strict orders to rest, no work until her concussion was cleared. Bark was still in the barn, not able to walk too far yet. Alex was left alone in her room, well still technically Minho's room. There was a gentle knock on her door.

"Sunshine? You all good? You decent?"

She sighed in defeat, but called back, "Decent? Morally... Shuck no, but I'm wearing pants if that's what you mean."

She heard a loud laugh from behind the door. She smiled to herself.

"Shuck Sunshine, that sarcasm is gold! Can I come in?"

"Ya..ya I need help."

The door slowly opened. Minho stepped in, "Help with what?"

"Now don't get excited shuck-face. But I can't get this shuck bloody shirt off! Everything shucken hurts to move! And I can't lift my arm." She whined, "I...I need help." She felt her face flam red.

Minho's face also went pink, he ran a hand through his hair, but his sly smirk graced his face.

"Oh, umm ya, ya I can help with that...gladly I'll help!" he smirked at her.

"Oh get over yourself. I'm so wrapped up in bandages." She snapped.

He strutted over, while Alex rolled her eyes. He gently helped her take off the shirt, and pull on his black hoodie. He was surprisingly extremally gentle. Once she was changed, he also helped her brush her tangled hair. Her stomach kept summersaulting. Every time his hands touched her she felt electricity shoot through her.

"Okay Sunshine. Time for bed." He helped her lay down as she winced, and gasped, holding her rips. 

"Thank you Min. I missed you." She whispered. Her heavy eyelids closing already. Once she was laying down he pulled the blanket up. 

"Night Princess." He whispered.

She heard the door close and she lay in bed thinking. Her month in the Glade had been rocky at best. So much had happened. It felt like so much longer. She was so tired of being the weak one everyone thought she was. She was determined to change that. Yes, she was still an emotional wreck, but being the only bloody girl surrounded by teenage boys, trapped inside a stone maze with blood-thirsty poison stabbing monster jailors- that she may or may not have helped create - with creepy "creators" who just sat and watched kids die...how could one not be an emotional wreck?! She was allowed to cry and not be ok. She could have emotions and still want to be a badass; like the book hero's she vaguely remembered reading about.

She thought about the Gladers, how even though she was different, a change in their usual routine they seemed to accept her without issue, well-most of them. It's taking Gally a little while to warm up. She remembered her brother, her actual real biological brother! The other Gladers were slowly becoming her brothers too. They stood up and defended her, they took her side...she would do the same if and when the time came. Because that's what family does. She curled up and fell asleep with the thought of family on her mind. Maybe it was the last thought her awake mind had or her mental wall cracked again and let a memory slip through, or something else entry, she had another dream...a memory.

She was sitting at a window, her twin sister, Sonya, beside her. They were peeking out a closed curtain, the sun was out and it was bright and hot. The outside world looked dead and desolate, burnt up. A person or two could be seen darting between builders, shadow to shadow, always looking over their shoulder. She reached for her sister's hand. The girls sat side by side, peeking out the window holding hands. Sonya lay her blond head on Alex's shoulder. And Alex lay her first gold head on top of hers. They heard a boy's voice behind them "get away from the window! They're gonna see you!"

BANG.

Big dark demonic eyes. Screams that sounded like it was a wild animal. Drool and black goo fell from the mouth that was wide open. It slammed into the window again, hands beating on the glass. It was a monster. It was Chris. He was screaming at the 2 little girls, except when Alex looked for her sister she was alone. She was alone and in the Deadheads. The screaming never stopped. Screaming and black pitless eyes. She was being slammed into the tree again and again.

"Alex!" Sonya was yelling for her, "Alex!" 

That was definitely Sonya's four year old voice.

"Alex! Wake up!" That wasn't Sonya's voice, a different voice.

"Alex? Where are you?" Sonya's voice again, but it was older, not the 6 year old voice from before.

"I'm going to get you Alex! I want revenge! IT WAS ALL YOUR FAULT! I want to have some fun with you before I kill you...then HE can't have you either! You're MINE!"

"Alex? I can hear you...where are you?" 

Sonya's voice again, but it felt different, making a sharp pain in her head.

"ALEX!" That was the other voice.

"Is Newt with you Alex?" Sonya...

"Sonya? Where are you?" Alex screamed, trying to find her sister as her head slammed into the tree again, as Chris's snarling face lunged at her-

"Alex! Wake the shuck up!" Minho was desperately trying to wake her up without shaking her concussed head too much.

Alex was tangled in the blankets, sweat covered her body and she was panting, adrenaline pumping through her body, she sat up and scrambled back into the wall. Minho was sitting on the side of the bed again, rubbing his chin.

"Jeez girl, you got a good uppercut!"

She blinked furiously, determined to not let the tears fall.

"He won't leave me alone. He's in my nightmares!" She panted, putting her head in her hands.

"Come here Sunshine." He held out his arms, she crawled over, big tears leaking out of her eyes no matter how hard she blinked, from her dream and her pounding aching body.

"It seems you do this a lot. Hold me while I cry." Alex whispered, her voice cracking. "How come it's always you who sees me fall apart?"

He was quiet for a moment, he rested his chin on the top of her head.

"Not sure. Maybe you feel safe? And are you willing to be vulnerable with someone you feel safe with?" He was being serious for once, she heard no sass, smirk or sarcasm.

"Minho, that was actually very insightful." Alex said.

"You sound shocked! I can be insightful when I want to be! I'm not just a pretty face and luscious hair!"

She could hear his mock hurt. But she seriously thought about it.

"Or maybe," Minho said with a small smirk, "I'm just the most handsome guy here and you can't help yourself, and just get all weepy in my awesome presence. Or you just like to snuggle up with me"

Alex snorted.

All very true-except for the weeping...but so shucking true. Who wouldn't want to be held by this young man? But he doesn't need to know that!

"Keep telling yourself that MinMin." She smiled slightly, and sniffed. They were quiet for a minute. "Hey Min, when I had that fist nightmare, and you woke me up...di..did I say anything.. out loud?" Alex asked quietly, hesitantly. She was nervous to actually know.

I knew I was screaming in my dreams, and my screams woke him up, but did I actually say anything?

He pulled away a little to look at her properly. Her purple and blue face turned up to see him too. Her eyes were still beautiful. He could see her beauty still shining through the bruises and scratches.

"Ya.." he said a little awkwardly, "you were yelling my name, you kept yelling 'no don't take him' and my name over and over. What did you see?"

He was smirking now, his eyebrow raised. Alex's face flushed pink. She exhaled slowly.

"Don't let this go to your already big ego, but.."

She told him about the few pieces of memories she had of him:

It was dark, the lights were turned off and she was older. She was standing in front of the door, waiting for something. Her dream self heard a knock and quietly opened the door"You're late!" She whispered. There was a chuckle at the door. "Sorry my fair lady, I had to wait for the guard to leave. Now come on, they're waiting for us! Let's go." A hand reached out from the dark, interlocked their fingers and pulled her.

"No no no! Please No!" She sobbed even harder. "Please let me see him! You took my puppy! And My brother and sister! Please! Don't take him too!" Alex screaming, her voice hurt, all her pain was spilling out, pounding on the metal door. "I made you those monsters! I'll make more! Please! Please don't take him! Please! I'll do anything! Anything!" Her heart wrenching sobs came from her broken heart.

She was banging her fist on the door, leaving small dents and cracks in the thick glass. She saw spiky black hair and coffee eyes, as he struggled against the guards. They were dragging him towards an operating room. "I'll remember! I promise! I'll remember you! Don't give in! Don't do anything else for them! Fight Alex! Fight them! Fight these dirt    bas-" A guard hit him in the head with the back of his gun, knocking him out.

Alex slid down the door sobbing, screaming and crying, she hunched over, placing her forehead onto the floor in defeat.

He didn't say anything, just pulled her back into a gentle hug.

"I wish I remembered. I'm sorry Sunshine. I broke that promise."

Alex hugged him back. They didn't say anything, they both needed this hug, the physical contact of a hug. They both needed the comfort the other provided. They ended up falling asleep still wrapped up in each other's arms. Feeling safe with each other. With Bark back beside Minho, her head on his lap. 

_______________________________

Minho

Minho woke up, with a smile on his face. He was stiff and sore from falling asleep sitting up leaning against the wall. He didn't want to move and wake up the girl who was using his shoulder as a pillow. Her arm was loosely wrapped around his waist. He had his arm draped across her back, protectively. He just sat there letting her sleep, he would be stiff for his run today, but it was worth having her back.

How could I treat her the way I did? I was such a Shuck Face Slinthead! And how could she forgive me so fast? If the roles were reversed, I would have held a grudge..Man...Gally was right! I shucked up! And absolutist I gotta fix what I did, I hope my shucken lame apology was all right, she said she forgave me. I guess that's the difference between us. She has a softer heart. She sees the good in everything. She really is my Sunshine, my light. But we're both stubborn and will do what we want anyways, and that sass! Shuck that sass is amazing.

He chuckled softly when he remembered the fire in her eyes when she stood up to Gally with 'I can do this all day!' Or when she broke Newt down and he gave in to her so fast. He loved that she had her own mind, she wasn't as fragile and weak as everyone thought or expected her to be. Emotional breakdowns at night, ya sure, but who doesn't have those in this shucked up place. Nightmares are normal here.

She's gentle when she needs to be, enough sass and attitude to match me, stubborn and strong and feisty.

Alex shifted, burying her face into his chest, but continued to sleep. His heart thumped a little faster and his stomach did a flip, spreading warmth through his body. He slowly ran his hand through her long hair, careful of her stitches. He enjoyed having her close. He felt calm when she was with him.

There was a creek, as the door opened, he looked to see who was trying to sneak into Alex's room. He tensed, ready to fight if he needed to. But it was only Newt. He relaxed again with a small sigh.

"What are you doing here? Again." Newt whispered suspiciously, narrowing his eyes. Minho sighed and looked down at the sleeping girl, he slowly slipped from under her, laying her down gently. He stood up quietly and left the room, Bark at his heels, rubbing his sore neck. He stepped into the hallway, and closed the door, turning to look at Newt. Who had his arms crossed tight, a look of disapproval and judgment.

Here we go. Big brother Newtie...

"Care to explain why you keep sneaking into my sister's room? Do I need to get Alby involved?!" Newt was whispering, but Minho could hear the venom in his words. Minho looked down, rubbed his neck.

Man this guy and his wandering mind! Can't 2 people just need each other? Why does it always have to go there? Oh...ya..probably my fault. Shuck you're an idiot! There was nothing going on, we are friends...but are we? Is there more there..? Do I want there to be more? Yes..yes I do. Shuck Minho, focus! You gotta apologize to him.

He straightened his back, squared his shoulders and looked Newt in the eye. "Look man, I know you're mad at me for how I treated her, I was a shuck face. I'll admit it. I was the shuckiest shuck-faced shuck. Ever. I was a slinthead, an idiot! And I'm sorry! I still got things to figure out.. but Alex and I talked, I apologized and she forgave me. And before your nasty mind goes anywhere, we are FRIENDS-"

just friends..just friends..But I want more than friends...Shuck Minho! You gotta win her over as a friend again.

"-and she had another nightmare, I woke up to her screaming. Again. You sleep too heavy to hear anything. We both just needed each other last night, K? Slim it man! Also, everything I said about last time was a lie. And I set it straight last night at supper. Remember?"

"Slim it?" He growled, stepping closer to Mingo. "After you make her cry and question herself, because you won't even look at her and now you expect me to be ok with this" he gestured to the door. "Just cuz you bloody played the hero, doesn't mean I'm ok with my baby sister snuggled up with you!"

"Whoa whoa, slim it, shank. You think you would be this protective if it was any other Shanket? Or Shank? What if I was snuggled up with Winston? If it wasn't your sister, would you be like this? Or is it me? Do you not trust me Newt? Huh? Ya, maybe my jealousy got the better of me, the one day and I said some klunk I shouldn't have. But do you not trust me? I'm sorry man! Dude, your family owes me twice now. I saved your shuck butt from the maze last year and now I saved your sister's life from a monster. Do you know where she would be if I hadn't shown up?"

He involuntarily shivered, the mental image of storming in on what Chris was doing or had tried to do to Alex made his blood boil.

"Drop the tough guy act. She forgave me. She is better than both of us! She has more empathy and humanity than you or I. If you don't want to get over it, whatever- that's your problem. But you can't stop us. You can't stop me from being there for her. And if she has another nightmare, I'll be there. Or another anxiety attack, like after you and Alby left, I'll shuckin be there! If she needs help brushing her hair again, I'll shucken be there! Again and again! I'll be there to hold her until she says otherwise. I'll be there for her, just like you. Ya I shucked up, it won't happen again. So slim it!"

The boys were now toe to toe. Bark sitting between them, her head cocked, looking back and forth between the boys, her tounge hanging out the side of her mouth. Newt was slightly taller, but Minho was broader and had more muscle. They had gotten louder as they argued, they didn't realize the door had opened and the girl they were fighting about was standing in the doorway arms crossed. She had woken up when the door closed and heard arguing, she heard most of what was said. She looked between the boys, her face was deadpanned.

"You boys done?"

Both boy's heads turned to look at her, Newt opened his mouth and closed it. Minho crossed his arms and smirked his cocky little smile at her. Bark woofed and sat down beside Alex, looking expectantly at the boys. 

"Not sure, Sunshine. I was telling your dear big brother, here, that nothing happened last night, and you and I are good. Also, you're right, he does hold a grudge longer than you."

Minho watchedas Alex's lip twitched into a little smile and light pink dusted her cheeks when he winked at her. She looked back at her brother. "Newt. Slim it, K? I'm a big girl, and if I forgive this shuck-face then that should be good enough for you. I appreciate the gesture, but I'm a big girl; I can make big girl decisions."

"But, your-" Newt tried.

Alex cut him off, with a frown. "Newt. We have to make adult decisions, we are the adults here. We've been forced to grow up, and fast. Life is too shuckin short to hold stupid grudges, k? You need to trust me." She stepped closer to Newt, placing her hands on the side of his face, Newt's face softened as he looked at her, seeing the bruise and swelling, and scratches inflicted on her.

"I just don't want to see you hurt. Again."

Alex smiled sadly, "Newt, he won't ever ever do this to me" She gestured to her face and body "I trust him. He's an arrogant smug little shuck face, but I trust him with my life. Shuck, I already had to. Please. For me? He's your best friend, forgive the shuck face. I need both of you in this hell hole-"

-"Ya you do, Sunshine!" Minho sassed, with a bigger smirk on his face.

"Minho shut your bloody mouth before I smack that smirk right off." Alex replied evenly without even looking at him, her eyes never leaving Newt's.

"Yes ma'am" He said, sheepishly, but that smirk never left his face. Newt's lip twitched into a smile, the same way his sister's does.

"See, he just looks big and scary. I wear the pants in this...relationship."

Relationship... friendship? More? What kind of ship..? Shuck I wouldn't mind a different kinda ship...

"And if he does happen to have a lapse in judgment you have my full permission to punch his pretty face and steal his hair gel. Only after I get my hands on him."

Newt laughed, "I guess you can handle the slint head. You're ruthless, Sis. His hair gel? Wow"

Minho blanched, "Sunshine! How could you?! I thought you were team Minho! That hurts!"

Alex turned to face him, hands on her hips, "then use your shuck brain of yours and don't leave me hanging again. You ignore me and act like that again, that threat will be reality. Got it?"

He smirked down at her, she really was short. But he was kind of scared of the feisty girl, he believed every word she said. "Never again. Cross my heart" he said and used his finger to draw an X over his heart. He looked at Newt

"We good now, ya Shank?"

Both boys eyed each other for a minute, then stepped forward, pushing Alex to the side. They clasped arms and gave each other a one arm hug slapping each other on the back. They walked off to breakfast, leaving Alex behind. She shook her head.

"Bunch of bloody shanks, hey Bark?" she muttered to her dog. She woofed and thumped her tail in agreement. But she was glad they were friends again.

Minewt made a good power team, and she really didn't want to come between the bromance because they both wanted to protect her.  

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Minewt is BACK BABY!