As Thomas opened his eyes, he felt more relaxed than before. He sat up slowly, cringing a little in pain. He gently touched the bandage that had been wrapped around his waist. He saw light stretching in through the curtain-covered entrance of the medical hut he was lying in. He was sitting on a comfortable makeshift bed with a chair on the side and there were shelves of medicines and other medical equipment on the side. He gently swung his legs over and stood up carefully. He pulled the curtains back.

The sun was the first thing he saw. It was hanging over a line of shimmering ocean. He felt a gentle wind gust blowing into his face. He tilted his head right and to his astoundment, he saw a settlement of giant tents and cabins stretched across the beach and the shoreline's hills. And there were people everywhere. It was beautiful. It was paradise. It was a Safe Haven.

"Tommy?"

Thomas turned around and saw Newt standing five feet away from him, water and food held in his arms. "Newt?"

Newt dropped the beverages and lobbed his arms around Tommy holding him tight, never wanting to let go again. "I was so scared I lost you," he cried.

"I was so scared I lost you," his lover spoke back, love and passion vocalised in his voice. "I'd given up hope when I saw you again,"

"But you saved me. And I was going to do whatever it took to save you," Newt pulled back and before Thomas could react, he planted a kiss on his lips which he returned affectionately. Holding hands they walked down to the beach, observing people building more shelters with planks of wood.

Thomas could see that many of them were teens but there were also adults too. There were so many he couldn't count. As they walked further on, they saw their closest friends closely building together. When they saw them, they all walked down and before Thomas could react, he was pulled in a massive group hug by Minho, Frypan, Aris and Sonya.

"You gave us quite a scare Shank," teased Minho giving him a playful punch.

"Good thing we got you patched up in time," Frypan was overjoyed. "Though you were unconscious for a few days. In the meantime, we've been building all this," he showed all the glorious pieces of structure they had been working on.

"Newt wouldn't leave your side for one," teased Sonya.

"Sonny," Newt moaned playfully.

"How are there so many of us here?" asked Thomas.

"We rescued dozens of Cranks," said Aris. "Couldn't leave them there to suffer. Also, some city folk,"

"It's so good to have you back Thomas," Amelia approached the group and he greeted him with a hug. Gally and Harriet were there too, the latter wearing a cast and using a crutch to support her. "We cured all those people we saved. Edward gave up some of his blood and we used yours too. From the bandages of course. Newt refused to let the doctors take anymore from you,"

"So, what do you think?" asked Minho after he rotated his head in a half-circle.

Thomas stared around. His lips formed the biggest smile he had ever expressed. "It's perfect," All his time under WICKED's custody he had given up hope of ever being free, but now that he was standing on this beach surrounded by everyone he loved, it was the greatest feeling he had ever felt. He noticed one person was with them. "Where's Edward?"

........................................................................................................................

Edward was sitting on a clifftop near the beach, staring out at the sea. It was so beautiful. All his life had always dreamed of seeing the sea. And now it had come true. But he didn't feel at peace. His feeble fingers stroked the little totem. "I'll always remember you Chuckie," he kissed it and clutched it protectively.

Brenda walked up to him, a small smile on his face, hair bunned behind her. When she saw what he was doing, she sighed sadly. She would miss that little boy too. "Hey," she greeted gently.

Edward turned around and met her face. "Hey," he wiped his eyes.

"Enjoying the sea?" she sat next to him.

"Sure am," he stared out again. "I can't believe it's all over,"

Brenda exhaled. "Me neither," they were silent for a second. She tilted her head slightly and saw his wet nose and a simple, fallen tear. "I can't believe you risked yourself to save me,"

"Of course, I did," Edward sniffled. "I'd do anything for you. I don't think I could have handled losing you and Chuck on the same day," he closed his eyes.

She reached over a hugged him tightly. "We will always remember Chuck," She gently laced her fingers with his as they let go and he returned the comforting gesture, managing to smile a bit. She smiled back at him with wet eyes like him. They stared to the left at the Safe Haven where they would be happy forever.

Edward inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly. "We did it,"

"You and Thomas did it," Brenda was so proud of him. "We're all so proud of you,"

Edward looked into her pretty eyes and smiled. "We never could have done it without all of you. Especially you. Thank you for believing in us," Her warm face made his heartbeat rush. He had never felt that effect on anyone. It felt so real. "I like you, Brenda," he said suddenly. "And I want to be with you," His words made a bigger smile bloom on her face. "So, what do you say?" He stood up and pulled her up with him so they could face each other; he hoped for a 'yes'.

"You're man enough for me," was her simple answer; it meant 'yes'. She held both hands and then she pressed her lips against his. He sank into the kiss and held her cheek. Hearing whistles and claps they pulled apart and saw their friends cheering for them from the beach, observing them. They felt jittery but didn't care.

From behind the trees with his lover, Thomas smiled at his brother. He had finally found happiness with the right woman.

Jorge smiled too on the beach, overjoyed that Brenda had found someone to be with. Edward hugged his new girlfriend, overjoyed with the future and the life he hoped they would have together. "Ed?" his heart jumped again for joy. He and Brenda let go and they saw Thomas and Newt smiling over at them.

"Tom," Unable to hold back, Edward sprinted into his open arms. He cried for joy. "I thought I was gonna lose you,"

"'Lose me'?" Thomas let go and wiped his tears away. "You saved me. Again. All of you did,"

Edward sniffled. "It's all done now. We made it. And we're all together,"

"Mum and dad would be so proud of us," Thomas teared up remembering their parents. "I wish they could be here to see all this," he looked at their new home with wonder and all the pretty fertility that surrounded them and lay beyond young their island paradise.

"We've saved so many people," said his brother. "All those Cranks we rescued are now cured...because of us,"

"You guys have made us all proud," Newt approached them, swinging an arm around Thomas. "You good with us?" he asked Ed, eager to build a brotherly relationship with him.

"Absolutely," Edward approved. "Just keep the kissing to a minimum," he pointed a serious finger. "I mean it,"

"Just as long as you two do too," Thomas added back, watching as Brenda, blushing stood beside his brother who held her close. He smiled at them. His brother had chosen the best woman.

"I guess this is it then," she said, as they all stood together on that spot. "We're finally free,"

"What could be better than this?" breathed out Newt in relief.

A celebration was held that night. Sitting on seats under tents, everyone gathered around the burning fire. Edward and Thomas sat together, along with their significant others. Amelia was with Minho leaning against his shoulders, Harriet with Frypan and Sonya with Aris. Newt kept a careful eye on his sister; Thomas teased him in overprotective brother mode.

Vince stood behind the fire and addressed the audience. "We have come a long way together. So many have sacrificed so much to make this place possible. Your friends– and your family," he raised his cup. "So, here's to the ones who couldn't be here..." everyone raised their mugs. Thomas twitched his head and saw Edward crying a little. He knew how much he would miss their dear friend who had given his life protecting him. He reached over and gently held his hand, promising him that Chuck's memory would never be forgotten. He loved that little boy too. "–here's to the friends we lost. This place is for you. It's for all of us. But this, this is for them," he pointed to a giant rock stump behind them, holding a knife. "So, in your own time, in your way– come make your peace. And welcome to the Safe Haven!" Everyone cheered. They toasted. They clapped. They silenced themselves again when they saw Vince had something else to say. "We have two very special people to thank! For all of this! Without them we wouldn't be rejoicing here right now!" he sent his eyes directly at Thomas and Edward who stiffened. "Let us give thanks...to Thomas and Edward!"

Everyone erupted into cheers and clapped again at the brothers who were unprepared for the extent of their gratitude. They were hoisted off their feet onto the shoulders of Aris and Gally and Minho and Newt. They carried them down the rows of seats, teens tried to barge over so they high-five the brothers and shake their hands. The pair shared glances at one another and smiles of appreciation sparked on their faces. They couldn't believe that they were officially heroes to all these people. They didn't set out to be. But they were.

Thomas looked down at Newt holding him up and he saw a loving smile on his face. Edward reached his hand down to Brenda who followed alongside Gally and she clasped it. They were carried towards Vince and then placed down on the sand so they could face the crowd again. Their friends sat at the front eying them with devoted compassion.

Vince eyed them proudly. "We don't know how we can ever repay everything you both did for us. Without you, the Right arm wouldn't have existed. And it is because of you two, that we will never have to deal with WICKED again. If you both wish, feel free to speak,"

Thomas and Edward faced the audience, faces of compassion and gratitude aimed at them. They eyed each other again. They nodded. Tom decided to make the first announcement. "We are touched by how grateful you are all for everything we've done...but the truth is...we didn't do it alone,"

"You see. We had our friends with us," Edward spoke up. He glanced compassionately at Brenda and their closest friends who sat together.

"We had Newt," Thomas started. Newt smiled proudly.

"Brenda," Edward said the next one eying his new girlfriend with more love and feeling than he had ever felt with anyone.

"Minho,"

"Frypan,"

Every name they spoke, sparked the happy smiles of each of those teens.

"Sonya," Thomas was so happy that Sonya supported his relationship with her brother.

"Aris," Edward was proud to have a close friend like Aris.

"Harriet,"

"Jorge," as he gazed at the Hispanic man, Edward received a look of approval from a smile Jorge; he believed he was the perfect man for his Brenda.

"Gally," As Thomas eyed Gally, he expressed a face of deep appreciation which he nodded back at. All was forgiven between them. They were now friends.

"Amelia," After saying her name, Edward pulled the totem from his pocket and rubbed its head.

"And Chuck," Thomas finished for him.

The crowd saw his brother's slightly upset face and expressed sympathy for his loss. Amelia sniffled and wiped her eye; Minho gave her a side hug. "He sacrificed his life to save mine. I can never repay that heroic act. But we must all remember him. He may have been the youngest of us, but I think he had the most selfless heart of anyone I've ever met," Edward raised the totem. "To Chuck!"

"To Chuck!" the crowd repeated.

Thomas eyed their friends again smiling passionately at Newt. "They stood by our side right from the start. They are as much to thank for all of this as we are," The crowd clapped for them. "We only won this war because it took all of us together,"

"Now that war is won and we can live together in peace and harmony...we will use our blood to help all those who are in need. But for now, let us celebrate a new beginning for all of our loved ones. We are not just a massive group of friends. We are a family. So, let's rejoice in our new lives together! To our family!" Edward roared. Everyone jumped and cheered for joy in circles. Toasts were made again. Drinks were made. Toasts were made. The brothers and some of their friends sat together chilling out.

"Who would have thought we'd be living on a grand island as our new home?" wondered Gally.

"Well, you gotta admitted, it's so beautiful," Aris admired.

The brothers took sips from their cups. They eyed all their friends; sharing glances they had something to say. "Thanks for coming back for us," Edward said.

"We really mean it," Thomas said compassionately.

"They did. I wanted to leave you two behind," joked Gally. Thomas punched his shoulder and everyone loved it.

"Here. I thought you guys might want this back," Amelia reached into her bag and pulled out their father's box. "Might not be of much use...but at least you have something of his," she gave it to Thomas who touched it affectionately. As he stroked the shiny surface, he remembered the hallucinations he saw of his father when under WICKED's capture, he had told him not to give up hope and he didn't. It was like he was watching over him. And perhaps Edward too.

"Thank you," they answered together.

"You wanna get back to the party?" Amelia asked.

"I think we're just gonna sit for a moment longer," said Thomas, sharing a look with Ed.

Holding hands, Amelia and Minho walked off to join the crowds near the fireplace, passing by Vince who acceptingly smiled at them. "Mind if I borrow you two for a moment?" he requested the brothers.

They nodded and walked off to a quiet spot with him. "I have something to give you two," he reached into his pocket and pulled out a scroll pendant. "Lawrence had it with me...then he gave it to me. He said, it was from your mother," they stared at him. "He wanted me to tell you both that...she found out what WICKED was up to, what they did to you. She teamed up with him bot try and find a way to save you...but...WICKED tracked them down...and she...I take it you both can guess the rest. She managed to write this down...for you two to have. So Lawrence carried it for you both. I hope that once you read it, you'll be able to get some closure," she handed it to the older brother. "She would be so proud of you two. As we all are," after a final face of comfort, he left them alone. They sat down together eying the scroll pendant. Thomas gently opened it and they saw a rolled-up piece of paper. Two folded up. He pulled it out. Feeling a tear leave his eye, he looked at his equally dejected brother. "Are you ready?"

Edward nodded. "I think it's the right thing to do,"

Glancing at the paper with dark words, they began to read their mother's final words.

Dear Stephen and Edward,

I know that by the time you read this, I may already be dead. I'm sorry that the time we spent together was so brief. But I want you two to know that this was done out of love for you. And I want you to know that I am not scared of dying. It was being unable to see my whole world again one last time. You two.

When I found out what WICKED had forced your father to do, I was mortified I had given you both up like that. I thought I had saved you both but instead, I put you in grave danger. As I die with wounds WICKED has given me when my friends and I have attacked their operations to try and save you, I hope that these words are enough for you both.

As they read the letter, all their friends walked over to the stone to carve down the names of loved ones and friends they had lost in this fight. Newt wrote down Alby's name. Minho, Ben's name. Gally, Chuck. Frypan, Winston. Brenda, George. Aris, Rachel. Amelia, Mary. Vince, Lawrence.

I've never had the chance to tell you both this. But you both are the most incredible beings I have ever seen. You are both strong. And kind. And caring. This is why the world needs people like you. The future is in your hands now my boys. And I know you two will find a way to do what is right when the time comes. Take care of each other. You both deserve to be happy. I am so proud of you. And I hope I can rest in peace, knowing that you'll be safe and happy with each other and everyone you care about.

My beautiful little men.

Love Mum.

The brothers were moved to tears as they finished. They shared one final hug and pressed their foreheads together. Their parents would always live in their memories, in one another. They re-joined their friends. They joined their new family; all the friends they had made despite all the struggles they had been through together. Thomas hugged Newt, giving him a quick smooch on the lips when Sonya wasn't looking. Edward kissed Brenda's cheek, watched by a protective Jorge. They sat down around the fire and they laughed and dined under the full moon. It was a special feeling and memory that they wished to never forget.

........................................................................................................................

As the sun rose high early the next day, everyone was fast asleep in their hammocks or on their mattresses in their tents. Well, except for a few. Newt noticed the space on his double hammock wasn't full. Brenda noticed the spot beside her was missing too.

Thomas and Edward were at the stone. They carved two names into the rock. They finished and stood back looking at the names: Stephen and Danielle. Edward fished out their family photo and then placed it down on the sand. Thomas placed their father's message box on the sand and placed the pendant with their mother's letter scrolled back inside on top of it. The brothers wrapped their arms around one another. Though their parents were gone, they would live on forever in their memories. Edward looked remorsefully at a small stone right at the stump; Teresa's name was on it. His brother knew why. Teresa had sacrificed herself to save his brother and Brenda at the cost of her own life. Although they would never forgive her for her betrayal, they owed her for such a selfless sacrifice. A carved name on a simple pebble was the least she deserved.

Holding hands, they walked together along the beach until they found a nice spot to sit in front of the gentle tide. Sitting on the sandy bed, they watched the ship from afar. Their minds bounced back to the Last City, all the traumas they felt, all the fights they fought to save their friends, now family. Thomas couldn't stop thinking about how he had stabbed Janson to save Newt, to avenge their father. Edward couldn't make the image of Teresa sacrificing her life disappear. A part of him wanted to grieve for her. They were after all very close once. Though it remained in the past, it remained painful.

Hearing sand shifting, they turned their heads to see Newt and Brenda, both bearing faces of sorrow for them. Newt sat beside Thomas and Brenda shuffled close to Edward who slung an arm around her shoulders so she could be close to him. Thomas did the same with Newt. Sitting beside their partners made the distresses they were feeling less throbbing. The brothers knew they would always have them to hold onto in times when they felt in need of comfort and compassion.

For the first time in forever, they felt nothing. Just peace. And they hoped it would last forever. They stared out across the sea at some large ships and the rising sun. It was the most beautiful sight they had seen in a while. They just wanted to sit there. And enjoy the view.

........................................................................................................................

Fifteen Years Later

Thomas sat with the six-year-old girl with long dark hair in his arms. He watched Newt play with the boy with orange hair in the sea. After their marriage, they travelled out together and in the ruins of an ancient city, they discovered two children all alone and scared. Wishing for a family of their own, they took them in, raising them as their own. The girl was named Danielle and the boy was named Alby.

High above on the beach hills, Edward watched Brenda play with twins Chuckie and Georgie. He held little Stephen in his hands. He smiled seeing his brother relaxing down below with his family. He looked over at all their loved ones having fun. Minho and Amelia sat with little Mary commonly known as 'Minnie' reading her a story. Sonya and Aris were with two little girls, both with blonde pigtails. Frypan and Harriet taught dozens of kids with a cute boy who looked like both of them sitting in the middle, right in front of them. Gally, a young boy by his side and Jorge were talking together whilst Vince chilled out in the sand. It was truly a happy life they had all built together.

Baby Stephen cried in his hands but he gently shushed him. "Did you have a nightmare?" he touched his nose. "I have nightmares too. We all get scared. But there is always a way to be brave,"

........................................................................................................................

"How do you become brave, daddy?" Little Danielle asked Thomas.

"I remember that I am not alone," he answered.

........................................................................................................................

"When you have true friends, you are never truly alone," Edward said. "Knowing you have people who will always have your back makes you braver. Because it means you can handle anything as long as you have someone to hold on to,"

........................................................................................................................

"One day I'll tell you the story of our adventures," Thomas promised. "But until then...you've got to learn to be brave, to know that there will always be someone to pick you when you fall. Just like your dad and I did when we saved you and your brother,"

Danielle hugged him tightly and he held her tenderly. He observed his husband drenched and wet with Alby. They smiled at one another.

........................................................................................................................

Edward watched his wife sitting in the grass with the twins. She smiled over at him then he glanced down at his brother. Thomas twisted his head and their eyes met. They smiled down at one another. They had come so far together. From kids to teens. From teens to heroes. From heroes to leaders. And from leaders to fathers. What could be better than the life they had built together?

........................................................................................................................

And that's it. The Maze runner Brothers is finished. I really hope you all enjoyed it so much. I have a potential sequel planned in mind which crosses over with another film. I'll consider doing it next year when I've finished some other stories. I really enjoyed writing this story and I hope you have all enjoyed reading it. See you all and enjoy 2023! :) ;)