Dinner that night was a lively affair. Irelyn sat between Newt and Gally, the usual group gathered around the long picnic-style table. The warm evening air buzzed with conversation as the last rays of sunlight painted the sky a deep orange. Alby, Minho, Ben, Winston, Clint, and Frypan filled out the rest of the group, everyone digging into the meal that Frypan had whipped up after a long day.

Gally was already groaning about the Greenie's first day in the Builders' crew. "Had to redo half the shuckin' work he did," he muttered, stabbing a chunk of food with his fork. "Thought he'd be able to saw a plank of wood without taking his hand off. Apparently sharp objects are a no for him."

Frypan, who had just sat down after cleaning up the kitchens, groaned loudly. "Great. I've got him tomorrow." He rubbed his face tiredly, looking like he was already mentally preparing for the chaos.

"Better you than me," Minho said with a laugh. "I'm shuckin' glad I don't have to deal with Greenies. I just leave 'em to you lot and run."

Newt shot him a look. "Yeah, because you're such a great influence. Remember when you tried training me as a Runner?" Newt smirked, his tone teasing. "I lasted, what, two days?"

Minho raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth quirking up. "Two days is generous, mate. You lasted one and a half, then you went and buggered up your leg."

Irelyn looked at Newt in surprise. "You were supposed to be a Runner? What happened?"

Newt laughed, shaking his head as the others at the table grinned. "I thought I could keep up with this shank." He gestured toward Minho, who gave him an exaggerated look of pride.

"You tried," Minho said, slapping Newt on the back. "I'll give you that. But don't let him fool you, Greenie Girl. He could keep up just fine. Until he tripped over a vine of ivy and all but broke his ankle."

Irelyn couldn't help but laugh, "Oh my goodness—you didn't!"

"I remember that," Clint chimed in with a grin, sitting back in his chair. "You limped back to the Med-jack tent, acting all tough, like you weren't in any pain."

Newt rolled his eyes. "I was fine. Just a sprain."

Clint raised an eyebrow. "Fine? You could barely walk. Took you three weeks before you could put weight on it again."

Minho snorted, shoveling another bite of food into his mouth. "That was the last time I let him near the Maze. He's better off bossing us all around from inside the Glade."

"Hey!" Newt protested, but the grin on his face gave him away. "I'm not the bossy one here. That's this guy." He pointed to Gally off to his right.

Ben snorted, "I don't know, Newt. You've been pretty bossy since you got here."

"And that's why I'm the bloody second-in-command," Newt shot back, though there was no heat behind his words. "So I don't need to run. I leave that to you idiots."

Alby, who had been quietly listening, grinned. "You were always good at bossing people around, Newt. Just like Gally here. Gally's just louder."

The table chuckled, and Gally rolled his eyes, though a small smirk tugged at his lips. "I'm not the one yelling at everyone during Keeper meetings."

"No," Alby agreed, "but I remember your Greenie days, Gally. You were all bark and no bite back then."

Gally snorted. "Yeah, well, you didn't give me much choice. Spent my first week doing nothing but repairs."

"That's because you were always breaking something," Alby shot back, grinning. "You spent more time fixing your own shuck-ups than helping anyone else."

Irelyn laughed, glancing at Gally. "I can't imagine that."

Gally raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't let these shanks fool you, Red. I learned fast."

"Fast enough," Minho added, smirking. "But only because Alby here kept breathing down your neck."

"I had to," Alby said, shaking his head with an exaggerated sigh. "You were a pain in the ass, Gally. But at least you weren't as bad as some of the other Greenies we've had."

"Like who?" Winston asked, clearly intrigued.

Alby's face lit up with mischief. "Like the kid who tried to sneak into the Maze his second day here, thinking he could become a Runner without any training. Minho practically had to tackle him to keep him from getting himself killed."

Minho groaned at the memory. "Oh yeah, Dmitri wasn't it? Poor kid didn't even make it a week before he got himself sent to the Slammer."

Frypan, shaking his head, laughed. "Remember when he claimed he could outrun the Runners? Thought he was some kind of shuckin' hero."

Ben added, "He was always bragging about how fast he was. Until Minho had him race against the real Runners. Kid almost passed out halfway through."

"That's how it goes, though," Alby said, leaning back in his seat. "Greenies always think they're tough when they first get here. We figured it out, though. What do you wanna bet this Greenie is gonna end up being a Track-hoe?"

Ben shook his head. "No, man, you see how tiny he is? That's a Runner in the making. Get him training now and he'll be a fierce Runner when he's older."

Minho nodded, but Gally interjected, "Nah, Greenie is gonna be a Slopper just like all the other young ones."

Irelyn shrugged, "I don't know, I think he could be a good Builder with some practice."

Winston snorted, "Yeah, as long as you build him a box to stand on first."

The group laughed in agreement. Irelyn looked over to one of the other tables and smiled at the new Greenie. He was sitting with a bunch of the younger boys, talking animatedly. She couldn't help but giggle. They were right—he was definitely gonna be a Slopper. If not for his tiny size for a 12-year-old, then purely because he wanted to be with his new friends.

Attention turned back to the table content to listen, Irelyn enjoyed the banter and camaraderie between them all. It was nice, she thought as she leaned into Newt's side, to see this lighter side of them—the side that wasn't burdened by the Maze or the weight of survival. They were just boys, after all.

"I dunno," Winston said, his tone more thoughtful now. "My first few days were rough, but I think we all figure it out eventually. The Glade… it becomes home, even if we don't remember where we came from."

The table grew quiet for a moment as the weight of his words settled over them. It was true—none of them remembered their lives before the Glade. But here, in this strange, brutal place, they had built something that resembled home.

After a moment, Irelyn stood up, stretching her arms over her head. "Well, I think I'm gonna go shower," she said, glancing between Newt and Gally, who were both still seated on either side of her.

Before Irelyn could leave, Newt gently caught her wrist, a playful grin on his face. "Actually, we wanna show you something first."

Gally stood up beside him, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as a mischievous glint lit up his eyes. "Yeah. Come with us."

Confused but intrigued, Irelyn glanced around, noticing how several other Gladers exchanged knowing looks, all of them trying—unsuccessfully—to hide their own grins. She couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was in on some big secret. The fact that no one else was tagging along only added to her curiosity.

"What's going on?" she laughed, as Newt and Gally each placed a hand over her eyes and guided her carefully across the Glade. Blindfolded like this, all she could do was focus on the warmth of their hands on her shoulders, the soft crunch of the grass beneath her bare feet, and the occasional chuckles from the boys as she stumbled slightly.

"You'll see," Newt teased, his voice vibrating with excitement.

"Just a little further," Gally added, sounding uncharacteristically cheerful.

As they led her, Irelyn's heart thumped with anticipation, each step taking her farther from the familiar hum of the main campfire and closer to something secluded. Finally, they came to a stop, and Newt and Gally pulled their hands away.

"Alright, open your eyes," Newt said, his voice soft with expectation.

Irelyn blinked, her eyes adjusting to the warm sunlight as she took in the sight before her. Nestled among the trees and tucked off to the side near Gally's hut was a small, simple structure with freshly cut wood beams and a thatched roof. It was modest but sturdy, the kind of place that looked as if it had been built with care.

She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Is this…?"

"Your own place," Newt said, beaming. "We built it for you."

For a moment, Irelyn was too stunned to speak. Her gaze flicked over the hut, taking in the handmade walls and the careful thatching, down to the smoothed-out earth around the entrance. She could still smell the faint, earthy scent of freshly cut wood mixed with the lingering warmth of the sun.

Her excitement bubbled over, and she threw her arms around both boys, hugging them tightly. In her enthusiasm, she kissed them each on the corner of their mouths—a little closer than she'd intended, but in the moment, she barely registered it. When she pulled back, she found them both blinking, looking a bit dazed but undeniably pleased.

"Go on," Gally urged, nodding toward the door with a smirk. "Take a look inside."

She didn't need any more encouragement. She stepped forward, pushing open the simple wooden door and stepping into her new space. The scent of hay, earth, and freshly-cut wood filled her senses as her eyes adjusted to the dim light inside. The hut felt warm and inviting, as if it had been waiting just for her.

There was a canvas mat on the floor, stuffed with hay and layers of soft, worn-out clothes, forming a makeshift mattress that looked surprisingly comfortable. Her sleeping bag was spread neatly on top, with her new blanket folded at the foot and the soft pillow resting at the head.

A small wooden crate sat in the corner, stacked with her spare clothes and other belongings. She ran her fingers over each item, recognizing the sturdy leather of her backpack, the smooth pages of her journal, and even the worn bristles of her hairbrush. The hut wasn't large, but everything had a place, arranged thoughtfully to give her a sense of order and peace.

As she stood there, she noticed the little touches—like the small, smooth stone sitting on the edge of the windowsill, polished from countless fingers passing over it, and the patch of light filtering in from a narrow opening in the wall, casting a soft glow over her makeshift bed. She could tell her friends had gone out of their way to make this feel like a real home, not just another sleeping spot in the Glade.

She turned to Newt and Gally, who were standing in the doorway, watching her reaction with proud, expectant smiles.

"Everyone pitched in somehow," Newt explained, leaning against the doorframe. "Zart and the Track-hoes helped make your bed, and Clint and Winston kept you busy while Gally and Alby finished the roof. I managed to sneak your things over here without you noticing."

Gally nodded, his expression softening. "Distracting you wasn't easy, but we figured you deserved your own space. Somewhere to breathe when everything gets to be too much."

Irelyn's chest tightened with gratitude. She walked back over to them and wrapped her arms around their necks again, this time a little slower, savoring the closeness. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "This is… I can't believe you did all this."

Gally's arm slipped around her waist, his smirk softer but no less mischievous. "You like it?"

"I love it," she replied, her hand resting against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

Newt grinned, brushing her hair back over her shoulder before he wrapped an arm around her other side, sandwiching her between them. He leaned down to press a warm kiss to her cheek, lingering just a moment. "Good," he murmured. "Now you've got somewhere to escape when the rest of us are driving you shuckin' mad."

She laughed softly, a warmth spreading through her chest. "I think I'll be spending a lot of time here."

Newt stepped back with a smile, releasing her reluctantly. "Go on, get cleaned up. We'll see you after your shower?"

Irelyn nodded, her heart racing with happiness. "I'll be back soon."

As she watched them walk away, Irelyn turned back to the hut, taking one last look around before heading to the showers. It wasn't just a place to sleep—it was a symbol of everything she'd found here, in this strange, dangerous place. For the first time, the Glade felt like home.

—-
Irelyn walked back from the showers, her damp hair brushing against her back as she breathed in the cool evening air. The sounds of laughter and distant chatter filled the Glade, the fires crackling and casting flickering light over the group of Gladers scattered around the common area. Normally, this was her favorite time of night—when the work was done, and everyone could relax—but tonight, something was off.

As she walked past the storage sheds next to the Homestead, a few older boys' voices drifted toward her, too loud to ignore. They were drunk—Gally's Speciality Drink, no doubt—and their conversation wasn't exactly appropriate.

"I'm telling you, it's gonna be Newt," one of them slurred, his words thick and slow. "She's always with him."

"Nah, you're wrong," another boy chimed in, his tone lazy but smug. "Gally's the one. He's got her all to himself half the time. You see how she looks at him?"

Irelyn's stomach twisted, a wave of heat rushing to her face as she stood frozen in place, her heart hammering in her chest.

"You think she's with both of them?" a third voice asked, laughing. "Bet you she's already shared a bed with at least one by now. I mean, c'mon. A girl like that with two guys? She's probably enjoying herself."

"I wonder if she'd take on a third guy, bet I could make her scream," the first boy suggested.

The sound of their crude laughter hit her like a punch to the gut. Her body tensed, every muscle tightening as she struggled to breathe through the rush of humiliation that surged through her. The boys had no idea she was listening—they were too drunk to care. But their words dug deep, leaving her feeling uncomfortable and exposed.

She turned on her heel, walking quickly away from the storage sheds, their voices still echoing behind her. She felt sick, her chest tight with anger and embarrassment. Her hands clenched at her sides as she made her way back to the common area, the usual warmth of the Glade now feeling distant and cold.

When she reached the firepit area, she spotted Newt and Minho sitting in the grass against the long wall, deep in conversation. Gally and Alby stood nearby, watching two Gladers grappling in the wrestling ring that had formed. The night's entertainment was well underway, with cheers and laughter erupting from the circle of boys watching the match.

Normally, Irelyn would have sat down beside Newt, leaning into his side and cheering along with the others. But tonight, she hesitated. The comments she had overheard still rang in her ears, leaving her feeling unsettled.

Instead, she sat a little farther away from Newt than usual, pulling her knees up to her chest and staring blankly into the fire, her mind elsewhere. The usual warmth she found in his presence felt distant now, clouded by the cruel, drunken words she'd heard. She was glad she had decided on her jeans and tee shirt for her after shower outfit, wearing her skirt or shorts might have made her more self conscious.

She barely noticed when Minho stood up and walked off to shower, her thoughts too consumed to pay attention. It wasn't until Newt called her name that she realized he had been speaking to her.

"Irelyn?" Newt's voice was soft but concerned.

She blinked, pulling herself from her thoughts and looking over at him. "Yeah?"

"Minho went to shower," Newt said, his eyes scanning her face. "You alright? You seem… distracted."

Irelyn forced a small smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine."

But Newt wasn't convinced. He watched her closely, the furrow in his brow deepening. When he reached out to touch her shoulder, she didn't pull away—but she didn't lean into him like she normally would either. The lack of her usual response made Newt frown even more.

"Irelyn," he said quietly, his voice filled with concern. "What's wrong?"

For a moment, Irelyn hesitated, not sure if she wanted to burden him with what she'd overheard. But the way his gaze softened, the way his hand stayed warm and steady on her shoulder, made her feel like she couldn't keep it inside any longer.

"I heard some of the older boys talking about me," she finally admitted, her voice low. "They… they were saying stuff about you and Gally. And me."

Newt's expression darkened immediately, his jaw tightening. "What did they say?"

Irelyn shook her head, not wanting to repeat the exact words. "It doesn't matter. They were drunk on Gally's drink, but… it just… it made me feel…" She trailed off, struggling to find the right words to explain the knot of emotions twisting inside her.

Newt's jaw clenched, a flash of anger crossing his face. "Who was it?"

"I don't know," Irelyn said quickly, not wanting to escalate the situation. "I just… I don't want to cause trouble. It just… it bothered me."

Newt stood up, offering her his hand to pull her up with him. "Come on," he said softly. "Let's walk for a bit."

Irelyn hesitated, glancing over at Gally and Alby, who were still standing near the wrestling ring. "Shouldn't we tell Gally?"

Newt's expression softened, but he shook his head slightly. "No, why don't you go say goodnight to him though? I'll tell him later."

She nodded, her stomach still in knots as she walked over to where Gally had just finished a round of wrestling. He stood tall, victorious, sweat glistening on his skin as he caught his breath. When he saw her approaching, his expression softened, his usual intensity dimming as he stepped away from the circle.

"Hey," he said, wiping his brow. "Everything alright?"

Irelyn forced a small smile, not wanting to worry him. "Yeah, Newt and I are just going for a walk before I head to bed."

Gally studied her for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. "You sure you're okay?"

She nodded, trying to keep her voice light. "Don't worry about it. You did great out there."

Gally didn't look entirely convinced, but he nodded, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Alright. See you tomorrow, then?"

Irelyn hugged him briefly, resting her cheek against his chest for a moment. "Yeah, tomorrow."

As she pulled away without the kiss to the cheek she would've normally given him, Gally's eyes flicked over to Newt, who was watching them. The two boys locked eyes for a moment, and Newt gave a subtle shake of his head, signaling that he'd explain everything later.

Gally frowned but didn't press the issue. He gave Irelyn a final nod before turning back to the crowd of boys surrounding the wrestling ring.

Irelyn returned to Newt, who took her hand as they started walking away from the common area. They wandered in silence for a while, heading toward the quieter parts of the Glade near the Deadheads, where the trees cast long shadows over the ground, and the air was cooler.

When they finally stopped, Newt leaned against a tree, crossing his arms over his chest as he looked at her, "tell me what you heard."

Irelyn hesitated for a moment before it all came pouring out. By the time she had finished telling him what she heard, how it had made her feel, tears were silently streaming down her cheeks. Gathering her in his arms, Newt rested his chin on the top of her head. While he enjoyed the feeling of her burying her face into his chest, he knew this wasn't the time. "You didn't deserve to hear that," he said quietly. "And I'm gonna talk to Alby and Gally tomorrow. We'll make sure everyone knows you're a Glader, just like the rest of us. Those shuckheads don't get to talk about you like that."

Irelyn nodded, though the weight of the boys' words still lingered in her mind. "It just made me feel… weird. Like I wasn't really one of you. Like I'm just… entertainment."

Newt's expression softened, his arms unfolding from around her so he could look down at her properly. "You are one of us, Irelyn. Don't let a few idiots who've had too much to drink make you feel otherwise."

She looked up at him, her heart aching with a mixture of gratitude and lingering doubt. "Does it… does it bother you that I'm affectionate with both you and Gally?"

Newt blinked, clearly surprised by the question. He leaned back against the tree again, crossing his arms as he considered it. "Why would it?"

Irelyn shrugged, looking down at her feet. "I just… I don't want things to get complicated between us. Between you and Gally. I mean you've been friends for so long and now I'm here and-"

Newt sighed softly, stepping forward and gently pulling her into his arms once more. He could see she was working herself up again. "Irelyn," he murmured, his voice low and reassuring. "I like you. You like me. I also like seeing you happy. So if I make you happy, and Gally makes you happy, then I'm perfectly okay with you being happy with both of us. I'm pretty sure Gally feels the same way."

Irelyn looked up at him, her heart racing at his words. "Are you sure?"

Newt smiled, his eyes twinkling with a mixture of affection and amusement. "I'm sure. But if you need proof…" He trailed off, gently turning her so that her back was pressed against the tree trunk. "I'll show you."

Before she could say anything, Newt leaned down and kissed her, his lips soft but insistent against hers. The world seemed to fall away in that moment—everything except for the warmth of his mouth, the feel of his hands cupping her face and waist, and the steady beat of her own heart hammering in her chest.

Irelyn kissed him back, her arms wrapping around his neck as the kiss deepened. The bark of the tree scratched at her back but she ignored it. The sensation of his skin under her fingers, his hand moving lower to knead at her hips, was far more fascinating to her than the pain she felt from the rough bark.

When they finally pulled away, Newt rested his forehead against hers, his breath a little ragged. "Feel better now?"

Irelyn smiled, her heart still racing as she nodded. "Yeah. A lot better."

Newt chuckled softly, pressing one last kiss to her lips before stepping back. "Come on, we should get you to bed." His eyes shone with amusement. "I don't think I'll have a good excuse if your back gets all scraped up on that tree."

She giggled. "No. I don't think that would be a good conversation to have. Can't exactly say I tripped and fell, can I? ."

He grinned as the two of them walked out of the trees together, heading back towards her hut, "You could always say that Gally finally got back at you for pushing him off that ladder."

Irelyn laughed and slapped his chest softly, "Gally would never!"

He slipped his arm around her shoulders. "No, no he wouldn't. Guess we'll come up with something else, or next time, maybe we can find somewhere a little less tree-y for our kisses, hm?"

Irelyn nodded with a smile on her face, still feeling a little dazed as they walked back toward her new hut. When they reached the door, Newt smiled down at her, his eyes warm and full of affection.

"Goodnight, Irelyn," he said softly.

"Goodnight, Newt," she whispered, her heart still fluttering from the kiss.

With one last smile and gentle kiss, Newt turned and headed back toward the Homestead, leaving Irelyn standing in the doorway of her hut, her heart lighter than it had been all evening.