Irelyn arrived at the breakfast table before the others, enjoying the brief stillness before the Glade truly woke up. The fire pit still smoldered from last night's gathering, and the morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of Frypan's cooking from the kitchen. She leaned back slightly, letting her hair—loose for a change—cascade down her shoulders. She was wearing her newest outfit from the latest supplies box, the military jacket fitting like it was made for her. She looked around the empty Glade and smiled. There was something about the peace before the chaos of the day that make her happy.

It wasn't long before she heard footsteps behind her, the familiar heavy thud of boots approaching. Gally appeared from around the Builders area, his shirt hanging loosely off his shoulders, still slightly unbuttoned from the morning's work. He looked over at her and smirked as he sat down beside her, his body warm and solid against hers.

"Morning," he muttered, his voice a little gruff as he leaned in and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. His hand came up to thread through her loose hair, fingers playing with the strands absently. "I like it when you leave your hair down."

Irelyn smiled, her head naturally resting on his shoulder. "Yeah? Thought I'd try something new."

Gally's hand gently brushed against her neck as he let her hair fall from his fingers. "Looks good," he murmured, a softness behind his words that was just for her. He tilted his head down and kissed her on the top of her head again, his lips lingering just long enough for her to feel the contrast of his rough exterior and the tenderness in his touch.

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, Irelyn nestled against his side. Her hand slipped up to his jawline, and she pressed a soft kiss to the stubble there, smiling against his skin, "Are you guys taking your morning break?"

"Yeah, we've been working for a couple of hours, I wanted to come and check on you," Gally reached for a piece of bread popping it into his mouth, "wanted to make sure Newt took care of whatever had upset you last night."

Irelyn looked at him a little confused before she remembered the conversation she had overheard last night. She shook her head to clear it and looked back up at him. "I'm fine now." She smiled softly, "Newt handled it, he'll probably tell you about it later."

Gally's gaze lingered on her for a moment, his hand brushing lightly against her back. "Good. You know if anything's bothering you, you can always tell me, right?"

Irelyn leaned into him a little more, brushing her fingers against his bare collarbone, nodding. "I know."

"Good," Gally repeated, his hand slipping down to rest on her waist as they both settled into the quiet morning.

As if on cue, the rest of the Glade began to stir. Winston was the first to join them at the table, plopping down with a sleepy yawn and offering a lazy wave. Clint came in shortly after, already wide awake and ready for the day. Zart appeared next, nodding his usual silent greeting as he sat down on the opposite side of the table, arms crossed over his chest. Jeff, one of the cooks, popping out of the kitchen to say hi to everyone.

Alby arrived with his usual calm authority, sitting next to Zart and nodding in greeting. "Morning, everyone."

Irelyn offered a smile, but her focus was quickly diverted when Frypan stepped out of the kitchen with a tray of freshly baked bread. "Fresh from the oven," he announced with a proud grin. "And the Greenie's actually doing alright in the kitchen—didn't burn anything at least."

Gally snorted into his cup, shaking his head. "Well, that's a surprise. Kid could barely hold a hammer yesterday."

Frypan rolled his eyes but laughed. "Yeah, well, maybe he's more suited to cooking than the builders."

They all laughed, and Irelyn couldn't help but feel the weight of last night lifting a little more with every passing minute. The camaraderie was something she had grown to love about the Glade—this group of boys who had found a way to make a home in the strangest, most terrifying place imaginable.

The final member of their little group arrived moments later. Newt came into view, his hair still damp from his shower, the sunlight catching the droplets as they clung to his skin. He looked fresh from the shower, a little more energized than usual, his shirt now properly buttoned but still clinging slightly to his chest.

When he reached the table, Irelyn sat up, her smile widening as he approached. "Good morning."

Newt grinned, leaning down and cupping her cheeks before kissing her gently on the lips. It was clear he was enjoying the new freedom to show this kind of affection openly, not caring who saw. When they finally broke apart he brushed his nose against hers and whispered against her lips, "Morning Darling."

"Morning," Irelyn answered back as she leaned back into Gally's side, her cheeks a little flushed.

The table went silent for a beat, the Gladers exchanging glances before the teasing began.

Alby smirked, raising an eyebrow as he shoveled another bite of fruit into his mouth. "Looks like we're gonna need a new set of rules just for these two."

Irelyn laughed, shaking her head as she nudged Newt's shoulder. "I'm surprised you didn't tell them as soon as you got to the Homestead last night."

Newt just grinned, completely unbothered by the teasing. "What's there to tell? Everyone's seen us like this for weeks."

Zart wiggled his eyebrows at Irelyn. "True, but that kiss definitely wasn't part of the usual routine. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you two were trying to make up for lost time."

Irelyn's face heated, though she couldn't help but smile at the playful ribbing. "Oh, shut up, Zart."

He smirked, clearly enjoying himself as he leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head. "Just saying, I'm happy for you both. But let's keep it PG at breakfast for the rest of us, yeah?"

But before the conversation could die down, attention turned to Gally.

"What about you, Gally?" Winston asked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "You're letting Newt steal all the kisses?"

Gally shot him a dry look, not even bothering to hide his smirk. "It's not a race, shank. It's none of your business."

Irelyn smiled at Gally's response and leaned up to press a soft kiss to his jawline, her fingers brushing lightly over his chest. "We're just fine," she murmured softly, her hand slipping down to rest on his side.

Gally's fingers pushed underneath the edge of her tank top, gently tracing the skin he found there, sending a pleasant shiver through her body. On her other side, Newt's hand found her thigh, his thumb moving in soft circles as he ate. Both touches were subtle but enough to send warmth flooding through her. She was suddenly glad she had decided on the shorts today.

Gally noticed the way she shivered slightly under their touch and chuckled low in his throat, catching Newt's eye over her head. The two shared a knowing look, both amused by the effect they had on her.

The table wasn't blind to the dynamic either, though the teasing had turned more playful than anything.

"Look at that smile! I bet she's the one in control here," Zart said with a grin, shaking his head. "You boys don't stand a chance."

The group laughed, and Irelyn rolled her eyes, though she couldn't stop the smile from tugging at her lips. She loved the way both Gally and Newt showed their affection—whether it was Gally's quiet protectiveness or Newt's teasing touches. It was balanced, and it worked for them.

As breakfast continued, the conversation turned to lighter topics. Zart brought up last night's grappling matches, recalling how one of the newer Gladers had tried to take on an older boy twice his size and ended up flat on his back in seconds.

"I thought for sure he was gonna cry," Winston said with a laugh. "Kid didn't even see it coming."

Clint nodded in agreement. "I'm surprised he hasn't ended up in the Med-jack tent with you, Irelyn. Must be made of tougher stuff."

"Well, it's not like I don't have enough of you keeping me busy," Irelyn said with a grin. "But yeah, I'll admit some of these new boys are pretty reckless."

"Good thing we've got you," Alby said with a grin, offering her a grateful nod. "You keep us in one piece."

As the conversation went on, Irelyn felt herself relax even more, feeling the warmth of the group surround her like a protective shield. She leaned back into Gally's side again, savoring the moment of peace before the day's work began.

As the meal wound down, Gally stood up, stretching his arms overhead before dropping his hands onto Irelyn's shoulders from behind. "Alright, time to get back to it. Break's over."

He leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head. "Catch you later, Red."

Newt stood up as well, wiping his hands on his pants before glancing over at Gally. "Mind if I walk with you?" he asked casually, though the weight behind his words wasn't lost on Irelyn.

Gally raised an eyebrow but nodded. "Yeah, sure."

As they started to walk away, Newt called over to Alby, who was talking with some of the other Keepers nearby. "Oi, Alby! Got a minute?"

Alby nodded to Newt, saying something to the guys he was talking with, and joining Gally and Newt as they walked. "What's going on?"

Newt glanced back at Irelyn, his expression softening before he turned to follow Gally and Alby. Irelyn's chest tightened as she watched them go, knowing exactly what Newt was about to tell them.

Clint, who had finished his breakfast by now, walked up beside her at the table. "You ready to head to the Med-jack tent?" he asked, his voice pulling her out of her thoughts.

Irelyn nodded, though her eyes lingered on Newt, Gally, and Alby. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but the second they stopped walking she could see Gally's posture change immediately. His shoulders tensed, his fists clenching at his sides as Alby's expression grew more serious with his arms crossing over his chest.

"Shuck," she muttered under her breath, her stomach twisting at the sight. She knew Gally well enough to recognize the storm brewing behind his eyes.

Clint followed her gaze, his brow furrowing. "Everything alright?"

Irelyn forced a small smile, trying to shake off the unease settling over her. "Yeah… just a long night."

—-

The rest of the day felt like a blur. After Newt told Alby and Gally what had happened, Irelyn spent her time tucked away in the Med-jack tent, trying to focus on her work but constantly distracted by her own thoughts. She felt like she was hiding—something she hadn't done in the two months she'd been in the Glade. Normally, she was confident, secure in her place here. But now, that confidence felt fragile, cracked by the careless words of a few drunk Gladers. She avoided lunch time, claiming to be In the middle of organising so Clint would bring her a sandwich in the tent.

It wasn't just the comments she'd overheard that bothered her. It was the nagging fear that once this spread, as it no doubt would, maybe some of the boys, even her friends, might start to see her as a problem. Maybe they'd think having a girl in the Glade was too much of a distraction, or that she was causing unnecessary stress by being involved with both Newt and Gally. Sure, there had been couples before—Zart had been with one of the cooks, Jeff, for over a year, and no one seemed to care—but Irelyn was the only girl here, and that complicated things.

By the time dinner rolled around, Irelyn's nerves were frayed, but she still forced herself to the dining area. She didn't have an excuse to not go and she knew that they would come find her if she didn't show up.

When she got there, she noticed Gally wasn't at the table. Her eyes immediately sought out Newt, who was sitting with a smile on his face talking to Minho. As soon as she sat down next to him, he placed his hand gently over hers, the unspoken comfort she needed. He watched her look over her shoulder to the Builder area before hooking a finger under her chill to make her look to him instead

"He's fine," Newt said reassuringly as if reading the concern in her eyes. "He's just letting off some steam. He'll come to dinner when he gets hungry."

Irelyn nodded, though the knot in her stomach stayed put. "I hope so," she murmured, her fingers tracing circles on the table. "I don't like it when he's angry."

Newt smiled softly, squeezing her hand in reassurance. "He isn't angry at you, love. You know Gally—he just needs time to think."

As dinner continued, the usual banter around the table helped ease some of her tension. Winston and Clint were cracking jokes, Frypan was proudly talking about the new dish he'd made, and Zart chimed in occasionally with his usual quiet observations. It was easy to get lost in the camaraderie, but Irelyn's mind kept drifting back to Gally.

Halfway through dinner, Alby stood and left the table, heading toward the Builder site, "that shank of gonna drive himself insane." Irelyn watched him go, her heart skipping a beat as she hoped he'd bring Gally back with him. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Gally returned, but the tension in his body was still palpable. He sat down next to her silently, his jaw clenched as he picked at his food.

Though the other Gladers didn't seem to care about his angry attitude, a quality Gally was pretty much known for in the Glade, Irelyn could feel the weight of his frustration, and it made her heart ache. She wanted to reach out, to comfort him, but something held her back. Maybe it was the way he hadn't looked at her yet, or the way his hands were still, instead of the usual casual touches he offered her.

After dinner, Gally stood abruptly from the bench and made his way toward the wrestling ring where a group of boys had already started gathering for another nightly entertainment of Wrestling. Tonight the crowd around the ring was especially loud and rowdy, boys cheering and jostling each other as the matches began. Irelyn's heart sank as she watched Gally disappear into the crowd, her unease growing.

"Don't worry, Irelyn," Minho said, nudging her gently as he stood up from the bench. "He's just blowing off some steam. Gally's a fighter, you know that."

Irelyn looked at the boy with a disbelieving look, "I know it's just, Gally hasn't not spoken to me during meal times since like day 5 of me being here."

Newt stood as well, offering her a reassuring smile and a hand. "Minho's right. Let him get it out of his system, and if he is still being a shuckhead we'll have Alby beat the klunk out of him."

Irelyn laughed a little but something inside her wouldn't settle. She pushed her plate away and stood up, following Newt and Minho toward the ring. The crowd was thick, boys pressed close as they jostled each other for a better view. Irelyn had to weave through them, Newt's hand holding hers to guide her as they edged toward the front.

"What, did everyone decide to come watch tonight?" She called to Newt.

He looked over his shoulder at her, "yeah well when word gets out that Gally is in a bad mood, it tends to become more interesting."

As they neared the middle of the crowd, Minho shouted from behind her, "last time Gally was pissed off he started insisting on wrestling multiple guys at the same time for a challenge. He won too."

Irelyn turned to look at the rope circle laid on the ground where the matches were taking place. It wasn't like the matches weren't violent or anything but the Gladers were acting like they were gonna witness a huge fight.

Gally stood in the ring watching one of the boys as he stepped into the ring. Irelyn could hear the Glader, Jax, baiting Gally as soon as Alby called start.

"What's the matter, Gally?" Jax sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "You going soft now that you've got a girl to look after? Maybe she needs a real man to show her how it's done."

The crowd erupted in oohh's and awe's, boys elbowing each other, their voices rising above the noise. Irelyn felt her face flush with embarrassment and anger as Jax continued to taunt Gally, circling him in the ring.

"Or maybe you're just not enough for her, huh? A girl like that needs someone who knows what they're doing. You sure you're the man for the job, Gally?"

Irelyn's stomach twisted, her hands clenching into fists as she realised that this kid was picking a terrible day to do this. "Shuck," she muttered, her heart racing. "This isn't good."

"Come on," Newt said, his voice in her ear. "Let's get to closer to him before he does something stupid."

But they were too late. Jax's final words were the spark that ignited the fire in Gally. With a roar of fury, Gally tackled Jax to the ground, his fists flying in a blind rage. The crowd erupted in cheers and shouts, boys pushing forward to get a better view as Gally's fists connected with Jax's face, over and over.

"Shuck! Gally, stop!" Irelyn yelled, her voice cracking as she pushed her way to the front of the ring. Her eyes went wide as she saw the blood pouring from Jax's nose, dripping down his face and pooling on the ground.

But Gally didn't stop. His eyes were wild, his knuckles covered in blood as he kept swinging. Irelyn's heart pounded in her chest, panic rising as she yelled again, her voice desperate. "Gally, please stop!"

Finally, Alby and Minho managed to pull Gally off Jax, dragging him back as he fought against their grip. His chest heaved, his breath coming in ragged gasps as his eyes scanned the crowd.

"Anyone else wanna comment on my girl?" Gally snarled, his voice thick with rage. "Any of you other shanks think you'd be better for her? No? Good. Keep her name out of your mouth, or I'll knock it out of you."

The crowd fell silent, every pair of eyes now focused on Gally. Irelyn's face flushed, a mix of shock, embarrassment, and something else. She had never heard Gally speak like that—never heard him claim her so fiercely, so publicly. It stirred something inside her, though she wasn't sure if it was pride or something else.

Alby wasn't having it, though. "Enough, Gally!" he barked, his voice booming over the stunned crowd. "Stand down!"

Gally's chest rose and fell heavily, his knuckles still dripping with blood, but he let Alby and Minho pull him away. The crowd began to disperse, the murmurs of shocked conversation rippling through the Gladers.

Irelyn tried to follow after them, but Newt caught her arm, holding her back. "Stay here," he said gently, though his voice held an edge of command. "You can't go with him."

Irelyn's eyes flashed with frustration as she turned to Newt. "But—he was standing up for me!"

"I know," Newt said, his voice firm, his second-in-command voice. "But he broke the rules, Irelyn. He should've let Alby handle it. You know the rules—'don't harm another Glader.'"

Tears welled in Irelyn's eyes, the stress of the night catching up with her. "But it's my fault…"

Newt's expression softened further, his voice dropping as he stepped into his role as her boyfriend again. "It's not your fault, Sunshine," he murmured, pulling her into his arms. She sagged into him, tears spilling down her cheeks as she buried her face in his chest. He held her tightly, one hand running soothing circles over her back and the other was tangled In her hair at the back of her head as he whispered comforting words.

As her shoulders shook with quiet sobs, their friends hovered nearby, concerned looks on their faces. But Newt waved them off, his voice calm and assuring. "She'll be fine. I've got her."

Later that night, Irelyn tossed and turned in her bed, the events of the evening replaying in her mind on an endless loop. Sleep was impossible. Finally, with a frustrated sigh, she threw off her blanket. As Irelyn stepped quietly out of her hut, the night air wrapped around her, cool and silent. She shivered slightly but didn't turn back. But as she started across the Glade, she caught sight of someone sitting on a bench just in front of one of the nearby huts. Alby. He sat quietly, his elbows on his knees, looking deep in thought.

Irelyn hesitated for a moment, then changed direction and walked over, her footsteps soft on the grass. She sat down beside him, not saying anything at first. Alby looked over at her, his expression calm but knowing.

"I had a feeling you'd be sneaking out to see Gally," he said with a slight smirk, breaking the silence.

Irelyn let out a soft laugh. "Guess I'm that predictable, huh?" She nudged him playfully with her shoulder, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Do I need to throw myself in the Slammer, too, for wanting to check on him?"

Alby chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah. I'll allow it, just this once." He glanced over at her, his expression softening. "You've had a rough night, Irelyn. It's alright to want to make sure he's okay. But don't beat yourself up too much—this isn't exactly new for Gally."

Irelyn sighed, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap. "Really? How many times has he been in there?"

Alby leaned back, crossing his arms. "This'll be the fourth time in two years. Gally's got a temper. This was bound to happen again eventually, especially with how things have been lately." He paused, his eyes flickering to her. "To be honest, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner."

She gave a quiet, almost relieved laugh, glancing over at him. "Guess I shouldn't have been so worried, then."

"Not about Gally," Alby said, smiling. "He'll be fine. He's been through worse. But I saw how upset you were, and I get it. You care about him—and about Newt. It's a lot to balance, I'm sure."

Irelyn looked down, biting her lip. "Alby… you know about the conversation I overheard last night, don't you?"

He nodded, his expression unreadable. "Yeah, I know. It was Jax and his little crew mouthing off. That's why Gally was so mad. When it comes to you, he doesn't exactly have a lot of patience for that kind of talk."

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I know… I understand why he did it, but it just makes me wonder if… if me having feelings for both him and Newt is going to be a problem for everyone else here. I don't want to make things harder for anyone."

Alby's expression softened, and he shook his head. "Only if you make it a problem, Irelyn. The Gladers will adjust. They always do. You know, we're a family here. Everyone will support whatever you need, just like they did with Zart and Jeff. That was a new thing for some of the guys at first, but they adjusted, and life moved on."

Irelyn felt a flicker of relief at his words. "I just don't want to complicate things… I mean, I haven't even really talked to Gally about being together. It's just been me and Newt so far."

Alby chuckled, nudging her shoulder lightly. "Well, if you're serious about him, now's the perfect time, isn't it? No distractions in the Slammer."

A laugh escaped her, and she looked over at him, her eyes warm with gratitude. "Thank you, Alby. I mean it… for everything."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders in a quick, brotherly hug. "Anytime, Irelyn. Go on, then. Don't keep him waiting."

She hugged him back tightly, the sense of comfort and reassurance settling deep within her. "Goodnight, Alby."

"Goodnight," he replied, watching her as she made her way toward the Slammer.

She found her way to the Slammer, the small wooden structure that housed Gally for the night. As she neared, she saw Newt sitting outside, talking quietly with Gally through the makeshift bars. Gally's hands gripped the wooden frame, his posture tense but calmer than before. Irelyn hesitated in the shadows for a moment, watching them, before Newt noticed her approach.

A knowing smile tugged at Newt's lips as he turned and whispered something to Gally before standing up. He walked over to her, his voice soft and teasing. "Knew you wouldn't last long."

Irelyn smiled sheepishly, her nerves fraying as she looked over at Gally. "You and Alby both apparently, I thought you said we couldn't see him."

Newt laughed walking her back towards Gally, "cause we follow the rules so much. Go on. He's calm now, I'll be over here."

She took a deep breath and stepped closer to the bars, where Gally waited. His posture was tense, his expression hard, but when he saw her approaching, something softened in his eyes. She noticed his bloodied knuckles and winced, wishing she'd thought to bring something to clean them up.

"You shouldn't be here," Gally muttered, his voice gruff but carrying an edge of worry. "You'll get in trouble."

Irelyn shook her head, fingers wrapping around the cool metal bars between them. "I don't care," she said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry, Gally. I'm so sorry…"

Gally frowned, leaning his head against the bars but not reaching for her. "It's not your fault," he said, a little quieter this time, his eyes scanning her face with a kind of weariness. "Don't apologize for something you didn't do. You didn't ask for any of this."

Irelyn's chest tightened, her eyes filling with fresh tears as she struggled to explain. "But… if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't be in here."

"No," Gally cut her off, his voice firm but gentle. His eyes locked onto hers, and for a brief second, she saw past the usual hardness, catching a glimpse of the frustration and pain he kept buried. "It's not your fault, Irelyn. I'd do it again if I had the chance. He deserved it."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the night pressing down on them both. Irelyn's heart pounded as she looked up at him, feeling the distance between them acutely. The guilt, the tension—it was all too much. Before she could think it through, she reached up and unlatched the lock on the door, slipping into the cell with him and pulling the door shut again behind her.

She heard Newt's muffled chuckle from somewhere nearby. "Shucking damn it, Irelyn," he muttered, though the amusement in his voice softened any hint of reprimand.

Gally's eyes widened in surprise as she stepped toward him, and for a moment, he looked almost… uncertain. Vulnerable. But as Irelyn slid her arms around his waist, his hesitation melted, and he wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. He buried his face in her hair, taking in a shaky breath, his grip tightening as if afraid to let go.

"I'm supposed to protect you, you know that?" he murmured into her hair, his voice rough, almost broken. "No one will talk about you like that."

Irelyn's throat tightened at the raw honesty in his words. She looked up at him, her hand moving to gently touch his cheek, feeling the tension in his jaw as he clenched it. "I know, Gally."

For a moment, he closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. She felt him exhale, the weight of the fight and the stress slipping away, even if only for this one quiet moment.

He opened his eyes, and his gaze softened as he met hers, a flicker of vulnerability still lingering. "And I… I don't want to do anything to hurt you. I couldn't stand it if—" He broke off, shaking his head as if trying to push the thought away.

Irelyn tightened her hold on him, her fingers gently brushing over his shoulder. "I know. And I'll keep you safe, too," she whispered. "We'll protect each other."

Gally swallowed hard, a hint of a smile pulling at his lips, though his eyes glistened with the emotions he couldn't quite say. "You drive me crazy, Red, you know that?" he muttered, his hand slipping up to rest gently on the back of her head, his fingers threading through her hair.

She managed a soft laugh, burying her face against his chest. "Good thing we're both a little crazy, then."

He let out a low chuckle, the sound vibrating through his chest as he held her close, pressing a lingering kiss to the top of her head. For a moment, they stayed like that, the world outside forgotten. And for once, Gally allowed himself to lean on someone else, knowing she'd be there to hold him up when he needed it most.

"I'll always protect you," he murmured into her hair, his voice raw but steady. "No matter what."

As Irelyn pulled back slightly, her fingers brushing along Gally's jaw, she met his gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "Gally… are you really okay with this? With me… being with both you and Newt?"

Gally's expression softened, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of something raw in his eyes. He reached up, running his thumb along her cheek, his voice low but steady. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. I don't care if you're with him too. You're mine, Irelyn. You're his. You're ours."

The warmth in his gaze wrapped around her, grounding her, and she felt the last of her doubt melt away. Her lips curved into a smirk as she pressed herself closer to him, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Say it again."

Gally's mouth quirked into a grin, his hand tightening at her waist as he pulled her against him, his voice a possessive murmur in her ear. "My girl. Newt's girl. Our girl," he said, his voice rough with meaning. "No one else's."

Irelyn's pulse quickened, her breath hitching as she met his eyes. She tipped her head up, her voice daring as she smirked at him. "Prove it."

The words barely left her lips before Gally's mouth crashed against hers, igniting a fire that pulsated through their very beings. His hands gripped her waist, holding her possessively as her arms found their way around his strong neck, pulling him closer as if the world outside the Slammer had vanished into nothingness. Time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other, completely lost in a whirlwind of passion.

Irelyn moaned softly against his lips, the sound reverberating between them like a secret code only they understood. Gally's teeth grazed her bottom lip, sending shivers coursing down her spine as heat enveloped them both. The moment escalated, and suddenly Gally's hands slipped beneath her thighs, lifting her effortlessly while she wrapped her legs around his waist. The warmth of his body against hers as she was suddenly pressed against the dirt of the slammer wall was intoxicating, and with every grind of his hips, she felt a swell of pleasure that made her gasp.

Just as Gally's hand ventured under her shirt, igniting a spark of electricity along her skin, a voice echoed from above, breaking through their heated embrace. "As much as I love this view," Newt called down with barely concealed amusement, "Alby just gave me the signal, I need to take Irelyn back to her hut and relock this door."

Panting, Gally reluctantly pulled away, his forehead resting against hers as they struggled to catch their breath. The intensity of the moment still hung in the air like a charged storm, and he couldn't help but flash a roguish grin, his fingers tenderly brushing her cheek. "Does that prove it enough for you, Sweetheart?" he whispered, his voice low and husky.

Irelyn, still reeling from the overwhelming surge of desire, nodded slowly, her mind spinning in a haze of longing and exhilaration. "Yeah…" she managed, a breathless smile creeping onto her lips—a silent promise that this was just the beginning of something thrilling and unstoppable. Gally set her down slowly enjoying her sliding against him. He guided her back to the door sharing a smirk with Newt.

Newt reached down to help her climb out of the cell, lifting her effortlessly back up to the surface. As he locked the door behind her, he placed a hand over Gally's on the bars, squeezing gently. "We'll be in her hut when you get out, come find us."

Gally nodded, their fingers linked for a moment before Newt pulled away, guiding Irelyn back toward her hut.

Once inside her hut, Newt turned to her, his voice soft. "Mind if I stay with you tonight?"

Irelyn's heart fluttered, and she quickly shook her head. "I'd like that," she replied, a warm smile spreading across her face. She kicked off her boots while he pulled his shirt over his head and placed it with his shoes and belts by the door.

They settled into her makeshift bed, the atmosphere thick with unspoken feelings as their bodies instinctively drew close. Newt kissed her softly and deeply—a contrast to the fiery passion she had experienced with Gally, but equally intimate. Pulling noises from her as if he had been doing it forever, Newt leaned down, his breath warm against her skin, as he pressed kisses down her throat and followed the neckline of her tank top. A shiver raced through her as he pushed her shirt further up, revealing more of her to him.

Irelyn's fingertips glided over the smooth contours of his bare back and sides, marvelling at the way his skin felt beneath her touch. She had seen Gally without his shirt on at work all the time but Newt was a different kind of allure—slimmer yet equally fit, a blend of grace and strength that made her heart race.

Slowing his kisses, Newt drew back just enough to look deep into her eyes. He could see how relaxed she was and as much as he wanted to keep going, he knew she was likely to be exhausted. "Tired, darling?" he asked, a hint of concern lacing his words.

Irelyn smiled up at him, her heart soaring at the endearing nickname. The day had stretched long and heavy, the weight of everything finally catching up to her. She nodded softly, a warmth spreading within her. "We should head to bed."

With a gentle smile, Newt wrapped his arms around her, curling them together as she nestled her head against his chest. The rhythm of his heartbeat was a soothing lullaby, and before long, she was drifting into a peaceful slumber enveloped in his warmth.

At dawn, Alby let Gally out of the Slammer, clapping him on the back as he told him to get a few more hours of sleep. Gally wasted no time heading straight for Irelyn's hut, his steps quiet as he pushed open the door.

Inside, he found Irelyn and Newt curled together on the small bed, their breathing soft and even. A smile tugged at Gally's lips as he pulled his shirt over his head and placed it with Newts. Quietly he slid in behind Irelyn, his arms wrapping around her as he pressed a soft kiss to the back of her neck. He looked up and smiled over to Newt who had woken up when he laid down. Newt smiled back and closed his eyes to go back to sleep. Irelyn snuggled between them in her sleep and hummed contently. Gally smiled down at her and closed his eyes to sleep a little longer.

The bed was a tight fit, but it didn't matter. This was home—his girl, Newt's girl, their girl.

And they would make it work.