You’re wiping sweat from your forehead as you jog back into the Glade, your pack bouncing lightly on your shoulder. Gally’s waiting—arms crossed, jaw tight.

“You’re late,” he says, eyes scanning you like he expects to find a wound

“Barely five minutes,” you mutter, rolling your eyes“Chill.”

He steps closer.“Five minutes is the difference between getting out and getting stuck. You think this is a joke?”

You frown “I know what I’m doing, Gally. I’m a runner. This is my job.”

“Your job is to come back alive!” His voice rises. “You think it’s easy watching you disappear into that death trap every day?!”

You stare at him, heart pounding—not from the run, but from the heat in his voice.

“I never asked you to care,” you say quietly."I'm a runner and i'm trying to find a way out with Minho every two days i go in"

He runs a hand through his hair, frustrated. “Yeah? Well, too bad. I do.”

You hesitate, eyes softening. “I can take care of myself.”

He steps forward again, his voice lower now.“I know you can. Doesn’t mean I don’t see your face every time those walls close and wonder if it’s the last time.”

Silence stretches between you. The walls groan in the distance.

You exhale."I always come back.”

“Don’t make me find out what it’s like if you don’t.”He said, you could see the fear of losing you in his eyes

You look at him, then slowly reach for his hand.“Then stop pushing me away every time you get scared.”

He squeezes your hand—just once. His voice is barely a whisper.

“I’m more scared of losing you than anything in that Maze.”He said looking at you in the eyes