Aris Jones X Reader One Shots

Afraid

Aris could without a doubt say he had never felt a fear like this before. He didn't need his memories to be aware of that.

It was cold, with snow falling on top of his head no matter where he tried to hide in the jail. Everywhere around him was pitch black, the stars barely enough to let him see his own hands from where he was. The constant sounds of the Maze moving and Shades screeching sent goosebumps up his arm.

Hiding in the very corner, his nails dug into the harsh dirt as he stared at the sky. He had stopped trying to warm himself long ago, accepting that the shirt that barely went past his elbows and plain pants were all he had for the winter weather. He didn't know it, but his pale face was turning bright red as he shivered, his teeth chattering. His stomach burned with hunger, along with hatred for the way Beth had both managed to dump his food to the goats when nobody was looking and convince people this was where he had to be until he could be trusted. Being far too passive to try and tell anyone and afraid of being called a liar or causing problems, he kept his mouth shut.

You hadn't bothered to hide your irritation from your roommate, but that didn't stop her from going on and on about the boy. She had prying for what you thought about him and even asked if you thought he was cute to see if she could get a proper response. Throughout the entire interrogation, you gave vague replies until she grew bored of your nonanswers.

Laying there in the dark, you had waited for her to start snoring. While that seemed to take forever too, when it happened you walked out, bread and canteen in your hand as your blanket was wrapped around your shoulders.

He didn't let himself cry. In fact, he had probably run out of tears a few hours ago so he doubted he could. He just sat there, observing his breath in front of him as questions ran through his mind. Leaning against the wall, he didn't even flinch when there was another sound echoing through the air. A sound so loud he couldn't hear your footsteps crunching in the snow. You being barefoot didn't help that factor, something you regretted as your socks began to get soaked.

Still, you kept walking until you were in front of him, your shadowy outline the only thing visible.

Staying completely still, he squinted his eyes until he could make out some of your features. Barely enough to recognize you as the girl that hadn't spoken during the meeting.

“I can't let you out. It would only land me beside you,”You spoke, sitting down. Not knowing what to say, he chose nothing at all. With the Maze seeming to understand it was time to let you both have some kind of conversation, even if it ended up being onesided, it too stopped.

“I have this for you,”You told him, leaning down and handing him the food through the bars. Even with you not being able to make out much, you noticed his eyes widen in surprise at the kind gesture.

He knew it could be some kind of trap. That maybe you were on the side against him.

He also knew he was starving.

With great caution, he reached up, preparing to take the bread from your hand. When you didn't pull away or do something else tauntingly cruel, he accepted it.

“This too,”You said, grabbing your water and doing the same. At a slightly faster yet still hesitant pace, he accepted that as well, keeping them both close to him.

“It's going to be okay. I don't know how, but we’ll get it figured out. You’ll be out with us and trusted soon enough. Do you understand?”

Still looking at you with those big blue eyes that reminded you of ice reflecting with the sun, he nodded.

“I’ve got your back. For anything,”You promised.

He didn't speak, and you didn't ask him to. You both just gazed at the other, knowing that your words held just as much weight as your voice held truth.

“I’ll get you a jacket tomorrow. You should be a small,”You said, slipping your blanket through the bars. Putting what you had given him to the side, he grabbed the soft fabric that you had placed on the bars, wrapping it around his entire body as he pulled his knees to his chest. With that being the first warmth he had felt since he arrived, he found himself burying himself in it, putting it over his head and to his cheeks, his eyes gradually returning to their normal size.

“Goodnight, Aris. I’ll see you tomorrow,”You assured him, getting to your feet and brushing the snow from your pants as you turned around to leave.

“Thank you.”

He spoke in barely a whisper, his tone seeming just as soft. It was as timid as the rest of him, a little shaky and strained. There was uncertainty in it, as if the wrong thing would get him sent to his death no matter who he was speaking to.

You held in a sigh of sympathy, not understanding how people could be so cruel sometimes. Even if it was partly due to fear and partly because of Beth’s far too convincing and unofficial leadership, you didn't see how others didn't realize he was just as scared as all of you were.

“You don't have to thank me.”

Walking off, when you were sure he wouldn't notice you rubbed your hands together, knowing that your sleep would be interrupted by cold.

You could tell he needed it more, and that was more than to make it worth it.