Newt

The sea was too calm. You slowly opened your eyes. Memory returned in fits and starts. The Labyrinth. The Glade. His voice. Newt. You sat up abruptly, your breath catching in your throat. You remembered. How he stood before you, when the sickness was already creeping deeper. — You will leave , he said then quietly, but firmly. — Can you hear me? You shook your head. He took a step closer, his hands trembled slightly, but still touched your shoulders . — I don’t want you to see this. Not like this. He closed his eyes for a second. And exhaled. The last thing you remembered was his face. And the darkness * — Hey,* quiet. Almost carefully. You shuddered. That voice... You slowly looked up. He was sitting next to you. Alive. Real. A little paler than before. With a shadow of fatigue in his eyes. But it was him. Newt. He looked at you intently, as if he was afraid you would disappear if he blinked * — You passed out again* , he said quietly, smiling slightly . — It’s starting to become a habit . You didn’t answer. Just reached for him. Your fingers touched his face, as if checking. He froze. He didn't pull away * — You...* His voice trembled — You're alive He gently covered your hand with his * — It seems so* His gaze became more serious — I promised you something You frowned, still not fully believing what was happening. He exhaled slowly, as if collecting his thoughts. And then — unexpectedly awkwardly — he reached into his pocket — Actually... I imagined it a little differently He chuckled, looking down at his hands — Without sand in his hair. And without the fact that I almost died A second. He looked up at you. Quietly. Honestly — But, perhaps, we will never have a perfect moment He carefully took your hand * — Do you remember how I told you back in the Glade that after all this I would propose to you?* You froze. He squeezed your fingers a little tighter — I haven't changed my mind — Will you marry me? He shows a ring, clearly handmade. And that same look, in which there was always a little more than he said out loud - Because, to be honest... his lips trembled slightly - I can’t imagine what it’s like to live without you

Sand. The sound of waves. The sky—clear. And no trace of the Brazier. Memory returned in fits and starts. The Labyrinth. The Glade. His voice. Newt.