Newt

The Glade slowly sank into cool shadow as the evening approached. The Labyrinth's high stone walls, covered in ivy, towered overhead like silent guardians, and the air smelled of dry grass, freshly cut greens from the Garden, and the smoke from the evening fire Frypan was just beginning to light.

After a hard day, Mia and Newt sat on the edge of the wooden deck just outside the garden. The bustle of the day had died down, and even the constant hum of the glades had given way to silence, broken only by the dull crackling of branches and the soft ticking of crickets.

Mia hugged her knees and turned her head toward Newt. He looked tired—his light brown hair a little disheveled, and his eyes held a familiar sense of responsibility for everyone around him. She wanted to distract him, at least a little, from his endless worries and thoughts about the Labyrinth.

She smiled slightly and nudged him slyly with her shoulder.

"Name your strengths," Mia drawled playfully, imitating the tone of the serious questions they sometimes gave to newcomers.

Newt turned his head toward her. That warm, slightly tired smile that always made Mia's heart beat a little faster immediately appeared on his lips. He paused for a moment, watching the evening light play across her face.

“I fall in love quickly,” Newt said calmly and absolutely seriously, not taking his eyes off her.

Mia froze. The answer caught her off guard—she'd expected to hear something like "organizational skills" or "patience." Embarrassment instantly touched her cheeks, but she tried to maintain her usual teasing tone, even though her voice had quieted slightly.

— And the weak ones?

Newt leaned forward slightly, closing the distance between them. There was no trace of humor left in his gaze—only gentleness and surprising sincerity.

• Your deep, brown eyes.

For a few seconds, absolute silence seemed to hang over the Glade. The heavy stone doors of the Labyrinth began to creak shut behind them, but neither Mia nor Newt even flinched.