Work Text:
Work in the glade is never easy, at least on days like this it is.
The sun beats down on you and the rest of the builders as you all attempt to keep the sweat and dirt out of your eyes, while simultaneously cutting, dragging and assembling the logs of wood that will eventually make up the brand-new kitchen that the slicers have been begging your stubborn keeper to build.
Though it seems captain Gally has other, much more important things to be doing than helping his crew. You scoff to yourself and try to imagine what could possibly be keeping him from his usual routine.
However, in doing so you find yourself picturing him... not in the way you should.
He's lying in a patch of grass near the deadheads, propped up on his forearms and his shirtless body (which you know from an occasional glance is packed with muscle) is slick with sweat. His toned chest rises and falls with exhaustion and his bicep bulges as he reaches up to drag the back of his hand over his chiselled, freckled face. He mutters curses as he falls back into the dried-out grass, and he groans as he stretches out, displaying each and every muscle from his lower waist to his broad shoulders.
With a sigh of relaxation, he reaches up and runs a hand through his rapidly growing hair. You've always liked his hair, more so on the rare occasions when he's too swamped with work to get it cut by one of the guys. You're especially fond of the way it begins to wave and how after showering, the wet locks fall effortlessly into his searing green eyes. Not that you've really seen them up close. Except for that unforgettable moment when you woke up in the box just a few months ago.
Your eyes opened and you were immediately greeted by the pair of eyes you've secretly longed to gaze into. Though you'd never. ever. admit such a thing to anyone, certainly not Gally.
Only Newt knows about your damned feelings and while he may be observant enough to notice every wayward glance you give Gally, he's not helpful in the slightest when it comes to giving you any actual advice. The most you've gotten is, "Gally's stubborn as shank, he's a total slinthead if you ask me, but hey, so are you. No wonder you want to fu-" You choke on air as you remember the conversation you had with newt at last night's bonfire.
Not that he's wrong, but to hear it out loud is another thing.
And if that's not distracting enough, now your mind is connecting the dots and images that are definitely not appropriate swim through your thoughts. Gally and you in the deadheads come to mind, and suddenly he's pressing you against a tree, your legs wrapped tightly around his defined torso. He leans in, until you're breathing the same air, then with a hungry growl, his lips smash into yours, and instantly you reciprocate with an urgency caused by built up tension. you let your tongue slip past his lips and with a groan he bites down, causing you to yelp, though it soon melts into pleasure and in response you reach up, letting your hands tangle in his dark brown waves.
It makes him gasp as you close your fist in hair tightly and he presses you harder into the tree, until you're sure there will be bruises on your back the next day.
You pull away suddenly, gasping for air and your eyes meet his green pair, though right now the green is darkened by a possessive hunger.
"Y/N," his gravely tone has your heart pounding harder. As he speaks, he reaches up and hovers his hand over your crumpled, yet still buttoned somehow, shirt. His gaze never leaves yours and realisation hits you that he's asking you for permission to continue. "Do you want this? because if you say yes, I don't think I'll be able to stop myself again." He licks his lips and then, for only a second, his eyes flick down to where his hand hovers. Then just as soon as it leaves, his stare returns to yours, sending a newfound sense of need washing over you.
"Gally..." You breathe and the sound of his name coming from your lips is enough to have him suck in a shaky gasp. "Y/N, I need an answer before I do something you don't want." He groans and it's all you need to have you practically screaming your answer. "Yes, damn you, you slinthead, yes." You grin as he smirks and it's all the time you get before he's kissing you again... hard.
It’s desperate, It’s needy, It’s... "AGHH"
You scream, suddenly pulled back to reality when a cough from behind startles you, causing the saw you've been mindlessly using on a thick log to slip and slice across the hand you've been supporting the wood with.
"Shank, what are you doing sneaking up on me you complete-" The words of anger dissipate into complete shock when you whip around and almost slam into the thick, muscular chest that you just imagined yourself being pressed against a tree by.
"Are you kidding me, I coughed and you practically flew into the air!" He half huffs half yells and despite your flustered reaction, you feel the usual angry retort bubbling to the surface.
"You..." you drag it out as you lift your hand and point a finger at him. "Snuck up behind me while I was focused and didn't announce your presence until you were practically pressed up against me!"
You cut yourself off after that and cringe at the extremely poor choice of wording. Yet it only gets worse when his eyebrows shoot up at the very suggestive wording. "I-I was not, you were- you..." He stammers as a red tinge begins to rise on his cheeks. It's no match for your own, you can practically feel your burning face, but its only heightened by the fact that he seems flustered... Nervous even, by your words.
However, the moment ends when his eyes flick down to your still raised, but now dripping with blood, hand.
"Shank, that looks deep, are you okay?" Gally's face displays an emotion you would never have expected to see, and certainly not for you. Worry.
Though you don't really have time to think about it as a searing pain overtakes you. It seems as though now that the initial shock and anger have worn off, the pain that comes with a wound this big has finally begun. You let your hand fall into your other one, cradling the rapidly bleeding slice. You wince in pain and force yourself to hold back the tears that have begun to pool in your eyes.
"I'm fine Gally; you can just go back to whatever important job I'm sure you need to finish." You say it honestly but a part of you wants him to stay, and that part of you grows by the second.
"You're not fine Y/N, you need to get to the medjacks right now," Gally says with a tone far softer than you've ever heard. "Yeah, probably, but you've got important things to do, I'll go myself," you respond, far less convincingly than you'd hoped for. Though as much as you want to believe in yourself, you feel your vision beginning to blacken, and your whole body suddenly feels like it weighs a ton.
"Y/N?" You hear Gally's voice, but it feels distant, and you feel yourself slipping from consciousness. "Y/N!" Is the last thing you hear before you feel strong arms sweep you up, and as you drift into a state of not knowing what's real and what's not, the thick smell of wood and smoke seeps into your lungs, seemingly enveloping you like a comforting blanket.
"That smells good," your words slur and by this point, the blood loss has made you enter a state of delirium that has effectively wiped out any sort of filter you once had.
"I bet Gally smells like that," you say, and you feel the grip on you tighten protectively and you smile. However, your smile fades as you remember the reality of your feelings. "Though he doesn't like me," you grumble and the black spots in your already blurred vision grow till you're barely able to stay conscious. "He's so strong, and brave, and I know he's kind; I just know it." You grumble it into the solid chest of someone you haven't known the identity of for a long time.
"I just wish he loved me." You sigh, as you feel the last bits of consciousness fade. Yet as you slip away into darkness, you swear you hear the person say, "I do."
***
a string of mixed voices makes your already pounding head hurt more and you groan as you slowly open your eyes and let them adjust to the light. "Where am I?" you manage to say and as you do, the surrounding voices go silent. Then one all but too familiar voice speaks up. "We're in the medjack hut, where you've been taking up far too much of Clint's precious time, you clumsy shank." The sound of newts laugh has you smiling and you pull yourself up till your sitting propped up in a semi-comfortable bed.
Your eyes finally adjust and you turn to look at the people around you. There's newt obviously, as well as Clint and Alby who seem to be more tired than amused. "Sorry Clint, I'm okay now so feel free to send me on my merry way." You chuckle and Alby shakes his head in mock disappointment.
"Okay, okay, enough jokes. Now Y/N, I want you to stay on repairs for a bit, no more cutting or assembly until you're fully healed." He speaks with finality and you nod in acceptance. Then with a quick goodbye he leaves, taking a far too joyful Newt with him.
"I've had to use stitches to keep it closed," Clint begins once it's just you and him. "It should take about a week for everything to close and by then, I'm sure they will fall out on their own." His tiredness is evident and you feel a wave of guilt wash over you. "I'm sorry Clint, I should have been more careful." You avert your gaze, feeling like an utter slinthead. "Well, according to Gally, it was his fault. He said something about distracting you and making you lose focus." Clint stands and begins to pack up the strewn about supplies. Your eyes widen at the mention of Gally and you struggle to remember all the details of how you ended up here. The last thing you remember is Gally saying your name, but after then, it all blurs together.
"It's odd, I don't think I've ever seen him take accountability for anything, but by the way he hovered around here, I'd say that he was rather worried." Clint chuckles quietly and you struggle to hide your surprise. "He... hovered?" You question with furrowed brows of confusion and Clint turns to face you just as he pulls back the curtain which encloses the recovery room. "Yeah, he carried you in here and basically threatened me into saving you, then he breathed down my neck while I stitched you up. I had to yell at him three times before he finally left. utter shank."
Clint huffs and then with a nod, he leaves, unaware of the way his words have affected you.
You sit in the bed, frozen with shock, for at least ten minutes. Gally, carrying you, threatening Clint for you and then staying... for you. It's all a lot to process, you're not even sure you believe it. But you don't have the luxury of unlimited time, as you know that by now, Frypan will have served up dinner, and being the only girl in the glade has made it hard for you to get food without being basically trampled by hungry boys. So, with a grunt, you pull yourself up, exit the medjack hut, and decide that it's time to figure out whatever is going on with you and Gally.
***
Dinner is fortunately still available by the time you make it over to the dining hall. It seems that every pair of eyes shifts over to you, no doubt because of Newt and his loudmouth. Though you feel an unwanted disappointment when you realise that the only pair of eyes not following you is a particular pair of green eyes. In fact, Gally doesn't seem to even be around, which in itself is cause for suspicion, considering he's not one to skip a meal after a day of gruelling labour.
"Well, if it isn't today's celebrity!" you hear Frypan before you see him, but it doesn't take long to make out his smiling face up ahead. You make your way up the line and as you get handed a bowl of what appears to be soup, he claps you on the shoulder and states far too loudly, "I hope your building isn't as bad as your sawing."
The joke has people laughing and you can only laugh with them. It does seem comical, so you can't really blame them for their reaction. It's not as if the glade is brimming with entertainment so you may as well let them soak this up.
Unfortunately, you don't feel as happy as the rest of them as thoughts of Gally surface once again, causing you to lose interest in Frypan's soup and instead, you get up, deciding that it's been far too long without an explanation. You need to find Gally.
***
You huff in annoyance as you stalk over towards the hut that belongs to a certain avoidant shank. He's definitely there, at least you can confirm that for sure. Light from the fireplace he bragged about building illuminates a large figure walking inside. Yep, he's there, and he's not asleep, so there's no reason as to why he shouldn't answer the door.
Yet it seems that doesn't stop him, as after knocking for the third time, he still hasn't opened the damned thing. Luckily, you're stubborn, a trait the two of you share, and you're also angry now, so you resort to yelling. "Gally you complete slinthead, if you don't open this door right now, I promise you'll come tomorrow to a pile of ash that used to be this hut." You bang on the wood once more and then in one swift movement, the door swings open, and you almost fall through from the built-up momentum from your pounding.
You steady yourself quickly, but then as you meet his gaze, it's like falling all over again.
His hair is messy, as though he's been running his fingers through it constantly and you swallow noticeably when you realise that he's not wearing a shirt. It's like this morning's delusions all over again but instead of a black and white fantasy, it's a raging whirlwind of colour... and it’s real.
"Hey." you manage to say as you avert your gaze from his exposed chest and torso. He only crosses his arms in front of him and even though you aren't looking, you know that his muscles are on full display.
"Hey, come in, it's getting cold." he says as he steps to the side, allowing you room to enter.
You've never been in anyone else's hut except for Newts, and it's hard to hide your surprise at the state of the place. It's... clean. Not just tidy but noticeably cared for and looked after. The total opposite of Newt's personal garbage dump.
"Don't act so surprised, I'm not a total slob." Gally's voice has you whipping around in embarrassed shock but the decision could not have been worse.
You stumble from the speed and lurch forward, right into Gally’s arms. "Woah, you alright?" He sputters as you feel his warm, strong arms wrap around you for the second time today. If it weren’t for your total humiliation, you might have even leant into him but instead you rip yourself back and profusely apologise. "I'm so sorry, I'm so clu- wait. What did you just ask me?" It hits you mid sentence that he just asked if you were alright, and while it may seem normal for literally anyone else, for Gally, that's the equivalent to performing a whole body checkup and fainting with worry.
He blinks, apparently only just now realizing what he said. Though, he responds with confidence. "I asked if you were alright."
You stare at him with awe, completely at a loss for words. you feel a blush begin to rise on your cheeks and in a desperate attempt to pull his attention away from it, you ask the only thing you can think of. "Why?"
He sighs and turns away from you, before walking over to his bed and sitting on the edge. "I don't know... instinct or something?" He states it matter of factly and you almost consider just dropping it but a fire ignites in you and it spurs you forward. "Okay then, explain to me why you did what you did earlier." You slowly step towards his bed, though you make sure to leave enough space between you and him to ensure you don’t do something you shouldn’t.
"I didn't do anything." He says, though he refuses to meet your eye, clearly knowing you don't believe a word of what he says. "Gally..." You breathe, feeling a sudden sadness at his reluctance.
Though upon hearing your tone, his head snaps up and it’s like a breath of fresh air. His eyes pool with emotion, and he stares unafraid. "Dont... say my name like that. Please." He pleads and you watch as he stands and in a single big stride, he's right in front of you.
You suck in a deep breath but you don’t move away, you don’t want to move away.
He sighs, seeming to be at war with himself in his head. But within a moment, it appears that he's reached a decision. He looks up, hiding his face from you. Then he speaks, quieter and more genuine than ever before.
"Do you remember anything about what you said when I was carrying you to Clint?" he speaks with a hint of fear in his voice and you shake your head, admitting that you remember none of it.
"You- you told me, that you... that-"
"What did I tell you, Gally?" you hastily add, all the while knowing that there's only one thing you could have said.
"You told me that you loved me, okay! you said i'm strong and brave and kind and-" He suddenly steps back and you feel your heart sink, knowing that his rejection will hurt more than any wound ever could.
"It's okay, you don’t have to say it Gally, I'm sorry." You try to keep an unbothered tone but your face clearly paints every bit of heartbreak you feel. He freezes, apparently lost for words. He opens his mouth several times but nothing comes out, in a way it's worse, knowing the truth now. Yet his stare feels... different.
instead of pity and disdain, it's... familiar. It's... hunger.
Your heart stops as you realise. but you don't get even a moment to process. you watch as Gally runs a hand over his face before a sudden confidence overtakes him.
"Oh, shank it." He sighs, and then in a step, he reaches out, and pulls you in by your waist before smashing his lips into yours.
It's like an explosion of every stolen glance, every slight touch, every moment of built up feelings. You cant think, you can barely breathe. But oh... can you feel. You feel him in every swipe of your tongue against his. You feel his hands trail along your waist before one settles on the small of your back and the other on the back of your neck. He uses it to angle your head up, allowing him to further deepen the kiss with a groan.
Then in the blink of an eye, he rips himself away from you and strides over to his bed, before yet again sitting down on its edge. Though this time he dips his head down into his hands.
"I'm sorry, i'm so sorry Y/N," he whispers just loud enough for you to hear and you furrow you brows in confusion as you step towards him.
"I shouldn't have kissed you, I didn't even ask, and what's worse, I just... couldn't stop." He shakes his head and you reach out, using your fingers to tilt his head up to look at you. His shock is evident at your sudden confidence but as you stare at each other, your words come easy.
"If i didn't want it, i wouldn't have kissed you back." You stop and consider your next words carefully, yet as you do, you realise that for the first time there’s nothing holding you back.
"I love you Gally. I have loved you since you pulled me from the damned box and if you think for a second that I'm going to let you think differently then you're crazy. You're my everything, and I want this." You stop, letting your words sink in but it’s nothing compared to the shock on Gally’s face.
His stunned expression is unlike anything you've ever seen, and you almost step back to give him space but he suddenly speaks. "Do you want this?" He asks and his eyes flick from your eyes to your lips and then back again.
"Yes."
Your response is all the fuel he needs to continue. He pulls you down onto him, kissing you with a force that you gladly match. You fall into a rhythm and time seems to slow, he holds you close while you tangle your hands in his hair. You straddle him and it becomes evident how much physically bigger he is than you. He envelops you, but at the same time treats you like you're made of glass and could break at any second. That doesn't stop him from being ruthless at the same time though. In fact just as you begin to slow, he bites down on your bottom lip, causing you to yelp but in a moment of surprise, it only ignites the fire between you more and in response you trail your kisses down until his neck begins to form small yet possessive bruises. He shudders with each one, pulling you closer until there's physically no more space between you.
He pulls away for a moment, and just as you begin to ask what wrong, you see his eyes flick to your shirt, which is currently still buttoned. You wait for him to meet your eyes again, though you're fully aware of what he's going to ask.
"Y/N... would you let me-"
"Yes. Gally, I want this" you cut him off and he's clearly surprised. Though he's clearly more than happy about your answer.
With your consent, he wastes absolutely no time. In fact, it only takes him about twenty seconds before your shirt is being flung onto the floor. It's exhilarating, the feeling of knowing that he feels what you feel. Though as you straddle him, now in your bra, it’s clear that there’s no going back.
"Gally, I love you." You whisper and he breathes deeply, appearing to soak it in. Then just as you think he's not going to respond, he does.
"Damn it, I love you too, I love you so much that it hurts." Then with a yank, he pulls you down and kisses you, yet this time it’s different, it’s not just passion, it’s love. A total sacrifice to each other. One that both you are willing to make.
Then, with a whoosh and a bang, the door to Gally’s hut bursts open and chaos begins.
Your head snaps up to see Newt's eyes widen and his jaw drops, "HOLY FU-" he covers his eyes and appears to gag. "YOU AND GALLY ARE FU-"
"NEWT, GET OUT!" you yell at the top of your lungs, letting utter shock wash over you. Luckily, he wastes absolutely no time whatsoever and before you can blink he's bolted out the door leaving it wide open.
"I'm gonna kill that shank! I mean it this time as well, he's not gonna live to see another damn day." you huff as you untangle yourself from Gally,who appears to be lost for words. Though as you close the door and pull your shirt on, the strangest thing happens. Gally starts laughing.
You turn with a look of shock and annoyance but it only makes him snort.
"This is so not good Gally! You know that the slintheads probably told the whole glade by now. Just imagine what Alby will do to us!" You yell and throw your hands in the air, though finally, Gally stops laughing.
"I don't know, I think you'd suit the banished life." He drawls and you sigh, trying to hide your smile. "You're such a shank, you know."
***
It was no surprise to you or Gally that Newt managed to tell every glader; including Alby, that he had "walked in on Y/N and Gally, half naked, tangled up in bed and doing something he wished he could unsee."
Which to be fair, was not wrong, but you still screamed him into the ground for it anyway, and that turned out okay for you as well because your new boyfriend apparently thought it was extremely hot.
Alby however was a different story. He didn't seem surprised in the slightest, nor did he banish you or Gally, but what he said could possibly be worse. you practically turned bright red when he stated that Gally should probably install a lock on his door. That had Gally practically rolling on the floor in laughter.
The other Gladers were definitely more of a pain, especially when you and gally dared to kiss in front of them. Half of them cheered, others pretended to gag, Newt actually gagged and made for rather good entertainment.
Though the best moments were the quiet ones, where it was just you and Gally. Moments where you shared everything with each other. However you'll forever regret telling him what it was that truly had you so distracted the day of your accident.
you're entirely sure that the shank won't ever let it go.