Summary: The Gladers are playing Truth or Dare when Newt is dared to kiss Alby, which results in awkwardness and Newt realizes his true feelings for Alby.

Rated: T

Genre(s): Romance, Drama, Humor

Pairing(s): Newt/Alby, Ben/Gally

Warning(s): intense kissing, underage drinking

Once a week, every Friday, the Gladers would throw a big party. There would be music, dancing, and alcohol. Newt always looked forward to the parties (even though Gally's alcohol tasted terrible. He didn't go there for the drinks. He went there to be with his friends and have fun.

On a particular Friday, they were all gathered around the fire, without music in the background. "We should play Truth or Dare," Chuck suggested.

Minho laughed. "That's a girl's game."

Alby smirked. "Well, then that should be perfect for you, Minho."

People oooohed and Minho glared at Alby. "Fine, you shank. I'll play. Only a wimp would back out."

"Of a girl's game, you mean?" Alby said, grinning.

Everyone laughed, including Newt. "All right!" Minho snapped. "I'll be the first victim in your stupid game if you all slim it."

"Will you?" Alby said. "How interesting. Chuck, since it was your idea, you get to ask him."

Chuck grinned. "Thanks, Alby. Minho, truth or dare?"

Minho laughed. "Dare, I'm a man."

"Oooooh, Minho, you're not gonna like this one." Chuck giggled.

"Just lay it on me, all right, shank?" Minho narrowed his dark eyes at the younger boy.

"I dare you to try the hottest pepper that Frypan has," Chuck said.

There were gasps among the Gladers. Even Minho paled. Then he regained his composure and put on his trademark smirk. "Easy."

"Dude," Ben laughed as Gally clung to him, obviously drunk, and kissed Ben's neck. "That's gotta suck."

"I'm sure it's not that-" Minho started, then popped the pepper that Frypan had just given him into his mouth. Minho's face reddened and his eyes grew huge. "Hot! Hot! Need water!"

Everyone burst out laughing as Minho ran for water, grabbing the nearest cup he found and gulping it down. Then he realized that what was in the cup was most definitely not water, and everyone laughed even harder as he spit it out. Then he ran towards the kitchens for some actual water.

They played a couple more rounds, and then it was Newt's turn. "Newt, truth or dare?" Gally said.

"Uhm..." Newt had never been one to choose truth. "Dare."

Gally smirked. "I dare you to kiss Alby."

Stunned and humiliated, Newt turned to his best friend, who just shrugged like he was being asked what the bloody weather was. Newt envied Alby for being so calm. "But-" Newt spluttered.

"Newt," Alby said. "It's okay. You can kiss me."

Newt felt lightheaded, as if he was about to pass out. He crawled into Alby's lap, blushing when he felt Alby's arms wrap around his waist. "Don't make this harder than it already is, you shank," Newt snapped.

Alby grinned. "You can count on me," he said, and Newt leaned in and brushed his lips hesitantly against Alby's, and oh.

Oh.

Newt felt things he'd never experienced before, and if he had, he couldn't remember. But being so close to Alby felt nice, really nice, and his best friend's lips were so soft against his own. He pressed his lips more firmly against Alby's, his heart pounding quickly. Newt let his eyes close and he let himself get lost in the kiss as Alby pulled the blond against him. They fell backwards, Newt on top of Alby, oblivious to the whooping and cheering around them.

They broke the kiss and Newt sat up, blushing furiously. "I, um...that was nice," he told Alby, unsure of what else to say.

Alby was blushing, too, which didn't happen often. "Yeah, it was," he agreed.

Everyone was staring at them. "Uh, you know you could've just pecked him on the lips, right Newt?" Minho said.

The dark skinned boy had to hold Newt back from strangling Minho.

It was awkward seeing Alby after that. They didn't talk for days, except for Alby to give Newt orders, where Newt promptly blushed and nodded before going to fulfill his orders. Newt didn't talk to Minho, either. This was his fault, but the blond missed both of his best friends so much that it felt like there was an actual, physical ache in his heart. He knew he couldn't keep it up forever.

Alby stood beside Newt in the kitchens as they got their dinner one night. "Hey," he said to Newt.

Newt reddened. "Hey," he said, butterflies filling his stomach.

"Newt, if I did something to make you mad at me, would you tell me?" Alby asked.

"Why would I be mad at you?" Newt wondered. "The shank I'm mad at is Minho. You didn't do anything. It's just awkward."

Alby nodded. "Can we talk somewhere private, after dinner?"

This didn't help Newt's blush. "Sure," he agreed. He made himself smile, but he knew it probably looked more like a grimace as he headed over to where the Keepers and the two leaders - Newt and Alby - were sitting. Unfortunately, this meant he had to sit at the same table with Minho.

Newt became more nervous to talk to Alby as dinner passed. He didn't know why, though. He'd never acted like this around Alby before. He was nervous to sit next to Alby, as they always did because of their high positions in the Glade, and because they were best friends. After dinner, he followed Alby up to his best friend's room in the Homestead. Newt flushed, having only been in Alby's bedroom several times.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" asked Alby.

"I..." Newt started to lie, but he sighed. "Fine, I've been avoiding you. It's because of that bloody kiss."

Alby stared. "Did you like it?"

Newt flushed crimson. "No!" he exclaimed automatically, then sighed again. "Okay fine, yes. Sorry."

"I'm not," Alby said, and before Newt could process what was happening, Alby was kissing him. Once Newt got over his shock, he kissed back, wrapping his arms around Alby's waist. The kiss deepened and a low moan escaped Newt's lips.

"I love you," Newt blurted out after the kiss was over. And he knew he did. He loved Alby. That was why he had been so nervous at dinner when he hadn't before they'd kissed - he hadn't realized the feelings stirring inside him for his best friend until the kiss had helped him figure out how bloody oblivious he'd been. Newt made a mental note to himself to thank Minho, but that could wait until tomorrow. As for right now, well, he had more important things on his mind.

Alby smiled and hugged him. "I love you, too, you dumb shank."

AN: Hope you liked it! Review please? :) Updates soon