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The snot goblins I work with got me sick again, so I’m doing what I usually do when I’m ill - listening to Eddie Redmayne reading the FBAWTFT textbook to help me get some sleep. Fuck you-know-who, but Eddie and his voice bring me comfort and I bought it years before I swore off buying WW stuff. It’s just very soothing, can’t recommend his reading of the text enough - it’s like Newt is right there reading aloud, and hearing my fellow autistic hero read it makes me so happy ❤️
I still think what happened to Johnny was anything but fair, BUT Mikkelsen is a really good Grindelwald, he brings us a real psychopath on screen. Me and my friend agreed that he should have been cast as Grindelwald from the beginning. This doesn't make us appreciate Johhny Depp any less, as we still love him and can't wait for him to get his justice.
I loved the storyline, I did not feel the urge to even look at my phone, was afraid to go and pee.
I'm a huge Newtina stan, I love them and I feel bad that Katherine was put on the sideline but the movie was good even with her being barely on the screen. Can't wait to see how my fav couple will progress in the future. Let's write fanfictions y'all <3
I totally understand that some of y'all want to boycott bc of JKR, or the Depp case. But please, don't shame anyone who still went to the cinema to see it, bc if we concentrate on the other actors work in the movie it was totally worth it.
Part 6 of the they-think-Tina-was-injured-but-she’s-not series, featuring the Scamander children, though not in this installment. A lot of you were rather incensed at a certain missing scene, so here you have it. M, but not terribly graphic. This probably stands alone fine, but might make a bit more sense in context.
To read the rest of this series, see here for a03 or here for my tumblr masterpost. Or read this chapter itself on a03.
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“She’s still fast asleep,” Newt announces, quietly shutting their bedroom door. “The niffler’s tucked up under her arm. He’s fast asleep, too.”
Tina huffs a soft laugh as she walks to the doorway to greet him, the last of her bags from her several-month assignment unpacked and put away. Their thirteen-year-old had worn herself out trying to stay strong for her father, but at least Hanne’s resting now. “The clerk who wrote that note…” she adds warningly. Why read the thing a second time, and ensure it doesn’t give the mistaken impression of her being gravely injured rather than visiting an injured colleague, when you can give her husband a horrible fright instead? She scowls.
“It could’ve been true,” Newt reminds her softly.
She takes in his tired eyes, the half-vigilant set of his shoulders, even after knowing the day turned out alright. “I know.”
He catches her hand and tugs her closer, easing her against the wall inside their door for a kiss. The familiar push and pull of their lips, his warm hands cradling her neck, the muscles of his arms shifting as her palms slide from his elbows up to his shoulders, are a balm for the hectic day and months spent without his touch.
He rests his forehead on hers when they part.
“Mm,” she hums, “I missed that.” She lifts a hand to cradle his face, and he pulls back, leaning into the touch. A tear escapes his eye, and she wipes it away without comment, smiling when he turns to kiss her palm. “You look tired. Let’s go to bed, hm?”
Newt nods in agreement, his fingers threading through hers as they walk toward the washroom to change.
—&—
Tina startles awake with her arms already tense. Her fingers close around her wand as she studies the darkened room, impatient for her eyes to adjust.
She’s a little chilled, as she has been at night for months in Austria, but as she wakes, other aspects of her situation do not add up. The mattress, for one, is extraordinarily comfortable, and then there are the familiar, lingering smells of earth and grass; ink and leather; linen and herbs. The room falls into dim focus, and from here she can see the writing desk with its haphazard stacks of papers; the sitting chair where she and Newt used to take turns soothing the children back to sleep when they were small; the curtains with their mended edges where an overeager claw had caught them.
Right, of course. Home. She pulls the blankets back up around her shoulders to stave off the cold, pressing back into Newt’s warmth.
A warm hand settles on her hip. “You alright?” he asks groggily.
“Fine. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t.”
She turns over to face him, straining to see in the moon’s half-light. His eyes are wide open, fixed on hers, his lips pressed tightly together, his face at once tense and worn. “Newt,” she whispers.
‘“Don’t dawdle, Mr. Scamander.” She called as she scooped up Teddy who had been her shadow all morning. “I’m not promising to save you any food if you take ten years to get upstairs.”
“I’ll be up there before you know it, love.”’
Note: so this one is around 5k words. Again I know it’s long, I got going and couldn’t stop. I hope you’ve been enjoying everything so far. This has become my outlet for what I hope is to come if we don’t a lot of Tina in the movie. The language gets a little more colorful in this one. Thanks everyone for reading and enjoy! As always I sadly do not own these characters.
“Should we wake them?” And Tina heard a voice ask. She cuddled in closer to Newt when she heard it. Who wants to wake her up? They were comfortable and this is probably the most sleep either of them had gotten in a while. Why can’t they just leave them alone?
“No, no. Trust me, Lally, they’ve earned this sleep.” As soon as she heard those words and that voice Tina’s eyes shot open. She turned out of her cocoon of warmth with Newt to look at the people standing several paces away on the stairs. Tina heard Newt give a little noise of protest in his sleep, but it was too late for her to be pulled back. She had found her target and jumped out of the makeshift bed.
“Jacob!” Tina yelled as she went and pulled the man into a hug. She could feel Jacob stiffen for a moment before he laughed and returned the hug.
“Hi, Tina.” She heard him say, but she had already pulled back to check him over. While he may have been present yesterday, Tina had only one focus then: Newt. She hadn’t even really spoken to Lally yet. But seeing Jacob Kowalski in the flesh for the first time in years was a true sight for sore eyes. Tina smiled and hugged him tightly again.
“It’s so good to see you.” When she pulled back this time, she slapped him upside the head.
“Ow! What was that for?!” Jacob asked as he rubbed the back of his head. Before she had the chance to respond a sleepy voice rose up behind them.
“It’s how she shows affection when you’ve done something stupid, Jacob. I can’t seem to get her to let that habit go.” Newt said with a small smirk as he stretched out of bed, picking up Teddy and Pickett along the way. Dougal lumbered over to him and demanded to be picked as well which Newt happily obliged him.
“When you and your brothers stop doing stupid, reckless things, I’ll stop with my harmless slaps.” Tina took Teddy out of Newt’s arms as he sidled up beside her.
“OUR brothers, love. Our. I’m not being the sole one responsible for our siblings whether biological or adopted or related through marriage and myself. That seems like too much.” Newt gave her a crooked grin as he quickly pecked her lips. He then smiled at both Jacob and Lally before moving to start gathering feed and supplies for morning rounds.
“Hey Newt, you want some help?” Jacob called as he gave Tina a shit eating grin.
“Sure, Jacob. Tina, love, can you and Lally check on everyone up top?” Newt asked gesturing up to the top of the menagerie.
“Of course, dear.” Tina called as she’d linked an arm in Lally’s and started guiding her upstairs.
“Don’t think I haven’t noticed the ring, Goldstein.” Lally whispered, a smile evident in her voice. Tina turned to her with a grin.
“What ring, Lal?”
“Teen, if you think playing dumb as you twiddle with what is clearly an engagement ring that was not there yesterday is cute let me tell you it is not.” Tina laughed as they began to check in on the augurey.
“Sooo Newt.” Jacob started as he grabbed the occamies food.
“Yes, Jacob?” Newt asked as he sliced up meat for his carnivorous charges. Jacob couldn’t help but notice there was a certain spring in Newt’s step and movement that hadn’t been there in the past few weeks. Jacob smiled to himself knowing it had everything to do with the American Auror a few staircases away.
“Brothers? Do you have more than just Theseus or-“
“It’s just Theseus and I, Jacob. I believe though that Tina was referring to you in the case of ‘brothers’ just now.” Jacob looked up at Newt a little stunned as they walked into a jungle like habitat that was some to many creatures. “Oh don’t be surprised, Jacob. I hugged you the moment you landed in the train. A welcome not even Theseus gets all that often. And I know that you kept in contact with Tina for a while after Paris. Whether you like it or not, you are apart of this crazy little family.” Newt called with a smile as he continued further into the jungle. A few fwoopers came and greeted him, welcoming Newt home. Newt heard Jacob stop to feed the occamies, talking to them as if he had never left at all. It caused a surge of warmth to go through Newt. To have his friend back here amongst the creatures was the only good thing to come out of this whole mission. Well that and finally getting to be in the same place as Tina again. That’s all Newt had wanted for a while, to be near her, to see her when he woke up in the morning, to have her help with the creatures she had grown to love as much as him. When he had asked her to marry him last night, it was spur of the moment. Not at all what he had planned. He’d planned to do it on Christmas, but she said she’d be ready to say yes anytime, anywhere. Newt realized in that moment that he had been scared. Scared she’d say no. Scared he’d lose the ring or forget his speech. And well when Tina’s involved he usually loses most thoughts in his head anyway. Newt realized as he moved to go feed the graphorns in the next habitat that he had a stupid grin on his face, and no matter how much he might try it wasn’t going away. Jacob must have noticed too because the next time he was in ear shot, Newt heard Jacob call to him.
“Newt? What’s with the grin?” Newt turned to his friend, the grin growing wider.
“Oh nothing, Jacob. Just got some good news last night.”
“You didn’t!” Jacob realized it much quicker than Newt thought he would. Newt didn’t say a word as Jacob got going. “I knew that ring hadn’t been there yesterday! When did you ask her? How did you ask her?!” Jacob was coming over with a smile and patted Newt on the back.
“I asked her as we went to bed. Nothing elaborate just a simple ‘will you marry me?’” Newt explained, thinking of the memory from not even 12 hours ago.
“You two and your simplicity.” Jacob said as he pulled Newt into a hug. “Congratulations, buddy! I’m happy for you!” Newt gave him an awkward hug back, still smiling hugely.
“Thank you, Jacob. Now if you wouldn’t mind to keep this news to yourself. Tina and I haven’t discussed how we are going to tell everyone and-“
“There’s a certain member of the crew you want to be sensitive about?” Jacob gave him a knowing look as he picked Dougal who had just reappeared.
“Yes. Well it’s-“
“Newt, if she hasn’t caught onto you and Tina literally being made for each other then maybe subtlety isn’t working.” Jacob said as Newt flared red and headed up to the kelpie lake. Before Jacob could try and pry a response from him, however, Newt dove into the lake. “NEWT!“ Jacob yelled causing a commotion a floor above.
“IS HE OKAY?!” Tina cried as she and Lally looked over the rail at Jacob.
“He just jumped in the-“ Jacob couldn’t even finish his thought as the lake rose and splashed him. “Lake.” Jacob mumbled causing Tina and Lally to laugh.
“Oh Jacob, he does quite a bit. It helps the Kelpie. Grab that bucket of meat and come up here.” Jacob did as Tina asked, grumbling about his best friend’s inability to talk about his feelings for more than two seconds.
“Congratulations, by the way.” Jacob said to Tina as he arrived on the landing. When Tina turned to him confused, Jacob nodded at the ring she now wore. “I can’t think of two people who deserve happiness more.”
“I concur.” Lally said with a smile. Tina just shyly grinned as she took the bucket over to the side of the now risen lake as Newt approached with the kelpie.
“Newt.” Tina said in a slightly amused voice.
“Yes, darling?” Newt said as he examined a new nick on the creatures neck.
“Please don’t run away from Jacob by jumping in the lake again. I think you gave him a small heart attack.” She said suppressing a grin as she feed the kelpie breakfast.
“I didnt-“
“Oh but you did!” Jacob called at the couple, giving Newt a mock stern look. “One minute we are discussing why we have to be quiet about your engagement, the next you sprint head first into a lake I didn’t know existed!” Newt gave a sheepish look of apology to Jacob as he began applying ointment to the small wound on the kelpie.
“Wait we have to keep quiet about the engagement?” Lally asked incredulously. “I have a bet to win with Tolliver! I can’t not rub it in his face. Tina? Come on!”
Tina looked over at Newt. He gave her a meaningful look, begging her to explain. And she would, regardless of if she agreed with this dumb idea. It was to save someone’s feelings who should have recognized years ago Newt enjoyed her company as a friend, not in a romantic way.
“We’ll keep it close to the chest for now. We don’t need it broadcasted all over in case Queenie or Grindelwald-“
“No! Do not use those two as an excuse for us not celebrating!” Lally cut her off with the same determination Tina recognized from school. “If you want to wait so you can tell Theseus when he wakes up, I’ll support that. Hell even if you don’t want to tell Achilles because he’ll be a world class douche about saying ‘I told you it would happen this year, Tina,’ I get that too. But this is not mainly about this godforsaken war. You know it, I know it. So cut the bullshit and give me the actual reason.” Lally looked between them in repressed anger. Tina knew what was lurking unsaid. She knew Lally saw this as a cope out for them to not go threw with a wedding if they were scared to tell anyone. Lally liked Newt and loved Tina, but Tina knew Lally was remembering the lonely girl stood up time and again for dates at Ilvermorny. She knew Lally didn’t want that to happen again.
“It’s about Bunty.” Tina sighed. Newt gave her a pained look.
“What about Bunty?” Lally seethed.
“She’s had s thing for Newt for years, Lal. And before you tear into him, we thought it was better. That she had moved on.”
“She hasn’t.” Jacob chimed in with a dead serious face. Jacob who hadn’t been around in years recognized this in days when it had taken Newt years and Theseus and Tina’s griping to figure it out.
“I can’t fire her, Tina.” Newt said gruffly as he ignored everyone and moved down towards Teddy’s cave.
“I’m not asking you to, Newt.” Tina let out in exasperation. This same old argument was getting just that: old. “I’m asking you to stop making decisions based on her feelings. If she can’t accept that we are engaged to be married,” Tina emphasized with a point to her left ring finger. “A question I will remind you that you asked me, then maybe she doesn’t need to be here and isn’t a beneficial presence to the creatures or you anymore.” The look she gave him could kill. Newt knew she was right. That if Bunty couldn’t respect his relationship with Tina then maybe it was time to let her go. But they wouldn’t know unless they told her.
“You’re right.” Newt let out as he leaned against his work bench next to the niffler den.
“I know I’m right.” Tina claimed as she stood in front of him with her arms across her chest. “We don’t have to tell her today, but I’m not hiding this from our friends, Theseus, or your mother.” Newt nodded his agreement to that and approached placing his hands on Tina’s shoulders.
“I’ll handle it.” Before Tina could reply to him a voice called from the entrance to the basement causing tension to return to her shoulders.
“Newt?” Bunty was walking down the stairs before anyone could respond. “Newt is everyone alright? I saw an untouched breakfast upstairs and-“
“Oh yeah! We came down to get you two for breakfast!” Jacob said without thinking. Bunty approached the landing that Jacob and Lally still stood on apprehensively.
“Two? Who’s here- Oh Ms. Goldstein what a lovely surprise!” Bunty smiled. Tina could tell it was slightly forced. She and Bunty had been on decent terms before Tina was forced to stay in the States extendedly. Theseus had wrote her with a word of warning regarding Newt’s assistant several weeks ago. Her soon to be brother-in-law advised that while Bunty wasn’t throwing herself at Newt, she had gone back to staying at work much too late. If Tina didn’t know Newt as well as she does and trust him whole heartedly, she’d be worried. She’d been through not trusting him once before and it had cost her time with him. Tina didn’t plan to lose anymore time with Newt than she already had.
She politely waved at Bunty, gathering her thoughts as she responded. “Hello, Bunty. How are you?” Tina smiled at woman, who just shrugged.
“I’ve been better. Has there been any word on Mr. Scamander?” Bunty quickly looked back at Newt. Tina gritted her teeth at the mention of Theseus. She still hadn’t gotten it out of Newt or Lally what happened yesterday. All she knew was that Theseus had taken a hit and had stayed down. Tina suspected it was the Cruciatus curse, but given no one wanted to talk about what happened her guess remained just that a guess.
“Not yet.” Newt replied as he pull Tina to him and kissed her forehead. “Go upstairs with Jacob and Lally. I’ll talk to her about the engagement. And the impending move.” He whispered in her ear.
“I forgot about the move.” She whispered back.
“I figured as much.” He gave her a devilish grin before shoving her towards Lally. “Why don’t you three warm up that breakfast and Bunty and I will be up to eat soon?“
“Oh know I’ve already eaten,” Bunty said as she descended the stairs to her desk in the corner.
“Of course she had.” Tina grunted to herself as she came to stand beside Jacob and Lally. “Don’t dawdle, Mr. Scamander.” She called as she scooped up Teddy who had been her shadow all morning. “I’m not promising to save you any food if you take ten years to get upstairs.”
“I’ll be up there before you know it, love.” Newt crowed with his handsome smile still on his face. Tina rolled her eyes as she climbed only to hear him call you at her, “And, Tina, unpack your case in my room. It’s yours for as long as you need it.”
Tina turned in the basement doorway to look down at him. Newt was standing there with his hands in his pockets as if he hadn’t just told her they’d be sharing a room while she’s here. “I’ll unpack when you unpack.” Tina turned on her heel before he could respond. She had sent her case here last night while they were still at St. Mungo’s. It sat waiting for her in the living room. Not that there was that much in it. She left enough clothes in the wardrobe here that she would be fine. Everything in her suitcase was toiletries and a couple spare clothes she kept at the office in case she gets called out on a mission. But her point stood. When he decided to sleep in an actual bed and not in the basement, she would unpack. Tina could feel the stares on her as she moved into the small living room of Newt’s town home. “Ask what you want to ask, Lally. Or I’m going to start interrogating you on your thoughts about Theseus.” She saw Lally blush before she cast a warming charm over the breakfast on the kitchen table.
“Well if we’re playing dirty.” Lally said as she sat on the couch. “Explain to me why you haven’t punched that woman yet?” Lally quipped.
Tina groaned as she sank into her designated armchair with Teddy. She scratched his head as he purred lightly. “Because I actually like Bunty. She’s a nice woman and is great with the creatures. She just happens to be-“
“In love with Newt, Teen. She’s quite literally in love with him.” Jacob voiced as he too came into the living room and sat in the other armchair across from Tina.
“I know, I know. And believe me I’ve made my displeasure regarding that situation known. But, Jacob, you know how Newt is. He doesn’t make friends easily and he doesn’t trust most people to properly care for his creatures. Bunty really has been a good friend to him despite the whole being attracted to him.”
Lally raised an eyebrow at Tina then. “And you’re telling me that’s a good enough reason for her to be here as late as she supposedly has been?”
“No it’s not. I never said it was. I just- I’m not going to ask him to give up a friendship he has because she can make me uncomfortable. I know Newt. I know he loves me. I’m not concerned he’ll cheat or leave me. And if he needs someone to talk to that understands his creature babble without him having to explain it sometimes than I would be a shitty fiancée to deprive him of that.” Tina stated calmly. Before Lally could play devil’s advocate again, Tina continued. “He knows what to watch for now. And he’s a little more assertive if/when she crosses a line. He’s not rude, that wouldn’t be Newt. But he does say something more forcefully about her needing to go home at the appropriate time or something like that.” Both Jacob and Lally nodded in understanding. Jacob had a small smile blooming on his face. “What’s that smile about?”
“Just you two. Making it work. I remember when we all first met and you despised him.”
“I didn’t despise him. I was just frustrated at him breaking the law.” Tina stated clearly. A wry grin making its way in her face.
“Sure that’s what was going on.” Jacob have her a knowing look. “When did you go from frustration to realizing you liked his company no matter how crazy?”
Tina thought through those two weeks he was in New York. The world wind that is was. She never regretted her decision to continue following the Second Salemers. Especially after the bank incident. “When he was interrogated and instead just letting Graves or well Grindelwald disguised as Graves sentence me to death Newt argued with him. Said that I wasn’t involved, had tried to turn him in. He didn’t let me die. For numerous reasons I’m sure, but Newt saved me that day and I’ll never forget it.” She had a dopey smile on her face. She knew she did. Then without meaning to she kept going. “Then when we were in the cells and he spoke about that little girl he couldn’t save and I realized that’s all he wanted to do. Was help people, help those creatures he saved. He did the same thing when he tried to save Credence the first time. He laid his heart and life on the line for someone he didn’t know. And I well-“ Tina cut her self off with a blush, but Jacob was giving her a knowing smile.
“You know I can’t get over that fact that ‘salamander eyes’ worked on you, Tina.” Jacob commented with a laugh.
“Wait what?” Lally asked as she too laughed.
“Hey! Leave him alone on that one!” Tina glared at her two friends as they both continued to laugh. Before anyone could say anything else a yell came from the basement.
“YOU’RE WHAT?!”
“I see he told her you’re engaged.” Lally said with a small smirk. Tina wondered what Bunty had done to have an already intense dislike from Lally. Jacob just tried to hide down in his chair. Anyone could tell he was praying Bunty didn’t come up here to yell at Tina where he would be caught in the crossfire.
“Well either it’s the engagement or he mentioned that he plans to move to the States when we settle down.” Tina commented without thinking. She realized too late the bomb she had just dropped on the two other Americans.
“HE’S MOVING WHERE?!” Lally demanded in excitement as Jacob stood up to go yell into the basement.
“NEWT YOU SON OF A BITCH I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU DIDN’T TELL ME.”
Newt was out of the basement with an agitated Bunty before Jacob had even sat back down. Newt looked between the three Americans in confusion.
“I didn’t tell you what?” Newt asked.
“You’re moving?!” Jacob all but screamed.
“Oh yes, well. I’ll be doing that as soon as I get the go ahead from MACUSA and the Ministry. I think I’m almost through all the bureaucratic hoops, but-“ before Newt could continue Jacob had him in a tight hug. Newt was smiling as he returned it.
“This is so amazing. You can finally see the bakery! You helped fund it, it’s only right you get to visit! And we can go to the Central Park Zoo and not be chased by that Erumpent of yours and-“
“Will I be able to spend time with my fiancé or will you be monopolizing his time Kowalski?” Tina asked amused.
“Oh I’m sorry, Goldstein. I was under the impression I was family so it’s only right he and I explore together. And of course you’ll be invited on occasion. When it’s not a guys night of course.”
“Dear Merlin, do not let Achilles near this one, Teen. They’d be more unbearable than they already are.” Lally groaned from her spot on the couch.
“Achilles? Tolliver? That guy you dated, Tina?” Jacob looked like he was trying to put the puzzle together.
“We’ve been friends since school, Jacob. And we’ve worked out of the awkwardness from that brief dating stint. He’s actually quite fond of Newt.” Tina said as she set Teddy down and moved to go eat breakfast.
“And we all thank every thing good and holy everyday you and Achilles didn’t work out.” Lally added as she came to sit at the table as well. Slowly everyone else came to join them. Newt sat at Tina’s right, resting his left arm around her shoulders. Jacob sat at the end of the table next to Newt and Lally sat at the other end next to Tina. Bunty stood awkwardly in the doorway to the basement before finally sitting in an open seat across from Newt.
“Why was everyone thankful she and Achilles didn’t work out?” Bunty asked in a small voice. Lally and Tina looked at each other before busting out laughing. Bunty looked up in shock and was stammering an apology before being stopped by Tina.
“Oh no, Bunty! You didn’t ask anything in appropriate. It’s just funny. In school I hated Achilles most of the time even if we were friends. He’s always been too arrogant for me. He’s a good, loyal friend, but well he was sorted into Wampus at Ilvermorny. And that entire house is full of arrogant macho types.”
“As opposed to the arrogant hero types of Thunderbird, Teen?” Lally asked Tina skeptically as she dug into her breakfast.
“Now listen here, member of the esteemed Horned Serpent. We are not arrogant. We are confident.” Tina pointed a fork at her friend.
“Especially in the Quodpot finals even when you were favored to lose.” Lally muttered.
“And yet I remember scoring the winning point.” Tina rebutted as she returned to the explanation to Bunty. “Anyway, Achilles and I were constantly at each other’s throats in school. Then we didn’t really talk that much for a while. He was too busy doing country wide field work for the Auror department and I was in New York. When he was relocated permanently to New York, I had already met Newt. He kept trying to convince me to go to dinner ‘for old times sake’ and when I refused he’d just keep going and be obnoxious in the bullpen it was very annoying.”
“I’ve never been annoying in my life, Boss.” Crowed Achilles Tolliver as he strode into the house.
“Agree to disagree.” Lally commented in Tina’s place.
“Eulalie Hicks, my love, my life, how are you, dear?” Achilles asked with a smirking taking the open seat across from Tina.
“Still not interested in you. So amazing.”
“You wound me, Lally. Very deeply.”
“Good.” Lally punctuated that by placing the last bit of a croissant in her mouth.
“Achilles, always a pleasure!” Newt said enthusiastically as he reached across the table to shake Achilles’s hand. Tina and Lally rolled their eyes at that.
“Newt! Buddy! It’s great to see you! I was going to give you a hug on sight yesterday, but someone beat me to it.” A pointed glare was directed her way. Tina just rolled her eyes again before responding.
“I outrank you, Tolliver.”
“I called dibs on the first hug.”
“Well now, love, if he called dibs that hug was his.” Newt said playfully and squeezed Tina’s shoulders. She glared at him before she heard Achilles introducing himself to Jacob.
“And you must be the famous Jacob Kowalski! Achilles Tolliver. It’s so nice to finally meet you!” Tolliver stuck is hand out to Jacob. Jacob looked skeptical, not sure what would happen if he confirmed he was the rogue American no-maj who knew of the wizarding world. Sensing Jacob’s discomfort, Achilles continued. “I promise I’m not going to obliviate you. For many reasons, but number one being I like my balls being attached to my body and I know Tina would rip them off if I turned you in.”
“You’d be dead before they apparated away with him.” It wasn’t Tina who spoke. It was Newt. Tina looked at him in slight surprise. Achilles, Bunty, and Lally also seemed shocked. Jacob looked touched. “He’s family. I’d have no regrets.”
“Neither would I.” Tina said squeezing Newt’s leg under the table.
“Forgot how violent you both were.” Achilles commented as he reached for a croissant. Lally slapped his hand away and the two entered a mock stare down. “Sooo Lally, I hear you were partnered up with Theseus Scamander. How was that? Did he live up to your-“ Achilles was cut off as Lally cast a paralyzing charm.
“If you’d like to be able to keep your favorite parts of your anatomy, I’d shut up.” When she released him from the charm, Achilles didn’t back down.
“Expectations? Did he? Please do the spell again. The more you avoid the question you know it means the more I’m going to ask.”
“Expectations?” Newt looked down at Lally in confusion. “You have expectations about my brother?”
“Not expectations per say,” Lally started. “More like-“
“Dreams about him, hoping he’d notice you?” Achilles asked in a light tone with a smug grin. Lally threw a napkin at him before turning to look at Newt.
“Look I know it’s weird, but he’s a war hero and-“ Newt started chuckling at Lally’s embarrassment.
“Lally, you don’t need to explain yourself to me. Most woman introduce themselves to me by asking if my brother really is Theseus Scamander and if he’s single.”
“And what do you say?” Lally looked slightly hopeful.
“Well I verify I’m his brother and then I walk away. However, as you’re a friend I will tell you he is single. Still blames himself for Leta.” There was a brief silence that took the room at the mention of Leta Lestrange. Tina reached up and squeezed Newt’s hand that was wrapped on he chair. He cleared his throat and began to speak again. “But as Mum and I have been telling him, Leta wouldn’t want him to mope about forever. And he seemed to take a liking to you these past few days.” Newt gave her an encouraging smile. “I’ll see what I can figure out from him once he wakes up.” That seemed to remind Newt that he needed to get to the hospital and he quickly rose from his seat. “Speaking of I should-“
“Um Newt, actually can you hold on for a minute.” Achilles looked apologetic for keeping Newt. “I’m not just here to harass my favorite classmates, I actually have bad news for Tina.” Tina knew the look in Achilles’s eyes. Knew what he was about to say before he said it.
“No. Tell them I’m taking a leave of absence.”
“Tina you know how Graves has been since he’s been back from captivity. He’s not going to like his Head Auror staying behind in Europe as war erupts in both the No-Maj and Wizarding worlds.” Achilles looked at her with pleading eyes.
“Remind then my brother-in-law is in a coma.”
“As you pointed out yesterday, Teen, he’s not your brother-in-law.”
“What about soon to be brother-in-law?” Newt asked quietly from where he stood.
“Well we could make an argument for that, but that would require you two to be- NO! You did it?” Achilles exclaimed as he looked at Tina’s left hand, finally seeing the ring there. “When?”
“Last night.” Tina and Newt said together. Achilles looked between them.
“I’ll tell Graves you need personal time to be with your family. He won’t argue.”
“Yes he will. But I appreciate the offer. I’ll go talk to him. Is he at the Ministry?” Achilles nodded at Tina as she rose. Everyone looked at her. She looked down to realize she had never changed yesterday. She turned to Newt then. “Do I still have an-“
“All your clothes you left are in my wardrobe. There was at least one that you could wear to the Ministry.” Newt answered for her. He turned to head towards the door as she walked to the small set of stairs that led to the bedrooms and bathroom. “I’m going to head to Mungo’s and let Mum run home to-“
“Newt, you need to change and shower.”
“Tina, I’m fi-“
“You only changed clothes yesterday because you went and took care of your mother’s ‘Griffs. We took of the creatures last night and this morning, you need to change. Come on.” Tina pulled him to the stairs much to the amusement of most people still at their table. “I highly suggest you all find something to do or at least gossip in the basement. Tolliver, we leave for the Ministry in 15 minutes. Get your gossip out now!” The couple heard chairs scrapping the floor as they walked upstairs. “How did Bunty take it?”
“News of the engagement was better than I expected. She looked slightly sad, but was still genuinely happy for us. The news regarding moving is what caused her to yell.” Tina nodded at Newt as they entered his bedroom. Tina had been in here a hand full of time before. Most of them at his insistence that she use his room due to too many people using the townhouse as a way station and him not wanting to prevent her from sleeping if they shared the cot in the basement. The room was still as she remembered it though. A simple bed in the middle of the far wall, a wardrobe on the same all was the door. A chest of drawers was situated next to a desk on the left wall while the right wall held the door to his small en-suite bathroom. As she entered the room she noticed the picture on his desk had been updated.
“Where’s the picture from the paper?” Tina asked as Newt headed for the wardrobe to get them both fresh clothing.
“Oh well Mum had an extra photo of us with Dad and since I had updated the photo in the case I figured this was the next place to put it. Is that alright?” Newt looked at her with slight concern that he had messed up. She smiled at him and nodded.
“No it’s fine, just not photo I was expecting. I’ve grown quite fond of you carrying the other one.”
“Don’t worry I still have it.” Newt winked as he opened his wardrobe wider to show the picture and article about her being reinstated. “You think I’d part with it after 8 years together?” Newt smiled as he walked over to her and leaned down for a kiss.
“Never.” Tina replied as she leaned up. “And as much as I would love to take time show you how much I love that you’ve kept that, we need to both quickly shower and change.”
“I rinsed off in the lake, Ti-“
“You smell like lake water. You’re going to shower before you go to St. Mungo’s.” Tina stated as she quickly went into the bathroom to shower as quickly as possible.
“I don’t even get to shower first?” Newt asked as Tina turned on the water.
“No. Welcome to what our marriage will be like, Mr. Scamander.” Unknown to Tina, Newt was grinning like a mad man in his bedroom as he waited.
Inspired by this anon, sorry Clo but I stole this one from you. You can still do your Mernick idea but this one is mine now! This will NOT be getting a pt. 2.
“Nick, you’re a great guy, and I have enjoyed our time together – really. But-“ Meredith stood bashfully in front of her soon-to-be ex, in the middle of the airport, about to head back to Seattle. Nick ran his hand through his hair, and finally looked Meredith in the eye, cutting her off.
“But you’re still in love with the other guy.” He could barely hear her whisper he has a name before he saw her nod. “It’s cool, I mean, I can’t say I’m not disappointed – but you deserve to be happy. And if he’s who makes you happy, and what you want, then it’s cool.” He smiled sadly at her, and a pang went through her heart, knowing she was leaving him. But it was for the best. The entire time she was with him, all she could think about was Hayes. And it felt unfair to Nick to continue seeing him when she could only think about someone else.
“I’m sorry, and thank you. You deserve to be happy too.” Meredith squeezed Nick’s hand, and said a quick, soft goodbye before heading to her boarding gate.
-----------
By the time Meredith got back to Seattle, her only mission was to find Hayes and ask him out on a proper date. She didn’t want to waste time anymore.
MG: You around?
…
CH: Almost off shift. Why?
MG: Can you meet me at my parking spot when you get off? It’s important.
CH: Sure, be there in 15.
------------
Hayes had no idea what on earth Meredith could need or want so late at night, and he was surprised that she’d texted him so quickly when he knew she’d just got off her plane. He figured she’d want to head straight home to her kids.
“Hey – what’s going on?” Meredith heard Hayes call out from behind her, and she felt like her heart was about to beat out of her chest. She quickly spun around and smiled at him.
“Go out with me. On a date. A proper one.” She said as soon as he approached her. “Woah, wait – what?”
“I want to give us another chance, a real, earnest chance.” Meredith said to him, making direct eye contact with the man.
A second goes by, a surprised look on his face, no response. He thinks it over in his head.
This is the one thing he’d been waiting for her to ask him for so long – for timing to finally be on their side. For them to finally be together, with nothing in their way. And he’d have said yes with no hesitation if he didn’t know about who she’d just been with.
“I’m sorry, Grey. I can’t.” He said, diverting his eyes from hers. And now the surprised look found itself on her face.
“What, why? I thought you said Austin was doing better?”
“It’s not because of Austin. I… Grey, I heard about the guy from Minnesota.” Meredith’s eyes went wide. She hadn’t told him about Nick. “Wait – how?”
“Overheard Shepherd talking to Pierce about it.” She could feel his eyes piercing into her, and yet somehow, she couldn’t look away.
“Hayes, I’m-“
“Don’t. I don’t know what happened, and why you’re here now, and frankly I don’t want to know. But I do want to know why you didn’t tell me you were seeing this guy in the first place, yourself – why I had to overhear it accidentally from your sister. Why I’m always the fallback. I can’t go on a date with you because I need to stop letting you treat me like the second choice, the person you go to when things go wrong in another relationship. I am perfectly content just being your friend, and I will never regret having you in my life. But I need to respect myself enough to remove myself from a situation where I’m not a first choice. I’m sorry Grey – but I can’t do this anymore.” Meredith was speechless. His stoic stance and facial expressions showed no remorse. She had really screwed up.
“I’m sure the Minnesota guy is great, and I hope you can go back to him and live happily ever after. But I need to just be in your life as a friend right now. I need to know that I’m not just a fallback. Abby wouldn’t want that for me – I don’t want that for me.”
“Hayes – you’re not a fallback. You’re not a second choice.” Meredith said, tears threatening to fall, an intense desperation behind her voice. No man had made her feel the way he did, and she hated that she made him feel like she only wanted him when someone else didn’t.
“Then prove it. But don’t be surprised if I move on. All Abby wanted for me was to be happy.” And with that, he walked away from Meredith, over to his car and drove away, leaving her standing alone, filled with immense regret and shame over how badly she screwed things up with him.
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