Archive of Our Own ^omega

"If you want to talk to him, why don't you just do it?" her sister's voice startled her. Queenie had been quiet since they came back to the apartment, Jacob's departure too painful to be spoken of yet. Looking at the usually vivacious eyes, Tina couldn't help but notice that some of their brightness was missing that morning.

"I'm sure he wants to be alone," Tina answered, at last, looking down at her untouched cup of coffee.

Before long, she felt Queenie's soft presence peeking into her mind, questioning, trying to find what was concerning her. Tina didn't fight her: Sometimes not speaking was easier.

"Graves got him, I would like to check on him, see if he is alright. But I don't want to invade his personal space."

"C'mon Teen, he didn't mind when we were all there earlier."

No, he didn't seem to mind then. For the first time since Tina has met him, the man was at ease, comfortable, in his element. The case brought out a different side of him. Thinking of it, she couldn't help but shudder at the thought of what MACUSA might have done with it, feeling a new pang of guilt coursing through her.

"You wanted to help Teen, you wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose."

"But I'm responsible for almost destroying all of it," Tina said, remorseful "Plus getting him killed. I'm not sure he wants me around."

"I feel so sorry for what I did."

"I don’t think he holds any grudge against you," Queenie pointed. A little smile played on her lips before continuing "I would even go as far as saying he likes you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Queenie chuckled and shook her head, shooting her sister a knowing look.

Tina frowned, but didn't have the heart to scold her. Queenie had just smiled for the first time that morning.

"If making some fun of her older sister helps her cheer up, I'm more than willing to put up with it."

Queenie's expression softened. "I'll be fine Teenie. Really."

"I wish there was something I could do for you."

"I know Teen" she managed a tearful smile, turning to put her empty cup in the sink. She appeared to gain quick control over her emotions, for when she spoke again her voice had turned from sad, to playful "And I also know you're trying to change the subject. We were talking about you speaking to Newt, remember?"

"I was not trying to do anything." Tina protested "And I'm still not convinced it's a good idea."

"I tell you what we'll do," Queenie said, conspiratorial "I'll prepare a nice cup of tea, and you can take it downstairs. It's the perfect excuse to go see him and apologize."

Tina sighed, knowing Queenie was right: She should go.

"Alright."

                                                                                             -----------------------

With the cup of tea levitating by her side, Tina descended the narrow stairs into the case. The small shed was silent, the desk covered in papers, but some vials and bandages could be seen on top of them as if used in haste. Newt was nowhere to be seen.

The door leading to the habitats was slightly open.

"Mr. Scamander?" Tina called softly.

Assuming he was somewhere far from the shed, Tina didn't think looking for him outside on her own would be a very wise choice. She had been there just once, and she was not as familiar with the magical beasts as to feel safe. The only option was waiting for him.

Careful not to spill the tea on anything important, Tina placed the cup on the desk, over a few sketches. She recognized the little green creature on one of the pages: A bowltruckle, just like the one Newt carried in his pocket.

"Pickett," she remembered absentmindedly.

Her gaze landed on some more sketches decorating the wall over the desk. She couldn't recognize most of the creatures, but she quickly found a niffler, drawn in soft charcoal lines. The artist was quite skilled at capturing every detail in the paper. The beauty of the work made her want to take a closer look.

Tina was leaning over the desk when a noise coming from the door made her turn. Apart from the door now completely open, no one, human or creature, could be seen. But she could feel something watching her.

"Mr. Scamander?" she called again, voice a little shaky.

The wooden floor creaked. Now on full alert, Tina's hand went to her wand pocket, wondering if a protective spell would work. The last thing she needed at the moment was hurting one of the creatures.

Suddenly, she saw a flash of something dark running towards her. Tina retreated until her back hit the stairs, feeling something clinging to her right leg.

She stayed still, expecting to feel fangs or at least claws sinking into her skin. But to her surprise, the thing stuck to her ankle, tugging on her trouser hem.

Tina looked down and sighed in relief: It was just the niffler.

The creature seemed keen on having her attention, and Tina was taken aback by the fact that he wasn't scared of her.

"Mmm... Hi?" she said, still recovering from the fright.

Tina knelt on the floor slowly, leaning down to watch him from up close. Seeing his chance, the niffler climbed onto her lap and stretched his paws to reach for the locket hanging from her neck. The witch caught him just in time and took the paw off the piece gently. The creature's insistence made her laugh.

"You can't have this one," she smiled "I'm sorry, but I can't give it to you."

"Tina? What are you doing down here?"

Newt's voice made her jump. Tina made to stand up, but with the niffler on her lap, she just managed to stumble ungracefully and land back down on the floor. From there, he stared at the man standing in front of her, not knowing what to do with herself.

Newt didn't appear to be upset to find her in his territory. He just seemed surprised and a little curious. Tina was about to open her mouth and try to explain her presence there when Newt cut her short.

"Absolutely not."

It took her a few seconds to realize that he was not speaking to her, but the niffler. He caught it and lifted it from Tina's knees.

"You give it back right now," he ordered.

Tina watched in silence as the creature struggled to escape Newt's hands, but the man managed to take something away from the rebellious paws. Only when he gestured for her to take it did she notice it was a chain. Her hand went to her neck, shocked to find the locket was no longer there. The niffler must have taken advantage of her moment of confusion.

"I'm sorry. He is always causing trouble, you see."

Tina gave him a weak smile and stood up, her face red with embarrassment. She took the locket from his hand, cursing herself for being so clumsy. The niffler, still in Newt's arms, stretched his body trying to take it again. His huff of utter disappointment tore a quiet laugh from both of them.

When she took her eyes from the furry troublemaker, she found Newt staring at her. He immediately looked away, hiding again behind his fringe. Tina's gaze turned to the floor as well, uncomfortable.

"I just... I thought you would like some tea," she said in a rush, stepping back and gesturing to the cup.

"Oh...I," he stammered, awkward as ever "That sounds... lovely, thank you."

Leaving the niffler on the floor again, he approached the desk and took the cup.

"It's very kind of you," he added as if feeling he was not being agreeable enough. He was still avoiding her eyes when he took a sip of his tea.

"It's no trouble at all. Queenie prepared it." she noticed Pickett observing her from Newt's shirt pocket, as if trying to figure her out. It made her even more nervous.

"And I was also wondering if you are alright," Tina ventured again "Graves... Grindelwald... I don't know what spell he used on you, but we keep some healing potions and dittany in the apartment if you need anything..."

"Oh, it's nothing to worry about. Just some burns. I have the right ointment for that," leaving the cup aside, he took the vials on the desk and put them into one of the drawers "I keep myself quite stocked of that kind of thing. Some creatures can be a handful when they are scared or hurt, and I have taken a hit more than once."

"Of course, I should have realized. I'm glad it's not serious."

He gave her a half-smile, and keep tidying the shed. His bowtie was undone, his sleeves up; he was in his most relaxed state. Still, her presence made him uneasy somehow. Maybe the best thing to be done was apologizing and letting him be.

"Mr. Scamander, I..." Tina struggled, not knowing where to start "Well..."

His gaze turned to her, sensing her discomfort. "Is there anything else you wanna tell me?" He asked gently. This time, he even met her eye for a few seconds. He looked kind, and it gave Tina enough confidence to speak.

"Yes," she admitted "I would like... I wanted to apologize."

"What for?" Newt asked, clueless.

Tina looked down. Where to start? "I took you to MACUSA. You almost die because of me."

She felt Newt's eyes on her, dreading the few seconds of silence before he spoke again.

"It's alright," he answered softly "I know you meant no harm."

"No, of course I did not but..." she still didn’t dare meet his eyes "What I did almost get us both killed. And the case... All the creatures..." her voice broke.

And then she did look at him, eyes full of regret. "I didn't want to hurt them, I swear. I thought it was the right thing to do, so nobody else would get injured. Had I know you have all of this down here... It's beautiful, and I could have destroyed it. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Tina faced away from him, trying to calm down. She didn’t want to make a scene in front of him. She was being ridiculous.

Before she could run away, a careful hand was placed over her arm.

"Tina," something in the way he said her name made her look up. Now Newt was making eye contact with her "I know you did it with the best intention. And I know I was not exactly cooperative. I didn't tell you I had more creatures because I thought you wouldn't understand. I shouldn't have lied. Or omitted information. I'm sorry too."

Newt didn't blame her. He didn't hate her.

"You also saved my life," she murmured, keeping her eyes on his "Back at the execution cell. Even after what I did."

"I couldn't just leave you, you were there because of me after all."

"No, it was my fault we..."

"You arrested me as soon as I set a foot in New York," Newt interrupted "and they accused you of abetting me. I rather thought I was the one dragging you to your death. You were just doing what you thought was safest. I can understand that, I don't blame you Tina."

She knew he meant it, he looked sincere. And he kept calling her by her first name with such familiarity. She felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

"Thank you," she whispered, moved "For everything."

"There's nothing to thank me for." he offered her a quiet smile that she returned without thinking.

The next moment Tina heard a curious chirp and saw Pickett's small body moving from Newt's pocket to his shoulder.

"Hi Pick," he greeted.

Tina didn't understand the creature, but she could swear that he was telling Newt something about her, because all of the sudden he remembered his hand was still in her arm, and took it away, blushing.

Pickett moved across Newt's arm to get to the desk, and stepped on his sketch. From there, he started chirping again, trying to catch Tina's attention.

"I think he wants to show you his picture," Newt explained, amused "He is rather vain for a bowltruckle."

Tina smiled and came closer to the desk again. The creature watched her expectantly: It was clear he was waiting for her to give her opinion.

"It's a good likeness," Tina admitted, addressing Pickett. It was strange, but it seemed like the right thing to do "But if you ask me, I think you are much more handsome in person."

Pickett chirped happily, pleased by the compliment. Tina searched for Newt's face and found approval.

"You're going to brag about it with the others, don't you?" he sighed, addressing the bowltruckle in fond exasperation. Pickett's enthusiastic chirp sounded like an affirmation.

"Did you do these yourself?" Tina asked shyly, pointing at the sketches "I was watching them before the niffler found me."

"Ah... Yes. I usually... It's useful," he answered while Pickett climbed over his shoulder again "To study them."

"They are excellent. I don't know most of the creatures, but your sketches of the ones I've seen until now are very realistic."

The compliment was unexpected to him, judging by the way her words startled him. His ears turned a light shade of pink, and he murmured a quiet "Thanks"

"I learned some," she continued, eager to prove herself to him "I know the niffler, the occamy, the demiguise," Tina pointed at each sketch as she spoke "And what was the name of this one? With the nasty bite?"

"The murtlap."

"Right. And I also caught a glimpse of this one when I was here earlier," she added, pointing at a sketch that showed a creature with big eyes "Looks friendly. I don't think you mentioned it."

"That's a mooncalf," Newt explained "Mooncalves are friendly. They only emerge from their burrows at the full moon."

Tina observed how he didn't stutter or hide away this time. Intrigued, she decided to encourage him a little further.

"Do they?"

"Yes, mooncalves perform these very complex dances in isolated areas in the moonlight," he continued, shifting from shy to confident "They often leave geometric patterns on the fields. Muggles make up all kinds of crazy stories about it."

"How do you know all that?" Tina asked impressed.

"I learned by observation, during my trips. But I still haven't figured out what the dances mean," he sounded disappointed "I believe it could be a mating ritual, but I can't tell for sure."

"So, you found the mooncalf during your trip?"

"There are more of them here in the case. I could show you if you want."

Tina stared at him in surprise. Was he inviting her into the case?

"I mean... You don't have to," mistaking his expression, Newt immediately retreated, looking down "You must be tired, and not at all interested in..."

"No, I'd like to see them," Tina said quickly. Her own eagerness made her feel self-conscious. "That is, if I'm not interrupting you," she added in a calmer tone.

He blinked, her enthusiasm catching him unawares. But he looked pleased. "You wouldn't be interrupting at all. I still have some creatures to tend to, but I can do it on the way."

Tina’s face broke into a smile "I'd love to see the mooncalves, then."