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The night was cold from the English breeze in the capital. Newt had returned from New York a couple of months ago, after capturing Grindelwald and helping his friends as much as he could. His book was almost finished; he just needed to add the final touches. Then, as he promised, he would send it to Queenie. Rain loomed faintly, smearing the sky.
“Wonderful,” Newt muttered. He clenched his coat and suitcase as the rain was going in every direction with the help of the wind.
The sound of an umbrella opening was heard from Newt's back. “Mister Scamander, did I not tell you to bring an umbrella?” A voice asked teasingly.
That voice belonged to his first-ever and probably last, too, assistant. The Ministry had even sent him off with an apology, even if Newt didn’t particularly agree or ask. Newt turned around to look at him, only to be met with his captivating eyes. It was something Newt hadn’t heard or seen before until he met the man. His eyes had a different colour from the other: his right eye was a hazel brown colour, while his left eye was a forest green colour. Newt couldn't help but admire his eyes, despite knowing each other for only several months.
The man was as tall as him with a more muscular build. He had a moustache too, which oddly suited him. This time, he was wearing a dark, oily green which complemented both of his eyes. “You know, mister, staring is rude,” his assistant said, snapping Newt from his thoughts.
Newt blushed and averted his gaze. “Zephyrus.” He greeted him with his usual shy voice. He ignored the latter and answered the first question. “I had believed the sky would be clear tonight.”
Zephyrus shook his head disapprovingly. This man would get himself sick one day.
“Mister Scamander, you really should listen when I tell you the weather forecast.” He scolded Newt, giving him the umbrella for a moment. He fixed the mage’s coat, making Newt blush even more.
“There is no need to do that.” He murmured, but Zephyrus ignored him. “Oh shush, how are you supposed to look professional when your clothes are…wrinkled?”
Newt rolled his eyes, yet a soft smile appeared on his face. His assistant was touchy like that, helping him put on his coat and so on. Newt would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy it.
“Zephyrus, you, out of all people, should know that I am not a professional. I am just a magoologist.” He argued, giving the umbrella back to him.
Zephyrus rolled his eyes this time. “Aχ, Scamander, you and your humbleness.” He mumbled, annoyed slightly. He was exasperated with Newt being so down to earth. He took back the umbrella and stood next to Newt.
The two men stood closely under the umbrella, their shoulders touching, rain surrounding them, and the stars shining brightly in the sky. The wind messed Zephyrus’ hair up – a rich dark brown colour-, causing his hair to fly in different directions. Newt chuckled as he saw it.
“Do not laugh, it’s tragic.” Zephyrus grumbled. He had spent a large amount styling it and now the goddamn weather destroyed it. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Zephyrus, you look marvellous with messy hair too.” Newt said to him, assuringly. Realising he just called him marvellous, Newt blushed even more.
“I-uh-I meant-” He stuttered as he tried to explain himself. Zephyrus blinked for a little while before he laughed. His cheeks were rosy.
“Is that so, mister Scamander?” Zephyrus asked, smirking. He hadn’t expected this, but he’ll be cursed if he wasn’t enjoying it. He stepped in front of Newt, increasing their proximity. Newt looked away. His eyes were stuck on the ground. He stuttered again from his embarrassment. “I-uh-I-”
Zephyrus’ smirk only grew wider. This sure was entertaining. He loved Newt’s shyness and fluster; he found it very easy to make him blush.
“Mister Scamander! I did not expect you to flirt with me.” He teased with his tone turning sensual. Newt turned impossibly redder. He looked like the red fur of a phoenix. Zephyrus chuckled and started walking with Newt trailing behind.
“I did not think-” The man began again to explain himself. He hadn’t thought it would sound this flirty. He had just told the truth.
“Oh, I am just fooling, sir. I did not mind, it boosts my ego, after all." Zephyrus shrugged as they walked towards Newt’s house. (They had been out earlier to search for some other creatures for the book.)
Newt was calming down, though he could still feel the warmth on his face.
“Home sweet home; as the Americans say,” Zephyrus exclaimed as they entered. Located on the wooden desk was the infamous niffler, Teddy, chewing a golden necklace of Zephyrus.
“Teddy! Stop it!” Newt scolded the niffler, lifting him. Zephyrus, who stood nearby, chuckled unbothered and carefully took the necklace from Teddy.
“I should have hidden it.” He muttered with a grin appearing on his face. The little thief didn’t understand when it came to gold or shiny things. Newt shook his head.
“No, he should learn boundaries at some point.” Newt said as if he were scolding a child. Zephyrus smiled at them. He knew how dearly Newt loved his creatures like a parent for a child; it was a thing he admired, secretly.
“All good, mister. I have many more.” Zephyrus assured him, taking Newt’s coat off.
Newt sighed. He appreciated Zephyrus’ presence more than he would have thought. He sat down at his desk while Zephyrus prepared tea. He had taken off his coat, leaving him in a white, flowy shirt covered by a brown vest and matching brown sailor's pants. He was singing quietly a song in his mother language, Greek, bopping his head weakly. Newt was staring, and he knew, but he just could not tear his eyes away from the man. He was, simply to say, mesmerized.
Or love-struck, Theseus had told him once when they had been talking about Zephyrus. The magoologist blushed again. In those months, Newt had found himself falling for his assistant hard. Which was unbelievable and absolutely unprofessional, because a. he was his assistant, b. Newt was a man and c. He was not Zephyrus’ type! (In Newt’s opinion)
It was foolish, also what Theseus had told him. Newt knew it, but he was only falling deeper for the man.
“You are staring once again, mister.” Zephyrus called him out, breaking Newt from his thoughts. Newt became red from getting caught red-handed, like when he catches the nifflers stealing coins.
“I was thinking, Zephyrus, and my eyes just happened to gaze upon you.” Newt explained, lying bluntly.
“Sure you were thinking….about me~” He teased Newt. After walking up to him, placing the cups of tea on the wooden desk, he wrapped his arms around Newt’s shoulders from behind and rested his chin on top of Newt’s head.
Newt froze. His mind stopped functioning. Zephyrus didn’t touch him like that; maybe some light pats on the back, resting his hand on his shoulder, or taking his coat off. But not like how the bowtruckle did, wrapping his arms around or so.
“I-uh-no. I-” Newt stuttered again, ducking his head away. Zephyrus chuckled again. He felt proud that he had caught the famous magoologist so flustered. He, in those same months, had fallen for the magoologist. Those freckles, the curly light brown hair, the blue in both eyes, the shy and flustered yet very caring personality. Who wouldn’t fall for this sweet man?
But it would not happen. Newt wasn’t like him. He would choose a nice, proper woman he could love, marry, and have little Newts with. It seemed he had dozed off, as Newt shook him lightly.
“What is your head thinking about, my friend?” He asked Zephyrus softly. He forced a smile to reassure Newt.
“I am fine, Newt. I was just thinking, like you.” He tried to joke, but Newt wasn’t fooled. Zephyrus had called him by his first name, which only happened when he was worried, or something was happening in his pretty mind.
“Zephyrus do not attempt to trick me. I know something is troubling you.” Newt pressed on, looking up. Zephyrus sighed and pulled away from him. He leaned back on Newt’s deck, crossing his arms. “How do you picture your future, Newt?” Zephyrus asked him. His voice, his body language, and his whole aura were more serious, melancholic and quiet. Newt was confused and slightly worried. He thought for a moment. His future?
Well, travel around the world, search for other creatures, care for them, write more books and….. And what? Then what? Theseus, too, had asked him the same question, which only ended with them arguing.
“ I-I have no idea, Zephyrus. I always imagined myself travelling, searching, writing and caring for the creatures. But...” He looked at Zephyrus. After he realised his feelings started doubting what he wanted his future to be. His dreams were about a cosy life with his creatures and Zephyrus. Every night, each dream was him, Zephyrus and this house.
“But what, Newt?” Zephyrus asked, confused and curious. Personally, Zephyrus thought he would die on the job or alone in some Greek island. Maybe he’d die happy on the job by committing something heroic, or he would attempt to teach Newt how to fish in the Aegean Sea.
“Now, I’m lost, Zephyrus. Confused by my feelings and thoughts.” Newt explained, staring at his hands. He didn’t understand anymore. He didn’t know how the future would be with the new addition to his company. He felt lost, like he was back in the war. Zephyrus kneeled in front of him and gripped his hands. He knew of Newt’s backstory, how he fought against the Nazis at their very failed use of the dragons. Zephyrus fought against the fascist Italians in Greece. He knew the feeling of being lost.
“You are not alone, Newt. You have your creatures, your friends…me.” He said to the magoologist softly, adding the ‘me’ more quietly, even softer. Newt looked at him, surprised. His assistant was right; he had people he could rely on. Yet, he still felt the feeling of loss linger.
“Where did you fight?” Newt asked as he realised, he didn’t know much about his assistant. He could sense, though, a soldier. Zephyrus averted his gaze to their intertwined hands. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I was fighting the Italians at the Greek-Albanian borders.”
Newt tilted his head. He hadn’t heard anything about wizards or magic from the south.
“But, there is no magic school located, is there?” He asked curiously. Zephyrus let out a bitter laugh in response.
“I did not fight using magic, Newt. I went to war as a muggle with muggles.” Zephyrus revealed, lifting his head to look at him. The first time in those months, Zephyrus’ eyes shone vulnerable. Both eyes in that moment looked as if they were the same; same pain and hopelessness. Newt couldn’t bear seeing him like that. He couldn’t bear the thought of his secret love fighting with his flesh and bones. So, he did a very rational thing; he stood up while he pulled Zephyrus up and hugged him tight.
Zephyrus froze. They had never hugged like that before. He hadn’t hugged anyone in years. He felt Newt’s hands rub softly his back in soothing, delicate patterns. He wrapped his arms around Newt, reciprocating the hug, and shoved his head in the man’s neck. Even Newt’s scent was comforting. It was a mix of the rain, the forest and tea.
“Should we go to the sofa? I think my legs are getting tired.” Newt murmured, his hand moving to cradle the back of Zephyrus’ head. Zephyrus nuzzled his head further.
“I would like to go to bed, if you’d like.” He replied. Newt hummed affirmatively, even if he was panicking internally. He needed to take care of Zephyrus for a goddamn change. “Alright. Can you walk or should I assist you?”
Zephyrus chuckled. “I am not so sure if you could carry me, Newt.” Newt huffed. He didn’t lack of strength per se, but he didn’t have the same muscles as Zephyrus. Probably because he fought without magic, unlike Newt. “Then, you can support your weight on me. I am not weak, Zephyrus.” He argued stubbornly.
Zephyrus sighed. He loved helping and pampering others affectionately, rather than receiving it himself. He felt as if he was a burden, that the affection and care were being forced out. “I am not even sick, Newt. I can walk on my own.” Zephyrus argued weakly, but Newt was a stubborn man. Even if he was shy and socially awkward, he could be stubborn when determined.
“You are mentally distraught. You just told me a very personal, traumatic period of your life.” Newt said, “I want to bring you comfort as you do.”
“Πεισματάρη.” Zephyrus grumbled before registering what Newt had confessed. His eyes widened in surprise, and then he let out a chuckle. “Do I bring you comfort?” He asked in a whisper, wrapping his own around the man’s waist. Newt’s face became pinkish. He took a shaky breath and nodded, confirming.
“Since day one. I had my doubts, but your warm smile and cheeky laugh made them disappear.” He admitted quietly, raising his head to look at Zephyrus properly. It was Zephyrus' turn to blush; the red painted as orange in his olive skin. He smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“If I was a woman, I wound assume you are madly in love with me.” Newt frowned, his eyebrows narrowed, and eyes squinted.
“What is so different between loving a man or woman or anyone in that matter. We all spill the same blood in the end.” He cradled Zephyrus face in his hands. The assistant didn’t have the courage to look him in the eyes. Or accept that his deepest, more craziest wishes were real.
“Even if you love me, we cannot be together, Newton. We both know what society believes and acts upon those believes. In or outside the wizarding world.” Zephyrus answered, withdrawing his hands from Newt’s waist. Newt only gripped his face tighter, not painfully.
“I do not care what the society believes, I care about you. What do you want, Zephyrus?” Newt responded sharply, never taking his eyes -or hands- off Zephyrus. The man sighed quietly, closed his eyes and thought for a second. What he wanted? Wasn’t the answer obvious? He didn’t desire anything else so much as Newt. He desired, no needed to stay with the magoologist. Those months he had felt more at peace than ever. His brown and green eyes met Newt’s.
“All I ever wanted, desired, needed was a home. Somewhere I felt peace and safe.” He started, taking Newt’s hands hold them. “These past months felt like dream come true. This place, the creatures, you. I haven’t felt this safe in decades.” He said while looking at the other man with so many emotions that you could forget about his heterochromia. Zephyrus placed one of Newt’s hands on his heart, holding tightly.
“All I want is here with you, only if you let me. As a friend, as only a mere assistant, as something between lovers and friends or even mor-”
Before he could even finish his sentence, Newt was crushing his lips with his. A passionate, deep kiss. Something that quite surprised the assistant, but he reciprocated, nonetheless. They broke the kiss to breathe. Zephyrus rested his forehead against Newt, his eyes closed and breathing heavily. He hadn’t been kissed in a while.
“You did not let me finish.” He muttered grumpily. Newt chuckled, playfully knocking their heads. “I lost my patience. A rare thing if you ask me.” Zephyrus rolled his eyes, but grinned. They stared at each other for a while, just standing there in the middle of the living room.
After that, Newt guided him at his bedroom. “Why are you taking me to your bed? Not that I am complaining or anything.” He asked Newt, with his usual teasing smirk.
Newt sighed and opened the bedroom door. “Your bed does not fit for two adult men.” He commented.
Zephyrus smirk only widened. “And I thought you were being generous. You British men are selfish, oh what’s the word, twats? Yeah that.”
Newt turned to look at him unsurprised, his mouth a straight line. “And you Greek men are insufferable.” He returned. Zephyrus laughed in response, a sound heavenly to Newt’s ears.
“Alright, alright, I will stop teasing for tonight.” He said, sitting on the bed and begun undressing. Newt blushed like earlier outside, becoming a tomato.
“Do you, eh, need something? As in clothes for sleeping?” He asked the man, averting to look at him. Zephyrus looked at him very confused. “No, I just sleep with my underwear. Even naked if it is too hot.”
“What?!” Newt sputtered, his eyes widened and face to neck red. Zephyrus shrugged calmly, taking off his pants now. “Yes. What do you wear? Not those night gowns I assume.”
Newt blinked at him and turned his head towards the floor embarrassingly. Zephyrus’ eyes widened and so did his smile. “Ο θεέ μου, you actually wear those. What colour is it? Tell me it’s pink.” “It isn’t pink, it is just white.” Newt informed him, hiding his red face in his hands. Zephyrus let out a disappointed sound.
“Well, that’s a shame, pink would look majestic on you. He was only with his underwear now. He was very hairy. Hair on his chest, arms, legs, even thighs. All dark brown, some even black. Newt realised that he liked them hairy. He also realised that he was very hairless in comparison to him.
“You are staring for the 3rd time today.” He pointed out with a cheeky smile. Newt rolled his eyes at his smile fondly and decided to undress too. The night gown was a gift from Queenie some years ago, though it still remained in great form. As he said to Zephyrus, it was white with flower pattern sewed on it and some plain pants although he used it only at cold weather.
“That looks different from what I imagined.” Zephyrus commented, now laying on the bed, arms behind his head. Newt noticed that he was still wearing his socks.
“That is because you had the women gown in your mind, that one is more used and known.” Newt explained as he changed into the gown. He totally, absolutely, surely did not care that his assistant was in the same room, probably watching him. When he turned around he saw as suspected Zephyrus looking at him with a smirk. “Well, I still believe pink would suit you better.”
Newt scoffed and sat on the bed. He couldn’t stay annoyed long though, especially when he had the sexiest, hottest, prettiest and greatest man of the entire world in his bed. A literal Greek god. On his humble bed. In his simple house. And he had also kissed him. Oh lord he had kissed his assistant. Merlin, he had done it.
“ -ewt, Newwwt. World to Newton. Where did you wonder?” Zephyrus asked him thus breaking him away from his thoughts. He had turned to lay on his side, a hand holding his head. Newt turned too and pushed a hair stand behind Zephyrus’ ear. His eyes were all over his face, learning his features again and again.
“Just thinking that I have a literal Greek god in my bed.” He answered, voice soft and gentle, forgetting his worries. The Greek man leaned on his touch, closing his eyes and letting himself breathe.
They stayed like that, Newt stroking his cheek or tracing his facial features and Zephyrus melting in his arms like pudding. Soon he found himself against Newt’s chest, a hand gripping the gown and legs intertwined. Newt was looking down at him with so much love in his eyes, while he was running a hand through his hair.
“Zephyrus?” He asked him.
“Yes?”
“I want you here with me, I probably need you more that you need me. I desire you to be next to me and I to you. Not only as an assistant or a friend or something unstable. I want you to be my lover, to let me love you.” Newt confessed.” Only if you eh want though. I started with all I want, I didn’t even ask you what you wan-” Zephyrus cut him with a kiss, slower and sweeter, unlike before.
“Newt, I told you before and I will tell you again. You and this family of magical creatures is all want and desire.”
Newt nodded and turned his face straight ahead. “Then it is settled. For now on, we are lovers, and we will have to go on rendezvous. Although you do need to ask how it will work with the ministry, even though lot of women who are assistants somehow are allowed. It is even considered usual. Quite discriminate if you ask me-”
“Newt.” He cut the man again, looking at him deadpanned. “It has not been a day and yet you are probably planning our wedding. Take a breath, καρδία μου.”
Zephyrus was correct. He was worrying too early ahead. He wanted this to work and not end like Leta. Zephyrus, as if reading his mind, sook his head. “How about we go to sleep and tomorrow we will talk about us and how it affects my job? Currently I need to sleep. And this bed is very comfortable.” The assistant suggested like he was still on the job.
Newt nodded his head affirmatively. “It is very goof that you enjoy is bed. After all it is here where you will be sleeping for now on.” Zephyrus choked on his breathe looked up.
“You keep surprising me, mister Scamander.” He muttered sleepily. Newt chuckled quietly and kissed his forehead.
“Go to sleep my beloved. I will look over you.”
And so, the two lovers slept cuddled up to each other in the rainy London night, safe in their home.