Chapter Text
It's been two weeks since Newt Scamander came back to New York. He honestly didn't plan to stay much, but Tina had a very difficult case that involved occamy eggs and Newt just couldn't stay away. Between the two of them managed to arrest the group and (most importantly) save the occamys. Madam Picquery was so impressed she offered Newt a job.
A job that he accepted.
The magizoologist sighs, sitting in the middle of Tina's office. He has been given a desk to work, but it's surrounded by people he doesn't know not as much as Tina, so he prefers to stay with her. It's not that he doesn't like the other aurors, but Newt has never been comfortable around new people.
He's writing furiously about the different types of dragon scales when someone enters the room. He watches Tina as she tenses in front of him. He turns his head and looks up to see Mr Graves.
The man stares at him and since Newt can't look at someone in the eye, he quickly turns his head down at the paper on his lap. But even then he can feel Graves' eyes on him.
"It seems you're quite fond of Tina's office, Mr Scamander," Graves comments and it sounds like he's not pleased.
"I-It's not her office," he says, because it's the truth. "It's her. I like her. I want to keep her company."
"I see."
"Did you need something, Sir?" Tina asks then, just to break the tension.
Graves frowns at her and drops a bunch of documents on her worktable.
"Search in these. I want to know if there are similarities among these old ones and Amelia Connor's murder. We need to be sure if we're dealing with a serial killer or it's another of Grindelwald's followers."
"Yes, Sir. Do you want me to write a report with the results?"
"Well I certainly don't want you to sing them to me," he huffs and storms out of the room.
"I'm sorry," Newt mutters then.
Tina arches an eyebrow.
"What for?"
"I think he got mad at me for being here and he took it on you."
"Don't be silly, it's not your fault."
"I don't want you to get in trouble because of me," he looks up. "I can return to my own desk you know."
"You stay right where you are," she orders when Newt's about to stand. "And please stop worrying. I won't get in trouble. Also I do like your company."
Newt beams at her, but his smile doesn't stay too long on his face.
"I think he hates me."
Tina rolls her eyes and lets out a very tired sigh.
"He is not very good with people, that's all. And he doesn't hate you. Nobody does. You're too adorable for that."
Newt looks at her, clearly confused and she laughs.
He doesn't believe her, but he doesn't say anything after that.
***
He plans to stay out of Mr Graves way, but it's almost impossible, the man appears to be everywhere Newt goes; Tina's office, the hallway that leads to the garden (one of his favorite places) even where Queenie uses to take her break.
So he just tries to be as invisible as possible and he definitely doesn't look in his direction.
Maybe Newt's determination to not look up is the reason why he gets startled when he leaves the cafeteria a week later.
"I thought you preferred tea," comments a deep voice that sounds almost in his ear.
He gasps and stumbles, but manages to save the coffee. A hand reaches out to him, although he avoids it and takes a step back.
"I'm sorry," Mr Graves apologises. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's okay, I'm fine and I didn't throw the coffee," Newt says, feelings his cheeks suddenly hot.
Mr Graves mouth quirks into a smile, which is odd.
"So why are you drinking coffee now?" He insists, curiosity shining in his eyes.
"This? Oh, no. This is not for me!" Newt chuckles. "Tina wanted a cup."
At that Graves smile drops.
"You are not Goldstein's assistant, Mr Scamander," he points out, irritated.
"What? No! She didn't... I offered to do it!" He mumbles, worried. Of course he doesn't want to cause Tina more trouble.
Mr Graves opens his mouth, like he's about to argue, but seems to change his mind when he looks back at Newt.
"And you? You're not gonna drink anything?" He questions, but doesn't seem like those words are the ones he wants to say.
Newt's lips twist in displeasure, action that makes Graves grin again.
"I would, but this cafeteria does not have proper tea," he starts, looking somehow insulted by the thought. "It's seems you American aurors don't have the slightest idea about a real hot beverage!"
"We have coffee," the auror offers, amused.
Newt wants to protest, but then remembers Tina and how hard she works every day and how to start an argument with her boss is anything but wise.
"I have to give Tina her coffee," he excuses himself and begins to walk down the hallway.
But Graves follows and Newt has to fight back the desire to run.
"Are you afraid of me?"
The question is enough to stop him cold and make him turn around.
"Pardon?"
"I don't blame you. I understand that after what Grindelwald did to you using my face-"
"No! That's not- I'm not afraid of you," he babbles. And he's not. "It's just... Sometimes you seem like you're-"
"Annoyed, angry, hating on everyone and everything?"
"No! It's- I meant..." He tries to find something to say, but doesn't seem to find the right words.
"I'm sorry. I don't know how to talk with people. Even if I want to."
That's something Newt understands very well. So he makes an effort and looks into Graves' eyes and smiles at him.
"That makes two of us," he says and sees a spark dancing in those dark eyes before he looks away.
"Can I walk you to Goldstein's office?"
"Uh... Yeah, sure."
They don't talk much after that, but Newt doesn't feel uncomfortable with the silence.
When they're at her door, Newt thinks for a moment that Mr Graves is going to enter with him, but he looks at him and grins.
"It was a pleasure," he says and goes, leaving Newt more confused than ever.
***
He sees Graves again two days after, in the same circumstances.
"Tina's coffee, I presume," he comments and thank Merlin he doesn't sneak up from behind and Newt actually sees him before he speaks.
"Yes."
"Would like a cup of tea?" Graves blurts out.
"Of course, but-"
"I have. In my office. Lots of it," the auror continues.
"Really?" Newt can't help the way his voice is showing his excitement, because Merlin what wouldn't he do for some tea right now.
"Yes. I can make you tea if you want," Mr Graves offers.
Newt bites his lip, considering. The dark eyes follow the movement and linger there for a couple of seconds before looking up.
It's a very tempting offer.
"I'd love to," he responds. "I just have to bring Tina the-"
"Richards!" Graves says when a young witch passes and that must be her last name because she freezes and at them with nervousness.
"Yes, Director Graves?"
"Could you please bring Auror Goldstein this coffee?" He takes it from Newt's fingers and hands it to the witch.
"Yes, Sir. Of course," she responds and with a nod disappears in the hallway.
"See? Problem solved. Now follow me, Mr Scamander."
The truth is that Newt ends up liking Graves' office more than Tina's. The place is bigger and there are books, lamps, potions and trophies, each of these keeping their own stories. And there's also the silence, the peace that Newt can feel in the room.
But of course he like the office more because of the tea.
Graves puts a little box over his desk and opens it up for Newt to see what's inside. The auror smirks when he sees the other man's excitement.
Newt can't contain his happiness, because there's Jasmine and Lapsang and Masala and oh Merlin even Earl Grey!
"Choose whatever you like," Graves says and Newt beams at him.
"Earl Grey, please."
Newt suggests making the tea himself, he doesn't want to be a bother, but Graves insists.
And Newt hums out of joy when the auror hands him the cup. He lets the case on the floor and sits on the couch.
"Thank you," he breathes and he means it.
"It's my pleasure."
"I didn't know you liked tea," he comments after a moment.
"I don't. I prefer coffee."
Newt arches his eyebrows.
"Then why do you have all these kinds of tea?"
"I... Actually someone gave them to me... as a gift... so I couldn't say no."
Newt nods, even though Mr Graves looks suddenly uncomfortable and nervous. Well... It's just what he perceives, but he could he must be wrong because Graves doesn't seem the type to do that.
He takes another sip of tea and relaxes. Mr Graves start to write something that must be a report.
He doesn't notice how much time passes because Mr Graves asks about his creatures and he just... he loves to talk about them.
Then somebody knocks and despite of looking irritated, Mr Graves opens the door using magic.
Tina walks in and Newt realises is late.
"There you are!" She looks concerned, but also flustered. "I'm sorry, Sir. I hope he didn't bother-"
"He did not," Graves glares at her. "I invited him."
Tina looks almost in shock but manages to compose herself.
"Well... That's great then... Sir."
"Was there something you needed?" Graves asks then.
"Uh... I just wanted to tell Newt that Queenie is waiting for us with dinner."
"Right!" The magizoologist rises from his seat. "Thank you for everything, Mr Graves!"
"Good night, Sir." Tina says before taking Newt's arm and disappearing with him.
Of course Newt still stays in Tina's office, most of the time, because Mr Graves keeps offering him tea and he just can't say not to that, can he?
And he plans to stay a few minutes, but some days those minutes turn into hours and surprisingly Mr Graves doesn't seem to mind. Maybe he enjoys Newt's company after all.