"I-I-I found Pickett a friend wh-wh-whe-when I was in London because his siblings 'bully' h-him." It was obvious Newt was nervous due to his stuttering, but Tina couldn't think why. "L-l-look!" Newt had lifted up a short, brown bowtruckle that had been most likely hiding under his collar with Pickett. "I named her Betty." Tina smiled.
Newt had just arrived back from London this afternoon and they were in Tina's new apartment, in which men were allowed. Queenie had moved out to live with Jacob, who had somehow remembered her. It may have had something to do with that kiss, but Tina wasn't sure. Anyway, since Newt had gotten back he hadn't been talking much and kept fiddling with his jacket.
"How are you?" It was a question Tina felt like she needed to ask.
"H-h-how am-m-m I-I-I?" Newt's voice was trembling.
"Well, there's obviously something wrong."
"Wh-wh-why would you thi-i-ink th-that?"
"Your stuttering gives it away. And you're not talking much." Tina looked curiously at Newt. His eyes were darting around everywhere. After a few minutes, Tina heard a quiet, "I've been told I'm annoying when I talk." It was a whisper, something she probably wasn't supposed to hear.
"What?" Tina queried further.
"N-nothing,"
"Who told you that?" She wished Queenie was here, so she could read his mind and she could figure everything out that much faster.
"M-m-my mother. And my father. And my brother. And Leta. And pretty much everyone else I know." Tina could feel a little pool of rage flood into her stomach, but instead of getting mad she looked towards Newt's face. It was tilted downwards as if to mask his emotions. She could still tell that he was hurting, though. So, to stop the pain that was seemingly taking over his form, she reached her arms around and pulled him close to her. "For what it's worth, I love it when you talk."
He seemed surprised by this and looked up to her face, trying to hold back the tears that had already been pooled in his eyes. His freckles were absolutely adorable. "Thank you."