AN: I apologise for any inaccuracies or general mistakes. I need to locate a proof reading buddy asap. This is just a bit of fluff because they are truly adorable.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, themes, locations etc even though we all wish we did.
In which Newt returns to give Tina a copy of his book...
Newt still remembered the route to the Goldstein's apartment. He'd been gone for over a year, but it was all still there; a map etched firmly upon his conscious. He'd tried to convince himself that it was because he'd perfected the art of tracking, thus meaning that such routes were always easy to remember, but it wasn't the case. No matter how hard he tried suppress the newfound emotional attachment, it hadn't gone entirely well for him.
After leaving Tina, he had gone back to his creatures fully and sincerely, purely living his life in order to further better theirs. Exactly what he'd always done. But something hadn't been quite the same since his trip to New York. His passion for such pastimes was still immense, but something slightly hindered his ability to fully commit to the craft. He'd been in the company of other creatures for so long, that he'd almost forgotten what it felt like to comprehend another person. But the fresh reminder was so abrupt and slightly, unnervingly strong.
The realisation started when he began to acknowledge aspects of his day that Tina would have liked; or even what would have made her laugh or cry or both. There were things he'd wanted to show her, or discuss with her, and eventually it became apparent that he just whole heartedly missed her.
The pair hadn't communicated as much as they both would have liked during the absent year; their jobs had just taken over everything and anything. Tina had gone back to work for MACUSA just before Newt had left; he'd managed to help her get her job reinstated with his assurance and "British charm", as she'd called it. The pair had sent letters exchanging pleasantries and the odd update from time to time, but that had largely been the extent of it. However, Newt had made sure to clarify that she still wanted a copy of his book, which subsequently lead to him being back in New York.
The one thing he had yet to establish, was whether Tina was on the same level of emotional confusion as he was. It wasn't entirely something that he was sure he could even figure out in person. He'd spent so long analysing, tracking and mapping various magical creatures and their lives, but witches truly seemed the most difficult to understand.
He knocked at the apartment door tentatively, the almost silent gesture stemming from a combination of not wanting to alert Mrs Esposito of his presence, and just generalised nerves. He stood awkwardly, his messy hair drooping low in an accidental attempt to shield his face; his peacock blue coat covered marginally sloping shoulders, the old Hufflepuff scarf around his neck and a small bow tie. The same bow tie he had mustered just before entering the Blind Pig. It was enough, he believed, to express that he'd made an effort.
The door eventually opened to reveal a primarily confused, but extremely joyful, Queenie.
"Hi, honey!" She exclaimed, immediately lurching forward to embrace the man. He stiffened ever so slightly, not used to the contact but not shying away from it either. "She'll be so happy to see you!" Queenie added, which was met by a glance of disapproval from a blushing Newt.
"Please don't," he asked, a pleading smile encompassing his slight features.
"I'm sorry, honey. I can't help it. I just know she'll be glad."
"She will?" Newt enquired, the words not particularly registering until it was too late to take them back. Queenie giggled, the indefinite tone of his voice making her smile.
"Of course! She'll be home soon. I'm making cocoa, you want some?" The blonde asked, skipping temporarily around the table towards the kitchen counter. Her wand worked delicately at preparing the beverage, lifting a third mug towards the first two before Newt had time to answer. He didn't need to. She already knew. He presumed he ought to busy his hands doing something other than nonchalantly, nervously swinging by his side. Cocoa, therefore, seemed a good idea.
"Don't be so nervous, honey. She's missed you. We both have." Queenie placed two of the mugs down on the table; one before a blushing Newt, who had moved to take a seat at the table, and one for herself. He began drinking straight away, largely in a vain attempt to avoid Queenie's gaze. He also hoped to clear his head of any response towards the concept of Tina missing him, but he wasn't entirely sure how successful that was. Queenie's knowledge was both embarrassing and relieving at the same time. Queenie was someone he could talk to without the awkward instances of actually talking.
"Have you seen Jacob around?" Newt asked, unbeknown to him, ever so slightly clumsily. She attempted to hide the sadness within her demeanour as he spoke, but she wasn't thoroughly successful.
"Yeah, I see him around. He bakes real good. I visit the shop sometimes," she admitted, soft and quiet. Newt merely nodded, not entirely sure how to proceed further under such circumstances.
"Don't worry, honey. You can ask, I know you cared too." Newt couldn't decide whether her words were reassuring or just bringing him further embarrassment. The discussion hung awkwardly in the air above them all the same. He didn't enjoy the thought of someone sifting through his head, but Queenie was the sort of person that someone could only really adore. That, along with the fact that Newt had never brought himself to dislike anyone anyway, lead him to merely allow her to read whatever she wanted. But she briefly apologised to the muted man anyway.
They both sat in silence for a few minutes before Queenie smiled to herself and added:
"Teen's home."