Ice and cold snaked up the scar splashed across Tina's ribs and she knew snow was imminent while dry heat prickled at the lattice of claw marks on Newt's back as he felt the electricity in the sky. Rain settled into old wounds like a fog, clinging to their senses and marking them in a dull haze of aching. The twinges could be cast aside during the day, but at night they shattered the fragility of sleep, leaving the two of them to trade stories and soothing potions.
Newt liked to joke that between the two of them, they always knew what the weather was doing without having to look outside.
Half-formed flurries hurried past their bedroom window as he applied the cool ointment to the angry mark that adorned her torso. It curved from her belly and up over her ribs where it cut across towards her back, the product of twisting and ducking to avoid a curse, she'd told him. Thin stretch marks lanced outward like tiny lightning strikes and he was inordinately fascinated with the unique grace of it. His fingers were gentle as he worked.
"I think this one is my favorite," he murmured. Tina opened one eye, levering a pointed stare at him which he skillfully ignored. She snorted.
"You would have a favorite scar, wouldn't you?"
"Of course, they're little stories etched into your skin. Interesting conversation starters, if you will."
"For this to be a conversation starter I would have to be shirtless and let me tell you, talking would not be my biggest concern."
"Indeed?" He asked, grinning and wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at her. She shoved his shoulder playfully, doing her best not to give him the satisfaction of giggling.
"You know what I meant!"
"I don't know what you're on about," he said, snickering as he completed his ministrations. "I stand by what I said, they would make great conversation starters and one day I will prove it."
"What are you gonna do, whip off your shirt at Mrs. Daugherty's garden party next week? 'Would you like to hear about the time I was mauled by a hippogriff?'" She said, dropping her voice slightly and mimicking his accent as they tucked themselves in for the night.
"An excellent idea, I'm so glad you suggested it."
"Newt!" He responded by pretending to snore.
The following week found the couple at the garden party, where Newt had promptly found a prominent healer and asked just that. They were seated in a tucked corner, his collar pulled low over his shoulder as the medic curiously examined the scars and listened to Newt's explanation of the magic used to heal the wounds. He caught his wife's eye and mouthed 'I told you so', leaving her to giggle helplessly into her hands at her husband's audacity.