I'm not going to lie this was borderline crippling to write, I'm not good with this kinda stuff. But this is it... the big chapter... the one that we've been waiting for since we all realised this was actually a romance. Thank you to my reviewers: MeassandreRodante (Yeah, I keep forgetting that I'm posting while the rest of civilised society is at work), CrystalVixen93 and MyNameIsMordecai. You wonderful people left me lovely reviews... and also have better names than I do. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own the wizarding world... yet.

Chapter 27:

The next few weeks were filled with newspaper reports that made Percival's stomach curl. More stories about mysterious deaths, disappearances and incidents. Grindelwald was making a move. True to what Adriana said, nothing had really occurred in Britain bar the odd fanatic. Adriana had been working nonstop and Percival hadn't been able to do much more than cook for her occasionally and keep house. He heard snippets about current events. Sometimes, after particular long, hard days, Percival noticed that Adriana would slip into his room, curl up in his bed and sleep. He didn't mind, kind of liked it in fact. She was comfortable enough to turn to him for safety and warmth. But the secrecy and fear were weighing on him. Every time Adriana left Percival would wonder if she'd come back. And every time she came back, Percival wondered if she was whole. He would kiss her cheek every time she left and savour her scent. Just in case, it was always just in case. Despite the summer weather, August had never felt darker. And Percival was tired. Tired of pretending it was all okay. That everything would be fine. He kept his emotions bottled, as always. But he couldn't keep them bottled forever. This became apparent on a particularly cool night in August when Adriana arrived home, worrying her lip slightly.

"Has something happened?" Percival asked, handing her a warm cup of cinnamon cocoa. Adriana said nothing, moving to the sofa and sipping her drink. Finally she put the mug down.

"I've been asked to go on a long assignment to investigate the magical circus." She said slowly. Percival tensed, lowering his own mug.

"How long for?" He asked.

"They don't know yet." Adriana said. She was giving Percival a look. "It's currently in Paris." There was a sharp intake of breath. Percival did not want Adriana to go to Paris. He didn't want her to set foot on mainland Europe. Grindelwald was there. And Percival knew that Grindelwald probably disliked Adriana, if only because of her association to him and Newt. Not to mention screwing up his escape. "I'm going." Her words brought Percival out of his reverie. He practically slammed the cocoa mug down.

"You can't." He said, knowing it sounded childish.

"Yes, I can." Adriana corrected.

"It's dangerous." He replied.

"My job is dangerous." Adriana pointed out. Percival felt like jinxing something.

"But the French Ministry-."

"Is working with us." Adriana interrupted. She paused, and looked at him solemnly. "I'll be fine." She stood up, attempting to signal that this was final and they should stop discussing it. But Percival wouldn't have it. He knew, rationally, that it was her job and her life, that he had no right to stop her or tell her what to do. However, that wouldn't stop him from trying.

"Please Adriana." He begged, gently gripping her wrist. "Please reconsider, it's far too dangerous." Adriana detached her arm from Percival's grip.

"Percival." She mumbled softly.

"No Adriana, please." He said. "I don't want to lose you."

"You're not going to lose me." Adriana said so stubbornly Percival almost believed her. Almost. She was walking away. And he couldn't let her go.

"Adriana please." He tried. She stopped by the door.

"Percival, I know you think it's dangerous, it probably is." Adriana said. "But I can't just not do this. I have to do the right thing. And if that means putting myself in danger then I will."

"Adriana." Percival breathed. She turned around and the next words just slipped out. "I love you." The second he said those words everything felt lighter. It felt as natural as breathing. Adriana's eyes were as wide as galleons. She went back to him her arms reaching up to cup his face. He mirrored her movements. "I love you." He repeated softly.

"Percival." She breathed. He didn't let her finish. He kissed her. Her lips were soft, gentle and tasted like cinnamon. She smelled like it too. Her body was warm and he was suddenly very aware of every inch of her. It could have been hours. Days. Years. Until they finally pulled apart.

"I love you." He said.

"I love you too." She responded. She smiled. "I wanted to tell you that first." Percival smiled properly for the first time in ages. She leant against him.

"Will you please reconsider?" He asked again. "I don't want to lose you." He was beginning to sound like a broken record.

"I'm still going to Paris." Adriana said. Percival sighed. The right thing. She wanted to do the right thing. And he knew that he would do exactly the same thing. It wouldn't be fair for him to disagree.

"I know." He said. "I'm going with you."