Haha my new chapter, it's the aftermath of running away. I also edited the first chapter, made it less bulky as the reviewer asked (only a year late :o). Also just finished my first year at university! Can I get a what?

Disclaimer: You know the drill, cos I don't

Chapter 32:

When Percival awoke, he was alone, resting in a warm bed in a room he did not recognise. It looked like a guest room, minimally furnished, but cosy none the less. His body was stiff, it hurt to move. Sitting up, he saw a glass of water beside him and tentatively took a sip. The water was cool, soothing his throat. There was a creak and the door opened. Credence stood there, half glaring, half cautious.

"You're awake." He said. Percival winced at the brittle tone. He sat up further.

"Where am I?" He asked.

"We're at Mr Scamander's house." Credence said, his tone saying he didn't want to be there. Percival sat still, drinking water. It all came flooding back to him. He dropped the glass on the floor, letting it shatter. Credence flinched.

"Adriana!" He gasped. "Where is she? Is she alright?"

"She's fine." Credence said, blinking slowly. "She's with the others." Percival started pulling himself out of bed. He ignored the stabbing pains all over his body.

"Where are they?" He asked. Credence looked surprised.

"You... you're supposed to stay in bed." He managed.

"Where are they?" Percival asked again. Credence stared at him. Wordlessly he left, leaving Percival to follow him. Percival trailed after him, moving slowly. Credence opened the back door. Percival followed him out to, going along a beaten path. There were people huddled around a kind of campfire in the distance. Credence was ahead of him, calling out to the people. Percival saw a head of dark hair turn to him. His breath stopped. Adriana. She was up, running at him. The closer she got, the more Percival felt his heart flutter. He could see how pale she was. Her eyes seemed to have lost a bit of their light but there were unshed tears forming. She practically leaped on him, grabbing him in a tight hold. He responded in kind.

"Percival." She whispered in his ear, voice burning with emotion. "Oh, my Percival." He hugged her tightly, letting his head fall on her shoulder. They could have stayed there forever. But he could feel her slender frame shuddering. He pulled back slightly, cupping her face.

"Adriana." He said breathlessly. His lips found hers; and she pressed back, almost hungrily. They pulled apart, Percival keeping his arm around her waist. She pulled him along, to the where the others waited.

"Glad to see you up and about Percival." Newt said, a half smile gracing his lips. "You gave us quite a scare."

"You all did." Tina corrected. "Adriana was just telling us what happened."

"I'm so sorry you went through that Sweetie." Queenie said, gently patting Percival's arm. "And Ana, you must have been so scared. You're safe here now." Adriana nodded mutely. Her grip on Percival tightened slightly.

"Thank you, Queenie." Percival said hoarsely. He appreciated them, really, he did but he wanted to talk to Adriana. Alone. "Did you all get out alright?" They didn't look hurt but that never meant anything.

"We got away fine." Tina said, her gaze snapping over to Credence. "But someone decided not to come with us."

"Oh come on Tina, we're practically a bunch of strangers to the kid." Jacob said, giving Credence a warm look. "He wasn't doing it to be cruel."

"If Credence hadn't come back we'd be dead." Percival said softly. He turned to address Credence directly. "Thank you for coming to find us."

"I had to know." Credence said, looking nervous. "That other man. He was you?"

"Yes." Newt said. "He used magic to conceal himself and act as Percival. Credence, even if Percival was a cruel man, no harm would come to you while I am here."

"He'd have to get through us." Jacob added, giving a stern nod. "Uh, not that I'd be very good against magic."

"Oh Honey, you handled that saloon fight pretty well." Queenie soothed.

"That I did." Jacob agreed with a smile.

"I'm glad everyone is out of harms way." Percival said. He wouldn't say safe. None of them were safe. "I think I'm going to go and rest some more." Everyone gave him a look that clearly told him to go. "Adriana, would you?"

"Of course." Adriana said with a soft smile, helping him to his feet. They started the arduous walk back.

Percival sat on the bed, looking at the floor. Adriana sat next to him, attempting to soothe him.

"What's wrong?" She murmured, rubbing his shoulders.

"I'm just thinking about what happened." Percival said slowly. Adriana hummed understandingly. "About what you said to him." The hands on his shoulders froze. They slowly slipped away. Percival watched as Adriana slumped in on her-self, hands wrapping themselves around her waist.

"I didn't mean a word of it." Adriana said in a small voice. She glanced up at Percival, who maintained an unreadable expression. "Really I didn't mean a word."

"I know." Percival said, making Adriana look hopeful. "That's not… I don't." He took a deep breath. "I was thinking more about why you would say those things." Adriana looked down again.

"I thought." She paused, took a breath and looked at him. "He's a master manipulator, he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty. I knew that if he thought it was an advantage he'd exploit it. I thought if I acted like I enjoyed it. Maybe…. Maybe he'd stop." Percival pulled Adriana into his arms and held her as she trembled. "I'm sorry, what you must have thought of me."

"It's alright. I don't think any less of you." Percival soothed. "I never would." She pressed herself heavily against him. He wrapped his arms more tightly around her. "I love you."

"I love you." She whispered in his ear. "Can I stay?" Percival gently nuzzled her neck.

"Yes." He whispered back. He pulled her down with him as they got comfortable in the bed. She used his chest as a cushion, resting above his heart. He left his hand tangled in her hair, stroking it occasionally. They fell asleep to the reassuring breathing of the other.