AN - I got the idea for this one-shot from a random dialogue generator, which generated the title for this chapter.

For this one-shot Thesues is 11 and Newt is 7.

Theseus thumbed through the last pages of the old book he'd been forcing himself to read for the last four weeks. It hadn't appeared too big when he climbed to the top of the shelf to take it down. Picking it up he'd started to regret making his resolution with himself when he almost toppled over from the weight of it. The pages were also a lot thinner than anticipated and the font extremely small, stretching the estimated week to finish the damned book into most of July. Still, he carried it proudly with him everywhere his feet took him. Admittedly, he wasn't able to walk with the weight for longer than about fifteen steps before taking a break to let his tiny limbs recover ("No mum I'm not cute!"). But the absolutely boring and very grownup title along with the complex and utterly boring vocabulary had impressed Newt beyond childlike wonder. His bright green eyes followed Theseus taking his fifteen steps across the living room from his sitting place in the corner, animal picture book falling slightly from his grip.

At six, Newt barely talked and most of their conversations were heavily one-sided. But Theseus managed to content himself by reading to him and giving (unwanted) warm hugs. Theseus was the perfect older brother and he knew he needed to convince everyone that was true. Receiving his Hogwarts letter in March had done wonders to his image of not being a child anymore. He'd opened it with a grin, brandishing his accomplishment to his parents and letting Newt read it over breakfast.

"I'm eleven now," He boasted proudly while spreading butter over his toast. "that means I can take care of Newt while you're gone." He grinned over at Newt who gave him a blank look while nibbling on Theseus' forgotten apple.

His parents had thought he was joking at first, but in the next few months it became more aware to them that Theseus was very determined to show them how grownup he was. Each day Theseus would ask persistently if "Can I tuck Newt into bed?" and maybe if he could "Read Newt a story?". Newt was his favourite thing in the world since he came out of the womb and Theseus took on the responsibility as an older brother with grace. If Newt looked up to him, then he had to be the perfect image of the English gentlemen he read about in fairy tales.
He picked up the book and started dragging it downstairs to the library. He climbed the shelf with a huge amount of effort and placed it back into it's original position. But his climb down was interrupted by a loud sob.

Oh no. "Newt? Newt!" Theseus called, feeling the panic start to set in. You're first time looking after him and you've buggered up! "Newt!" He yelled, running outside with a million different scenarios running through his mind.

The crying was getting louder now.

Theseus' older brother instinct kicked in and he grabbed a nearby stick the same height as him and thick enough to knock anyone out if he had to. "LEAVE HIM ALONE!" He screamed, along with a battle cry he wouldn't have to re-create until going into war a decade and a half later, as he turned a corner to the back garden.

Stopping abruptly at the scene before him, Theseus blinked a few times before dropping the stick he was brandishing like a sword.

"Newt?" He called, voice trembling slightly.

Newt turned round to look at him with tear stained cheeks and a red nose. "He died!" He wailed miserably, wiping his nose on his sleeve noisily.

He was kneeling in the tall grass with clothes absolutely covered in dirt and what Theseus suspected was tears. In his hands he held a tiny, lifeless ant. Theseus walked over slowly, knowing that Newt didn't like to be disturbed when he was having one of his "moments" (which was very often).

"Look Paul died!" He wailed again, showing Theseus the palm of his hands. "I - I was playing with him and - and he died!" He hiccupped loudly in his retelling of Paul's untimely death.

"It's only a-" But Theseus stopped himself before he upset Newt any further, remembering his mother berating him once because "Newt's sensitive and needs to be handled with care". "It's ok Newt." He consoled in his best comforting voice. "It's ok."

Newt continued to sob erratically, so Theseus took Paul carefully from his hands and made a small hole in the ground with his finger. "Let's give him a funeral." He said, to which Newt nodded enthusiastically and covered Paul over with dirt and the odd tear.

They both said a few words to Paul's memory and Theseus picked one of his mother's petunias (he knew she'd have his head for it but this was for Newt) and planted it next to the burial.

"Do you want a hug?"

"No."

Theseus embraced him anyway, revelling in how lovely and comforting a hug could be. Newt sniffled into his shoulder and protested a little bit, but Theseus didn't loosen his grip.

"Can we go back inside now?" He asked, voice muffled from the material of Theseus' shirt.

"Ok let's go." Theseus released him, only to put a protective arm round his shoulders and walk him back to the house.

"Thee! I can walk by myself!" Newt struggled, but not as much as he usually did.

Theseus only let himself have a private grin, Newt would initiate his own hug someday.

"Newt? Theseus?" Two voices called.

They looked at each other, their parents had arrived home and they were covered in dirt with Newt's eyes still rimmed with red.

At the sight of them their mother gasped. "Theseus how could you let this happen? You were meant to be watching him!" She exclaimed, smoothing down Newt's unruly hair.

"But he was watching me." Newt said (lied) simply. "We were playing outside."

Their father sighed affectionately. "But you still managed to get yourselves dirty?"

They glanced at each other and grinned.

AN - Honestly I always imagined Theseus to be overbearing and protective of Newt because he's such a cinnamon roll. I feel like the only reason they drifted apart was probably just communication (I really hope we get to see more of their relationship in the next films)

What did you think? Reviews are really appreciated!