Hi, everyone! Thanks so much for reading this story! Hope you are all enjoying it. Just a warning, this chapter has some smutty talk to it (possibly a prelude to the real thing *wink*). Reviews are very much appreciated. I own nothing and appreciate JK Rowling for allowing us to explore her characters.

Chapter 9

"Jacob, how do you get these cookies to taste so good?" Newt bit into another one, his fifth.

Newt and Jacob sat in the study, demolishing a batch of two dozen cookies. When he'd come home from the hospital, Tina had insisted he be in the Murphy bed. It was more comfortable than either the cot or the sofa, and she didn't want him in the bed downstairs where his rest would be disturbed by everyone traipsing in and out. She took the cot in the basement. All of his protests fell on deaf ears. The bed almost seemed like a prison, and he itched to go downstairs. At least they let him get out of bed to go to the bathroom on his own now.

"It's the vanilla." Jacob wiped some crumbs off his shirt. "It's gotta come from Madagascar. The other stuff is just junk. The grocery nearby didn't have it, but I managed to convince the bakery a couple miles away to sell me some."

"Delicious," Newt muttered, popping the last piece into his mouth. "I once went looking for the Kalanaros of Madagascar, called the little men of the forest. Got a glimpse of one, but not much more than that."

"Stop scratching." Jacob eyed the hand on Newt's chest.

Newt glanced down at his hand, unconsciously itching the healing skin on his chest. "Sorry." He slid the hand back under the covers.

"You need some ointment?" Jacob grabbed the tube from the desk.

"Nah, it's not so bad."

Jacob put it down. "Suit yourself."

"Hey, Jacob. Have you ever…?" Newt had wanted to ask this question for a while, but now that he felt the blush creeping up his face, he wasn't sure he could finish it. His eyes remained glued to his hands.

Jacob motioned with his hand, encouraging Newt to spit it out. "Have I ever…?"

Newt swallowed. "Have you ever…you know. With a woman?"

"Oh." Jacob's cheeks brightened too. "No, never all the way. Queenie and I did some stuff, some really nice stuff. But she wants to wait for marriage for the final act."

"Respectful."

"Have you?" Jacob looked at him intently.

"No!"

"But you're thinking about it?"

Newt didn't answer.

Jacob continued. "Come on, all guys are thinking about."

Newt shrugged.

"Then why ask?" Jacob probed.

Newt looked at him, then stated simply, "I'm in love with Tina, and I don't want to mess anything up."

Jacob whistled. "That's a big thing to say, even though it's been obvious to all of us forever. Why do you think Bunty can't stand being in a room with her longer than five minutes?"

Newt tilted his head, eyebrows drawn together. "What?"

Jacob waved it off. "Never mind. What about Theseus? Do you think he has?"

Newt snorted. "Definitely." Then he grew somber. "But I don't dare ask him about it. I can't bare to see that heartbroken look on his face whenever he thinks of Leta."

"Yeah, I got you there. Better not." Jacob grew thoughtful for a moment. "You know, when I worked at the canning factory, there were a bunch of guys joking around about it a few times. One of them said there's some sort of button on a woman, down there, and if you touch it, she'll sing your praises. I'll admit that my memories during my enchantment are a little fuzzy, but I think I tried it on Queenie and it actually worked."

"A button, huh?"

"Don't get anxious about it now. Wait until your wedding night for that."

Newt nodded and took another cookie.