Thanks again for the kind reviews. Not really sure where this is going, but it seems to want to go somewhere. Anyway I hope you enjoy :)
As Jacob descended the ladder into the mesocosm of Newt's case, he was struck with the perverse feeling that he was being watched. By the time he reached Queenie's side, he understood why. Eyes were everywhere, they were completely surrounded by shining orbs, desperate for answers. At the centre of the dense circle of creatures, closest to the two humans, stood the demiguise Dougal with a defiant Pickett perched on his shoulder. When Newt was absent Dougal often took on the mantle as protector of the motley bunch of beasts.
"Hey.." Jacob started, suddenly all eyes focused on him. Uncomfortable he cleared his throat and ran a finger under his collar. "Hey, guys I know you are upset..but um..it's going to be okay". He looked at Queenie for help, and she stepped forward, smiling reassuringly.
"Newt is a little under the weather," she began softly "He really wants to come down here to see you all, but he needs a little rest first".
A strange murmuring ran through the group of creatures as they digested this information.
Finding his voice again, Jacob spoke more confidently "We're here to help though, Newt sent us to come check up on you all.."
He paused
"And provide dinner, of course," he smiled widely, if there is one thing Jacob knew it was that food in a time of crisis was always welcome.
The group just looked back at them silently, until Dougal stepped forwards and raised his arms to Jacob. As he had done the previous day Jacob swung the demiguise onto his hip, a familiar position he often adopted for his small nephews.
With Dougal's approval of the two humans the creatures began dispersing back to their various habitats, leaving them alone with just Pickett and Dougal. Jacob smiled down at the pair.
"Thanks pal," he said, releasing a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding. He turned to Queenie, "So where should we start?"
"Divide and conquer I think," she said warmly, handing him a notebook, her fingers lingering momentarily on his. "Here you go hun, I made a copy for you".
Jacob flipped through the book quickly, marvelling at Newt's detailed sketches and looping penmanship.
Satisfied, he nodded in agreement, "Okay, I'll take this half," Jacob gestured at a section of the case. "And you take that half, we'll meet back here in the middle".
"Sounds swell," Queenie said chirpily, "holler if you need anything". With that she strode off confidently to her section, leaving Jacob to look longingly after her. He could have remained like that for awhile, but an impatient Pickett had crawled up onto his shoulder, and flicked Jacobs ear. Hard.
"Ow.." he glared at the small Bowtruckle indignantly, "alright..alright, I'm going," and with slight trepidation he made his way towards the beasts now under his care.
Totally unaware of the events unfolding in the case, just metres from her, Tina initially remained by Newt's side, leaning against the sofa and holding his hand. After a while she felt the urgent need to do something, Tina had never been the kind of person to sit by and let things happen. Gently she extracted her hand from Newt's, he shifted slightly but remained deeply asleep. She stood up, her gaze settling on his handsome but pale face, before she roused herself and began quietly cleaning up the apartment.
Consciousness came back to Newt in a rush, after the initially overwhelming sensation, he became acutely aware of two things; first that he was naked from the waist up, and secondly that he wasn't alone. These factors combined to trigger a deeply ingrained fight or flight response, that he had honed after years of avoiding pranksters and hungry creatures. He sat up suddenly, wincing as pain lanced through his chest.
Newt's abrupt awakening startled Tina, causing her to drop the mug she had been washing. The sound of breaking china in turned alarmed Newt, and for a moment they just stared at each other, wide-eyed.
"Jesus Newt!" Tina broke the tense silence "You scared me.." then she quickly stepped towards him "How do you feel?"
Newt's slightly addled brains finally caught up to the situation at hand as she was crossing the room. Pulling the blanket up slightly to cover his chest, he glanced down awkwardly. He sighed to himself as he noticed the new marks that had joined the impressive, if not vaguely sickening collection of scars that he had gained over the years. Feeling Tina's worry he spoke up.
"I..um..better, I think," he said hoarsely, meeting her eyes briefly. He shifted uncomfortably, an action that sent new spikes of pain running up his back. Closing his eyes briefly, he then continued.
"Thank you," he glanced up at her again, Tina was now perched on the arm of the sofa, relief evident in her warm brown eyes.
"Thank you..I don't really know what that man did to me..but I know I wouldn't have made it without you..I just..thank you," he uttered in one rushed breath, before looking down at his hands.
The dawn sunlight was streaming through the shutters, catching the reddish highlights in Newt's curly mop, and softening his face, so it became even more boyish. Tina smiled at the strange, wonderful man, that had managed to change her life in a matter of days.
"Newt..." she began tenderly, before being interrupted by an echoing roar erupting from the depths of his case.