So this turns about to be a great form of procrastination when you really don't want to do something. I have an assignment due but for some reason wrote this instead. Anyway I hope you enjoy, this is a Newt and Tina chapter because it's been awhile since they have had some alone time :)
Tina awoke suddenly, her eyes instantly going to Newt's bed which was worryingly empty, save for the slumbering Dougal. Concerned she quietly got out of bed, careful not to disturb the other inhabitants of the hut. Her fears quickly dissipated when she stepped outside, Newt was sat on the soft grass giving a belly rub to what appeared to be a giant leopard, though the colouring was all wrong. She was padding towards the pair when Newt spoke up, his tone calm and rich.
"Hello Miss Goldstein, if you don't mind, could you pause there for a second," he said smoothly without turning around, "You see Marie here is a bit skittish around new people."
Tina stopped instantly, watching curiously as Newt leaned close to the beast, speaking softly in it ear. It huffed at him, before slowly rolling over onto it's belly and stretching as it pulled itself up to it's full height. After affording Newt one last pat, the beast slinked off, surprisingly silent for it's large size. Newt watched it go, before turning around and dazzling Tina with a gentle smile.
"Hello Tina," he said hesitantly, before beginning to stand up to greet her, seeing the strain on his face Tina rushed forward.
"Hey Newt..no need to get up..why don't we just sit here for a sec," she quickly planted herself down beside him. Newt nodded in agreement and let out a sigh as he sat back down.
"I'm sorry," he was looking intensely at his fingers, before briefly making eye contact with her, "I don't seem to be back up to full strength yet...I know I'm being a burden..this whole thing has really knocked the wind out of me," he hung his head.
Tina put her hand on his arm and squeezed reassuringly, "It's okay Newt, I..we are here to help," he looked at her again with slightly watery eyes.
Smiling at him Tina continued, "You've got to know you're not a burden..you..you saved Queenie and Jacob and you fought Grindelwald..Grindelwald," she exclaimed passionately.
"It's okay to need help," she said more softly, her hand somehow finding his, they sat in a comfortable silence, admiring the view of Newt's astounding case.
Newt leaned slightly into her, his calloused thumb running over her knuckles,
"Despite all of this, I'm so glad we met," he spoke sincerely, chewing his lip as he met her eyes.
Tina's heart swelled at this adorable mess of a man in front of her,
"Me to," she managed, before clearing her throat and moving on to a slightly less emotionally charged topic.
"So what..who was that you were petting just now ?" she queried.
Newt appreciated her moving the conversation to something he was more confident about, because expressing feelings certainly wasn't his forte.
"Ah Marie, she is a Nundus from Africa..beautiful creatures but exceptionally rare due to their..er rather unfortunate defensive strategies," he began passionately.
Tina doubted she would ever get over the change that came over the whole of Newt's being when he talked about or interacted with his creatures. It made her wonder what had happened to him, to make him so nervous around humans.
"You see, they have this sac around their necks and when they feel threatened..they puff it up," he demonstrated by puffing out his cheeks. Tina found herself giggling, she couldn't remember the last time she giggled.
"And erm then they release their gas...you see it's highly noxious..so they have been hunted to near extinction out of fear," he sighed, staring out into the plains.
"I found Marie when she was a cub, so we have a good relationship..but I've never introduced her to another human..and I didn't want to risk her getting scared and hurting you by accident."
Tina bumped his shoulder with hers,
"I get it..it's a real nice thing you're doing here Newt, I think your book is going to make things better," she smiled at him and he grinned back at her.
"I hope so," he said wistfully, before rubbing a hand across his taut abdomen.
"So I don't know about you, but I'm starving..shall we rouse the others and try and rustle up some food?"
At the mere mention of a possible meal Tina's belly began to rumble, they both laughed at this involuntary agreement.
Tina stood up first, and offered a hand to Newt, he looked at it with furrowed eyebrows, for a second she thought he'd refuse it. But after resolving whatever internal debate he'd been having, Newt took Tina's hand and together they got him upright. The dizziness which seemed to linger constantly in the back of Newt's head, came back with full force and he staggered into her. He squeezed his eyes shut, taking deep breaths, while Tina provided a firm grip on his upper arms. As it abated his green eyes opened to meet hers, he was so close to her she could almost count every freckle on his face.
"Thank you," he breathed, then surprised her by taking her into his strong arms, the embrace was desperate and urgent. She quickly reciprocated, looping her arms around his back, and they just stood like that, two souls relishing the oasis of comfort. Then as quickly as he had initiated it, Newt broke away and looked down, ashamed.
"I'm sorry Miss Goldstein..that was improper of me..I'm..um not really sure what came over me," he stuttered.
Tina took his face in her soft hands, and as she had done when he was feverish, caressed his cheek, "It's okay Newt," she exhaled, as they leaned closer to one another.
His rough hand cupped her chin, his mind made up, and he tenderly kissed her lips, she responded eagerly, her arms wrapping around his neck.
In the passionate embrace, she finally understood what all Queenie's magazines were going on about, with their talk of fireworks and the one.
This was it, she'd found it.