You woke up disoriented with a crick in your neck and a strange weight on your body. You groaned as you shifted uncomfortably and opened an eye. Your body heated at the sight of Newt sleeping next to you, the memory of the previous evening making your heartbeat race. Smiling, you reached out and softly brushed the hair back from his face.
"Newt," you whispered, placing a kiss to his jaw. "Good morning." He groaned a little, opening his eyes and blushing.
"Good morning," he said, and your heart swelled at the raspy quality of his voice. "Did you sleep ok?"
You laughed, rubbing your neck. "Maybe next time we can make use of a more comfortable location…" You trailed off, catching the strange look he gave you. "What?"
Newt colored, smiling a bit and looking away. "Nothing," he said. He offered you a half-smile. "Next time?" You grinned and kissed him, sighing into his mouth as you felt him thread his fingers through the hair at the base of your neck. "Oh," he said, pulling away suddenly. "Breakfast." You hummed.
"You go. I need to wash up, and I'll meet you there." You stood, craning your neck too find where your clothing had ended up. Stepping into your dress you caught Newt's eye and smiled. "What now?"
He gave you a grin, grabbing your wrist and pulling you down until he could kiss you. "You're going to be late for breakfast, again." You swatted his arm and pulled away, heading to the ladder.
"It's tradition."
You weren't late to breakfast, though you were certainly close to it. You took your empty seat across from Newt and smiled. Theseus tapped your cup, filling it with coffee.
"Such a gentleman," you said, cupping the mug and sipping.
"I live to serve," he smiled. "Where'd you get off to last night, anyways?"
You coughed a bit, reddening and forcing yourself not to look at Newt. "Oh, I just… got tired." You gave him a tight smile. "Went to bed early."
"Funny," he said. "Newton had the same problem. Wonder what happened yesterday that tired the two of you out?" He smiled at you then, a knowing smile.
"Are you ready for the ceremony tonight, Theseus?" Newt said, a little too loudly.
"Yes," Theseus said, taking a bite of sausage. "As ready as I'll ever be. I managed to secure an escort, actually."
"Wow," you said, sipping your coffee. "Tricked her, did you?"
"I resent that," he sniffed. "Some women find me quite a catch, you know." Newt snorted, making you chuckle. Theseus was about to retort when he was interrupted by the entrance of their butler.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, but Miss Littlewood has a visitor." You raised an eyebrow at him. Who in the Wizarding world would be here to see… "A Mr. Black?" Shite. You paled, nodding curtly.
"Are you quite alright?" Newt said, looking at you worriedly. You gave him a shaky smile as you stood.
"I'm fine," you said, not fine at all. Mr. Back's presence could have no good implication. You made your way out of the room slowly, ignoring the sick feeling in your stomach. Mr. Black was waiting for you in the sitting room, puffing angrily on a cigar. As soon as the door was closed behind you he started.
"I'm assuming you know why I'm here?"
You fidgeted, biting your lip. "I'm honestly unsure, Mr. Black." He began pacing furiously, beside himself.
"Miss Littlewood, what did I tell you about this assignment? Did I not tell you to behave yourself?"
You furrowed your brow. "I haven't - " He spun to face you, angrily.
"I received a very unpleasant visit this morning from a Ministry official. He claims you've entered into an arrangement with one of the Scamanders."
"Alexander," you said, paling. "Sir, it's not - "
"Not what I think?" He said, raising a brow. "Then you deny it? You're not involved?" You hesitated for a moment too long and he shook his head. "Scarlet…"
"It's not like that," you said, voice shaky. "It's not - "
"I can't have one of my reporters causing this much trouble. You're supposed to write headlines, not make them." He sighed heavily. "This gives me no pleasure, Scarlet, but… I can't continue to employ you."
You felt your blood run cold. "What?" Mr. Black looked at you sadly.
"Alexander is very important in the Ministry," he said. "He's threatening to cause trouble for the paper if we don't take action."
"But," you said, stepping towards him, "this is completely unfair. I'm - "
"The best reporter I've got," he finished sadly. "My hands are tied, doll."
"Mr. Black," you pleaded, "there has to be something I can do…"
He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Scarlett. I'll pay you for this assignment, but as far as I'm concerned, you can head home now, if you'd like." You stood, stricken, as he patted your arm. "You're smart," he assured. "You'll be alright." He walked to the fireplace, taking one last look at you before Floo-ing away.
"Scarlet?" You turned to look at Newt numbly as he came to your side. "Is everything alright?" He touched his fingers to your cheek and you felt something break inside you.
"I've… I've been fired." You felt the sting of tears as you looked at him. "I lost my job." You wiped at your eye, looking away from him. "Alexander told my boss about us and demanded I be let go for impropriety." Newt stiffened beside you.
"I…" You looked up at him, his face a grotesque mix of anger and guilt. "This is my fault," he said, stopping a moment to clench his jaw. "I shouldn't have been so aggressive…"
"I'm the one who hit him," you said quietly. Newt pulled you to his chest, kissing you on the top of your head.
"What should I do?" You hiccuped, pulling away from his chest.
"No, it's me. I have to go talk to him." You stumbled toward the fireplace, stopping as you felt Newt grab your hand.
"I'll go with you," he said. You shook your head.
"No," you said sadly. "I'm afraid that won't help my case."
Newt bit his lip. "I can't… I can't just let you leave."
"I have to go," you said. "I have to convince him this isn't just… we aren't... " You stopped, feeling the weight of what you were about to say.
"We aren't...?" He asked, stepping closer to you.
"We aren't… just messing around," you finished, staring at the ground. You felt him tuck a finger under your chin and pull your face up to look at his.
"We aren't," he breathed, staring at you momentarily before kissing you softly. You stayed like that for a long moment, afraid to break apart. "Scarlet," he whispered, pressing his lips to your forehead. "What if you came with me?"
You looked up at him in confusion. "What?"
He colored. "I'm about to leave to do more field research for my book. I'm headed to the territory of New Guinea… what if you came with me?"
"I don't…" You stopped. "I couldn't."
"Why?" He cupped your face. "You want to travel, to see the world. Why not see it with me?"
"You don't really know me," you said, sadly. "You could end up hating me."
"I don't think that's possible," he said, quietly You shook your head.
"Newt, I'm not a good person. I'm…" You looked at him, willing him to understand. "I've made mistakes."
"As have I," he said. You bit your lip and he sighed, taking a step back from you. "Go," he said. "Go and think about it. I leave tomorrow morning, after Theseus' party."
You looked up at him in shock. "So soon?" He nodded.
"I wanted to tell you last night but… I didn't want to ruin anything." He reached up and brushed a finger over your cheek. "I know it's fast… I just can't imagine leaving you behind. If you decide to come, you'd make me happier than I ever thought possible."
"I need to think about it," you said weakly. He nodded. You closed the distance between the two of you, kissing him softly and then stepping back. "I can't imagine leaving you either, you know." Newt smiled and looked at the ground.
You turned away from him, pausing for a moment. This wasn't the kind of choice you should make impulsively. You closed your eyes and sighed, telling yourself not to look back. When you opened your eyes again, you were home.