You had sent your letter as soon as you awoke that morning, writing your exact coordinates at the bottom in neat script. It was dusk now, and you couldn't contain the nervous feeling that had been bubbling in your stomach all day. Newt sighed.
"You have to eat something," he said. You shook your head.
"Something isn't right, Newt. I can feel it." You bit your lip. "I don't think Grindelwald is going to go away without a fight."
Newt handed you a cup of tea, sitting down next to you. "Autumn," he said slowly, staring at the fire. "Are… are you sure that this battle is yours to fight?" He reached over and rested his hand on your injured knee, squeezing it gently. "You've given so much already."
You smiled at him, laying your hand over his. "Honestly, Newt… I'd give it all, if I had to."
"Please don't tell me that," he said quietly. "Don't say that." You were both quiet for a moment, listening to the fire crackle and pop in silence. "I would never tell you what to do," Newt said, turning towards you, "but promise me you won't do it alone?"
You lifted his hand and placed it over your chest. "I promise. With all my heart." He leaned into you, kissing you softly. "Besides," you said, "you're stuck with me now, like it or not." Newt chuckled.
"You know, I thought I'd be the one dragging you into spotty situations…"
"You'll get your turn to be the dangerous one, I'm sure," you said, standing. Newt watched you pace back and forth, smiling.
"I don't think the Ministry is going to send over anyone tonight," he laughed. You stopped.
"I didn't write the Ministry," you said, looking everywhere but Newt's face. His smile fell.
"What… what do you mean?" You bit your lip. "Who did you - "
Newt was interrupted by the telltale pops of three people apparating into your campsite. You recognized them all immediately as Aurors.
"Bones!" You called, rushing towards the only other woman there. Her face lit up upon seeing you. You hugged her. "It's so good to see you!" You said.
"Autumn Taylor," she smiled. "I've missed you on the team." She leant her head in, whispering conspiratorially. "These guys are nothing compared to you." You laughed.
"I've missed it, too," you admitted.
"You'll remember Jones and Thompson," she said, gesturing to the two men with her. You nodded at them.
"You look good, Taylor," Jones said, looking you up and down.
"Oh, sod off," you said, grinning. "Where's the General?"
"Here." You jerked your head towards the sound of the General's deep voice, smiling as he stepped from the shadows into the firelight.
"General," you said, smiling wide. His eyes danced with laughter as he took you in.
"Taylor," he said, stepping forward. "Didn't we retire you? I should have known you'd weasel your way back into trouble somehow…" He was in front of you now, looking down at you and smiling.
"You know me, sir," you said, grinning.
"I do," he said warmly.
"Theseus?" All five of you turned to look at Newt. Theseus furrowed his brow.
"Newton?" He said. His look of confusion slowly turned into a genuine smile. He closed the distance between himself and Newt, wrapping him in a hug. He pulled back, placing his hands on Newt's shoulders. "I had no idea you'd be here," Theseus said, grinning.
"I, um, had no idea you were going to be here," Newt said, offering his brother a grin. Theseus shook his head, chuckling.
"How on earth did Taylor get you wrapped up in all this?" He asked.
"Excuse me," you said, feigning offense. "Why are you assuming I got him mixed up in this, and not the other way around?"
"Because I know you," Theseus said turning towards you. "And I'd like to think I know my little brother," he added. "But what I don't understand is how the two of you got wrapped up with each other?" Theseus glanced between the two of you expectantly.
"I… needed an assistant," Newt offered.
"And I needed a job," you finished.
Theseus turned towards Newt and gave him a wink. "Ok," he said. "Sure."
"Nobody ever believes me when I tell them that," you said, smiling at Newt. He blushed. Theseus had turned towards the Aurors, murmuring orders to them. They nodded gravely, apparating away with a soft pop.
"Come," Theseus said, sitting by the fire and motioning for you to join him. "There is much to discuss." He watched you as you sat, eyes flicking to your leg. "It still bothers you?" He asked softly.
"Wounds are for forever, sir. You know that." He nodded.
"I don't think I have to tell you that these are dark times," he said.
"It's Grindelwald, sir. I know it."
Theseus nodded, staring at the fire. "We got tipped off that his followers are building something for him in the Black Forest… some kind of prison where he can keep his opponents after he's risen to power."
"That would explain the Dementor," you said. "He must be recruiting them from Azkaban." Theseus nodded darkly. "There's more," you said, not asking.
"There's more," he agreed. "We found it two days ago. The fortress they've built is not far from here."
"Why hasn't the Ministry sent you reinforcements?" You asked. Theseus sighed.
"You know Hector Fawley is still denying anything is wrong," he said. "We'll be at war before he'll declare a disturbance." He looked at you. "We are on our own."
"What's our plan?" You said. Theseus smiled.
"I was hoping you'd ask that."
Bones, Thompson and Jones had returned from their intel sweep. Grindelwald was not at the prison, but twelve of his followers were. You all agreed they had to be some of his closest men to be trusted with guarding such a stronghold.
"Their magic will be strong," Bones said. "Grindelwald would not place his faith in weakness." Theseus nodded.
"Yes. Going in without a plan would be suicide." He frowned. "There are eight men surrounding the perimeter, and a man guarding each tower."
"So two men on the inside we can't see," Jones added.
"I have an idea," you said slowly.
"Uh-oh," Thompson smiled.
"Theoretically," you started, "if we had someone on the inside, we could storm the castle from inside out."
"Theoretically," Theseus agreed.
"So if I were to be theoretically 'captured,' I could take out the two unseen men and then send up a signal for the rest of you to attack. That way you have eyes on everyone."
Everyone was silent, considering the idea.
"Well," Theseus began, "That could wo - "
"No." You all turned to look at Newt. He looked more furious than you had ever seen him before. He shook his head. "Absolutely not."
"Newt - " you began.
"I will not allow you to use yourself as… bait," he said.
"Newton," Theseus began, "try to understand…" Newt turned horrified eyes on his brother.
"You know sending her in there is dangerous!" He said, his voice shaking.
"It's for the greater good," Theseus said, wincing immediately after the words were out of his mouth.
"The greater good?" Newt said icily. He took off then, turning on his heel and heading off into the darkness of the woods.
"Newt!" You called after him. "I'm so sorry," you said turning to Theseus. "Excuse me a moment." You followed the path Newt had taken, walking deep into the darkness. "Newt!" You called. You squinted your eyes, straining to see the outline of his body. Up ahead to your right you could just make out his dark shadow. "Newt," you said, approaching his back. He didn't turn around to face you. Needing to feel him, you wrapped your arms around his middle and hugged him from behind. A strangled sob shuddered through him. You were both quiet for a moment.
"You promised you wouldn't stop me," you said quietly. Newt turned around to face you and hugged you to his body.
"I wish I could keep you to myself," he whispered. You smiled into his chest.
"You have me," you said. He pulled back to look at you. "I'm yours, Newt. You have all of me. Nobody else does."
"Let me go with you," he said. You shook your head.
"You're not trained," you reasoned.
"I'm not injured," he said.
"Not yet," you joked. "But sometimes I get the urge to - "
"I'll never know," he said, "why Merlin made me fall in love with such a stubborn woman."
You froze. "What?"
Newt's smile fell and he colored instantly. "What… no, I meant… I…"
"You're in love with me," you said.
"I…" He looked at you then, green eyes pleading. You smiled.
"I love you, Newt," you said. His eyes widened in surprise.
"O-oh." He said. A slow smile washed over his features. "I love you, too" he whispered, bending down and kissing you softly.
"Do you really think I'm stubborn?" You asked him after he had pulled back from your lips.
"Incredibly so, yes," Newt said without hesitation.
"So you agree, I'm incredible?"
"Shut up," he said, kissing you again.
You returned to the campsite hand in hand, Theseus smiling when he saw you both.
"Alright," you said, addressing him. "We're ready to be captured."