Only a few minutes had passed by the time Queenie and Jacob rejoined them in the sunlit parlor, both in significantly better spirits with smiles on their faces. The couple laughed as they entered on steady feet, holding hands. All of Jacob's color had returned to his cheeks.
"Sorry for — uh — y'know." He tossed a pointed thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to the bathroom with his smile twisting into a look of mild embarrassment. "Sorry."
Newt jumped to his feet, shaking his head and giving the stout baker a friendly pat on the back. "No worries. I'm glad you're feeling better. I fainted my first go of it, remember? So you did miles better than me."
Jacob laughed despite not looking convinced, though he seemed grateful for Newt's understanding and general air of nonchalance.
"Now that we're all here, shall I show you where you'll be sleeping?" Newt asked, gesturing vaguely in the direction of the wooden stairs in the narrow foyer before offering his hand to assist Tina off the sofa.
She beamed, welcoming his hand around hers once again. Tina relished in the gentle friction of his coarse skin against her own and the way he kept hold of it long after she was on her feet.
"Please!" Queenie nodded, curls bouncing. Fluidly she folded herself around Jacob, snaking her arm around his, and for a moment Tina envied the couple's ease and casual intimacy.
Before she had time to dwell on her sister and Jacob's easy familiarity, Newt was pulling her up the antique stairs while the other couple fell into place behind them. With every step they climbed, that annoying pang of jealousy flitted away as her inquisitive eyes took in all there was to see of the British wizard's flat, and by the time they reached the landing, Tina's envy was gone.
The second floor was much like the first, decorated with rich artistic crown moulding with patterned wallpaper and wooden floors masked by heavy rugs. A layer of dust covered most of the surfaces there too, none suffering so much as a stack of crates left abandoned and forgotten in the corner at the top of the stairs.
The spare room was the first one off the landing, and the one Newt led them into first. Unsurprisingly it was just as Tina imagined it being; a mess of organized disarray consisting of surplus knicknacks, boxes of books, and clothes. At the center of the furthest wall, strewn with clutter as well, sat a simple iron framed bed large enough for two.
A defeated-sounding sigh escaped Newt's lips as he drew out his wand. He gave it a quick, wordless flick, sending the mess to pile neatly along the surrounding walls, making the room feel more open and functional.
"As I was telling Tina: I'm happy to host but ill prepared." Newt stored his wand away and pocketed his hands, casting a hesitant look to the couple standing next to him as if to judge the disappointment he expected.
Queenie waved her hand dismissively, "Oh, don't worry honey. This is perfect for Jacob and me. Thank you!" She spun fluidly to land a grateful, friendly peck on his freckled cheek before crossing the room to the bed where she placed her things. A wide grin parted the baker's lips as he gave Newt a hearty pat on his back in thanks and followed Queenie.
"There is a bath at the end of the hall the two of you are welcome to use, whenever." Newt told them, though Tina wasn't sure either Queenie or Jacob had heard; the couple were swaying rhythmically in each other's arms without the need of music to guide them.
All at once, the modest spare room was bursting with the boundless love and adoration joyously spilling from the dancing couple. It was warm and almost tingled right down to Tina's bones and all she could do was wonder what it must be like: to share something so wholesome and pure with another person. What her sister and the baker had was an entity of rare caliber, something beyond infatuation and romance, but Tina could see it — feel it even, so she knew whatever it was, had to be true.
If Tina could harbor even a small fraction of what her sister had found, to have that level of trust and happiness, would be more than she would have ever thought possible. With every passing glance she stole Newt's way, she longed for it even more; the singular hope that one day whatever it was she and the Magizoologist shared could blossom into more than a silly infatuation.
When Newt scooped up Tina's hand, she almost jumped, having been lost in a sea of thoughts. She tried to ignore the tingle that sank deep into her skin where their hands were pressed together; Newt seemed to be fighting it too, judging by the faint shiver that worked through him. Nevertheless, she welcomed the return of his calloused fingertips scratching gently across her smooth skin as he led her quietly out of Jacob and Queenie's room. There was a content expression playing on his lips, blithe and touched slightly with a hint of hubris. Tina allowed herself to delight in the notion that perhaps it was she who had caused Newt's grin and air of pride, finding that the idea pleased her profoundly. For a moment she wished the hall would never come to an end.
The second of the two bedrooms sat at the front of the dwelling and was larger by only a few feet. Newt's scent was heaviest there, which thrilled Tina more than she was willing to admit- gnawing her lip to keep from grinning like a fool. She let her eyes skate over its clutter in an attempt to thwart the pleasure the rooms' distinct cologne prompted. Newt's things were still strewn about, though far less messy than the previous room. Boxes and books decorated every surface and piles of garments littered the wooden floor as though he'd not been taught how to properly hang them.
As they entered, Newt's charmed expression faded into a frown, and again, he issued her an apologetic glance.
"Bugger…" he sighed in defeat, and withdrew his wand.
With an unceremonious wave the space began to tidy itself; clean garments folded and tucked themselves away in the drawers of the antique wardrobe, while worn shirts and trousers discarded themselves into a wicker basket in the back corner of his room. The boxes and the books all stacked neatly and the sheets covering his bed smoothed snugly across the mattress.
"I'm sorry, Tina," he said while collecting books that had not yet begun to stack. "I'm not usually this messy." Newt deposited the books on a shelf with a sigh. "Is this alright for you? I know it's not my parents place…"
"It's better," Tina assured him quickly.
The Scamander estate was elegant and profoundly clean, but to Tina, those walls felt more akin to a swanky Manhattan Hotel instead of a home. The faded wallpaper and jumble of boxes and clothes of Newt's room was as close to home as she would ever get so far from New York.
A chuckle broke past Newt's pursed lips — dry and laden with skepticism.
"I don't know about that," he argued. "But it's a bed at the very least." Newt paused for a moment, carding his fingers through his mess of ginger hair. "I'll, uh, sleep in my case so I won't bother you."
Tina felt her face fall, and before she could think better of it, chose not to let the chance slip past her.
"It's big enough for both of us. Don't you think?" she asked, surprised with how level her voice was feeling her heart begin to pound in her chest. "We could share it, if you want."
Seconds slinked by profoundly slow, each one of them seemingly slower than the last; Tina held her breath through all of them. Newt wasn't looking directly at her, more so her shoulder, which made it hard for Tina to gage what expression was playing on his face until with a timid flash of teeth, he smiled.
"That wouldn't bother you?" he asked, tentatively.
Tina shook her head. "Not at all!"
Immediately, she knew she sounded too eager, and winced. However, her enthusiasm seemed to encourage his own and the slight smirk grew wide on Newt's freckled face. His eyes were even twinkling when he finally met her's.
"Okay," he nodded.
It was a simple response — a single word — and yet the way he'd uttered it, how he beamed with so much more than a fissure of happiness reminded Tina of how Jacob looked at Queenie. A touch of pink colored his cheeks and the tips of his ears and he dropped his eyes, letting his fringe shield his expression before busying himself once more with his chores.
As he finished tidying the space, Tina found a place for her small number of things, finishing by sliding her suitcase under her side of his bed. Jacob and Queenie found them not long after, crossing the threshold with yet another barrage of thanks for Newt's hospitality before they all ventured back down stairs.
There was no mistaking the evening glow of the setting sun spilling into the parlor as they trekked single file down the stairway. It seemed only a handful of hours had passed since enjoying breakfast together, however the English hour was nearing suppertime. The time zone came with a bit of a shock to Jacob and Queenie, the blonde witch was first to rush off to the kitchen offering to make them all dinner. Newt valiantly tried to argue something about the notion of his guests cooking for him to be improper; Tina stopped him though, knowing he was fighting a losing battle.
Much to Queenie's delight, it seemed, Newt kept a well-stocked pantry; most of it consisting of fruits and vegetables he'd grown himself. There was an air of pride in his voice as he told them the various farming methods he had learned on his travels from natives, and Tina couldn't help but to smile, always enchanted by the tales of his nomadic life.
There wasn't a lot of room in the kitchen for them to help Queenie prepare the meal, though Tina tried, only to have her sister insist she relax with Newt at the table. Jacob remained by her side, however, chopping carrots and onions with practiced ease; he was a far better sous chef than Tina had ever been.
Queenie was in the middle of cheerfully listing off the tailoring she still needed to do on her dress as she stirred the pot of stew when the sound of the front door opening caused them all to pause and glance down the hall in confusion.
"Do I smell cooking!?" a charismatic voice Tina recognized bellowed down the corridor. "Are you home, little brother?"
Before Newt could muster a snarky reply, Theseus Scamander waltzed into the kitchen with a grin on his thinly bearded face.
"I thought you were in New York." He paused, suddenly taking notice of the amount of people in the room. Theseus' smile grew tighter across his face. "But I see that you have brought New York to you. Good to see you again, Ms. Goldstein."
Tina grinned, surprised with how happy she was to see him. "Hello, Theseus. How's Lillian?"
Newt's brother beamed at the mention of his wife and proudly squared his shoulders. "Very well! I'm sure she will be delighted to learn you are in town."
"I hope I get the chance to see her before I go back. If not, you'll have to say hello for me," Tina said.
Theseus nodded. "You have my word." He paused long enough to turn his attention to Jacob and Queenie, throwing on a charming smile as he did. "I'm Theseus Scamander, by the way. It seems that my brother has forgotten his manners and sees no need to introduce me."
Newt stood hurriedly, casting his teasing brother a heavy scowl before finishing the introductions. "Thes, I'd like you to meet my friends: Jacob Kowalski, and Tina's sister, Queenie."
Theseus was quick to reach for Jacob's hand to shake. "Ah, yes. The baker! Newt tells me you've opened a shop selling pastries that resemble his creatures. Bravo! It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise!" Jacob grinned, obviously enchanted with the elder Scamander's charm.
"And, Ms. Goldstein, the younger." He chastely kissed the knuckles of the hand she offered him. "I hear you make a mean strudel. I'm charmed to make your acquaintance. I fear my brother does not deserve either of your friendships." Theseus winked.
Queenie chuckled. "It's great to meet you, too, Mr. Scamander."
"Theseus, please." He held up a hand dismissing such a formal title. "So sorry to intrude, but my brother left town yesterday leaving me with the notion he was to be gone for a few days and instructed me to babysit his menagerie of creatures. I can see now, however, I'm not needed."
Newt rolled his eyes, fighting a smile. "I had planned on staying a few days, but Jacob and Queenie seized the opportunity to come—"
"Get married, am I right?" Theseus interjected with a brow hooked high on his forehead.
Newt scowled again upon being interrupted. Theseus continued, unfazed.
"My mother — er, our mother — will be delighted to learn you've changed your minds! Load of rubbish, that American law. I've found Muggles to be rather extraordinary life partners." He smiled fondly before adding: "My Lilly certainly is."
It was endearing, how Theseus' face lit up every time someone mentioned his wife's name; the same happened each time Queenie spoke of Jacob and vice versa. Tina envied that level of companionship, hoping to find it someday for herself.
From the corner of her eye Tina saw Queenie perk up, having caught that singular wish drift through her mind; and without hesitation, Queenie pointedly eyed Newt. Tina shrugged, passing the word maybe mentally to her sister. She seemed content with that response and returned her focus to Theseus.
"...Should I tell mother to expect you lot sometime in the morning?" he asked, excitedly.
Queenie grinned. "If it's no trouble."
"I don't see why it would be." Theseus shrugged nonchalantly. "She loves a good party, our mother."
Newt let out a heavy breath of air, his expression stuck somewhere between annoyed and amused, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like 'she loves a reason to drink.'
Tina tried to stifle her own amusement. She didn't doubt the charming Irish woman loved an excuse to indulge.
"It's settled then!" Queenie beamed.
Theseus mirrored her enthusiasm. "So it is! I'll pop by the estate to let her know the lot of you will be over, before I head home." He pulled his pocket watch free to check the time. "And with that, I shall leave you all to your supper. It's been a pleasure meeting the two of you — you both have my sincerest congratulations. Lovely seeing you again, Tina, I'll bid Lillian a hello for you. Newt…" Theseus cast his brother a long knowing look, and then winked. "Don't be daft and muddle up this good thing you've got going, aye?"
Newt looked confused for a moment, seemingly on the verge of asking what he meant, then his cheeks flushed pink.
"I'm doing my best," Newt insisted loudly as his brother strolled down the hall.
"Do better!" Theseus shouted, and vanished out the door.
A/N: We're nearing the end of this one, and it feels as though I only just started posting it! Crazy how time flies. I've been writing a little bit every day on the next part of this series so hopefully I can get it posted before the year is out. Thank you all for reading and riding this train for me, only 4 more chapters!
Furthermore, you can follow me on Tumblr fandom-non-sense
That is where you can keep up with my progress, check out my favorite works by other talented authors and even find a link to keep me caffeinated so I write quicker ;).
Also HUGE thank you and shout out to my betas CuivienenGazer and katiehavok. They are the true heroes here and I owe them both so much for making these chapters readable.