Hello people,

I guess I am back with a small OS about my newest favorite couple : Newt Scamander and Tina Goldstein. These two... they make my heart ache. The story is set right after the second movie.

I hope you will like this work !

I am French, and though I have been told I speak English very well, this work may contain some mistakes. I apologise in advance, they are all mine. I couldn't find any beta reader.

Enjoyy and don't forget to tell me if you liked it !

He had been waiting for this moment with great excitement, had counted the days, the weeks, knowing that each seconds passing were bringing him somehow closer to her.

He waited patiently, aware that one day, he would go back for her, to fulfil the promise he had made. The promise he intended to keep. He longed for that moment, imagining it over and over in his head. It was his guilty pleasure. Every night, as he went to bed, he closed his eyes, enjoyed the quietness and the warmth of his covers to let his mind wonder in the endless possibilities of their reunion.

The man liked to picture her surprise as she would find him, waiting patiently in front of her office, her face brightening up at his sight while her eyes filled with happy tears. In his wildest dream, he managed to tell her clearly what he felt, what he wanted and perhaps that was the most magical thing in his fantasy. She would say his name, her voice breaking at the end, and he would say hers, whispering. Tina.

She had never left his thoughts. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see her, her smile, shy, her hair, soft. Newt had always been a dreamer, his mind filled with the most amazing creatures. Daydreaming had never been more pleasant now that she was the object of his fantasies. He really liked her. In fact, he liked her so much that he was willing to disrespect the law just to make sure he wouldn't break the vow he made. Just to deliver a copy of his book. After the debacle of his last visit, the ministry of magic had forbidden his return to America, to his despair. He didn't want any harm. He just wanted Tina. Today, he was putting himself at risk. She was worth it. She was worth every fight, every fears. He loved her.

Newt clung to his life's work : Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them, holding it tight against his heart as he stepped one more time in New York City. It was a beautiful snowy day, and even the silence of the snowflakes couldn't muffle the sound of this beautiful living city. It was swarming with Muggles, or rather No-Maj, hands full of bags as Christmas was near. Streets were enlightened with magnificent tinsels, and the heavy snow of December had hidden the remaining leaves that had survived the fall. Overwhelmed, Newt stopped in the middle of the street, just to pull out the picture of his beloved he always carried with him. His hands were shaking with the cold, but he didn't mind. He had found it in the paper, had cut it out just to keep her close, right next to his heart. Just to keep her safe. Upon looking at her familiar beautiful face, Newton smiled genuinely, freeing the butterflies in his stomach that had been held captive way too long. He had, on his other hand, a simple button that used to belong to Tina. She had lost it in his suitcase, during her rather short stay. It belonged to her grey coat she seemed to adore and wore during their previous adventures. The Magizoologist had made his mission to bring it back to its owner, knowing it would be missed. It was his lucky charm. For some reasons, he had made a habit to take it with him everywhere he went. Hoping, somehow, that it would bring her back to him. Back together.

His steps led him naturally towards MACUSA. He figured she would be there since she had gotten her job back. Driven Auror, he could easily imagine that she didn't mind working late since she was after all, the best he had ever met. He just hoped that she took better care of herself since she had mentioned in one of her letters, that she sometimes didn't have time to eat, or sleep much. But she was the best. She wanted justice, always seeking the truth, trying her best to bring good into this world. And perhaps, it was what he admired most about her. Her genuine desire to make this world a better, safer place. He did not like Aurors in general, or rather the kind his brother Theseus was. He believed them to be hypocrites, and maybe they were. But he liked her and everything around her. He liked her, and was ready to accept her job as well.

As he saw the facility from afar, anxiety started to cripple his entire body. His steps slowed down of their own, his heartbeat quickened. It had been so long. Maybe she had forgotten about him ? He took a deep breath, creating a puff of steam that flew into the air in a twirl. Once again, he stopped, not willing to push himself too hard. He could do this. He was going to see her. But he needed to take his time. He needed to collect himself because once he would enter the building, there would be no turning back. It was still time to run away, and never return. His shaking hand pulled out little Pickett who had been hiding in his coat's pocket. He was in desperate need of a pep-talk since his confidence had suddenly vanished.

"What do I tell her ? Maybe… maybe she is busy. Maybe she doesn't want to see me. Oh Pickett what do I tell her?'' He mumbled, studying the creature's features as he spoke.

Pickett shrugged, looking sorry. Oh, how easy it was to address his creatures. They always understood him, loved him for who he was. Out there, people thought he was strange. They called him "Freak." They called him "Weird." His beasts never uttered a single judgement, they listened to his stutters, gave him time to put words on his thoughts.

Tina didn't mind his lack of small talks and his awkwardness.

Tina didn't mind, but for once, he wanted to be clear.

"Hello Ms. Goldstein. No. That's too formal." He whispered, annoyed. "Shall I call her Tina ? Porpentina maybe? I don't know." A sigh. He was pacing to and fro in front of MACUSA and No-Maj looked at this weird looking gentleman anxiously walking around the street. "I said I would give you a copy in person, so here it is." He turned to the small animal again. "Should I compliment her ?" His green friend nodded. "You are beautiful today. I mean, you were also beautiful the last time I saw you. Sorry… You are very beautiful to me. Probably not just to me either, people might find you particularly beautiful…"

Newt stopped, obviously aware of how awkward he sounded. Words had not the same meanings in his mind and often came out wrong. He was never good with people, finding it hard to understand them, and acknowledge what was expected of him. He was never good with people, but with Tina, it was different. She cared, and did her best to be patient with him, to understand what he truly meant behind his simple words. She had told him so in the many letters they had exchanged throughout the years. In fact, It even sounded like she loved his animal comparisons and metaphors.

But today he wanted to do good for Tina. He wanted to express some of his deepest feelings for her. He had missed his chance before heading back to London. He was not going to do the same. He couldn't.

It wasn't too late.

"What am I even doing Pickett ? This isn't like me." He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

The Bowtruckle patted his shoulder, obviously sympathetic towards his master's situation. He smiled and looked at him right in the eye, trying to make him understand. And Newton understood. After a few seconds of attentive listening, Newt smiled down at his friend.

"You are quite right. I can do this. I'll just have to be myself. Thank you my friend."

With another deep breath, and a quick look in a mirror surface, Newt entered MACUSA with a determined look on his face. He adjusted his tie and his coat, hoping to make the best of impressions. At the reception, he asked for Auror Goldstein, telling the operator that he was a dear friend of hers. The woman's brows furrowed as she seemed to recognise him without being able to put a name on his face. The woman said that Tina was to be here in a few minutes and that he was welcome to wait for her in the waiting room. He complied, holding on to his book as if it were the last thing keeping him from falling.

He sat, his legs quivering, unable to carry him anymore. There was nothing around him : chairs, magazines, and some plants to fill this very empty room. His heart was pounding in his chest, trying to escape, trying to go back to the person it truly belonged.

Trying to find Tina.

Tina.

Her name chanted in his soul, filling his mind with sweet memories he had tried to forget.

Tina's smile as he told her that he would come back.

Tina's worries when he went after the Obscurus.

Tina's eyes filled with tears as they ways parted.

Tina's body against his, her grip on his shoulders as he caught her from the chair.

Tina's voice singing Ilvermorny's song.

Tina.

The woman he loved and dearly missed.

You will be fine Newt. He tried to convince himself. But the wait was excruciating. The ticking sound of the big clock were echoing inside of his head.

And then he heard her voice.

Her lovely voice that sounded like a mermaid singing. His heart clenched violently as the moment he had been waiting for all these years was imminent. She was here. She was well. And so was he. He wanted to run towards her, to make his presence known immediately. He wanted to hear her say his name, Newt, because he wouldn't want to be called anything else. Instead, he remained frozen in place, on his wooden chair, holding tight the book he had carried.

He could see her from afar, and she is the most beautiful creature he ever had the chance to lay his eyes on. She had cut her hair recently, it was a bit shorter than he remembered, but it suited her well. The way her soft dark locks fell on her face highlighted her eyes, as they were shimmering like fire in deep water. Porpentina had traded her grey coat for a long dark leather jacket, that outlined the very curves of her divine body. She was smiling, laughing even, and the sound of her happiness bewitched him. His eyes set on her dimples, noticing again, how beautifully it turned her severe and focused features into a childish face. For a moment, Newt almost forgot how to breathe.

He had never experienced anything quite like it. Never held his breath in front of a woman.

But it was Tina. And Tina was special.

A man appeared next to the woman that hadn't left his thoughts in about two years, and by the way she looked at him, the way she clung to his side, he seemed special as well. His was tall, rather good looking, wearing a black suit and glasses. He had his hand on her hip and dropped a small kiss on her cheek as they parted ways.

Newt felt his heart breaking, and the tears filling his eyes. He always had trouble showing his emotions and putting words on to them, yet, he felt things deeply, perhaps more than average people did. His mouth quivered as he tried to stay still. Upon hearing footsteps coming his way, the Magizoologist got up from his chair, and began walking, trying to calm his nerves. Who was this man ? How did they know each others ? Where they… together ? Too many questions without answers running in his mind, too many worries left unspoken.

And it was too much. Too much for his heart to bare.

He couldn't blame her : they hadn't talked in years. Why would he expect her to wait for him? Somehow, he did hope that she would. But she didn't.

See, he loved Tina so much he was willing to give up on his happiness for hers. He was ready to be miserable if it meant she could have a life. A life he wasn't sure he could give her.

He was too late again. Perhaps he should have kissed her on the docks. Or told her in one of his letters. Perhaps he should have come sooner. Maybe he shouldn't have come at all.

But it was too much. Way too much.

At the same time, Tina stepped closer to her colleague's office, still giddy after working on a case with her second cousin from her mother's side. Arthur and her had always gotten along well, even when they were child. They pursued the same goals, had the same aspirations for life. Now that he had been promoted Auror, she spent everyday at work with him, enjoying the closeness of their relationship. Until she got a message that a visitor was here to see her.

"Hello, Nora. You summoned me?" She asked sweetly, setting her eyes on the golden haired woman that reminded her of her sister.

"Goldstein. There is a man for you in the waiting room. He says he is a friend."

Tilting her head, the brunette shook her head, confused. She had a pile of paperwork to do, and Grindelwald related cases to finish. She didn't exactly have time for riddles. A friend ? She didn't have many friends. Mostly because she spent every minutes she had on work, or at home with her sister. Some colleagues seemed to like her, but most people found her annoying and boring. Who would want to see her ? The only person she could think of lived miles away and was, most probably, busy hunting some kind of exotic animal in a deep forest in Germany. Or off to sigh more books somewhere, anywhere. But not here.

Curious, she made her way to the little room next to the entrance, the guest room, and found it empty. It was still tidy, left untouched, and for a moment, the Auror wondered if she had understood well what Nora had said. There was no one waiting for her, not a soul to accompany her. But only a lingering sent that felt rather natural, and she could distinguish the soft fragrance of fresh cut-grass and flowers. She knew that smell. How could she forget?

How could she forget his fragrance, when he had held her body against his ?

How could she forget the warmth of his hands in hers, lacing their fingers together ?

How could she forget him when he is the only person she had thought of, days and nights, for the past years?

A huge smile drew itself on her lips as her heart fluttered. He was here. Now. He came back for her. To see her.

"Newt ?" She called out, at loud, looking everywhere for something, anything that would indicate that he was here. She was hopeful, filled with outmost joy. Her radiant smile couldn't leave her face, it was stuck here forever. It was all Newt. Only he had the power to make her smile like this, to make her forget that she was supposed to seem severe and serious. No blue coat. No case. No Bowtruckle in sight. Nothing. Where could he be?

After a few minutes and many revelios cast, she noticed on the third chair, a book that was displayed. A familiar one. She had seen it multiple times in bookstores, and had purchased her own not so long ago. This book that never left her bedside, that she read, again and again, finding in the words, a little bit of him. Hearing in this description, his voice she missed. A book whose cover she had memorised inch by inch.

"Newt…?" She whispered, sadness in her voice.

She opened the book, and a button fell on the ground and rolled at her feet. She smiled, bitterly, recognising it. She had searched everywhere, unable to find where she might have dropped it. It never occurred to her that it could have been in Newt's case. Nor that he would have kept it. She picked it up, caressing the surface and closing her eyes in pain. She could still feel his essence around that little piece of plastic, the way he had held what belonged to her, cared for it, treated it like it was a part of her that he was carrying.

The book fell from her hands and hit the ground dramatically. It laid opened at a very specific chapter. Salamanders.

Trembling, she picked up the fallen object in her hands.

And there, scribbled on the margin, a little note from a writing she knew too well. The letters were small, some words were almost crossed-out. Upon reading the words with great difficulty, a single tear escaped from Porpentina's eyes.

« Tina,

My deepest, most sincere apology for the delay of my venue. I had meant to come sooner, but the Ministry has kept me from returning to you. I never forgot the promise I made, so please accept the book that you have inspired.

To the witch

Whose eyes I cannot forget,

like fire in dark water,

The eyes of a salamander.

To Porpentina,

Whose picture I carry.

I have missed you dearly.

- Newt Scamander. »