They were running side by side.

The whole place was tearing apart. Dust from above crashed down in puffs of smoke and the cracks in the wall were spreading like a virus. The sound of the massive explosion from before still lingered even though they were certain they were a distance away. Most of the lights were out and the remaining few flickered spasmodically, making it essential for them to draw their wands to produce their own.

Being given the mission to gain insight on Grindelwald's plans, Newt, Tina and a couple of other Aurors were in the large theatre where Grindelwald was holding yet another rally. Unfortunately, Grindelwald was somehow able to spot them again, and while he asked most of the 'innocents' to leave, he cast a powerful spell that destroyed the whole place. What made things worse was the fact that he conjured a black mass, similar to an Obscurus yet not, to keep the group occupied while he made his escape. Instructions were given to split and run, and that was what Newt and Tina did.

As they passed through another doorway, a loud rumbling came from behind them. They shared a look as they knew the destruction was drawing closer. Newt could feel the coldness of the mass seep through his skin despite the thick, blue coat he was wearing. Tina's was much thinner, there was no doubt she'd feel the effects more.

"Tina," he said urgently, "You go first. I'll seal this door to buy us some time."

Tina shot him a concerned yet frustrated look. He can't believe how her eyes still looked amazing at this point of time.

"Don't be crazy, Newt. I bet you didn't even think through this," she said as she grabbed his hand, "Come on, we're already wasting time having this conversation."

She was right, he wasn't thinking straight, but it would really buy them time, and if worse comes to worse, buy her time. He swore to protect her in front of Theseus and he was going to keep that promise. He can't let anything happen to her, not while he was alive.

And so he wriggled his hand out of hers and held out five fingers.

"Five seconds, Tina," his voice held a tone of confidence, "Five seconds and I'll be right behind you."

"I'll help you, then."

"If you don't run now, I'll hex you and we'll both die here."

Noting his insistence, she huffed, "What am I going to do with you, Mr Scamander?"

Flashing her an awkward smile, Newt gently nudged her to go on while he started muttering a few spells. While doing so, he watched her run and turn her head back every two seconds. Back to the door which he had conjured up, a translucent shield was created. It emitted a soft yellow glow in contrast to the darkness and chaos from earlier. Deciding that it was enough, Newt turned and ran after Tina, who was not that far away.

Another loud growl could be heard behind her. Tina looked, heaving a sigh of relief as she saw Newt only a few steps away. She caught a quick glimpse of the protection he had set up. She had to admit, it was good charm work, and in such a short time too.

The next room she entered was large. It took a cylindrical shape, with elevated several walkways from one end to another, all at different levels. With the little light she had from her wand, it was impossible to see what was at the bottom. Heart pumping, she ran across the walkway, maintaining her balance so as to not fall off.

It was time to stop and wait for Newt. She turned back again to see the wizard, his legs carrying him straight for her.

"Tina! Don't stop!"

She rolled her eyes and with a slight teasing in her voice, she shouted back, "Who's going to make sure you get out of here alive, then?"

Newt's feet finally touched the bridge that Tina was on. She was at the halfway mark while he was at the beginning. From a distance, she could see his face flush despite the dark. She felt a small tug on her mouth as it took the shape of a smile, and for some reason she also felt the urge to ruffle his already messy hair. Maybe she could once he got here.

Then the ceiling fell.

A huge chunk from above sunk down like a ship's anchor, smashing through the walkway. It shattered, sending bits of concrete flying everywhere. Each piece was like a shard that had the intention of cutting through anything that was in its way. The thump made once the chunk reached the bottom caused an explosion of dust, making it hard for Tina to see. Her eyes darted around as she tried to spot him, or his shadow. She couldn't lose him now, not after Queenie, not after everything they've been through, not after she's realised she's fallen for him.

"Newt!"

It was deathly silent. The dust was clearing up, but she couldn't wait for it to.

"Newt! Where are you?"

The desperation in her voice kept him awake. He was lying on the ground, eyes shut tight. A sharp pain erupted from the shin of his leg, causing him to wince. Fumbling around for his wand which he eventually found, he cast a spell to clear up his vision, and lift whatever was on his leg. Bright red liquid started oozing out from the gash when he sat up. As if on instinct, he called out, "Tina!"

Tina's wand produced a gush of wind that allowed her to spot the wizard. He was alive, and they were so close, if not for the very obvious gap that resulted from the ceiling collapsing.

"Newt! Are you okay?"

He didn't want to worry her, so he replied with a 'yes'. Without thinking, he stood up, only to cry out as the pain became unbearable. He put his hand out to steady himself as he fell once more.

"Mercy Lewis! What happened?"

Newt tried to look up, averting Tina's gaze so she wouldn't see his pain. In his normal voice, he said, "One of the debris had terrible aiming."

He smiled, but Tina was not amused.

"Can you walk?"

As he quickly wiped the tears in his eyes away, he tried to stand. It proved to be difficult with the pain, and he returned to his fallen position. The water in his eyes had not subsided.

If she had been given more time, Tina would have thought of another way. But the black speck behind Newt was becoming bigger, and that meant only one thing: they had to get out of here now. And there was only one way.

"Newt," Tina said in the calmest voice she could muster, "It's coming."

The wizard turned back to find out that Tina was right. The black mass was heading his way, and he was a sitting, injured duck. Many different solutions to the problem came to mind, yet none of them was going to work. His breathing started to quicken and the tears in his eyes threatened to spill.

"Don't panic."

"What do you suggest I do instead?" Newt snapped back before apologising. He did say that if worse comes to worse, his sacrifice will buy her time.

Gulping, Tina stretched out her hand. She looked him into the eye and held his eye contact, something only she seemed to be able to do. With a shaky breath, she said, "Jump."

Newt examined the gap between them as fast as he could, then the state of his leg. That gap was as wide as an Erumpent. He was never going to make it.

"Are you insane?"

His voice broke and he was terrified, so terrified, that Tina could see him shaking.

"It's the only way. We can apparate once we cross that door. Newt, you have to jump."

He watched as she inched towards the edge of the broken bridge, then back at the mass which was getting closer by the second. The room suddenly felt terribly cold and his cheek was already wet.

"Newt, listen to me," Tina reassured, holding out her other arm, "I'll catch you."

Slowly, he got back onto his feet, and the cry from the pain made Tina's heart break. She heard a sob, and she wished she could be there to hug him and tell him he'll be okay.

Instead, she said insistently, "Newt, I'll catch you. I've got you, Newt..."

He tried again, this time focusing on her, just her. He focused on how he would tuck her hair back so it looked better in its messy state now. He focused on her narrow feet, and how steady they would be when she caught him. He focused on her eyes, they truly were fire in dark water. Fire, the passion burning within her, and the dark, what surrounded them at the moment. The sound of the mass behind him toned out and all he could hear was her. She was the only source of light in this dark room.

He found himself on his feet, the pain still existing but she was helping him ignore it. He gritted his teeth and breathed heavily through his mouth, waiting for her cue. She trusted him the last time, now it was his turn.

"Now!"

With the remaining strength he had, he pushed himself off the ledge with both his legs. Tina's hands remained stretched out as she watched Newt soar through the air. The gash on his leg was dripping with blood and she made it a point to apparate to medical help as soon as they got out.

The moment that thought ended, Tina caught Newt in her arms and he caught her too.

His arms were wrapped tightly around her just as hers were around his. She could feel his weight on her as his leg could no longer bear the pain from the injury. Burying his head into her shoulder, he started to sob. Tina rubbed his back to soothe him, but she couldn't resist holding back her own tears. Newt was safe in her arms.

Newt felt a wave of relief wash over him as he felt Tina's embrace. So relieved that he started to cry to relieve the pain and the emotions he had been holding onto for so long. Tina was safe in his arms.

The noise started to return and the pair realised how close the black mass was. It was almost at the ledge where Newt once stood. She  cast a spell to slow it down, then pointed her wand at his leg.

"Ferula."

The gash was bandaged to prevent further blood spillage. She looked into his eyes and he looked back into hers. Tina knew he described hers just like those of a salamander, but if she were to describe his, it would be hard to liken it to a creature. They were green with a splash of brown and when mixed, it became the most wondrous colour she's seen in her life. They were like the forest, reminding her so much of nature that she realised it suited him well. He was so connected to his creatures after all.

Her expression softened as Newt smiled. His smile was one to reassure her that he was alright, but she knew he was far from it. Tina threw Newt's arm over her.

"Come on."

As fast as she could, she helped Newt out of the room. They apparated, leaving the black mass to destroy what remained of the building.