⠀ ❀᭢᜴꤬ ⠀ 𝓒𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝓣𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑬 ི᭨ᩧྀ ⠀ ⠀ ⏖

❝ Ah. There goes my plans for the evening. ❞

London, England
- United Kingdom
( September, 1927)

        
                             𝓢abine knocked gently on the door of Newt's townhouse, the sound echoing in the quiet evening air. She held a tray of tarts in her hands, the delicate pastries neatly arranged with a perfect dusting of powdered sugar. As the door swung open, she was greeted by Newt's familiar, warm smile.

"Sabine. I'm so glad you could make it," he said, his voice soft and welcoming, though his gaze was immediately drawn to the tray she carried.

Newt was dressed simply—a white undershirt with the sleeves rolled up, the cuffs slightly wrinkled from the day's activities, and dark trousers that seemed to have seen their fair share of wear. His look was unassuming, but there was a quiet charm in how he appeared so effortlessly relaxed. It was as though he hadn't bothered to put on the usual formality he so often cloaked himself in—just her and his creatures tonight.

Sabine stepped over the threshold, feeling a rush of warmth from the cozy, dimly lit interior of the townhouse. She handed the tray to Newt, who set it down on a nearby table, his eyes already twinkling in anticipation of the evening ahead.

"May I take your coat?" Newt asked, his tone a little too polite, though the kindness in his voice was unmistakable. He gave her a reassuring smile, that endearing, slightly awkward smile she always found disarming.

Sabine turned her back to him, the hem of her dress brushing against the floor as she moved. She allowed him the space to help her remove the coat, her breath catching in her chest as she felt his presence draw closer behind her. Newt stepped forward, his hands carefully sliding the coat from her shoulders, the subtle warmth of his touch grazing her skin. His fingers brushed against her skin—just a fleeting, light contact—but it was enough to send a shiver down her spine. She could feel her pulse quicken at the unexpected tenderness of the moment, and she caught herself inhaling sharply, a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

Newt, ever the observant one, noticed. His usual attentiveness didn't miss the shift in the air, but he didn't speak a word about it. Instead, he slowly removed the coat and hung it up on the rack, the quiet click of the coat hanger the only sound filling the otherwise still room.

When he turned back to face her, his eyes caught sight of the dress she was wearing—dark green, the fabric rich and soft, hugging her frame in all the right places. It was simple, yet undeniably striking. Newt froze for a moment, his eyes darting over the dress before landing on the floor, his face flushing ever so slightly. His heart rate picked up, and he cleared his throat, though it came out more as a nervous murmur.

"I apologize, I'm not put together," Newt said, his voice dropping just a bit as he adjusted his posture awkwardly, attempting to regain some semblance of control over the situation. "I got home and had something to deal with."

"Oh? Now I'm curious," Sabine replied, her voice light, yet teasing. She tilted her head ever so slightly, her lips curving into a playful smile. She could see the subtle change in his demeanor, the way his focus shifted between her and the floor, and she couldn't help but enjoy the effect she had on him.

He grinned back at her, the expression both amused and fond, as he remembered her insatiable curiosity. "Baby nifflers got loose and caused a bit of a stir," he said, his grin widening as he recalled the chaos.

Sabine raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What'd they get into?" she asked, her voice teasing, but her eyes glittering with genuine interest.

"The lamp, coins, and a bottle of wine," Newt replied, shaking his head slightly in disbelief as he recalled the mess they had created. "They're quite clever little things, but they can be a nightmare when they get into things."

Sabine chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with amusement as she gave a mock sigh. "Ah, there goes my plans for the evening," she teased, her voice light but flirtatious.

Newt's brows lifted in amusement, and his lips curled into an embarrassed but pleased smile as he glanced at the floor, unable to completely hide his reaction. The tension between them thickened, even if neither of them fully acknowledged it yet.

"Well, suppose you'll have to make it up," Sabine said, her tone matter-of-fact, though there was a glimmer of something playful in her eyes.

Newt's breath hitched slightly at her words. He fidgeted with the collar of his shirt, feeling that familiar shyness he often carried around her. Clearing his throat, he stammered, "Now h-how would I do that?"

Sabine didn't miss a beat. "By showing me your creatures, of course," she said matter-of-factly, her voice inviting and warm.

At the mention of his creatures, Newt's face lit up instantly, his earlier hesitation forgotten in the excitement of sharing something he truly cared about. His eyes brightened with passion for his beloved magical creatures, his hands already twitching in anticipation of showing her. "Of course! Right this way," he said, nearly bouncing with eagerness as he motioned for her to follow him.

He led her down the stairs into his enchanted creatures' rooms, the atmosphere shifting as the door creaked open, revealing a whole other world of magical beings. The rooms were filled with soft, ethereal light, and Sabine's eyes immediately widened in wonder at the sight. There were creatures from all over the world, each one more fascinating than the last—charming and bizarre all at once.

Newt's eyes softened as he glanced at her, a knowing smile on his face. "They can be a bit... unpredictable," he warned gently, though his tone was full of affection for the creatures. He seemed to be in his element, completely at ease here, his natural shyness replaced by an open enthusiasm that made him seem even more endearing.

Sabine stepped deeper into the room, her curiosity bubbling up again, mixed with a fluttering of excitement. "I'm sure they'll be perfect," she replied, her voice low and full of intrigue.

Newt began excitedly showing her around, introducing her to each of his creatures, his nervousness from before now replaced with an infectious joy. Yet, even with all the magical wonders around them, Sabine couldn't help but notice how his presence seemed to fill the room in its own way.

A red-haired woman stepped out from behind one of the enclosures, brushing her hands on her apron as her eyes immediately landed on Sabine. She froze for a moment, her gaze scanning Sabine from head to toe. "Who's this?" she asked, her tone polite but carrying an unmistakable edge of curiosity—and something else.

Newt looked up, his expression brightening. "Ah, Bunty, this is Sabine. An old school friend." He gestured between them, his tone warm as he made the introduction. "Sabine, this is Bunty, my assistant."

Sabine offered a polite smile, inclining her head slightly. "It's nice to meet you," she said, her voice gracious and warm. But as her eyes met Bunty's, she caught the flicker of jealousy behind the kind smile, a subtle tension that didn't go unnoticed.

Bunty nodded, fidgeting with the edge of her apron. "I thought I told you to clock off an hour ago?" Newt asked, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked at her. His tone was gentle but firm, his natural concern for others evident in his expression.

"Ah, yes," Bunty replied with a quick nod. "I was just... going." Her gaze lingered on Sabine for a moment longer before she shifted her weight, readying herself to leave.

Before anyone could say more, a loud crash echoed from upstairs, the sound sharp and jarring. The three of them turned toward the staircase in unison, tension sparking in the room.

"Baby nifflers again?" Sabine joked, though her voice carried a note of caution as she glanced between Newt and Bunty.

"No," Bunty answered, her brows knitting together in concern. "I just put them back." Her tone was quiet, but her unease was palpable.

Newt's expression hardened, his mind already working through the possibilities. "You can go now, Bunty," he said, distracted as he pulled his wand from his pocket and started toward the stairs. His voice was kind, but there was no room for argument in his words.

Sabine hesitated only a moment before following him, her own curiosity—and concern—pulling her close behind.

Sabine paused abruptly on the staircase, her head tilting slightly as her enhanced hearing picked up the faint sound of muffled voices drifting from above. She instinctively reached out, her fingers curling around Newt's hand to stop him. With a gentle tug, she pulled him closer so she could whisper. "There are people up there. I can hear them."

Newt blinked, his breath catching slightly at their proximity. His gaze flickered down to her, momentarily distracted by how close they were before her words registered. A puzzled expression spread across his face as he tilted his head, straining to listen. But the house above them was silent. "Hear them?" he murmured, confusion lacing his voice. "How can you hear someone? I don't hear anything."

Sabine thought quickly, her mind racing. She couldn't reveal the truth—not yet. "I don't know," she lied smoothly, keeping her voice low. "But it sounds like a man and a woman."

Newt frowned, the line between his brows deepening in concern. "Maybe Leta and Theseus?" he suggested, though he didn't sound convinced.

Sabine gave a small shrug, her expression unreadable. "Maybe."

Newt let out a shaky breath, his jaw tightening slightly as he looked toward the top of the stairs. "Draw your wand," he instructed quietly, his tone steady but tense. Sabine didn't hesitate, pulling her wand from her pocket as he led the way. Their steps were slow and deliberate as they ascended the stairs, their movements silent in the dimly lit corridor.