Sacrifice
Theseus was heartbroken and his grief was clearly visible to Newt. Newt had been friends with Leta since at Hogwarts, He had a crush on her but knew that she did not feel the same way about him. They had remained good friends but when they met up, he always felt rather awkward, even more since her engagement to his brother, Theseus.
He often avoided close contact with others and rarely let anyone into his personal space.. He put up with his big brother’s hugs because he knew that Theseus loved him no matter what he did. Theseus was the hugger in their family and given the chance would promptly hug Newt no matter where they were or whom they were with.
Newt struggled to maintain his emotions, he had seen people he knew die, cut down in front of him, he had watched with horror as his childhood friend and previous crush, sacrificing herself allowing them time to escape.
Paris had been repaired by magic and the Muggles would have never noticed and that it was just another peaceful night for them.
Theseus stood with his back to him. Newt knew by the stance and posture of his brother’s body that he was inconsolable.
He hesitated for a moment, then took a step forward and for the first time in his life, initiated a hug to his grieving brother. He, being shorter, had to reach up and around with his arms in order to embrace him.
He could feel his brother shaking. He could hear his teeth grinding. He blinked back his own tears, gulped hard and spoke.
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Theseus struggled to hold onto his composure, he bit the inside of his mouth to hold back threatening tears. He had turned away from everyone.
He did not know how to move away, he did not know what to do next. He was at a loss. to watch his fiance’ give up her life in front of his eyes. He was in great pain and did not know how to move on from this place, this life without her.
Then he heard someone approach, someone had moved up, they stood close beside him. He recognised the footfall, identified the fragrance of Niffler and instantly knew who it was. It was Newt.
He felt his brother’s warm arms surround him in a loving embrace. He froze for a moment then, in the end yielded to the familiar body contact and held on tight.
Under any other circumstances he would be jumping for joy and hugging his little brother back with enthusiasm and much back slapping. Instead, this was. a first, a first for Newt and a first for them both and for that it broke his heart even further.
He could feel how Newt trembled, as he too tightened his hold. He heard him gulp hard and was then surprised when he took in a big breath and began to speak.
“I’ve chosen my side!”Newt whispered, his voice cracking. He then dropped a kiss onto his ear and then his voice thick with emotion added, “I’ve got you!”
How often had he said those exact words to Newt, he crumpled and held on tight taking the strength from his wee brother. Tears flowed, even through his heartbreak he was so proud of his little brother, who was no longer little in his eyes.
The brothers clung together sharing the loss of a friend, a love that they both had lost forever. Forehead to forehead they finally gazed into the others eyes, both still filled with unshed tears. They shared a weak smile , followed by a brief nod of understanding and finally broke apart.
The others around them had begun to disperse. Side by side the brothers walked together and turned their heads away from this place of heartbreak. They would mourn later, but not tonight. Tonight they still had work to do..