Newt tried hard to stand still as Theseus straightened his tie for the umpteenth time. He was starting to regret the whole thing.
“Theseus are you sure this is a good idea? Why can’t I just cook her something nice at home instead?” He asked pushing Theseus’s hands away.
“Because Newt it isn’t the done thing, of course doing this is a good idea. Actually I’m not sure this is a good idea at all, I mean technically since you’re not married yet, you shouldn’t be eating out in a fancy restaurant anymore than cooking dinner at home. But I suppose you’re used to sneaking around and doing what you shouldn’t.” Theseus said, looking Newt over.
“So why can’t I just cook her something nice at home, if going to a restaurant is no better?” Newt frowned as Theseus went to pat down his hair. “In fact what do normal none married couples do?”
“Normally in your situation couples go for long walks, or go for ice cream together. Nothing too extravagant. Cooking at home would suggest other things, it’s too easy to go places you probably shouldn’t little brother. Places you’re not ready for.” Theseus replied, bouncing Newt’s hair and pressing it to his head.
“Places I’m not ready for?” Newt frowned, “what’s that supposed to mean?”
“If you have to ask,” Theseus rolled his eyes, “I’m talking about the bedroom, doing more than just holding hands, you know.” Theseus grinned while pushing down on Newt’s hair, causing him to blush a deep red.
“Why does your hair not stay down?” Perhaps a bit of potion jell would do it.” Newt swatted his brother’s hands away, forgetting what they’d just been talking about.
“No, no jell, no potions to flatten my hair, no nothing. Listen I came here to pick up Tina, not have you fuss at me.” Tina had been staying at Theseus’s for the past few weeks, while visiting England on a work permit; since MACUSA and the ministry were working together for a top mission, in hunting down Grindelwald and his acolytes. There had been a few sightings near Britain, leading Tina and a few of her team to come to England and work with the Ministry alongside Theseus and his team. Newt had offered his house as a lodging for Tina, but Theseus had strongly advised against it, reminding him that everyone knew that he had a thing for Tina, whereas Theseus did not. It would cause scandal as a head auror, so Theseus’s it was.
“Come on Newt just a little potion, or jell, I’ll lend you the stuff I use for mine, at least to slick your hair down a little.” Theseus made to get some, but Newt grabbled his hand stopping him in his track.
“No, I don’t want anything in my hair, especially anything you use. I don’t want my hair looking like yours.” Newt almost shouted with horror, eyes wide now staring at Theseus’s flat side hair do.
“Hey what’s wrong with my hair? I don’t see anything wrong with it. I’ll have you know it looks more presentable than that fluffy mop on your head.” He teased ruffling Newt’s hair messing it up a little more. “Don’t you want it looking decent for Tina? Come on not even just a little?”
“No, I like my hair this way, and I’m sure Tina doesn’t mind. She’s dating me isn’t she? If she didn’t like it, and didn’t find me attractive with my hair as it is, she wouldn’t even be seeing me.” Newt huffed trying to repair the damage Theseus had done from ruffling it.
“Oh come on Newt, just a little wouldn’t hurt.” Theseus protested.
“No, it’s my hair and I can do with it what I like.”
“Alright, alright. Fine leave it then. Sometimes I wonder how you even pulled off getting a date, you really do need to grow up some.” Theseus sighed, as Newt jerked himself out of Theseus’s grasp and moved towards the front door, ready to bolt if needs be. Newt wished Tina would hurry up, he didn’t want to spend anymore time with Theseus making remarks about his appearance or his maturity.
“Newt listen, you’ll need to convince the doorman and the waiters at the restaurant that you’re married.” Theseus said scratching his neck and licking his lips. “I’m sorry I should have said when I first made the suggestion and made the booking. It just hadn’t occurred to me at the time, but it’s like I said earlier for couples at your stage of a relationship it’s just not the done thing to eat out.” Theseus hesitated, but Newt could tell there was more to come. But whatever had made Theseus nervous couldn’t possibly be good. There was none of his earlier playfulness now, and it made Newt’s stomach twist and turn.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine Theseus, we’ll talk our way through it somehow.” Newt reassured, not believing his own words.
“No Sebastian said you’d have to do more than talk your way through it,” he warned “they’ll be looking for evidence.”
“So? Why can’t your friend Sebastian meet us at the door, and let us in? That way we won’t have too much of a problem would we?” Newt argued.
“It’s not as simple as that, he doesn’t work the doors. Besides there’s all sorts of complications and circumstances that could prevent him meeting you both at the door. But he’s promised he’d be your waiter for the night and cater to your needs at least.” Newt was about to respond, but Theseus went on nervously before Newt could say anything more.
“Listen, I’ve thought of a solution of sorts. It’s just an idea, and maybe a little complicated and delicate but it’ll have to do.” Theseus scratched his neck again, now looking away from Newt.
“What is it Theseus?” Newt rubbed his hands together, anticipating the worst.
Theseus looked past Newt somewhere behind him, above his head. Newt watched him from the side of his eyes, as he so often did unsure of where this was going. ‘Surely it couldn’t be that bad could it?’ Newt thought to himself. There was a far away look in his brother’s eyes that frightened him. When Theseus managed to bring his gaze back on Newt, there was a hard resolve, as though he’d made up his mind about whatever it was that had filled his thoughts. He squared his shoulders before continuing.
“I was thinking the best option would be a ring.” He said with a slight nod.
“A ring?” Newt frowned. “Whatever for?”
“It’s the best way to prove the two of you are married.”
“Alright that makes sense, but I didn’t bring my case with me, so I can’t see if Teddy has any rings among his many treasures.” Newt sighed. “Perhaps I have time to quickly apparate home and quickly find one.” Newt made to move, Theseus quickly grabbed his arm stopping him in his tracks.
“No, listen Newt, Tina will be ready in a minute. Besides it can’t just be any old ring.”
“So what do you suggest I do then Theseus? You’re the one that said I needed one.” Newt yanked his arm out of his brother’s grasp with a scowl.
“I’ve already thought of a solution,” Theseus said, rubbing his face and with a shaky hand, he put it into his pocket and hesitantly brought out a little box. “I was thinking,” he hesitated now with a shaky voice, “that perhaps you could borrow this one here.” Theseus opened the box with quivering hands. Newt peered down at the tiny silver ring, with it’s fancy intricate design. The twinkling of diamonds glinting in the light.
“It’s beautiful Theseus, where did you get it from?” Newt gasped, it must have cost a lot, and more to the point, why did Theseus even have an expensive diamond ring in his preseason anyhow?
“It was the ring that was supposed to be Leta’s wedding ring. I thought maybe you could use it tonight.” Theseus whispered, looking down at the item in his hands. Newt detected a wobble to his brother’s voice. He shook his head vigorously.
“No, no, I Theseus, I possibly couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right.”
“Why ever not, look Newt Leta’s never going to wear it, never going to see it. You might as well make some use out of it.”
“No, Theseus you should keep it. Give it to the next love of your life.” He pushed the little box away from himself, towards Theseus’s chest. “I can’t take that.”
“There is no one else, and there won’t be. Not for a long time yet anyway. Look I’m not asking you to propose to Tina with it, or give it to her. Just to use it for tonight, one night only and then give it me back.” Theseus hissed, shutting the box with a snap and thrusting it back in Newt’s direction. Newt reluctantly took the box in his hands, and stared hard at it’s red velvet lid.
“It still feels wrong Theseus, Tina won’t like it. She won’t want to wear this knowing it’s Leta’s, besides I don’t feel comfortable giving her this.” He whispered.
“What are you talking about Newt?” Theseus frowned.
“Leta and I had a fling at school if you remember. How can I lend her that knowing that? Like I say, Tina would be upset if she knew.”
“She doesn’t have to know Newt, you don’t have to tell her who’s ring it is. She won’t hear it from me either. Come on Newt this is the best chance you’ve got taking her out, you do want Tina to have a good time don’t you?”
“Yes, of course I do, but,”
“Then take the ring. It’s just for one night. I just want to help Newt. I never got to get married to the love of my life, but I want to see that for you. I want you to find true love and happiness and have the chance of marrying and having a family of your own. Even if that doesn’t happen for me. At least let it happen for you. You’re my little brother Newt and all I want is for you to be happy ok. I miss her Newt, I miss her every day, but I’ll never get the chance to marry her and be with her. But you, you have that chance. You have the chance to be with the one you love, don’t throw that chance away, do whatever it takes to have that chance Newt. So please just do this for me. Theseus begged tears welling up in his eyes.
“Ok.” Newt said with a nod of the head, pressing his lips tight and fighting tears of his own. Theseus was right, he had wanted to do something different and make their first date special. This had been the best idea so far, Newt needed to at least try make it work. If using this ring could get them into the restaurant then he ought to take his chance and try. It didn’t stop him from feeling guilty of using Leta’s ring, but for now it would have to do. After tonight he would return the ring and forget it ever existed. It wasn’t like he’d chosen to use that specific ring, it was Theseus’s choice, not his. Not to mention his feelings for Leta were in the past. He still cared about her, and missed her, but not as his lover. So what did it matter? Feeling slightly better, Newt held the box, letting his hands fall, relaxing to his side. For awhile the brothers stood and said nothing, silent tears falling down their eyes.
“Look at us, we’re a right pair.” Theseus laughed, wiping the tears from his eyes. Newt followed suit and they both began to laugh before lapsing into silence once more.
“I do wish Tina would hurry up.” Newt sighed, “I’m starting to feel nervous now.”
“Don’t worry she’ll be down in a minute, it’s quite normal. Leta was the same, always liked to take her time to look her best. The wait is always worth it though.” The two brothers looked towards the stairs and not a moment too soon.
“Theseus is that Newt I heard you bickering with just now?” Tina’s voice floated down the stairs as she made her way out of her room and to the top of the stairs.
“Ah Newt you’re here.” She smiled looking down at the brothers, who stood gaping up towards her.
Newt’s breath caught in his throat, as he gazed in awe. Tina wore a beautiful long, blue gown, with short netted sleeves. She’d done up her hair the way Newt had liked, remembering his compliments at Jacob and Queenie’s wedding.
“You look wonderful.” Newt called up at her, as Tina made her slow decent down, feeling conscious of his own appearance wondering if he should have made more of an effort.
“You don’t look too bad yourself” Tina remarked now standing in front of him. Newt felt his face heating up as he smiled shyly and looked to the floor.
“Are you ready to go?” Tina’s smiled.
“Erm. Yes, yes of course, but em, first you’ll need to wear this.” He said bringing out the ring. “To prove we’re married, or they won’t let us in. It’s only for tonight.” Newt rushed by way of explanation.
“It’s beautiful.” Tina breathed as Newt opened the box and held out the ring for her to wear.
“It’s not mine, I’m just borrowing it, I’ll return it to it’s owner once we’ve done.”
“Oh.” Tina raised her eyebrows.
“Well you’d better get going, or you’ll be late. I don’t want you to waste time, it took a lot to book this for you both and since my friend is doing you a favour, best not to keep him waiting.” Theseus said hurrying the couple out of the door.
“Alright, shall we?” Newt said, offering his arm. Tina linked her arm in his and soon the pair were out the door and on their way.