Chasing Dragons, Falling in Love

Newt awoke the next morning and grimaced as he felt the sticky remains of last night’s bad judgment. Thankfully Nathaniel wasn’t in the room as Newt performed a quick cleaning spell on himself. There was a note on the nightstand from him however. Newt picked it up and read: ‘Come downstairs and join me for breakfast. We have things to discuss.’

Newt made a face. How could he possibly face Nathaniel after what happened last night? The desire to flee coursed through Newt again but he resolved to stay. He was a professional and he wasn’t going to let his unfortunate attraction to the dragonslayer get in the way of doing his job.

Still, Newt took longer than was necessary to get ready. He showered, shaved, changed his shirt, changed his shirt again because he was sweating so much. Newt took a deep breath, trying to slow his racing heart. He performed a hasty anti-perspiration charm on himself and headed downstairs.

He found Nathaniel seated at a table near the window, surrounded by platters of food. He looked up as Newt approached. ‘Morning, sunshine,’ he said, smiling. He indicated the mountains of food. ‘The innkeeper’s way of thanking us for last night.’

Goosepimples crawled over Newt’s arms at the thought of ‘last night.’ He nodded curtly, sat down, and pulled a bowl of fruit toward him and started picking at it, looking out the window, deliberately avoiding Nathaniel’s gaze.

Nathaniel sighed. ‘We need to figure out what we’re going to do about this dragon.’'

‘’I thought we had already established that,’’ Newt said, an edge to his voice. ‘’According to you, I’m supposed to track it and you’re supposed to kill it, isn’t that right?’’

Newt dared a glance at Nathaniel’s face and saw his face had turned stony. ‘’Is that why you’re so pissy this morning?’’ he asked. ‘’It’s all fun last night but then you remembered I’m the big bad dragonslayer who doesn’t have any feelings?’’

Newt swallowed. Nathaniel was looking down at his plate, vehemently cutting up a sausage, his jaw set.

‘’I’m-“ Newt began.

Nathaniel waved away his apology. ‘’Never mind, Scamander, it’s not important.’’

They sat in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes. Newt felt distinctly awkward. Everything was going all wrong. Newt knew Nathaniel wasn’t some unfeeling killing machine. He wanted to tell him that he quite liked him in spite of his profession, that he suspected there was more to Nathaniel than just being an arrogant dragonslayer. He wanted to tell him all this and more. But he didn’t know how. Dejected, he kept his eyes down, studying the plates of food and noticed that all of the vegetarian dishes had been put on his side of the table. He swallowed, willing himself to say something-

‘’We need to secure some sort of bait,’’ Nathaniel said suddenly. ‘’For the trap.’’

‘’What kind of bait?’’ Newt said uneasily.

‘’Some sort of livestock. A sheep probably. Shouldn’t be too hard to track down, Wales is full of them.’’

‘’Er, okay.’’ Newt didn’t like the idea of using a helpless non-magical animal as bait but he supposed dragons had to eat too.

They decided to set the trap by the lake where they had first discovered the dragon eggs. Newt left it up to Nathaniel to procure the sheep while he cast muggle-repelling charms around the area. Nathaniel reappeared a short while later, carrying a very bewildered-looking sheep over his shoulders. He set a stake in the ground and tied the sheep to it. The animal began to graze lazily over the grass, unaware of its impending doom.

While Nathaniel was doing this, Newt noticed he had bits of white fluff clinging to his dark coat. He reached out a hand to brush them off but checked himself just as Nathaniel straightened up. His dark gaze slid to Newt, who still had his hand raised. Newt hastily pretended to scratch an itch on the back of his head. Nathaniel looked away, not saying anything.

They had a couple of hours before the sun went down so they both sat a on a hill a little ways away from the sheep. Nathaniel had been surly with Newt all morning and didn’t seem inclined to make conversation. Newt couldn’t really blame him. He was still trying to sort out his confusing feelings for the dragonslayer and until he did, he thought it was best to stay silent.

To stave off boredom, Newt took out his sketchpad and began to draw the sheep. Not that he hadn’t sketched them before but at least it was something to do. Nathaniel eased back, his hands behind his head, his face turned up to the sun. He only lay a couple of feet away from Newt and Newt’s eyes kept straying to him. He seemed more relaxed now, not the least bit hostile.

Newt looked down at his sketchpad, considering…did he dare? His fantasy from last night flared up in his mind and his face burned. ‘’Do you mind if I sketch you?’’ Newt blurted before he could stop himself.

Nathaniel opened his eyes and looked over at Newt, eyebrows raised. ‘’You want to sketch me?’’

Newt shrugged, trying to appear casual. ‘’It’s good practice.’’

Nathaniel studied him for a moment. Then he closed his eyes, unconcerned. ‘’Whatever sparks your wand, Scamander.’’

Newt shifted so he was facing Nathaniel. ‘’Thank you.’’

Nathaniel grunted.

‘’I’ve never had the opportunity to sketch a dragonslayer in the wild.’’

Nathaniel’s eyes flew open and he glared at Newt but upon seeing the grin on his face, he chuckled softly. ‘’Less of that, you cheeky bastard.’’

Newt bent over his sketchpad, still smiling. He worked slowly, not rushing, taking time to add details. He ended up doing two sketches, one full body sketch and a close-up of Nathaniel’s relaxed face. He spent a considerable amount of time on the close-up sketch. He studied Nathaniel’s face trying to get the details right. Nathaniel hardly moved the whole time. Newt followed the steady rhythm of his breathing and it had a calming effect on him for some reason. Finally, as the sun was sinking behind the mountains, he finished.

Nathaniel noticed the absence of the sound of Newt’s scratching pencil. ‘’Finished?’’

‘’Yes.’’

‘’Can I see?’’

Newt handed the sketchpad over to Nathaniel and he squinted at it in the fading light. He studied it carefully for a few moments. Newt noticed him running a finger along the lines. Then a mischievous grin spread over his face. ‘’What, no demon horns? No hooves? I thought you’d at least draw me shrouded in a Dementor’s cloak-‘’

‘’I don’t think you’re a bad person.’’ Newt said.

Nathaniel stopped smiling and turned to look at Newt, his expression suddenly serious.

Newt looked down at the ground, his hand gripping a tuft of grass. He started ripping it up as he spoke. ‘’I thought at first that you were just like all the other dragonslayers – arrogant and unfeeling. But you’re different and-‘’ Newt swallowed. ‘’And I like you,’’ he said softly.

Nathaniel’s hand covered his own and Newt looked up at him. Nathaniel, however, was looking at where his hand was covering Newt’s. ‘You like me?’’

Newt nodded. ‘’Very much,’’ he whispered.

Nathaniel looked at him. It was now so dark out, it was hard to read his expression. Newt started as he felt Nathaniel’s hand come up and touch his face. His thumb caressed Newt’s cheek and he began to lean forward. Newt closed his eyes, his heart almost pounding out of his chest.

An earth-shattering roar made them spring apart. They hadn’t noticed the dragon flying overhead. It had landed in the valley and gulped the sheep down in one swift motion. But as soon as it did, ropes sprang out of midair and bound its legs, its neck, its wings – all part of the trap they had set. It was now roaring in abject fury, spewing fire, burning all the grass around it.

They were both on their feet with their wands out. Nathaniel took command. ‘’Newt, get by its head, we’re going to have to go for the eyes if we want to subdue it!’’

Newt took off in a wide arc, dodging to avoid a jet of flame from the dragon’s jaws. He came around on the dragon’s left side trying to keep out of range of fire. On the other side of the dragon’s thrashing body, he spied Nathaniel with his wand at the ready.

‘’On three!’’ Nathaniel shouted. ‘’One..two..three!’’

They both cast stunning spells at the same time. Nathaniel’s spell seemed to hit he dragon squarely in the eye but Newt’s missed considerably, hitting the tough hide on the dragon’s neck and having absolutely no effect. The dragon bellowed even louder at that and then Newt heard the sound of ropes snapping. With a twist of its massive body, the dragon had wrenched itself free of the ropes. It swung its head madly, spewing more fire and then it started for Nathaniel. Newt heard him swear loudly and then the sound of more stunning spells.

Newt charged after the dragon. He saw Nathaniel barely holding it off, shooting jets of green light at it – he wasn’t trying to stun it anymore; he was aiming to kill. Newt planted his feet, squared his shoulders, and sent a stunning spell and this time his aim was true. The spell hit the dragon squarely in the eye. It’s head rocked to the side at the impact, bellowing in pain and Newt’s heart twisted at the sound. The dragon was turning, seeming to try to make its escape but then -

‘’Newt, look out!’’

Too late, Newt saw the dragon’s spiked tail whipping toward him. Then a sharp impact from the other side sent him sprawling to the ground and he watched in horror as the dragon’s tail hit Nathaniel instead, the spikes ripping over his chest, sending up sprays of blood. Nathaniel fell to the ground and lay there, motionless.

There was a great gust of wind as the dragon took off into the night. Newt rushed over to where Nathaniel lay, feeling sick. He kneeled on the ground beside him trying to assess the damage. He was breathing, thank heavens. But a great gash split his chest from hip to shoulder and he was bleeding copiously. Newt took off his coat and threw it over Nathaniel, at the same time pointing his wand at his case which he had left on top of the hill. ‘’Accio, case!’ he cried and his case zoomed over to him. He caught it by the handle, set it down on the ground and opened it. Trying to be as gentle as possible, he lifted Nathaniel inside. Well, he didn’t lift him so much as half-drag, half-carry him seeing as Nathaniel was a lot bigger than he was. He carried him down into the little room that served as his work station and heaved Nathaniel onto a little wooden chair. He rushed over to the shelf that had all his antidotes and grabbed several of them. Behind him, he heard Nathaniel groan. He hurried back to him and started to go to work. He ripped open what remained of Nathaniel’s shirt with shaking hands and poured some anti-venom solution on the wound. Ukranian Ironbellies weren’t known for having venom but you could never be too careful. Nathaniel hissed as the drops entered his wound but kept his eyes closed. Once Newt was done with the topical medicines, he took his wand and started to knit up the gash but stopped. His hand was shaking too much. Tears blurred his vision as he looked helplessly down at Nathaniel, covered in blood. This was all his fault. He bit his lip, trying to steel himself.

Nathaniel’s eyes fluttered open. ‘Newt?’’

Newt bent over him. ‘’Yes, I’m here.’’

‘’You okay?’

Newt let out shaky laugh. ‘’I’d say so seeing as I’m not the one bleeding to death.’’

Nathaniel smiled weakly, his face pale. ‘’Don’t worry. I’ve had worse.’’

‘’Hold still now. I’m just going to fix you up.’’ Getting his trembling under control, he set to work again, carefully closing Nathaniel’s wound. Newt was pretty good at it, usually having to work the spell on beasts and sometimes even on himself. Still, a Healer would’ve done a much cleaner job. Newt frowned, assessing his work. ‘’I’m afraid it’ll leave a scar.’’

‘’S’okay. I’ll just add it to my collection.’’ That debonair grin was back on Nathaniel’s face. Newt couldn’t see how he could be so flippant after having nearly gotten killed but returned the smile. He took another potion off the shelf. ‘’Here, drink this.’’ Nathaniel obeyed, wrinkling his nose at the taste.

Newt took a cloth and wet it in a bucket of water. He squeezed out the excess and went over to Nathaniel who was watching him carefully. ‘’Uh, for the blood,’’ he said, holding it out to Nathaniel. A wicked gleam came into Nathaniel’s eye. He lounged back in the chair holding Newt’s gaze. ‘’You do it, Scamander,’’ he said lazily. ‘’I’m sore all over I couldn’t possibly do it myself.’’

Newt gripped the washcloth quite hard, his knuckles turning white.

‘’Come on, Scamander,’’ Nathaniel taunted. ‘’After facing a dragon, a little spongebath shouldn’t be a problem.’’ He drew one of his hands idly down his chest, scratching his bare stomach. Newt gulped but went over and, not daring to look Nathaniel in the face, began to wipe the drying blood off his chest.

Newt was acutely aware of the feel of Nathaniel’s taut muscles beneath his hand as he worked. If his hand had been shaking before, it was nothing to what it was doing now. His whole body was trembling. He rubbed the dragonslayer with the washcloth carefully, starting from the top of Nathaniel’s chest and working his way lower and lower, wiping off the blood crusted on his rock-hard abdominal muscles.

When he got just below his navel, his hand stilled. He could hardly breathe. He looked up at Nathaniel. He was watching him closely, his eyes hooded. Newt felt as if he was being watched by a predator. He froze under that gaze, blinking at him helplessly.

Nathaniel’s hand came up and gripped his wrist. He rubbed his hand up Newt’s forearm, slowly and seductively. He took the washcloth from Newt’s hand and laid it on the table beside him. He brought Newt’s hand up to his mouth and gently brushed his lips across his knuckles. ‘’Thank you for saving me.’’

‘’You’re the one who saved me. You pushed me out of the way.’’

‘’So I did,’’ Nathaniel said. He was still holding Newt’s hand. He turned it over and pressed his lips to Newt’s wrist.

That familiar tingling sensation started in Newt’s stomach again, traveling straight down to his groin. His entire body felt tight and restless, as if his skin was going to burn right off. He gently pulled his hand out of Nate’s grasp. ‘’I should get everything cleaned up,’’ he stuttered. He collected the bottles and medicines and went to his work bench, busying himself with putting everything back in its place. He could still feel the imprint of Nathaniel’s lips on his wrist. His heart was beating harder than it had been when he had been battling the dragon. He felt sweaty and disoriented so he didn’t notice when Nathaniel came up behind him and pressed his hard body against Newt’s back.

Newt let out a startled gasp. He could feel Nataniel’s erection pressing against his backside, his hot, hard body engulfing him. His hands grasped Newt’s hips and he spun him around to face him. Before Newt could utter a feeble protest, the dragonslayer covered his mouth with his own.

He kissed Newt softly at first, the barest brush of lips on lips. Newt’s arms went around his neck automatically, causing Nathaniel to wrap his arms around Newt, crushing him to his chest, his kiss becoming rougher, deeper. Newt moaned as Nathaniel’s tongue swept into his mouth, setting off a spark that turned into an inferno scorching through Newt’s body. He clung to Nathaniel desperately as he kissed him back with all the longing, all the fever that had been building up in him ever since he had first laid eyes on the dragonslayer.

Nathaniel’s hands were on Newt’s ass now, gripping hard, as he ground his hips against Newt’s. Newt responded in kind, grinding back, powerless to stop his body from responding. Nathaniel growled in approval and then he lifted Newt clear off his feet and set him on the workbench, never breaking the kiss.

Newt wrapped his legs around Nathaniel’s waist, pulling him even closer. His hands traveled over Nathaniel’s bare chest, reveling in the feel of the hot hard muscles underneath his skin. Nathaniel brought his hand up and rubbed it against Newt’s cloth-covered crotch. Newt arched his back and moaned, thrusting up against Nathaniel’s hand, greedy for more contact. Nathaniel’s lips were on Newt’s neck, biting, sucking, driving Newt into a frenzy. He tugged at Newt’s shirt, tearing it down the front, sending buttons pinging down onto the floor. ‘’I’m going to fuck you right here,’’ he rasped in Newt’s ear. ‘’And you’re going to like it.’’

‘’Yes,’’ Newt panted. ‘’Yes.’’ There was nothing in Newt’s world now except the feel of Nathaniel’s hands on him, of his body pressing against Newt’s. No distractions, this time, no running away, no more excuses. Except-

A low, animal cry broke him out of his reverie. Nathaniel’s hand stilled over Newt’s cock. ‘What was that?’’

‘’Oh, that? That was, er-‘’ The cry started again and they both looked toward the little door that led out of the room – and into Newt’s case. Newt sighed. ‘’It would be easier if I just showed you.’’ Reluctantly, Nathaniel stepped away from Newt, allowing him to jump down from the workbench. His legs felt rubbery and he walked a bit unsteadily across the room to the door.

Newt opened the door and led Nathaniel into the heart of his case. Nathaniel’s mouth fell open in wonder as he took in the sight. Different habitats held a variety of different creatures. Newt began pointing them out. ‘Over here are mooncalves, there’s 12 of them. Oh, and over here is Daisy, my erumpent. Ah, these are Occamy eggs, they should be hatching soon…’’Newt babbled on excitedly. He had never had another human being enter his case before. It was odd. A week ago, he would never have considered the possibility of letting Nathaniel in here – but now it seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

He showed him the Bowtruckle tree and noticed that Pickett was sitting by himself on one of the branches, while the other bowtruckles gamboled around the trunk. They all halted and looked up at him as he approached. ‘’Now what have I told you all about leaving Pickett out?’’ he said sternly. Some of the bowtruckles shifted nervously. Poor Pickett had been deemed an outcast from the start for some reason and Newt couldn’t fathom why. Newt watched in satisfaction as the other bowtruckles reluctantly allowed Pickett to join their game.

He looked up to see Nathaniel watching him with a soft expression.

‘’What?’’

‘’You are..an extraordinary wizard, Newt Scamander.’’

Newt felt himself blush. ‘’Not really, actually. I know a hundred wizards who could have done a more competent expansion charm on the case – but I make do.’’

‘’I wasn’t talking about your magical ability, Newt.’’

‘’Oh,’’ Newt said. He became embarrassed again, and busied himself by going around and making sure all his creatures were fed and watered. Nathaniel followed him. ‘’We should probably set up a tent instead of going back to the tavern, you know, in case anything happens.’

Newt nodded. ‘’I’ve got one in the shed there. You want to set it up?’’

‘’Gladly,’’ Nathaniel replied. He headed back into the shed, still looking around Newt’s case as he went. Newt watched him go, an odd stuttering feeling in his chest. He turned back to his creatures.

Half an hour later, Newt headed back into the shed. He noticed some sketches and debris littering the floor. He frowned and then realized that it must have gotten shoved off when he and Nathaniel…

Newt looked over at the workbench where they had kissed. And Nathaniel had said he wanted to fuck him, right there and then. Newt’s face heated at the thought and he felt himself get hard. Was Nathaniel up there waiting for him? Did he still want to continue what had started down here? Newt felt a rush of excitement and he hurried to pick the stuff up off the floor. He hastily put it back on the workbench, not bothering to organize any of it when his eyes fell on the picture of Leta Lestrange. Her dark, cool gaze surveyed him, mocking him. Newt often wondered why he still kept her photo but every time he had tried to get rid of it, at the last moment, he couldn’t make himself do it.

Painful memories flooded through him as he looked at the photo. Memories of the way she had used him, led him on, making him think that she was his friend, that she cared about him. Newt’s excitement from a few minutes ago was gone. In its place was a cold, empty feeling. She was the reason he had never let himself get close to anyone. Was he about to make the same mistake with Nathaniel as he had with Leta?

No, Newt told himself firmly. Nathaniel wasn’t like that. He wouldn’t do what Leta did to him.

How do you know? A little voice in Newt’s head whispered malevolently. You knew Leta for years before she betrayed you. You haven’t even known Nathaniel for two weeks.

You’d go to bed with a dragonslayer? The voice whispered mockingly and in his head the voice sounded like Leta’s. You’d go to bed with a murderer?

Newt shook his head trying to clear away the memories. But he couldn’t shake away the fear of getting hurt again. He would just have to lie to Nathaniel, tell him no.

He looked at the picture of Leta again, hating her, cursing her. Then he slowly headed up the ladder and out of his case.

Newt emerged in the middle of the tent Nathaniel had set up. It was modest, about the size of a small flat but with no rooms. Instead it was a large open space with curtains partitioning off different sections around the edge of the tent with an open space in the middle. In one of these partitions was a small bed and on the bed lay Nathaniel. He was looking up at Newt, one hand behind his head, the other hand at his mouth, his thumb stroking his bottom lip as he looked at Newt, his gaze dark. Newt couldn’t tear his eyes away from the sight.

‘’Come here,’’ Nathaniel said softly.

‘’Actually,’’ Newt stammered. ‘’It’s been a long day, I should probably head to bed-‘’

‘’So,’ Nathaniel said shifting onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow and patting the space next to him, ‘’ come to bed.’’

Newt stared at him. His legs seemed to be acting of their own accord as they carried Newt over to the bed. Newt sat on the edge of the bed and took as long as humanly possible to unlace his boots. He gasped as Nathaniel’s arm snaked around his waist and he heard Nathaniel hiss into his ear, ‘’Would you just lie down already, you little tease?’’

Newt obeyed and lay there blinking up at Nathaniel. ‘’I’m not being a tease,’’ he said. ‘’I’m-I’m nervous.’’

Nathaniel grinned as he loomed over Newt. ‘’Can’t blame you.’’ Then he leaned down and nipped at Newt’s earlobe. ‘’I do seem to have that effect on people.’’

Newt tried to stifle a moan as Nathaniel began a thorough exploration of his neck with his tongue, his teeth, while at the same time rubbing Newt’s cock through his trousers, which were now uncomfortably tight.

With a groan, Nathaniel rolled over, laying his body right over Newt’s, capturing his mouth in a heated kiss. He ground his hips down on Newt’s and Newt thrust upward, meeting that delicious friction. Nathaniel groaned again, exploring Newt’s mouth with his tongue.

Newt didn’t think he could ever derive such pleasure from having a grown man lay on top of him but the feeling of Nathaniel’s body over his, feeling cocooned in his warmth…it was so good.

Newt felt him begin to undo the buttons that were still on his shirt. ‘You are wearing far too many clothes, Scamander.’’

He worked Newt’s shirt off and threw it on the floor and and caressed Newt’s bare chest with large, warm hands. Newt saw him frown. ‘’So many scars,’’ he said.

Newt huffed a laugh. ‘’One of the consequences of working with magical beasts.’’

‘’You mean dangerous beasts,’’ Nathaniel said.

‘’No,’’ Newt said, shaking his head. ‘’You see that one?’’ He pointed to a scar just above his right hip. ‘’That ones from a Kneazle. I was cuddling with it and it was kneading me quite vigorously.’’

Nathaniel laughed and bent his head to kiss the scar. He found another one in the middle of Newt’s chest. ‘’And this one?’’

Newt was finding it hard to breathe steadily. ‘’Kn-narl quill.’’

Nathaniel kissed that one too. He raised himself to Newt’s shoulder. ‘’This one?’’ he asked, indicating a rather large scar that ran across Newt’s shoulder.

Newt smiled. ‘’Rampaging hippogriff.’’

Nathaniel laughed and kissed the scar gently, then ran his tongue down the length of it. Newt moaned. Nathaniel raised himself up on his elbows, took Newt’s face in his hands and kissed him tenderly. Newt, feeling a bit bolder, ran his hands down Nathaniel’s chest, feeling the smooth warm skin. He broke the kiss to say, ‘’You’ve got a lot of scars, too.’’

Nathaniel smiled down at him. ‘’Three guesses as to which kind of beast I got them from.’’

Newt ran his fingers along the fresh scar from tonight, standing out red and livid on Nathaniel’s chest. ‘’Does it hurt?’’

‘’No, love, it doesn’t hurt.’’

They gazed at each other for a long moment. Newt wasn’t great at reading other people’s expressions but there was a definite tenderness in the other man’s eyes. He felt vulnerable under that gaze. ‘’I think-‘’ he started to say.

‘’Shh,’’ Nathaniel said, leaning down to kiss him. ‘’Don’t think.’’

It wasn’t hard to obey with Nathaniel kissing him like that. He was vaguely aware of Nathaniel unbuttoning his trousers, working them down. He automatically raised his hips to help make it easier. Then Nathaniel was naked and they were pressing their bodies together and Newt thought he might die from sheer ecstasy. Nathaniel had Newt’s cock in his hand and worked his hand over it, making Newt throw his head back against the pillow and grip the sheets. The sound of Newt’s moans seemed to unleash something in Nathaniel. Roughly, he flipped Newt over on his side, facing him then lowered his head and took Newt into his mouth, sucking gently at first and then increasing the pressure. Newt had never experienced this before. No one had ever done this to him and it felt exquisite. Then he felt Nathaniel’s arm reach around to his ass and he felt him press a finger against his sensitive entrance. Newt gasped, tangling his hands in Nathaniel’s short hair. It was an incredible tickling, fluttering sensation that made his toes curl. Newt dug his nails into Nathaniel’s shoulder. ‘’I’m cl-close.’’

Nathaniel immediately stopped working Newt over. ‘’No,’’ he snarled, ‘’you don’t get to come until I’m inside you.’’

Inside me. Newt had a vague understanding of what Nathaniel meant by that but he wasn’t sure he was ready. Before he could protest, Nathaniel had flipped Newt over onto his stomach and, after muttering a lubrication spell, slid a finger inside Newt. Newt pressed his face into the pillow, moaning, his hips jerking up. Nathaniel caressed Newt’s back with one hand while he fingered him with the other. ‘’So tight, my little beast chaser. You’re going to feel so good.’’

Nathaniel slid another finger inside him. It was a little uncomfortable at first but after a few moments pain, the pleasure came rushing back tenfold. Nathaniel worked his fingers slowly at first, easing Newt open and then increased his pace. The wonderful fluttering sensation came back and Newt bit his lip to keep from screaming. Then Nate’s fingers disappeared and Newt whimpered at the feeling of emptiness. He wanted more, he wanted…

He was vaguely aware of Nathaniel muttering a couple of spells but had no idea what kind they were. Then he felt himself being flipped over again onto his back and Nathaniel was pushing his legs up, bending his knees. ‘’That’s it, love.’’

It wasn’t until Newt felt Nathaniel’s considerable girth pressing against his entrance that he began to panic. He was too big, he would hurt him, he was too close. A fleeting image of Leta’s mocking face flashed through his mind and he started pushing against Nathaniel’s chest, shaking his head, tears in his eyes. ‘’No-no.’’

Nathaniel immediately stopped, leaned over and grasped Newt’s face in his hands, forcing Newt to look at him. ‘’Hey, hey what is it? What’s wrong?’’

‘’I can’t,’’ Newt spluttered. ‘’I’ve never, I haven’t, I just can’t.’’ Tears were leaking out of his eyes now and he squeezed them shut and turned his face away.

‘’Newt, look at me.’’

Nathaniel’s hand was on his cheek, gently turning his face back towards him, wiping his tears away. ‘’We can stop if you want to, I’m not going to force you,’’ he whispered. ‘’But I promise that I’m not going to hurt you.’’

Newt’s lip trembled and he thought unwillingly of Leta again.

Nathaniel caressed his face. ‘’I’m not going to hurt you,’’ he said more firmly. Newt looked at him, considering. If they stopped now, Newt would lose the warmth of the dragonslayer, lose his kisses, his touch…Maybe if they kept going, it would be a mistake. But what if stopping right now was an even bigger mistake?

‘’Do you want me to stop?’’ Nathaniel asked.

Newt looked directly into his eyes and shook his head.

‘’Okay,’’ Nathaniel said. ‘’I’ll go slow.’’ He leaned down and kissed Newt gently, at the same time rocking his hips, pressing against Newt’s entrance. Inch by inch, he eased himself in. Newt trembled, the delicious feeling of fullness overwhelming him. Nathaniel stopped when he was all the way in, giving Newt time to adjust. He continued to kiss Newt all over, his lips, his cheeks, his jaw. ‘’You feel so good, so tight,’’ he moaned. ‘’Are you ready?’’

Newt nodded, not sure if he was but not wanting Nathaniel to stop.

Nathaniel began to move, slowly at first, barely moving his hips. Newt gripped Nathaniel’s shoulders and moaned softly.

‘’Feel good?’’ Nathaniel breathed.

‘’Mmmmm.’’

Nathaniel slid his hands down and gripped Newt’s ass. ‘’Hold tight, love.’’ Newt wrapped his hands around Nathaniel’s back. Nathaniel increased his pace, thrusting hard into Newt. Newt cried out, pain mixing with pleasure, creating a new, exquisite sensation. His breath was coming in short bursts, soft moans escaping him. Nathaniel caught Newt’s lips in his, and thrust his tongue into his mouth, mimicking what he was doing with his hips. Nathaniel moved even faster and Newt felt an earthquake building up inside him and then he cried out as his orgasm spilled over his stomach. Nathaniel groaned and, with a shudder, followed suit.

He collapsed on top of Newt, both of them breathing heavily. Nathaniel carefully withdrew himself and rolled over onto his back, pulling Newt with him so he was resting against his chest. He was still panting heavily. His breathing slowed and he smiled down at Newt. ‘’You alright?’’

Newt nodded, giving him a shy smile. What had just happened had been amazing but he couldn’t seem to find the right words to articulate his feelings.

Nathaniel trailed his hand slowly up and down Newt’s back. ‘’Was that really your first time?’’ he asked.

‘’Yes,’’ Newt said quietly.

‘’With anyone? Or just with a man?’’

‘’With anyone.’’

‘’Oh,’’ he said. His hand continued to stroke Newt’s skin. ‘’Did you like it?’’

Newt leaned over and kissed Nathaniel, slowly and languorously, trying to answer his question without words. Nathaniel seemed to understand, however, and he rolled Newt onto his back again, their kiss becoming more heated, their bodies pressing together.

It had been an exhausting day. Still, Newt didn’t get much sleep that night.