"What do you mean 'leaving'?" - Newt/Tina
“What do you mean by leaving?”
Newt tried not to go a vibrant shade of red at the question, dutifully ducking his head and avoiding the gaze of the two sisters. “Well, I was never intending to stay permanently… I have to go back to England and finish my manuscript still, after all.”
Tina said nothing and merely frowned as she continued to prepare the table for dinner; Queenie, on the other hand, raised a brow at him and put a hand on her hip. “Newt, honey, there ain’t no rush for you to leave… You are not any trouble for us,” She added as she read a thought from his mind. “We don’t mind you staying for as long as you need, do we, Teen?”
“No, we don’t,” Tina agreed, lifting her head to look at him; she gave a small smile that made something stir in his stomach. “You’re a…a friend.”
Newt was so touched that he couldn’t think of anything to say to this; a friend…the warm feeling in his stomach tingled more at the thought that he had friends. It had been a rather long time since he had had anyone he could really call a friend, and the idea made him feel somewhat strange.
“Oh, honey…of course you’re our friend,” Queenie murmured. “And Jacob’s too…at least…”
It was clear that the mention of Jacob was still a sore topic for the younger Goldstein sister – he knew better than to push or pry on the matter. “That’s very kind of you both, but I’m afraid I really must be heading back soon. You’ve both been more than hospitable and helpful, but the manuscript really needs to be finished before its deadline; I was only meant to be here a few days so that I could release Frank, but…but things didn’t quite go according to plan.”
“That’s one way of putting it,” Tina muttered, but the corners of her mouth were lifting again.
Queenie had forced herself to smile again, though her grip on her wand was slightly tighter than it had been moments before. “So, when’s your boat leaving then?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
“Tomorrow morning?” Tina looked surprised at this, the smile now having vanished from her face as quickly as it had come. “That’s…soon.”
“I’ve had it booked since last week,” Newt informed her, though he couldn’t help but feel somewhat saddened too at the thought. “As I’ve said, the deadline for the manuscript of my book is soon, and if I don’t deliver it in time then I’m afraid that my publisher will not be best pleased.”
The elder Goldstein sister looked disappointed by this as she finished setting the table and returned to the stove to assist with the dinner; even Queenie looked somewhat dispirited by this news. “We understand…we’re gonna miss you, that’s all.”
As hard as it was to believe, Newt knew that he’d miss both of them too; his time in New York had certainly been interesting, and despite himself he had grown rather fond of both sisters – it had been bad enough to say goodbye to Jacob, but to say goodbye to Tina and Queenie would be even more difficult, given that they had allowed him to room in their already-cramped apartment.
Dinner was served shortly after, an eerie silence overtaking them; Newt remembered the first dinner he’d had in the apartment, how Jacob and Queenie had hit it off right away. Their open flirting had dominated the dinner, not a moment of silence to be had.
Queenie’s mouth twitched. “We weren’t flirting,” She denied quietly.
“No,” He mused, shaking his head. “Of course not.”
As he finished eating, he cast his eyes over the table at Tina; in the dim candlelight, her skin had become a warm colour, eyes dark and downcast as they avoided him and stared furtively down at her lap. He was fond of both sisters, of course, but he suddenly realized that he was going to miss Tina much more – Queenie was wonderful and kind, and he did appreciate her company…but Tina was different somehow. He understood the older Goldstein sister more, understood the passion she had for her work and the compassion she had held for Credence; it mirrored his own enthusiasm for his work and for his creatures.
A part of him knew, deep down, that his feelings were starting to grow to be more than purely of friendship…what he didn’t know was if he could admit it to himself just yet.