Moving In
New York seemed brighter for some reason. Newt knew that the last time he was in the city there were sunny days, but this time the illusion of being cleaner was probably because there was a thin layer of pure white snow over the buildings, creating an almost blinding illusion of purity to the city. Newt knew better, this is the city where his heart was going to be broken very soon by one director Graves. This city held secrets, words that will never be said and promises of things that will never happen.
Scamander barely balanced himself after his apparition before a rough, deep voice spoke, no... rumbled, which sent shivers down Newts spine. The last time he had heard that voice it was harsh and unforgiving, it had been in a time of panic and mere seconds before Grindelwald was discovered. The voice was still the same voice, but it was the tone and the emotion behind it that had changed, a more natural composure. It was rough, not from anger but from disuse. Besides that, it was somewhat gentle and curious, although the curiosity was well hidden behind the professionalism that the Director seemed to pride himself in. The magizoologist righted himself towards where the voice was coming from, not surprised to see Director Graves standing there, almost exactly the same as the first time Newt had laid eyes on that face. What did surprise Newt a bit was the slight shimmer he could see around Graves's face, a glimmer actually, hiding something from everyone else, and it was well done too. The charm must have been rushed this morning because it was a well-practiced charm by the looks of it, just a slight falter in the wand work if Newt was correct. He had to pick up on these kinds of things when he was trying to save creatures, any advantage he could get was good, and disillusionment spells could hide anything if done correctly. What was Graves hiding?
A hand touched Newts elbow, startling him out of his trance and causing his face to flush. How long had he been staring at Graves' face for? At least he could blame the cold weather for the redness, but it didn't matter because Newt found himself staring at Graves once again, but this time to look at the overall picture, standing tall with the MACUSA Auror's robes wrapped around the fit body, tailored perfectly, the edges of the trenchcoat whipping gently in the wind. There seemed to be no air left in Newts lungs, or around him either because he couldn't seem to breathe. Graves seems to have taken up all the air around Newt, time seemed to stop once Newt stopped focusing on the shimmer. The glance that Scamander had of the city that seemed so clean and pure was put to shame by the magnificent beauty of Graves. Okay that was a bit much don't you think? Come on Newt, get a handle on yourself, he's going to hate you if you act like an idiot the first time you meet. Come on. Newt blinked, blushed some more and quickly looked away. He took a step away from the apparition point.
"Are you ready to go?" The Director sounded like he had already asked that question more than once, which embarrassed Newt even more.
"Ye-yes, I'm re-ready to g-go." I thought my stutter was gone! Graves just nodded, turned his back to Newt, waving his hand so that Newt knew to follow. he missed the small chuckle that escaped the stoic man ahead of him.
"I am Director raves, but you already knew that. You are te Magizoologist that will be joining my department. Now to start you will be in my office until they finish getting yours all straightened out. Usually, you would be added o the Beasts department, but the higher ups decided that you would better fit in the Auror division. I will personally take you on missions for the first 2 or 3 months, depending on how fast you get the hang of the job. Have you found a place to stay yet or should we drop in on the housing department before getting you settled in at the office?"
"Oh, um, I could go to Housing later by myself, it isn't really important, is it?" Newt really did not want to go find places he could afford with the Director, he couldn't exactly afford much considering his parents had cut him off once he started traveling the world. They didn't really approve of Newt not finishing school and then ignoring a traditional life. Hippogriff breeders or not, they still expected their traditions to be upheld. Theseus sends him money if he remembers, but it didn't bother the magizoologist much, well not until the devastatingly handsome Graves suggested that they go look at housing, which costs more money than what Newt has.
"No, it would be easier to go now, trust me on this. you want a place to go once the day is over, not go look and find that the department is closed. Follow me."
Somehow the pair had already reached the Woolworth building, and inside were the sights that Newt remembered from his first trip here. It was still beautiful, but Newt didn't have time to look at everything, he was too busy panicking about what Graves would think when he found out Newt couldn't really afford anything. Of course, he had money, but not much of it. he tried to save as much of it as possible but he never got a lot at a time anyways.
the Housing department was not too far from the main lobby, but still far enough away for an uncomfortable few minutes in an elevator and a long hallway. Scamander didn't pay attention all that much to the walking bit. What he did pay attention to was the thoughts racing around his head, until he looked up and saw the cozy decoration of the room they had just entered. It was spacious and clean, moderate decoration, not too much to feel cramped but also not empty enough to feel weird in. The atmosphere was relaxed, even the director seemed to relax a small bit. Graves went over to talk to one of the agents while Newt got control of his panic, it must have taken all of Newts concentration because he didn't notice Gaves had called him over until the second time.
"Mister Scamander." Once Graves was satisfied that Newt was paying attention he continued, "Come over here and look at these places. Davies has composed a list of apartments in the area." The realtor, Davies, just smiled and handed the stack of folders over to Newt.
All of the places except for one was out of Newts price range, even that one was pushing Newts budget. He would have to go without eating for a few days a week in order to have enough for the second month's rent.
It took a moment for Newt to work up the courage to speak. When he finally did he handed the stack back to Davies with the one he could afford on top. The realtor looked confused, and so did the Director.
"It's the only one I can afford." The explanation was blunt, but it kept Newt from rambling on and on at least. Graves picked up the folder and looked carefully at the description and picture. The apartment was one room, excluding the washroom. The paint was peeling in places along the wall, the window was cloudy because of lack of care, the carpet was worn bare in some places and heavily stained in others. It was a horrible apartment, and by the scandalized look on Graves' face, he agreed. The look would have been funny if it had been a different situation. The look didn't last long, it was replaced by an expression that Newt couldn't recognize, but he didn't have a good feeling about it.
"No, nevermind. Mister Scamander will come back in a month or two once he gets settled into the work rhythm. Than you for your time." Once again a hand appeared at Newts elbow to direct him out of the department. "You will be staying in a spare room at my place. there will be no arguing or negotiation until you get paid enough to get a nice apartment. I will not allow you to live in such horrible conditions." Newt was startled at the protective tone, but he was also scared about what would happen if Graves figured out how weird he was. Newt only hoped that this crush on the Director wouldn't be too detrimental to what work he will be doing. First sharing his office and then his home? Although Newt could think of other places he would like to share with Graves, it was still quite nerve-wracking. He didn't exactly have a good track record when it came to people. He just hoped that it wouldn't all go wrong.
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As the day went on Newt started to relax. Graves was at his desk focusing on his paperwork while Newt was filling in all the proper forms and his first batch of reports. The day was coming to a close before either man realized that they had both skipped breakfast and lunch, although they had both been too nervous to eat that morning. Meeting each other meant that there was a lot of nervous energy. Dinner was a quick affair, a short stop at the grocers for easy to make meals, the majority of the stuff only needed to be heated up.
By the time the magizoologist and the Director got to their destination it was too late to have a tour of the place. Graves showed Newt where to go befoe heading to his own bed, tired enough to skip a shower but awake enough to still change into night clothes.
Newt fed all of his creatures before collapsing onto the bed, it was so soft and comfortable that Newt had a hard time separating himself from the welcoming warmth, but Newt knew that he should change before he got anything in the room dirty. So Newt got up, changed into his pajamas, and carefully folded and placed his other clothes on top of his case. Now nothing in the room would get dirty from those clothes and he could find them again in the morning. Newt knew that he was going to miss the bed and all the nice things in the room when he had to move out in a month or two, he would move out earlier but Graves had sounded like there would be absolutely nothing on the topic until he said so. That was fine. Newt could enjoy this borrowed life until he was kicked out.
As Newt drifted off to sleep, he couldn't stop thinking about the gruff Director in another part of the apartment. If Newt closed his eyes he could make himself believe that this was his new life and that any minute Graves would come in and complete the illusion of domestic bliss Newt had been imaging since he had left. Maybe if Newt tried hard enough he could convince Graves to give him a go. Later, you can do this later. You have work tomorrow, get some sleep. "Tomorrow. Tomorrow I will know him better. Tomorrow I can figure out what he wants."
Newts case jostled, but the man didn't notice. He slipped into sleep, dreaming of what could be in a perfect world.