As a young man Graves was in abusive marriage for political reasons and due to the conditions of the marriage he had to take the abuse his husband loved to dole out without retaliating. Husband got off on having control over Graves who could overpower him in theory but due to the terms of the marriage had to endured the abuse, then the husband died or marriage was dissolved. Determined to never be a victim again Graves set out to become the most BAMF Auror that ever was and never be forced to helplessly endure abuse again.

Years later he's captured and impersonated by Grindelwald and ironically suffers less in his hands than his first husband's. After he's rescued, rather than being reinstated, Graves is offered in political marriage to Newt or Theseus (or both) to make up for the almost execution of Newt.

Graves has lost everything he has worked for and is once again stripped of his freedom and will be at the complete mercy of his new husband. Determined to do his duty Graves puts on a stoic face and enters into the marriage determined to endure whatever humiliations and casual abuse his hew husband will inflict on him.

Cue misunderstandings an tonnes of h/c.