Climbing down into his case always felt like coming home, and it was the same now. Graves was climbing down behind him, and Newt carefully took a few slow breaths to try and ensure he didn’t visibly panic. Graves smiled as he looked around.
“You’ve got a lot of books.”
“There’s a lot of false information about creatures out there, but there are a few things that are truthful. I collect it for my writing, so that I can acknowledge what I’ve found as well as what I have observed…” Newt mumbled. Graves didn’t seem angry at that. He was smiling fondly, as though he was genuinely interested.

“Mister Worme says he thinks my book will do well. He says that it might even be adopted by some of the schools…” Newt ducked his head, suddenly wondering if he should be sharing such kind words – he didn’t want his alpha to assume he was being unfaithful. “I’m sorry. He’s happily married and he doesn’t mean anything by it…”
“Newt.” Graves said sharply, cutting into Newt’s apology. “I am sure your book will be wonderful, and I don’t doubt that you are deserving of praise. I hope I can read it when it’s finished.”

“Oh.” Newt blushed. “Of course you can read it.”
“Like I said, you’re the expert on these things. Theseus always told me that…” He chuckled, looking around. “But I don’t believe it’s just books you’ve got in here.”

Newt smiled shyly, feeling a little hopeful as he walked further into the case. Behind him, he heard Graves gasp in wonder, and he felt warmth bubble up inside of him. It was a good feeling, knowing that he had pleased Graves.
“You … you charmed this place yourself?”
“Yes.” Newt said softly. “I’ve just been working on the swampland habitat the last few days, it’s just over there-“ he pointed. “But first you’d best meet the bowtruckles, they’ve been getting rather jealous that Pickett has seen you when they haven’t.”

“Well, we can’t have jealous bowtruckles.” Graves agreed, following Newt along to a tree on which several of the stick-like creatures perched.
“Meet Titus, Finn, Marlow, Poppy and Tom…” Newt introduced each of the creatures in turn. “All of you, this is Mister Graves. He’ll be visiting quite a lot.”
Graves bowed formally towards the tree, flashing a cheeky smile at Newt.
“You can call me Percival.” He informed Newt. “If you are to be my omega, you don’t need to be so formal.”
“Thank you Percival.” Newt murmured, the name feeling foreign on his tongue. Not allowing himself to consider it too much, Newt smiled.
“Do you have any favourite magical creatures?”
“I don’t know. Dragons were always rather impressive… Theseus mentioned you worked with them during the war.”
“I did.” Newt nodded. “But I have none in the case at the moment. Normally they only stay briefly, because there are some wonderful reserves set up and-“ he paused and shook his head. “Sorry I’m rambling.”
“It’s interesting.” Graves answered. “You look…different,, when you talk about your creatures.”

Newt blinked a little, not sure if he was meant to apologise for that. Graves smiled.
“It’s a good thing. You look… happy. It’s something that you care about. You come alive…”
Newt blushed a little, and swallowed.
“Come on, you’d best see the rest of them…”

***

Percival traipsed around the suitcase, in absolute amazement at everything which he saw. It was clear that Newt knew a remarkable amount about these creatures. And as they walked, Newt seemed to relax.

Percival was introduced to all of the creatures in turn. He stood, watching Newt check over the runespoor when he felt a heavy weight on his leg. He glanced down to find a dark ball of fur scrambling up his leg and then reaching into his pocket.
“Newt.” He called out as his watch disappeared into the creature.

“Oh bugger.” Newt murmured, then jumped at the creature as it tried to flee. He caught the creature, holding it upside-down and shaking it a little until the watch clattered to the floor. Newt picked it up and returned it to Percival.
“Don’t worry.” Percival paused. “That…must be a niffler.”
“I’m afraid so.” Newt agreed, but he smiled as he said it. They continued around the case, Percival trying to remember each of the creatures that he met. The niffler followed him until he gave in and tossed a couple of shining coins down to it.

Newt was so much more alive now, and Percival felt a great deal of fondness to him. Yet as they finished wandering around the case, Newt seemed to become quieter. In the shed once more, Newt looked anxiously along his shelves.
“Do… do you mind if I… If I take a suppressant?”
“I don’t mind.” Percival promised him quickly, watching as Newt picked up a tablet and swallowed it down, then took a small vial from a shelf and climbed back up. Percival followed.

He turned to Newt when they were both outside of the case.
“Thank you for sharing that with me. I really do feel … I feel I understand you a lot more now.”
Newt nodded, the anxiety on his face grown worse ever since he took his suppressant. Percival waited for a moment, in case Newt wanted to explain. But Newt wasn’t forthcoming.

“Is something wrong Newt?” He asked, and Newt nodded, moving to sit down on the bed. He closed his eyes, as though he was trying to gather up his courage, and Percival reached out. He rested his hand over Newt’s own, stroking the skin there with his thumb and sitting down beside him. Newt seemed to gain a little strength from that gesture, looking up.

“I know you are doing me a favour by taking me in, and I… I appreciate that, and I don’t want to seem ungrateful.” He began, his voice a little shaky. Percival didn’t interrupt, able to see how Newt was fighting to get each word out. Newt continued, head bowed. “I do appreciate it. But I’m not… I know omegas are meant to want a family, but I’ve got my creatures and-“
“I don’t have any particular desire to become a father.” Percival reassured him. “And anyway, I won’t do anything that you don’t want. We’re to be official, but that doesn’t mean we have to do anything like that. I won’t force you. And I’m busy with work anyway.”

Newt smiled a little at him, then held up the vial Percival had seen him pick up from the shed.
“I…” He closed his eyes. “This is a sedative. I need…” He bit his lip, and shook his head. Percival could see him struggling to balance his desire with what he felt Percival would want. Percival squeezed his hand in an attempt to soothe him and Newt managed to stumble through a few more words. “If you’re going to knot me please let me I’m sorry-“

“Newt?”
“I can’t face being trapped like that. I won’t… I’m sorry…” Newt looked like he was close to having a panic attack.
“Newt.” Percival said firmly, grasping Newt’s chin gently and guiding him to look up towards him. “I am not going to mate you without your consent. If we do decide to mate, and Newt, I’m saying if, then I won’t knot you if you don’t want that. I promise-“
“But you’re an alpha.” Newt mumbled. “Alphas have needs…”

“If I need something, I can use my hand.” Percival said firmly, careful to hide the fury that coursed through him at what Newt seemed to expect.
“We’re bonded. Alphas want their… their bondmate. It’s not… not anything under their control.”
“We are.” Percival agreed. “And if you find you get sensations from me you don’t want, tell me and I will try and calm down.”

Newt looked up at him.
“You aren’t going to make me?”
“I’m not going to make you.” Percival agreed. “I promise. And just because I’m an alpha doesn’t mean I can’t help myself. Anyone who tells you that is lying.” Percival knew that he was well known at work for good self-control, and he wasn’t going to let that reputation crack now. Not when Newt needed him to be strong.

***

To say that Newt felt relieved would be an understatement. He felt freed. For so long he had feared being knotted, and now Graves was offering him a way out. He could feel concern from Graves, but fondness from him too. It was an amazing sensation.

But there was another sensation as well. An anger from the other man who had marked him. Graves had been kind, and Newt knew there was one more thing to tell him. He tugged at his shirt collar, revealing the inflamed gland there, still savaged from Grindelwald’s bite.
“I can feel his emotions.” He whispered, and saw pain flutter across Graves’ face.

“It doesn’t change anything.” Graves said after a few moments. Pain stung through the bite though, a disappointment that Graves couldn’t hide from him even if he was trying to.
“I’m sorry.” Newt whispered, and Graves nodded.
“It wasn’t your fault.” Graves said firmly. The pain was still there, but he was trying to comfort Newt still, and that was strangely comforting.

“I know. But it hurts you-“ Newt explained, and Graves paused. “I can feel your emotions as well.” Newt said softly and Graves smiled a little. “I can feel yours more than his. But it’s there. I understand if you don’t want me-“
“Of course I do.” Graves shook his head. “You are brave, and kind, and you care for your creatures. You try and take care of me at moments like this. I’m glad you’re in my house. Newt, you saved me. I like you. And we… we’ll find a way to fix this.” He reached out and gently pulled Newt close. Newt cuddled up against Graves and closed his eyes, feeling safer there.

He could stay here, just for a little while.