"They're smart Newt," Theseus said after a moment. "How do you want us to prove it?"
"I think we should give them what they want," Newt explained, glancing down for a moment before looking back up at both of them. "Right now, the main thing they want is to capture me."

"No." Theseus and Percival spoke in almost exact synchronicity, aiming identical glares at Newt. Newt seemed unphased by their anger, flashing a bright smile at them.
"What do you suggest then?"
"Anything other than handing you over to people who want you dead," Theseus snapped.

Newt swallowed, letting Pickett walk along the length of his arm.
"But they don't want me dead. If I die, they lose any power they might otherwise have held over you. They don't like me very much. But they want me to live."

Percival frowned, a dozen arguments against Newt's plan occurring in his mind. Theseus looked almost incandescent with rage. But Newt seemed calm.
"We all know they need me to be alive if they want any say over my brother. If we want to find out what they're doing, I need to go among them. We could... I don't know. Some kind of recording spell on a handkerchief. That would mean we could record the evidence we need to expose them to the world."
"And if they decide they want to torture you Newt?" Theseus asked, and as he spoke he ran his fingers absently across the curse scars which lined his arms.

"I've been tortured before," Newt said very calmly. "By Grindelwald mostly, but a few others. I know it isn't exactly enjoyable. But given the potential dangers to anyone else, and the importance of the case, I'm willing to risk it."

Theseus stared at him, his mouth open slightly in horror. Percival shook his head.
"This is... this is too much. I am not handing you over to be defenceless." There was silence for a few moments, each of them lost in their own argument.
"What about Miss Tina?" Newt swallowed. "I mean, you said she's a bouncer, but I think... I mean, she seems like an auror. I promise I'd take good care of your girlfriend-"

Theseus laughed out loud, making Newt pause and turn towards him.

"Perce, tell me you don't have a girlfriend. You have never been interested in girls. Didn't seem to know what to do with them during the war."
"I didn't need the reminder of that instruction manual," Percival muttered, before turning his attention towards Newt. "Tina is an auror. But she isn't my girlfriend. I just wanted someone to help, and hoped to put you at your ease after... after that first conversation. I would be willing for her to spend some time on a mission with you, but we would need to check it with Fontaine and Picquery. If they approve, and only then, we can use you as bait."

Newt seemed to recognise that was the best he could hope to get, and nodded his acceptance. Percival said nothing more of the matter, and Theseus regaled them all with tales from the aurors' office. It was only when Newt began to yawn that Percival realised it had drifted past midnight.
"Newt, you should rest. I'll sort out a bed for your brother, and in the morning we'll take our case in to MACUSA."

Newt walked away, leaving Theseus and Percival facing each other.
"What did you mean about when you met?" Theseus's voice sounded dangerous. It was little more than a whisper, but there was still a threat there.

"He broke in because he knew this house was magic. And he offered himself to me to keep quiet and not tell MACUSA that he was here."
Theseus repeated the phrase 'offered himself' under his breath, as though he couldn't quite understand what it was that he had been hearing. After a few moments he seemed to realise, and looked up at Percival.
"You're telling me he's a whore?"
"I'm telling you that he was frightened and willing to do whatever it took to keep out of trouble," Percival said, trying to defend Newt. He knew Newt didn't really need to be defended, but it felt like the right thing to do.

"And did you?"
"Theseus, I thought you knew me better than that."
"I thought I knew the Ministry better," Theseus spat. "I know they hated me, but I never thought they'd stoop so low."
"I don't even know if it was them," Percival explained. "He said he wanted to pay. It might have been after his escape or..." Percival took a deep breath, steeling himself for his next few words. "It may have been from before the Ministry got him. I mean, there are rumours about Grindelwald's... predilections."

Theseus arched an eyebrow.
"If you think my brother got buggered by a dark wizard, you can just come out and say it."
"I think it's a possibility," Percival said, only to see Theseus's expression go through a rather remarkable cascade of emotions. Primary among them was anger and concern, but it was followed by shock, upset, and then something close to fear. He glanced over his shoulder to find Newt standing there in the pyjamas he had borrowed, holding a glass.
"I just needed some water," Newt mumbled. "Sorry to disturb you. And about the buggery..." He shrugged a little.
Theseus looked at his brother rather cynically.
"You can't just say that."
"It wasn't like that," Newt said softly. "You don't need to worry about me being some screaming victim. I knew he was using me, but I was using him to help the creatures, and it was hardly the first time. Or the last." He shrugged. "It was just a transaction."
"Newt," Theseus stared at him in shock. "You... it shouldn't be like that."
"Maybe not," Newt answered. "But compared to everything else... it doesn't bother me."

Theseus looked like he was seriously contemplating exploding in anger, so Percival stepped forwards.
"I'm sorry that happened to you Newt," he said gently. "You deserved better. But I'm glad you're alright now. You are safe and I will protect you."
"Thank you," Newt murmured, glancing up at both of them and then smiling sadly. "But I don't think that's enough to help. If we need to deal with the Ministry, I need to let them capture me."

"With Tina Goldstein as your backup," Percival agreed.
"Theece..." Newt reached out, to rest his hand on his brother's arm. "I am... I am so grateful for everything that you have done for me. But I am willing to do this for you. Let me help."

Theseus looked for a moment like he was about to refuse, before he nodded, his eyes closing for a moment.
"What can we do?" He embraced Newt, and Percival sighed.
"For now, get some sleep. In the morning I will call Miss Goldstein." He ushered both of the brothers to their bed, before apparating across to Seraphina's office.

She looked up from her desk, her eyes sparkling.
"I had been wondering when you were going to explain what it is that you have been doing." She crossed her arms. "I hear that you kidnapped a British auror." For a moment her expression was serious, before she flashed a smile at him.

"I had a home invasion," Percival began, and Seraphina waved over two glasses which filled with scotch at a touch of her wand. He took the proffered glass. "By a young man and his bowtruckle. He was trying to steal food. And asked me not to get MACUSA involved. I had Queenie check him out, and she thinks that he's rather harmless, although he previously worked with Grindelwald."
"And you kidnapped the auror?" she prompted.
"It is his older brother. My friend. He has been attempting to clean up the Ministry, and the Ministry retaliated by targeting his brother."

"What do you recommend?"
"We want proof his brother is being targeted. As they already have an extradition claim out on him, I would like someone to go with him. Ideally Auror Goldstein."
"And once the Ministry has him?"
"We get the evidence we need and get him out."

"You do realise that if this backfires, it could provoke a war?" Seraphina asked, looking at him intensely. "I don't want to lose the relationship with Britain because of you having a crush."
"I am doing what is right," Percival said firmly. "You've been telling me I need to find a purpose after everything that has happened. And this is it. I want to help him. I want this fixed."

"I can authorise auror Goldstein and a portkey," she said after a minute. "But also speak to Fontaine. And whilst the Brit is over here, I want him overseeing our auror department - if that's the excuse you used for bringing him, it better happen."
"Thank you." Percival reached out, shaking her hand. She smiled.
"It's good to have you back."