fantasticbeasts_kinkmeme | Prompt Post #2

ROUND 2

Seeing as we've reached 4,000 comments in Round 1, it's time to make a new one. Same (lack of) rules apply. Gentle reminder to everyone to refrain from posting extremely long prompts, though. While no word limit will be imposed, take note that it is very unlikely for someone to fulfill your prompt if your prompt alone is already several paragraphs long and containing a number of specifications.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-(01/14/2016) We now have a TRADING POST where you can exchange fills with people.
-The prompt freeze is over! You may resume posting prompts. The next freeze is scheduled on February 8, 12:00 AM (PST) or if this round reaches 4,000 comments; whichever comes first.
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RULE #1: No prompt must exceed 250 words. Any prompt that exceeds that WILL be screened.
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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Theseus had hoped the feeling of sickness swirling in his gut would lessen now that he understood what was wrong with Percival. But his own lack of knowledge haunted him. He couldn't explain what had happened before, and without knowing that he didn't know how he could heal him.

Newt squeezed his hand, cuddling up against his side. Newt was wearing an oversized pair of pyjamas, his hair even more of a mess than normal.
"Stop worrying." Newt demanded. Theseus looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Newt, I don't think you understand what he's been through."
"Not yet." Newt agreed. "But we both know he's safe now. Getting someone or something to safety is the hard part. Now that he's safe, all we need to do is help him see it."
"And how do you suggest we do that?" Theseus asked, thinking of how terrified Percival had been.
"Well, with creatures I talk to them. I show them around their environment and I feed them and make sure their needs are met. Then it depends on the creature - some can't stand to be alone, so I climb in beside them the first night or two. Others I give space to settle. It depends on the creature. You're the kind that would need company."

Theseus nodded, trying to smooth down some of the strands of Newt's hair. His brother might have been best with injured and frightened creatures, but Theseus could see now he was the same with humans. He thought of Newt after the war, holding him through every nightmare. Remembered how Newt's anger had mirrored his own at the fate that awaited Percival, how he had stood by Theseus's side and agreed to marry him, so that if something happened to Theseus Percival would not be sent to die.
"Thank you." He said softly. "Newt, get some sleep…"

He closed his eyes and drifted off, hoping Percival would be sleeping well in his own room. The next morning, he could head into the Ministry and see about getting Percival's wand back.

Theseus would have liked to walk in spells blazing, and demand they returned his lover's wand, that Percival was treated with the respect he deserved, and freed from what had come before. But politics did not work in that way. Leaving Newt to make breakfast, and Percival to sleep, Theseus headed into the office, going directly to the Minister's rooms, knocking smartly until the secretary showed him inside.

He bowed formally.
"Minister."
"Auror Scamander. To what do I owe this early visit? I thought that you and your brother would be enjoying the time you have been given to...relax."
"It is time most gratefully received Minister, although the planned trip to America in a few days - I saw that Nott was down to attend, and I believe I would be better suited. And the marriage is partially to assist our relations with the Americans. It would be foolish not to send me."
"As you wish. Now, are you going to tell me why you are here, or do I have to keep guessing?"
"I wish to ask a favour."
"What is it this time?" The Minister drawled, and Theseus made himself smile brightly. "I would like to have Percival Scamander's wand."
The Minister frowned, his lips moving in the shape of words. Theseus thought he could make out 'highly innappropriate' and 'dangerous'. Before the minister could speak, Theseus continued.

"I have a busy life as you know Minister, and a dangerous one. There are dozens of criminals out there who blame me for their misdeeds being discovered, and who would happily attack or kill me. Then there is my brother's work. He is having Percival assist him with his care of the creatures. I would feel safer if the man was armed, given the potential risk of-"
"Of some of your brother's pets." The Minister agreed. "There is a logic to your argument, but I do not think that we can trust Percival."

"Minister, I can manage my own life. If I say that he will not be able to use magic against my brother or I, then I believe I have the strength to ensure it. I will make sure he does not have access all the time, only when I deem it advantageous."
For a moment, Theseus thought he would be denied. Instead, the black wand was handed over.

He checked it over in his hands, then nodded his thanks to the Minister, and made his way home. The smell of cooking filled the air - Newt was preparing breakfast, and Percival was standing nearby, a worried expression on his face.
"Perce, you look worried?" Theseus queried. The emotions that warred over Percival's face in response were concerning - he was clearly afraid, but there was more to it than that. Eventually he squared his shoulders, his body going into a duelling stance. It was a position aurors often took when they thought they would be attacked.

For a few seconds there was silence, and then Percival spoke.
"If you want to punish anyone by withholding food it should be me. The niffler was only following its nature when it stole. I was foolish."

Theseus frowned, trying to work out where exactly that outburst had come from.
"No one is being starved under my watch."
"But..." Percival began, then ducked his head down. His internal conflict continued a little longer before he looked up, meeting Theseus's eyes. "You aren't allowing Newt to eat meat."

Theseus fought back a laugh, everything falling into place. Percival had worked out Newt had different food, and set out to protect him. A moment later he realised that past experience could explain Percival's mental leap now, and that was a concerning thought.
"I don't want to." Newt said softly, taking advantage of the silence to speak. "I don't enjoy meat. It... bothers me. I can feed it to my creatures. They eat meat because it is in their nature. But I... I cannot. It's not in my nature."

Theseus nodded encouragingly to Newt, before walking closer to Percival and smiling.
Percival pressed his lips together, but before he could argue Theseus was holding out his wand so that he could grasp the hilt.

***

It actually took a few moments for Percival to realise what was being held towards him. It wasn't just a confiscated wand. It was his own wand, the one he had surrendered in the marriage.

He took a deep breath, before reaching out. His hand was shaking so badly that he couldn't stop it. But his wand was there. He nearly grabbed it, before looking up at Theseus.
"Why?" He asked. He couldn't understand why Theseus would arm him given their current situation. Jauncey had thought his having a wand would be dangerous, and he had been less powerful then.
"During the war I felt better knowing you had my back Perce." Theseus answered, and slowly Percival nodded. He waved his wand, and a few sparks flitted out of the end.
"You can do magic here." Theseus said, and Percival stared in shock. Theseus shrugged his shoulders, as though his words were the simplest and most obvious thing imaginable. Percival had worried he would never be allowed to use magic, and now here his wand was returned to his grip. "Do as much magic as you want. You don't have to keep the place tidy or cook food, but I guess it's a lot easier to do that with magic than without?"
Slowly, and feeling a little dazed, Percival nodded. He gazed at his wand. He had feared that it had been broken when he had been married off. This was the wand that he had had from Ilvermorny. He couldn't lift his head from the wand, hypnotised.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course." Theseus said firmly. "You can do wandless magic too if you want." Theseus looked so calm, and Pecival tried to understand it. In the war he and Theseus had looked after each other. He hadn't realised that would still stand, given the nature of their relationship.

Newt smiled, dishing out the breakfast and floating it to the table. Percival hesitated for a moment, seeing the uneven distribution of food - but Newt certainly didn't look unhappy with what he was doing. Newt reached out for a moment, his hand resting on Percival's own.
"Thank you for standing up for me." Newt said softly, his gaze away from Percival's face. "I appreciate it."

Percival nodded, a little startled by the comment. It was good to know he had helped, even if his initial understanding of the situation had been wrong. Theseus kept smiling at Percival, and Percival shyly smiled back. It felt like back in the war, when they had been friends, when they had been close to each other and it had been easy. Everything had made sense back then, and now nothing did.

After the meal was finished, Theseus set the dishes to washing themselves. Then he turned to both of them, and paused.
"Newt, do you have anything vital here in the next week or so?"
"A few edits." Newt said with a shrug. "But I can do them anywhere."

Theseus nodded, and turned to Percival.
"I'm going to be visiting America for a series of meetings with MACUSA. I would like both of you to accompany me. And Perce, while you're there, see your friends. They must miss you."
Percival stared at him in shock, and then smiled a little, managing a nod.
"Thank you." He breathed.

Prompt Post #2

Fill: Who Pays The Piper (14/?)