And so it went for the next three days. Tina and Graves took turns looking after Newt, looking after the beasts, and keeping Newt from looking after the beasts, which became more and more difficult as he became less sick. Graves was relieved when Newt was finally recovered enough to work for a few hours at a time before becoming too tired to continue- more than once, Graves found him leaning against the mooncalf rocks or sitting against a resting Graphorn, fast asleep. Graves would carry him back to the bed then, much to the amusement of Tina and Queenie.

Graves didn’t realize how attached he’d become until it came time that Newt didn’t need their help anymore. He still got tired quicker than usual, but he was capable of handling things all the same. Graves found himself standing outside MACUSA, Newt with case in hand, shifting his weight and avoiding Graves’ gaze as they said their goodbyes.

“So…I suppose this is it, then. It was, uh…a pleasure to meet you, Percival,” Newt said, a nervous smile on his face. “Thank you, for everything. I think my beasts are rather fond of you.”

“No need to thank me,” Graves pointed out. “We’re even now. You saved my life, remember?”

Newt laughed softly. “Suppose I did,” he said, nothing but humble, as usual. Another awkward silence, another fleeting moment of eye contact. “I…goodbye, then,” he added, and just as he turned, Graves felt his chest tighten, and he stepped forward.

“Would you stay?” he asked suddenly, and then he hesitated, feeling his cheeks go a bit red. This wasn’t like him at all, being anxious like this. “I mean, until we finish the case with these traffickers. We might need your expertise again.”

Nice save, he thought, even as he tried to convince himself that it was a perfectly logical request with no ulterior motive.

Newt turned around, and the smile on his face was just that much brighter as he met Graves’ gaze.

“I’d like that.”