Fantastic Beasts And The Trials of Scamander

An Inch is as Good as a Mile

Jacob wasn't exactly jazzed about being locked out of the case and told to go get clothes. Newt had assured then he'd cast a spell that meant they could communicate and his voice had gone a little funny, kind of like he was talking underwater, then giving them his 'I know what I'm doing' smile which would have been effective if it wasn't for Tina's analysing expression that seemed to be getting gradually more nervous. However, they were now alone in a rather romantic-looking country with nothing but clothing to buy. God knows when Jacob would next get some time alone with his wife, he loved these adventures and nothing meant more than his friends but it wasn't the same as getting to show Queenie how much he loved her.

"You don't have to prove nothin' sweetie" Queenie chirped from his arm and he smiled over at her

"I still wish I could treat you a bit more doll..."

"You treat me just enough" She pecked his cheek then studied the map "Now I think Teen and Newt were gonna go this way- Mercy their brains go fast when they're all excited- so we should come to a square soon"

Then they began to amble down the cobbled streets, the now infamous case swinging loosely from his palm. He assumed they'd pass the time by pouring over maps and bickering with each other as they always seemed to do.

"Probably. Theseus and Teen are all fired up and they're worried so-"

"They're gonna start worrying over each other"

That was always an enjoyable experience. It ended with layers and layers of worry and people forgetting what they were worried about in the first place.

"But let's not talk about them -" Queenie stated with a small smile "Let's talk about us"

He furrowed his brow

"What do you wanna talk about"

"I dunno" she giggled again and then sighed, suddenly sober "Just that I'm glad I'm on the good side again"

"I know that Doll" They ducked under a tiny stone archway into another narrow street "I'm glad we're all back together too, nothing I regret more than tryna convince myself I didn't need you all"

Queenie nodded and seeing her trying to gloss over the subject he stopped them both and using the hand not currently holding the case he took her palm into his.

"I need you to listen to me Queenie" she blinked expectantly "I've never looked back Doll. No matter what crazy thing we're doing. I've lost faith, don't get me wrong, but I ain't never wished it never happened at all"

There was a beat then Queenie's eyes filled with tears. Yet she didn't say another word, just squeezed his hand and lead him further into the hum of the town.

                                                                                            ~*~

The case was filled with the buzz of creatures, all of Newt's charges in their habitats bumbling about their days. From her perch on the steps up to what was once Franks, she could see the family of Nundus napping in the faux sun, the bowtruckles working away to prune at the trees and the Erumpent scratching her ear on a very worn tree. Newt and Bunty were in the middle of refilling water troughs leaving just herself, Theseus and Lally to stand watching the natural goings on in the case.

"It is quite beautiful in here, isn't it?"

Theseus murmured after a few minutes of silence and Tina turned to see him with his eyes glued to the swathes of winged insects and enclosed water creatures that made the mosaic of a ceiling with their shimmering bodies.

"I think so..."

She murmured in return and Lally continued, also following Theseus' gaze

"The charms work is incredibly impressive"