《 Skip a Beat 》

Faltering

Black backpack low-slung over her shoulder and wand gripped firmly in her lithe hand, Tina Goldstein marched into the living room, ready to attack the day.

Theseus and his wife were both sitting on the cream sofa, speaking to each other in hushed voices. The former held Leta's hands in his, absentmindedly running his thumb up and down her wrist.

The pair promptly looked up when Tina entered.

Theseus looked professional as ever, clad in his usual grey suit and tie, with his hair combed neatly back.

Tina couldn't help but notice that, not unlike his younger brother, Theseus also owned a (albeit smaller and less battered) suitcase, which leaned against the couch frame, though his was grey.

Just the thought brought a wry smile to Tina's expression.

"Are you ready?" asked Leta quietly, offering her a small smile. Tina nodded, biting her lip.

"Where is everyone else?"

"Newt's still in the kitchen, trying to persuade Jacob that he doesn't need any more breakfast," answered Theseus blandly. He gave a toothy grin. "And Queenie's right behind you."

Sure enough, when Tina whirled around, she was greeted by her younger sister's glowing smile and perfect complexion... as per normal.

"Aw, thank you Teenie," chirped Queenie, sweeping past her. "Are you r- oh, you've already been asked, okay."

She bounced on her toes lightly, as if trying to shake off her own nervousness. Tina smiled crookedly.

"Is Newt okay?," asked Queenie. "He's been acting a little...weird this morning," she continued, disappearing into the kitchen before Tina could respond.

To find out herself, presumably.

Instead, Tina dropped onto the couch next to Theseus and found herself fiddling nervously with her collar.

Muffled voices issued from the kitchen, followed by light, airy laughter- supposedly Queenie's- before the very witch herself trotted back into the living room.

"Tina. Have you eaten?"

Tina refrained from rolling her eyes playfully. "I had breakfast already," she answered somewhat bluntly.

Shaking her head, she forced herself to take a few deep breaths.

It's normal to be nervous. You just need to calm down. Don't take it out on other people, Tina.

"Theseus is nervous too," murmured Queenie softly, moving to her side. Theseus chuckled quietly, sliding his hands into his pockets.

Leta broke the slightly uncomfortable silence, and Tina mentally thanked her.

"Is Newt alright?"

A somewhat uncomfortable pause hung in the air like a low-slung cobweb. Tina found herself noticing that her sister's smile had become slightly tighter.

Queenie dropped her voice to barely above a whisper.

"He's worried," she sighed. "We all are, but I think that he's stressing out a little too much."

"What? Why?"

Tina didn't realise she was speaking until she heard her own words. Embarrassed at the unnaturally high note of concern in her voice, she ducked her head to hide her blush.

"He's worried about you, Teen. Both of you," her sister replied, casting a pointed glance toward Theseus. "He's worried about you getting hurt."

A moment or two elapsed, everyone lost in their own reveries.