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kfawkes · 7 years

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20 or 40... Or both? I can't make up my mind! HELP! :D

WELL LUCKY YOU, YOU GET BOTH.

“It looks like Santa threw up here.” and “Just how much eggnog have you had?”

“Darling? Sorry I’m late, but I brought some wine for the pa–” Harry had started rather confidently with words lined soft as he stepped into their living room. But once his eyes slid from the paper he held down to where Eggsy sat, he stopped suddenly in place; a warm, affectionate smile spreading as he gaze upon the one that changed it all…

He pursed his lips tossing the paper to the side as he stroll further into the room. Eggsy was sitting on the carpet with Roxy surrounded by lights, ornaments, hats… fake snow: You name it, they had it. Harry could imagine that perhaps if he came home a few hours later the place may have looked nice… but right now, it looked more like an explosion of green, white and red. And considering their party was in… oh, 20 minutes the mess was clearly the least of their worries.

“Oh, Eggsy…” Harry chuckled to himself, moving to stand just behind him. He placed his hand to the back of his head, running his fingers slowly through his hair; lightly scratching his scalp. “Looks just lovely in here.”

Roxy laughed into her mug, then pulled her lip in to silenced any other sound that dare try escaping.

“Oh, shut up… looks like Santa threw up in here, s’what it looks like.” Eggsy replied pursing his lips playfully as he gestured at the mess. “They’re gonna be here soon and I ain’t got shit done. Takin’ me forever to untangle all this shit’–” he paused fumbling with the matted ball of lights.

Eggsy sighed pushing the tangled web to his lap as he looked up at Harry with defeat spreading that perfect face. “This ain’t workin’.”

“No, I don’t suppose it is.” Harry continued running his fingers over the top of his head lightly. A second into it Eggsy leaned heavily into his leg– nearly losing his balance as he purred playfully like a cat.

It wasn’t the first time Eggsy did such things of course, but usually he didn’t do so in the presence of company, but Harry smiled anyway unable to deny the charm; finding him terribly endearing… It wasn’t until he looked to Roxy– who was now giggling profusely into her hand, gripping a large ceramic mug to her chest like it were part of her– that he realized just why everything was so difficult for his dear boy.

Eggsy pursed his lips up towards him expectantly for a kiss, still purring away happily. “S’cuse you, but I think you owe me somethin’, yeah?”

Harry looked to the large empty mug next to Eggsy with brows raised lightly knowing exactly who the culprit was: Far too much nog. He half intended on teasing him a bit because Eggsy just looked so cute when he begged… but considering how much he missed him after the long day, and how he almost desperately wanted to feel him again– he decided against it and leaned down nearly ready to grant both their wishes.

He held his hand lightly on the base of Eggsy’s neck, tracing the freckles dotting his skin with his thumb; deciding instead he just wanted to look at him for a moment. Having every mark memorized didn’t deter him from their beauty though, and now like so many other times he was completely enamored.

Harry could stare at him all day if time allowed it, but they did have a party to set up for… “Just how much eggnog have you had, dear?”

“Just a bit… not that much– few… cups s’all.” Eggsy cocked his head lightly, throwing Roxy a quick glance with playfully narrow eyes just before a more innocent gaze took over.

“Honest, babe.” he answered just as suspiciously innocent pulling his eyes back towards Harry with a wink; and when he did he felt warm and light, knowing very well it wasn’t from the alcohol.

No, he very much in love with him. Had been for years… and honestly he had no idea how he landed a man like Harry in the first place, but there wasn’t a day that passed where Eggsy didn’t thank whatever god was out there for him.

“My dear boy, the party hasn’t even started yet.” Harry teased, kissing him finally; hovering for a few moments at his lips before kissing him one more time.

“Mmmm. I ain’t ever gonna get sick a that.”

“I’d certainly hope not…” Harry leaned up to one knee, nodding once at Roxy.

As if on queue she pulled out a camera from god knows where just as Harry pulled out a small box from the inside of his coat. He’d intended on waiting… but what was the point? “Because if you were, well… this would have been rather uncomfortable.”

Eggsy’s jaw dropped nearly to the floor as Harry pulled the box open, his eyes soft and his smile pure. “Are you…”

“I love you, Eggsy… Far more than I’ve ever loved anyone or anything before. My life has a meaning now... and that meaning is you. Will you make me the happiest man to ever live twice, and do me the honor of becoming my husband?”

“Holy fuck, a’course I will, Harry.” Eggsy nearly pounced on him; knocking him back with arms tucked comfortably around his neck. He kissed him again then, this time with more excitement and love than ever mustered before. “Was you in on this?” he asked tossing his head towards Roxy who was still deep in a fit of giggling as she snapped away with her camera.

“Me?” she pointed to her chest defensively before taking several more photos then shaking her head as if greatly offended. “No, of course not.”

Diiiiiiiiing

“Well, shit.” Eggsy exasperated as he tossed his gaze towards the door; still comfortably laying atop the love of his life, the man he’d be lucky enough to spend the rest of his life with…

Harry just laughed softly as he raised his hand to Eggsy’s cheek, lingering for a moment before he slid the thin golden ban from the box and over Eggsy’s finger with a smile.

Nothing mattered in that moment… Not the half assembled decorations, or the continued knocking and persistent doorbell ringing.

Not the muffled voices that now grew louder cause they were getting sick of waiting outside in the cold on Christmas Eve…

They didn’t care about anything but this. Nothing but each other…

“What the heck happened here?” they heard Merlin call from the kitchen. “Looks like Santa literally threw up everywhere…”

Eggsy dropped his head to Harrys chest, no longer able to hold the laugh that now begged for release. “I fuckin’ told you…”

*Send me a Festive Prompt (number and pairing) and I will do it TODAY! [ASK]

#hartwin #eggsy and harry #Eggsy Unwin #Harry Hart #Kingsman #fic #prompt #ask #answered #fawkes talks #eggsystential crisis #<3

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elletromil · 7 years

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Otherwise Occupied

Merry Christmas @bouncybrittonie

I know you’ve been super busy, but I hope you still have a great time! I am forever grateful for your friendship Doll and I only wish we weren’t living so far away from each other. I hope you enjoy my little gift to you <3@

Otherwise Occupied

Jack startles awake, his hand automatically reaching for his whip when he doesn’t recognize his surroundings at once. A spike of fear runs through him when his hand closes around nothing, until he finally realises he’s on the Statesman’s jet, heading back home.

It’s rare he’s so out of it, but after the horrible week he’s had it’s no wonder a simple dream of kissing Eggsy underneath the mistletoe, Harry a safe presence at his back would leave him so disoriented.

To think this mission was supposed to be an easy one, done before he knew it… Champ have never been more sorely mistaken with a mission assessment before.

Not that he could really blame the man. Sure he had sent Whiskey on the mission a week before Christmas, but only because he knew one of his best agent could finish it quickly. Had he sent any of the other available agents, all very good but far less experiences in things blowing up in their faces, it would have either taken even longer or a new spot would have opened up at the table.

“Ginger? How soon before we land?”

It’s been two years since Champ has made her position more of a field one and even if he can’t help being worried for her every time she’s on a mission, no matter how good he knows she is, this time, he’s grateful for it. Without her as back-up, he would probably still be running for his life.

“About an hour until landing,” she answers via the comms and he frowns, not because he doesn’t believe her considering she’s the one piloting, but because he’s surprised he’s been asleep so long that they’re already nearing Kentucky. “The plane needs a refill,” she continues innocently even if she doesn’t fool him one second, “and Kingsman has graciously accepted to let us make a pit stop at their HQ. And I think there is a storm coming so we’ll get stuck there a few days.”

“You little devil,” he doesn’t need to be with her in the cockpit to know she is looking rather smug right now. Not that he can blame her. She is giving them the perfect excuse to spend Christmas with their respective partners after all. Of course Champ must know exactly what she’s up to, but trying to stop a hurricane would be easier than trying to rein in Ginger now that she’s gained the confidence to match her abilities.

Whiskey counts them lucky she isn’t interested in world domination because they wouldn’t stand a chance against her, especially if Merlin were to join her, which he probably would.

“Consider this my gift for you this year. Christmas Eve with your husbands.”

He grunts in agreement and vows to ask Merlin what he can get Ginger to pay her back for the opportunity.

It’s pretty rare that they go to bed so early in the evening, but despite their best efforts, both Harry and Eggsy have been a bit mopy.

Of course, they know the realities of their profession, that drug lords and megalomaniacs don’t take a vacation simply because it’s Christmas and that they can be called away at any time, but Harry, as Arthur, had seen Jack’s latest mission’s orders and agreed with Champ assessment that it would take a couple of days at most.

Which means both him and Eggsy had been looking forward to celebrate Christmas with Jack. Their first Christmas as married men and without Jack and Harry pretending they were only tolerating each other for Eggsy’s sake.

But of course things has gone tits up and instead of them three snuggling in front of the fireplace waiting for the clock to strike midnight so they can exchange their first gifts, Jack is fighting for his life somewhere in India and while they are stuck home, trying their best not to worry.

It’s a bit better now that they know Ginger has been sent as back-up not long after Whiskey’s mission have gone wrong, but they still miss him like crazy.

Harry especially seems to be hit harder by his absence.

Not that it surprises Eggsy that much. He tries his best, but he simply cannot be as much of a strong presence as Jack is when they are all home.

Caring, unwavering, headstrong -- that yes.

Able to just ignore Harry’s bullshit without going into a fight first and giving him exactly what he needs?

Not so much.

Even less so when he’s also feeling Jack’s absence like a physical pain.

Hence why he stole his shirt to sleep in. It’s not quite the same as falling asleep in his arms, but his scent around him is comforting. And not just to him.

Harry has admitted a couple of nights ago that it’s easier for him to relax when he can smell both of them, when he can trick his brain into thinking that Jack is safely in bed with them.

A bit like how Eggsy trick his own mind right now that the warm hand gently playing in his hair is Jack’s and not Harry’s. Still lost in a sleepy fog, he wonders how Harry does it when he can feel his two hands on his hips.

Probably be a super spy trick…

Then he feels the familiar tickle of a mustache against the nape of his neck and he’s fully awake, turning to face Jack not minding that his brusque movement is sure to wake Harry up too. He’s pretty sure he won’t complain once he sees just who joined them in bed.

“Jack! You’re back!”

“I am,” he confirms before dipping down for a kiss. For once, he doesn’t linger, but Eggsy cannot even be disappointed, not when instead he gets to look at him lazily kiss Harry all the way to awakeness.

Harry blinks at him in confusion when they separate, but even if he doesn’t seem to understand what Jack is doing here, he’s not willing to let him go, one of his hand having come up to grip at his arm tightly.

“Ginger says ‘Merry Christmas’,” Jack offers as way of explanation and Harry must still be muddled by sleep considering his reply to that.

“It’s not Christmas yet.”

“Well, no, there’s still a couple of hours left to that, but I’m pretty sure she’ll be otherwise occupied with Merlin by then.” He waggles his eyebrows pointedly, at if there is any way they can misunderstand his meaning and Harry groans at the mental image while Eggsy slaps his arm, but not so hard to actually hurt him. “And to be frank, I plan to be just as ‘otherwise occupied’ as she’ll be all day tomorrow.”

“Good luck explaining that one to my mum and Daisy,” Eggsy snickers, Harry joining his hilarity at Jack’s horrified expression, before they both forces Jack to properly lie down with them. “But now, time for sleep. You must be exhausted.”

That Jack doesn’t protest is the only answer they need and Eggsy wiggles and rolls until Jack is the one in the middle. If he minds being trapped between his two lovers, he doesn’t say and Eggsy can hear Harry sighing in contentment as he cushions his head on Jack’s shoulder.

They might not be in front of the fireplace, but at least, they’re all safe and together now.

That’s all they’ve ever wanted.

#hartwinskey #background relationship #ginger scotch #agent whiskey #ginger ale #harry hart #eggsy unwin #fluff #christmas #kingsman #fanfic #me

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dmitri-smerdyakov · 8 years

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Stitch by Stitch (Part 1) - A Newt/Tina fic

Tagging: @pinkdiamonddolphin

Here is the Newtina!miracle baby!pregnancy!fic!

Set in early-December 1940

Phoenix – 22nd June 1931 – 9 (going on 10) Linnet – 13th January 1933 - 7 (nearly 8) Leo – 3rd March 1935 – 5 (going on 6) (YES LEO HAS KATHERINE’S BIRTHDAY, AND SO THEIR BIRTHDAYS ARE TOMORROW)

Apparently Hanukkah in 1940 was 24th Decemeber (i.e. Christmas Eve) so they discuss celebrating both holidays.

Angst warning ahead! Also, only the slightest hint of sex – and it’s story-based, I promise!

Enjoy!

“Scamander!”

Tina tried not to wince at the sound of Crawford’s voice – it was never a good sign if he was calling her name like that, and she dreaded having to talk to him for he was more often than not unreasonable. “Yes, sir?”

Crawford – a tall but beefy man with far too much neck – damn near slammed his hands down on her desk, glowering unpleasantly. “You declined your status change, Scamander!”

“Oh. Yes,” She said uneasily. “I did.”

“Why in God’s name have you done that?!” He growled. “You do realize the repercussions for doing such a thing, I trust? Stripping your title, you’ll lose your job – and if you think you can get rehired again, then you have another thing coming-”

“I can’t go on active leave,” She interrupted, forcing herself to look apologetic. “I’m…sorry, sir, but I can’t because…because I’m having a baby in May.”

Crawford’s jaw dropped. “A baby?!” She nodded uneasily, and he threw his hands up in the air in frustration. “Oh, for Merlin’s sake…bloody typical!”

“I’m not going on active leave while I’m pregnant,” Tina continued firmly, sitting back in her chair. “The Ministry has laws about these kinds of things, as you’ll know, and I don’t intend to risk my baby’s life by leaving the country to fight.”

“This is the fourth time,” He growled, glaring at her. “You’ve got another three children – why do you need another one? Bloody women, having babies…”

Tina bristled, her own anger rising. “Well, forgive me, sir, if my husband and I wanted another child – I didn’t know we had to ask your permission before having them.”

“Don’t be smart with me, Scamander,” Crawford snapped. “Your late brother-in-law may have put up with it, but I certainly won’t.”

“Theseus is missing,” She corrected tersely. “Not killed.”

“He’s been missing for four months,” He stated. “He’s as good as dead. Now,” Crawford leaned over her, and she resisted the urge to gag at the overwhelming smell of his cologne. “You might have gotten away with it this time, Scamander, but you can’t hide forever. As soon as we’re legally able – once that baby is out – we’re sending you off to fight; is that clear?”

Tina wished she could hex him – she wanted nothing more – but he was her boss and she knew it would be best not to. “Yes, sir,” She bit out.

As he stormed out of her office, muttering about ‘blasted women’ and ‘stupid babies’, Tina sagged in her chair and placed her head in her hands; despite what she’d said, she had the horrible feeling that Crawford had been right regarding Theseus – she didn’t want to give up hope, if only for Newt’s sake, but it seemed more and more unlikely that he was still alive. It didn’t help that she now had to deal with this, with her own boss hating her just for being pregnant – it was going to make the last few months before she went on leave very unpleasant indeed.

Once that baby is out, we’re sending you off to fight.

She tried not to shudder at the thought; it wasn’t that she didn’t want to fight, but surely there were laws about going on leave to have babies? Surely they’d give her a few weeks, at the very least, to recover and spend time with her family?

Stop worrying, Tina scolded herself, What is it Newt says? “Worrying means you suffer twice”. It’ll all work out eventually.

She just wish she knew how.

Tina was late home for dinner that night and he noticed – he always noticed. She was late home most nights, he’d soon realized, and while it was no longer surprising when she didn’t come home until late it still made him feel rather anxious all the same.

“I put the children to bed,” Newt told her quietly, watching as she took a seat at the kitchen table and slipped off her shoes. “They’ve had their tea – would you like me to make you something?”

She waved her hand dismissively however. “I’m not hungry, really – bad nausea and all that. But thanks.”

He couldn’t help himself from frowning; she seemed to be getting thinner and thinner despite the fact she was pregnant, and he would have been lying if he said it didn’t make him feel slightly troubled. “It’s fine, love, I don’t mind cooking you something; perhaps some soup or something light?”

“I’m fine,” She repeated, and gave him a look – he knew that look well, that it meant not to push a subject further. “Honestly, Newt, please don’t worry about me. I just wanna go to bed.”

“I’m not worrying,” He denied half-heartedly. “But I just thought…never mind. You get some rest, dear, and I’ll settle everyone in the case for the night.”

He watched as she retreated upstairs, her whole body seeming to sag with exhaustion, and he couldn’t help but sigh to himself; he knew his wife was more than capable of looking after herself, that she was perfectly able to choose what she did – but that didn’t stop him from caring and wanting the best, after all. He knew she was adamant about continuing to work, and that she had more than enough on her plate as it was – the new baby, their three children, her worry over how Jacob and Queenie’s family were settling in, how successful their bakery was… He was hoping that perhaps she might allow herself to relax more with the family’s mixed celebration of Hanukkah and Christmas (for they both began 24th December this year) but with the way things were going it looked unlikely.

I’ll have to ask Jacob to put some pastries aside for us, Newt thought to himself – hopefully Tina would allow herself to indulge in some of her brother-in-law’s delicious baking.

With that thought, he also wondered if it might make her feel better to invite the entire Kowalski family over for the holidays – they were also multi-faith, he knew, and it would be surely be wonderful if they all spent both holidays together as a family. Tina would certainly enjoy getting to celebrate Hanukkah with Queenie again, and it was this that made him resolve to remember to invite them as soon as possible.

Everything would be fine in the end, he told himself – it was just a matter of waiting.

It hadn’t escaped her notice that she was rapidly losing weight – she was of course more than aware.

For one thing, her clothes had become looser instead of tighter, like one would have expected during a pregnancy – and then there were her bones. She could feel them jutting out when she was in the bath or getting dressed in the morning, sharp and poking out almost dangerously. At first she had managed to convince herself that it wasn’t anything to be worried about – she had always been rather thin, even as a young girl, and the fact that the country was under a rationing scheme didn’t particularly help either; to add, the nausea from the pregnancy was making it quite impossible for her to keep her food down on some days, and it often left her feeling rather ravenous. Tina had put up with it, though, telling herself that it wouldn’t last long.

But then she had started feeling faint.

That immediate rang alarm bells in her mind; as an Auror, she was trained to have quick-wits and keen senses – to feel faint would compromise that completely, make her vulnerable if she were to go out on a mission or raid. Tina knew that feeling fatigued or close to fainting could harm either herself of the baby – and after the trouble of just conceiving this baby, the one they were told was a miracle, the idea was unacceptable.

Perhaps I should tell Newt…

But she knew what he would do; he would worry over her (though deny that he was ‘worrying’, merely ‘fretting’) and attempt to force her to see a Healer, and she knew that St. Mungo’s had enough to deal with already during this war without her turning up and complaining of feeling hungry and faint.

No, she just had to be careful and wait the morning sickness out, Tina reasoned to herself, for she was four months along now – the nausea had to disappear soon.

Once that goes, I can eat normally again, she told herself tiredly as she clambered into bed late one night, careful not to wake up her husband; I’ll be fine – no point in complaining over going hungry since everyone else is too.

It was cold a few nights later when he felt her hesitantly touching him through his pyjama bottoms, and he groaned without opening his eyes.

“I know you’re awake,” Tina murmured, and there was an amused tone in her voice.

“Not quite – but if you keep touching me like that I will be,” Newt joked, and it made him grin when she laughed. “Come here then.”

It hadn’t taken long to start working on her pyjama buttons, kissing her fiercely as she straddled him, and as soon as he was able he pushed the shirt from her shoulders eagerly. With that out of the way, he started to run his hands over her torso, desperate to feel her. Usually when she was pregnant she had been somewhat plumper, even when just a few months along, and he’d loved exploring those new curves – but something was different this time.

She was barely anything but skin and bone – his wife had always been slender and fit, working as an Auror, but this…this was closer to malnourished than fit.

“Tina,” He gasped, pulling away from her. “You’re so thin.”

Tina looked confused for a moment – and then her expression changed to one of hurt. “Oh…sorry.”

“Hang on,” Newt muttered hurriedly when she tried to move away from him. “Tina, love, look at me.” She did, and he wasn’t particularly surprised to see that she looked decidedly upset. “I didn’t mean it like that…I just meant-”

“I know,” She said quietly, avoiding his gaze. “I’m sorry. We don’t have to…if it makes you feel uncomfortable or anything…”

He shook his head, his grip on her tightening just a tad. “No, no…it’s not like that, I was just…haven’t you been eating?”

Her cheeks seemed to go pink. “Of course I have! It’s just…well, it keeps coming back up. But I’m fine, honestly,” She added hurriedly. “I’m eating properly, I really am. Please, can we carry on?”

Part of Newt wanted to continue asking her – wanted to know why she was so thin, why she was losing weight and not getting any larger despite being pregnant…but he also didn’t want to push her. It was clearly a topic that made Tina uncomfortable, and the last thing he wanted to do was make her feel uncomfortable of all things.

It was for this reason he didn’t say a word, instead silently nodding and returning the kiss she pressed against his mouth. The concern could wait for another night, he told himself, when she wasn’t as stressed or anxious – they’d talk it over fully then.

“…I hope the baby is a girl.”

Phoenix scrunched up his nose at her, forgetting momentarily about his task of setting the table for breakfast. “No, it should be a boy – we don’t need another girl.”

“I want a sister,” Linnet huffed. “I’ve got two brothers, and I don’t want another one; I’m the only girl and it’s not fair. I don’t want another brother because you two are bad enough! Well…” She paused thoughtfully. “You’re awful – Leo is okay.”

Tina gave a huff as she rubbed at her temples. “Lin, stop being mean to your brother. Phoenix, stop trying to provoke a reaction from her.”

“But-”

“Leo’s not causing any noise,” She interrupted, and her eyes flitted over to her youngest son; he was sat at the breakfast table with a copy of Newt’s book in his lap. He couldn’t read it by himself yet, but he did still enjoy the illustrations. “Come on, guys, I’ve gotta get to work – I don’t have time for this.”

Phoenix and Linnet both looked guilty.

“Sorry, Mum…”

“Yes, sorry, Mummy.”

Newt arrived downstairs just a few minutes later, top buttons of his shirt undone and his waistcoat hanging open casually; he set to making breakfast immediately, much to Tina’s relief, and directed her to the kitchen table.

“Sit down, love,” He said gently. “I’ll get you some tea and you can relax before work.”

Though she was certain he was trying to mother her (the irony didn’t escape her), she was also rather grateful all the same. “Thanks.”

The kitchen was soon full of the chatter of the children as they laughed and talked excited about the upcoming holidays; they were all looking forward to lighting their menorahs, Leo especially, and they were soon discussing gifts they might like.

“We’re lucky,” Linnet told Newt happily. “Because we get presents for Hanukkah and from Santa.”

“You are very lucky,” He agreed fondly. “All three of you – and just think, next year you’ll have another brother or sister to celebrate with.”

“Hopefully a brother,” Phoenix muttered under his breath.

Newt pretended not to hear this. “You can teach them about the Festival of Lights, and about the North Pole, and then when they get older you’ll be able to help them with their menorah.”

“Mine is the best,” Leo proclaimed, beaming at his father. “It’s got lots of colours on it.”

As Newt chuckled to himself, rather amused, he noticed that Tina was staring down at the table – and she looked extremely pale. “Hang on… Tina, love, are you feeling alright?”

The children swivelled in their seats to look at her curiously; Phoenix frowned to himself, clearly realizing quickly that something wasn’t quite right, and Linnet started to gnaw on her lip.

Leo leaned against her side, clutching the fabric of her work jacket. “Mummy? What’s the matter? Are you feeling bad again?”

“’m fine,” She assured him half-heartedly, though she looked about ready to vomit. “I…I think I’ll have to miss out on breakfast… I’ll be back in a minute.”

Newt watched as she suddenly bolted from her seat and left the kitchen, and his stomach dropped; she hadn’t eaten the evening before, and he doubted she was eating much at work. He knew morning sickness was common throughout pregnancy (and not always in the morning) but something was decidedly off about this.

Phoenix seemed to follow this train of thought and took a deep breath before turning to his now-silent siblings. “We should visit Auntie Queenie after breakfast – perhaps Toby and Daisy and the twins would like to play?”

Linnet looked significantly cheered up by this. “Yes, we should; I want to see Daisy’s room still!”

Leo looked to Newt for confirmation, somewhat unsure. “Daddy, can I…Can I bring your book?” Leo asked quietly. “I wanna show Auntie Queenie.”

Queenie, of course, was more than acquainted with his book – but Newt grinned and nodded. “Of course, Leo; I’m sure she’d love to sit with you and read it.”

His youngest son beamed, turning to his brother and sister excitedly; Newt, meanwhile, found himself silently fretting over Tina in his head – she was more than capable of looking after herself, but still…something wasn’t right.

Perhaps Queenie will be able to help, He thought to himself, and that made some sense: she had more than enough experience with these things, after all, and she’d be able to give him some advice on what to do.

Yes, a visit to the Kowalski family’s new home would probably be useful.

In the last few weeks since the Kowalskis had begun to settle in their new home in Dorset, the house had begun to gain some rather colourful decorations; Newt greatly suspected the pink was all Queenie’s choosing.

His sister-in-law was humming as she finished stirring some coffee in a mug, and she wrinkled her nose up as she approached him. “The coffee here is still awful.”

“I’m sorry. I’m afraid we specialise more in tea,” Newt said lightly, the corners of his mouth twitching up a tad. “Tina gave up after the first month and just switched to tea – you could try that.”

“I’d rather not.” The mugs set themselves on the table, and she smiled at him. “Well, it sure is nice of you to bring the kids ‘round – but you’ve got something else on your mind, haven’t you?”

“You know I do.”

Queenie nodded, biting her lip as she read over his thoughts. “Yeah… Oh, that’s not normal…”

“It’s not?”

“Teenie’s…what? Four months?” He had barely given a nod when she sighed. “Oh, honey – she needs a doctor at this rate.”

“So I’m not overreacting?”

Queenie shook her head, sighing to herself. “No, honey, you ain’t. You should ask her to go to a doctor or something…but she’s stubborn.”

“Dreadfully so,” Newt agreed quietly.

“She’s always been skinny,” Queenie mused absentmindedly. “But she’s lost so much weight there’s barely anything of her – you wouldn’t think she’s four months along… Poor Teenie…”

“I don’t think the near-constant morning sickness is helping,” He added miserably, ignoring his tea. “Merlin, she’s barely eating at home, and I have a feeling she’s not eating at work either. I don’t want to force her or anything, but…but I want her to be healthy.”

The blonde witch gave him a sympathetic look. “Of course you do, Newt. It ain’t healthy for her to be like this though, and if she can’t keep food down ‘cause of morning sickness…well, there’s potions for that, right?”

“Ah. Yes. But…”

Queenie bit her lip. “They’re expensive,” She finished for him. “The war and trading…I see. I’d brew her one, you know, no problem, but I ain’t got the ingredients or a cauldron yet.”

There was a long silence between the two of them, the only sound being that of the children playing in the rooms upstairs. Finally, after taking a sip from his mug, Newt sat back in his seat and fixed his eyes on the table. “So…What do you suggest that I do then?”

“Sweetie, I know it’s difficult…” She paused. “Oh, you wanted Jacob to make pastries?”

“Well…I thought it couldn’t hurt,” Newt admitted, trying not to pink at how easily she had read his mind. “And only if he doesn’t mind – I know he’s working extra hours to make sure the bakery is doing well.”

“He’d be more than happy to,” Queenie assured him without hesitation. “Family’s gotta come first, no matter what. I’ll let him know. Other than that…a doctor?”

He tried not to sigh to himself; it was probably his best option, really, but he doubted as to whether or not she’d willingly go to a Healer to be examined – she’d insist everything was fine, that she could handle things even when she couldn’t. Tina was stubborn and determined; it was what he loved about her, but sometimes it could also be a slight obstacle too.

“Let me talk to her,” Queenie said suddenly, leaning across the table and putting a hand on his arm. “Maybe I can talk some sense into her, you know? Besides, Hanukkah’s gonna be soon – that and Christmas, right? I’m sure she’ll gain some weight over the holidays.”

Hopefully, Newt thought to himself, not even bothering to attempt to close his mind; I just want this to be a normal pregnancy, for Merlin’s sake, as stress-free and relaxed as possible.

It didn’t escape his notice that Queenie was frowning to herself as she sipped her coffee, clearly troubled in her own thoughts.

“SCAMANDER!”

Tina jumped – she couldn’t help it; partly because the voice had been a shout, and also because she had, admittedly, been close to dozing off over her paperwork.

She was hurriedly rubbing her eyes when Crawford strode into the room, face bright purple with fury. “YOU!”

“What have I done now?” She asked, trying to hide the exhaustion from her voice. “I’m doing the paperwork you assigned me, sir-”

“You interfered with the case I assigned Nott!”

Oh, that. Tina straightened in her seat, trying not to go red. “Sir, I can explain… Nott was stuck, he didn’t know what he was doing; he hasn’t had the proper training, hasn’t had long enough – none of the recruits have. I only stepped in because he asked me to.”

“I don’t care whether he begged you to take the case,” Crawford snarled. “I am the one in charge – you follow my orders. Do you understand?”

“Of course,” She agreed quickly, wary of angering him further. “Sir, I won’t interfere anymore but…but if you perhaps let me go back to helping the recruits train-”

“We don’t have the time to waste on training!” He snapped. “You don’t seem to understand, do you? Every day that you’re sitting here in your little office or at home with your husband, there are good fighters dying across the ocean. Good young men and women who have barely lived their lives… We need all the fighters we can get, whether they’re trained or not.”

Tina gnawed on her lip. “I…I know, sir. I know that people are dying – I knew many of them. I…I trained with some of them before they were sent away…” Her heart caught in her throat and she silently willed it to go down again. “But these recruits aren’t going to survive if we don’t train them.”

Crawford heaved a sigh, shaking his head at her. “I won’t expect you to understand, Scamander – women never do seem to understand the importance of these things, not once they’ve had babies.”

“I do,” She gritted out, tensing at his words. “With all due respect, sir, I’ve been here longer than you have.”

“No, you don’t,” Crawford disagreed with a sneer, turning away from her. “Have you been to fight? Have you seen the torture some of our teams are put through? Have you seen comrades die in battle? Have you been forced to watch the light leave their eyes?”

Tina was silent, eyes wide.

“I didn’t think so.” He reached the door and turned to face her one last time. “I won’t warn you again, Scamander: if I find out that you’ve interfered on another Auror��s case, I’ll be forced to take immediate action. Have I made myself understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Tina agreed quietly, feeling rather unwell.

The door had barely closed behind him when she lurched for the bin and vomited what had been her lunch.

The covers felt far too hot over her, despite the fact it was December, and she just felt so sore – it was probably the nausea again, she thought miserably, and she debated getting up to wait in the toilet just in case she did need to empty her stomach.

Newt turned beside her, yawning loudly; Tina watched him for a moment, thinking and testing how she felt. The ache was getting somewhat worse, like nothing she’d felt before, and something felt decidedly not right.

Right. I definitely need to get to the toilet.

As she sat up in the bed, however, she was aware of several sensations; firstly, that there was a strange metallic smell wafting nearby, picked up by her already sensitive nose and making her feel sick to her stomach. Secondly, something felt odd…something sticky between her thighs…

Tina hurriedly reached out for her wand and grasped it from the nightstand; she muttered, “Lumos,” and immediately looked over herself.

And there was blood.

She was a trained Auror, she knew how to remain calm in difficult situations – but even with all of her years of specialised training she found herself panicking.

And she panicked badly.

“Newt,” She gasped out, reaching to shake him quickly as tears involuntarily started to blur her vision. “Newt, please, wake up! Please!”

The desperation in her voice must have done the trick; it took him just a few moments to wake up, his eyes squinting as they adjusted to the darkness. When he saw that she was in tears, he sat up with an alarmed look and placed his hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong, love? Tina, love, breathe for me…what’s wrong?”

“I…” She choked on a quiet sob. “I’m bleeding, Newt.”

I AM FUCKING AWFUL PLEASE FORGIVE ME

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed (HA!) and hopefully a second part will be up soon!

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willreadforbooze · 5 years

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Hello All My Buddies! Into the books!

Linz’s Updates

I’m so behind on reading this week it’s embarrassing. But I had to watch The Circle finale, and I FINALLY started watching The Bachelor. Holy shit does production get these women druuuuuuuunk. I’m almost at THE champagne scene.

What Linz read:

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang: The “sequel” to The Kiss Quotient was like, fine. They DEFINITELY address the female protagonist’s ethnicity in this one, so that was a good start, but it was still, I dunno, just okay? It had that issue a lot of ok romances had where so much could be cleared up with a good conversation, and that takes me out of the fantasy. Also needed more sex.

Wicked As You Wish by Rin Chupeco: uuuuugh I am not happy about the review I’m gonna have to write about this. Uuuuuuuugh. My stomach hurts.

What Linz is currently reading:

Reverie by Ryan La Sala: Contemporary fantasy about a teen boy who loses his memory, because of a magic accident, and he and his friends have the ability to get pulled into other people’s super real magic-infused fantasies/”reveries” and the friend squad is able to make sure the reveries get handled so no one gets hurt I think? It’s a little confusing how the magic system works so far, and this might hit my DNF pile.

Followers by Megan Angelo: Two-storyline novel–one about two girls now who do something insane to get super famous, and one in the future about a super-influencer who’s trying to escape her life. I’m explaining it super poorly, but I’m only 3 chapters in and I am LOVING it, it’s so weird.

Minda’s Update

No update from Minda this week—she’s on baby watch!

Sam’s Update

IM ON VACATION!!!!!! Currently at the airport waiting to board my flight. Seeing one of my best friends and then headed off to ALA! See you there!

What Sam read this week:

Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi: Folks this book was fan-fucking-tastic. I love my kids. I love them so much.

What Sam’s currently reading:

Angel Mage by Garth Nix: This is Nix’s newest book that i’m listening to on audio. This is a society that relies on calling upon angels to help them do stuff. Heal, build, spy, etc. When a plague wipes out an entire country, their descendants are suddenly unable to be touched by magic or the same disease overtakes them. Now you can imagine the power dynamics of THAT situation. Anyway, Lilith (of COURSE that’s her name) has some master plan that involves four strangers. The audio was the incorrect format for this book but I finally became interested and then my loan expired so now I gotta wait. FINE.

Master of Sorrows by Justin Travis Call: This is an adult fantasy in a super interesting world. Aanev wants to pass his exam to be an Avatar, a soldier against all magic aka evil. His father figure, Sodar, is the village priest and it’s clear he has some secrets. Aanev has his own too. I’m really really enjoying this so far. Slow start but I’m happy.

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White: This is a weird aurthutian retelling where Gwen isn’t really Gwen but Merlin’s daughter sent from Merlin’s exile to protect Arthur from an unknown threat. I’m only a bit into this but I’m happy with how it’s going so far. Kiersten is really good at hooking me into stories.

Ginny’s Update

Whatsup! I’m currently in Utah and because Sam is on a plane, I’m the one writing this update! It’s been a good week with 88″ of snow, lots of skiing, and finding out that the local minor league baseball team is the SALT LAKE CITY BEES! The fact I now know this is amazing. Oh and also plenty of reading.

What Ginny Finished Reading:

A Pineapple in a Pine Tree by Eve Pendle: MMMM the drama in this was delightful. Both of the main characters are genuinely likable so it’s easy to spend the entire book rooting for them to go ahead and work through their differences. So yeah, this book was adorable. Goddamit, am I the only one who has been rating the books I’ve read during our weekly wrap-up?

Becoming RGB by Debbie Levy and Whitney Gardner: This graphic novel does a really good job of hitting some of the highlights of RGB’s life. I’ve read a lot about the Supreme Court so a decent amount of the information wasn’t new to me, but this way the information was shared was fantastic. I really want to read this book with a small child (come on Nephew, stop being a baby! (that’s a lie, I love my baby nephew)).

A Woman Of No Importance by Sophie Purnell: There are a lot of books about history where it’s really easy to see the bias of the author, this is one of those but seems more deserving than many books. It’s clear that spy, Virginia Hall, didn’t want accolades even though she clearly deserved some. She was a woman spy sent into some of the most dangerous places in Europe during WWII. It’s pretty badass. Whether or not you agree with the author (and I think it’s pretty clear I do) this is still a really interesting look at how spy networks functioned behind enemy lines.

The Christmas Princess by Patricia McLinn: This was a free book from Amazon and I’ll sum it up with I spent a good portion of the book trying to mentally rewrite large sections to make things make sense. The main characters are a member of the State Department that is protecting a woman that has a passing resemblance to, but ISN’T, the lost princess of a country that blah blah blah diplomacy. Honestly though, my biggest complaint is that looking up tidbits about DC does not equal having any understanding of the distance between the Washington Monument and Arlington Cemetery.

Currently Reading:

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson: This is a book that Linz ended up sending to me and is an ARC coming out much later this year. Because of that, I’ll probs write a review. Elizabeth has a child out of wedlock and ends up marrying spy Adrian after he attacks her carriage in a small attempt to salvage her reputation. Then there’s a MURDER. This book is definitely easy to read and even though I had obvious thoughts about who the bad guy was since very early on, still a gripping read.

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski: Surprising no one, I’m a very stressed individual. I think reading a book that focuses not on reducing the amount of things that stress you out, but what your body needs to really let the stress relax could be really helpful. Sidenote, listening to this as an audiobook while stretching has been a surprisingly good choice.

Miss Kopp’s Midnight Confessions by Amy Stewart: This is the third book in the series and while I really like it, I’m having a bit of a hard time getting through it. Constance Kopp continues to be really cool and I enjoy reading about the variety of cases, I just find myself continually frustrated by the way women in society were treated. I’m about halfway through so I’m definitely going to finish. Just a little slower going for me than usual.

Until next time, we main forever drunkenly yours,

Sam, Ginny, Linz, and Minda

Weekly Wrap-Up: Jan 13-20 Hello All My Buddies! Into the books! Linz's Updates I'm so behind on reading this week it's embarrassing.

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