Work Text:
You had been working as Newt's assistant for about a year. Originally, you were meant to just help him with his book as the illustrator, but you enjoyed him and his creatures so much that, when it was time for you to go back home, you asked him if you could work with him, he agreed, giving you your position as assistant.
At first, your feelings for him were platonic and solely professional, but lately, you had been thinking of him fondly instead of just Newt. You hadn't told him, but he wasn't exactly oblivious; you knew that he'd figure it out at some point if he hadn't already.
"Did you feed the nifflers?"
Newt's voice snaps you out of your thoughts. You look up from your notebook, casting him a small smile. "I did. Right amounts to all the creatures."
"Thank you. I.. um.. brought a new creature. Figured you might want to meet her. She's a puffskein."
Your eyes light up with unadulterated joy, happily replying, "I'd love that!"
"Great. Come along then."
You spring up from your seat on the ground, skipping joyfully alongside him.
He brought out a less serious side of you, one that most would consider childish but he just called 'relaxed'. The idea of people not liking him was one that filled you with disbelief because you absolutely adored him; you only hoped that he felt the same.
You stopped in front of the puffskein habitat.
Newt picked up a brown fur-colored puffskein, holding it in his arms. "This is Agnes."
You gaze in adoration at how, despite how many people would call her 'just a beast', he treated her like a being. He was gentle with all his creatures and it made me melt. He was such a cinnamon roll of a wizard.
He looked at me, nervously. "Do you like her?"
"She's so fluffy," you coo. "I absolutely adore her."
He grins. "I'm glad. Would you like to hold her?"
You nod in excitement. He hands her over to you and you cradle her in your arms. You softly murmur to her and, in the midst of your enjoyment, catch Newt looking at you with… 'Was that love? No. It couldn't be.' But you couldn't stop yourself from hoping for it.
"Thank you, Newt."
He nods.
It had been a month since that interaction and your feelings for him had only grown deeper. Every moment he spent with his creatures was another moment proving to you how pure he was; he was so gentle with his creatures and you. This moment was no different, he was taking care of the mooncalves when you felt the strong desire to hug him.
"Newt.. I…"
He looks at you, an expectant look on his face. You wrap your arms around him and kiss him all over his face. A red flush spreads across his face when you pull back.
You take a deep breath before softly admitting, "I love you."
He takes your hands in his. "I love you too."