《 Skip a Beat 》

Swan song

"Right, uhh- thank you," Newt muttered, sotto voiced. He attempted to lean unaided on the crutches again, without much progress from last time. "Woah!" He stumbled forward, and would've ended up in emergency with a second broken leg if Tina hadn't jumped forward and caught him by the shoulders.

Nick wiggled his eyebrows, which didn't go unnoticed by Queenie. She poorly tried to conceal a giggle, and both Newt and Tina flushed a brilliant shade of red before hastily letting go of each other.

"You're alright. It just takes practice, that's all," murmured the doctor.

"Practice! He hasn't stood up properly for six months!"

Mallord pursued his lips. "Yes, that too I s'pose."

Newt ducked his head, reaching for the crutch again. Everyone kept light on their feet- jittery. Theseus steadied him and he balanced precariously on the crutches again, holding his breath.

Fingers trembling, Theseus very slowly loosened his grip on Newt's sleeve, and moved his hands away. Newt inhaled shakily, then smiled. Slowly, everyone smiled with him, understanding.

"Way to go!"

Charlotte's speaker voice filled the room with its shrill, robotic voice, and Theseus jumped again, although he tried to disguise it.

A huge grin broke across Newt's face. He was standing. Aided, yes, but it felt amazing to be back on his feet, even if that meant he had to use crutches.

"Will you try walking forward?" asked Mallord briskly. Newt nodded, and Theseus moved closer to him, in case he fell again.

Slowly, carefully, and Newt had taken one step forward with the crutches. Then wobbled precariously before falling forward again. Theseus and Leta lunged forward to catch him.

"Sorry," Newt mumbled, stumbling to his feet.

"You're getting better," Leta offered. He returned a weak smile. "Thanks."

Newt had mastered the art of walking with crutches within ten minutes' time, and Nick had to talk to Charlotte multiple times about lowering the volume on her little keyboard speaker if she was going to type encouraging messages.

All nine of them were smiling by the time 5:00pm rolled around. Newt insisted to come home, even though it was recommended he stay a couple more weeks in hospital, so they thanked Dr Mallord and Nick (who promised to write them letters every few days, to which Charlotte eagerly agreed), and for the first time in six months, Newt walked out of the hospital room, with a huge grin and his friends walking out by his side.

Although they'd have to come back for frequent check-ups ("Twice a week now, don't forget! Especially since you're going home early... You know, even three times a week wouldn't hurt- Fine! Twice! Happy?"), he was free. Or, as free as he could be for now.

They arrived home a while later, and Newt could've collapsed into an emotional mess on the floor just at being home again, even if they were staying at his brothers' house. Even the familiar cream-coloured walls and sparkling silver light fittings sent a fond little skitter through his heart. Theseus was standing on Newt's right, alert and jittery, almost as if he was expecting him to fall again. Tina was on Newt's left, but more relaxed than his brother.

"Good to be home?" she asked fondly.

Newt nodded, still looking around as if he was dreaming and wouldn't be surprised to wake up a minute later surrounded by pointy silver instruments and menacing-looking pipes, and the radiant beam painted across his face spoke louder than anything he could've said: It's good to be home.

A bit short, I know, but does anyone care?

Certainly not me :)

What I do care about, is that this chapter is kind of sloppily written. I feel like it's missing something. Newt already signed the agreement to crutches, so it can't be that, it's the end of September (and Theseus said they'd start making progress by then), so it can't be that... ;dsnfk;dshfd;kkfd;s if you know what it's missing, please tell me.

Shout out goes to Newtina100 today, for constantly supporting me and voting, commenting, and leaving a lovely message on almost every chapter. ^v^ you make my day.

Hahah hey guys... what if Newt and Tina got stuck in an elevator? hehehehehe... I have a great idea for a oneshot like this! MUAHAHAHAHHA

And just remember, if you're ever feeling sad, just imagine Newt drinking gigglewater.

AAAAIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SO CUTEEEEE NAHBFK;SLAKVBAVS/VNAD/B;VA;DBV;JA.E/BG;AVA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

You are very welcome.

Cateye992, out!