#and newton's just like Sir please! let go of my paw

[newtonsheffield]

Midgard anon here (also coincidentally the Princess Diaries anon too) if you want to write it- go for it :) Also heck yes to Mary freaking out and accidentally inviting a god into her home

Okay so there are now Four of us that want more of this, We're growing!

i’m definitely down for more midgard btw! it’s too chaotic to pass up

Mary being absolutely horrified that her children hit a man with their car, she invites him to stay, and Kate's like "Mary, you can't invite a man to stay with you, where you live alone! Anything could happen." Mary's just like "Very sweet of you to be concerned for my virtue sweetheart."

But Kate really doesn't want this man living with her step mother alone, he thinks he's a Norse god, he could be dangerous! Mary feels this is a stretch as he's currently looking absolutely delighted with Kate's dog Newton, greeting him with "Hello! Long Dog! Your Tummy is very low! Kate! Your dog is very like a loaf of bread!" But Kate decides to move back home just in case, and sparks are gonna fly as they look for his mjolnir.

And when a storm comes he holds her close and tells her he wishes he could make it all stop for her, and the next time he tries to pick up mjolnir, he can.

[arrow-guy]

Author and Auror (3/??)

Synopsis: Eleanore Vaughan has never been one for the spotlight. Her cousin, Rosaline, is the one best suited to the limelight, and is happier for the attention. Though Nora is most comfortable tucked away in her book shop, what happens when Grindelwald’s sudden takeover flips her world upside-down and thrusts her into the inner circle?

A/N: Chapter three, lads, we’ve arrived! Finally a little more one on one interaction with Nora and Theseus. Again, this is a story in collaboration with @thorne93​, and I will link the last chapter she posted! As a reminder, I’m not tagging anyone unless explicitly asked to do so, If you’d like to be tagged, shoot me a message and I’ll be happy to do so.

Page dividers by @carryonmyswansong​

Previously, with Rosaline...

Pairing: Theseus ScamanderxOFC

Word Count: 4.5k

Warnings: Angst, fighting/arguing

Part 2

“I’m telling you, I don’t know where she is!” I cry. “She walked into the flames, Grindelwald grabbed her, put his hand on her forehead and she just crumpled.”

“Well, what happened after that?”

“They disapparated.”

“And after that?”

“Newton Scamander apparated Theseus and I out of the mausoleum.”

“That can’t be the end of it.”

I slam my fists down on the table and stand abruptly, sending my chair skittering across the floor. “How many times do I have to tell you?! IT WAS.”

A hand on my shoulder gently pulls me away from the table. “Sir,” Theseus says, his voice strong and even. “I think that’s enough.”

The head of magical law enforcement stands across from me, looking between Theseus and I. He straightens his posture and clasps his hands behind his back. “Very well. You may go.”

“Thank you,” I say. I don’t let myself relax.

“We’ll be contacting you if we have any further questions.”

“I’ll be sure to slam the door in your Auror’s faces,” I hiss.

I snatch my jacket from the hook near the door and shove my arms through the sleeves as I walk out the door. I storm down the hall and manage to get into an empty elevator, only to have Theseus stick his hand between the grate and the doorway. He slips in beside me and I lean on the wall and scowl, arms folded. He leans on the handrail next to me with his hands in his pockets.

“I’m sorry, Nora.”

“Did you know they were going to attack me like that?” I demand.

He shakes his head. “No. I was only told they wanted to ask you a couple of questions. I wouldn’t have asked you to come if I knew.”

“I appreciate that,” I grumble.

“How have you been doing?” he asks softly.

I look down at my shoes. “Fine. I’ve been working a lot. Helping Newt when I’m not at the shop. Been trying to distract him from Tina when I can.”

“I thought he liked Tina.”

I shrug. “Things got all muddled after Paris. She was staying with Newt for a while, but I’m lending her my guest room for now. She plans on going home to pack up some things. She’ll catch a portkey back and look for a more permanent place to stay.”

“That’s very generous of you.”

“Glad you think so.” The elevator reaches the first floor and I thank the operator and exit quickly. Theseus follows after me. “Don’t you have a meeting or something to go to? You’ve never followed me out before.”

“I’m Head Auror. If I can’t skive off work every once in a while, what’s the point?”

I choke out a laugh. “Must be nice.” I bite the inside of my cheek. “Tessa is opening shop today. Would you want to come by mine for a quick cuppa?”

He smiles. “I’d like that.”

“I’m home!” I call into the flat when Theseus and I walk through the door.

My cat Juno trots into the entryway and meows at us. She immediately places her paws on Theseus’ pant leg and mews at him, demanding to be pet. Theseus chuckles and stoops down to stroke her head and scratch her ears.

“Nora?” Tina calls from upstairs.

“Yes?” I answer, taking off my jacket and scarf and hanging them on the coat rack.

“You said you had a small library, right?” she asks, hurrying down the stairs. She pauses halfway down when she sees Theseus. “Head Auror Scamander.”

He nods to her. “Ms. Goldstein.”

“The library is the door to the right of my bedroom,” I answer her question. “What were you looking for?”

She shakes her head. “I wanted to do some research. Fiendfyre and what that skull Grindelwald had might have been.”

“I know that I have information on fiendfyre, but I don’t think you’ll find anything about the skull. You’re welcome to look, though.”

“Thank you,” she says. She glances between Theseus and I before bolting back up the stairs.

“Be careful! Some of those texts are very old!” I call after her.

“She seems jumpy,” Theseus comments.

“She’s been like that ever since we got back.” I gesture to the kitchen. “Tea?”

He releases a heavy breath and his shoulders sag minutely. “Yes please.”

We move about the kitchen in general silence while the water boils. Theseus grabs the tin of tea sachets from the cupboard he knows they’ve always been in and I gather mismatched tea cups and saucers. Theseus sits at the table and I take a seat on the counter across the kitchen from him.

Theseus taps his spoon on the rim of his teacup and bites at his bottom lip.

“Something on your mind?” I ask. I half don’t want to know the answer.

“I feel like we haven’t properly spoken to one another in years,” he says.

“That’s because we haven’t, Theseus. You’re Head Auror and I own a bookshop. Our paths hardly have cause to cross.” I set my tea to the side and reposition myself so that my legs are folded under me. “After you got engaged we saw each other even less.”

“Are you blaming me for our loss of contact?”

“Absolutely not!” I realize I’m wringing my hands together and immediately reach for my tea. “I think… what I’m trying to say is that it was my fault.”

“What?” He puts down the tea spoon and leans forward in his seat. “Why would you say that?”

“It’s silly…” I shake my head. “We were never very close to begin with, and I didn’t want to be in the way of your relationship with Leta. Especially with the way she and Rosaline got along.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I assure you, I am. Dead serious.”

His brow furrows. “You’re my friend. There’s no way you would have gotten in the way.”

I press my lips together and roll the teacup between my hands. “I don’t-I can’t exactly explain what I mean. I just… Look, okay, it’s like this, right? I didn’t… ugh.” I shake my head and press one hand to my forehead. “I don’t know. I distanced myself from you. And I’m sorry. You’re my friend and I shouldn’t have done that.”

“That makes absolutely no sense.”

“I know,” I groan and let my head fall back against the cupboards. “I was in Ravenclaw. I never said I was actually smart.”

Theseus laughs and a smile tugs at the corners of my mouth.

“Well,” he says. “I will be there when you feel like you can actually explain. If you want to.”

“And I promise I’ll be here if you need me.”

“I appreciate that.”

I lift my teacup to him and he does the same. We grin at each other and sip our tea.

Nearly a week later, two Aurors saunter into my bookstore about a week after Theseus and I had tea. They calmly ask the few customers that are in the store to leave and I send James and Tessa to the back to keep them out of sight of the Aurors. I stand behind the till, arms folded across my chest, and glare at them.

“What do you want?”

One of the Aurors is a young man I recognize from when Rosaline was in school and the other is someone I’ve seen with Theseus on several occasions. The older Auror speaks up first.

“We were wondering if you’ve seen Head Auror Scamander recently,” he says.

My brow furrows and I shake my head. “No, I haven’t. Not since last week, at least.”

The younger Auror mutters something to his partner and shakes his head. 

“Are you sure you haven’t heard from him?” the older Auror asks. “Not even an owl?”

“Look, is Theseus in trouble?”

His eyes narrow and he tilts his head to the side. “Should he be?”

“What? No! He just lost his fiance not even a month ago. Give the man some room to grieve.”

“And how would you know this?”

I roll my eyes. “I was there when it happened.” The young Auror looks shocked. “What? Has the news not circulated through the entire ministry yet? Thought the head of the department would have let this slip, what with the fit he pitched last week when he interrogated me.”

“Very well, Ms. Vaughan,” the older Auror says, signaling to his companion that it’s time to leave. “We’ll be in touch.”

“Don’t be!” I call after them.

As soon as they’re out the door, Tessa and James creep out from the back and immediately start asking questions.

“What do you mean you were there when it happened?” James demands. “You saw Leta Lestrange die?!”

“Yes.”

“So you were in Paris?” Tessa asks. “You were with Newt Scamander? Did you see Grindelwald? And Nicolas Flamel?”

“Whoa, slow down.”

“Sorry.” Tessa hangs her head.

I sigh quietly. “Yes, I was in Paris with Newt. I did see both Grindelwald and Flamel. And I want both of you to take the floo home from now on. Keep the wards around your houses or flats strong and don’t answer the door unless you’re expecting company.”

“Why?”

“Grindelwald is gathering followers.”

“But-”

“No. No buts. I know you two are good kids, but I’ve seen what this man can do. He’s a very charismatic wizard. If he could talk to you for even just a moment, he may be able to pull you to his side. I want you to stay safe. Do I make myself clear?” They nod. “Good. Now, let old Mrs. Callow back in, she's been waiting to buy that household transfiguration book for nearly a week and they kicked her out.”

James nods and hurries to the door to let customers back in.

“What if I don’t feel safe going home?” Tessa asks.

“Then you can stay with me.”

She tilts her head to the side. “I thought you said you had someone staying with you.”

“She’s been offered a room at my parents' home. My guest room is available if you need it. Just let me know, okay? I’m here for both of you when you need me.”

Demeter hoots from her perch near the window. I look up to see what’s going on when a flash of lightning fills the room. The wind picks up and the rain drives harder against the roof of the flat. I pull my blanket tighter around me and rest my cheek on the arm of the couch. The fire flares in the hearth when a particularly strong gust of wind rushes across the chimney. I quickly cast protego over the fire to keep it from escaping from the fireplace. The street lamps flicker and a few go out, prompting me to shrink even further into the couch cushions.

A knock at the door pulls my gaze away from the dimming streets and I look around the living room before I can bring myself to get up off the couch. The knock doesn’t come again. I stand at the door and stare at the knob, willing it to open on its own. It doesn’t.

I reach out and pull the door open. Leaning on the stoop railing, Theseus stares at his shoes, hands in his pockets. His hair is slicked down over his forehead by the rain and his suit is unbuttoned and completely soaked. Raindrops slide down his nose and drip from his eyelashes when he blinks. He hasn’t even noticed that the door is open.

“Theseus?” I try to keep my voice quiet.

He slowly tears his eyes away from the brick steps and meets mine. His shoulders shake and his brows pull together. I watch as his lips quiver and he pushes himself off the railing and moves towards me. Without thinking, I meet him halfway and open my arms to him. He wraps his arms around my shoulders, burying his face in the crook of my neck. I can feel his warm tears against my skin, and I hold him tighter.

“Theseus, you’re soaked,” I murmur.

“She’s gone,” he whispers. “S-she's gone and I couldn’t do anything to save her.”

I pull away and Theseus hangs his head. I reach up and push his hair away from his forehead and he finally looks at me. His face crumples and my heart breaks.

“Come on.” I gently take his hands in mine and guide him into the flat. “Let’s get you warmed up.”

He nods absentmindedly and follows me inside. I lead him up the stairs to the bathroom and help him out of his suit coat and vest. Just two weeks ago he would have batted my hands away, but now he just lets me work. I draw him a bath and tell him to get in. He only hesitates a moment before his fingers start working over the buttons of his shirt. I excuse myself and head down the hallway to the linen closet to get him a towel. I stop at the guest bedroom to grab a set of pajamas as well before heading back to the bathroom. Theseus looks up when I open the door and follows me with his eyes as I move through the room. I place the towel on the stool beside the bathtub and the pajamas on the toilet a little ways off. His wet clothes lie in a heap in front of the tub.

“Sorry,” he mumbles.

I shake my head and bundle up the damp mass, but leave his undergarments behind. “Take your time. I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready.”

He nods and sinks down into the tub so that his nose is just above the surface of the water. I close the door behind me and slide down the wall to sit on the floor. I wipe the beginnings of tears from my eyes and push myself up to my feet and head back downstairs. I string up the pieces of Theseus’ suit over the shielded fireplace to dry and dim the lamps slightly, softening the light in the room. I dry my blanket and curl up on the couch with the book I had been reading before.

With the heat of the fire, I feel myself starting to nod off just as I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. I push myself up into sitting and find Theseus standing at the foot of the stairs. I rub at my tired eyes and wave him over to the couch. He sits beside me and stares into the fire, wringing his hands. He clasps his hands so tightly his knuckles start to turn white. I cover his hands with mine and gently coax them apart, rubbing my thumbs over his knuckles. With my legs folded underneath me, I sit turned fully towards him. Theseus doesn’t even look at me.

“It wasn’t your fault,” I say. His hands tighten in mine. “Don’t say anything. Just listen to me, okay? You were just doing your job. So was she. She walked into that fire to protect you and Newt.” I reach up and push his drying hair away from his forehead. “We may not have gotten along, but I know she cared about you. So much. She kept you alive so that you could continue fighting for the good of the Wizarding world.”

“I don’t know if I can do any of this without her. I can’t bring myself to go into work and I hate going home when I know she’s not going to be there.”

“Well I can’t do any of it for you.” I tip his chin up and he finally meets my eyes. “I’ll help you, though. As much as I possibly can. I promise.”

“I can’t ask that of you.”

“Darling, you showed up on my doorstep half drowned. You’re wearing your brother’s spare pajamas right now. If this isn't a cry for help, then I don’t know what to tell you.”

He cracks a smile, but it falters. “I’m so sorry, Nora. I shouldn’t have come.”

I snort in derision. “On the contrary, I think this is exactly where you need to be. All you’ve heard since we got back from Paris is condolences. “I’m sorry for your loss”, “It must be so hard for you”, “I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now”, but you hate it because no one really knows how you feel. I was there, Theseus. I watched him take my cousin, my… my sister away from me. If anyone knows what you’re feeling, it’s me.”

“I-I know, Nora. I’m so sorry we didn’t do more.”

I choke back a laugh. “What didn’t we try? My magic went wild right before Newt got us out of there and even that could barely touch that fire.” I shake my head. “My point is that this isn't some kind of trauma from the war you can compartmentalize and file away to deal with later. You’ve done a lot of looking after people. Let someone else look after you. At least for a little while.” I can see his eyelids begin to droop, the heat of the fire finally settling into his body. “Come on. You’re probably tired.”

He nods and takes my hand when I offer it. I lead him upstairs and show him to the guest room. I let him know that Newt’s been looking for him.

“You practically disappeared after you and I had tea. He’s been really worried,” I explain.

“That’s… hard to imagine. Newt, worrying about me of all people.”

I smile. “You should know your brother better by now. Your relationship may be complicated, but he still cares about you.”

He pulls back the duvet and sits on the mattress. “I’ll be out of your hair in the morning, Nora, I promise.”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ve always been welcome here.” He smiles and I turn to leave, but he catches my hand. “Theseus?”

“Don’t destroy yourself because of this,” he murmurs. “We can find her.”

“Can we?” I sit on the bed beside him and he grips my hand.

“It doesn’t matter how long it takes. We’ll find her. Bring her home.”

“Thank you,” I breathe.

Theseus pulls me into a tight and sudden hug. It takes me a moment to react and hug him back. When my arms tighten around him, he sighs softly and his nose presses into my shoulder. I tuck my forehead to the crook of his neck and allow myself to relax. He rubs one hand up and down my back and pulls away all too soon.

“I’ve kept you up long enough,” he says softly.

I nod. “It’s fine. Goodnight, Theseus.”

He smiles. “Goodnight, Eleanore.”

“You could come into work with me, you know. If you wanted to.”

Theseus scowls at himself in the hall mirror and spells the wrinkles from his suit. He shakes his head.

“I’ve already gotten in your way enough.”

“What else do you have to do? Wander the countryside and avoid going into the Ministry?”

“Hah! You’re funny, Nora. How did this never come up in school?”

“I think it might be the fact that any time I suggested we spend any amount of time together, you blew me off for a game of Gobstones or something. Can’t really think of a time you were interested in me at all.”

“Didn’t think you wanted me to be, at the time.”

I snort. “Every girl wants older boys to be interested in them. It’s the basis of our self worth.”

He stops fussing with his hair and looks at me. “Is that true?”

“For some girls we went to Hogwarts with, yeah.”

“Let me rephrase that. Was it true for you?”

“No. It was not true for me.” He seems unconvinced. “Come on. Help me at the shop today. Practically everyone will be working or at Hogwarts. Thirty people will come in, at most.”

He bites his lip. “Fine,” he says. “I'll go with you.”

I clap my hands together. “Fantastic! I've got a new shipment of potions books arriving today. I could use your help putting them out.”

He laughs. “Of course. I should have known you'd only want me there for free manual labor.”

“I'm offended by the very notion, I hope you know!”

He reaches out to me and hesitates. I tilt my head to the side and he finally takes hold of my tie and straightens it. I smile and gesture to the door.

“Shall we go?”

He nods and offers me his arm. As soon as the door closes behind us he apparates us to my shop. It’s still early enough that the only people out are elderly witches and wizards waiting on their doorsteps for the morning issue of The Daily Prophet. David, the man who delivers my stock, waits for me outside the shop. Theseus’ hand goes to his wand and I place one hand on his chest.

“He’s just a delivery man,” I say softly. He nods and stuffs his hand in his pocket. “Morning, David!”

“G’morning, Ms. Vaughan!” David waves. “Got yer packages here. Bit heavier than last time.”

I laugh. “There were several customers who wanted more potions books stocked, so I figured I’d try and get one of everything and see how that went.”

David shakes his head. “Sounds like yeh should be runnin a library, not a bookstore.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you for dropping everything off!”

“Have a lovely day.” He turns to Theseus and tips his hat. “Mr. Scamander, sir.”

Theseus nods to him and David climbs back onto his wagon and moves on to his next delivery. I grab a box from the stack and unlock the door. It swings open and the smell of ink, parchment, and old books washes over me. I sigh, feeling some of my stress melt away and cross the threshold. There’s a light tinkling that sounds deep in the shop, signifying that I’ve crossed through the wards. One singular honk of the alarm tells me that Theseus has crossed through too.

“What was that?” he asks.

“The wards. I haven’t adjusted them to recognize you yet. I’ll do that in a moment.”

“They’ve never done that before, eh?” He sets the boxes of books he’d heaped into his arms on the floor and dusts off his trousers.

“They’re time sensitive. I’ve keyed them to mine, Tessa’s, and James’ magical signatures so that when we’re opening or closing we can tell if there’s an intruder in the store. You’ve only been in during the middle of the day so there’s been no need to change them.”

“You think this will become a regular thing?”

I shrug. “Maybe, maybe not. But Newt has access, and I’ve strengthened the wards since Paris. I figure you’re one of the few people I actually trust, so I might as well add you to the list.”

Theseus stares at me and I raise my eyebrows. He coughs once and his eyes drop to the boxes of books on the floor. “Where do you want these?”

I shake my head and point to the shelves labelled “Potions”. “There should be some space over there. I’ll need to pull a few titles before you start shelving them. I want to put them on a display table near the door.”

He nods and begins hauling boxes over to the shelves. I cut into the boxes of regular stock and send them to their usual shelves with a flick of my wand. Anything that can’t go out finds a home in the back of the shop. Theseus and I cut into the boxes and I fill my arms with books with the flashiest covers to put them on the front tables.

With the new displays set up and all stock either put out or stored away, I put a kettle on in the back. Theseus leans on the front counter and I drag the stool out from behind the till and offer it to him. He takes a seat and I hop up onto the counter-top and fold my legs under myself.

“Why do you always do that?”

“Hmm?”

“You sit on counters. It’s like you’re part cat.”

I smile. “And if I am?”

He shrugs. “Guess I’ll have to live with it. Just, please, no hairballs strewn about.”

I laugh. “Very funny! Looks like you’ve finally found your sense of humor! Where’s it been hiding all these years?”

He rolls his eyes, but he’s smiling. The kettle begins to whistle and I immediately hop down from the counter and head back to fix us up some tea. The Floo roars to life as James steps through and heads to the front.

“Theseus is here to help with the new stock,” I tell him. “Don’t give him a hard time if he asks where something goes.”

“Wait, what?” James stops and turns back to look at me. “The Head Auror is doing menial labor for you?!”

“He’s taking a couple days off work and needed something to do. Who am I to turn down free work hours?”

James snorts. “You’re pure evil, woman. I hope you know that.”

“I don’t have to employ you,” I say, not even bothering to look up from the sachets of tea I'm preparing. “Remember that.”

“I definitely will. But you’re going to have to calm Tessa down when she sees there’s another Auror in our shop. Especially after the speech you gave last week.”

“I know, don’t worry about her right now. Worry about what’s happening up front.”

He shudders. “He’s probably shelving everything wrong.”

“Then send him back here instead. I trust you to take care of things.”

He snorts and weaves through the precarious stacks of books. “At least there’s that.”

I put the sachets in the teapot and pour in the boiling water, and leave that to steep. I look over book orders from the night before and begin writing up a list for the stock order later in the week. I can hear a muffled disagreement before something crashes to the floor. Someone shouts and sends someone shuffling to the back. I see Theseus drop down onto a stool out of the corner of my eye.

“What’d you do to get yourself sent back here?” I ask.

“James tried to take over and the books I had enchanted fell. He blamed me and sent me through.”

I snort and cover my mouth with one hand. Theseus lifts one eyebrow. “Oh come on. I can’t laugh? You, Head Auror Scamander, dropped a bunch of books because you got distracted! It’s funny!”

He rolls his eyes. “Have you always been this mean?”

“Yes, actually. My entire life. And you fell for it!”

He smiles. “You really believe you’ve fooled me?”

I shrug and turn my attention back to the orders. “I suppose we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?”

He laughs. “I guess.” The kettle whistles and Theseus pulls himself up from the stool. “Do you want me to fix you a cup?”

I nod and bite back a smile. “I’d appreciate it, thank you.”

-----------

Part 4

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, please reblog, comment, and/or shoot me ask! Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[newtonsheffield]

So my dog has to have surgery in a few days because he hurt his leg (not too serious but he’s not a happy boy) and it makes me really want to see some like angsty fluff (idk if it’s really fluff) where Newton is sick and Anthony comforts Kate

Okay!

First off, I hope your dog recovers very quickly from his surgery!

Secondly, I've decided to set this post canon. I do not know why, because I'm terrible at canon but here were go

Anthony hated this. He hated when Kate was unhappy, and this time he'd been the cause of it.

He hadn't meant for it to happen, of course he hadn't, but it had happened. He'd been strolling around the grounds looking for the fence his steward had mentioned needed repairing, Newton trotting along beside him as he was want to do these days, Kate having tea inside with his mother, visiting to escape the city for the summer, though Anthony was rather suspicious it had more to do with the baby Kate had delivered just a few months before. And then it had happened.

Newton had let out an earsplitting yelp that had shot right through Anthony, as he bolted forward, panic clawing at his chest.

"Newton! Christ! Newton!"

And then he'd seen it, Newton's tiny leg snared in a rabbit trap, the little dog whining in pain. He'd bolted back towards Aubrey Hall, the little dog clutched to his chest, his heart pounding.

"Please be alright, Newton, Please, please."

His stomach churning as he burst through the doors, terrified to tell Kate what he'd done, what had happened, to something she cared for. The dog who had been her friend through everything, who she'd looked after and cared for and sung to as the puppy her neighbour had gifted her, crying against his chest.

"Kate! Kaaate!" He'd screamed through the entrance hall, his boots clattering against the marble floors.

"Anthony, darling, whatever is the-?" Kate's concerned voice had echoed through the hallway, settling shame against his shoulders.

"Kate, I'm so sorry, I'm so so sorry."

And as her eyes had fallen on her dog, Anthony had never felt more guilt in his entire life. And she hadn't even looked at him as she'd said

"Call the gamekeeper, Anthony." before she'd carried Newton upstairs, leaving him standing in the foyer.

"Lord Bridgerton, the surgeon you requested has arrived." His butler's voice broke through the silence in his study. Anthony cleared his throat.

"Thank you, please show him in."

The butler nodded, reappearing with Dr Smith from the village seconds later.

"Lord Bridgerton, sir, I came as quickly as I could. Your note mentioned an incident with a rabbit trap?"

Anthony nodded stiffly, standing from his desk, "Lady Bridgerton is this way, please follow me."

Anxiety churned in his stomach, the entire way up to the viscountess' chambers, where he knew Newton to be being cared for, unsure of the welcome he would receive.

He knocked briskly on the door, waiting for Kate's tear filled voice to callback enter. Before he swung the door open.

Kate was sat on the small divan, and everything about it looked wrong. Kate was rarely in this room for a start, the servants kept it dressed but she had never slept here outside of her labor with Edmund, the bed untouched. And nothing seemed to fit, not the heartbroken look on her face, not the tears running down her face, not the tiny dog clutched to her chest.

"Your patient is over there, sir." Anthony said brusquely, striding across the room to sit by his wife, pulled there by her tears. He'd vowed to himself, that night he watched her tears fall in his study as he told her to leave that he'd never be the cause of them again. That she'd never cry alone again.

"Lady Bridgerton, if you could tell me the afflicted limb I'll make my examination Brief." Dr Smith said, his eyes brushing curiously over her.

"He's hurt his paw, he stepped in a rabbit trap." Kate's voice was distant, as though she couldn't quite believe it. Anthony moved a little closer to her, lending his support though she didn't quite want it.

Dr Smith's brow furrowed. "He? My Lady, Lord Bridgerton appears fine, if it's the babe, we must act rather quickly-"

Kate shook her head, "It's my dog, doctor, I'm afraid he-"

Dr Smith startled, his head whipping to Anthony. "The dog?" He was staring in disbelief. "My Lord, am I correct in assuming you intend for my patient to be the corgi?"

Anthony cleared his throat, "yes, Sir."

Dr Smith went red in the face, drawing himself to his full height, "My Lord, I trained at the Royal College of Surgeons I-"

Anthony's jaw clenched, "And as such, I assume you are fully capable of tending to a dog's paw."

"I don't really-"

"Was I correct, Sir? Or do I need to find another surgeon to assist me?" Anthony's tone left no room for argument, drawing himself to his full height. He could feel Kate's eyes flicking between him and the doctor who was bright red, fuming, he could feel Kate's fingers twisting in the back of his coat, a silent Thank you, I love you.

Dr Smith sighed, "May I examine your dog Lady Bridgerton?"

"Thank you, Anthony." Kate hummed an hour later as Newton lay sleeping on the divan, his tiny paw bandaged.

Kate's arms were wrapped tightly around his waist, her face pressed against his waistcoat, and Anthony's heart pounding away in his chest.

"Kate, I'm so sorry, I know this was my fault, I should have been watching where he was walking and-"

"I don't blame you." Her voice was so soft, forcing him to look at her, her fingers tilting his chin, her brow furrowed, "Anthony, I was upset that he was hurt, but it wasn't your fault. And it's not every husband that would have called for the doctor rather than the game keeper to tend to a dog."

"He's your dog though." Anthony mumbled, suddenly feeling awkward, "He makes you happy."

There were tears in her eyes again, Anthony squirming a little as Kate let out an odd breath, "Still the nicest man in London, apparently."

And her lips brushed against his before he could remind her that they weren't even in London.

This was trash, I'm sorry.