[Newt's silence speaks more than any affirmation that he could've given.
For a few solid seconds, Theseus just sits there, staring at Newt's downtrodden form. At first, it seems surreal, impossible to believe that his brother died. After all, he's standing in front of him right now, not exactly healthy but alive, not a ghost or some illusion that's being used to trick him. He's not lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood, he's not disintegrated into ash--
Suddenly, the Auror's throat begins to clench, and he finds it difficult to even breathe. Leta's death still hangs like a cloud and to imagine Newt facing a similar fate... his hands curl tightly on the table as he feels his vision become blurry, for once thankful that Newt's staring at the ground instead of him. Because to consider the possibility that Newt died without Theseus being able to do anything about it-- without even knowing is something he's always feared.
And now it's happened.
Was Newt alone? Did he suffer? Was he crying out for help when it happened, with no one coming to his aid?
Almost abruptly, Theseus makes his way over to Newt, bending down slightly to pull him into a tight hug, hopefully avoiding his injury. Maybe this way, Newt won't notice the tears rolling down from his clenched eyes, because his brother doesn't need Theseus breaking down and crying in front of him.]
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For a few solid seconds, Theseus just sits there, staring at Newt's downtrodden form. At first, it seems surreal, impossible to believe that his brother died. After all, he's standing in front of him right now, not exactly healthy but alive, not a ghost or some illusion that's being used to trick him. He's not lying on the ground in a pool of his own blood, he's not disintegrated into ash--
Suddenly, the Auror's throat begins to clench, and he finds it difficult to even breathe. Leta's death still hangs like a cloud and to imagine Newt facing a similar fate... his hands curl tightly on the table as he feels his vision become blurry, for once thankful that Newt's staring at the ground instead of him. Because to consider the possibility that Newt died without Theseus being able to do anything about it-- without even knowing is something he's always feared.
And now it's happened.
Was Newt alone? Did he suffer? Was he crying out for help when it happened, with no one coming to his aid?
Almost abruptly, Theseus makes his way over to Newt, bending down slightly to pull him into a tight hug, hopefully avoiding his injury. Maybe this way, Newt won't notice the tears rolling down from his clenched eyes, because his brother doesn't need Theseus breaking down and crying in front of him.]