Percival stormed through the aurors office, waving his hand to dismiss the others when they moved to speak to him. Goldstein was sat quietly in the corner, her eyes damp. Normally he would have stopped to speak to her, but right now he had to try and fix the ridiculous situation that Grindelwald had got him into.
Marrying a No-Maj boy wasn’t just a humiliation for Percival. It was against Grindelwald’s own principles. He would never take a No-Maj as an equal. Percival had been forced to listen to so many of his speeches about how No-Majs were nothing more than bodies to torture and enslave.
Unless that was the intent. The boy had knelt, had looked afraid. Whatever Grindelwald had done to him, it had clearly left him terrified. Grindelwald had disgraced Percival’s good name and Credence was the one who had suffered. That anger drove him on through the office, wanting to speak to the only person who could answer the questions that were filling his thoughts.
He marched through to the cells, seeing Grindelwald languishing there. His captor was wearing his own face now, smirking as Percival walked in. “Good morning. Did you have a pleasant time last night?” Grindelwald asked. “He’s pretty isn’t he? I do hope you’ve taken advantage. I had his mother teach him a number of special tricks. Should be broken in quite nicely.”
“Why?” Percival sneered. “Because we both need something to use to relax, and unlike me you’re bad at it. I knew you were too proud to buy a whore, so I got us a little slut. If nothing else, he can be whored out. Need someone to go undercover as a prostitute-“ He smirked. “But then, that’s what you thought your husband was, wasn’t he? Did you try and pay him? He wants to be made an honest man of Percival. I wish you both marital bliss.”
Percival’s hand rested on his wand, and only Seraphina’s voice called him back to reality. “Director Graves.” “Madam President.” Percival looked away from his tormentor, staring instead at Seraphina.
“A word.” She informed him, and walked to her office, graves following behind. When they were alone, she looked at him in confusion. “You aren’t to talk to him without another person present. Not after what happened.” “This was …” He paused then shook his head and held out the certificate. He didn’t have the words to explain.
Seraphina cursed beneath her breath. “You knew about this?” Percival asked softly. “He asked for the money, and we drew up the contract. It’s tied to your magic. We thought it would be good for you to have a reason to head home every night.” “And the boy?” Percival asked, wondering why Seraphina would agree to some No-Maj’s enslavement. He couldn’t just throw Credence out and obliviate him, and anyway he didn’t want to. It wasn’t Credence’s fault that this had all happened. “The boy could leave.” Seraphina answered.
“Why would you ever agree to let me buy a husband?” Percival asked softly. He was still hurt that none of his team had realised he had changed, but this seemed to be even more out of character than the rest of Grindelwald’s actions. “Because, while this may come as a surprise to you Director, I want you to be happy.” Seraphina answered. “He said he had found a young squib man who would be happy with him, and asked for my blessing. I thought it was progress for you.”
Percival turned away, and snatched back the certificate. “I’ve got to get on with my work.” “Of course Director. Just don’t do anything too hasty.” Seraphina said, and then waved him away. He returned to his desk.
Grindelwald had left behind a huge amount of paperwork. Percival had assumed that sorting out that confusion would be the longest after effect of Grindelwald’s behaviour. But clearly he had thought wrong.
***
Credence spent the day working hard, tidying and cleaning everything that he could find. It would be easier once he had set up a routine, but for today the main aim was to get the house as perfect as he could. He washed all the floors and windows, and baked some fresh bread for his husband’s return. Then he set about making some stew. He didn’t eat, not without his husband’s permission. The food smelt good, but it wasn’t for him.
He didn’t know when his husband would come home, but he wanted to be ready for him. The house was cleaner and food was cooked. He realised with a sudden flush of guilt that he hadn’t provided lunch for the other man. He was failing already. He would be sent out onto the street, and he knew he wouldn’t get another chance. He had been taught to be good for Mister Graves, but no one would want him if he was used. Mister Graves had told Ma that he expected Credence to be obedient. This was his only opportunity to be a good husband, to survive and do well.
He kept an eye out for any sign of his husband’s return, but the sound of the key in the lock still took him by surprise. He dropped to his knees by the door, in case his husband wanted to use his mouth the second he got in. The food wasn’t quite finished, but it would be ready to be dished up soon. His husband walked past him, not even greeting him. Credence felt shame build up inside. “I cleaned up the house a little today Mister Graves.” He said softly. “And I’m cooking beef stew for tonight…” “Alright.” His husband snapped. “Stop crouching by the door, you’re a trip hazard.”
He flinched, climbing to his feet and heading back to his husband. There was anger there, and cautiously he reached for his belt. Carefully, he pulled it out from his pants, folding it in half and kneeling down in front of him. He held the belt up, an offering for his husband to take it and chastise him however he felt necessary. This at least was familiar.
His husband looked at him in disgust. “Get dressed.” “Yes sir. Sorry sir.” Credence put his belt back on, and went to cook the food. “Two plates of food tonight.” His husband told him, and so obediently Credence plated up two portions, wondering if the second meal was for him or if his husband was having company.
He carried them to the table, and Mister Graves nodded. “Go on then.” The two of them ate in silence, Credence glancing at his husband. His eyes looked so different from before. The hunger his husband had shown him gone, and he knew he had failed. They’d been together almost a day, and he was still pure. He’d made a mistake somewhere, but he didn’t know what he had done, or how he could correct it. After dinner, he washed up the plates.
He tried to recall the list, what Ma had got him to practice. He wanted to be a good husband, but he was failing at every turn.
His husband was sat by the fire, settled in the armchair and reading a book. Credence watched for a moment, gathering up his courage before approaching. “What… what can I do to make you happy?” He asked his husband, kneeling down with his head bowed. He was willing to do whatever his husband wanted. He would learn to please him however he would like, and would be grateful for the shelter and kindness his husband had provided. He would do anything.
When his husband answered, he nearly fainted in horror. “Leave.”
Fill: Broken and Kept (Part 4/?)
Marrying a No-Maj boy wasn’t just a humiliation for Percival. It was against Grindelwald’s own principles. He would never take a No-Maj as an equal. Percival had been forced to listen to so many of his speeches about how No-Majs were nothing more than bodies to torture and enslave.
Unless that was the intent. The boy had knelt, had looked afraid. Whatever Grindelwald had done to him, it had clearly left him terrified. Grindelwald had disgraced Percival’s good name and Credence was the one who had suffered. That anger drove him on through the office, wanting to speak to the only person who could answer the questions that were filling his thoughts.
He marched through to the cells, seeing Grindelwald languishing there. His captor was wearing his own face now, smirking as Percival walked in.
“Good morning. Did you have a pleasant time last night?” Grindelwald asked. “He’s pretty isn’t he? I do hope you’ve taken advantage. I had his mother teach him a number of special tricks. Should be broken in quite nicely.”
“Why?” Percival sneered.
“Because we both need something to use to relax, and unlike me you’re bad at it. I knew you were too proud to buy a whore, so I got us a little slut. If nothing else, he can be whored out. Need someone to go undercover as a prostitute-“ He smirked. “But then, that’s what you thought your husband was, wasn’t he? Did you try and pay him? He wants to be made an honest man of Percival. I wish you both marital bliss.”
Percival’s hand rested on his wand, and only Seraphina’s voice called him back to reality.
“Director Graves.”
“Madam President.” Percival looked away from his tormentor, staring instead at Seraphina.
“A word.” She informed him, and walked to her office, graves following behind. When they were alone, she looked at him in confusion.
“You aren’t to talk to him without another person present. Not after what happened.”
“This was …” He paused then shook his head and held out the certificate. He didn’t have the words to explain.
Seraphina cursed beneath her breath.
“You knew about this?” Percival asked softly.
“He asked for the money, and we drew up the contract. It’s tied to your magic. We thought it would be good for you to have a reason to head home every night.”
“And the boy?” Percival asked, wondering why Seraphina would agree to some No-Maj’s enslavement. He couldn’t just throw Credence out and obliviate him, and anyway he didn’t want to. It wasn’t Credence’s fault that this had all happened.
“The boy could leave.” Seraphina answered.
“Why would you ever agree to let me buy a husband?” Percival asked softly. He was still hurt that none of his team had realised he had changed, but this seemed to be even more out of character than the rest of Grindelwald’s actions.
“Because, while this may come as a surprise to you Director, I want you to be happy.” Seraphina answered. “He said he had found a young squib man who would be happy with him, and asked for my blessing. I thought it was progress for you.”
Percival turned away, and snatched back the certificate.
“I’ve got to get on with my work.”
“Of course Director. Just don’t do anything too hasty.” Seraphina said, and then waved him away. He returned to his desk.
Grindelwald had left behind a huge amount of paperwork. Percival had assumed that sorting out that confusion would be the longest after effect of Grindelwald’s behaviour. But clearly he had thought wrong.
***
Credence spent the day working hard, tidying and cleaning everything that he could find. It would be easier once he had set up a routine, but for today the main aim was to get the house as perfect as he could. He washed all the floors and windows, and baked some fresh bread for his husband’s return. Then he set about making some stew. He didn’t eat, not without his husband’s permission. The food smelt good, but it wasn’t for him.
He didn’t know when his husband would come home, but he wanted to be ready for him. The house was cleaner and food was cooked. He realised with a sudden flush of guilt that he hadn’t provided lunch for the other man. He was failing already. He would be sent out onto the street, and he knew he wouldn’t get another chance. He had been taught to be good for Mister Graves, but no one would want him if he was used. Mister Graves had told Ma that he expected Credence to be obedient. This was his only opportunity to be a good husband, to survive and do well.
He kept an eye out for any sign of his husband’s return, but the sound of the key in the lock still took him by surprise. He dropped to his knees by the door, in case his husband wanted to use his mouth the second he got in. The food wasn’t quite finished, but it would be ready to be dished up soon. His husband walked past him, not even greeting him. Credence felt shame build up inside.
“I cleaned up the house a little today Mister Graves.” He said softly. “And I’m cooking beef stew for tonight…”
“Alright.” His husband snapped. “Stop crouching by the door, you’re a trip hazard.”
He flinched, climbing to his feet and heading back to his husband. There was anger there, and cautiously he reached for his belt. Carefully, he pulled it out from his pants, folding it in half and kneeling down in front of him. He held the belt up, an offering for his husband to take it and chastise him however he felt necessary. This at least was familiar.
His husband looked at him in disgust.
“Get dressed.”
“Yes sir. Sorry sir.” Credence put his belt back on, and went to cook the food.
“Two plates of food tonight.” His husband told him, and so obediently Credence plated up two portions, wondering if the second meal was for him or if his husband was having company.
He carried them to the table, and Mister Graves nodded.
“Go on then.” The two of them ate in silence, Credence glancing at his husband. His eyes looked so different from before. The hunger his husband had shown him gone, and he knew he had failed. They’d been together almost a day, and he was still pure. He’d made a mistake somewhere, but he didn’t know what he had done, or how he could correct it. After dinner, he washed up the plates.
He tried to recall the list, what Ma had got him to practice. He wanted to be a good husband, but he was failing at every turn.
His husband was sat by the fire, settled in the armchair and reading a book. Credence watched for a moment, gathering up his courage before approaching.
“What… what can I do to make you happy?” He asked his husband, kneeling down with his head bowed. He was willing to do whatever his husband wanted. He would learn to please him however he would like, and would be grateful for the shelter and kindness his husband had provided. He would do anything.
When his husband answered, he nearly fainted in horror.
“Leave.”