“Leave.”
Percival regretted his word as he saw the fear passing in front of Credence’s eyes. The young man was shaking in terror now. Percival leaned forwards, resting his hand on Credence’s shoulder and guiding him to look up.
“Credence?” He asked softly. Ever since he had arrived, it was clear that Credence was frightened of him. He thought permission to leave would have made life simpler for both of them, but instead Credence was reacting as though he’d just said he would kill him. “What’s wrong?”

It took a few moments for Credence to manage to reply. He gasped a few times, as though trying to get up the courage to speak. Percival rested his hand against the side of Credence’s face, speaking to him softly.
“You can tell me.”
“I don’t have anywhere else to go.” Credence whispered, his eyelashes damp with tears. “I’ll learn to be better. I’m sorry I forgot to give you lunch. I won’t forget again. Just please… please give me another chance.” Credence turned his head to Percival’s hand, kissing his palm.

“That isn’t the reason…” Percival said softly. “You did nothing wrong. Anyway, what about where you came from?” He reminded him. “You were … you said something about children. I can pay for you to go back.”
“I couldn’t take your money Mister Graves. You mean the orphanage?” Credence said, his shoulders shaking. “Ma would never let me go back. This… this is my chance…my home… I don’t want to end up on the streets…”
Percival resisted the urge to point out that wasn’t a very good reason to remain. He reached out, and gently stroked his fingers through Credence’s hair. He leaned forwards, looking at Credence curiously.
“You’re scared of me.” He said softly. He could understand that. Seeing his own reflection in the mirror made his own heart race. He didn’t know what Grindelwald had done to Credence, but he didn’t want the boy to constantly be living in fear.

“I’m scared of not being a good enough husband.” Credence answered. “Ma … ma had always said I would… I would fail. I’ve tried…” He shivered, and Percival breathed out slowly. It was true. Credence had been trying his best. He had been cooking, and the house was cleaner than it had been for a long time. It wasn’t Credence’s fault that Grindelwald had played this trick on both of them. No matter how angry Percival was, he couldn’t take it out on the other man.

Percival glanced towards the windows, seeing that it was still snowing. He couldn’t throw him out into that. Not when he was so frightened. Percival didn’t want anyone disturbing him within the safety of his own home. He wanted privacy. But he wasn’t a monster.
“I’ll try harder Mister Graves.” Credence said softly.
“You’ve done enough.” Percival said softly. “You can stay until we work out somewhere better for you to go. I won’t throw you out into the gutter.”
“Thank you sir…” Credence nodded, before leaning forwards, licking his lips. Credence’s hands rested on his thighs.

Percival flinched when he realised what he was doing, shoving him away. He didn’t want Credence to feel indebted to him. This wasn’t Credence’s fault. In the morning, he would give some thought to what Credence could do to be helpful. He didn’t want a husband, but if the younger man was indeed a squib then there might be a role for him within MACUSA.
“I’m going to bed Credence.” He said firmly. “You … you sleep out here. I’ll get you a blanket.” He wasn’t going to sleep well tonight, but hopefully at least Credence would.

***

Credence curled up in front of the fire for a second night, painfully aware that he wasn’t joining his husband in bed. He was undesirable. He wasn’t sure if it was the scars that disappointed him, or his actions. He had felt hopeful when Mister Graves had stroked his hair and touched his face, but when he had tried to put his hard-won skills to use his husband had rejected him.

This was what he was meant to do. He had been expected to at least make his husband happy. To fulfil the duties of his marriage bed. He was humiliated, knowing that he was letting his husband down every time he was too much of a failure to please him. Ma had always said that someone who couldn’t satisfy their husband would be abandoned. It was important to please his husband.

There had to be a reason that Mister Graves had agreed to let him stay. He had been given a second chance, and he was determined that this time he would do it right. He was going to make his husband happy.

The door to his husband’s room opened, and Mister Graves walked out with a blanket.
“You could sleep on the chair?”
“This is alright sir.” Credence said, curled up on the floor and wrapped the blanket around himself.
“Call me if you need anything.” His husband smiled and walked away, and Credence watched him leave, knowing that he had done something right. His husband was taking care of him. He would build on whatever they had, and make things work out right. Perhaps, he could even prove Ma wrong.

He slept for a few hours, and then made sure that he had prepared lunch for his husband. He put that on the table, and started to prepare for breakfast. Once everything was ready, he made his way to his husband’s room, pushing open the door. This morning he wouldn’t fail.