Chapter 2
He wakes before the sun is up. It is too early for him to have woken naturally. Its then that Percival hears a quiet whimper. He had left the doors to his and Credence's rooms open so he hears every distressed noise the boy makes. Unable to listen to the pitiful sounds any longer Graves goes to the boy. Standing over the small, prone form Graves hesitates, unsure how to proceed. He has never comforted a child before. He gently shakes Credence, noting how fragile and breakable the tiny shoulder is underneath his hand. "Credence, wake up, you're safe. Its me, Mr. Graves. Wake up." Graves finds himself staring into those dark, haunting eyes, somehow sadder now that they belong to a child. Credence makes no noise, just stares up at Percival for a long moment. Very slowly Graves reaches out and places his palm on the boys head, just resting it there. After another long pause the boy dives into Graves, burying his face into the man's stomach, tiny fists clenched around his night shirt. Graves can hear small distressed noises and can feel dampness spreading on his shirt. Credence is trying to cry as quietly as possible. The realisation hits Graves. Desperate to sooth the poor child he brings both his arms around Credence and wraps him up tightly, hoping he is not doing more harm than good. Credence calms down after a few minutes. As he draws away, Graves can see his puffy eyes and blotchy face, Credence is hiccuping slightly. Unsure what to do now Graves quickly comes up with a plan. Mustering as much non-threatening authority as he can Graves speaks "Go and clean up Credence, I've left clean clothes for you. I will be out in the kitchen. It is too early for Ms Goldstein to be over but I think we could both do with some food. Go along now."
Once washed and changed Graves begins preparing a basic breakfast, scrambled eggs and toast. He makes coffee and quickly determines that the young Credence should probably drink tea instead. The little boy walks hesitantly into the kitchen. Standing to the side quietly, afraid of drawing any attention to himself. When Percival finally coaxes Credence to sit at the table the boy does not move just stares at the meager spread. "Take your fill Credence, I made more than enough for the two of us." Graves wonders if he will get used to that empty stare coming from a 5 year old, probably not. When he still makes no move Graves patience snaps. He heavily butters a slice of toast and serves a decent amount of eggs. He deposits it in front of Credence and waits. He tries to force the boy to eat through the intensity of his stare but Credence is not making eye contact. Graves realises he only has a tiny inkling of the pain and suffering Credence has suffered. To be so meek, so fearful that he won't even eat though clearly hungry. Swallowing down his his pity all Graves says is "Its not a trick Credence. You can eat as much as you like, you will not be punished" he adds as an after thought "Its is also fine if you do not clear your plate, only eat what you can." With that Graves tucks into his own meal. It takes Credence another minute or two of assessing Graves that he finally decides the man isn't setting him up for failure. Bowing his head Credence says a quick grace and then descends upon his plate. Devouring everything with alarming speed. Graves is afraid to scare the boy or make him feel as though he has done something wrong so he remains silent and just watches as the quiet little boy he knows eat with such ferocity.
Graves leaves Credence in the kitchen watching with fascination as the plates wash and dry themselves. Percival attempts to get some work done before Queenie arrives to check up on them. He is distracted from a report when he feels the lightest of dips in the couch. Credence is sitting at the other end, his little legs stretched out in front of him. He is looking over the pages spread out over the table and floor. "This is the most recent information we have gathered about Grindlewald." Graves doesn't know why he is speaking to Credence, he is unsure if the child even understands, but something inside of Graves is sure that Credence is aware of things. "I am heading the man-hunt but as I am still recovering from my imprisonment I am doing it from home. Ridiculous if you ask me" he mutters more to himself that last bit, why is he telling these things to a child?
Instead of reading reports Graves watches Credence from the corner of his eye. He is staring intently at something on the table. "You can have a look." Graves cringes when Credence flinches at his sudden words. "Whatever it is that has caught your attention on the table." As he expects Credence doesn't move. Graves pretends to go back to reading reports, keeping an eye on the child. Ever so slowly Credence clambers down from the couch and picks up a piece of paper from the mess on the table. He just stares at it in wonder. It hits Graves then, the boy has never seen moving pictures, of course! He is engrossed in watching as Credence traces the moving figures, more delicately than a 5 year old should. Percival is so caught up in observing this moment the appearance of Queenie and Tina Goldstein from his fire place has him reaching for his wand ready to attack before he realises what he is doing.
"Forgot we were coming sir?" Tina says archly. Graves merely scowls in response. Credence is watching the exchange with those intelligent eyes, Graves notes he still has the picture in his little hands.
"I prepared us a basic breakfast but that was several hours ago, Queenie if you would?"
"Of course. Credence would you like to help me in the kitchen?" She squats down to ask. When she gets a tentative nod she offers her hand. Strangely Credence looks to Graves, who gives an encouraging nod. Credence takes the offered hand and the two disappear into the kitchen.
"How is he?" Tina asks.
"Fine. Any news on Grindlewald?"
"Since 6 hours ago?"
"Yes. And cut the sarcasm."
"Nothing new but I am talking with Aurors from Tennessee and Kentucky about potential back up along the east coast if Grindlewald does make an apperance."
"Good." he grunts, examining a recent memo, he can feel Tina's eyes on him.
"How is he?" she repeats.
"About as good as an abused obscurial can be. What do you want Tina! He's never going to be jumping around the house and doing cartwheels."
"Maybe its better if he stays as he is, gets a second chance at a childhood." Graves isn't sure if she is talking to him or just thinking out loud.
"There are too many unknown variables. The obscurus for one. And Grindlewald. MACUSA."
"He needs a break, Merlin knows he's never had one in his miserable life!" she looks ready to cry and Graves cannot handle another person crying in his house before 8 o'clock in the morning.
"He is safe here for now Tina. He is getting a reprieve of sorts."
"You know what I mean."
"Yes I do" he sighs "And we both know its not going to happen, so get it together and focus."
"Second breakfast is ready" Queenie calls from the kitchen, saving them from the conversation.
Credence is already seated, he has flour on his nose and cheek. While not smiling he does seem lighter than before. "Credence was a great help" Queenie beams at him. The boy blinks owlishly in response.
"Well thank you Credence it looks wonderful" Tina gushes. Credence ducks his head, a blush creeping onto his cheeks.
They eat in semi-amiable silence. Credence does not wolf his food this time, obviously more at ease now than earlier this morning.
The sisters soon leave for work but not before Queenie leaves them some ingredients for lunch. "Sorry boys you'll have to make it yourselves" she winks as she leaves quickly before Graves can reprimand her for calling him 'boy'.
He works throughout the morning answering memos. Credence is fascinated with the enchanted memo mice that scurry in and out of the fireplace. The boy is quiet. Even though he has nothing to do he sits patiently. It is unnerving, Percival may not know a lot about children but he knows they are supposed to be loud and boisterous. He goes to the bookcase that takes up an entire wall of the sitting room. He chooses one he knows has a lot of moving pictures. He hands it to Credence wordlessly and goes back to work. Next time he looks over Credence's little mouth is hanging open and his eyes are following the flowing images. Graves goes returns to his work with a smile on his lips.
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Queenie left instructions for lunch, Graves isn't sure if he should be greatful or insulted. Without prompting Credence follows him to the kitchen and watches him expectantly. Graves can't help but find Credence's fascination with even the most mundane magical tasks endearing. While there is no smile to be seen Graves is sure the boy is enjoying himself, and that makes his heart melt. It hasn't even been a full 24 hours and already he can feel himself becoming overly fond of the child. He must remember to keep his distance and not hurt the boy. Grindlewald, wearing his face, has already done enough damage.
Credence seems to be growing more confident, or at least more comfortable around him. He puts his plate in the sink and wanders back into the sitting room before Graves is finished eating. When Graves follows 5 minutes later he smiles seeing Credence still looking at the same book. He pulls another one from the shelf and leaves it in front of the boy. Before he knows what he is doing he is ruffling the soft dark hair. Credence instinctively tenses but relaxes into the touch. After several hours of silent reading Credence reaches for the new book. He climbs up onto the couch, much closer to Graves than this morning. Percival shifts, uncrossing his legs and throws and arm over the back of the couch. Credence is tiny beside him and Graves has the urge to wrap him up and protect him. He wonders if he would have the same feelings towards adult Credence? Is it the person or is the age that brings out this side of Graves? He is brought out of his musing when he feels something hit against his side. Credence is asleep and has fallen sideways against Graves. Percival gently brushes dark hair out of the boys face, happy to see him peaceful. He gathers the tiny body up and tucks him into bed. He leaves the unfinished book on the nightstand just in case.