Don't Worry • Credence Barebone X Reader

Eighteen

He nodded, starting to stand up. "No, you stay here. I'll get everything ready." He sat back down, still wrapped up in blankets.

You went up stairs, through your room, to your small bathroom. You started the water, making it warm. You added some bath salts to help him relax. You went back into your room and grabbed some clothes that your brother had accidentally left when he came to visit a few months ago. You also got him a towel and toothbrush.

After the tub was full of warm water and nice smelling salts, you went down to get Credence. He was still sitting on the couch, staring at the fire when he notice you coming down the stairs. "It's all ready." You told him.

He stood up and left the blankets on the couch. His clothes were torn and dirty.

You turned and went up the stairs, Credence followed. You entered the steamy bathroom. "There's your towel, and my brother's old clothes should fit you." You said, gesturing to them folded neatly on the sink. "You can use that soap, and here's a toothbrush." You were speaking quickly and nervously. "I'll just be downstairs making the soup." You said as you began to walk out of the bathroom. Credence moved out of the way so you could leave, but you went the same way. You tried to dodge each other but ended up moving in the same direction. You finally got past him, feeling your face burning. "Hey, Y/N?... Thank you." He said quietly.

"Of course." You smiled.

Credence slipped into the tup. The warm water felt great on his cold limbs. He laid his head back, against the tub. Trying to forget about everything that had happened the past 24 hours.

You were down stairs hustling around the kitchen, preparing the soup. You didn't know why you were so nervous. Maybe because you knew Credence had nowhere else to go and would probably end up living with you for a while. Not that you didn't want him to stay, but just the thought of having someone live with you was a nerve wracking thought. You were excited to have someone to talk to, and that person being Credence made it better, but it also made you more nervous.

After Credence had cleaned himself up and gotten warm, he dried off and got dressed.

He wiped away the fog on the mirror above the sink, and saw his reflection, then quickly looked down. He didn't like to look at himself much. Grabbing a comb that was laying on the sink, he began to comb through his wet, black hair. He made it perfectly frame his face, the way he was taught to, the way he had done it for as long as he can remember.

He walked out of the bathroom, into your room. He froze, realizing he had never seen your room before. There was a small bed in the corner of the room, across from the steps. There was a shelf against the wall, filled with books. He walked around, looking at everything. There were some pictures on the wall, of you and your family. One was obviously a Christmas picture. You all were standing in front of a Christmas tree, all looking so happy. Credence smiled to himself when he found your face among the others. He had never seen you so happy. His mind began to wander. 'Of course she's so happy, she hasn't met you yet.' Then his smile disappeared. Hearing soft music start to play from downstairs, he turned away from the pictures and quietly walked down the stairs.

You were standing in front of the stove, stiring the soup. Credence looked over at the record player in the corner of the kitchen. It was spinning with your favorite record. The music was soft and soothing to your mind. It had been such a long and straining past few days. You needed something to get your mind off of it all.

The music calmed Credence too. He never really listened to music, so it was very new to him.

He smiled at the sound of you singing softly to the song. You knew all the words and you were swaying to the tune.

Out of the corner of your eye you saw movement. Your eyes shot up to see Credence standing there stiffly, with his arms firmly pressed against his sides. Your face went red when you realized he had been standing there long enough to have heard you singing to yourself. When your eyes met Credence's, he quickly looked down, ashamed that he had embarrassed you.

"The soups ready." You said, breaking the silence. You ladled the soup into two bowls. "You can sit in your seat." You said, smiling, gesturing to the table. His lips curved into a half smile and walked over, pulling his seat out.

You placed a big bowl of steaming soup in front of him, it smelled like heaven. You set a plate with pieces of the bread you had bought today at the market. You ate in silence, the only sound being the soft music coming from the record player. You discreetly watched Credence while he ate. His damp hair perfectly framed his face and the shirt you gave him buttoned up to the top, perfectly smoothed out, not a wrinkle in sight. You began to think of how his life was just a few days before. It was so strict, so scary.

Something possessed you and you reached up, ruffling his hair with your fingers. "Not everything has to be perfect, Credence... Not here." You said, as your face turned red at your action. Credence gave you a small, nervous smile. You had just touched him. The second your fingers brushed against his forehead, his stomach flipped.

The rest of dinner consisted of quick moments of eye contact and small smiles.

After dinner, you put the bowls in the sink, telling Credence you were not even going to think about doing dishes tonight. He smiled at your joking.

By the time you had finished dinner, it was pretty late. Credence had yawned a couple times. You decided that he was probably the cutest yawner ever and smiled to yourself everytime he did.

"It's getting late. We should probably get some rest." You suggested. He agreed, yawning again, knees going weak at the sight.

"You take my bed, I'll sleep on the couch."

"No, you don't have to do that." He said, with a sweet expression on his face. "Well, I want to. You deserve a good nights sleep." He stood there for a second, debating whether or not to decline again, but he decided you weren't going to let him. Instead he quietly said, "Thank you."

You lead him upstairs to your room. "Here, I'll change the sheets really quick."

"You don't have to do that." He said. "Are you sure? Cause it's no trouble." You offered.

"Really, I don't mind." He said. You smiled at him. "Okay."

You folded over the blanket for him and took one of your pillows for yourself. Then you went over and opened the chest at the end of your bed. "If you need an extra blanket they're in here." You said, as you pulled one out for yourself. He nodded. "Do you need anything else?" You asked him. "No, I'm good... Thank you though." He said.

"Okay. Well, goodnight." You both stood there, awkwardly for a few seconds.

Then suddenly, you walked over and embraced him. "I'm so glad you're here." You said, squeezing him tighter.

He wrapped his arms around your waist, burying his face in your neck.

After a very long hug, you went downstairs and made up the couch to sleep on.

Credence slowly crawled into your bed. As he laid his head on the pillow he realized everything smelled like you.

He turned over and curled up under the covers, smelling your scent. He smiled because he felt safe. Like someone who had been lost for years and was finally home. He fell asleep with those thoughts. Positive, warm thoughts. Something he hadn't had in a long time.