Don't Worry • Credence Barebone X Reader

Twenty-One

You stepped in front of Credence, grabbing his other hand. You held them tightly and rubbed the top of his hands with your thumbs. "Shhhhh." You said, and the room began to stop shaking and the Obscurus began to calm down.
"Did we just have an earth quake?" The woman said, worriedly. "I-I think so." You said, stepping in front of Credence, hiding him from the woman.

You both sat at the kitchen table, thinking about that afternoon. "If someone's down there, you just turn around and come back." You told him. "But I know you can do it." You said, standing up, taking your plate to the sink.
You heard Credence speak quietly behind you, "H-How do you know?" You turned and smiled your sweet smile at him. "Because you're strong and brave and I believe in you." You said, taking his plate from in front of him.
He sat there, silently for a few minutes. "Th-Thank you, (Y/N)." You looked back and smiled at him, as you rinsed a plate. "Really. No one has ever believed in me before." He said, quietly.
You finished the last dish and walked over to him. You placed your hand on his cheek. He leaned into your touch and closed his eyes. He then leaned forward into you, wrapping his arms around you. You hugged his head that rested against your chest. He listened to your heart as he hugged you. He loved the beating of your heart against his ears. Just the thought that you were real and alive made him happy.
You stroked his hair and leaned your head down, pressing your lips on his head. "I love you, Credence." You said, resting your cheek on the top of his head. You could feel his face forming a smile then he said, "I love you too, (Y/N)."

Credence went upstairs and changed out of his blue and white striped pajamas, that you had gotten him a few days ago. The whole time he got ready, his stomach was flipping from his nerves. As he combed through his black hair, his eyes started to fade into white. The mirror started to shake on the wall, and the room filled with Obscurus particles. He tried so hard to contain it and to keep it under control. He felt the tiles under his feet start to crack, then he finally started to calm down. He was breathing heavy and his eyes went back to their original dark iris. He turned on the water and leaned over, splashing cold water on his face. Then he noticed that a few floor tiles were slightly cracked from the pressure of the Obscurus. He bent down and felt the cracks with his shaking hand. What was he going to do? He felt awful for ruining your floor. You were for sure going to be upset and probably throw him out of the house and forget all about him. At these thoughts his eyes started to fill with tears. He stood up, and quickly moved the small bath mat over the cracked tiles. He had to hide them, he couldn't tell you and upset you. He took a second and gathered himself, then left the bathroom and went downstairs.

You were cleaning up the apartment when you saw him coming down the stairs, all ready and dressed. You stood up straight and nodded at him. He gave you a small nod back. "You ready?" You asked him. "Remember if you don't want to do this, you don't have to."
"I want to." He said, thinking in his mind, 'I have to.'
You gave him a smile that gave him a little more hope then he had before. "Okay." You said, walking towards the door. You opened it slowly. "If someone's down there and you don't feel comfortable, just turn right back." You told him and he nodded. You handed him the small key. He lifted his hand and held the key, but you didn't let go. All you could think about was if you were rushing him. Maybe you should just stay home from going to see your family. Things had changed so much from just a few weeks ago and you had to be able adjust. Even if that meant not seeing your family this Christmas. You were okay with that; you had to be there for Credence. You cared about him more than anything in the entire world. You wanted to tell him all of this, but you didn't know how.

You reached up your other hand and placed it on his. Your other hand still held the key, but you quickly wrapped both around his scarred hand. You looked up at him with tears in your eyes. You didn't know what to say to describe what you were feeling. You just looked up at him with so much love, you felt like you could explode. You sighed and let go of his hand, giving him the key. Credence looked down at you with tears in his eyes. He felt what you wanted to say in the way you held his hand. His lips slightly curved, giving you a small, sweet smile.

He stood in the doorway, looking out into the hall, the same way he has all week. But it was different. You weren't standing there beside him, holding his hand; he missed that. He turned back to see you standing with one arm around your waist and the other resting under your chin. You smiled as tears continued to stay in your eyes. He gave you a more confident look and turned back to the hallway. He took a small step and closed the door, not looking back again.

You paced your apartment, worried that something might happen. You didn't feel the apartment shake, so you figured that was a good sign. Five minutes passed and he still wasn't up. You began to really start worrying, then you heard the door knob start to turn. You felt happiness start to burst through your chest. The door started to open and there he was, Credence. Standing in the doorway, holding the mail. You gave him the biggest smile, as tears fell from your eyes. Something came over you and you started to run. You ran into him, jumping up into his arms. You wrapped your arms around his neck and squeezed him so tight. He was taken back by your action, but then wrapped his arms around your waist and squeezed you just as tight. Your legs wrapped around him, as Credence held you off the ground. "I'm so proud of you!" You whispered in his ear. If only you could have seen Credence's smile.

That night you laid on the couch under your blanket thinking about that hug. Credence laid in your bed thinking about the same thing. You both fell asleep with small smiles on your faces. But it didn't last long for Credence. That's when the nightmares started.