Don't Worry • Credence Barebone X Reader

Twenty-Nine

You both went down the stairs, all ready for the day. At this point everyone was awake. "Good morning, (Y/N)." Jack said. "Glad to hear you're back, Credence." He nodded at him. Credence slightly smiled. "Thanks, Jack." You said, a little shocked that he really cared. "We all are." Your mother said, smiling. You looked around the room at your family. All friendly faces that you missed terribly. Your eyes caught Aunt Florence's for a second, but she quickly looked down. You felt a little bit of anger rise in you.
"I'm off to show Credence around Portland." You told everyone. "Okay. Be safe, you two!" Said your mother.
You went to the closet, put on your coats, and went out into the cold air.

You showed Credence your old school and the candy store you used to love as a kid. Credence's eyes lit up at all of the different candies. You couldn't help but chuckle at his childlike reaction. "Pick out anything you want." You told him excitedly. "Really?" He said. You nodded, smiling widely.
You both ended up getting candy canes. You walked down the wet streets licking the candy.

You came up to the ocean. Credence's eyes were big with amazement. He had never seen something so huge. Even the biggest buildings in New York were nothing compared to the ocean. You came up next to Credence, hooking your arm in his and laying your head on his shoulder. "We should come back in the summer, when it's warm." You said, staring out into the blue sea. "I would like that." He smiled, looking down at you. He then rested his head on yours and placed his hand on top of your hand. It then began to snow. The flakes fell magically around you. "We should head back." You said.
You walked back, holding hands the whole way.

The warmth welcomed you into the house. It was snowing quite a bit harder now. You shook the snow off your coats and hung them up in the closet. The house was warm and cozy. You walked into the living area to see everyone. "Hey! You're back!" Walter exclaimed. "Did you have fun?"
"Yeah. It was great to see everything again." You said. "Hey, mom? Credence and I are going to make Christmas cookies."
"Okay." She smiled, looking up from her book.

"My grandmother's recipe is the best." You said, pulling out a paper with the recipe on it. You began pulling out the ingredients.
After it was mixed into the dough you and Credence rolled in out on the counter. You went over to the record player and put on a Christmas record. You walked back to the counter and stood next to Credence. You began to move your shoulders to the beat and nudged his arm, smiling. He laughed at you as you danced. "Come on!" You exclaimed. He shook his head shyly. You took his floury hand in yours and pulled him into the middle of the kitchen. You swayed back and forth to the music. Holding both of his hands, you moved them around, trying to get him to dance. He laughed, embarrassingly, his face turning red. You laughed and pulled him into a hug. "I'm glad you're here." You whispered in his ear. He hugged you with his arms, his hands extended because he didn't want to get flour on your dress. But at your words he gave up and held you tighter. You were doing the same, but too hugged him tighter. After you pulled away you both laughed, noticing the flour all over yourselves.
You went back to cutting out the cookies.

While you waited for the cookies to cook you sat in the living room with your family. You had brushed off as much flour as you could, but it was still slightly visible. You and Credence sat on the same couch as you did before. His hands rested in his lap and you placed your hand on the inside of his arm, gently stroking it with your thumb.
"Who's excited for Christmas?" Your mother asked, excitedly. "Me!" Everyone exclaimed. "Don't forget that we have more family coming tomorrow afternoon." She told you all. You looked over at Credence. He seemed to have a nervous look in his eyes. You squeezed his arm a little tighter, giving him comfort.

The cookies were finally ready, so you got them out of the oven to cool.
After they were ready you began to decorate them with icing and sprinkles. The music blared as you and Credence decorated the cookies. You both laughed at the mess you were making. Sprinkles and icing were everywhere and you had flour all on your faces and clothes. Your mother came into the kitchen. "What's so funny?" She smiled. Her eyes widened at the mess. "We'll clean in up, mom." You laughed. "Wait one second!" She said, running out of the room. She came back a few seconds later, holding a camera. "Get together!" She said, holding it up to take a picture. You scooted closer to Credence and smiled at the camera. Credence's smile was priceless. It was a huge no teeth smile. His eyes squinted from the smile and he leaned in to you, putting his arm around you.

After you decorated all of the cookies and ate way too many, you cleaned up the kitchen. You were both a mess so you decided to take showers.

After you were both clean and in your cozy pajamas, you sat on the couch in front of the fireplace. With wet messy hair, you sat feet to feet under a warm blanket. The rest of your family sat around the living room chatting. You talked about your days and past Christmases. But no one ever mentioned how Credence had run away or how you had gone out with Will. You were thankful because you didn't want to talk about it ever again. You felt bad enough.
While everyone talked you took a moment to notice how adorable Credence was. Just sitting there, hair wet and messy, in his pajamas, seemingly happy. You smiled and laid your head against the back of the couch, admiring him.

Everyone else had gone up to bed except you, Credence and your mom. "When you get that picture made I want a copy." You told your mom. "I'll be sure send it to you." She said. You talked a little more than she said, "I'm going to head up to bed." She stood up and leaned over to kiss you on the forehead. "Good night, sweetie." On her way out of the room she touched Credence's shoulder, gently patting it. "Good night, Credence." She said. You saw him slightly flinch at her touch. She didn't notice, but you did. She left the room and went upstairs. Credence stared, sadly at his hands. "Why am I like this?" He whispered. "Credence, you have to be patient with yourself." You said, leaning forward. "You're getting so much better." You tried to make him look at you. He looked down at his scarred hands, biting his lip. You scooted forward, holding his hands in yours. You gently rubbed your thumbs over his beaten palms. You felt tears burn in your eyes, remembering all that he had been through. You took his hands and held them up to your cheeks. "I want you to be happy." You whispered. He looked up at you. His eyes were glossed over with tears, as he gave you a small smile. He pulled you closer to him as he leaned forward, brushing his lips against yours. You looked into his eyes and smiled, going back in for a better kiss. You felt butterflies swarm around your stomach at the feeling of his lips on yours. Credence felt nervous and comfortable and happy and a million other emotions.

You pulled away and looked into his eyes. "Come here." You said, grabbing his hand, pulling him over to the Christmas tree. You sat down in front of it and Credence did the same. "I want to give you your gift!" You excitedly said. "But it's not Christmas yet." He said. "I don't care. I can't wait!" You reached under the tree and pulled out two medium sized presents. You handed them to him. He looked down at them, hesitant to open them. "What's wrong?" You asked. "I didn't get you anything." He said, head bowed. "Credence, you being here, you loving me is more than enough." You told him. He sat there for a second then lunged forward, hugging your neck. It caught you off guard, so you almost fell over. You got your balance and hugged him around his back.
He finally let go and sat back down. "Alright, come on!" You said, putting the presents in his hands. He smiled at you and started to tear through the paper. You had gotten him a notebook and some pencils. "You had said that you liked to draw." You said. "I-I love them." He looked up at you, smiling. "Good, I'm so glad."
He went back in for another hug. "I love you, (Y/N)." He whispered in your ear. You smiled wide and said, "I love you too, Credence."

THE FLOOFINESS I MEAN HONESTLY SO MUCH FLUFF (also I updated the 'i'm stopping again cause i have to thank u all' chapter songs. Mendes army forever.)