Chapter Text
My Boy
Warning: Mild spoilers and Mentions of Abuse. Manipulation
It was obvious to see upon first glance that the boy, Credence, needed him.
Of course, neither knew that until their second encounter.
When they first met, it wasn’t anything grand. They brushed past each other on the street and two things happened simultaneously.
Graves knew the boy had magical ancestry, but he himself did not possess any powers. It wouldn’t be until later that night, while Graves would be attempting to rest in his home, alone and unable to sleep; when he would envision the boy near a powerful obscurity. The boy would become the key to his plans.
Whilst Graves was able to move on from the slight bump between them Credence began to reel.He’d spent most of his life cowering from adults and this was no exception. He curled into himself and dropped off to the side, away from the crowds. His back hit against an alleyway wall and he didn’t rise until minutes later. Saliva dripped down his chin as his quivering began to slow. His head snapped from side to side; making sure no one was after him. He slowly stood; his arms dropping to the side but still clinging to his coat. As if his arms could shield him from any blows that may or may not come.
Credence would not remember this encounter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The second meeting consisted of Graves seeking Credence out. It wasn’t hard when the boy’s mother was the leader to one of the largest anti-witch organizations in New York.
Graves spent days watching the boy. Learning his schedule was easy, but finding a way to communicate with him would have been far more difficult if it hadn’t been for Goldstein’s intervention with the boy’s abusive mother. Taking a hold of this opportunity to approach the boy under the pretense of Obliviating him was almost too easy, or it should have been had he not been object to any adult approaching him. Damn the Aurors’ for taking Goldstein away so dramatically.
“Credence. I’m here to help. May I come closer?”
It took several minutes of carefully speaking and slow movements until Graves was able to crouch down in front of the boy.
“Credence, I’m not going to hurt you. Here. Take my hand. Come, come.” His soothing tone befit for a scared child prompted Credence to reach out to him. Graves lips quirked upwards into a slight smile before he was pulling the boy closer.
Credence was not expecting to be pulled into an embrace but oh god that is exactly what he needed. His hands clung to Graves sides just as quickly as he’d flinched away the first time they’d touched. The hand placed at the back of his neck was firm and warm as Graves' thumb began to caress the area just beneath his ear.
“Pl-please, help me. H-help me."
“Don’t worry boy. I’ll protect you.”
Pulling back to grip Credence’s cheeks, Graves stared into the boy’s eyes as he leaned close enough for their breaths to mingle. “I will help you through this. Do you understand? I will protect you.” Credence was shakily nodding even before Graves had finished. Leaning into the gently hands that were steadily gripping him.
“Good. Good boy.” The older mans murmurs reached Credence's ears as he wrapped his arms back around Credence; pulling the boy to his chest. “You have to help me out first. Then and only then will I take you from that woman. Understood, Credence? I’m here for you, boy.”
A shudder passed through Credence at the tone used for his name. It was almost loving.
This was all too surreal but this man, this man… he was promising safety. And dear god did he feel safe. He had respect from the- the others and he had an air of command around him. All of this could have led to a power-hungry man who didn’t need to be this…this careful yet here he was. Holding Credence like the child he was and offering protection.
Just after he helped with whatever the man needed.
“Wh-what could I p-possibly do to h-help you?” Looking up Credence was stunned by the care radiating from the man’s eyes. His smile was almost blinding.
“I need your help finding another child. Hurt and oppressed just like you. Help me find them and I will take you both away. How would you like that?”
“I-…. I would like that very much.”