New York City was dark.

Gray skies and fat drops of rain had bombarded the city for days, putting everyone in a rather dreary mood.

So dreary that Kowalski's Bakery was surprisingly empty. Not a good thing for the owner, but a welcome change for the lanky young man who walked cautiously toward it.

Credence Barebone pulled his hat down lower over his face as he made his way to the pastry shop. The gold lettering painted on the windows came quickly into view and Credence stopped in front of the door.

Soaking wet, he tried to straighten up his faded black suit before he stepped inside. He registered the jingling of a bell before all of his senses were engulfed by the treats inside.

Credence removed his hat and began to wander around the shop, a trail of raindrops being left in his wake.

He had the store to himself for a few minutes before a heavyset man walked out from the back.

"Hello," Jacob Kowalski greeted Credence cheerily. "How can I help you today?"

Credence walked up to the counter slowly, trying to muster up courage with every step.

"Um, hello," he began quietly. "I was wondering if it would be possible to-" He stopped suddenly when he noticed how the man at the counter eyed him in his probably pitiful looking state.

Credence felt like an exposed nerve.

"I, uh, never mind. I'll just- I'll just, uh, be- be going." He turned around to walk out, but he was called out to.

"Hey kid, wait! It's pouring out there, why don't you wait for the rain to let up a bit?"

Credence turned to face the man slowly, listening.

Jacob continued, "How 'bout I get you a dry towel and a warm pastry, huh? Free of charge. You look like you could use them both."

Credence walked back up to the counter and shook his head. "No, thank you sir," he protested. "That won't be necessary. I don't want to get you in trouble or anything-"

"I'm the owner. I won't get into trouble, and I insist. It's miserable out there, kid. Stay in here and dry off."

"I… I don't know."

Jacob put a hand up. "I insist. Now come on back here with me, I'll get that towel for ya." He motioned Credence forward.

Credence reluctantly followed Jacob into the sterile looking back. He watched Jacob enter a small closet and then surveyed the room. The space was filled with metal shelves full of dozens of pastries. A small table and two chairs sat beside an empty sink. There was a wide counter top work space, and multiple ovens that were all cool at the moment.

Jacob reemerged and threw Credence a towel. He caught it and removed his hat so it'd be easier to dry himself off.

"Now what kind of pastry is your favorite? I've got paczkis, babka, piernik, what do you like?"

Credence didn't cease his drying. "I… I really don't have a favorite, sir."

Jacob shook his head. "Ah, no problem. I'll grab you a paczki, they're my grandmother's recipe."

Credence continued to dry off, much more comfortable without water constantly dripping off of him.

Jacob returned from the front and placed the plated paczki on the small table. "Sit down. Enjoy it while it's warm," Jacob encouraged.

Credence did as he was told and sat down to eat. The sweetness of the paczki was like nothing Credence had ever tasted. The warmth of the pastry quickly spread though his body and ebbed away the cold from earlier.

Jacob sat down across from Credence, but let him finish his paczki before he started to talk. "So, what was it you originally came in for?"

Credence winced slightly at the question. He should have just left before.

Oh, well. "I, uh, I was going to ask if you had any need for a new employee, sir," he admitted quietly.

Jacob's eyebrows raised in surprise. Not what he expected, but he thought the kid seemed nice enough, albeit very shy. He'd probably work out okay after some training.

"I did actually just lose one of my guys. Got married and moved to the suburbs. Sure, I'm happy he's happy but I lost a good worker. I could use someone new to help me here, if you're still offering."

Credence met Jacob's eyes with his shocked ones. "Do you really mean that?"

"Absolutely! I just need to know one thing."

"Okay." Credence was reluctant.

Jacob smiled. "I need to know your name."

A small smile spread across Credence's face. It was like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. "Credence. My name is Credence."

"Well, Credence," Jacob extended his hand. "Welcome to Kowalski's."

Notes: A thought that came to me one day. I thought Credence would fit in well at the bakery with Jacob, so this came to be.