After whipping up a few grilled cheese sandwiches and heating up a can of tomato soup, Newt cleared off the end of his dining table that was littered with piles of sketches, books, and scrap pieces of parchment filled with his rushed and messy scrawl describing creatures.
Newt wasn't too skilled with cooking magic, he'd been truly amazed by Queenie's skill that she had displayed while he was a guest there. Personally he'd preferred to just cook by hand.
Credence stood silently with his head bowed slightly as Newt sat down. Newt cleared his throat "You do like grilled cheese Credence don't you? I can whip something else up if you wish, though I'm afraid my pantry is quite sparse. Often times I'll simply eat well I'm out or make do with a simple sandwich. I have ham if you'd rather."
Credence met Newt's gaze with slight confusion "No sir, it's just. I was waiting for you to finish. You see, it isn't polite to eat until the master of the house has eaten." Credence dropped his gaze back down to his shoes, his shoulders hunched forward awkwardly.
Newt was pained. How truly awful had the boy been treated? "Credence, Credence please look at me." Newt's voice was sincere.
Instantly obeying Newt's command, the younger mans piercing eyes bore into his own gentle ones. "I made you a plate and cleared a seat for a reason. I wish to dine with you at the same time. Please, take a seat Credence. It's okay, you don't have to be scared."
Slowly credence eased into the seat and waited until the master of the house, or suitcase rather, took the first bite. Not realizing how hungry he was he could hardly help the way he gobbled up the savory sandwich.
It had tasted so delicious! Ma had never made anything like this, cheese was a delicacy one that wasn't to be enjoyed by Credence. All of his food had been bland porridge, stale bread, or Ma's scraps. She of course had earned the luxuries from her charity work and devotion to the almighty's teachings. Occasionally Modesty would be given sweets by a passerby on the street when she handed out flyers and she would share with him.
After hurriedly scarfing down his sandwiches, he looked up and flinched back upon meeting the elder man's gaze, quizzically fixed upon him. Looking at Newt's plate that still contained and entire sandwich and a half he felt a wave of shame "I-I-I'm sorry S-sir."
"Oh no Credence it's no trouble at all, I'm just regretting not offering food sooner. I wish you had told me how hungry you were before. Here, take mine. I haven't got much much of an appetite."
Credence's eyes grew weary, was this a trick? To see if he was greedy? Ma had done that once. Offered him a buttery pastry that made his mouth melt just thinking about it. When he'd reached for it she had slapped him so hard that he fell over. That was the first night that he had been punished with more than just her hands.
Recalling the memory, his eyes shot down "No thank you sir, I'm full."
Newt could see the flash of pain in the boy's eyes and not wanting to push the matter further, went back to eating his own plate. Credence picked up his soup bowl and drank the whole thing sloppily.
It reminded Newt of one of his creatures. Without thinking, he leaned over and wiped the remains of soup from his guests face with a soft sweep of his finger. When Credence looked up, Newt realized what he'd done and flushed with embarrassment.
Standing awkwardly Newt muttered a spell and with a swift flick of his wand, the dishes began to float to the kitchen area and began washing themselves in the sink.
Mesmerized once again with the display of magic, Credence did not at first notice Newt's expression as it scrunched in pain.
Newt stood and immediately doubled over in pain and began shaking. His energy was drained. The effects of the magical assault in the subway still lingered. Newt let out a piercing shriek of pain. It felt as though all of his nerves were being pinched at once.
The thought of this happening hadn't even occurred to Newt, his magic must have only worked for him with ease earlier because of the medicinal potions he'd consumed that had numbed his pain.
Credence stood abruptly and began to shake with fright as Newt slumped to the floor. Through lazy half-lidded eyes Newt saw wispy smoke steam from the boy's hand.
Clenching his jaw in pain, Newt urged himself to conceal it. He had to be strong, the young man needed him to be.
Lifting his gaze slightly he spoke in a soft whisper "Hey, relax. I'll be fine Credence. Truly, I will. I'm just drained of energy right now. I'm sure that I'll be chipper as usual after some rest. Please, hand me that blue vial on the-" he began wheezing and inhaled sharply, his words halting.
Now Credence was kneeling, still shaky by Newt. He just stayed there, waiting for the man to finish his instructions.
Newt closed his eyes tightly, jaw still clenched as he tried to conceal the spark of pain rattling throughout him. Finally when it dulled, a whisper even softer than the first slipped from his chapped lips "Second shelf from the-th-" a whimper slipped through. "Top. From the top." His jaw clenched harshly tight once again.
In what seemed to happen painfully slow to Newt, Credence jolted up and ran to the large display cabinet that Newt had gotten his other potions from earlier. Grabbing the only blazingly bright sea-blue vial that was two down from the top.
Hesitating, he grabbed another one that he'd recognized as what Newt had taken before, the one that made him look more alive. Shaking, he assisted Newt and held the vial and poured the glowing substance down Newt's throat.
Al oat instantaneously Newt sighed in relief. "Perfect." As he slowly sat up, leaning against the table leg, he was confused when Credence handed him a calming draught. Taking it into his hand, he looked at it puzzled.
With a shaky voice Credence spoke in a rushed tone " I-I'm I'm sorry, that is what you t-t-took early no? That help-helped you feel better?" Realization hit Newt at once, the colour was fairly similar to pepper up.
Observing Credence's shaking form and wispy smoke sizzling from his shoulders Newt thoughtfully glanced down at the draught and back at the boy. "Do take a slight sip Credence, it won't hurt you I promise. You saw what it did earlier, it's like a vitamin in your world. Like what's sold at the apothecaries."
Hesitating, Credence tilted his head back, his mouth open.
Brows furrowed, Newt opened the vial. Perhaps his mother had always been the one to dispense medicines to him. He'd expected him to do it. Figuring it'd be best if he do it anyways to ensure he doesn't get too much, Newt shook off his hesitation.
Softly he reached out and grabbed the boys angular jaw, taking note of his flinching. Firmly holding his face steady with one hand, he slowly dripped out 6 drops on the boys tongue and withdrew his hand.
His eyes were fixed on the boys slender throat as it swallowed, then Newt's eyes flicked up at the notice of movement.
Credence flicked out his tongue and licked his lips, eyes still closed as he savoured the odd taste. His obscurus now fully concealed within him.
Newt watched in awe at the act and involuntarily let out a soft moan as Credence moist tongue flicked back in the boys mouth.
Credence eyes immediately flicked open, staring directly into Newt's own.
