[ somehow credence keeps himself calm enough to not dart away, to not try to put distance between them so that graves will stop asking him dangerous things, will stop risking his own life just to help credence. credence, who is simply a sinful young man that loves someone he's not supposed to, isn't worth dying over. how could he be? the mere thought of it is preposterous.

instead he leans into the older man's touch, brow furrowed with worry. ] I don't want anything to happen to you. [ he repeats it, sounding very small. like he had so many months ago. ] Please. I'm used to it. I just want you to be safe. [ but as he melts into that kiss, returning it and resting his hands at graves' shoulders, he knows what his real answer is. ] You'd really take me away from here? Take care of me?

[ do they look alike enough to be cousins? that's not important right now. more important is his sudden thought: ] We can't let her hurt my sisters. [ he kisses him again though, deeper, fervent. he loves graves so much, he knows. nothing will change that.

(somewhere, mary lou is prowling and looking for her son. it's past time for him to work at his other chores.) ]