[ the dam is broken and he knows it. he's listening in silence to what credence pours out, and he cannot help but reach for him, to clasp him by the back of his neck and to pull him close into an embrace. he can never be too close to him, he decides, and credence's forgiveness, so sweetly, so wholly given no matter the hurt, and it makes him feel even guiltier.

he has to be more worthy of this, after all. ]

Shhh. Shh. It's all right. It's over now. It's over now, Credence. I'm going to destroy him, just you watch. None of this is your fault, do you understand? No one could have guessed at what he wanted to do.