[ credence knows exactly what he's asking of graves. there's a point to it, a neediness over it, the way his heart clenches when graves answers him. his lips pull into a delicate frown and he shakes his head, looking at the older man for a long moment before granting him a kiss, slow and sweet and affectionate. ]

You're far more than that. [ it's soft, murmured against his mouth, before he settles against him and rests his head on his shoulder. ] You've never been only a bodyguard. That's important, but the rest is important too.

[ he sighs, pressing a kiss to his jaw just below his ear. ] If you wanted to go I would let you. As much as I care for you and want you, it's not worth anything if I'm so cruel as to try and keep you here when you don't want to. You can walk away if you like, whenever you like. I just hope you'll stay.