[ graves cannot help but soften at that assessment, the fact that credence seems to actually enjoy tutoring tristan instead of simply seeing this as another job. there is a light in his eyes he recognises as passion, and it is something that captures his attention, distracts him from the matters at hand.
his son's education is safe in credence's hands, and graves only nods after a moment, standing up to pour them both a glass of scotch each. credence is not insinuating himself with him the way others normally will, believing it's what he likes to hear -- no, this is a different thing entirely, and he wonders, briefly, why he hasn't engaged his tutor sooner. the man's voice is an almost musical cadence, a gentleness to it that is warmly memorable, and he offers him the glass. ]
Good. [ and he means it, quietly approving. ] It's heartening to see my son in capable hands. Are the lodgings to your satisfaction?
[ credence is smiling faintly as he accepts the glass, holding it (waiting, politely, for his employer to drink first) and inclining his head. ] Thank you, sir. [ he's relaxing more easily around him these days and credence himself is thankful for it because sneaking around like a church mouse isn't exactly the proper bearing for a tutor. he's never going to be the imperious and unkind tutor but he'll come into his own slowly as he progresses. ]
If you'd like me to include any particular subjects in his learning, if you let me know I can shift the curriculum accordingly. [ and now credence blinks in surprise before he nods. months ago his gaze would have skirted away but now it holds firmer and, strangely, he smiles after a moment. ] Mister Graves, before taking up this position I rented a single room in a building close enough to a factory that in the mid afternoon the sun in the sky would look brown. I assure you that they've been more than satisfactory since I've arrived.
[ graves says briskly, approving of the young man's easy praise, his amenable nature. the tutor is both clever and courteous -- and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes either. graves is not naturally disposed to noticing men, but there is a beauty to credence that catches the eye and snares the attention, the full curls of his dark hair, the curve of his mouth when he smiles.
he's heard some of the maids talk about him in passing, whispers, of course, of how good-looking he is, and he thinks that their tales do him little justice. ] I actually called you here to inform you that my son will have no need for your tutoring for the next seven days. He will be traveling to his grandfather's. [ a beat. ] I was wondering if you will like to accompany me on a hunting session tomorrow.
[ a week without work? unheard of in his past, naturally - he rarely so much as took a holiday off. credence blinks once in surprise--and then again when graves finishes up what he's saying, trying to not look too startled. he licks his lips but nods, expression sliding into something more like a smile. ] I would like that very much, Mister Graves.
[ he seems thoughtful though, trying to figure out how to word what he wants to say. he looks up to the older man rather a lot and wonders if it's too obvious, tries to keep it reined in. he craves approval though, inclining his head slightly. ] I've never been, though. Hunting, I mean. It was never within my... repertoire, we'll just say.
[ see: he's a city boy, a city boy who grew up poor in his mother's church, then lived alone next to a factory. not too much time or the means to go hunting. ]
[ graves might not have seen credence for very long, but he's heard of how industrious he is -- the butler has been providing reports on the tutor, and graves is aware that even the most hardworking individual needs a break once in awhile. a holiday off, so to speak. ]
You will still be paid, of course. [ graves is careful to add. he might be a demanding taskmaster, but he's fair, and there's something subtly endearing about the genuine surprise in the young man's face. ]
It's all right, I'll teach you. [ there is a hint of a smile that tugs at his mouth. ] I hear you grew up in a church.
[ credence really does work too hard. it will be nice to have a week to breathe, much as he adores teaching his charge. a holiday with a man as attractive as percival graves is doubly nice, though he's trying not to think about that part. very studiously. (it's difficult.) ]
Thank you very much. [ he realizes he hadn't even worried about that for the first time in his life. it isn't that he expects to be paid for a holiday, but that he knows he has somewhere to return to and doesn't have to worry after the bills that he can't pay.
i'll teach you. credence's smile now is sheepish and he realizes in that moment he's utterly smitten but keeps it carefully bottled up. just in case. ] I did, sir. My mother ran the church and kept people on that needed places to stay in our home, my sisters and I helped her.
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his son's education is safe in credence's hands, and graves only nods after a moment, standing up to pour them both a glass of scotch each. credence is not insinuating himself with him the way others normally will, believing it's what he likes to hear -- no, this is a different thing entirely, and he wonders, briefly, why he hasn't engaged his tutor sooner. the man's voice is an almost musical cadence, a gentleness to it that is warmly memorable, and he offers him the glass. ]
Good. [ and he means it, quietly approving. ] It's heartening to see my son in capable hands. Are the lodgings to your satisfaction?
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If you'd like me to include any particular subjects in his learning, if you let me know I can shift the curriculum accordingly. [ and now credence blinks in surprise before he nods. months ago his gaze would have skirted away but now it holds firmer and, strangely, he smiles after a moment. ] Mister Graves, before taking up this position I rented a single room in a building close enough to a factory that in the mid afternoon the sun in the sky would look brown. I assure you that they've been more than satisfactory since I've arrived.
no subject
[ graves says briskly, approving of the young man's easy praise, his amenable nature. the tutor is both clever and courteous -- and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes either. graves is not naturally disposed to noticing men, but there is a beauty to credence that catches the eye and snares the attention, the full curls of his dark hair, the curve of his mouth when he smiles.
he's heard some of the maids talk about him in passing, whispers, of course, of how good-looking he is, and he thinks that their tales do him little justice. ] I actually called you here to inform you that my son will have no need for your tutoring for the next seven days. He will be traveling to his grandfather's. [ a beat. ] I was wondering if you will like to accompany me on a hunting session tomorrow.
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[ he seems thoughtful though, trying to figure out how to word what he wants to say. he looks up to the older man rather a lot and wonders if it's too obvious, tries to keep it reined in. he craves approval though, inclining his head slightly. ] I've never been, though. Hunting, I mean. It was never within my... repertoire, we'll just say.
[ see: he's a city boy, a city boy who grew up poor in his mother's church, then lived alone next to a factory. not too much time or the means to go hunting. ]
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You will still be paid, of course. [ graves is careful to add. he might be a demanding taskmaster, but he's fair, and there's something subtly endearing about the genuine surprise in the young man's face. ]
It's all right, I'll teach you. [ there is a hint of a smile that tugs at his mouth. ] I hear you grew up in a church.
no subject
Thank you very much. [ he realizes he hadn't even worried about that for the first time in his life. it isn't that he expects to be paid for a holiday, but that he knows he has somewhere to return to and doesn't have to worry after the bills that he can't pay.
i'll teach you. credence's smile now is sheepish and he realizes in that moment he's utterly smitten but keeps it carefully bottled up. just in case. ] I did, sir. My mother ran the church and kept people on that needed places to stay in our home, my sisters and I helped her.