Gradence | White Lilies

"Paint Me" | Chapter 3

After sneaking out of the house under the excuse that he needed to buy new canvases and paint, Credence headed towards the busy streets of his home town.

With a small piece of slightly torn paper in his hand he avoided people and carriages that were coming his way as his eyes gazed across the buildings that were placed before him.

After few moments of searching and asking around, Credence found himself standing in front of a rather large and quite luxurious family house.

He looked at the house for a few moments and than checked the adress that was scribbled on that piece of paper with now slightly smudged ink. He walked over to the door, but before he could even knock the door opened and at the doorstep stood Percival with a smile across his face.

"Credence.. Come in!", he smiled at the boy and moved away from the door, letting Credence in.

"Hello Mr. Graves.", Credence greeted the older man and stepped in.

He looked around. The house was absolutely astounding. There were gorgeous paintings hung all over the wallpapered pink-flowered golden walls and sculptures were placed in every room they passed through.
At that moment Credence realized how much Percival actually appriciated art.

Percival took him t0 the living room which was filled with golden and red furniture and it had a fireplace from which Credence could hear the crackling of the fire.

"I took the liberty of buying these for you.", Percival smiled as he stood next to a giant canvas placed on the easel with loads of different-coloured paints next to it along with many different sized and shaped brushes and a palette placed next to a box of charcoal, "I asked for the best. I hope they're good!", he looked at Credence, waiting for his reaction.

Credence's eyes lit up with joy, "They're the best!". He ran over and looked at all of it with amazement, "Whoa! . . . Wait t-these are really e-expensive.."

"Don't worry about it kid." Percival said as he made his way towards the kitchen, "Would you like something to drink before we begin?"

"N-No, thank you.", Credence said while playing with his fingers nervously.

Percival noded with a smile and poured himself a glass of fine whiskey, "Do tell me if you get thirsty."

Credence noded understandingly and watched as Percival approached him again. Percival placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a pat, trying to lessen the boy's nervousness.

"I'm ready when you're ready!", Percival smiled as he finished his glass of whiskey.

"I-I'm ready!", Credence blurted out as he took off his overcoat placing it aside and rolling up his sleeves neatly.

Percival got them both a chair and he positioned his in front of the easel, a tad bit on Credence's left, and sat down, "Will this be alright?"

"Y-Yes.", Credence noded and got comfortable on the chair. He fixed up the canvas and took a piece of charcoal.

Soon he began to drag the charcoal tip all over the canvas and soon the canvas filled up with precise dark lines that took shape of Percival.

His eyes, his nose, his lips.
His cheeks, his eyebrows, his jaw.
Everything was precise and unworldly beautiful.

While Credence's eyes followed the lines of Percival's calm face and his perfectly still body, Percival's eyes did the same to Credence.

He adored the boy. From the first day he saw him he got intrigued by Credence. There was something about his mysteriousness and the way he knew almost nothing about the boy but still felt drawn to him. It was electrifying.

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The paint was everywhere. On the floor, on his hands and even on his face, but it didn't matter, Credence didn't care. He was focused.

It's been several hours since they started and it was already getting dark outside but they didn't notice. They were having fun, Credence with painting and Percival with purposely moving his hands or head to tease Credence but than getting it back in the actual position because of Ceredence's scolding. He loved to see Credence this relaxed and free. It was beautiful and he couldn't take his eyes off him.

"I'm done!.", Credence said with a happy sigh as he pulled the last stroke with a paint-covered brush.

Percival smiled happily as he got up from the chair, stretching slightly before quickly walking over to Credence and the canvas.

He gasped and placed his hands over his mouth as he stared at the canvas, his eyes soaking in each and every bit of the painting.

"Credence....", he wasn't blinking.

Credence was nervous, his mind was roaming over all the bad things Percival could be thinking right now if he didn't like the painting, but there was still a whiff of hope that was keeping him calm.

"Credence, this is beautiful!!", Percival pulled a boy into a strong but gentle hug.

Credence didn't expect that and his cheeks flustered as he tried to process what just happened. His hands wrapped around Percival slowly, on their own. But he didn't mind, he liked it.

Percival than went on thanking Credence and rambling about the beauty and size of his talent and he'd stare at the picture in amazement, not being able to look away. And for the first time in his life, Credence felt truly proud. Not because of his parents, not because somebody told him he should, but because of himself. And it felt amazing.

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They were sat in the kitchen, wet napking gently stroking Credence's cheek. Trailing from his temple, across his cheek and down to his jaw. So gently. So soothingly. His eyes closed and his cheeks flustered.

"How did you manage to get so dirty?", Percival chuckled as he continued to gently remove paint off Credence's face.

"S-Sorry..", Credence muttered out shyly.

"It's okay boy, it's not a problem.", Percival smiled warmly at the younger male as he finished cleaning his face, "You're all done!"

"T-Thank you sir-Percival..", Credence looked at Percival briefly, almost barely.

"No problem.", Percival smiled and moved away making his way towards the trashcan to throw away the paint-filled napkin.

"I-I should go...i-it's already late and y-you probably have more important things to do-", Credence cut himself off bit awkwardly.

"Oh no, not a chance! You're staying over the dinner! That is the least I can do since you don't want to accept any money.", Percival smiled as he set the table.

"B-But you already did so much!..You got me all these new paints and-", Credence started but was cut off by Percival, who gently put Credence's hands in his.

"You're staying.", Percival smiled.

And so he did.

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After a delicious dinner, Percival decided to accompany Credence to his mansion, also helping him to carry the new art tools, and he gave him a big warm hug before they parted.

Credence slowly and carefuly got into the mansion, trying to keep it as silent as possible.
He started to make his way up the stairs, towards his room, before he noticed somebody sitting in the armchair by the lit fireplace surrounded by complete silence and illuminated only by the fire light. His heart skipped a beat as he froze in place.

"Credence.....where have you been?"