To Love an Obscurial (Newt Scamander x Credence Barebone)

Chapter 6 (Grand Finale)

*Yay! Grand finale! This is where they kiss. ;)*

A few weeks passed. Newt, absentminded as he was, took no notice of the date, but Credence kept a careful watch on the calendar. As February 12th came and went, Credence noticed a small note written in the corner of the box marked February 14th. It read 'Valentine's Day', a day he had never heard of. He considered asking Newt what it was, but instead elected to do some research on his own. After repeated trips to the library and some questions from Newt, Credence had his answer: Valentine's Day was the day when you kissed your beloved and revealed your feelings for them. Just the thought of his lips meeting Newt's had his stomach doing acrobatics and he was a nervous wreak by the time February 14th rolled around.

Newt noticed that Credence had been behaving rather oddly lately. He tried not to pry too much, but he was very curious about the nature of Credence's frequent trips to the local library. Credence was very evasive in answering his questions, and Newt decided to let the matter rest.

Credence woke up early on Valentine's Day, and dressed in the best clothes he had. He was determined to do everything he could to gain Newt's favor. He fed, groomed, and cleaned the habitats of Newt's creatures and had just started preparing breakfast for the two of them when Newt walked into the room wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, rubbing his eyes.

"Whatr you doin up this early, Crednss?" asked Newt, his words slurred from sleepiness.

"Uh, I- I was just making breakfast for us." Replied Credence, trying to act as casual as possible.

"Are you planning on going somewhere, dressed that well?" Queried Newt, leaning against the counter and now fully awake.

"No, I just..." Credence couldn't think of a plausible excuse as to why he was dressed in his nicest clothes.

How odd... I wonder why he's so nervous today, thought Newt to himself.

"You'd better let me help you with breakfast, I'm still in my nightclothes so it won't be a problem if they get dirty." said Newt, reaching to take the kitchen utensils from Credence.

"N-no! I'll do it, it's okay, I don't mind!" Credence continued to cook.

He certainly is acting strangely... thought Newt. I hope I haven't done anything wrong.

Credence served breakfast and ate quickly. When they had both finished, he took the plates to the sink and began to wash them by hand, only for Newt to wash them with magic.

"Remember, Credence? You don't need to do the dishes by hand anymore!" Newt smiled at him.

Newt dressed and went to care for his creatures before realizing that they had all been fed and groomed. Even the habitats were looking clean! He went back upstairs, grateful for the extra help.

"I don't know how I'd live without you, Credence! Thank you so much for caring for the creatures!" Newt said. Credence promptly turned pink.

"It's no trouble at all."

Newt settled into the couch in front of the crackling hearth, thankful for the heat and Credence's help. It was a dreary day, and Newt felt unusually cold and lethargic. He curled up on the couch, letting the warmth flow through him like a hot bath. Credence came and settled next to him, his head on Newt's shoulder, radiating warmth.

"Newt," he asked after a while. "Do you think love is magic?"

"I like to think so, especially after witnessing the courtship rituals of the graphorns. They're truly marvelous." replied Newt.

"Do you think love between people is magical?" asked Credence.

"Yes. Love is very powerful. Some would rather die protecting the ones they love than see them get hurt. Love can tear people apart, or bring them together." Newt explained.

"Even... people of the same gender?" asked Credence, his voice faltering.

"Yes. In the wizarding world, people are much more tolerant of homosexuals, and people like me, than muggles." said Newt.

"You're... you're gay?" asked Credence, surprised.

"I am." Replied Newt. He hoped Credence wouldn't reject him because of this; he knew that Mary Lou Barebone had taught him that homosexuality was unnatural.

Now that Credence thought about it, he hadn't ever been attracted to women, though he could recall a few instances where he had been attracted to men.

"Ma once caught me with- with another boy," Credence said in a low voice. "She beat me until I passed out and told me I'd burn in hell. She called me an unnatural, wicked boy."

"Oh... Credence, I'm really sorry." Newt could scarcely contain the curses he wanted to hurl at that barebone woman. "I'll accept you no matter who or what you are. Please know that." Newt stated. He wrapped his arms around Credence, and the boy gazed into Newt's eyes, their faces mere millimeters apart. Credence could feel Newt's warm breath on his lips. "I just want you to know that you're loved." Newt stopped, nervous.

"You're- you're loved as well, Newt." Credence spoke with conviction, despite being incredibly nervous. "Very much. I care deeply for you."

Credence caught Newt's lips in a soft and gentle kiss. Newt reciprocated, his eyes fluttering closed in delight as they lay back on the couch.

"Thank you." Newt murmured softly after they had broken apart. "Thank you for... everything, really. I was so afraid that you didn't reciprocate my feelings, and I tried to hide them, but now... I'm just so happy."

"I'm just so happy you didn't throw me out this and that you..." Do I dare say it? Thought Credence. "That you love me back."

The End