Don't Worry • Credence Barebone X Reader

Twenty-One

A/N: As promised my beautiful people 

You spent that whole week gently getting Credence back into the world. You didn't want to rush anything, so you took small steps. It started with him coming to get the mail with you. He hadn't even stepped out of your apartment since the night he first came.
You took it really slow. You opened the door and you both stood, staring out into the hallway. Credence had a dead kind of stare, his eyes had dark circles under them, and his heart pounded inside of his chest. His breathing was heavy and shallow, and as he started to shake, you noticed black matter start to float around you both. You looked at him with worried eyes, gently grabbing his hand and he suddenly came out of his trance. He looked at you beside him, his eyes filled with tears. "Let's try tomorrow." You suggested, nodding at him, hoping to make him feel better. "No-" He whispered. "I have to do this." He didn't want to disappoint you. He had to be strong, for you. He didn't want to be a burden and he couldn't be the reason you didn't see your family for Christmas. "Are you sure?" You asked, sweetly. His head nodded fast. "Okay." You said, squeezing his hand tighter. You both stared back into the hall and took a deep breath. "Are you ready?" He nodded in response. Then you took a small step forward, leading him out of you're apartment. But he didn't move, he stood stiff. You looked back at him, still holding his hand. "Okay, let's do this tomorrow." You said, walking back into your apartment. Credence suddenly walked in front of you, making you stop."No, I can do this." He said. He seemed so sure of himself, you couldn't help but smile. "Okay." You nodded, turning back to the hallway. Credence walked with you, still a little hesitant. You walked slowly down the hall, to the stairs. You walked down them slowly. You never rushed him, or pulled him to make him walk faster. You had to let him do it at his own pace.

You got down to the small lobby where the mail boxes were. You walked over to yours and got the small key out of your pocket to unlock it. You tried to pull your hand out of Credence's, but he held it tighter so you couldn't. You looked up at him and gave him a small smile. You proceeded to unlock the box with one hand. There were a few letters in the box. You reached in and pulled them out. Then you shut the small door and locked it.

After two flights of stairs you were at your door again. You pushed it open and walked in together. You put the letters on the counter, then turned to stand in front of Credence. Still holding his hand, you looked up at him with a proud look on your face. "I'm so proud of you, Credence." You said, smiling up at him. His eyes met yours for a second then went back to his feet, where they usually were. "Hey." You said softly. "What's wrong? You did great." You moved the hand that wasn't holding his, to his cheek. He pulled away from you and walked across the room. "How am I going to get on a train if I can barely get the mail?" He embarrassedly mumbled. You watched him from afar, his back facing you. You could feel tears starting to burn in your eyes. "You can't rush yourself, Credence. Things like this take time." You started to walk over to him. "Don't be so hard on yourself. You did great." You said so kindly, Credence felt a small glimmer of hope form inside of him. He wasn't used to kind, encouraging words.
You walked over and wrapped your arms around his waist and rested your head on his back. You hugged him tight and said, "You're doing great.– Okay?" You looked up at him from behind. You saw him nod his head slightly, wiping away tears. You felt his hands cover yours. They were cold and shaking, but they held on tight.

The next day, you decided to do the same thing. You walked down together to get the mail. He was less hesitant this time and walked a little faster. He still squeezed your hand the whole time, but you didn't mind.
You did this for about a week and every time Credence was a little less afraid. You still held hands, and you started to wonder if he was doing it because it gave him comfort, or if he just liked holding your hand. Either way you loved it.

"Do you want to try getting the mail by yourself today?" You asked him, one morning, during breakfast. Credence froze, and looked up at you. You knew he could do it. He was making so much progress and you knew he could handle it. "You can do it, Credence. I know you can." You said, encouragingly. "What if someone is down there?" He asked, with worry in his voice. Once before there had been someone in the lobby, getting their mail too. Credence hadn't had interaction with anyone but you, since the incident in the subway station. There was a middle aged woman with short, dark hair getting her mail. Credence froze when you got to the end of the stairs and saw the lady. He squeezed your hand so tightly, you didn't know what was going on, then you noticed the lady. In some strange way she reminded you of Mary Lou and you knew Credence felt the same way. "Credence." You said, calmly. "It's okay."
The room began to shake a little and black matter began form around you. "Credence, shhhh." You said, with slight fear in your voice; he couldn't have another incident.