--- into cold, cold water for you

[ERNEST FALCON HOLMES]

rEMEMBER, I LOVE YOU

Autumn, 2024

The moon had already risen high in the jet back sky. The long summer days were over and the air started to become overwhelmed in the chilliness of autumn. The Black Lake was so still the water reflected the starry night so marvellously as though there were actual stars trapped in the cold water. Ernest lied on his back as he observed and marvelled at his surroundings, wondering why he had not frequented this place more often during his past years at Hogwarts. But of course, it was no child’s play to sneak out of the castle at this time of the day.

His final year at this school was already there, before he even had time to notice. Very soon now, he would be sitting for the N.E.W.Ts and graduating, leaving behind this poetic scenery, all the untroubled days of childhood to enter to real world. Never had he thought he would be missing this. And… he would be missing her, too, a lot. Her last letter had caused him to think about the days to come more than he wanted to, despite it was only the beginning of his seventh year. She was right to say that the whole point of his training sessions with her was to help her be stronger so that she would not need anyone’s protection any longer. Much as he was proud of her, he was slightly concerned, not for her, but for himself. Over the time, he had developed a very bad habit that he feared he could not get rid of – protecting her. There had never been anything ‘extremely serious’ between them. No promises had never been made simply because neither of them wanted the attachment. It was dangerous for Hunters to be too attached to anyone.

He could not help it. He got used to laughing it off when seeing her growing close to other boys at school, which was not too surprising considering her playful nature. But he could not help looking for her silhouette wherever he went, just to make sure that she was all right. Oh no, he would never tell her that he cared, at least not in a serious manner, even if a knife was put to his neck. He was too proud, and too afraid at the same time. During the summer when she went to America, at some points he wanted to fly there just to check on her. Her temper worried him, though he had had lots of fun with it. Hearing about the “silly things” that she claimed to have experienced in America got him anxious, and only after she had told him that she wanted to tell him the truth this evening could he be relieved.

Sentiments. How dangerous it was. Had his father known, he would have ridiculed his only son for being a weakling. What strong person would kneel before sentiments?

Whatever relationship he had with her right now, it was only for the benefits of his family. The Sciarra would help solidify and reinforce the Holmes’ power in England in exchange for loyalty. But he still could not help it. He would hide it though, from the world and from her, so that he could still watch her from afar, to make ensure that she was unharmed, even when she did not need him anymore.

Ernest sat up slowly as he heard footsteps approaching him from behind. But he remained facing the Lake instead of turning around, acting distracted. She probably would not like it if he flaunted too much that he could read her like an open book.


tag: AUBREY CAMILLA SCIARRA
note: *winks*

TEMPLATE BY ELIZA @ Delusional & SP

[AUBREY CAMILLA SCIARRA]

---

Night was completely different in the eyes of a wolf. Aubrey had wasted little time in sneaking out of the dorm after sending her note off to Ernie. Of course she would deny that much of this was actually excitement to see the older boy - man? It was strange how much Ernest had grown up from when they first met, how she as well? Or was she still a child? She was more childish than him, there was no way she could actually deny it. She toyed with his emotions - but it was in part for his own good. Hunters after all should never fall in love. Once she had made it into the cool fall night air she wasted little time in transforming into her animal form, an abyssinian wolf, far from common in Scotland but it was less conscious than running around as a student after hours. Thick fur shielded her from the cold as she hurried off to the lake.

It was amazing how overwhelming a canine sense of smell could be, the damp grass that was beneath her paws, the crisp lake water that lingered in the air as she got closer and closer. She stopped when she found a small collection of rocks that many students liked to congregate at. Aubrey took a moment for herself, transforming back she grazed out at the lake - still and mirror like. It seemed like to dive in would be to swim in the sky. What a silly thought though. She sighed, a small cloud of condensation expelling form her lips - Scotland was so much colder than her home of California. She didn't come to the lake to reflect by herself though.

Perhaps if she had stayed in her animagi form she would have caught his scent on the wind and found him quicker than she did, but Ernest was a hunter and it was unwise to greet a trained wolf killer as a wolf. Instead she made sure to walk up from behind. A part of her wondered how far she had made it before he knew she was there. Sure she kept her steps light but he was more than accustom to listening to her movements.

In the moonlight it was even harder to deny his beauty, even with his back turned. Catching the slight shift in his posture she knew that he was aware of her. A small smile graced her lips for a moment. Maybe the smile was because of him but it was not for him, no those smiles where for her - gifts from him in a special way she struggled to explain. Their time together he had learned what annoyed her, knew how she hated his attention and yet craved it so bad. How had he figured her out so well? How had he come to understand what he needed to do to make her heart beat raced just enough? She didn't dwell on her thoughts long, instead she approached where he sat slowly getting to her knees behind him, her arms wrapped around his shoulders and chest as she pressed her face into his back.

Aubrey didn't greet him with words, not right away. Moments like this were a rarity. Just the two of them, no training, no studying. Moments like these Aubrey tended to avoid, where she felt open and vulnerable. Ernest always wanted to protect her even when she didn't need it and yet she hated to feel vulnerable around him, hated letting him know that she needed him, wanted him even. Oh how pride could be the undoing of one's self. Pulling her face from his back she moved to carefully press a small kiss on the nape of his neck. Of course normally Ernest was greeted with such endearment but tonight was different for Aubrey, tonight she needed him - though, didn't she always? Maybe she just couldn't ever admit that.

For a moment she just savored him, the way his skin stated beneath her lips, the scent of him that she had actually come to miss when the jumper she had stole of his no longer carried it - not that she would ever tell him that she was the one who stole it, or that it was a comfort to her over the summer. The summer. Aubrey wrapped her arms tighter around him as she thought about what she had experienced. It was wrong to be seeing coddling from him, sympathy even? She was a hunter now, just like him - except she wasn't like him. Not yet.

"I missed you..." She said softly as she pressed another kiss behind his ear, her arms slipped away from his body and she sat herself closely beside him. He was only given this sort of affection when there was no concern for prying eyes. It was tempting to crawl into his lap and force him to wrap his arms around her but she didn't want to seem weak, not with what she had to tell him. Her blue eyes looked to his moonlit face - such a beautiful face. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting alone too long." She offered a small smirk with her words, as if amused at the idea that he would wait for her had she made him. She knew she did not deserve the loyalty he gave her, and sometimes she wondered if she ever would be so deserving.

She wondered if he could see it in her eyes. Had she lost a part of herself the night Kayden had taken her out? Could he see that it had gone wrong? It scared her sometimes, how well he could read her - and yet, that was exactly why she was her beside him wasn't it? He had a way of withholding judgement, he could find blame in other's and some how hold her above in some way. Still Aubrey found herself biting her tongue as she struggled to find the words to start.

Its not like anyone actually thought she would go on a hunt. Their family was known for their misogyny, their women were healers not hunters. So why would the youngest Sciarra ever find themselves on a hunt? Would he blame Kayden for the almost happening? Sometimes she still felt the beast's gripe upon her ankle. Would he think her careless? Wasn't it partially her fault the building was burning down? Hadn't she given the all clear when so clearly it wasn't? So quickly she found her mind spinning and she was losing control of her thoughts. With a swallow of her nerves she broke her gaze upon him and found the lake.

"I wish I had asked you to come visit me over the summer...." She paused, to allow her words to sink in. Her tone was level, a tone she used when she would critique herself. She didn't blame him, no, all too often she made it clear that his affection was annoying....even if it wasn't, even if sometimes it was the only thing she craved, attachment was dangerous. She understood that even more now. Did he know what she was going to say? Had he put it together in his head? So many had been shocked when Kayden had explained who it was he had taken on the hunt. She wasn't supposed to be there. She had put them both in danger.....sure Kayden had regained control but it didn't change the fact - she had been a liability.

---

ERNEST FALCON HOLMES |

[ERNEST FALCON HOLMES]

rEMEMBER, I LOVE YOU

Her touch sent chills down his spine. He tried to fight a smile as she closed the distance between them by tightening her arms around him. Her soft hair brushed against his skin so gently like touch of a feather. Her unique scent lingered in the air, faintly but unmistakably. He had not realised how he had missed it and longed to pull her close in an embrace, to bury his face in her soft blond curves and drown in the sweetness of her familiar scent. It felt like a game of cat and mouse that they were playing, for if one of them closed the gap, the other one would advance it. Usually, the former would be him while the latter would undoubtedly be her. But today was different. Perhaps the long summer of separation had drained all their energy, worn them so that they now were craving the familiarity and comfort in each other.

The gentle breeze of autumn blew by and took away his last bit of self-control. Next thing, he found himself turning around to face her, his hands cupping her face firmly but gently so that he could look at her closely like he had longed to during the endless summer. Her pale skin almost glowed in the low light, her golden locks turned silver under the moon. She was something out of this world. Oh, he would not call her an angel for in her hauntingly beautiful blue eyes lied mischief. She was a goddess. Out of the world's sight was the wild world of their own. Her lips we're soft as rose petals yet their touch burned like fire on his skin. But today, their sentiment was subtly different. His instinct told him there was more to her kisses than just the build-up of passion. Something of fragile and broken. So unlike her.

A smile grew on his face as she told him she missed him before slipping away. Ernest wanted so badly to put an arm around the tiny figure next to him, to shield her from the winds of the night. But he knew she was too strong to beseech for his protection - she had always been strong. The Gryffindor boy chuckled at her seemingly apologetic assertion. "Is that an apology?" He asked, pulling off a mischievous grin.

It was usually during these moments that he came to miss the feisty girl that she liked to portray herself as. Such stillness in her eyes troubled him. The blue hue of her eyes seemed almost as dark as the Black Lake under the night skies. He liked to tease her that the stars we're brighter when he looked into her eyes, but now all he saw was discreet clouds. His anxiety was slowly killing him as he awaited the revelation of her troubles, but he would not let it slip for he never wanted to push her. Of course, their training sessions were a different story. But right now in front her, he was not a hunter, but just Ernest.

In his head, Ernest was trying to put the pieces together, hoping to uncover some clues. He had always taken pride in his ability to read her; yet he felt so uncertain this time. Her next words echoed a sense of regret and mellowness that gave him a little heartache. It seemed as though she had lost a piece of herself in California in the way she mentioned it. His heart sank with her words. He wondered what trauma had taken place to cause such a catastrophe of emotions to her. "Believe me, I wanted to do so more than once." His response was followed by a soft kiss on her forehead to reassure her of the unaltered affection he had for her. Whatever might have happened in California would not, in any possible way, change it.

On the back of his mind, pieces of the puzzle were slowing coming together. A strong person like Aubrey would not allow a petty matter to bother her. Ernest could only thought of a few possibilities, one of which he really hoped not to be the case. His suspicions had been sowed by his instinct and experience of a hunter. Though Hunters' strength varied according to training and other factors, their greatest trauma was often common. But for once, he hoped he was wrong. As he turned to her again, he leaned closer until her forehead was against his. There was hardly any distance to separate their lips. Putting on a smile, he told her gently “If anything burdens you, share it with me so some weight can be lifted off your shoulders. You do not have to go through it alone, Aubrey.”

tag: AUBREY CAMILLA SCIARRA
note:

TEMPLATE BY ELIZA @ Delusional & SP

[AUBREY CAMILLA SCIARRA]

---

When his hands cupped her face she took him in with wide eyes, it was hard to admit how dependent she had become on him. Aubrey pressed her face into one of his hands, funny how even now she could smell the broom polish that lingered ever so faintly on his hand. As she was settled in beside him she still found herself wishing that for once he was being his invasive self and that she would find his arm wrapped around her - Leave it to Ernie to be the perfect gentlemen when she didn't want him to be. Than again, whose fault was that?

"Oh hush," She spoke in a tone that held a level of playfulness in it a smile even lingered in the corners of her lips, she couldn't admit to the apology, not right after (practically) she gave it, "I'd hardly call it an apology Holmes, simply manners." Except she wasn't exactly known for having manners was she? It wasn't the point though, she was prolonging the avoidance of the topic she had come here to discuss with him. What did she have to fear telling him? It was a long time coming, they both had known one day she was going to have to do what every hunter trains to do. Was because there had been difficulties? Was she scared to be a disappointment? What if this was going to change things between them. She was good enough at pushing Ernest away herself, what if this did too?

She sighed softly as she felt his lips press against her skin. Yes she had missed that, but it was more than just the action. Her eyes had drifted shut and she tried to savor the moment, to forget about everything and just appreciate that he was there with her. She never did appreciate him enough, did she? She tried to think of the words to say when his lips pulled away, tried to think of how to express what she had gone through with Kayden, explain what almost happened. But Aubrey's words fell short.

She felt him lean in closer and soon his fore head rested upon her's, it was hard not to lock eyes whenever he did this. She stared at his as he spoke each word encouraging her to open up. Everything would change now. His words lingered in the air, their lips so close his words had warmed her own. Maybe it was still out of avoidance or maybe there was just too much reason for why but Aubrey met his lips in a kiss; a kiss she made sure to make the most of, she really could only deny missing him so much when it was a blatant lie. She moved a hand to softly rest on his jaw, oh why didn't she kiss him more? While it was a familiar act to kiss Ernest there was something more this time, from her, a stronger want. So often it was out of spite, or teasing, malicious intent for her own fun. Not this kiss though. It was difficult to pull away, she would have much rather savored the moment and avoided the talk all together.

Opening up was terrible, and dangerous - no matter how much you trusted someone. As she drew back from him finding her own space to breath her finger tips slipped down his jawline and her hand fell back into her lap. Opening her mouth Aubrey found herself quickly closing it and sigh before trying again. "I'm not sure how to start....what I mean is, I knew we'd have to have this conversation one day but I' never actually thought about what that would actually be like...it seemed like a far off dream or something..."

Aubrey's gaze had been on Ernest as she started to speak but slowly her eyes had cast to the lake instead narrowing as if she was struggling to piece together her words. How was it so hard to open up to one of the people she trusted the most in her life? "....You see....it really wasn't anything like what you and Kayden told me it would be like..." She stopped. It felt like there was a lump in her throat. "Not that I was scared, obviously, but it wasn't my fault - no, it was, Kayden says it wasn't because we had bad intelligence, you don't expect six vampires when the scouts told you there were three - but I should have been prepared, its what we train for and I just -"

She was breathing quicker now, frantic almost as she tried to make sense with her words, this wasn't how she meant to tell him, she was going to say it with eloquence, she as going to tell him she was finally taking the steps to properly join the clan's ranks. But there she had went on some babbling rant about how she had messed up on her very first mission. "It wasn't meant to go like that, it was meant to be easy, three vampires, in and out and back home before Mom and Dad even knew Kayden had snuck me out. Than Blake found out because of my mistake, which meant mom and dad found out....." Sighing Aubrey looked down into her lap. "Kayden is never going to let me have another chance to prove I can do this now...not after how bad things got...he is never going to trust that I am capable of protecting myself - if he hadn't been there Ernest I..." She stopped, it was bad to think like that, but it was the truth - she'd been in that one vampire's grasp.

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ERNEST FALCON HOLMES |