Haste Ye Back (Scorbus)

Date Night

Talking to his dad lifted a huge weight off of Albus' shoulders, but three days had passed and he still hadn't mustered up the courage to tell Scorpius how he really felt. He was enjoying his holiday too much, he reasoned. He didn't want to ruin it. Not yet. He'd tell him tomorrow. Honestly.

Scorpius attempted to cheer up his gloomy best friend by taking him to all the best tourist attractions Edinburgh had to offer; orientating between exploring the many winding, cobbled side streets in the ancient city and dipping into various coffee shops, museums and galleries to warm up before venturing outside again. Albus was enjoying seeing the city and could see why Scorpius loved it so much - the locals were much friendlier than Londonders, and there was always something new to see and do.

Today Scorpius was particularly excited because they were visiting Edinburgh castle. As they wandered through the grounds Scorpius pointed things out, telling Albus all about the castle's central role in a long history of conflicts - the reign of the Stuarts, the Jacobite uprising, the Wars of Scottish Independence...

As they wandered along the perimeter of the fortress, Albus marveled at the view of the frozen city far below. The low sun reflected off of the frosty ground making it sparkle like diamonds. He expected it looked even more beautiful when it snowed.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" said Scorpius pointing out the cityscape. Albus glanced at his friend and felt the heat rise in his neck. He couldn't help but steal little glances at him every so often and each time he felt the same fluttering sensation spread across his chest. It was as thrilling as it was disconcerting.

"Yeah, it is," he agreed, lowering his gaze.

"Don't let its appearance deceive you, this castle has a pretty dark history," warned Scorpius, leaning over a medieval bombard. "They burned a Muggle to death here, once; James the fifth had this poor woman - Lady Jane Douglas - tried and convicted of witchcraft, then they burned her alive in front of her husband and son."

"That's barbaric," said Albus pulling a face in disgust.

"I know, right?" Scorpius shook his head in disbelief. "There are a lot of things I like about Muggles, but they have a curious fear and hatred for anything that they don't understand. I mean, it wasn't like she was even a real witch. Poor woman..."

"How do you know all of these stories?" asked Albus, joining Scorpius to lean over the old canon.

"Grandad," he said simply. "When he found out I was coming to Edinburgh to study, he made a point of telling me as many gruesome stories about Muggles torturing and killing magic folk as possible."

Albus snorted, "Of course he did."

"Yeah, he's awfully predictable that way," smirked Scorpius. "But trying to use fear to discourage me from leaving only made me more interested in coming here. This city has a lot of history, it's fascinating."

Albus smiled fondly at him, "I'm glad you're enjoying it so much."

"I'm enjoying it more now that you're here!" said Scorpius keenly. "It's all very interesting of course, but it's better to have someone to share the experiences with."

"Oh, definitely," agreed Albus, blowing on his cold hands and rubbing them together, trying to heat them up. "But next time invite me when it isn't so bloody cold, eh?"

Scorpius rolled his eyes, "You forgot your gloves, again?"

"I don't have any gloves," he admitted. Scorpius wrapped his hands around Albus' and he drew in a sharp breath.

"Fucking hell, Albus, you're freezing!" he said, rubbing Albus' hands and blowing his hot breath on them.

"I'm fine," he argued weakly, enjoying the heat from Scorpius' hands. He couldn't help but notice how silky smooth and warm Scorpius' hands felt against his own. The fluttering sensation inside of his chest grew, catching his breath. He watched intently as Scorpius' fingers gently grazed against his own, then stilled. Was this normally how friends held hands?