Skylar, Alucard, Trevor, and Sypha made their way through the castle, passing by the weaker vampires' remains. Some left bodies, some burned skeletons, and others left armour and ashes. Dracule and Elizabeth went to another room for Dracule to grieve the loss of her father. Even if it were to save all of humanity. But the castle was silent. When the group found their way to the entrance of the castle, Tara and her day creatures were outside, some cleaning up, others out to get food. Skylar would take glances at Alucard, seeing grief that Alucard couldn't completely hide away from her. He was grieving, not the father he had just lost. Alucard and Dracule's family suffered because humans killed their parents, igniting their rage against the beings they saved, who were victims of human ignorance. Dracule may not trust humans as easily as before now, but she had Elizabeth to help her heal, bit by bit. Alucard was angry, yes, but at those who orchestrated his mother's death, not at the human race, who were the collateral damage of a man who died the night his wife did. Dracule had someone to help her heal. Sypha and Trevor are most likely going to leave; Tara and her day creatures aren't close to Alucard. Acquaintances or not, Alucard had no bond with them, so they wouldn't do much for him. So who did he have to help him heal?
"Alucard," Skylar's question pulled him out of his thoughts. He shook his head and looked at Skylar. The sun behind her made her look ethereal. "It will be alright. It's over. You can heal at your own time."
Alucard felt a lump form in his throat. That's right. Skylar was there. She has no family. None that she knew or could locate in any way. This was told to Alucard by her. She left her clan. She has friends, but she would never burden them with her problems. Skylar has nowhere to go. Alucard had this feeling in his chest, one that tightened inside at the thought of Skylar possibly leaving him. But as Alucard looked into her eyes, he could see that she had no interest in leaving just yet. She was going to stay.
"..." Alucard took a deep breath and spoke with a trembling voice. "Thank you, Skylar."
He and Skylar made their way outside as sunlight came up over the horizon. The day creatures got to work cleaning up and fixing the Belmont home. Skylar and Alucard helped bury the bodies of the night creatures and vampires' remains. Tara buried the skeleton of the night creature Skylar drew the soul from while Skylar's group had been busy either burying the creatures of the night or preparing to leave. Alucard had no idea what Skylar could do. If Skylar could keep this secret forever, she would.
After cleaning up the bodies, Alucard walked around the castle with Skylar. The hall was silent as Alucard's and Skylar's footsteps echoed in the hall. Every so often in the silence, Alucard would look at Skylar and watch her. He wanted to make sure she was still there with him. He felt anxious when he couldn't see her in his line of sight. Once they were in the lab of the castle, Skylar looked over the books. Alucard was about to pick up some vials that were tilted on their side, but he stopped when he was faced with Skylar's back. His hands clenched into tight fists. Without thinking, he came up behind Skylar.
"Huh?" Before Skylar could fully turn around, Alucard pressed himself against her, sandwiching her between his body and the shelf. He pressed his face into her neck and hair. Skylar turned her head a little, confused. Blush dusted her cheeks. "Uh, Alucard?"
"..." Alucard pressed against her back. Skylar felt her face heat up all over, reaching her neck. Her breathing shuddered. "... Don't ever leave me, Skylar..."
Skylar couldn't speak. Alucard pressed against her, and they stood in silence like this. Skylar didn't know what to do. Until now, she had never experienced a situation like this. She tried to think of a reason Alucard was like this, but her mind remained blank. She was just standing there, Alucard against her back, and her face practically glowing bright red. Her heart was racing from the unfamiliar setting around her. She didn't know what was going on in Alucard's head. While Skylar was panicking, Alucard was pressing his body against her from behind against the bookshelf in front of her. He desired that she remain with him. Being alone was something he wanted to avoid. He knew that once Dracule was in an okay mindset, she would leave and enjoy her life with Elizabeth someday, and Trevor and Sypha would go out into the world and travel for some time. The thought of no one staying with him made his heart ache. Then, Dracule's voice echoed in the hall.
"Alucard?" Her voice grew louder as she got closer. "Are you here?"
Skylar and Alucard both let out a breath. Skylar let out a relieved breath, while Alucard let out an annoyed one. The moment Alucard moved away, Skylar jumped when she felt his hand on her waist. Dracule came in, but at the angle she stood, she couldn't see her brother's hand on Skylar's waist. Skylar's bangs hid her face from view, leaving Dracule unaware of how flustered Skylar was with Alucard just now.
"Alucard, the Belmont, and the Speaker woman are downstairs. You should see them off." Dracule said before leaving. Never once caught on that her brother had done something possibly inappropriate with the Mati she distrusts. The moment Dracule left the room, Skylar bolted out of there. Alucard reached out to her, then rushed after her. Skylar was trying to get ahead of him. Then she slipped on a step, nearly falling down the stairs. Alucard caught her before she could land. Holding her waist.