#debukefarmhold

"Shhh. Aye. Do you need to get to a proper bed?"

"I could ask the same of you" He says "I tried to give you space, but I couldn't sleep .. worried you'd go without...sorry, not fair to you. This was a compromise." Sheepish

"Aye." A kiss on the base of his horn. "Bed?"

"If you go with me? I don't want you too cold"

"I can, yes."

"Good" He rises stiffly then kisses her lightly

She twines her fingers in with his as she nestles against his side. "Funeral tomorrow, nu?"

"Yeah" He sighs "That's going to be rough and weird. Sometimes it turns into a wake of sorts. And we're not even Irish...well, some Irish in us but hey. If it gets too loud after the somber part we'll back away. "His hand gives her a squeeze "I know you don't like the noise. On the other hand, drunk trolls can amuse"

"Aye. It... aye."

"We shall say goodbye with all the pomp and ceremony she deserves."

"Yes. " A sigh "Good folk. " He looks out , "I don't think I'll ever really consider this home, but I guess a part of me will always be a DeBuke, and that's not a bad thing even if they don't always understand me"

"Aye. Recall, I have a family of nockers and pooka..."

"Oh.. my sympathies" straight faced

A hip-bump.

"We are misfits. Not so bad a thing to be."

A squeeze "not bad at all" and off they go. He does not bring up the subject of Miriam or Jacob unless she does. He does bask in her company in that quiet way. And he will lay her down on the bed and curl about her if she allows, truly the 'big' spoon.

(End scene)