#scarsdale

"It's a good life goal" Earl says "I'll see what I can do to at least get a spot on every continent to be familiar with so we can at least start there. Europe? Easier now... but for Asia? Istanbul on one side, Kyoto on the other? "

"So many places to see... Istanbul first, methinks."

"Israel, too..."

"Oh, wow, the wailing wall must be..powerful" He ponders

Zara nods.

Earl nods "I'll see what I can do to get ..familiar there so I can bring us both sometime. " He assures her, "I wonder what the kithain scene is like there. "

"Well, I will be doing Birthright soon enough..."

"I figured sometime during college?"

"Surely" he says "Not that Vassar won't wow you with its own stuff. And Bronte could get lost if we don't watch her."

"Piff. When in doubt, go to that library."

"Ah, okay, but she might thrown a draconic tantrum if we pull her out and she can't take all the books with her"

a smirk "not sure where she picked that up from mind"

"And if thou losesth me... well, I have offered before..."

"Hey now!" A grin and a poke.

"I know" he starts to lean down for a gentle kiss, gets poked and has to remember to keep his laugh not too loud, what was meant as a gentle kiss turns a bit more exuberant after, then when they part "Yes yes, I have fun at your expense, but you know the only time I've thought you'd grow roots right then and there was in great libraries or book stores. Fortunately I like reading too."

"Well - when better? The house is warded, we both wear runes..."

She twines her hands with his. "An Oath... an Oath is tangled, but to show you my closest secret? Surely, that....surely..."

Trapped happily in her hands , he tilts his head, curious, "Closest secret?"

"Aye. It seems not fair for Emmit to know, but not thee - thee, who I love, thee who loved me so much to swear in secrecy, thee who Hunted and found, thee who makes moonlight and stardust glow upon canvas, thee who delights every part of me..."

"If this is about your truename, love, please, it's okay. "

He assures her, "You told me that if you swore to anyone, it would be to me. Don't you see how ..amazing that is to me? "

"I... I..." She falters, distressed. "You love me so much."

"Yes, I do, but that creates in you no obligation, none. My loving you is to my benefit too. It is you, Zara Schwartz, who have made me reach further, try harder, be better. It is my love for you that has lifted me up to new heights in who I can be. By trying to be the man worthy of you, I am a better Earl DeBuke. Loving you is no sacrifice. It's a source of... it's a fountain of goodness I'd never drank from if I hadn't met you."

"But I... I want to show you..."

A stroke of her hair "My love, you have shown me. Perhaps you forget, but I did not. The first night we trysted, where you gave yourself to me, opening like a flower? I took you and was in turn taken, I burned for you, and you quenched me... and it was not for desire alone though desire you I did and do. I won your trust, you turned your fears into shuddering companions to the moment rather than barriers to my touch. We were new to the dance, so afraid to misstep, but oh dance we did in the oldest ways of river and stone...one washing over the other, the other breaking the other in twain only to reform again. Not opposing, but gloriously harmonious. And each time since, each dance? You welcome me, and only me, and I you and only you. Do you think I discount? Oh no, each time we couple, I am in wonder at what you are showing me, what you are feeling with me. Your heart beat beats like a bird against thin reeds, and your eyes grow so large it is amazing I do not fall into those pools. You show me, Zara, and message most joyously received"

She leans against his side, eyes half-closed.

"Aye, you say... but... " a soft sigh. "It is a gift I wish to give."

"And you want it not. I would not have you take it from obligation, simply because I wish to give it."

"I suppose it is that I fear it should be tricked or torn from me, somehow. Do I want it? yes, but..after this. yes? WHen he is dealt with."

"He is why... oh, i wanted it before... but... if he bewitches me, steals me, does aught..."

"If thou knowest me, the core of me, you could find me always."

"Then.. if you wish, whisper it in my ear while we are both shielded, and I shall seal it away hoping it will never be needed"

She reaches to draw him close, cool lips brushing against his ear as she whispers a soft word.

And... oh, it is the right word... one of stardust and evening, of dark water and the first light in the sky...

"oh" his eyes widen as he hears it, his look not of surprise so much of surprise that he was surprised. Of course, that's her. no other word in the universe fits so well.

She kisses his neck and closes her eyes.

He kisses her back, moved by this, hands guiding her to the bed. He must fight the urge to whisper her true name back into her ear, but he knows her more than ever, and he likes what he has learned and would show... would know, would grow in this moment with her.

She tumbles into the bed with him... well, social studies is certainly forgotten.

And happily so

(End Scene)