Ira wasn't particularly sure why he ended up wondering to the bank of Duck Lake considering his horrendous dislike of the feathered avians that dwell there, as the namesake suggested. He had no real purpose there other than he had wanted to get out of Swiftcurrent Creek for a bit. There was unrest within the pallid Princeling, but he wasn't sure what to do with it. He belonged with Bones, or rather she belonged with him, this he felt to the very marrow of his bones (ha) but he couldn't say that he felt he belonged with Swiftcurrent Creek. Whatever chances he had at Blacktail Deer Plateau with Bones had been utterly destroyed, partially at his own doing, admittedly. There was a part of Ira that did regret that, that had been looking forward to meeting Atticus, that had hoped to make something of a decent impression on her father. Of course, Ira hadn't forgotten Bones' insistence that they were just friends, that after the abuse she had suffered she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to have a relationship like that. Ira understood the best that he could, glad that at least he had her. She was all that he felt he had left and he wouldn't lose her again. He would fight his curse for a thousand years, for the rest of eternity if that was what it took to make sure that it didn't take her away from him again. He had already lost Jinx. He wasn't sure that his heart could take the loss of Bones a second time.

Silver eyes stared, unseeingly out at the water, absently watching it's rippling surface, floating with downy feathers from the birds that occupied it, cringing slightly to himself when one of them would let out a loud call to it's partner. About the only thing he truly liked about ducks was that they mated for life, and if their partner died they did not find another mate. It was kind of ...sweet. It wasn't enough to convince Ira to change his general opinion on them but it counted for something even if it was a tiny change in his opinion towards the better. Ira was drawn out of his thoughts in surprise when he felt someone slid against him, suspecting it was Bones in the next second as he felt her friendly nuzzle. “Oh?” Ira inquired giving her his undivided attention when she spoke of their future. “And what about our future?” Ira couldn't deny that he liked the way that it sounded, having, admittedly, been a little bit afraid that she would decide that he wasn't worth the trouble of keeping around — because Ira knew that Bones could do so much better than him. No matter how he felt about her, he knew that. His insolent tendencies had been encouraged in his early youth and it was too little, far too late to try to change.

Ira's head canted curiously in his companion's direction when she spoke about how they had spoken about courting when they were 'younger'. Bones' smile was fond, Ira saw, but his confusion was evident on his face, unsure where this was coming from. “Yes, The pallid Princeling responded in a soft murmur. Ira remembered all of their secretive meetings, as Bones had once compared it like Romeo and Juliet and probably just as, if not more, brutal. Ira gave Bones his undivided attention when she spoke about how her mother and cohorts had left her feeling like there was no hope for anything like that. Ivory ears cupped forth when she was quick to admit that she spoke too soon. Her eyes met his and a soft breath escaped the insolent creature's lips, his heart beat increasing as she began to speak once more, increasing until he took a ragged breath in attempts to calm it when she bumped her muzzle against his and continued speaking not waiting for his response. He would have torn down the armies of heaven and hell to find her, to keep her safe. Unfortunately, while romantic it was just what it was: a sentiment. He couldn't even manage to rescue her from her own mother without nearly losing his life in the process. Perhaps it was because he had been trained as an assassin, to kill with poisons and from afar rather than close combat.

Hearing Bones say that she loved him too, it filled him with rapturous joy but also a small hint of terror. Anyone that had ever loved him had been hurt, or killed, and Bones had already been one of those; but Jinx had once told him that he wasn't cursed that her losing her litter hadn't been his fault. He had mentally corrected her that it hadn't directly been his fault but without anything else to ever go off of he was left to believe in. Bad things happened to wolves who grew to care for him, and he for them. But he wasn't going to let it cost him his happiness anymore, and Bones held the key to that and his heart as wretched as it was. “Of course I like that idea,” He spoke softly, afraid if he used too much volume the moment might be ruined. “There is no one else I want to spend my life with.” It was a surprisingly easy thing for him to admit. “And I told you intimacy doesn't matter to me. We'll try when you're comfortable, and even if you're never comfortable that's ok too. That is not what's important about a relationship.”

Ira drew in a soft gasp when he felt Bones headbutt him gently against the neck and snuggle into him. There was a part of Ira that thought that he was dreaming this entire thing, having finally resolved to the fact that Bones and him would be just friends despite that he could never consider her in any sort of platonic way. It wasn't that he wasn't happy about this because he was, he was overjoyed and terrified all in one neat little package of emotions. Their conversation switched to less happy things and Ira's face was stoic as Bones began to speak. Ira hadn't been paying much attention to the goings on in the Creek. He knew of them of course but he couldn't put the effort towards actually caring because he hadn't been sure how he felt about Bazi in the first place, and as Bones had pointed out he didn't know the new leader, either. As in everything, though, Ira was sure he wouldn't get along with Scimitar either (but that was a given because Ira rarely got along well with anyone).

Ira was silent, not really having much to offer since Bones' thoughts more or less reflected many of his own, though he looked at her, his brow furrowing when she spoke that he was the 'captain' she wanted. It was true that it was what the Princeling had always strove for, what he had been groomed to be. There wasn't doubt, not really, but he felt a small measure of concern because while she was a year old he hadn't even reached that mark yet. Many wolves would still see them as children. “Do you think we could inspire wolves to follow us? Despite our incredibly young ages?” It probably wouldn't be easy, of that Ira had no illusions, but he had learned quickly that life wasn't easy and he was willing to step up to challenge with her. “I was groomed for it, for leadership. I imagine theory and real life are different but we can do it,” Ira drew and then smirked coyly at her. “Are you asking me to run away with you?” He teased her though she had her answer.

“We can do whatever you want,” Ira conceded to her, knowing that it would be a while before they had to consider the possibility of being parents. The idea kind of terrified the young Nox male but then again he hadn't even reached his first year mark yet, and while Bones was a couple months older than him they both had a whole year to consider it with any sort of seriousness. It wasn't like it was something pressing that they needed to discuss with one another right at that very second, Ira knew. They had all the time in the world to contemplate having a family. “You don't have to ask me twice,” There was nothing in these Wilds for him anymore. Jinx and Lecter were both dead and the Spine carried nothing of them anymore, except perhaps their memories which even then Ira had his own. He didn't need anyone else's memories of Jinx to sate him. “If we can and do have children someday down the road can we name one in Jinx's memory? Voodoo or Hex or something?” Jinx might have died hating him, believing that he betrayed her but he hadn't and he still loved her, no matter what. If it was something that Bones was okay with, he wanted to do it for his mother's memory. He cast a smirking glimpse back to Swiftcurrent Creek then, staring for a moment before he looked back to her. “Let's go.” He encouraged wickedly, grinning devilishly at his betrothed and future Queen.