He sank down even further from his knees to his hip as Dorcas lifted her head. It broke his heart to see her that way. Every tear that fell from her eyes felt like it was cutting into him bone deep. His breath left him momentarily on a rush when she flung herself into his arms, but he held her close, wrapping his arms around her tightly. He might have worried that he was clinging on too hard if it hadn't been for the fact that she was hanging onto him just as desperately. He smoothed down her hair, holding her close and shushing her softly, "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, Doe. I swear. I'm right here." His voice was a little rough as he made his promise, silently sending a thought out to the village and whatever magic was out there that if it made him break that promise he would come back with bitter vengeance.
He'd been holding himself together pretty well up until that point. His eyes stung a little, but he knew that the calmer he stayed the better it would probably be for her. He could be strong and steady. He'd been through this already, though not with her. Instead, he'd been mourning both Marlene and Dorcas together. This was the first time she'd ever lost Marlene. He knew a lot of people were soothing one another by saying that it was the village and people could come back. They hadn't really died or anything. They'd just gone home. But even though the village could pull Marlene back, she had gone home to die. She'd lived longer in the village, been older there than she ever got a chance to be back home. The thought made him re-tighten his hold onto Dorcas, "I know. She's gone...and it's utter shite, Dorcas. It's so fucking unfair, but you know...she had a good go of it here while it lasted. And Godric, she'd want you to make it the best damn time of your life too. You know she would. She'd be properly pissed that we're not smoking a joint and drinking in her name right now." He said the words in an attempt to ease the heavy feeling that had settled in his heart, but it didn't help as much as he hoped it would.