33.5; meddling with timelines; magic is duct tape;

[sandinmyboots]

Kefka arrives at Issei's temple in his usual way, tumbling through a magic door that takes him to whatever room Issei and Lancer are in. He dusts himself off, then salutes. He looks tired but ready for all of this.

"Let's get rid of that contract! Is everyone ready?"

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Comments

[unknownrival]

"Are you going to keep calling me that?"

[croibhristeoir]

"...you would rather I didn't? I'm your Servant, aren't I?"

[unknownrival]

"You're also someone I love. Which is more important?"

[croibhristeoir]

"..."

This is the face of someone trying to figure out how to answer that.

[unknownrival]

That... was really a question?

[croibhristeoir]

When you're Lancer? Of course it was.

"I...no, you're right. I'm sorry, Issei."

[unknownrival]

"That's more like it, a rún."

[croibhristeoir]

"...thank you. I can't possibly thank you enough for doing this for me."

[unknownrival]

"Keeping my beloved with me doesn't need thanks."

[croibhristeoir]

"Issei?"

He hesitated a moment or two, as if he wasn't sure he wanted to ask this particular question.

"...Could you give me your hand for just a moment?"

[unknownrival]

Issei wordlessly held out his hand to him.

[croibhristeoir]

Lancer lightly took it in both of his own, staring at the Command Spells on the back of Issei's hand with an expression that was difficult to read. He was contemplating things one way or another, but just what he was thinking was hard to guess.

Two from Sola and one from Kayneth. All present and accounted for, so he didn't need to concern himself with any more unpleasant surprises. More than that, he didn't have to worry about anyone else misusing them. If anyone tried to take Issei's right as his Master as they'd done to Sola, he'd kill them without a second thought.

It did hurt to think he couldn't trust the one that had summoned him to begin with. More so to realize he hated that person, when hatred was a concept he'd never had experience with before. But it was alright--no, it would be alright even if it wasn't now. As hurt and broken as he was now, Lancer felt no apprehension about letting the responsibility of control rest with Issei.

"...Thank you." With that, he placed a light kiss against the back of Issei's hand before letting go.

[unknownrival]

"Of course, my love."

Issei would never, ever hurt Diarmuid the way he'd been hurt before. Never in his life would he suffer that again.

[croibhristeoir]

"I'll make this worthwhile. No matter what it takes, I'll protect you and everyone you care for to the best of my ability. I won't...I won't disappoint you."

[unknownrival]

"I know you won't disappoint me." He didn't expect impossible things like Kayneth did. "Thank you."

[croibhristeoir]

"...please don't thank me for that, Issei. Not yet, at least--wait until I've at least done something worth gratitude."

[unknownrival]

"If you insist."

Wasn't his promise alone worth something?

[croibhristeoir]

Spoiler: nope.

"If it's not any trouble, could I ask one more thing of you?"

[unknownrival]

:(

"Go ahead."

[croibhristeoir]

Surprise hug, Issei.

[unknownrival]

Not too surprising. Or unpleasant.

[croibhristeoir]

"Thank you...really, thank you for everything. I'm sorry I never listened to you before now."

[unknownrival]

"It's all right. Please, don't worry about that now."

[croibhristeoir]

"...very well. I'll try not to."

[unknownrival]

No sad feelings. Just hugs.