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?"

[links with context will go here]

Comments

[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.