[RL - all hail the conquering hero.]

[unknownrival]

Issei had been kidding about the reward for Diarmuid being victorious.

Mostly.

Probably.

Anyway. He was just looking forward to seeing him right now. While he waited for Diarmuid's worldhop to arrive, he sat on the top step of the stairs to the temple, enjoying the warm afternoon.

Comments

[unknownrival]

"I-I think so too." Issei rested his head against Lancer's chest.

[croibhristeoir]

"That's good to hear." he answered with a smile, running a light hand through Issei's hair.

[unknownrival]

A small sigh. "Can we stay like this for a while?"

[croibhristeoir]

"If that is what you want, I would be more than happy to. I would like to stay here for a short time before returning anyway, if you wouldn't mind."

[unknownrival]

"I would be more than happy. Stay as long as you wish."

[croibhristeoir]

"I will need to go back to Sola-sama and Kayneth-dono soon. But I assure you, it won't be for long. I just...wish to take the time to be certain this is the right choice."

[unknownrival]

"As long as you wish, Diarmuid." He lightly kissed his lover on the cheek.

[croibhristeoir]

He smiled at that, looking faintly embarrassed.

"...I love you."

[unknownrival]

"I love you too." More than he could ever say.

[croibhristeoir]

"I wish that I could properly articulate how significant that is to me."

[unknownrival]

"You'll have to settle for knowing I feel the same."

[croibhristeoir]

"I will readily accept that, my love."

[unknownrival]

Smile. "Glad to hear it."

[croibhristeoir]

"...Issei?"

[unknownrival]

"Yes?"

[croibhristeoir]

"I...am making the right choice, aren't I?"

[unknownrival]

"You know what I think already. But I hope you can believe it."

[croibhristeoir]

"I'm still not sure. I feel...lighter, considering leaving them behind. But at the same time I can not definitively say which is right."

He hugged Issei a little tighter, trying and failing not to look worried.

[unknownrival]

"I don't think that choices always come in clear right and wrong..."

Issei returned the hug, resting his face against Lancer's shoulder.

[croibhristeoir]

"I've never had a problem discerning one from the other before." he said mostly to himself, running a hand absentmindedly through Issei's hair.

[unknownrival]

"It's never too late to start," Issei answered with a sigh.

[croibhristeoir]

"...you're right. I'm just not sure...it seems selfish, running away the moment a better opportunity presents itself."

[unknownrival]

"I would hardly count this as the moment. You thought about this long and hard."

[croibhristeoir]

"I know, but...if I hadn't found this community, I wouldn't have wanted to leave at all. Now that I have somewhere else to go..."

He trailed off, sighing.

"Forgive me. This isn't really the time, is it?"

[unknownrival]

"Not exactly, no."

Just enjoy the afterglow, moron.