When this is over, we'll be together, Dimitri had promised -- another in a long line of promises he could not be certain of, and had no right to make. He swears oaths he has no power to ensure, because he has to demand that fate be kinder than it has been. It never is. He never learns.

And yet --

And yet, here they are. Together.

Dimitri kisses Darcy's temple, and then Dedue's; hugs both of them close, his brother-in-arms and his first love, and bites his tongue to hold off tears.

All too soon Darcy has to leave for her shift at the Oak and Iron. Dimitri squeezes her into a last hug with Dedue before he lets her go, and watches her path to the gate anxiously. Once the gate's closed with a final wave of farewell, Dimitri turns back to Dedue.

"They'll be back in the evening," he says, mostly for his own reassurance. "I believe I promised to show you around? There's something you must see."