Authors Note: Just a small note, not to spoil too much, but this is an AU piece. Not much has changed from awakening cannon, except Ricken is slightly older, "Marth" hasn't appeared, and Chrom…. Well you'll see what's up with him in future chapters.
She would never even look at someone like him, but he still couldn't help himself from looking at her.
She's the newest tactician in the army and Chrom already seems to trust her with his life. Everyone seems to adore her in fact, except of course Frederick, who is cold to anyone he doesn't know. She's smart, strong, kind, and to Ricken, she's the most beautiful girl he has ever seen.
They first met at the boarder pass of Ylisse and Plegia, Chrom introduced them. She said her name was Robin, and complimented him on his magic, his reflexes that helped him jump to the defense of Maribelle. Ricken often prided himself on his manners, but he stumbled on his words at their first meeting, barely able to say his name. He scolded himself for that later, for acting like such a child in front of her.
She didn't seem to mind though, because it was only three days later that she approached him again. She had a simple request, to train together. He had only seen her fight with a sword, so was surprised by what she asked, but agreed to help none the less. It was a good excuse to spend time together, and he could show her more of the magic she seemed to admire.
They practiced several times together. She always seemed so amazed by what he was able to do with his magic, and he found he was actually a good teacher. She was getting better through the lessons. It was of course a confidence boost, and it really showed around camp. Ricken was happier, more talkative. He didn't even need to be around Robin to have a smile on his face, it was everything that came with being around her that made him happy.
The initial attraction he felt to her developed into something more. Her laugh made his heart jump, her smile made his cheeks flush. She was the only woman that made him feel that way.
But it was one day when he was showing her how to use a particularly explosive tome that he heard her giggle.
"What's so funny?" He asked, taking his gaze off the burning dummy to look at her.
"Nothing," she said, "You just don't expect that much strength and power to come from someone so… Little I guess."
And that was it. Of course she would never see him truly as an equal. Just like all the other shepherds, she would see him as the little brother that follows them around everywhere. Not a real soldier, not a real man. He goes to put out the fire so she doesn't see the blush rising to his cheeks.
After that day he stopped training with her. He'd make up excuses, volunteer for scouting missions with Chrom, do anything he could to avoid her. Everyone in camp seemed to notice his drop in mood but he didn't care. He knew that the person he wanted was out of reach, she would never feel the same way for him that he felt for her.
Three days later she came to his tent just as he was about to enter. "Ricken?"
He turned to her, knowing there was no way he could get out of talking to her now. "Yes Robin?"
"Can we talk privately?"
He hesitated, but then nodded. "Yes, of course…" He said and then glanced at his tent. "Want to come in?"
She nodded and they walked in together. They both sat down, Ricken on the head of his bedroll and Robin at the foot of it. She bit her lip, her eyes on the ground for a few moments before she looked up at him, their eyes meeting. "Did I do something wrong?"
He had never seen the skilled tactician so quiet and timid. In truth, he didn't know how to answer her question. She hadn't done anything wrong really. The comment was just offhand, she didn't mean to offend him, and it wasn't her fault at all that he developed feelings for her. Hell, it wasn't even her fault that she saw him as a child. Everyone saw him as one, despite him coming of age several months before. Nothing she had done was wrong, but all of the unfortunate circumstances culminated into something that cut him deeply.
But he couldn't tell her that. If there was even a slight chance that that information could hurt her he didn't want to take it. "No, you didn't do anything wrong," he said, "It was just something stupid."
"Well if it made you mad at me I doubt it's stupid," she said, and then thought back to the last day they had trained together. "Is this because I called you little, Ricken?" She asked.
His cheeks flushed deep red and he turned away. "I'm just… Not a little boy Robin…"
"Ricken…" He looked back at her, having a soft sympathetic smile on her face. "I don't see you as a little boy. That's not what I meant at all," she admitted. "All I meant was most mages that I had seen with your power are so much physically bigger. Taller. They look like the type of people to hold such power. But you? I don't think you're a little boy Ricken. I think you're magnificent."
She leaned in and kissed his cheek softly. Her lips were warm against his skin and it only made him blush deeper. When he looked at her he saw her cheeks were pink as well. She stood and left the tent without a word, which was good for him. He had no words to give after that.
The next day he acted as if everything was normal and got back to training with her. They practiced tomes and he was glad to see her smile again, hear her laughter. He wasn't sure what to say about what happened in the tent, and she didn't seem to bring it up, so he kept away from the subject.
They trained like this for days, but with each passing day the thought of her lips on his cheek ate away at Ricken. It kept him up, distracted him from his chores, which Frederick was very harsh about. Worst of all was when he hesitated in battle, almost getting Chrom hurt. He knew he couldn't handle the distraction, he would have to tell her.
After training, when the area was nearly cleared, he blurted it out. "Robin, I really like you. I can't stop thinking about you…"
She laughed, which almost dashed his hopes, until he saw the same rosy blush she had the other night. "Took you long enough to say it."
"You knew?" He stammered and she giggled.
"Of course. You aren't all that subtle you know… I thought I wasn't either. But I guess you can't take a hint," she teased and stepped forward, he felt heat rise to his cheeks, causing another giggle from her. "You're cute when you blush."
"H-hey! I'm not cute!" He groaned and she laughed a little louder. No one else was around to hear though, or to watch them. She stepped forward again and took his hands in hers. He was still clearly very nervous. "I'm… Still younger than you, you know."
"I know," she said.
"And I'm shorter than you too."
"I know."
"I'm probably much weaker than you in battle…"
She didn't respond to that one.
"Does none of that bother you?" He asked quietly.
She shook her head. "No… Does it bother you?"
"It doesn't bother me," he admitted, feeling her hands warm in his. "It worries me though… I think you're perfect Robin, and I like you a lot. But I don't want anyone to view you any differently because you're with me…"
"Who cares how they view me?" She asked, squeezing his hands and giving a reassuring smile. It did nothing to calm him.
"I care. I couldn't stand anyone treating you differently because of me," he said and closed his eyes, sighing. "I know it's stupid."
The way he said it made her face soften. His strength is what attracted her to him as a training partner, but his kindness is what made her fall for him. "Hey, it's not stupid Ricken," she said. "If that worries you then… Let's not tell anyone we're together. At least for a little while."
"Are you sure you would be okay with that?" He asked. He never wanted to make her feel as if he was hiding her, which would be the last thing he would want to do. If he could he would proudly be her love. But their age difference was hard to ignore, people in the camp would talk, mostly about her. He wouldn't want that for her.
But she nodded, seeming understanding to how he felt. "Yes. As long as you feel comfortable, I don't mind what we have to do. I don't intend on letting a relationship just slip away."
She quickly checked around before giving him a kiss. It was quick, but very soft and passionate, lasting only a few moments. When she pulled away he swore he could still feel her lips against his, feel her breath and her heartbeat.
"I'll see you later, okay?" She asked and he nodded, awestruck by the kiss. She giggled one last time before walking away.
That was three days ago. He honestly never thought she would go for someone like him, but now he knows different.
Still, he can't stop himself from staring at her. But now when she catches him, she blushes, gives a shy smile, and then goes back to work.
Hope you like the story so far, if you do reviews are always nice.