The proper prologue doesn't have to make sense, but I promise you won't find logic here ever. Is that bad? :/

DISCLAIMER TIME – "Please have more faith in the actual people who make the games."

Adventures In Awkward Bonding Times

Prologue

( A Fire Emblem fanfiction typed entirely by The Chosen Storyteller )

Entry 13

So it's been a while since last entry. Nearly three months, in fact. I haven't much time to sit down and record our progress in the war, not when Chrom keeps finding new conflicts for us to have to resolve that somehow don't connect to the end of the world at all. Hmm.

Oh, I'm not complaining about it. Since I've no idea where I came from or even what led me to that field, if my life IS the Shepherds now then I'm fine with it. There's some weird people in this army, but strangely...It's not so difficult to befriend them once you've stumbled upon a moment they obviously didn't want anyone else to see them in. That sounds shady, doesn't it? It's not what you think; they have their clothes on.

I mean moments like when Chrom and Olivia believe the middle of camp is private enough to suck face in the moonlight. Everyone's gone to bed at that point, and Chrom can assign a different place for the nighttime watch but... Am I the only one seeing this? If so, I don't know what to make of it. They're both shy enough toward the opposite sex, and I don't want to make it worse by explaining I know a better way for them to kiss without Olivia having to strain her toes.

So let's just...cleanse our minds and this journal of that topic. (Burn this later.)

I'm just going to start over on the next page.

Morgan's eyes flew open as she scanned over that journal entry. When her father allowed her to look through his journal for information about his intense training methods with the magic and the blade, she hadn't expected to find a lot of personal ramblings as if he had one more dimension to his personality.

Did her father even realize he hadn't burned this particular page? Well, the fact this was entry thirteen would imply it had been so long since it was written. Either Robin forgot or...he wanted to keep it around to work up the nerve to tell Olivia to her apple red face that she needed to put on some heeled boots if she wanted some action under the moonlight?

With a quick flick her hand, Morgan hurriedly turned the page a couple of times and regretted nothing. She didn't want to think about that. Not when a certain son of Olivia's had caused her multiple trouble with his shyness before, too...

Entry 15

I can't believe I'm actually a father in the future! I mean, when I first noticed my feelings for Cherche I never thought the two of us were going to live long enough to even sleep in the same tent once. What kind of person is our future child?

Well-

The thing is-

I don't even-

Hmm, it's...not easy to describe our son. His name is Gerome, and although it was a huge surprise at first I knew from one look at the familiar wyvern who he was. I just hate that he's not so eager to accept us.

It's been one month since our trip to Wyvern Valley, and during that time I've done my best to try to get to know Gerome in our spare time. We're always on the road now, but I don't see why we shouldn't get to know each other before this war comes to a close.

Gerome won't talk to me or Cherche, nor any of the others who traveled with Lucina. One look from him feels like ice to the spine, and everything he says is in such a flat voice as if he's already decided life is hopeless.

I know my son is an adult at this point, I'd blindly guess he's nineteen. But I feel more like I'm dealing with not just an overgrown thirteen year old, but an overgrown thirteen year old desperately trying to prove that one's strength as a person is determined by caring about nothing and nobody. The dark tones of his clothing also indicates a fashionable "loner" phase, which I've heard is something that a lot of puberty-stricken kids do these days to feel safe in the dark.

Honestly, I can't take Gerome's attempts at shoving us away seriously for one second. It stings to think that my only child doesn't want anything to do with me, yes, but the way he keeps doing it is so over the top that I can't help but grin every time.

It wouldn't be so comical to me if it wasn't just so out of character. One minute he's brooding, and the next he's rubbing Minerva's head and whispering sweet words to her. When I catch him, he nearly jumps out of his skin and starts yelling at the top of his lungs. I don't even believe he knows what he's saying anymore.

There's something strangely satisfying about catching him off guard. I can't tell if it's just out of how easy it is, or if I feel like I'm actually having a father/son moment. I'm the first time father with no tact completely "oblivious" to my adult son nearly boiling himself alive in embarrassment over the simplest things.

Based on who my "father" is, I wonder if it's the evil in my blood that prevents me from letting Gerome know I don't actually want him to spontaneously explode in my presence.

Deep down, I do want him to open up to me though. I don't think I've ever known what it was like to have a father who genuinely loved me, so I'd like to let my own son have a better memory. Even if he's from the future and probably set in his ways, I'd do anything to guide him to the path of accepting me. I'd say the same about Cherche, but as I write this I actually overhear Cherche asking him if he wants to fly with her. I'm going to assume they're really going to fly together; it's better than Gerome closing his heart.

Maybe Gerome was closer to Cherche in the future? I don't know who my mother was, so I can't understand what that would feel like. But I imagine it must be nice, and Cherche glows when she manages to provoke a hostile "what do you want" out of him at the very least.

If I ever make more progress in bonding with him, I'll be quick to record it. After all, I intend for the world to stay around longer for some pickpocket to take this journal out of my bag in the first place.

Morgan couldn't begin to understand all of the feelings she picked up from reading that one entry. For one moment she actually forgot she was supposed to be reading the entries about his training methods; all of the hope he had for Gerome managed to get to her heart at the very least.

Before Morgan could even think to place the journal down to go outside for some fresh air, a pair of arms loosely circled her neck and soon the warmth of someone's breath tickled her cheek and ear.

"What are you doing cooped up in your tent all by yourself?" Never mind that there could be a ton of sensual answers, although that was probably what he was looking for judging by tone.

Morgan couldn't help but smile, nearly dropping the journal as she began to move. She had been sitting on her knees on her cot, so Inigo unfortunately had to let go so she could turn herself around and face him. But...you know, when all of that tense adjusting was over then a spark returned between them.

Nothing had to be said. No one had to connect their faces with their arms. Inigo simply pressed his lips to hers, doing his best give the impression of a small hello kiss. After all, the sun hadn't left yet. For one moment, the only thing that mattered was Inigo and Morgan.

And then Morgan suddenly drew her lips back, nervous chuckles rising in her throat. "Do you mind if I finish what I've started, first? I won't be long; I just want to be sure."

"Oh, well...alright." Inigo felt the smile on his way instantly die, but he claimed a seat at her side anyhow. "Don't mind me; I'm disgustingly unimportant."

"Thanks! You're a treasure!" Morgan eagerly ignored Inigo, and picked up the journal once more.

Entry 20

I don't know what I'm going to do with Morgan anymore; no one except Gerome knows what to make of her anyway. It was stunning to realize I actually have two kids, but at the same time I guess having a big family isn't so bad as I've heard. Plus, Morgan means well even if she has a blunt method of showing it.

The only problem is that Morgan wearing her heart on her sleeve means she's prone to doing things like upsetting some of her fellow companions from the future. They mostly stay out of her way, but she runs up to them all the time insisting that she can help them with their problems. Noire seems to tolerate her, and I may even go far as to say Noire and Morgan can actually be considered friends in a weird point of view.

Recently, Morgan has been claiming that she can "hook up" some of the couples around here like I did. Well...I don't remember being a matchmaker at any point; I mean, I once told Chrom that he shouldn't talk about how many risen he's killed when he's having a flirty moment with Olivia but...you know. That was just for, um, the army's benefit. What, you don't believe me? Well, have you seen the way these two destroy anything that dares to lift a hand? It's amazing! It's as if the power of love is summoned through their weapons, and when you dare put a sword to Chrom's throat then you'd better make peace before timid and shy Olivia bolts over and beheads you in a rain of blood instead.

In that sense, I can agree with Morgan. But I still had to scold her when I saw how she actually cornered Owain and left him struggling to find a reaction hot blooded enough to respond to her shouting about how Noire obviously loved him, and if he was a (censored for your sanity) of a man then he'd (hello censorship, my dear friend) like consequences don't exist.

Ugh, I don't want to think about what I heard anymore... I'm going to bed, and then I'll burn this for real next time.

With trembling hands, Morgan slammed the journal shut fast as possible. "I don't believe this!"

Inigo's head once propped on his palm fell to the cot, and he blinked rapidly and looked around. "How much clothing is left? We started with-"

"Look at this!"

The journal connected with Inigo's face, though Morgan did squeak out an apology when he rolled off the cot from the exhausted haze. She really hadn't meant for that, so she did drop to her knees and rub the future bruise on his temple.

Several minutes of suffering and lame methods of healing later, and Morgan properly directed Inigo past the explanations of why some spells were just natural winners to the entry she had been reading. Even after Inigo read the whole entry twice, he still had no idea what to make of it...especially not what his girlfriend had been getting into recently. He wanted the uncensored version.

"Father said he was going to write down more about his attempts to make Gerome open up, but he hasn't mentioned him since. Why would he talk about me when Gerome is the one he needs to worry about?"

Oh, that's what she was referring to. Inigo felt somewhat disappointed, but...it wasn't as though he couldn't fully comprehend where she was going with it. Although one should never place the name Gerome alongside "open up".

Morgan dropped her gaze to the 'floor', nervously twiddling her fingers. "Large amounts of time seem to have passed between entries, so what does that mean? It's possible that Father gave up on Gerome; it's not as though you ever see them talking or looking like father and son."

"We don't know for sure. It's also possible they have gotten closer, but Robin respects his allergy to human contact."

"No one in the family is allergic to human contact. It's all Gerome, so...don't you think this is a problem?"

Inigo still rubbed at the sore spot on his head, trying to look away. He couldn't look at Morgan, though he wanted to. But he knew that if he looked, he'd seal his fate by getting himself involved in a subject that didn't really need his help. A smart person would bolt from the tent, give her some space to think about what she'd seen and come to terms on her own.

Of course, then Inigo looked. He turned to see Morgan looking so troubled, worried. She was concerned about what would happen to her family, and if something did and she had to survive then she would nearly be driven to tears. And he really didn't want to see her cry. No, she looked her best when she was grinning from ear to ear, all teeth on display. She needed to be happy- Inigo shuddered and looked away again.

"Do you want to know the way I see the situation?"

Morgan's arms fell flat, and she curiously looked up at Inigo. It was kind of strange to see him force his head to look toward the left, shuddering and looking prepared to spontaneously explode.

"Gerome never had skill in handling his emotions. His method of coping is pretending he feels nothing, but for everyone in our group he might actually have more emotions than all of us. I can't be sure, but it's always a valid option." Inigo hesitated on a few words, occasionally choking on air alone. Sometimes it even looked like smoke was rising from his ears, like his brain was being all 'nope'. "Realistically, there's still a chance your parents can both get through to him. I've seen Robin and Cherche around camp, and they both act like they're always hiding world-shattering secrets from people. They're competent when it comes to life."

"But despite all of that, it's still possible for them to never grow close."

"No, you deserve to be close as much as the others." Inigo's headache had not gotten any better, but he leaned over to Morgan and brushed his hand through her hair on the sides of her face softly. Hopefully getting through. "Besides, the Morgan I know isn't going to rest until she distorts the world itself if it means bringing her family together."

"What is that even supposed to mean?" Morgan's eyes flew open, wide and concerned with good reason.

"I...will never understand." Inigo moved his hand low to her shoulder and clasped it anyhow. "You can always interpret it as: 'Morgan is such a believer in family relationships that she would flip the world upside down, ground and sky reversed if it would make people see another point of view'. Please stop me."

"That still doesn't make any sense, but at least you try." Morgan's voice still didn't have her usual confidence in it, but her expression became much softer. One of her hands reached to Inigo's and brushed it with all the awkward affection she usually had. "You're making me open my eyes about this whole problem, too. Thanks to you, I know what must be done."

"I'll always be here to heeellll..." Inigo swore his life flashed before his eyes as he spoke, his voice rapidly turning unnecessarily hoarse. "What does that mean?"

"You just inspired me, silly!" Morgan failed to take notice of Inigo's tragic look, moving in close and planting a grateful kiss to his forehead.

"I really don't think-"

"All this time, I thought I should be trying to live up to Father's role in this army. Not only is he a beast when it comes to a fight, but he's also got some skills in convincing people to get married. I thought I should focus my attention on that, becoming a master tactician and matchmaker to save us all."

"Uh, I think dinner should be ready by now-"

"Father is so amazing that I'll have to put that goal on hiatus. The most important goal right now is to bring my family closer together! When it's all over, I can say that the only guy who's ever been able to compete with Father in super-amazing-badass levels inspired me!"

Inigo dropped his arms to the ground, finding himself slumping and just staring at the inspired form of Morgan. She was glowing and smiling, so confident that what she was saying made any sense. It was like dealing with a crazy person yet the more he looked, the less he could deny what her happy mood did to both his mind and the atmosphere around them. Morgan was supposed to be a never-ending blast of sunshine – kind of annoying when you have a hangover, but when all's said and done that's the first thing people mention when describing positive things. The world needs sunshine. Even if Morgan made everyone's brains burst, she was still trying to do the right-

"What do you say, Inigo?"

Inigo kept gnawing on the hand he'd been shoving over his mouth, desperate not to say a word. Clearly, he'd done more damage than he could have dreamed when he first walked in. All he wanted was a romantic moment with her. Not a lot of family drama. He couldn't respond, no, he wouldn't allow-

Morgan moved to the side he turned his head, causing Inigo to realize how far away she'd managed to move while he was lost in the worst places of his mind Morgan outstretched her hand, wearing such a bright smile that it was indeed blinding to look at. But Inigo was foolish, many people would say that. Maybe he was burning his eyes, but he'd tend to that later. For now, he wanted to keep a grasp on the sight of that smile. Morgan didn't even look hopeful, just knowing. She knew he wouldn't resist, but he knew the same.

"This must be the 'dangerous fate' your brother warned me about." Inigo sighed deeply, feeling like a total idiot as he reached out as well and took her hand. It was the least platonic handshake in the world with Morgan shamelessly feeling his wrist up, but it was a start.

What this was all starting, Inigo had no idea but he was afraid he would have more of a role to play than he was certain he wanted. He didn't want to help her force her family to get along – no one can expect good results from that. Families naturally have to work through their struggles, deciding along the way if blood really matters to them. However, he did want Morgan to be happy just like the other parents and children. Just like his family, which Morgan and Robin seemed to both obsess over for some reason.

"Trust me, Inigo." Morgan totally didn't read his mind, she was just lucky. Confidence seemed to take a visible, sparkly form as it bounced up and down in her eyes. "As soon as Gerome notices how far we're going, he'll be so baffled that he'll learn to open his heart in no time. When that happens, Father and Mother can join in and strike the weakest spot."

And so it continues on...

Wherever it's going, Morgan could destroy the world as we know it...

This story wasn't meant to actually have a lot at first. I didn't even intend to publish it because when I wrote the first version it was just me using Fire Emblem characters as a sort of placeholder for a scene to another story I was writing at the time. Don't ask for a logical description of that, because it's difficult for me to explain. –.–; I do weird things, and sometimes those weird things birth a story.

Since Awakening's release, there must be a million stories about the parents and children trying to bond. I'm not even exaggerating. I'm well aware this is not an original plot by any means, and if you've read 1 story where they try bonding then you've probably seen mine. I'm not going to lie and say that I'll be able to write something so fresh that people will copy it for generations, no.

For some reason, I just really like writing Awakening's characters. A lot of them are so socially awkward and really lacking in self esteem, but I can totally feel their pain when they're forced into ridiculous situations or suddenly have an emotional outburst. I'm trying to write them a little less exaggerated here, but I feel like at some point everything's going off the rails because I can't help myself when it comes to Morgan and Inigo having some moments here and there.

Thank you for suffering through this overly-long prologue. I want to say that you'll be rewarded with a much better story, but honestly I'm not confident at all. Still, there's always a chance that I can surprise myself and just have fun with it anyhow. Really, that's what writing's all about: have some flippin' fun for once in your miserable life.

The Chosen Storyteller is signing out now~ Remember to never encourage crazy people, and have a mostly decent life~