Snapshot One: Acceptance

Game: Awakening
Direct sequel to: Outtake 18
Summary: Nykolai, awkward as ever, is trying to get Chrom to approve the spontaneous engagement between the tactician and the Exalt's daughter.
Notes: Lots of fluff and Nykolai awkwardness ahead. Also, notes on this drabble dump at the bottom.

Enjoy the fluff-fest!

"You what?"

Nykolai shrank slightly. "I want to marry your daughter." He cleared his throat. "Please," he added, as if that would help his case further.

Chrom stared at him, eyes narrowed and brow furrowed. Lucina, sitting in another camp chair, stared at her hands in her lap, twisting the engagement ring she received not two hours ago. She glanced at her fiancé in the silence, a faint smile crossing her lips before she returned her gaze to her lap. Across from her, her mother watched in amused silence, something Nykolai didn't think Sumia could do in such a situation.

"Tell me why you think you deserve her," Chrom said.

"Father!" Lucina protested.

"I mean that in the nicest way possible," the Exalt amended.

Both Lucina and Sumia simultaneously rolled their eyes.

Nykolai fidgeted. He wasn't sure if Chrom was angry or not, but he figured he would just have to give him the answers.

"She…already said yes," he said, then face-palmed at the same time Lucina did. There goes his mouth.

"Other than that."

"I love her." Nykolai took a deep breath. "I…I've loved her since the day we met, which was a bit awkward because she was disguised as a man at first…I thought I was going crazy. How could I love someone I've had one or two cryptic conversations with?" He gave a breathless chuckle. "I mean, I thought she hated me for the way I let my mouth run off without me. Gods, just thinking about it is so embarrassing." He paused, glancing at Chrom. The man looked pensive, and Nykolai continued.

"I thought about her constantly through the two years of peace. I prayed for her safety and well-being. I searched the crowds, hoping to see just a glimpse of her face…I was elated to find out that she was joining the Shepherds." Lucina was staring at him, her mouth slightly open in surprise. She hadn't know about his deeply-rooted passion and devotion for her.

"And then we got to know each other. She opened up to me, and I to her and…I realized my feelings were true. I loved her…I still love her. Through all we've been, through all we'll go through in the coming months and years, that will never change. I cannot imagine my life without her. I would die for her if so needed. She makes me a better man than I could ever hope for.

"I love her, Chrom." His voice wavered slightly with the emotions. "I love her so much that it aches when I'm not by her side. She's my world, my all…" He took another deep breath, shaking his head slightly. "And I know she loves me back."

Lucina stifled a joyful sob, standing and hugging her fiancé. "Gods, Nyk," she whispered as she felt him return the embrace. "I do love you back." She let him go and turned toward her father, who was still silent, yet very pensive. Behind him, Sumia was wiping tears from her eyes.

Lucina gave a watery smile. "Father, please. Whenever Nyk's by my side I forget the horrors of the dark future. I forget the death and the memories that plague me night and day. I'm happy. I'm happy for the first time in years since I was a small child. He brings me much needed peace. He's my whole world, too." She wiped away a few tears, smiling again when she felt Nykolai take her hand.

Chrom sat down in the chair next to Sumia with a sigh. His gaze switched from Nykolai to Lucina and back. Finally, he rubbed his face. "Very well. You have my consent, and my blessing."

"Oh, Father!" Lucina exclaimed.

"But! I want you two to remain respectful. Lucina, time traveler or not, you are still the Princess of Ylisse, and should therefore act as such." Lucina nodded, sobering slightly.

"Nykolai," Chrom continued, his tone darkening, "you are to respect her honor and dignity. If I catch so much as a peep of you two doing something you shouldn't be doing before you're married, so help me Naga I will throw you out of the Shepherds and possibly out of Ylisse. Once you're married, I can have no say, but until then…"

"I understand, Chrom," Nykolai said, swallowing against the lump of fear in his throat.

"Good. Now that that's cleared up, go on and celebrate. Keep my words in mind." Lucina and Nykolai nodded and headed for the exit of the tent. "And, Nykolai," Chrom called out at the last second. The grandmaster turned, curious. "I could not have let my daughter marry anyone but you. I trust you to make her happy."

Nykolai grinned. "You have my word." He left the tent. Chrom watched silently, a smile playing on his lips.

Sumia leaned towards him. "That was a bit harsh."

"Well, when Lucy comes of age, I'll be prepared."

Sumia huffed. "Still, you were going to accept the moment you heard of his request."

Chrom chuckled. "I was, wasn't I?" He turned his head so that he could kiss her. "You know me well, my dear."

Outside, Lucina was laughing breathlessly as they made their way to a more secluded part of camp where her tent was. "He said yes," she breathed. "Oh, gods, it's actually happening!"

Nykolai watched her, amused. "Of course it is. I would have convinced him eventually." They arrived at Lucina's tent, and sat down in the entrance. He pulled her into his lap, and the pair watched the stars above.

"Did you mean it all? That you thought about me for two years?"

"Yes. That one time I saw you just after your parents were married, I found myself incredibly happy to see you safe and sound. Gods, how beautiful you looked that day."

"Hmm. I recall I was covered head to toe in dust and muck."

"Were you? I don't remember."

Lucina laughed and turned her head to meet his gaze. She was so close he could see by the light of the moon and stars a thin sprinkling of freckles across the bridge of her nose, no doubt a trait she inherited from Sumia.

"Something interesting about my nose?" she asked teasingly.

"No. It's just adorable." He placed a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose and she giggled. She reached her arms up around his neck and pulled him down for a proper kiss, to which he replied with equal passion. They parted and returned to gazing at the stars.

"I love you," she whispered, cuddling into his embrace.

"I love you, too," he replied, and dropped a kiss on the top of her head.

Author's notes: I'm back with more random drabbles! Those of you who have followed me from Outtakes, HI! Those of you just deciding to reading this now before Outtakes, WELCOME! Couple things first. Instead of spoilers (the game's been out long enough I suppose) I'm going to refer back to different drabbles in Outtakes. I would recommend you read Outtakes first (despite it's size, it's really not all that bad). If you want to take the time to read whatever I refer to, that's fine, if not, that's fine as well. I'll try my best to restate anything important, as I always do.

Secondly, things are going to be a little different here, and you'll see what it is in the next Snapshot. Last, but not least, I will not be updating on a regular schedule. Work drains me to the point where I really don't write, and what I have written was done long before I finished Outtakes (this particular one was scheduled to be number 96, but it got changed, for obvious reasons).

I hope you enjoy this new journey!

Published 8/5/2014