Chapter 2: Robin's Return
"Holy freaking crap." Robin shook his head. "That's the craziest story I've ever heard. …I think. I wouldn't know."
Chrom nodded. "It's quite the tale. And you spearheaded it."
Robin laughed humorlessly. "And I don't remember a second of it."
"That doesn't matter," Chrom said. "Your memories may return someday, or they may not. What matters is that you're alive. You're with us now." He grinned. "Would you believe me if I told you that almost every Shepherd who served in the war has come to Ylisstol just to see you, now that you're back?"
Robin shook his head. "But I don't know any of them. Not their names, not what they've done."
Chrom sighed. "Ever the pessimist. That much hasn't changed."
"So, I sacrificed myself to destroy this… Grima?" Robin asked, gesturing with his hand. "That's… terrible."
Chrom frowned.
"Terrible that a life had to be given for such a thing," Robin continued. "That I… died."
"But you were right," Chrom chuckled. "You were right all along. You made the choice that needed to be made." He shook his head. "It was Emmeryn all over again: making the right decision that I couldn't."
"That wasn't me."
"Hm?"
Robin looked him in the eye seriously. "That wasn't me that made that choice."
"Wha—Robin, come on."
Robin shook his head. "I believe your story. I believe that my past self did make that sacrifice. But it wasn't me." He squeezed his eyes shut. "I'm not him anymore."
"Robin…" Chrom said.
"No, Chrom. I'm not him. I'm a whole new Robin." He forced a smile. "So. I think introductions are in order."
"What?"
Robin extended his hand weakly. "My name is Robin. I'm new. Pleased to meet you, Sir Chrom."
"Robin, this is ridiculous."
Robin's arm wavered. "Chrom, please humor me." He raised his arm again.
"No!" Chrom stood. "I refuse. You are still the same Robin, even if you don't remember. And you will remember, Robin."
Robin's arm dropped.
"I promise."
Robin looked away. "Please go."
Chrom sighed impatiently. "Fine. Rest up, Robin; you need it." And he stormed out.
Stahl glanced aside. "Hey, guys!" He pointed, and his group followed his gaze. "Is that Robin?"
"Holy cow, it is!" Lissa exclaimed. "He's out walking already?"
"It has been a full day," said Miriel. "It is a reasonable hypothesis to surmise that he has recuperated somewhat."
"Hey! Hey, Robin!" Stahl called cheerfully, waving to catch his attention. "Over here!"
Robin smiled wanly as he approached. "Hello."
"So I've heard your memory isn't up to par," said Stahl. He put a hand on his chest. "I'm Stahl. We weren't all that close, but you helped me out a bunch of times. I kinda owe you everything." He pointed to the others around him. "And these three are Miriel, Lissa, and Ricken. All of us served under you in the war."
Robin shook hands with everyone. "I'm sorry I don't remember you guys."
"Don't worry about it!" said Ricken cheerfully. "I don't know if you've gotten tired of hearing this yet, but really, we're all just glad you're back!"
Robin sighed. "Yeah." He looked at each of them. "I guess it's nice to meet you all." He grinned sheepishly. "Honestly, you two ladies are so beautiful. I can't believe that I'd forget you."
Lissa blushed. "R-Robin!"
Miriel adjusted her glasses. "How forward of you." Her eyes narrowed. "Especially considering that you are married. As are we."
Robin sighed, turning away. "Yeah, I know. I didn't… mean anything by it."
Stahl cleared his throat awkwardly. "…Well, if you ever want to grab a bite to eat, I'd be happy to buy you something."
"Sure," Robin said. "See you guys later."
The group watched Robin limp away.
Ricken smirked. "Lissa, you are blushing so hard right now."
"I-I am not!" Lissa exclaimed indignantly. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go tell Vaike I love him." She stormed off.
Ricken snickered.
Robin threw his hood on and snuck into the cafeteria, stealthily snagging a meal and stealing away to a table in a dark corner. He quietly munched on a piece of bread, reflecting.
"You know that everyone's familiar with that robe, right? You aren't hiding from anyone by putting the hood up."
Robin jumped, facing the newcomer. He swallowed his bread. "H-Hey, uh…?"
"Hmhm! So rude, not to remember your favorite shopkeep." She winked, waggling her finger. "I'm Anna, silly!"
Robin sighed, irritated. "Look, I don't remember you, or anyone. I'd really just like to have a moment of peace."
"Ha! That's not something the Robin I know would say." Anna sat across from him, still grinning. "So why're you eating dinner all alone, anyways? You were never much of the loner-type."
"A lot's changed," Robin muttered.
"Oh, chill out! You're pretty well off. Got a lot of money from the war effort, and you're a hero, so people will discount you anywhere you go!" Anna said cheerfully. "…And you have a family that loves you, and other such nonsense, but… money!"
Robin chuckled. "You're a piece of work, eh, Anna?"
She winked again. "What can I say? Gold is what I do best. Ooh! Next, I'll make 'gold' a verb. People will be golding all over the place!"
"One could say you've coined the term."
"Hohoho!" Anna giggled nefariously. "That is my kind of pun! You're all right, Robin."
Robin smiled slightly. "You're cute."
"Better watch what you say," she said with a wink. "That sounded like flirting!" She stood. "Welp, this ol' Anna's gotta go. Money calls! See you later, cutie!" She skipped away.
Robin chuckled to himself.
Robin leaned against the wall, grimacing at the aches shooting through his muscles. As the sun set, his body protested more and more; he needed some sleep.
Robin shuffled forward, reaching for his door and slowly opening it.
Candlelight flickered from inside, casting odd shadows across his walls. Robin hesitated, confused, before noticing Sumia sitting on his bed.
"Hey, Sumia." Robin closed the door behind him. "What's all this?"
"Well," said Sumia, smiling, "I know you don't remember me that well, and, um… Chrom said you don't feel anything around me…"
"He told you that?" Robin asked sourly.
"…Anyway," she pressed, "I figured we should spend some time together. Pop open some wine, talk, maybe read? We loved reading." She tilted her head coyly. "I figure we could… rekindle the spark, you know?" She offered a bottle of wine. "What do you think?"
Robin smiled wanly. "Listen, Sumia, I… I don't know about this. I mean, you know so much about me—more than I do, even—and I know nothing about you. And I'm just not really… not really attracted to you, you know?"
She nodded. "Y-Yes, I know… But! When you married me, you said: 'til death do us part. We have the rest of our lives for you to relearn everything!" She sniffed. "Honestly, I just… I really want my husband back. To have our life back."
Robin frowned thoughtfully, quiet for a long moment. He closed the distance between them, grasping the wine bottle by the neck.
He gently pushed it back at her. "You should go."
Sumia's face fell. "W-What?"
"I said you should leave," said Robin. "I don't want my old life back. I don't want you back."
Sumia was shocked speechless. A lone tear ran down her cheek.
Robin limped back to the door, resting his hand on the handle. "Sumia, the Robin you knew—the Robin who loved you? He's dead. He died a long time ago, when he sacrificed himself to kill this… fell dragon of yours." Robin turned to face Sumia. "I'm not him anymore." He opened the door. "So remember the other Robin. Mourn him, because he's gone, and he isn't coming back. Meanwhile… I'm moving on. We're broken up."
Sumia was frozen to the spot, too surprised to cry. Her breath came and went in jagged gasps.
Robin pinched the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut. "L-Look, I'm sorry, that came out… way too harshly, but… I mean it, okay? …I'm really sorry." He gestured out the door. "Please."
Sumia slowly started to move, placing the wine bottle into her bag and climbing up off the bed. She absently trudged toward the door.
She walked out without a word.
Robin quietly closed the door behind her.
Next time:
Chapter 3 – A Poor Date
Author's note:
It's possible – just maybe – that I use 'wacky' ironically in the summary.
(More like 'Robin's Return to the single life,' amirite?)
