Hiding

Disclaimer: Fire Emblem and all its characters belong to Nintendo. Original characters belong to my friend vanderbergkarla on Instagram and are used with permission.

This wasn't normal, and she knew it. She felt it in the pit of her stomach. Neither of them said anything about it, but it was all she could think about. She hardly noticed the sun's warmth or the gentle breeze that tousled her cobalt hair this spring morning.

"Luci!"

Lucina's big blue eyes refocused on the short mousy brown-haired boy who sat across from her on the green thatched blanket in the middle of the flowering meadow. His typical playful expression was replaced with concern.

"Are you okay? You keep looking behind me. Is a monster tryna jump us?" He was on his feet in seconds, clutching a stick at his side. "I'll protect you!"

"N-no. Sorry, Owain."

Owain scrunched up his face and sat down again. "You're not okay? Or there's no monster?"

Lucina drew up her scabbed knees to her chest and exhaled. "Both."

Owain relaxed for a moment, only to realize half the problem was solved. "What's wrong?"

Lucina shrugged and focused on her country's crest which her mother had embroidered into the blanket.

"Is it about the baby?" he whispered.

Lucina wasn't sure why he was whispering or how to answer.

Owain took her silence as confirmation. "Don't worry, Luci; you'll be the best big sister ever! You're already the best cousin ever!"

Lucina smiled weakly. "Thanks, Owain. I'm excited to be a big sister. But I don't think my parents are happy."

"Huh? But the baby is all your daddy talks about with my mommy and Auntie Emm!"

Lucina absently fingered the tassels at the edge of the blanket. "My dad's fine. It's my mom. I think- I think she hates Dad."

Owain gulped. "Poor Uncle Chrom! Aunt Cammy's scary when she's mad." He thought for a moment. "But I thought your mommy loved your daddy! She sits in his lap. My daddy always makes me leave the room when that happens. He says I'm not old enough. But I sit in Mommy's lap all the time." He scratched his head.

"Uncle Freddie doesn't need to worry anymore," Lucina said sadly. "Mom is never in same room with Dad now…"

Owain's eyes widened. "Like Birra's parents?"

His cousin nodded gravely.

"Do they yell?"

"Mom yells; Dad says sorry."

"Aunt Cammy's not going to move away like Birra's dad did, is she?" Owain looked across the meadow to the canopy near the castle where his mother was chatting with Basilio. Basilio's daughter Birra, a ruddy blonde a little older than Lucina, had left the canopy and was marching across the field towards them, waving around a freshly-felled tree branch.

The question paralyzed Lucina. She couldn't bring herself to look up. She only became aware of Birra's approach when the girl called out, "If you wanna sit around and gossip and braid each other's hair all day you shoulda stayed inside!"

"Birra, you're mean!" Owain yelled back. He refocused on his cousin. "Don't listen to her, Luci."

Lucina forced a smile. "She wants to spar with you again. You go, I'll watch."

Owain shook his head vehemently. "I wanna stay with you!"

Lucina's smile finally reached her eyes. "Thanks, but what about your hand?"

"My sword hand twitches!" the boy exclaimed and held it up to show her its trembling. "But – " he sat on his hand quickly – "I'll make it shut up until you feel better!"

"Watching you guys play will make me feel better," Lucina said. She knew it was wrong to tell a lie, even a little one, but the joy on Owain's face was worth it.

"Okay!" he picked up his stick and scampered across the field to meet Birra in mock-battle.

Lucina tried to watch them for a minute, but she felt like she was miles away on a deserted island in a sea of weeds. The grass didn't look as green as it usually did, and the flowers didn't smell as sweet. She just wanted to go home. Finally, she stood, rolled up the blanket, and headed towards the castle.

"I'm gonna get water," she called as she passed her playmates. "See you inside!" Owain watched her go until Birra obstructed his view.

"There's my favorite niece!" Lissa greeted cheerfully from her lounge chair when Lucina reached the canopy. "Although, I probably shouldn't say that until we figure out if you're having a brother or a sister. Wouldn't be fair to the baby!"

Lucina smiled politely at her aunt. "Where's my mom?"

"Camilla? I haven't seen her today. But Chrom should be back soon to check on you."

Lucina frowned.

"A hard worker, that man is," Basilio put in, holding up his mead mug as though he were making a toast. "And a beloved father and husband to boot. Some men are favored by the gods." He drank deeply, then exhaled.

Lissa looked at him sympathetically. "But you're not giving up, are you? Flavia must miss you."

Basilio laughed bitterly. "I'm out here, aren't I? A coward who hides from his wife isn't fit to ask the gods for mercy, let alone favor." He dropped his head into his hands and groaned. Lucina's heart sank.

Lissa shot Lucina an apologetic glance. "I'm afraid Basilio's had too much to drink. Run along, Luci. If you see your Uncle Freddie please ask him to bring out some coffee."

Lucina nodded, then broke into a run. She could hardly see where she was going as moisture filled her eyes, but she was determined to find her mother at all costs.

She did pass Fredrick in the hall and managed to relay her aunt's request before reaching her parents' chambers. She hadn't meant to throw the doors open with so much force, and the resounding echo of them hitting the walls was certain to draw her mother's ire. Except, that was the only sound she heard. Her mother was nowhere to be seen.

Lucina ran in and out of the inner rooms frantically checking each one of them to see if she could locate her mother. She had almost given up when she heard a crunching noise coming from the master closet. She threw open the door and walked inside. There in the darkness, against the back wall nestled amongst a row of furs, sat her surprised mother. A basin filled to the brim with sliced pickles sat on the marble floor beside her.

"Luci, dear!" Camilla said. "You startled me. Please don't be so loud; your father might find me!"

Lucina tried to form words, but they caught in her throat. Instead she rushed forward and embraced her mother, sobbing into her bosom.

"Sweetheart," Camilla said, rubbing her daughter's back in soothing circles. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, Mom," the girl cried. "I don't want you to leave Dad."

"What?"

"I know you hate him now, but it would make him so sad. It would make me sad too. Please don't give up on him," she pleaded between sobs.

"Oh, oh, oh," Camilla said gently. "Darling. I love your father with every fiber of my being; just as I love you and the baby. I'd never give up on any of you."

Lucina felt her breath calming. "Promise?"

"Cross my heart," Camilla whispered, then squeezed her tighter.

A shadow passed across them and into the closet rushed Chrom.

"Cammy, Luci- what's wrong? What are you two doing in here in the dark?" He lit the lantern and knelt on the floor across from his girls. "Cammy, are you feeling okay? Lucina, why are you crying?"

Camilla exhaled, but she sounded mirthful for the first time in days as she answered him, "We're fine, Chrom. I just needed some time alone, and I'm afraid that worried our sweet girl."

"Time alone? On the floor?"

"Away from you," Camilla clarified calmly. "With a snack – so don't worry; I'm taking care of myself."

"Away from me?"

Lucina was afraid to look up, so she continued to cling to her mother as her parents sorted things out.

"Yes, dear. You know I love you, but you also know how you get when I'm pregnant. Suddenly, I'm no longer the retainer in the relationship."

"Camilla, you're my wife."

"And you're my husband. Not my nursemaid. I never understood how stifling my doting could be until I got pregnant with Lucina and experienced it from you firsthand." She shook her head sheepishly.

"But you were so ill with Lucina. Am I not supposed to care?" Chrom asked.

"I'm better with this one so far," she said, rubbing her belly. Her bump was barely visible, but she prized it all the same. "I truly appreciate your care," she continued. "But I don't need your worry. I have enough to deal with myself with these changing hormones."

Chrom sighed, then wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin atop her head. "I'm sorry; I didn't realize. It's just - I hate to see you suffer, but I'd also hate to cause you undue suffering."

"I forgive you," Camilla said, and she patted his bare arm with her free hand.

Chrom pulled back from the embrace. "I'll try not to ask you if you need anything every time I see you, but please don't hesitate to ask me when you do."

"I won't," Camilla assured him with a smile. "Now, I think this little princess needs a hug from her daddy." She offered Lucina to her husband, and Lucina opened her arms to him gratefully. Chrom pulled her close, Camilla stroked both their heads, and the whole family stayed like that for a few minutes. Finally, Lucina spoke.

"Can I go outside again and play with Owain and Birra? It smells like pickles in here..."

FIN

A/N: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this Chromilla family oneshot I wrote for my friend strawberry_usagi_ on Instagram. The beautiful cover at is by her, so please check her out. Birra is the creation of my friend vanderbergkarla on Instagram and is used with her permission. Also the baby-to-be is her creation, so check out her profile for FE Ship Children art to see who it ends up being! One more Chromilla fanfic in my queue. :) Stay tuned and God bless!