Title: Robcina Week Day 1 - Holding Hands
Description: They had only been a couple for a few days, so of course they still had a lot to figure out. For now, at least, holding hands was a good start.
Notes: Takes place a few days after Robin and Lucina's S support and a couple weeks before Morgan's recruitment paralogue. References the events of Chapter 8: Touch of Another's Hand.
Words: 733
The crackle of a flame joined with the peaceful sounds of evening, the air filling with the scent of woodsmoke. Crickets sang their nighttime sounds, and an owl hooted in the distance. All was peaceful and quiet in the Shepherds' camp.
Robin sat with Lucina, trying to avoid staring too long into the dancing flames of the campfire. It was their turn to take the first watch for the evening, and despite the serenity, they needed to remain attendant. Regardless of how slim the risks of an attack seemed.
Not that either of them minded the task much. After all, sharing a watch together provided a rare opportunity to enjoy each other's company in relative privacy. A change Robin was thankful for, since he still wasn't quite sure how he and Lucina should… conduct themselves.
Robin felt his face redden, thanking any gods who may be listening that the dim light of the campfire hid his embarrassment. It had been a matter of days since he'd confessed his feelings toward Lucina and, impossibly, she'd returned them. Even now it was painfully apparent they were very… new to this sort of thing. So far it had been a matter of hiding their relationship from the others and spending what little time together they could spare when alone and free of the embarrassment that came from prying eyes. This then was the perfect opportunity: a chance to be together without needing to make excuses for slipping off away from the others.
Without realizing it, Robin's hand inched towards where Lucina's hand rested against the log, acting on some unconscious desire. His hand covered hers, a tingle of warmth shooting up his arm as their skin met. Abruptly, both he and Lucina started, jerking back and snatching their hands away from each other in reflex. They stared at each other, their eyes meeting.
Then Lucina laughed. So light and joyful was the sound, Robin couldn't help but give a chuckle of his own.
"We did it again, didn't we? And on a night just like this, too, of all times," Robin laughed, referring to the night his and Lucina's hands had accidentally met. That had been before he confessed his feelings, so the circumstances then had been much more embarrassing for the two of them.
"Yes, though to react as such still… it's quite foolish," Lucina said. "We are alone, and shouldn't we um… indulge in such… gestures while we may?" Hesitantly, she began to slide her hand back between them, her fingers trembling as if fighting against a sudden shy embarrassment that was so at odds with her usual demeanor. While he couldn't see it clearly, Robin was sure Lucina was blushing now as well.
Gods, she has no idea how cute she is sometimes, Robin thought, too embarrassed himself to say such words aloud.
Slowly he reached out as well, inching his hands towards her fingers and met in the middle. He felt her skin against his, soft and warm as their fingers intertwined, contrasting with the smooth leather of her fingerless gloves. Now even the dim light of the campfire couldn't hide the ferocity of Lucina's blush, and he was certain from the burning of his face it wasn't masking his, either.
He opened his mouth to speak, to do something to try to assuage both his and her embarrassment, but found himself lost for words. So instead he just focused on the sensation of her hand holding his own. The soft warmth of her skin, the gentle strength of her grip, and the sense of belonging that came with holding hands with the one you loved.
"I love you," he whispered. For all the awkwardness of all their attempted shows of affection, the love behind them was yet undeniable. And that, at least, was a gift greater than anything else in the world.
They still had a lot to figure out. Figuring out how to best balance their duties and their new relationship. Working up the courage to tell everyone else about them being together. Even just learning how to do, well, this without acting like two awkward fools. Certainly they'd need to face all that and more to come.
But for now, Robin was content with this. Content simply to enjoy each other's company. Content to simply hold hands as they sat next to a campfire, the night slowly slipping away.