Beneath the Threads

XXIX.

Chrom and Robin sat at Morgan's bedside and watched him sleep. Robin dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief, her sobs off and on throughout the night. She clutched Chrom's hand. Lucina had returned once the caretakers were able to look after the newborn. She couldn't hold back her upset when she heard her mother's cries through the door. She stood outside Morgan's room and cried, then wiped her face of it and entered with the most stoic look she could muster. Maribelle had worked on him throughout the night, and now she said it was best to let his body take in all that she had done to it. She left the family alone to have privacy.

The sunrise came through the windows. Robin leaned her head on Chrom's shoulder and dozed due to her exhaustion. She couldn't force herself to keep her eyes open. The stress of the news and the fact that she had recently given birth weren't working in her favor. Chrom reached across and grabbed Morgan's free hand, holding it gently in his. He bit his lip, realizing that it was the first time he had ever held his son's hand. After a while, Chrom insisted that Lucina go to his chambers and have a short rest. She hesitated, but her exhausted body convinced her to go.

In the early morning, Morgan stirred. Chrom stiffened and watched him open his eyes. Robin felt the change in his position and lifted her head. When she saw he was awake, she stood from her chair in her anxiety and wish to sit beside him on his bed. However, she jolted up too fast, and pain hit her abdomen. She winced and clutched her midsection. Chrom stood and wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her steady. He helped her as they sat together at the edge of his bed.

Morgan stared at them with half-lidded eyes. "M-Mother? F-Father?"

Robin smiled at him through her tears. "We're here, Morgan. You're safe."

"Mother…" Morgan winced. "I...I tried to use one of the strategies you taught me...but I just ended up botching it and...I could've hurt everyone…I'm sorry."

"Shhh…." Robin said. "It's alright. We're just thankful you're here with us. Focus on getting rest. We love you, Morgan."

"I've been born, right? Tell me, how cute am I?" Morgan chuckled.

"Yes, I had the baby last week. You're the most adorable son we could ask for. We're happy parents." Robin smiled.

"Well...at least this child will remember you, Father."

Chrom grimaced. "You remembered me. You'll get the rest of the memories back."

"It was just one memory. And, I don't have faith in that. The other Morgan...he'll be a better son than me. I'm just...a hollow space at your side."

"Stop that. Don't say such things. I love you, Morgan. I told Lucina this and I'll tell you: You are every bit my son as that newborn."

"Perhaps, but Lucina understands you so much better than me."

Chrom frowned. "Lucina only remembers more than you." He paused. "Do I...intimidate you?"

Morgan glanced away. He exhaled. "Maybe you don't try to be. But, you're the leader of Ylisse! An exalt! Lucina told me not to be upset if I can't wield Falchion because I'm always a son of Chrom. A son of Chrom? I don't even understand what that means. I can't just stop you during your day to ask you such a frivolous question...to ask who you are. Can you imagine what it felt like to be told I'm a prince? I'm supposed to be better than this! Is this how royalty acts? Like a big, clueless dolt?"

"Gods...I hoped that I would be approachable to my children. I don't want to be like my father. Why won't you come to me? I'm your father, I want to be there for you, Morgan! I don't want you to see me as some hierarchical figure that you have to bow a knee to. Yes, I'm royalty, so you are as well. But...put all of that aside. I just want you to be my son. Not a prince, not Ylisse's exalted blood, nothing like that. Being Chrom's son means exactly that, nothing more, nothing less. There's no special ruleset with it. I know Lucina's filled your head with expectations and duty, but she needs to hear this too. Just be my family. There's nothing more you need to do."

Morgan stared at him. He frowned. "But...just by being your son, I am those things. I am a prince, I am royalty, and I am a potential heir to Ylisse's throne. I know in this timeline, none of that is relevant but…" He sighed. "When I woke from my amnesia, I found the brand on my arm. I thought I had been inked, so I tried to scrub it off, but it wouldn't budge. Then, I saw you fighting the Risen, with the exact same mark in the exact same spot. I thought perhaps it might explain some things if I talked to you, so I positioned myself closer to you so you'd notice me."

"The brand is a lot of things to a lot of different people. Most importantly, it shows that you are my son. You inherited that from me, Morgan. It's a blessing and a curse, but...I'm glad we share something together. You're just like your mother, you know that? I oftentimes wonder what you got from me."

Morgan sniffled. "Father...Gods...I love you. I'm sorry, I'm just...I'm just so clueless! When Lucina asked me about wielding Falchion, I thought there was something more I needed to do to please you. To prove my worth. I wanted to make you happy."

Chrom furrowed his brows. He cupped Morgan's cheek. "Hey, you make me happy just by being here. You don't have to prove anything to me. I love you, Morgan. You'll always be my son."

Morgan put his hand over the one at his cheek. "Thank you...Father."