arans, this is your fault. this whole thing is already your fault, but this especially is your fault.
Disclaimer: I own neither Inuyasha nor Fire Emblem: Awakening.
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4. in your arms
For how long she sat there, curled up in the corner of one of the stone benches out in the palace gardens and Lucina bundled up and dozing in her arms, she couldn't say. Hours, perhaps, if the sun's position when she last checked had anything to say about it.
They would leave tomorrow for Regna Ferrox. For how long they would be gone, she didn't know, and that was what troubled her.
Kagome's gaze fell to the slumbering babe in her arms, and she frowned.
She didn't lie when she spoke to Chrom—they were stronger together than they were alone, and she wanted to go with him. Despite the ache that had settled deep into her heart, despite how much she wished to stay, to watch Lucina grow and continue to laugh and smile, she needed to go. There was no other choice.
A sharp tug abruptly brought her out her thoughts and Kagome winced at the pain that came with it. Laughter bubbled from beneath her, and a look down told her Lucina was awake once more.
She's beautiful, Chrom had breathed out upon seeing their new daughter for the first time, his eyes round and wide and alight with wonder. The sight of the two, of her husband gazing at little Lucina's sleeping face, his mouth parted just a bit as he stared at her like she was the most incredible thing in the world—We did this! he had laughed in pure, incredulous joy, We created this life!—had warmed her entire being.
Oh, how she would miss seeing her every day.
"No, no," Kagome laughed when Lucina tugged her hair once more, unable to help herself in the face of her baby's open-mouthed grin. She slipped her hair out of her child's clumsy fingers. "Be nice to mommy—ow!" Kagome winced—distracted, she hadn't notice Lucina grabbing another tiny fistful of hair with her other hand.
She narrowed her eyes down at her daughter, shaking her head sharply so that all her hair was safely behind her. Lucina cooed and giggled loudly. "Strong grip you have there," she muttered, exasperatedly fond.
"I've noticed that as well." Kagome's head snapped up to see Chrom approaching, a soft grin on his face as he came over. Following her mother's movements, Lucina tipped her head and began to babble with delight upon recognizing her father.
"She's gotten fond of pulling my collar," he went on with amusement, taking a seat beside them once Kagome straightened, and leaned over to say hello to their baby.
"Hello to you too," he said after, his words warm and the grin from earlier still present on his face. He curled an arm around her back, pressing a chaste kiss against her cheek.
Kagome felt her mouth curve in response. "Good evening," she murmured.
"Already is, huh?" he said with a glance to the sky. "Have you been out here long? Your skin felt kind of chilled." A touch of concern had creased his brow, and Kagome shook her head to allay him.
"Only a couple of hours at most," she told him, but didn't protest when he pulled her closer, instead staring out into the gardens. "It's nice out. Peaceful." She wanted to enjoy it with Lucina while she had the chance.
She felt rather than saw Chrom watching her. "Everything's prepared for tomorrow," he informed her, gently, "The Shepherds are ready to march out with us—couldn't even get the words that we didn't need all of them for the trip out before they all jumped at the chance. I think they're getting stir-crazy."
Kagome laughed lightly at that. "Like they're the only ones," she commented slyly, giving her husband a meaningful glance.
He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly—Chrom had become a great ruler the last few years, but anyone that really knew him knew he preferred Falchion in his hands over a quill. "What I wanted to say was… I mean—I know that you said…" Chrom stopped and sighed, sounding pained, and ran a hand through his hair. "It wouldn't be the same without you, Kagome, but you can stay. No one would hold it against you."
She turned in Chrom's arms, eyes slipping shut as she rested her head against his chest. When she opened her eyes moments later, her gaze fell on their daughter who now was making a grab for Chrom's collar now that she was close enough, and Kagome bit her lip to keep from laughing.
Yes, Gods yes, she would miss Lucina dearly. She regretted there would be days, months even, that she would miss with her daughter, but…
She… she couldn't explain why, but she needed to go. Deep in her heart she knew she had to—that it was the right thing to do.
They would fight for a future that Lucina could live and grow up happy and safe in—to feel as she did right this moment, together with Chrom, wrapped in his arms.
"And let you go alone?" she murmured, lips curling. "I love you Chrom, but you'd be lost without me."
Underneath her cheek Chrom's chest shook with a sudden, wry laugh. "Well, I wasn't about to admit it out loud, but you got me." She felt his cheek press against the top of her head. "Honestly though," he said, his voice coming at a soft rasp, "Wherever you are, wherever I am, you'd still be in my heart, you and Lucina. That would be enough to guide me back to you two."
Her cheeks flushed and she clenched her eyes shut as her heart tripped. "You're such a sap," she breathed out, embarrassed and suddenly breathless, but she was delighted to see how flushed his cheeks were when she turned to look up at him. "But I have a feeling you're right. Wherever we are, if not together, we'd find each other somehow."
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i honest to god had to take a moment and pause because the image of chrom seeing lucina for the first time was fucking overwhelming, i was legit biting my hand it was too much.
hope you guys enjoyed! and thank you all for reviewing! it means a lot know you guys are enjoying this so much!
RainLily
