DISCLAIMER: FIRE EMBLEM AND ITS CHARACTERS. I'M PRETTY SURE THEY ARE OWNED BY NINTENDO AND I.S.

A/N + PSA : Before the chapter, I'd like to bring your attention to a new story that fellow writer, Kiiroi Senko, has started up. It's titled Fire Emblem Awakening: Lights Within Darkness. Tired of reading yet another strict adaption of Fire Emblem Awakening? Then this fic is for you! It's Semi-AU, and will add an original spin on the story. From what I've been fortunate enough to hear from the author, it'll shape up to be quite the fun and interesting fic. It's already 2 chapters in and is going strong, so keep an eye out for it and give the fic a read! Get your arses over there!

Innocence 3

"Lucina? How long do you plan on sulking? I've already apologized." Robin asked, feeling a bit guilty at the fact that he was enjoying the results of his scheme a bit too much.

The princess in question sat on a nearby bench, chin in palm and a worried expression on her face. "How can I even look him in the eyes after that? W-wait, this'll be the first argument I've ever had with father." Lucina said in panic.

Severa took a seat beside her. "Calm down, would you? Why would he get so worked up over a pair of boots? Besides, they're fine." she said, holding up the pair of boots that were, aside from a few tiny scuffs, were practically undamaged.

Lucina turned to look at her friend incredulously, thrusting her arms out to motion towards the two shapeshifters. "My father was subjected to MUCH, much more than just having his boots swiped." she yelled, as the memory of her father flopping around like a fish on the ground replayed in her head.

"You should've seen him, aunt Severa!" Morgan cackled, as she squeezed herself into the spot between the two. "Grandpa looked like he was having a seizure with how much they were tugging at his legs." she said, nearly in tears from her laughter.

Lucina frowned. "I don't see how that's funny, Morgan. Aren't you the least bit worried about him?"

"But mother, he'll be fine. He wasn't injured, just... scared to death is all." she finished with a grin.

"But... But, it's so embarrassing." Lucina whined, hiding her face in her palms.

"I'll take the blame for all of it." Robin said in an effort to calm her down.

"As you should." Lucina spat, as she glared at him.

Robin walked up towards Lucina, who shot her head down to avoid making eye contact with the man she at this moment felt was insufferable. "I'll just explain that it was my idea, and that you two only became aware as it happened. Besides, with how fast Panne and Nowi took off after I gave them their target, it wasn't as if you could have gotten off anyways. And if worse comes to worse, I'll be right beside you to talk to him about it." he explained, resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He could see Lucina slowly look up from beneath her bangs. He couldn't help but think she looked a bit cute wearing such a pouty, childish expression on her usually regal face.

"Look, I may be able to handle your jokes, Robin, but targeting my father is crossing the line... You're going to make this up to me." she muttered, trying her best to keep up an angry glare. But her facade ended in failure, her face breaking form as Robin smiled back.

"Alright, you win. I suppose a second wish should suffice?" he asked.

Lucina paused momentarily, weighing his proposal.

Robin could see the faintest of smiles began to emerge from the forced scowl on her face.

"Okay." she agreed.

Morgan squinted her eyes gently. 'A wish?'

Robin rubbed his chin as a smirk played on his lips. "You know, I'm not sure you're fully aware of the trouble that can brew between Chrom and I. Keep in mind, that we're in the middle of a war. You should have seen the stuff we've done to each other during the peace time." he chuckled as he reminisced.

"Oh, oh! Tell me!" Morgan requested as she raised her hand. "I want to know what kind of stuff you did to mess with grandpa! Any prank devised by a Tactician is bound to be glorious!"

"Ha, you're telling me you've done something even better than that just right now?" Severa snorted with amusement.

Robin clasped his hands together, practically glowing as the fond memories came flooding back."Very well, where should I begin? ...Oh, I've got one. There was this time last summer whe-"

"Robin, I don't approve of you tainting my daughter with tales of your villainous deeds." Lucina cut in.

Robin put his hands up in defense, not wanting to further provoke the irritated mother. "Sorry, Morgan, it seems as though your mother doesn't approve of me retelling my heroic ventures."

Lucina narrowed her eyes at him, but nodded in satisfaction. She then got up from her seat to retrieve her Falchion that she had rested against the wall.

As soon as he was certain Lucina was no longer looking at him, Robin twisted his head to the side towards Morgan. "...I'll tell you about it later." he whispered.

Morgan grinned and gave him a quick thumbs up.

Lucina called back to them. "Get ready to go, Morgan, Severa. I'll be bidding Nowi and Panne farewell. Not to mention explaining to them to avoid father until Robin properly explains the situation." she added sharply.

"Okay, I'll say bye too. Just give me a moment."

Lucina turned to face Robin. "And you, please try to keep the jokes under control. This day has proved tiring enough and I don't think I can take much more of you. "

"Yes, and you mean a lot to me was well." He replied with a smile.

Lucina rolled her eyes and walked off to Panne and Nowi.

Robin chuckled softly. "Say, Morgan? Do you think I'm being a little too insensitive with your mother?"

Morgan shook her head insistently. "Don't worry. If there's one thing I know, it's my mother. She may seem upset, but I can tell she's having fun. She's always been a bit protective is all."

"I can agree with that." Severa said. She turned towards Robin a bit hesitantly. "You know, I've had my suspicions about you, Robin. I thought you were a creep."

Robin gave her a deadpanned look.

"But I've been thinking, Lucina's looking a lot better these days. She's lost a great deal of that gloominess that plagued her back then. So... if you really are the reason for her being like this, then... thank you, Robin."

"I... I don't know what to say." Robin admitted as he scratched the back of his neck. "I can't say I went and did this out of the kindness of my heart. I just, well... I enjoy being with her."

Morgan stared at Robin ponderously.

Severa walked after Lucina, but halted a few feet away. "It almost makes me wonder. Would our future have been different had you been there?" Without waiting for a response, the red head left.

Robin smiled bittersweetly. Although he thought himself a bit arrogant to think so, he understand what she had meant. 'I might not have been there for them in that future, but I'm here in this one. And I'll do everything to stop that from happening.' he thought as he looked towards Morgan That thought was the strength that he chose to hang onto for the time being.

"What does aunt Severa mean? If you had been there?" Morgan asked.

Robin let out a sigh. "I've just recently figured out that I wasn't a Shepherd in your mother's time. Not only that, no one from then seemed to have any recollection of me. It's probably the reason she was so antagonistic towards me when first met. To her, I was an outsider."

Morgan frowned. "But you're not an outsider. I'm still new here myself, but I can be sure of that based on how you interacted with the others today. You're the kind of guy that gets along with everyone. You said the Shepherds are a family didn't you?"

Robin nodded. "I know, Morgan. It's just the thought of who I was before all of this happened. Why was I lying down in that field that day? Why can't I remember anything? Amnesia doesn't just happen."

Morgan grabbed Robin's hand and squeezed gently. "It's okay. Whoever you were back then doesn't matter now, right?"

"Yes, but what if my memories come rushing back? What if who I was then, conflicts with who I am now?"

"You're stronger now than you ever could have possibly been before." Morgan said without thinking.

Robin eyed her strangely. "...How could you possibly know that?"

Morgan shut her eyes hard. "...I don't know. I just felt that... I feel that it's true. I... I don't remember anything aside from my mother, and call it deja vu, but it feels like we've had this talk before."

Robin cocked his head. "So you're starting to remember? About where you came from?"

"No... I don't think so. It's not so much an image I can make out, but more of a feeling. I think... I think someone very much like you was around where I came from, Robin. Maybe that's why I feel so comfortable around you." she finished with a smile.

Robin laughed, a bit overwhelmed by the warm feeling spurring inside him. He hugged the young girl. "Thank you, Morgan. I'm glad I got to meet you today."

Morgan felt an odd shiver run down her spine at the contact between them. The sensation was strange, but familiar at the same time.

"You really are like a dad." Morgan giggled.

"Oh yeah? Then I'll ground you the next time you say that." Robin said, jokingly pinching her nose.

"I already explained that it was a compliment!" Morgan protested, squirming around in his grip.

"But whoever your father is, he's a lucky man." Robin concluded, ruffling Morgan's hair.

Morgan peeked open an eye. "I'll bet he is." she giggled.

Owain and Kjelle walked along in search of Lucina and company, with Gerome in tow.

After a bit of persuasion and some heart to heart, the proclaimed loner had decided to finally take some steps towards finally building a relationship with the people of this time.

Gerome still had his doubts. He thought that while there might be a shot at happiness down this path, he knew for certain that there was a chance for even more tragedy. But he also knew that he couldn't go on living in the darkness that he had wallowed in the past few years. Even if he did believe the future was lost, what harm would there be in trying? He had nothing to lose and everything to gain, is what he decided.

He scanned around the area, catching a glimpse of a rather short Lucina like figure passing through an alleyway. It must have been Morgan, he thought. "I believe they're over that way." he said as he pointed down the alley.

The group changed course and went in pursuit of their friends.

"Hey, over here!" Owain called as he waved a hand.

Lucina and the others halted. "Oh, hello everyone." she greeted in a friendly manner. Her eyes honed in on the figure behind Owain and Kjelle. "Gerome, it's nice to see you out and about."

Gerome nodded, stepping forward. "I'm... happy to see you all as well." He said, making an effort to be a little less stiff than before. "If you don't mind, might I introduce myself to... your daughter?" he asked, still unsure.

Lucina raised a brow.

Gerome tapped at the side of his leg subtly, interpreting her response as that of confusion.

But his irrational fear was dispelled as Lucina offered him a warm smile. "Of course you may. I'm taking Morgan to meet everyone today, and I definitely don't plan on leaving you out."

Robin, who was standing a few feet away, smirked at the sight of the faintest of smiles on Gerome's face. 'Heh, it might not be as difficult as I thought to get him integrated into our group.'

Lucina motioned for Morgan to step forward. "Morgan, this is my friend, Gerome. He was another one of the people that came with me from the future."

"It's nice to meet you, Gerome." Morgan smiled. "And I like your mask." she added.

Gerome let out a small chuckle, easing into the friendly atmosphere. "Yes, it is nice to meet you as well, Morgan... You look very much like your mother,"

"But who would you say is prettier?" Morgan asked coyly.

Luckily the mask covering his face hid the fact that his eyes nearly popped from his sockets, or at least that's how it felt for him. He quickly scanned around in panic, looking to pick up on any cues that would confirm the question was just some sick joke. He caught Severa looking towards him smugly. Owain had a wry smile on his face. And from the back, he could see Robin shooting him a sympathetic look, as if saying that Morgan had done something similar to him as well. He could then make out the Tactician shaking his head ever so slightly. 'Shaking his head? Is he telling me not to respond? ...I see, I shouldn't get caught up in her speed. She's clearly the type to tease.'

And like what he had perceived from Robin's subtle coaching, Lucina had been the one to squash the awkward exchange. "Morgan, please. I understand that you're a very healthy and lively young girl, and as your mother, I could not be more proud of the fact. But can we at least save your fun for after we take care of business? You've got plenty of time to play around in the future." she pleaded, rubbing her temple.

Morgan studied her mother's face. She seemed a bit worn out, no doubt by her knack for poking fun in any situation. She could tell her mother was indeed happy, but it would seem that her fatigued exterior was not some faced. She felt a wave of guilt wash over her. Although she knew that her mother was just as fun loving as her, perhaps she had overlooked the fact that she was still adjusting to the news of her being a mother. Morgan slowly wrapped her arms around her. "I'm sorry, mother. I understand, I just wanted to have some fun is all. But I don't want to do anything that'll make you think I'm a burden. After all, I did just barge into your life..."

Lucina furrowed her brows as soon as the words left her daughter's mouth. "Don't ever let me hear you say that again, Morgan." Lucina demanded.

Morgan winced at the sharpness in her voice. The strength in her arms weakened, as they slowly unwrapped themselves from around her waist.

Before she could step away, Morgan was pulled tightly into Lucina's chest.

Lucina held the position for a moment longer, before speaking up. "You are not a burden, nor did you barge into my life. You are not some baggage I've been forced to carry, you're a gift. I love you, Morgan, and I would welcome you no matter what the situation was when you arrived.. Just give me some time to adjust."

Using the front of Lucina's vest, Morgan wiped away the moist puddles that had somehow accumulated around her eyes. "I love you, too."

Lucina released Morgan from her hold, grinning down at her. "Besides, I doubt you could do anything that can stress me out anywhere as near as him." She finished, playfully pointing out at Robin.

Robin shrugged, deciding to help her out. "She's right, Morgan. You're a novice compared to me." he said casually.

Morgan smiled gratefully at him, giving Lucina one last squeeze before letting go. "I'm sorry, Gerome. I didn't mean to be rude."

"Not at all. Like your mother said, I'm only glad that the generation after us can be so carefree." He said with a soft smile.

A toothy smile emerged on Morgan's face. "You know, you've got a nice smile... I wonder what you'd look like without that mask."

Gerome's smile faded away as he turned his head away, clearly embarrassment.

Morgan jumped slightly, snapping her head to face Lucina. "I... I didn't mean to do it again." she said meekly.

To her surprise, Lucina just laughed it off. "Oh no, Morgan. That was not your doing. Gerome just isn't the type to take compliments very well."

"Why not? I'm sure he gets them all the time." Morgan asked.

"Mhm, you should've seen the girls among the survivors that flocked to him back in the future."

The mother and daughter's exchange was doing little to alleviate Gerome from his turmoil.

The other future children laughed on as the Wyvern Rider squirmed beneath the barrage of compliments.

As Gerome looked to the only other person not partaking in the spectacle he was at the center of. Robin's body language was clear and it only further drove the questions Gerome had about him. How he seemed to know Lucina just as well or even more so than he.

And with one final gesture, a mere shrug, Robin had finalized his message.

'Get used to it.'

Chrom stumbled into his shared room with Sumia, battered and bruised. At least that was how he felt.

Sumia, who was sitting at a desk, lifted her eyes from the book they were currently glued on. She broke out into a fit of laughter at the state her husband was in. His hair was disheveled, dust was scattered across his clothes and more interestingly, he was walking around barefoot. Usually she would be up in arms at the mere sight of Chrom in such a condition, but the expression plastered on his face was that of annoyance rather than fear or anger. "Pff, what happened?" she giggled.

Chrom tossed his balled up socks into the corner of the room and dusted himself off, before plopping down onto the bed.

"Just thinking of how I'm going to spend some quality time with our eldest and our granddaughter." he muttered, stressing 'quality'.

Sumia set her book down and spun around in her seat. "What did they do?" she asked with a smile.

"They ambushed me!" Chrom cried. "Lucina and Morgan were riding on Panne and Nowi, and for some reason only the gods know, were aiming to steal my boots."

"Your shoes? ...I wonder what has gotten into them?" Sumia asked with feigned concern that was betrayed by her stifled laughter.

"More like who has gotten into them." Chrom stated. "Call me paranoid, but this just reeks of Robin's doing."

"Are you talking about those little games you two would play back in the castle?"

"We grown men do not play games, Sumia. It was an exhibition of wits and quick thinking. A fitting exercise for us, seeing as we are the ones tasked with leading our forces." Chrom explained.

Sumia rolled her eyes, unconvinced. "Two men spend an entire afternoon trying to get the other to walk under a booby trapped doorway with a bucket filled with egg yolk. Those aren't games?"

"Exhibitions!" Chrom protested. "But that's not the point here. I've got to think of how to get back at that dastard."

"Do we really have time for that? We're in the middle of a war, aren't we?"

"I was in the middle of duties back at the castle, but that didn't stop me. I can handle this, Sumia. If I can't set things straight by the end of the day, I'll give Robin the win."

"Men." Sumia muttered. "But, to think that Robin was able to turn not only your daughter, but also your granddaughter against you." she noted with amusement.

"He's our tactician for a reason." Chrom grumbled. "But it matters little, because when it comes right down to it, I'm still their favorite." Chrom exclaimed proudly as he slammed a fist down on an open palm.

"Oh dear, what have you got planned?"

"I'll turn the tables and use Robin's tactic against him. He's out with Lucina helping introduce Morgan right now, so if I can get to those two for even a moment, I'll have them get back at him for me."

"...Will that work? Like you said, this is Robin we're talking about. Say... during your little games-" She saw Chrom frown at her. "Errm, exhibitions, how many times had you bested him?"

Chrom moved his head back slightly, caught off guard. He scratched the back of his neck as he stared up at the ceiling. "Well... If you count the time were I almost... Umm... never." Chrom murmured with embarrassment.

Sumia let out a sigh, turning back to her book. Before she could start from where she had left off, the neurons in her brain began to fire off erratically. She quickly got up from her seat, startling Chrom. "I'll handle this."

"Handle what?"

"I'll get back at Robin for you. Just leave it to me."

Chrom narrowed his eyes, skeptical at his wife's proposal. "Okay, assuming I let you take care of this, what have you got in mind?"

Sumia stuck a dried flower into her book to mark the page, before closing it shut and tucking it away. "I'll do as you said. If he turned our daughters against you, I'll just have to do the same thing right back."

"But you had doubts that even I could pull that off."

"I'm a woman, Chrom. We have our ways." She concluded with a wink.

Seeing how his wife seemed to be just oozing with enthusiasm, Chrom decided that he may as well let her go on with whatever she was scheming."...Just tell me when it's over."

A/N: That concludes this chapter!

A bit short, and I'm aware it's been awhile since the last one.

Morgan and Robin are getting along very well. I wonder why. -_-

Also, Gerome stops being a sadsack? "Where is she?! Where's Rachel!?" LMAO that had nothing to do with anything.

The stress of being the parent of bundle of energy is crashing down on Lucina. But who can blame her? If you've got both Morgan and Robin to deal with all day, could you say that you'd handle it any better? :P I myself, would possibly cry.

A second wish for Lucina? It appears that during the break between chapters, Robin had a class change from Tactician to Genie. Don't worry Lucina, Robin'll make all your dream come true, if you know what I mean :P

Sumia taking the reigns of Chrom's revenge on Robin can only mean D-Day is imminent.

Thanks to all the support you all have been giving! I'd also like to point out that while I may occasionally take time to post up a new chapter, I've always got 'part' of it written up. That coupled with the fact that I'm fortunate enough to have reliable access to the internet means I won't be going into 'hiatus' anytime soon. :P

Once again, I urge you to read Kiiroi Senko's fic! It's very well written and offers some unique plot points.

Til Next Time!