Bright Flame
"She is stronger than any steel he has ever come across."
A collection of Priam/Robin drabbles, from their first meeting to post-game.
Part IV- fourth
Rating: K+
Word count: 1,851
Summary: "Father, mother… How did you guys get together?"
A/N: This one focuses a bit more on Priam and Morgan's relationship! I'm tempted to do a Morgan/Lucina tie in with this story, though I have plans to write a Robin-centric side to this story as well. Hm, oh well. Enjoy!
Remember what I said
I'll always be with you don't forget
Just look over your shoulder I'll be there.
If you look behind you, I will be there.
- Father to Son, Phil Collins
xvi.
He spends time with Morgan. They train together and he notices how fast the boy is improving. Morgan is strong and knows how to handle a blade well. When they fight, he notices the spark of excitement in his eyes. He sees Robin in him but he also sees himself as well.
When they're not training, he tries to help Morgan remember anything about his life. At first, Morgan said that he tried to hit his head in order to remember his father and luckily, Priam thought of another way that he could remember him. Morgan stands on his tiptoes in order to look into Priam's eyes, though he almost falls, but nothing comes to mind. They decide to continue later.
He notices how social his son is; he spots him with Lon'qu's son, Owain, playing some game ( or so it seems ). He later came back with food, saying it was from the mercenary girl, Severa. He notices his hands are all cut up from looking for a flower ( and when Morgan came back, both Priam and Robin treated his hands ). He seems to also be spending time with the Taguel boy, the Pegasus Knight and the Archer. Priam feels proud that Morgan is embracing the shepherds. It seems like he follows the path of companionship
But he notices Morgan with Lucina the most. She seems happy with him, and he's overjoyed to be with her.
"If its love, then she better treat him right." Robin sighs. Ever since Morgan was recruited, she can't help but be a bit overprotected over her son. Of course, Robin can't lie and say she doesn't hold any bitterness towards Lucina. Priam ruffles her hair – something he does with Morgan as well.
"I trust Lucina. With recent battles, they've been watching each other's back. You saw how far they dived for each other."
Robin grumbles, but smiles and grabs his hand, accepting his words. He strokes her palm for a bit, staring into her eyes with a loving gaze before standing up, saying that he and Morgan are gonna spend some time together. The tactician smiles and waves her husband off; she and Chrom have some work to do.
xvii.
"No luck today, either." There's a disappointed sigh that leaves Morgan's mouth as he looks away from his father. Priam hears Morgan sniffling and the younger male turns back to him. This is the most disappointed he's ever seen his son.
It breaks his heart.
"I'm going crazy trying to remember you. I feel so useless! I'm just so…" The sniffing grows stronger. "Why can't I..." The sniffing evolves into full sobbing now.
Priam grits his teeth, placing his hands on his son's shoulders. "Come now, Morgan. Pull yourself together." His voice is calm but even he can't hide the sadness in his voice. To see his son like this, beating himself over something he can't help, really did tear his heart into two.
Was he a bad father in the future? Morgan can remember everything about Robin, in terms of memories they've shared. Morgan can only remember simple things about Priam – like his birthday and favorite food – but nothing else.
"B-But I know I must have loved you just as much as I loved Mother. I bet we had a million memories together and the thought of having lost them..." Morgan hiccups. "I feel like I failed you. Like... Like I..."
No, I feel like I've failed you, Priam thinks to himself. Instead, he's silent. He reaches up to ruffle Morgan's hair – something he finds himself doing a lot – and instantly, Morgan calms down.
"S-Sorry," his son quietly apologizes, "I guess I got carried away there—" He suddenly pauses and grips his head, like he's in pain. "N-Ngh! My head… Wha–?"
The way he holds his head startles Priam just a bit. "Morgan, what's wrong?!" His son looks a bit pale. He doesn't say anything, slowly removing his hands from his head.
"I… I remember something!" He looks up at his father. "You were smiling, and you called my name! H-Ha… You looked a bit older, but it was you! Father, if I can remember this… I can remember other things!" Morgan flings himself at Priam, capturing him in a hug. "Thank you father, I won't rest until I remember everything about you!"
Priam chuckles, hugging his son back. "Take all the time you need. I'll be here."
He can't help but wonder if there's more to the memory than Morgan's telling him. For now, he'll enjoy this moment.
xviii.
"Father, mother… How did you guys get together?"
Robin lowers her book. It's late at night and it seems like all three of them are restless, as tomorrow they would be going to Plegia. "How we got together? Oh, well, I asked Priam to teach and spar with me. I guess as time grew, we became closer and closer. He asked me to marry him and here we are!"
"No, I mean, how did you guys know you liked each other?" He fidgets slightly. Unlike Robin, who fidgets when she gets excited, Morgan fidgets when he's nervous. Ah, so he was right; Morgan's starting to develop feelings for someone.
"It took time for our feelings to grow," Priam starts out. Morgan leans in, a spark of interest in his eyes. Even Robin finds herself leaning in a bit. "Your mother was kind and gentle to me, something I haven't experienced in a long time. Rather than a warrior, she looked at me as a person. Her gentleness was stronger than any steel I have ever seen. I asked myself, 'is this the woman I want to spend my life with', and the answer was clearer than day. She has been in my thoughts ever since, and now I live for both you and her."
Robin's face as red and she covers it with her book. Morgan blinks and tilts his head. "I see… That's how I feel about someone…." It's a mumble, but they hear it clearly.
"Wait, what?!" Robin lowers the book. Sure it's been a while since they've recruited Morgan but she's surprised. When she spoke to Priam about it, she was only slightly joking. There's some motherly concern in her eyes. "You have been spending time with a lot of people, haven't you? I knew you would start getting interested in someone! Oh, you really are growing up…" She seems a bit distressed. "Who is it?!"
"I-I'm not telling you!" Morgan squeaks out. "N-Not yet, we have bigger plans to worry about." He looks outside, noticing the time, and springs up. "I have somewhere to be, mother and father! I'll be back soon!"
"Why you little—get back here!" Robin tries to reach for her son but he's fast. He quickly speeds out of the tent and he's gone. The tactician growls and looks back at a laughing Priam. "And you! What the heck were you thinking telling our son that?! I'm so embarrassed!"
The man calms himself, wiping his eyes. This is the most she's seen him laugh. Clearly he's amused by the antics between his wife and child.
"I think it's cute when you're embarrassed." He tells her with a grin on his face. His face soon meets her pillow when she throws it at him.
"Ha ha," she playfully glares at him, "very funny, Mr. Huzzah."
The hero wraps his arms around the smaller girl. "Morgan will be fine. If he's in love, we shouldn't hold him back. He should let his heart sing. I trust that the person he's in love with will treat him well." He has an idea who it is, but he doesn't want to gossip or spread rumors about his son.
She presses her back against him, as she too also had an idea who he could be in love with. "I know. I guess I was starting to get used to being a mom… Though, I guess I still will be." After all, Morgan wasn't even born yet. Priam chuckles, his hand traveling down her front.
"We'll worry about that," he reaches down to kiss her neck, "once we have more privacy."
"Then don't tease me like that!" She squirms, he laughs. As the night passes, they find themselves in each other's arms. Morgan returns and smiles at the sight before turning in himself.
Right now, everything seemed so peaceful and simple. Tomorrow would be a test, for Robin especially.
xix.
They eventually learn of Morgan courting Lucina. He decides to tell them before they leave. "Technically, I guess you could say it started when I became her tactician, but we only made it official yesterday."
Lucina looks uncomfortable, mainly because Robin is staring at her. But Robin simply sighs and pats Lucina on the shoulder. "Lucina, I have no ill feelings towards you so please don't worry. Morgan seems very happy with you, and that's all I want for him."
"I know you'll treat him well," Priam says. "Both Robin and I give you our blessings."
Chrom nods and grins at Morgan, "Olivia and I give you our blessings too." He turns towards his tactician and she could already hear what's coming next by the look on his face. "So, Robin, I guess we're in-laws."
"More like a pain in my ass," the tactician gives Chrom a playful punch in the shoulder. "You're moving way too fast, anyway! Not everyone has a romance like you and Olivia!"
Morgan smiles and reaches for Lucina's hand. She smiles at him and their fingers entwine. Priam glances at Robin before glancing back at Morgan and Lucina. He trusted that they would take care of each other. No, he was sure they would.
It's a short peace they have, but they enjoy it as much as they can.
xx.
From what they learn, Validar has migrated to the Dragon's Table. To the surprise of no one, they have to chase Validar down, in a way to delay them. They learn the true reason for Plegia giving ships to them and what Walhart's other intentions were.
"Stay close to me and your mother," Priam mumbles to Morgan. He keeps his promise to Lucina – as well as to himself. He won't allow Validar to touch Robin, let alone try to control her. Morgan seems confused – he is unaware of what Validar can do to Robin – but in the end he only nods. He'll ask about it later. Robin notices that they're close to her but says nothing about it, only allowing it.
It's for the best, anyway.
They fight the Deadlords and unfortunately, Aversa escapes. Not before mumbling a few words…
"The ritual has already begun. You are too late!"
No, it's not too late, Priam thinks. I won't allow it!
"We have to stop him!" Lucina screams desperately. It's the only time Priam's seen her afraid. Yet, at the same time, she's determined to stop this. "My future is upon us!"
"We will, Lucina." Chrom says, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "I swear to you—we will."