- Disclaimer: Fire Emblem characters do not belong to me.

- Notice: May contain spoilers. Storyline may deviate from original video game. Contains fantasy violence, mild language, and suggested themes.

Robin silently paced around the expansive, stone tiled room while Flavia and Basilio's bickering could be heard beyond the wooden door. It was quite clear that Basilio wasn't too happy about the wild card and handicap Flavia threw at him, blatantly stating that Robin's whereabouts should have been public knowledge as soon as he reappeared.

The blonde haired tactician took a seat on the wooden chair having realized that this time around, he managed to keep his memories. Well, most of it. There were small fragments missing, some that he felt were very important. He still remembered the Shepherds very clearly and the adventures they took together, grinning as he recalled some of their hilarious conversations.

While Robin was busy reminiscing, the double doors burst open and the first to rush up to him was Lissa. She wrapped her arms around his neck causing him to lean forward as she pressed her body against his back. "It really is you!" Her voice sounded fragile as she began to cry softly into his ear.

"Lissa..." Robin placed his hand on top of hers for assurance.

The horde of Shepherds poured out after Basilio and Flavia walked in, all of them present as they surrounded Robin. He looked up to find familiar faces and he was truly grateful that he remembered their names as well.

Before he knew it, thousands of questions were thrown at him, his eyes switching between the men and women, attempting to comprehend their words one at a time. He opened his mouth to respond until Chrom stepped forward with an understanding expression. "It's been a long day, we should let him rest before we pester him with our many questions."

Lissa finally released her grip on Robin as he slowly stood to meet the others. Reluctantly, one by one, they exchanged glances and smiled at their tactician before dispersing away from the hall.

"I'm so glad you're back. I thought you..." Lissa failed to continue her sentence as broke into tears once more, but this time Chrom stood by her side to comfort his sister.

"We all feel the same way." He looked Robin in the eye. Visually, the boy didn't change at all, he still wore the same gentle expression although his blonde hair was now unruly and slightly tousled from the heat of battle.

Robin did his best to smile, he could only imagine what it must've felt like to search and wait for his return.

"But all that matter is that you're here now, with us." Chrom firmly gripped Robin's shoulder, his blue eyes shining with a glimmer of genuine happiness and relief.

"Lucina, wait!" The three of them turned to the doors to find the small, blue haired girl dash into the hall followed by her mother Sumia.

"Father?" She studied her surroundings and caught sight of Chrom from a distance. Immediately, she rushed up to him and gripped the bottom of his pantaloons, eyes clenched as she held him as tightly as she could.

Sumia found Lucina in her father's arms and she sighed in relief. She noticed that Lissa was teary eyed and she focused on the blonde haired boy. Her breath hitched in her throat as she found herself suddenly breathless.

"Hello Sumia" Robin greeted her with a soft smile.

Lissa wiped the last of her tears away as Chrom held Lucina firmly in his arms. The small, Ylissean princess narrowed her eyes at Robin, purely intrigued at how average he looked. Was he the savior and wise tactician Khan Basilio had told her about?

Sumia felt her heart race in her chest. It was too good to be true. Was it really him? Seconds passed as she began to feel lightheaded. Robin tilted his head to the side curiously and watched her knees buckle. "Sumia?"

There was a loud clash as her armor connected with the ground and everything drifted into darkness.

"A fainting spell, really?" Maribelle tended to Sumia's side as Chrom, Lissa, Robin and little Lucina stood by her, fast asleep on the velvet mattress. "And to think that she would've grown less clumsy over these past few years."

"Don't be so hard on her Maribelle." Lissa countered.

"Is she going to be okay?" Chrom asked.

"She'll be fine. With a bit of rest, she'll be as good as new." Maribelle replied.

"I thought I must've said something wrong." Robin felt a tinge of guilt, as though he were to blame for Sumia's fainting spell.

"But all you said was hello." Lissa clarified. "I think she was just overwhelmed by your presence."

Despite Lissa's words, Robin still felt uneasy, especially when he noticed how worried Lucina looked. "Mother" She whispered and clung onto Sumia's chest.

"She's grown up so fast." Robin added.

"Ah, yes she has." Chrom smiled as Lucina buried her head at the crook of Sumia's neck.

Robin couldn't help but wonder if the other Shepherds were already parents as well. Time flew by so fast that he felt the world was changing too quickly, leaving him alone, away, secluded from the others. "So do you have children as well Lissa?"

Her eyes widened and her cheeks burned painfully red. "W-What? No!"

"Maribelle?" Robin began to grin as he watched their faces burst into shades of pink and red.

"Why of course not!"

Chrom crosser his arms, feeling the tension in the air as Robin did his best to conceal his amusement. He would've guessed that now would be the best time for either of the girls to settle down.

"W-We've been too busy searching for you." Lissa replied. Her cheeks were still red, but she did her best to speak up on their behalf.

"How long have you been out here anyways? Don't tell me you've stayed at Feroxi borders these past three years." Maribelle frowned. If he did conceal his presence for so long, she was sure to throw a nice, long fit.

"Actually, I-"

The doors burst open as Cordelia rushed up to Sumia's side. "Is she okay? I just heard about it a few minutes ago."

"She'll be fine." Maribelle rolled her eyes. "It was just a minor fainting spell."

"Oh, thank Naga." Cordelia sighed and turned to find Robin. She was at a loss for words, but her body moved instinctively and pulled him into an embrace.

"I didn't believe it at first, but I can't believe it's true." She tightened her hold on him.

"I can't believe it either." Robin mused playfully.

"How? When did you come back?" Cordelia pulled away, her scarlet eyes narrowing with curiosity.

"About a week ago, if I recall correctly."

"Mother!" Lucina called out as Sumia began to open her eyes. All the attention returned to their former Pegasus knight as she reoriented herself.

"I'm sure we are all curious to know as to how Robin miraculously reappeared, but now may not be the right time." Chrom suggested. "We can hold a meeting later tonight, when everyone has rested and taken their fill of supper."

The others agreed and left Sumia, Lucina and Chrom together. Robin would be sure to share his story later that night.

The scent of Spring drifted into Robin's room as he leaned forward on his mattress. It was unusual to know that he was still alive, even after sacrificing his own life to end Grima. How was it possible?

He was gone for nearly 3 years and out of the blue, he ends up on a patchy grass in Regna Ferox. It didn't make sense. Surely, there must've been a reason as to why he was permitted to return. He scrambled his brain for any possible answers.

"And so you've returned." Robin looked up to find a young woman in his room's patio. She had long, silvery hair, was well endowed, and strikingly beautiful. Unlike before, she was dressed in conservative attire, as is she were a village woman.

"Aversa?" Robin stood from his seat and marched up to her side, just beyond the confines of his room.

"Yes love, it's me." She batted her eyelashes and removed the bandanna that concealed a portion of her hair. "You know, when I heard that you actually came back from the dead, I was skeptical."

"Aversa, how did you-"

She silenced Robin with her index finger and continued on. "Shhh. Nothing to worry your pretty little head over." There was no doubt in his mind that despite her mediocre appearance, her sultry aura hadn't faltered the slightest bit. Aversa continued to trail her hand along his chest slowly, seductively, eyes narrowing at his attempt to keep his calm composure. "How amusing...I find you much cuter now than back then."

Robin shied away to hide his embarrassment. It was nice to see another familiar face, but the sexual tension that accompanied Aversa was still as uncomfortable as ever.

"And to think that you were gone forever..." She looked down and clenched her right hand into a fist. "I thought you disappeared and would never return."

Robin felt his heart ache out of pity. They certainly weren't the best of friends, but she changed his life, inspired to do the greater good, start life anew once the war was over. And she did just that. He pulled her into a comforting hug, tried to ease her to the best of his abilities as the sun began to set.

He was surprisingly warm and his hold was firm as she sank in and allowed herself to enjoy his company, even though it would only be for a short while. Her lips formed a faint smile before breaking into a light laugh. "I've grown soft over the course of these past three years. To think that I would accept your embrace without scolding you first." She slowly released herself from him.

Robin scratched the back of his head nervously. "I figured you would say that much."

"Yes, well, I guess I have changed."

"For the better." Robin added wisely.

"You make it sound as though I'm still your evil older sister." Aversa scoffed and twirled a strand of her hair.

"My apologies, I didn't mean to make it sound that way."

"I can assure you, I'm very much the same as I was before-" Aversa and Robin's eyes met for a brief second. "Although, I'm not completely cold-hearted as I was back then."

The blonde tactician stifled a laugh. "I feel a lot better."

"Only when I'm provoked do I show my true nature." She raised her head and walked into his room. It was certainly bigger compared to hers. Then again, Robin was staying at Regna Ferox's castle. "So what will you do, now that you've returned?" She traced her hand along the royal blue sheets.

"I don't know. I'm not quite sure." Robin knit his eyebrows together.

"Will you settle down, raise a family?" There was no point beating around the bush, cutting straight to the point would be the best course of action.

"What?" Robin was taken aback as Aversa spoke a bit to forward.

"Need I say it again?" Aversa felt so tempted to sleep on the mattress. With these past three years, she certainly missed the luxuries of living within the castle walls.

"W-Well, I haven't given it much thought." Robin admitted freely. He walked over and casually took the vacant seat beside Aversa. The moment he sat down, he realized that he would regret it later.

"Ooh?" She shifted to her side. "But you have given it some thought. Perhaps, during the war?" Aversa's insinuations were beginning to advance as Robin felt his pulse race. "I admit, those were difficult times. Not knowing whether or not we would actually live the next day, but now..."

Robin felt his face grow hot, and the way Aversa was positioned didn't make things any easier. He turned his head away until she leaned upwards and held his chin firmly with one hand.

"I'm more than ready to start one...with you." Her chocolate colored eyes were smoldering him completely and her tone had dropped dangerously low. "After all, we're not related by blood."

"Aversa?" He questioned her with the ounce of courage that he held.

"Mmm?" She leaned forward, drawing breath at a very proximal distance. "What is it, love?"

"I...I don't think..."

Aversa shifted her expression into a very serious look before releasing her hold on Robin. "I was just joking. Did you honestly believe my words?" She laughed lightly and stood across from the blonde tactician.

"Well, I..." He did, at some point.

There was a knock at his door as both of them turned to find it open despite it being formerly locked.

"I thought I sensed an unusual presence." Stern-faced and slightly annoyed stood their dark mage, Tharja.

"As did I" Aversa countered quickly.

"She was just visiting." Robin tried to remain neutral between the two women. The last thing he wanted was a heated frenzy in the middle of his room.

"Actually dear, I think I'll stay. It would be nice to know how my fellow Shepherds have fared." Aversa walked towards Tharja. They shared a brief look before she brushed past her and disappeared along the hall.

Once the coast was clear, Robin took the opportunity to greet Tharja properly. He hadn't been able to do since the flock of Shepherds swarmed him after the duel. "It's great to see you again Tharja."

She looked down and avoided eye contact. In truth she was so happy that he returned in one piece. Amongst all the Shepherds, she did her best to seek out any form of magic that held a small chance to bring him back. Of course, as expected there was none and she nearly drove herself insane, had it not been for her Ylissean friends.

"Tharja, are you okay?"

She remained ever so silent. It was to good to be true. She held her hand out towards Robin's chest to check if he was real, not some silly dream she would have imagined. When it was and he was warm, she moved it along his heartbeat, feeling the steady rhythm that assured her he was real. Her whole being nearly collapsed, but she did her best to stay calm and bite back her joyful tears. "I'm fine...because now you're home."

Supper was well spent among comrades and Basilio was still uneasy about his loss earlier that day, but all in all, things couldn't get any better than it did that night. Robin sat beside his best friend Chrom who sparked up a multitude of conversations regarding notable events within the course of 3 years. To his left sat Khan Flavia who drank to her fill from pure bliss and happiness.

He scanned the table, watching little Lucina finishing her meal. To his surprise, she finished the remainder of her vegetables with ease. Robin formed a gentle grin, thinking that if he were in her position, he wouldn't have bothered completing the set of peas.

What brought Robin back to reality was the sudden crash of Basilio's mug against the polished wooden table. "So Robin, tell us, how exactly did you wash up on Regna Ferox."

He sighed and examined the alcoholic content in his mug. It was going to be a long story.

...To be continued

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