Read and Enjoy!
Synopsis: Sometimes, the best gifts in the world come in the simplest of words and actions.
Paralogue: Surprise!
"Owain, dear? Why are you still awake?"
"I can't sleep."
"Well, c'mon over here and lie down next to mommy. Now what's the matter?"
"Mother, I don't want you to leave the palace. You're always out fighting and you're so busy."
"I'm so sorry, baby. Mommy has a job to do so she can keep her friends safe and sound! And if my friends are safe and sound, you're safe and sound, too!"
"Okay...but promise me you won't leave like father, okay?"
"…Okay, sweetie. I promise. Pinky-double-kissie promise."
It was an ordinary, summer day. At times, he wished that he knew magic like his mother and father. A wind spell was always appropriate for hot summer days, he thought. He rose from his bed, sword hand throbbing for action. Though honestly, he just slept on his arm; the numbing and the tingling sensation made it feel like it was "throbbing".
After getting dressed and neatly pinning the obi of his robe, he went and reached for his sword, the not-so-apocryphal brand, Mystletainn. After months of continuous persuasion by Lon'qu and his father, Mark, the young man was shattered after realizing that his other sword, now dubbed "Missiletainn", was a hoax. Thankfully, Gaius, a good friend of his father (and can still never understand why he calls his father "Bubbles" as he was neither fat like Excellus nor bubbly like his sister, Morgan) was able to procure the legendary blade through surprisingly normal means.
And Owain panicked. Where in the world was his sword? He can always rule out thieves as it always became his habit to lock his windows and doors. And then he walked to the door and realized, that it was one of those rare occasions that he forgot to lock the doors.
Journeying from wing to wing, he found that his sword was not within sight. It wasn't where he trained nor was it seen by any of the staff. But he was rather alarmed at one thing he discovered; he did not see his mother, father, sister, friends, or anyone in the entire castle save for the staff. Something was definitely strange; the people who knew where his fabled blade was at were gone. And it worried him.
Maybe the blacksmith knew.
"Bloody hell, I don't know where you sword, went sonny."
"What about everyone else?"
"Ah, last I heard was they'd all be gatherin' at the barracks. Now what can I fix you with?"
"Ehh, most of my items have sentimental value…I'll be fine for now." And he walked out, hearing a grunt from the gruff man.
"Boy, isn't he in for a treat. Hrrmph."
"Guys, he's coming!"
"Everyone, get ready!"
"That was a good idea to take his sword."
"Gawds, how come he didn't come sooner?"
"Mother, how do I use the Flux spells?"
"Hello? Is anyone here?" He slowly crept around the surprisingly dark barracks. This was strange. Instinctively, he was cautious. He checked the stock rooms and the lobby and found no one there. Maybe they all left for a mission and forgot about him. Once he turned to the corner of the mess hall, he saw things dangling from the roof, but the darkness clouded it. He was rather worried. He felt that he was being watched.
"Hello? Is anyone—DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Everyone yelled as loud as they can, party favors and decorations dotted the entire mess hall. The harmless Flux spells blocking the window lights were finally dispelled and the Scion of Legend was at a loss for words. It was his birthday. And he sincerely forgot about it, more concerned about his sword.
Back in his time, he never really had the chance to celebrate something as simple as a birthday. The constant threat of death and ceaseless fighting never gave him, or any of his friends for that matter, a breather to appreciate something like that.
Everyone began to sing with Kjelle and Severa presenting Owain with Mystletainn with a brand new hilt.
"Here. We got the blacksmith to put your blade together. Severa—" And Kjelle pulled the pigtailed mercenary closer, arms around her neck. "And I here made this hilt just for your sword."
Owain blushed. "Ehe…t-thanks girls."
Before long, Mark, Lissa, Morgan and his infant self came with really good-looking sets of honeycakes from none other than Gaius himself. Chrom, Sumia, Cynthia, the elder and younger Lucina, the Shepherds and some members of the Royal Guard surrounded him and began to sing.
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday, dear Owain!
Happy birthday to you!
"Happy birthday, big bro!" Morgan smiled.
His infant self cooed, reaching for him. "Daaa!"
"Happy birthday, dearest nephew!" Chrom patted his shoulder.
"Whoa there, cousin! Happy Birthing day! He-he!" Cynthia giggled.
"Owain, I wish you a good birthday. We never celebrate these things during our time but you truly deserve one."
Severa blushed. "Happy birthday, okay? H-hope you like my gift…HEY, say something like 'your welcome' or something like that…"
"Now we got your gift in order, I'll make sure to ease on the exercises tomorrow, okay?" Kjelle slapped his back.
As his family, friends and his infant self surrounded him with smiling faces and party hats, he walked to the two people that gave him life and gave them a tight hug. Tears began to stream through his face. Though as he bawled in joy, there were no theatrics involved. No intricately improvised monologues. Just a good, steady stream of tears.
"Happy birthday. We love you!" His parents said in tandem and kissed him on his cheeks, their gift to their eldest son.
"Look, Owain! A shooting star! You know, a good friend of mine always told me if I look up the sky and see stars that fall, you can make a wish!"
"Mother?"
"Yes, Owain?"
"What do you always wish for?"
"What I wish for? Hmm…Well, before I answer that. What do you wish for?"
"I want you and everyone to stop fighting and everything to be back to normal again."
"You know, you're supposed to make the wish secret."
"But I want you to know the secret, mother."
"Aww, c'mere you! Let mother give you a good smooch! Owain, as long as you wish for things like that, I'll wish that your wishes always come true. Because if you're happy, mommy and daddy are always happy!"
Despite the grim situation his former future had, he always wished for a better future. Hoping for something—anything—to allow everyone to drop their swords and for the fear of annihilation to disappear from their lives forever.
Finally, after all the years of endless fighting and the sacrifices they all made, it finally paid off.
His wish came true.
A/N:
If I ever had a son, I will name him Owain. I'm sorry that this was so quick and short and pretty much "drabble" (I think this is drabble, right?).
I managed to rush this during my lunch break. It's July 16th overseas but since most of my readers are on the other side of the world, I'll release it this time. Was I on time? Hope so.
Anyhow, I kept one promise. Now, I'll be back in a few weeks (a month plus one maybe), readers!