Summary: It's not everyday the last Chaldean Master chooses to lie. But if a pathological liar, a fallen Child of Prophecy, and a nameless rogue can say anything about it, she's not that good at the task.

Not that it's all a bad thing.

Note: This "half-day" of a chapter was actually taken from a line of dialogue I wasn't able to include in the previous chapter, and was promptly encouraged by (1) Carim/partialdignity and (2) the Lostbelt 6 Recollection Quests in the face of the upcoming Lostbelt 7 in FGO NA (which I'm not exactly looking forward to).

Because when a Chaldean Master lies, the Child of Prophecy and the King of Mors aren't going to miss that. Just as much as the May King who welcomed her home. So, here we are, exploring lies. With the lyrics of AmaLee's English cover of Oshi no Ko's Idol along the way.

Inspired by my real life Robin in my partner, who keeps telling me to this day he fell in love with me in part because I'm not a perfect human being.

The theme for this "half-day" is thus split between three songs: (1) Like Morning Follows Night from RWBY Volume 4; (2) Shinkai 52Hz from the new B-Komachi in Oshi no Ko; and (3) Lugia's Song, from Pokemon 2000.

Here we go.

Day 87.5: More than Lies

"Th-Thank god… thank god… even when I-I'm not perfect, it's not a lie… these words aren't a lie…"

Carrying Vy to bed for her daily nap felt harder than usual after that. Robin knew that the simulator was acting up as soon as communication was shut down from the inside, but for Vy to jump out running towards him once it was all over, sobbing like the world was ending again?

For his little sparrow to be that shaken wasn't normal. Even if the concept of "normal" was drifting farther and farther away from the both of them, what with each battle Chaldea had to wage in the name of Proper Human History.

(Because weren't the Remnant Singularities and the Lostbelts enough already? Why was there more to handle with every single moment?)

(How long could his pretty bird keep flying before her wings would inevitably break from the pressure?)

Hell. Even with Vy safely tucked into bed with Hephaestion keeping watch, her last words still echoed in his mind past the quiet hiss of the closing doors behind him.

"Big Robin, Big Robin, Robin Hood, I-I love you. I-I always have, and always will. P-Perfect or not…!"

As much as those words personally made him happy — fuck, more than happy too, even, with how much the mud wanted to drag him back down thanks to its sudden exposure to blinding sunshine — there was something about Vy crying them that made him feel guilty for taking some pleasure at hearing it. Because there was something in today's simulator run that made her cry them out.

Something that made her doubt herself to the point of having to reassure the both of them that their love was real.

"…Fuck," he cursed to himself, shaking his head while lengthening his walking stride through the winding Novum Chaldea hallways. There wasn't any point to debating the what-ifs. What mattered was that Vy was safe, Vy was alive, and both Da Vincis — Caster and Rider Lily — were already roping "Lady" Reines into their work on fixing the simulator for Vy's sake. Trying to probe at what was effectively already done and over with in that hacked scenario left behind by Trim — or something else — would just serve to disturb Vy's sleep again. It was why he allowed himself only another curse of, "Damn it to hell," to vent his frustration.

Because really: in hindsight, he should've seen it coming. Vy was always sensitive, whether it was to the words others were saying to her or even the unconscious feelings of the Servants around her. Why wouldn't she wake up from her naps in the past, just to run over and check to see what was wrong?

For the simulator to bring up old ghosts in the form of the second Director after the asshole Marisbury, just to curse Vy more than she already cursed herself—

It was as if the world itself was saying she would never get a break. That she had to force a smile and lie just to get one.

"Oooooh, I spy a May King all by his handsome lonesome! Missing a Maid Marian for once?!"

…Just great. Definitely something extra he needed today. Even when handcuffed, a certain Insect King wanted to come back and haunt him too, now that Vy wasn't around to keep him in line.

And if his fellow Grailed and the other Servants wanted to see him as a leader, then—

"…This again. To what do I owe the pleasure, Pretender?"

He had to act the part. Even if he didn't fully agree with it.

"Oh, come on! We're liars of the same fold, don't be so cold—!"

It had to be said that Oberon's words going and hitting home like one of his own arrows didn't help much either.

Robin still stopped his growing stomp of a walk, not even bothering to turn his head to meet the glittering eyes of Oberon-Vortigern (who was definitely lingering behind him).

(Asshole.) Just to be extra petty, he extended a middle finger behind his back. Oberon deserved that much.

Sure, after Morgan's personal tour of Chaldea, the former King of Mors had gone quiet when it came to any of his thoughts, actively trailing after their shared Master in silent obedience since. But that was it. If not for the audible smack of what sounded like someone punching the man over his shoulder, Robin could've sworn Oberon would've stayed quiet anywhere and everywhere else.

(Not that the first Pretender could really be trusted, silent or not. Faker could be. Oberon? Not so much.)

(Whoever did the punch for him first already had his seal of approval.)

"You are being too callous, Oberon. Lay off on the insults." Caster Arturia's voice echoes alongside Oberon's overexaggerated Ow then, and Robin feels his shoulders slowly relax. Even with the formal language that came with her manifestation as "Arturia Avalon," the Caster was nothing but reprimanding when Robin finally turned to meet her eyes.

(Good.)

(Robin had no idea how Vy could tolerate him when he wanted to use Saber Arturia's sword in the legendary Sword of Promised Victory just to stab the man himself.)

(Apparently he was growing a vindictive streak. What was love doing to him?)

(Yet, if it was for Vy, then—)

While pulling on one of Oberon's ears, the former Avalon le Fae shot him an apologetic smile, shrugging her shoulders through her white dress. "Apologies about this one, but Archer, do you have a bit of time?"

For Oberon, absolutely none. For Caster Arturia, though, who had helped Vy in Faerie Britain and so much more—

"…Suppose I do. What do you plan to do with—" Robin rolled his eyes at the struggling Pretender between the both of them, meeting Caster's gaze wryly through his hair, "—That one guy?"

"Harsh much? And, Arturia, what do you mean by 'this one'?" Oberon hissed, raising his clawed hand to try swiping at the arm Caster was using to pull at his earlobe, albeit to no avail. "Treating me like an insect like everyone else, tomboy?"

"I'm still a tomboy underneath, so yes! You're with me thanks to Morgan today!" Yet to Robin, the Caster's next smile looked subdued past her suddenly childish quip to Oberon. Pearly whites looking almost like Vy's, from earlier, when she—

When she tried to lie and say she was okay before everything in the simulator with Hephaestion and Himiko.

When have I gotten so used to seeing people lie?

Then again… who am I to talk when I—

A hasty shake of his head brings him back to Caster Arturia, covering up his internal tripping along the way, and he puts on an easy smile in return. "Okay then. What did you need me for?"

Caster's next smile could've been bright if not for the emotion swirling in her green eyes past her golden blonde hair and her crown. "May we chat over tea? I heard you can brew a nice blend!"

…Alright then. He could do that. With Vy asleep, he could do something like that.

It was the least he could do to pass the time without thinking about more what-ifs.

"…Why am I even here again?"

"You are to keep me company, Oberon. That's it." Arturia is unrepentant while sipping at her teacup, beaming when the brew hits her tongue if her bright look at Robin is any indication. For all the showiness she had when reverting back to her more girlish Second Ascension, the Caster version of the Saber he knew certainly had energy. "But this tea really is good! Thank you, Robin!"

"It's no problem," Robin said over his own mug, sipping at it quietly and ignoring Oberon's subsequent grumbling. Thankfully the pot this time didn't turn out too bitter, but the stash of honey and sugar in the cupboards of their chosen break room was always needed. Just in case. But— "Still, it's not everyday the Child of Prophecy calls out to me." Shooting Caster a teasing smile, Robin allowed a bit of good humor to leak into his voice. Because at least Caster wouldn't take offense. "What did I do to deserve the honor?"

"Looking after Vy?" Caster's answer is easygoing and immediate, yet it takes almost all his instinct to clamp down on the immediate urge to flinch at the mention of his little sparrow's name. The room suddenly feels colder once she added, "…I heard." Arturia Caster sips at her tea again, a longer, almost pointed sort of motion, before placing her cup gently back onto the counter in front of her. "About the simulator acting up. And how she ran to you first when it was all over."

…She had to go for the jugular, huh. No wonder, considering Oberon raised her. Maybe I had the "Child of Prophecy" remark coming to me.

And add in how the Pretender had gone silent with Caster's remark, well.

Robin doesn't feel like going for his own tea anymore after hearing it. Even if it was Caster, who buffed him in way too many battles for him to count on one hand anymore. "…What's it to you, Caster?"

The last thing he expected was for the fairy to giggle weakly. "Nothing really. Just worried about things. Even with my Fairy Eyes, it's not every day Vy lies. And even I could tell that she wasn't lying when she said she loved you. She never has lied when saying that much." Her next smile, even through the shade of his hair, looked almost wistful when she finished with, "So why are you so worried?"

Again with the jugular.

With nothing better to do, Robin turns to look back at his own mug. The tea in the cup looks murky to him when he stares at it, the surface barely reflecting his own face back at him. Not that it's a bad thing. He's not sure if he even wants to know what kind of face he's making. Because yes, Vy had gone through a lot of pain before. From her childhood, to becoming a Master in Fuyuki, to all the Singularities, Remnant and not, to even the Lostbelts. She still stood up every single time to keep going, even if she stumbled.

But—

How long can she last?

"…It's my wife, Caster," leaves his lips before he can stop it. "Why wouldn't I be worried about her?"

Because it was the truth. It was real. Just as much as the silver ring on his ring finger, still somewhat heavy even when hidden behind his own glove that held the Yew Bow that saved Chaldea time and time again. Just as much as the faded spots of blood dotting a corner of a specific set of bedsheets in his room too, despite careful cleaning and washing afterwards from his little sparrow.

"Wife, huh…" Caster trails off quietly in that same wispy, nostalgic sounding voice. "That… that makes sense, coming from you."

"...But what's that famous modern saying from Proper Human History? 'Fake it 'till you make it'?" Oberon's voice comes out mocking after that, and Robin turns a wary eye towards him. The blue star crown on his black hair shines rather awkwardly in the artificial light of the break room lounge, making his next smirk appear all the more bitter. "That saying's a lie too, isn't it? So if Hermia's been doing that for everything, for who knows how long too, who can say she hasn't already been lying before we came into the picture?"

…Oh, this guy. The cruel logic makes sense too, even if Robin hates to admit it. Because bonds could be broken just as quickly and as easily as anything else. The village he once protected in life was proof of that.

But for Vy—

"Coming from the Servant who originally mistook her for his 'Titania,' that's definitely bullshit," Robin shot back, ignoring how Oberon promptly gave him the middle finger past his own untouched tea cup. "Lying hasn't ever been in Vy's wheelhouse since I met her, and I know she's a horrible liar."

Because otherwise, it would make all their years together feel like a lie if he admitted the messier alternative out loud. Their meeting in America, all their shared struggles in the original Chaldea — from her fatigued fumbling through every Rayshift and his own emotional immaturity when it came to dealing with plain and simple admiration — to even that one room in the Ooku, where he first got to hear her call out for him and him alone. In that sweet honest high pitch of a voice, with teary eyes and glistening pink lips, looking at him with those same bright stars.

Stars that only reflected his image. Back then and all the way up to now, in the present day at Novum Chaldea.

Through tears and blood, they always reflected the image of a hero that he still wasn't sure he truly was. Even if that very same image reflected back at him in his own tea was his face — his own rugged face that he used to think was only good for village maidens and nothing more — that Vy seemed to have loved through it all anyway.

"But lies… lies from what I've seen aren't always for hiding the truth."

Caster Arturia's comment comes out of left field with how it sounds, cutting off Oberon's impending scoff of disbelief and Robin's own thoughts. Once all eyes are on her, she startles, shakily grabbing her tea cup for a longer sip. Past the long slurp slurp noises of tea going down her throat, the trembling of her fingers against the cup handle betrays her composure. "N-Now, it's not meant to be a diss!" She shakes her head vigorously, inhaling and exhaling for air she didn't really need as an Avalon le Fae. "But… but the faeries in Britain lied all the time because they could. Because they wanted to protect themselves, to get something just for themselves. Those kinds of lies were part of everyday life there because everyone only thought of themselves. Master, though…" she swallows, clearing her throat to hide what looks like a choking noise. "It feels like Vy lies just to protect us from her. Because she's still thinking of us over herself. In that case, she might not be such a horrible liar."

It took Robin too long to realize the saliva had dried out from the back of his mouth. Because when compared to her "Merlin" of a mentor, Arturia's conclusion sounded right.

Because when knowing Vy, and how selfless she was at her very core, from the beginning all the way to now—

If it meant living another day with everyone all happy, why wouldn't she lie?

Why wouldn't she pretend she's not scared of what the next day would bring?

It made sense in hindsight. Because it was that kind of mindset that made the little sparrow burst into tears the first time Chaldea ever threw her a birthday party, and promptly forget what day it was two years later.

What else could it take?

"…That's just bull, Arturia, and you know it just as much as you know me." Oberon's reply is scathing as always, but he's poking his tea cup with one clawed finger when Robin glanced at him. "Hermia's always been selfish and greedy, just like every other damn human being, Lostbelt denizen or not. Lying to protect us," and he audibly gagged when taking one tiny sip of tea, sticking his tongue out, "is just self-serving and disgusting compared to my honest hard work as the Insect of the Abyss. And I'm the cursed one, to be stuck here and be a part of her 'Friendship Harem.'"

Caster went silent again, just as Robin blinked warily. Because really — rude, much? Still, if he was going to say that—

"…Then why did you accept Vy's summons, Oberon?"

If she's so selfish and disgusting to you, why are you still accepting the handcuffs we put on you in her name?

The Pretender shut his mouth almost immediately. Served him right.

Robin ignored him anyway, peering at his tea before tipping his mug back to chug some down. Even when looking through what was soon to be a full year of working together in Novum Chaldea, he knew he just didn't like Oberon. And the Pretender was the same way, if his sullen face was any indication.

"But Vy is…" Caster trails off after mentioning their Master's name, breaking the tension in the room with a small sigh. "She's still shining through the lies. Almost like a star."

To hear that from the Servant Vy affectionately called Ria, though— "…The star you saw in your dreams, you mean, Caster?" Because Robin could see the same kind of shadow in Arturia's green eyes that could overtake Vy's light. The shadow that nearly did take over Vy's light, time and time again with every Lostbelt felled in the name of Proper Human History.

"Yeah. Until I met her, I thought that kind of star didn't exist. That I did enough and could give up. But Vy…" Caster looks at him then, and it strikes Robin at that moment how Caster's newest smile reminds him of Vy's. Wobbly, clumsy, but still kind and well-meaning through the crooked tilt of her lips. "Vy keeps trying because she seems to think she's not doing enough. Because she can't let herself give up. So I think she lies to keep shining. Covering up her own ugly feelings by creating a persona of a 'perfect Master,' just to keep going." Caster then gently taps the side of her teacup with her index finger. Six times, with the same finger, making a quiet tap tap tap noise — as if to mimic the Six Bells of Pilgrimage from Faerie Britain. The Six Bells that changed her destiny. "To keep trying, to keep perfecting, to keep fighting all on her own, even when we're here to remind her she's not alone."

All of a sudden, tiny stars are reflected in Caster's eyes when she blinks, and Robin forces himself to look away.

…Now that's too bright. Just like Vy. But—

To ease the stinging of his vision, Robin looks down at his own half-empty mug of tea, sighing quietly to himself before picking it up and tipping it back to finish it off. Despite the originally sweet blend of the tea bags, the liquid tastes slightly bitter in the back of his mouth thanks to everything that was said, vaguely reminding him of the iron taste of blood. Oberon's whispered, Absolutely revolting, didn't do Robin any favors, making him nearly crack the porcelain with how harshly he slammed his mug back onto the counter. Because—

…Is it too much to ask for her to not be perfect? To be weak and rely on me too, now that I'm here?

Because what kind of Servant — no, partner and husband — was he if he didn't help?

The last thing he expected then was for his communicator to go off with an obnoxiously loud ding noise. It was a small, compact kind of thing — almost the size of a hand mirror if anyone didn't know any better — but it was something for the rest of Chaldea to get to him if their Master was out of the picture.

And if it was going off now—

Robin snatched it out of one of the many pouches on his belt, ignoring Oberon's dirty look in favor of turning off the noise and opening the new message.

Sorry for reaching out while you're not on wake-up duty, Leader, but your wife's out of bed again. She's at the hangar of the Shadow Border if you want to go after her. -H

…Oh, god fucking dammit. Faker had one job. One. Was it too much to ask for?

"…Vy out of bed again?" Closing the electronic screen reveals Caster back in — in her Avalon form, smiling ruefully at him as her green eyes shimmer with something that makes the irises look overbright. "Then it's about time for you to get her, right, Archer?"

He doesn't need her to remind him. The No Face May King easily slips onto his head to make him disappear, the hastiest of apologies leaving his lips at ditching her, but even through his new invisibility, he could've sworn Arturia Caster was beaming.

"Leave Oberon to me, Robin. I have to grow more tolerant of all sorts of lies, anyway. You, on the other hand, have to get your Maid Marian before he can try to claim a Titania past her name of Hermia. After all, you're Vy's hero through all the lies, not him."

Robin didn't need to be told that twice. Even if running out of the lounge has him miss Oberon's potential answer.

Then again, he didn't need to hear it in the face of finding his little sparrow again.

The hangar with the Shadow and Storm Borders was, surprisingly enough, empty of the Captain or any of the Nemo series once he got there. The sea merely lapped at the edges of the pier that led to the rest of the Bleached World, with soft swish swish noises, but at one corner of said pier was the very girl he was looking for. Past all his silent huffing too.

A brunette girl with messy long hair bunched up around her shoulders, dressed in a simple white dress and black ribbon sash, sat not even a few meters away. Her bare feet barely touched the water below as her sandals sat next to one of her outstretched hands at her side.

"I have no idea what love is even like.

Is it something you give

Or is it something you find?

All the lies I tell

I hope that they come true.

May they find their own light

And be brought to life.

I pray they will thrive."

For concentrating on her newest self-made task that apparently meant interrupting her own daily nap, Vy's voice came out shockingly steady as she looked out to the distant horizon of the Wandering Sea. Strongly enunciating each verse with each subsequent breath, despite how quiet each individual word sounded when echoing within the hangar.

Not that it really helped the beating of his heart. It took Robin all he had to close the distance as slowly and efficiently as he could, just to not betray his presence to the singing siren who had stolen his heart from the very moment they had met. All without her knowing.

"So gimme your applause, 'cause I will have it all!

No, it's not enough, I'm such a greedy idol!

How I wish to tell you from my lips

That you have my love, I promise you this.

And so, I'll lie again but know:

I'm praying there's a way.

They hold a little hope

That they will come true someday."

Maybe she is lying. Maybe she isn't. Robin knew he didn't have an exact answer to the conundrum, even with the wedding ring still sitting on his finger past the No Face May King and his bow glove. But—

"And I'm sorry, it's not fine

That I couldn't say the things I meant to you.

But it's now finally time."

Once he swung his feet over the pier edge where Vy had made her newest perch, he took off his hood and extended an arm her way.

Because who said a Faceless King couldn't hold anything?

"Ah, on the count of two,

It's no longer a lie.

Let me say that it's true, I love you!"

The song ends with one tiny, shaky exhale, and then he sees his chance. Robin turns his head to meet Vy's shocked brown eyes, growing stars and all, once he gets a good grip on her shoulders, and it doesn't take that long to pull her into his side. Ignoring her surprised gasp, he rests his cheek on top of her head, nuzzling her softly and hugging her with all the care he can give. He could savor the feeling of her presence later. Hair tickling his chin and everything in-between.

Right now—

"B-Big Robin?" Vy said quietly, using the nickname that started everything. The flower jewel of her ring sparkles at the same time her lotus-shaped Command Seals glow against their shared place sitting on the back of her left hand, matching how her fingers shakily curl up on themselves. Judging by how she easily sinks into his side through it all, though, letting her shoulders slacken like a cord had snapped inside, it's still Vy. Clumsy flying, occasional stuttering, everything. "Is something wrong?"

Yeah. Big Robin. Even now, through possible lies and future falsehoods, it was such a simple nickname that made everything else feel null and void.

Ghost, rogue, Faceless King, cheap Servant — none of it mattered.

If his pretty bird, his little sparrow, his wife wanted to hide the ugly parts of herself with pretty lies to protect everyone—

"...Nah. I just heard you were out of your nest again and wanted to tell you something."

He just had to be big enough to let her hide.

"What… what's that?" Honest panic starts to leak into that high-pitched voice to match slowly flushing cheeks, and Robin's tempted to laugh at how adorable it all sounds past the roaring of his own heart in his ears. "I-I'm not in trouble again for skipping part of my nap, am I?"

"Maybe. Maybe not. But…" there was just no denying it. Sure, the words weren't easy to say, but he knew he meant them. Pressing a firm kiss to her forehead could easily be summed up as a distraction, even if Robin the person wanted to do it. "I never once thought you saying 'I love you' was a lie," he whispered into the crown of her hair, drawing on the last of his fortitude to hold her close. "And I never will when I love you."

Robin doesn't wait for Vy's answer before tilting her chin up with his other hand to lean in.

If a cute little sparrow could lie for the greater good, a faceless Big Robin could do nothing but accept it all, right? Ugly parts, good parts, all of it.

Because it was the least a good Servant could do in the face of a Bleached World. What a good Servant would do, just for her. Even if the rest of the world could turn against her.

Because Robin Hood the Heroic Spirit fell in love with Vy Duong, the imperfect Chaldean Master who would keep trying to be perfect.

Past a kiss that almost tasted like sweet poison, Robin pressed deeper, just to hope Vy could at least rest with one person at her side. And that she would continue to have that person be him at the finish line, wherever and whenever that line would be.