When Chrom told Robin about Ylisse's Spring Festival he hadn't been sure what to expect.
The elaborate bunny costumes he and everyone else had been roped into wearing were definitely not among them. It apparently wasn't a traditional thing either but rather an idea Chrom had been talked into by Sumia and Lissa.
The Exalt himself seemed in good spirits despite being decked out in a costume of his own.
"Chrom we look ridiculous." Robin insisted.
The blue haired man chuckled, "True, but everyone's having a good time. I can risk looking ridiculous for a few hours for that." he stated.
Robin eyed the crowd. People were laughing and cheering. Civilians and Shepherds alike were adorned in costumess and playing games, music and other such festivities.
Robin sighed, "Maybe it's not so bad." he admitted.
Chrom smiled and patted him on the back, "That's the spirit. Now go have fun. You can take a day off from worrying about everyone and everything." he insisted.
"I just hope the entire Halidom doesn't fall apart if I leave it your care for a day." Robin quipped.
"I could have you executed for that you know?" Chrom replied.
"But you won't." the tactician retorted.
"You got me there. Now go." Chrom repeated.
Robin listened and decided to go explore the festival.
"Hey Bubbles." A familiar voice called.
Robin spoted Gaius, his arms carrying many sweat treats that the festival had to offer.
"Surprised to see you out and about in that getup." the thief commented.
The white haired man sighed, "Unfortunately I got talked to into it by my so called friends." he admitted.
The orange haired man grinned, "Blue and Stumbles huh?" he asked.
"You know it."
"My condolences." he reached out his arm, "Have one of these." he offered.
Gaius held out a candy apple for Robin to take.
"Wow Gaius. I must look pretty ridiculous or you're in a good mood today to be sharing sugar."
Gaius shrugged, "A bit of both."
His eyes suddenly spot something in the distance.
"It's been nice talkin Bubbles, but there are snacks to be had." he said, disappearing in a flash.
Robin tried his hand at some games. Winning a few toys and such that he gave away to some of the children who were unable to score prizes of their own.
"Ah our brilliant mastermind of the battlefield has joined us at last!" calls out the voice of Owain.
The young man approaches Robin with a smile upon his face and throws an arm around him, "We were all wondering if you would miss such an event. To think you'd even bare such a heroic garb, same as I."
Unlike Robin, the blonde man seemed proud and held no shame regarding his current attire.
He patted the young man on the back, "You were already gone when I'd gotten ready. Lissa mentioned that you, Cythia and Lucins wanted to get an early start."
Owain nodded, "Indeed we did. Though in truth we lost Cynthia around an hour ago, but I suspect she went to find her brooding dark knight."
Robin was sure that was the case and Cythia's affections for Gerome were certainly no secret. She wore them openly without expecting anything in return. Gerome despite appearances felt similarly about her though he wasn't quite as open about it as the resident Pega Pony Princess.
"That's not surprising. Though where's Lucina. Is she hear too?" Robin asked.
The son of Lissa scratched his chin, "I could've swore she was right behinf me, but it seems I lost her in the crowd in my excitement." he admits.
Suddenly there was a commotion nearby.
"Severa dear, you look lovely." Cordelia insisted.
The twintailed redheaded girl didn't look pleased. She was wearing very peculiar and not to mention a somewhat revealing bunny outfit.
"Gawds I feel ridiculous in this. Who's stupid idea was this anyways?" Severa complained.
Robin went to speak to Owain but noticed the boy's lingering gaze.
The next thing they knew, Severa stormed off away from the exasperated looking Cordelia.
Owain chuckled, "Well my friend, it seems that's my cue. Please tell Lucina I've gone on a hunt for rabbit if you run into her." he told the older man before beginning his persuit.
Robin couldn't even get a word in before he too was gone.
Well he supposed he could look for Lucina. Maybe she'd want to hang out after being ditched.
"Hey, Robin!" she called.
Speak of the devil. He turned to respond when his words disappeared.
Lucina was in a costume of similar style to Severa but definitely had a more decorative look to it. He had little doubt Lucina loved the attire given her seemingly chipper attitude and taste for rather loud fashion.
She beamed as she saw him, "It is you. I see Mother got you to agree to the costume as well."
"Yeah Sumia strong armed Chrom who ordered me to dress up as well." he stated.
"Well it looks nice. Very festive." She said happily, reaching up to adjust the ears ln his head.
It was admittedly a pleasant surprise to see Lucina in such good spirits. It was great progress from when they'd first met her.
"Thank you. Are you having fun?" He asked.
She nodded, "It's nice seeing everyone enjoying themselves. I like the games too though I admittedly haven't won many prizes." She confesses glumly.
Robin eyes the game booths, "Anything you've got your eye on?" he inquires.
She glances over at the lines of prizes, "I like that bird over there. I hadn't gotten the chance to have a go at winning it myself though." She answered.
"Let's go give it a try then." He said, heading that way.
Lucina went first, but despite her capability in combat, seemed to be cursed with her mother's horrible clumsiness otherwise. He could see her visible frustration at being unable to win such a simple game. Though he imagined that probably didn't help her do any better. In the end, she did not walk away with her prize.
Robin stepped up, ready to take on this ring toss game.
He got three throws per payment. He needed all three to win. He eyes the jugs that the rings are meant to land on. To anyone else there'd be nothing out of the ordinary but for someone like him where the details can mean life or death he can't help but notice. The arrangement of the bottles make a perfect shape so that almost all angles would result in the rings not being able to land properly around them. However, some of the further back ones are not arranged as neatly so he decides to give those a try.
"When I win, she'd like that bird carving you've got up there." He said confidently.
Robin aimed thw rings and sure enough landed three for three along the back row.
The stall runner sighed and congratulated them before giving Lucina her desired prize.
She beamed, looking postively adorable especially combined with her current attire.
"Thank you so much Robin." she saud happily.
"No problem. Seeing you smile is more than prize enough for me."
Seeing her glance up at him and a couple people passing by giggle at him made him realize how cheesy that sounded. That didn't mean he wasn't taking it back.
Lucina held the sculpture delicately like it was a precious artificial.
"I should put this somewhere where it can be safe. I'd feel terrible if something happened to it after you went through the trouble of winning it for me."
We can swing by the castle. I'm thinking that I should leave my coat back there too while we're at it. It's getting kind of stuffy.
So they did, chatting as they went. After a while Robin completely forgot about how ridiculous he looked as he was too busy enjoying his current company.
When they arrived at the castle, he thought their stop would be brief.
However, Lucina waved him along to her room with her. She seemed oblivious to the how scandalous it might look if anyone saw them enter her bedroom alone. So he felt the need to mention it.
"My apologies. I'm used to bringing Cynthia or Severa here. You can wait out here if you'd like. I'll only be a moment." she promises.
He nods, "That's fine. I'll be waiting." he stated.
"Thank you." She responded looking relieved.
So Robin waited...and waited...and waited. After a few minutes had passed, Robin heard Lucina call to him from within the room.
"Robin...I...need assistance..." he heard Lucina call out.
Hesitantly, he entered the room, praying no onr was around to see, lest his reputation plummet.
"Lucina, what's wrong?" He asked.
Unexpectedly, Lucina was simply standing, arms crossed over her chest admiring a wall of various trinkets and such.
"Um...Lucina...?" he repeated her name.
She looked up, "Oh Robin. I need your opinion. Do you think I should it fits better with my other collectibles or do you think I should put it by the window. Perhaps maybe it could go on the bedsid table." She mused.
"Oh...um..." he said not really expecting this to be the type of help she sought.
He scratched his chin, "The window would look nice, but the direct sunlight might make the wood crack." He pointed out.
Lucina nodded, "Good point. Maybe I'll put it on the bedside table then." she decided.
She gently placed the wooden figure on the table, when she was happy with its placement she turned words ready to leave her lips when she tripped on the rug that her bed sat upon.
Robin attempted to catch her only half succeeded as he too fell to the floor. The man opened his eyes only to find a deep blue gaze staring back at him.
He's temporarily tongue tied as he's suddenly all too aware of the position they're in. She pushes herself up but it puts her in a position where she's straddling his torso.
He tries not to think about the fact that he took notice of just how flattering and tight the costume Lucina is wearing is.
"Gods Robin are you alright?" Lucina asks.
'"Never better" he pictures himself saying.
"I-I'm fine. How about you?" He asked trying to distract himself.
"I'm alright. You broke my fall for me." She deadpanned.
When after a minute, Lucina doesn't seem to intend to remove herself from him, Robin decides to speak up.
"Lucina can I get up now?"
No response.
"Lucina?"
The girl seems to be in a daze when suddenly she leans in again pinning him down once more. She comes so close that he can feel her breath on his face. She just stares into his eyes like she's looking for something or as if she's under a spell. Yet she she never crosses the line. Robin is ashamed to admit that his own eyes darted to her lips and for a brief moment he considered doing something rather rash.
The spell is broken at the sound of footsteps approaching but before they can move and untangle from each other, Cynthia bursts in the door in typical animated fashion. Words could not even leave her lips before she froze at the sight before her.
Lucina and Robin both blushed as they knew that this looked really bad.
Cybthia shook her head before giving a mischievous grin, "Sorry for interrupting, we'll talk later Lucy. Treat her well, Robin." she said shutting the door behind her.
Lucina could only jump up, mortified at what had occurred, "Gods Robin, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me." She apologized.
"Robin dusted himself off, "Hey don't beat yourself up over it. Accidents happen." He assured her.
"Usually those accidents don't involve making people think you're being...intimate...with a close friend." she comments.
"Probably not, but hey as long as she doesn't tell the entire castle we're getting married then everything is fine." Robin declared.
"You're getting married?!" a new arrival screeched.
Robin and Lucina paled as they recognized Sumia's voice.
Sumia looked like a storm of several emotions because she laughed/cried and ran yelling that she couldn't wait to tell Chrom.
"N-no. Mother wait!" Lucina said dashing out of the room.
Robin meanwhile pondered the thought.
'Married, huh?'
He'd always intended to settle down one day and start a family. Well at least since he'd woke up that day without his memories. Unfortunately am opportunity had never really presented himself and one by one his friends had settled down together. Leaving him one of the few single men of the group.
Even the kids from the future had essentially paired off. Well all except Lucina and Inigo. The others assumed it would happen eventually, but Lucina hadn't show any interest in him beyond a friend and comrade.
Lucina...had always been a special case. Both as the masked warrior Marth and as the time traveling daughter of Chrom and Sumia. He'd treated her as an oddity, a source of information and eventually a friend and confidante during the later months of the war. He'd been a bit enamored with the mystery woman admittedly, but had buried those feelings deep when she'd revealed her true identity.
Truthfully, perhaps feelings never truly left. Lucina was a beautiful and dependable young woman even if she had a bit of an edge from the great burden placed upon her shoulders. They'd shared the desire to do the best they could for everyone around them, especially Chrom and he'd overtime gotten to glimpse bit by bit the softer side of her. He'd long convinced himself that she'd never consider him an option and even longer convincing himself she was never an option.
What if she said yes though? What if he asked Chrom and Sumia formally if he could court Lucina and everyone agreed to it. They were roughly the same age. They were close. If nothing else they'd made a good political marriage to keep pushy nobles from trying to get into House Ylisse through himself or Lucina.
The tactican shook his head, what is he thinking. She just ran out in a panic at the thought of being in a relationship or getting married to him. Speaking of which he should probably help clear this whole mess up with Sumia and Cynthia.
Lucina had caught up to her mother and was seemingly explaining the situation.
"So you're seeing each other then?" Sumia asked hopefully.
Lucina blushed, "No, mother. We are not seeing each other."
"Why not?" Sumia whined.
"Because we're not."
"But I'm ready want to see my big little girl get married." Sumia cried.
"Well I'm not. Who's trying to take my little girl from me!" exclaimed Chrom as he entered.
"Robin!" Cynthia shouted from behind him.
Chrom turned to Robin, hand ready to draw Falchion, "I'll execute him myself." he declared.
Between the jump scare and the death threat from his best friend, Robin's soul had practically left hid body for a moment.
"Chrom I can explain." He started.
"I bring you into my home, treat you like family and this is hoe you repay me? By defiling my daughter."
Lucina's face turned red, "Father. He's done no such thing." she stated.
"Don't cover for him Lucina. I won't let him lay another finger on you." the Exalt continued.
"He didn't even lay a finger on me..." Lucina argued, sounding...disappointed?
Sumia put a hand on her daughter's shoulder, "You sound kind of let down by that."
"It's not like that..." the younger woman denied.
"It's okay honey. We just have to stop your father from killing him and then go from there."
"...Okay."
Sumia cleared her throat, "Chrom if you don't stop attempting to murder Robin then I'll stop making pies for you for the rest of your life." she threatened.
Chrom's menacing aura immediately disappeared, "Sumia. You'd really do that? To protect the man who betrayed us-"
The Pegasus Knight sighed, "Chrom. You know Robin wouldn't go behind your back and do something like that. Even if he did they're both adults. We can't exactly tell them what to do." she explained.
The blue haired man calmed down, "You're right. Still I admit it would sting if both of you hid something like this behind my back. If you two were really happy, I'd approve. Even if having my best friend as my son-in-law would be weird." he relented.
"Thank you, Chrom. For what it's worth I would never keep something like this from you. So I think it's best to let you know that the baby's due in 6 months and we're trying to get married before she's born."
Chrom looked ready to draw his sword again when Robin held his hands up in surrender.
"I'm only kidding. Please don't kill me."
Falchion returned to its sheath. Robin let out a breath of relief.
Sumia pulled Chrom along, "Let's go honey we've got a ceremony to be a part of in less than an hour."
The Examt groaned, "Duty calls." He muttered.
Cythia followed her parents out, shooting Lucina a wink as she did.
Robin and Lucina both laughed and smiled awkwardly at ech other.
"Some day,huh? Robin asked.
"Certainly a day we'll never forget."
"I hope the first part was at least fun. And watching Chrom attempt to kill me." He joked.
"It was wonderful."
"Would you like to do it again sometime?"
Lucina looked puzzled, "Go to the spring festival?"
"No. Well yes that too, but I meant like you and me spending some time together." he clarified.
Lucina blushed, "Oh...Oh...Like a...Like a date?" She asked hesitantly.
Robin nodded, "Yeah like a date. Only if you want to though. I hope I'm not being too presumptuous."
The blue haired girl took his hand, "Not at all. I'd love to go on a date with you."
"It's settled then. I better start planning something out as soon as possible."
Lucina giggled, "Or we can go watch the ceremony Mister Three-Steps-Ahead." she suggested.
"That works too."
With all this commotion, Robin never figured out what drew Lucina to the bird statue in be first place. If he'd more observant he'd had noticed it was in fact a Robin.
So this was a last minute Easter/Lucina's birthday story. I wanted this to be out sooner but my schedule kept me from writing sooner. It might not even be the 20th anymore for some people when this goes up. i hope there's any fellow Robcina enjoyers left out there for this story to reach.