Title: Beach

Description: After twenty minutes Robin began to worry something was the matter. Why hadn't Lucina left the changing room yet? Could she… could she be embarrassed?

Notes: Takes place during the Summer Scramble DLC

"Lucina, are right alright in there?" Robin called into the woman's changing room. He was careful to keep his head angled away from the doorway, lest he unintentionally gaze inside, cupping his hand to the side of his face to direct his voice inside. "It's been twenty minutes, aren't you going to come out?"

"I-I'm not sure if that's the best idea," his fiancé stammered, her voice echoing from deep inside inside. He wasn't quite sure how far back she was, though the building was little more the small hut at the sand's edge, so it couldn't be too far.

"Why? Is something the matter?" Robin asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Its just… I haven't ever worn something this… revealing…" Lucina answered haltingly. Her tone at once brought images of the princess adorably clutching a beach towel over herself, her face red with embarrassment. So vivid was this imagined sight that for an instant Robin found himself taken by a sudden urge to peek inside. Only with an effort off will did he command his body to stay put, his own face burning now.

"A-Are you embarrassed?" Robin asked, stifling a nervous laugh.

"No… well… yes, but… what if the others stare?" Lucina said, seeming to struggle to find words through her nervous babble.

"No one will stare, Lucina. And if they do, it'll because of how stunning you are, not because of some swimsuit," Robin answered. "Besides, I can't imagine the what Anna gave you is anywhere as skimpy as the one she gave Tharja."

"She what?!" Lucina exclaimed, her tone changing from embarrassment to indignant in an instant. "And you saw her?!"

"Unfortunately," Robin sighed. "She even tried to get me apply oil to her… well, her skin and… all the while dressed like that and…" Robin trained off, fidgeting nervously. "I-I declined her request of c-course. I just wish she'd stop trying to make advances on me, I-It's starting to get unnerving."

For a long moment Lucina said nothing. When she finally spoke Robin had to struggle to make her out, the princess' voice almost a grumble. "Of course she did, that… I bet she looked great too, with her body wear something like… like…"

Wait, is she jealous? Robin wondered. Lucina had never showed signs of being jealous of any of the other Shepherds before now.. Then again, if she had been been Robin felt sure she would have kept the feeling private, not wanding to concern others with her own problems.

"Tharja may have great… well, how did Nowi put it? 'Boingy bits'? But she doesn't even come close to comparing with you. You're perfect Lucina, and I wouldn't want to change anything about you," Robin said. Falling silent, he fiddled with his thumb. "Though if you're embarrassed, it's okay if you want to change. By which I mean out the bathing suit, change out of the bathing suit!" He corrected quickly. "You don't have to prove anything to me, you know. Though if it's any consolation, you're the only woman I'd gladly oil up."

Robin froze, his face flushed so red he was positive it's glow might have outclassed the summer sun overhead. "W-wow, that sounded way dirtier than it did in my head. I'm sorry, Lucina, I didn't mean… I'll just let you change and-"

"No, its alright. I know what you mean, and I appreciate the thought." Lucina giggled. The nervousness seemed nearly gone from her voice.

With a sound of bare feet stepped across a wooden floor, Lucina crossed the length of the changing room. She stopped before the entrance, then with a sharp intake of break brushed the curtain aside and stepped into view.

For a moment Robin's brain stopped working, unable to do anything but stare at his fiancé. The bathing suit Anna had chosen for her was suitably tasteful, free of the thin laces that had adorned Tharja's. It was a deep blue, as if someone had mixed the sky and the sea together. The garment fitted her body perfectly, accenting the gentle curves of her lithe, toned body. Her azure hair fell like a waterfall over her shoulders, its always stunning hue a symphony with that of the suit.

She looked beautiful. Simply beautiful.

"I… um… y-you look… wow," Robin managed at last, the inside of his mouth suddenly bone dry. "You're beautiful, Lucina."

For a moment Lucina seemed taken aback by his compliment, her eyes widening and cheeks flushing a soft shade of pink. Then she smiled. "Thank you, Robin, that means… that means the world to me coming from you." Leaning forward, she planted a kiss on his cheek.

If his face hasn't been glowing before, he was sure it had to be now, his skin feeling almost as though it was on fire. "Bwuh?" It took a moment before he could his brain sluggishly started up again. "I…. um… d-don't mention it," Robin stammered.

"I have to say, you don't look bad yourself," Lucina continued, giggling as it became his turn to be the one overcome with embarrassment. He could practically feel her gaze dragging across his bare chest. He gulped audibly, for an instant feeling very exposed. Then he forced with an effort of will he forced his discomfort aside. He could do this, he wasn't scared to be intimate around Lucina. Honest, he wasn't scared. Just absolutely terrified.

"Thanks… I-I'm glad you t-think t-that," Robin stuttered. Smooth, Robin, real smooth. Master tactician indeed.

"Robin? I'm still a bit nervous, going out into the open like this," Lucina said, speaking up after a moment's pause. She gazed down at her garments, blushing again. "You'll be right there with me, won't you?"

"I… Of course I will," Robin answered. Reaching out, he took her hand in his, smiling gently to her.

Lucina smiled back. Then, hand in hand, they stepped out onto the beach to join the others.

. . . . .

Lucina yawned softly at his side, cuddling closer to his side as they watched the sun slowly sink over the horizon. The once crystal blue water now glowed with a fiery, golden light, edged with the crimson orange and rose red hues that lit up the sunset sky.

After facing some mutual nervousness, the day had been absolutely magical, filling with fun and laughter. Everyone there had seemed to have enjoyed themselves, the whole gang able to for a time forget the war and fighting to simply relax. It had indeed been a much needed vacation.

Robin found himself yawning too. Who knew, as it turned out, that vacations could be just as tiring as work?

"Its so beautiful," Lucina murmured. Her eyes glistened as she stared into the sunset. "So calm and peaceful… I wish it could always be like this…"

"I know…" Robin agreed softly. It was indeed beautiful. The most beautiful sunset he'd ever seen. "That's why, I think, what we're doing is so important. We're fighting to make sure it will always be like this. That's what I believe anyways." Squeezing her shoulders tighter, Robin bent his head low, kissing her on the top of her head. "When this is over, we should come back here. Just the two of us. Well… maybe Morgan too. She'd probably sneak along if we didn't bring here."

"Do you really think we'll get that chance?" Lucina asked.

"Of course we will," Robin answered. "I promised I'd spend the rest of my life with you, Lucina. And everything after too! I'm not about to break that promise."

"Good. I'm glad…" Lucina leaned her head against his shoulder, humming contently as she nuzzled as close to his side as possible.

The sun had completely sunken beneath the horizon by the time the two left the spot, returning to the tents the others had set up to spend the night. Tomorrow they would return to their world, to the war and the fighting and death. But for now they would enjoy the peace as long as they were able, under a star filled sky.

Author's Note: Wow, I can't believe how many reviews I got on the last chapter. Thank you so much everyone for all your feedback, it means so much to me. Honestly, whenever I don't feel motivated to keep going, it's being reminded that there are people out there enjoying my work that keeps me going. I can't put it into words just how much it I appreciate it.

As promised the next chapter is going to be a mini-arc set a month after the events of A Future Disowned, and will involve spoilers for obvious reasons. If you haven't read A Future Disowned, I highly encourage you to give it a read and perhaps even leave a review, as otherwise the next few chapters won't make too much sense. Anyhow, until then, take care everyone.