Title: No Matter What the Future Holds

Description: Working up his courage, Robin prepares to admit his feelings to Lucina. But can he bring himself to take that leap? And does she love him back?

Note: Retelling of Robin and Lucina's S-Support conversation. Takes place a few days after Chapter 8: Touch of Another's Hand

Robin ducked out of sight behind a line of tends. His heart hammered and he clutched the bouquet of flowers he'd picked all the tighter. Had she seen him? He wasn't ready yet, he still needed time. Time and to be alone, without anyone watching. Anyone to judge him.

After several long tense moments of nothing happening, Robin slowly peeked out from his hiding place. Just ahead he spied Lucina, the princess having neither slowed nor turned her head. Good, she hadn't seen him. He…

He was such a damn coward...

Again a confusion of thoughts tore through Robin's mind. Why was he doing this? What would she say? Was it even worth it? Why could he just do this and get it over with?

"I.. I just can't keep lying to her, lying about how I feel…" Robin whispered, his shoulders slumping. He wasn't quite sure how long he's held feelings for the beautiful blue haired princess…. no, that was a lie. He'd been attracted to her since she'd first joined the Shepherds. Before that even. But she was the daughter of his best friend, and from the future. Things would were too complicated between them for it to work.

Yet try as he might he couldn't get her out of his thoughts. He cared about her. Cared about her more than he'd cared about anyone else, even Chrom or any of his other friends. He…

He loved her.

Robin's face turned red as he remembered the incident but days before, when he'd talked with Lucina late into the night and without realizing it had reached out to her and brushed his hand against hers. Despite his embarrassment he still remember the feel of her touch, the memory sending a tingle running through his hand.

It was in that moment that he knew he was doomed, knew that he was part the point of no return. No matter what happened he could no longer change the way he felt about her. No longer go back to seeing her as just a friend.

That's why he had to tell her. Regardless of if she returned his feeling or not she deserved to know. To know why he'd been acting so strange and awkward around her.

Tucking the bouquet behind his back, Robin followed after Lucina as she wound through the maze of tents that was the Shepherds' camp. If she'd noticed him then, she showed no sign, her attention ahead of her. It struck Robin just how much her demeanor had changed in the past few months. When she'd joined them she'd always seemed to tense, almost twitchy, constantly looking over her shoulder, freezing at every unexpected noise. But now she looked comfortable with her surroundings, at ease. As if she'd come to fully trust all of them.

Breaking away from camp, Lucina climbed her way up one of small hills that dotted the grassy landscape they'd made their camp. Now Robin did not move to follow, keeping his distance lest she notice him trailing him.

Go talk to her, idiot. She's your friend, you can just talk to her instead of acting like some obsessed stalker, a voice in his head urged, taking on a sarcastic edge as it finished. Robin tensed, clutching the bouquet of flowers behind his back tighter. He felt his hands shake and he squeezed his eyes shut.

"This is stupid. She's my best friend's daughter for Naga's sake. Even if she is my age, she can't possibly feel the same way..." Robin murmured under his breath. "For Naga's sake, she knew future me growing up, probably sees me as an uncle or..." Robin grimaced, squeezing his eyes shut He couldn't do this. Dammit he couldn't do this. What if he made this weird? What if she didn't want to talk with him after this? Maybe he should give this up, or at least forget admitting how he felt. He could just give her the flowers as a friend right.

Opening his eyes, he saw that Lucina had moved out of sight. Sighing, Robin began to turn away, only to stop himself. No, he got this far. He couldn't give up. Steeling his nerves with a deep breath, Robin started up the hill the way Lucina had gone.

You can do this, you can do this, you can do this, the words became a chant as he repeated them again and again. Crossing the hill's crest he spied Lucina seated on the other side, her eyes fixed on the setting sun. A soft smile was at her lips, her expression serene. For a moment Robin stood transfixed. It was so rare to see her like this, to see her just… happy. Gods, he wished nothing more than to be able to make her happy like this all the time, to give her a world where she could live in peace without the weight of her duty or the looming specter of her doomed future.

Tearing his gaze away, Robin checked that the flowers were still in place behind his back. Then he cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Hello, Lucina," he greeted, the princess turning at the sound of his voice.

"Robin? Fancy meeting you here. Did you come to watch the sunset too?" Lucina asked, her smile broadening as she gazed up at him.

"Yes, I…" Robin's voice caught in his throat, his ability to make words failing him. Tell her! Give her the flowers and stop making excuses! He swallowed audibly, struggling the regain his composure. "Actually, I followed you. I, er...wanted to give you these," he admitted lamely. He averted his gaze, awkwardly extending the bouquet to her. Smooth, real smooth. Looks like we have a real lady killer here. Good going, Robin.

"Oh, Robin! Did you pick flowers for me?" She beamed at him, her eyes sparkling with joy. Reaching out she accepted the offered bouquet. She brought them to her nose, closing his eyes as she took in a deep breath. Her expression softened, becoming more serene and blissful than Robin ever remembered seeing here. "They're absolutely beautiful, and they smell heavenly!"

"...I-I'm glad you like them," Robin stammered, managing to tear his eyes from the ground to glance her way before looking away once more. He felt his cheeks darken with embarrassment, unsure what to do now.

If Lucina noticed the awkwardness of his actions, she showed no sign, continuing as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. "We have no flowers in my world. The whole land is barren," she explained. For a moment her smile faltered, then she shook her head as if banishing the grim thoughts from her mind. "...But enough of that. Tell me, Robin, what are we celebrating?" She asked, her smile returning.

Tell her. Tell you damn fool, the voice at the back of his skull urged. Robin felt his heart seized in his chest, the world seeming to fall still. "I… I just…" He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly very dry. "N-Nothing, really. I just thought you could use some cheer."

Coward. Coward. Coward,

Lucina's cheeks turned a slight shade a pink and she averted her gaze. "You really shouldn't worry about me so…"

"I…" Robin started, trying to form the words to tell her, to just tell her all ready. But every time he tried, every time he started to… doubt reared it's ugly head and his resolve broke. What if she said no? What if he offended her by asking. Her friendship meant so much to him, what if he ruined it. "I… It's no trouble... I... You're a dear friend, and I want to do anything I can to help."

Robin fell silent. He squeezed his eyes shut. Why? Why couldn't he do this? For the first time in his life he… he wanted something. He… he loved her, wanted to be with her. Every since he could remember, short of a time as that may be, he'd just passively let everything pass him by.

Didn't he deserve to be happy? Didn't he? Even… even if he didn't, he couldn't keep this up. Lucina, deserved to know the truth…

"Lucina I…" his voice cracked, his words dying at his throat for a moment before he pushing onward, forcing the words to come. "Lucina, I'm not being entirely honest. You are dear to me, of course, and the daughter of a true friend. But… I…"

"But...?" Lucina asked, her expression going from perplexed to apprehensive in a single instant. Faintly he heard her breath catch in her throat, noticed the way her body went tense and rigid,

Robin opened his mouth, but no words came. He swallowed and tried again. No words game. He began to slip, tumbling back into the pit of his doubts. He couldn't do this. What if he… he…

No. He seized hold of his resolved, failing for the brink. Words came faster than before, not giving himself the chance to search for any more excuses. "But you are more than that. Much more! I didn't pick that bouquet to cheer you up. I did it because... Because I'm in love with you."

"What?" Lucina asked, her eyes going wide in shock. Her hand shot to her mouth, covering her gaping jaw.

Regret seized Robin at once, but he continued on regardless. It was too late now, too late to take it back. He owed her an explanation at least. She deserved to know why. "Lucina, I've fallen helplessly in love with you! I tried not to, but I couldn't help it! You've been through so much, so many hardships, yet you've remained strong throughout all of it. Despite everything you're kind, brave, and selfless. You're amazing, Lucina. and I…"

He swallowed hard, his throat again painfully dry. His face burned as if ablaze, yet he pushed forward, letting the words continue forth. "... and I just want you to be happy. You deserve that, above anything else. I know I probably can't do that for you. I know that. But I want it nonetheless."

"Robin…" Lucina whispered, his voice slipping out from between her fingers. She tugged the bouquet against her chest, her expression becoming one Robin didn't expect. Disbelief was there, but so too did he see awe and fear; as if she could scarcely believe what was was hearing. As if she'd never expected to hear him speak those words.

"We've been through so much, and I know many trials still await us... I don't know if you feel the same way but... But no matter what happened or is yet to come, my feelings cannot change! I love you, Lucina. With all my heart. I just want you to know that…" He trailed off lamely, averting his gaze.

There, he'd done it. Now she knew. He stood there, nearly shaking with fear as he awaited her answer. He knew what she'd say: she'd tell him she didn't feel as he did. All he hoped is that she was not offended, that she wouldn't hate him. If she did… he didn't know how he could face himself after that.

"Robin, I…"

Robin opened his eyes, hesitantly turning to look back the princess. As he watched Lucina's hand fall away from her lips, dropping down to her chest to grip the bouquet along with her other. Her expression softened, yet her breath seemed to have quickened, as her her heart was racing. It was then he noticed that her hands were shaking, the visible knuckles on her hands white.

" I... I'm so glad you told me all this. ...Because you are in my heart as well." She smiled as she finished, her turning a delicate shade of pink.

..

"I… you…" The entire world seemed to freeze, stuck in time. Now Robin was sure his heart had stopped. He couldn't breath. He couldn't think! Much less form the words to respond. "I-I.. y-you… I… y-you do?" He stammered, his mouth hanging open.

Lucina's smile deeped at this. The she giggled. The sound was so unexpected Robin almost had to do a double take. It was so… beautiful, so light and full of happiness, his heart leapt at the very sound. "I never though… never imagined you felt the same way. I still can scarcely believe this is not a dream," she shook her head from side to side, as if to brush aside her own surprise. "I happy though. More happy than you can imagine…" She sniffed, and for a moment her eyes seemed to glisten as her gaze met his.

In that moment, in that one look all doubt in Robin's heart was washed aside. She felt the same way that he did. She truly did! Even in his hopes he'd scarcely believed it would have been possible. And he wasn't dreaming. This was real.

"Truly? Oh, those are… those are the sweetest words I've ever heard! he managed, overwhelmed by all of it. He laughed, suddenly overtaken by a giddy lightheadedness.

Acting on instinct he reached out and gently pulled one of Lucina's hands away from the bouquet. She followed his motion, her fingers curling around his hand even as he did the same. His skin tingled at the touch. He couldn't believe this was really happening. "Lucina, I can't pretend to know what the future holes, but I promise you, no matter what: I will be here for you. Whatever road you choose to follow, I shall follow it at your side. To whatever end awaits us, I'll do everything in my power to ensure that your future is a happy one."

"And we won't rest until we reach that end. Together." Lucina proclaimed in agreement.

For a long awhile they stood there, hands intertwined with one another, staring into eachother's eyes. Hours seemed to pass, though it could not been more than a couple minutes. Then Lucina's smile lessened ever so slightly, an uncertain nervousness tinting her features. "So...um… what do we do now? Now that we're… uh… together, I mean," she said, quickly correcting herself.

"Well we…" Robin stopped, realizing he didn't actually have the faintest idea what they were supposed to do now. He'd been so wrapped up in finding the courage to tell her how he felt, he hadn't given any thought to what may come after. Ha, some tactician I am, failing to plan for every eventuality. "I… uh… don't really know to be honest. I haven't exactly, well, done this before. Being in a relationship," he clarified, blushing.

"Oh, I see…" Lucina said. His as her cheeks flushed her smile returned. "Well, I suppose… if neither of us know… we will just have to figure it out together, do we not?"

"No doubt," Robin agreed a nervous laugh escaping his throat. He rubbed the back of his neck, uncertain what to say. "I guess for now we could just watch the sunset. Together, I mean. If you want to."

"I would like that very much, Robin," Lucina answered, joy sparkling in her eyes as she gazed at him.

Hand still wrapped around hers, Robin moved to her side to face the setting sun. Even in the dying light the sun's rays washed over him with a radiant warmth. Even though the darkness of night would soon fall there was a promise there that the light would return in a morning yet to come. A new, fresh dawn that he and Lucina would share, for the first time, together.

Robin squeezed her hand tighter, reveling in the softness of her skin and the warmth of her touch. But most of all he basked in the comfort of her presence. His friend. His love.

He'd felt something new that day, something he'd feared he'd never get to experience. Robin knew what it felt to love someone, and know they loved you back.

Author's Note: Happy Valentines Day everyone. I figured a good way to celebrate would be to bit of romantic Robin x Lucina fluff. A lot of people have been requesting me do a retelling of how the two got together, but as I really like the S-Support as it I decided to instead focus on what Robin was thinking and feeling during it rather than make any major changes. That and expand it a bit by adding some stuff to the start and the end. Overall I though this was fun.

In case you guys are wondering, with Fates coming out next week I have no plans of stopping LAT. I will continue ton write Robcina fluff long into the future, trust me. Well, that's not wholly true. The updates might slow as a result of another Robin x Lucina centric story I have in the works. Can't give any specifics now, but keep your eyes out.

As always let me know what you guys think. Hearing back from you always makes my day.