Title: Reasons to Love
Description: Love is funny and not often easy to put into words. Though that is not a reason to never try.
Notes: Takes place during the Hotspring Scramble DLC, some time before the events of Chapter 21 of Awakening
"Huh, this is nicer than I expected," Lucina observed, stepping fully into the lavishly furnished room they would be staying.
"No joke. Anna was not kidding when she said that her sister ran one of the best resorts in Bathrealm," Robin agreed. "Which considering the whole Outrealm is one big hot spring, that's saying a lot."
While of a different design to what he was used to, reminding him vaguely of the more of that seen in southern Valm and, the room rivaled the palace at Ylisstol. It has a large bed, though here the mattress rested directly on the ground. Bottles of wine and other beverages lined an ornately carved shelf, price tags clearly labeled of course. Towels and simple yukatas lay folded on a table. A curtain separated the main room from a private bath, steam wafting out and giving the whole room a pleasant scent of mineral rich water.
"Indeed, though I am not complaining. Let's get settled in then, shall we?" Lucina said, moving to stow her things.
For a moment Robin could only stare, transfixed for not the first time how absolutely beautiful Lucina looked in the blue yukata she'd bought earlier that day. From how it accentuated her lithe figure to how the shade matched her hair and eyes, she was simply stunning in it.
Shaking his head, Robin started on some preparations of his own. Closing the door behind him, he began muttering a spell under his breath, tracing his finger in arcane runes. Satisfied with the spell he moved over to one of the windows to repeat it.
It was they that he became aware that Lucina was staring at him. "Robin, what are you doing?" Lucina asked, speaking up as last the moment he'd finished. She arched an eyebrow, managing to look bit quizzical and uncertain.
"I am casting little spell I learned that should alert me if anyone comes snooping here tonight," Robin explained before moving to the next curtained window to repeat his spell.
"Why? Is there reason to suspect someone is spying on us," Lucina exclaimed, her eyes going wide in alarm.
"Not suspect, per say. More, I know for a fact someone was earlier," Robin answered. Seeing Lucina's expression become even more shocked, he elaborated, "Earlier Anna's sister, the one who runs the hotsprings, was using a tome to record images of some of us as we bathed. Myself included. So let's just say I don't intend to give her a shot at trying it again."
"She what?!" Lucina exclaimed, leaping to her feet. "Where is she? I would have her destroy the abominable thing and apologize for breaching our privacy in such a shameful manner"
"No need, I kind of ruined the time by soaking it with water when I caught her in the act," Robin assured her. "I will speak to her in the morning though, but for now I'd much rather enjoy the rest our evening together"
"Oh, of course," Luina said simply, much of the previous indignant fury leaving her. "Still, we must see to that. In the morning. After we aren't preoccupied with... us," she ended awkwardly. A curious frown crossed her lips a moment later, and she asked, "Robin, why have I not seem you use this spell before. Would it not be valuable in safeguarding our camp?"
"The spell has a very limited range and only really works in detecting when magic is being used. So it's not particularly useful when a skilled sentry can generally do more," Robin answered.
Finishing up on the last window, Robin moved over to sit down on the bed besides Lucina. He kicked off his boot before dropping down onto his back with arms resting behind his head and yawned deeply.
"What a day, huh?"
"Yes, between the interruption of the Risen and the rest of the time spent in the springs after it is a wonder I can even keep my eyes open," Lucina answered, stifling a yawn of her own with the palm of her hand.
"Well I hope you aren't too tired yet. I don't think I could let myself sleep now when it meant losing out on a rare moment we have to ourselves," Robin said, sitting upright. As he did he let his hand burst against her's, remembering keenly how the same gesture has seemed so awkward to him but months before.
"Of course, there is no other place I'd rather be now that spending time with you," Lucina assured him. She smiled, her eyes glittering as she placed her hand over his.
For a moment Robin could only stare back into her gaze. The feeling was indescribable, feeling as though he was trapped in a warm, joyous trance he did not wish to wake from. He could sit there forever staring into her eyes. Honestly, if not for needing to eat and sleep he probably would be content to do just that.
However there was something bothering him, way back in some corner of his mind. Perhaps it was born from their conversation earlier that day, of Lucina's insistence that she must one day leave, that had brought a doubt to his mind. At first he though to ignore it, but... no, perhaps it was better to ask. He trusted her, more than anyone. Hearing her answer would do much to put his mind at ease.
"Lucina, why do you love me?" Robin asked, slipping his hand out from between them. Still, he watched as her eyes widened, if ever so slightly, at the sudden question. "I mean, not that I doubt you do. Not for a moment," he added quickly, twiddling his thumbs nervously in his lap. "I'm just, wondering, you know? We've been together for awhile now, and well..." He trailed off, the statement hang there.
Too me honest, he genuinely wondered what she could see in him. He could go on for hours about all of the things he loved about the amazing woman sitting next to him. About why he thought she was special. About why she was so important to him. Why he couldn't live without her. But himself? He wasn't anything special: he was just a tactician, nothing more. There were probably a thousand men more worthy than he was.
Lucina nodded, folding her hands in her lap. For a moment Robin feared she would not answer. Then, at last, she began. "As you know, I harbored some feelings for you since I was a girl. I guess you can say you were my first crush: the dashing, handsome tactician of the Shepherds." She gave a soft, nervous laugh, her cheeks turning pink. "It was rather silly to be honest, something I'd figured I'd outgrow."
Robin dipped his head in acknowledgement for what she'd said. She'd told him as much before, and the thought still filled him with embarrassment. Particularly to be referred to as "dashing" or "handsome". Just thinking about it now was almost enough to make him blush.
"I suppose beyond that I am afraid I didn't know much about you. Only the stories I've heard. Of the legendary tactician who'd turn the tides of battle against impossible odds. Who always brought everyone home alive."
Now Robin really did blush at her words. "I just got lucky most of those times. And I did nothing more than anyone else would have done in my shoes," He argued, self conscious to have such praise thrust on him.
"You do not give yourself enough credit, Robin. Not when we have seen your exploits first hand," Lucina countered. "But regardless, that is merely the image of you I had when I joined the Shepherds."
Robin nodded again, saying nothing. Part of him wanted to argue, but he decided against it. Now was not the time.
"But, then I spent time with you: got to truly know you. Not the tactician I'd heard stories about or the the Robin seen from child's view, but the real you," Lucina continued, her brilliant azure eyes meeting his. "That's the Robin I came to admire, the... the Robin I love." Her face turned bright red at that admission. She averted her gaze, suddenly very shy.
Robin lifted a hand, moving it closer to her. He froze, for a moment uncertain, then gently placed it on her arm. She stiffened at his touch, then relaxed, her eyes returning to look his way.
"It's okay if you're not comfortable speaking about this yet. We can talk about something else," Robin offered gently. He have her a small smile. "I wouldn't mind."
"No, it's alright. I..." She stopped, giggling suddenly. "Here you are, so worried about how I feel. Just as I was about to say how you may be the kindest, most caring man I have ever met." Her eyes glinted, practically sparkling. In that moment they seemed as though they had been made from the ocean's waves themselves.
"I admire that greatly about you, the way you care about everyone so much, You are so driven to do whatever you can to help and protect them, I can't help but see you as an example of what I strive for. You are always there for everyone, always there to help and be strong for their sake."
"I'm not that strong," Robin muttered, turning his gaze down onto the floor. "I just do myself to appear so. Inside... inside I am hardly as confident or brave."
"What you are describing is strength, Robin, don't you see? You don't let your doubts or fears stop you from doing everything in your power to care for your friends," Lucina said gently. Now it was her turn to put a hand on his arm, squeezing it gently. Then her hand slipped away, and she continued on.
"But it is not just your kindness, but also your wonderful mind that I love about you. You are so intelligent, so very clever and full of knowledge..." Lucina trailed off, a thoughtful smile tugging at her lips. "Yet you are not cold or distant for it. You always seem to know just what to do or say to put my worries at ease. And you can always make me laugh, even if I don't get the joke."
"I'm not sure if I should take that last bit as a compliment, or that I need to work in less obvious punchlines," Robin teased. He smirked, then quickly added, "Sorry, couldn't resist. May have been a rude there, I didn't really mean to imply..."
"It's alright, I took no offense." Lucina giggled, covering her mouth with her hand to stifle more laughter. "This is what I mean, even on the little things you always worry about his everyone is feeling."
Lucina turned where she sat, facing him more fully now. "And I even love you for your faults. You can be awkward at times, and terribly stubborn. And you have this wording tendency to blame yourself for things out of your control. But even still, I find myself endeared by these flaws and others," Lucina said, her smile broadening "Not to mention you are also quite possibly the worst cook I have ever met. And your tent is a mess," she added quickly, the bluntness of her statement coming as quite the shock after her more elegant speech.
This got a genuine laugh out of Robin. He shook his head, wiping away the single tear brought out by the intensity of his merriment. "You got me there."
"But it's for all these together that I care fire you. When I'm with you, I don't feel like a stranger in this time or afraid of what the future might bring. I feel... happy."
As she finished Lucina's hand inches towards Robin's own. He too slid his hand closer, until they met, intertwining their fingers with one another. A few months ago the two would have found themselves red-faced and paralyzed at the mere thought of holding hands, but now the gesture was one both readily welcomed.
"I'm... glad... that I can make you happy, Lucina," Robin said, forcing past the lump that had formed in his throat. His vision blurred and he blinked, finding that tears at formed in his eyes. Hearing her say that... it made him happy too. Happier than could possibly be imagined. "You, being happy, that's all that I've wanted, Lucina."
For a long moment they say there in silence, hands squeezed tightly together. Any more Robin could have said in that moment was unimportant when all that and more could be conveyed with just a look and a touch. He didn't need to say how it felt then, be neither did Lucina. Just being there, hand in hand, was enough for that moment.
Then at last Lucina moved to speak. "So, now that I have answered your question, may I take it in turn to ask the same of you? Why do you love me?" Lucina asked, breaking the silence. She turned to him, her eyes meeting his own once more.
"Of course I can, though I fear I will be repeating myself. I've made it no secret in saying what I love about you, Lucina," Robin replied
"Yes, but it always brings me comfort to hear you speak of them again," Lucina answered.
Robin dipped his head in a curt nod. "In that case I would be happy to. Now then... where to begin? He paused, smiling wistfully as he considered the myriad of things that made her the most amazing woman in the world. Or at least, why she was to him. "Of course you're beautiful, and strong, and stunning the way you carry yourself; so I won't lie that some attraction is part of it. But really, you could be the look like plainest girl who's ever lived and it wouldn't change how I feel."
His smile grew as he saw Lucina's cheeks turned a dark shade of pink at his compliments. "Sorry, couldn't resist to slip in a couple of compliments. Not that I did not speak truthfully. I meant each and every one of them."
Lucina's cheeks darkened even more, nearly turning a deep scarlet. "I... thank you... I did not mean to imply that I do not appreciate the thought, just..." She trailed off awkwardly. Even so, she was still smiling.
"Just wait, I haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet," Robin told her. "For starters, you are quite possibly the strongest, most amazingly driven woman I've ever met. I actually look up to you a great deal in that regard."
"What do you mean," Lucina asked.
Robin felt his smile fade, his expression becoming one far more pensive as he considered his next works carefully. It was a topic he honestly did not like to broach; talking about his own struggle with near constant self doubt. He barely talked to Lucina about it. He didn't want her to worry about him.
"Truthfully, I am not the bravest or most confident person there is, Lucina. I just do better than most at appearing sure of myself. I have to be: if the everyone knew that their tactician had any doubt of what he was doing..." Robin trailed off, giving Lucina's hand a squeeze. "When I see you, I see a woman so sure of herself, so driven... I can't help but wish I was more like you."
"Robin, I do not deserve such praise. I am neither as free of doubt nor as infallible as you make it seem. I have failed so many times..." Lucina countered, taking her turn to argue against what she undoubtedly saw as an overestimation of herself, much as Robin had thought of what she had said of him. Once she was finished she averted her gaze, turning her head away slightly to stare ahead and down, looking at nothing in particular.
Perhaps both of us ought to have a little more faith in ourselves, Robin mused. Afterall he trusted her more than anyone else, and could she be that wrong about him? If not, well he knew in his heart she felt just the same as he did.
"Yes, but you never let it stop you. No matter how many times you've faltered, no matter the times you haven't succeeded, you've never let that stop you. You've never given up, not once," Robin reassure her. Slowly Lucina's gaze returned to his face, her expression managing to be both stern and embarrassed all at once. It was probably the blushing.
"I also love how earnest and honest you are. You alway speak what's on your mind and do exactly what you want, regardless of if others may see it as childish," He continued, his smile broadening. "You are simply a joy to be around and spent time with. Not to mention it is quite adorable."
Now Lucina's face did turn bright red. "Robin, d-don't say such things," Lucina stammered, uncharacteristically flustered.
"I can't help it, Lucina. You are just too adorable not to." He poked her gently in the ribs, Lucina giggling as she reflexively flinched away.
"Really, must you tease me so?" she scolded. Even as she said it, her face showed no real anger. Quite the contrary, she was smiling even more now, her eyes glinting with joy.
"Yes. It's part of my job as your husband. Right in the rulebook and everything. Right next to the part about 'never marry your best friend's daughter' and... Oh, wait," Robin said, laughing.
"Perhaps this 'rulebook' does not know what it's talking about, then. If anything I think breaking that last rule worked out for you very well. Coming from a certain, biased opinion," Lucina replied, laughing now too.
"I can imagine," Robin said, his lips pulled back into a big, stupid grin. "This, right here, just so happens to be another thing I love about you, Lucina. Maybe the thing I love the most, even."
"What is that?" Lucina asked, her tone taking on an almost playful note.
"It's the part that, deep down, despite the grim and weight of all you had to bear, still manages to look to the world with a wonderful innocence I can't even begin to put to words. You, for all the bad you've seen, always seem to see the best in people and accept them fully for who you are. You are patient, and kind, and so full of joy when you allow yourself to be," Robin explained. A small smile tugging at his lips. "And that's why I want you to be happy, Lucina. I want that part of you to be free. Free from all the weight of your future and the grim possibilities of your duty. Because despite the horrors you've seen and the griefs you suffered, it has never tainted your heart."
He squeezed her hand tighter, his expression softening. "That's why, as long as it's in my power, I will be there with you through it all. To be there with the Lucina who can laugh and smile at all the silly little things."
Lucina blinked, her eyes becoming misty as she looked back at him. "You said as much earlier today... But still, I thank you, Robin. Your words comfort me, to know that no matter what the future may hold, I can know you will be there." She blinked again. Then, shifting a bit closer, she leaned against Robin's shoulder. Unlike in the past she did not even hesitate for a moment and neither did he, such displays of affection now feeling natural. At least when not in public. For a moment Lucina just rested there, smiling contently. "And I am glad. Glad because I do not know what I would do without you here for me."
"Just as I need you, Lucina," Robin replied in kind, relaxing to press closer against her. "We both need each other, I think. We're more complete together than we are apart."
For another long while they fell silent, satisfied to simply enjoy eachother's company. Seconds soon turned into minutes, and then minutes became a dozen or more. It was at that moment a thought occurred to Robin, one which he could not help but act on.
"I almost forgot, I also love it when you get all embarrassed. Like this," he said, slipping a hand between them to tickle her side.
Lucina flinched away, her cheeks turning red as she swatted at his arm. "Robin, I told you not to do that. It's childish."
"Come on, you should see how adorable you are when I do. Look, you're blushing right now," Robin answered. "Admit it, it's cute."
"Well you're one to talk, I saw how you reacted when you though my father may have seen our kiss," Lucina retorted. She paused for an instant, a sudden mischievous look gracing her features. "Speaking of which, I seem to recall you promising a repeat performance of that little instance. I do hope you intend to uphold your end of the bargain."
"That can be arranged. I couldn't rightly call myself your husband if I didn't keep even that promise, now can I," Robin answered, a wry smile at his lips. Leaning in he pressed his lips against hers in a long, passionate kiss.
Lucina returned the gesture with equal fervor. Seizing hold of his coat, she fell back down onto the bed, pulling him with her. Robin laughed, their lips parting briefly in the unexpected change of position.
"I love you," Robin said breathlessly, his lips meeting her's once more.
Late as it was, neither of them seemed at all interested in sleep. Not when there were far more important things on their mind
Author's Note: Well guys, this is the last frequent chapter of LAT for awhile as I switch over focus to a new Fire Emblem Story. The first chapter of that should drop about two weeks from now, and I hope everyone will take the time to check it out. All I can give for now is the title of the story, A Future Broken. If you want more details, well, you'll just have to read it.
I will still continue to work on LAT, just it won't be my focus and as a result new chapters will come completely at random and often months apart. Until then everyone, thank you for reading and I look forward to hearing your thoughts once my new storyline drops in two weeks.