Title: A Birthday Not Forgotten

Description: It has been years since Lucina has celebrated her own birthday. In the future there was never time, not when fighting for the very survival of the human race. After so long without paying it much heed, she'd expected the day pass once again without exception even after coming to the past. However, this time, someone else is there to make sure her Birthday is not forgotten.

Notes: Takes place a few weeks after Robin and Lucina's S-support conversation, but before Morgan's recruitment chapter.

Lucina woke that morning in a cold sweat, roused from sleep another nightmare.

It was one she'd had before. More times than she could remember. At least, many very much like it. While small details always changed or played out in different orders, the dream itself followed very much the same pattern. She would be dragged through a constantly shifting landscape, populated by a host of her worst memories. Soldiers dying before her eyes, the smoldering ruins of villages she arrived to late to save, hordes of Risen closing in around. Every battle, every loss, every sacrifice made, all played out before her eyes, the scene tearing between each in turn. And all the while the great shadow that loomed in the distance spread out further, blotting out the sun until all was black, until only those six, terrible eyes stared back at her from the void. Then, with a rush of foul air and a deafening roar, it's open maw would swallow her whole… only to find herself awake him beat, her heart pounding and trembling hands gone pale white with fear.

Lucina shuddered, squeezing her eyes shut as the last echoed of the dream faded from before her eyes. With an effort she willed her breathing to slow, each rise and fall of her chest becoming long and purposeful, the frantic hammering in her chest at last falling to a steady rhythm.

Outside birds sang, their music mixing with the gentle whisper of wind in the trees and grass, Through the cracked in the tent's stitching, a faint golden light trickled in, each beam seeming to flicker and dance as the swaying leaves moved before the rising sun. No other sound could be heard from camp, all still fast asleep save for the few who would still be on the final watch before morning officially began.

Slowly, Lucina pushed off her covers, combing her sticky, sweat soaked hair from her face. For a moment she sat there, recalling the previous day's activities, needing to know what tasks awaited her to resume. That was when she remembered the day's date, a sigh falling from her lips.

It mattered little, she supposed. If anything it was more surprising to her that she had even remembered. It had been so very long since she'd had a chance to worry about such things.

Retrieving her boots and Falchion from where it lay next to her bedroll, she got dressed, buckling the sword at her hip. Then, taking a clean towel from among her things, she stood, pushing back the flap and set out into the morning light.

She walked quickly through camp, breathing in the fresh morning air. The scent of green grass, blooming flowers, and the final remains charcoal smoke that curled from last dying embers from the night's campfires. She ran into not a single soul on her way to the edge of camp, only once there finding others yet awake. She nodded to where Gerome and Kjelle stood on watch, the two nodding back to her in turn, before she continued on, making her way to the small stream that flowed through a thicket of trees just beyond.

Coming to a stop before crystal clear waters, Lucina kneeled down on a large, smooth stone that stretched just over the flow. Unfolding her towel, she dipped it into the stream. Pausing only the wring out the excess liquid, Lucina set to work cleaning away the sweat that still clung to her face and hair. Several times she repeated the processes, soaking and wringing out the towel before continuing. After several more moments she set the towel side, satisfied. While it was no replace a proper bath, it would have to do for now.

Just as she moved to stand, Lucina heard the crunch of footsteps behind her. She twisted, the sound coming to an abrupt spot as she turned to faced their source. Then she smiled as her eyes fell on where Robin stood nearby. The tactician was smiling too, his hands folded behind his back in a gesture he'd often took when pacing camp, lost in thought.

"Oh, Robin, I did not know you were up. I hope I didn't somehow wake you," Lucina said, dipping her head to the tactician greeting. Their two tents were nearby after all, a practice the two had engaged in as much as they dared. It at only been a few weeks since… well, since Robin had confessed his feelings and she had done so too in return. It was the most they had dared do to, not yet ready to make their relationship public knowledge quite yet.

"No, it's quite alright, Lucina. Actually, I was already awake before you got up I think, had a lot to do this morning," Robin answered, perhaps a bit stiffly compared to normal. Before Lucina could question it any further, however, Robin's eyes seemed to fall the damp towel folded at her feet, his face turning bright red as he put together what he'd walked in on. "Oh, gods, Lucina. I am so sorry. I didn't think... I almost… Why does this keep happening to me?"

A laugh fell from Lucina's lips. She couldn't help herself, having at once recalled the stories she had heard the others at the tactician's expense, which she was certain he too was now recalling. Besides, she found it quite cute when he got flustered like that: it was so different from his normally serious and focused demeanor that it was a chance she never got tired to seeing. "It's fine, Robin. You didn't walk in on anything private. I was just washing my face, nothing more," Lucina assured him, stifling another laugh with a hand.

It took a few moments longer before she managed subdue herself enough to resume speaking, not helped at all be hower embarassed her boyfriend still seemed despite her reassurances. Removing her hand, she continued to smile. "So what brings you here. If you were hoping to wash up as well, I can give you some privacy."

"No," Robin shook his head. "It's not that. I actually was looking for you, Lucina. Seeing what today is and all, I figured that I should... should…" he paused, his face turning a bit red once more as he removed the hand he'd kept clutched behind his back, revealing a large bouchette of followers. They were the same type white daisies had had given her when he'd confessed to her those weeks before. "...should give you these, as a present. I know it's not much, but I hoped I could make the day special. For your birthday, you know?" He continued to blush all the more furiously as he extended his arm, offering the flowers to her.

So a long moment Lucina stood there, staring at the bouchette, the smile having faded from her lips as surprise at taken hold of her features. Then her vision began to blur, tears beginning to form in her eyes. She sniffed, the sound somewhere between a hiccup and a surprised laugh.

However, upon seeing the tears in her eyes Robin must have gotten a different idea. His own smile vanished as once, replaced by a worried look. "Lucina, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you, I just-" Robin started to stammer in an apology.

"No, it's not that. It's just…" Taking a step forward, Lucina accepted the offered flowers, even as brought her free hand to her face, wiping her tears on her sleeve. "I just didn't expect you to remember. It's been years since anyone has celebrated my birthday," she sniffled once again, continuing to wipe the wetness from her eyes.

"You mean…" Robin started to ask, his expression now turning to one of surprise.

"In my future there was never time to concern ourselves with such things. When every day was a fight to simply survive, birthday celebrations were always at the bottom of the list. After a while, we stopped even paying attention to them at all," she explained. "The last time I could remember anyone celebrating my birthday was when I was a little girl, before father…" she trailed off, blinking as she fought back more tears. "Even now, I just never imagined anyone to pay the day much mind. Not when there are much more important matters to think about."

The instant those words left her mouth, Robin moved forward, closing the gap between them. He gently place his hands on either side of the one she gripped the bouchette with, bending slightly so they were both at eye level. "Lucina, of course we would remember your birthday. Because it is important. At least it is to me," she assured her, smiling gently. "More so now, knowing how long it has been since you've had a proper one. I promise you, I'll do everything I can to make this day special."

"Robin, I…" she trailed off, fighting back another sniffle. "I honestly do not deserve such treatment. You've done so much for me already and for nothing in return. It makes it hard for me to feel like I am worth such effort."

"Seeing you happy is the only reward I need to know this is worth it Lucina. After everything that's happened to you, after every hardship… there is not a person in this world that deserves happiness more than you." With that Robin leaned in closer, gently kissing her upon her forehead. "So let me say it now. Something that I think you have waited far too long to hear…" He paused, smiling deeply.

"Happy Birthday, Lucina. And for many more to come."

Author's Note: Hey guys, its been a long time since I updated this fanfiction, due to most of my efforts being spent on A Future Tied By Fates. But I couldn't just miss Lucina's birthday. So I hope you guys enjoyed this little one-shot to comemerate the day.

Not much more to say on this one. As always, please let me know what you thought, your comments and feedback always makes my day. Peace.