Title: Robcina Week 2018 - Training Together

Description: During a routine training session, Robin offers Lucina advice regarding her chosen fighting style, and how he believes she should do more than just try to emulate her father.

Notes: Written for Day 1 of Robcina Week 2018

"Yaaah!"

With a final surge of strength Lucina threw Robin's weapon wide, nearly tearing the blade from his grasp. Stepping in, she drove her shoulder into his chest, staggering him. Twisting her own weapon free from his, she lunged forward, another shout falling from her lips as the tip of her sword slipped through the tactican's defenses, aimed for his heart.

"I yield," Robin gasped out as Lucina's sword stopped inches from his chest.

Lucina released her own pent up breath, lowering her wooden sword as she caught her breath. Sweat dripped from her brow, her shoulders heaving with each breath. Even though she'd managed to come out on top, the battle had certainly not been an easy one. Had he held off her advance for a few more seconds, things might have turned out far differently as she'd reached the limits of her own stamina.

Yet she found herself smiling despite of it, proud that she'd managed to best the master tactician still, at least when it came to swordplay. With all his skill in the magical arts, it would be a shameful day that he managed to surpass her abilities with a blade.

"You know, you could take it easy on me. Not suggesting that you should, only that I'd really appreciate it if you did once and awhile," Robin said breathlessly, grinning even as he too fought to catch his breath. "Least that way I won't be the only one coming out of these sparring sessions covered in bruises."

"I fear if I didn't try my utmost, I would certainly lose these matches by a greater margin than you have been. At your own rate of improvement, the tables may soon be turned nonetheless," Lucina replied, shaking her head.

"Doubtful." Robin chuckled, teeth flashing as he grinned all the brighter. "I don't think I'll ever be able to match your talent and dedication when it comes swordplay, Lucina. That said, I guess you going easy on my would defeat the point of these training exercises, wouldn't it?

"That it certainly would," Lucina smiled back. "Though please, do heap such praise on me. Certainly when it is not true. There are many others more talented than I, truly."

"I meant every word I said Lucina. After all, last time I checked, I don't exactly have a reputation for being a habitual liar or anything of the like," Robin said.

Lucina felt her cheeks burn, a tingling sensation running through her in a shiver. It was so embarrassing at times, the manner at which he held her in such high regard. She still couldn't fathom how she was worthy of such esteem. It had only become more and more frequent too, Robin having done little to hide his feelings in that regard ever since they'd become a couple. I do no deserve to be placed on such a high pedestal. Truly, I do not. But still, to hear it so, from him in particular.

There was a thrill to hearing those worlds. A small feeling of pride and joy to hear the man she loved placed so much faith in her abilities.

Lucina glanced away, trying and failing to hide her burning face. Quickly she went to put away both their training swords, setting them aside near the edge of their makeshift sparring arena. Yes, now would be a good time for a brief respite. And a change in subject matter. She wasn't sure she would take much more praise, not in such a short span.

"That said… something has been occuring to me as of late. If you wish for more constructive critique." Robin started, speaking up again. "It's… well, I think you'd be even more effective in battle if you were to adopt your own fighting style. It's something that occurred to me during several of our past battles, which our own sparring matches have confirmed for me."

Lucina stiffened, snapping her gaze up at Robin in surprise. "I… I'm not sure I follow," Lucina hesitantly replied, unsure exactly what to make of the tactician's statement.

"I mean, well…" Robin trailed off, puffing out an pent up breath. Then he chuckled, the sound nervous. Almost as if he dreaded speaking aloud the reasoning behind his earlier observation. "I say this with the utmost respect to both you and Chrom, please understand that. But, I don't think you are suited for your father's fighting style. I think your desire to follow in his footsteps, if only in this one regard, is a shackle holding you back."

Lucina felt her mouth open halfway, yet no words fell from her lips. She swallowed hard, her throat painfully dry. A dull weight seemed to press onto her chest, carried by those words. It was all she could do but stand there, letting them sink in.

"But you knew that already, didn't you," Robin noted, his golden brown eyes seeming to see right through her. Just like they always did. She could never hide anything from that all too perceptive gaze of his.

"It was after our match at Arena Ferox," Lucina confirmed, nodding her head solemnly. "In the very last moment, it was not skill nor experience that won my father the day, but his strength and endurance. I couldn't match the power of his blows, and too quickly did I find myself tiring during our bout..."

Robin dipped his head in affirmation. "The fighting style Chrom adopted is one that plays to his strengths. For a lack of a better term, it's blunt and to the point, just like he is, relying on overwhelming his foes with powerful strikes and counters," he explained. "It's certainly effective, and in a one on one contest has few if any weaknesses to exploit. However, it relies on being as strong as, if not stronger than one's opponent, as well as having the endurance to match that raw power."

Lucina nodded again. It was just as said, her father's fighting style, the style she'd employed ever since she'd taken up Falchion in her future, relied greatly on the user's physical might. "Which is why you say I am ill suited or it," Lucina finished, hanging her head sadly.

She knew deep down he was right. Worse still, she'd known it for far too long without acknowledging it. The fact of the matter was, she was a woman, shorter and slightly of build than the vast majority of men, let alone her father. Even many of the other women among the Shepherds possessed more powerful builds than she. No matter how hard she trained, she would never be as strong as someone, man or woman, of greater stature and broader build had the potential to be.

In the end, she couldn't deny the fact of the matter. Some things could simply not be changed, no matter how much she wished otherwise.

And yet…

"Be that as it may, the thought of abandoning everything father taught me…" Lucina grimaced, hardening herself against the tears she was sure would otherwise come. Even after how much she'd opened herself up to Robin ever since they'd confessed their feelings to one another, showing such weakness so openly and publicly…

She had to remain strong.

"Ever since he died, the memories of him teaching me swordplay were among my most cherished memories. Besides Falchion, those lessons were all I had left of him. So to ask me to just cast that all aside is something I…" Lucina squeezed her eyes shut, her hands tightening into first. She opened her mouth again, about to say more…

Only to stop as she felt a hand gentry pry one of her own open, allowing it to intertwine with her's.

Lucina opened her eyes, finding Robin standing before her now, holding her hand in his. "I'm not suggesting you throw anything away, Lucina. I'd never dare tell you that," He explained, squeezing her hand reassuringly even as he spoke. "No, what I am suggesting is that you take what Chrom taught you in your time and make it your own. To add your own experiences and your own strengths to how you fight."

"I'm not sure I…" Lucina tried to argue.

"You may not be as physically strong as your father, but you have him beat when it comes to speed and agility. Trust me when I say, in all my sparring matches with Chrom, I never once felt like I couldn't keep up. Overwhelmed, yes, but never outpaced. But in our fight today, well… you saw how that turned out for me," Robin finished, smiling gently.

Reflecting on it, there was certainly truth to what Robin was saying. She was faster than her father, a fact that had become more apparent in their more recent sparring matches.

"Tiki actually described it best. When you fight, you carry along a form of grace that reminds her of the Hero-King," Robin commented, which clearly seemed to catch Lucina off guard, given how much Lucina looked up to Marth that she took his name at one point.

Feeling the momentum going, Robin continued. "Not to mention, when you get right down to it, Chrom can be a little clumsy, and his method tends to have him get distracted rather easily." All those times when Chrom just charged in and got separated from the group has always been a great deal of stress for Robin and Frederick. However, Robin quickly realized how his words sounded, and practically shrank from the realization. "Ah, don't tell Chrom I said that. He might just take it as an insult. Please?" He was positive his voice had squeaked slightly there.

"I will consider it," Lucina answered, feeling a smile tug at her lips, despite herself. She simply couldn't help it, something about how nervous he'd gotten at such a small thing… She enjoyed seeing this side of him few others really got to see.

"Ouch, and here I thought you'd have my back on this one, Lucina," Robin countered, his remark taking on a teasing edge. A sentiment that thankfully, even she could easily recognize. For one thing, his smile had only seemed to deepen, not recede.

Reaching out, Robin slipped his free hand around her other, holding both their hands in between them. "Lucina, I want to make sure you understand, I am not telling you this just as the army's tactician. The reason I told you any of this is because I know you are so much stronger than you allow yourself to believe. You can be so much more than just Chrom's daughter, and I want to be the one to help you become the person I already see within you. Because for what it's worth, I believe you can."

"Robin I…" Lucina blinked, once again feeling tears forming. She shook her head,the weight in her chest giving way to a warmth that spread outward. "It means a great deal. More than you can know, hearing you say it is so." She slipped a hand free from his grip, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. "You're right, perhaps I have been too content with living in the shadow of my father's image." She smiled, leaning forward and planting a kiss on Robin's cheek. "Thank you."

Lucina felt her cheeks burn bright red as she pulled away, finding that Robin's face too had turned a matching shade of crimson.

"D-Don't mention it," Robin stammered, rubbing the back of his neck as he averted his gaze sheepishly. "So, um, would you…"

"Like another sparring match?" Lucina finished forward, having seen how his gaze had turned to their training swords. "I'd enjoy that a great deal. So long as you promise to help guide me in making my father's fighting style my own, as you so put it."

"Oh, of course. I'll help you in any way I am able. Always."

Retrieving her sword, Lucina tossed Robin his before taking up a position opposite him. Lifting her weapon, she slipped into her usual opening stance, then thought better of it, shifting into one that put her on lighter footing from which she could more easily dodge than brace against a head on strike. She would need to remain mindful of such things, ensuring she played to her own strengths in whatever way she was able.

She nodded to Robin, letting him know she was ready. Then the two lunged forward, their wooden training swords clattering as they met one another.

Not for the first time, Lucina couldn't help but find herself thankful she had found such a perfect partner in Robin. For there was no one else in the whole world who could push her to better herself like he did. For when he believed in her, she couldn't help but want to ensure that belief would never be misplaced.

Author's Note: Wow, its really been a long time since I posted something to this story, huh? Well, fret not, for there will be a total of seven one-shots posted here this week. That is because I am participating in the Robcina shipping week hosted by the blog Rufuriki over on tumblr. If you want to see the other art and stories people are submitting, you should totally all go check it out.

So yeah, day one of Robcina week down, six more to go. Let me know what you guys thought of this one, and I look forward to bring you guys the rest of my submissions in the coming days!