Title: Robcina Week Day 5 - Beach Day
Description: They were supposed to have a relaxing day at the beach, spent in eachother's company. That's still the plan, but first they are going to have to deal with the interference of a certain dark mage.
Notes: Written for Robcina Week 2018. Semi sequel to Chapter 17
"Robin?" Lucina called out, stopping to look around.
Where was he? The two of them had split up after arriving on the beach, Robin going to go stow their things while Lucina had gone to change into the bathing suit this outrealm's Anna had provided her. They'd promised to meet up as soon as they were finished, but after changing Lucina had found no sign of him on the beach.
Perhaps he decided to change into a new bathing suit as well, Lucina thought, turning to a grouping of tents that had been set up at the beach's edge to serve as changing rooms.
She gripped the towel tied around her chest, which extended down to cover her midsection and waist before ending a few inches above her knees. Despite having worn a similar bathing suit during their last trip to this very outrealm, Lucina had found herself quite self conscious. Perhaps it was because of how long ago that time felt, but if she was to wear the garment openly, she'd feel much better of it if she did so while in Robin's company.
It so hard to feel self conscious whenever he was with her.
Reaching the tents, she began to look around, hoping to find some sign of her mysteriously absent husband.
"I wonder if-"
Suddenly a hand seized hold of Lucina's arm, gripping it tight. Before she had a chance to react she was pulled, forcibly, into the changing tent she had been passing.
Lucina cried out in shock. Her hand instinctively went for where Falchion customarily hung at her side, coming up empty. Fresh panic took hold of her. She struggled, trying to twist away and break free of her unknown attacker's iron grip. She managed to half turn, drawing back a hand to strike.
"Shhhh! It's me," hissed Robin's voice, another hand gripping her shoulder, this one more gentle.
Lucina blinked her eyes adjusting to the tent's darkened interior. "Robin? What is the meaning of this, I nearly just mistook you for some enemy and-"
Before she could finish her question, Robin clamped a hand over her mouth, shushing her again. Indignant anger flared up in Lucina. How dare he treat her in such a manner, married or not this was not acceptable. Nor was this normal behavior for her husband. She reached up, trying to pry his hand away, only to stop as she heard a unmistakable voice call out in the distance.
"Now, where have you gotten yourself off to, Robin? Running is so unseemly of you... Though I do enjoy a good chase. Hee... Hee hee hee!"
"Help," Robin whimpered, releasing his hold on Lucina. "She's been trying to force me to rub oil on her. I tried to explain why it wouldn't be proper for me to...uh...comply with her request. But she wouldn't take no for an answer. Now she's chasing me," he explained in frantic whisper.
"What?!" Lucina exclaimed, raising her voice a bit louder than she rightly should have, given the circumstances. "Again? Even after she attempted the same stunt last time we came here? I can't believe her, even though you are already married to myself and-"
"Preaching to the choir here, Lucina," Robin hissed even more urgently than before. "Look I need you to-"
"Oh dear, is that voices I hear?" came Tharja's voice, closer now. The sound of her footsteps could be heard, crunching in the sand. "My, my, it's that where you've run off to? But now that I've found you…"
"Pretend I'm not here," Robin whispered, ducking to the back of the tent.
"What?" Lucina hissed back.
"Act like you're using this tent and tell her I'm not here!" Robin reiterated, his words bleeding together in his haste.
The footsteps stopped at the entrance to the tent. Then a hand gripped the flap, beginning to pull it.
There was no time life for debate. If she was to act, she'd need to act now. Besides, this was a matter of pride.
She could not let that… that… harlot win.
"Sorry, the tent is occupied. I can let you use it when I'm done," Lucina announced in what she hoped was a neutral tone. She seized hold of the flap, holding it closed before sticking her head out. She tried to keep her expression calm, even as every instinct urged her to lash out at the woman standing before her. "Oh, Tharja. I thought you'd already gotten changed into your bathing suit. Why would you…" she trailed off, trying to smile pleasantly.
"Oh, it's you," Tharja stated flatly, her eyes narrowing. She looked Lucina up and down, arching an eyebrow as she fixed her gaze on her expression.
Gods, did she notice something was off already? Lucina though, feeling herself begin to sweat a little.
"Where is Robin? I heard his voice a moment a go? He wouldn't be hiding there with you, would he?" Tharja asked, an almost cruel, mischievous smile tugging at her lips.
Has she no shame! How dare you speak so openly of her intentions, knowing full well Robin chose me over her! Lucina's brow furrowed, her eyes narrowed with anger. She couldn't help but notice how the woman before her looked in her too small bikini, how the garment drew attention to her curves and rather generous bust size. Nor could she help but feel a pang of jealousy at the observation, reminded all too keenly of her own far more modest bust and smaller hips.
It was no surprise why Tharja had long been considered one of the most sought after women among the Shepherds. But that withstanding, Robin had chosen herself over the dark mage, and she'd do well to remember that.
"I'm afraid I'm not sure how any of that is your business," Lucina shot back, not bothering to hide her disdain. "While I have not seen him since we arrived, the two of us planned to spend the day together regardless. I hope you do not intend to interfere with those plans. I know for certain Robin would be quite upset if that were to pass, as would I." Lucina held her gaze on the dark mage as she finished, daring her to refuse.
For a moment Tharja merely glowered back, her expression flickering on the edge of anger. Then she nodded, sharply and almost condencendly. "Very well, I will withdraw for the present. Though when you do see my dear Robin, let him know that I very much would like a moment to speak with him."
With one last smirk and murderous glare, Tharja turned and departed. Only when she was long out of sight did Lucina breath a sigh of relief, stepping out of the tent. "Alright, she's gone. It is safe to come out, Robin."
"Oh thank gods," Robin exhaled. A moment later exited the tent as well. Now that she could see him in clear daylight, Lucina was shocked by how ragged and flustered he looked. Sweat covered his face, and his cheeks were flushed red in embarrassment.
"I'm so, so very sorry I dragged you into that, Lucina. But I couldn't think of anything else in the circumstance."
Lucina shook her head. "No, I do not blame you. I just wish Tharja would let up. She should surely know better by now!"
"Well, you know Tharja…" Robin said, rubbing the back of his neck as he often did when uncomfortable. "I can't honestly say I have any hope of that at this point. If she hasn't stopped after five years, I don't think she ever will..."
"Still, how dare she go flaunting herself around in that- that- thing she was wearing! And chasing after my husband. I wanted nothing more than to teach her a lesson, even if it wouldn't be…" she stomped a foot angrily, gripping the towel she'd had wrapped around her midsection as it began to slip a little.
"If I didn't know better, I'd think you're jealous of her in a way, Lucina," Robin noted. There was no accusation in the way he said it, as far as Lucina could tell. No, his intentions were clear enough: the teasing tone he'd taken gave that away.
"Well, of course I'm… Compared to her, my body is surely lacking in terms of… womanly features," Lucina felt her face burn red. She hid her gaze in shame. "How could I possibly compare?"
"Lucina, are you really still worried about all that." In an instant Robin had closed the distance between them, taking hold of her free hand in his. "Of all the women I know, you are truly the most beautiful, just the way you are now."
Lucina looked up, feeling her expression soften at her husband's words.
Robin smiled back, taking another step closer and learning in. Then he suddenly stopped, his face turning red as he rubbed the back of his neck again. "And, um... erm… well… Like I said last time we were here, you're the only woman I'd ever consider oiling up," he stammered, becoming even more flustered with every word. "Yep, still sound way too dirty. Sorry about that, I didn't mean to-"
Lucina leaned the rest of the way, kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you. I appreciate the sentiment, Robin. I'm sorry, at times I fear that I may not meet your expectations when it comes to beauty, as silly as it sounds. I should know better than that by now. You of course, are not so needlessly shallow."
She shook her head, feeling rather self-conscious as she added. "So, I believe with that said I best be discarding this then," she said, indicating the towel wrapped around her. "I'm afraid I felt rather self conscious after I first changed. But that would not be fair, to not only you, but myself as well. I should be more confident in my appearance, should I not?"
With a deep breath, Lucina undid the tie at the back of the towel, letting it fall to the sand at her feet.
"I… um… y-you look… wow," Robin stammered, his face again turning bright read. "You look… well… stunning, Lucina." He blinked furiously, gripping her hand even tighter.
Lucina blushed as well, squeezing his hand back. "I thank you, Robin. I'm glad the choice of swimsuit is fitting.
The suit Anna had given her this year was quite different from the one she'd worn last year. For one it was a far more bold color, red with white polka dots instead of the uniform blue her last one had been. So too did it reveal a bit more skin, though was yet still more modest than the suit Tharja had worn. Though, in short, the fact that it had such an effect on her husband was to be expected.
"D-Don't mention it," Robin replied, seemingly in a struggle with himself not to stare.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Robin. We were so busy speaking of myself, I almost forgot that I should be complimenting you as well on your appearance. It suits you quite well, if I say so," Lucina complimented, her gaze lingering on the toned muscles of his exposed chest. She felt her face burn as she did so, considering herself lucky that her husband's build struck such a perfect balance of having lean, toned muscles that were neither too bulky or too small.
Her gaze seemed to only fluster Robin more, he began to stammer unintelligibly a bit before trailing off.
Perhaps it was best to leave the discussion at that, for his sake.
"So, shall we?" Lucina said. She half turned, stepping to stand alongside him, still gripping his hand between them. "You did promise we would spend the day together, did you not?"
"Oh, right, of course," Robin replied, managing to regain a bit of his composure. "Let's get going then, I'd hate to waste any of the time we have here together."
Smiling deeply, the two of them set out onto the beach, hand in hand, resolving to enjoy whatever the rest of the day would bring. Hopefully, a day that would not include any more interruptions from a certain dark mage.
For her sake, I hope she doesn't try anything, Lucina thought, gripping Robin's hand all the tighter. Or else I may have to remind her just who Robin chose to be with.