Title: Robcina Week 2019 - Day 2: AU
Description: Robin was happy to spend the day with his girlfriend, Lucina. However, he hadn't quite expectec the manner in which they would pass the day together.
Notes: Written for Day 2 of Robcina Week 2019. Takes place in the same mystery AU I used for the "Modern Day AU" prompt from Robcina Week 2018. This one-shot will reveal exactly what this AU is, so read along to find out. Its been AU I have been planning and working on for a long time.
Groaning, Robin fumbled for where his phone lay on the coffee table next to his futon, groggily trying to silence the blaring alarm that had woken him from his slumber. Instead he managed only to nudge to device out of his reach, causing it to slide nearly to the table's edge opposite of him. Groaning again, he pushed himself up a bit, snatching up the phone before collapsing back onto his futon.
It took several more moments before he worked up the energy to roll over and swipe the screen with his thumb, finally silencing the alarm. He blinked several times, his eyes adjusting to the slight streaming in through the shades.
9:02am. October 25th. Sunday
"Right… better get going then. Can't exactly spend the whole day sleeping," Robin said, speaking to no one in particular. With a heave he pulled himself upright. Setting his phone back down onto the coffee table, he rummaged around his closet, grabbing clean clothes before picked up a mostly clean towel he'd left half draped over a chair.
One quick shower later he returned to the office that had been converted into his living space for the duration of his stay in Akanea. Pulling on the rest of his clothes, a charcoal colored button-down shirt over a purple t-shirt and khaki pants, Robin set about rolling up his futon, tossing some of his dirty laundry in the general direction of the laundry basket he'd left in the corner of his room.
Now, the real question is how to spend the day, Robin mused. I could see if Owain, Inigo, or Gerome are free. Maybe they'd like to do something. Not much schoolwork to do with midterms having just ended, so I should make the most of it.
Then again... it might be a good idea to get some training in with everyone. It's been far too long since the last incident. We can't let ourselves get complacent.
It was then that he noticed the small blue light blinking on his phone, indicating a received text message.
Picking it up and swiping in his password, Robin pulled down the notifications to open the text. It was from Lucina.
Do you have any plans for today?
For a moment Robin wondered why she hadn't asked him in person. They were living in the same household afterall. Then he remembered Lucina often woke up early Sundays to get some kendo practice in. She probably left long before he woke up and had only now just finished up.
Robin smiled, texting his reply.
Not at all? What's up?
A moment passed with no response, though from the indicator it was because Lucina was still typing her response. Not that it was of any surprise. Lucina always typed out everything in her texts. She really did need to learn to be a tad more concise.
I had hoped we could spend time together. Just the the two of us, if that is alright?
Another text came a moment later, almost within seconds.
Only if you do not mind.
A third came nearly an instant after, painting a picture in Robin's mind of Lucina frantically texting as more flooded in at breakneck speed.
I don't want to impose.
If you don't that's fine.
I'd understand
If that's okay.
Robin felt his smile broaden. Lucina had no idea how cute she was whenever she got flustered like this.
I'd be a terrible boyfriend if I couldn't make time for you, was his reply. Where should I meet you?
There was a bit longer of a pause than before. For a couple indications even the indicator that she was typing was absent. Then Lucina's response came.
Park. 30 minutes?
Telling her he would be there, Robin pocketed his phone. Collecting the rest of his things; he headed downstairs. The house was quiet. Cynthia was probably still sleeping in and Chrom undoubtedly already left for work some time ago.
Fishing around in the cupboards, Robin dug out the last protein bar from the container on the top shelf, tearing away the corner of the wrapper with his teeth as he stepped for the door and pushed it open with his free hand and stepped out into the chilly fall air.
. . . . .
The walk to the park took the better of fifteen minutes, more than enough time to scarf down his makeshift breakfast along the way.
Once there, Robin spotted Lucina at once, standing off near one of the benches. She was wearing her usual casual attire; navy turtleneck, dress pants of a similar shade, red scarf, along with the azure-blue peacoat she'd begun wearing now that the weather had turned cold. Today she had her long hair pulled back into a tight ponytail, a measure to keep it out of her way during practice. Her large duffle bag she used to carry her training sword, and the very real sword she brought into their ventures into the Outrealms, sat nearby, propped up against the nearest bench.
"Robin. I am glad you could make it," she said, smiling slightly even as she glanced around her, seemingly nervous that someone may see them together.
Not that he could exactly blame her. It had only been a week and a few days since they'd begun dating in any real capacity. A development they had yet to share with anyone save Cynthia. Not by choice, mind you. Lucina's sister had seemed to know almost immediately. Though if he were to be entirely honest, Robin was certain Cynthia had been trying to push the two of them together before either of them even fully recognized their feelings for one another.
"Lucina," Robin greeted in kind. He felt a small flutter in his chest, catching himself staring and grinning like an idiot. It was odd, until recently he'd never quite realized just how beautiful she was. Not to say he didn't think she was pretty before. Just that he never quite noticed how stunning she could look, despite the very formal, gender-neutral attire she favored.
"Uh, sorry. So, what were thinking in terms of plans for the day?" Robin asked, shaking himself from his entranced stupor, feeling rather foolish. He frowned, rubbing his chin. "Um, I guess we could see a movie maybe? Or go grab lunch if you're hungry. Though it's still early, isn't it…? I guess we could go shopping and-"
He stopped himself. No, that was a terrible idea. Not again. "Or maybe take a train down to the beach? That could be fun," he offered quickly, trying to mask his previous poorly thought out suggestion.
"Actually, I was hoping we could go to the Outrealms together. Perhaps get some training in, just the two of us?" Lucina told him, inclining her head to one side. "Though perhaps another time, I can take you up on that offer to go shopping together again. I've been meaning to pick out something for Christmas this year for father and Cynthia."
Robin arched an eyebrow at this. Her certainly hadn't expected that being Lucina's idea for how they spend the day together. It was enough to almost hide the pang of dread he felt at her mention of picking out 'gifts' for Chrom and Cynthia.
"Uh," Robin said, picking his words carefully. "Not to doubt either of our abilities, but… are you sure it's safe going without any of the others? You know how dangerous that place can be."
Lucina nodded in affirmative. "I am not suggesting we venture far by ourselves. Merely stick to well-trodden regions where we are certain the shadows won't prove much danger to the two of us alone," she explained. She frowned, blushing as she added. "I will admit… part of this comes from my… apprehension towards the prospect of our comrades or any of our fellow classmates knowing of our relationship. At least in the Outrealms we can be certain no one will see us… together…"
"Oh," Robin frowned, nodding slightly. "Right, I hadn't thought of that." He rubbed the back of his neck.
"D-Don't mistake me, Robin. I am not ashamed of… us… This is just still so new for me, and I'd rather not..." Lucina looked away, blushing even more fiercely.
Robin took a step forward, gently brushing a hand along Lucina's arm, keeping the gesture brief as too not draw the attention of any onlookers. "It's okay, Lucina. I don't want to do anything to make you uncomfortable. Take things as slow and for as long as you need." He smiled.
Lucina glanced back at him, her expression softening as a small, relieved smile tugged at her lips. "Good… I am glad. You are always too kind to me,"
"Think nothing of it," Robin said, before taking a brisk step back as to not linger so close for so long. He looked around, a pensive frown returning to his features. "I guess I should run back real fast and get my gear, then?"
Lucina shook her head. "There is no need. See?" She turned, picking up her bag and unzipping it partially, showing him that along with her longer two-handed sword was Robin's own shorter one-handed blade. "I took the liberty of retrieving it when I left this morning. On the off chance you agreed to accompany me today."
Wait...I keep that in the back of my closet. That would mean… Robin felt his face burn as he realized she had gone into his room while he'd been sleeping. He shook his head rapidly, trying to clear the thoughts from his head before they could linger too long. "Erm… that's… that was certainly bold, Lucina," he stammered, tugging at the collar of his shirt. "Uh, right. So, we should get going then. I think the next train to the north side of town arrives pretty soon."
. . . . .
In the end the two managed to catch the train with several minutes to spare, thankfully, avoiding the half-hour wait until the next one would arrive along that route. Another twenty minutes of travel later the two of them got off at their destination near the edge of the town. The north part of Akanea was the oldest part of the city, bordering the woods that sat in the shadows of the nearby mountains. It consisted mainly of older buildings that had survived centuries, the larger homes of the oldest families still living in, as well a few known landmarks such as the old Shinto shrine as well Irisu Highschool that sat right up along the town's edge.
Following the old road that ran alongside the crumbling stone wall, remnants of the fortifications that once flanked the town's north, the two walked toward the school, stopping just after passing the shrine. Checking that the coast was clear, they hopped over a low point in the crumbling wall, swiftly ducking into the woods behind.
It would have been easy for many to get lost in those woods, but the trip was one they were all well versed in, the two making swift time as they delved deeper and deeper. Soon a mist began to roll in, the canopy seeming to thicken overhead until it seemed as though they had entered a realm of darkness and fog, broken only by shafts of faint ethereal light that broke through from above.
Then they reached the the old gnarled oak, it's trunk extending far overhead to loom larger than any other tree in the forest. It's tangled roots covered the ground on all sides but for one spot where they spread to reveal a pit just large enough for one person to enter. Utter darkness seemed to stretch for miles within that abyss. However, stare long enough and a small flicker of distant light could be seen, beckoning inward.
"After you," Lucina said, smiling.
Nodding, Robin smiled back. Straightening the collar of his shirt, he took a step forward, placed a hand on the tree's trunk to steady himself, then dropped into the darkness.
. . . . .
The next thing Robin knew he was laying in the courtyard of an old crumbling castle, its walls stretching higher than any real castle ever could. Golden light streamed in through the holes and cracks in the stonework. No sky or ceiling could be seen above, instead stretching out into a veil of mist that hid what was beyond. All around archways lead off into countless paths, each branching off into others, each route filled with multicolored fog, each route cloaked in a shroud of its own unique hue. If the colors indicated anything of the route or held some pattern, Robin had yet to discover one. Behind him was the large, canvas tent within which was arrayed as a war room, covered in maps and documents whose contents seemed to change with each visit.
Behind the tent in the place of the smaller archways was a large, golden door set with five gemstones. Since they had first discovered this place, three of the gemstones had begun to glow with a faint light, marking in some manner their progress in exploring the dungeons accessed by the many pathways that branched off from this central chamber.
Standing, Robin dusted himself off, seeing that his clothes had already changed. Gone were his casual attire, replaced by high black leather boots and gloves over gray pants and shirt. Over this was his long, charcoal gray hooded coat, set with flashy gold and purple designs.
Looking around, he saw that the room lay empty, paths branching off into mist shrouded halls that extended into infinity. Everything was silent and still, without another soul to be seen. Besides the war tent, only one other thing broke the uniformity of the courtyard: a shimmering blue door that only he seemed to be able see. The entrance to the Velvet Room.
Huh, it's been a few days since I last checked in with either Igor or Tiki, hasn't it? Probably should once Lucina and I are done here. Maybe see if I can fuse any new-
There was a whooshing sound and a gust of air washed over Robin. He turned, seeing Lucina sitting up next to him. Her clothes had changed as well. She now wore blue and gold trimmed knight's surcoat underneath a jacket of almost victorian design, with long cuffed sleeve while the coat itself only extended to about her midsection, She wore high leather boots the color of midnight blue and dark gray pants, as well a silken gloves of a lighter shade of blue. Of her original outfit only her scarf remained, though it now appeared longer, trailing behind her. Over her face she wore a butterfly mask, blue and gold like her surcoat along with a golden tiara on her head.
Lucina stood as well, dusting herself off just as he did. Letting the strap of her bag slip down from her shoulder, the bag having not changed at all (Robin always wondered why it and other things they brought with them never changed. Perhaps it had something to do with their cognition of familiar items keeping them static) and unzipped it, retrieving her and Robin's weapons. She slung her sheathed sword over her shoulder before handing Robin his, which he buckled at his side.
"Alright, it looks like we're all set now," Robin smiled, nodding his head. "Where were you thinking we-"
"Hey! I thought I sensed someone enter. But boy, didn't expect it to be just the two of you!"
Before Robin could react, something smaller than him blind sided him, slamming against him like a projectile before wrapping its arms around his waist. He staggered, nearly toppling over before he managed to right himself, squirming around to face the new arrival.
He was met by the smiling, hooded face of their guide and fellow Persona user who Robin and Cynthia had encountered after they and Owain had accidentally discovered the entrance to the Outrealms that spring. While she appeared mostly human, seeming to be a girl of about twelve or thirteen, the figure currently hugging him was anything but, her golden eyes that seemed to glow with their own light betraying her true nature.
"So, what brings the two of you here? I'm pretty sure no one else has been thrown in here recently. I should know, because I could totally tell. Kinda my speciality, you know," Morgan grinned even wider, showing her pointed teeth. The shadow at last released her embrace on Robin, hopping back several steps before turning to Lucina. "So, if I were to guess… training, am I right? That or you two wanted to come spend time with me, which would be awesome too! Ooooh, or maybe both!"
Lucina looked to Robin, growing slightly pale.
They'd completely forgotten about Morgan. So much for coming here without any of the others finding out.
"Y-Yes, we were planning to train a bit. Just the two of us," Lucina said hastily, glancing nervously to Robin as she spoke. "The others are… busy! Yes. That's why it's only us."
Robin began to sweat, inching a bit away from Lucina, as to not arouse any suspicion by their close proximity. Nothing to see here, just two friends training. Certainly not a date. Not at all.
"Oh, makes sense to me," Morgan said, flashing her jagged, pointed teeth in a wide grin. "Ooooh, I know! I could be your navigator. Just like before Owain took over, remember? Figured you'd need one since he's not here!"
"No!" both Robin and Lucina said in unison, drawing a confused look of surprise from the shadow.
"I mean, no, it's alright," Robin corrected hasily, glancing sidelong to Lucina. Taking a few steps forward, he put a hand on the girl's head, rubbing the hood of her cloak where one would tostle someone's hair. Morgan swatted at his arm with both hands, grumbling something about not treating her like a child, her face burning red beneath her hood.
"I appreciate the offer, but we were hoping… the two of us could go alone this time. You know?" Robin continued, speaking gently as he removed his hand from her head.
Morgan frowned, looking at both of them in turn, seeming even more perplexed. Then her eyes widened, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips before spreading to a full ear-to-ear grin. "Oh, I get it now. Hehehe, I'll just leave you two it then!"
Then, suddenly, Morgan ducked in closer to Robi, leaning in and cupping a hand over her mouth before whispering loudly, "Man, I never thought you two would get together. Way to take so long, Mr. Leader," she grinned even broader, adding. "Oh, you should tell Lucina to wear that armor we found last week. You know the one, the one with all the laces and frills and kind of looks like a bikin-"
"And with that we are done here!" Robin interrupted, leaping back away from Morgan. He coughed loudly, tugging on the collar of his shirt as he felt his face burn with the intensity of a hundred suns.
"I do not understand. What armor is she referring to, Robin?" Lucina asked, confusion crossing her features.
Of course, she'd been busy that day, so she wasn't there when they'd found that particular… item of clothing, in one of the many chests scattered throughout the catacombs.
"Not important! You don't want to know! Can we please drop this!" Robin said, covering his face with his hands. You know, Lucina wouldn't look half bad in it. It would certainly accentuate her- No! Bad Robin! Stop now! Stop before you say or think something you will regret!
"Come on, you know you want t-" Morgan started to say.
"Morgan, please. Not now. Or ever," Robin pleaded.
A loud sigh followed. "Fine, I'll go! But I expect all the juicy deets when I get back, you hear? All of them! No matter how embarrassing!" Morgan turned, making for the tent as she waved over her head with both hands in goodbye. "Have fun you two! Don't spend too much time making out! Or do, just not in front of me. Blegh!"
The flap of the tent whoosed as Morgan stepped inside, the shadow disappearing from sight
A long moment passed, the two of them standing there with absolutely mortified expressions. It was at least a minute or more before Robin found the courage to speak."So much for no one else noticing." He sighed wearily.
"I'm so sorry. I had forgotten that Morgan would certainly detect our presence. Please, forgive my dreadful lapse in this regard," Lucina told him, wrapping her arms over her chest and looking away. "Now she knows too… how are we going to hide this from the others…"
Robin shook his head. "There is no need to apologize. I am as much to blame as you are." He paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "As for Morgan… nothing we can do really. I'll talk to her after this. Try to impress upon her not to tell anyone else. But other than that…." He shrugged uncertainty. That was the best he could do really. Hopefully it would be enough
Sighing again, Robin looked around, trying to gather his bearings. "I suppose there is nothing we can do about it now. Best to just continue as planned. So long as you are still up for it."
"I… Yes. Certainly." Lucina nodded, her composure and confidence flooding back. "I won't allow this setback to spoil our time together this day. I swear it."
Robin laughed. The sound seemed to catch Lucina off guard, who blushed slightly and looked surprised.
"Did I say something wrong? If so, I apologize. I'm not the best at this and-"
Robin reached out, taking her hand in his. This only left Lucina more flustered, her face turning an even darker shade of scarlet. "You have no idea how cute you are sometimes, you know that?" Robin told her, smiling gently. "Come on. We came here to train didn't we? Let's go make the most of the time we have."
Lucina's mouth worked wordlessly, for a moment, then she squeezed his hand back, nodding fiercely several times in rapid succession. "Y-Yes. Let's."
With that, still holding hands, the two of them holded to one of the earliest passageways they had explored as a group, delving into the seemingly endless catacombs that ran beneath the castle.
. . . . .
"King Frost!"
Robin snapped closed the shimmering tome that he'd materialized, it's face bearing the symbol of the Emperor Arcana. The tome burst into glowing light, the crowned and caped snowman-like form of King Frost materializing before him, unleashing a gale of icy wind that froze the trio of shadows before them in blocks of ice.
"Heyah!" Lucina exclaimed, darting forward and lunging with her sword at the nearest shadow. There was a crystalline sound as the blade shattered the ice, scattering the shadow to pieces evaporated into smoke.
"Persona!" Lucina shouted, extending her left hand as a tome of her own materialized, this one showing the symbol of her arcana: the Wheel of Fortune. She slammed the tome shut, summoning her Persona, Sigurd, in a burst of light.
Sigurd rushed forward, the midnight blue and gold armored Persona slashing with it's broken sword, cleaving through the remaining two frozen shadows in a single blow, its tattered white cape billowing around it as it followed through with the blow.
Two more shadows martialized before them, these shaped like robed figures wearing jester hats and two massive hands in the place of arms.
"Raphael!" A tome bearing the Lovers Arcana materialized, King Frost blinking out to existence as he called forth his next Persona. In a shower of feathers the angelic form of Raphael appeared, slashing the nearest shadow, sending it reeling back.
With this opening Robin turned his focus to Lucina. His Persona raised it's sword before it, red light sefusing it as it thrust the blade skyward. The same glow appeared around Lucina, reinforcing her with renewed vigor and power.
"You have my thanks, Robin," Lucina said, charing past to slash at the shadow Robin had wounded, finishing it off. Summoning Sigurd once again, the Persona slashed downward at the air, it's blade glowing as Lucina proclaimed "Kougaon!" A shaft of blistering light erupted around the remaining shadow, reducing it to ashes that scattered into nothingness
Yet more shadows appeared, these shaped like tables over which swirled flaming swords.
"Lachesis!" Robin bellowed, switching his Persona once again. The female figure held up a silvery thread in both hands. A shimmering red barrier surrounded both Robin and Lucina. An instant later the shadows unleashed bolts of fire that splashed against the protective wall, the flames licking harmlessly around them.
"Rangda!" Robin shouted. Extending his hand Robin snapped his fingers, the Magician arcana Persona's eyes glowing as bursts of dazzling prismatic light burst in front of the shadows, stunning them.
"Makouga!" Lucina commanded, her persona conjuring a vortex of light to finish off the stunned shadows.
A thud shook the ground. Then another. One final shadow stormed down the passageway ahead of them, it's hulking form that of a minotaur. It bellowed, breaking into a charge, rushing them both with alarming speed despite its size.
Both Robin and Lucina threw themselves to either side, narrowly avoiding being crushed.
Lucina came to her feet first, rolling out of her dive and lunging at the shadow before it could turn, slashing it across the back. The beast rolled and flailed back with one arm, Lucina narrowly retreating a safe distance away. However, just as she got her footing the shadow finished turning, his first catching her before she had a chance to move again.
At the last instant Sigurd appeared between her and the Shadow, taking the blow on its shoulder. The Persona flickered, falling to one knee as Lucina cried out, dropping in the same motion as the damage inflicted on her Persona was transferred to her.
"Lucina!" Robin shouted in alarm. He charged, slashing at the shadow. It turned to him and he was narrowly able to dart out of range as it lunged at him next.
"I'm alright. It's nothing," Lucina assured him, regaining her footing. She thrust out a hand, her brow furrowing. "Zandyne!" Sigurd thrust with his sword, an explosion of force catching the shadow square in the chest. It roared, staggering, fur smoking as it reeled from the attack. "Now, finish it!" Lucina told him, her attack giving Robin the opening he'd needed.
Robin closed his eyes, holding out a hand. Rangda vanished as Robin conjured another tome, it's face bearing the symbol of The Fool. "Now, come forth! Lopt!"
There was a swirl of shadows as Robin slammed the tome shut, from which came forth his Persona. Dark purple garb covered it's thin, lanky form, the buckles of several belts and straps glinting where they criss-crossed it's torso and limbs. It's long hooded cloak, bearing the same gold and violet designs as Robin's coat, billowed around it as it formed from the darkness. Beneath the shadows of its hood the Persona's blank oval mask, half white and half violet seperated in a jagged line, glinted. Three sets of red eyes burned through the slits in the mask as it raised it's jagged, lightning bolt shaped sword, electricity sparking around it.
"Ziodyne!" A bolt of lighting crashed down from above, smilting the shadow in a blinding flash of light and heat and reducing it to a smoking heap that soon too melted away.
Panting for breath, Robin lowered his hand, letting Lopt dematerialized. A moment later Lucina dismissed Sigurd as well, looking equally drained as he was.
No more shadows appeared to threaten them. It seemed that they were safe, at least for now.
His shoulders heaving, Robin let himself drop onto ground, sitting on the spot as he caught his breath. "That certainly was… tougher than expected…"
"Yes… I fear I did not expect us to encounter such a powerful shadow. At least not without delving far deeper," Lucina agreed, dropping to one knee as she too breathed heavily.
"Yeah…" Robin trailed off, wondering at that. For a powerful shadow to appear so close to the entrance was certainly a worrying development. However he couldn't ponder that much for now, as his focus was turned to Lucina once more, noticing the way she was favoring the shoulder her Persona had been struck on.
"Lucina, are you alright? You're hurt and-
"Nothing I can't deal with," Lucina assured him, smiling through her grimace. She closed her eyes, calling forth Sigurd for a brief moment to utilize a healing skill on herself. While not the party's best healer, she could at least handle smaller cuts and bruises.
Standing, Robin made his way over to her, reaching her spot just as Lucina finished her work. He extended a hand, which she gladly took as he helped her to her feet.
"But that was certainly exciting, was it not? If not for the scare of that last shadow, I would say this training session was a resounding success," Lucina said, practically beaming as she looked to him with pride not just in her own performance, but seemingly his as well. "Our movements were quite in sync by the end, were they not?"
Come to think of it, they had barely needed to coordinate verbally for most the fighting. They certainly have been working far better as a team lately. Perhaps it's because of how close the two of us have gotten, Robin wondered. He recalled what Igor had told him during one of his first visits to the Velvet Room, of the strength he would gain by forging new bonds. He'd thought at first he'd only meant his powers as a Wild Card user. But it seemed to go beyond that. And not just him and Lucina. It was true for all of their friends.
"We do make quite a pair," Robin agreed. He stuck out a hand in between them. For a moment Lucina hesitated, then, blushing ever so slightly, took his hand in her's, squeezing it. Robin felt himself blush too.
"I'm glad the two of us could do this today, Robin," Lucina told him, looking up to meet his gaze. Her eyes sparkled with joy, glistening ever so slightly with the faintest hint of tears. "Despite the danger, I'd do it all over again just to spend the day with just the two of us."
"Heh. Yeah, so would I," Robin admitted. He didn't know what that said about him. "I know I said it once before but... I love you, Lucina. Thank you."
"And I as well," Lucina replied. She inched a bit closer, standing close enough for her shoulder to brush lightly against his.
The two enjoyed the brief moment of calm awarded to them after their struggle. Soon they'd need to head back, which would undoubtedly necessitate fighting through more shadows to reach the entrance. Though Robin was certain that together, they would certainly manage the task without much danger.
This was certainly an interesting way to spend a Sunday, Robin thought to himself. A part of me hates to admit it, but I think I'd gladly do it again.
In the end, to spend more time with Lucina, it would be well worth it.