Title: Robcina Week 2019 - Day 3: Winter
Description: Lucina hated the winter, especially when traveling. It was impossible to get warm. However perhaps for once it would be a bit better, as she wouldn't need to be alone.
Lucina shivered, pulling the cover she'd wrapped around herself tighter.
Outside her tent the wind howled, transforming into a shrill whistle as if it sought the gaps in the canvas's seams to probe its icy fingers into the relative shelter within. She'd tried to patch up the holes the best she could, but sadly she did not have enough to really work with. The tent was simply not made for winter travel.
Venturing a hand out of the safety of her blanket, Lucina held it out over the small, portable wood-burning oven she'd brought into the tent, the smoldering charcoal within providing some warmth. She'd need to venture out soon to retrieve more firewood, an easy enough task given the other Shepherds had collected a great store of it upon setting up camp. That said, she was not looking forward to venturing outside for even the brief moments needed.
The sound of footsteps crunching in the snow, distant at first but growing louder, alerted her to the approach of some unknown individual. She instinctively began to move her hand towards Falchion, only to catch herself and curse her own paranoia under her breath. It is certainly just one of the others.
The footsteps stopped in front of her tent. For a moment everything was still, only the howl of the wind punctuating the cold still.
"Umm." The sound of someone clearing their throat came from outside, followed by a familiar voice speaking up. "May I come in? I'd have knocked, but my hands are rather full… and it's a tent. Probably should have led with that one."
"Oh, Robin. Of course, please, come in," Lucina said, perking up slightly. A moment later the tent flap was quickly pulled aside, the tactician hurrying inside. A draft of frigged air followed, forcing Lucina to again tug her cover tighter around her. As she watched Robin turned around swiftly, juggling the two mugs of some steaming liquid he carried and the small bundle of firewood tucked under his arm as he tried to tie the flap behind him. After a several moments he succeeded, the howling of the wind receding as the tent was once more sealed against the elements.
Sighting in relief, Robin turned back to her. "I'm sorry if I'm intruding, but, well, I thought you might need some warming up," he explained, motioning to the two steaming cups with his chin. "And some company. Only if you don't mind..."
"It's alright, Robin. I welcome your company, always," Lucina said, smiling despite her shivering
Stooping down and setting the bundle of firewood aside, Robin shifted one of the mugs from his right hand to his left, extending it to her. "Here. I made some hot cocoa for us in the mess tent. I know I'm not the best cook… or even a passable one, but I can at least manage this much. I hope," he apologized proactively, glancing away nervously. She noticed then his cheeks seemed a bit pinker than usual, but if it was due to embarrassment or merely the cold, she could not say.
Lucina felt her own cheeks darken, something she could at least be positive was not due to the cold."I thank you, Robin. I appreciate you putting in so much thought for my sake." Accepting the cup of cocoa from Robin, she nodded in thanks. She cupped the mug with both hands, taking a moment to simply revel in the warmth radiating from within that returned some of the feeling to her numb fingers.
While Robin then set about filling up the stove with the firewood he'd brought, Lucina took the opportunity to bring the mug to her lips, blowing on it gently before taking a sip. The cocoa was slightly bitter, almost burnt, likely from using too-hot water. It was also a bit too sweet from what she imagined had been Robin's attempt to mask the bitterness with extra sugar. Still, it was not wholly unpleasant, and right now simply having a warm drink was luxury enough.
Finishing stuffing the firewood into the stove, Robin made a gesture with his hand, muttering something under his breath. A small stream of sparks fell from his fingertips, flowing into the open stove. An instant later the wood ignited, Robin shutting the hatch and turning back to her. "There, that should keep you warm for awhile," Robin said, rubbing his hands and blowing into them. It was then Lucina noticed how red his fingertips were, almost a bit purple at their tips.
"Robin, you're cold," Lucina noted.
"Huh? Oh, no, it's fine," Robin said. Before he could argue further, Lucina set down her mug and grabbed Robin by the arm, pulling him over next to her. Ignoring his protests, she took one hand into hers and with the other, pulled the blanket from around her shoulders and draped it over the two of them. "There, now both of us can get warm together," Lucina told him, nestling closer against him.
"Oh, I...uhhh…" Robin stammered, clearing his throat. "I… didn't expect you to be so bold, Lucina. Are you sure it's-"
Lucina felt her face darken, turning an even deeper shade of scarlet than before. "Oh, I didn't- I mean-" She stammered, looking at the floor in embarrassment. "I just hated to see you suffer, even in such a minor fashion that's merely an inconvenience, for my own sake. I thought… I am to be your wife, aren't I? Is it not my duty to put my future husband's well being above my own in return, just as it is your role to do the same for me. "
She reached under her shirt, fingers brushing against the ring hanging from the chain she kept it on until the day of their wedding arrived.
Robin chucked, perhaps a bit nervously, but most of all it was one of relief. "I guess I can't argue with that. Still, even knowing we are to be wed soon, I can't help but let my nerves get the better of me sometimes," he told her.
"Yes. But it can only be expected. The two of us are still rather inexperienced in the art of courtmanship," Lucina said, smiling gently. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"This is nice, however. Just the two of us," she told him, humming contently.
"It is," Robin agreed. Reaching down, he slipped a arm out form the cover to pick up Lucina's mug from where she set it, handing it back to her. She took it, Robin then picking up his own mug, taking a sip, grimacing slightly.
"So… maybe my hot cocoa needs some work," he admitted.
"Perhaps", Lucina giggled at this, shaking her head in bemusement.
Outside the wind continued to howl long into the frigid night. But now the sound seemed more distant than it had, the cold less present within the tent.
Nestled against her one and only love, Lucina couldn't help but feel truly and completely warm.