Title : Robcina Week Day 7 - Free Day

Description: New Years. A time to reflect on the year that has passed and to look forward to the year to come. And what better way to spend it other than to do so with the person you love?

Notes: Written for Day 7 of Robcina Week 2020. Takes place in the same Persona AU that I used in two previous oneshots, which you can find as chapters41 and 47 of Love Across Time.

Robin checked his phone, nervously reading Lucina's text message for what had to be the billionth time.

HELLO ROBIN,

DO YOU WANT TO VISIT THE SHRINE WITH ME TODAY? PLEASE REPLY.

SINCERELY, LUCINA

POSTSCRIPT: IF YOU ARE OCCUPIED I WOULD UNDERSTAND. I DO NOT WISH TO IMPOSE.

As with each time, Robin couldn't help but smile a little at Lucina's particular method of texting. Overly wordy and formal, yet entirely in upper case. Certainly an odd combo.

Yet as before the smile was short-lived, replaced by fluttering in his stomach as he waited for her to arrive. It was unusual for her to be late. Maybe she'd had second thoughts. Not just about seeing him today, but everything. Her. Him. Together. Realized of course it was a bad idea, that she didn't feel that way about him anymore. Like he expected she would all-

Robin gave himself a little smack, shaking his head to clear those traitorous thoughts from his head. His cheek stung, the cold winter air harsh against his cheek.

Stop worrying and be patient. It's only been a few minutes, Robin told himself. He reached for his phone again, only this time he managed to check the motion, instead trying to focus on his surroundings.

Snow fell gently over the town of Akanea, blanketing it in a dusting of white. It was as if the town had become a white canvas, almost featureless, ready to be repainted with the start of the new year.

A cheesy sentiment? Perhaps. But wasn't that what today was about? To reflect on the passing of a year and look forward to the year to come?

Robin couldn't help but look down from his spot at the top of the old shinto shrine, to the broken gap in the ancient stone wall that gave way to the forest beyond the town's borders. He remembered how only a week into his stay at the town Owain and Cynthia had practically dragged him into the woods at that very spot, spurred on by rumors of ghostly spirits and people venturing in to never return. The promise of adventure they'd said… not that any of them could have known how true that sentiment had turned out to be,

Not that he'd go back and change it if he could. For all the hardships they faced that past year, he'd never have found the friendships he had now. A place to belong, even if his time in town would soon draw to a close this coming spring. A place for the first time he felt connected to and filled with people with whom he'd forged unbreakable bonds.

And he'd found love. Somehow. In spite of his wildest expectations. That too was worth something.

There was a crunch of footsteps in the snow. Robin turned, finding his breath caught in his throat as he beheld Lucina. She was clad in her usual scarf and peacoat, though the ensemble was now joined by bright yellow earmuffs and high brown boots that reached halfway up to her knees. Under her coat Robin could see just a flash of confused, clashing colors whose pattern he recognized all too well. It was the matching sweater to the one she'd given him as a Christmas present. She'd knitted them both herself, which is why Robin had likewise worn it underneath his own coat.

"I must apologize for my tardiness, Robin," Lucina told him, taking a hesitant step forward and extending a hand towards his arm but stopping short. "I wasn't sure what I should wear, and… I must admit I considered returning home to change into a kimono. I know it would be traditional, but the thought embarrassed me so…" she shook her head, her eyes downturned.

"It's okay. You look just as adorable without it," Robin assured her, crossing the rest of the distance and putting his hand on her arm instead. He knew how self -conscious Lucina was in regards to her own perceived shortcoming in regards to acting like other girls her age. As she saw it, she failed to have the same interests and experience in more feminine topics, particularly when it came to acting like a 'normal teenage girl'.

Robin could never understand why she felt that way. As far as he was concerned, Lucina was perfect the way she was now and had no business needing to change herself for him nor anyone else.

Lucina's cheeks flushed pink and she shook her head.. "I know, but… I just fear I am… inadequate at times like these," she admitted. "It is a terrible habit, I know. Though I'm… glad… to hear you say so, Robin."

Without looking Lucina quickly snapped her hand down, gripping his fingers tightly, so much so that it almost hurt. Robin ignored it, taking her hand between them as well. For an instant he found himself staring at her face, marveling at how cute she looked when she got like this. And how beautiful she was, just like always. Yeah, he could never ignore that, and-

Now it was Robin's turn to blush, realizing the turn his thoughts had taken. "So, um…" he stammered.

"Oh, the shrine, yes?" Lucina asked, her face turning a deeper shade of red as well. She'd been staring too.

Their feet crunching in the snow, the two walked together to the main altar of the shrine. Slipping their hands free briefly, the two bowed, making their own prayers for the coming year. Robin didn't ask what Lucina had prayed for, as it felt rude to do so. For his part he merely prayed the two would be able to find happiness together in the brief time they had before the spring… and that they'd manage to remain close and true to each other in the long distance relationship that would follow. While he had faith enough things would work out between them, despite his doubts, he figured a little extra luck from whatever gods may or may not be listening couldn't hurt.

Then, holding hands once more, the two of them turned to the offering box at the left side of the shrine to draw omikuji. Reaching out, Robin deposited a 500 yen coin into the box, Lucina doing the same.

"Do you want to draw your fortune first? I fear I have the most terrible luck when it comes to things like this," Lucina asked, a small smile tugging at her lips.

Which seems odd, considering your Arcana is Fortune, Robin thought, deciding to keep this observation to himself. He still didn't have the faintest clue of how to explain the whole concept of arcanas and social links to his fellow persona users. So instead he just shook his head, replying, "Which is why it would be best to get it over with now. Better than worrying longer while you wait."

"I suppose that makes some sense…" Lucina reached out, hesitating a moment before sticking her hand into the box and pulling out fortune. She squinted, reading the small text, her face turning to a grimace. "As expected. Curse. More bad luck is in store for me then..."

"Well, think of it this way. If you had bad luck now, then things can only get better from here," Robin offered, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "What about your fortune?"

"Let us see... 'Do not be overly judgemental of your loved one's intentions or actions.'," Lucina read off. "That certainly does sound like me. I fear I am far too negative even at the best of times, which does sometimes make me too judgemental... I must strive not to let my own doubts reflect poorly on others, lest I always fear the worst in their intentions."

"A very wise way to look at it, taking a negative fortune and turning it in a way to better yourself," Robin noted.

"I know. Very unlike myself. Perhaps your eternal optimism has rubbed off on me more than I thought." Lucina smiled, tilting her head slightly to him. "Now I believe it is your turn for a fortune."

Robin nodded, reaching into the box and taking a fortune from the very center. Pulling it out, he unfolded the piece of paper, reading the text inscribed upon it.

"Great Blessing," he read off, noticing how Lucina winced at this mention. He paused, gripping her hand at the wrist and moving it up to lay upon the fortune.

"Robin?" Lucina asked, gasping in surprise. "What are you-"

"Sharing my good fortune with you. I figure half of a great blessing is enough to counteract the curse you pulled," he explained, putting his other hand on top of her's.

"But this is your fortune. You don't need to share it with me," Lucina told him, shaking her head.

"I know, but… I want to. Isn't that reason enough?" Robin smiled gently, meeting her gaze.

"Robin… you are too good to me. I don't know what I did to deserve your kindness," Lucina said.

"You did it by being yourself, Lucina. By being the person I couldn't help but love," he replied, wrapping the hand on top of her tighter.

"Robin…" Lucina said. She trailed off, seeming content with simply sharing the moment between the two of them. That, in the end, was all that was important.

"Thank you," she said at last, Robin whispering those words in answer as well.

Then Lucina tensed up, an off expression spreading over her face. "Robin?" she asked, letting the word hang in the air.

"Yes? What is it?" he asked, concern gripping him. Had he done something wrong? Was she upset at something? Or had something else happened? Something serious that needed their attention?

"You didn't read the rest of your fortune."

Robin blinked, it taking his brain a painfully long time to process what she said. "Oh… Right…" he said, smacking himself in the forehead. He'd completely forgotten to read that.

In unison the two each took hold of one side of the fortune, gingerly folding it open once more, leaning in to peer at the text upon it, wondering what their now shared fortune would bring for them.

Your heart is a place to draw true happiness.

"Well…" Robin said, picking his words slowly. "..that was painfully underwhelming."

"Indeed. Quite the generic fortune," Lucina agreed. The two exchanged looks, glancing at the offering box.

"Maybe we're putting a bit too much stock in silly pieces of paper," Robin noted, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

"Undoubtedly. In the end, our futures are what we make of them. Not something left merely to fate," Lucina said, smiling back.

"Yes, it is," Robin agreed full heartedly. Even as he said this, however, he couldn't help but glance down and read the fortune a second time.

"Still, this really is a big let down. All that build up only to just peter out…"

"If I were not mistaken, you sound almost disappointed, Robin," Lucina told him, a warm laugh joining her words.

"Would have been more interesting at least, you have to admit." Taking her hand in his once more, Robin leaned in closer, planting a quick kiss on her cheek. Lucina cheeks flushed pink again, matching Robin's own face as he too blushed.

"Come on. It's still early, and I think I'd like to spend the rest of the day together. If you don't mind, of course."

"I would love to," Lucina said, resting her head against his shoulder for a moment, tilting it just a bit to look up at him.

Then, together, the two turned away from the shrine, making their way back into town, ready to meet whatever the new year would bring.

Author's Note: So, a bit of a retcon from my previous Persona AU. Lucina now texts in all caps, inspired by the fact that in addition to Naoto, I have discovered that yet another cute blue-haired girl who reminds me of Lucina also texts in all caps… meaning it was only fitting Lucina did so as well.

Also yes I shamelessly ripped this off of Naoto's New Year's date in Persona 4 Golden. I just love P4 a lot, okay? *sobs*