Title: Robcina Week Day 1 - Amusement Park

Description: Taking a trip on a Sunday to visit an Amusement Park in a nearby city, Robin and Lucina try to slip away from their friends towards the end of the day to spend some time together.

Notes: Set in my Persona AU. That's right, two chapters set in that AU this Robcina week, because no one can stop me!. Takes place before Chapter 61 and after chapters 41, 47, and 64 of Love Across Time, which are likewise set in this AU

Words: 1731

Robin watched in bemusement as both Owain and Inigo hobbled from the exit of the ride towards the nearest trash cans to vomit, reaffirming his decision to pass on joining them for this attraction. Of the four who'd decided to ride the "Hurl-a-Whirl", only Cynthia and Morgan emerged without becoming violently ill. Indeed, both of the younger (though how old was Morgan anyways?) girls were visibly beaming with excitement and looked about ready to drag their two ill compatriots back in line.

No surprise there for Cynthia, I don't think any ride here could phase her… and come to think of it, can Morgan even get sick? Robin wondered. How Morgan's Shadow physiology worked whenever she came back with them into the real world was one big mystery.

A mystery, of course, he could ponder another day. Right now he was supposed to be having fun with his friends. No Personas. No Shadows. No impending doom or death. Just a fun day at the amusement park with his friends.

It was then that Lucina and Severa returned from their trip to the gift shop. As shopping excursions involving Lucina went, he was pleasantly surprised to see this one hadn't gone too badly. While he could only guess what she had in the bag dangling at her side, the only additional apparel she wore was a goofy-looking bear, what even was that. A hat? A tiara? Whatever is qualified as; the silly googly eyes and cartoonish face of the thing was very much indicative of Lucina's… let's say, peculiar fashion tastes.

"Well, we survived without someone trying to buy out the entire store," Severa grumbled, loudly enough to be damn sure Robin (as well as just about everyone else in earshot for that matter) could hear her. "How do you even have so much money? Don't you work like twenty jobs to help support your family?" she demanded, rolling her eyes back towards Lucina.

"It's mostly to save up to help pay for college. I can certainly spare a small amount here and there," Lucina explained, entirely unperturbed, or maybe oblivious, to her friend's annoyance. "Besides, there were so many cute things there. When else will I have this chance?"

Severa grumbled again, this time too quietly for Robin to make out the words.

"So where to next? Are the others back from the ride?" Lucina asked, turning to him.

"Yes. Though…" he glanced over to where, sure enough, Cynthia and Morgan were dragging the still visibility green Owain and Inigo back in line, "I think they're going to be occupied for a while if those two have anything to about it," he finished, gesturing their way so the two girls would see.

"And Gerome-" Robin blinked, looking around. Huh… he actually had no idea where the other first-year had gotten off to. He'd pretty much refused to get on any of the rides, much to the chagrin of Cynthia who'd tried her damndest to make him. He couldn't when they'd lost sight of him. Couldn't have been more than a half-hour ago.

Severa seemed to read his expression quicker than Lucina did, muttering something before saying. "He's probably off brooding somewhere like the weirdo he is. Great, guess I'll have to go looking for him. Can't have us missing the bus home if we put it off until later."

"Are you certain? Wouldn't it be wise for us all to search together and cover more ground?" Lucina asked, her smile replaced by a worried look the instant she'd become aware of their friend's absence.

"That dummy can't have gotten himself that far. No sense in all three of us being inconvenienced by having to look for the weirdo when it could just be me. Not that I'd ever complain," Severa told them, rolling her eyes. With how everything she verged on sarcasm, it was actually really hard to tell how annoyed she was by this. Or at least, the extent of her annoyance compared to normal.

Severa was always annoyed.

"Lucina is right, we can-" Robin started to say.

But Several was already starting away, waving a dismissive hand back at them. "Oh no, it's fine. You two just have fun." With that Severa glanced back, giving the two a knowing wink and smirk. An expression that just oozed the words 'you owe me.'

Not for the first time, Robin was reminded that outside of Lucina's sister Cynthia, Severa was one of the only others who had caught on to his and Lucina's relationship.

I wonder what favor she is going to call in for this one, Robin wondered. He sighed, finding a smile starting to tug at his face despite it all. "Looks like we have some time to ourselves. Anything you want to do in particular?" he asked, turning to Lucina.

His girlfriend pursed her lips, considering this. "Hmmm, I am not certain. Let us see if we can find a suitable ride for just the two of us!" she said, suddenly taking his hand.

Robin blushed at this, oddly not out of embarrassment at such a public gesture. Holding hands like this was certainly bold of her, but perhaps the thought of the two of them doing something like a proper couple had left Lucina too excited to even consider the implications. Whatever it was, he certainly would not complain as he got to see more of this different side of the normally so serious and reserved Lucina.

Before he could even reply he was already being dragged away by the hand, out into the park. It was all he could do but quickly type out a text to their group chat, letting the others know to pick a spot for Lucina and himself to meet them later.

. . . . .

Robin found his face burning even more than it had earlier as he and Lucina held hands as they sat together in the Ferris Wheel cart, slowly lifting upwards from the ground.

This was the first ride they'd decided to go on since splitting off from the others an hour before. Despite what Lucina had suggested, they'd spend most of the time playing carnival games, Robin had attempted to win a prize for Lucina. He hadn't fared well, finding most of the game more dependent on luck than actual real skill. Though coordination certainly still played some role in a few of the games, as it had been Lucina who'd come much closer to winning a prize in the ring toss than he had. Still, despite the failure to win anything for trouble, both she and Lucina had enjoyed the experience. In the end, that's all they could ask for.

But now old instincts had kicked in. Here he was, on the verge of a panic attack because he was with a pretty girl who was holding his hand. A very pretty girl who he loved, who he'd do absolutely anything to mess things up with and-

Relax, Robin. Breath. You've got this. Just relax, and you'll be fine, he told himself. Easier said than done, but he tried his best to follow his own advice.

"Oh, Robin, I'd nearly forgotten," Lucina announced suddenly. Bending forward, she reached into her bag, rummaging around for something. "I've been carrying this around for a while and just couldn't find the right time." With a small 'ah ha' sound, Lucina retrieved a small bundle of blue and red cloth, handing it to him.

Taking it, Robin unfurled the gift, finding it was a long blue and red striped scarf like the one Lucina always wore. It even seemed to be hand knit like hers, the colors being slightly different shades marking it as a recreation of the original.

"You made this?" he asked, looking at her, still in surprise at the gift.

Lucina nodded. "Yes. It took some time to finish. I'm sorry I couldn't find the exact same colors for the yarn, I did the best with what I could find."

"I really appreciate it, Lucina, I do. But you really didn't need to get me anything," he said, not sure if he could accept such a gift.

"No, I didn't need to. But I wanted to," Lucina said. She slid a bit closer, their shoulders now touching as they rode the cart higher, nearly at the top of the wheel. She gave his hand a long, gentle squeeze, her eyes sparkling as they met his own.

Robin smiled too, finding it impossible to argue. He slipped the scarf around his neck, his free hand lingering as he touched the fabric, knowing just how much work Lucina must have poured into it. She always worked so hard. "Thank you. It means so much, truly. Though I must ask, how long did it take? When did you start working on it?"

"The same day you said 'I love you'," Lucina answered.

Oh. Robin's blush deepened to scarlet. He didn't know what to say.

Luckily he didn't need to speak, for Lucina continued."Robin, these past few weeks, no, ever since you came to this town for the year have been the happiest of my life. Despite everything, if I could go back again I wouldn't change a thing."

"Even to avoid getting trapped in the Outrealms and needing the rest of us to rescue you and face your Shadow?" he asked, letting out a low chuckle.

"Of course not. I wouldn't be who I am now had I not faced myself and my doubts. Nor would I have truly gotten to know you." she gave his hand another squeeze.

The cart reached the very apex of the Ferris Wheel, giving them a view of the whole park and the country landscape that stretched beyond. He could see Akanea, the town that had so quickly become his home, in the distance along with the ancient forests and mountains beyond. The sun had just started to set, casting a golden light upon the land.

"You're right. If I could go back, I wouldn't change anything either," Robin said, the two starting out from on high to take in the sight. "And no matter what happens…"

"We'll cherish every moment we have. Together," Lucina finished for him. She leaned closer.

The two shared a kiss then, at the very top of the Ferris Wheel. Their first kiss.

This moment too, was one Robin would never forget.