Title: Robcina Week Day 5 - Outrealms
Notes: Takes place between Chapters 52 and 53 of my other story, A Future Tied by Fates, which is a crossover with Fire Emblem Fates set after events of both that game and Awakening.
Words: 1454
"Oh look, over here! Are those candied apples? We should go try some!" Lucina pointed out excitedly. She seized his hand, pulling Robin along after her and she headed through the crowded streets towards one of the stalls before he could respond to her words.
Robin laughed, finding himself grinning ear to ear even as he was forcibly dragged through the festival by his wife. He was just happy she was enjoying herself. After the past several months of near-constant fighting in this world, it was just nice to have a day to not worry about all that and simply enjoy themselves. Thus when it was asked that they attend the New Year's celebration in Hoshido's capital, how could he refuse? For now, he was glad to, for just a few hours, forget the war and all the danger still ahead of them.
Despite the widespread destruction wrought on the Hoshidan capital during the Vallite attack, not to mention the war with Nohr prior, it had amazed Robin that the New Year's celebration was being held at all. Indeed, any plans for the remaining civilians to evacuate the city had been put on hold until after the celebration. However, the explanation Hinoka and Sakura had given made a great deal of sense: as the marking of a new year was incredibly important in Hoshido culture. It was a time to celebrate endings and a new beginning, A time for rebirth and renewal of bonds with those you love. To not hold the festival at all would cause much more harm in terms of lost morale than the extra time would otherwise grant them in terms of benefits.
It's a shame that the festivities here are smaller than they would normally be, Robin thought to himself, remembering the descriptions he'd been told of past years. It would certainly be worth a trip to see it as it was in happier times.
Even in its diminished state, the festival was quite a sight to behold. The entirety of the central market of the city had been packed with colorful stalls, lit by strings of many-colored paper lanterns strung overhead to crisscross the night sky. The crowded streets were filled with people, both commoners and nobility alike, all here to temporarily forget their troubles and celebrate the birth of a new year.
At last, Lucina came to a stop, arriving at the back of the line before the stall she had spotted. Sure enough, lines of candied apples shone glossy in the lantern light. Still laughing even as Lucina allowed their entangled hands to drop back to the slides between them, Robin dusted off his kimono, taking even a moment to brush away a bit of dirt that had stuck to Lucina's.
The kimono Lucina wore was a bright sky blue with a white floral pattern and a golden obi around her waist. Her hair was pulled back into a bun of traditional Hoshidan style, held in place with butterfly-shaped pins. Meanwhile, the kimono Robin wore was silver with a white trim and a geometric pattern of a deep violet. The obi around him was the same shade of purple as the pattern. Both had been selected by the two Hoshidan princesses and tailored specifically for them, despite protests from both him and Lucina that this wasn't necessary. But, as official guests to royalty, it had ultimately seemed rude to refuse such gifts.
Hopefully, they didn't look too silly or out of place in them. Or rather, he hoped he didn't. There was no doubt that Lucina had pulled the look off without flaw. She looked truly stunning in it,
"I hope Morgan isn't getting into too much trouble tonight," Lucina said, her excited grin momentarily replaced by an anxious look. She glanced around as if searching for a glimpse of their daughter 'mid-shenanigans'.
"I'm sure she'd be fine. I don't think she, Ophelia, and Kana can get into too much trouble in such a brief period of time. Remember, she also agreed to spend the other half of the festival with Inigo," Robin assured her.
"That second part doesn't inspire as much confidence as you'd think. Though I suppose Inigo is still walking on eggshells with her, even after they reconciled. That may very well keep him from encouraging poor behavior in her," Lucina conceded.
"My thoughts exactly. Though speaking of those two… there is someone else I am far more worried about getting into trouble." Robin rubbed the back of his neck nervously, already again fearing the potential outcomes of her running amok.
"Oh, Soleil…" Lucina said. She grimaced. "We really do need to curb her behavior at some point. This is getting out of hand. And I thought Inigo's philandering ways were excessive." She trailed off, shaking her head.
"Yeah… though for now I suppose we just hope for the best," Robin said.
Soon enough they reached the front of the line, Robin purchasing each of them a candied apple. With treats now in hand, they set back off into the festival. In short order, they made several more stops, from watching a group of street performers act out a play with colorful puppets, to checking out several of the other stalls, to having to quickly rush out of the way as a parade rolled through the center of the festival to the sound of drums and other musical instruments. Eventually, the two found themselves relatively alone, standing on the bridge towards the edge of the festival. It ran over one of the many streams that flowed out from the towering spire atop which sat the royal palace, currently mostly empty with so much of the royal household present at the celebrations.
"The lights are beautiful, are they not?" Lucina asked, staring out at the strings of lanterns hovering above the sea of stalls and crowds below.
"Yes, they are." Robin agreed. "Reminds me a lot of our trip to those Hot Springs in the Outrealms. I wonder if Hoshido's culture influenced Anna's resort at all. Then again, from what I know of Chon'sin back home, it seems several broadly similar cultures are present across many worlds in the Outrealms. I wonder why that is…"
He shook his head, brushing aside his musings. "Sorry, just a bit of academic curiosity on my part. Don't want to bore you with it."
"It's alright, I don't mind," Lucina assured him. She tore in half a pastry she had bought on their way to the spot, offering one half to him. It was filled with a sweet bean paste. Accepting it, the two ate in silence for a few moments, before Lucina ventured to speak once more.
"I wonder how long it will be until we can go home," Lucina said. She leaned against him, resting her head against his shoulder. "I know we cannot, not until the threat here is dealt with and our own world is safe, but…"
"I know," Robin said. She didn't have to say it. It had been too long since they'd been away, too long separated from their new family. From Morgan and Marc, the younger infant versions they'd been forced to leave behind. They were only a few months old when they were last there. If they were still that age, he didn't know how quickly time moved here relative to their own world, or even if they could use time travel to correct any such long discrepancies.
Robin leaned over, kissing her softly on her cheek. He slipped his hand around her as he finished, holding her close. "As soon as we're done here, as soon as both this world and ours are safe, we will return. I promise."
"I know," Lucina said, her turn to affirm their shared understanding, "I know we have made many wonderful new friends here, but even then I cannot help but feel homesick." She chuckled softly, adding, "Even if it is odd, that only a few years ago I would have never considered staying in that time for good."
"I am glad you decided to stay, I'd have been lost without you," Robin said. He kissed her again. She kissed him back in return.
In the distance, a gong tolled midnight. A firework shot off into the sky, raining down a shower of sparkling embers. Another followed, then more, illuminating the night with countless new stars that were born and died in each passing instant.
"I'm glad you're here with me, Lucina," Robin said, taking in the moment at her side. They watched the coming of the new year. No matter what the new year brought, no matter the challenges the future would bring, they would face it together. As they always did.