Ꮂt had been a weeks ago since Lucina last slept in peace.
Ever since the slight twists in her life, Lucina wasn't sure if sleep could ever get to her. It seemed... well... impossible. The tears, thoughts, and wishes would always intrude every dusk and dawn.
The princess stifled a yawn as she blinked her eyes open, meeting the lovely daylight. For once— in Lucina's entire past days of sorrow and darkness— there came a sunny day. She couldn't help but grin.
    Unfortunately, the smile faded awfully quickly. There was certainly nothing to be excited about. Even the simplest happy things would make Lucina frown. What was there to smile or laugh about? Death? The end of the world? Technically not. Death did come to her mind, once or twice an hour.
Yes, an hour.
Although it had been days since Lucina's father had gotten killed in battle with Robin, it had shattered her heart into pieces. It pained her. Remembering the last words from her father made Lucina cringe alone.
"Run... Lucina... go...please..."
Lucina let out a sigh and ran her fingers through her ravaged blue hair.
She was about to doze off again until a familiar voice made her jump.
"Good morning, Lucina."
It was Gerome who spoke— the one who had saved her from near death. Lucina remembered it days ago. The princess sighed and turned away from him, unable to speak.
The wyvern rider seemed to notice. "Is something the matter, Lucina?" He asked, attempting to eye her with worry.
"No..." Lucina muttered. She hoped for Gerome to not hear, but he did anyway.
"Lucina, that is an obvious lie. Do you mind telling me what's wrong?"
It was quite impossible to fake a lie towards Gerome. He was... smart. As if he could read your feelings in the blink of an eye.
"I-it's... it's my father again." Lucina started. "Why... would he... get himself killed for me? It's..."
She couldn't continue. Tears started to
make their way down her cheeks.
"It was for you, Lucina." Gerome interrupted. "He died to protect you. He told you to run... for a reason."
"You don't get it, Gerome. I-it was different..." Her words were true. It wasn't only for her. Lucina had an inference... it was something different. Chrom was never one of the people to die for Lucina. He hadn't done that with anyone else...
"Don't cry, please," Gerome eyed the tears falling down her face, "We all experienced our parents dying. Our wishes fading. We all have, Lucina. It comes and goes–"
"Stop, Gerome." The order came out harsh. "I'm s-sorry. Just... go. For now... I need to be alone."
Gerome wasn't one of the people who
liked following orders either. He stood,
silent.
"Lucina, you'll be fine." He said in alternative, "You're going to stop the world from destruction, like your father tried to do. You're following in his footsteps. He must be proud, I swear it."
To make her believe the words, Gerome slowly wiped her tears away.
"We're all here for you."

* * *

"Lucina!"
The young princess turned to face a child Gerome, running towards her with a smile.
"Good day, Gerome." Lucina smiled. She held a small flower in her hand, proud that it was a beautiful spring day after the weeks of dread.
"Guess what? My father said that the war is finally over! He can spend time with me now. Inigo said the same thing to me as well! I think all of our parents are done fighting!" He exclaimed, never raising nor lowering his voice.
    Lucina sighed, gently putting down the lilac in her hand.
    "Did I say something wrong?"
"Not at all, Gerome. It's just... my father told me he was busy... and since my mother died on the last battle... and it had been years since Cynthia was gone... well..."
    "Oh." The word came short and unmeaning-less. "You can join us if you want! Anyways, I wanted to talk to Minerva. It's been a while since I went on a flight with her."
Lucina faked a smile. "Your offer is heart-warming, Gerome, but you don't understand." Her smile faded. "Ever since my mother died, and all I had was my father... we don't spend much time together." She exclaimed.
"I see." Gerome nodded, his face draining from happiness, "Well, then..."
Before Lucina could react, Gerome threw his arms around her, hugging her in an embrace.
"You do know you have friends too, right? And I'm one of them?" Gerome returned a smile. "I won't leave you, no matter... well... if I do..."
    Lucina giggled. "Thank you, Gerome."
"We're all here for you. Remind me to say that more often, alright?"

* * *

    It wasn't long until Lucina's sniffles came to a stop. More importantly, she fell asleep.
    Gerome was silent for the whole time. He didn't move, nor speak. All he wanted to do was spend their last free days before he and his small comrades would have to travel to another country and most likely die along the way.
    It was all left undone when Inigo barged in.
"Gerome? Laurent had spotted something in the forest, he wants all of us quickly." He said.
    "At the moment? What is the matter?" He replied, standing up.
"I'm not completely certain. We may only know once we see it. Hurry, now." Inigo turned to leave, taking off in a sprint.
    Gerome sighed and turned to the sleeping Lucina.
    He didn't want to wake her— this morning she wasn't in the best shape. Pushing the thought away, Gerome silently shook Lucina.
    "Come on," He exclaimed, "Laurent needs us."
     They exited the fort in exhaustion.
     Lucina stood with her hands on her knees, catching her breath from running. The sun was sinking into the aqua sky, shattering the colours of blue and transforming into orange or pink. It was again a lovely sight, but the princess ignored it.
    Her friends were already standing there. Lucina eyed them— they looked... worried? Did something happen? Whatever might've happened, Lucina hoped it wasn't bad.
    "Where's Laurent?"
    "Blast, he was here a moment ago, I swear!"
    "Everyone, wait!"
    But it turned out as bad when an invisible force threw the group backwards.

-*-

Authoress Notes ~ Comments

-enchantedfangirl | Ꮶαмυι~¢нαи