Waves crashed softly on the beaches of Valm Harbor as gulls flitted about in the air. The shining sun and cloud-streaked sky gave a sense of ambiance that belied the fierce battle that had just been waged. Lucina stood at the shore, staring into the vast blue expanses. How unlike anything she had ever experienced before this all was. Sand underfoot had such a different feel from dirt or ash. And if someone had told her there was this much water in the world she would've simply laughed. In one hand she loosely held a small pouch of oranges, bought at the harbor market. The scene of her eating oranges on the beach would've been rather picturesque if not for the fact that she was biting into them like one would an apple, consuming them peel and all.
	"Haha! So you eat oranges like that too, huh? You really do take after your father."
	Lucina turned to find Robin standing behind her, smiling brightly while shielding his eyes from an unfortunate angling of sunlight.
	"What do you mean, 'like that', Robin?"
	"Huh? You really don't know how to-?" Robin immediately stopped talking upon reaching the sobering realization that this very well could be the first time Lucina had ever eaten an orange. Who could say how readily available fruit had been back in her world? The last thing he needed to do was remind her of that hellscape because of his own carelessness.
	Lucina tilted her head in puzzlement.
	"Erm... never mind. Mind if I have one?"
	Lucina smiled and tossed one to him. Robin caught it and unceremoniously dropped to sit in the sand. Lucina joined him, in a much more composed fashion. Robin was about to begin peeling his orange when he realized that he could potentially embarrass Lucina for not knowing of such a simple thing, or worse, remind her that this world was not hers. Grimacing slightly, Robin bit into the orange and forced himself to not retch at the bitter taste of the peel.
	"Is something wrong Robin? Do you not like it?"
	"Erm, well it's not that I DISLIKE oranges, usually..." Robin said, wincing slightly. "...Anyway, how's yours?"
	"Delicious!" Lucina replied happily. "...By the way, I DO know how most people eat oranges."
	Robin nearly choked, causing Lucina to laugh. It was a nice laugh, really, one that revealed none of the weight the girl had been forced to carry.
	"Sorry," Robin muttered before spitting out a piece of rind.
	"Don't be. You were just being considerate of my feelings, right? Most people would've just immediately tried to get me to peel the orange without thinking about why I was eating them like this."
	"So you led me on as some sort of... test?"
	"Haha! I suppose you could say that. I was curious as to how you would react. Having watched you from a distance, it was clear to see how you had earned my father's trust. You're a brilliant, if ...unconventional tactician, and you seem to have the ability to forge a bond with most anyone you meet. But it must be easy to look at all of that and miss the real you; to get too caught up in your role and abilities and forget to whom those things are beholden. I suppose I wanted to become acquainted with that person."
	Robin turned away, all too keenly aware of the warm flush in his cheeks. "You're much too kind."
	Lucina laughed again, lightly. But anyway Robin, what business brings you out here?"
	"None, really. I suppose you could say the same business you have here- I just wanted to look at the ocean. If I'd ever seen if before this voyage, the memory of it is not one I possess. ...Lucina? Is there something wrong?"
	Lucina had cradled her legs into her arms while staring pensively at a fresh orange. She looked up at Robin with a start.
	"Oh! No, nothing. I apologize. I was just thinking that sometimes I forget that we are somewhat similar... neither of us has much of a past in which we can search for happy memories." Faint tears began to well up in the corner of Lucina's eyes as she looked back at the orange. Just as Robin let out a slight noise of alarm, Lucina snapped to and hastily rubbed her eyes clear. "Ah. Forgive me. I was merely thinking of one of the precious few memories I have of my father... of him eating an orange the way an ordinary man would eat an apple."
	 "...Lucina."
	Lucina cleared her throat and stood up abruptly. "Well, I think it's high time we return to camp. You're surely needed for a strategy meeting and I'd like to get in some train- ...Hmm?" Lucina fell silent as she became aware of Robin's hand clasped on her wrist. His expression was the most sorrowful she had ever seen from him.
	"Robin, please unhand me," Lucina said while trying to pull away slightly." I enjoy your company, but this is rather uncouth and-"
	"You don't have to be so strong all the time."
	"...What?" Lucina stopped pulling.
	"I can see it. In your eyes, in the way you move, in the way you speak. You've got so much pain and sorrow bottled up inside, and you won't let it out because you think you need to be the strong one."
	"Robin, I have no idea what you are insinuating-"
	"With Chrom gone, you must have been Ylisse's exalt, am I right? I'm sure everyone was looking up to their strong and beautiful princess, depending on her in order to find their own strength. I doubt you would ever allow yourself to appear weak in front of them. You've been shouldering such a terrible, monstrous burden, and all by yourself. But you're not alone anymore. When you can't be strong anymore, we'll be strong in your place. All of us. It's ok to cry every once in a while, you know."
	Lucina could only stand there stunned. Then, slowly, tears welled up in her eyes as her lip quivered. She sank to her knees and began to sob. Robin crouched down beside her and laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Much to his surprise, Lucina suddenly reached out and embraced him, sobbing into his shoulder.
	"There, there. It's alright. Let it all out, Lucina," Robin murmured softly while patting her back.

*   *   *

	The sun was just beginning to set as Chrom trudged along the beach. Both Lucina and Robin had been unaccounted for for an alarmingly long time, especially in enemy territory. The idea of either of them--or, gods forbid, both of them--wandering into an ambush was not something he was keen to dwell on. Chrom was deliberating whether he should wait until nightfall or not to organize a search party when he finally spotted them.
	Robin was staring out into the pink-hued sky, Lucina leaning in on his side. The poor girl had cried herself to sleep. Robin turned as he heard the crunch of bootsteps.
	"Ah! Hello there, Chrom."
	"Hello there yourself. I'm surprised the Robin who was always on my back about being more cautious could be so careless behind enemy lines. And why's Lucina sprawled against you?"
	"Er... It's kind of a long story. And besides, why would any enemy be roaming this beach? There's no coverage and it's a poor route for sorties."
	"Ugh. Somehow I feel like you simply forgot about any sort of danger and just whipped up that excuse on the spot."
	"Heheh."
	"...But it is nice to see Lucina seem so at ease," Chrom gestured to his daughter, who slumbered with a serene expression. "That girl has lead the hardest life out of any of us. If anyone deserves some peace, it's her."
	"...Chrom."
	"Yes, Robin?"
	"Under no circumstances can we fail. We mustn't allow a future like Lucina's to ever come to pass again. No person should have to endure what she has endured. It's up to us to make sure that none do."
	"...Yeah. Well, we should get going. Lucina, wake up," Chrom commanded, nudging her gently. "It's time to return to camp."
	"Hmmm? Father? What're you- ...Oh. OH!" Lucina jumped up with a start, face turning beet red. "F-F-Father, this isn't what it looks like! I just, well I um..."
	"Ahahaha! It's alright Lucina. I've been talking with Robin; I have a fairly good idea of what really happened. Besides, you could do a lot worse than him."
	"FATHER!"
	"CHROM!"
	"Ahahaha! Anyway, we should head back now." Chrom turned to leave.
	"Umm... Father?"
	Chrom turned back. "Yes, Lucina?"
	"I... I'm afraid I'm a bit too tired to walk. See, I was up all last night training and-"
	"What?!" Chrom and Robin yelped simultaneously.
	"Lucina, do you have any idea how bad that is for your health?" Chrom asked incredulously.
	"Yes, I've become familiar with how hard I've been pushing myself lately," Lucina said while smiling at Robin. Robin struggled not to blush.
	Chrom sighed in exasperation. "Fine, I guess I'll just have to carry you."
	"Wh-what?! Father, you wouldn't! That would be so undignified! What if people see?!"
	"What, a father can't carry his daughter when she's exhausted?"
	"Urk! Robin, please talk some sense into him!"
	"Hey, who knows when the next time you'll be able to get your father to give you a piggyback ride will be?"
	"I am not a little girl! I don't need to be coddled like th- WAAA!"
	"OOF! Gods, you're heavier than I expected. Robin, can you at least carry Falchion?"
	"Ahahaha!"