#Oraclequill's Commission Writing

[oraclequill]

Commission - To Not Be Lost; Robin/Tiki

For @knightlysong, who commissioned me with the request of something with Robin/Tiki. Its set right around after Paralogue 17 in Fire Emblem Awakening.

A sea of black waves rolls around him, bringing him deeper into the chasm below. Robin stares up, letting his neck lift, to where the surface is. His arms are too heavy to lift and push himself over and break above the cold, churning water.

Opening his mouth in the attempt to call for help, the deluge invades his lungs, and further he comes to sink. The silence is made to tremble when a noise flows in with the water. Robin lets his eyes widen as they began to lull shut, trying to hear the sound better.

More noises come in, matching in strength of the waves around him. The calls disturb the water that now froths and bubbles from far below. Robin feels his body sink faster when something works to keep him pulled under.

The noise, he understands, are voices that echo into the deep. Each becomes louder and more fervent in their demand of him. Their urging fuels him to fight against what holds him back and away from returning to them.

As he struggles and the water trembles more, a person’s voice calls out. The sound rings from a smoked figure, basked in solid light. The ends of the figure’s fingers reach for him and Robin drifts his hand to touch and take the help that is offered.

–

Robin shifts on his bed cot, opening his tired eyes slowly. He stares at the tarp and lulls his neck to look at the inside of his tent and his senses begin to soak in his surroundings; the sight of the things he owns.

The sounds of the insects that buzz and flutter across the Divine Dragon Grounds. The roar of the ocean and how the water lunges and slams against the cliffs. The dull drift of salt spray that descends on the ground from the waves, which are but a few short miles away.

A feeling of unease comes to rest in his stomach and Robin shudders. His shirt vest and long hood are beside his place of rest. Robin pulls his shirt above his head, fitting it properly to his chest and he hesitates in taking the jacket.

His fingers lift up the sleeve, tracing the pattern in the fabric that, in recent weeks, has begun to glow and shine. Three of the six eyes on the coat’s arms have opened and no one has paid the change any mind at all.

His mind questions if it is only his eyes that are able to see the change. Bringing up his hand, Robin feels the skin heat over; a new eye in the Brand of the Defiled is working on joining the others in its opening.

He throws the sleeve back down, letting the cloth pile and stay in a heap on the ground. His nerves still clamoring, Robin walks out from the tent. The pitched camp is more lively than what he thought it’d be, given the hour.

He contemplates joining the Shepards who’ve gathered around the fire. The sound of grouped laughter and the sight of them sharing a cooked meal lightens his heart but he decides to step away from their line of sight before they notice his presence.

Robin lets his legs carry him to where they please and his thoughts trail onward. His thumb soothes over the surface of his branded palm, the pain tingling again in his hand. He then stops, seeing the soft glow from a ring of flowers that are just before his feet.

White with a yellow center, Robin comes down on one knee to pick one. As his fingers cradle the bloomed plant, it shrivels to his touch and wilts. His own voice whispers to him, “You are the Wings of Despair and will breathe Ruin into this land… Why do you resist, Robin?”

“Robin?”

Robin feels the presence drift out from his mind at the sound of someone calling his name. He feels the red tinged fade from his eyes and Grima’s presence is no longer a weight on his mind. A touch brushes against his face and strokes away the cold sweat on his cheek.

“Tiki?” Robin whispers, swallowing past the lump in his throat when he sees her face sharpen into focus. “I’m sorry. I was lost in my thoughts. Did you need something?”

“The others said you returned to the Divine Grounds,” she said. “I sometimes come here as well to think,” Tiki then smiled. “And I thought it sweet of you to visit my mother’s garden one more time before we leave at daybreak.”

Robin blinked at that and he studied the rows of grass and rings of flowers, ‘No wonder why he sought to destroy this place…’ “Tiki, I need to tell you something… I heard Grima’s voice a moment ago.”

Tiki blanched at him, “You heard the Fell Dragon…when you were…” She swallowed. “here?”

“He is becoming stronger,” said Robin. “To be able to affect me when I’m here. At a place of blessing for divine dragons,” He gave his own swallow. “I am scared. Not just for myself, but for all of you.”

“You’re choosing to be wise in the knowledge that any harm could befall us over being arrogant that nothing will,” Tiki said, her voice gentle in its understanding. She touched at his face again, making his eyes meet hers. “Your fears are well founded, but you will overcome Grima with my being with you.”

Robin lowered his head, but not quickly enough to see the smile fall from Tiki’s face. His fingers looped around her wrists and he gently took her hands from his own cheeks.

“My fear is what overcomes me,” said Robin. “If I were anyone else, I would commit to being with you,” He shook his head. “I am to be the Fell Dragon’s host and you are Naga’s one, and only, daughter.”

“You are a fool,” said Tiki, taking her hands and placing them around his. “You are a strategist of Ylisse. Your name is Robin and you’re my dear friend and someone who I like very much.” She then smiled. “If the fell dragon wants you, then I will show him what it means to incur the wrath of the Divine Dragon’s daughter.”

Robin smiled, despite himself, as he raised his eyes to look into Tiki’s. Inside, he could see the old fear that made her eyes appear wet from unshed tears, “I will not lose someone else I have come love.”

Behind her, the moon began to steadily sink over the horizon and it eclipsed her in a dull glow of light. The shadow that overtook her made her eyes and skin glow as she met and held his gaze with a firm resolve.

“For the one I love,” Robin placed his head to rest against hers. “I swear to not be lost.”

“See that you do not upset my daughter, High Deliverer,” Naga’s voice said firmly. “Or the Fell Dragon will be the least of your worries.”

They both looked at each other in concern and then laughed. Robin smiled while Tiki continued to giggle, her cheeks reddening by the second. Having the opportunity, Robin stooped, picking a flower from the grass. He brushed a strand of her hair away from her long ear and placed the chosen flower to rest and stay near her head. Tiki’s smile came in full as she looked at him, and it was a sight that he would remember, til the end of their days.