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Lon’qu fought the urge to roll his eyes. He had decided to accompany Robin on a few errands in town. She had handled most of the shopping, getting plenty of vulneries and a couple of new tomes, but she wanted his help with getting a new sword.
He thought that all he would have to do was help her find one that suited her, but he didn’t think the blacksmith would be so bothersome. Robin had been eyeing a levin sword. He could see the gears turning in her head as she considered the weight and cost of it.
It was seemingly well-made and the sword also relied on magic rather than might alone. It would compliment her style of fighting well.
She turned to him and asked, “What do you think of this one?”
Before he could even open his mouth to share his thoughts, the blacksmith seemingly warped over and inserted himself in their conversation, “That’s a great sword you have picked out, miss.”
She whirled around to face him, “Oh, thank you. I’ve been thinking about getting one for some time.”
“Well that sword isn’t for everyone. You see, in order for it to reach its full potential, the wielder must have an affinity for magic and swordsmanship.”
“Oh I know. That was why I was considering getting it.”
“You know, if you need someone to show you some moves, I’d be happy to do so.”
Even though she wasn’t facing him, Lon’qu could tell that Robin’s patience had all but evaporated at that point. She was typically a fairly patient person, but as soon as someone underestimated her, it was over.
Deciding to have mercy on the unsuspecting blacksmith, Lon’qu took the sword from him, threw the man some money, and said “We’ll take it.”
Before Robin or the blacksmith could argue, he took Robin’s hand and led her out the door. As soon as the door shut behind them, Robin stopped causing him to stop as well and dropped his hand.
“What was that about?”
“What?”
“Back there in the shop. You didn’t let me say what I wanted to say.”
He ran his now free hand through his hair, and tried to consider his words carefully. Comments like that bother her. The blacksmith had upset her and he wasn’t so insensitive to not recognize that. However, he didn’t understand why she cared so much about what strangers thought of her.
They weren’t the ones who spent time with her. They didn’t know how determined and loyal she was. They didn’t know how her eyes lit up when she figured out a new strategy. They didn’t know that her dimples gave away when she tried not to laugh at Lissa’s pranks on Chrom. They didn’t know that when she focuses, a crease appears between her brows. Only her friends knew because they loved her. As scary as it was to admit to himself, he loved her.
“Lon’qu,” her voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“I didn’t want to see you upset.”
Her angry expression faded as she contemplated his words, “I know you meant well, but that was my decision. Not yours.”
He sighed, “I know. I’m sorry.”
“I know. I do appreciate your caring though.”
Everything he had been thinking threatened to spill, but he just couldn’t bring himself to say them. It wasn’t that he didn’t want her to know he cared about her. They both knew he cared. But thinking sentiments was quite different from conveying them out loud.
He had told her how he felt once and he thought his heart was going to burst out of his chest. She knew that he needed time and graciously offered plenty, but he couldn’t help but feel like she would be happier with another.
“What are you thinking about?”
He couldn’t say it. Not yet. Instead he said something that was just as true but not as intimidating, “I care about you.”
A soft smile grew as her cheeks became rosy at his words, “I care about you too.”
Feeling a little bit braver, he reached again for her hand. This time she didn’t drop it.
“Let’s go back to camp.”
“Lead the way.”