Chapter Text
Gerome had no idea on how to feel about the small town that he and Lucina had taken refuge in since they disappeared from all that they knew. It was peaceful enough and by Naga's grace he knew that him and his wife deserved peace, even if it meant that he had to be a little friendly to the strangers that they're now acquainted with. He was used to being gruff and solitary, but for Lucina's sake he was polite when he needed to be. It's not like he was stupid enough to be rude to the only people that he and his future family would interact with for awhile. He knew it was stupid, but the very thought of making a family with Lucina still made him blush like a prepubescent school boy.
"What's got you red in the face?"
Ah it was Herald. It's not that he didn't like the guy; in fact he didn't really like anybody except for his wife and their childhood friends (even he didn't like their friends sometimes). The man was just too friendly for his liking. He and his wife were one of the few people that he and Lucina befriended in this small community that they decided to call home. Well it was more like Lucina befriended Herald's wife and by proxy Gerome had to befriend Herald. But Gerome realized that if he kept Herald waiting for a response things would get awkward; well at least for himself.
"It's nothing Herald, what is your business?"
"To the point as always Gerome! Actually Sarah was talking about showing Lucina about the town with some of her friends, so I was thinking of bringing you along with me for a boys night out. What do ya say?"
Gerome frowned slightly but decided that ostracizing himself from the community would be a useless effort; Lucina would only give him a stern talking with if he does that.
"Hm, I accept."
If Herald wasn't a friendly person he would've been put off by Gerome's curt response, but instead he shrugged his shoulders with a grin and clapped Gerome on the back. Needless to say Gerome was very uncomfortable.
"Haha! It's about time I introduced you to some more people. People still aren't really sure on how to act around you two after you arrived here on your wyvern last month, I mean you two have only made friends with my wife and I and the mayor and his family."
"What time are you expecting me?"
Truthfully Gerome wanted to cut this conversation short. If he was to spend time talking to Herald and more strangers he wanted more time in peace and quiet to settle his mind. He didn't like attention and it looks like he'll be the center of it tonight.
"I'll bring Sarah to the mayor's house at 5 so I'll pick you up then! I'll see you tonight partner!"
Gerome watched Herald leave and as soon as he was out of earshot he sighed.
"Partner, huh."
It was true that Gerome and Herald had been working together doing construction, especially because of the town's growing nature, but they were more like acquaintances than anything. He wouldn't really classify Herald as a partner yet, that was a title for someone that you would trust your life with in Gerome's eyes. And truthfully Gerome wasn't sure on what to think about the man.
Herald was a little older than Gerome and was in the process of establishing his growing family. He wasn't exactly fit; in fact Gerome knew he could easily overpower the stocky man in a fight. But Gerome supposed that he could overpower most men in this town with his martial strength. He did notice a lot of the men's surprised expressions (and women's long stares) when they saw his musculature, especially since he knew that they thought he was just some pretty boy. He blamed his father for having inherited his pretty features, after all his father was a serial womanizer before his mother domesticated him.
Gerome looked at his watch and saw that it was 1 in the afternoon. He figured that he should return to the mayor's house lest he would be late for lunch, he wanted to see Lucina and he hoped that he wouldn't miss her. As he walked he couldn't help but ponder why the mayor would let him and Lucina stay in his own home for the time being. It might have been a way to see how serious the couple was in their decision to settle down in this unknown town by Wyvern Valley. Or the mayor was simply a kind old man who had a similarly kind old woman for a wife. Try as he might, Gerome couldn't figure out the old man's intentions.
As Gerome stepped over the threshold of the house he noticed how quiet the simple abode was. He figured it was just him and possibly the old man in the house, so to check he knocked on the mayor's office door.
"Gerome? You may come in."
Gerome stepped in to see the mayor bent over his desk; probably examining figures, of what Gerome had no idea.
"Ah, sit down boy. I'd actually like to speak with you."
Before Gerome could speak the mayor quickly cut him off.
"Catherine and Lucina will be a little late today, Catherine needs a little help with her patient and Lucina volunteered to help her."
Gerome figured Lucina was keeping herself busy, in fact Lucina helped a lot of the women in an effort to keep busy and learn some domestic skills. Gerome couldn't care less if Lucina didn't know anything domestic, she was perfect the way she was. But if she insisted on something he knew to let her pursue that thing.
"Anyway, I was wondering if I could ask you a favor of sorts."
"What can I do for you Nicholas?"
"Direct as always my boy, but that's a trait for the job I'm offering you."
A job? Gerome supposed it was better than trying to scrounge up work from people who didn't really need help. Herald hardly needed help with the construction that he was doing, but he enjoyed less of the manual labor and Gerome was grateful for a way to keep his body in shape.
"You see our town isn't exactly the most secure, as much as it pains me to admit. And seeing how experienced you and Lucina are in the martial arts I was wondering if the two of you would like to be in charge of security. Of course you two will have plenty of help, but honestly not a single person of this town can tell the sharp end of a sword from the blunt end."
So he was concerned about the bandit attack that occurred a week ago. To Gerome the attack wasn't something to be too worried about. Bandits never really stayed in Wyvern Valley in fear of being prey, but there were a few ballsy ones to try their luck on the town. But confidence doesn't mean skill, and Lucina and him easily squashed the raid before there were any casualties.
"Are you sure you want to place this task in our hands? Lucina and I haven't been here for that long to garner such a position."
Gerome observed the man. He knew the man was kind, but he was also cautious. He had the right to be since he looked after the town and its people.
"I'm quite sure son."
It was Nicholas's turn to watch Gerome, and Gerome couldn't help but feel uncomfortable under his gaze. He would feel more comfortable if he was wearing his mask but he had since retired it unless he had to fight.
"I'll need to talk to Lucina about this first."
"Of course."
As soon as Nicholas was done speaking, they heard the front door open and an old woman's voice announcing she was home. The two men stood up and exited the office. Gerome let the mayor pass him to greet the arriving women in favor of thinking about the job offer that he and Lucina were just given. He definitely needed to talk to Lucina about this before anything was set in stone.
"Brooding again Gerome?"
He turned his head to the approaching figure in the hallway. He never got tired of looking at her. She hadn't changed much except for her style of clothing. Both of them had had to change their style of clothes he supposed, they weren't fighting anymore and no one knew of his noble and her royal blood. So they wore simpler clothing, he a plain black button up shirt with brown trousers and some boots, and her a dress with blue motifs and boots. Of course their clothes were outfitted to have utility and were easily moved in, and Gerome had especially put care into tailoring Lucina's clothes to fit her own personal style so that she wouldn't be uncomfortable.
"You're staring again dear."
"Ah, sorry about that."
He was blushing again. He needed to distract himself or else he'll make an embarrassment of himself in front of the old couple.
"Did you eat lunch? I can make something up."
At this Catherine had perked up and had ceased in talking about her patients in favor of turning her attentions to the young couple.
"Oh dear, you two haven't had lunch yet?"
Nicholas spoke up.
"Gerome and I were waiting for you two to come home, so we haven't had anything since breakfast."
At this Catherine sped off into the kitchen, something Gerome never got used to. He wasn't sure how such a petite old woman was able to move so fast. Either way he had to help her or else she'll give herself a heart attack.
"I'll go and help her."
As he left the room he could hear Nicholas asking Lucina to join him in his office. Gerome was glad that Nicholas respected Lucina's strength to talk about the town's security with her. He knew not many men believed women to be equals but he was relieved that Nicholas wasn't like that.
Joining Catherine in the kitchen, Gerome followed whatever order she gave him. He wasn't bad at cooking, but it wasn't his forte and he preferred tailoring and repairing clothes. It wasn't long until the both of them had whipped up something for the four to eat.
While he and Catherine set up the table he could already tell that she wanted to talk to him.
"How have you been liking it here Gerome?"
Where did this come from? Catherine liked to talk; in fact it was incredibly hard to get the motherly woman to stop talking about her day. She was also very perceptive. She knew immediately that he wasn't one for words and instead of forcing a discussion with him she was content with letting him listen. It was odd for Gerome to hear her ask him a question like this.
"Everyone has been… very gracious."
He wasn't really sure what to say.
"I know it's hard for you two to make friends, so if you need to rely on anyone you can always rely on my husband and I."
This was odd. Did something happen? Now that he thought about it Catherine and Lucina were acting a little weird. Catherine was usually louder coming in and Lucina would join in albeit more quietly. They were very quiet today in comparison.
"Is something the matter?"
He swore he saw the old woman hesitate but before he could continue his line of questioning Lucina and Nicholas had entered the dining room. Gerome observed Lucina and knew she was in silent thought. She had an expression on her face that he hadn't seen since Grima. She was worried. Between Lucina and Catherine's odd silence and Nicholas's usual silence, lunch was an awkward affair.