[Nero wasn't quite the type to break into a cold sweat and yet that moment of isolation between the men and the women was something that drew him dreadfully close to that feeling. It was the first step that he hadn't noticed but the next that had him close enough to whisper that was more than enough to remind him that Chrom was Lucina's father in a more concrete way than the usual.

It wasn't a forceful tone at all but something laced in concern that made him take it so much more seriously. At first, he'd opened his mouth to answer quickly.]

Oh, yeah, she's been... [It only took a moment for him to peek over his shoulder to Lucina right as he could see her putting her mother's love to good use in keeping her still for a stunningly jubilant test of patience and... the flexibility of color choice. He swallowed the next word that came out and answered simply. It wasn't likely the exact thing Chrom hoped to hear but it had to have been the most hopeful.]

...Excited. She likes talking about what we'll do tomorrow and the day after that. [Pulling open the tab to slide out a piece of gum, he offered Chrom one--right before unfolding one of his own. Right before he popped that piece in his mouth, he stopped himself. There was an important detail.] You don't eat it--just chew it.