Robin tossed and turned for what seemed like hours. The screaming…her screaming…it just would not leave his mind. Watching someone experience severe emotional pain was one thing, but having to go through it was a completely different experience.

"Say'ri…" the word involuntarily passed through his lips. "How could you go through that…and still be able to put on a brave face? Is it all just a façade?"

Say'ri lost her older brother that day. Killed by herself, no less. He was an enemy, he was trying to kill them, so convincing him to deflect was next to impossible. Even knowing this, Robin could not squelch the guilty feeling in his stomach. He remembered too vividly: he and Say'ri were teamed up to fight the enemy soldiers, but the next thing they knew, they were fighting Say'ri's older brother. Robin took the initiative, for he did not want to subject Say'ri to the pain of fighting her own sibling. Yen'fay's strength, however, was more than Robin had expected. In fact, just one strike from his blade nearly did him in, but he remained alive, bleeding but alive. Say'ri blocked Yen'fay's killing blow and before Robin could shout out or do anything about it, Say'ri ran her sword right through her brother's chest. In that moment, Robin had never seen someone's emotions change so quickly from speaking with her brother one last time, seeing him give up the ghost, and having Excellus later laugh in her face about the entire thing. Say'ri was first in denial, then calm, shocked, enraged, and finally pained. Robin knew Say'ri was a strong woman, but seeing her having a massive breakdown in front of the entire army and enemy, it was almost unbearable to watch. What frightened Robin even more was that she chose to save his life rather than her brother's. That alone was unbelievable. But even in his shocked state, Robin could still hear Say'ri screaming out her brother's name, see the grief-stricken expression on her face, watch helplessly as Chrom, Lucina, and Tiki tried to help her onto her feet. He remembered it all, and the torrent of emotions he felt then still hadn't calmed down now.

His stomach growled, but he wasn't hungry, nor was he sick. Robin sighed as he squeezed it, still trying to find some possible way to fall asleep. He considered asking Tharja for a sleep spell, but he didn't really trust what the dark mage would do to him if she put him to sleep. Maybe he could get sleeping herbs from Stahl, then he remembered that the last time he borrowed something medicinal from Stahl, he didn't know it was outdated. Needless to say, he wasn't much use for Chrom and his army that day. Robin rolled over on his side again and found that Morgan was still awake and reading one of her tomes. Or maybe it was his own; he couldn't tell even with the faint light coming from her fingers. Wait, faint light?

"You're going to set the bed on fire if you do that." Robin warned his daughter.

"Oh?! Uh, sorry dad! I thought you were asleep." Morgan giggled nervously as she immediately let the fire waver from her hand.

"Far from it actually." He groaned "Morgan, what do you usually do when you can't sleep?"

"I read!"

"But…for me reading engages my mind so I can't fall asleep. Anything else?"

Morgan rested her chin on her fist in deep thought. "Um…I don't know. I've seen what the other children do though! Cynthia picks the petals off flowers, Noire crawls into Severa's bed though I don't think Severa likes that very much; um…Gerome rides Minerva, Laurent tries to solve some of life's mysteries…heaven knows what Inigo does when he sneaks out at night."

"Wow, you kids are more…unique than I thought." Robin sighed, but he smiled with amusement. "I'm afraid none of those things will help me get to sleep though. And I highly doubt Cordelia would be pleased if she saw me sleeping in her daughter's bed."

"Well then how about we just talk?"

"There's an idea."

"Okay, so why can't you sleep?"

Robin's face fell once she asked him that question. "Do you know what happened today?"

"We fought against Valm's army, right?"

"Yes, right. Well one of our own had a brother who was fighting alongside them. She…she had to kill him."

Morgan's jaw dropped. "That's terrible!"

"Yes, it is. And well, I want to go comfort her, but I can't think of anything to say."

"Hm…just be with her then."

"Be with her?"

"Yep! I don't remember a whole lot, but when I got here, I was so alone. Usually I would cry nonstop, but occasionally someone would walk by and stay with me until I stopped. It's great to have people like that in life."

"So you're saying that just my presence there should alleviate some of the pain?"

"Uh-huh. She probably feels alone right now after her brother died. You don't need words to show your sympathy and quite frankly…I don't think you're really good with words anyways. Uh, no offense, by the way!"

Robin chuckled. "No you're right. I really am not good with words when it comes to comforting people. When I tried to console Chrom after losing his sister, I did more harm than good and he punched me in the face. Thanks, Morgan. You know how to give great advice. I bet you'll become a fine tactician someday."

"You mean it?! May be a talent I've just forgotten about." Morgan chirped.

"Maybe. Well, you better get some rest. I'm going to go visit my friend now."

Robin tucked Morgan in the bed and kissed her goodnight before walking out of the tent and towards Say'ri's. When he neared the opening of her tent, he abruptly stopped and tried to collect himself.

"This is for a friend…" He told himself to calm his nerves. "Don't speak…let my actions do the talking. Well, here goes…Say'ri? It's Robin, may I come in?"

There came no reply, but Robin wasn't going to give up so easily. He opened the tent and peered inside. It was all dark, but he could still see Say'ri's figure in the shadows. She was slumped over on her bed, examining the fine silver blade of her sword. Robin soundlessly walked inside until he got to her bed and gently tapped her on the shoulder to remind her of his presence. Say'ri briefly turned to look at him with twinkling eyes before her gaze fell back onto her sword. Seeing her act this way, Robin felt like he was about to cry himself. It was almost too pitiful to bear.

Let my actions do the talking. He thought to himself as he placed himself in front of her and kneeled down. She made no reaction, nor did she follow him with her eyes, but Robin didn't let that hinder him. He took one of her hands into his and gave it a gentle squeeze. That got Say'ri's attention. She looked straight at him and by the way she bit her lower lip and her tears overflowing her eyes, she looked like she was about to lose it. Robin opened his arms slightly and, as if it was some sort of beckoning sign, Say'ri immediately collapsed into his embrace, clinging to the cloth of his garb and began to cry uncontrollably. Robin fastened his arms around her and pulled her in closer to his body, feeling her shudder violently as every sob escaped from her. As she wept, Robin could almost feel the weight of her grief on his shoulders. He wanted to save Yen'fay as much as she did, and was greatly saddened when it was not meant to be. As long as he could help shoulder some of that pain, then he didn't feel like a complete failure.

"My brother…my broth…er…" Say'ri choked, her voice thick with emotion. "He w-wouldn't want me to…to act like…this…"

"It's okay, Say'ri." Robin whispered. "Let it all out. Don't be ashamed to cry in front of me."

Say'ri sniffled and just nodded against him. Her embrace was very tight, almost painful, but Robin dared not to protest. In response, he placed his hand on the back of her head and gently pressed her face against his chest. Her body felt cold, despite the humidity of the night, but Robin decided not to question her about it. After what felt like maybe ten minutes, Say'ri began to calm herself down and she withdrew herself from Robin's embrace completely. She looked down, ashamed at herself, until Robin lifted her chin up with his finger.

"Do you feel better now?" He asked softly.

"Yes…slightly, but yes." Say'ri sniffled again. Robin took out a handkerchief from his pocket and began to dry her eyes for her. Say'ri didn't push him away, but just remained silent; she just didn't have the heart to refuse his kindness. She noticed a tear stain on his chest where she grabbed him and poked at it absentmindedly.

"I'm…sorry I dampened your cloak." Say'ri said, unsure of what else to say.

"Don't worry about it." Robin assured her. "No harm done."

Say'ri wordlessly nodded and stared off into space. "I…I still can't believe all this is happening. It almost feels like I'm in a dream. And when I look at my sword…that wretched sword…I still see…the blood…his blood…oh Yen'fay!"

"Say'ri." Robin placed a hand on her cheek when he noticed her eyes were filling with tears again.

"I…feel so weak." Say'ri rubbed fiercely at her eyes. "My chest feels so tight, no matter how much I try to get over this. I…I can't help it anymore!"

"If you need to cry again, then by all means do so." Robin said. "I'll stay here all night to comfort you, if you want me to."

"Y-You would?"

"Yes. We're friends, Say'ri and I won't abandon you in your time of need. Besides…Yen'fay's death was on my part as well. For that, I apologize…if I hadn't been so careless, I could have…"

"Stop, Robin!" Say'ri suddenly shouted, her tears finally falling. "Hearing your regret, it only breaks my heart even more. I don't want you to blame yourself for my brother's death. I don't want you experience the same pain I'm going through right now. Please…"

She abruptly stopped when she heard her breath hitch. Again, she fell silent and tried to choke back whatever sobs were trying to come out. Robin let out a deep breath and bent his head down. "I'm sorry, Say'ri. I didn't mean to make you angry."

Say'ri sighed and shook her head. "No, it's all right. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that." Much to Say'ri's surprise, she heard Robin chuckling to himself. "What's so funny?"

"My daughter was right." Robin smiled pitifully. "I'm no good with words, yet I still speak anyways. I need to learn to keep my trap shut."

Unexpectedly, Say'ri smiled as well, the first smile Robin had seen her make all day. "What good is a tactician that cannot communicate?"

"Ha, well you got me there." Robin stood up and smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothing. "Do you need anything? A glass of water or perhaps another blanket? Don't be afraid to ask."

"No…" Say'ri paused to stifle a yawn. "I don't…well I do have one thing in mind."

"What is it?"

"Do you mind…staying here for the night?"

"You…really want me to?"

"Ah, if you can't then I understand. You have your daughter to stay with you and…"

"No, I'll stay." Robin silenced her. "Morgan is a big girl and she knows I'm here. Besides our tent isn't far away, so if someone attacks I'll take care of them in an instant."

"You're a good father, Robin. You really care for your…family…"

"Say'ri…"

"Oh, don't mind me." Say'ri rubbed her eyes again. "I'm sorry. I should be trying to get over things. I can't remain like this, wallowing in my own self-pity forever."

"I'll help you get through this." Robin said, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. "No matter what, I'll be here by your side to support you until you feel better. In fact, I'll do that now. We can stay up talking if you want. There won't be another battle for a couple days now."

"You don't mind?"

"Course not. I couldn't sleep anyways." Robin laughed. "Can you tell me about Chon'sin?"

Say'ri's face brightened up a considerable amount when Robin asked about her homeland. "Okay, what would you like to know?"

I made Robin marry Say'ri on my first run and man, it could not be more perfect! Maybe it's because Robin himself is a boss and Say'ri is my all-time favorite character. I'm honestly disappointed by lack of Say'ri/MU fics, so this will be my contribution. Hope you enjoyed it!