AN: So, after being out of writing for FOREVER and not having a ton of inspiration, I found otpisms .tumblr .com (spaces here because the text formatter really seems to not want to let me credit this amazing blog!) and let me tell you it was a great thing because I got this prompt: (OTP Idea #219: AU where your OTP is in an arranged marriage and they really hate the idea of it, so they start thinking of ways to get the other person to break it off. Both A and B ask their friends for advice on how to piss the other off. Then the friends of Person A and the friends of Person B tell them things that the other person loves instead. Person A and Person B end up falling in love instead of hating each other.) Well, I couldn't pass that one up, and I didn't feel like I needed an AU if I tweaked things just a touch, so here we are!

Chapter 1—An Arranged Marriage

Robin

"Robin, Frederick, I love both of you," Chrom said. He'd called the two of them to his side shortly after the war began to wind down, only telling them that it was very important that they listen. Naturally, they both were happy to comply. "You know that I want what's best for Ylisse, and what's best for both of you. So, though you might not like this idea…I would appreciate it if the two of you married."

"What?!" Robin almost choked on the exclamation.

"Milord, would that really…" Frederick's tone dripped with disdain, but Chrom ignored it and forged on.

"Yes. I know that you two might not love it from an emotional side of things at first, but logically, it makes sense. We're trying to make peace with Plegia—a union between a Plegian tactician and a guardian of Ylisse would greatly help our cause in the public eye. Robin's marriage to someone so close to the royal family would really help her gain the trust of the public, and Frederick, her influence can only help you." Both of them opened their mouths to object, but saw the logic in Chrom's words. "Think about it. If the idea's completely unbearable, I won't force it, but it would be a huge help. You can go now."

Robin left for her tent, trying with all her might to not look as if she was storming off to go sulk. She wanted to help Chrom, wanted to with all her heart, but dammit, her loyalty had limits! And one of those limits was Frederick. He was a stickler for order, hated change with a passion, and was so…methodical about everything. And worst of all, Robin saw that Frederick didn't trust her. Right away, he disliked her, and she couldn't blame him for that, but time and time again, she'd proved herself, and time and time again, Frederick had stubbornly refused to give her even the tiniest bit of trust. She could bear it now, but living like that? It would be exhausting. Awful. Impossible, in fact. Robin knew that she absolutely could not deal with that bitter, distrustful stare on a daily basis.

Really, how could Chrom expect her to do this? He got to marry for love, even as the monarch, even as the one who should be stuck in an arranged marriage; why shouldn't she be allowed that same basic courtesy? But Chrom was her friend, and if the engagement—Gods, even calling it that made her feel sick—didn't work, it would hugely disappoint him. Robin was not about to tell him how awful his idea was, was not about to tell him that she and Frederick were about as compatible as fire and ice. But if she could get someone else to do it…

And, just as she always managed to do, Robin came up with a plan.

Frederick

Once Frederick reached his quarters, he quickly started sharpening swords. Polishing armor. Anything to reassure him that he could do his duty without entering into this damned marriage. How could Chrom do this to him? Frederick had taken care of him since he was a babe, and this is the lot he's given? Being forced into marrying someone like Robin? Granted, she did possess brains, but at the cost of so much else! She was sloppy, disorganized, had no respect for routine, and simply didn't possess the discipline necessary of a warrior serving Ylisse, especially one so bafflingly close to Chrom! And Frederick knew that Robin hated him for his distrust of her. He simply was ensuring the survival of his charge—doing his DUTY—and she didn't respect it. Now, he could have understood it at first, but he'd reminded her time and time again that his first duty was Chrom, and time and time again she'd refused to respect that! He could ignore it now—after all, it was what was best for his lord—but living that way? Absolutely not. Impossible.

Yet, he couldn't simply ignore his duty to Chrom. He'd known since he was assigned this position that he'd have to do what was best for Ylisse. And he wanted Chrom to remain happy, of course. But this? This was simply asking too much of him. His loyalty, though seemingly infinite, did have its limits eventually. Perhaps he'd have to work on that for the future. However, for now, this couldn't be done. But he didn't want to be the one to upset Chrom with this knowledge. This lapse in willingness to do his duties shouldn't be brought to Chrom's attention, and he knew how disappointed Chrom would be if this arranged marriage-ugh, Frederick hated the words more and more by the minute-didn't work out. However, he might not have to…

Frederick put the armor he was scrubbing down. He knew what must be done.