Falling is like flying. It's how you make it out to be.

The door to a tavern in Ylisstol opened and a figure walked in. The man sat on a stool and the innkeeper peeked up from cleaning out a cup, "Ah! My favorite customer! It's been a while Robin, where're your friends?"

Robin shook his head, "Just me today."

The innkeeper nodded and slid him a mug, "Here's your usual. So what brings you 'round today?"

He took a swig of the drink, "Another off day... Give everyone in here a free drink, put it on my tab, Barth."

"You got it Robin."

As everyone cheered, Robin sat alone and thought over the events that transpired. He finished off his drink and got another. "It's your fault Emmeryn's dead." What Chrom had said echoed in his mind, He's right. It is my fault, my plan didn't succeed and she died because of it. I could have saved her.

"You ready, Chrom?" Robin smirked as he tightened his grip on the practice sword, "I've gotten much better at sword fighting since the last time we sparred."

Chrom chuckled, "Have you now? Well, we'll see about that."

"You bet." He fell into his stance prepared to take the defensive. Chrom usually goes on the offense, if I can switch in the middle of battle he would have to take the defensive and I would be able to overpower him.

Chrom charged forward and prepared to strike, Just as predicted, Robin dodged to the side when Chrom brought his sword down and followed up with a jab that would hit his stomach. Immediately Chrom blocked it, then Robin had sent out a flurry of strikes causing Chrom to fall into defensive. However because Robin was so confident on winning his strikes became sloppy and his stamina started to waver. Chrom saw this and was able to parry one of his attacks and make Robin drop his sword.

Robin's eyes widened when he watched the sword fall to the ground and looked to see Chrom pointing his sword up to his neck. "Hah, got too cocky there now didn't you?" He lowered his sword and patted Robin's shoulder.

Robin groaned, "Damn, one day I will beat you, Chrom. Just you wait."

"That would be the day that I die." Chrom laughed and Robin laughed with him.

It was much later in the day when it happened though, Chrom was taking care of family business, just like always, and Robin needed to speak with him about what Plegia would have to owe them.

"Not now, Robin." Chrom brushed him off and continued walking before stopping in front of a family painting. It was just Emmeryn, his father, him, and his pregnant mother whom Chrom never remembered save for the paintings. She had blond hair and silver eyes with a soft smile.

"Chrom this is serious business," Robin caught up to him and stood in front of him, blocking the painting from his view, "it's been over a month. We need to start with peace talks."

"Robin, you're my grandmaster now, can't you take care of it?"

"I can't because I'm not royalty, nor am I an official citizen of Ylisse, which –by the way– I need your approval on."

"My approval? You already have it."

Robin sighed, "Very funny, I need your sealed approval."

"I'll get to it later," Chrom waved his hand as to signal him to leave.

He frowned as he did just that, but before he left the room, he stopped. That's when a very irrational thought came to mind, "You know you're really pissing me off, Chrom. I know she was your sister but it's been three months, she wouldn't want to see you whining like an over spoiled Pegasus now would she?"

Chrom spun around to face Robin, "What did you just say to me?"

"You heard me. Every time I show signs of sadness you just say 'it's not your fault' and I act fine. But when you're sad you can wallow in self pity for three months! And it's really starting to piss me off!"

With that he pulled out a thunder tome and his sword, with a quick incantation a ball of energy left his hand, aiming for Chrom. Chrom quickly drew out Falchion in retaliation to deflect his electric attack to the side, which hit a column that started to crumble. He blocked another furious attack that came from Robin, but that of which was from his sword. They were in a standstill, trying to overpower the other until Robin, with his spare energy, used more of his lightning magic. Chrom immediately dropped Falchion to his side and dodged to the right so that he was in the courtyard.

Robin shot yet another bolt at him then charged forward, Chrom quickly recovered after dodging the second spell so that he could block his attack.

"Why are you so mad?" Chrom yelled over the sound of metal hitting metal.

"Me? I see your face every time you look at me. Why are you mad?" He yelled back then took a tactical withdrawal to gain distance so that he could release a volley of thunder spells.

Chrom didn't reply immediately, for he had focused on blocking or dodging the array of spells aimed for him.

Robin started to feel tired, he had exhausted his mana so he could only use his spells for so much longer. He dropped his spell book, as he was officially worn, and tightened his grip on his sword.

Chrom charged forward and threw a bevy of swings at him, each struck was used with all his strength. "It's your fault Emmeryn's dead!"

They both stopped attacking each other at that immediate moment. Robin dropped his sword on the ground and looked at Chrom with sad eyes, "I see… This is why you're mad at me…"

Guilt then entered Chrom's mind, "Wait no! Robin I didn't mean-"

"No, you did. And you're right, I'm the tactician, I hold everyone's lives in my hands and I weigh the options. I should have accounted for everything…" He stood in thought for a second, then walked off.

"Where are you going?"

"Take my mind off things." With that last note, he was out of sight.

Marth had seen every bit, every detail. No tactician attacks their commanding officer without warning, was her initial thought. Then she heard what Chrom had said, and watched as Robin walked off.

She had decided to follow Robin, to see where he was going. She jumped down from her perch, making sure no one saw her, and quickly followed him from the sidelines. He seemed too occupied to take note of anyone who passed him so it would be easier than her previous times spent following someone.

She then saw him turn and enter a tavern named The Red Wyvern. Marth waited a while before she would go in, she then made made a split second decision to pull over her cloak to hide her face, -she was certain he would notice her- and entered in.

"Give everyone in here a free drink, put it on my tab, Barth." Robin said before he took a long drink of his own beer. She watched him get a refill after he finish that one off quite quickly.

He's going to drink himself to death. She took a seat beside him, he was too engulfed in whatever thoughts he was drowning in to even bother looking. If her dates were correct then he was Chrom's age, which, in her opinion, was too young to be drinking oneself to the loss of soberness.

"What can I get you?" The barkeep asked her as he filled Robin's cup again.

"Water."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright, kind of a strange place to just get water if you ask me." He shrugged and turned away.

"Hol' on," Robin slurred, "I know that voice."

Marth froze and held her breath.

"Is it… Marth! My ol' buddy!"

She cringed and cursed under her breath.

"Why're you wearin' the hood?"

She pulled it back, "I had hoped you wouldn't recognize me."

He stared at her blankly then laughed, "Give me a lil' credit. 'M more observant than most."

"Is that so? If that were the case then you'd observe that drinking your soberness away isn't a sound thing to do."

"Psh, yer funny. In times like these I don't care 'bout soberness," He took another drink, "probably won't even remember our meetin' if it helps ya any."

"That's not as comforting as you make it to be, but I'm not here to chat."

"Muh?" He looked up from his cup to her.

"I saw your duel with my f- Chrom." She quickly covered up her blunder in hopes he hadn't caught what she had nearly said.

"Do you spy on us or somthin'?" After a pause he laughed, "I jest. But yeah, I was tryina' get a rise outta him so I could figure out what was wrong. I was equally as pissed but it worked. I got what I wanted." He was trying hard now to talk as if he didn't just drink three mugs of beer.

"Was it what you wanted to hear?"

He looked back at his cup and frowned, "Some part of me wanted to hear 'im say it... Wanted to confirm it. So yeah, it was."

Marth stayed silent, not knowing exactly what to say.

"Eh, whatever, it's a sob story. So what. I don't care," Robin said before taking another drink. He then looked over to the water in her hand, "lemme get you a drink."

"Oh, no I don't drink. I believe it impairs my abilities."

"Chicken?" He said with a mischievous grin.

"What?"

"Are you chicken?"

"No!"

Robin then started imitating the sound of a chicken.

"Dear gods, if you could hear yourself right now." She blushed out of second hand embarrassment, which, let's face it, is the worst kind of embarrassment. He's being so childish.

He did not stop making the ridiculous sounds and then even added in flapping his arms to get his point across.

"Alright alright! Just one though." She sighed in defeat to get him to stop making a fool of himself

"Over here Barth! Get one for this lady next to me." Robin gloated his victory out loud.

"Comin' right up!" Barth yelled back as he prepared a mug.

What am I getting myself into? Marth groaned to herself when the drink was set before her

"And then I told him, Chrom that's a star you idiot! And oh my gods, his face was priceless!" Robin bellowed in laughter and Marth joined in. "So, you got any stories?"

Marth looked up in thought then smiled, "Yeah, I've got one. I have a friend who rides a Wyvern, and loves her to death mind you, and this other who is a notorious philanderer. Once when he was ill he also learned that this Wyvern was female. The illness he had made him delusional to the point of seeing things. So when he saw the Wyvern, he puckered his lips and kissed her on her mouth. He believed she was an actual human female."

Robin broke out laughing, tears rolling down his cheeks in the whole process. "That's the greatest tale I've heard!" He took another swig and rubbed his eyes, "Hey so I was wondering."

"What?" Marth replied as she too took another drink and giggled.

"Why are you always alone?"

Marth wasn't expecting that kind of question, she frowned and furrowed her brows, "Pardon?"

"You say you've got friends but yer never with them."

"We were separated."

"I see… Why not stay here? In Ylisstol Castle, with us?"

"I can't."

"Why not?" Robin urged.

"It's not something I can do. I have a mission."

"Saving Emm? Sorry to break it to ya but that mission's over. Believe me I know."

"No, my objective is different now."

"How?"

"I have to ensure my birth," she blurted out. Perhaps if she straight up says it he would take it as a joke.

He just looked at her blankly, then smiled, "You really had me goin' there for a second."

Thank the gods. She sighed in relief.

He then frowned and whispered, "You're from the future, aren't you?"

She cursed under her breath. Stupid. It must be the alcohol.

"I've thought of every possible thing and that's the only one that seems to make sense. How else would you have a copy of Falchion? The blue hair, also is an indicator you're somehow related to Chrom. Not to mention that whenever I've been able to look you in the eye I was able to see the brand in your left eye. I ruled out any possibilities of you being a bastard child, seeing as you and Chrom are the same ages. You also knew about the assassination and events of the future so it can only mean one thing."

She swallowed thickly and bit her lip, "Which is?"

He then grinned and took another drink, "I've had waaaay too much to drink. I won't remember this… But you're Chrom's daughter from the future, aren't you? I mean you have very similar mannerisms, but you have Sumia's smile."

She flushed red, "I-I have to go." She quickly got up, threw money on the table, and stormed out of the tavern.

"Wait come back!" I crossed a line… he thought to himself.

"There you are Robin." A sigh escaped the woman's lips once she saw him. He was snoring loudly inside of an inn room, his head was on the edge of the sleeping mat and his limbs were tangled up with a blanket.

"Thanks for taking care of him, Barth. I'll pay back the mess he's made."

"It's no problem, Miss Cordelia."

Cordelia approached Robin and hefted him up. He started to stir, then winced when he saw the light of day pour through a window. "Muh?"

"It's just me Robin, come on, you're coming home."

"Nng, how much…?"

Barth helped Cordelia carry Robin outside, "You had at least ten mugs. I'm certain it was five more after that lady left."

"Lady…? I can't recall much of last night… Don't tell me I-"

"Nah, she stormed off after her fifth cup."

They both lifted him up onto Cordelia's Pegasus and Cordelia reached into a pouch and gave Barth some money, "Thanks for helping me carry him. Take care."

"You too milady," he nodded to her and left into his tavern.

Cordelia mounted upon her Pegasus and whistled, signaling it to start forward.

"Please, no flying," Robin murmured under his breath.

"Don't worry your pretty face, it's too early for her to fly."

After a pause, Robin blinked, "…Pretty face?"

Once back at the castle, Cordelia helped Robin to his room, in which he immediately fell back asleep once he came in contact with his bed. Or, that's what he made her believe, once she was out of his room he overheard voices on the other side.

"How is he?" It was Sumia, Of course it was Sumia. Chrom wouldn't bother himself after that spat.

"Bad… He was drinking all night last night, he says he doesn't even remember what happened." Cordelia replied.

Sumia sighed in disappointment, "I hope he doesn't do this to himself again. If this keeps up he might lose his privilege as Ylisse's Grandmaster."

"Really? I didn't know it was the severe."

"Drinking like he did last night? It's extremely risky for high ranking officers like Robin, and Chrom wasn't there to bail him out."

"Speaking of Chrom…"

"He's… guilt ridden. He feels awful for what he said and feared the worse for Robin."

"Those two rarely fight, that must've been a big deal…" The rest he didn't hear, as they must have walked off.

He groaned to himself and turned over onto his stomach, he felt ill, it might have been the alcohol, or it was the sinking feeling he had been feeling once Cordelia brought him back.

Nope, it was the alcohol. He shot up and rushed to the restroom.

After a minute or so he stumbled out and fell down on his bed, Note to self: Never go out drinking as much as I did last night… He turned over on his side, not able to go back to sleep. Eventually he sat up, finding that his efforts were fruitless and he decided to take a long needed bath.

It was approximately an hour before he emerged from his room, he put on his old cloak and exhaled deeply. "That bath hit the spot," he murmured to himself.

"Robin!" He heard an agitated voice yell to him from behind. It was Chrom.

Oh shit, Robin thought to himself as he turned slowly to face the Prince who was storming up to him. "Chrom…" He replied calmly, closing his eyes and expecting a punch to the face.

"I cannot believe," he was now staring down at Robin, his posture showed that he wished to intimidate him by making himself look taller than he actually was, "you went drinking without me!"

Robin opened his eyes, now confused, "What?"

"You went out drinking all night! And you went without me!"

"Wait… I'm confused… I thought you're mad at me."

Chrom sighed, "I was, especially when you attacked me. It's water under the bri-"

"No!" Robin abruptly yelled, "You can't do that, Chrom! You can't lay something as heavy as that on me to the point where I drink myself unconscious! And then when I get back you expect me to be fine and better? It was my fault, Chrom! You're damn right it was my fault! It's my fault you don't have an older sister! It's my fault this responsibility was thrust onto you! You were right in your accusation, and I knew this! I didn't want it to be true though!"

Hot tears were threatening to fall down his cheeks now, "And you know what? Maybe sometimes I wish that you hadn't found me in that field! Because maybe then this wouldn't have happened!"

Chrom stared, unsure of what to say or do, "Robin-"

"Don't even start! Don't say anything! Don't apologize! Don't even talk or try to 'make me feel better!' I'm the tactician, Chrom! It's my job to weigh the options, to hold lives into consideration. Don't even tell me that we can bare the weight together because we can't. You have a family, a life, a whole country and I'm just intruding."

Chrom was silent, then smiled, "It's true I have a family, and a life, but you became part of it the day we picked you up off your ass in that field. I'd be damned if we can't get over a small dispute, and for what it's worth I wasn't thinking clearly when I told you it was your fault… It's not your fault, Robin, hell, if it wasn't for you we probably wouldn't be able to get this peace. The weight you bare is a lot, I know this now… But there's one thing you should know."

"... What's that?"

"You're not alone, you have all the Shepherds, and you have me for whatever it may be worth… And… I'm sorry, you have permission to put me in my place if I ever say something like that again."

Robin looked down and rubbed his eyes, "Thank you, Chrom… Thank you…"

It was another year after that incident. Chrom decided to whip himself into shape and take care of the politics with Plegia, Robin still had an unhealthy drinking problem but it wasn't as excessive as that first night. Eventually, he all together stopped and forced himself to strengthen himself both physically and mentally. A few months passed and both Chrom and Sumia had discovered wonderful news.

"Robin! My gods! Have you heard the news?" Chrom yelled excitedly through Robin's door.

The later mentioned opened it as he put on his coat, "What? What news?"

Chrom was beaming and practically jumping in excitement, "I'm going to be a father!"

Robin grinned, happy for his friend, "Congratulations!"

"I must tell the whole kingdom!" He yelled before sprinting off.

"Here we go…" Robin murmured as he watched Chrom exclaim the news at the top of his lungs. "Well at least he didn't ask me that question Sumia has been asking me…"

"Robin!" He heard another voice from behind and turned to see Sumia.

"I mention her to myself and she appears before me… Hello, Sumia." He greeted with a smile, "What can I do for you?"

"Have you seen Chrom?"

"Yes I have, he just came up to me, told me the news, and then ran down the hall telling everyone in sight."

"Oh dear… I told him not to do that… I'm terribly sorry, Robin, did you see which way?"

He pointed down the hall, "That way… Congratulations, by the way."

"Thank you so much… Oh, by the way, when will you be getting married?"

Robin sighed, There it is, "I told you before, and my statement still stands: I'm not getting married any time soon."

She frowned, clearly disappointed, then walked down the hall in pursuit of her husband.

Once she was out of sight Robin shook his head and laughed, "Nope, I'm never getting married…"

A/N: Well well well. Hello there, I've decided to make this an actual story. "That's not gonna happen lmao" I told myself, yet here I am. Anyways, this will probably be the shortest chapter yet, but I also enjoyed writing the last part of this chapter. Chrom being an idiot is especially fun to write.

Well, the second chapter is coming up whenever I decide "Oh hey I'm gonna actually sit down and put the time into it." Instead of, "Oh hey, I'm gonna procrastinate writing the first chapter and write future chapters that won't be published any time soon."

So, I hope you enjoy this little story… That's 26 chapters long… Might be extended to 27…

~ EternalEpoch