Stuck in the Middle
It was a cold morning, the day overcast and looking like it might start to rain. Robin rolled out of bed, yawning. After taking a quick bath, he donned his usual robe and left his house, making sure to lock the door before he left for work.
After the war with Plegia, the Grandmaster had used the money he had saved up to buy himself a small, two-story house in Ylisstol. He was thinking about stopping at the café on the way there when he heard a familiar chuckle from behind him.
Turning, the Grandmaster met the woman's eye. "Good morning, Tharja."
Tharja continued to chuckle before she responded. "Good morning, neighbour."
Robin's expression twisted with confusion. "What?"
The sorceress merely smiled. "I bought the house next door to you. Now we can spend so much more time together." She resumed chuckling before walking over and latching onto Robin's arm.
The Grandmaster froze. "Um, Tharja, I have to go to work now. So can you let go?"
The sorceress's grip didn't loosen. "Why don't we both take a day off? We can do….whatever we want."
Robin felt a worried sweat slide down his head. "I actually need to go to work now, so please let go."
Tharja seemed disappointed, but released her grip, allowing the grandmaster to leave. Tharja sighed as Robin walked away. "When are you going to accept it, Robin? We are meant for each other." The sorceress began following her plan for the day, which happened to be stalking the Grandmaster. She began following Robin's route.
After stopping at the café to grab some muffins, Robin made it to the castle gate, nodding at the guard on duty before he opened to gate. Most people could only enter the castle through the main gate and under armed guard, but Robin, in his position as Grandmaster, could use one of the less crowded side entrances, having repeated the process enough times to be recognized by the guard.
After entering the castle, Robin quickly made his way to his office, exchanging greeting's with a few of the shepherds he had passed on the way there. Finally, he settled into his chair and began his paperwork. It was the most tedious part of the day, but luckily, the amount had decreased greatly in the past few months since Chrom's wedding.
Being married to Maribelle proved to be quite helpful to the new Exalt, as she was very fluent in Ylissian law and was a skilled politician. After only an hour, Robin signed the last paper and stood up from his desk, stretching his arms above his head. Checking the time, Robin decided to head to the training yard.
Leaving his office, the Grandmaster made his way to the field.
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Robin sheathed his sword and set about picking up the pieces of his training dummy. His skill and strength had improved greatly since he had started travelling with Chrom, and here was the evidence. Letting out a satisfied breath, the Grandmaster threw the broken pieces into a nearby brazier. He was about to turn and walk away when he someone else on the field caught his eye.
Sumia stood a short distance away, holding her wind tome open and firing small tornado towards a target. However, being unprepared for the recoil of her spell, the clumsy Pegasus knight was pushed over, landing on her rear.
Robin smiled slightly as he shook his head and walked over.
"Take my hand, Sumia." He said when he was close enough.
Sumia gave a small smile as she saw who was helping her. She took his hand was hauled to her feet, however, as she attempted to stand, she slipped and fell onto Robin's chest.
Blushing brightly, Sumia stumbled back, making some distance. "S-sorry!"
Robin smiled and shook his head slightly. "Not a problem." He thought for a moment. "Still having trouble with magic?"
Sumia shook her head. "I can cast the spell fine, but the force of it keeps pushing me over."
Robin smiled. "Show me."
Nodding, Sumia got into her casting stance, but before she could begin focusing magic, Robin stepped in.
"Here's your problem." He said confidently. He moved his foot so it connected with hers. "Move this foot back and keep your weight on it. It should absorb the recoil of the spell."
Sumia adjusted her stance and tried again, this time firing the magic without being pushed back.
Smiling widely, Robin placed his hand on her shoulder. "Good. If you need more help, just ask."
And with that, he turned and left.
Sumia smiled and continued her practice. When the tome she was using finally fell to pieces, she was quite satisfied with what she had learned.
Withdrawing to a bench nearby, she wiped some sweat from her brow and looked up at the grey sky. Her thoughts drifted to the white haired grandmaster.
'Robin's done so much for everyone.' She thought. 'He was even able to teach ME magic. I should do something to thank him.' Sumia tilted her head in thought. 'Chrom said I made a good pie. Maybe Robin would like it?'
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After helping Sumia solve her magic problems, Robin had turned and headed towards the other side of the yard, out of Sumia's view.
As he walked he spotted another friend in need of help.
Olivia looked hesitant as she held her iron sword. She took a few steps forward before performing a clumsy slash against a dummy, barely cutting into the wood. The dancer let out a frustrated breath as she prepared to strike again. She was so focused on the task at hand that she didn't notice Robin as he approached.
"Olivia?" he spoke.
Olivia spun on her heel, turning slightly red. "Robin!? When did you get here?"
Robin raised his hands in gesture of peace. "Just know. I saw you swing at that dummy."
Olivia turned back to her target. "Yeah. I can't seem to get a grasp of swordplay."
Robin raised his fist to his chin. "Can you show me?"
Olivia's face burst into a hot blush as she raised her sword again. She was about to attack her dummy when Robin gently took hold of her hands.
"W-What are you doing!?" She yelped.
"Your grip is wrong. You can't get enough force behind your swing if you hold your sword like that." Robin replied, gently repositioning her hands.
Olivia relaxed slightly as Robin finished and took a step back. "When you swing, twist your torso into the swing. I will give you more momentum and power."
Nodding, the dancer ran forward, following Robin's instruction. This time, her sword bit deeply into the wooden target
Olivia turned back to Robin, a happy smile on her face. "Thank you Robin."
The Grandmaster returned her smile. "Don't mention it. Well, see you tomorrow." With that he turned and left for home.
Olivia's smile didn't falter as she continued to practice her swordplay. By the time she was done, the dummy had almost been decapitated. Olivia packed it away for repairs before she turned and headed back to her room.
'I really should thank Robin for helping me.' The dancer thought as she unlocked her room in the garrison. 'I could come up with a new dance, maybe? NO! That would me mortifying...But Robin has helped me so much since I joined the Shepherds. I could do it for him.'
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Robin arrived back at his house and lit a fire in his hearth. Settling over his cooking pot, he began to make himself some dinner.
He was so caught up in his task that he didn't notice the dark haired sorceress peering through his window, a dark look in her eyes.