Title: By My Side

Author: Decarine

Summary: Takes place before Grima


Chrom sees a strange glint in her eyes sometimes. Definitely she was beautiful and amazing, he thought fondly to herself, but something about her deep verdant green held something darker; something sad. She was charismatic, intelligent and a great tactician for sure but he wondered sometimes what else lies beyond her enigma surrounded by mystery. A strange white haired girl they found in a random flower field had now become a close friend and a great ally with no memory of her past. Sometimes he'll greet her and she'll return a smile, but it's not for herself. It's a smile for the people around her to see so that they don't see behind the façade of what she is really feeling inside.


The war was over now and Gangrel was defeated, it was a happy time in Ylisse. Confetti showered the streets, golden ornaments hung around every doorstep and flowers in full bloom in gardens across the kingdom. It was a beautiful springtime and it was time for celebration.

Chrom busily sat at his desk to do paperwork for the kingdom taxes and wanted to bang his head his desk until a light knock on his door bolted him awake.

"C-come in!" He answered a bit flustered.

Stahl and Robin entered the room in their usual attire despite the war being over everyone seems to wear the same clothes everyday…

"Chrom, what are you doing?" Robin asked softly as she noticed his disheveled appearance and tiredness due to lack of sleep.

"Ah I'm just doing some paperwork for taxes…" He muttered and shuffled the papers.

Robin stared at him for a moment and then asked," Have you stayed up all night doing those?"

"Ah yes, why?"

"Uh…." She put a delicate finger under her chin thoughtfully and said," Well I did all of those the other day."

"EH?!" Chrom slammed his hands on his desk and stood up in shock, papers flying everywhere. He quickly regained his composure and picked them up hastily."

Robin giggled," Sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't think you would work on them so I just did them for you really quick."

Chrom let out a big sigh and laughed," That's fine, even better because I didn't get very far with them."

Stahl interjected as he had been quiet this whole time," Well you should relax now, everyone else is. And the prince definitely should take a break."

Robin clapped her hands and smiled," Yes! Lissa is throwing a huge party tonight and she put us on 'make sure everyone goes' duty."


Night time approached and laid its dark blanket over the kingdom which was illuminated by golden lights. Lissa had arranged a small celebration only for the soldiers and Chrom's party that fought in the war together. It was in a small cozy tavern/bar where everyone could sleep once the raucous night activities were through.

Everyone was laughing and having a great time. Jars of beer splashed here and there, people screaming and yelling happily, and friendly singing ensued. Chrom was listening to Sumia's heated discussion on Pegasus' though he found himself unable to concentrate on her drunken preaching on the great horses and his eyes wandered the room until it settled on a certain white haired girl. Her face was flush with a slight pink and her eyes were slightly tired looking and shiny. Robin was focused on talking with Stahl, Gaius, Lon'qu and Cordelia. His eyes twitched a bit as he noticed how Gaius was so dangerously close into her personal space with a sly smirk on his face as he watched Robin like a fox.

Chrom took another chug of his beer and tried to ignore it. Why does he care so much about her? Sure she was a great friend and helped him win the war of course, but still he cannot stop himself from somehow looking for her in a crowd of people. He always finds her somehow and she's always by his side. That's right, she's supposed to be by his side, not the multitude of other men that seem to be vying for her attention. Many of their friends had already coupled up and were to be married that very year so everyone seemed to be in a race to become engaged. It was the right time after all and they were all nearly the same age.

Ah, he stopped himself for a second. Is this the alcohol talking? He did feel the room seemed to be spinning more than usual… Wait did the room always spin like this?

"Eh whatever." Chrom muttered to himself and finally decided, with the courage of alcohol that he would go talk with her no matter what.

Sumia cocked her head to the side," Chrom?"

"Ah, sorry Sumia, I'll be back."

"Oh okay…" Sumia replied softly, a bit disappointed but she ran over to her other friends and began to chat excitedly.

Chrom walked over to where Robin and the others were sitting.

Gaius had Robin's hands in his and turned on his flirting mode to 100%," Hey Bubbles, touch my new cape and see what material it's made of."

Robin giggled lightly, her face even more flushed than earlier and she held his cape in her hands and felt it," Is it wool?"

"It's boyfriend material."

The table erupted into laughter and Robin's blush intensified, Chrom thought if she turned anymore red she'd turn into a tomato and he'd have to go to jail for killing someone.

"Can I borrow her for a second? There are some uh… official matters I need to ask Robin about."

Gaius frowned," Really right now? It can't wait till tomorrow? We're at a party Blue."

Chrom smiled sheepishly and muttered an excuse," Ah yes well you know how it is haha…."

Robin stood up and said," Don't worry I'll be back in a bit."

Chrom watched as she stood up. He realized he'd always been watching her; the way her long hair fell against the curve of her cheeks and her slender frame that was able to deal so much damage to enemies.

They walked outside into the night and Robin slapped her cheeks," Ah! It's so cold now! I was so hot in there." She trembled slightly in the crisp air as she wasn't wearing her normal black and purple cloak but a small striped dress that went down to her calves.

"Are you alright?" Chrom asked, feeling bad for lying and making her come out here.

"Ah it's fine, so what was the urgent matter?"

Chrom stood still for a second. He'd interrupted their party and took Robin away in a drunken escapade and now he didn't know what to do with her.