Hey readers, I'll update this every so often. It's already completed so it won't take long. All comments are appreciated! Enjoy!
EDIT: Hello again! While I'm floundering in other fics, I decided to give this one a face-lift. I'll be rewriting this fic, nothing drastic, but enough to make a difference. I'll update weekly (I'll try, I promise.)
Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
I was on the edge of consciousness, drifting between reality and a pleasant dream. The morning light brightened around me and I began to awake. I languished in the warmth of my blanket. Clinging to the threads of my dream, I wished for the reprieve of sleep to return. In the haze, I felt a tingling sensation on my feet. I wiggled my toes, urging the sensation to end, but it persisted. I slowly realized something was touching my feet, and it felt alive. I came to in an instant. I shrieked, furiously kicking my legs. My feet connected with something solid. My blanket tangled around my legs and I tumbled off the cot.
"Ow! Gods Ophelia!"
My beating heart calmed at the familiar voice. I untangled myself and peeked out from under my blanket. Chrom stood hunched at the edge of my cot, hand over his face. I pulled myself up and returned my rumpled blanket to my cot. I felt a little exposed in my nightgown and crossed my arms protectively over my chest.
"Chrom, uh, what are doing in my tent? Rather, why are you in my tent tickling my feet?" A tiny smile pulled at my lips, but I was still surprised to see the prince. Chrom groaned in reply and clasped his hand over his nose. He leaned his head back and peered down at me.
"I, ow, just wanted to wake you up," Chrom replied," You gave me a bloody nose, by the way."
"I'm so sorry," My hands flew up to my mouth, hopefully hiding my unsympathetic chuckle. I rifled through my belongings until I found a soft handkerchief. I offered Chrom the cloth. He stubbornly refused, despite the small drips of blood sliding down his face. I reached up and blotted the blood off Chrom's lower lip. His bright eyes peered down at me and I felt my neck grow hot. I let my hand drop from his chin.
"You really shouldn't be in here." My voice was soft. Chrom's jaw stiffened.
"I know," Chrom said, grunting in pain again.
"Did anyone see you?" I shook my head at his attempt to seem unaffected by his nosebleed. I rubbed his arm soothingly, his skin warm. My hand trailed down his forearm and interlaced with this fingers. I guided Chrom onto my cot to get a better view of his nose. I pulled his hand away and inspected his features, "Well, it doesn't look broken."
"I did not pay much attention to whom I passed. It's no one's concern where I go." Chrom's eyes found mine and he smiled. My breath caught; I was always a little disarmed by his smile. I offered him the handkerchief again, and this time he accepted it. He focused on staunching the flow of blood, his eyes often finding their way to mine.
How Chrom did not find this morning's visit to be a hair careless was beyond me. If this relationship was supposedly secret, he often did things that made it glaringly obvious. Arguing about it was useless, but it still made me worried. If we were too cavalier at the wrong moment, someone was bound to see through our ruse. If it was revealed that the army's tactician was seeing the prince of Ylisse, it would ruin Chrom.
"How does it feel?" I pulled my thoughts back to the very real Prince sitting in front of me. Chrom pulled the handkerchief away and wiggled his nose. He thought for moment before pecking a quick kiss onto my surprised lips.
"Feels better now," He grinned lopsidedly. He pushed the handkerchief back into my hands and started to slip off the cot. I rolled my eyes and pulled his face toward me again, wanting to be sure I had not damaged our fearless leader.
"It looks like the bleeding stopped," I said. I dabbed a loose droplet of blood from Chrom's chin with the stained handkerchief. Chrom caught my hand and kissed the tips of my fingers. I my cheeks grew rosy and I glanced defensively around my empty tent.
"Chrom, Frederick will be looking for you about the morning report." I pulled my hand away. My fingers tingled excitedly, urging me to return them to his lips. Chrom looked crestfallen, but he nodded in agreement.
"You're right, as always," Chrom said disappointedly. He stood up and easily pulled me to my feet after him.
"You'll eat breakfast with me after training, won't you?" Chrom stroked the backs of my hands with his thumbs.
"Of course," I nodded, finding it impossible not to smirk. Chrom's face brightened and he pulled me towards him. A mischievous glint flashed in his blazing blue eyes and his smiling lips found mine. The first kiss ended quickly, but he soon had pulled me in for another. His hands dropped mine and found their way to my waist. I draped my arms over his shoulders and pulled him closer. His familiar scent of pine and leather washed over me. I clamored for the next kiss, relishing in his touch.
The morning bell sounded, shrill and punctuated in the cool morning air.
"Chrom!" I squeaked between kisses, finding it nearly impossible to untangle myself from him. He finally pulled away, just enough that our noses were still touching.
"The training bell," I murmured, slightly breathless. My eyes lingered on his lips. We parted and he planted a kiss on my forehead. He smiled at me before disappearing through the canvas flaps. On slightly weak knees, I busied myself with getting dressed and tidying up. I found myself smiling long after Chrom had gone. My thoughts drifted to the day ahead and my smile slowly faded.
If anyone had seen Chrom, there would be uncomfortable questions to answer. A chill passed over me; Chrom was not a man of stealth or subtlety. Asked point blank, he would probably admit to being here this morning. On that note, he probably barreled around, paying no mind to passersby when he entered and left my tent. My fists curled around the coat in my hands.
Every day that we were in hiding, it became harder to draw the line between tactician and paramour. I did not even know if I our relationship had truly moved from comrades to lovers. The thought of everyone's scrutiny of our relationship, and my own uncertainty, sat heavily in my stomach. I let out a tortured sigh and fell onto my cot.
It was too early for this.
This morning's training exercise was a simulated battle. Frederick divided the Shepherds into two teams, offense and defense. Chrom and I had miraculously ended up on opposite sides. My team, defense, was positioned throughout the woods to lay in wait for team offense to attack our base.
I was trying my hardest to keep my senses alert, but my mind wandered constantly to Chrom. As I hard as I tried, I found myself returning to our morning meeting and obsessing of the ingress and egress. I was deep in thought when two hands curled around my waist.
My cry was so loud it scared a few birds from the tree above me. My tome flew through from my hands and landed in a small shrub.
"You're pretty jittery today." Chrom laughed in my ear. I immediately felt myself go red with embarrassment and anger.
"Chrom," I growled, "What are you doing?"
"Oh nothing." I could tell Chrom was grinning, "I'm just here to continue where we left off this morning."
"We're supposed to be training." I countered. I wiggled a bit, but Chrom had a firm grip on me.
"You're already the best tactician I know, you don't need any practice." Chrom pulled me against his chest . I could feel his heartbeat on my back.
"Let's be serious for a moment," I said as Chrom sprinkled light kisses on my neck. It took all of my self-control to pull away from him. I turned to him, and tried to calm my breathing.
"No one is over here," Chrom pouted. His hands pulled at my elbows and gently stroked my wrists.
So much for our ever diligent Prince.
"But someone will be here. Didn't you hear my scream? No one screams like that in practice. If Frederick hasn't had a heart attack, he will be racing over here."
"Let's stop that little tactical mind of yours for a moment," Chrom moved in closer; our noses were almost touching, "If we're alone now, what's the harm of one little kiss?" Chrom's lips hovered over mine, edging closer with every word. My eyes started to flutter closed and my resolve drained away.
The forest began to rumble and intensified my shaking knees. With the sound of cracking wood, Frederick's form flew from the tree line. My heart leapt into my throat and, without a thought, I shoved Chrom away with all my might. Chrom fell to the ground; he was confused and had yet to realize what was happening.
"What's wrong? Is everyone all right?" Frederick dismounted his horse in a flash and rushed over to Chrom. Chrom blinked up at his Ylissean knight and began to register the magnitude of the situation.
"You didn't scream, did you milord?" Frederick asked.
"W-what? Of course it wasn't me! It was her!" Chrom gestured resolutely at me. His face was flushed from obvious embarrassment.
"Then why are you on the ground, milord?" Frederick asked; his voice was more concerned than mocking. I stayed silent and tried to compose myself.
"Ophelia had a bug in her hair. She got a little distressed when I removed it." Chrom explained. Frederick tried to stifle his smile and he offered Chrom his hand.
"I see," Frederick's voice dropped off. Chrom scowled at him and reluctantly accepted Frederick's hand, "Well back to defense, right Ophelia?"
"Yes sir!" I jumped at his voice and I saluted him earnestly. Frederick gave me a slightly puzzled look before he climbed onto his horse and disappeared back into the forest. I let out an exasperated sigh and ran my fingers through my hair. I shot Chrom a weak look.
"That was much too close." Chrom said, his eyebrows quirked together with worry. He came over and brushed a strand of hair from my eyes.
"Close?" I peeped, "We practically spelled it out for him with a snappy dance routine." I placed my hands over face.
"The thrill is the best part." Chrom teased. I gave Chrom a fiery look.
"Okay, I know it's no time to be joking." He said, "Even if Frederick found out," —I opened my mouth to cut him off but Chrom continued— "And he won't I assure you, I know he would take our secret to the grave." Chrom gently squeezed my shoulder. The thumping of my heart in my ears told me this was no time to calm down.
"I need some tea." I said weakly. I turned resolutely on my heel and headed back to camp. I tried to ignore the shaking in my knees. I needed time to think this out, formulate a plan of action. Yes, a well thought out, calculated strategy would be just what I needed.
"Wait! What about this training battle?" Chrom called. A smile creeped over my lips. I peered over my shoulder and winked.
"Didn't you say I was the best tactician you've ever met? I don't need to train." I smiled deviously and continued away.
"Save me a seat?" Chrom asked.
"Of course!" I waved over my shoulder. As I passed by, I pulled my tome out of the bush.