Kinda an idea I had for a while, glad I finally got it out there. As always, if you guys or gals see any errors ("I Am Error" -Error, Zelda II) or mistakes, please let me know... if you want, I guess.

"Damn, I just can't seem to get this right." Robin was holding a pot in front of herself, the contents of which looked to be a concoction of ingredients one would use to make a meal for themselves. Robin gave a simple whiff, immediately regretting this action when her nostrils were met with an assortment of ghastly scents.

She practically slammed the pot onto the kitchen counter, picking up the pink covered cookbook sitting on a small table nearby. She skimmed over a few words, sighing in vexation as she lightly placed the book back down.

'At this rate, there won't be a meal left in the mansion.' She crossed her arms, staring impassively towards the black pot that sat on the kitchen counter.

'What's the point, no matter how hard I try; I just can't seem to grasp this whole cooking thing.' She became flustered with herself. 'I'm a full grown woman, a battle hardened tactician, and this of all things is my hubris?' The tactician sighed, any vigor she had left dissipated. Now she needed to figure out what to do with the food.

"Hey dragon lady…" Robin yelped in surprise, pivoting on her heel to face the origin of the voice. "Whoa, hey… sorry about that, I didn't mean to scare you." A certain mercenary said, raising his hands in contrition.

"Oh, um it's okay, Ike." She folded her hands together sheepishly.

"Well, anyway…" Ike smirked competitively, "If I may be so bold, I didn't take you as a warlock, Robin."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

Ike gestured to the pot. "You know, I haven't seen Toon Link all day… you wouldn't happen to be trying to turn him into a bear now would you?" he jested. Ike expected a rebuttal of some sort, why wouldn't he; instead Robin peered off to the side, her cheeks took on a rosy color.

"Uh, Robin, are you alright?" Ike learned down to her eye level. "You know I was only poking fun, I didn't mean to make you upset."

"N-no, Ike, it's okay." She mumbled. "I was just…" she trailed off.

"Robin, you know you can confide anything with me?" He smiled warmly to her whilst placing a hand on her shoulder. "What's on your mind?"

"It's that blasted food over there…" she gestured back to her pot. "I've been trying to learn how to cook for years, and yet, time after time…. I just…" She frowned, not even finishing her sentence.

"Robin, hey, it's alright… no one comes into this world a master of these things." He patted her on the shoulder. "Did you want any help?" he asked.

She raised an eyebrow in bewilderment. "Um, s-sure, Ike; I didn't know you had an art for cooking?"

"Well I'm no chef, but I know my way around a meal or two." He smiled. "Now…." He paced over to the pot, lifting its lid.

"I uh, don't think we'll be able to use that one, Ike." The tactician was abashed by Ike's inspection of her food.

"I disagree; you look like you were on the right track, so I think we can salvage something out of this." Ike grabbed a ladle next to him, taking a sip of the broth on the inside of the stew. He placed a hand to his chin, contemplating a course of action.

"Oh, Ike…" Robin grabbed the cookbook, pacing up to Ike. "Don't you think we should use this?"

Ike accepted the book, briefly scanned it, and then tossed it behind himself. Robin couldn't help but giggle. "Sometimes, wisdom is better than guidelines."

"But Ike, that's Peach's cookbook." Robin informed.

"Oh is it?" He asked. She nodded her head in response. "I see…" he walked over to pick up the book, pacing back over to Robin. "I should have known." Robin held out her hands, Ike nearly placed it in her grasp, but again tossed it behind himself, even farther this time.

Robin sighed in exasperation, smiling to the mercenary. He chuckled, grasping the ladle.

"Oh right, now let's see here."

"There you go, that's about right." Ike held the top of the stir spoon; Robin grasped the bottom as he helped guide her through the motions. Robin could hardly believe that the horrid smell of her first attempt was replaced with something so much more pleasing.

Robin grabbed a tea spoon, scooping up some of the broth again. She took a taste; it was like the meal had been good from the start. It still had an odd taste in places, ones that couldn't compliment other flavors, but it was better than before.

"How is it?" the mercenary asked.

"It's okay, I suppose that's my fault, but it won't kill anyone." She teased, earning a laugh from Ike.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Robin. This wasn't so bad to begin with, you just need to work on a few steps here or there and I think you should be good." Ike admitted.

Robin felt a side of second hand embarrassment, what with Ike praising her subpar cooking skills, but Ike's compliment did admittedly feel good.

"Well, there's not much more we can do… suppose we can roll out the bowls now?" Ike asked.

"Ummmm…" Robin contemplated for a moment. "I guess so." Ike nodded in response, pacing over to a cabinet full of plates and bowls.

Robin watched him, mustering up a word of gratitude as best she could. "Hey, Ike?" he turned to face her. "Thank you for, um, ya know… helping me and stuff."

Ike waved it off. "Nah, no worries, I'm always willing to help you, Robin." He beamed to her, turning back to the cabinet, mumbling a slew of words as he searched for the bowls. Robin tittered slightly at Ike's last statement; her cheeks grew a hint of red, as she grabbed the pot.

"Ah-ha, here they are!" Ike reaching into the far end of the cabinet, grabbing two bowls. He grinned victoriously, looking back to Robin, frowning upon making eye contact with the sheepish tactician.

"You alright, Robin?" he asked.

"Oh me, yeah…" she giggled. "I'm fine."

Anyway, I hope you guy's or gals enjoyed this chapter. If not... my bad...

Reviews and what not are appreciated, even the hurtful ones. :]

Also, I just want to put it out there... I'm really excited for Fire Emblem Warriors. Mama Robin all the way! (^-^)