Robin sighed as he closed the door to his office with some relief that his shift was finally over. Advising the country usually meant he would get one, maybe two explosive events that threatened civil unrest a day. The most common problems centered around Ylisse's former foes. Plegia had become significantly more stable of late and the citizens were enjoying the wise and fair rule of a (mostly) sober Gregor, but there were still pockets of insurgency claiming that there should not be drunken sing-alongs of the national anthem in the parliament halls to adjourn meetings. In Valm, Say'ri and her allies still needed massive quantities of food to prevent widespread famine from the last war, and Virion nearly got kicked out of Rosanne, again.

For Robin, these issues were all part of a normal day, but tragedy struck Regna Ferox as a tsunami washed away three quarters of a fishing village. Robin immediately began efforts to provide relief only to be interrupted by the announcement of even more harrowing news. One of the dynasts in Valm was supporting Walhart's former brutal commanders. This meant that Ylisse and Valm would have to step in before things got out of hand, which meant a whole host of other problems.

"Thank Naga today is over." Robin shrugged as he try to get the kink out of his neck. Even during peace time there would always be nations in constant conflict, but at least words proved to be the method they were fought with. Groaning as he stretched out his arms, the tactician tried to clear out the thoughts of his work and relax. He was already very tired and thinking about it more wouldn't allow him to get a quick nap in before dinner. Morgan would probably want to play a game afterwards and he needed to regain his strength to keep up with her.

…

Meanwhile, Lucina paced back and forth nervously as she wasn't sure what to do. She had thought about her problem for a while, but even now she wasn't sure how to approach it. Would she be stern, or perhaps more sympathetic? If she was more sincere then maybe it would-

"No, no, no. I can't do that. I have to be more forceful and direct." She reminded herself knowing that nothing would change otherwise. It was specifically for this reason that she had to act differently than normal. Although, a new thought crossed her mind that perhaps it was better to be more aloof. That way it wouldn't end so badly. Or at least, maybe it would end better then how Aunt Lissa described it. The princess then bit her lip and grimaced fearing the worst. "If only there was a better way." She whispered disheartened and filled with worry. Suddenly, the all blue warrior heard the sound of the door click and she jumped in response. She wasn't ready for this, nor entirely sure how to tackle the problem at hand.

...

"Eng." Robin grumbled as he pushed the door open. He was then greeted by the sight of his wife who stop dead in her tracks and looked at him in a state of wonder and surprise. Although, the battered strategists was too sleepy to notice.

"Welcome back, love." Lucina unconsciously smiled at his return even though she had mentally told herself not to. "How was work?"

"Rough." Robin said wearily while kissing her on the cheek. "Sometimes I wonder if I am working with diplomats or children throwing tantrums. And damn, if there is one day where Valm does not have a problem then I suspect the world would collapse."

Lucina then frowned seeing her husband's exhausted expression and instantly felt the need to help him sink into her stomach. No, no, no. Focus Lucina. Focus. It will only be worse if I lose my nerve. ... "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"What about you?" Robin asked as he eased his posture and released the tension in his shoulders.

"I helped mother clean the stables, and carried some crates to the armory before Frederick asked me to help train the new recruits." Lucina replied while thinking about how to approach the subject. The longer she hesitated, the worse she feared her determination would falter.

Robin gave a soft chuckle and said, "Forgive me, here I am complaining about my rough day when I'm not the only one with problems."

"Huh? No, it wasn't any trouble for me. I fear it was too easy actually." Lucina said lightly.

"I was referring to the recruits." He laughed. "Anyone who has to train under Frederick has my deepest respect … and pity."

"Oh..." Lucina said at a loss for words.

"But I've heard you've done a lot of good around the castle too." Robin smiled back. "Although I wouldn't expect anything less. I think you might rival Frederick when it comes to work ethic and stubbornness."

"I'm not that stubborn!" She quickly defended as her tone became more serious.

Making his way to the bed, Robin smirked at his wife's reaction and said, "Lucina, last week I mentioned that I couldn't find a book I misplaced a couple of years ago and you spent the next few days searching without rest despite my attempts to stop you."

"Your point being?" The princess glared back at him with a her hands at her hips.

For a moment he thought about teasing her, but he quickly shook it off and decided against it. For now the priority was sleep, and there would be plenty of opportunities to unsettle his wife when he was fully awake to enjoy it. "Nothing."

"No Robin." She said forcefully and with a stern scowl. "I think you should say what you meant."

"Relax dear." The tactician said peacefully as he eased into their shared bed and grabbed a nearby pillow. The white cushion was one of the lucky survivors that had not endured pillow warfare, or squeezed to death when Lucina used one to test if she was hugging Robin to strongly. "It was just a little joke. I'm the last person to be making that accusation anyways. Considering how I'm probably the most stubborn person out of the army."

Lucina bit her lip and said, "No … that's. Robin, are you sure there wasn't any malice intentions behind that? Nothing else you wanted to say? It's okay if you do."

"Come again?" The tactician scrunched his eyes as he looked at her strangely.

The princess held her breath and said, "Perhaps if we started over then maybe-" Her words trailed off as she clutched her hands close to her chest. "Maybe we could get it right this time."

"Dear, you are not making any sense." He replied concerned.

"So I am stubborn and a poor communicator?" She cried defensively. "Is that what you are trying to say?"

"Okay dear, what's wrong?" Robin replied worried and pushed himself up so that his back was resting on the bed frame.

"What makes you think I am the one with the problem?" Lucina asked trying to give the most angry and frustrated glare she could, but the result made it looked like she had something stuck in her eye that she couldn't get out.

"You are talented at a lot of things love, but hiding something is not one of them." Robin frowned as it looked like he would have to postpone any plans for a nap. "So tell me. What's troubling my lovely wife?"

Immediately, Lucina winced as she felt the weight of his words sink into her chest, and all the resolve in her heart fade. "Damn it Robin. Why must you always say those things? And why did you have to phrase it like that? I can't fight you if you are like this."

"Fight?" The tactician questioned even more confused.

She lowered her head in disappointment and said with regret, "Yes. I would like to have an argument with you. Assuming you have no objections to the matter."

Robin had to stop and repeat those words in his head a second time as he wasn't entirely sure he heard her correctly. The sheepish look on her face made him all the more puzzled as she looked at him with doubt. "Lucina, I'm not sure that is how arguing works."

"I know it is a bit unorthodox, but so is our situation."

"Did I do something that annoyed you?" The tactician inquired trying to think of what he did wrong.

"Huh? No." She shook her head and said, "Everything has been perfect Robin. I honestly don't think I could be happier. Even when you entered the room I couldn't help but smile seeing you no matter how much I told myself not to."

"So … What's the problem?" Robin asked not understanding what was going on.

"The problem is that this isn't normal!" Lucina crossed a hand over her heart and said, "We haven't fought once since coming to the castle, and the longer time passes, the more I find myself falling even deeper in love with you. Don't you see?" She cried while staring directly into his eyes. "This isn't how things are supposed to work. Normal married couples don't get along this well."

"Neither of us are exactly normal to start with." He joked back.

"Still." She paused and gathered herself to try this again. "I believe it would be best for both of us to fight. However, I do want to be careful. My mother always used to say that once you say something then you can never take it back. That is why it is better to think about it before you say it."

Without hesitation, Robin smiled and said, "Then I love you because your are the most amazing person this world has ever seen."

Lucina blushed deeply and said, "Stop it Robin! You're not helping!"

"Isn't that the point of fighting? To not help each other?" He asked with a sly grin.

"No. I-I mean, yes. But." She sighed deeply and said, "I don't know. I just don't want us to hate each other."

"Lucina. Where would you get a crazy idea like that?" Robin asked serious this time.

She grimaced and said, "Well, I was talking with Aunt Lissa the other day and she mentioned how she got into a fight with her husband because he forgot an important date they had. I guess it escalated fairly quickly because they starting yelling at each other and at one point Lissa threw a table at him." She then looked at the ground afraid the same would happen with them.

"Are you sure about that? You know how Lissa likes to exaggerate." The tactician said to ease her worries. Knowing Lissa, she probably just called him a big dummy and stormed off in a huff.

"I know she does like to embellish a little." Lucina nodded back only slightly understanding how much her aunt had fudged the truth. "But even still, I don't want to throw chairs or anything else at you. Even if they are lighter than a table."

"Um, Lucina."

The princess quickly stopped him and said with great effort, "So that is why I wanted to practice. I know it is irrational to think we will never fight. There will come times when both of us will be mad at each other and there is nothing I can do to change that." She said disheartened. "But that is all the more reason I was hoping we could practice for it now. This way we learn how to better approach it. So when the time comes we won't be furious at each other. Instead we might only be moderately annoyed."

Robin blinked a couple times and said surprised, "You've put a lot of thought into this, haven't you?"

"Yes." She nodded back. "And I believe it would do us a lot of good. I mean, even now the idea of the two of us fighting doesn't sink well in my stomach, but I believe if we take precautions then it won't be as bad in the future."

"... Alright then." Robin hesitantly agreed not really sure what was going on, but once his wife had an idea in her head it would be difficult to change her mind. She was stubborn, just like he was. "How do you want to start?"

"Well um, I guess we should start by saying something mean." Lucina said in deep thought while trying to think of something to say. This proved to be the most challenging part for her because she didn't know what to be mad about. "So, you are … an unkind wolf."

"A wolf?" Robin repeated confused.

"Yes." Lucina quickly nodded while feeling guilty for slandering his character. "One with sharp teeth that preys on the good will of others."

He wasn't sure that qualified as saying something mean, but shook it off and said, "So I'm a cruel wolf."

"... I wouldn't say cruel." She backtracked. "More like, a tactical wolf that is mean, but fair."

"Okay, and you are an anxious shepherd who is afraid of her flock getting hurt." Robin replied figuring that a shepherd was a wolf's greatest enemy. So naturally they would fight.

"Is that a problem?" Lucina asked genuinely concerned.

"Huh?"

The princess paused and looked at her husband with great care. "Do you think it is unappealing that as a shepherd, I'm so concerned about the safety of my flock?"

"Why would I have a problem with that?"

Lucina twirled her hair with her fingers and said, "Because the shepherd isn't as optimistic as the wolf is, and she worries far more than she should."

"But isn't that sweet how much the shepherd cares?" The tactician smiled warmly in return.

"I … I suppose it could be taken that way. But as a shepherd, I, I'm supposed to be on guard. Although, I've grown attached to the wolf, and I'm not sure what it would be like if we were to ever be enemies. The wolf has become such a big part of my life, that I can't imagine the thought of wounding it. "

"Who is to say that day will come?"

"Because it is inevitable the two of us will fight." She frowned back.

"But it doesn't mean we will wound each other. Maybe as a wolf I will just growl a little and then retreat. I am a tactical wolf after all."

"That's true. But the wolf shouldn't feel likes he needs to retreat either. He's only doing his job. It's not his fault." She replied sympathetically.

Robin shook his head and said. "Lucina, the wolf and the shepherd have fought before, and they, no, we grew closer because of it. Remember?"

"I know. It's just." She sighed and said, "I'm sorry Robin. I guess I am still am afraid at times. I know it is silly, but considering how wonderful everything has gone, it worries me that it is the calm before the storm. The darkest times always seem to come when everything is the most quiet and peaceful."

Robin smiled back. "It's okay Lucina, I understand. There has always been something out there trying to hurt the people that you care about, and you've done everything you can to protect them in return. Just because the war is over doesn't mean all those anxieties go away at once. Personally, I'm honored to be the one you guard so closely."

"Regardless, it shouldn't be going this well." She muttered with doubt. "Even in those romantic books my mother reads, they never end this well."

"I suppose, but then again, most books don't normally describe what happens after the good ending."

"Why is that?" Lucina asked curious.

As a member of Sumia's book club he recalled this question being asked before and said, "Because it can be a bit boring without drama or angst. It's much more exciting to hear about the world trying to tear two people apart then it is to hear that they fell and stayed madly in love with each other."

"Personally, I like the second one better." The princess muttered while tugging on Robin's arms.

"Ha, me too." He smiled back endearingly, "But don't worry Lucina. I know things will not always be perfect, and if you have a problem, then you shouldn't be afraid to speak up because it might cause a fight."

"Actually, I was more worried it being the other way around."

"Hmm?" Robin looked back at her strangely.

"You shouldn't withhold your feelings from me either. I know that was your job as a tactician, but if you have an issue then you should tell me. I'd rather you did that then bottle things inside. At least, that was my hope for how today would go. I even waited until I knew you would be tired so you would be more open to speaking out against me."

"That's, actually rather sneaky." He replied surprised.

"Unfortunately it didn't work." She frowned while leaning down to sit on the edge of the bed next to her husband. "You still won't tell me anything negative."

"Probably because I can't think of anything to say that is negative about you."

"You're sure?" She said hesitantly and with a soft tone. "It doesn't bother you that I am stubborn, or anxious, or over protective, or bad at reading situations?"

"Does it bother you that I am a mean, but fair wolf?" Robin grinned back.

"Actually." Lucina paused as she entwined her fingers through his. "I consider you more to be a shepherd dog. After all, you are the one that makes sure everyone is safe and in the right spot."

"Well, almost everyone. It's rather difficult to keep Owain or Gregor from charging the front lines."

Lucina gave a small giggle and said, "I guess that's true." She then turned to him and said with a gleam in her eyes, "But we made it through it all."

"And we will get through the future the same way." He nodded proudly. "But I swear to you Lucina, no matter how nasty our fights will be, the only thing I will throw at you will be a mountain of pillows."

"Not if I do it first!" She cried while the fire in her eyes slowly returned. "Oh, but wait. I fear we got a bit sidetracked again. I guess our fight ended sooner than I thought it would."

Robin refrained from saying anything since he could hardly call that a fight. Their practice duels together often ended with more force then this. Although, he was grateful that he did not get thrown out of his room like Chrom often had the experience of.

Meanwhile, Lucina seemed greatly relieved that it was over and smiled back with a glow returning to her cheeks. "Which means we are supposed to make up now."

"... I take it Lissa told you about that too?" Robin asked as the fatigue he had suddenly faded away at the prospect.

"Mhm." Lucina nodded enthusiastically while she broke away from her husband, much to his surprise. Curiously, the tactician then watched as she scrambled to the edge of the room and removed a small rectangular object from a drawer. It that was hidden by a small white sheet, and Lucina cradled it carefully like it was fragile."

"What's that?" Robin asked curious.

"It's my way of making amends." Lucina smiled as she brought it over to him. She then continued by saying, "After you mentioned how you lost your book, I searched all over for it until I found it. Consider it my way of saying sorry for provoking a fight with you, and I'm very grateful that we managed to resolve it together."

"... Lucina." Robin replied never ceasing to be amazed by what his wife could do.

"Yes dear?" She asked hoping it would be sufficient enough to repair their relationship.

Shaking his head to avoid the heart piercing look in her eyes, Robin chuckled in disbelief and said, "That is absolutely adorable and precious."

Immediately, Lucina's face turned a deep shade of red as she felt a heat rush to her cheeks. "Y-you think so?"

"Yeah. I swear, sometimes it is hard to believe you can be such a fierce warrior when you are this cute and lovable." Robin laughed as he couldn't wrap his head around the idea.

"I think you are exaggerating a little." She defended while trying to ignore her husband's unfair teasing.

"No, there's no mistaking it. Even when you try to be angry it is hard to resist scooping you up into a big hug." The tactician teased unable to control his laughter.

Heavily embarrassed, Lucina looked for a way to fight back and said, "Oh yeah? Well you are … a fuzzy teddy bear with your cute little arms and lovable smile. In fact you are so cute, that me pretending to act cute has no effect!" She cried while slashing her hand through the air to make her point crystal clear. "Because of how adorable you are, it should come as no surprise when some innocent and respectable princess tries to squeeze the stuffing out of you. A-and no one would believe you are a cunning tactician either, because they would think you are a cute little bear since you are so fuzzy, and wuzzy, and um, teddy."