The next day
Chocolate, or blueberry? Stahl stared down at the pan of muffins. He could never decide. He compromised and got two of each. He rushed over to the table, worried he'd accidentally drop his mufiins, and carefully set them down on the table in his seat by Lon'qu and Gaius in the corner.
Right as he sat down, both of friends stood up, the chairs screeching against the floor as they pushed them back.
Stahl looked up at them in confusion. "Why are you guys leaving? Do I smell or something?"
Gaius looked down. "Stahl, you always smell. We're used to it."
Stahl frowned, plopping another muffin in his mouth, and Lon'qu nudged Gaius with his elbow forcefully.
"Ouch! Gosh Lon'qu, why do you always hurt me?" Gaius asked him.
"Apologize." Lon'qu commanded.
Gaius rolled his eyes, the turned to Stahl. "I was kidding Stahl. You don't smell. Can't anyone in here take a joke?" Gaius said, then muttered the last part to himself.
"We have training to get too." Lon'qu said, bluntly explaining why they were leaving.
"Already?" Stahl asked in a panic.
Gaius nodded. "You woke up late."
Lon'qu looked at Gaius. "We should go to, or we'll be late as well." Lon'qu said, and Gaius gave Stahl a wave good bye before they both started to leave.
Rapidly, hating to be late, Stahl quickly downed his third, then fourth muffin, and jogged over to where they did their training.
When he got in, he noticed everyone was lined up, so he quickly joined the end of the line. They were all in front of Robin, who held a clipboard and was telling everyone who was training with who. When she got up to Stahl, he couldn't help but study her face. There were tired circles under her eyes, but still she looked beautiful. Stahl felt his heart flutter and he looked away.
"Stahl, you're with Chrom." Robin directed.
Stahl nodded, and began to draw out his sword out. He watched Robin walk away, when a iron hand clamped on his shoulder. Stahl heard Chrom's voice.
"Ready?" Chrom asked.
Stahl nodded to Chrom absentmindedly, but he couldn't take his eyes off Robin. She was getting ready to train with Cordelia! Robin felt his gaze on her and turned to look at him.
He gave her a questioning glance. Was she really fit to train? She obviously hadn't had the best day two days ago, and he knew she was still feeling the effects of only getting two hours of sleep from the other night as well. But all she did was smile back, and return her attention to Cordelia.
Chrom noticed Stahl diligently watching something the other way. "What is it?" Chrom asked curiously.
Stahl gave him a puzzled look. Was he blind? Could he really not see that Robin wasn't herself this week? That she was overworked and stressed to the max? The dark circles under her eyes were proof enough!
"Let's just get to training," Stahl grunted. He felt no need to point out the obvious to Chrom.
Chrom brought out his sword, taking a stance. "Right. I'm ready when you are."
Like lightning, Stahl slashed at Chrom, who barely made the parry, but Stahl wasn't thinking about the fight.
Stahl felt such a burning, dark passion of anger, and he directed it all towards Chrom.
Did he know about how badly she had taken Basilio's death? How she had blamed herself for it, and for Emmeryn as well?
Stahl whirled on his feet in perfect sync with his sword with barely any effort, a rare feat for Stahl, as he slammed his sword against Chrom's.
Did Chrom even think about talking about what happened with Robin and her feelings? Did Chrom care for her at all?
The questions pulsed through Stahl's head, making him frowned.
Chrom was always with Robin. Stahl felt his sword pounding dangerous against Chrom's, but nothing clicked in his mind to hold back. The fiery passion in him had broke loose. He couldn't control himself or his thoughts.
Stahl's frown deepened as he thought of how Chrom and Robin were always planning some battle or maneuver. Chrom basically got her all to himself. Didn't he realize what he had? Robin was beautiful, and quirky, and smart, and caring.
All the Shepherds said Chrom and Robin would end up together. Married. It was like a fact. But after spending so much time with her on their runs, Stahl couldn't help but feel like Robin deserved someone who loved her deeply, and was doubting if it really could be Chrom.
What Stahl would give to spend as much time with Robin as-
Chrom's voice cut through his thoughts. "Hey! Lighten up!"
Stahl blinked, and looked down. His practice sword was against Chrom's and he was pushing Chrom towards the ground. Stahl immediately withdrew and stepped back.
Chrom stood back up, and wiped his forehead. "I've never seen you fight so vigorously!"
Stahl said nothing. He didn't remember much of what he had done, just his sudden anger. He had just... Moved.
"It was amazing really. You did such complex techniques and you did them so quickly. I could barely keep up with you." Chrom continued.
Chrom clapped Stahl's shoulder again in a friendly manner. "You had a lot of feel in it. Next time try not to take it out on me, okay?"
Stahl felt guilty."Sorry Chrom." Stahl said awkwardly.
Chrom was his leader, and friend. He had no reason to get so irrationally angry. Stahl wasn't even sure what had sparked it, but he could tell that dark passion was still in him somewhere.
"No! It was good! Just take your emotion out on something else, like the enemies!" Chrom said with a laugh.
Stahl laughed too, but it was forced and awkward.
"Er, should we continue training?" Stahl asked, motioning to their practice swords.
Chrom nodded, and got back into postion.
"Ready when you are." Stahl said.
Chrom grunted. "Right." Then without further ado he slashed at Stahl. This time Stahl focused on keeping himself in check as they sparred, so he was to busy to rethink the thoughts he had on their last duel.
The rest of the day Stahl's emotions continued to burn in him. Chrom was right. He needed to take it out on something besides the Shepherds. So not forgetting his daily run with Robin, he left early that night to go and practice his sparring. He had a lot to vent out.
A/N: welcome to new followers!