Hello!

As promised last week, an all-new pairing! Tell me your thoughts in a review, as always. Just a reminder: Christmas is getting pretty close (yay!), so be sure to cast your votes for which pairing should get a Christmas special chapter. Special thanks to Cormag Ravenstaff for reviewing, Kingleomon13 for reviewing, and Toxicbat for favouriting, following and reviewing.

Remember to suggest a new pairing or prompt if you've got a good idea!

Onwards!

Chapter 25

Lucina flopped down, exhausted. Even though she was used to fighting Risen, the last group of them had seemed a lot tougher than usual. They'd been attacking almost non-stop for these past few days, as they got closer and closer to Origin Peak- to Grima.

She could barely move her sword arm, and her shoulder hurt every time she moved. Even her legs were stiff and aching. She tried to relax on the bunk, but a throbbing pain in her shoulder refused to let her. She shifted restlessly, trying to somehow get comfortable.

"You look like hell." A soothing voice came. "Sure you're alright?"

Lucina winced as she sat up, the sharp pain in her arm returning abruptly.

"There's so many Risen now. I... I don't know if I can..."

Cordelia sat next to her on the bed.

"You don't have to be in every battle, you know." She reassured. "You can take shifts like the rest of us."

The future Exalt leaned over, resting her head on the pegasus knight's shoulder, taking the pressure off her own.

"I know." Lucina murmured. "But... I feel guilty when everyone else is fighting and I'm not. I can fight. I have to."

Cordelia stared at her.

"How much sleep have you been getting?" She asked, concerned. Moving her head to face her, she noticed the bags under the princess' eyes.

"Lucy?" She repeated gently.

"Uh... Three hours? Maybe four?"

Gently, the redhead grasped her shoulders and lowered Lucina to the bed.

"I'll be fine." She protested blearily. "The others need me in the next fight..."

"Shh." Cordelia silenced her by pressing her lips to the princess'. "Get some rest." She said, when they separated.

Cordelia left the snoring girl in her tent, and set off for the armory. It was her shift in only a few minutes.

Lucina sat up, rubbing her eyes. It was dark already- she could hardly see a thing. She didn't want to admit it, but she had felt like collapsing from exhaustion for some time now.

For the first time in weeks, she felt ready to fight the Risen. She felt alert. She felt awake. Standing up and stretching, she gave Falchion a few experimental swings. It felt lighter and faster than ever.

Cordelia sluggishly stepped into the tent, a bandage around her leg.

"Are you alright?" Lucina asked, worried. "What happened to your leg?"

"Oh, this?" The redhead waved dismissively. "It's nothing. Lissa already healed me. What about you?"

The future Exalt smiled.

"Better than ever. I've not slept that well in weeks."

"See?" Cordelia started to lie on the bed. "You can't be everywhere. Even you have to take a break sometimes."

Lucina lay next to her. "I know. I just... Felt like I needed to be out there, saving people."

"All the Shepherds are great fighters. They have to be." The pegasus knight reassured her. "You just need to have faith in them."

Cordelia kissed Lucina again, and slowly fell asleep. The princess shifted closer to her warm body and tried to sleep.