Outtake Twenty-Nine: Love on the Battlefield
Game: Awakening
Spoilers: Chapter Six
Summary: Chrom has a revelation mid-battle: he's in love with his tactician, Silver. But when things turn sour, will he get to tell her his feelings?
Note: Inspired by my most recent playthrough of the game. Not much else to say as I'm taking a break from reading Rick Riordan's House of Hades. Frickin' awesome but it grabs ya and doesn't let go. And when you read really fast, well, you tend to finish the book before the release day is over.
ANYWAY! Back to Awakening. I hope you enjoy the fluff between Chrom and Silver!
"Vaike! Panne! Back Marth up!" The Fighter and the Taguel nodded, running to help the mysterious woman against the onslaught of enemy assassins, who were all trying to get to Exalt Emmeryn. Silver glanced quickly behind her to ensure the two were on their way, then readied her sword against even more enemies heading her way. She could see several mounted warriors, and a tall man who followed behind. "Who's that?" she asked of their newest recruit, Gaius.
"Validar. The head honcho of this gang, and a nasty dude."
"You've met him?" Chrom asked.
"No, not directly. One of his cronies hired me, though I had no idea we were going to kill the exalt. But I've seen how he acts. He's a brute."
There was no more time for further discussion. Chrom readied Falchion and struck down the first mounted warrior that came their way. Silver, like always, backed him up, either with her own sword, or her thunder tome. With Gaius' and Ricken's help, they took down their enemies, all except for the imposing Sorcerer, who seemed to be taking his time. Finally, though, the man stopped a few yards away. He looked down his nose at the four blocking his path and narrowed his eyes. "Gaius, you traitor." The man's voice reminded Chrom of a snake, hissing and always ready to bite.
"I ain't no traitor. I'm a Ylissean, and I won't hurt the exalt!"
Validar laughed darkly and launched a spell, knocking the thief into Ricken, sending both flying backwards. The man then turned his attention to Chrom and Silver. "Ah, if it isn't Prince Chrom and the lovely lady Tactician Silver."
"How do you know her name?" Chrom demanded. Silver was relatively unknown to most of the continent.
"Oh ho, you'd be surprised. Silver, be a good girl and stop this nonsense."
"Never," the Tactician spat.
"Very well." He launched more dark magic at Silver, but Chrom jumped in the way, blocking the strike.
"Think again," the prince snarled. He lunged and the two traded blows, magic against sword, neither landing a decisive hit on the other. Silver stood on the sidelines, watching anxiously.
Finally, Chrom seemed to be gaining the upper hand, but it was only temporary. Validar knocked the Lord's sword out of his hands, grabbed one of Chrom's arms, and lunged with his free hand. Chrom gasped, collapsing to the ground. A dagger was jammed in his side, and he feebly tried to pull it out. "Chrom!" Silver shouted, only to come face to face with Validar. She swung her sword, but that, too, was wrenched from her grasp, clattering next to Falchion. He grabbed her collar.
"I've been searching for you, my dear. Your mother was a fool for taking you away from me."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I've never met you! I don't even know who my mother is!"
Validar laughed and raised his free hand, ready to strike. Chrom, behind them, gasped and crawled weakly toward them. Validar glanced at him with a smirk before returning his gaze to his captive. "I'd rather not hurt you, dear, but I may not have a choice."
Silver wriggled out of her coat, glad, for once, that the garment was huge on her. She scrambled backwards, pulling out her thunder tome. She fired a spell at her enemy, hitting him squarely in the chest. The man grumbled and launched his own attack. Silver dodged and retaliated once more. She scrambled to her sword and turned, lashing out at the man, causing a deep cut on his chest. Combined with the magic burns, the man was on the verge of dying. "You'll regret this," the man gasped, spitting blood.
"I'll take my chances." Silver lunged once more, and her enemy was finished. She sighed, then dropped her sword, running to the prince. "Oh gods, Chrom." The prince grit his teeth. "Hold still." Gripping the handle, she pulled it from his side. Chrom gasped, hands flying to the wound. Blood began pooling on the floor. "Gaius! Ricken! Get help!"
The two young men, who were just getting to their feet, scrambled into action. While Gaius ran off down the hall, Ricken hurried over. "I'm training to be a Sage," he said when Silver shot him a confused look. "Move your hands, Chrom." The prince complied, and Ricken took a moment to study the wound. He gave a small sigh, then turned to Silver. "Where's the dagger?" he asked.
Silver gave him the bloodied blade, and he looked at it carefully. "It's not poisoned. And the blade's rather short to have hit anything vital." He tore a scrap of cloth from his mage robe and pressed it to the wound.
Chrom shut his eyes in pain, but opened them again after a moment. His gaze fell on Silver, his eyes meeting hers. Perhaps for the first time, he saw how beautiful her eyes were. Chocolate brown, with hints of gold. How had he not noticed such beauty before? He thought about her as a whole: kind, trustworthy, loving, and optimistic – those were her greatest traits. Watching her lean over him, her face pale with worry, he realized something he hadn't before.
He loved Silver. He had to tell her. He lifted his hand. "Silver…"
"Chrom, save your energy," she replied, tears filling her eyes.
The prince shook his head. "I…I…"
Footsteps echoed down the hall. Silver tore her gaze from him, her expression lifting slightly. The first person that came into his view was his older sister. "Stay with us, Chrom," she said. She turned and held out her hand. "Lissa."
The young woman handed over her heal staff. Emmeryn focused, and the staff glowed green. The pain in Chrom's middle faded. He heaved a sigh of relief. "Are you unharmed, Emm?" he asked.
"Yes, thanks to you and your Shepherds."
"Good." Chrom slowly pushed himself up, causing Silver and Ricken to back up slightly. Silver, with tears still in her eyes, hugged him.
"Thank the gods," she whispered. She let him go, her face turning pink with embarrassment.
Chrom mentally pulled himself back together, turning to Emmeryn. "Thanks, Sister," he said. Emmeryn nodded, a knowing smile on her face. Chrom glanced around. Gaius, Lissa, and Marth stood nearby, each looking relieved that the prince of Ylisse was alive.
"You should rest, dear brother," Emmeyn said. "You lost quite a bit of blood." Chrom nodded and Silver helped him to his feet. "Silver, would you assist Chrom?" the exalt asked.
The Tactician nodded, one arm holding up the prince. They moved off down the hall. "You're going to have to tell me where to go," Silver said.
Chrom nodded. "Left here," he said as they came to a corridor. The two made slow progress. Chrom's face was going red from Silver's closeness. "Hey, Silver?" He stumbled, grunting as his newly healed wound twinged in pain.
Silver, thinking quickly, helped him to a random chair in the hallway. "I have a vulnerary," she said, shuffling through a pocket on her pants. Chrom watched her, realizing how small she was without her large cloak. She was thin as a bird, but slightly taller than he figured at first. She found the vulnerary, uncapped the small vial, and handed it to him. He drank the potion gratefully.
"Thanks." Silver nodded. Chrom rubbed his side, resting for a moment before they continued on. "That man…it sounded like he knew you from before."
"I know. But every time I try to remember, my head hurts, like I should know, but can't access the information." Tears formed in her eyes, a few spilling over. "He mentioned my mother. I can't remember her, but I feel so sad if I think of her."
"Silver," Chrom said, getting her attention. Slowly, he stood, one hand pressed to his side. "Your mother would be proud of you. She raised you well." He hesitated only a moment, then reached out a hand to wipe the tears from her cheeks. Silver looked at him in surprise, before accepting his touch. "Please," Chrom said. "Don't cry."
Silver sniffled and wiped her face. "I'll try. Thank you, Chrom."
"Of course."
Silver smiled. "Do you still want me to accompany you?"
Chrom nodded. They walked off through the halls, taking it slow for Chrom's sake. Their journey took them to the residential hallway, where they stopped outside of Chrom's room. He turned to her. "Silver."
"Yeah?"
"This is going to sound crazy, but…I have something to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I…" He paused, and took a deep breath. "I think I'm in love."
"Oh. With whom?"
"A woman who's so fantastic and wonderful and beautiful. She gives me hope. I couldn't live my life without her, and I'm so glad I met her."
Silver glanced down. "I'm happy for you. Do you need advice on asking her to court you? Surely with your royal status, you'd be able to court her with no problem." Despite the encouraging words, her tone was sad, though she tried to hide it.
"I know I need to tell her how I feel about her. But how?"
"Come out and say it. That's the best way. Unless you know she likes someone else, in which case, you've got to be subtle. A confession of love to someone you know likes another could just get awkward."
Chrom nodded. "Very well. I think she doesn't like anyone else. Thanks for the advice." There was an awkward pause. "Silver?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
The Tactician looked up. "Me? But…"
"Who did you think I was talking about?"
Silver shook her head. "I don't know what to say."
"How about letting me know how you feel?" He grinned cheekily at her.
"Oh, Chrom." She hugged him. "I love you, too."
Chrom laughed with joy, returning the hug. "I'm so glad." Using one finger, he tilted her head up and kissed her gently on her lips. She gasped in surprise, but melted into the gesture. After a moment, they pulled apart.
Silver smiled. "You should rest. I don't want you to worry me like that again."
Chrom nodded. "Good night, love." He let her go.
"Good night."
Author's note: Look! Emmeryn! Has she showed up before this? I've mentioned her before but I don't think I've included her. And Gaius. *hugs Gaius* Anyway, thanks again for the review, Guest. And yes, if you have a request, by all means let me know. I would love to get requests!
Published 10/8/2013
