Day 6: Autumn

Robin huddled as much as possible, pulling down her hood as she settled in the alleyway. From the smell of things, no humans, not even the beggars, ever went through this way for whatever reason, and that was just what she wanted. Even if the area smelt terrible, it meant she could spend some time resting after days and days wandering the captial of Ylisse, trying to hide her appearance.

She wished she didn't have to go here in the first place, but it was the only way to make sure any Grimleal wouldn't follow her.

What Grimleal would dare to go the the heart of Naga's nation?

Still, she should've been more alert even with her exhaustion. Before she knew it, she woke up to shouts and bustle and an assault of smells up her nose. For a moment, she thought she would have to retaliate or flee, until the haze cleared and her ears picked up what was happening:

The Harvest Festival.

Robin worried that someone might decide to come her way now that even more people were on the streets, but she knew the chances were low enough to take the risk.

What was more of a risk though was being pulled in by all the alluring smells now that she could make sense of them.

She really should've stayed in the alleyway. It was the safest place she could be.

And yet...

Children laughing as they chased away evil spirits with their lanterns.

Adults enjoying the fruits of their harvest.

And all the smiles and decorations...

She couldn't help but step out and look around. It was so mesmerizing to see the night life be so vibrant, in a time when the cold was encroaching and they would have to hole up for the winter, though it was tame in comparison to Feroxi winters.

It was as she was staring...

"Oof!"

"Gah!"

...did she crash into the ground as someone barrelled into her.

"Ack! I'm so sorry!" her assailant said. "Here, let me help you."

Robin gasped as she grasped her hood in a panic, only calming when she confirmed it was still on her.

"Miss...?"

It was only then she looked up at the person and saw what he looked like, a man with deep blue hair and warm eyes, his hand offerred to her.

"Ah, I'm fine," she said, accepting it as she realized she hadn't replied. "You didn't mean to, yes? No harm done."

"Still...I should've seen where I was going. I want to make it up to you."

"It's fi—"

Gaaaaooooooo...

She froze.

He stared.

Then he laughed.

"I-It's not funny!"

"I-I'm sorry. I just thought the timing appropriate. May I buy you something to eat?"

A part of her wanted to refuse, the part that was wary of the man and fearful should he discover what she was.

But as was the trend for the eveneing...

"Okay. Sure."

...she followed her impulse.

And as her reward, he beamed. "Great! Then follow me," he said, then grabbed her hand to lead her.

Robin almost swatted it away, but she managed to hold back. It wouldn't be tactically sound to "bite the hand that fed you", as was said. Though as the man kept buying her each food that caught her eye, from pumpkin pies to caramel corns to spicy stews, she grew suspicious that he might have been a nobleman, what with him being able to afford a cart's worth of food.

But she hesitated to confirm that, as every time he bought it for her, he would say,

"Here, you've got to try this."

And then go on to babble all the reasons why with a bright and earnest smile.

Robin couldn't help but return it and relish each piece with gusto.

Of course, their time had to end, the clock striking eleven in the evening, and the man apologized that he had to go.

"It's fine. Thank you for the evening," she said, ignoring the pang in her heart.

But then he said,

"Can I see you tomorrow?"

And she froze, everything she did and then some catching up to her in a maelstrom of fear, pain and darkness.

"Uh, ah, I..."

She should've said no.

She shouldn't be hesitating.

And yet...

"Ah, sorry! You don't have to say 'yes'. I just..." The man glanced away, a blush rising on his cheeks. "...I enjoyed our time together. So I want to know you more."

...she still said,

"Okay."

Once again, she was rewarded with a smile that rivaled an oasis, a smile that quelled all those dark thoughts.

They set a time and place and she met him the next day, in the cooling hours of dusk to evening, keeping her hood up as always. And when it was time for him to go, he asked if they could meet the next day again. And she said yes.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Each time learning something new.

She learned he would often underestimate his strength and clumsily destroy things, so he has been doing his best to be in control of it. She had learned that his sisters loved to tease him, his younger with pranks and his older with words, so he would often complain to her about them, even though she knew he loved them. And she learned that he was terrible with more academic lessons, finding his textbooks dull and dragging, so she would help him learn by framing it as battles or stories.

With each new fact learned, another piece of the puzzle that was his identity was added to the whole picture.

So by the next year, on the same autumn night they met, she wasn't surprised when he told her that when he had something to confess to her, it was:

"My... My name is Chrom. The same Chrom who is the brother to the Exalt."

She had already figured it out.

It was also because of that, she risked it.

"I...something to tell you as well."

"Hmm? What is it, my friend?"

Her hands trembled but still she pulled down her hood, revealing the two white wolf ears atop her head.

"I'm...I'm a wolf tribe laguz."

For one, terrifying, moment, she had thought she had lost her only friend when he stared at her with wide eyes and mouth agape.

And then that moment passed, his shock replaced with awe and an epiphany.

"I... I was wondering why you were hiding your face," he said. "So what about you? What's your name?"

She felt her cheeks sting, embarrassed to have forgetten to introduce herself. "R-Robin..."

It only got worse when, of all things, he laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"S-S-Sorry, it's just...a wolf named after a bird...you can't tell me that isn't a little bit funny."

She would admit. She did. She should be mad at him for laughing...but like with many things with Chrom, she couldn't help herself and laugh with him.

Their tradition continued from then, but now that they both revealed themselves, Robin learned even more things as Chrom brought her books, took her acrosd Ylisse, and regaled her with tales of his trips elsewhere. She was able to discover many of the man's favorite things and make him presents, often little carvings of the family and friends he had told her, as he did with her, giving her many gifts she kept near and dear, from a brush that was soothing for her fur to the savory treats that could last for a while without proper storage.

And she in turn told him more about what led her here. The prejudice against laguz and the like, viewing the "human-like creatures" who turned into beasts "not human". How she was valuable to the Grimleal because of that, a cult centered around Grima and its members' wishes to become like her, a supposed human turned laguz success. And that the only place she was safe was here, in the alleyways, where no citizen of Ylisstol would bother looking nor would any Grimleal risk storming into to find her...and by Chrom's side, feeling lighter and happier than any other time before.

But when another year yet passed, and autumn came once more, she hadn't expected the gift he would give her then.

"Where are we going?" she had said, nervous as he dragged her off.

He smiled with mischief. "You'll love it. I promise. I just want you with me while I get ready."

"Ready?" It was only then did she realize where they arrived. "Chrom?!"

It was the palace, where the Exalt and her family lived and ruled, the home of Chrom.

"It'll be fine. I promise."

She gave him a dubious look.

For that, he stopped and held her hand in both of his. "Really, I promise. You'll be safe. I'm make sure of it myself," he said, keeping his determined gaze on hers.

She really should've ignored it. She could very well be killed just for being a laguz stepping into Ylisstol's palace. She should've said no. She knew Chrom would've accepted it.

And yet...

She relaxed and said, "Okay."

And as she had hoped, she was awarded with a beam as he said, "Thank you. You won't regret it."

And she didn't.

She got to meet Chrom's sisters at last, Lissa as mischievous as he claimed and Emmeryn much more than she expected. She got to meet his friends, their retainer Frederick; Lissa's friend, Marribelle; their childhood friends Sully and Sumia; even the oft forgotten Kellam. But most importantly...

"What's going on, Chrom?" she said, confused at the various costumes...

...and scents of laguz.

The man smiled, the same one his sisters had when they had mischief planned. "Here. This is what I wanted to show you."

Robin gasped.

In the square, there were more laguz from various tribes gathered than she had ever seen before. And with them were people, willing to mingle with them, in a show of solidarity with their costumes matching the laguz. Though it was obvious everyone was still testing out waters with how some of them were wary with each other, Robin could smell how most of them were just enjoying the festival like it was any other.

"How...?" she said, slowly turning back to him.

"It wasn't easy, I can tell you that much. It was even harder to hide it from you as a surprise."

"But... But why...?"

"Because I wanted my home to be a safe place for the one I love." Then he smiled. "Because I love you, Robin."

Robin reeled.

She hadn't dared.

She hadn't dared to hope.

She hadn't dared to hope to have such feelings.

But as was normal with Chrom, she followed her heart and returned his expression as she said,

"Thank you...my love."

Author's Notes: Blegh this feels like a mess but I wanted to at least try writing this and finishing it because my other autumn idea wasn't turning out like I wanted. So if the prose isn't good or the pacing, that's why. Well okay I edited it a little bit so I like it a little better, but I was running out of time, so I still think I didn't "fix" it too much.

Not much to say on this piece. I just wanted something using autumn and it ended up this way. And yes, Robin's a wolf laguz because of the Halloween Grimas. XP