Chrom went up and down the stone paths that crossed through the garden, desperate in her search. Fall was coming soon and the last of Ylisse's flowers were still blooming, the rest having died off within the passing weeks. The princess was trying to find the last few good ones, intent on picking them for the last bouquet of the year. Normally she'd try to make a flower crown like Emm had once taught her but she always seemed to mess it up. Her fingers just weren't made for such tiny movements.

Besides, she wanted something that wouldn't die quickly. Something that could be put in a vase and at least last for a week into fall. Something nice and sweet smelling... for him.

The teen blushed at her own thoughts. Chrom stopped right before picking the last white rose on the bush in front of her. What was she even doing? So much of her life recently had revolved around the dragon. She did her best to spend as much time around him as possible, going out of her way so that they'd see each other outside of class at least once. The princess just couldn't help herself.

Everything always felt better when she was with Robin. No one expected anything of her. She wasn't in the shadow of her sister and the court wasn't insisting she grow her hair out and wear dresses. Robin was safe. He passed no judgment on her, but instead made fun of the people in the court. Helped her find ways to stand out from Emm and make a name for herself. He... He would listen to her problems, no matter what they were, and walk her through the solutions. The dragon never made her feel dumb.

But somewhere along the way... This infatuation came. She went from loving her friend and mentor... to wondering about a future. Would there be one for the two of them? Robin had said at some point he was going to stay for awhile but how long was awhile? Would she be able to make him stay? Did he... maybe feel the same way she did? So many questions and for the first time, they were not ones she could ask Robin.

She sighed, staring down at the flowers in her hand longingly. This was all really foolish. Robin had lived for thousands of years. He had never spoken of finding love, nor had he ever expressed interest in such an idea. And yet, here she was trying to... do something? Maybe be his first? She didn't even know anymore. All she really knew is that she wanted him to always be with her.

Chrom scoffed before plucking the flower. This was all so dumb. She was so much younger than the dragon, still an infant by comparison. What interest would he ever have in her? Not to mention...A student and her tutor? That would be so scandalous. How would the court even feel about that? The princess didn't even want to imagine the stupid complaints they'd have. Staring down at the flowers once more, she couldn't help but wonder if she should try to stop herself. Maybe this was going too far. But in her heart she knew it wouldn't be so simple-

"Are those for me?"

Jumping, the teen swiveled around to find none other than the object of her thoughts. Robin stood there in his usual cloak, buttoned all the way up to fight the chilly breeze coming through. He had that smirk on his face too. The jerk had known he'd scare her. She huffed and quickly tried to play her burning cheeks off as embarrassment for being caught off guard. "Yes actually. Your office is so dreary. It needs more color," she replied awkwardly, still unsure if the gesture was a smart one.

Robin seemed surprised by that. He'd clearly meant his words as a joke. After a moment he smiled, accepting the bouquet and looking through the different flowers. "Oh? Thank you, Chrom. I appreciate the thought. I saw you running around out here and thought you could use some company. You seemed a bit distraught." Chrom's face reddened even further at that. He was watching her? For how long? Hope fluttered in her stomach.

"You... You saw me?" she asked, curious as to why. She wasn't bold enough to ask the second part but she prayed the man would hear the silent question. The dragon turned and pointed to one of the balconies on the second floor of the castle. Apparently he'd been taking a walk around the castle when he'd spotted the princess. Chrom swallowed thickly. "S-Sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I'm fine. Really. Was just um... concerned there wouldn't be any good flowers left to pick. Yeah."

The man arched an eyebrow to that, clearly seeing through her hasty cover up. It wasn't exactly untrue but it wasn't really the truth either. She'd gotten so used to Robin reading her like a book though. Chrom never knew how he did it but he could always see more of her than she ever could of him. "Come," was all he said in the end as he began walking through the gardens. The princess immediately followed, knowing that something was coming. What it was she wasn't sure though.

"You know you can tell me anything, right? You know that I will not judge you," he continued after a few quiet moments. The teen nodded silently as it was true. While she had once gone to her sisters first when she needed to talk, she now went to Robin. He'd made such a huge impact on her life, there was no denying that. The dragon nodded, putting his hands casually behind his back. "And yet, you hesitate now. Why?"

So he did know. Chrom mentally cursed as she fidgeted. To lie or be truthful? Neither was really an option. To lie would make it seem like she didn't trust Robin, which was far from the case. But to tell the truth... That could be just as bad. The princess silently struggled before meeting the man's eyes. Those all seeing eyes that could see into her soul. Brown and deep, full of so much history that she wanted to know. "I... I'm sorry. I just... It's... not easy to talk about."

Robin hummed to that and nodded his head. Another silence passed between them, and the teen could feel the gears in the other's mind turning. He was trying to figure out what ailed her, and while this was mostly a useful trick (especially when she herself had trouble understanding how she felt sometimes) it made times like this really difficult. "How about this? We'll play a game."

"A game?" she questioned. That wasn't really what she had expected from the man. Though, at this point she should really stop trying to anticipate anything Robin did. He was an enigma 99 percent of the time.

"Yes, a game," he confirmed before looking over at her, "I get ten yes-or-no questions to figure out what's bothering you. You must be honest and if I can't figure it out in those ten questions, I promise to drop the subject entirely. What do you say?" Chrom pursed her lips. While the deal sounded like a nice one, she was not one to doubt Robin's intelligence. He was a very smart person, often able to predict just about anything. There was one day in court where he had whispered in her ear everything he thought the members would say and what order they'd say it. And was right on all accounts.

The princess gulped but eventually agreed. To not agree would be admitting that she willingly wanted to keep something from him and she couldn't risk that. Robin nodded with a smile and any hope that the man wouldn't figure it out died instantly. A confident dragon was a very frightening one. "Good. First question: Does this have anything to do with your sisters?" he asked.

It was easy to say no on that one, and she realized with some anxiety that the man knew that that would be her answer too. It was something about the look in those knowing eyes that told her as much. But why? Why would he ask her a question he already knew the answer to? Unless... he wanted to hear her answer? The man had spoken of tactics on numerous occasions, mentioning how to poke the enemy to get a 'controlled response.' Chrom hadn't been entirely sure what that meant at the time but now she understood. He wanted to know how she looked and sounded when she told the truth. The princess mentally cursed once more.

Robin smiled, clearly pleased with her understanding and his own cleverness. "Next question: Is this an affair of the heart?" Chrom gulped, immediately sealing her doom. This had been a bad idea. She should've said no. Gods, his disappointment would've been so much better than him being this close to the answer with only his second question. Slowly she nodded, her face flushed and her eyes anywhere but the dragon.

"Next question: Were these flowers truly meant for me?" Chrom could practically hear the smile in his sing-song tone. Gods, he was just toying with her now. Normally she didn't mind his sense of humor but right now is was really embarrassing her. She was silent for a long time before quietly replying yes. The teen was ready for the next question to land straight on the mark, obliterating her and sending her into a deep well of mortification.

But the next question didn't come. In fact, it took several steps for Chrom to realize Robin was no longer by her side.

She turned back to find him deep in thought. There was no smile on his face, but rather a small frown of concentration. The princess swallowed. Her answer clearly had not been the one he'd expected. A breeze fluttered past them as she waited. After a few moments, she stepped forward hesitantly. "Robin?" she called, but the man remained still, only his eyes moving to meet her gaze. Chrom nearly gasped. She'd... never seen his eyes like that before. So troubled and at war. "I... Um..." The teen struggled to find words that would soothe the dragon. He had to know now right?

Robin looked away then, closing his eyes and composing himself. Once he'd opened them again, he strode forward and down the path. Chrom was quick to keep up. They remained silent for a while before the man turned to her with a smile. The girl relaxed at that. Perhaps... He was still happy so maybe that meant hope wasn't lost? "I'm sorry for worrying you. I just realized it's likely not my business to pry. You'll tell me when you're ready," was his reply.

But it sounded... off somehow. Scripted almost, like he was reading from a book. That smile was the same as it always was, but it didn't reach his eyes. Everything about his response screamed wrong. Chrom looked away, her discomfort returning. What was wrong? She didn't want to doubt his words but... The princess awkwardly continued their walk, silent the whole while. Robin didn't say anything either, making things worse for the poor girl.

Eventually they made their way back to the entrance into the castle. They stepped inside and parted on a bit of a strange note. Chrom was so lost on what words to even say and Robin still seemed lost in thought. Once she rounded a corner at the end of the hall, she peeked back around it to find Robin staring down at her flowers. A small smile appeared on her face. Maybe...

Maybe he did feel the same. Just didn't know how to say it? Chrom couldn't help but hold onto the small hope and let it grow once more. Perhaps she just needed to try harder to break his shell. Her smile grew as she tried to form a plan of her own, running down the hall and back to her room.