4. Angels and Demons
((Note: this chapter contains smut, borderline wingkink, and likely some form of religious blasphemy.))
Outside the cathedral, there's a war being waged. A holy dragon and infernal beast clash, rally and send their troops into battle, over and over again. Evidence of that is in the stained glass windows, showing humans elevated into divine status, champions of their respective gods; light and shadow, punctuated with blood red glass.
That's what happens outside this old, crumbling building. But in here, there's only the two of them.
Robin finds herself basking in the afterglow of their time together, languidly curled against Chrom. His snowy white wings wrap around her; when she first saw them, she was certain they were so bright they'd burn her flesh, scour away what she was with their brilliance. Instead, they're gently warm to the touch, just like the rest of him.
For his part, Chrom runs his hand up and down her back; the first time he touched the leathery wings sprouting from her hips, he'd frozen. Perhaps afraid they'd hurt him, the same way Robin had been nervous about Chrom's touch. But now, he skims his hand over them, gently splaying his fingers against the membrane. His other hand presses against the small of her back, keeping her pressed close against him.
"Everything alright?" She finds herself murmuring against his neck, and Chrom nods, brushing his chin against her cheek.
He'd been shy when they consummated their relationship. Not quite certain what to do, about the urges that pounded through him, and self conscious about showing his body to her. Even though he must have been human, once, he'd half forgotten what it meant to be born as a flesh and blood mortal.
Not that Robin can say she felt all that bold, as they slowly explored the other's bodies; sex wasn't something to take pride OR shame in, among the fell dragon's champions. Rather, a means to an end. A tool. Not an… Expression, a way of showing how she felt, to the person who held her heart. But the way Chrom looked at her, it sparked a realization in her.
The way he looks at her now, it makes her certain there's some truth behind the expression "making love." She just never thought she'd have any chance to experience it for herself.
"Relax, love." Chrom whispers, picking up on the stormy expression on her face. He gently kisses her forehead, to soothe her. He also shifts his hips, just enough that she can still feel him, filling her up. The fact that he hasn't pulled away from her, or been in a rush to break apart, makes her feel a little more certain.
"You know, you didn't really answer my question. IS everything alright with you?" She asks, trying to keep any uncertainty bottled up in her; they'd almost fallen into this, the same way he fell into her arms, after she dressed his wounds today. Even with how they lay together, she still finds herself blushing at the memory; of binding the cuts along his chest, noticing the way he crackled with life under her hands… And how they'd both leaned in closer, and found their lips meeting.
"I'm more than alright." Chrom continues, pressing a kiss to her nose. "Though I… I never thought…"
"That you'd lay with an enemy?" Robin asks. She'd never imagined it was possible, either. That she'd meet her equal on the battlefield in gleaming armor… And that she'd refuse to kill him, too impressed by his skill and his honor. He'd told the others to stand back as they fought, enforcing the duel between them. And so when she'd bested him with a quick jolt of thunder to his wings… She could only walk away from him. The next battle, the tables had turned when he sliced a cut along her forehead, blinding her with blood. And instead of pressing the attack he'd done the same, left her own forces to give her a fast, searing cauterization, and left her to lick her wounds. And the one after that… They'd both taken on wounds, both found themselves needing to retreat. And that was when, watching out for the other, they'd begun to talk. They'd even found this old ruin of a place, where they could both mend.
It wasn't much of a step up from that, to start sneaking away to meet in this place in private.
Until finally, tonight, they found themselves kissing, feeling traces of their old selves, long buried under the power they'd been burdened with.
"N-not exactly." Chrom says, interrupting her memories. "It's more that I… I never thought I'd be able to… Find someone I'd want to share this with. We don't exactly… Partner in such a way, among Naga's forces."
But for all that, he looks at her in a way that suggests he wouldn't change anything. They both lay in a nest formed from their robes and capes, unwilling to move or break apart.
"I'm glad I met you. Even if it was on opposite sides." Chrom continues, brushing his forehead against hers. "For a while, it felt like I was… Just an extension of Naga. No dreams of my own, and few thoughts besides."
Robin stills at that; it's unnerving, just how much that echoes her own experience. Building that rapport with Chrom, even as they fought, was like seeing the first glint of light after years spent underground. And now, she'd be content to stay like this, entwined with him…
…But she also knows the outside world won't wait. This cathedral is little more than a ruin, a safe haven that can't last forever.
"I… Don't want to fight you anymore." She admits, as they slowly peel apart. He slides out of her, and she gives a faint shiver at the loss. "I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt, and me standing by and doing nothing. I… I don't even know if I can go back-"
When she looks over Chrom again, her words die out. Because something has changed about him; there's a faint edge of violet on his wings now. A mix of light and shadow dancing across the feathers. With a start, she realizes the same is true for her; the edges of her own wings have taken on a soft glow, a flicker of divine light.
Chrom takes in the changes as well… And yet still, he doesn't break from her. Instead, he reaches out to gently cup her face.
"Maybe… Maybe we don't need to." His voice is soft. "Maybe there's a way that isn't fighting each other, or being locked in an endless war."
It's a surprisingly human sentiment; a middle ground between extremes. And what also surprises Robin, is how readily she agrees to it. She nods, brushing her cheek against his palm.
"If it keeps me by your side, then I'm willing to try." And maybe, become something different. There might still be a war out there, waiting for them. But this time, when they step outside to face it, it's together, fingers still entwined.