9. Royalty
((Author's Note: This chapter contains smut, weird courtly love, and vague fairy tale parallels.))
Chrom's first kiss is hesitant, like he's afraid she'll run from him, in the same way the night flees from the day. Robin is eager enough to assuage his fears, pressing her mouth against his and savoring the warmth of his lips.
He murmurs something against her mouth; it could be her name, or perhaps soft words of appreciation. Robin can't quite make out the details, but the gentleness in his voice is clear enough. And if she has any worries about how fast they're taking this, then his murmurings snuff them out. And all she can do is card her fingers through his hair, to coax more words out of him.
And wonder if it's just her imagination, that his eyes almost burn with pleasure, as bright as the dawn.
-o-o-o-
The first time she met the Day Prince, Robin strongly considered challenging him to a duel. They encounter each other on the equinox floor, on opposite sides of the room. Even when the two courts came together, there wasn't much mingling between the two, beyond words and gestures exchanged by dignitaries.
The two opposites seldom mingled with the other. A combination of magic and old primal law, that dated back to the most ancient and half-forgotten of their kind. And over time, tradition and rules turned to isolation… And wariness.
The best gesture the Day Prince could give was glaring at her, before nervously backing up. It was like he'd caught himself, and felt a bit of shame for it; Robin felt worse shame, with how he refused to look at her for the rest of court. Like she was somehow sullied by such a response.
Something about that twisted up in her. Though she didn't dare bring up such matters to her mother… Or the fading shade that was her father. Just as well; he was waning like the moon. And by the time they turned to a new cycle, he'd be no more. Robin didn't know how she felt about such a thing, considering the brutal reign of her father.
But she DID know that she wasn't looking forward to the next meeting of the courts, if she was going to get more of the same treatment.
-o-o-o-
Her skin feels so delicate under his hands, and Chrom tries to keep his touches gentle. One hand combs through her hair, settling on the back of her neck to support her head. The other runs along her shoulders; as he gently brushes at skin, he tries to put something more into his touch.
Robin leans into his touch, murmuring appreciation.
"I've never been so glad to be wrong about someone." She manages, and Chrom finds himself chuckling as well.
"Likewise." He tells her, stroking her hair and marveling at the silky quality to it… And how the face underneath it almost seems to glow, when she smiles. Under his attention, there's a light gently shimmering off her skin, like moonlight off the water.
-o-o-o-
The second time he met the Night Maiden, she challenged him at sword point. It wasn't his proudest moment; he'd told himself that for this meeting he'd either ignore her, or try not to emulate his own father so much. Emmeryn had several sharp words to give him, after that first encounter; how treating the Night Court wouldn't do their side any favors, breed more animosity… It was something he was trying to remember. With the weakening of the two court rulers, they should have been entering into a new age. One with less blood and loss, and with more peace at the gatherings.
But he could still see the marks of King Validar on the Night Maiden. There weren't many in the courts with hair like the moonlight, or a faint crackle of purple in the edges of their eyes. There were times he swore he caught a hint of horns or slit draconic pupils, and even a slight glimmer of scales lurking in the corner of her face.
All of it made his face twist up… And apparently, she took notice of it.
She'd strode across the floor faster than he could blink, her dress shoes clicking across the star and sun mosaics, before she drew the blade at her side in a flash and leveled it on his throat.
"You have plenty of disdain for us, Prince." She somehow turned the title into an insult. "I don't know how you handle such matters in the light of the sun… But under the gaze of the moon, we make our grievances plain, and act quickly on them. If you have such a grudge, then we'll resolve it, NOW."
-o-o-o-
He's slowly getting bolder with his touches, encouraged by the gasps and sighs she makes. Robin smiles at him, as his hands come to a rest at the hem of her dress. The silver and black silks ripple under his fingers… Though when he touches the bindings, Chrom hesitates, giving her a worried look.
"Please," She tells him trying to urge him on. Because right now, her clothing is almost constricting, suffocating her, and forms an intolerable barrier between herself and Chrom. She anxiously wiggles her shoulders, starting to ease down the fabric. "I would… I'd like this, Chrom. Unless you have a second thoughts-?"
In answer, he leans forward, touching their cheeks together; she can feel the heat burning across his face, and his breath shudders in and out. His fingers slip back along the edges of her dress, gently tugging it down, exposing her shoulders.
In the same moment, Robin goes to the buttons on his own clothing, trying to figure them out. And with a chuckle, he breaks away to help her out. Robin pauses as his coat comes undone, showing the warm skin underneath.
The two of them move slowly from there, taking their time to explore the other's body, feeling out the planes of their shoulders, as they slowly pull down the clothing to show more skin.
-o-o-o-
She'd been forced to give the Dawn Prince one credit; he handled himself well in a fight. After the shock of the challenge wore off, he'd drawn his own sword, and the circle of the ballroom turned into a dueling ground. Robin couldn't bring herself to care; there'd been duels and worse fought here before, courtesy of her father… Even if a part of her hated that she was continuing his legacy in such a way.
Their fight was perhaps the first dance this place had seen in moons; both figures moving in time to the clash of sword strikes, ebbing and surging back and forth-
Until, impossibly, they both pressed their attack at the same time. Both swords clattered to the floor, bloody from scoring marks on the other.
The shouts of their family put a stop to anything more, and sent them off to nurse their cuts with their ears burning. Robin had found her own place out in the garden, trying to bandage an awkward gash running from arm to elbow; the harsh light of the sun made it hard to see, as the alignment of the shared court had swayed towards day.
The shadow falling across her eyes was almost a relief, until she realized it belonged to a certain Prince. She tensed, wondering if he'd found her to continue the duel and grudge… But there wasn't any challenge or anger in his face.
"I… I'm sorry." His voice came out impossibly small, considering how he towered over her. "That I caused such insult. And let my own… Impressions of the Night Court color my judgement. And further wounded you."
"It will heal, with the moon's turning." And perhaps until then, she could take that as a lesson not to be so rash with her challenges or judgements.
"Good. I… Wouldn't want a talented swordswoman to be crippled, because I was being a dolt with my manners." He continued, bowing his head. And then, he knelt to the ground, carefully reaching out to her. She half expected him to realize what he was doing, and recoil from her like she was something disgusting. "But… Until then, could I offer some help?"
He held bandages and salve in his hands. And at her nod, he began dressing the cut. As he bandaged her arm and cradled her hand, Robin offered to do the same for him. And realized she needed to give the Dawn Prince perhaps a few more credits.
-o-o-o-
Chrom pulls the last of the dress sleeves off of Robin's arms. He sees a glint of scar tissue traveling along the length of her arm, right where his sword glanced along her flesh. It freezes him for an instant, and the attraction and lust fades out, replaced by guilt.
"Fair's fair." Robin tells him. "If I remember, I marked you as well."
She takes him by the wrist, raising his own arm up and showing the glinting bit of paler flesh running over his skin. Chrom glances at it as well, seeing the faint shimmers of blue scales; a reminder of the dawn sky, and the sun warmed dragons who fly through it. They're the same creatures that give his court so much power, and he knows Robin's court has her own creatures. Ones that fly through a black and violet sky, just like the hints of scales on her own skin.
He trails his fingers over the violet scales, and feels Robin shiver in response.
"I guess these don't disgust you anymore?" She asks, eyes lowered as though she's still afraid of what his answer might be.
"I was a fool to think like that, in the first place." He tells her. "Besides… We're two sides of the same coin. That much is clear to me, now." He raises his own arm, turning it so the blue scales catch the candle light. Then, he wraps his arms around her, carefully pulling her in close to prove the words.
-o-o-o-
On their third meeting, she offered the Dawn Prince her name.
This time there was no clash of blades. And this time, he sought her out from the crowd, inquiring about her arm. The concern in his face was different, compared to the last time he'd seen her; she saw that he faltered a little, before closing the distance, but that was the limit of his apprehension.
And when she assured him all was well, that seemed to be tinder for a conversation. How they'd drifted away from the rest of the night court was a murky thing for her; they were caught up in the other's words, talking about how they'd learned to fight. Him from his father, and she from her mother. There was slight unease, when he talked about training under his own father; Robin had heard stories of the Dawn King, how his light tried to burn the kingdoms of any who dwelled under the moon.
"I… Need to unlearn some of my father's other lessons, however." He'd said, almost reading her thoughts. "My father hasn't been the gentlest or wisest of our rulers. I think everyone is waiting for my own sister to step up, and be a better guiding light."
And that prompted honesty from her as well; that her own father had been ruthless, ready to embrace the darker aspects of their court and let night-terrors reign over moonlit wonders and secrets.
They had more in common than she first thought… And there's a shock when he looks her in the eyes, and she sees a flicker of something draconic in his own eyes. Maybe that's why he always hesitated to meet anyone eye to eye.
And that was what drove her to offer him a name. She just never expected him to return the favor, by giving his own.
-o-o-o-
Robin nestles herself in Chrom's arms, whispering his name again and again. She thinks that in answer, she can hear and feel his heart beat a little faster. She angles her head up to kiss him along the neck and jaw.
"Robin…" He only says her name once in response… But there's such a tenderness in his voice that it threatens to bring tears to her eyes. But Chrom has an answer to that as well, dipping his lips to her cheeks, touching them to her eyelids when she closes them.
Behind closed eyes, she can feel every brush from his fingers; cautiously tracing up and down her sides, trying to coax more sounds from her. She indulges him, giving a long sigh that turns into a soft plea.
"Please, Chrom. I want…" More; in a way, it's unnerving how insatiable she feels. But he seems to feel the same, as he hikes up her skirt, tracing the lines of her legs in the process. Robin hisses in approval. "Yes, love-"
The title slips out of her before she can take it back. Chrom freezes for a moment at it… And then echoes the word, before he kisses the base of her throat.
"Love," he murmurs again.
-o-o-o-
The fourth meeting is when she sought him out. Chrom's heart had almost pattered out of his chest at that, oddly thrilled that Robin wanted to spend time with him. He'd been looking forward to another meeting between the courts for that same reason, hoping he'd be able to find her.
They spent all their time strolling through the gardens, this time illuminated by starlight. Robin told him about the constellations, how each one honored a past hero of the night court, and how she hoped that perhaps someday, she would warrant a place up there; that was why she studied so devoutly under her mother… And tried to undo the influence of her father.
That led to a discussion about their fathers; how the kings had made war on the other's court, before finally falling to the other's blade. How both of the wounds, while not lethal, had slowly sapped the strength from each, as they'd never been allowed to heal.
It made him reach out to her, and gently run his fingers along her arm, to make sure her own wound would close. Because the idea of the same thing happening to her left him cold. And Robin seemed to think the same, with how she mimicked the gesture on his arm.
"It was hate, I think." Robin tells him, describing her father; he'd been steadily fading away, much like Chrom's father. "They could never purge that from their hearts, and it's been like poison in their wounds."
"W-well… I can say for certain I don't hate you." He rushed to tell her. And was rewarded with a soft laugh.
-o-o-o-
It turns out Robin is a little ticklish; not something he'd expect from a lady of the court. But she still giggles when he brushes a line along her ribs, settling his hands on her sides.
He eases her down, into the sheets, and splays his hand out over her chest; feeling her heart beat, and reminding himself that this is somehow real. That she's with him, alive and returning each of his kisses and touches.
There isn't much formality between them now… Or clothing for that matter. Her dress is bunched and folded around her waist, while her fingers have managed to peel his shirt off him, leaving his hair tousled. He runs his fingers through it, trying to straighten it out… And in response, she ruffles it again.
"I… I like seeing you like this." She murmurs, looking at him through half lidded eyes. "Without all your finery, needing to be perfectly presented to a court with thousands of eyes. It…"
She drops her gaze, looking self-conscious for a moment; likely wondering if, even though they've made a mess of each other, she's still overstepped somehow. And in answer, Chrom runs his fingers through her hair, ruffling it into a bed head and partially undoing the braids.
"You know… It's not a bad appearance for you, either, love." He grins down at Robin, and a laugh startles its way out of her.
-o-o-o-
The fifth meeting led to more shared words and company… And then to a dance. This time they weren't interrupted by worried family members, though Robin caught flashes of her own mother watching them. There'd been an odd, knowing smile on her mother's face, and a sparkle in her eyes that Robin hadn't seen in years. She also caught the sight of two sunny haired women, people she was sure were siblings to Chrom.
The older of those siblings had been trying to encourage more music, to ease moods and any lingering tensions. It had been a running theme for several of their meetings. And tonight, her bidding was finally carried out, as gentle strings are conjured, and drift through the in turn, that made Robin bold. She'd asked Chrom if he knew how to dance… And in answer, he took her hand, and led her to the open floor.
She was still certain they were among the first from two opposing courts, to dance like this across the ballroom floor. This time they move together; instead of a challenge, it's a cautious partnership, trying to figure out the steps of the other and building on them. And when they finished, Robin felt an odd, breathless joy building in her chest. And a desire for… Something. Something more than just these occasional meetings, caught between so many other people.
Something that belonged to just them.
-o-o-o-
She reaches up, one hand anchored in that wonderfully messy hair, the other splayed across his back, so she can pull Chrom down to rest on top of her. He follows her lead, putting his mouth back over hers so their breaths mingle together.
He gives a low moan against her mouth, the heat from his lips and breath a sharp contrast against the cool, silken sheets.
When they break apart, she has to take a deep, shuddering breath, before the pounding in her heart and blood threatens to pull her under and leave her robbed of words. Above her, Chrom does the same. She's keenly aware of how their chests brush together when they breathe, and how that shoots heat down into her stomach and between her legs.
She manages to push her hand between them, pressing it into Chrom's stomach and letting her fingers drift down. This time it's her turn to be cautious, feeling him out.
"Chrom… Are you…?" She tries to find enough breath to speak, and some speck of rationality left in her brain. "Do you… Want this?"
It takes him even longer to find his breath, and Robin faintly realizes that her hands likely aren't helping him speak. She draws them away… Only for him to shift against her, a hand on her elbow and holding her in place.
"Yes." He says. "Yes, and yes again."
It's the best he can manage, before giving a strange moan in the back of his throat, as he forces himself up. His hand falls away from her arm, resting on her skirts. The fabric is going sodden with sweat, and Robin is more than ready to rid herself of them. When he hooks his thumbs into the fabric and pulls, she eagerly lifts her hips up.
Her dress barely has time to slide off the bed and pool on the floor, when her hands go to his pants and work at the belts. He's eager enough to help, proving that he's as ready as she is. He kicks off the last of his clothing, until at last there's nothing left between them.
Then, he presses his hand to hers, pinning it to the pillows. When they push themselves together, and lose themselves in the sensations, their fingers stay entwined the entire time.
-o-o-o-
Their meetings began blurring together; he wasn't certain how many times they saw each other, only that each turn of the moon and shift of the sun was something he looked forward to now, instead of dreading. Because it meant that he'd see her again, even if it was only for a few candle marks.
And that was why it felt like something was gouged out of his chest, when he couldn't find her. No matter how often his eyes roved over the night court, still occupying their own part of the ballroom, he couldn't find the familiar gleam of her hair.
"ROBIN!?" He couldn't keep the name from shouting out of him, hoping she'd hear it-
Instead, his eyes caught on a familiar woman standing apart from the crowd. He took a nervous step towards her, only for her to shrink away. It made him wonder, if it had hurt Robin as much when he'd first pulled away from her.
The stranger kept moving away, though there was a look in her eyes that told him to follow. So he did so, guided to the very edges of the meeting room. Only then does the stranger speak up.
"My daughter… Couldn't bring herself to come to court." The older woman tells him. "I tried to convince her otherwise, but… The best I could do was have her linger, in the guest suites. Something is wrong with her… Something I can't help with, even as the new ruler for my people-" It was the only hint she could give him, but it sent him charging off to the wings of the palace.
And that was where he found her, hunched over as she perched on a silk clad bed.
"R-Robin-?" He called out to her, and she flinched from his voice. She didn't turn to face him, and seemed frozen in place as he walked closer. "Why… Weren't you at court? I wanted to…" There was an odd yearning in his heart at that, something he couldn't quite voice. So instead he settled on another question. "What's wrong?"
It took her a moment of shuddering breaths, before she could answer. Chrom found himself resting his hands on her shoulders and thumbs rubbing her collarbone, to ease her breathing and coax her into speaking. And when she did, the words rushed out of her.
"I… I wish I'd been born into the Day Court, the same as you." She'd whispered to him. "And it makes me feel like a traitor; both to my court, and to you. That I'd sully you by…"
"By… Wanting to be with me?" He murmured, and his hands went from her shoulders, up to her face to gently cup her chin. She barely managed a nod. "Robin… What if I told you… I was thinking the same thing?"
And the look she gave him was so desperate and hopeful, that he found himself leaning forward to kiss her.
-o-o-o-
In the afterglow, they stretch out against the sheets. Chrom lays against Robin, boneless and satisfied, while she rests her head against his chest. He keeps one arm thrown around her, to keep them close together.
"I…" He feels her throat pulse against his skin, as she draws in breath to speak. "…I'd cross over to your court, if only I could. For the sake of being by your side every day and every night."
"And I'd do the same." He finds himself saying… And knows that it's true the moment he speaks. "I never really understood how beautiful moonlight and dusk can be, until now-"
She stills at that, and for a moment he wonders if he's said something wrong. But when she raises her head, there's an odd, eager light in her eyes.
"I read once… That there's been suggestions of forming other courts, beyond the Day and Night. And why not? There's Dawn and Dusk in the cycles. We… We might even be able to…" She gives him a desperate look, only to relax when she sees the grin crossing his face.
"I don't think my sister would be opposed to such a thing."
"And my mother stressed I read those records as well. That's… Part of why I ran, because I was afraid you'd not want such a thing…" He can only shake his head at that; he's come a long way from being a skittish prince, not knowing how to handle himself in court and mingling with others.
"I wonder if I've thanked you enough." He says instead, and is rewarded by a blush traveling across her skin. "For showing me there's more things on earth and in the heavens, than just the sun."
"I-I think you've made your gratitude and affection quite clear." She tells him. "Though if you'd like me to return it…"
The kiss she plants on his mouth is a little more gentle this time, exhausted as they both are. But he still savors it, treasuring the gentle touch, and the woman behind it.