Beneath the Threads

II.

Robin came out of her flashback. That had been a week prior. Maribelle had kept her secret, but every time they passed each other, she had a worried, empathetic look in her eyes. On the battlefield, she was always near, her staff and axe ready. Chrom was always by Robin's side. They worked well together on all fronts, leading the army forward. He had no idea. She didn't know how to break it to him, it was a complicated matter in a conundrum of chaos. It had been the midst of Emmeryn's kidnapping. Now she was gone. She couldn't say something to him today. Not after all they had been through. But, with each passing week, it would be harder to hide, that she knew. The night she had found out, she calculated her progress, predicting when she might give birth. Now she was almost in her eighth week. She couldn't stall for much longer.

The flap of the tent opened. Chrom stood in the doorway. Robin looked up, her eyes red and exhausted. He walked over to her and crouched down to her level.

"What's wrong?" he asked gently. His eyes were hardened, but there was a soft touch in the hand that touched her cheek.

"I'm just overwhelmed…" Robin said. "I-I'm sorry, Chrom. It's my-"

"No," Chrom interjected. "It's not your fault. Don't you ever think that is was. You gave us a fighting chance to get to her. I thank you for your dedication."

"I'm sure you'll hate me in due time." Robin glanced to her stomach, but Chrom didn't notice.

"Why would you say that, Robin?" Chrom furrowed his brows. "You know I love you."

"I'm sorry. I'm not thinking straight."

"Come back to my tent and spend the night with me."

Robin nodded and Chrom helped her stand. They went in his tent, where they sat on the bed together side by side. He wrapped his arm around her waist and rested his head on hers. It was calming, until Robin remembered there was a third party accompanying them he wasn't aware of. Her heart pounded.

"What's wrong, Robin?" Chrom asked, his fingers rubbing her arm. "Are you ill?"

"No, I'm just...overwhelmed," she said. She sighed and held his free hand.

"Am I working you too hard? If I am, just say so."

"I-I'm alright."

"Don't say that. I've heard you getting ill during the night on multiple occasions."

Robin bit her lip. Some nights when she was rushing to relieve her stomach, she forgot Chrom's tent was right beside hers. Cloth was thin when it came to sound. Very thin.

"It-It's…"

"Robin, you're wellbeing comes first. Perhaps you can just strategize for a little while and stay off the battlefield. I can't risk your health. We need your brain more than your fighting ability. We can find someone to take your place in the fight for a little while."

"That would be nice…"

"Alright. I'll have it arranged…" Chrom paused. "I love you."

"I-I love you, Chrom," Robin choked on her words. "I'm sorry."

"I told you it's not your fault."

"No-No...it's not about that."

"What is it about, then?"

Robin bit her lip. She squeezed his hand. The moment of confession was upon her lips. All she had to do was say the words, and the weight would be lifted off her shoulders. What happened thereafter was hazy, but what she held to herself was eating her mind away. Besides, she knew it was dangerous for her to be on the battlefield. She hated that she had been in battle since she had found out about her child. She also knew Chrom wouldn't allow her anywhere near a fight if he knew.

"I-I...never mind."

"No…" Chrom said patiently. "If something is on your mind, please tell me."

"I can't. Not after all we've been through today."

"I think I can handle it, Robin. Please just be honest. I don't want secrets. We promised to tell each other everything."

"C-Chrom…" Robin inhaled. "I-I...I'm with child."

Robin couldn't bring herself to look at him. He squeezed her hand, but she didn't respond to it. Her heart jumped into her throat and she panicked, just like she had that night with Maribelle. She unraveled her hand and rushed towards the exit of the tent, tears streaming down her face. A sob escaped her lips. Before she could leave, a hand wrapped around her wrist and stopped her from opening the flap.

"S-Stay," Chrom whispered. "Please."

Robin turned around. She wiped her eyes and returned to the bed. Chrom laid down under the sheets and patted the empty spot next to him. She joined him, the cushioning of the bed and the softness of the pillow easing her aching bones. Frederick had ensured Chrom had the finest pillows, "so he wouldn't hurt his neck before battle". Robin thought his coddling was extreme at first, but now she was extremely thankful for it. Frederick didn't know his dedication was benefiting her as well.

Chrom ran his hand along her side, her face blushing. He pushed the fabric of her nightgown up so it exposed her stomach. His fingers ran over the area right below her navel. Robin watched, her hands squeezed into fists. She closed her eyes until she felt his lips on her skin. She looked down to see Chrom placing a loving kiss on her stomach.

"C-Chrom…" she muttered, her skin heated.

"I-I love you," he whispered. "I'm so thankful for our child."

"What? Me being with child complicates everything! I-I can't hide it forever. The soldiers will find out and it'll be scandalous...Where do I go? What do I do? I can't fathom this. It's the one thing I can't think up a strategy for."

"That's because you don't need a strategy for it." Chrom sighed. "This is a product of our love for each other. It's not a battlefield. It's a place of pure care and intimacy."

"Chrom...you know this goes beyond us. The Halidom-"

"I know. But, for just for tonight, I want to be with you and our growing child. I've lost so much today. To know that I'm gaining something is comforting. Please, let me be in this moment. Tomorrow we'll figure it out."

"Alright…" Robin relaxed. "I love you."

"I love you too. Both of you."