Beneath the Threads

IV.

Chrom, Robin, and the Shepherds arrived back in Ylisstol to evaluate the war against Plegia. Since arriving in the castle, Chrom had become overcome with the weight of the situation. His grief had worsened, and it had taken everyone in the Shepherds, and the Khans of Ferox, to pledge their support in order to being him out of it. Chrom had vowed to end Gangrel, to bring vengeance against him for everything he had done to Emmeryn and Ylisse, as well as the civilians of Plegia. Robin and him just had to figure out how to best accomplish it.

Chrom and Robin were alone in the library, combing through old history and strategic records. It was late at night, and the nausea was beginning to toil in Robin's stomach again. Maybe tonight's the first night I won't get ill, she thought. She didn't hold out hope.

The nausea thrashed in her stomach, and she decided to take a seat in one of the large, comfortable sofas by the floor-to-ceiling windows on the far side of the room. The library was grand, the grandest she had ever seen, and it amazed her everytime she set foot in it. She read a little more of the book in her hand before her eyes drifted, relaxed by the view of the stars and moonlight.

The sofa dipped beside her. Robin opened her eyes, Chrom staring at the book in her hand. Her reached over and brushed his fingers through her hair.

"Are you tired?" he asked softly.

"A little bit…" Robin sighed.

"Go rest if you need to."

"I'm alright. I'm not ready to go to bed yet. I need to wait until my sickness passes."

Chrom clutched her shoulder, his tone full of worry. "Sickness? What sickness? Let's go the clinic right awa-"

"No, I didn't mean it that way." Robin chuckled. "I meant my night sickness. A lot of pregnant women get morning sickness, but, sometimes night sickness can happen instead. My symptoms seem to crop up at late hours."

"So that's what I was hearing outside our tents at night."

Robin bit her lip. "Yes. But I thought it was stress at first, I truly did. After a few days I consulted Maribelle about my symptoms, and that's how I found out I was with child. She knows, but promised to keep the secret."

Chrom leaned back. "Alright. At least I know you can confide in her should you need anything."

"Yes. She's been looking after me, quietly but attentively."

"I'd like for you to stay with me in my chambers while we're at the castle." Chrom held her hand. "We're only here for a week or two while we formulate our plans. This is the only time we'll have decent privacy to spend time together for a long while."

Robin nodded, a small smile on her lips. "I'd like that."

"Do you think…" Chrom bit his lip, a blush on his cheeks. "Do you think it would matter if we-if we were intimate again?"

"I think it would be fine," Robin said, her face red. "I'm pregnant, the possible by-product of intimacy already happened to us."

"Good. I've missed being close to you." He buried his nose in her hair.

"Don't get too excited." Robin laughed.

Chrom's face reddened. He leaned back. "N-No! I-I didn't mean-"

"I know." She smiled. "I'm just teasing."

"Right." He put his arm behind his neck. "How we get get some rest? Perhaps I can get something to help quell your nausea."

"Alright." Robin placed a kiss on his cheek. "That sounds nice."

-0-

Two weeks at the castle had went by so fast. Robin dismayed when she woke in Chrom's sheets. They were leaving at noon, and the comfort of the most comfortable bed she had ever slept in would be far behind her. Chrom snored lightly beside her. A chill caused her to shiver, and not wearing any clothing, she snuggled into his chest for extra warmth as she pulled blankets closer. She always felt so safe in his arms, and she knew when their child was born, they would likely feel the same sense of protection. Chrom really was a family man at heart, he had been the entire time Robin knew him. Perhaps adding a member to his family really would bring him joy, despite the tiny voice in Robin's head that still said he might change his mind.

Chrom inhaled and rubbed Robin's back. "Gods...I wish this could last forever."

"Me too." Robin sighed.

"Heh...I don't know how to describe this...but I just feel so safe with you. Like nothing's ever going to touch me when we're like this, resting in my chambers. I want this every day."

"Odd. I was just thinking the same about you."

"Maybe we're destined to protect each other." Chrom chuckled and kissed her lips. "You make feel, strangely, like royalty in the best ways possible."

Robin furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"

"You treat me with such care. Every romantic gesture, every day you wake up speak to me with patience and understanding, I feel...euphoric. During our intimacy, you treat me like a king with your touch."

"Well you treat me like a queen." Robin blushed.

"I guess we're even." Chrom chuckled. "Perhaps it was inevitable for us to conceive a child. We just love each too much not to."

Robin's skin burned. "Maybe."

"I'm going to end this war, Robin. We'll come back to settle in the castle. We'll have a wedding, you'll give birth, and we'll start our family in the peace that we deserve."

"I have faith in you, Chrom. You'll get it done."

"I can't do it without you. Remember that."

Robin sighed. She lifted her sheets to gaze at her stomach. "I'm almost eleven weeks along. I'll start showing soon."

"Can you conceal it? At least for a little while?"

"Yes. I actually requested that the tailor make my new shirts a little larger than before. I said it was because Plegia is hot, and I needed them to breathe. Maybe that's one advantage, but it'll definitely make do as a way to hide my progress."

"You do look a little…" Chrom paused. "Never mind."

"I look a little what?!" Robin exclaimed.

"U-Uh…"

"Tell me!"

"Your lower stomach looks a little bloated." Chrom reddened. "It's only noticeable when you look carefully, and I only saw it because I know you're carrying."

Robin blushed. She sat up on her elbows and gazed down at her stomach. "Really?"

"Yes." He moved his hand to the spot and rubbed it. "Right here."

Robin noticed what he was referring to. A small, barely noticeable spot below her navel, accentuate by his touch. Her eyes watered. "I-I see it."

"It's amazing, isn't it? I can't wait until it's a bit more prominent."

"That's easy for you to say."

Chrom chuckled. He kissed her cheek. "I'll get you whatever you need throughout this. All you have to do is tell me." He sat up and threw his legs off the side of the bed. "We'll eat breakfast and check over the Shepherds before leaving at noon."