A/N: sorry I didn't post anything yesterday, I was sick. Abbadont, here is your request! It's a little more angsty than it likely should be. (also the ending is abrupt and awkward ugh) But I had fun writing it because I love Gerome:) He's both my husband and my son haha. Also, sorry if you think Robin is too OOC. I've been in the habit of personalizing my Robins based on who they're married to, so I tried to fit her to match Gerome. Anyway, I hope you like it!

Not so nice guy, I'm trying to get your request done. It's a bit complicated to do since I hate breaking up characters..(plus I've never actually experienced a break up...go ahead and laugh.)

Vykktor, I am so doing that. Now I want to go all overboard and make father/child supports for Walhart and all the kids...but I'll restrain myself. heheh.. (because when I try to be funny characters get OOC...this is why I write mostly angst)

yet you love me anyway

RobinxGerome

A festival, a scene, and two 'I love you's.

The fight with the Risen had been long and tiring, but Chrom and Robin still wanted to stay for the festival they had saved. They did have a whole other world to save, but the two were convinced that a break was necessary. At first, some were hesitant, but with so many bright colors and smiling faces, even the most stoic of shepherds was lured into joining the festivities. That is to say, all but Gerome. Had Robin's hand not been clamped onto his wrist, he would have fled immediately back to camp and spent his time with Minerva.

"This is silly. We should be fighting to save our world, not journeying through the outrealms on vacation."

"Oh, Gerome. I promise we'll get back to that. But for now, we all need a vacation or we'll end up killing each other," she said, and continued to romp through the festival, oftentimes not watching where she was going. Gerome contented himself with watching her, and staring down any one who got too upset after she unknowingly bumped them. Instead of brooding over the state of the world, he watched Robin with a slight smile on his face. She always made him forget the bloody life he had left behind in the future. The way she gaped at all the decorations and the way her eyes lit up with a happy grin were his favorites, and he knew they would both savor these memories for the rest of their lives.

It was all going swell, until they became separated. Some children pulled Robin away into a dance, and Gerome was shoved back by the crowd. Caught up in her fun, she spared him no second glance. Minutes passed, and the distance between them increased, as did Gerome's worry. They were far from home, in a weird place, around a ton of people they didn't know. The wyvern rider turned in circles, searching for any sign of his bright haired wife.

"Gerome!"

Inigo approached, grinning widely. Two giggling women clung to his arms, and Gerome didn't recognize either. Someone in camp was going to be upset later, and Inigo would pay yet again for his philandering ways.

"Where's Robin? Did she finally leave you for someone less uptight?"

Typical Inigo. Gerome mentally cursed him, but otherwise ignored the comment. "Unless you've seen her, leave me alone."

One of the girls laughed. "Your tactician, Inigo? I saw her."

"Tell me where!" he immediately regretted the harsh words, because the girl shrunk under his glare. Luckily, Inigo stepped in. He brushed the girl's cheek with his thumb and whispered something in her ear.

"U-um, alright," she stuttered. "She was over in that direction."

He ran off, toward the area she pointed to. Without having to look, he knew Inigo had gotten both women giggling and happy again.

"How in the world he does that so easily, I'll never know," Gerome thought. "I can't even keep track of one woman."

Finally, he spotted her. She stood at the corner of a building in one of the shadier areas of town, but she was not alone. A man at least twice her height towered over her, leering. It made Gerome want to crush the shady man's skull in, just for being near her. Robin's back was ramrod straight, and he could see her fingers pulling at her robes, likely itching for her sword and tome. Unfortunately, she had commanded everyone to leave their weapons in camp, just to prevent accidents, which admittedly were commonplace where the shepherds were concerned.

Gerome hung back, to see what would happen. If the man would leave of his own accord, they could all get by without causing a scene.

Robin shook her head at whatever he was saying, and tried to leave, but the man grabbed her wrist. She struggled against him, but otherwise was oddly silent.

A scene it was, then.

The sounds of merriment fell away as he ran, his boots pounding on the cobblestones in a beat that seemed to match his heart. Without stopping, he reached around Robin and slammed his open palm into her attacker's sternum.

"Gerome!"

As the man reeled backward, trying to steady himself and regain the air that had been knocked from him, Gerome twined his fingers with Robin's and pulled her into a run. Sure, he would have rather stayed and fought, but the tactician's rationalism had affected him more than he thought. She wouldn't want him to cause more of a ruckus than necessary.

"I-I think we're far enough," Robin huffed. They stopped and caught their breath. "Thanks. I didn't want to have to-"

"Are you insane?"

"...what?"

Her eyes widened as he put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her close.

"Why didn't you scream for help? What if I hadn't been there?" he asked.

"I..." Her face scrunched up, like she was fighting tears. "I never want to be a burden. I should be strong enough to fight on my own."

She buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around him. Gerome tensed at first, unused to the physical contact. After an awkward moment, he lightly touched his palm to the back of her head and leaned down to press his lips against her temple.

"I'm sorry. You don't want to hear about my insecurities," she apologized.

"No," Gerome whispered to her. "We all have them. I do, myself."

Robin laughed and distanced herself. Her eyes were shining, but her face was dry. "Really? You?"

Ignoring her sarcasm, he reached his arms out to her, fingers splayed. Robin blushed, and shyly touched her fingertips to his. This was their way of hugging, when Robin couldn't. Though she couldn't remember it, it was obvious her past had been horrifying. Sometimes, the pain of that past came to the surface. When it happened, she never wanted to be touched.

"Of course. Everyday, I regret not being able to love you like you deserve. Someone like Inigo or Chrom would be better suited to the task."

He wasn't sure what he expected, but it wasn't for her to laugh.

"Do you think I want someone like Inigo who has 'given his heart' to every beautiful woman he sees? Do you think Inigo wants an emotional cripple like me who barely wants to be held? I think you and I are perfectly suited to each other, don't you?"

"What do you mean?"

She moved her hand to press their palms together. Gerome stared at her, but she kept her brown eyes downcast, locked on their hands.

"Well, for one, we both suck at expressing our emotions. But somehow we still understand each other perfectly. I know you would never ask me to do more than I'm comfortable with. You're okay with it. You've never told me outright, because you're scared, but I know you love me."

It was his turn to blush. Despite his mask, she still noticed.

"Am I not right?" her voice was lilting and cheerful.

"Yes...and if I may add something: you worry that because of your...problem, I can't see how much you love me. But I do. I see how you push yourself for my sake, and I know when you're pushing through your pain because you don't want me to know. If that's not love, I'm not sure what is."

Robin smiled. Gerome's heartbeat pounded in his ears. "Thank you," she said. "You make me the happiest woman on earth."

"If you're so worried about getting stronger, then let's go train. But Robin..."

She looked up at him with inquisitive eyes. She was right, he could deal with not being able to hold her, but there times he so badly wanted to. Now was one of them. He wanted to pull her close and never let go until she understood just how deeply he loved her.

"You're already strong. Not many people could suffer what you did and continue to thrive."

"I wouldn't call this thriving..." she protested, but her smile belied her words.

He worked up his courage, and brushed a light kiss over her cheek. "Let's go home."

They walked back to camp together, talking of battles, and far away futures.