Sunlight streams in through a crack in the curtains, falling angelically on Chrom and Robin's bed. The one facing the light, Robin cracks an eye open, wincing at the brightness. She shifts under the covers, moving them to cover more of her frame. Her husband is still asleep, a face usually marred by troubles now peaceful. She watches him for a while, until he too begins to stir, lazily opening his eyes.
"Good morning," he hums, pressing a kiss to her lips. She smiles, drawing back slowly.
"Good morning to you, too," she replies. "You slept late, but I don't think anyone will mind today."
"It's a Sunday. No war council, no general council, no requests from the townspeople… I'm all yours."
"Good," she whispers. "You can go check on Lucina, then. I'm sure she's devastated that she's all on her own for so long."
"Gods," Chrom laughs, sitting upright with a sigh. "I thought we would get some more alone time, but clearly not."
"You had plenty of 'alone time' last night," Robin chastises, rolling her eyes with a smirk. "And besides, Lucina is your daughter. She deserves equal attention to me."
"I'm going, I'm going. You better come too," he says, moving round to her side of the bed to collect his discarded clothes. She rolls onto her other side, smiling sleepily at him until he leaves for the bathroom. Her clothes are also discarded on the floor, and she hastily picks them up, tossing them in a neat pile beside the bed. She raids the drawers for clean smallclothes, and puts them on, followed by a vest akin to her usual one, and a long skirt. Skirts aren't usually her thing, but she deals with it for now, swishing about the room to tidy up a bit more.
She makes the bed, flattening out the covers and plumping up the pillows. She folds Chrom's cape, and hangs Falchion back on the wall, although she's sure he'll take it down again when he gets back after yesterday's events. She runs a brush through her hair, and powders her face. Unlike some of the other women of court, she doesn't really use make up, but finds that sometimes it makes her look less tired (it did wonders during the war).
Chrom returns, mostly ready for the day, and grabs Robin by the waist to plant another kiss on her lips. This time, she relents, placing her hands on his chest and tilting her head to the side. He moves away first, leaving her with her eyes still closed and mouth slightly puckered. He always admires her, especially now, when she looks so relaxed and at ease. It's unusual- the tactician always seems to be stressed about one thing or another.
"Let's go," he suggests, taking her hand and moving down the corridor to Lucina's room.
To their surprise, she's fully dressed, in a light blue sundress that compliments her eyes. She drops her dolls as soon as her parents enter the room, grabbing onto her father's legs. Robin's chest pangs at this. Lucina has been so used to only her father being around, and doesn't automatically go to her. She feels regret, but knows that really, there's nothing she could've done either way.
"Good morning, Lucina," she offers, kneeling down to be level with the young girl. It's still hard to believe that this is her child, her own flesh and blood- she's not that old herself. For a woman in her mid twenties, Robin thinks, looking upon her family, that all in all, she's done pretty well.
The news arrives from Ferox a few weeks later that shakes the shepherds. Truthfully, they should've seen it coming, but in reality, it was unexpected. A messenger brings the letter directly to the palace, and Chrom opens it over his breakfast, his jaw dropping involuntarily.
"What is it, dear?" Robin asks, noting his change in expression. His eyebrows furrow, and he folds the letter.
"Basilio is stepping down as West Kahn," he informs her, and Lissa and Ricken look on, confused.
"Can he do that?" Robin asks.
"Since he's not the overall ruling Kahn, yes. They will need to find a replacement for him soon, however."
"I'm sure they'll be able to find someone. Ferox is a country of warriors," Robin points out. "And besides, doesn't the Kahn usually have Champions? Can't one of them take over?"
"Basilio sent us his best champion," Lissa reminds quietly. "He's sitting in his house in the town right now, with his wife and child."
The breakfast table is silent, aside from Lucina and Owain's eating, blissfully unaware of what is at stake. They all realise the gravity of the situation- there is a good chance that Lon'qu will leave to go back to Ferox, his home country, and take Olivia and Inigo with him. No one wants that, especially considering how valuable a swordsmaster Lon'qu is.
"Put it this way, if he decides to take the job, our alliance with Ferox will be as strong as ever. But it's not something that we're going to bring up in his presence, okay? We don't want to seem like we're pressuring him into leaving. In fact, that's the last thing we want."
"What's the last thing you want?" A female voice says, and Chrom almost jumps out of his skin, turning round to see Tharja leaning against the door. "Well? It sounded pretty serious, captain."
"Nothing of your concern, Tharja. A family matter," he bluffs, but the Plegian isn't stupid.
"You were talking about Basilio, right?"
"How did you hear about that?" He asks defensively. He never truly trusted the woman, despite his good heart, and seems to be constantly on edge around her.
"I have connections," she laughs. "A Feroxian dancer and I are good friends. Anyway, I came to collect Lissa. Miriel says she has a medical examination today."
"I forgot about that!" Lissa says, grabbing the last piece of toast from the stack and earning a glare from Chrom, who was clearly intending to take it. "I'll see you later!"
"If Olivia knows, that must mean that Basilio has told Lon'qu. And maybe he asked him to take his position," Chrom speculates.
"Or maybe because he sees Olivia like a daughter, she was told early on? I think you're reading too much into this, Chrom," Robin offers, taking a sip of her coffee.
Chrom expertly manages to avoid the topic of Basilio's resignation in the council meeting later that day. Both Lon'qu and Olivia look uncomfortable throughout, and he can feel Lissa's furtive stares in his direction, willing him to bring it up. At one point, Robin kicks him under the table, causing him to mutter curses under his breath.
"Did you have something to say about that, captain?" Maribelle asks worriedly, and he shakes his head.
"No, carry on." He gets a few odd stares, but Maribelle clears her throat and continues on with her speech. This time, Chrom is actually listening, and realises that for once, their work is important.
"We've upped security around the palace," she states, "as I'm sure you all saw this morning. I'm going to get them to put our names on some kind of list, because I don't want to listen to their ranting about not being sure of my identity." She rolls her eyes, sighing disgustedly.
"Maybe you should lessen security, then," Lon'qu suggests.
"Absolutely not. The royal family's safety is my priority," Maribelle says defiantly.
"She sounds like Frederick," Lissa adds in a stage whisper.
"I am nowhere near as protective as that buffoon, Lissa, dear. Although he did a wonderful job, may his soul rest in peace."
"Yeah, no one was assassinated under his watch," Gaius jokes, his facial expression changing to one of fear when he glances at his wife.
"And no one has been assassinated under my watch, either! And if they were," she turns to Chrom, "which they won't be," she turns back to Gaius, "it wouldn't be my fault!"
"We don't blame you in the slightest for what happened, Maribelle," Robin reassures. "What I do want to know, however, is how they got in, and who they were. I'd like that made a priority, so we know who we're fighting against."
"We know how they got in," Kellam says suddenly, and everyone turns to face him.
"Well, why didn't you say that sooner?" Maribelle asks, slamming her papers on the table and sitting down with folded arms.
"I've been trying to, but none of you ever listen to me."
"That's a fair point," Lissa says.
"Anyway, they got in through the back, where the magnolia tree is," he continues.
"I thought we had that fixed after the last time?" Chrom says.
"Apparently not well enough. There must be something structurally wrong… I'll get someone to look at it," Sumia says helpfully.
"Thank you. Is there anything else? Do we have any other information on the attackers?"
"Miriel and the military police have been working on identifying both bodies for a few days now, but they haven't got anywhere. I hope we'll come up with an answer soon, and I swear it on my duty as… well, whatever I am," Maribelle states.
"You did kinda just make yourself head of security," Lissa laughs.
"Well, would any of the rest of them be willing to do it?" Maribelle asks, looking round the room for moral support. A few people shake their heads. "See?"
"Well, is that us for today?" Chrom asks, and Lissa sends him another pointed look. Olivia opens her mouth to speak, but upon feeling the glare her husband is giving her, she backs down. Chrom notes this with a furrowed brow, but chooses not to comment. "Council dismissed, then. Maribelle, I'd like a word before you go."
"No problem."
Slowly, the shepherds disperse, including Robin and Gaius, who take over parenting duty, collecting their children from the nannies that look after them while their parents are at the council. Lissa stays by Chrom's side, wanting to hear what was so important to say to Maribelle.
"How is your father doing?" He asks quietly after the door shuts behind Sumia.
"He's recovering," Maribelle says truthfully, her face showing little facet of emotion. "It was a scare, to say the least, but I'm sure he'll pull through."
"And if he doesn't?" Chrom asks, not wanting to pry too far into her personal life.
"If you're asking if I'm going back to Themis, I'm not. I'm not the only child in my family, although my siblings are a good bit younger than I. I will pass the helm to one of them. Besides, it's only a dukedom. My skills are much more valuable here."
"Good," Chrom smiles, "because I was going to offer you the position of head of security and Robin's retainer. She probably won't want you around that much, and since we were looking into getting new retainers anyway, to be safe, I feel like you would be the best suited for the job. As for head of security… well, like I said, Robin won't want you around that much. She's very… independent."
"You do realise I have a three year old child, correct?" She asks, ignoring Chrom's ramblings about Robin. "I can't afford to be running back and forwards to the palace all the time while looking after him!"
"You, Gaius and Brady would be more than welcome to live here," Chrom offers, and Maribelle raises an eyebrow. "Frederick had his own wing, and that could be arranged for you, too."
"I expect a pay rise, and help moving in," she demands, and Chrom agrees with a nod. Lissa's face lights up, and she rushes around the other side of the table to embrace her best friend. The wooden doors to the council room open suddenly, and Gaius appears, holding Brady's hand.
"Oi, twinkles, what's taking so long?"
"Your wife is about to be paid more than you," she smugly says, standing and walking towards him. "And we get to move in here."
"Nice," he whistles, and Chrom smiles. "Though if you're getting paid more than me, I'm going have to steal the crown jewels or something." At the horrified look on Chrom's face, he laughs, shaking his head. "Joking, blue. I wouldn't do that. Consider it a favour for all you've done.
"So what you're saying is you would do it if I weren't exalt?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Let's go Brady!" He says, spinning the child around quickly and making an escape before Maribelle or Chrom can chastise him.
"I apologise. Well, thank you very much, captain. I'll see you tomorrow," Maribelle says, hastily following her husband.
Fortunately for the exalted family, the twentieth of April brought sunshine, warm temperatures, and most importantly, no rain. Princess Lucina had requested (demanded) that her fourth birthday party take place in the garden, and she would get that party whether it suited anyone else or not. The council was instructed to take the day off, mainly so those with children could attend the party. Lucina was the oldest of the children, and so didn't really have friends her own age. Her cousin was the closest thing to a friend, and the other shepherd's children made up the rest of the party.
It was quite a sight to behold- the next in line to the throne being chased around the garden by her cousin, the three year old Brady, a toddling Inigo, and Kjelle, visiting specially with her father at Chrom's request. Noire hovers by the food table, too scared to go over to the group. Eventually, Tharja pushes her into the middle of the other children forcefully, and she begins to cry before Lucina lets her join in.
"I wrote to the other Lucina," Robin says absentmindedly, sipping on pink lemonade that, once again, Lucina had requested. "To wish her a happy birthday."
"I didn't think of that," Chrom replies stupidly.
"That's why I wrote," she laughs. "I included your name, and your birthday wishes, as I'm sure you have them."
"She's as much my daughter as this Lucina," he says, gesturing at their child in this timeline. "I just hope that this Lucina doesn't have to deal with the horrors the elder did."
"She won't," Robin reassures, although her voice is shaky. "Even when she takes the throne as Exalt, nothing will be as bad as seeing your own parents die at the hands of a dragon and knowing that you're next."
"That's… one way of putting it."
"Chrom, you and I both know that we put in a hell of a lot of effort to save our Lucina in this timeline, as well as everyone else's children. After hearing about what happened before, we can't let the same thing happen again. And we won't."
"The other Lucina helped us a lot. If she didn't travel back in time at the exact moment she did, I'm sure Lissa would be dead, and I would've been soon after."
"Let's not dwell on that," Robin says, turning her head from her husband for a second. She's got something in her eye, and wipes furiously to get the tears welling up to go away.
"Sorry," he says in way of an apology, and wraps an arm around her shoulder, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "You're right. We've put in a lot of hard work the last six or so years, and we can't afford to stop now, for the good of the next generation."
He glances back to the children, who have stopped running. They're exhausted, and lie flat out on the ground, staring into the thankfully blue skies above them. Robin thinks back to a time when the sky wasn't like that- covered in clouds that threatened to spill over with rain and lightning that split the clouds in furious flashes. She's thankful that now, finally, they seem to be able to rest.
Lucina is put to bed by Chrom, as per her request, and for once she is asleep within minutes, the day having exhausted the princess. Chrom returns to his room, changing into his nightwear without a second thought. Only one candle remains lit; beside Robin's side of the bed. She's reading, some thick book that Chrom can only guess what it's about. Reading is her thing, especially before bed, and he frequently gets in from a long day and has to prise the book from her fingers as she's fallen asleep. Other times, he has to tell her to put the book down, it's two in the morning, go to sleep. He gets into bed, and lies down, facing her. She smiles warmly, not looking up from her book. She shifts slightly, moving the pillows keeping her upright to be more comfortable.
"Are you-"
"I'm nearly done," she responds, knowing what he's about to say.
He watches her face as she reads, illuminated on one side due to the candlelight. It casts odd shadows, elongating her features. Her eyes flicker from word to word, narrowing at some parts as if she's figured out an important plot point. Her mouth contorts into a pout, and eventually her facial features relax, and she shuts the book satisfied.
"Happy?" She asks, setting it on the bedside cabinet.
"Yes," he smiles, "but that's probably because you're here."
"We've been married for almost five years, and you're still pulling cheesy lines on me?" She laughs, turning back to face him with a smirk. His face is deadly serious, however, and her smiles slips away. "What's wrong?"
"Robin… are you happy here?"
"Of course I am! Why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know… there's a lot of things I still don't know about you."
"There's a lot of things I still don't know about myself," she admits, smiling sadly. "I do know, however, that I love you, and I love Lucina, very, very much. I wouldn't trade places with anyone in the world." She places a kiss on his forehead, and then his nose, and finally his lips, her eyes fluttering closed and then open again within a matter of seconds.
"Robin," he says seriously, quietly. "There's one other thing… it's been bothering me for a while."
"What?"
"Why… why don't you ever let me see your back?" He asks, almost innocently. Her breath hitches, and her eyes close regretfully. She fixes the pillows behind her so she can lie down, but pauses before she does so.
"Because I'm ashamed of it."
"Robin…"
"I just…"
"Show me," he commands, and he sits up straight, leaning one elbow against the headboard.
"Chrom…"
"Please." His voice is soft, caring, and with the pleading look on his face, she can't help but agree to his request. Sighing softly, she turns away, slipping her top over her head. She moves her hair to the side, and his quiet gasp is the confirmation she needs.
"I knew this wasn't a good idea," she says quickly, but then his finger runs down her spine, and across the tattoo of the mark of Grima that encompasses her back.
"When did you get it?" He asks curiously.
"I was sixteen. It's one of the memories I recovered, probably because it was so strong. I was a grimleal, and they practically worshiped me because I was a potential vessel. My actual mark of Grima disappeared when I came back- see?" She holds her left hand out towards him, where the once elaborate mark lay. Now it's empty, and his eye is instead drawn to the diamond on her finger.
"Thank you for showing me," he whispers, placing a kiss on her bare shoulder.
She puts her shirt back on, and disappears under the covers. The air is tense, but both she and Chrom know that it's due to her embarrassment than anything else. He finds her hand under the blanket, and squeezes it gently.
"Good night, my love."
"Good night."
That night, for the first time ever, Robin sleeps with her back to Chrom.
A/N: In case anyone was wondering, I'm pretty much ignoring the canon endings for the characters because some of them are really boring, and don't fit too well with this exact plot and the characters I've killed off c: do review if you enjoyed, and thanks to everyone who has so far! (I try to reply to everyone but I can't always, but I do appreciate them)