Spicy Outside, Sweet Inside (F!Corrin x Saizo)
Prompt: Saizo x f!Corrin angst that ends with lots of fluff?

(Warning: Contains Birthright spoilers. And please reread the story summary. Because there will be a chance of spoilers from now on.)

Since the war had ended, and Hoshido managed to overthrow the Nohrian forces, an era of peace had returned to the Eastern kingdom. Ryoma had taken the throne, while Hinoka was making her first move toward becoming the general of the Hoshidan military. Takumi and Sakura had also pitched in, both temporarily leaving the capital in order to travel the kingdom and help rebuild.

Corrin had also found her own role to play.

Despite choosing to aid Hoshido instead of Nohr, she could never forget her Nohrian roots. Betraying and overthrowing Garon would always be a bittersweet memory for her. As a child of two worlds, Corrin felt it would be good if she serve as a liaison between King Ryoma and King Leo to promote goodwill, and they agreed.

It was a little uneasy at first, some villagers still distrustful on either side would occasionally have cruel words for the princess. Her husband and companion, Saizo, would give them crueler glances in return.

For as many times as she would be making these trips, though, Corrin knew that she would have to pay a visit to certain people sooner or later. It pained her to relive those memories, but would pain her more to ignore their existence.

So one afternoon before she would leave Windmire and return to Shirasagi, Corrin stopped by the royal cemetery.

"Hello, Xander… Hello, Elise…"

Corrin stood between two graves in a Nohrian cemetery, right next to each other.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" No answer. "Things are going well for all of us. Leo's actually a pretty good king, and everyone really likes him. Camilla's also doing her part. She told me that she adopted eleven children. Can you believe it? Haha…"

She sighed.

"As for me, I… I'm living with my blood family now. And…" she was starting to have trouble speaking, "I… am helping them… and Leo with…"

She couldn't handle it anymore.

"Aaaaah! You didn't deserve this!" she began to sob. "I'm so sorry! I… I knew I was making the right choice, but I didn't know it would lead to this!" Immediately, a red-clad man appeared beside Corrin.

"Corrin! What's wrong?" asked Saizo. Corrin looked over.

"Saizo? I thought you were still at the guest wing of Castle Krakenburg.

"Hmph. Like I'd leave you unattended in Nohr, of all places." Saizo winced when Corrin hung her head. "Er… Not that I think something will happen, just… you can't be too careful. Even if Kaze and the butler are with us."

Corrin was silent for about half a minute. "These are their graves. You know…"

"I do."

"It's just that… I don't regret joining my family in Hoshido, and I don't regret meeting you. But sometimes I can't help but think that they'd still be alive if I'd only chosen differently." Corrin frowned. "But then what? Would Garon have destroyed Hoshido? Would he have tried to kill me again? And I don't even want to imagine the possibility of losing my other family, or you!"

"Hmm."

"I'm sorry Saizo, I know you're not one for being so emotional, it's just-"

"No. It's fine, Corrin." The furious ninja began to blush. "It's… part of why I love you. I sometimes envy how open you are about everything." Corrin smiled and immediately embraced her husband. Saizo became flustered. "Ah… caught me off-guard. I'm losing it…" Corrin laughed, and Saizo eventually chuckled as well. After a moment of this, Corrin broke the silence.

"You know, when we were all facing Garon… I heard their voices. Xander, Elise, Lilith, and Flora… I still don't know for sure if it was a dream, but… I like to think they've forgiven me."

Saizo nodded. "They have. They had to have. You're… the… you're…" The ninja sighed. "You're the best person I know. And you said it yourself, you believed you were doing the right thing. So… you know… I don't think they'd be mad."

Corrin's smile grew as she held her husband tighter. "Thank you, Saizo. You always know what to say." She let go. "You know, for an angry ninja, you can be a real sweetheart."

Saizo's eye widened. "Okay, let's not spread any false images, now. I just… don't think a frown suits you. That's all."

Corrin grinned. "In fact, you're so sweet, they should name a dessert after you!"

Saizo began to walk away. "This conversation is over." Corrin couldn't help but laugh, as she followed him.

They eventually made it to the entrance of the royal cemetery. Kaze waited diligently, with a warm smile.

"It went well, I take it?" asked the green-haired ninja. Saizo merely grunted and walked past, Corrin stayed behind, with a smile on her face.

"You have a good brother, Kaze. He's a good listener, and warm when he wants to be."

Kaze nodded. "He'd hate to hear you say that… But you're right."

A/N:

This was the third drabble I wrote for my tryout period, and the last one before I officially became a mod on the blog. Though I'd actually been accepted before Felt Nothing got posted, due to the queue schedule.

This drabble was a tough nut to crack, I don't usually write romantic stories. Luckily, I think I was able to use Saizo's awkwardness to my advantage. I prefer my romances to be a little more subtle and maybe a bit awkward. This was also a chance to write dialogue for a Hoshidan character. Up to now, I've only written about Nohrians.

So even if this one might not be as good, at least we can say it was practice.