Self Promotion Time: I'm writing another Fates story called "Gray Whirlpool". Check it out if you want to see a comedic retelling of Fire Emblem Fates. The first chapter is already up.

Kitchen Comfort
Cast: (M!Corrin x Peri)
Prompt: Peri breaks down from pent-up guilt, and Corrin comforts her

Prince Xander's retainer, Peri, had plopped down on the floor in the fortress's kitchen, bawling her mismatched eyes out. Tears slid down her cheek and onto the floor.

"Waaaah! I'm just like him! I didn't mean to, it was just fun! I didn't mean to! I didn't mean to! Hh-hh-huuuh!" Her crying was getting more intense as time went. "Now someone else doesn't have a mommy or maybe a daddy, and it's my fault!"

Corrin came running in. "Peri, are you okay?!"

Peri hiccupped. "C-Corrin?"

The prince knelt down to be closer to his wife. "Oh Peri… Kagero told me she heard you crying, and I came right away! Are you hurt?!"

"N-n-n-no!" She said with a sniffle. "I was… I… I…" Her explanation devolved into another sob. Corrin's heart ached just from the sight of her. He proceeded to sit on the ground and helped Peri sit up. With his arm wrapped around her shoulders, he gave her something resembling a hug.

"You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, Peri. You can just cry if it makes you feel better."

Peri slightly turned to wrap both arms around Corrin and took him up on his offer. She cried and cried until her eyes had dried up, though her breathing was still out of sorts.

"Th-th-thank you, Corrin. St-stupid Laslow…" Peri muttered. Corrin gasped.

"Did Laslow make you upset?"

Peri broke the hug and nodded. "Uh-huh! B-but not how you'd think. W-we were talking about… about how I like killing." Her husband nodded in response, encouraging her to continue, and hiding his discomfort. He had wished to curb her homicidal tendencies, and even worked out a plan with Silas. But in his heart, Corrin knew he would love Peri no matter what. "And… I told him about… about Mommy."

"I see…"

"And… and… and…" She fought the urge to cry again. Peri needed to be honest. "And he said our enemies had friends and families, and how they'll miss our enemies when we kill them! L-Laslow wanted me to think about it! So I did! And he was right! A-and I figured out…" Deep breaths. "I'm just as bad as the butler who killed Mommy!" No more fighting it, Peri had begun to cry again.

Embraced again by his bride, Corrin returned the favor and rubbed her back, in an attempt to soothe her. "Oh Peri… It's okay."

"How?!"

Corrin took a deep breath. "Well… We're fighting a war, Peri. And even when I try to avoid it, sometimes our enemies die. But it can't be helped. Most of the time, they know that they're doing something very dangerous." He smiled. "And, if it helps… A lot of our enemies lately aren't even alive. You know, the purple guys?"

Peri nodded. "Y-yeah…" She had managed to calm down again. "But Corrin, what about before? I killed so many people because I thought they killed Mommy!"

Corrin held Peri tighter. "Well… I don't know what to say about that."

"No fair! You're my husband, you're supposed to make me feel better!" Peri protested. She did not acknowledge it, but Corrin knew this was a sign she was starting to return to her old self.

"Maybe we can do something for their families someday. But now you see, and now you'll be a little more mindful." Spoke the prince. "You have to do what you can to survive, but from now on, maybe you'll find… that if you can get away with sparing your enemy, you could try that."

Peri nodded and smiled for the first time all day. "I… I think I'll try it. Thanks, hubby!"

"Heheh! No problem."

Peri began to stand up, and Corrin followed. "Now… go away. I gotta make lunch! And I'll make you something extra special for making me happy!" She suddenly and bluntly kissed her Corrin on the lips. Over the surprise, Corrin returned the kiss, making it genuine. Afterward, Peri shooed him away so she could prepare lunch.

Corrin was confused. Laslow seemed to get through to Peri in a way that nobody could before. This also meant Peri might be more likely to try the plan Corrin was developing with Silas. But all the same, Corrin did not appreciate that Laslow had brought his wife to her lowest point.

He would have Jakob assign Laslow to morning shifts for a week. That seemed fair enough.

A/N:

This was a request that intrigued me. It's kind of a scenario I sometimes like to read, but haven't written much for. So this seemed like a good experiment. Oh and it takes place between Laslow & Peri's supports. Shortly after their B-Support, but before their A-Support.

Go to the blog if you have requests.