Disclaimer: I don't own Fire Emblem Awakening, all rights to the owners.

Alternative title: Chrom Convinces Himself (Again) That He's Shallow and Awful.

Based on uf's request for Replicate Robin. Pardon in advance, because this chapter barely ended up focusing on the power at all.

"I've got you this time for sure."

"That's what you say every time Chrom."

"And I'm almost right every time!" The blue-haired boy protests. "I'm always just a turn away from getting your commander!"

The white-haired girl doesn't have the heart to tell him that he's nowhere close. Next turn at least four of her units can assault his front line in a devastating pincer move. Her commander is just bait, and in far less danger than it appears. "Whatever you say Chrom, finish your move."

The prince moves his archers and mages up close to his front force, clearly intending an all-out attack next turn.

It's a shame more than half his force will be dead next turn. When the prince confidently announces his turn is over, Robin cracks her knuckles and gets to work.

"Pegasus knights get extra movment because of wind…"

"Well-"

"Archers get extra range because of high ground…"

"But-"

"Dark mages ignore sand movement penalty…

"Wait-"

"Cavaliers get bonus damage due to charge distance of at least fifty feet..."

Chrom stares at the board as Robin casually plucks his entire frontline of mercenaries and fighters off the field. His entire main force was decimated in a single turn. "I hate you."

"You say that every time too." She chuckles, patting the boy on the back.

###

For reasons unknown Robin can clone herself. She has an upper limit of three clones at a time (so four of her total). Each clone can think for itself to an extent, but they're more like extra limbs than other versions of Robin, she apparently controls them psychically. It's beyond Chrom how Robin can split her focus among all four so well.

There are many uses for clones, combat being the most obvious. The clones feel pain when they are injured (which in turn means Robin feels pain) but there's not actual damage to the original. Still, Robin would prefer not to deal with the hassle of making new clones (it's a quick process, but totally wipes her out for a few days) so she doesn't risk them unnecessarily.

Combat isn't their only use though. Robin often assigns her clones to do inventory and other menial chores while she handles paperwork. Due to that, she can complete all her duties in a quarter the time of everyone else.

And then she comes to bother Chrom.

"I can do it myself Robin." The prince grumbles. The girl is resting her head on his shoulder while her arms wrap around his chest. It's horribly distracting.

"I didn't say anything." She hums, her breath tickling his neck.

Chrom scowls and tries to focus. He needs to not think about how he has a beautiful girl whispering in his ear, and how her well-endowed chest is pressed against his back, and how he's still sweaty from training and really wishes he had bathed now…

It doesn't get any better when one of Robin's clones joins them. It walks around to the other side of the desk and bends low to watch what Chrom is doing, giving him a view down her shirt.

If the prince didn't know better he'd swear it was intentional, but Robin has always pushed away suitors of any sort so it's probably just Chrom's impure mind. Still, it means Chrom now has to keep his vision locked to the desk and can no longer look out the window.

Ten minutes later Chrom has barely made progress. Robin hasn't moved, but the prince is hyper-aware of her presence and just can't take his mind off her. He can't relax enough to get into a good workflow due to being nervous about the girl on his shoulder.

"Don't you have something to do?" Chrom asks nervously.

"Nope, my work's done." She murmurs. The prince isn't looking, but he'd bet the tactician is grinning. "Just watching my best friend. Problem?"

Chrom shifts nervously. "You're a bit distracting…"

"You don't like hugs?" Robin teases.

"Not while I'm working." Chrom coughs.

"Fine…" The tactician huffs, releasing him. The prince doesn't want to admit he misses her touch already. "I'll just sit here. Good thing I brought a book."

With Robin no longer distracting him (though her clone continues to watch) Chrom finally makes some headway. It still takes a long time though, nearly two hours. During that time Robin's other clones enter the room and stand around his desk, watching silently.

It's sorta eerie to have three Robin look-alikes staring at his work. Chrom is constantly worried the girl is going to point out something he's doing wrong. He does appreciate one of the clones fetching a drink though.

When he's finally done working after two whole hours, Chrom strands up. His back aches a bit from leaning over the entire time. Robin quickly stands up from her chair, and the clones shift around the desk.

Suddenly Chrom is pulled into a tight four way hug as the girls press in around him. "What- why-?!"

"You said not while you were working, so I waited." Robin says cheekily. "You can't escape it! Now let's go do something fun, we've been sitting here for too long."

###

"He doesn't even know anything about her." The lady scoffs, fanning herself. "That boy of mine will go after any girl that flashes him a smile..."

Chrom tries not to roll his eyes at the gossip as he waits for the break to finish. He wouldn't even be at this meeting if Emmeryn hadn't requested it, the prince would much prefer to be back at the barracks having lunch with Robin.

"Hmm, such a shame…" Another woman murmurs. "Have you heard the Exalt turned away another suitor? He was such a handsome man as well."

Chrom scowls at hearing that. Sir Devon was indeed handsome, but he was also shallow as a pond and only seemed interested in his sister's power and looks.

"It looked so promising as well. They went for lunch, and apparently played chess." The woman sighs. "I swear the Exalt will never marry at this rate."

"If all her suitors are as terrible as Sir Devon, of course she'll stay single." Chrom thinks through pursed lips. "Lunch and games aren't everything in a relationship…"

The boy hides a groan as the two ladies keep talking. He doesn't want to hear more gossip about his sister; again, he'd much prefer to be having lunch with Robin and maybe... play… chess…

Chrom blinks. His and Robin's relationship is mostly built on talking over lunch and playing games together, isn't it? What does he really know about Robin? She's a tactician, she likes board games and… that's it. That's all he really knows about her. Sure she's an amnesiac, but Chrom never bothered to learn her favourite food or other hobbies.

The thought seems absurd, but… is he like his sister's suitors? Maybe he isn't quite as rude as them, but he can't deny that part of Robin's appeal to him was that she was very attractive. Power isn't really an object here, Chrom is already a prince, but that means his investment in this relationship is remarkably shallow.

"Attention Milords and Miladies!" A servant shouts over the din. "The meeting will resume in a moment, if everyone would please return to their seats!"

Chrom shakes his head and stands up. He'll think about this later.

###

"Sorry Robin, I can't make lunch today." Chrom apologizes, ducking out of the barracks. "I have other arrangements."

"Again?" Robin asks, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Yes, my apologies." The prince coughs. "It seems this might be a regular occurance, perhaps we should just cancel our regular lunch."

"If you're really that busy…" The tactician murmurs, pursing her lips. "I'll be here for a few hours. If you finish quickly, come find me."

"Of course." Chrom mumbles, and leaves the barracks.

Robin waits a minute or two, checks the door to see Chrom's retreating form, and sends one of her clones to follow. She isn't stupid, she knows something is up. If Chrom really had a new arrangement it wouldn't be every single day, and it's not like Chrom to just give up time with his friends. If this was a war council, Robin would have been told.

What's he up to…?

Robin's clones are extensions of her mind. She can see through their eyes, hear through their ears, and speak through them if she wishes. She watches through the clone following Chrom, trailing him back to the castle. Robin expects him to head to the meeting rooms, but instead the boy takes a path back to the royal chambers… and steps into his room.

Something important in his room? That's suspicious. There's something Chrom isn't telling her, and Robin doesn't like it.

###

Robin has no doubt about it, Chrom is avoiding her. The question is why…?

She thinks hard about the last few weeks. Robin knows she started being more flirty towards the prince, maybe that intimidated him? Chrom was always nervous with her showing affection towards him, especially when it comes to anything sensual. Did he got off-put that one time when she showed some cleavage?

Hmm… Robin never considered he might be a prude, but she's also doubting that's what's going on here. The problem is that Chrom is blatantly lying to her about having something to do when he's actually just hiding in his room. The prince has cut all contact with her that isn't related to work.

Why though, it was so sudden. He didn't reprimand her or anything though, so it's probably not something about her. So an outside factor? Did someone tell him to stop visiting her? Frederick maybe? Emmeryn? That doesn't seem right, Frederick doesn't have the authority and Emmeryn would never ask him to do something like that.

Robin needs to ask some questions.

###

"Truely? How odd, Milord never let anything but council stop his lunch visits…"

"I've never requested he stay away from you Robin, quite the opposite in fact. If my brother is avoiding you it's of his own volition. That in itself is concerning though…"

"My big brother gets weird ideas sometimes Rob. I'd bet my staff he thinks avoiding you is helping with something, and he's probably wrong."

Out of all people though, Vaike was the most helpful.

"Chrom's avoidin' yah? That ain't right, he's even turns down sparrin' with ol' Teach just to keep your lunch dates! He's never been good with the ladies though, he told me his old man was real strict on never voicin' dirty thoughts, and you're one hell of a looker Rob, that won't be helping his con… cont… that won't be helping his thoughts none. Maybe that's got somethin' to do with it?"

That makes a lot more sense. Just something else Chrom's asshole of a father screwed up. So, if Robin works off the logic that Chrom is going to beat himself up over any vaguely lustful thoughts, than all her flirting and whatnot is probably the reason for the prince suddenly avoiding her. Not because he dislikes what she's doing, but because he probably thinks that he is doing something wrong in response.

Which is absurd logic of course, the entire point of her persistent hugs and showing off her body is to prompt some romantic (and lustful) feelings from him. That's what she's aiming for, not something she wants him to hide!

Goddamnit Chrom, stop being so considerate.

###

"There's four of me Chrom, exactly how did you expect to get away?" Robin scoffs, cornering the prince in the storage room. Two of her clones bar the door while the other holds the boy's shoulders. Thankfully Emmet is off doing something else, so he isn't working in the room at his desk like he would be usually. Robin and Chrom are alone.

"I wasn't trying to get away." The prince denies, sweating. He's been avoiding the girl rather effectively for the last month, but it seems the tactician has had enough. Chrom worried this day would come. "I was just… looking for Lissa's staff. She misplaced it."

"Chrom, you suck at lying."

"Damn…"

"I'm surprised Lissa never told you."

"She has, several times."

"And you still try anyways?"

"What other choice do I have?"

"Telling me what's actually going on."

"Well…" Chrom coughs. "Like I've said-"

"You hide in your room Chrom. I know you aren't doing 'something important'." Robin says bluntly.

Why is Chrom surprised? He shouldn't be. He knows Robin is intelligent, of course she'd figure that out. "I-I-"

"So let me take a guess what's going on based on what I know and have heard from others, seeing as you don't want to tell me." The girl huffs, walking right up to him. "You're nervous when it comes to flirting and always second-guess yourself, right?"

Chrom winces at having his inadequacies put so bluntly. "I... Y-Yes…"

"Okay." Robin nods. "So basically what my idea boils down to is that you're freaking out over something you think is wrong… like looking at my legs or chest or something. Am I close?"

The prince's shoulders sag. The tactician isn't exactly right, but the girl still read him rather well. "Yes…"

"So, seeing as I've almost figured you out, mind filling in the gaps?" She hums.

"I…" Chrom still does not want to talk about this, but he might as well at this point. "I'm shallow Robin."

"Really?" Robin scoffs, raising an eyebrow. "And how is that?"

"I always take notice when you expose yourself even slightly." The prince admits shamefully. "And my initial interest in you was much more for your appearance than your intelligence or personality."

"Define 'initial'."

"The first week or so."

"Okay, continue…"

"Also, it occurs to me that our relationship is shallow. We've only talked over lunch and played board games. I know nothing about you, but I monopolize your time." Chrom explains, grimacing. "I can't even name your favourite food Robin."

"So what I'm hearing is that you feel guilty about the mere fact that you have a sex drive, and that you have a bad memory." Robin says flatly. "And that you take up a lot of my time which, by the way, is my choice too Chrom. In fact, I'm usually the one that comes to you, so if anything I'm monopolizing your time not the other way around."

"W-Well…"

Robin reaches out and pokes him in the nose. "I'm really bored without you so stop being a moron. I like having you around, you know the important things about me, lunch and games are our way of bonding, and it's not a fucking crime to have lustful thoughts."

"B-But it's rude-"

"If I cared, maybe it would be rude, and only if you actually acted on it. As it stands I don't care; there's a goddamn reason why I've been hugging you and showing skin." The girl continues, rolling her eyes. "Seriously Chrom, trying to avoid me at every possible turn is overkill. Next time just ask if you're worried about something."

"Fine…" Chrom coughs. His face is scarlet red, and he looks very uncomfortable. "I was just worried that my own intentions were wrong. I thought I might be like Emmeryn's suitors who only valued appearances."

"You worry waaay too much Chrom." Robin sighs. She finally tells her clone to let go of his shoulders and all three of them gather behind her. "In the end it's up to me if you're doing something I find good or bad. Same goes the other way around too."

"Sorry."

"It's fine Chrom. I'm just glad it wasn't anything serious." She murmurs. Robin takes a step forwards and pulls him into a hug. "I missed having you around."

The prince smiles sheepishly, and tentatively returns the gesture. "Yeah, me too."

"Oh, just to clarify." The tactician says, looking him in the eye, "when I do this," she pointedly squishes her chest against his and puckers her lips, "it's totally fine to be turned on."

The clones crowd around the boy, joining in the hug, and Chrom's ears turn red. "Gods Robin…"

"Gods Chrom." The girl parrots. "Just appreciate having four pretty girls around you and don't worry about 'restraining your thoughts' or whatever. I'm fairly sure your level of repression is unhealthy."

Chrom says nothing. He's too flustered to respond.

For some reason I have a headcanon that Chrom's father did an awful job of teaching him some very important things, like he told Chrom that he always had to be strong and the boy internalized that as meaning 'never let anyone have power over you' (hence the entire premise of the Hairweaver Robin chapter). Also, I imagine he just told Chrom 'sex is bad' and never explained romantic relationships, which gives us the main conflict of this chapter where Chrom has no idea how to deal with his own lust and has a hard time telling what's okay in his relationship with Robin.

Basically I'm trying to give actual reasons to why Chrom is so dense sometimes, he never got taught about sex and romance and has no reference point for it, and learned some lessons that are more harmful than helpful.

So in short: Chrom's father was a shitty life teacher and the prince has no idea how to interpret his own impulses so he pulls away to try and protect Robin.

Invisible Prince: I guess married life could work. Romance just appeals to me more than writing married life just to shoehorn Morgan in. I do have ideas for Chrom and Robin as a married couple, a couple drafts of this chapter actually used that concept, but this worked out better in the end.

Here's your clones. They ended up being a lot less relevant than I intended. Maybe because this chapter wasn't war-focused I didn't explore the idea to its full potential. Actually adding the clones into the story at all was incredibly hard to be honest.

Pengaius: I like it, no crossovers, and probably not.

Mrperson01: There being no Grima actually didn't occur to me at all. I only looked at the Plegia-Ylisse war. That's a really good point...

I stand by what I said about Three Houses. I must concede that in game development you're totally right, gameplay is numero uno, but for me personally (which I stated explicitly in the last paragraph) not so much. I just need good enough gameplay to stop getting bored, I get much more joy out of good character interactions than a well-crafted level.

In other words I just need a certain baseline of gameplay quality to enjoy the game, and I don't really care how far the gameplay is above that line so long as it is above.

I want good gameplay don't get me wrong, but lacking good characters and supports to go along with it is just going to make Three Houses forgettable. I truly believe the new support system plus the quirky but deep character design to be a good thing, and the trailer just makes me worry they'll throw it out in favour of more old-style supports and character personalites.

You make a fair point though, even if I disagree on the fine details I can get behind the general idea: good gameplay first, everything else second. I just hope that 'second' doesn't get neglected too much. I don't want game pieces with fancy names, I want characters, and I worry those characters will lose the charm that Awakening (and a lesser extent Fates) brought to the series if Nintendo tries to go more old-style.

Thanks for your review BTW, don't want to sound like I'm ungrateful here.

Kamencolin: Gonna go with lamia, and good idea to use monster girls. Such variety…

ScorinVoidseeker: I dunno the backstory of Ghost Robin. Kinda like Hairweaver I didn't bother with the details and just focused on the present. You're welcome to make up your own backstory for him.

Xane. I have no idea who that is, I don't know popular things and I assume you're referring to some character you think I should know.

Maxis the Mercenary: So Mute Robin?

Parasite Robin sounds a lot like Ghost Robin to be honest. I've been floating the idea of a Robin only Chrom can see/hear for a while, but I'm yet to find a way to make it work

Hivemind? Of what? Saying no to Robin Robin.

Mafia Robin and Boss Robin don't really fit the setting unfortunately. Good ideas though.