Chapter Text
This is it, Chrom thinks to himself as he draws near to where the head of the Grimleal and Plegia's king awaits, his sword in hand to finally end this on going war. Lissa and the other's fight off the rest of the Plegian army, giving him a chance to go ahead and end things once and for all.
He approaches with caution, slow, steady steps towards the throne room where the final battle will take place. When he enters, the man that had started all of this stands at the foot of the throne. His dark gaze settles onto him as soon as he's in sight, and Chrom can feel the hatred he has for this man that stands in front of him ablaze once again.
"Validar." Chrom spats, his grip on Falchion tightening as he steps forward.
"Isn't it the little princeling, Chrom." The man, Validar chuckles lowly. "I didn't think you would make it this far or at all."
Chrom eyes narrow in a glare, this man that has caused so much pain and suffering to his own people, the people of Ylisse and to his sister.
"I will never forgive you, I hope you rot even in death!" Chrom grits out, this however causes the other to laugh.
"You speak as if you can defeat me," He takes a step forwards, hand alighting with the powerful dark magic he possesses. "It is you who will rot! Prepare to die here!" Validar shouts, casting his magic across the marble floor.
The fight soon begins, both sides fighting in a long fierce battle that would change the world.
Chrom pants, avoiding the magic spewed around. It is difficult to even near the man and as much as he hates to admit, Chrom knows he's at a disadvantage against the dark sorcerer.
"Ha! How foolish of you to even attempt to fight me! Our God shall rule over!" Validar cackles, his hand glowing as he gathers energy for his final attack.
Chrom grits his teeth, still standing on his feet. He won't let Validar win, he has to end all of this—
They both are caught off surprise when someone else enters the room, heads turning to the direction of bare feet against the marble floors.
Chrom holds his breath as a man walks forth, their silver hair covering their eyes as a large coat hangs off his shoulders. Underneath, he only wears a tunic that just barely reaches down to cover skin above his upper thigh. If anything, he looks as if he had just awoken.
Chrom is soon confused on why this man would present himself now, in the middle of their battle that decides fate but his attention is on Validar as the man seems almost panicked, he discards the spell in his hand as he turns towards the shorter man.
He speaks in Plegian, bowing to the other. Chrom doesn't understand the one sided exchange but he does catch some words from the head of the Grimleal which makes his blood run cold.
There's no doubt, when Validar says the words, "Lord Grima.". The rumors were true then, that the Grimleal faith had resurrected their God, the fell dragon.
The man steps forwards, feet against marble again as he stands in front of Validar who had gotten onto his knees for his God. Chrom doesn't have time to apprehend just what is going on because in an instant, blood coats the walls and ground as Validar's body lays lifeless on the marble floors.
Chrom is stunned, horrified, because if that man is truly the Grimleal's God, he had taken a loyal worshipper's life without any hesitations.
He is still frozen in place when the man turns his attention to him, bangs out of the way to reveal blood crimson eyes. He takes a step back when the other moves forwards, redden footsteps soaking the floors as he walks. Chrom hadn't realized that he was in path of the many pillars that hold up the palace until his back is pressed against the cold stone.
In a vein attempt, he raises Falchion when the man is near enough. The tip of his blade pointed towards the other as those crimson eyes move down, along the sharpen blade that could end a dragon's life.
But his breath is caught in his throat when the man merely grabs at the blade's edges. Blood trickling down the steel from the other's hand as he preys Falchion out of Chrom's hands and tosses it aside as it clatters onto the floor, far across the room.
He is now defenseless and unarmed.
Chrom's whole body goes cold, the man, the fell dragon, a God, Grima, peers at him while he takes another step forwards and closes the space between them completely.
Chrom shuts his eyes tightly when Grima raises his hand, this is it he thinks, his life is about to end by the fell dragon's hand. He waits for the painful end he surely will be given, fear racks throughout his entire body. Thought of his sisters and friends enter his mind, then the guilt pools, he's failed everyone because the fell dragon had been resurrected.
But none of the pain comes, only the feel of skin as a hand tenderly caresses his cheek.
Chrom blinks open his eyes to the sight of the other, Grima leans in as his hand stops when they meet eyes but continues to keep it there. His other hand finds it's way to the fabric of his clothing, fingers curled as they hold on, also stained with blood.
Chrom swallows dryly, his breaths coming out steady now as he observes the other's features, or at least what he can see from his position. Long white lashes, silver hair that frames his face nicely, his pale skin and those red eyes that continue to stare into his own blues.
Chrom feels his face blush at the realization of just how close the other is to him but he doesn't want to make sudden movements. The man standing in front of him is the fell dragon, a God that could end his life in a second just like how he ended Validar's.
Chrom doesn't know if he should speak as uncertainty fills him but Grima pulls his hand away from his cheek, fingers curling into the fabric of his clothing near the other.
"—" Grima speaks, eyes still on him.
"... Pardon?" Chrom manages to get out in the most calmest voice he could muster. The other's voice had sounded so alluring, beautiful, but he supposes that it would make sense since the man standing in front of him is a God.
"—" Grima speaks again, head tilting ever so slightly.
"I," Chrom soon realizes that he doesn't understand what the other is saying. It doesn't sound like Plegian or Ylissian in the slightest. He swallows again, "I don't understand what you are saying nor the language you speak."
Chrom hopes that the other can understand as Validar had spoken to him in Plegian just earlier when he recalls, Grima does seem to understand though as he looks thoughtful for a moment before casting his gaze elsewhere.
As a moment of silence passes between them while the God continues to stand in front of him, fingers still curled around fabric. Chrom can hear the steady sounds of the other breathing in the silence of the room, his lips drawn into a straight line while the expression on the God's face is hard to read.
The prince quietly sighs in thought as not to disturb the man. Surely the others would come barging in sooner or later, after all the king of Plegia had been defeated. But as he thinks, a fear shoots through him then. What if the God thinks that his friends are threatening him? He will, could, end each and one of their lives on spot.
"Hey," Chrom speaks as he tilts his head down to meet the God. Grima's attention lands back on him when he moves his eyes to look towards him.
"Do you mind if, we go somewhere else?" Chrom tries to ask, hoping that the man would oblige. This however, makes Grima tilt his head to the side again as if to ask why.
"Let's see.." Chrom breathes, thinking of his words. "I have friends that came with me here, they probably already finished with their tasks by now.. I don't want you to seemed threatened by them if they do barge in suddenly with weapons drawn." Chrom tries his best to explain as words aren't really his best quality.
Grima only blinks, red eyes narrowing up at him, threateningly.
"If you want, you can hold onto my arm." Chrom steadily raises his arm for the God to take. Grima's eyes trail down to look, fingers still holding on tightly but loosen completely, instead taking the prince's offer as he wraps both of his arms around his own.
Chrom faintly smiles at him before they move towards the exit of the large room. After retrieving falchion and stepping pass around the redden blood that stains the ground, he keeps in mind as a cold chill runs through him, that the man holding onto his arm and walks beside him is a God that could end all of their lives as he did to one of his loyal worshipper.
He feels the grip around his arm tighten as they draw near to the sounds of voices and steel. Chrom is relieved that he hears the familiar voices of his two dearest people to him.
"Chrom! You're all right! Everyone else is waiting outside!" His little sister, Lissa, says right away when they enter through the long dark halls. She slows her pace as she had began to run towards him when she catches sight of another beside him. "Oh! Hello.. uh," She stops just a pace away from them both.
"Milord! I ask just who that is beside you." Frederick's stern voice and expression is directed towards him as well, his armor clanking as he makes his way over.
"You guys, calm..!" Chrom quickly says as he hears the man beside him growl lowly, to which thankfully the others don't hear. He swallows again, nervously, as he hadn't thought about how he would explain the other beside him. To present the other as the Grimleal's God, the fell dragon, the God of tales of destroying the world, he can't possibly tell them this.
"He's," Chrom starts, his mind coming up with a believable story. "He was a prisoner, that damn man of a king had tried to use his life against me in battle." Chrom steadily meets the great knight's eyes, in hopes that he would not question any further.
Lisssa gasps again in horror, her eyes softening onto the man standing at his side. "You poor thing.. I'm so sorry." She tries to take a step forwards but this causes the God to step back, pulling Chrom closer to him as his eyes narrow.
Chrom worries internally then, afraid that Frederick would see through his lie with how the other behaves but to his surprise, the knight's eyes show concern after he observes.
"Yes, he does look unnourished and shows signs of trauma." Frederick word's makes Chrom turn his head to look down at the other with his own concerns now as Lissa also speaks.
"Your wrists and ankles are bruised!" She exclaims worriedly as she looks over the man's form. As she said, the God does seem to have dark bruises to the skin, almost like he had been chained. Chrom feels a cold pang hit him, how did he not notice?
"Let me heal you, it won't do much but it'll at least help ease pain you have, er.. uh.." Lissa turns her attention onto Chrom then, her eyes asking of him.
"What is your name, sir?" Frederick asks for her, peering down at the man.
"His name is Robin." Chrom blurts out, he can't tell these two that this man, his true name is Grima and that he is the fell dragon.
"Hello again, Robin." Lissa smiles warmly, invitingly, towards him once more. Grima doesn't speak, eyes still narrowed at the pair but he doesn't move to strike at them yet which is a relief to Chrom.
"Here, let me heal you." She says again gently, as both of their elder sibling would to a frightened child. She holds her staff in both hands but Grima only shifts closer to Chrom, any remaining space between them now gone.
"Uh, maybe we could do this elsewhere? I think Robin's just.." Chrom trails off while gesturing around them, unsure of what to say but Lissa gives him an understanding look.
"It's not too serious, so, let's hurry on then." Lissa sends another smile towards Grima before spinning around and heading towards the direction of the exit of the palace.
"Milady, please do not go on your own." Frederick is quick to near her.
Chrom soon follows after reassuring the God holding his arm.
"It's okay, also, you can come with us if you want." Chrom smiles warmly as those crimson trail up to him. He worries that he would refuse, it does raise concerns if he let the God roam freely so this would be a great way to keep an eye on him.
But the other doesn't show much emotion as his gaze averts, but he also doesn't let go on his arm nor struggle against him when Chrom leads them to follow the other two ahead. He'll take that as an agreement.
Chrom is glad that he was the one to wash off the blood off Grima's hands as the mark on his hand would have definitely give away his identity.
Not that the God would allow anyone else to touch him.
Chrom manages to cover the mark that stares back up at him with all six eyes with some bandages.
"This should do until I find something else to cover it.." Chrom lowly says, unnerved, with a sigh after placing Grima's hand back down onto his laps. Fingers curl around his own before Chrom could move his hand away, this causes him to slightly flushes as it almost seems improper of him to even touch the God.
Grima's gaze is on the bandages however, to which Chrom quickly explains.
"We should keep it covered for now," Chrom says, but Grima's gaze moves up and land on him again. "It's a bit complicated to explain.. I'm not even sure how to word it without offending you." He quickly adds again. Yes, he doesn't want to offend the God that his mark would cause fear and out right threatens his life.
Grima only turns his head away, his fingers still curled around the princes as they sit in somewhat content silence.
Chrom's eyes trail to the dark bruises on the other's wrists, they are no doubt caused by chains but why would the Grinleal keep their God chained? Just how long had the other been bonded? Why would they even do this?
Chrom hadn't realized what he was doing until Grima makes a noise, his other hand rests near while a gloved finger gently runs over the darken skin.
"I-I'm sorry!" Chrom quickly apologizes, withdrawing both hands away from Grima and stands in horror at himself. For touching him without permission and also, the God was holding onto his own hand and he just pulled away. This, for some reason, he feels as if his action would anger the God.
Red eyes are on him again for a moment as Chrom stills in place, Grima looks like he is thinking to himself. Then he pats the spot next to him of the bed in the infirmary tent.
"U-Um," Chrom stutters, a bit confused but Grima only looks patiently at him. He swallows, before excusing himself as he seats himself next to the God. "Pardon me.."
Chrom tenses just a bit when Grima's fingers find themselves lacing with his this time, he leans against him while resting his head onto his shoulder. Chrom takes in a breath, calming himself as the God rests against him. Alarms go off in his head as It feels too improper of him to be this close, and touch, the God that the Grimleal worship.
A God that in Ylisse tells of the fell dragon destroying the world.
But even so, when he hears the soft breaths next to him and the fingers laced around him slightly loosen but still hold on. Chrom can't help the smile on his face as he slightly shifts into a comfortable position as the God had fallen asleep.
Grima sleeps on and off during their journey back to Ylisstol, this would have been strange but thankfully Lissa had explained to everyone on camp that Grima, or rather, Robin, had been through a lot. Chrom had continued on with his story he had made up, nodding along with the small lie.
It doesn't take long for them to return back to Ylisstol either, the Plegian's were almost too happy to be rid of their former King and hadn't caused them trouble as Chrom and his army trek back through the sands.
When they return, Grima still continues to sleep on and off for another whole two weeks.
During this time, Chrom had read books that tell of the great beings of Manaketes and Dragons they had in their library. It makes sense that Grima would sleep most of the time, if the books knowledge were correct, most of the great beings take at least some time to fully wake.
As the prince reads the textures and flips through pages, he also thinks about the rumors of the fell dragon's resurrection. It had been recent, so this too would make sense to Grima's on and off slumber.
His gaze trails across over to his bedside, underneath the blankets and curled up, Grima continues to sleep. It has been a hassle but in the end, Chrom had told mostly everyone that Grima is his guest and would reside in his personal room. Lissa also approving his cause as she also explained the whole story and had said, "Robin is healing".
At first, Chrom had self-doubt himself about his choice. He didn't want to invade the God's privacy, especially in bed. contemplating on sleeping elsewhere while he let's the God take his bed but Grima only patted the spot next to him while looking at him with sleepy eyes, and in the end they share the bed that is certainly big enough for two.
Grima shifts, blankets moving along as slender legs uncover.
"Good afternoon." Chrom flashes a smile towards the other as Grima sits up, a hand rubbing away the sleep. "Are you awake for the day?" Chrom asks as it's not that late, only early afternoon. He hears Grima make a noise while he stands, taking a tray in hand that he had ordered one of the servants to bring to his room.
Chrom sits at the bed's edge while Grima wakes, a small yawn escaping his lips before his attention is on him and what he brought over for him as the tray sits atop the bed sheets between them. Fruits sit neatly sliced in a bowl along with some other things but Chrom had found out that the God mostly enjoys the fresh sweetness of the many fruits that grow in Ylisse.
"Here," Chrom tenderly picks up one of the many vibrant strawberries, offering it to the God as Grima opens his mouth. Although a bit embarrassing at first, it has become somewhat of a routine. Even with the small flush that lightly covers Chrom's cheeks, to feed Grima the sliced fruits, he can't help but to be allured by him even more.
When the bowl lays empty along with the rest of the foods on the tray, Chrom places it aside as the God yawns again. Chrom lets out a small laugh of fondness towards the other as a smile crosses his face before speaking.
"I have duties to attend this afternoon," He says as Grima blinks the sleep away before he looks back up at the prince. "It shouldn't take long, though. You're free to accompany me or stay here but you're also free to walk around as you please. The castle staff won't bother you." Chrom reminds him again as Grima makes a soft noise in acknowledgement.
Grima dresses for the day, sliding slender arms into the long sleeves of the dark coat with detailed designs he had been wearing when first meeting the prince before following closely after Chrom when they leave the room.
A arm curls around one of the prince's own arms in a hold as fingers curl around the fabric of the one sleeve Chrom wears. Chrom doesn't mind one bit as he glances to the side, towards Grima.
He's at least relieved and glad that he wears the dark fabric over his hands, to cover the brand on his right.
Grima did not like gloves, ripping the fabric apart and glaring up at the prince. He couldn't wear the bandages all the time as it would be suspicious, so, Chrom went into the markets of the next town they crossed and found something that maybe, hopefully, the God would like.
Sliding the fabric onto hands and the small band over the middle finger, Chrom had smiled when Grima looked pleased that most of his hands and fingers weren't covered whole.
Chrom lets out a small sigh as they walk down the long corridors, it would really be bad on his part if someone sees the mark of the fell dragon.
In the end, Lissa had come along with a bright welcoming smile on her face as she asks if Grima would want to go see their small group of friends. Reluctant at first as the God presses himself against Chrom's side, the prince reassures him that his friends are nice people and wouldn't hurt him. Although, he's still worried as he watches the pair walk off, Lissa holding onto the others sleeve as she leads them.
But when he walks into the barracks where their friends usually find themselves, Chrom is relieved when he sees that all of his close friends laugh and talk to Grima.
He also sees how everyone else is drawn to him, it really does show just how special he is even if his friends don't know that Grima is a God.
"Waah! Robin, you're so good at this.." Lissa gasps out as she watches Grima beat a match against Mirial of the game they all had invented in their boredom. "I never seen anyone beat Mirial as quickly as you did!" She cheers as she bounces on her heels.
Mirial's eyes glint from underneath the frames of her glasses as she fixes them. "You have such a keen eye, you are a very extensional opponent." She says with a hint of excitement in her voice.
Grima nods, eyes reflecting her same emotion.
"Chrom, did you see that?! Robin's super smart just like Mirial!" Lissa says after noticing her brother's presents. Chrom shakes his head while walking across. "Ah, sorry, I didn't." He apologizes to which Mirial shakes her head as well.
"I'd say it wasn't much but, Robin's intelligence is rather sharp." Mirial turns her attention back onto Grima, who's own focus is on Chrom, and she shows a faint smile. "I should be going though, I do have some research to attend too."
Chrom lightly laughs while looking back at his mage friend. "Well, I wish I could witness it myself. Maybe next time."
Mirial also gives a light chuckle as she moves to leave. "Yes, next time. Farewell for now, I will let you know of the progress if I come across any." She meets Chrom's gaze.
Chrom nods sternly. "Yes, please. Thank you and see you later." He offers a small wave of his hand as she passes and exits the room with her own wave of her hand.
"Robin, do you like treats?" He hears Sumia ask Grima, when he turns back to the rest of his friends in the room Grima only tilts his head at Sumia who holds out one of her many baked goods for him.
"I made these just earlier for all of us, here, I hope you like it!" She brightly smiles when Grima takes her offering.
"Yeah, Sumia can make a lot of things. It's really good." Stalh comments as he sneaks one of the many treats Sumia had mentioned.
"Stahl! Shoo! You already had three!" Sumia quickly rushes over, she thankfully doesn't trip over her feet as she shoos Stahl away while Lissa laughs along with Sully.
"Sumia, you should know better then to keep your baked goods unsupervised around him." Sully grins at the other.
"Robin, you better eat it before Stahl eats the rest on us." Lissa giggles.
"Hey! I'm not that of a brute, I'll save you guys at least one each." Stahl jokingly retorts as everyone shares a laugh again.
Chrom smiles to himself at all of his friends getting along as they do, even Grima looks as if he is enjoying himself as he gets acquainted with his childhood friends.
Another long day of activities and Chrom is exhausted down to the bone. He can't wait to lay in bed and let sleep take him as he and Grima enter his room.
Bed routines later and stripped of his armor and clothes replaced with nightwear, Chrom's thoughts drift while he waits for the God to finish changing, it seems almost improper of him to just lay in bed while Grima is unfinished.
Grima doesn't speak, or rather, he can but Chrom can't understand the language he does speak. It clearly isn't Ylissian nor Plegian, it also doesn't represent the Feroxian or Valmese languages either.
He sits on the edge of the side of the bed he's come to sleep on when Grima walks over when his own sets of nightwear now on. Just like when Chrom had met him, he wears something long enough to go down his thighs. Grima does not like to be overheated while sleeping, Chrom had also found this out in an embarrassing moment one morning, but he'll still curl himself up in the sheets and blankets that lay across the bed.
But as they ready for sleep in the dimly lit room, a single candle light on the bed side nightstand and only the moon light that seeps in through the cracks of the curtains. Chrom can't help himself as his mind speaks freely for him, he wants to hear his voice, to hear that language once more.
"Can you say something?" Chrom bluntly asks while watching Grima turn to him from where he stands, his coat he wears everyday in his arms neatly folded. It takes a moment before the horror sinks in of what he just said, asked of the other.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say that aloud! Or uh, how it came out.. uh, I mean.." Embarrassment heats the princes cheeks while he stumbles on his words, he can't force himself to meet Grima's gaze that is on him. Chrom curses his mind and it's freewill, both Lissa and Frederick would be disappointed in him if they knew that he asked something of a God.
He opens his mouth to apologize again, but Grima speaks.
"—"
This is the second time he's only heard the God speak to him. The words that leave Grima's lips are alluring, chanting, as Chrom turns to meet crimson eyes this time. He can't understand a single word or repeat, pronounce, them but they way Grima's tone is, soft and caring, it makes his heart swell inside his chest.
Grima sits on the other side of the bed, still speaking in that language that Chrom thinks sounds beautiful in the other's voice before pauses to let out a yawn.
"We should head to bed." Chrom chuckles lightly afterwards as Grima crawls underneath the blankets. Chrom follows soon after, blowing out the candle before getting comfortable on the large bed.
"Thank you for granting my request." Chrom says with appreciation as he stares up at the ceiling in the darken room. Grima makes a small noise, shifting as he buries himself in the blankets.
"Good night, Grima."Chrom smiles in the fondness that fills him before he closes his eyes, sleep settling in as his body relaxes.
"—"
Chrom thinks that Grima says it back to him.
More days passes by, then turns into weeks and then a month and half with Grima at his side.
It really does feel normal to have the other by his side most days, how Grima would stay with him as he works, would stay up late in the night with him other days, how he follows closely behind.
Chrom really doesn't mind having the other around.
They are walking down the corridors after a long boring meeting with the counsel, although Chrom had tried to ask Grima to wait in his room for him, the God had followed closely behind.
Once the meeting was over with and questioning glances thrown at him the whole time as Grima sat beside him without any notice, Chrom hastily took off with the other in hand. He doesn't much care for the long meetings but even if it's dull, he will tend to all of his elder sister's duties as she would.
Grima takes his place as he hugs at Chrom's arm, even throughout the month he still clings closely to him but Chrom still doesn't mind, rather, he's gotten used to it by now.
Chrom is snapped out of his thoughts when a woman's voice speaks to him as they cross paths.
"Ah, Milord. Good afternoon." Chrom turns to meet the soft eyes and smile of one of the many caretakers as she bows.
"Oh, hello and good afternoon." He smiles back at the woman. He feels Grima's hold on him tighten as red eyes peer across at the woman who also greets him.
"Ah, did you need something of me?" Chrom asks, he doesn't want Grima to growl at the woman like he does with most of the female staff.
"Oh, yes. I actually wanted to tell you that your elder sister is doing much better today." Her smile brightens ever so slightly as a small fragment of hope fills Chrom.
"Do you think that.. she'll.." Chrom trails off, the small hope inside him still fluttering.
"I do think that she will awake in due time.. It will still take awhile but she is showing signs." The caretaker clasps her hands together. Chrom's heart swells, the hope that his elder sister, that Emmeryn would wake soon.
"Thank you for letting me know." Chrom warmly smiles again at the woman. She bows, informing him that she will let him know again about his sister's condition before she excuses herself.
Grima makes a soft noise next to him, red eyes now looking up at him. Chrom sheepishly laughs before meeting his gaze.
"I bet you're wondering now but as you heard, I have an elder sister." Chrom says as they begin to move once more, sadness finds its way into his smile. "She is asleep at the moment, thought. Under a curse from that man.. Validar." He speaks that last part like it's forbidden to even mention.
Grima makes a low noise as fingers curl tighter, like he is also angered that Validar had laid hands on her while his eyes narrow.
"The caretakers are doing everything they can to remove the curse, along with the mages we have. Mirial is also researching everything she can too. You've met her briefly before, remember? The one with glasses." Chrom explains a bit when Grima looked confused as to who he was referring to, but a long sigh escapes his lips. "Everyone is trying to help but I.. I can't help Emm. I have no knowledge of magic or curses.. It's frustrating that I can't do anything to help her."
He bites at his lower lip, these thoughts still plagues him. That he can't help his sister he cares so deeply of, he deeply wishes he could do more, anything.
Grima finds his hand, holding it in his own and when Chrom turns, the smile on the God's face sends a warmth through him as if he is trying to reassure him, comfort him, without words.
Chrom is deeply touched and It does work.
"Thank you, really." Chrom returns the smile.
Grima makes a soft noise, self satisfied showing on his face.
Chrom chuckles, bringing the other closer while saying, "Well, we should go find the others and tell them that we are planned to go help one of the neighboring villages." His glove hand holds onto Grima's own.
Grima's expression looks a bit excited as his eyes brighten slightly at his words, Chrom can't fault him as he had been at his side throughout most days. Even he finds himself looking forward to traveling out of the castle with his small group of friends.
Chrom also wants to show Grima around his homeland and it's beauty.