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The kingdom was solemn for the months following Emmeryn’s death. No one knew what was to come next. War was at the back of everyone’s mind, though when is it not? A new factor, the rise of Chrom as exalt, was what made the populace stir. Their exalt had sacrificed herself for her people; to give them a chance to see brighter days. What will their new ruler do? Will he be as kind as his older sister? Will he be mature enough to lead a nation through war? Would he dare surrender? This sort of discussion rippled all throughout the kingdom, with Ylisstol at the forefront, for that is where their new exalt has return to.
Chrom and his men now take a step back from the battlefield and reside in the capital for Chrom’s crowning. It is a horrifying and saddening event, though he cannot say that it feels that way for everyone. Advisors come to him to discuss party décor and which wine he most prefers; dishes to please the aristocracy and clothing that the past rulers would be proud of.
There is no discussion of Emmeryn. Her funeral was a month ago, and everyone seems to have moved on but he and his sister. The discussion of festivities weighs heavy on his heart, and nightmares of Emmeryn plunging to her death haunts him. How cruel royalty is. How cruel fate is, to brandish him and kiss him with Naga’s divine blood. For what good is that blessing when it has brought naught but tragedy?
He is tired, and he can no longer feign interest to the advisors that crowd him. He sits at his desk, crowded with official documents he has not even bothered to touch, which even more being placed in front of him. He stairs at the door that sites squarely in front him, left open slightly by a careless member of his staff. He does not care, as he can no longer bother to think. He is exhausted.
“Your Majesty,” His main advisor begins to speak. “Perhaps it would be best for you to take a break? I understand how overwhelming it all is.” She gives the others in a room a look. They seem to take the hint, and make their way out of the room.
It is only then that Chrom blinks, and finally looks someone in the eye. “I think I may.” He says, and gives her a grateful smile. “It might just help me think of..” He looks down at the paper that catches his eye first “How to properly determine whether fish or pork would be best as a main course.” Oh, how exciting his duties currently were.
“A very difficult decision to make, Your Majesty.” His advisor replies, a teasing lilt in her tone. He greatly appreciates her lighthearted nature. Emmeryn had been close to her as well, this used to be her advisor after all. She had been hand picked by Emmeryn, and they had been inseparable. She was as much as Emmeryn’s best friend as she was her advisor.
“I will cancel all your appointments for the day. If there is anything of vital importance, I will let you know. Most of these, however, I may be able to manage myself. It would be good for some of these requests to be taken care of with some agency of the staff requesting assistance, as well.” She sighs, and fishes through his papers. “Emmeryn babied them so…” She sounded so distant, and looked so melancholy. Everyone else had treated Emmeryn’s name as taboo, but not her. Chrom needed her so.
“Truly, she did.” He replies, with a light chuckle. His heart ached, but thinking so fondly of his sister helped to soothe it. “Thank you, Marianne. Don’t try to put too much on yourself, either.”
Marianne merely brushes away his words with a casual wave of the hand. “You don’t worry about me. I enjoy my work, and I understand what you are going through. You need a break, Chrom.” Her smile reminds him so much of his sisters. “I speak to you as a friend, so please do not disregard my advice.”
His heart constrains. His grief has subdued greatly, but reminders are everywhere of his failure. He smiles at her and nods. “I’ll make sure to enjoy my day off.”
He exits his chambers and stretches, an audible groan escaping him once he pops his back. There was nothing in particular he wanted to do. Though, he could think of someone whom he wanted to visit for a spell. Chrom couldn’t remember the last time he had seen him, in fact. His heart felt a different kind of ache at that.
Though he grew up in this very castle, it was still somewhat navigating the corridors. As he made his way to the residential section of the castle, the emptier it felt. What was the point of all this space if there was not enough people to fill it all? Of course, the staff on hand lived here as well, but it was not nearly enough people to justify so much space. He could hear the clack of each heel that hit the floor, and how it reverberated off the walls with such vacancy.
Finally, he makes it to the door he had been searching for. Though they all look similar, Chrom had made sure to memorize this residency. He knocks gently, but loud enough that he would be heard.
It takes a moment for him to get a response. “Enter.” The voice calls from the other side of the door. Chrom’s not quite sure, but it sounds like someone may have just had a long night.
Chrom enters, opening the door halfway and peeking in. He’s met with Robin at his desk, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and a scowl on his face. It lightens somewhat once he recognizes who just entered.
“Ah, Chrom, hello.” Robin greets him. “I feel asleep at my desk.” He sounds disappointed in himself. Chrom cannot help but laugh at that.
“There are better places to sleep than at your desk.” Chrom replies teasingly. Robin gives a halfhearted smile in reply. He looks a little ruffled.
“I would much rather not sleep at all.” Robin confesses. “I’ve been trying to work with the war strategies given to me by the rest of your council. They are very…” He hesitates. Then, it seems as though he is not going to spare niceties. “Obnoxious.”
Chrom chuckles at that as well. “I heard your frustrations at the meeting.” He says. “But that was two days ago, and I don’t think you have gotten even a single night of sleep.”
“As though that’s anything new.” Is what Robin responds with, which gives him a look from Chrom. “You can’t say anything to me, though. The bags under your eyes look just as bad as mine may seem.”
Chrom has moved next to Robin’s desk, opposite of the other man. Bickering will do neither of them no good. Chrom sighs, but smiles despite himself. “True, I may not have much room to talk. We’re both overworked.” Robin gives a small hum as a reply. “Why don’t we take a break then? Just the two of us.” Chrom suggests.
Robin raises an eyebrow at that. “Is the soon-to-be Exalt allowed to go out on his own?”
“I’m not alone if you’re by my side.” Chrom replies, feeling somewhat sly.
Robin rolls his eyes and lets out a huff of a laugh. “You know very well what I mean. I’m not fond of going out into the town, however. The citizens of Ylisse aren’t very fond of my garments.” He gestures over to his Plegian cloak. “Though you’re free to go out on your own. Maybe Lissa would like to join you. I’m sure she could use the fresh air as well.” Robin looks back down at his documents, as though Chrom had been dismissed.
Chrom, a little offended, does not budge. “I want to spend time with you, Robin.” He says, quite boldly. His heart beats a little harder and he feels as though he cheeks are just a tad warm. He brings a closed fist to his mouth and clears his throat with a cough. “I, well, I haven’t been able to see you for quite a while.”
It doesn’t seem as though Robin knows how to respond to that. He is looking directly at Chrom, his eyes a little wider than they had been.
“How about instead of into the town, we relax in the palace garden.” Chrom suggests instead. “No one should be there to judge either one of us.”
Robin blinks and seems to come back down to earth. “I...suppose we could do that.” He sounds a little dazed. Chrom isn’t quite sure what it is exactly that he feels towards that, but it is warm and not unpleasant.
He gives his friend a warm and gentle smile. “Allow me to escort you then.”
Having Robin by his side once more brings Chrom a grounding comfort. They walk side-by-side leisurely down the castle’s corridors. His footsteps no longer sound so deafening when his ears are filled with their chatter.
“I just don’t think that we need to sacrifice so much.” Robin says, sounding exhausted. “I understand the need to make sacrifices, but all lives are precious. Retired generals who haven’t been on the ground in who knows how long shouldn’t be able to make that decision.”
“I agree.” Chrom says. “I’ve already stated that I’d far rather have you at the lead of out war strategy than any of them. I’ve put my own life in your hands countless times, and you have yet to let me down.” He gives Robin an earnest smile. Robin can’t seem to take the full force of it, and looks hurriedly down at the ground.
“Of course I would handle your life with care.” He says, a little less tired. A little less frustrated. “Anyone would. It’s the people who don’t have your status that I worry about.”
“And that’s why I trust you more than anyone.” Chrom tells him. He says it with his whole heart, and it feels a little awkward. It’s not a lie, however.
Robin looks back up at him. His expression is blank, it makes Chrom feel even more awkward. There’s a light blush that shows Robins true feelings, though. Even more awkward. It makes Chroms cheeks feel warm as well.
“Well,” Chrom clears his throat. “That’s enough talk about war for now. We’re supposed to be relaxing.”
“That’s true.” Robin says, clearly wanting to change the topic as well. “I suppose there are other things to talk about.” He looks at Chrom, as to signal him to bring force another topic.
Chrom, however, cannot think of anything that isn’t work related. He could talk about his crowning, but it weighs heavy on him. Even talking about the festivities feels grim when its connected so intricately to his recent failures.
He can feel his exhaustion weighing him down.
“Ah, here we are.” Thankfully, they have reached their destination.
The palace’s usual white walls made way to an opening of windows, with white marble columns being seen outside supporting the large patio. Two of the windows had handles on them, signaling that they were the doors out. Chrom grabbed one of the handles and pulled it open. He stepped out of the way, holding the door for Robin, and took a small bow. “After you, my kind tactician.”
Robin rolled his eyes but smiled all the same at Chroms jest. “How kind of his Royal Highness.” He stepped outside, and Chrom followed.
It had been quite a while since Chrom had been inside the palace garden. It was as intricate as it was simplistic. A perfectly mowed lawn was the foundation for a circle of flowers and hedges that hugged at a fountain. The mold of the greenery, as well as the gaps in between it and the next set of foliage, had it resemble the Brand of the Exalt.
The chosen flowers for the Brand stood out from the rest on the side of the lawn. Instead of vibrant colors of whichever flower for the season, they were perfectly white. Chrom wasn’t quite sure of what kind of flower they were though, he never had much interest in them.
“Poppies are a nice choice.” Robin comments upon seeing them. “They represent peace. I’m guessing that was intentional.”
Chrom chuckles. “You know everything, don’t you?”
Robin shrugs nonchalantly. “I read a lot, is all.”
“I thought you only read about war and war tactics.”
Robin huffs indignantly. “Are you not the one who said I should do something other than work?”
Chrom quirks an eyebrow and smirks. “And so you’ve picked up a hobby in gardening?”
“That’s the last time I tell you anything.” Robin huffs, a blush peppering his cheeks. He’s smiling, though.
“I’m sure you won’t.” Chrom chuckles. He puts an arm on Robins lower back. “Why don’t we sit by the fountain?” For a moment, Robin looks caught off guard. He quickly cools his expression though, and nods at Chrom’s suggestion.
He guides him across the path towards the fountain, where a marble bench lays center of it. Instead of the poppies that made up the rest of the Brand, the flowers at either side of it were white roses. They were at Emmeryn’s request.
Truthfully, Chrom would consider his late sister a romantic. She wanted the garden to be vibrant and something for love to blossom in. If she had her way, the garden would be quite a different display. Unfortunately, tradition was upheld by the groundskeepers, even against the request of their Exalt. She was allowed for the vibrant flowers that surrounded the garden itself, and was allowed to place the white roses. He never saw her bring a man into the garden, but now that he’s a little older, he has his suspicions about the women she would bring here.
Robin sits first, and sighs as he does. “Quite honestly, I can’t believe you’re able to manage ruling over an entire kingdom. I can’t imagine the pressure.” He looks up at Chrom.
There’s something about the sight after having recollect about Emmeryn’s romantic escapades that makes him feel a little off balance. “It certainly isn’t easy.” He manages to say, and sits down next to his tactician. “It’s only been a month, and there’s already so much paperwork. That isn’t even to deal with the ceremony, and it’s nothing I can pass down to my advisors and secretaries.”
He looks up at the sky. A cool breeze blesses his face, and the thin white clouds that pepper the sky show no thread of ruining his time outside. “It’s the reason I never wanted to rule. Emmeryn was better suited for managing the kingdom, anyways. I planned on becoming a military general, mainly exploring the outer part of the realm.” Chrom centers himself back onto the earth, looking at Robin. “Things don’t always work out as planned though.” He gives his friend a half hearted grin, who gives him one in return.
“No, they don’t.” Robin admits. “But I think you will become a fine ruler. You’re a little naive,” Chrom chuckles, and Robin pauses to squint and give him a small frown. “But, you know how to bring comfort to people. You’ve been incredible with the shepherds, and have been leading them through something unimaginable.” Robins smile returns to his face. “I don’t think anyone can inspire people like you can, Chrom.”
Chrom’s heart does a flip. He isn’t sure how to respond to that, suddenly feeling very shy. He chuckles, and rubs the back of his neck with one hand. “I don’t know about that. You seem to have a pretty strange idea of what constitutes a good leader.”
“You’re certainly a better one than I could ever be.” Robin remarks. “I’m no good with people. It’s hard to think of what to say, how to say it properly.” He pauses. “Sometimes if you do say the right thing, they still won’t listen. Honestly, it’s obnoxious.”
“When it comes to the good of everyone, and how to execute your plans, there’s no one better than you.” Chrom interjects. “I think that’s a vital skill. One that I don’t have. I think in that aspect, you would be a far better ruler than I ever could be.”
“Then how about I rule with you?” The lilt in Robin’s voice sounds as though he’s teasing. “If we complement each other so well, maybe there’s a magic that can fuse us into one being.”
Chrom laughs at that, a good hearty one that he shakes his head to. “You say the weirdest things, you know.”
Robin seems proud of himself. Chrom assumes for getting a laugh out of him. It was his idea to come out here to escape such serious discussions, but it seems as though Robin is putting more effort than him to steer clear of anything too heavy.
“I wouldn’t mind you ruling with me. I would prefer it if you were at my side instead, though.”
Robin's face suddenly becomes unreadable, and Chrom feels as though he’s made a mistake. “Maybe,” he tries to think of something to get Robin to stop looking at him like that. “You could be one of my advisors? Only if you would like to stay by my side after all of this is said and done, of course.” He reassures the other. He doesn’t want Robin to feel as though he has any obligation to stay with him. He has his own goals to achieve.
Robin stares at him a moment longer. It looks like he’s summing up Chrom as if he were an enemy on the battlefield. Though he doesn’t look serious, he certainly is reading into Chroms intentions. Though Chrom isn’t quite sure what he is trying to find.
“I’ll consider it.” Is what Robin finally ends up responding with. “There’s still a lot I would like to do, and figure out about myself.” There’s a pause. “I don’t think I could ever leave your side for too long, though.” Robin’s cheeks turn a shade pinker. “I did take your offer to stay in the palace so that I could see you often. It hasn’t worked as well as I would have hoped, though.”
“I feel the same.” Chrom’s heart skips a beat, and he commends his own bravery. “It’s near impossible for us to have a moment together. I’m glad I was given the chance to seek you out today.”
An awkward silence lay between them after that. Robin wouldn’t meet Chrom’s gaze, and Chrom couldn’t help but feel fidgety. His palms felt sweaty, and his pulse was beating a little faster than usual. He wasn’t sure if he could sit like this for much longer.
“How about a stroll? No sense in just sitting here all day.” Before Robin has the chance to give him an answer, Chrom is on his feet. He reaches his hand out to his tactician, who looks a little surprised at the suddenness of it. A small smile curves its way to Robins face though, and he takes Chroms hand.
They walk side-by-side, the awkward energy from early being lifted. It’s a relief, and now it doesn’t feel as though there’s any need to lift the silence of the moment. Whenever they walk together, there’s usually a destination at the other side. Some pressing matter or another. Though it’s a familiar feeling to be at Robin’s side, it feels equally as foreign.
“The weather is perfect.” Robin comments, looking up at the sky. It’s mid-spring, and there’s a gentle breeze to complement the warm weather. No clouds linger in the sky, and birds can be heard chirping in the trees and hedges that surround them.
“It was about this time of year when we first met.” Chrom comments. “At first, I really did believe you were just sleeping on the ground. I couldn’t blame you, considering how nice it felt that day.”
“Did you really?” Robin asked, sounding exasperated.
“I did. It was actually Lissa who realized that it was more than that. She wanted us to take you back with us and have you looked at.” The look Robin gave him felt like he just admitted to something that he probably shouldn’t have.
“Who would have thought!” Robin remarked, almost as if biting out a laugh. “I vaguely remember Lissa worrying over me when I woke up. I just imagined that you had been the one taking action to help me.”
Chrom shrugged and gave him an apologetic smile. Robin looked at him in feign-surprise.
“I think my opinion of you has changed somewhat.” Is what Robin tells him next.
“And how is that?” Chrom asks teasingly. Robin gives him a look that seems to resemble a pout a little too much.
“I think Ylisse might be in danger with an Exalt as clueless as you.” Robin huffs. It isn’t the worst insult Robin has lashed out, so Chrom takes the hit with stride.
“No one said I was perfect.” He replies with a chuckle.
“That’s quite the thing to not be good at!” Robin retorts. “What if I had been a poor merchant who had gotten attacked by bandits?”
“You looked fine.” Chrom waved him off, a little jokingly. Robin gave an exasperated laugh and shoved his arm.
“Well let’s just be grateful that it was you who found me.” Robin ends with. “Though, I wonder how life could have been if it were someone else who had woken me.”
“Probably bad. There wasn’t much out in those fields, and it was bandits that we ended up stumbling across not too long after.” Chrom can only imagine the problems it would have caused if Robin had been taken in by them instead. Their bandit problem definitely would have been a lot less manageable.
“You can’t be certain of that. What if I had been taken in by a baker? Instead of fighting in a war, I could have lived life peacefully.” Robin didn’t sound very serious, but something did strike in Chrom’s chest. What had happened if that had been their reality?
“We surely would have lost the war then.” Chrom says, though he feels more. “With word of a baker who can’t bake, I’m sure it wouldn’t have been too long before I had come across your bakery.”
“Who’s to say I wouldn’t know how to bake!” Robin objects.
“You certainly can’t right now.” Chrom tosses back.
“You don’t believe in the skills of my teacher?” It’s ridiculous how defensive Robin is of the hypothetical, but it is a little funny.
“I don’t believe someone who can burn soup has much of a chance at becoming a fine baker.”
Robin gives him a terrifying look. “That was months ago! I’ll leave right now and begin my baking apprenticeship. I’ll be the finest baker in the realm.”
Chrom can’t help but laugh. “You would truly leave me to prove a point like that?”
“I would.” Robin sounds dead serious, and for a second it scares Chrom. “Not.” Robin sighs. “But I will be sure to make you eat those words. Quite literally.”
“No matter how high my expectations are for you, you always exceed them.” Chrom tells him. “So I’ll be looking forward to it.”
Chrom spots a faint blush appear on Robin's face. “You’re too much.” Robin says. His words feel light, and there’s no malice behind them.
Their conversation comes to a lull after that, though they continue their stroll. There’s something in the air surrounding them, but it’s far from unpleasant. Chrom feels as though he could bask in it for hours. His steps are light, and his chest feels warm. It’s the first time in weeks that he’s felt so pleasant.
After a few moments have passed, Chrom sneaks a look over at Robin. He looks exhausted. The bags under his eyes are prominent, and he notices that his gaze looks a little distant. He wonders if Robin has been taking care of himself at all. Knowing him, probably not.
They’re coming up on one of Chrom’s favorite places in the garden. It’s a tree, only slightly larger than those surrounding it. The foliage is positioned in a way that leaves just a sliver of sunshine open in an area comfortable enough to sit at. Pink peach blossoms have bloomed, with the fruit on the trees beginning to ripen. Chrom would often sit here after training in the early spring months to relax and have a snack.
He grabs Robin's hand and guides him off the path they’re walking, over to the tree. Robin looks incredulous, but doesn’t ask. “I think some of these are ripe enough to eat now.” Chrom tells him. He looks around the lower branches and sure enough, finds a peach that has just reached maturity. He plucks it and offers it to Robin.
“I’m okay, thanks.” Robin rejects it. Chrom shrugs and bits into it himself. “Sit with me, then.” He tells him, and plops down underneath the tree.
Robin obliges and takes a seat next to him. They’re positioned so that they both share the sunlight peeking through. Chrom takes another bite of the peach, its sweet flesh marking this moment as one that he won’t soon forget. How nostalgic he’s felt today, and yet how new each feeling has felt to him.
“If you’re tired, I don’t mind you resting.” Chrom says after a moment.
He doesn’t get a response at first, but after a minute Robin replies to him. “It’s tempting, but I should get back to work soon.”
“Nonsense. If I was able to clear my day, then I’m sure you can take a break as well.”
“Fair.” Robin mutters. There’s another beat of silence. “Would you mind too much?”
“Am I not the one who suggested it?” Chrom asks him.
He feels Robin lean his head on his shoulder before he can process seeing it happen. A blush spreads on Chrom’s face from ear to ear, then makes its way down his neck. Robin lets out a sigh, but not one he’s heard from him yet. Chrom’s heart beats a mile a minute, and he can’t bring himself to take another bite out of the peach he holds in his hand.
It feels like an eternity has passed once he hears Robin's breathing slow. Chrom isn’t sure what to do with himself, but the last thing he wants to do is get up. He decides to close his eyes and take in a deep breath. He soaks in the warmth of another body next to his, and how peaceful his tactician's slumber sounds.
Listening to the rhythmical sound of Robin's breathing, mixed with the gentle warmth of the spring sun shining down, leaves him in a sleepy daze. The world feels as though it’s shifting, but not in a way that makes him feel dizzy. He isn’t sure how to place it, but it’s gentle and loving. Nothing that he’s ever felt before. His face still feels too warm, but slowly his body settles.
He doesn’t feel as though he’s out for longer when his mind stirs back awake. The sun has only shifted somewhat in the sky, and the temperature hasn’t dipped. Robin still sleeps on his shoulder, though.
Something stirs in Chrom’s mind, and before it becomes a solid thought, his body is already putting it into motion. Carefully, he eases his friend's body to rest on his thighs instead, laying down instead of having to sit up against the tree. Robin doesn’t awaken, but stirs to adjust to the new position. There’s regret in the decision, as Chrom again becomes flustered. But being able to see how peaceful Robin is sleeping makes him feel as though he’s made a good decision.
Is it creepy to watch Robin sleep? But who is there to judge Chrom for watching him? Naga, perhaps, if she even cares about such things. He doesn’t seem to care all too much, and feels brave enough that he runs a hand through Robin's hair. He’s not sure what has gotten into himself today, but he isn’t going to question it either.
Blossoms from the tree make their descent, scattering all around them. Chrom picks ones still fully intact that sit close enough to grab. He busies himself with setting them in Robin's hair. He can’t even imagine how Robin would feel about him doing such things. Something tells him that Robin wouldn’t mind too much. He supposes he’ll find out when he awakens.
It doesn’t seem like that will be for quite a while. Robin looks at peace, and Chrom wouldn’t want to disturb him. It’s rare that they get to have moments like this, and it makes Chrom think back to their earlier conversation.
Had Chrom doomed Robin to a life bound to difficulties? What was his life before he had lost his memories? Was it one more peaceful, or one that was equally as difficult? Would Robin ever want to go back, if he did recover his memories? Does he yearn for a simpler life, one not plagued by war and hardship?
Chrom does as well, he wouldn’t blame his friend for wishing such things. He hopes though, that he can provide Robin a happy enough life to stay by his side. It did not seem that Robin had any intent to leave him now, but the fear still bled into his heart.
Whatever their future may hold, and however Robin may choose to live, it mattered little in this moment. Chrom decided to push all his worries aside, and to just soak in what he had now.