Chapter Text
Chrom halted as those red eyes landed on him, pupils sharp and slitted. And then Robin went limp, eyes fluttering shut and going lax against the cold floor. All of the enemies they had been fighting had been consumed by that fog and were slaughtered. The minor explosions from each cloud made the structure around them tremble, dust falling from a ceiling holding thousands of pounds of weight.
Hands were on his shoulders, pulling him up as gently as they could manage without aggravating the deep gouge in his chest. The pain was barely felt with how much panic coursed through Chrom, seeing Robin down like that, bleeding from various cuts along his skin, face pale.
Validar grabbed his son, hauling him up into his arms. Aversa snatched that damned tome off the ground, ushering a stricken Validar out.
“We need to move, this place has a chance of coming down on us,” Aversa said, command laced deep into her words, taking charge. The room groaned around them, weight shifting. “Now!” She yelled, everyone bustling into action, helping injured friends make their escape. Frederick pulled Chrom along with an arm around his waist, whispering reassurances to him, helping him sidestep bloodied bodies.
Chrom kept trying to stop, turn and look at Robin, but Frederick kept him going with stern words. They haphazardly made their way out, Gaius leading with a limp, leaning on Virion. The archer had picked up one of the thief’s daggers, brandishing it on the one occasion they came across a lone Grimleal.
Chrom was half out of it with blood loss by the time they barged out of the front door of the building. The rest of the shepherds hurried to pull and lead them away from the building. Emmeryn descended upon them to begin healing what she could, Lissa and Maribelle at her side.
He was sure they were a sight to behold. Chrom with blood seeping into most of his tunic, Robin limp and pale, everyone bleeding, stumbling.
Emmeryn went to rest a hand against Robin’s forehead to heal him, only to reel back with a hiss. Validar made eye contact with the Exalt, eyes wide. She rested a hand against his arm, gaze careful, pulling him and Robin away from the group.
Chrom’s eyes fluttered, feeling faint for a moment. Lissa hurried over for him, stave glowing softly as magic weaved through Chrom’s wounds, stopping the bleeding and stitching flesh together as best she could. His body sagged suddenly against Frederick, absolutely exhausted. The knight called his name, shook him, but Chrom let himself slip into unconsciousness, unable to fight against the lull of rest.
-
Chrom’s eyes fluttered open, staring up at a beige sky. That… wasn’t right. Chrom blinked, groaning as he went to sit up. Hands pushed him back down, words scolding. Chrom’s ears felt fuzzy, not picking up on the words. A mop of blond hair, the cot under him.
He was in a healer’s tent. Chrom’s brow furrowed. He closed his eyes, hoping to ward off the fuzzy static in his ears. It took a few moments, Chrom finally coming to. And there Lissa was, giving him an earful.
“-it down! By the Goddess you just don’t listen! First you almost bleed out on me and now you’re trying to strain yourself after all my hard work helping you! I just can’t belie-“ Chrom smiled fondly, watching her flit around. She wiped his forehead down with a wet cloth, too distracted in her rant to focus on his expression.
He lifted an arm, shoulder tender from the healing slash across his chest, placing his hand heavily on her shoulder. She paused, looking down at him with wide eyes. She took a shaky breath.
“I was scared.” She said, lower lip trembling. Chrom smiled warmly, pulling her down for a hug.
“I’m okay,” He said softly, patting her back, “You stopped my bleeding and saved me.” She hugged him back with as much strength as she dared. And then panic coursed through Chrom.
“R-Robin, where is Robin.” He said, pulling her away from him as it suddenly got hard to breath. He remembered red eyes and that horrible mist.
“Relax, relax!” She said, patting his cheeks and holding his face, “He’s in a tent of his own. He was in rough shape and our staves weren’t working on him.” She explained. Chrom grabbed her wrists, holding on as he tried to measure his breathing, matching a rhythm she set.
And then he went to push himself up.
“Chrom!” Lissa yelled, indignant. She smacked his good shoulder, fuming, “When I say ‘rest, you need to be resting your tired body’ you need to listen to me!” She said, trying to shove him back down. Gods she was a lot stronger than Chrom gave her credit for.
“Lissa,” He said, voice desperate. She paused at his tone, “I need to see him, please.” Lissa stared, then frowned with a huff.
“Fine, but at least let me help you get there.”
-
It was bright out, and they were obviously still in Plegia, but Chrom wasn’t sure where exactly. Lissa hauled Chrom out of the cot, letting him lean on her, and they stumbled there way over to a secluded tent. The shepherds were bustling about, some greeting him excitedly as they went about with whatever they were doing, congratulating him on the success of their mission.
He responded as best he could, mind distracted on getting to his fellow Prince.
Lissa held the tent flap open, letting Chrom hobble in. Validar was sitting on a stool, holding his son’s hand. His eyes flickered up to them, gaze hard before he took them in and softened out, deflating in exhaustion.
They nodded at each other, and then Lissa stepped in.
“Is it alright if I check on him while I’m here, your Highness?” She asked, clasping her hands together. He gave a languid nod, and she bustled into working. Chrom watched her push down the thin blanket he was covered with, checking the cuts and bruises on him, tracing a hand gently down the back of his head.
“Better!” She said, looking pleased, “He’s looking so much better, healing fast.” She smiled. She laid a hand on his arm, grabbing a stave. The stave glowed gently.
“And he’s taking the healing better too, no longer rejecting it.” She said, smiling. Validar gave her an indulgent half-smile as her excited gaze met his tired one.
“You’ve done a wonderful job Princess. He’s even been able to comfortably wake up here and there,” Validar said, thumb still running gently over his son’s knuckles, “I trust you treated your brother to the same care over the day or so he’s been out?” He asked. It was clear that he was struggling a bit to make the small talk. He was probably more used to scathing politics and not a bubbly young princess.
Lissa sent a scowl Chrom’s way, and he lifted his hands in placation.
“I’ve been trying to, but Chrom isn’t as pleasant of a patient. He keeps trying to get up and do things, hence why he’s here.” She huffed, letting her hand wander searchingly over Robin’s arms for a moment. Still checking to make sure everything was fine, Chrom assumed.
Validar let out a weary laugh, the group falling into silence. Lissa, satisfied that Robin was alright, slipped out of the tent with a cheerful “buh-bye,” leaving the King and Princes. Validar stood from his stool, gesturing to it.
“Sit, Prince Chrom.” He said, and when Chrom tried to refuse he insisted. Chrom took the seat heavily, relief coursing through his shaking legs as he let them rest. They were quiet, watching Robin breath, in and out, in and out.
“I owe you, Prince Chrom,” Validar started, still watching his son, “You took a blow for him, one that may have been his end had he bled out from it.” The King said. He finally turned to look at Chrom, eyes sincere.
“I’m glad he has you. There is no one I would prefer for my son’s companion.” He said, voice soft and honest. Chrom’s breath caught. There was a difference between hearing that you boyfriend’s father approved and hearing it directly from the father.
“I-Thank you, King Validar.” Chrom bowed as best he could from his seat. Validar smiled, entertained by the awed look on Chrom’s face. Robin stirred and Chrom zeroed in on his shifting under the thin blanket he was tucked under.
Robin’s eyes fluttered open, brown meeting blue.
“Chrom…” He said, eyes wide, voice hoarse. Chrom looked his face over, entranced. He was awake, he was okay…
Validar hummed, patting Robin’s leg before slipping out of the tent himself. Robin slipped his hand out from under the blanket, reaching out for Chom. Chrom took the hand, his own shaking slightly. Robin gave him a squeeze, eyes crinkling as he smiled, wide and genuine.
He pulled at Chrom’s hand, dragging him down to embrace him. They held each other, breathing steadily, faces buried between each other’s neck and shoulder. Chrom could feel Robin’s breath, hot and steady on his skin.
“We should get married.” Robin said, breathless. Chrom froze.
“You mean that?” He asked, just as breathless. He felt Robin nod against him, felt him grip the Ylissean tighter.
“I do. I want us to stay together. I don’t want us leaving each other’s sides.” Chrom pulled back. Robin was flushed, and Chrom was sure he looked the same.
“Then yes. I’ll marry you, Robin.” He said, leaning in to give Robin a tender kiss. Robin returned the kiss, smiling against Chrom’s lips.
-
“Well, that was easy.” Emmeryn laughed to herself, sending an amused look Validar’s way. The King himself also had a soft smile on his face, looking content.
“That it was, Exalt.” He said, turning to her.
“I thought we’d have to wait ages for a proposal. Your Robin is quite something,” She said, leading Validar away from the tent where they had overheard the lovebirds twittering to one another, “What better way to seal our treaty and ensure our loved one’s happiness, don’t you think?”
“I do,” Validar said, thinking fondly of a woman with light hair, almost white, with a smile that had tilted Validar’s world. “They’re good for each other.”