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A Change Of Tactics	By : JLDavenport Category: +A through F > Fire Emblem (all) > Fire Emblem (all) Views: 90773 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I don't own any elements of Fire Emblem or it's characters. I make no money from this.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Olivia – A New Dance
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Authors Note: Rumours of this story’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
First off, sorry for anyone who enjoyed this and was waiting for so long. I never intended to have such a delay. I won’t bore you with the details, but if you’re wondering, then I guess it’s easiest just to know that a lot shifted in my work, I had to travel a lot, I didn’t have access to my computer…and then finally weeks later, when I did have time to write, a number of personal and professional crises hit at once. Not an excuse, just an explanation. Things are a lot better now, so it’s all.
And then of course, being me, this chapter ended up twice the length I intended. A lot of extra scenes added to really bring out the Robin/Olivia feelings I wanted.
You can tell me if it worked or not, but this chapter should read much closer to something like a (semi) sweet love story than the previous few. Lucina was aiming for heartfelt, Tharja for passionate and Lissa for nostalgic, so this should be a little more classical.
I will note, all the characters portrayed here are favourites of mine. I am not bashing any of them. They’re all people, they’re all flawed, they’re all at fault. Please don’t read it any other way.
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Olivia came to him by chance but when he made her his, she would never again leave his side.
In all her dancing, all her dreams and all her yearnings, there was only one thing she ever truly sought- and perhaps it was he that was the only one who could have ever given it to her.
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Five Years Ago
'Not good.' Robin grimaced backing warily away from the bandits ahead of him, sword held limply at his side as blood trickled thick down his arm.
Eyes tracking back and forth between the three men, his mind raced desperately for a means of escape. 'Godsdamnit!' He shouldn't have let himself get into this situation! He had expected them to reinforce the west, but he hadn't imagined an enemy mage would manage to destroy the so much of the terrain around him, effectively cutting him off from his allies.
And now, too far forward, too far from help and with his arm deadened from a lucky strike, he had no means to defend himself. His magic was as sealed as his swordsmanship.
'As sealed as my fate.' He concluded, scowling angrily his threatening visage at least managed to ward the men off for another moment- they'd seen enough bodies of their comrades already from his hand and were in no hurry to make any mistakes in their revenge.
Time seemed to hang thick in the air with each shuffling step he took backwards, only his tightly held control kept him from giving in to the rising panic as cold sweat ran slick down his neck. Pushed to his limits and pulsing with adrenaline, his analysis ran into overdrive, calculating and analysing every twitch, every movement, watching every breath they took...and came to the same conclusion over and over again.
Stretched taunt, time slowed further still as Robin's heartbeat pulsed.
"HYAAAA!"
And all at once it snapped, the world suddenly rocketing forward at a breakneck pace as the foremost bandit leapt towards him with a frenzied yell!
Barely able to move his arm and unwilling to look away from his fate, Robin could only stare.
"Hng!"
A blur of movement, a flash of steel and it was over.
The bandit slumped to the ground.
"Wha!?"
Stumbling backwards, Robin's foot slipped on some loose rocks, sending him crashing towards the ground. And all he could see was a long blue cloak.
"L-Lon'qu!"
Looking over his shoulder without a word, the swordsman offered only an almost imperceptible nod before turning back to the remaining opponents, flicking the blood from his sword with deadly intent and striding forward with all the confidence of a wolf hunting lambs.
"I-I" Too shocked to even breathe, Robin could only watch. "Naga."
It was over in less than a moment. And barely a moment later, he was clasping tight to the man's hand and pulled to his feet.
"Gods." A million warring emotions rose in his chest. "You, you saved me! Thank you."
"Hnh." Lon'qu just barely smiled. "That is my role after all."
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Two Years Ago
Lon'qu hated flyers.
Pegasus Knights, Gryphon Riders, Falcon Knights, even Wyvern Riders. They were all the same. He'd trained his entire life to face a man directly and defeat him through superior skill, to look your opponent in the eyes as you took his life.
Even mages or archers were more honourable, they held an advantage over him only so long as they could keep him at bay, to fight one was to fight a battle decided by agility, speed and endurance.
But flyers didn't even allow such comparison, preferring simply to sit at range of him, throwing axes, spears or magic and retreating as soon as any engagement turned against them.
It was a cowardly way to fight. It went against everything he stood for, everything he knew and believed in. Unfortunately…it was also very effective. It was one of the main reasons that despite its miniscule military presence Ylisse still retained its position as one of the world's pre-eminent military powers.
And, it was also the reason he was in so much trouble right now.
'Hng.' He grunted, forcing himself to ignore the pain from multiple hand-axe lacerations running down his body. 'Is this to be my fate?'
Five such flyers, Wyvern Riders, flew above him, slowly circling him, darting in and out only close enough to harass him with projectiles. Having no means to fight back after being caught out like this, he'd intended to retreat- a galling, but necessary strategy. Unfortunately, now slowly encircling him from behind was a small contingent of Valmese soldiers. They weren't anything that would normally threaten a fighter of his calibre, but were far more than he could deal with while wounded and being hunted by Wyverns.
'This is not how I wanted to die.' What a waste. There would be no honour and little dignity.
Lon'qu hated flyers.
So be it. There wasn't any point putting off the inevitable. "Come then!" He roared a challenge towards the startled infantry, "Valmese dogs! Come fig-"
The world suddenly turned white.
*KRAKHOOM*
A bellowing crackle followed half an instant later, like the roar of an angry God, it forced to silence all other sound.
'What in the?' Blinking his vision back, he turned slowly, following the terrified gaze of the soldiers, past him…
...To where ten charred bodies, both mounts and riders, were dropping lifeless from the air.
"Lon'qu!"
It was only then that he noticed the Shepherd's tactician barrelling towards him. Stowing his spell book back in that signature cloak of his, the man's face was red with exhaustion long before he even reached Lon'qu's side. "Made it in time!" He cheered, sucking in a deep breath and trying to shake off the after-effects of casting a spell of such magnitude.
Unsheathing his sword with a relieved sigh, Robin breathed a little easier, aside from a few lacerations across his chest, the swordsman didn't seem to be seriously wounded.
"Hnh." Lon'qu snorted with a wry grin. "Not half bad."
"And now." Robin answered, levelling his breathing and taking up a position at the swordsman's side. "Time to tip the scales!"
A stoic swordsman and an outgoing tactician. Even accounting for the incredible diversity among the Shepherds, they were two very disparate personalities. And yet, despite their differences, Robin knew, as well as he knew anything, that they made a great team. Willing to risk their lives without hesitation or jump into danger without notice, it was the same truth he'd told Chrom on the boats to Valm - they were more than allies, more than friends. They were comrades.
They trusted each other.
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The bar hummed with life, cheers, yells and all the sounds of general revelry.
Rotating his half empty mug between his hands, Robin purposefully tuned it out, deliberately kept both his eyes and thoughts strictly controlled. "So, Kjelle's staying up north then, in Ferox?" He asked, pushing all his focus on the friends next to him, their conversation acting as the necessary anchor to maintain his calm façade. "Are you okay with that?"
"Well…we worry for her, of course." Stahl answered after a quick glance towards his wife and a moment's hesitation. "We wish she'd stuck around of course. But, if that's what she wants, if it makes her happy th-"
"Phah!" Sully cut in, her face twisted into a frustrated frown. "It's all a load of bunk!"
Punctuating her declaration by chugging a large swig from her mug, she slammed it onto the counter with a resounding thunk, "She says she wants to get stronger, but what's she gonna learn sloughing through some muck and snow!? She's just doing petty mercenary work! I even told her, if she wanted training I'd be more than happy to drill my foot up her ass!"
Grinning at his friend's words, Robin shook his head, he knew Sully well enough to see through her bravado, she'd been just as anxious as her husband to hear news of their daughter when Owain ahd returned from Regna Ferox.
"Well, at least she's been staying in touch, er-when she can." Stahl offered with a placating smile. "Anyway, it's just a matter of-"
"Gahahaha!" Gregor's booming laughter drowned out whatever the green knight had meant to say, as the big man staggered drunkenly over to their table, depositing an armload more beer mugs with a hearty smile. "Come friends! Drink! Drink! Our comrade is being returned, is time to celebrate!"
"Ha-Haa!" Sully cheered, already scooping up another flagon and raising it in toast to the mercenary's already retreating back. "Damn straight!"
"Haha, yeah!" Stahl agreed, drawn into the happy atmosphere as he slammed his own tankard against hers.
Throwing back the last of his drink to hide his grimace, Robin's fingers were clenched hard enough to dig shallow grooves into the thick wood.
Swallowing heavily, his eyes had moved past the laughing mercenary before he could even think to stop himself. Towards to opposite end of the bar, where Gregor's words had given him an unavoidable reminder of just why they had gotten together tonight.
Lon'qu.
Slouching comfortably against a wall in the far corner of the bar and surrounded by a handful of other Shepherds, the swordsman had returned with his son from Regna Ferox just yesterday morning. All things considered, he had only been gone for a few months, not an excessively long period of time, but he was a Shepherd and a friend, they'd all missed him. And, of course, Gregor was never a man to turn down the opportunity for a celebration- especially these days it seemed.
Jerking his gaze away from the man with a wince, Robin dropped his eyes to the empty mug between his hands, his face burning red with the memories he'd been trying to supress.
'I slept with his wife.'
Stomach clenching tight at the thought, he managed to disguise his clenched teeth only by hurriedly grabbing a new tankard and downing more of the bitter ale.
Lon'qu was a friend. A trusted companion. He'd been integral in numerous of the Shepherds strategies, Robin couldn't even begin to count the number of times they'd saved each other's lives. And now he could barely even bear to look at the man.
'Gods.' With his tightly held concentration lost and the first thought having broken through, nothing could distract Robin from his guilt now. 'Naga, the things I said!'
You're mine. His face blazed ret hot at that memory, the words he'd spoken seared vividly into his mind. It was all he could think of. How confidently he'd declared it. How arrogantly he'd promised it... How easily he'd claimed his friend's wife.
'It was the adrenaline.' He offered himself the weak excuse. 'I just, I got so worked up.' That at least was partially true.
The excitement, the rush, had certainly surprised him. Even with the experience he'd gained dealing with his new instincts, it had hit him far harder than he'd ever expected- like a snowball rolling down a mountain, he could see now that the instant he'd arrived at Emmeryn's memorial he'd set himself on a course he could never have stopped.
Just weeks ago it would have been unthinkable, what he'd said, what he'd done… None of it was like him! None of it was how he was! It was as if he had some split personality, as if he was losing control to some insidious voice inside his mind, a demon whispering in his ear!
Shutting his eyes, Robin sagged forwards at the thought. 'Perhaps that at least would be understandable. A spell or a curse I could blame.'
He knew better. Everything was exactly as Tharja had said it would be, it had all been his decision. Every step and every act had all been part of a plan he'd made calmly and executed thoroughly.
'It was just like back then…back in the war.' Planning an impossible strategy, moving the pieces into the perfect position, striking in such a way that no-one but he ever knew just how much he'd guided his opponents movements. The feeling of it, of being in control like that, it had taken him back, back to the days when that had been his life, when every battle was a gamble and he'd weighed his very life on his tactics.
…But then, was it really a surprise it should feel so similar? Was this really so different? If he was caught, if his plans failed, did he stand to lose any less now than then? Was losing Lucina and Morgan any different to losing his life?
I love you. Lissa's words echoed around his mind once more and this time when his eyes flicked up to the swordsman's happy face, to the sight of him drinking contentedly with his friends, all he could think of was the feeling of the younger-princess's body pressed tight against him, the touch of her lips against his, her breath hot against his neck…
…The look in her eyes as she'd begged him to fuck her.
Half groaning, half sighing, Robin looked to the ceiling at that memory. That was the crux of it, that was what everything came back to.
They'd made love half the night but by the time he woke in the morning, she was already gone- just as he'd known she would be. Neither of them had said a single word about it since and for the first time in their shared history it had been only Emmeryn's day itself that they'd spent in each other's arms. If that was the end of it, if it was just for that day, for all it meant to her and for their past together…then perhaps it could be forgivable.
But he knew now, in this dingy bar, just the same as he'd known when she'd pledged herself to him in his arms. She would return. The moment her resolve wavered, the moment she missed his touch and his words, she would come to him. Because of him, because of the way he'd spoken to her, the way he'd reminded her of their past. He had exploited her weaknesses and in return she had given herself utterly to him. There was no going back, as much as the words burned him, he knew they were true, Lissa was his now.
Exactly as he'd planned.
'Naga, is this the man I am now?' A quiet voice inside his mind needled at him. 'Is this the man I want to be?'
The answer came instantly and with a spike of anger. 'Yes godsdamnit! If this is the man I have to be, for Lucina and for Morgan, then yes!' He'd made up his mind long ago, he'd already damned himself with the path he was walking down, there was no purpose in berating himself further. 'No matter what. No matter how. I will protect them. I will keep them happy.' If he had to lie, if he had to scheme, if he had to cheat. So be it.
Shaking himself from the unpleasant thoughts, Robin fought back some composure, laughing to himself a moment later when he saw both Sully and Stahl had already moved on and left him behind. That wasn't anything too surprising, all the Shepherds were used to their tactician sometimes going off into a world of his own, lost in plans or strategies they couldn't hope to understand and he doubted either of them had even given it a second thought. 'Still, I do need to act normally.' He cautioned himself, remembering that he'd been very visible the other day, holding Lissa at the memorial. Everyone knew about their friendship, there wasn't anything suspicious about that act in itself, all the same, he couldn't allow himself to be seen seeming awkward around Lon'qu now.
Turning and seeing Chrom was already cornered by Vaike and Owain (and that he was currently trying to convince both of them he wasn't about to "chug" his beer, regardless of their goading) Robin looked around for someone else to integrate himself with. Mulling it over in the moment, he actually found himself wishing Tharja had followed along for some company, unfortunately after extracting a promise that he would spend time with her tomorrow, she'd secluded herself in her room as normal.
Likewise, there wasn't any hope to spend any time with Lucina. The princess wasn't much of a drinker to begin with, so she'd simply bid her uncle a welcome return and left them be. Unfortunately, the same was also true for most of the other female Shepherds- as expected of Gregor having dragged them to a bar in the far south side of town, the night had rapidly turned into something of a "boys night."
Still, despite the awkwardness of the night, it was good to see Gregor around, the mercenary had drifted away from the other Shepherds a little following the war. From what he'd heard, almost everyone had joined in with the celebrations in the capital after Robin's sacrifice and the final death of Grima. But then, while the rest of the army had soon turned their focus towards rebuilding their lives, for Gregor the revelry had simply never stopped. Then, predictably, as the weeks had turned into months, more and more of the Shepherds left the man's side, even the few who could or would keep up with his appetite were called away to their own duties…or in Vaike's case, were called away by fear of an angry wife who would sic her beloved wyvern on him if he even considered trying such a lifestyle.
And so, their company had slowly been replaced with like-minded people, a new group of friends- mostly mercenaries or ex-soldiers, all living for the moment and all drowning themselves in gambling, booze and momentary pleasures, just the same as him. It was a single-minded lifestyle, and one that seemed to have only intensified upon learning of their tactician's safe return, the news blowing away any last lingering dark clouds from the war.
'Well, it's not like they're bad people.' He reminded himself, he even recognised a few faces from during the various campaigns. Anyway, it was hardly his business how Gregor conducted himself in his free time. 'Olivia's obviously surprisingly easy-going though.' He chuckled to himself as he watched the old swordsman throw a whole bag of coins towards a pair of busty waitresses before scooping up another armful of drinks, from the gossip he'd heard bandied around, the man hadn't been home so far this week. Olivia had always been a rather reticent girl, but that was accommodating even for her.
"Wow," He commented aloud, spotting an opening and sidling himself up to the bar alongside a rough looking woman he'd seen hanging around a few times before. "He's certainly in a good mood tonight, isn't he?"
"What, old man Gregor?" She laughed, flashing him an aggressive grin as she did so, her features only exaggerated by the rough scar running the length of her face. "He's always like this!"
"What?" Robin balked, spinning to face her. "Always?"
"'Course!" She declared, taking a moment to drain the last of her mug before slamming it full force onto the counter. "Don't you know? He's rich! Praise to the Exalt! Hah, wish he'd shake some of that gold my way too though!"
'That's…but that doesn't make any sense.' Robin frowned. Of course Chrom paid Gregor a stipend in reward for his work with the Shepherds, just the same as the rest of their team. But, Chrom hadn't been the one to write up the forms, nor the one who balanced the books. These days Robin oversaw almost the entirety of the Halidom's finances, he knew exactly how much money Gregor was drawing from the crown. 'I suppose there's Olivia's money too, and his injury pay.' As a combination of his age, courage and position on their front lines, Gregor's injury pay was a lot higher than most of the other Shepherds.
"No way..." He concluded aloud, even only looking at the money he'd seen flowing across the bar tonight, the old mercenary had already spent more than a week's stipend! "He's been, he's been living like this for almost a year!?"
"Hah!" The woman beside him roared with laughter again, "Wouldn't expect you to understand, that's the life of a mercenary! We work till we've got money, then we LIVE till it's gone! Isn't that right, old man!?"
"Is right! Is right indeed!" Gregor bellowed, catching the tail end of her cry from across the bar. "Must enjoy life when you can, until you cannot! Ha-HA!"
"R-Right, right. I see." Robin backed down, conceding the point. It wasn't as if he'd heard any complaints about the man's spending from Inigo or Olivia, it was hardly his place to tell another man how to live his life. Especially not when he was only just barely in control of his own.
'They must have saved up quite a bit during the war.' He shrugged, waving a barmaid over for another drink. 'Or maybe he's just doing some mercenary work I haven't been told about.'
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It was a few hours later before Robin found a good enough excuse to let himself duck out of the premises, bidding his friends goodnight almost as soon as he saw Vaike had managed to goad Lon'qu into a drinking contest. He'd seen that story play out before and had no interest in being the one to drag an unconscious swordsman all the way back to the palace.
"I should head home…" He hummed aloud, stepping from the warmth of the tavern into the crisp night air. It was only a little past twilight, but knowing her personality, Lucina would most likely be sitting around worrying- all the while telling herself not to interfere- until he returned. Despite not having any plans with her tonight, he doubted Tharja would be waiting any more patiently.
"Hmm."
And yet, a strange restlessness struck him, stronger with each step he took towards the palace until he was stuck standing in place, his hands balled at his sides and teeth grinding against each other.
'I'm frustrated.' He realised finally. It wasn't even much of a surprise, the whole night had been difficult. Haunted by memories of his actions, he'd spent the entire time doing little but maintaining a weak façade of normality. Even the alcohol hadn't helped, he'd hoped to get a light buzz and ease the awkward feelings but no matter how much he downed he didn't feel a thing. Yet another side effect of all these changes no doubt.
It was a strange pain he felt now, a dull ache in his chest at feeling so estranged from his closest companions, to be working behind the backs of the people he cared so much for, hiding things from the people who'd given his life meaning. It was practically the antithesis of everything he'd fought so hard for, everything he believed in.
"Urgh!"
And now there was nothing to do but go home, to walk back to the palace and continue the same distasteful act he'd put on all evening. There wasn't a choice, he obviously couldn't tell Lucina about it, it was too soon to approach Lissa again and Tharja, for all her hidden kindness, was not good at sympathy.
'I'm not the victim here.' He scolded himself, trying to force his body to relax, 'I'm the perpetrator. I'm the one at fault.' He had no right to complain, not after what he'd done! And yet, even that knowledge did nothing to quell the frustration that ate at him. Not good. He couldn't return to the palace so obviously uneasy. As far as anyone knew, he should be in a great mood. His good friend was back home in Ylisstol, he needed to come home with a smile on his face...
Still, it wasn't late yet and he wasn't exactly in a hurry. 'Maybe I just need to clear my head.' Perhaps the night air could do what the alcohol couldn't.
This was hardly the nicest area of Ylisstol and definitely not somewhere he'd normally choose for a walk, but then, didn't that just mean he was much less likely to run into anyone he knew?
Turning with half a laugh, he set off once more.
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Regardless of his intentions, Robin's self-reflection lasted only a handful of blocks before he was jolted from his thoughts, his mind captivated the moment he caught sight of the woman ahead of him. Slender and graceful, she stood radiant and alone on the side of the road, yet as her body twisted and turned he could almost swear she was upon the grandest of stages.
'Wha?' Blinking rapidly as if to shake off a dream, still the vision didn't pass. Her movements were elegant, they were sublime, serpentine, ethereal and beautiful, somehow all at the same time. A singular vision of splendour that stood out among all that was drab and dull around her. Even as far away as he was, Robin was irresistibly enthralled in the performance.
Her posture shifted and his eyes slid down her long legs. She spun in place and he marvelled at the contours of her tight round ass. Her body swayed and his eyes tracked each gentle movement of her milky white hips. Her dance thrummed within him, somehow resonating with him in a way he hadn't felt in months…
Almost without realising he was doing so, he slowly stepped closer and closer, his eyes never once leaving sight of her. 'She's…that almost looks like-' The dancer spun in place once more, towards him this time, dipping low a moment to drag her hands along the ground before raising herself up.
Their eyes met.
Robin gaped, "O-Olivia!?" Even from this distance he couldn't possibly fail to recognise her, eyes wide with shock, he ran towards his old friend.
"R-R-R-Ro-Robin!?" The dance halted and the magic was instantly lifted. Covering her face, she practically shrieked his name, as much in fear as surprise. "Wh-Wha-What are you doing here!?"
"Olivia! It is you." He breathed, still almost unable to believe what he was seeing. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here!?"
In contrast to her occupation as a performer, Olivia had always been one of the shyest people he'd ever met, but looking at her now, her body shaking as she stood rooted to the spot, he couldn't even recall the last time he'd seen her so terrified. 'Naga! I'm surprised she hasn't run away!' He winced, not quite sure how to deal with the sight of a friend looking so distraught at seeing him. 'W-Wait…'
Only at that moment did Robin realise just why she'd stayed, his eyes following hers to a small box lying at his feet.
"Olivia…" He gasped, realisation of just what he was seeing almost knocking the wind out of him. This wasn't like one of those times one Shepherd or another had caught the shy dancer performing alone after sneaking away from the camp. "Y-You're dancing for change? You're dancing in the streets...for money?"
"N-N-No!" I-I,…tha-, it's not what it…"
"Olivia!" He interrupted, shock and anger both blazing hot through him as he stared at her shivering form. "You're a hero! You saved the world!" She'd been reduced to-to this? One of his brave companions was this desperate? He couldn't believe it! He didn't believe it!
"R-Robin! Stop! Please!" She begged, screwing her eyes shut and turning away from him. "You're embarrassing me!"
"Naga." He barely even acknowledging her panicked word, bending down to examine the box at his feet. "You're here, alone, this late at night…fo-for, Gods." There couldn't have been more than a handful of gold coins and barely more than twice that in silver pieces. Little more than a single meal. "You're risking yourself, for, for just this?"
She didn't answer.
"This is…" He swallowed the lump in his throat as more and more uncomfortable realisations hit him.
Olivia was among the best dancers he'd ever seen. Even for dancing anonymously in the streets, this was a pittance compared to her worth! If she performed in any of the nicer areas in Ylisstol she would earn thrice the amount without question...but she would be seen. By people she knew, or who lived in those areas, word would get around. 'Sh-She's hiding this.' He concluded numbly. Dressed in her usual alluring outfits and dancing alone in one of the more dangerous areas of the city, she couldn't possibly have made herself more of a target! All this, just to keep her actions quiet!?
"Olivia, what's going on?" Staring up at her, he hesitated only a moment, a mixture of shock and anger spurring him to ignore all politeness. "Do you need money?"
The words hung thick in the air, an icy chill running down his spine as he watched the horrified look on his friend's face when she finally turned back to him.
"N-N-No! No! Nooo!" She wailed, her hands clinging desperately to his cloak as she shook her head furiously. "N-No! You've, you've got it all wrong!"
Robin winced. In all the panicked distress he'd seen from her, he'd never seen her like this before, her eyes were begging him, desperate that he believe her.
"It's for, it's, it's for exposure!" She answered finally, dropping her gaze to the floor. "I, er- I just wanted, I needed to get my name out in, in Ylisstol a little more. So, I uh, I thought it'd be a good idea to just…to just show everyone."
Gods, he wanted that to be true. Robin loved the Shepherds like family, more than anything right now, he wanted to believe her. To laugh at a silly misunderstanding and to know that everything was fine. "During the day I could understand, but now? Here?"
"I-I don't usually stay out this late." She admitted awkwardly, "I just, it rained yesterday so I couldn't dance at all and I just…and I…" Her words trailed off as the desperate energy faded.
Shutting his eyes a moment, he forced himself to be calm. No matter how much he wanted to believe, he was a tactician. Tacticians didn't run from painful truths.
"Gregor was very generous tonight." He spoke softly, keeping his words as gentle as he could. "He was practically buying the whole bar drinks."
Dancers were expressive by nature and with her personality Olivia was even more so than most. Even if he hadn't been looking for it, he couldn't possibly have missed the fearful look in her eyes as he spoke. "O-Oh, good, good. I'm glad he's having fu-"
*Tchink* *Tchink* *Tchink*
Mouth falling open, Olivia's words died in her mouth, rooted in place she could only stare wide eyed as coin after coin dropped into her box, her own takings almost instantly hidden under a growing pile of gold, as each piece landed with a metallic clink.
"R-Robin! Wh-What are you, I can't just take your, s-stop! Stop! Robin!"
*Tchink* *Tchink* *Tchink*
He didn't answer, his eyes remained turned to the ground with a clear frown on his face, even as he upended his money pouch into her collections. An enchanted bag, common among the wealthy, able to remain the same size regardless of how much was stored in it, Robin didn't pause until he'd shaken it dry, more than two hundred gold coins easily filling her box.
"I'm glad, this lets me repay his generosity." He answered with a forced laugh.
"I, ah! I- Ro-Robin, please, I can't accep-"
"Olivia. It's late, let me take you back home." His words were quiet, but imploring. "Please."
Even at the best of times, she was never very good at arguing. "O-Okay." It wasn't as if she couldn't understand the danger of clearly showcasing such wealth in an area like this, no matter how competent she was at defending herself.
Breathing out a sigh as he watched her bend down and pick up the almost overloaded box, Robin finally smiled once more, shrugging off his cloak and holding it out to her. "Here."
"W-Wha? Robin!" She answered, forcing a glare towards the man this time as a spark of anger finally cut through her mortification. "I-I don't need to hide what I'm wearing! It's a traditional design! My own moth-"
This time it was a genuine, cheerful, laugh that interrupted her rant. The same soothing laugh she'd heard so many times with the Shepherds. "Peace, please, peace." He answered with a shake of his head. "I actually, I thought you might be cold."
"O-O-Oh…" Even she could barely hear herself as her face burned a blazing crimson again.
At least, she thought a few minutes later when she was wrapped up warmly in his cloak, the hood was perfect for hiding her embarrassment about this whole situation.
"Er, ah…Robin." Again her words were barely a whisper, only just managing to escape the long cowl and almost drowned out by the soft clink of the coins she was clutching tight to her chest.
"Hmm?"
"I ah…er, t-thank you."
His face dropped into a pained frown, but he didn't answer at first. Instead they simply walked in step together as he escorted her silently back towards her home.
"It's far less than you deserve." He sighed finally.
She didn't know how to answer that.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
By the time they arrived, seeing Olivia and Gregor's home for the first time wasn't a surprise, with what he'd already pieced together about the situation already it was almost exactly as he'd expected it. Squashed between a brewery and a church, she lived in a small apartment not far from where she'd been dancing. They weren't in the worst areas of the city, but it was far from how most of the other Shepherds lived.
Looking at the dilapidated walls and remembering her dreams of the grand theatre she'd wished to build was almost painful.
What did take Robin by surprise however, was that when they arrived she invited him in for tea.
'I suppose she wants to thank me for earlier?' He considered, shrugging his cloak back on and making his way to the kitchen while Olivia ducked into the adjoining bedroom to change. That happy thought lasted only a moment before the more realistic answer surfaced. 'She's going to beg me not to tell anyone.' Even now, he could practically hear her fretting through the thin walls.
By the time he pulled open the pantry to locate their tea leaves he'd guessed enough of it that the sight of the pathetically bare cupboard hit him with little more than numb acceptance.
'They could simply be out.' Apparently Gregor hadn't been home in some time, perhaps Olivia simply hadn't had time to get to the market recently.
'Gods.' Perhaps he could have believed that…if he wasn't standing in a kitchen almost devoid of personality, decorated only with cheap furniture and some minor trinkets from the war, if he hadn't been invited into a tiny flat worth a fraction of their combined stipend, if he hadn't seen tonight the excessive lifestyle Gregor lived…
…If he hadn't found a close friend dancing in the streets for change.
All lingering traces of his earlier frustrations were dispersed at that thought, a smouldering fire ignited within him in their place, his blood boiled and his thoughts raced out of control- a tactician's insight turning itself entirely to what he'd discovered, even as his body went automatically through the motions of gathering the tea and preparing the kettle.
The situation was obvious now. Unmistakable.
There wasn't any need to guess why. Despite her beauty, skill and ambitions, Olivia had always lacked terribly for any self-esteem, no matter how much praise the Shepherds had heaped on her over the years, she never truly believed it. When she and Gregor had fallen in love, he'd seen for himself just how fully she'd thrown herself into those feelings, how much it had meant to her to be a good companion, fiancé and finally wife.
No doubt Inigo's arrival had only exacerbated her resolve, having learned of the life he'd lived Olivia must have wanted to do anything possible to ensure that this time he would grow up in a happy, stable home. That she would make a happy family for them all, no matter what it took.
'Naga.' He winced, barely able to imagine what this situation must be doing to her. 'I don't think I've ever seen two people at such terrible cross purposes.'
Gregor believed in a life lived in the moment, in squeezing out all joy possible as long as you could. Robin knew the man loved his wife and son dearly, likely he wished them to join in the same pleasures as him. But Inigo was travelling with Brady and Olivia had never been one for social situations, so the mercenary was passing the time himself, without a single worry for the future- when their money ran out he would deal with it. But until then he saw no end to the merrymaking.
Meanwhile, Olivia was so resolute in making sure her husband was happy and in keeping a home for her son to return to that she was risking her life and body in the streets for whatever pittance she got- just to keep the dream going one more day.
Robin's fingers gripped tight around the countertop as his blood raced faster, more and more unstable thoughts filling him. 'It's hard to tell which of them is more ridiculous!' There was no doubt at all that Gregor was as oblivious to Olivia's deeds as everyone else, as he had been. He knew the man, he'd called him friend for almost five years now, if he knew his wife was in even the slightest danger or that his actions were troubling her like this, he'd stop them in a heartbeat. Hearing about any of this would break his heart!
But Olivia hadn't said a word.
Even now he could hear her pacing around their bedroom, hear the soft sounds of her murmuring aloud, working herself into a panic trying to figure out how to ask for his silence.
'I…I have to tell him.' Robin grimaced, his mind still reeling from the revelations. 'He'd want to know. He needs to know!' But...was that really to be his role? Was that right? To stick his nose into such intimately private business of his friends… 'No, I have to tell him.' The words rolled numbly through his brain.
"Tch." If only it were so easy.
Robin knew better than to believe it could ever possibly be that simple. Finances, betrayal and hurt feelings were all wrapped up tightly in this, even for all his insight as a tactician, he could only begin to guess at the possibilities that could spring up.
Olivia would of course know it was him that had exposed her. Almost certainly she would resent him, who was he to tell her how to support her family?
And, how would Gregor react? If he'd discovered this privately that would be one thing, but learning from someone else that his wife had taken such extreme measures to support his lifestyle…he would be shamed beyond words! Everytime they saw each other, Robin would be a walking reminder of Gregor's failings as a husband, of what depths the other man's wife had gone to.
'Naga, preserve me.' He turned his eyes to the ceiling in silent prayer, 'Is that the right thing to do?'
It had to be! It had to be Godsdamnit! Ever since his rebirth right and wrong had become muddied in far too many complicated feelings and half-truths, but surely this was right! At the very least he had to protect Olivia's life, her dignity!
'And…if it causes their marriage to end?'
As a tactician, he couldn't discount the possibility. At the very least telling Gregor would cause a shock, he would be stunned, hurt, he'd feel betrayed. Would either of them be able to trust the other again? Olivia's deception here could easily be the catalyst that drove them apart.
"Godsdamnit!" He swore aloud, his fingers digging a deep groove into the countertop as his mind spun. "No! If that happens then that's on her, she's the one tha-"
And then his thoughts were instantly struck dead as one final truth ran hot down Robin's spine. "She's the one who's doing exactly the same as me." Mouth open in a silent gasp, his words weren't even a whisper, lower than the sound of his suddenly rampaging heart, they still scorched instantly through his soul.
There was no point denying it.
Olivia was hiding the truth from the person she loved most, going behind his back and sacrificing her dignity for him. To ensure his happiness. To ensure the stability of her family.
"For Gregor and Inigo." She danced in the streets, fighting off rapists and muggers while risking exposure by their friends.
'For Lucina and Morgan.' He manipulated those he cared for into his bed, he had cheated on the woman he loved most and forsaken the man he'd wanted to be.
'No!' He clamped down on that thought immediately. 'It's not the same!' Even if it made him a hypocrite, even if they both came to hate him, even if it caused a wedge in their marriage! Olivia was a friend, a comrade, a Shepherd, he couldn't let her endanger herself. He'd dedicated his life to keeping his companions safe, he wasn't about to stop now!
'Except…'
Except that was far too simplistic.
The curse of knowledge. No matter how much he wanted to, no matter how much easier it would be, no matter how much his conscience wished for it, Robin knew better than to accept such easy "truths."
'Except, what if she wasn't in danger?'
His mind roared and his body reacted just the same, the fire inside him blazing into the same inferno he'd felt so many times before, every cell in his body turning towards one more truth, one final, unavoidable, realisation.
'Everyone can get what they want.'
Olivia wanted to protect and support her family. She wanted to keep her husband happy, to give him the lifestyle he wanted.
Gregor wanted his wife safe, but also to enjoy himself, to drink, to gamble, to live in the moment.
Robin wanted…he just wanted his friends to be happy, and their marriage to be stable of course. That's all he wished for.
Thoughts of Olivia's earlier dance ran across his mind again... Images of her soft, round ass swaying back and forth before him, of her luscious lips puckered into an alluring smile, of her generous bust, only barely hidden in the light silks she wore, bouncing and shaking with each turn and twist of her lithe body.
"Ha-haaa…" His breathing came faster as the images burned into his memories. His entire body enflamed as each sense expanded and every piece of his soul all begged him to make the same answer.
It was in that moment Robin saw again that two paths lay before him.
He could go to Gregor with what he knew, he could risk their happiness, gamble their friendship and hope that everything would be fine for the people he cared for.
Or…
'Everyone can get what they want.'
Gripping tight to the countertop, his fingers snapped right through the flimsy wood as his cock hardened rock solid beneath his cloak. It took everything Robin had just to still his breathing, to pull the excited grin back from his face.
By the time he stepped back into the main room, he had long since created a plan.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
'It's just Robin.' Olivia reminded herself, twisting her fingers nervously around the fabric of a much more modest dress as she stepped back out from her bedroom, to where the tactician was already waiting with two mugs of tea prepared.
'Just Robin.' She repeated, forcing a small smile to give herself strength as she desperately clung to the façade that everything was fine, that she wasn't panicking. 'B-Better it be Robin than anyone else!' Of all the Shepherds, of all her friends, Robin was the most calm, the most understanding, even she had never had the same difficulty talking to him she had with most of the others. If it had to be someone that saw her like that, then surely it was better him than anyone else!
She just needed to repeat her earlier words, that she just- she just needed exposure, that there wasn't anything he needed to tell anyone else.
Except… Her steps almost faltered a moment as she dropped gracefully into the chair across from him… Except you couldn't lie to Robin.
He was too smart, too perceptive and too gentle. Robin had a way of looking at you as if he could see right through you, as if he could see everything about you, everything you were and all that you weren't. As a friend it was a great comfort, the idea that someone could understand her, accept her, even when she couldn't find the words to talk to them…but she'd also seen the terror on the face of their enemies as they stood in front the Shepherd's tactician, as they saw that everything they'd tried to hide, every feint and bluff they made was already known to him. She'd seen countless veteran commanders and tacticians lose their composure to that calm gentle gaze.
Gulping heavily, she couldn't meet his eyes, her gaze almost boring a hole in the floor.
"Olivia."
"E-Eek!" Suddenly jolted from her thought, she almost jumped out of her skin! "I-ah, I ah, I mean…th-that is to say." She stammered, any thoughts already lost to the winds.
"Oh, sorry. I, ah, I didn't mean to startle you."
She blinked. His voice, it sounded so kind, so gentle...just like always. "Ah, I…I'm fine." Risking a glance upwards her heart almost melted from relief when she found herself staring into the same comforting smile Robin always wore. 'He's not…he's not mad anymore?' He'd seemed so shocked earlier, had she been worried for nothing?
"I, actually, first I owe you another apology." He cut himself off, looking surprisingly abashed. "For what I said before, I-that was rude of me. I was just surprised and worried I suppose. I wasn't expecting to see you like that."
He paused, searching for the right explanation and Olivia found her breath catching in her throat as she waited. "I know full well you can defend yourself and it's none of my business to be making assumptions about you like I did. So, er-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so cold, it really was just a surprise."
Almost fainting with relief, Olivia slumped happily back in her seat, her laughter entirely unforced. "Th-that's fine! It was a surprise to see you too! Gosh, I wasn't expecting it at all."
"You know though," Robin added, laughing along with her as he drank a tentative sip of the tea. "Seeing you dancing like that really brought back memories."
"O-Oh?"
"Yeah, Gods, I'd forgotten how long it's been since I last got to see you dance! I don't think I've seen it since the war really." Shaking his head in a rueful sigh, he did his best to appear wistful. "I missed it though, watching you like that. I remember back then, those long nights when my work got all too much for me, when I couldn't take it anymore and needed a break- I'd sneak out and just go see you."
"Y-You did?" She gaped. "I, I never even knew!"
'Probably because it never happened.' He admitted to himself, but continued regardless. "It really helped me back then, with everything that needed to be done and the strain of trying to keep everyone safe, it was…it was difficult. But sneaking away like that, even just seeing you dance for a few minutes, it always refreshed me. It kept me going."
"I, wow, I didn't, I never realised you were..." Olivia stammered, her face burning at the praise. "I try not to look at anyone who's watching…or, I just get too embarrassed."
"I know." He nodded, schooling his face to a calm seriousness once more. "But seeing you dance again tonight, it got me thinking. Olivia, I've got a proposition for you."
Jolting upright, she was wide eyed in surprise.
"My work, for Ylisse, lately it's been-it's been getting to me. The Halidom is stable at least, but there's still so much reformation work to do. The tax codes are almost a century old, some of our borders still haven't been recovered from the war, every few months one duke or another is threatening to withhold their obligations, never mind everything I have to do keeping the nobles in line, just in the court." He was exaggerating the effect, but there was no downplaying the scope of work required of him. Helping Chrom restore Ylisse meant almost everything to him, but it also often took almost everything he had.
"I could use your help again, your inspiration and motivation." He finished, his voice absolutely serious. "I want to hire you as my assistant."
"Wha…Me? Assistant!?" She gaped, trying to wrap her mind around a night of one revelation after another.
Even as surprised as she was, Olivia was no fool, with the situation they'd found themselves in tonight it only took her a moment to see the underside of Robin's kind words. 'It's pity job? Because I was in the Shepherds!?' She knew for sure that with his role at Chrom's side he could offer her whatever work he wanted on Ylisse's payroll.
The realisation hurt more than she expected, her heart had almost skipped a beat when he'd talked about her helping him...it ached to realise, he was just trying to spare her feelings. He thought she was useless. He was offering her a handout. It was mortifying to even think about! Even as timid as she was Olivia still had her pride, both as a dancer and a woman, a bolt of affronted anger flashed through her and she responded with as harsh a glare as she could manage. "Robin! That's, that's terrible! I can't just, I couldn't do that to Chrom! An-And I've never asked for an-"
"I'm not offering this as a favour." He interrupted smoothly, his calm words quashing her frenzy just the same as they always did. "I'm asking because I want your help. Your dancing always improved morale, it made us feel less tired, it brought the best out of everyone. You did that for us the entire time you were with the Shepherds, I'm asking you to do it once again, to help me help Ylisse."
Holding up a hand before she could speak, he continued. "I know it won't help you get more exposure, but you've seen my office. It's easily large enough for you to move around in and this way you'll be able to practice your steps in private, it'd give you a chance to perfect your routines, and then you can still go out and perform in your free time."
"I…I ah." She bit her lip, that offer alone was surprisingly tempting. With the small size of their home, she hadn't had anywhere she could practice her dancing privately in what felt like forever. Granted it wouldn't be true privacy, but then if it was Robin she guessed he'd probably be more focussed on his work than anything she was doing. Was he, was he actually serious? Could he truly mean this? "W-Would I really be able to help?"
"I definitely think so." He answered, his smile warm and inviting. "I said this isn't some favour I'm granting you and I'm not going to be pulling strings to make it happen, you won't be working for Chrom or Ylisse, at least not directly. You'll be working for me."
"F-For you?" She stammered, eyes wide.
"Exactly. I want to hire you, to help me, to be my assistant. You'll be helping me do my work better, faster. I can't ask Chrom to pay for that." Even despite the nature of their conversation, that at least was the absolute truth. Robin would never ask more from the Halidom than the minimum he could get by on, he owed far too much both to Chrom and Ylisse to ever take advantage of either.
Still, the money at least, wouldn't be a problem either way. With all the revisions he'd made to Ylisse's trade routes and income codes, Robin had made the Halidom richer than it had ever been. Despite his protests, Chrom had then repaid his tactician in turn. Money was not something he needed to worry about anymore.
"I'll pay you more than you're making right now, it'll be a stable income with fair hours." He finished, leaving unsaid the clear inference that she would no longer need to risk herself.
Squirming in place, Olivia hesitated.
He seemed so sincere…like he truly wanted her help. 'I, I could help everyone again.' It had been so long since anyone had needed her, had wanted her. More than anything else, that was what Olivia missed the most from her time in the Shepherds, the idea that her dancing could be more than just entertainment, that it could help people, that she could help people. It had taken a long time to accept, but it had been the most wonderful feeling in the world.
"I…"
A stable income. No more chasing off scary drunk men. A large room to dance in privacy...It all sounded too good, it had to be too good to be true! 'B-But, it's Robin.'
Beaming widely, it was with that realisation that Olivia finally relaxed.
"Of course! If, if you think I could help you, I'd love to!"
She could trust Robin.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
"Robin!" Lucina cried, leaping to her feet from where she'd been sitting restlessly on her bed. "What took you so long!? Father came back almost an hour ago! I thought you'd have come home with him, I was, I was starting to think something had ha-AIAH!?"
Her frantic rant was suddenly interrupted as her fiancé barrelled across the room, his hands moving instantly to her ass, yanking her into the air tight against him.
"W-Wha!?" Taken by surprise, it was only now she could see the heady lust-drunk look in her lovers eyes, his grin so wide with excitement it was almost predatory. As if there was any doubt against his intentions, Lucina could feel his cock pressed hard against her, the thick rod held roughly between her legs.
"We'll talk later." He answered, barely finishing the words before his lips crashed forcefully against hers.
She wasn't unaccustomed to this, it was hardly the first time Robin had come to her so aggressively…but, he hadn't done so in more than a week!
"Mmmaah!" She moaned in return, her body flaming hot with desire as she surrendered herself fully to him, her tongue meeting his in equally desperate lust.
She loved it when he was gentle with her, when he was kind, sweet and gentle, when he was everything she'd ever dreamed an ideal man could be...but Gods! It had been more than a week since he'd grabbed so roughly. More than a week since he'd thrown her onto her bed. More than a week since he'd held her down and just used her for his sexual pleasure. More than a week since he'd claimed her as his.
It felt like a lifetime. Gods she'd missed this!
The night passed any anything more Lucina may have tried to say was instead drowned out by the sound of her clothing being all but ripped from her body, then by her increasingly violent moans.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
On the first day she started something new.
After almost a whole night fretting over it, working for Robin turned out to be a lot less scary than Olivia had dreaded.
When she'd arrived first thing in the morning, he'd already been half buried under a stack of paperwork. They'd made small talk for a few minutes as he dragged his desk to the far end of the room, turning it to face the door so she could have as much space as possible but then he'd simply returned to his tasks, leaving her to her own devices.
No pressure, no expectations, no directions. It was exactly the kind of quiet, formless practice she'd been yearning for, for so long.
Even despite the somewhat awkward circumstances and lack of music, her body had begun moving almost immediately and as it did so, slowly the rest of the world had faded out. Enveloped in the freedom of the experience she didn't notice Robin, she didn't hear the sounds of the other Shepherds arriving to the barracks, nor did she even notice the passing of time around her. All that existed was this moment, all she felt wa-
"Huh? Olivia?"
Hurtled back to reality, she found herself suddenly staring directly into two piercing blue eyes.
"E-Eeeek!" Leaping away with a scream, Olivia just barely managed to steady herself from falling flat on the floor. "H-H-H-Wha?"
"Whoa!" Morgan laughed, bending over and offering a hand to the stunned dancer. "Are you okay? Er-Why were you dancing here?"
"I was- Uh, I-" Intellectually she'd known that at some point she would have to explain just what she was doing to the other Shepherds, but now, caught in the moment and completely taken off guard, her mind drew a blank.
"She's helping me out," Robin answered instead, walking over and gently easing his daughter away. "I've hired her to be my assistant."
"Oh, right. That mak-Wait, WHAT!?" Morgan spun in place, staring at the man in abject disbelief. "B-But, I thought I was your assistant! Did I do somethi-F-Father!?"
"No." Robin chuckled, reaching out and tousling the girl's hair. "You're my apprentice."
Unsurprisingly, the distinction didn't quite ease Morgan's fear of having been suddenly replaced. "Olivia's here to help me get my work done, to make things easier for me. So that…" He paused, holding his daughter's gaze with a deeply serious expression. "So that you never have to worry like you did the other day again."
She didn't quite know what he was referring to, but a clear moment passed between father and daughter and even as she looked on from the outside, watching Morgan's mouth draw into a small "O" as her entire face lit up in happiness filled Olivia with an equal amount of delight. There wasn't a single Shepherd who hadn't been charmed by the girl.
"Your role though, is even more important!" Robin declared stepping away with a laugh, "You're not just here helping me, you're meant to be learning from me. As my apprentice, I expect you to not just carry on my legacy, but to surpass it! You're to become a greater tactician than I can even dream of."
"R-Right! Right! Yeah! I will!" Morgan cheered in response, almost bouncing around the room as she got caught up in the man's momentum. "Although, hmmm…"
Once again Olivia found herself staring nervously into a pair of bright blue eyes.
"Uh, h-hi?" She gulped.
"So you're here to cheer Father up then? So he doesn't get all stressed and weird?"
"I-uh. Yes!" She nodded, finding that answer much more pleasant than describing herself so professionally as Robin's assistant. She was here to make him happy. "That's right. I'm here to help."
"It's not as if it's some secretive deal." Robin added, seated back behind his desk again. "You know my door's always open, anyone who needs a boost can come watch. Knowing her, I'm sure Olivia will attract plenty of attention just on her own."
"Hmmmmm." Morgan hummed again, continuing to pout even with the displeasure on her face having lifted. "I just think, if anyone's going to be cheering you up, it should be mother!"
In this at least, Lucina was entirely aware of Robin's actions. He'd explained to her exactly what he'd found and done last night- as soon as she'd recovered enough to understand it at least.
Still, he knew how wilful his daughter was and he needed to make this point absolutely clear, there could be no possible misinterpretation.
"Morgan." Leaning over his desk and steepling his chin on his hands, Robin drew both women's attention entirely to him, his voice deadly serious. "If you can convince your mother to come dance for me. You will have already surpassed me."
Of course, if Lucina was dancing for him, especially if she was doing so in one of Olivia's dancing uniforms, his "open door policy" would be cancelled so fast it would make her head spin. That was for his eyes only.
"I-I'll do it! Hey! Don't underestimate me, I could do that!"
"I can help!" Olivia laughed, finding herself easily able to join in the comfortable mood. "I can teach her some steps!"
"Alright!" She now clearly had Morgan's absolute approval. "We'll show you, for sure!"
Leaning backwards with a new breath, new audience or not, Olivia's body was in motion once more. How could it not be with the rush rising through her breast and the laugh on her lips? She'd almost forgotten this feeling, she was helping again.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
On the second day she began to understand a tactician's work.
"Oof, here you go." Olivia grunted, unloading the thick pile of files she'd collected from Morgan's office onto Robin's desk.
"Mmm, thanks." Robin answered with a small nod, not looking up as he pulled the top one open and spread it out.
"Wait," She blinked, "You're going to work on it? Now?"
"It needs to be done." He answered simply, his pencil already jotting down figures along the side of the file as he flicked past the first few pages of his daughter's notes.
"But then…" Olivia chewed her lip in confusion. "Why did you send Morgan home already?" And not only had he sent her away, he'd done it hours ago, in the early afternoon.
By now the evening was starting to set in, even the Shepherds who had been retained on military duty had long since left for the day. The only ones left were the two of them and she'd been about to head home herself when he'd asked her to collect the files for him.
"She's still young." Robin answered with surprisingly wistful sigh, his hands finally stopping as he leaned back with a small smile. "Far too young to be spending all her time behind a desk, buried under paperwork. She should be out, playing with her friends, causing trouble… And anyway, she's worked hard this week, she's done more than enough already."
"But then, what about you? A-Are you not going home?"
Just like the day before, she'd arrived first thing in the morning and Robin had already been there working before she'd even walked in the door.
She hadn't thought anything much of it yesterday when he'd stayed behind after dismissing her to head home. 'He said he was just going to finish up…' Looking now at the fresh pile of files on his desk, she doubted his words had been true.
But, surely he'd done enough already!
"It needs to be done." He repeated simply, turning back to the files.
"R-Robin! This is- are you not even going to eat?"
"Oh? Ah, right." Blinking up for a second, that question seemed to catch him by surprise. Chuckling he pulled his top drawer open and plucked up an apple from a small pile of food inside. "Tharja always makes sure I've got something lying around." He explained with a grin.
"Ro-"
"Olivia." He interrupted, still not looking at her. "It's fine, I won't be here much longer. You should be heading home already, you've done more than enough."
More than enough.
Frowning, Olivia's gaze turned almost automatically past the man, to the large plush bed in the far side of the room. She hadn't thought anything of it before, it had seemed out of place in an office surely, but she'd dismissed it as but a small token of opulence. After so much time spent among the Shepherds someone with a bed in their workplace hardly seemed like much of a quirk.
Looking now, to the ruffled sheets and well-worn pillows, she finally understood.
It was easy to see how hard Robin worked, of course. Everyone knew that, every Shepherd respected it, they all told stories in awe of their tactician's dedication.
It was also easy, terribly easy, to take it for granted.
It had been the same again and again, so many times she'd lost count of it. Whenever they were in a pinch, or when things the situation became serious, their friend would disappear, for days, sometimes weeks, there'd be no sign of the tactician around the fire pit, in the mess hall, or even in the training fields. He would go away, and when he'd returned he'd have with him some marvellous strategy, some tactic that would save them all.
It had become a routine she realised as a guilty weight twisted around her stomach. Accepting that he would bear such a burden, that he would do whatever it took to ensure their safety had simply become normal. She, just like the rest of them, acknowledged and appreciated his efforts, but she'd never truly stopped and seen his diligence up close.
"Robin." Her voice was soft, but her words were like steel. "Stop."
It was late. She needed to get home too.
Gregor had finally returned sometime late last night, even after waking her up as he crashed around their apartment, it had been an enormous relief to see him safe and sound. She'd somehow managed to drag him to bed before he passed out, but even as drunk as he'd been, he would be waking up soon and when he did, he'd probably be absolutely starving.
She needed to look after her husband, to take care of him.
"Look at me." She commanded, her words brooking no argument as her body began to sway, as her hips slowly slid around in a slow circle, as her soul began to guide her steps.
One dance.
She needed to be home, she had a duty to her husband.
But right now, in this moment, having for the first time understood the true weight of the life their tactician lived for those he cared for…
...If her dance could help him, even just a little, then she would give it without hesitation.
"O-Olivia."
And so she danced, a wordless performance, soft and steady, graceful and refined- each step lingering with purpose and always held back with a restrained hesitation. Her movements told a tale of a man lost and seeking. A ballad of an unacknowledged poet. The dirge of a hero who worked only in the shadows and finally, the victory cry of the dutiful man.
Olivia had danced for years, for almost as long as she'd been able to move she'd danced.
In all that time she'd taught herself a hundred methods to ignore or to not see those who looked upon her performances. She'd always hated being watched, it dragged her from the moment, and brought back the embarrassment that always haunted her, her steps would fumble and the magic would end.
And yet…turning and swaying, twisting and shaking, no matter how she moved around Robin's office her eyes were constantly drawn to his. And each time she saw his tired smile brighten, each time she saw the light returning to his exhausted eyes, her steps grew stronger, and her confidence grew ever greater.
She'd never felt this before. She was dancing just for one person. She was helping.
One dance turned into three and by the time she left, with aching calves and tender feet, it was long past evening's fall.
She was tired, she was guilty and she was exhilarated with passion she hadn't felt in months.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
On the seventh day her life changed.
"Today's going to be a little different." Robin warned her as she walked in, only looking up from his work enough to offer the same warm smile as ever.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, it's going to be…a little tough." He sighed, indicating the large pile of papers strewn across his desk, leaning back he gave a resigned laugh. "I think I'll really need your help today."
Olivia's jaw almost dropped to the floor. He needed her!? In the entire time she'd been working for him, he'd never said anything even close to that before. If anything, he'd practically left her to her own devices, barely even turning a supervisory eye to her.
She had far too much pride to ever let herself slack off her routines of course, but she still spent as much time planning or repeatedly practicing her steps as she did actually performing them. He'd never raised a complaint and given how rare it was for him to even look to her- often no more than a handful of times a day- she hadn't thought he'd even noticed.
"O-Of course!" She nodded, already mentally planning out her day, if it was to be a day of performance, she would give it her all!
It was a wonderful thing, to be so clearly wanted, to be needed.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
"I really am sorry about this." Robin repeated again as he guided a stern looking older women into his office, the lady having arrived at the Shepherd's barracks only a few minutes ago. "I really do appreciate you coming out all this way."
"I would have preferred to discuss your proposal at my estate like usual." The lady sniffed, looking around the room with mild disdain. "But if it is as you say, that the venerable right hand of the Exalt is too busy to leave his office today. Well then, who am I to-"
Scanning around the room, her eyes suddenly met Olivia who had been doing her level best to blend in with the wallpaper.
"And just who is this beautiful creature?" She asked moving half a step closer and giving the dancer an uncomfortable feeling as if she was being spread open for examination. "A ring? Oho! So, you've finally taken a wife. Now that is a surprise."
"M-Me and R-R-Robin!? A-Ah, I, um-no that, that is to-" Flushing bright pink and trapped under a piercing gaze, she was only saved when the tactician's gentle laughter finally eased the mood.
"No, no." He grinned easily, "Nothing like that, Olivia's already married. She's my assistant, she's here helping me."
"Assistant, I see." The stare was lifted and with it any interest the other woman had in her. "In that case I'll have a berrywine tea, one sugar, no milk."
"R-Right!" Leaping at the chance to escape being the centre of attention and forcefully ignoring Robin's bemused smirk, she was gone within moments.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
By the time Olivia returned, both Robin and his guest were sorting through trade documentation and discussing what, to her ears, sounded like little more than gibberish.
Setting the tea carefully aside from their work and relieved to be left alone in relative peace, she leaned awkwardly against the wall in the far side of the room twisting her fingers around the laces of her outfit as she tried to decide exactly what she should do with herself.
Dancing in Robin's office had become almost normal. Performing with only Robin's occasional glance had become almost natural…but now…now it wasn't just Robin, nor even another Shepherd poking their head in from either curiosity or boredom. Olivia had performed countless performances, recitals or galas, even before she'd become a Shepherd that had been her life, she wasn't a stranger to having an audience. But never like this! Dancing for Robin was one thing, he was a close friend, she trusted Robin, but this stern lady was a complete stranger!
Watching them interact, the woman didn't seem quite as scary as she'd first appeared, if nothing else she seemed to keep easy company with the tactician, but still! She couldn't possibly be meant to just suddenly start dancing in such an intimate setting, in-front of someone she'd barely spoken a word too, in the middle of an office! It was ridiculous! She would look like a fool!
'Should I just…wait until they're done?' She wondered, shifting her weight nervously from foot to foot as she watched the other two occupants continue their discussion. 'Oh, maybe Morgan could use a hand.' She was fairly certain she'd heard the younger tactician come in a few hours ago surely she could find someth-
I'll really need your help today.
Robin's words echoed loud through her mind, keeping her firmly in place.
She couldn't possibly deny it. There was no way he hadn't expected this woman to come, he'd specifically requested she see him.
'But why?' Did he truly need her support to bear the other lady's company? He didn't seem to mind her presence at all! It didn't make any sense!
Did that matter?
It was hardly the first time Robin had asked something of her that she hadn't been able to make any sense of. All the Shepherds had experienced the same, at some point they'd just stopped questioning it. Listening to Robin had saved the lives of everyone she cared about. 'I don't need to understand.' She reminded herself, a twang of nostalgia pulling at her at the thought.
Robin needed her help. She trusted Robin. That was all there was too it.
Pushing off the wall with shaking legs, Olivia swallowed the dry lump in her throat as her body slowly began to sway in time to a song only she could hear. 'A-At least they're not looking at me.' She consoled herself as she stifled a whimper.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
Dancing was an escape, it was her release, a way to put aside all her fears and doubts, to simply lose herself in the moment and celebrate the beauty in all life.
No matter her embarrassment at putting on such a strange performance this remained true. One dance turned into two, two turned into three, and slowly her anxiety drained away, gradually her steps gained more confidence and her movements more strength.
And once again, as she'd found so often these days when she danced for him, Olivia's eyes turned to Robin.
Concentrating on his work and on their discussion, he didn't look at up at her at all this time.
Yet the more she danced, the more she saw it, even as he turned from page to page flicking his eyes up and down the columns-the bright smirk on his face growing larger by the moment.
And the more she also saw his companion turning to look at her. It was little more than a curious glance to begin with, then she was staring up longer and longer each time she raised her head, by the time Olivia's fourth dance began, all pretence of nonchalance were abandoned, the other woman's interest both clear and intense. By the time Olivia's dance drew to a close the woman was standing directly ahead of her, patiently watching the final actions of her flourishing bow.
The routine ended and the magic died, "Hmph." The lady finally spoke, directing her snort back over her shoulder to Robin this time. "And I suppose you must think yourself very clever don't you?"
The tactician just shrugged, his smirk wider than ever.
"You. Girl." She continued, pinning Olivia in place with her presence once more. "What did you say your name was?"
"O-Olivia, er-ah, Olivia ma'am."
"Olivia." She repeated, smacking her lips as if tasting the name. "Very well, Olivia, I am Lady Penfold, matron of the Penfold house- and apparently, like you, a pawn to our meddlesome tactician's schemes."
"I er- I don't…"
"Oh yes. I am sure he thinks himself so very cunning, because he is a man and men always like to believe they are in control.
"Tell me, Olivia." Lady Penfold stepped closer, her previous strictness dulled as her eyes shone with barely restrained fascination. "Are you aware that there is a curse upon dancers in Ylisstol right now?"
"Wha, a- a curse?"
"It's been this way ever since the soldiers returned from the war." The noble continued, ignoring her surprise. "For almost a year now, any performance done for the masses is the same. No matter the skill of the performer, no matter the brilliance of the production, the audience cannot be pleased. The Soldiers talk only of a dancer they saw among the Shepherds and ludicrous tales of her have spread among the small minded until none other can compare. It's become to the point where even audiences of the high-born are affected."
Feeling her stomach twist into a knot, Olivia couldn't possibly begin to respond.
"They say that just watching her would remove their fatigue, that her performances lessoned both their fears and their pains, that the sight of her on the battlefield drove them to continue past what they thought possible...A dancer on the battlefield." Lady Penfold shook her head with a small chuckle. "A truly mysterious figure this woman. It is believed she must be the private dancer of His Radiance the Exalt himself."
"I ah, well…" Gulping, Olivia's mouth was parched dry, the woman's stern tone leaving her unsure if she was being praised or scolded.
"I dismissed all such rumours as nothing but boorish rubbish of course."
"R-Right."
The noble's face withered into a piercingly sharp look. "I see now I was wrong."
"I, well, gosh I wouldn't go quite th-"
"I am not wrong often." And at that admission, the stony look finally faded and instead she looked upon Olivia with unabashed amazement. "Olivia of the Shepherds! I had heard, of course, of your talents, I thought them to be greatly exaggerated by those who know nothing of the arts. Never once did I expect you would be so, so sublime. Glorious Naga, the way you move, I never seen the like before, I am almost speechless."
Considering all she'd said, that didn't seem all that accurate, but it was still incredible praise. "Thank you!" She answered, screwing her eyes shut and blushing almost red enough to light the room.
"Lady Penfold." Robin finally spoke up. "If you're really so distracted by my assistant, I truly doubt we'll get anything done."
"Oh and there's our master manipulator again." She snorted, making a show of rolling her eyes as she moved to stand beside the dancer. "Nevertheless, come Olivia, we shall continue to play along with him."
"Play along?" Robin's eyes were full of the falsest innocence she'd ever seen. "I was merely going to suggest that if you're so interested in her, there must surely be a better place to see her talents than my office? Oh, actually…isn't your studio not far from here?"
"S-Studio? Your studio?" The knot in Olivia's stomach tightened as her flushing face drained to a pale white, finally realising just what was going on.
"Yes. My studio. I am, after all, the patron of the Ylissean Exalted Arts Company."
'T-T-T-The Ylissean Exalted!?' Even as a foreigner, she knew the name, the most historic performing arts group in the Halidom and among the most prestigious in the entire continent, they were many levels beyond anything she'd ever dreamed of.
"And, as our tactician well knows, I have been struggling lately with finding suitable talent, talent I can again proudly display towards this nation."
Robin just turned back to his work with a shrug, "Oh? Did you say something like that? I'm sorry, I must have forgotten."
"No doubt the reason he dragged me all the way out here. No doubt the reason he has a dancer as an assistant." She continued, not even bothering to dignify the man with a response. "Very well then Olivia, come, let us see if those rumours were indeed true- if you truly have what it takes to perform for the Exalt."
"I-I-Ah, I-" She couldn't just-she had a job to do, and-and she'd! The Ylissean Exalted, there was-she couldn't possibly, it would just be a- And didn't he need her!? And, and "I, ah th-I don't b-bu-"
"Olivia." Smiling kindly up at her, Robin's reassuring voice cut through her panic once more, just the same as it always had. "Go."
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
"The Ylissean Exalted!" She gushed for what had to be the hundredth time several hours later as she sprung round Robin's office, twisting, twirling and all but bursting with nervous energy. "The Ylissean Exalted! They were, they were so nice! I never even dreamed of, of anything like this!"
"I'm glad it went well." Robin laughed, leaning back and watching her excitement just as he had for the last ten minutes since her return.
"Naga! They were all so nice!" She repeated, every cell in her body pulsing with joie de vivre. "And, ma'am Penfold, she said I had to be on the stage! Already! I-I, Gods! Robin! This is, this is…" Unable to tell if she wanted to laugh, cry, or scream, she couldn't even think to stop her feet, she couldn't think of anything at all but what had happened. "Naga! We perform at House Estelle in three weeks, I-I'm! I'm going to be on stage!"
All her wildest dreams, all her fantasies, all the silly wishes to perform for cheering crowds and packed halls- it was all going to be true!
"A-Ahuaah…Hah…R-Robin!" She sobbed suddenly, her legs collapsing and sending her to the ground as the raw joy finally overcame her. "I-I'm just, I'm so happy! It, huaa, it's everything I ever wanted."
"Olivia…Hey, c'mon now." He scolded her gently, pulling her to her feet and holding her softly in his arms, letting her slump weakly against him. "It's about time. You deserve it, you've always deserved this."
"A-Hu-huuah." She sniffed, blushing crimson and burying her face in his cloak to hide from the praise. "I still can't…it's like a dream." She added finally, sighing softly as she felt his hands holding her, strong and secure around her back.
"It'll surely help towards your dream, won't it? To have a theatre of your own?"
"I-I, R-Robin! H-Huhaaa!" That comment brought about fresh tears, leaving her laughing, sobbing and shaking all at once.
Feeling her tiny body shivering like a leaf and clinging wonderfully tight against him, it took everything Robin had to hold back his desires, to restrain a reaction. "D-Did I say something wrong?"
"N-No, no not at all." She sniffed, "You've never, never done anything wrong.
"I just, it's even, it's even better than my dream." She continued a moment later, pulling herself slowly from his embrace, her face flushed red and chest shaking with unsteady breaths. "I always, I always thought, th-that if I owned the theatre then I-I'd get to perform…even though I'm not very good. I th-thought that was the only way I-I could ever..."
"Olivia…"
"T-This, they want me." Even now the words came out half crouched in disbelief, "Robin… They want me to be on stage, to dance for everyone."
"As they should."
"I…I hah…" She sighed, shaking her head at his confidence in her. Unable to find a response, and even more unable to sort her feelings, Olivia simply began dancing once more, her steps slow and steady this time, no longer filled with nervous energy but with instead a warm and gentle happiness.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
It was some time before she stopped, having calmed down her shuddering heart. And yet, rather than feeling peaceful, the more she danced and the more her excitement slowed the more her emotions became uneasy, the more her thoughts returned to the earlier conversation…until they were all twisted around an uncomfortably clear conclusion.
Frowning, she bit her cheek in frustration. She couldn't even begin to count how much she owed Robin, both for his actions during the war and for his actions since, but even as timid as she was, even for all that had happened, she still had her pride.
"Robin." Sucking in a deep breath, she steeled herself for a confrontation. "There was…I need to talk to you."
Laying down his pencil and looking up from his work, this time the tactician's face was completely serious. "She was wrong." He answered simply.
"W-Wha?" Olivia gaped, stepping backwards in surprise.
"You were going to ask if I hired you just to introduce you to Lady Penfold." He explained, pushing himself to his feet- making a show of talking to her as an equal. "If that was the only reason I asked for your help."
"I-ah." Wincing, Olivia realised again just how hard it was to ever take Robin by surprise. "Yes."
"No."
"B-But, I me-"
"I won't deny that I did wish to introduce you to her. I've actually mentioned you to her several times before, she just never took me seriously." He interrupted, spreading his hands in a shrug. "But, I wouldn't need to hire you to do that, there's a thousand ways I could have arranged the two of you to meet. I asked her to the office today so that she could see you, that's true. But, I brought you to the office last week because I needed your help."
Olivia swallowed heavily, she wanted so badly to believe that. "I-Is that really true?"
"You know..." Robin sighed, shoulders sagging slightly as he stepped back "I wish it wasn't. I truly do, I wish I could say you were right, that this was all a plan to get her to see you, to get you the stage you deserve."
A sudden flash of guilt across his eyes stilled her to silence and when she didn't speak he continued, "I love Ylisse, this Halidom, the people. I owe it everything and I'm proud to be able to work for it in any way I can…but, but I'm still just a man. I get worn down, I get angry, I get frustrated- the long hours, the meetings, the endless paperwork, even just being stuck indoors all the time. Gods. I love my work, but sometimes I can't stand it."
"Robin." She breathed softly, stunned at the sight of their tactician baring himself so openly.
"Olivia, look, I know that it's hard for you to accept sometimes, that your dancing-that it helps, but it does. It does, it makes all the difference in the world sometimes. Even just in the time since you've been here, I've been getting more done than I had for months before." Restraining his emotions as quickly as they'd risen, his words were softer now, but so earnest she couldn't help but believe him. "I did want you to meet Lady Penfold, that's true, but that's not why I asked you to work for me.
"I hired you because of what I wanted from you… For completely selfish reasons."
Watching as he walked back to his desk, turning away from her and back to the paperwork Olivia finally accepted his words, a glowing warmth slowly thrumming through her body as the last of her anxiety faded away.
"It's not selfish." She answered, smiling radiantly when she saw him looking to her once more. "It's not selfish, not at all, it's…it's exactly what I want too, it's what it should be! I want to help you Robin! A-And I'm going to keep helping you, no matter what!"
She didn't need to spell out her meaning. Working for the Ylissean Exalted Arts Company, she would have both money and exposure, there was no reason to continue this job.
But she would. Whenever she wasn't at the studio, she would be here, at his side.
Because Robin needed her.
"I-but, Olivia..." Cutting his words off as he ran his hands through his hair with a reluctant sigh, finally, he nodded, accepting her resolve alongside his own. "Then, please..."
Laughing equally from joy as from relief, Olivia was already in motion, the surge of pride impossible to resist.
Her dance this time was quick and light, the complex turns and intricate movements telling a story of a woman who had yearned her whole life to find her place, the pain of being a burden, the bliss of being wanted.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
On the ninth day she scolded herself.
Humming happily to herself as she put the final touches on the stew she was creating, Olivia was in a good mood.
'The kitchen looks so much nicer like this.' She smiled, looking around at the few dashes of colour she'd been able to add recently, miniature potted plants, some new curtains and even a few decorations. They were small indulgences, but the feelings behind them were powerful.
"And…done." She laughed, dulling the fire and spooning out a single serving for herself before settling down at the table.
Gregor was out again. That was fine, he'd said he would be home tonight, but she knew her husband sometimes lost track of the time, the embers would keep the pot warm until morning and if he wasn't back by then she could simply rekindle them before she left for work.
Stirring her meal, Olivia allowed herself a small moment of self-satisfaction at that. Even if Gregor didn't come back until sometime tomorrow, whenever he did come in, she'd have a nice warm meal ready for him.
"Oooh Naga." The smell of the meat quickly knocked her from any introspection and she wasted no more time, practically wolfing down the meal the moment the first taste hit her mouth. "Mmm! Ahhh!" She moaned happily, 'It's so good!'
The difference the ingredients made was absolutely staggering, after so long spent scrimping and saving, eating as cheaply as possible and stretching the low quality foodstuff far beyond their lifespan…to be using quality meat, fresh vegetables, it was bliss!
Lost in a happy daze, it wasn't until the meal was completely devoured that rational thoughts returned.
'It's so late.' She thought, with a slight unease.
She'd been coming home later and later recently, it wasn't by any specific intention, each day she told herself she would finish early and head home, that she would look after her husband or clean and cook in his absence if he was out…and each day she found herself staying late into the evening, lost in her dancing, sometimes only even noticing the passing hours when she heard Robin yawning to himself.
It had become such a habit she'd even begun to come into the office after her practices with the performance company, having found herself feeling bored and restless when she tried simply returning home.
"I hope he's okay…" She sighed, looking again through the window to the dark night sky.
Her worries were kind, however, without her even being aware of it, Olivia's thoughts had long since wandered from her absent husband.
"He still had all that work from Frederick when I left." She added with a frown, a pang of guilt running through her at having left even despite the late hour. "I, I hope he's not still here."
"Phah." She huffed, pushing herself to her feet and making to clean up the kitchen, "It's ridiculous the way he treats himself."
She couldn't deny the importance of his work of course, but still, "He needs someone to take care of him!"
That was the solution. She was sure of it. Just like she took care of Gregor, supported him in his lifestyle, Robin needed someone there to look after him, someone to make sure he didn't push himself to collapse or… Uneasy memories ran through her again and all she could think of was the earnest look on his face when he'd confessed the strain his role took on him.
"Robin!" She growled, hating the very thought of him like that. "Hpmh, it's, it's just…" It couldn't go on! He spent so much time worrying about everyone else, about making sure Morgan didn't spend too much of her life stuck behind a desk, and he wasn't considering himself at all! He needed someone to be there for him.
But thinking about that only brought up another mystery. Why was he still alone?
As one of the earliest Shepherds, he'd been with the squad even longer than she had, almost five years all told. She'd never known any group as close as the Shepherds, they'd fought together, they'd bled together, they'd saved each other’s lives and slowly, one by one or a few at a time, most of them had paired off.
Except Robin.
Their wonderful, kind, caring tactician had remained almost obstinately single the entire time she'd known him. It defied logic.
After seeing the way Tharja had stuck to him when she'd first joined, she'd initially assumed they were together. But while she had no doubt he cared deeply for the dark mage, she was certain they'd never become an item… Tharja still wore no ring, and it seemed very unlikely to Olivia that if Robin had ever taken her hand that she would possibly hide it, Tharja would wear proof of Robin's love as loudly and proudly as she could and all would know of their relationship.
Lucina on the other hand, she was much more secretive, it was certainly possible to imagine her hiding an illicit relationship with their tactician... By the time the war in Valm drew to a close, she and most of the other Shepherds had all but assumed that to be the case, none had missed how close he'd become to the former Exalt. 'And, not to mention Morgan.' She added with a slightly guilty pause, it was very easy to remember that Morgan was Robin's child, it sometimes took a little more to remember she was also Lucina's child.
'He and Lucina were obviously together in- in…' Well she didn't really know how exactly Morgan could have possibly come to visit them, 'In somewhere!'
Even among those who didn't suspect something had already kindled between Robin and Lucina, almost everyone assumed it would at some point. It wasn't as if there was any doubt they'd remained close following the war, Lucina came by the office almost as often as Tharja did.
'So then, why?' Robin had been back for months now, and still, their relationship seemed the same as it had ever been. As often as she'd seen them together, she'd never once seen anything suggestive between them. They'd been at peace for almost a year, and still there was no talk of a wedding, nor even any talk of them together at all.
Shaking her head in frustration, Olivia sighed, there wasn't anything for it. She'd asked him about Lucina, she'd dropped hints about gifts for her, or places he could take her…and always Robin's answer was the same. He held immense respect for her. He considered her among his closest companions. But he had no plans to marry her.
'Not yet at least.' He had laughed, teasing her in that infuriating manner of his before changing the topic.
It didn't make sense. They were undeniably close, they got on amazingly, they even had a child together…and yet, nothing. Still, she knew well enough that just the presence of the future children didn't guarantee a relationship, Cordelia's awkwardness around Ricken and Nowi's lacking relationship with Donnel were proof enough of that.
"So does that mean…he doesn't love her?"
If Olivia had been paying attention, she would have noticed her heart beating slightly faster at that musing, a small flush dusting her cheeks. 'Then perhaps he loves someone else?' She wondered, with a slight breathlessness.
'But then, why has he never sai-Oh! unless she was already taken?' And suddenly Olivia's thoughts were running away with her, thinking about how generous Robin had always been to her, how kind, how understanding, not to mention all he'd done for her rece-
'No, no, I, no. That's ridiculous.' She scolded herself, shaking those thoughts away with an embarrassed flush. 'That's completely unfair to him.' He'd done all that to help her and to request her help in return, she knew Robin didn't have some kind of ulterior motive!
"I'm just, I'm just tired." She answered, dutifully ignoring the small warm feeling in her chest as she finished cleaning the house, and preparing for bed.
"Still…" She added a few minutes later, lying in bed and staring up at the ceiling, finding herself yet unable to clear the tactician from her mind. "I do hope he's not lonely."
That thought shuddered cold through her, she couldn't bear to think of him like that. He didn't deserve it, not with all he did for everyone. ' He's always working so diligently, for Ylisse, for everyone. And he's done so much to support this family.'
"A-Ah!?"
Eyes snapping open, Olivia bolted upright in bed the moment that thought hit her, a lead weight of guilt twisting around in her stomach. "No, that's… Geez, Olivia, what are you thinking?"
No! Robin wasn't the one supporting her family, she was. He just…he just needed help, that's why he'd asked her.
As she lay back down however, she found herself now uncomfortably wide awake. Even as she dismissed it, the thought was an insidious one. In such a short time Robin had done so much for her, helped her so much, maybe more than even Basilio had. As much as she tried to push the idea of it from her mind, it was impossible not to compare him to her husband.
While Gregor was passed out drunk in some bar. Robin was working hard to improve the Halidom.
While Gregor disappeared for days or weeks without notice. Robin was always there, in his office or the palace, reliable and honest.
While Gregor was out spending all their money drinking and playing. Robin had been helping her take her first steps towards reaching her dreams.
"Olivia!" She scolded herself loudly, shocked she was even thinking such things. "I-Naga, forgive me. I must be-it's far too late."
Gregor wasn't a burden! He was the man she loved! 'This is what I wanted, that's why I took the job, to support him!'
That's all she had wanted, that's all she was concerned with. To support her husband, to make him happy. That would make her happy, it would make her whole family happy. It was as simple as that.
And yet, somehow sleep didn't come easily.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
On the twelfth day she was shocked.
"Come on honey." She smiled gently, carefully helping her husband through the house. "Let's get you to bed."
"Bh-bahah!" Gregor bellowed, his drunken good humour loud and clear as he leaned heavily on her. "A-Huah, is too early to be sleeping! Gregor is ne-*hic*-need, Gregor is needing to make with celebrations!"
"I think you've celebrated enough tonight love." She chuckled, easing him onto the mattress. "Now, I'm just go take a bath and th-AIIE!?"
Moving to turn away, Olivia was suddenly yanked backwards into his arms.
"No! Is diff-is, is not the same!" He laughed, sitting up on the bed his arms wrapped clumsily around her waist. "Gregor is, must celebrate Olivia!"
"C-Celebrate me?" She asked, wincing away from the pungent smell of alcohol on his breath as she squirmed in his grip.
"Yes! Is Olivia great success, no? You are gett-hah, getting the dancing job!"
"Oh, ah right. Right." She'd told him about her audition and her work over dinner. It had actually been the first time they'd had a proper conversation in a few days now…she doubted he'd remember it in the morning, but it had still been nice. "Well, er- thank you."
"H-Haha! Do not be, be thanking Gregor! Gregor is thanking you! Beautiful wife is-is, Gregor is proud!" Pulling her tighter against him, his palms slid thick up her body. Surprised, Olivia completely froze as he tugged the top of her dress down, his hands squeezing heavily on her breasts.
"A-Ah-Ow!" She gasped in pain. Not having expected it didn't help, but he was always a little rougher when he was drunk. "W-Wait, gha, h-honey, ah!"
"Come! Come! Is celebrate time for family!" He laughed, pulling her clumsily into his lap, letting her feel his cock hard against her ass. "Is-*hic*- is, time of making love! Ahahah! And maybe of making baby!"
This wasn't unusual. She'd been here many times before. What was unusual was the sudden shudder of revulsion that ran through her.
The stench of alcohol, sweat and vomit. The clumsy movements. The lack of control.
"N-No. No, wait." She repeated, heart pounding as she tugged his fingers desperately from her chest.
She didn't want this!
"W-Wha?" He didn't fight her, he never would. He simply stared up in confusion. "Is Olivia being angry with Gregor?"
"No…I…" Squirming from his lap, her sudden panic died as soon as it had begun. There was nothing to fear, not from Gregor, not ever. "I just, not like this, not when you're drunk."
"Is but, Olivia is never complaining before!" He argued, his confusion not lessoning. "Gregor is telling all friends, has be-best wife in world, *hic* she always looking after Gregor! Never be turning down."
That was true, she realised, her heart shuddering. And-and wasn't that what she was meant to do? As his wife? A tremor of uneasy guilt settled in her…
"We'll do it in the morning, okay?" She compromised, forcing a smile as she leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his forehead, darting out as he reached for her again. "When you're sober, as much as you want, okay? Robin won't mind if I'm a little late."
Swaying back and forth on the bed, Gregor seemed to slowly accept her words. "Huah…" He answered, falling backwards with a cross between a grunt and a burp.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
'Naga.' Olivia sighed, sinking slowly into the hot tub several minutes later, sighing as the warm water gently eased away her worries.
"Sex…" She whispered aloud, just the sound of the word raising her heartbeat. 'It's been some time... I haven't even-even thought about it.'
In recent months Gregor had been spending more and more time away from home and with everything else going on, her constant worries about money, fears for her family's future and now the new role Robin had given her…carnal pleasure had been the furthest thing from her mind.
And now…
"H-Haaa." She breathed heavily, bringing her hands tentatively over her tender breasts, flushing deeply as she slowly massaged away any lingering discomfort.
…Now it was like the floodgates had been opened. Now that she was alone it was as if all the sexual desire she'd ignored were suddenly racing back through her body.
"Haa-haaa." She panted, rolling her fingers slowly over the large mounds, arching her back out of the water as she pressed gently against her pert nipples. "Naga. Mmmm"
It wasn't as if she didn't want it.
"H-Ahhmmm." A quiet moan escaped her lips as she spread her legs out across the edges of the tub, shuddering at the feeling of her legs spread open so brazenly and the soft desire burning from between them.
She just…she hadn't wanted that.
Frowning as the mood dulled and her desires ebbed away, the uneasy feelings returned. She'd never turned Gregor down before, not for anything...even now she felt guilty for doing so. Wasn't that her role as a wife? Her matrimonial duties? It was hardly the first time he'd come to her in such a state, she should have been used to it...so, so why?
'I don't…I don't like doing it when he's drunk.' She admitted finally. It was uncomfortable, it was rough and between passing out and throwing up, Gregor was as likely to complete the act as to not.
"I love him." She whispered aloud, knowing the words were truth. 'It's not like I don't want to be with him.'
Her fingers rolled gently over her nipples again-just how he used to do to her.
'I just…want it to be like it was.' Like it used to be, during the war, during their honeymoon...She could still remember, still envision the way it had felt.
"H-Hahhnn." She panted quietly, the need reigniting as long supressed desires slowly returned. Clenching her calves against the edge of the tub, a warm shudder ran through her body and she closed her eyes, surrendering herself to a fantasy. 'I, I want…'
She imagined herself held securely in his strong arms, safe and warm in his embrace.
"Mmmaahh." Her hands moved firmer over her breasts, squeezing and kneading them.
She could feel his soft kisses on her neck, his breath hot against her skin as he whispered his love for her.
"A-Hhaaaa. A-AHH!" Bucking her hips and unwilling to resist a moment longer, her right hand slid between her legs, pressing a finger against her aching pussy.
She could see herself running her fingers across his body, slim but muscular, she could feel the power within even as he held her so tenderly, even as he guided her hands away and eased her legs open.
"MM-MHhaa!" Squeezing down on her breast, Olivia gasped and shook, her body shuddering as her fingers spread her pussy lips apart, grinding her index gently over her clitoris.
She could feel his length hard against her pussy, feel his need as great as hers…
"AHMmmm-AHaah!" She cried, biting down on her lip to muffle the sound as she slowly pushed a finger inside her.
She could feel his cock spreading her open, pushing firmly deep inside her.
"G-Gods!" It'd been too long. Too long.
She could see herself gasping between kisses, see herself running her hands through his white hai-
"Gods! Robi-"
Everything stopped.
Eyes flying open and jaw wide in silent shock, Olivia jolted upright, squeezing her legs hard against her chest.
"I… I…"
She couldn't speak, could barely think.
'That's…I wasn't, I- That's not what I...'
Holding herself like that, shivering with sudden guilt, mystified confusion and unanswered lust, she didn't move.
She didn't know what to say. Didn't know what to think.
'I didn't, didn't mean to... Robin...'
Hours passed and still she couldn't get out. Couldn't make sense of herself, of what she wanted.
The water ran cold. She didn't move.
And then, sometime after midnight, with resolve weakened from desire as much as from fatigue…
"H-Ha-haaaa. Mhaah! A-Ah!"
...Slowly her fingers slid back between her legs.
In the morning she was gone with the daybreak, hours before her husband stirred.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
On the fourteenth day she fell.
"Olivia, it's late. You should go home."
Continuing to dance, she didn't respond. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew he was right.
It was late, Gregor might be home, she should leave. She should go prepare dinner. She should go clean the house. She should go.
Dipping low, she caught Robin's eyes once again, held his gaze as he watched her slowly raise herself up, saw his eyes widen slightly as her hands ran up her sides, perfectly outlining the curves of her body.
Robin was still here. Robin was watching her. She didn't want to go, not while he was still working so hard, not when he still needed her.
And so, she continued.
Olivia knew a thousand dances, from classical to modern, to variants, to experimental. Her movements told stories, wove tales and showcased emotions. But her favourite type of dancing, the kind she did whenever she was able to, was completely freeform. No routine, no guidelines and no thoughts, she would follow whatever her soul, whatever her heart, desired and create from that something meaningful in that moment.
That was how she danced now. Clearing her mind, she acted without will, intention or purpose, thinking only of each step as she did it.
She swung her hips around in a wide lazy circle.
She leant herself backwards, sliding her palms down her smooth bare stomach.
She flicked herself forwards, mouth open in a tiny gasp and breasts bouncing against the limits of her clothing.
With each movement, with each passing minute, the mood between them grew thicker and he feelings more charged. Without a single spoken word, the atmosphere of the room slowly changed, filling with an alluring, sensual desire.
And Olivia watched him the entire time.
She watched as he worked. She watched as he looked up at her, carefully and furtively at first. She watched as he pushed his work aside, leaning over his desk and to her.
She watched as he looked only to her.
She was wearing a new outfit today, bought with the money he'd paid her.
A light silken top that wrapped around her breasts, squeezing them together full and round, tied around the back of her neck. A side-tied sarong skirt that slunk tight around her waist, open at the side to give a full view of her long slender legs with each movement.
Custom tailored, both were black with purple trim, the same colours as his cloak. His colours. She hadn't thought a thing about it when she'd ordered it made several days ago, it had seemed only natural, fitting... This was the first time she had worn it, the first time anyone had seen her in it.
And now, as she turned away from Robin, sliding a hand slowly down her long legs, she accepted the truth. She was wearing it for him.
Dancing, for him, in an ardour created from her own wants, her own needs, she understood.
The tension between them rose to dizzying heights, but all her doubts and anxiety had long since faded away. Twisting her body in slow, erotic movements, Olivia knew for certain why she was here.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
"Robin." Olivia was the first to break the silence, sliding her hips from side to side as she breathed his name, swaying slowly towards his desk. "Do you know, I've never… I've never danced for anyone else before."
Just as with her dancing, she let herself go, released herself from all thoughts and inhibitions saying only what her soul was aching to divulge.
"What?" He blinked, her words shaking him from his transfixion, even as his eyes tracked her every movement. "But what about all th-"
"No." She sighed, smiling warmly as she bent forwards, slowly pulsing her chest towards the man. "Before, even in the war and after, it was never for anyone. I just danced…and sometimes people watched. I couldn't even look at them without losing my focus."
She was looking at him now. Her eyes never once leaving his, the warmth inside her glowing hotter and hotter each time she saw his eyes tracing their way up and down the length of her body.
She was on display for him. Even as she flushed crimson, the fire inside her only burned fiercer.
"You're the only man I've ever danced for. The only one I've ever asked to watch me." She admitted. "Maybe…maybe that's why it feels so different?"
"D-Different?" He swallowed.
She didn't answer him with words, twisting in place, sliding her body slowly back and forth, she didn't need to speak. Her movements told no tale, they spoke of no story…only of desire, of a sensual ache and a primal need.
Not a single thing had changed, but the room suddenly felt hot-thick with want.
Stepping around the desk, directly in front of the tactician, Olivia closed her eyes, breathing in one final time-she made to steel herself, but there was no need. Her body, her soul, was already dictating her movements.
"When I was dancing, before you found me, I was asked- more often than any other request, to give a…a special dance. A private dance."
"O-Olivia!" The affronted anger flashing through his eyes was only more balm on her heart. Robin cared so much for so many people, he concerned himself with so many great and terrible things. That someone like him would be offended for her sake, that she would be propositioned like that...it was comforting.
"I never did, I never could." She answered, smiling warmly and standing barely a metre from the man, her hips turning in a slow, sultry circle. "No matter how much they offered."
"But now…" Running her hands slowly up the length of her body, pushing her heaving chest towards him, she wrapped her fingers around her neck. "But now, I-I'd like to try it."
"O-Olivia…" He held his hands out, a pained look on his face at hearing her story, "Wait, you don't have to. There's noth-"
"I want to."
The ties fell apart instantly, and with it her top fell to the floor.
Her breasts bounced free, and she leaned back, displaying herself utterly for him.
She watched as his jaw dropped, his mouth falling open as he stared transfixed at her body, his eyes following her every movement as she slowly, desperately slowly, slithered herself closer to him.
"I-I've never done anything like this." She whispered, her heart slamming against her chest, "B-but…"
"I-I don-"
"Please. Robin." She reached out, running a hand across his cheek...before giving into a temptation she hadn't even known she held, leaning forward and pressing her lips gently against his, moaning a quiet sigh against his mouth at the warm sensation. "Robin. You're the only man I've danced for. The only man I want to dance for."
"Please…watch me."
Swallowing heavily, he nodded, and so she stepped away, leaning backwards and running her hands up her stomach, cupping her sizeable breasts, kneading them gently with a soft moan "R-Robin."
Slinking backwards, she turned her hips in a wide, slow, circle, stretching her legs out as she pressed her hands firmer into the milky white orbs. Sighing and gasping as she felt the need between her legs burn ever hotter.
Spinning in place, she dipped forward, dragging her fingers along the hardwood floor and pushing her hips backward, ensuring he could make out every contour of her ass through the thin fabric.
Even without looking, she could feel his gaze on her. He was staring at her! He couldn't take his eyes off her! Gods! Had she ever been this turned on in her life?
"Robin…" She breathed his name once more, sliding to the floor before raising herself gracefully to her feet, swaying slowly towards him, stepping forward inch by inch until she was leaning right over him, until she could feel his breath, ragged and hot, on her bare skin.
She knew she should have been nervous or hesitant, she should have had doubts. There was nothing.
Leaning her head in his shoulder, she reached down, taking his hands in hers and placing them firmly on her hips, letting him feel every inch of her as she turned, holding back a moan at the feeling of his skin hot against hers as she rotated slowly on the spot.
A side-tie skirt. The purchase suddenly made sense now. It was so he could remove it anytime he wished. Her lips dragged against his neck and he didn't need the hint, the skirt fell to the ground a moment later.
Again she leant in, pressing her lips softly against his, and again she stepped back…only half a step this time, her entire body in full view…she wanted, she needed him to see, to see every inch of her as she slid her hands down her neck, arching her back as her fingers ran over her breasts, gasping as they trailed down her stomach…
…Biting her lip with all the restraint she had as they slid her panties to the floor.
"Olivia…N-Naga…" Robin gasped, his eyes following her every movement, watching as she pulled the soaked fabric from against her pussy, trailing them down her legs, staring as she stepped out of them and slid herself naked into his lap.
"I-I can stop." She promised, wrapping her legs around the base of the chair, gyrating her hips back and forth against him as her hands pulled at his belt. "If, if this isn't what you want. I ca-"
This time it was his kiss that interrupted her, his hands warm and needy on her cheek as he held her in place, opening her mouth with his tongue and kissing her with all the passion he'd restrained for so long.
"I never want you to stop." He answered without a single doubt, "Olivia…I need you."
The fire inside her exploded and she crashed her lips desperately back against his, moaning and gasping in his mouth as she finally pulled his belt apart, sliding off him and breaking the kiss only when she was able to yank his pants to the ground. Only when his cock, rock hard and aching for attention, was finally freed.
"I- Ah!"
Staring wide eyed, Olivia's jaw dropped…it was almost enough to stop her rhythmic movements.
"Robin…" She whispered, instinctively licking her lips as she reached out to it, gently cupping his balls and sliding a finger fully along his length. "I-It's magnificent."
She knew she didn't have a true frame of reference, it was only the second one she'd ever seen…but as she tentatively wrapped her fingers around his girth, she knew the words would remain true had she seen a thousand. In length, in girth, even the way it was curved, the very sight tugged at some primal need she'd never even considered until this moment. Squeezing gently on his balls and dragging a finger around his glans, she couldn't possibly think of another way to describe it. "Magnificent." She repeated, awestruck.
It would almost have been scary, if it had been anyone else. But this was Robin. She trusted Robin. He would never hurt her, not even by mistake.
"Ah-uhaa." Sucking in a deep breath, anticipation and exhilaration both peaking inside her, Olivia slid herself carefully forwards once more. Biting her lips as she draped her arms over his shoulder, she positioned herself above his hard cock, slowly pushing her hips down, letting it press against her soaking pussy, feeling it gently spreading her open.
"N-Naga!" Robin gasped, throwing his head back as her pussy finally made contact with his aching cock.
"G-Gods…AH-Haaaa." She gasped in reply, feeling the head slowly pushing her lips open, spreading her wider than ever before, than she'd ever imagined. "I- Robin, I want this, so much!"
Throwing her head back with a wordless sigh, Olivia began to move, rocking herself back and forth to a slow rhythm she slowly descended, her mouth falling open and her breath coming in increasingly ragged pants as she felt his hard cock sliding deeper inside her, his cockhead forcing her inner walls further apart and her pussy wrapping tight and slick around his length.
"I-It's good!" Robin gasped, the shudders from his body running through his length and transferred intensely inside her. "Olivia! It's so warm, an-and wet!"
"Mmaa-ah! Y-Yeah." She groaned, gritting her teeth to fight back the raw searing pleasure as she continued to slowly grind her way down, slowly sheathing more and more inside him.
"R-R-Robin! Robin! A-Ahhaa, ah-ahh!"
Until finally, she stopped.
Gasping and panting, Olivia threw her head from side to side, biting down on her lip and only just barely managing to hold onto her composure as she felt Robin's length filling her as deep as she'd ever been filled before. Holding herself still several inches off his lap, she felt the glans pressed hard against the increased resistance, the virgin walls of her innermost depths.
"Ghmm! GHA-Ahha! I! I- R-Robinnnn…"
With her pussy stretched tight around his pulsing length, she remained still, her mind struggling to cope as her legs shook violently at the intense sensations. Groaning and panting, it took everything Olivia had- all her courage, all her willpower, just to hold back from cumming right then and there.
Seeing her distress, Robin finally reached up, wrapping his arms securely around her waist, and moving his lips to her neck, pushing his hips slightly up inside her as he prepared to take over.
"N-No! No." She moaned, throwing her head shakily from side to side as she reached down and desperately pushed his arms away.
"N-No." She repeated, sucking in a deep breath and barely managing to fight back her composure as she wrapped her arms lovingly over his shoulders.
"Wha-" He stared at her in confusion.
"Shhh. Please, please Robin. You're always…you always work so hard. F-For everyone, for, for me. I-ahhn, ah, I… Just tonight. Robin. Just…relax. L-Let me, take care of you. Please."
"Olivia." His expression softened and she could feel him relax, laying his hands warmly and securely around her waist, but surrendering all control to her. "Of course, please."
"I-R-Robin." She sighed happily. "W-Watch me. Watch me."
"I will. Always."
Breathing raggedly and screwing her eyes shut, she kissed him as gently as she could, fighting with everything she had to ignore the way his cockhead felt inside her, the feeling of it pressing against areas within her no-one had ever touched before.
Leaning back, she sucked in one final breath, rocking her hips back and forth one final time in the same lusty dance as before, gripping tight to his shoulders, she arched back…
…And slammed down! Feeling the final few inches of his cock finally slam into her, driving hard to the very back walls of her pussy and at last sheathing his length fully inside her.
"GHA-UGHAAAAAAA!" She screamed, her vision exploding in a flash of white as her eyes rolled back into her head and raw pleasure ripped through her. Falling limply into Robin's chest, Olivia came, then came again, and again, her mouth wide open as she gasped, her body shaking and convulsing, feeling as if every part of her body was filled with him.
"G-Ghhaaa-Gods…" She groaned, only barely managing to form words a minute later as she slowly recovered, her body gradually growing accustomed to the thick rod inside her.
"-u okay? Olivia!" His words sounded fuzzy, as if coming from far away.
Huh? Robin was speaking to her? Blinking dizzily, slowly the rest of the world came back into focus and she was able to concentrate on more than just the feeling of her walls wrapped tight around his length.
"Robin…" She panted, pressing her lips against his neck, marvelling at the security of his arms wrapped comfortingly around her. "I-I've never felt…never felt anything like this."
"Y-Yeah, you feel incredible." He agreed, gently stroking his fingers along her back. "Y-You're so, Gods, you're so tight. It's lik-"
"It's because it's you." She answered, guessing his next comment.
Nodding, he grunted, his hands moving faster across her back in obvious need. "C-Can you move?"
Her legs were still shaking from the incredible orgasm, her pussy was still incredible sensitive, her body was still on fire from his ministrations.
But Olivia held tight to her pride. She was here to look after Robin! He needed her!
"O-Of course."
His hands relinquished control once again, squeezing firmly around her smooth round ass and she slowly drew herself up. "UNGH-Haa!" She groaned, feeling his hard cock scraping down the insides of her pussy and leaving her feeling almost unbearably empty.
It was that moment, with Robin's cock half out of her, with her eyes closed and her mind re-establishing her movements, that Olivia realised just how badly she was already addicted to this feeling. She needed to feel him sheathed inside her again. She needed to feel him. Without even intending to, she had already become his.
'That's fine.' Some distant part of her mind allowed, 'Robin needs me too.' That was how it should be.
And with that final thought, Olivia, once again, began to dance.
"Gh-GHAAA!" She cried, screaming again in pleasure as her hips lowered- rhythmically and carefully down his hard length, burying him fully inside her again.
"R-ROBIN!" She cried, her vision flashing white and her pussy constricting hard around his cock as she came once more.
But, burying her face in his shoulder and clinging to him with all her might, she didn't stop.
"H-Haa! Go-Gods! Olivia!" Robin answered her cries as she smoothly began sliding her hips up and down his cock, feeling her pussy wrapped almost painfully tight around him each time she came, feeling her fingers digging into his shoulder as she screamed in pleasure, but always, always feeling her continue.
Again, and again she danced herself down his length. Without ever changing the tempo, without losing the flow or slowing her pace.
With her vision long since faded to white and her tongue lolling weakly out of her mouth, Olivia's cries were reduced to barely more than ragged gasps, but even acting purely on instinct still her walls contorted tight around him, squeezing and milking his cock with everything she had, as if her entire soul was devoted to the one purpose.
Sliding noisily up and down, the atmosphere was thick with desperate, reckless need, her movements screaming only of a blazing desire, an uncontrollable lust.
"O-Olivia! I'm, Gods!" Robin cried, his fingers digging hard into her ass as he fought down the desire to take control back from the dancer, gritting his teeth and panting desperately as he felt her smooth melodic movements trying to wring every last drop of cum from him. "I-I'm getting close!"
'O-Outside!' Some distant echo of reason whispered in her mind. She couldn't possibly let him- it was too dangero-
"INSIDE ME! CUM! ROBIN!" She begged, her mind long since gone and voice returning only long enough to feel his cock pulsing inside her. "Naga! I-I want it!"
The thought of losing his cock now, of not feeling it inside her anymore, she couldn't possibly take that! She needed it, she needed to feel his seed inside her, to be painted in his colours!
"GHHAAA!" Robin roared in response, holding tight to her with all his strength as she slammed herself down one final time, peaking once again as his cock drove hard into the deepest walls of her pussy.
"H-Haa, ahaa!" Still orgasming, Olivia was barely able to even process the feeling as she felt his cock grow even larger inside her, felt it scraping and twitching against the back of her pussy for a single moment…
"G-GHHA!" He gasped, spots dancing in front of his eyes as the pressure finally exploded and his cock sprayed rope after rope of thick, hot cum violently against her innermost walls. Hands holding her clasped in place, he leaned back with a guttural moan.
"AIIYAAA-"
Sensitive beyond telling and with her entire body shaking and convulsing, Olivia came the instant she felt his seed pushing against her body, then again and again with each twitch of his cock, each fresh burst of his release. Her mind was seared blank and her vision faded, her eyes rolling back in her head as the indescribably pleasure coursed through her, changing her completely and utterly.
And then everything went white.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
"I-Ah…huh?"
Blinking herself out of a daze, Olivia had no idea how much time passed before she came back to her senses. "Ah-ghnng…" She added, panting weakly and squirming in his lap as her senses slowly un-fogged and she could once again feel his cock, still hard within her.
"Hey there." Robin whispered gently, running his hands softly up her back as she turned to look at his warm, smiling face. "Are you okay? You passed out at the end there."
"I-Oh, ah." She could only barely remember it, "It…it just felt so good." All she could remember was the pleasure, almost going insane with it.
…That and a small voice, an intensely burning desire within her, already telling her she needed more…
"Yeah." He sighed happily, cradling her head in his hands, pressing his lips against hers, they kissed gently, lovingly this time. "You were amazing, incredible."
"W-Was I?" Her heart skipped a beat, and even now, after everything, she found herself blushing. "I-It was good?"
"I couldn't take my eyes off you." He answered.
And she knew then, lying in Robin's lap and feeling his cum dripping thick down her legs, that he wasn't like any other man she knew. She could feel it in the way he held her, in the way he kissed her, in the very atmosphere of the room...
She could feel just how much he wanted her. Just how much he needed her.
"Good." She smiled, laying her head exhausted into his shoulder. "That's how it should be."
She should have felt guilty, or hesitant, or a thousand other things. But all she felt was an incredible warmth, the fulfilment of a desire she'd sought her entire life.
It was the greatest feeling in the world.
---------------------------------***********************---------------------------------
AN: And there we have it! Like I said, a little bit sweeter this time no? Ignore the context a little and we’ve got what I think almost works as a Robin/Olivia love story. If nothing else, didn’t you have fun seeing the dancer who was scared to have anyone look at her, grow into a woman begging her man to watch her?
A little less sex than I envisioned (sorry to everyone I told I was going to put a threesome in this chapter, that and several other fun scenes got excised, expect them next time!) but a lot going on, and hopefully the sex that is here was enjoyable!
But again like I said at the top, I like Gregor, portraying him like this is NOT bashing him. It’s simply taking his epilogue seriously. He’s a great guy, but he’s also a flawed man, and even so Olivia is just as much at fault as he is. By refusing to confront the issue he never even realised he was causing a problem. Still of course, ultimately, Robin is the one to blame. Robin’s the bad guy here.
Also: I'm soliciting feedback. We’ve had quite a few of the first generation Shepherds in a row now, so I’d like to bring in one of the second generation soon. I’ve got them all planned out, but most of their stories are somewhat flexible in terms of order (not Cynthia, sorry).
So, here’s another chance to influence how this story progresses. Tell me which of the second generation Shepherds would you like to see first?
And, good news for those of you most concerned with the first generation, each of those stories also requires some setup with regards to their mother. So, a vote for Kjelle means Robin needs to take care of Sully first, Nowi for Nah, etc. So, if you really want to see any of those, go and make your voice heard. Bonus points for dropping your reason in a review/PM, you might be able to sway me over in a close call!
Anyhow, that’s enough out of me!
Up next… Does anyone else think it’s about time we applied some of Robin’s new instincts to the scientific method?
- 5
- 6
- 7
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A Change Of Tactics