So far I've had sort of a linear story (night before the final battle, the return after the battle, and a day at the beach sometime after the return). I realize that in two of the chapters, and that last one especially, it revolved a lot around the characters telling a story to tell the past. This chapter will be different in that this chapter will not (necessarily) be told like that. In fact, I plan to try something a little different this time. Most chapters have been 3rd person omniscient for POV. This one I planned to do 3rd person limited, and concentrate on Lucina specifically for it. So without further ado, please enjoy.

It was late at night for the Shepherd army. Lanterns were ablaze at most tents and sounds of merriment could be heard. The day had been simple, if not quite enjoyable. The Shepherds had marched further across the vast continent of Valm, finished off a band of Risen attacking a small village, and then made camp for the night. Chrom, Frederick, Lissa, Say'ri, and Dante held a war council meeting, to decide their next turn of events, while Lucina took charge of teaching some sword techniques to some of the less skilled units in preparation for the more perilous battles ahead. While unusually uneventful for the Ylissean army, it was peaceful, and they would take what they could get.

In one tent, a large group consisting of Gaius, Frederick, Lissa, Lon'qu, and many of the other Shepherds were chatting with one another around a poker table. Sully could be heard shouting at Virion as she grabbed him by the shirt and threatened him after he made off with a large chunk of her money. Though in fear for his life, the witty archer merely replied, "Milady, I apologize that this handsome face and charming glow made you lower your guard, but all is fair in love and war, hmm?" A loud and shouting echoed throughout the camp as Sully lost her temper.

Chrom and Sumia were busy in their tent, preparing for sleep, not keen to participate in gambling and give a bad impression to the army. Donnel and Panne were wandering around the outskirts of camp, digging holes and planting traps as they bonded over their usual games of cat-and-mouse. And aside from that, the rest of the camp was scattered about, or heading off to sleep.

Lucina, in her made her way towards Dante's tent, wondering if the tactician should still be awake. She had missed the war meeting, and needed to catch up on what she missed with him, to find out their plan. Mostly, though she didn't even admit it to herself, she just wanted to see him as usual. Their bond had been growing at a fast rate, especially after Chrom's blessing had been given to the young couple. Sure they weren't engaged yet, and Lucina still wondered when and if Dante would propose to her, but that didn't matter at the moment. Dante had told her that even with Chrom's blessing, he intended to take their relationship slowly, if only to take in all their time together and truly appreciate it. Lucina was very pleased when they'd decided this. She'd never intended to fall in love with anyone in the first place. Much less did she expect to fall in love with a man who treated her with such kindness. She didn't know if she'd ever be able to express her gratitude to Dante for making her feel so welcome and happy. As she walked towards Dante's tent thinking of all this, she made a promise to herself to work to express that better to him one day. After she finished her primary objective there of course.

At least Lucina arrived at his tent, noticing a dim glow emanate from inside. She assumed he must still be awake then. "Dante?" she called out to him.

She peeked inside briefly to find him at his desk, as usual, studying some books with a mess of volumes in piles all around him, and miscellaneous maps and papers sprawled on his desk. He turned to face her.

"Oh hello Lucina! Please come in," Dante smiled warmly as he turned to face her. Lucina's heart momentarily jumped. It always did when she approached him. Something about the tactician just made you feel welcome and at ease, as if his voice promised that he was always there, and would listen to anything you said and do his best to give advise. Lucina still wasn't used to such warmth from others. Even so, she was always happily surprised to feel so welcome every time she came to him.

Lucina sauntered into Dante's tent, and the tactician stood up and pulled out a chair for her as he invited her to sit. Grinning amiably, the tactician asked, "So dearest, what brings you here at these late hours?

"Well, I was absent from the meeting this afternoon after the Risen fight. My father is headed to sleep and much of the rest of the Shepherds are drinking and gambling as usual. Such a rowdy environment isn't for me. So I thought to come see you tonight. Besides, I missed you today…" Lucina blushed as she stole a quick peck on her beloved's cheek.

"Not to worry, I actually anticipated you coming at some point." Dante said matter-of-factly, after a quick kiss back to her. He pulled out a map of Valm, cleared the table by knocking things haphazardly to the ground, and spread it out.

"So what do we plan for next?" the blue-haired princess asked.

"Well, if you look here," Dante pointed, "here is where we are currently encamped. About two days from our location is where Say'ri said we are to head to next, the Mila Tree. Now, you obviously know what the plan is when we get there; find the "Voice of the Divine Dragon" and ask for her aid. But today we sent out our Pegasus scouts to see what was going on."

"And what did they find?"

"It appears that one of Valm's primary generals, Cervantes, is stationed there, aware that we intend to go there next. Which is both good and bad news. It means for our next two days of marching, we should encounter little to no resistance, aside from possible Risen. Due to this, Chrom wants us to use these next two days to rest up and be in good shape for battle, so that should boost our morale now that the Shepherds know they can sleep in." Dante explained.

Lucina cut in. "And so the bad news would be that Chrom really expects resistance at the tree, and it may actually take a lot more effort to ascend the tree to find the great Voice, Tiki."

"Precisely. In the meantime I've been studying some field books documenting the layout and terrain of the Mila Tree. The battle won't be in our favor as we are ascending a tree, meaning an uphill battle. But it also means that Cervantes' forces will need to be more precautious in descending to attack us." Dante gave a hint of a smile.

Lucina had to hand it to him. Their tactician was quick thinking and always prepared. It was one of the things she loved most about him.

"Well, if it brings you ease, I hadn't heard too much about the battle in my time. I don't recommend dropping your guard, but we can rest easier knowing there are no upcoming major deaths or injuries. No thanks to your brilliant tactics I assume," Lucina smirked.

Dante brushed off the compliment with a small grin. "That doesn't give me reason not to put all my planning skills to use for this battle. But I appreciate that knowledge regardless."

He rolled up the map and left it on the table.

"I don't believe you missed much else at the meeting. Chrom expects me to give a battle strategy report tomorrow eve, but that's not concerning to you just yet. And I also believe that I have finished enough work for the night to call it over," Dante finished.

Lucina nodded. Now she was done with that, there was nothing left for her to do for the night either. She realized it was getting late, and though she wanted to spend more time with Dante, rest was important as well, especially if her father was actually calling for it.

"Well I appreciate you filling me in on what I missed, Dante. I can always count on you." She smiled affectionately. "Although it is getting late now and I do think I should head back to my tent."

Dante's expression noticeably dropped for a moment. Lucina felt her heart wrench up as she saw this. She wasn't used to this just yet. She wanted to devote as much time as she could to Dante, but she also knew that she had a larger purpose to work towards here, and she wouldn't let her voyage to the past be a wasted effort. Unfortunately that usually meant that her and Dante had conflicting tasks, and aside from battle, meals, and the occasional date, she wasn't able to spend much time with him.

"It's fine, Chrom did recommend we get rest. It certainly would be wise to head off to sleep soon…" Dante replied.

Lucina stood up from her seat with Dante and the two embraced each other. Lucina tightly held him there, as she didn't want to leave him.

The two left their embrace and Lucina began to head towards the entrance when Dante stopped her quickly. "Lucina, do you mind if I walk you back to your tent? I have no other commitments tonight and would like to accompany you."

Lucina smiled. She didn't really see a reason why not. There certainly wasn't a reason he should feel the need to accompany either. But she also longed for his company for a little longer. "O-of course! Well…shall we?" she replied almost nervously, grabbing his hand as they headed together towards her tent.

The rest of camp was mostly asleep now. The poker game had now long been dead, and only a few faces were still there, conversing around a small fire, sharing stories. The two wouldn't likely be noticed by anyone. And if they were, it would be too late at night for anyone to really care. Besides, Lucina thought, she was just letting Dante come with her to her tent. Nothing was wrong with that at all. He'd just follow her, hand in hers, and when he got there, he would lean in for a goodnight kiss, she hold him close, and then she'd watch him slowly walk away from her once again, leaving her alone for the night…

Lucina felt a chill run through the air. It was rather a cold night. But Dante was so warm. She could just imagine it if the two could be there in her tent, her resting on the bed while he wrapped his arms around her…

No! What was she thinking? Was she crazy? If Dante slept there, she didn't know what he would do while she slept. Or what people would think if they found her. She would just have to make do with watching him leave and go back to his tent, and put on some extra blankets…

But what if he didn't have to go, she wondered? Dante was a very different kind of man. In fact he was the one to propose that they take things slowly for their own sake in their relationship (even though she had planned on bringing it up). And besides, if there was one thing she had been yearning for, it was to have him there by her pillow every night.

They arrived at her tent, and Dante let go of Lucina's hand. "Well, we're here. This is where we part Lucina. Don't let me keep you up any longer, you really do need some rest." He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead.

Lucina nuzzled into his shoulder and held him tightly. She could feel her heart beating rapidly, and she was struggling to be the one to make such a push in their relationship. She wasn't the most expressive person there was. She wasn't extremely talkative. She tried to keep her emotions bottled up most of the time. She never asked for much.

When she needed someone to talk to, Dante offered for her to come to his tent. When she needed to be comforted, Dante hugged her and helped her fears and worries vanish momentarily. When she felt alone amongst the Shepherds in a time she shouldn't belong in, Dante was the one to take her for a walk and provide her company. He was the one to act on feelings of love and kiss her first. He brought her small gifts. He admitted to her that he loved her first. Lucina knew she wasn't the most outwardly affectionate person in the world, and yet Dante was always there for her. He was always so affectionate for her, and she wished she could be more expressive for him. So just for once, could she make a step for him?

As Dante turned to head back Lucina softly whispered," Wait Dante…"

He faced her with that smile again, that smile that said he'd do anything for her. "Yes my love?"

"I w-well…y-you see…" she struggled at first. 'Oh c'mon Lucina. You braved a bridge through time, fought through armies, fierce towering foes, and the dragon of destruction. And you can't muster the courage to put aside your serious demeanor just for him?' she lectured herself.

"What is it Lucina? Do you need me to do something for you?"

She gathered her emotions together. "Dante…do you think that maybe…you could stay with me tonight? I mean, not the way you might think, but just come inside and—mmmmmmm!..." she was stopped by a kiss.

"Lucina, you needn't worry. If you want me to spend the night with you, I would gladly do so. And as for what you're thinking, I wouldn't dream of it until we were wed. No worries. Come on, I did say you need some sleep, didn't I?" Dante replied, taking hold of her hand and embracing her.

Lucina smiled in his arms, and then led him into her tent. Thinking about it, it was probably his first time in there, as she only really used it for sleep.

"Well, welcome to my tent. Please, make yourself comfortable. Oh dear, what do you plan to sleep in?" she realized that he may not have brought sleeping garments.

"Not to worry Lucina. One of the best benefits to wearing a robe is that it is good for everyday wear, and also suited for sleeping. My question is, what do you intend to do? I don't think I've ever seen you without your royal armor on. I hope you don't sleep in that" he chuckled lightly.

She smiled embarrassed, realizing he was right. "No, I assure you that I don't sleep in this. That would be very uncomfortable. Errmmm…do you mind…turning away for a moment? And no peeking?"

Dante turned around and covered his eyes with his hands. Lucina quickly undressed from her armor, struggling in her hurry to unbuckle each individual piece. She constantly kept turning to see if Dante was really staying still and not being a peeping tom. But Dante was every bit as respectful as always, and didn't so much as move. She felt her heart rush, just knowing he really did respect her and did so much to make her happy. Lucina quickly pulled out a sleeping gown and threw it on, turning to Dante and poking him in the back once she was clothed properly.

"You're safe now."

He lifted his hands off of him and turned to see her. She noticed that he looked at her in a different way. He looked almost like he with her all over again. She laughed at him and asked, "What, you look like you just saw me for the first time or something?"

Dante shook his head. "I apologize. It's just…I don't think I've ever seen you without your armor on. You look…stunning."

Lucina grinned. "It's just a night gown. Most women wear one to bed you know,"

"It's still the first I've seen you in one. And I can safely affirm that you are the most beautiful woman I have known in all my life," Dante said as the two got into the bed together.

Lucina pulled her blankets over the two, while Dante turned around and put her arm around her waist. Her heart started pumping quickly at his gentle touch.

"Dante?"

"Yes Lucina?"

"You know…this is something I've always wanted. In my future I always felt so alone. I had no one but my friends to hold on to. And it was a cold and brutal world we shared. I've always secretly wanted to have someone to love and who loves me hold me tight as we go to sleep. I've kinda dreamt about it for awhile now," she started, and wrapped her hands around his embrace.

"I used to have nightmares of my future. I'm always so worried about failing, and seeing my mother and father, or any of the Shepherds, die. But, since you've come into my life, those nightmares have stopped coming so much. I've started to dream of just being with you, with no Valm, no Grima, no future to save. Just us together with the rest of our lives to each other. I guess that I'm trying to say is…thank you Dante. For everything you've done for me. With you I feel like there's a chance to stop all of this, and to save my father. And for just helping me feel like that, I want you to know I'm grateful."

"Lucina, I always want to make you happy. Since the first time I truly met you and talked with you, I wanted to always be there to make you smile and to make a brighter future, together, with you. I'll do everything I can to make sure your future doesn't come to pass, so that at the very least you may live the rest of your life peacefully. You aren't alone Lucina," Dante assured Lucina, with a kiss to the back of her neck.

There was a short, quiet pause in the room.

"I love you Dante."

"I love you Lucina."

And with those last few words, Lucina drifted off to sleep. She knew for a fact that there wouldn't be nightmares tonight. And, if Dante were to stay with her every night from then on, then never again at all.

"Goodnight Lucina," Dante whispered to her one last time, kissing her brilliant hair as she slept peacefully in his arms.

And with that, the two were out, and from that night on, so long as Dante and Lucina were together, they never slept without one another again.

And that is the chapter. Much better job updating this time I might say, right? I hope you enjoyed it. Not quite as fluffy as some of the other chapters, but I think it captured what I feel would've been the first time Robin/Lucina actually slept together (actually sleeping, this is rated T after all). Hopefully a little better writing and detail included in this. I'll need to retake a look back at the other chapters, especially chapter 3, the battle scene just felt too fast to me. I'm much better at writing dialogue rather than battle scenes. Besides, I feel like most people on this site prefer that emotion from dialogue. I mean a battle is a battle, that's just the gameplay of the game. But the dialogue is where the characters really come to life.

We'll see where I plan to go next. I'm feeling like the Hot Springs. Maybe 2 chapters in one, tying in the Hot Springs to the famous scene where Lucina almost kills you. THAT scene is probably my favorite, and I'd like to tie the Hot Springs to it since I found a connection there that really shows how the relationship advances.

Anyways, enough talk. Please leave reviews and feedback. Reviews keep me motivated to actually continue writing, feedback helps me to improve. And I will hopefully bring the next chapter soon.

Well, Allons-y friends.