Fire Emblem and all characters associated with the series belong to Nintendo. GrimGrave does not own anything and does not make money for writing fiction.

I'm sorry for the long wait. I hope you'll find this worth the wait!

Be sure to leave a review and your suggestion for next chapter's pairing! This pairing is Male!Robin x Libra, requested by Lia'Ceya!

Love Emblem

Chapter 3

Tender Touch

"I'm jealous of you." Never would the monk even dare to think that he would hear those words; it was preposterous, after all, to think that anyone would ever be jealous of him, no matter the reason. He was a simple man of the cloth – a man of the Gods.

That was why Libra glanced up at the snow-haired tactician, his expression deadpan. "…I beg your pardon?"

"I said I'm jealous of you, Libra," Robin replied and smiled. "You paint so beautifully and you're a hard worker. You're so calm and collective all the time…as if you're in a constant state of peace. That's what I meant."

The war-monk arched an eyebrow puzzlingly. "…I still fail to see how someone like you could be jealous of me. You can learn how to paint and being calm is rather simple. I'm surprised you'd be jealous about that."

"I may not show it that often, but I'm far from calm most of the time. As a tactician, I hold the whole army in my hands; one wrong move from me and we could potentially lose many lives. Even as I go through my strategies over and over, I end up worrying if it actually will work," he replied. It was unusual for Robin to speak so openly about his insecurity, but in a way, Libra found it… refreshing, in a way.

"You've guided us through many battles, Robin, and we've always ended up victorious. But it's good to hear that you worry."

The tactician eyed him curiously. "…How, exactly, is that good?"

Libra smiled up at him – the way that, unfortunately for the monk, made him really look beautiful, like a woman – and replied. "Because it shows that you take this seriously, but more importantly it shows that you care – a rare trait amongst some people, I assure you."

Somehow, his words sounded somber, and the tactician swore he saw – for only a brief moment – a sorrowful glint in the monk's beige-green eyes. And not for the first time; the monk always seemed to force himself be cheerful at times, as if to fit in.

"While it is good to know you're being careful, don't stress out too much, Robin." He laughed softly, though it sounded forced, as if Libra wasn't really laughing, but did it because the situation called for it. "The army counts on you. It would be a great tragedy if something were to happen to you."

Robin's curiosity got the better of him as he promptly sat down by the war-monk's table. The longhaired man of the cloth looked surprised, but said nothing.

"I've been meaning to ask you, Libra, and I apologize in advance if it upsets you," Robin began. "Since we've first met, you have seemed somber – hollow, almost, even when you're smiling. At first I thought it was the shock of Emmeryn's death, but I don't think I've ever seen you smile wholeheartedly. It's almost like –"

"An act," Libra finished and sighed. "You have keen eyes, Robin. And you're right; I feel like I am indeed playing a figure. A hollow shell that does what's expected of him, but doesn't…quite feel the part." He looked away. "Pray forgive me. Ignore my idle ramblings."

"Why is that?" Robin queried. Seeing Libra so depressed and hear him talk like this affected the tactician and, while unsure of the reasons, he wanted to help him. Robin wanted to be there for him. "We're friends, you know. You can confide in me."

Libra remained quiet at first, barely glancing at the white-haired man. He offered a weak smile and, unfortunately for him, it made him look serene and beautiful like a woman. It was –

´Breath-taking…´ Robin thought to himself.

"You are a kind person, Robin. I thank the Gods for delivering you to us."

The tactician breathed sharply in. His heart raced for a moment. The war monk's voice was so soothing and inviting; he could listen to it all day. It didn't help that the dim candlelight made him look so… well, attractive. Honestly, mistaking Libra for a woman was only natural and several men in the army had openly flirted with him, only for them the second after finding out that they had in fact flirted with a man.

Perhaps it was for that same reason that Robin – fully aware of the priest's gender – reached out and gently squeezed his hand. "I guess I ought to be thankful as well –"

Libra swiftly withdrew his hand. His expression as changed; he looked scared, almost disgusted, and even… hurt?

He must've realized this, for he forced a smile. "My apologies… It's not personal, I assure you. I just don't like to be touched."

"…Haphephobia?" Robin inquired. This was new. For someone so caring and benevolent, being afraid of touch didn't strike as something Libra would be.

"Yes and no… I wouldn't perhaps go that far, but…," the priest replied. He sighed. "I... I've already had a similar conversation with Nowi, but… Would you perhaps hear my idle ramblings? I'm under the impression that you would try and find out either way."

"I would love for you to confide in me, Libra. We're friends, aren't we? I want to support you in any way I can."

The war monk laughed softly, and his smile seemed genuine. What's more, seeing him happy like this made the tactician's heart skip a happy little beat.

Wait, what?

"I thank you," the long-haired man said. "Truth be told, I feel at ease around you. I guess I'll be blunt; I was abandoned as a child, you see. Of course, like any child, I wouldn't let them leave me… As I clung onto mother's leg, I had to be forced off her. I still bear the scar…"

Robin gulped. Libra had this kind of past behind him?

"You mean a wound of the heart? I can't imagine something like that ever healing…"

Libra shook his head. "Oh no, no, dear Robin; a physical wound, on my neck, you see. My parents really didn't want me near them. I like to believe they had their good reasons, but… as far as I can remember, they were under the belief that I was possessed by demons."

"What kind of parents –" Robin stopped himself. "…Are you really okay with telling me this, Libra? I don't mean for you to reopen old wounds."

Libra chuckled: a tragic sound that made the tactician's heart hurt.

"Who knows? All I feel is that… I trust you, Robin."

Hearing her – him! – say that spread heat across the tactician's face. But heavens above, it was as if Libra really was a woman!

"I can't imagine how it must feel to live with such a past… I don't even have a memory past the moment I woke up in that field…"

"I've heard," Libra said. "Princess Lissa told me about how they found you unconscious. I believe it was the will of the gods that delivered you to them." He looked away. "Although selfish as it may be, it is I who perhaps is jealous of you. What I wouldn't give to forget about my life as an orphan…"

The tactician heart couldn't take it anymore. "Libra, listen to me. I cannot even begin to fathom what your life would be like, and I'm going to try to understand either. But don't forget that we are all comrades here, and you can confide in us. I'm here for you."

He hadn't meant for the last bit to sound as tender as it did, and it certainly didn't help that his hand was touching Libra's again. Only, this time the man of the cloth didn't shy away.

They exchanged looks over the awkward silence, neither moving their hands. The priest then suddenly entwined his fingers with the tactician's and smiled.

The action made Robin's pulse quicken.

"Thank you, Robin. I am fortunate to have you care so much for me."

The pale-haired man swallowed hard. This was bad. Too many thoughts raced in his head, all involving the woman – man! – before him. It didn't help that Libra really looked like a woman, especially up-close – wait, when had they leant in-

Surprisingly soft lips momentarily grazed his own. Hazel eyes stared into beige-green ones in silence.

"Oh my…" the monk breathed. "Pray forgive me… I don't know what came over me."

Robin averted his gaze. "…It's…It's quite alright. I just wasn't prepared for it."

Libra bit his lower lip. "I fear I acted upon greed. You are a caring and gentle individual, Robin. You are a light in this steadily bleak world and… I suppose I succumbed to baser inclinations and acted without thinking."

"Don't worry about it." The tactician blushed furiously. "…I don't mind."

"That's kind of you to say," Libra replied. "…Is it because I look like a woman? I'm afraid that underneath these clothes there's nothing you haven't seen already."

Robin shook his head, perhaps too quickly as to clear any misunderstanding. "I know you are a man, Libra. And I'm telling you that I don't mind."

Had he really said that? Apparently he had if the smile on the priest's lips was of any indication.

"You truly are a kind soul, Robin. Perhaps, too kind… I fear that I may want you for myself."

Before the tactician could ask what he meant by that, the monk had claimed his lips again. It was different; chaste, still, but hungrier. His tongue slipped past the tactician's and explored his oral cavern.

This was surreal. Was this really happening? Robin's blood rushed straight down to his erection. His cheeks were hotly red and his heart threatened to leap out of his chest.

This had taken such a strange turn… so why did it feel… right?

"Naga forgive me," Libra murmured. "I've fallen from grace."

Robin had to suppress a moan. "F-forget about… grace, Libra…!" By the Gods, how could a man of the cloth be so talented with his tongue? "We are both adults… capable of making our own decisions."

The war monk ceased and withdrew. He looked at Robin, confused, until his expression softened.

"This is what I'm talking about," he then said. "You are a kind, understanding, and noble soul. From the moment we first met, you have stood out… and you're making me act so unlike myself."

"Yes," said Robin. "It would appear so…A minute ago you would not even let me touch you."

"I was startled first, granted, but knowing it's you… I don't seem to mind. My apologies… Am I making you uncomfortable? I'm afraid I am getting… greedy."

The Tactician gasped. The thought of a lust-greedy Libra somehow made him hot…and suddenly his pants seemed a size or two smaller.

X.x.X.x.X

Had the Tactician been able of rational thought, he'd wonder about two things: A; how had things escalated this quickly, and B; how had they not been caught yet?

His shirt undone and pants discarded on the floor, Robin struggled to keep quiet as the War Monk gently kissed his body. Libra, having only shed his robe and shirt, brushed against the white-haired man's manhood and stimulated the Tactician's puckered star.

"L-Libra…!" Robin whimpered. "O-Oh, heavens…!"

"Naga forgive me… I have sinned," said the monk between kisses and nips. "The temptation is too great for a simple man like me…"

"I th-think we are b-both to blame for this…" Robin arched back against the table's surface, the War Monk looming over him and inducing pleasure-pain that spread from neuron to neuron. His cock throbbed, and an uncharacteristic whimper escaped his mouth as it was left ignored.

"This is… ironic," Libra then said. "I, who am often mistaken for a woman, will be the man during our…union."

Robin's eyes shot wide open, his heart skipping a beat upon realizing. "A-are you implying – ?!"

"Hush, Robin. Please, turn around. I'll be nothing but gentle."

Would he dare to? The Tactician knew what would happen if he did. But he trusted Libra; they were brothers in arms. And besides…

…He wasn't entirely against the idea, as long as it was Libra, then…

Robin shifted onto his stomach, bent over the table. The War Monk hesitantly flipped his robe aside and positioned himself –

"Are you ready, Robin? I don't want to hurt you…"

That was comforting to hear, but the Tactician had already made his decision with the knowledge that this would hurt either way.

"You can always use a healing staff a-afterwards…" Robin replied with a firm nod. "Libra…"

The War Monk smiled at him in a way that, again, made him look like a woman despite that his bare chest was on display. He took a deep breath and gently prodded the short-haired male's rear.

Robin gritted his teeth and grunted. Libra pushed against him, and for a moment the Tactician thought that they both had been unprepared for this.

Then it happened; loosening up enough, the War Monk entered Robin with a pain-pleasuring thrust. Neither moved as the Tactician focused on his breathing. Who'd knew that a religious man such as Libra would be rather endowed?

After a small eternity, he nodded at the monk. "Okay," he said. "I'm… I'm ready."

"Are you certain, Robin? I don't want to –"

"Libra," Robin interrupted, his face flushed and body trembling. "It's okay…"

Libra nodded back. He started out with slow, rhythmic movements, easing his way in. Soon, the pain-pleasure became only pleasure and the monk increased the pace of his movements. His manhood slid with ease into Robin's rear, the sound of flesh slapping echoing in the tent.

The Tactician stifled another moan as Libra laid on top of him, thrusting harder. In between kisses and nips, grunts and moans, the monk whispered the tactician's name into his ear as they made love deep into the night.

X.x.X.x.X

"Here," the monk said, placing a cup on the table. "I made you some tea."

The Tactician nodded. "Thank you…"

"How are you feeling? I fear I may have gone too far earlier…"

"It still stings," Robin replied. "But the healing stave should take care of it in a few moments."

The long-haired man sighed. "I'm glad to hear that you don't bear any resentment towards me."

"Why should I? I wanted this as much as you did… even if things did escalate to the point that we… well…"

"Had sexual intercourse."

Robin blushed. "Y-Yes…"

"Let me apologize once more; I don't know what came over me. It was so unlike me, and yet –"

"I'm as much to blame for what happened as you are," the Tactician stated. "Think nothing more of it, Libra."

The War Monk didn't respond at first; he sat there, studying the other male with those beautiful eyes of his, until he smiled and said, "I'm afraid that I will not be able to forget about this, most likely due to reasons I rather not discuss… yet."

Robin blushed even more and nearly spat out the tea he was drinking. "I… I don't mind. I told you, I care about you. Things got out of hand tonight, but…" He fell silent, duelling with the many thoughts that had arisen after the whole ordeal. "…If we can take things slowly from now on… Do you think we can go from here? One step at a time?"

The monk stared at him puzzlingly. "…Are you implying what I think you are, Robin?"

"I believe I am."

Libra chuckled, and it sounded genuine this time. "You are a strange man, Robin; noble, kind, but strange. But I suppose I must be stranger, still. How about a cup of tea tomorrow? We can talk about art, if you wish."

Robin smiled. "Sounds like a plan."