Part II:

Maribelle got to the door of the office she shared with Robin about an hour after sunrise. She had slept even worse than usual courtesy of Robin. She wasn't mad at him whatever she had shouted. She was touched by his gesture, the only problem with it was that it made her once again grapple with the ethics of what she felt towards her boss. She opened the door of the office to find Robin filling out what looked to be court forms.

"Good Morning Maribelle."

"Robin. What are you doing?"

Robin jerked his head up alarmed by Maribelle's tone, the sudden motion of his head making his bangs flop around his forehead. To complete the look, he raised his right eyebrow. It was when he made faces like that, that Maribelle found him most attractive and most infuriating.

"My job?"

"You just got back from a two-month diplomatic deployment Robin."

"These need to get done."

"You're going to overwork yourself Robin! If Chrom finds you working, he'll-"

"Live with it, because I told him when I saw him yesterday, I was getting right back to work on our stuff."

The way he said our it was clear to Maribelle that she was the other included party and not Chrom.

"Do you…do you think I am incompetent?"

Robin looked horrified.

"No! Maribelle don't ever suggest that again. You are brilliant at your job never mind competent, but it wasn't fair that you did two people's work for so long."

Maribelle opened her mouth to argue, but Robin raised a hand to suggest he wasn't finished.

"You spend so much time worrying about me, you should worry about your own feelings too."

Own feelings. Maribelle could've shouted, why did he have to pick the words that reminded her of how she felt?!

"Okay…" she mumbled in a rare display of meekness.

"Thank you Maribelle, I don't know what this Halidom would do without you which is why I need you to remember to take care of yourself."

"Y-you need to take care of yourself too! And not just in terms of rest. I am very thankful for the tea but I really don't want you spending that kind of gold on-"

"Say'ri's family cultivates tea on their reclaimed estate. She asked if I wanted any and I thought of you because as you are aware, I don't really like tea. I offered to buy it, but she refused my money. So, while I appreciate you looking out for my fiscal responsibility it isn't necessary."

"It isn't necessary this time."

"Maribelle, are you still worried about the Searoad?"

"Yes!"

His first mission as Royal Advisor in the Post-Grima world was to the Searoad, where he had famously turned a fleet of ships into makeshift fireballs, regarded the fishing rights for nobles and single boat peasants. During a trip to port Robin had purchased a pearl necklace from one of the local Annas and given it to Maribelle as a birthday present. He had thus far refused to divulge the price of the item and maintained that he would not under any circumstances only telling his dear friend that his salary made the expense affordable. Robin smiled at the memory of giving it to Maribelle who had sputtered and gasped.

"You're good to me Maribelle, and I value our friendship."

It made Maribelle swell with joy to hear Robin say they were friends, but there was an ever-increasing voice in her head that demanded more. She'd speak with Lissa later about it when they had dinner. With her thoughts swirling about Robin she worked at a very haphazard pace, though with Robin back she was able to do her duties and finish by about two o'clock.

"I know what you're going to ask Maribelle and the answer is no thank you. You did my work for two months, take off early."

"Y-yes sir." Maribelle mumbled, her heart thumping fast thinking about how to talk to Lissa about this latest development. Without another word she left, leaving Robin to ponder, but not before she spied a blue envelope on her desk and left with it.

"When has she ever called me sir before?"

Shrugging he got back to work eager to finish as much of it before sunset. He was making good headway when a carrier pigeon swooped in. It had a blue envelope addressed to him.

Robin,

In response to your latest splurge at my beheast I feel indebted to you once more. Please come to my villa at approximately 8 o'clock for dinner. You may come as you are or bring a change of clothes, I have no preference for the fashion of my guests. I am most gracious for the tea and your company.

See you shortly,

Maribelle

Robin groaned. He should have expected this. Maribelle was always extremely gracious but dinner for just him and her? No, she probably invited Lissa and a few others. Regardless, he thought freshening up would be smart and that he had done enough work today. Perhaps it was the suddenness of the invitation or that he was tired of reading, but Robin failed to notice that the dots on Maribelle's lowercase i's were not uniform.

…

"Lissa! You can't just invite him for dinner with me, I have no food at the house and it's-"

"Maribelle, you asked me to intervene there is my intervention, I am having beef bourguignon sent to the villa with you."

"But…"

"I am only the sister of the Exalt, it's not like I am hard-pressed for money. It's my treat to you two lovebirds. Now come over here."

The princess took the bewildered noble's hand before she could object, Lissa had shoved a large bottle of red wine into Maribelle's arms.

"Lissa, this is too much wine for two people!"

"So, make sure you don't bust the cork, and stop being so silly. It's just a nice dinner."

In a fluid motion Lissa hugged Maribelle, savoring her friend's befuddlement at the spontaneity.

"Don't worry so much Belle. It's just Robin."

She kissed Maribelle's cheek and offered a big smile which Maribelle returned with a meek expression.

"I know this will work."

Despite her rampaging anxiety, Maribelle couldn't help but feel a bit braver seeing Lissa's unrelenting optimism.

"I will write you a note for how things go."

"Please."

Lissa let go of Maribelle and walked over to the window of the kitchens to watch Maribelle ride home with the hired chefs.

"I hope that old potion book I borrowed was right."

…

Lissa had wanted to give Maribelle a change of garment as well but by the time they had finished fussing about the wine and cooks there wasn't anymore time and Maribelle spent the duration of the next couple hours staying clear of her kitchen, clenching and unclenching her hands, and looking at the bottle of wine. She had never heard of Oohvolt Barbdelve wine before and her reference books on viticulture didn't have any information on it. From what Maribelle knew from helping her father manage the family winery though she deduced that this had to be a Chon'sin because of the double o at the front. Robin might recognize it she thought with a smile as she remembered what her father had said about him after he had met him for the only time. It had been between the wars.

…

"Pleasure doing business with you Lord Themis"

"The pleasure is mine Sir Robin"

Robin kept his expression pleasant, but Maribelle knew from how he'd shuffled his feet the title made him a touch uncomfortable.

"You know, I'm very glad you're the Exalt's tactician and not just because you masterminded Gangrel's thrashing."

"Why do you say that sir?"

"Because you'd drive me and my partners out of the wine business if we weren't careful. Where does your blood hail from?"

"I'm afraid I don't know sir. This will sound barking mad, but maybe Maribelle has told you but I am an amnesiac. I have no memories of any of my life before the war."

"Good Heavens man!"

Lord Themis's composure came back as quickly as it had left him."

"No, my dear Belle had not mentioned that before, but all the same with your palate I'd worry if you did come to find out your family has a winery. You'd be a potioneer of the craft."

"You flatter me Lord Themis. We agreed 250 oros for the pair of barrels?"

"200 will be fine, consider the discount a compliment to your sagacity."

Maribelle could've sworn Robin blushed as he accepted her father's handshake. She embraced her father and joined Robin in the carriage back to Ylisstol. It was a silent ride for the first twenty minutes before Robin spoke.

"I really didn't think knowing about soil was noteworthy."

Maribelle couldn't restrain a snort.

"Don't let the number of wineries in this country fool you. Most of the nobles who own them keep them out of status. If people didn't like alcohol most of the plonk would turn to vinegar before anyone was stupid enough to buy it."

She paused.

"Daddy was impressed, he never gives discounts. I never told him about your amnesia because honestly it doesn't feel like it's anyone's business. You're a national hero after all."

Robin went scarlet with the praise.

"Coming from you, that means a lot."

Maribelle was glad Robin had turned his own face to hide so she didn't have to do the same for hers.

…

"Lady Maribelle!"

A knock on the door of her study brought her out of the nostalgia.

"Yes sir"

"The dinner will be ready in ten minutes, do you wish us to plate it before we take our leave?"

"Yes, that would be appreciated. Your tip is on the chair by the door."

The chef nodded and departed. Maribelle inhaled, any minute now Robin would arrive. She might tell him how she felt.

"Deep breaths Belle, you're a noblewoman not a coward."

She walked downstairs and was greeted with the wonderful smells only fine cooking could elicit.

"Lady Maribelle do you want us to open that wine you are holding?"

It was another one of the chefs, who was finishing setting out the cutlery.

"Yes, thank you."

No sooner had the cork popped than there was a knock at the door. Maribelle took another deep breath, this one through her nose so none of the chefs noticed and opened her door. Robin was there, his long hair mostly hidden under a thick woolen hat.

"Robin! Did you walk here?"

"N-no, Lissa got me a cab, said something about getting the chefs back before they were popsicles."

The wind whistled and Maribelle looked up. There was no denying that Lissa's decision had at least been partly motivated by this impending storm

"Well get inside, it's bitter cold and looks like it will start snowing."

They stepped inside and watched the chefs make it to the carriage which headed back towards the castle gates. The wind howled again and Maribelle shivered hard as they shut the door. Robin hung his coat, and Maribelle noticed he had a bag.

"I didn't stop at home first, and Lissa said there was something in there for you. Thank you for the dinner invitation Maribelle."

"The pleasure is mine Robin." Maribelle replied her anxiety gnawing at her stomach like an angry shark.

"I did wonder why you didn't mention this in person earlier."

"Oh, er well… I didn't want to distract your work."

Robin laughed, and they made their way through to the kitchen, where the smells of hot, delicious food on a cold, nasty evening overwhelmed both parties desire for friendly small talk. Though they ate in relative silence aside from the clinking of knives and forks each party stole glances at the other, Robin admiring the curls of Maribelle's hair and Maribelle wondering how best to broach her affections. They had both finished second helpings when Robin sniffed the air. With a sudden jolt of fear, he turned around.

"Something wrong Robin?"

"No, nothing Maribelle. Just, ah it wasn't anything."

"You nearly jumped out of your chair."

Maribelle's expression went from concerned to annoyed.

"I told you not to overwork yourself, did you eat right in Chon'sin?"

"You think Say'ri would have let me not?"

"Fair point. I had a question for you by the way. It was about this wine that neither of us have touched. Lissa gave it to me, and the label says Oohvolt Barbdelve."

She got up and handed him the bottle, before grabbing her own glass intending to go through to the sitting room to check how bad it was snowing.

"Oohvolt Barbdelve…Maribelle I have never heard of…"

Robin uncorked it and took a whiff of the ruby liquid and understood. He turned just as Maribelle had taken a deep sip and set her glass down on the table, perhaps steeling her nerves to see bad weather."

"This has love potion in it!"

Maribelle choked, spitting the un-swallowed wine down her front, wiping what wasn't setting a stain with her sleeve from her mouth and sputtering. Robin rushed to her, concern for his friend's safety overwhelming all else.

"Maribelle are you-"

Robin didn't get the words out before Maribelle grasped him around the middle and kissed him, holding it until they both needed to breathe.

"Maribelle…"

He examined her hazel eyes, knowing she hadn't had nearly enough for the potion to take a hold of her mind for longer than the duration of that kiss. She had however not let go of him.

"I-I am okay Robin."

"Do you know if Lissa did this as a prank or if maybe someone was trying to poison her or."

"It isn't a prank." Maribelle's heart was thumping fast. A part of her wanted to slap Lissa for being duplicitous but another part of her wanted to sing Lissa's praise for allowing her to let go of her fear for long enough to get on subject beyond the point of no return. She didn't even care that this would stain her dress.

"Robin, Lissa was trying to help me."

"Lissa knows…that I am in love with you."

Was it five seconds, five minutes, five days, or five eons Maribelle didn't know but Robin smiled.

"That makes me very happy Maribelle."

His expression turned serious. Was he about to ask to just be friends? She held him a bit tighter to her, now that she had reached out she wasn't letting go before she had to.

"Truth be told I was glad when Lissa told me your suitors had failed to impress you. Can you forgive such arrogance in a man?"

"There's nothing to forgive Robin. I do want to ask why you didn't court yourself then if you felt that way."

Though he had consumed none of the tainted wine Robin blurted his first thought.

"Because I felt unworthy. I know I have a decent salary, but I am not exceptionally wealthy. Any land I have is because Chrom gifted it to me, and any titles I earned as tactician came off the blood, sweat and work of many dozens of other great soldiers. I'm quite the nobody."

Through her many years dealing with nobles Maribelle had heard some moronic things but the idea of Robin not being worth her? She would have to go to the library tomorrow to find a new word to express how foolish such a thought was. Then it clicked that Robin had taught her the slang to do so.

"You 'avin' a laugh? Takin the piss? Daft cunt."

Robin gawked at Maribelle's vulgarity but before he could comment she had put a finger to his lips.

"So what you don't own a manor? You could if you wanted but you aren't vain. So what you aren't rolling in oros? You could if you wanted but you aren't greedy. You have however earned those titles. It was you who ended the war with Plegia as much as anyone with a sword, lance, axe, bow, or tome. No! More than anyone because you put our armies in a position to use those tools to maximum efficiency. It was you who killed the Fell Dragon with your own two hands. You wouldn't let any of us near them. You came back. You're not a nobody, you are Robin, Grandmaster Tactician of Ylisse, and the Love of my Life! Whether or not you feel you deserve those titles or not, that is what you are."

Maribelle knew she was letting her composure slip but she didn't care, such moments were never meant to be prim or proper but passionate. She removed her finger from Robin's mouth, desperate to place her lips there again but before she could Robin had initiated. For another wonderful moment there was warm silence between them.

"How did you know that was love potion?

"Tharja"

"Oh, is that why you flinched earlier when you smelled it?"

"Yup, but it's okay. In small doses it just prompts extreme honesty."

"Well, in that case can I be honest with you again Robin."

"Yes?"

"Well, I would like to…be intimate er-"

She felt her face redden.

"I mean! It's really cold outside and I would feel better if you stayed overnight. Perhaps we could dance off some of the calories and snuggle up to stay warm?"

"That sounds lovely Maribelle."

The wind howled outside, but it was overshadowed by the gentle thrum of the violin from Maribelle's many magical music boxes while she and Robin danced. The smiles couldn't have left their faces any more than a candle would survive in the blizzard outside.

"The next wedding we go to we can stay dancing for the couples songs" she remarked during an interlude. Robin laughed. Eventually they grew tired of dancing and Maribelle persuaded Robin that he could bathe in her residence, an argument made easier by the fact that he always brought a change of clothes with him in his bag. While Robin showered, Maribelle wrote her father a letter telling him her good news, reasoning that if he had approved of the other buffoons suggested, that the Grandmaster Tactician ought to be good enough for him. She also checked the window in the sitting room again. It had dumped many centimeters of snow and she had a strong suspicion the roads to the castle would be impassable tomorrow, and since she had no desire to freeze or hurt her carrier pigeon she decided that sending the letter could wait. She was so preoccupied with the cold outside she forgot to bring pajamas into the bathroom for after her shower, only realizing the problem as she used a housekeeping tome to dry and redo the curls in her hair. Cursing her airheaded moment, she wrapped herself in a towel and exited to the bedroom. Robin was sitting at her desk reading a book wearing a baggy white shirt and a matching pair of shorts, his bag tucked underneath her chair.

"You do know you're allowed to sit on my bed."

"I saw you left your pajamas through here and I didn't want to get comfortable before you got changed."

Robin closed his book looked up at Maribelle and stumbled out of the chair. Her hair was in the same immaculate blonde curls it always was, but Robin couldn't help noticing the rest of Maribelle's figure. It wasn't like he'd never seen a naked woman before but Maribelle's usual style of dress, with its poofs and buckles had the effect of making her appear more fabric than feminine. When clad only in a white towel however, he noticed just how curvy she was.

"Are you alright Robin?"

"Yeah, just lost my footing seeing how beautiful you are."

Maribelle went very pink in the face.

"You're as clumsy a flirt as you are on your feet…Thank you Robin."

She kneeled beside him for a moment waiting for him to get up completely before tackling him to the bed in a tight embrace. There was a blazing look in her eyes, quite unlike anything Robin had even seen in them before.

"I meant what I said earlier, you are the love of my life."

They kissed again, passion flooding into every touch once more. For Maribelle it was a continuation of their dance downstairs, every touch of lips was another note for her and Robin's to synchronize to. Finally their tongues joined the orchestra but only for a brief moment. Robin grasped her gently around the waist.

"Your towel is slipping..."

"So take it off me then."

Lemon Warning

"Are you sure that's what you want Maribelle?"

"Yes, more than anything right now, I want to make love to you!" she squeaked, her voice crackling with a desperate desire she had not felt since she had made daily prayers for Robin's safe return from limbo.

The concern on Robin's face told Maribelle what other questions he had.

"I haven't been with a man since before the Plegian War, but I did have a few liaisons with my family gardener. Youthful indiscretions!"

"I wasn't judging. I am not particularly in a position to."

"I'm sorry, we don't have to if you don't want to Robin."

"I do want to, I just wanted to make sure you were-"

"There's a time and place for chivalry, and a time and a place for physicality. This is the later in my opinion."

Maribelle got up and with all the ceremony of discarding a piece of trash, let her towel fall to the ground. Her skin was pale, shiny, and in Robin's opinion quite kissable. Her breasts were each slightly more than a large handful. Seeing Robin studying her Maribelle murmured something about using concealing bandages, her thighs continued the rest of her body's shapeliness and betwixt them were blonde curls. He got up and kissed Maribelle on the mouth in a far more assertive way than he had previously.

"You have the body of a goddess" he hissed.

"You flatter me my lord, surely you have been with women more beautiful than me."

"I thought nobles were taught that beauty was in the eyes of the beholder."

Robin stepped back slightly and tilted Maribelle's chin up with his pointer finger.

"You are the most beautiful woman alive and I refuse to let you slander yourself with thoughts otherwise."

Maribelle threw her arms around Robin again. She had intended to help him undress but all thoughts of doing so had to be chucked by the wayside for a moment.

"I don't know if it is possible, but you keep making me love you more!"

"Please don't cry Maribelle…I meant is as a-"

"I know you did Robin! I-I just can't help myself. And I don't care what anyone else says about you, the way you flow your words is even more impressive than your battlefield prowess. I was wrong to ever judge you when we met!"

"Maribelle, please stop judging yourself so harshly. Can you promise to try?"

"For you Robin, yes."

Robin picked Maribelle up, cradling her in his arms for a moment.

"Wait."

"Was is it Maribelle?"

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind. Lying me on the desk over there…"

Robin puzzled for a moment, surely walnut wood was nice and sturdy for writing on but for activities like this?

"I've er-wanted to do it in our offices for a while…A couple ways actually."

She eased herself down onto the floor again, grasping some blankets from her bed and set them on her desk, addressing Robin's comfort problem.

"Eventually if you are okay with it, I would like to orally stimulate you whilst you are working. And maybe at the end of the day have you bend me over my desk. Or just have you put me on yours…"

She finished by sitting on the now pillowed and blanketed desk and beckoning Robin forward with one hand.

"I'm sorry if that was too bold.."

"You know, it's attractive when you tell me what you want."

Maribelle gasped as Robin nibbled her ear and began kissing down her left jawline, resting his face before peppering her neck. Unsure of what to do with her hands Maribelle ran them through Robin's hair.

"I want to do the same with your curls."

"N-nothing is stopping yo..ooooh"

Robin had chosen that moment to mark Maribelle as a taken woman, using his lips, and teeth with gentleness and sensuality he gave her a small hickey.

"Robin, be careful. Somebody could see those!"

"I hope they do and know you're mine."

"Oh..of course! M-my mistake.."

His. Robin's Maribelle thought, and as Robin descended to her collarbones she was tempted to move one of her hands from Robin's hair to between her folds. She had just unwound one when Robin, continuing his leisurely stroll down her body with his mouth, flicked one nipple with his tongue, and pinched the other gently between his index and thumb. Instantly her un-freed hand was a claw in violet locks again not that Robin was perturbed.

"Y-you are my boss…that's why I didn't want to tell you my feeling for so long…ugggh…"

Robin let Maribelle's nipple out of his mouth with an exaggerated pop.

"We are equals Maribelle. We have to be if this is going to work."

Though the amorous look was still on his face, Maribelle knew this wasn't something being said in the heat of the moment. Maribelle nodded.

"Let me undress."

Maribelle couldn't help smiling, even though she had to let go of Robin. She watched as he tossed his pajamas off his body and gulped slightly at the sight of his twitching…

"You're sure you want this Maribelle?"

"Yes Robin."

Robin walked back to his new lover and hugged her, enjoying the giggle she made when her thigh was prodded. He went to dip his hand between Maribelle's legs but she stopped him.

"Please…just stick it in for now…I appreciate foreplay. But I want you this instant."

"It would be poor form to refuse a lady."

They shared a laugh that changed to a mutual shudder halfway through as Robin entered Maribelle. Without planning it Maribelle wrapped her legs around Robin's waist as tight as was comfortable and held him as though letting go would mean certain death. For his part Robin used the desk as leverage for his thrusts. Maribelle was tighter and warmer than anything he'd ever experienced in his life, and her whimpers served to egg him on.

"R-ro-oo-bi-iiin…Don't let me g-ooo-oo"

Any pitiful teenage wet dream Maribelle had prior to this evening was nothing, the bliss of being so close to someone, so full of hard, hot throbbing. He hit every pleasure ending from her lips down to her toes. Robin grasped her butt, savoring the suppleness. A small rational part of Maribelle's mind knew that the force of Robin's movement was scratching the hell out of her floor, but that could be fixed, what was more important was that he continue scratching this itch for pleasure she had.

"You said you want to pleasure me in our office?"

"Yes Robin!"

"When we get back to work, I'm using my mouth on you. I don't care if I have to rip your pants off!"

"Please!" Maribelle yowled as Robin again pushed deep into her.

"I'm gonna…Robin!"

End of Lemon

Maribelle felt every muscle clench and unclench for a moment in time. There was no office, there was no Ylisse, there was nothing but Robin. When she roused again she was lying in bed, still naked but under a sheet and with two pillows propping her head comfortably.

"What happened?"

"You kinda…passed out when you came…"

Maribelle blushed and was about to apologize when Robin, who had been sitting next to her, brushed her hair.

"Don't apologize. We…we let a lot of pent up feelings out at once."

"But you didn't get to.."

"You nearly hit your head on the desk, somehow your safety seems way more important than that. With the way it's snowing outside it's not like we are going to be able to get out tomorrow anyway."

Without asking, Robin picked his lover up, out from her blanket cocoon and walked to the nearest window, peering under the blinds. Maribelle saw that there was at least eight inches of snow accumulated on the windowsill.

"I can leave if you want me to, but if you wanted me to stay the night, I'd be open to."

"Do you really think after all we've said and done tonight I'm ever letting you leave my side? Sorry Robin, that came out wrong and more forceful than."

"It's fine Maribelle, I have no objection. Though I do wonder how I should best tell your father my intent to court you."

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. I already wrote him a letter I intend to send once the weather won't kill the carrier pigeon. I told him that I finally found a man who meets my standards, one who has seen to the very core of my heart."

She paused.

"And if he has any objections to you, that you intend to start a winery."

They laughed.

"By the way, that wine label. While you were passed out I did a little work. It's an anagram for red hot love and the rest is a jumble of letters."

Maribelle blushed.

"I could get used to seeing your face this pink."

"Shush."

Two thoughts occurred to Maribelle as they walked back to bed.

"Robin?"

"Yeah?"

"Can we cuddle when we lay down?"

"I planned on it."

"Did you check was Lissa's present was for me?"

"No, do you want to before we snuggle?"

"No, it's probably something silly."

"Alright."

With no other words to be said on a cold winter night, Robin and Maribelle arranged themselves to both hug to their heart's content and to look at each other's face, occasionally closing their eyes for a peck, until they drifted off to sleep, both quite happy with the turn of events.

And that's this story done, I will resume work on a new project shortly. Reviews always welcome.