A light knock sounded at the door. "Hey...can I come in?" Lissa's soft voice spoke.

I rubbed my swollen eyes with my wrists. "Yeah...come in..." My voice was scratchy and deep from all my crying.

The young princess cautiously stepped into the room. "C-Chrom asked me to check up on you."

I nodded slowly, gesturing to the seat by my bedside. "Take a seat. He left an hour ago."

"He thought you might want a bit of space so that's why I took so long..." she muttered, sitting down. "How are you feeling?"

I let out a small chuckle. "Physically, I'm about as good as new. Mentally..." I began to tremble as memories of Chrom and mine's fight surfaced.

"I-I heard that you two had a bit of a disagreement." Lissa cleared her throat.

I thought I had cried myself dry, but I was wrong. Warm tears pricked in the corners of my eyes. "Y-yeah... As soon as I woke up, he started yelling at me, and I yelled at him. I-it was so stupid..."

Lissa looked absolutely heartbroken. "...You know, I'm not trying to sound like I'm picking sides, but he has been really worried about you these past few days," she said. "You were conscious the first day, but you probably don't remember it. Frederick had to physically pull Chrom away from you after he saved you. After we got you stabilized here, he refused to leave your side."

I remembered how exhausted he looked when I woke up. "H-he did...?" He always stays with me whenever I'm bedridden like this... But it sounds like he took this to the extreme. Did he even sleep?

She nodded. "Yeah... He really cares about you, Anna. I'm sure whatever he said was out of worry," she sighed. "Still, that gives him no excuse to yell at you. If anything, that is the last thing he should have done."

Now my hands were trembling even more. "...I really blew it... I chased my best friend away..."

A hand found mine. "Stop that. You didn't chase him away." Lissa frowned. "You're both super stressed and said things you regret. He still cares for you with all of his heart."

I swallowed; my throat was dry. "I-I want to find him. I want to talk to him," I said. "But I just don't know if I'm ready to do that."

She squeezed my hand. "You can talk to him whenever you're ready. Don't rush things." Her warm smile did wonders to improve my mood. "It may help for you to see the others, first. They've been worried sick about you as well. Sumia and Cordelia were in here almost as much as Chrom. Maybe talking to them will help clear your mind?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll do that..." I ran a hand through my hair. "I'll check up on everyone, and then things will go back to normal."

...

It ended up being mid-day by the time I met with all my friends once more. They were overjoyed to see me up and moving. I almost neared Death again from all the bone-crushing hugs I received. But, even though I had been asleep for three days, I still grew tired. It was refreshing to home and lay in a bed that was my own.

However, one piece was missing: Chrom.

I had not seen him since I'd awoken. It was like he was avoiding me, now. That thought alone was enough to keep me wide awake.

I tossed and turned, my sheets crumpling with every movement. Dammit! Why does he have to be so difficult! I wish I could have just talked to him and cleared my conscious! Now I can't stop thinking about him!

I stared at the ceiling, a strange force tugging at my heart. "Gods... I'll never be able to sleep... I need some air." I hopped out of bed, drawing my cloak over my shoulders. "I'm just going to take a walk and clear my head. Nothing more. I'll feel better after this."

...

I didn't know how long I'd been walking. When I decided to take a break, it was on a small bridge. It was not too far from The Great Tree but still felt secluded from the rest of the pack. The river beneath it was thawed enough to run, filling the quietness of the area with gentle babbling.

I drew in a breath, the cold, night air made my lungs ache. The city is so peaceful at night... It's normally filled with wolves, but now it feels so empty. I may not be the only one out tonight, but it sure feels like it.

"Trouble sleeping?" A familiar voice mumbled.

My heart leaped as I turned towards the source. "Chrom..."Am I dreaming? How is he awake as well? Did he sense me here?

He offered me a small smile, boots thudding against the wooden bridge. He stopped as soon as he reached me, leaning on the railing. "I know I may not be your most favorite wolf right now, but..."

I nudged his arm with my head. "I'm happy to see you. There is no other person I would like to see more on a midnight stroll."

"Really?"

"Really." I swallowed the thick lump in my throat. "I-I've missed you...and... I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for getting mad at you, earlier. I shouldn't have-"

He held up a hand. "Don't. You had every right to be angry with me," he sighed. "I shouldn't treat you like glass. You're a capable warrior who can defend herself with ease. I'm so very sorry, from the bottom of my heart. I just...I seem to forget how to think reasonably when it comes to you. I care deeply about you, and I don't want to see you hurt."

With what felt like all the confidence in the world, I placed my hand atop his. "We have that in common, then," I giggled. "I don't want to see you hurt, either. It would destroy me. We're kind of like two halves of a greater whole, don't you think?"

A warm smile painted his lips. "I do, indeed." He drew in a breath. "I...I know you've been going through a lot of stuff, lately. You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready, but...can we please go back to the way things were? I miss talking to you like this."

...Can things go back to normal? My love for him never changed and it never will. I feel confident right now, but I can tell that it's about to crack at any minute. I really want to go back to our old ways more than anything...

What am I even saying? I can't love...I'm too scared... Is this just hidden fear from long ago? Do I still think I'll be repressed? Is that what's causing this? Am I too fearful of the unknown? Gods, I wish Mother were here to set me straight...

"...I-I'll try. I promise," I replied. And I will. I truly will.

I could see the relief flash in his eyes. "I'm glad. And remember, I'm always here if you need to talk." His eyes flicked up to the night sky. "...Um, I-I really hate to break this moment, but it's really late. Plus, you really need your rest."

I nodded. "Right. Yeah. So do you," I said. "I-I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow," he gulped, scratching the back of his head. "Goodnight, Anna."

I smiled at the prince. "Goodnight, Chrom."

We turned and went our separate ways. I'm glad we fixed things. Maybe now I'll be able to-

"...I can't do this, anymore," Chrom suddenly spoke. Before I knew what was going on, his hand gently grasped my wrist, making me turn to face him. His cheeks were flushed a deep shade of red and I could hear how fast his heart was beating. "We need to talk about this bond we share."

Now I was blushing. "Wh-what are you talking about?" I feigned ignorance. Does he feel it, too? Oh, gods...what is happening...

He released my wrist. "Ever since the day we met, I've felt connected to you in a way I can't describe. I don't feel this way with anyone else: only you," he muttered. "At first, I thought it was intense fear or worry. You were on Death's door when we found you, after all. Then...I felt like this connection was a part of me. It felt like it was a missing piece of my life. This bond was so much deeper than what appeared.

"At first, I thought of you as, well...almost like an ally of sorts. Then you became a friend, a very good friend. Soon you were my comrade. And now...you are the greatest friend I could ever ask for. I-I've felt these bonds between us grow stronger by the day. I rely on you. I would die for you. I would give up everything to see you happy. Then...I realized...you were more than just a friend."

My heart stopped. "Wh-what do you mean...?" Is he saying what I think he's saying?!

His gaze drifted to the side. "I mean, well, what I am trying to say..." He ran a hand through his blue locks. "W-well, I...care for you. As a male. And you as a female."

All outside noise was drowned out by the sound of my pounding heart. No. No, this is wrong! He can't be serious! Why am I realizing now all the things that are wrong with loving him! "C-Chrom! You can't possibly - this isn't-! Y-you're a prince! I'm just-"

"Wait! Please!" He exclaimed, hands gripping my shoulders. I could feel how much he was trembling. "J-just let me finish, all right? I've already come this far, and now I'm going to say my piece!"

I began to shake. "O-ok..." My internal voice was screaming at my external one. No! Not ok! I have to stop this! This isn't right! This is too good to be true!

He released my shoulders, shaking out his arms and taking deep breaths. "Ok. I can do this. Just a few more breaths..." He finally stopped fidgeting, distracting himself by holding my hands. "O-ok. I'm ready. Prepare yourself, because I'm going to say it!" His stormy blue gaze held mine.

My heart felt like it was about to beat out of my chest. "Then say it already!"

"Anna... I'm in love with you."

My breath hitched, tears beginning to fill my eyes. "O-oh..." My voice cracked out. ...This...oh, gods... Did he actually just say he loved me?! Did I hear him correctly?!

Then, he smiled. "I've always been in love with you. From the very first moment I laid eyes on you. I may not have realized it at first...but it's true," he whispered, loud enough for only us to hear. "I-I know that this is overwhelming and you're scared. This is probably the most out of the blue thing I could ever say, but I needed to get this off my chest. I'm not trying to force you into a decision or anything. Whatever your answer, I'll abide by it. Hell, if you even need time to think about this, take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere. And no matter what happens, we'll always be friends. I can promise you that."

I wanted nothing more than to collapse in his arms and pour my feelings out on him. However, reason took over emotions. "C-Chrom...you realize... This is impossible! You're a prince and I'm just a nobody! A nobody who joined the pack not even five months ago! What would people think?!"

He frowned, reaching up a hand to brush a stray strand of hair out of my eyes. "You're not a nobody! You're far from it! You're a beloved member of the pack! And I could care less what wolves think. If we were meant to be together, then that's what Naga planned. No amount of judgment can change that!"

I shook my head. "Still...this isn't... I can't..." I need to tell him. I don't care how many conflicting feelings I have. I love him. He loves me. I'm so extremly selfish...but I want this. I want this more than anything!

I took a deep breath. "...My whole life, I've been afraid of love. I would be pressured to marry someone, regardless of whether or not I truly loved them. I would then be forced to stay at home and do nothing but care for the house and my family. My freedom would be stripped away because of some stupid stigma." Tears began to fall down my cheeks. "I hated the idea of marriage. I was scared to find love. I didn't want my freedom to end..."

Chrom's expression fell. "Gods, Anna, I'm so sorry... I didn't mean-"

"But then I came here." I trembled, not breaking eye-contact with him. "I met you and so many other new friends. I was welcomed like I was one of your own... This pack became my home and all my fears seemed to dissipate. The idea of finding love and having a family didn't sound so bad anymore. I could have that and keep my freedom. I don't despise it anymore. But, I never really searched for it. I didn't know what it felt like."

More tears fell, my heart beating faster and faster. "U-until now..." My voice was quivering. "When I finally felt it, I was scared. I didn't know how to handle my feelings and I ended up hurting the one I loved..."

Chrom was staring, mouth agape. "D-do you mean...?"

I happy grin broke through my tears. "Yes... I love you as well. I love you with all of my heart and soul... I was always afraid to admit it...but there it is. I love you." It felt as if a weight was being lifted from my shoulders. Now, my heart felt full and warm, excited for our future.

Chrom's eyes widened in disbelief. "You... You do?!"

I laughed, freeing my hands from his grip and placing them on his shoulders. "Of course, you big dork. I love you with everything that I am."

Now tears were falling down his cheeks. "Th-that's-! I can't-! Oh, gods!" He wrapped his arms around me and crushed me into a hug. "This is the greatest day of my life! You have made me the happiest male in the whole entire world!" My feet were lifted off the ground as he spun me around.

I laughed, holding onto him for dear life. "Ah! Chrom! Put me down! I'm dizzy!"

He complied with my request, setting me down but remaining just as close. His hand cupped my cheek, thumbing away any tears that fell. "My love... My beautiful love..." His lips found my forehead. "I promise that your fears will never find you...I'll make sure of it. The life that we will build will be full of light and happiness, you have my word."

My heart burst at his words. "I'll hold you up to it then, my love..." Calling him that felt foreign on my tongue. But, it was certainly something I enjoyed saying.

I can't believe this... Is this truly real? I feel like I'm floating! He loves me! All that's left is for the mating bond to snap in place...

As if he was reading my mind, Chrom leaned down, his lips mere inches from mine. A sudden jolt of fear spiked through me.

I pulled away slightly. "Wh-what if this is a mistake?! What if this bond we feel is just a coincidence and we're not truly mates?! Chrom, I-I'm scared..."

I could see the same fear in his eyes. "Well...we won't really know unless we try, right?" He pulled me a bit closer for reassurance.

I smiled softly, my fear easing but only slightly. "Right..."

His hand gently cradled the back of my head. He whispered, "I love you," and his lips were on mine.

I felt it.

I gasped into his mouth, tears overflowing. He could feel it too, with how possessively he was holding me.

My heart felt full and bright. I was whole. My soul finally found its lost half. It almost felt like I became more alert. All of my emotions bursting at once - our bond acknowledged.

We were mates.

Chrom pulled away, staring deeply into my eyes. I stared back, scared to even move a muscle lest he disappears. Mates. We're mates. We share one soul. One life

We didn't stay away for long. Our lips met once more. I wrapped my arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

Chrom... I love you. I'm no longer afraid to say it. From now on, I'll tell you every day. I don't need to hide any longer. I love you...

*****
TOLD YOU I'D MAKE IT UP TO Y'ALL. DIDN'T EXPECT THIS BABY. THEY'RE MATES. AHHHHHHH. Other than the first scene, this is the one I had 100% planned out in my head. The only reason that whole angst stuff happened because ANGST BABY. I LOVE MAKING YOU SUFFER. WHEEEEEE. And yes, the confession was early for plot reasons. You'll see what that is when the plot actually gets back on track. XD Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!

Link: https://youtu.be/TG1pRNQAByI