Chapter Text
Ever since his internal discovery that Esmeralda has really, really cute eyes, Cai has found himself staring at her face, when she’s not looking obviously, because he does have the decency to not come off as a weirdo to his friend. The advantages of this, Cai thinks, include memorizing a lot more of her mannerisms. Such as the way her brow pinches when she’s focused on gutting a large fish, or the way she sways her arms around her body whenever she’s feeling bored or antsy. That fleeting thought he had on the beach has transformed into something expansive, overwhelming, but strangely pleasant —
— Esmeralda’s eyes aren’t the only thing that’s cute about her.
Rather, Esmeralda is the one who’s cute.
According to Tialla, it’s a cliche realization. One that bounces around a multitude of romance novels (his childhood friend had been very suspicious about the amount of time Cai has been spending with Esmeralda, so he had to spill the beans to her and Peter after being cornered).
“Eh? But isn’t she in love with — ow, Tialla!”
“Shut up, Peter!”
Cai smiles helplessly as Peter rubs the sore spot on his head where Tialla had mercilessly whacked him. “It’s okay. I already know…” All of Dagsion knows, with how open Esmeralda is about her feelings. It’s very admirable, Cai admits, and he hasn’t honestly been bothered by it. He knows what he’s getting into, and like Esmeralda had told him before… that lovely feeling of just mulling around with the thoughts about someone you love isn’t something he’d ever find painful.
Up until now. Peter makes an offhanded comment about whether Cai should emulate Dietrich’s mannerisms in an attempt to get Esmeralda’s attention on him, and his brain trips as he envisions what Dietrich usually acts like.
A straightened, tall and broad back that betrays nonchalance. An aloof demeanor, one that intimidates others yet does not stop them from admiring his otherworldly beauty. Lastly, a bloodthirsty and maniacal grin in the heat of battle, always seeking a strong foe.
“Well, maybe I should give it a shot?” It doesn’t matter if Dietrich is… very tall. Cai’s pretty good at observing others, so he’s going to try and see if this will work.
On their next planned outing, Esmeralda had told Cai that she was going to show him how to shuck oysters. His attempt to emulate Dietrich comes out as effortful grunts, very fancy speaking, and looking as disinterested as possible.
Esmeralda doesn’t hesitate to call him out the moment he shifts.
“Cai, what are you doing?”
The blue-haired boy deflates, and he fiddles with his fingers as he averts his gaze away from Esmeralda for the first time in a long while.
“Uh…”
“You usually pay attention when I’m explaining something. Plus, you looked distracted earlier…” Esmeralda frowns. “Are you not feeling well?”
Cai shakes his head, a little embarrassed. “I’m feeling fine, promise! I just…” He finds himself hesitating to relay the truth, as he did before. He misses the times where he could just be frank with her… but knowing what he knows of her feelings, he doesn’t want to ruin their friendship like this. “... thought Dietrich is really cool, so I wanted to try and see what it would be like to be him.”
Esmeralda snorts. “That’s what that grunting was for?”
“Yeah…”
“Sweetie broods more like this.” Folding her arms across her chest, Esmeralda’s shoulders tighten, and an uncharacteristic bored look crosses her face as her voice drops an octave. “Cai… I would have you spar with me. These intermittent days of preparing for the next match have drowned me in much boredom. Hnn. ”
“Pfft—” Cai slaps his hands over his mouth, body shaking. “H-Hey, is it really alright for you to make fun of Dietrich like that?”
“I would never make fun of Sweetie,” Esmeralda huffs, returning to her casual posture. “Anyway, that’s enough of that. Cai, you don’t need to copy what Sweetie does to be cool, y’know? You’re already plenty cool on your own.”
“Yeah, but even though he’s pretty scary, he has au—” Cai halts suddenly. “Huh?”
“What?”
“Could you repeat what you said earlier?”
“That you’re cool?” Her lips curl into a grin, and she tilts her head at him. “Something wrong with what I said?”
Yup, it’s wrong because you’re really cute, and that smile is unfair. “Um.” Cai’s face flushes red, and Esmeralda’s smile drops. “N-No. Nothing wrong. I think. Thanks for calling me cool, haha…”
“You’re acting strange today, Cai.”
“No, I’m not!” He blurts, which further deepens her concerned frown. Her arms start to swing idly around her body, and Cai recognizes it as her nervous fidgeting. She’s getting antsy. “I-I mean, I probably maybe sorta feel a little tired, but nothing that a little sleep won’t fix!”
“Oh, okay…” She’s still swaying. “We can save the oyster shucking for another time, then.”
“That’s a good idea!” Cai doesn’t know what to do, really. This is his first time having a crush on someone, and there’s no training he can do to get better at this. It’s just his luck that this little infatuation has to be directed towards someone who’s not even a viable person to woo…
… Oh well! After saying his goodbye to a worried Esmeralda, Cai sprints off to the sewers to see his mother. Perhaps she will have some advice about what to do. He had already told her about Esmeralda before, but he hadn’t really disclosed the nature of Esmeralda’s own affection to Aurora. Hopefully, the additional context will help the two of them to work through some kind of solution.
He might be on the cusp of a fever, Esmeralda thinks, so after they had parted ways from their oyster shucking lesson (now placed on hold), the young woman had gone off to procure materials for a homemade remedy. Technically, there’s no need for her to do so when Dagsion has plenty of medicines created by experts… but, well, perhaps it’s just superstition, or old habits die hard for a country seaside girl like her. The homemade stuff is the best anyway, she tells herself, and it certainly has nothing to do with her worry that Cai may have suddenly found her company boorish and uncouth (ugh, Fabio’s stupid, sophisticated verbiage is rubbing off on her).
“I see that you are occupying your free time fretting about that boyish beast.”
Speak of the annoying devil.
Esmeralda scowls, tempted to fling her concoction at Fabio. At least his skin’s been looking better these days, no thanks to the similar theme of her homemade remedies that she’s been revisiting again. “I’m not even going to try to assume who you’re talking about.”
“You have been acting quite flippant these days,” Fabio scoffs. “Although I suppose a blood debt is one that you would be remiss to repay without this level of investment. Do be mindful of that useless sentiment, however, lest we cross blades with his faction in the arena.”
“...” Her head hurts. Unfortunately, she’s spent enough time around Fabio (and Dietrich, who tends to talk in a similar manner) to somewhat be able to decipher their words. “I didn’t know you cared.”
“I do not,” he corrects. “The regulations of these tourneys are quite… blithe.” The fake priest grimaces. “However, I do find a fraction of merit in honing your blade at the side of another, if only to study their weaknesses to your advantage.”
“That’s not why I’m helping out Cai in his matches.” Esmeralda’s eyes flash with irritation. “Are you trying to pick a fight with me?”
“It matters little which side of the field you will be on. I do not have any doubt that I would claim victory, if Dietrich does not.”
“Well, you can take your any doubt and shove it up your—”
“Foul language of a loudmouthed creature,” Fabio sighs. “While it would have absolutely zero effect on me if you were to defect to the other faction, do keep in mind your own limitations as well. It would be irksome if you were to collapse in a match because you had acted foolishly in a match where you aided children.”
Right. Children. As if she isn’t two years older than Ribeira Winds, and that contributes to the way Fabio talks down to her as a very ancient person. The only merit to this conversation is that Fabio actually alluded to being concerned for her well-being, and she fully intends to take advantage of it.
“Awh, you do care about me,” Esmeralda says mockingly. “Well, my heart’s always gonna be with Sweetie, but maybe he’d actually fall in love with me if I were on the opposing side. Give him the fight of a lifetime, or something. Food for thought, hm?” Sticking her tongue out at Fabio, the priest squawks at her display of rudeness before she gathers up her things and sprints off to where Cai is staying in Dagsion.
Fabio is just being paranoid and annoying, as usual. Esmeralda is only fighting in Cai’s matches because he had asked her for help, and she had forced him to fulfill one of her selfish wishes, born out of cowardice. She hadn’t even expected him to go through with it, of course. Who would waste their precious free time to travel all the way north just to kill a bunch of sea beasts?
… Well, Cai had done just that. With a bright smile, he had told her that he would be happy to make sure her hometown and mother is safe, and he had even returned with a little gift from her mother after eliminating the remnants of the sea beasts.
Esmeralda would have certainly looked like a jerk if she had gone back on her promise to help him. And Cai had reassured her that if Ribeira Winds and House Lamine ever faced off in the matches, he wouldn’t expect her to fight with them. It wouldn’t be personal, in the end.
Right. She’s only doing this to repay a favor.
It had been a few days since their cancelled outing (not a date!), so Esmeralda even wonders if Cai is still exhibiting signs of a fever at this point. But it’s too late for that, since she had already brought her remedy to his doorsteps, and he had opened the door before she even had the chance to knock on it.
“Hi, Esmeralda! What brings you here?”
He… looks healthy. Cheerful and energetic, as always. She can’t help but smile in return, despite her worries.
Cai is magnetic, in that way. Similar to Dietrich, where they draw the attention of others around them, but for entirely different reasons. One of them is universally regarded with fear and awe in the same breath, while the other half inspires hope and…
“Oh, nothing much. I was making some homemade medicine and had some extras, so I wanted to leave you and your group some. It’s useful for fighting off fevers and nausea.” Esmeralda gently pushes a wrapped box into his hands.
“Awh, thanks! Hey, do you want to come inside for tea? My mom taught me to brew some, and it’s really good, if I do say so myself!”
“It’s — hey, Cai!”
He doesn’t give her a chance to respond before he’s tugging on her wrist and bringing her inside the temporary lodging where he, Tialla, and Peter are staying. The smell of jasmine flowers wafts gently into her senses, and Esmeralda sighs in defeat. Fabio is probably going to mock her when she returns late at night, but whatever. Cai looks happy like this, and she likes spending time with her friend.
“Where’s Peter and Tialla?”
“Oh, they’re out doing research or something.” Cai places a cup in front of Esmeralda, practically vibrating with anticipation.
Esmeralda arches an eyebrow. “Should I be worried about the taste of the tea?” She grins, wrapping her fingers around the ceramic. “You look nervous.”
Cai rubs the back of his neck sheepishly. “Well, I am nervous. I want it to taste good for you, y’know. I even burnt a few leaves while trying to get it right over these past few days.”
“Days?”
“Uh, hours!”
That… correction is concerning. And it’s too late for that anyway, since her ears are very functional. Still, Esmeralda has mercy on this poor boy’s soul for once, and takes a sip of the tea, ignoring the way that Cai is staring at her like he would be studying a new fighting technique.
The pleasant flavor of jasmine tea seeps into her weary taste buds, and her shoulders loosen. “It’s tasty, Cai. I’d give this three stars!”
“Out of three, right?”
“Same system we use for our foodie adventures,” Esmeralda grins.
Cai gives a tiny cheer. “Nice! I’ll keep making tea for you, then! I’m happy that we found another thing to do together.”
“Eh?”
“Well, I really do love learning a bunch of new stuff from you, but I feel bad that you’re always teaching me stuff. So, I wanted to be able to do something for you this time.” He rolls on the balls of his heels, his cheeks a faint pink. “Is it alright if I invite you over more often, then?”
He’s… acting in a painstakingly adorable way. Esmeralda blinks slowly, bewildered by the flutter of her heart. Her heart shouldn't flutter like that! It's only ever done that stupid beating around Dietrich, and even then, she tries to keep herself under control. “I mean… I like spending time with you, too.” Her reply comes a little too cautiously, for some reason. As if the phrasing of this is important, or else something might shift in this room. “And I like tea. So… uh, consider me invited, then?”
Cai laughs. “Tea buddies.” His eyes twinkle as he sits down, finally, and props his chin up on his hands, staring at her with a goofy smile. Esmeralda feels a bit itchy. “By the way, I had a question.”
“People tend to ask the question rather than giving a warning.” Esmeralda shakes her head in amusement.
“Oh, sorry! My brain’s all over the place today. Um, can I ask a question?”
“Technically, you just did, but I suppose I will have mercy on you.” Esmeralda takes another sip, smiling. “What’s up?”
“I heard Miss Mikaela call you Esme, and Fabio… uh. Well.”
“He alternates, depending on how high the sun is.”
Cai’s look of hesitation is immediately replaced with laughter, and Esmeralda relaxes. Cai really has been acting strange, but she’s glad that he’s able to smile like this anyway.
“Well, I figured, since you gave Dietrich a nickname, I wanted to see if you’d be okay… if I started calling you by a nickname…?” Cai’s gaze, pointedly, looks away as his fingers twirl circles around each other.
“Sure, I don’t see why not. For the record: beast, fish-guts, idiot, fool, uncouth, and uneducated are all taken, so you’ll have to be creative.” Esmeralda laughs flippantly, tossing her hair over her shoulders.
Cai doesn’t laugh this time. “I’d never be mean to you like that,” he replies immediately, and Esmeralda falters.
“Oh. Um, it was a bad joke. Don’t mind me.” Right, Cai is too sweet to even tease her like that (Fabio isn’t teasing when he calls her those things, but that matters less). Fortunately, he doesn't linger on it, though she can sense a small shift in mood on his end.
“I think there’s definitely value in using people’s full names with each other. So I don’t want to take that away from you." Cai rubs his chin, contemplative. "But… I was, um, brainstorming. And I feel like you’d probably like it if you got a nice nickname, too.”
“So, I’m guessing you’re not gonna start calling me Esme like Mikaela does.”
“I wanna be special,” Cai blurts out. “So, I did a lot of thinking—" which is important, because Cai hates thinking too hard "—and did some research, and… uh, what do you think about Mera? According to this really complicated book about different regions, it can mean sea or princess depending on where you go, and it’s kinda already a shortened version of your full name, and...” As Cai blathers about the passages of text he desperately tried to memorize from Aurora’s library, Esmeralda’s brain is still lagging from Cai’s opening statement.
I wanna be special.
Does… he know what that means? Cai may be young, but he certainly isn’t… no, she takes that back. Cai can be naive, even for how attuned he is to other people’s emotions. All that comes with his youth, which Esmeralda can’t really fault him for. Even if they’re only two years apart in age, the vast differences in their upbringings has forced Esmeralda to view the world in a — honestly? — slightly cynical manner that is, unfortunately, compatible with Fabio’s perspective.
“... Aaand you hate it, huh? I’m sorry…”
In the midst of her shock, Cai seems to have wilted away like a seaweed that’s been on the beach too long.
Shoot. She had spiraled a little, but it hadn’t been because it was bad. Rather, her heart has been touched by his kindness once again, and she isn't sure what to do with it. However, what she does know is that she should quickly fix this before this little seaweed dries up completely.
“No, I love it!” Esmeralda places her cup on the table and reaches across, cheerfully grasping both his hands and squeezing it. “No one’s ever given me such a thoughtful and cute nickname before… hehe, princess is way too refined for someone like me, but the meaning of that will just have to stay between the two of us, wouldn’t it?” She winks at him. “I really, really do like it, Cai. Thanks a bunch. I’ll think about a nickname I can give you… your name’s pretty short already, but I’ll get creative, and… hello? Cai?”
“Eep.”
Looks like his fever has returned after all.