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Love was in the air ever since the Divine Dragon picked a recipient for the pact ring, none other than the Princess of Elusia herself, Ivy. To say Ivy was not acting like her normal, gloomy self was an understatement. Everyone noticed and commented on her improved mood. Of course her retainers were completely overjoyed for Ivy’s engagement - to a deity no less! Kagetsu had given her so many congratulatory hugs that Ivy’s ribs hurt.
Ivy and the Divine One getting together emboldened some other couples on the Somniel to form. Alcryst and Lapis had finally started dating, after who knows how long of beating around the bush with each other. Clanne had asked Hortensia out on a date, and by all accounts it had gone very nicely.
The ones keeping the closest track of all of this were who else but Chloe and Louis. Chloe had actually made a chart to show how all the pairs were going. They crossed out Clanne and Hortensia, since Louis had it on good authority that after a few dates they would formalize their union.
“Alear and Ivy. Alcryst and Lapis. Clanne and Hortensia. Jade and Amber. And Rosado and Fogado. Can you believe we have this many couples? That leaves…” Chloe pouted. “Hmm, are we sure they’re not just friends?”
“They are completely, utterly in love. I am sure of it. They just need a little more… help than the others.”
*
Zelkov was fully uninterested in the love that had swept up all the others in the army, on the outside. On the inside it consumed every waking thought. His liege was engaged! Zelkov had only ever thought of her engaged to an emblem!
Zelkov had always thought Ivy was not concerned with romance, at least not until she needed to find suitors for her queenship. They had been comrades in arms, in a way, two extremely gloomy people who were unlikely to find love. But then Ivy went and did it, and now Zelkov felt like a leper.
Ivy had many attractive attributes, her exceptional beauty only the start of her list of virtues. Zelkov, on the other hand, had a lot of skills. Technical skills. Not people skills. Not anything that would make him a good partner. So he had resigned to not pursuing relationships. Not necessarily because he didn’t want to, but because he felt he’d be too much of a burden to someone else.
Zelkov was sulking over all of this in his hermit cave (as everyone had taken to calling his work shed) when the door opened, revealing Louis in a most threatening light. Zelkov just glared. He had grown fond enough of Louis, but he disliked his insistence on playing Zelkov’s therapist, which Zelkov could just tell he was trying to do now.
“My dear Zelkov. Now, what are you doing on a beautiful day, sitting in your shed?”
“ Working .” Zelkov lied. He was actually making a wood carving of a dog. He’d probably give it to Kagetsu, but he wasn’t sure yet. He had gotten into the habit of giving gifts to Kagetsu ever since he made the anniversary painting for him, but now that romance was everywhere (and Kagetsu was getting sappy about it) it might be taken the wrong way.
Actually, it could be taken the right way, which was worse. Zelkov didn’t need to bother Kagetsu with his own silly feelings when Kagetsu was over the moon for all the others and their romances. It would just mar this enjoyable time in the middle war, and Zelkov wouldn’t dare take that away from him.
“Say, Zelkov. Did you hear that Clanne and Horten-”
“I know they went on a date. Don’t tell me that’s what you came here for?”
“No, no. I was just thinking, a detail you may have missed about the Clanne and Hortensia affair was that Clanne only even asked her out because of Framme’s continuous encouragement. A similar story can be told about Diamant and Citrinne persuading Alcryst.”
“ And? ”
“Well, all this to say, sometimes, to spark a romance, a third party should be there to strike the match, as it were. To that end, I thought you might want my assistance.”
“ No . Go away.”
*
Kagetsu had never been so in love with love. To see his liege with that lovestruck expression, almost veering on silliness as she dropped her composure completely, it was beautiful to witness. It was grand to see all the other young couples on the Somniel getting together as well.
But with his joy was jealousy. Try as Kagetsu might to repress it, he couldn’t help feeling a little envious of all the unions forming, and also couldn’t help but notice that they were all couples younger than him.
Kagetsu had been a late bloomer. He barely even thought about romance until he was an adult, and then it had been silly, innocent crushes. He hadn’t actually met someone he felt he wanted to spend his life with until he came to Elusia. Despite his constant joking, and the closeness he shared with friends, Kagetsu had never succeeded in a romantic connection. Or a kiss.
Kagetsu grimaced as he thought of his woeful inexperience. The worst part was, it wasn’t for lack of trying! But he always put his foot in his mouth when he went to a tavern and tried to talk to someone pretty, and was often met with rejection or even mockery. Some Elusian soldiers may have said yes, but it felt wrong to ask that of someone he worked with. Of course, the one person he sincerely wanted to kiss was someone who would never accept. If he even cared about romance, it wouldn’t be with a dork like Kagetsu.
If Kagetsu were to finally date someone, he could imagine the shame of admitting his inexperience. “Really, at twenty-six? Not even a kiss?” He knew this was the reaction he would get, because he confessed that to Seadall earlier today, and that had been his response.
Now Kagetsu sat in the dining hall with Seadall, and Chloe had joined them. Kagetsu forgave Seadall for his callous response, knowing it was the expected reaction, and so he tried to just focus on other things as they enjoyed their sandwiches. Unfortunately, a certain fairytale loving airhead had love on the brain even more than Kagetsu.
“Say, Kagetsu, do you have a crush on someone? You have that wistful look to you, like a prince yearning for his prince. Ess. Princess.”
“No. It is a prince. A pauper, actually.” Kagetsu said, sighing and resting his head in his hand. He saw no reason to lie to them. Seadall already knew, even, just like Kagetsu knew Seadall had a crush on Rosado and was pissed that he and Fogado got together. “I do adore Zelkov, but have resigned to not acting on it. He is obviously not interested.”
The way Chloe and Seadall looked at each other made Kagetsu think twice about his assessment.
“Is he interested?”
“Oh, a little birdy just told me a few things.” Chloe mused. “All I will say for now is: absolutely no giving up!”
*
“I have deduced something most terrifying.” Louis said. He and Chloe were watching Zelkov and Kagetsu eat dinner together alongside the other Elusians. Ivy and the Divine One were sharing their meal, hand feeding each other. Zelkov looked ready to gag each time they conducted such a sappy display. “Kagetsu and Zelkov are more inept than first thought. I knew they would need help, but it appears they have no experience. None. Not even a kiss.”
“Oh, that’s so sweet!” Chloe cooed. “That means they can have true love’s first kiss! This is great, Louis, why are you scared?”
“It means they are going to be very prone to blunders. Watch-” Louis pointed.
Kagetsu, now armed with the knowledge Zelkov might like him back, was sitting close. He tried to hand-feed Zelkov like Ivy and the Divine One did. Zelkov grabbed the bread from Kagetsu and threw it on the table, then flicked Kagetsu and told him not to be an idiot. Kagetsu then scooted further away and looked dejected.
“They are going to think their personalities make them fully incompatible, and give up after a first date, if they even get that far. We must make sure their first romantic encounter goes as smoothly as possible.”
*
“Zelkov, if I may ask something a little forward - have you always struggled socially?” Louis asked. They were in Zelkov’s hermit cave, but Zelkov was a little more receptive to Louis being here today. Until he asked that intrusive question. Now Zelkov wanted him gone like usual. Despite this, he found himself answering honestly.
“It got far worse as an adult , but I always had trouble making friends my age. I mostly socialized with my younger brother and his friends, who were six years my junior.”
Louis hummed. “How curious. And you still find children easier to get along with, no? You seem to spend a lot of time with Jean and Anna.”
Zelkov was always teaching Jean medicine or helping Anna with her shop. They were the two members of the army he was most comfortable with. That honor used to go to Kagetsu, but as respect turned to friendship, and then turned to a stupid, sappy infatuation, he was getting awkward around him again.
“Jean and Anna are easier to get along with than any adult. They have a simple innocence and passion. They also don’t ask about my inferior social skills.”
“I don’t think it’s entirely “inferiority”. You see the world in an interesting way, Zelkov. It’s admirable.” Louis said. “But that difference is hard sometimes, right? Especially in romance?” He added sympathetically.
“I do not want to talk to you anymore.” Zelkov said. He didn’t like Louis’ uncanny ability to see into his mind. He disliked more, however, that he actually still wanted to talk. “But yes. I have been told often enough that I would make a terrible partner to deem it a fair observation.”
“What if someone liked your difference? Or maybe he was different too?”
Zelkov couldn’t even pretend to focus on his painting anymore. He turned to Louis. “Kagetsu is a different type of different . He likes my eccentricities because he can interact with them platonically. Do you honestly think he would be alright with me hating being touched?”
“I do admit that might be a barrier.”
“There. Even you agree . So it is settled - I will remain a hermit in my cave, and not bother anyone with romantic nonsense .”
Louis left Zelkov to be alone after that, but Zelkov knew he would meddle more. He somewhat hoped for more meddling, actually. Framing his differences as traits Kagetsu might actually like about him was a possibility he had been too tunnel-visioned to consider. It made him a little hopeful, for once not completely dismissing the idea of love. Surely if there was someone who could love Zelkov for all his quirks, it would be Kagetsu, who loved everyone in abundance.
*
“So you have truly never been on a date?” Seadall asked. Seadall had invited himself into Kagetsu’s room to help freshen up his appearance. For what precisely, Kagetsu did not know, but he had his suspicions. “Kagetsu, you do realize you are unbelievably attractive, right?”
Kagetsu shook his head.
“What? Kagetsu, have you looked at yourself?”
Kagetsu looked in the mirror. He had been focused on Seadall behind him, braiding his hair. He tried to look critically, but he was overcome with the temptation to make a funny face instead. He laughed at his reflection. “I think I look silly!”
Seadall face-palmed. “So you have never capitalized on your handsomeness… I suppose that makes your innocence a little more believable. It’s still pretty ridiculous. No matter. That will make tonight all the more special.”
“Tonight? What am I doing tonight?” Kagetsu asked. That certainly explained the up-do Seadall was braiding his hair into.
“Well, I can’t ruin the surprise.”
“You have conspired with Chloe to set up a date between Zelkov and I.”
“I… Yeah. Guess it’s a little obvious.”
Kagetsu pouted. “I am pleased you are both thinking of my happiness, but I do not know if forcing Zelkov is such a good idea. He might just be embarrassed by such a thing, even if he does like me back. I can tell such matters overwhelm him. Because they overwhelm me, too! So I know the signs.”
“Oh, Kagetsu…” Seadall finished Kagetsu’s hair, and put his white and red ribbon in it. “Don’t fret. It’s only one outing - you two can call it off if you get too bothered. Chloe and Louis are up in arms about getting you two together, but I promise I can help temper them.”
Kagetsu threw his arms around Seadall. “You are the nicest friend ever! And you are right - it is only one outing! Far be it from me to back down from a challenge. Although, it is not only my decision. Who knows if Zelkov will accept such an invitation.”
*
Zelkov didn’t know why he accepted such an invitation. He adjusted his cravat self-consciously. While his usual casual wear was sharp, maybe he should have worn something different to mark the occasion.
Having Louis and Chloe be mediaries between Zelkov and Kagetsu was a little pathetic, but he was ultimately thankful Louis set up a date. “Seven, in the gardens, look sharp and have a bouquet of flowers prepared for Kagetsu.” Zelkov had to admire the precision, and how swiftly he had gotten it all organized. There was even gentle music playing from the Racket of Solm, out of sight but certainly somewhere nearby, hired by Louis to add to the atmosphere.
The perfection of the venue made Zelkov nervous. But, if it was going to be awkward anyway, it may as well be awkward and aesthetically pleasing.
He heard rustling through the trees, recognized the clumsy footsteps before Kagetsu appeared from the brush. He was in a stunning kimono and his hair was done up in a particularly beautiful style. The only flaw was the wayward twig that had gotten into Kagetsu’s hair as he scrambled up to Zelkov. He must have rushed to ensure he got there on time. Zelkov appreciated the effort he went to be punctual. Kagetsu tended to go at his own pace, but Zelkov noticed a distinct effort to be on time that he only exhibited with him and Ivy.
Kagetsu stood in front of Zelkov in the garden’s clearing. He smiled at Zelkov, and Zelkov looked away, which made Kagetsu look away too. Zelkov glanced at him a few times, then took a step closer. He picked the twig out of Kagetsu’s hair, amused by his blush at their contact. He was amused enough to smile when Kagetsu panicked at the imperfection. He patted down his hair, then tried to straighten up and look cool, but his face was crimson.
“Sorry!” Kagetsu blurted out. “I took a shortcut to get here on time.”
Zelkov flicked the twig away. “You need not have done that. A few minutes late would have been acceptable . Anyway,” Zelkov looked Kagetsu over in the better lighting. He regretted not donning a fancier outfit - Kagetsu’s kimono looked apt for a wedding, it was so ornate and gorgeous. “You look… nice .”
“And you look like you always do!” Kagetsu said. “That is, nice!”
Zelkov, not sure how to segue into the gift of flowers he had for Kagetsu, shoved them harshly into his arms. “ Yours .” He grunted.
Kagetsu was fully unbothered by Zelkov’s gruff tone, and took the flowers graciously. He didn’t seem to know what to do with them, however. He looked around aimlessly, then decided to put them into his kimono sleeve, which had enough room to house them but made them crumple. Zelkov winced - he had been very meticulous about the arrangement.
“Okay, where are we going?” Kagetsu asked.
Zelkov shifted from one foot to the other. Louis failed to give instructions on what precisely their dating activities would encompass. He also, Zelkov realized in a panic, didn’t give a set end date. Would he have to entertain Kagetsu for the whole evening? What if they were expected to spend the night together? Zelkov paled as his thoughts raced to all the variables he did not account for.
“Maybe… a walk?” Kagetsu finally said, himself sounding unsure.
Zelkov snapped out of his thoughts. Having Kagetsu take the lead was all he needed to ground himself again, at least for the immediate future. Yes, a walk was good. He did, in fact, know how to walk. He and Kagetsu had gone on walks together, even. It was familiar.
“Yes. A walk .”
*
Kagetsu was a chatterbox at the worst of times, yet he was tongue-tied as he and Zelkov walked through the gardens. It wasn’t a pleasant silence, like when they were marching and Zelkov told him he didn’t want to talk. This was an auditory void, but Kagetsu didn’t know what to say to make it better. Normal conversation topics didn’t seem right, but intimate conversation topics he was too cowardly to initiate - not that he knew what he’d say anyway.
He plucked at the flower bouquet, taken out of his sleeve and back out in the open. The elegance of it didn’t feel right for the occasion, but it was a pretty distraction. He plucked a white chrysanthemum.
“These are my favorite type.” Kagetsu said, twirling the stem and making the ivory petals blur. That was something, at least. Maybe even a good thing to say - not something forward that would make Zelkov pull away, but not something fully irrelevant to romance.
“I know.” Zelkov murmured. “Of course, I have deduced your preferences from our many lunches together.”
They had always eaten together in Elusia Castle’s garden, a favorite locale of them and their liege. Kagetsu recalled the chrysanthemum bushes always catching his eye. He also recalled always feeling Zelkov’s eyes on him. He wondered now if Zelkov was captivated the way Kagetsu had been by the flowers. Prior to tonight he thought it arrogant to consider it, but now it seemed like the truth.
“I feel like you have always watched me.”
“I have. Even before we built a rapport , I admit I always found you interesting .” Zelkov paused. “And attractive.” He added quietly. He seemed to regret his own words, as he rubbed his temples in frustration. “How sentimental . My apologies.”
So Kagetsu had been right. He didn’t know how to respond to the information being stated out loud, however, so just grunted out “you too”. Something about his inflection must have been amusing, because he managed to get a smile out of Zelkov.
“And you have a pretty smile.” Kagetsu blurted out. Well, at least he was back to his usual self, saying whatever came to mind.
“Nonsense. I have never been good at smiling .”
“Well, when you do it, it looks pretty.”
“It does not compare to yours, at least. When you smile, I always want to kiss you.” Zelkov played frantically with his hands. Kagetsu saw him do that sometimes when he was trying to get out of an uncomfortable social situation, like a war meeting that was starting to go past its expected time. He spoke extremely fast, which he also did when he was uncomfortable. “That was too forward. I apologize. I also apologize that my performance on this date is woefully inadequate.” And he was back to being silent.
Zelkov was blushing, but not in a cute, lovey-dovey way like they had been all evening. No, it transcended blushing - Zelkov was red . Kagetsu could only recall one other time when Zelkov had gotten that way - he and Kagetsu had walked in on Ivy while she was changing. Zelkov had run away and locked himself in his room, he was so humiliated by his mistake.
Kagetsu wasn’t sure if he could get another word out of Zelkov for the next little while. He wasn’t sure what he should say, either, to ease the tension. But he had to say something , or else Zelkov would assume Kagetsu did find him inadequate.
“This is actually my first date.” He blushed when Zelkov did a double take. “It is true! I am no good at romance, and men always reject me. Sometimes in not so nice ways. I don’t know why, maybe my mind is not suited to romantic love, only friendship. But you are giving me a chance no one else is just by being here.”
Zelkov stopped walking and tugged on his shirt collar. He still looked embarrassed, but in a more reasonable way. He was always so cutely bashful when Kagetsu gave him compliments. Kagetsu wasn’t done, however.
“You are therefore the best date I have ever been on!” Kagetsu added optimistically. “Please don’t worry about perfection, or even adequate - I’d like to see you as you are tonight. That’s the way I like you best, anyway.”
*
Zelkov faltered when he tried to look at Kagetsu’s dorky smile. He must have been quite proud of the speech he mustered. He should be - Zelkov was touched more than he could express.
Louis’ words from earlier that day echoed in his mind. That Kagetsu could like him for the precise reasons that usually made relationships difficult.
“Why do you like me?” Zelkov asked suddenly. “ Romantically . Not as a friend. For what reason do you deem me dateable ?” If Kagetsu truly didn’t care about performances, then Zelkov gave himself permission to ask a completely tactless question. One he had, admittedly, been very confused about for some time.
“Because you are handsome and interesting!” Kagetsu answered easily. But then he hummed, and thought for a moment before speaking further. “I think we’re a little similar, in a weird way. Because we are both very inexperienced despite our ages. And because…” Kagetsu rubbed his chin. “Can we keep walking? I like to walk to sort my thoughts.”
Zelkov empathized, and they continued their slow pace around the Somniel gardens. Kagetsu plucked at his bouquet and some flowers on the bushes as he was deep in thought.
“I think we’re similar. In how we think about love and relationships and such.” Kagetsu said finally. That was rather vague, and Zelkov didn’t understand. Thankfully Kagetsu elaborated. “No one would believe me, but I relate to you a lot. The way I find romance difficult. The way I scare others off by being too forward and blunt. The way people never seem to know what I’m trying to say, or don’t take me seriously when I try to speak candidly. The way I just cannot seem to fit Elusian standards, even after years with them. Do you understand my meaning?”
“I do. In fact, I agree.” Maybe that was the thing that made Zelkov love him so deeply. That he was someone who understood . A way no one else ever did. “And that’s likely what I like about you, as well. I don’t feel like I need to wear a mask around you.”
“Yes! That is it.” Kagetsu said happily, like a light went off in his head. “A mask. I wear a mask around people, try as I might not to. With you I can be only my sincerest self. I think that’s what makes me love you most.” Kagetsu leaned in, but then halted and straightened back out. Now Kagetsu was red the way Zelkov had been. “I think my heart will explode if I quiz you, even though I want to. May we end the date officially? I want to just enjoy the night with you, not force myself into another mask.”
Zelkov sighed in relief. That sounded very nice. He hoped soon they could go back to their usual, sincere selves, after they got used to this new development in their love. “I agree . I have sufficient evidence to confirm my suspicion that romance is a nightmare . But with you, I think I will eventually be able to enjoy it .”
*
“So… are they dating?” Chloe asked. She observed their chart, where Zelkov and Kagetsu now had two giant question marks.
“They are indeed.” Louis confirmed. “Expert sources - myself - have done some digging. It seems they are dating, but going mostly under the radar due to their “dates” being activities that are quite pedestrian. They insist on taking it slow, which I think we should respect after all our meddling.” He went up to the board and erased the question marks, replacing it with a heart. “Do not worry. Let us wait patiently; a first kiss is certainly on the horizon.”