Chapter 36: The Visit

The construction was over for the day and the sun was starting to set. Claude exhaled heavily. He was exhausted from the day's work and now looked forward to a meal and a bath. He turned away from the construction site and started toward Geoffrey, but he was taken off guard by an unexpected sight. Esmeralda waited by the horse, looking expectingly at her husband.

"Hello." She greeted.

"Hello." Claude returned.

Esmeralda walked up to him quietly. He was still bare-chested, and it was a sight that Esmeralda had yet to fully to take in.

Of course she'd seen him like this before, but never properly. She'd always been focused on his scar, or injuries when they'd been present. But now she noticed his shape. Though his frame was naturally slim, Claude was not lacking in muscle. His arms and shoulders were full and toned, made clearer by a thin layer of sweat that reflected the sunlight. Even behind the scar, Esmeralda could make out a well developed torso. It was most likely due to all the years of ambitious crime fighting, which had kept Claude strong as he'd aged.

"What are you looking at?" Claude asked.

Esmeralda's eyes darted to her husband's face. She blushed.

"Oh!" She muttered. "I just... Well... I just noticed that you have a nice build."

Claude's eyebrows went up. While the idea of Esmeralda liking him was becoming easier to believe, the idea of her admiring his body was still very unbelievable. Claude didn't expect that from anyone, let alone a beautiful woman.

"A nice build?" Claude repeated in disbelief.

Esmeralda sensed that it was the first time Claude had received such a compliment.

"Have you not heard that before?" She asked.

"No," Claude replied. "I've been told I'm too skinny."

His parents had said that to him. They'd included his physique in their list of things that were wrong with him. His classmates had later confirmed it with bullying, asking if he was starving.

"That's ridiculous!" Esmeralda argued. "You look... Very nice."

Esmeralda worried that this would be taken badly, but the look on Claude's face was a grateful one.

"That..." He responded. "Is the first time I've heard anything good about my appearance."

With a tear in his eye, Claude smiled.

"...Thank you." He finished.

Esmeralda smiled back, relieved.

Claude picked up his tunic and put it on. Then he had a question.

"May I ask what brings you here?" He inquired.

"I was hoping I could have some time with you." Esmeralda explained. "I just need some company."

Claude nearly asked why Quasimodo wasn't an option, but he stopped himself. It was apparent that something was complicated between the bell ringer and Esmeralda. Why else would she be seeking company elsewhere?

But whatever had caused Esmeralda to come to him, Claude would do his best to be the friend she wanted.

"Alright." He agreed. "Would you like to join me for dinner?"

"That sounds good." Esmeralda approved.


They had a quiet dinner. After eating, they sat next to each other at the table and talked. Esmeralda explained why she wasn't with Quasimodo. Claude was surprised, not because of what the bell ringer had admitted to, but by Esmeralda's lack of prior awareness of Quasimodo's feelings.

"I was stupid for not realizing it." Esmeralda sighed. "I just assumed he felt the same way I did. Just like I assumed that about Phoebus..."

"It was just a mistake." Claude consoled.

"It's because I'm new to this." Esmeralda shared. "Feelings... Men... I never had time for this before. I was always too busy trying to make money."

"That's better than the reason I had for avoiding women." Claude sighed.

Esmeralda looked at him sympathetically. She remembered him telling her the real reason for his choice to be celibate: Fear of rejection due to his scar.

"It was my mistake." Claude said regretfully. "I assumed that anyone who saw it would be disgusted. But I'm afraid you've proven me wrong."

He thought of the first time Esmeralda had seen his scar. It hadn't been near the disaster he'd expected. The difficult part had been talking about it.

"I suppose I was also afraid of explaining it." Claude admitted. "Now that I think about it, I'm glad you plainly asked if someone hurt me. Otherwise, I never would have found the words to say it."

Esmeralda's eyes were full of compassion. She reached out to touch Claude's hand.

"I'm glad you told me." She said softly.

Claude wrapped his hand around hers.

"It means more than you know," He started. "Just to have you care about me."

Those were the words of a man who knew little more than mistreatment. Esmeralda was sad to think about it.

"You shouldn't have to say that." She expressed. "I'm sorry you didn't have a family who cared."

Claude was reminded of something he'd been meaning to inquire about.

"I never asked if you had a family." He brought up.

Esmeralda looked down at her lap. This was awkward to talk about.

"I never knew my parents." She shared. "My mother died giving birth to me, and my father was dead a week before that."

"Who raised you, then?" Claude asked.

"My aunt." Esmeralda replied. "But she died when I was twelve. Since then, it's just been my brother and I looking out for each other."

"You have a brother?"

"He's my cousin, really. But I think of him as my brother, since we grew up together."

"What is his name?"

Esmeralda smiled.

"Clopin."

Claude nearly jumped.

"Clopin?" He repeated. "The master of ceremonies at the festival?"

"The one and only." Esmeralda replied cheerfully. "And he's your brother-in-law. How does that feel?"

Claude realized Esmeralda was smirking at him playfully. He returned the look.

"Perfectly fine." He replied. "If he's your family then I can accept him."

"You'd better." Esmeralda chuckled.

She lost her smile after a moment.

"I hope I see him again." She said with little optimism.

Once again, Claude felt horrible. It had made Esmeralda happy to think of her brother, but she had to live with being separated from him. Claude deeply regretted causing that separation. But he would fix this. He had to.

"You will." He insisted. "You'll see him and all of your friends."

"Who knows where they are now?" Esmeralda sighed.

"I will find your people, Esmeralda." Claude assured. "If it is the last thing I do."

The tone of his voice was strong. Esmeralda was stunned by it. She could feel that Claude was serious about this, and not only because he wanted her forgiveness, nor purely because it was the right thing to do. It was also because he cared for her.

Esmeralda was sure of one thing: No matter how complicated things were between them, she and Claude were definitely friends.

"Do you remember what I said?" Esmeralda asked. "That I could like you if you were a better man?"

Claude nodded. He'd remembered those words vividly.

"Well, you are a better man now." Esmeralda said proudly. "And I do like you."

She squeezed his hand. Claude smiled.

He was happier than he'd been in ages. Esmeralda, the loveliest person he'd ever laid eyes on, and someone who had been thoroughly hurt by him, had come to like him.

And of course, Claude liked her too. He regretfully remembered the time when he'd denied that.

"Do you remember what I said?" He asked. "That I only told you I liked you out of misery?"

Claude shook his head at the thought of his previously stubborn self.

"I lied." He admitted. "Mostly to myself."

"I know." Esmeralda smirked.

Claude chuckled.

"I do like you, Esmeralda." He shared. "I have for quite a while."

Esmeralda felt the slightest part of her heart begin to mend. It had hurt so badly that Phoebus didn't like her enough to choose her. But there were others who were quick to acknowledge her value. Quasimodo had done it in a sadder context that morning, but now Claude did it as he smiled with her.

"Thank you." Esmeralda said softly. "I haven't been feeling too good about myself."

Her smile faded as she thought of Phoebus, who had lost interest in her, and then of Quasimodo, whom she had left in such sadness.

Claude absorbed her mood. With his free hand, he stroked her cheek, prompting her to look into his eyes.

"Don't ever think you are not good enough." Claude pleaded. "You are so very wonderful."

It was the least he could say. Claude could have gone on and on about how wonderful he thought Esmeralda was. He was endlessly grateful for everything she had done for him. No one else had shown him such kindness.

Esmeralda couldn't think of anything to say. She wasn't even sure what to think. But she knew how she felt, and it was a very good feeling, albeit sentimental.

She showed her appreciation with a hug, which Claude gladly accepted. They hugged for a few minutes, saying nothing.

This friendship was awkward, but they were willing to embrace it.