Author's Notes: I one-hundred percent blame SE for creating characters that are so easy to fall in love with and want more of. L'ubor and Theodore have such rich stories for side characters. This story will follow them throughout the journey of FF16's main story quests, so expect spoilers from time to time. I'll put them in the beginning notes.

L'ubor chewed the tip of his nail while peering out his window onto the bustling streets below.

He knew how to play the long game. But damned if he didn't feel at least the tiniest bit anxious. Eager, even.

It had all begun with a fateful encounter one blistering summer day. Theodore of the Crimson Caravans had appeared like a flagon of crisp spring water after a long trek across the sweltering Velkroy desert. Immediately intrigued, L'ubor had honed in on him and struck up conversation. After a meal and some general japery of conversation, the Desert Hare knew that this was a man worth pursuing. Theodore's striking good looks and his charisma had ensnared L'ubor in every sense of the word; would that he could have convinced him to engage in more than a simple meal and conversation...but Theodore was nothing if not a professional. His timely deliveries and care for his envoy were priority one.

If nothing else, their chance encounter had set the groundwork. L'ubor could work with that.

Knowing that it would appear positively bizarre to request another delivery from the Boklad markets so soon, L'ubor had labored to cleverly map out with Natalie their next few shipments, pointing out opportunities for exotic and unique materials that could more easily be procured from the Dominion: specialty salts for the bathhouse, fragrant flowers and aromatics to distill into absolutes and perfumes for the bordello, freshly caught fish, perfect for a light but filling meal… in exchange, they could provide precision weaponry, extravagant clothes and the finest flatware and glassware, all things which would continue to bolster Dalimil's presence as a growing player in the Dhalmekian commerce network.

Maybe he was also angling for a path into the Silverpeak Consortium. Two birds with one stone. No shame.

Following their first engagement from the Crimson Caravans, L'ubor had carefully crafted a missive which thanked them for a timely and in-full delivery. The missive also called out Theodore for excellent service and attention to detail. While L'ubor was not so brazen or stupid as to directly request Theodore's services further, he knew that relationships and trust were everything in a trader's world; Eloise the proprietor was likely to send him again to ensure another solid and seamless delivery, so that they could work out a proper, mutually beneficial contract.

Which led to today: the anticipated delivery of a large order of commodities that had set L'ubor back a fair amount of coin. All in the name of commerce.

Commerce and infatuation.

Oh, Ruzena would drag him across the forge coals if she only knew. May she rest in peace, L'ubor thought.

"Come, now, L'ubor," he told himself. "You've certainly waited long enough."

Squaring his jaw, the young Dhalmekian descended from his quarters in the residential district, easing onto the streets of Dalimil. He moved with purpose, past the markets and square to Briar's Kiss, his home away from home. He had a full docket today, enough to keep him busy and then some.

The intensity of the forge's heat hit him like a tidal wave. He was immediately at home.

"Ah, forgemaster! You've arrived!"

"Sava." His apprentice's anxious voice was a welcome distraction. L'ubor comfortably folded his arms across his chest. "Yes, I've arrived. I've a blade commission to finish and I'm expecting a delivery that Natalie and I need to review. Tell me, how comes your ironwork?"

Sava's nervous shifting told him everything he needed to know.

"Well. I've, uh. I've made some progress. It's coming along!"

"Excellent." L'ubor slowly raised his eyebrows. "Then it seems we're on schedule for you to complete your test soon, yes?"

Sava's eyes widened. He paused. "...I-If you say so, forgemaster!"

L'ubor waved his hand dismissively. He had neither the wherewithal nor the patience to provide Sava with another confidence boost. Not today. "Well, then. Let's get to work, shall we? Plenty to do. Off you go, dear Sava."

"Yessir!"

Of all the things Ruzena had taught L'ubor in his youth, his biggest takeaway was the value and necessity of patience. Patience played such a powerful role in forging quality weapons and tools, in forging lasting and mutually beneficial relationships, in earning a solid keep. He hadn't become cream of the Dalimil crop by being impetuous, reckless and wild. No, even with the anticipation of Theodore's eventual arrival buzzing around in the back of his head, L'ubor's attention to detail in completing his commission never faltered, never waned.

He had done the heavy lifting of shaping, beveling, and quenching the blade the day before; alongside finishing the hilt, today he focused on sanding and sharpening.

"Now…the final touch."

The soft sizzle of branding filled L'ubor's ears as he seared the Briar's Kiss into the bottom of the hilt. With a satisfied smile, he stood and straightened his back. He prepared to stretch–until the distant sound of an unfamiliar chocobo wark filled his ears.

"Sounds like our delivery…if you'll excuse me, gentlemen." L'ubor saluted his apprentices, visibly energized. "I need to go peruse our delivery to ensure everything is in order."

Was there a kick to his step as he walked through the passageway to the chocobo stables? Maybe.

Did he pick up his pace when he saw the familiar insignia that indicated the Crimson Caravans? It was possible.

L'ubor's real interest came when he saw the handsome Theodore appear from around the corner of the caravan. He felt a strange mix of elation, relief and anticipation– it was the exhilarating thrill of fulfillment that came with a long-term plan coming to fruition.

"Ah, and there it is," L'ubor said, arms open in welcome. He approached the caravan–and Theodore. "Our eagerly awaited goods, ready for deployment to the markets."

Theodore smiled warmly, offering a polite bow of his head. "Safely arrived in one piece, my good sir. The Crimson Caravan promise." He tapped a firm fist against the leather of his tunic, and to L'ubor's surprise, he winked.

"Well! Now it's time to see about that in full promise Mistress Eloise agreed to in her letter, yes? Excellent."

"L'ubor!"

As much as L'ubor wanted nothing more than to steal Theodore away for the remainder of the day, the sound of Natalie's voice meant that official business would take absolute precedence. "Ah, my dear Natalie. Perfect timing, as always. Theodore and his companions here have just arrived with our goods in tow. Let's go through the manifest, shall we?"

"Yes, of course. If you'll both come with me…"

Theodore walked around the caravan to the back, unhitching the lock and prying open the double doors. Lining the inner shelves and walls were coffers, crates, barrels and more. L'ubor was all too happy to let Natalie take lead of the inventory review, though he occasionally shared a witty quip or comment about the illustrious materials and, of course, Theodore and the Crimson Caravans.

"Really, L'ubor, you didn't need to be here for this," Natalie said with a shrug of her shoulders. She tapped her quill against the parchment to reactivate the ink drip. "I would have let you know if anything was missing. As of yet, we're in the clear."

"Ah, it's really no bother at all. Besides, I wasn't so worried about prompt and in-full delivery. No, I was more concerned with these carriers taking a proper break before going about their distribution of the materials."

Hook, line…

"Nonsense, L'ubor, what are you getting at? We can deliver the goods to the relevant stalls and vendors. They don't need to do anything of the sort."

Sinker.

L'ubor smiled. "Why, Natalie, you're absolutely right. How silly of me. An order of this size, absolutely we should manage that ourselves."

Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Yes…quite. You feeling alright, there, L'ubor?"

"Positively peachy. Now." L'ubor turned to Theodore. "You remember the way to The Final Sting, yes?"

"...Actually, I wouldn't mind a refresher," Theodore offered with a small grin. "Let me just check in with my men and relieve them for now. Also need to let them know where to find me."

As Theodore stepped away from the caravan and over toward the chocobo stables, L'ubor felt in real time Natalie's eyes practically bore into him. He returned her scrutinizing gaze with nary a peep and little more than a wink before he kicked off toward the gate leading into the square near his shop. Theodore soon joined him momentarily thereafter, and together, L'ubor began his casual stroll back into town.

"You can kindly repay me for getting you off the hook by buying me a drink."

"Getting me off the hook? Mm, I swear I heard her say that it wasn't our responsibility to begin with…"

L'ubor whistled. "Founder help me, this is how you thank a man for a favor, hm? Well, you're lucky that we're a hospitable bunch, here."

Theodore chuckled. "Very lucky. After all, I've got such an important man escorting me to the tavern, when he very well could be creating blades for the town guard or negotiating deals with other Dhalmekian trader guilds..."

The two shared a look. L'ubor broke it with a faint smile, falling into comfortable silence until they crossed the town square and arrived at the door to the Final Sting.

"Well. Here we are. Let them know the meal is courtesy of yours truly." L'ubor crossed his arms over his chest. "Can I tempt you for a drink later?"

To his surprise, Theodore looked perplexed.

"Ah…I take that to mean you're not opting to join me now?"

"Oh, is that an invitation? I didn't want to assume. You've been traveling all day, after all."

"I'd be disappointed if you didn't. Consider it officially an invite. Come on, then."

L'ubor bit back a grin as Theodore opened the door inward and gestured for him to step through. Once they were comfortably settled at one of the tables, he shot a dazzling smile across the way. "Imagine my pleasant surprise to see the handsome and capable carrier return for such a sizable delivery."

Theodore cocked his head, an amused smirk curling at his lips. "Mm, is it really such a surprise? I seem to remember my sister Eloise sharing with me a very shining review from a renowned Dalamil trader who made sure to mention me by name…dare I say, you were hoping for me to return?"

L'udor tapped the tip of his forefinger against the apple of his cheek, that bit back grin blooming with every passing moment. "Oh…am I to understand that's why she put you on the job?"

Theodore chuckled. "I'm quite sure it's not the only reason. But, yes, one of them. For an order of this size, she wanted to make sure it arrived with no issue."

"And you've done brilliantly. Bravo, Theodore. Bravo." L'ubor waved over the waitress, ordering them a duo of ale. "Feeling like something light, or hearty?"

"Light ought to do it."

"Two bowls of the chocobo soup, then. Thank you kindly." When their drinks arrived, L'ubor raised his mug in cheers. "Do tell me you and your men are planning to take advantage of Dalimil this time? I was truly surprised you left last time without enjoying little more than the tavern, here…"

"The sun was particularly sweltering today," Theodore explained. He reached for his handkerchief and dabbed across his forehead and temples. "No cloud cover made the last few hours of our trek across the Velkroy rather uncomfortable, nigh unbearable. While I think after some rest we could press on if we wanted to and camp near Dravozd tonight, we have the time and coin to stay the night here…assuming space is available."

L'udor sat up straight, expression brightening. "There's always room at the Dalimil Inn. Our accommodations are second to none. After you get settled in, you should treat yourself to a long, relaxing bath at the bathhouse. And…should you be so inclined, we've lovely courtesans who would happily keep you and your men company for the evening."

Fishing…

Theodore laughed. "Emptying my coinpurse with reckless abandon, I see. First the drink and the meal, then the inn, then the bathhouse…and now, courtesans too? Your silver tongue truly knows no bounds."

L'udor winked. "As we forgemasters like to say…strike while the iron is hot." He sat back, shrugging casually. "But…if you're not interested…"

Theodore lowered his mug to the tabletop. He leveled his gaze at L'ubor, drawing him in as dark eyes glimmered with interest. "I get the feeling you strike your iron with alarming precision."

Word play. Oh, how L'ubor's heart skipped a beat.

"I pride myself in my ability to strike not only with alarming precision, but with a lasting impression and full satisfaction. In my world, reputation is everything."

"I'd expect no less from a clever forgemaster who surely wields his tool with incredible experience…"

"Care to see for yourself?"

"Is that an invitation?"

L'ubor smiled. "Undoubtedly."