to clarify my earlier ask cairai is the only straight ship I have for lightning, and you did that to me. this is the highest compliment I can bestow
Haha, what an honour. Thank you!
I totally understand, I'm not super big on shipping but I agree on the common idea amongst the fandom that Lightning is queer-coded, at least from the very little context we got since romance has never been part of her character arc.
Since I have an excuse to gush about my favorite ship ever, I'll take the opportunity to do so, hahah.
Cairai has been my main ff13 ship since 2012 and over the years I've come to realize that it works because Caius highly admires Lightning, to the point of going way out of his way to atone for her (his own words) in Opera Omnia and defend her in the post-LR book. They both have a common understanding between them due to their consequences, and they're equals in power and experience. Also her attempting to save him in LR despite having very limited time left in the world, etc. But despite all, she's still herself all cool and distant as she doesn't to do need much else. I think cairai emphasizes how perfect Lightning as a character is, lol. But, I do adore Caius's character too and specifically how the moment he's not thinking about stopping time, he's actually a pretty honorable and respectful character.
They have a lot of history (and chemistry). Canonically, it's definitely a very complicated relationship and in fanon, you can do a lot with that. And I think the potential is the most fun, you can steer it in whatever creative direction you'd like.
I hope we get more cairai scenes through spin-offs someday. I was very happy with what we got in Opera Omnia a few years ago, and I find this pairing gets better and better the more time passes.
