Squad X (a Nuzi Story)

Chapter 10: Asking him out

NORA'S POV

It was one of those days where everything felt like it was happening in slow motion. My nerves were on fire, my mind racing through every possible outcome, and my reflection was just staring back at me like, Seriously, you're doing this?

"Okay, deep breaths, Nora," I muttered to myself, adjusting my jacket for what had to be the fiftieth time in five minutes. "It's just Xavier. Xavier. The guy who's been your partner on a dozen missions. No big deal."

Except, obviously, it was a big deal. I could hear Lessa's voice in my head, probably saying something like, Nora, you're literally a fearless drone with a record-breaking sarcasm output, and you're freaking out over asking out a guy?

Easy for her to say. She wasn't trying to ask Xavier, who somehow managed to be both effortlessly hot and annoyingly genuine at the same time. It was unfair, really.

I glanced around the C9DF base, making sure no one was around to witness my impending social implosion. Xavier was at the workbench, carefully piecing together a new weapon prototype, completely oblivious to the fact that I was mentally collapsing just a few yards away.

"Alright. Here goes," I whispered, more to hype myself up than anything.

I took a step toward him, trying to keep my usual confidence intact, only for my brain to betray me halfway there. My mind started screaming all the reasons this was a terrible idea: What if he says no? What if he laughs? What if he says yes and then realizes I'm a mess?

But I was already walking, and my mouth was apparently operating on autopilot.

"Xavier," I called, trying not to sound like I was choking on my own nerves.

He turned around, looking up from his work with that easygoing smile he always had. "Nora! Hey, what's up?"

His voice was so casual, so warm—it made this all seem way easier and way harder at the same time.

"Uh, not much," I said, shoving my hands into my jacket pockets to keep them from fidgeting. Come on, Nora, just ask him out. "Just, you know, wondering if you had any plans for... later?"

His eyebrows lifted a little, his gaze curious. "Later? As in... this evening?"

"Yeah." I tried to shrug like it was no big deal. "I mean, it's not like I've had this planned or anything," I added with a nervous laugh that probably made it exactly clear that I'd totally had it planned.

"Well, I didn't have anything specific," he replied, a spark of interest in his eyes that gave me a tiny bit of hope. "Why? Got something in mind?"

I could practically feel my circuits overheating. This was it. I had to actually ask him now. No turning back.

"Yeah, I was thinking... maybe... if you're up for it, we could grab a drink or something?" I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "Like... together."

He paused, and for a split second, I was convinced I'd ruined everything. But then he grinned, this soft, almost surprised smile that made my heart lurch in a way I was definitely not going to admit to Lessa later.

"Are you asking me out, Nora?" he asked, his tone playful but with just enough seriousness to make me think he was actually waiting for an answer.

"Maybe," I replied, trying to play it cool even though I could feel myself blushing. "I mean, we've already survived explosions and... whatever else. I figured a date would be... safer."

He laughed, and it was like every ounce of tension in me melted away. "Alright then. Sounds like a plan. What time should I pick you up?"

I blinked. I hadn't actually thought this far ahead. "Uh, seven? Unless you'd prefer six? Or... eight?" Stop overthinking, Nora.