Hi there and welcome to this story. I hope you enjoy it! I am sure I am not the only one that was left with more than one question at the end of Xenoblade X. As you can imagine, I was hoping for a bit more romance between Elma and Cross in the game and volià, this fan fiction was born.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the setting. The only things I own are the ideas presented and the cover image of this story.


Chapter 1: What a blind truth

-Or how Lin figured out Cross's heart before he even knew-


The team watched as Dorothy and Shingo held hands and laughed. Elma had a stoic face, as always; Lao smiled lightly with a nostalgic expression and Tatsu was busy doing the 'Love always wins' victory dance. However, Lin noticed Cross's expression: a mix of jealousy and curiosity.

-Mmm, isn't that expression familiar? - murmured Lin softly as she recalled Shingo's earlier expression when Dorothy was talking to another man.

Being a teen and knowing her nosy personality, Lin just had to tease Cross about this. She was dying to know who his special someone was. She obviously discarded herself: Cross was a father figure for her, the big brother she never had, just as she told him a few weeks ago.

-So Cross, what does love feel like?- asked Lin with an innocent smile. Knowing Lin too well, Cross was very careful with his answer as he imagined that there was more to the question that Lin lent on.

-Good question. I wish I could remember- answered Cross as he lifted his shoulders.

Lao and Elma heard the conversation. While Lao couldn't help but laugh wholeheartedly, a shadow of sadness crossed Elma's face. However, before anyone could notice, Elma was back to her usual stoic face.

-Butterflies in the stomach, awareness of the other's person every moves, sleepless nights… There are a lot of definitions of what love feels like. - Lao explained as he remembered his wife. –However, my advice is that you shouldn't listen to any of that crap. Everyone feels love differently. You just have to see Gwin.

-I'm not sure how Gwin is an example of love- interjected a slightly confused Elma. Human interactions were not her speciality.

-How haven't you noticed?! Gwin is head over heels for Irina- explained Lin.

-Tatsu will do love victory dance for Gwin and Irina then.

Tatsu started dancing in middle of the street while randomly shouting 'love always wins' and 'Gwin and Irina'. After a few minutes of this, Elma decided to cut out Tatsu's nonsense.

-I don't think that is appropriate nor needed Tatsu. We shouldn't pry in other people's life. Let's go. I think Commander Vandham has a new mission for us – Elma intervened as thoughtful as always.

-Ouch harsh!- Lin commented under her breath. She did not miss the far away expression that Elma had for a few seconds.

Everyone nodded. After all, Elma was right. However, Lin was still curious about Cross and she promised to herself that she would find out.


A few days later, Team Elma and Commander Vandham were having lunch at the Barracks after a morning of hard work. Everyone had forgotten about Shingo's love quest as there was so much work to do except one teenager. Lin decided that it was a good time to try again to figure out Cross's love life. She knew that 'curiosity killed the cat' but she couldn't help it.

-Cross tell me, - Lin said with a serious tone just to change to her innocent smile.- Who is your special someone?

-Pardon me, my what?-Cross almost spilled the piece of pot pie that he was chewing.

-You know, the person you love?- pushed Lin, grinning inwardly.

-I have no one- answered Cross uncomfortably. What was up with Lin and weird love questions?

-Such disappointment. And here I though you had a crush on someone. Is it Jo from the Sunshine cafe? Wait no! I bet it's Hope, the girl in front of the cathedral. Maybe a Ma-non? –continued Lin, excited at the possibilities.

Elma and Commander Vandham, who were also eating at the table, just ignored the conversation that was going on. They were discussing the next assignment of the team. Tatsu was busy eating his part of the pot pie, still angry at the joke that Lin had made before about Tatsu being food.

-Okay then. If you had a crush on someone, how would that person be?-continued Lin. She was determined to find out.

-Let me think-paused Cross as he finished his last piece of pot pie.- If I had a crush, I think she would be a strong and determined person. Something about that person would catch my interest.

-Strong and determined?-Lin smugly smiled. –You mean, like Elma?

Cross once again was surprised. How did Lin get to such quick conclusions, he would never know. Still, he didn't have a crush on Elma he just had a deep admiration for his leader.

-Yeah I guess. I mean, if I had a crush on Elma- Cross added.

-Oh I see- Lin grinned.- What if Elma also…

-What are you bloody talking about?- Commander Vandham asked in middle of Lin's sentence. He and Elma had just finished deciding the assignment and were joining Lin's and Cross's conversation without any consideration of the delicate theme that was being discussed. Lin and Cross jumped from their seats at the surprise.

-Eh, nothing sir. Just Lin trying to be funny- answered Cross immediately. For some reason, he felt very nervous about talking of this in front of Elma.

Lin also noticed. It didn't take a genius like her to figure things out, although of course, a young prodigy like her had pieced the puzzle quite quickly. Cross liked Elma but he still didn't know. How slow could guys be?

The mystery was in Elma. She was always so stoic, so difficult to read. Lin wondered if Elma liked Cross back. Lin looked at Cross again. He was so dense. He should know nobody likes dense guys, especially smart and beautiful colonels.