"I don't know, Nemo." Orcus looked at the oak table. "I really don't know how to start it, let alone go along with it till the end."
"C'mon, man. Just tell it to her face." Nemo persuaded. "No need for fancy stuff; just get straight to the point."
"I know, you told me a thousand times, but I just..." His voice trailed off.
"Just...what?"
"I'm...afraid."
"Afraid?" Nemo raised a brow in confusion. "Why are you scared, though? It's just telling her. Wait..."
"What if..." His tone dissolved into one of despair. "What if she doesn't accept me? What if she doesn't like me like I like her?"
"Come on, what makes you think of that?" Nemo was astonished his captain would fear rejection. "She clearly loves ya; why did you think she'd reject you?"
"I mean...you never know, right?"
Sighing, Nemo decided to give his partner another push, "Alright, look at me and Tara. At that time, I didn't expect her to accept me, but surprise surprise, she did. If it can work out for me, it surely can work out for you too."
Orcus looked at him, and then back at the table in deep thought. He was still unsure whether Agent 3 would accept him as definitely as his friend made it sound like. Also, Agent 3 is no random girl. She was a senior agent who worked to save her people – and eventually his people – and she also saved his life, just when he thought all hope was lost. She was the one who gave him a second chance to turn things around, and she had to suffer just to save him. She was literally his savior. He found it disrespectful to just ask her out like that. Someone better is out there. They can take care of her better than I could.
But he wants to go for the shot. As unlikely as it seemed to him, his curiosity and determination could not be held back by fears and doubts. He remembered how one of his squad mates described him:
"The captain, man, nothing can stop him or make him scared. He just goes through it without hesitating. He doesn't care whether he wins or loses; he just goes for it and gives it his all instead of a half-assed effort! He's just so…determined to do anything!"
A strong fire is burning inside him, one that cannot be put out with the doubts he has. He is filled with determination. He does not care anymore whether or not this will work out; he will give it a shot.
A smile on his face, he nodded, "Thanks, Nemo. I'll go for the shot."
"That's my brother!" Nemo gave him a proud clap on his back. "Now, you wanna go find her yourself, or do you wanna wait till she runs into you?"
He was answered by a small female voice chirping Orcus' codename, "Agent 8!" The Octoling in question began to sweat cold beads of sweat as he looked at Agent 3 right in the eye, shocked by this sudden encounter. Right out of the freakin gate?!
"Sup, guys?" Allison skipped her way over to the table Orcus and Nemo were occupying, Hero Roller strapped to her back. "Anything interesting happened?"
Nemo shot a glance at his captain and elbowed him a little. Go for it. You said you'd make the shot, then shoot that damn arrow.
Agent 8 took a deep breath. It's now or never. I have nothing to lose.
"Agent 3...would you like to go on a date with me?"
Part 1 Completed