Page 25 of Nora's Kraken

All those doubts and uncertainties, the endlessly frustrating conflict between the version of myself I wish I could be and the one that I am, follow me out of the aquarium and back down the sidewalk as we step out into the crisp Seattle night.

8

Elias

Leaving the aquarium with Nora’s arm tucked into mine, my thoughts are scattered and every intention I had for this evening is laying broken like glass on the pavement around us.

How did I mess this up so spectacularly?

It’s drizzling slightly as we head back toward downtown, and just before Nora reaches up to pull her hood over her head, I catch a glimpse of her face, expression tight and worried.

There have been moments over the last couple of hours when she seemed to relax. Well, almost relax. But any mention or reminder of who and what I am, of the bond that’s growing more and more solidified in my chest with each moment I spend with her, sends her right back to square one.

I didn’t even mean to delve into those topics tonight, but once we’d gotten talking…

Gods, I should have shut my damned mouth.

This was supposed to be a date, a simple date, a chance to spend a little time with her—no pressure, no expectations.

There’s something about Nora, though, that’s scrambled my wits since the beginning.

Or perhaps it’s just me, rusty and out of practice as I am, not giving her the space she needs or able to take things slowly. She gave me a chance, and all I did was overwhelm her.

I’d planned to see if she wanted to grab a drink somewhere after this, talk some more, but by the nervous energy radiating from her, it’s probably not something she’s even remotely interested in.

“Can I walk you to your car?”

Nora laughs a little, and I’m not sure why until she explains. “You can walk me to the bus stop, I guess.”

Public transit is safe. I know it’s safe. It’s probably safer than getting in a car and driving.

Still, no part of me wants to walk her to the bus stop.

How far is it from here to wherever she lives? It’s late. It’s dark out. Will she have to transfer and take multiple lines? Will she have to wait outside in the dark and the cold?

“Would you let me drive you home?”

I’m convinced the question was a bridge too far when she turns to face me, looking me up and down with that familiar, worried little divot between her brows.

“Show me your driver’s license,” she says unexpectedly.

I’m not about to question it as I reach into my back pocket and pull out my wallet. Handing over the license, she squints at it for a moment before pulling out her phone.

“Mind if I send a pic to my friends? You know, just in case.”

It makes my chest tighten painfully she would think that’s necessary, but I only nod. She snaps the photo and sends a text, then hands it back to me. As she does, she laughs softly again.

“What?”

Shaking her head, she tucks her phone away and smiles up at me before answering. “Your license says your eyes are blue.”

“Is that not accurate?”

“Not quite. I don’t know what I’d call them, but ‘blue’ doesn’t seem like… enough.”

Warmth diffuses through me, all the way from the slow smile that curls my lips to the two hearts beating in my chest, and further still, until I’m surprised my entire body isn’t glowing with it.

“Come on,” I tell her, taking her arm once more. “I’m parked nearby.”

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