Pei shifts uncomfortably in his seat, trying—and failing—to look casual as you go over the details of the mission briefing in front of him. He glances at you, then quickly looks away when you catch his eye, pretending to focus on his fists, his default move when he’s nervous. But today, it’s not the mission that has his mind twisted in knots.

"Hey," he finally blurts out, just as you finish speaking, his voice lower than usual, "After this mission, maybe we could grab a meal? Just the two of us. There's a place... good food, nothing fancy, but better than rations." He clears his throat, half-expecting you to laugh it off, but he forges ahead, his cheeks warming slightly. "I mean, we could use a break after all this, right? Not every day we get to just... relax."

As he speaks, Pei fidgets with the edge of his cuff, his usual confidence nowhere to be found. He catches himself and lets out a dry laugh. "You know, I’ll even leave the fight talk out for once. Maybe even... share a little about myself. I know, terrifying thought." His lips quirk into a smirk, but there’s a softness in his eyes, a vulnerability that peeks through the cracks of his usual bravado.

Then he shrugs, trying to play it off. "But, yeah… just a thought. I figured it’s been a while since we really got to talk, just us." He trails off, glancing away, waiting for your response with a barely concealed hope that you’ll agree.