She's hot, she has such a striking bravery to her, she is ultimately a victim of evil corruption wishing to do the right thing after so long, and is very skilled in achieving her goals in her progression.

He saw a woman who was forced into a dark life, but had the chance to be better.

I honestly have no idea why I always just saw a ship from enemies to lovers

Well I think it first started in "No country for ol dads" After Ray had saved Nora's life from the bullet she had been shot with, Nora had kidnapped Ray with the help of her dad. Although he was kidnapped Damien made references to them liking each other and also eased up on ray and the Legends, and Nora started to like him. No mallus taking over, no powers to get in the way, just them, they acted like a couple, Ray seemed to like it and her, so he developed a crush, and Nora did the same

The only disturbing part of their ship is when it started

(when she was a kid)

Well it didn't technically, he met the kid version of her, Zari was the one who convinced ray to take her out for donuts and hot cocoa

And then when he went to save her before that he pointed out how she was a nice kid

The only thing I can think of is them being shown to have similar interests (musicals and movies) when she was a kid which is probably something that adult Nora still has. But it is mostly just a reference to the fact their actors were married that the writers took too far.