You weren’t supposed to be there.

That was the problem.

You’d stopped by Adrian’s place unannounced—because that’s what friends did—and his door was unlocked, which honestly wasn’t even surprising anymore.

“Adrian?” you called.

No answer.

You stepped inside.

And that’s when you saw him.

Covered in blood.

Mask off.

Helmet on the floor.

Holding a sword like it was just another Tuesday.

You froze.

Adrian froze too.

The silence stretched.

“…Hey,” he said brightly. “So this isn’t what it looks like.”

You blinked. Once. Twice.

“Is that… a medieval sword?”

His shoulders relaxed immediately. “Oh thank God, that’s what you focused on.”

You looked him over—really looked. The blood wasn’t fresh. He wasn’t hurt. He wasn’t panicking.

He was waiting.

“For you to scream,” you said slowly.

“Or run,” he added. “Or call the cops. Or faint. Or puke. People puke a lot.”

You shrugged. “I mean… you did ask me once if I’d still be friends with someone who murdered for justice.”

Adrian’s eyes lit up. “I knew that question was good groundwork.”

You exhaled. “So. You’re Vigilante.”

“Correct!”

“You kill bad guys.”

“Only the ones who deserve it.”he said