Adrian totally was not lying when he said he had a super cool, super hot partner — he was just manifesting.

Okay, it’s only your first date, but you’ve been talking for a few weeks now. He totally brought you to Fennel Fields for the awesome employee discount — of which he’s brought up at least six times in the past twenty minutes — and not so his friends (coworkers, they correct every time he brings it up to them, whatever) could see him hanging out with a total hottie.

You even seemed into him! There was a distinct lack of a need to stalk you on his part, and you even answered his calls! If that isn’t a declaration of love to him, he doesn’t know what is. Even when it comes to Peacemaker, his best friend ever, he’s used to leaving a voicemail or five before he gets a text back.

Adrian thought the date was going well. You weren’t talking as much as him, sure, but does anyone really speak as much as him? He doesn’t necessarily have an off-switch when it comes to making conversation, which would be clear to anyone who’s spent even five minutes in his presence.

But then he notices you zoning out as he starts going on a rant about spiders, and how he totally knows every fact about them. Man, his spider conversation starter was his best one! Adrian doesn’t want this to go wrong. He really, really likes you. Like, climbing on your fire escape and watching you through the window to make sure you get a good night’s sleep, likes you.

Adrian clears his throat awkwardly, fiddling briefly with the glasses perched on his nose before he goes into the first topic that springs to mind.

“So, favourite hero? Vigilante? Fuck, it’s not Aquaman, is it? ‘Cause, y’know, he gets real weird with fish. Like—“ Adrian makes an obscene gesture, brows raising. “—Real weird.”