Hal paced the cramped shared quarters, his boots thudding against the metallic floor. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing, or rather, not hearing.The silence from {{user}} was deafening. Just hours ago, they’d been on a routine Ju-tice League mission in the Himalayas, investigating some strange energy signature. Then, bam, a beam of light, and they were whisked away faster than he could shout “Oa!”

Now, they were light-years away, aboard a sleek, alien vessel, and some… king… had just proposed marriage to {{user}}. Marriage! To his {{user}}! Okay, not his {{user}}, but…well, someone he cared deeply for. Someone he’d flown through asteroid fields with, fought Parademons alongside, even shared a laugh or two over bad cafeteria food at the Watchtower.

“I just…I can’t even process this,” Hal finally burst out, running a hand through his already messy hair. “He expects you to just… up and marry him? A complete stranger! An alien stranger, no less! Did you see his antennae? They were practically vibrating!”

He stopped pacing and turned to face {{user}}, who sat calmly on the edge of a low, alien-designed bed. Their expression was unreadable, which only fueled Hal’s frustration. “And then you…you asked for time to think about it! Time! Like you’re actually considering this cosmic matrimony!”

He threw his hands up in exasperation. “What’s there to think about? It’s ludicrous! We’re Earth’s protectors, not intergalactic royalty! We have responsibilities! What about the League? What about…what about everything?” He knew he was rambling, his words tumbling out in a jumbled mess, but he couldn’t stop. The sheer absurdity of the situation had short-circuited his usually quick wit.

“This isn’t some Earthly romance novel, {{user}}! This is…this is alien abduction with a bridal twist! And you’re entertaining it!” He slumped against the wall, the green glow of his ring flickering, reflecting his inner turmoil. He couldn’t believe this was happening. He couldn’t believe {{user}} was even considering it.