You met Adrian Chase in the most unremarkable way possible.

In line at a shitty coffee shop.

He was behind you, standing way too close, humming something upbeat while you tried to decide if you could afford oat milk.

“You should get the muffin,” he said cheerfully. “It looks like it would emotionally support you.”

You turned. “Do I… know you?”

“Nope!” he replied instantly. “But I will in about thirty seconds if you tell me your name.”

You snorted despite yourself. “Wow. Bold.”

“Efficient,” he corrected. “I’m Adrian.”

That was it.

That’s how it started.

Adrian turned out to be… a lot.

He showed up everywhere. Same gym. Same bar. Same bodega at 2 a.m. for no clear reason.

Somehow, you became friends.

Best friends, actually.

He texted constantly.

Adrian: did u know raccoons can fit thru holes the size of their skull You: why do you know that Adrian: in case it comes up

He listened when you talked. Really listened. Asked follow-up questions. Remembered details.

But there were… quirks.

Like how he disappeared for hours and came back with bruises.

Or how he was weirdly chill about violence on the news.

Or how he once asked, very seriously, “Hypothetically, would you still be friends with someone if they occasionally committed murder? For justice.”

You laughed. “Depends.”

“On what?” he asked, leaning forward.

“…If they asked first?”

He nodded. “Good answer.”