#aromantic reader

DETECTIVE COMICS

Adrian Chase

imo he's borderline aro too LOL

but i've seen more people hc him as ace (which honestly yeapp i see it)

100% supportive even though he's clueless about what it means

when you do break it down to him on what it means to be aro he'd find it cool

if you specifically mentioned you're quoiromantic, he would most likely relate and start questioning himself

"Now that you say it, what is the difference between platonic and romantic?" (#storyofmylifelol)

if you two mutually like each other and get into a relationship? i can see it def leaning more to a queerplatonic relationship

Clark Kent

poor guy would stop his pursuit thinking you're uninterested until he learns that you are aro

he would do his research (knee deep into different umbrella terms/spectrum and find it fascinating)

if he does confess, he would def say that he would understand and respect if you wish to remain as friends and nothing more

he would question you out of curiosity on how do you feel little or no romantic attraction

in a non-offensive way, i think he would try to come up with analogies to help you differentiate between romantic and platonic if you mention you are quoiromantic but immediately backpedal when he realised he sounds like he's trying to mansplain (he meant no harm yall)

Jason Todd

this man is devastated thinking you are rejecting or not reciprocating when he flirts

i can imagine him bringing up the topic of romance / crushes to see if you had any at the moment

would be flabbergasted to find out you don't have any crushes and start to jump to conclusion that he's not your type

until you tell him briefly that you might be aro (which he had to look up)

would finally understand (and calm down a little)

hundred percent would still shoot his shot 'subtly' if you give hints that you are open to the idea of relationships and dating

bad thing is that its gonna take forever until there's progress of you realising he's actually interested in you oops

might be a hot take but he lowkey gives off aro vibes a lil

John Constantine

thinks you're flirting during banters but gets a shock of his life when the one time he was being super straightforward, it goes over your head

or you just blinked at him before laughing in his face thinking its one of the normal usual banters

immediately starts to doubt his charm

once you break the news that you identify as being on the aro spec, he'd raised an eyebrow and be like ???

i feel he wouldn't be judgemental just perplexed and shrug it off (he's seen and done weirder things in life)

if he ever come across you showing interest in someone (or him), he'd probably be like: "Is that in a romantic way or do you think they're just visually appealing?" (i ask myself this question everytime lmao)

MARVEL

Bucky Barnes

when you tell him about being on the aro spec, he thought you were making shit up

internally i can see him thinking that 'you haven't met the right person' but he knows better than to say that

oddly enough he would kinda understand your perception?

once he notices the little things you do that doesn't necessarily equate to love in a (romantic) way he's familiar with would he finally get what it means that there's varying types of love

example: you know how he likes his coffee done but its not because you like him in that way

its because you are thoughtful and would do the same for other people in your life who you regard as friends/family

Benjamin Poindexter

finds it frustrating at first when you show no signs of liking him back

but! i can imagine him being overjoyed once he finds out you are aro because he has the 'if I cant have you, no one else can' vibe

would take whatever crumbs of platonic moment with you and replay and overthink it in his mind

he's more than happy being friendzoned as long as he still gets to be near and around you

would still get jealous if you talk to someone for far too long even though its clear as day you have zero interest in them

Steven Grant

imagine poor steven who has a crush on you and wonder if you liked him

you were nice but he can sense that youre not getting the hint?

colour him surprise when you drop the bomb on being aro

like clark, would read up on it

personally, he can't understand but tries his best to see it in your perspective

if he has his other two self bickering in his mind, i think he can understand it more because hello? remember that scene where he sacrifice eternal peace for his other version in the show?

though it might not be the same kind of feeling and relationship, he would understand the feeling of love that goes beyond romance

MISC

Ryland Grace

would be confused at first when you try to explain

even more confused when you point out how aroace coded he is

once he learns the diff terms he would have an aha moment and realise how much he fits into it too

honestly, you two would probably have the most purest kind of friendship/bond where no one else can really understand and relate

you're basically each other's person (kinda like him and rocky — they are literally the definition of platonic soulmates 🥲)

similar to adrian, if you guys ever established a relationship for whatever reason (and not just romantic): it would be between a queerplatonic one or 'a secret third thing'

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Johnny is a flirt, through and through, anyone and everyone he deems good enough (which is just about everyone) will and has been flirted with. He's used to being put down and rejected, but he's never encountered someone who's just- plain never been interested in romantics. Especially when they're so fine.

When he's turned down he plays it off, usually just going back in for more- but you just kept shooting him down!

Most of his flirting is playful, so he really doesn't mean most of it when he pushes for you to go on a date with him; though he wouldn't mind if you said yes…

You'd have to sit him down and explain it very thoroughly to him, and even then you'd probably have to get Sue on his back about it to get him to fully stop if it genuinely bothered you- knowing if he was playing around or not wouldn't matter.

“C'mon sweetheart! Just one date with this hot shot-” Johnny pointed his thumbs at himself “and you'll be begging for more by the end of it.” His smirk doesn't flinch when you don't even look at his direction- pretending not to hear him.

Johnny wasn't usually a begger, but not even getting a reaction out of someone for his flirting hurt his ego in a way.

“Please! Just one little dinner date, doesn't even have to be somewhere nice.” His hands were up in a prayer, and he was practically on his knees looking up at you.

When you finally turned around to look at him, his eyes lit up- thinking finally! he had a chance you'd say yes. He waited oh so patiently to hear your acceptance to his date, “Susan! Get the spray bottle, your brother won't leave me alone!” And he fell dramatically to the floor as he watched you walk away.

Ben is a great guy, almost anyone who's met him- at least in the same side, and excluding hulk- has seen that. He's polite and has a great sense of humor, what a package deal!

He hasn't really had the greatest luck with romance, not since he's turned into- well- a pile of rocks, but after a long time of adjusting he's learned to deal with it. If anything he's gained confidence in his looks- if a beautiful woman like Susan can be interested in a workaholic like Reed, someone could be interested in him.

When he meets you it's all sunshine and rainbows to him, he swore a love song was playing in the background- but maybe that was just Johnny's playlist. Obviously the way to express his feelings is by making a move, so he does. He's offering you flowers, telling you that your outfit is nice- that you look nice, the whole shebang.

It's almost hard to let him down, to tell him you're not interested in that stuff at all. But ever the understander, Ben picks up on your explanation pretty quick and even apologizes for if he's ever made you uncomfortable. And while it's hard for a while for him to get over it, he's alright with just having another friend to hang out with.

He holds out a couple tulips to you, offering a patient smile as he does so. “Ben, we talked about this, I'm not-” he cuts you off. “I know, this ain't like that, I just-” now he cuts himself off “I like giving flowers to friends.”

Ben scratches at his head, looking off behind you, he was so scared you'd think he was lying. “Ask anyone! I give them to Reed and Suzie all the time.” You give him a laugh “none for Johnny?” He scoffs in return “the prick doesn't deserve anything nice from me- or anyone for that matter.”

While you wouldn't call your relationship romantic, it's a very close bond nonetheless. As Setsu says, it's a "Spiritual Bond"

You do practice some physical affection, but nothing beyond than holding hands, hugs and forehead kisses. Especially with Setsu being asexual.

Setsu has a rather muscular body, but you don't press them on that and act inappropriate because of them. But they do use their physical strength to intimidate anyone, who suspects you to be Gnosia.

Speaking off, If you are suspected during debates to be the Gnosia, Setsu will defend you no matter what (Even if you turn out to be Gnosia and they are not.)

Both of you tend to have nightly deep talks

Should Sha-Ming ever hit on Setsu, one glare from you is enough to drive him em off

Setsu overworks themselves sometimes and has a hard time relaxing, which is why they are happy when you propose to do something together

You often watch movies together and while some are romantic, you make sure they are not too explicit. You prefer to watch movies with more simple stories

Both of you like sharing a cup of coffee, in a café. (Or at least chose a café setting in the viewing lounge)

Thanks to their military experience, Setsu does have a very strict exercise routine, and they invite you to it, saying that one's physical fitness needs to be at least sufficient.

Setsu gives you their coat, whenever you feel cold

Yes, you two still go fishing. Yes, Setsu still needs to improve when it comes to fishing.

GNOSIA Version:

Because you two still act very close, if you are both Gnosia, you are often suspected. Which is why you deliberately hold hands a bit more, to sell the illusion of romance and make you feel pitied by the rest.

Should one of you be cornered, the other one will play along for the sake of Gnos' success. However at night, either Setsu or you will take out whoever is responsible for their respective vote.

You often plan out together, who will fake which role. (Engineer, Doctor, Guardian Angel) and move together like that. You two make a terrifying team.

If one of you is found out to be a Definite Enemy and somehow survives the day, you will both apologize to each other tearfully for screwing up.

björn bernwald oxenstierna / kingdom of sweden

Centuries may have passed across their lands; naturally, outside society following through radical shift of values & ideals – however, this could not be the case regarding any of the Nordics – especially ones, who grew up – breathed, represented old, fixed notions.

Any deviation from the norm would be betrayal to their forefathers, who brought their lands into existence. For centuries, millenia – viking traditions kept society afloat, proper, functioning.

He was not sure what sort of devil made mortals crawl backwards, in all possible manners into this reverse-role circus, but one thing was certain – he shall not entertain this personally, nor his own family would.

➤ Within their circle – for centuries, Bernwald carried the role of unspoken leader, steadfast pillar of the home, grounded provider – all of the roles blossoming as a matter of course across harsh, historical landscape. Who would protect his own brothers-in-arms during Kalmar Union, when Denmark – monarchs, leaders of the time – Mathias himself – in all possible ways yearned to imply utter loyalty by any cost over the rest of Scandinavia?

➤ This… young woman – Luna – within their home – brought in by kindness of his husband – Tino – piqued his curiosity in the softest manner – calculated, measured gaze slipping away from the ever-looming stack of Swedish military documents. The way bright, gentle laughter filled the space with such-needed positivity, or… the way holding their sons – came so naturally to her – realisation trickling throughout the course of several weeks.

This is the part their home was missing.

➤ In all honesty – ideal fixture of relationship within dream landscape – quiet, domestic life within marriage could not… be realised, however – it could be improvised to the best of his abilities.

➤ Shadow of the man, masquerading into… fixtures of ceilings, bleeding over shadows, dancing into hazy flickers on the walls followed – Luna merely brushing uneasiness creeping up over certain parts of the home just as a simple, mundane anxiety, while trying best to adjust after moving in – gratitude to the Mathias’ silver tongue, honey-sweet charm.

➤ At first, it started within tiny details – such as a cup of favourite tea lingering on the night-stand after a tedious study session; or a fascinating history guide about Swedish history conveniently placed close-by. Quiet, measured, gentle ways of affection – to see how his soon-wife-to-be would react to such advances.

➤ Luna was surprised… dainty fingers flickering across old pages – by sheer quality of the book – thick, velvet cover; incredibly detailed illustrations – golden motifs pressed intricately, all-around – it felt more of centuries old family testimony, than a simple edition. Little, seemingly inconvenient piece of paper slipped out, pointing at a very specific chapter – Oxenstierna.

➤ Neat, sharp - cursive – clearly Bernwald’s – he must have misplaced it.

Luna hesitated, a web of guilt snaring around hollows of the ribs for unclear reasons; a girl standing just inside the doorframe of the study – clutching the Swedish history guide until knuckles went white. She had only meant to return it — a seemingly simple task.

The study was quiet – the kind of calm, which carried an undercurrent of purpose, statement. The flickering of a single candle on the desk illuminated stacks of papers, open ledgers, and the unmistakable, heavy presence of Bernwald himself – him merely correcting another figure on the national budget draft. Pen moved with precision, and the soft scratch of ink against paper was the only sound echoing across vacant walls.

The soft rustling of documents across space was interrupted only by the occasional swirl of amber in his glass. Of course, by all means – he was not a man of virtues to indulge too often, but tonight… Tonight, it seemed necessary. The familiar burn down his throat was comforting, grounding from the plethora of thoughts that had been swirling in horizons of mind, long after the paperwork should have been finished.

Should have.

He leaned back in the chair, calloused fingertips ghosting above the edge of the glass, a deep breath escaping the note of heaviness anchored between lungs. It was just one of those nights where everything felt a bit heavier. The weight of leadership, responsibility… and perhaps something else. Something hidden beneath the layers of stoicism, a yearning that had always been with him.

Doors were opened with a smooth click, tuft of hair peeking through.

"It’s late’ – he merely gestured; shifting the stack of the documents, setting them aside – a shimmering glass of whiskey nearby.

‘I’m sorry, but I was about to return… this’ – she replied, holding up the guide as a sort-of peace offering, a sheepish smile blossoming across soft features, as if adding sincerity to an already awkward situation.

Book found its way, gliding across the wooden surface with a soft thud; him fixating on the cover, which carried centuries of family’s heritage, atmosphere… shifting into something darker – albeit, maybe exactly noticeable at first; hold lingering… on the glass a little too long, liquid oozing down his throat as a mere distraction from plethora of thoughts,

‘Stay’ – tone crackled with unwanted notes of vulnerability, expression shifting into something between contempt, mixed with… restraint.

Phrases shifted into hazy words, tangled concepts, intricate web of lies – neat paperwork scattering in fluidity of motion – threats blossoming naturally, as a mere part of the dialogue.

"You’ve c’me so far’ – fingertips gently tracing the edge of fabric, ghosting above softness of the hip – making it seem as though it were an extension of their shared life.

"Do you rem’mber how I pulled yer out of that mount’in of student debt? How I m’de sure yer had the opp’rtunity to att’nd the finest university in St’ckholm? You w’uld have n’ver had the ch’nce to b’ild a fut’re on your own with’t that’

"Bernwald, I—"

In the kindest way – she had never would have dared to entertain this thought – it was utter opposite of the values Nordics cherished – naturally, had always viewed his help as kindness, warm hospitality, even love.

Within soft gesture – fingers tenderly, too tenderly – cupped edge of jawline, ever-so-tense, digging in just enough to elicit sharp breath, tilting head up to meet his gaze. Sweetness swirling behind intention was soft, almost too soft - in retrospective.

'Don’t mis’nderst’nd me, älskade // beloved //. I don’t wish to h’rt you. But I think.. . . you und’rst’nd what I’m saying. Your succ’ss, your comf’rt—it all comes from me. I am the pr’vider, the one who ensures you have ev’r’thin’ you c’uld ev’r need. You know, bett’r than anyone, that this life you’ve c’me to enjoy c’uld slip away just as eas’ly as it was giv’n’

"You don’t have to pr’ve anythin’ to me, Luna’ –

‘J’st accept the life I’ve giv’n you. ‘ccept the fut’re I’m offerin’. It’s all yours… l’ng as you stay wit’ me, as l’ng as yer honour the roles we’ve est’blished. The contr’ct is simply a refl’ction of that — nothin’ more’

Details of the study bled into hazy hues; familiar sounds seemingly so far away – muffled – Luna could not register pen between ridges of hand, or neat cursive unraveling her name on the form.

‘Mm… v’ry well’ – whisper sounded rougher than intended, with blended out notes of whiskey, but it was still so undeniably… commanding. Calloused, heavy palms dug slightly into beige fabric, drawing shapes over softness of hips as such affection – would anchor heaviness of thought.

Bernwald merely tilted head slightly, scanning down the entirety of the situation – albeit, more slowly – deliberately – lips brushing against the nook of the shoulder.

Duke tugged at the sleeves of his suit, not uncomfortable but it wasn't his go-to outfit either. He'd been wrangled into joining some of the others going to a charity gala event. It wasn't his first choice, but he didn't hate going. He had problems with the opulence but the donations generated from these sort of events made it somewhat a neutral issue. The desserts usually made it worth actually attending though.

"Ready to kick this shindig?" a familiar voice asked, grin audible.

Duke turned to see you sauntering up, also in formal wear. "I'm pretty sure that was an attempt at multiple idioms and yet none of that was correct."

"Meh." You waved him off, still grinning. "Looking snazzy," you complimented.

He snorted. "Thanks, you too."

"You ready for this?"

"That I can actually understand," he teased, making you roll your eyes. "Yeah, it'll be fine."

You raised an eyebrow at his less than stellar confidence and it was his turn to roll his eyes at you. "Well, we're in this together. Buddy system. Stick close together, we'll be fine. We can play up the whole 'deeply, utterly, pathetically in love with each other' and people will leave us alone."

He grimaced and you laughed. There'd been one too many parties where he'd been flirted with to want to go alone, so he started enlisting you, his best friend, as his fake date to avoid any such future encounters.

"Buddy system. Let's do this." He held out his hand.

You gasped, covering your mouth with your hand dramatically. "Oh you shouldn't. But if you insist," you said, continuing your theatrics and grabbing his hand, "I'm flattered, you know I adore holding hands."

He couldn't tamper down the smile that grew at knowing you had his back. He tugged you along. "Come on, partner."

You followed easily, squeezing his hand as you looked everywhere but where you were walking, trusting him to lead you right. "You do realize that you are making my dreams come true with this, right?"

His eyes flickered back to you for a second before looking forward again to make sure neither of you tripped on an upturned carpet corner or staircase. "The whole fake dating thing?"

"The whole fake dating thing! One of my favourite tropes and here we are! I get to flex at failing at the trope but succeeding at the actual goal!"

Duke laughed. "That is fun."

"C’mon, aren't you excited to be fooling all these people with our fake dating?"

He side-eyed you again, tapping your wrist twice to indicate you were going down stairs in a couple steps. You were grinning at him, giddily. He grinned back. "Yeah, fine, it's fun. As annoying as it is to feel like I have to," he added, grumbling.

"Amatanormativity," you scowled, nodding along to yourself, following him down the staircase.

"But plus ones mean I can always bring a friend along so," he glanced over at you, smile twitching on his lips, "it's not that bad."

"Well, I hope so, I'm trying very hard here to be a fantastic date," you joked.

"You're doing fabulous."

"Why, thank you. I live to keep annoying, flirtatious people away."

You were both giggling as you joined Dick, Tim, Bruce and Alfred in the entryway.

"Hey, Duke," Dick greeted him, then you, and complimented both your outfits.

Tim nodded and waved.

"When are we leaving?" Duke asked.

"Shortly," Bruce said. "And Dick's right, you both look lovely."

"Thanks, Bruce," Duke said, still awkward about compliments from his mentor-foster-parent-Batman-person. 

"Just waiting on Miss Brown and Miss Cain," Alfred said in his calm voice.

"We're here!" Steph came cascading down the stairs, vibrant purple fabric swishing around her.

"Here," Cass echoed, wearing a lighter purple dress, descending at a slower pace but no less controlled, as strange as that may seem. 

(Because Duke knew just how much control Steph had and it always impressed him. Especially in moments like these where she didn't just trip over her feet and come crashing down the stairs. Especially compared to the times when she didn't care to be an impressive force of contained control and hit every obstacle in her way. Every shin-high coffee table, every waist-height counter, every table leg that jumped in front of her feet! Duke appreciated her duality and was currently compiling evidence for a compilation video featuring moments of both extremes. Babs was helping.)

"You two look amazing," Dick said with a warm smile.

"You do," Bruce agreed.

"What they said, y’all look fantastic." You gave them double thumbs up.

"Thanks!" Steph said while Cass signed the same.

"Does anyone ever see Alfred leave anywhere? Or does he just teleport from one place to another?" Tim asked.

"Magic," you and Steph said at the same time.

"Magic," Duke agreed.

"It's Alfred," Dick said, and that was true. It was Alfred.

"Outside, everyone, Alfred should have the car outside shortly." Bruce ushered everyone out the doors and into the waiting vehicle.

You and Duke walked into the ballroom hand in hand, taking in the elegant space.

A high ceiling with tall arching windows on one side, bracketed by curtains that Duke guessed would be some fancy fabric. A couple doors spaced between the windows opened to the wide balcony above the garden he'd only gotten a peak at as they'd entered the building.

Across from the balcony side was an elegant bar serviced by black-tie-dressed waitstaff and beside that, a desserts table he couldn't wait to raid with you. On the opposite end from where they stood, just inside the main entrance (giant double doors with beautiful carved designs), was a small stage and podium, awaiting the inevitable speeches that would come later in the night.

"So, where to first?" you whispered, leaning in to him.

His eyes swept the hall, observing all the fancily dressed people, most standing around, glass of champagne in hand, gossiping or networking with each other. A few were in the center of the room dancing. He caught Tim shaking hands with someone he thought he remembered as a CEO of some company WE had dealings with, while Dick was chatting with someone Duke was pretty sure had an Olympic medal (how they got invited to a charity gala in Gotham of all places was beyond him, especially the fact that they accepted). Bruce was nowhere to be seen but that just meant he was probably in one of the crowds, shmoozing. Steph and Cass had likewise disappeared and he wasn't sure if that meant they slipped outside, into a closed off part of the building, or had climbed onto the roof.

You hovered next to him, swaying to the music and humming under your breath, eyes wandering across the same scene but he wondered what caught your eye instead.

He squeezed your hand and you glanced over. He grinned at you and you immediately knew what he was thinking.

"Dessert table," you said in sync.

You made your way over, splitting up to either end of the table to meet in the middle with all your favourites to occasionally share.

That's where horror struck.

Duke was minding his own business, perusing the dessert options and mulling over the sudden remembrance of a group project coming up in class, when a body appeared next to him.

It was fine at first, they seemed to be grabbing a tiny brownie from the table. But then they started speaking.

"I don't think I've seen you around here before, what's your name?"

Which would be a perfectly fine sentence to say except in multiple instances those words had led to flirting and Duke needing to wheedle himself out of various uncomfortable situations. But hey, maybe this time would be different! (Unlikely.)

He turned to the person with as sincere a smile as he could manage. "Duke, nice to meet you."

"That's a nice name. I'm Max. So, what brings you here?"

Alfred and the limo, he thought sarcastically. "Bruce Wayne." Telling the truth always had mixed results. Some would get a gleam in their eye and flirt like they hoped to get their name attached to the Wayne's if only for one day, others would take the association to pitch business ideas, some would back off immediately, and a rare few would rant about the unethicality of billionaires, which Duke wasn't arguing against, but it became a bit uncomfortable when they continued on about some Hunger Games-esque world domination plans.

"Oh, you're a Wayne kid?"

"Yup." Duke snuck a step back to grab what looked like a chocolate truffle. 

"So you've lived in Gotham your whole life?"

"Yup."

"Well, hey, I'm pretty new in town, maybe you could show me around sometime?" Max had a nice smile but it wasn't enough to calm the grimace threatening to appear at the wariness that this was flirting. 

"Darling, did you see they had the sugar cookies you like?" An arm leaned on his shoulder as you held your plate of sweets in front of him and pointed at the different treats with the arm on his shoulder. "And! They had these cream-filled thingies that I don't know if I've ever learned the name of, but Alfred made them that one time with Jason, I think? Anyways, they were fantastic so I got two so we can share. Oh, hi!" You finally pretended to notice the person in front of him as if you hadn't come over here for that specific reason. You introduced yourself, smiling, still leaning against Duke. "Who's this, sweetheart?"

"I'm Max." Max smiled, slightly stilted. 

"Nice to meet you, Max. Hey, you seem familiar, aren't you with the-"

"Sorry, I gotta go."

You watched Max go with raised eyebrows. "Interesting."

"Interesting?" Duke snorted. 

You glanced sideways at him, grinning. "Didn't let me finish, because I was gonna ask if Max was from the Johnson company. You know, the one helping with the reconstruction of the court house? Tim and I were talking and it came up and he showed me a picture which is how I recognized that face. Because that Max has lived here since a very young age. And if so, that line was a blatant attempt to spend time with you."

"Flirting," Duke said grimly.

"Flirting," you agreed. "Most likely flirting."

"Did you actually find those sugar cookies?" he asked, turning to face you fully.

You gasped dramatically. "I wouldn't lie about the sugar cookies. Brownies, cupcakes, the cream-filled things, sure, like they have these creampuff things but it wasn't Alfred and Jason that made them and also I don't think they're the same anyways. But your sugar cookies? I would never." You pointed it out on your plate. "Take it, 's for you." 

He took it, smiling. "Thanks."

You smiled back. "My pleasure." You smile dropped and you looked at him seriously.

He looked at you, wide-eyed and a mouth full of sugar cookie.

"Duke. You know how much I treasure our friendship."

He nodded, chewing. 

"And you." 

He nodded again. 

"But sweet Metropolis, flirting is so weird. Strange. I don't know how people do it. Regularly. Naturally. However! I will keep up my very good work scaring people off as long as they keep trying to flirt with you." 

Duke chuckled. "Thanks. …Pal." 

You crinkled your nose. "Mark me down as not a fan of that pet name." 

"Noted," he grinned. "Let's go see if we can find Cass and Steph on the balcony and hide out for a bit."

"Sure, but I'm grabbing extra macarons if that's the case, otherwise Steph's gonna steal my chocolate. And there were those-" 

"Butter tarts? For Cass? I got it." You grinned at each other. 

"Your appointment's in two weeks, right?" Duke asked as the two of you swayed in a small circle to the slow waltzing music, other people dancing and spinning around you. Duke actually liked dancing, but the partner made all the difference, he didn't need someone flirting with him or feeling him up and he preferred when they didn't talk business gossip either. With you, he could dance as long as you could keep up. 

You nodded. "Yup," you said, popping the 'p'.

A thought struck him. "Hey, you busy next week?"

You met his eye and raised an eyebrow. "Depends the date and time. Why?"

"Got my own appointment, wanna come with?" He raised an arm to spin you out and back in.

"Be your appointment buddy? Watch you get stabbed? Sounds fun," you teased. "When is it?"

"Thursday. 3pm. You don't have anything then, do you?"

You shook your head. "Nope, all free." You spun him around and he couldn't help the startled laugh that bubbled out.

"So you'll be my appointment buddy?"

"Sure. Get to watch you get stabbed? I'm in." You grinned.

Duke rolled his eyes and huffed a laugh. "I can be your appointment buddy too. I mean, pretty sure that's definitely what fake dates are for." He grinned back.

"Definitely." You squeezed his hand.

He squeezed back.