Eclipse does not go on dates. Dating is a segway to get something more, closer to another person. He is not an asking man, he is a doing man. He has no time for trivial things when heroes constantly getting in his way can be disposed of. 

He has, however, been growing a strange spot of affection towards the human he’s recently acquired. Lord Eclipse is faced with the full force of their pout, wide pleading eyes doing something to his internals. 

“I know you’re really busy...” they trail off. They shift on their feet, something that must be intentional. He’s still learning the quirks and eccentricities of humans, but this particular one is very fidgety. “But a walk is really nice this time of day. You’re the one that keeps telling me to take better care of myself.” He’s more surprised that they’re asking anything at all. A month prior, they had a hard time even looking at him in the face plate. Eclipse would have thought it was a form of robophobia if he hadn’t known how painfully shy they are. 

Even now, after what could be called a few months of ‘dating’ they still struggle with it. It makes them very convenient to use when he needs a human hanging off his arm when he’s somewhere he shouldn’t. They even think they’re dates! He thought it was annoying at first, but now it's a little cute. The pinking of their face, unique to humans, is quite endearing. 

“I have,” he comments idly. He meant recharging in a normal cycle, not walking out willy nilly. He does not go for walks, he walks with purpose. “What purpose would a walk serve, exactly?” He’s very sure humans are not solar powered, despite the amount of them that sit in the sun.

“It's supposed to be relaxing. And..um…I'd like to spend some time with you…..” They sort of deflate once done. 

They have somewhat of a point. The Nightowl Heroes Agency has been cracking down on them as of late, leading to long hours spent putting bullets in people’s heads. He hasn’t escorted them from college, arriving at their house when they’re already fast asleep on the couch. He does need to maintain the image of ‘boyfriend’ in their head. 

“Alright firefly. To the memorial park, yes?” He can get security detail at the nearby park rather quick, if a hero should try something. If a walk would make them so happy, Eclipse supposes he can budge a little.

How strange. He probably would have broken the shins of anyone else that made such a suggestion. 

The smile practically splits their face. Really, all of this over a walk? They’re so easy to please. He allows the corner of his mouth to tick up in return. “Yay! I was so nervous because my ex used to call me stupid every time I asked. Not that I think you would, and you keep telling me that it's fine, but you know..” they continue in their ramble, but Eclipse tunes it out as they get ready. He saw that stain dead with his own hands, but sometimes he wishes he could revive him to kill him again. 

“Ready?” They stare at him from the front door. He spins his rays and grins, meeting them at the front door, just to see the way they have to tilt their head up to meet him. 

His coat meets his eye in his peripheral vision. In an impulsive decision, and because there could be eyes watching them, he reaches up and settles his coat around their shoulders.

“Wear this,” he mutters. That ex of theirs can no longer adorn them in their colors. They will wear things Eclipse gets them, be made eye-catching and healthy. Their cheeks are already filling out, eyes much brighter. His jacket no longer swallows them.

“Yeah, it’s chilly out today. Thank you.” He is endeared in their play for nonchalance, spying the flush traveling up their cheeks while they hold it closed. He is starting to get them to accept his gestures, without so much refusal. They will learn to accept everything with a smile, he is sure. 

He sends a message internally to a few of his underlings. The memorial park, on the perimeter. They will not see you. 

It is nice out today, all things considered. He can appreciate the finer things in life, he just has little time to. The sun is setting lazily, the last vestiges of the day poking through the autumn leaves. Some of it dapples across their face, creating an illusion of spotlights. He has a sudden desire to hold the softness of their cheeks and turn it, just to see the way the light moves. 

“Hm…it almost smells like winter.” They cross their arms under his coat, staring up through the leaves. “Oo! Look, there’s the last bloom.” The flowers they point at are on the verge of wilting. He refrains from commenting, humming to their idle conversation. He’s not really seeing a point to this, but it is nice to see them walk in his jacket. 

“What?” Their eyes dart to him and away. “Something on my face?” Right, humans get uncomfortable from staring. They have so many quirks.

“No. Just admiring you.” He saw that once in a romantic movie that was playing in a theater during a stakeout. As expected, they bite their lip and look away. However, there is marketed improvement - they don't immediately try to rebuff him. He would like them to be more confident. 

“I think…” Their voice is soft, staring at the ground. “You look handsome with the autumn leaves.” In a bold move, they reach up and pick a dead leaf off of his rays. In reflex, he catches their wrist while it flutters off the ground. A grin spread up his face plate in delight. He wants to see more. 

“Is that so? Thank you, firefly.” He adjusts his grip so their fingers interlace, and pulls them so Eclipse’s back hits a tree. Unseen behind them, one of his bodyguards wrap an arm around a hero in a headlock. The fool reaches for him, or perhaps his little human. They’re dragged out of sight without much of a challenge.

The autumn leaves fall around them with a little swirl, making a moment for just the two of them. Eclipse squeezes their hand and rubs his much larger thumb on their palm. Humans are very squishy, he knows this, but this particular human is just so soft. He’d like to hold them more. 

“I suppose the foliage looks nice.” He’ll give them a reward for being so bold. “A lovely outing.” 

Perhaps he’ll try a kiss. They certainly look inclined to do so.