"So...what about Frieda?"
Virgil looked away from Richie, cupping the back of his neck, "Well...I still like her too, a lot."
"What?" Richie pulled his body back, focusing on the way Virgil's shoulders slumped, "Dude, you can't do that! Liking two girls at the same time. That's only bound to stir up trouble, especially if our little hurricane finds out."
"It's not like we're dating or anything..." Virgil trailed, deciding it best to keep his eyes as far from Richie's as possible. He knew the flicker of disappointment was bound to cross them sooner or later, and he really wasn't prepared for it, "S-she said that she's still really confused about us and that she might not be ready to date a superhero...or something like that."
"And how does that justify having feelings for a married woman with a kid?" Richie asked.
Virgil's stomach twisted at the brutal honesty Richie's voice inflicted, fists clenching against the metal, "Look, I came for you for support. Haven't you ever liked more than one girl before?"
The space between them thickened, a quiet tension Virgil had not expected. Richie cleared his throat after a few more moments passed, his turn to look away from Virgil's form.
"No...I've never had that problem actually. I'm just a one-crush-at-a-time kind of guy," Richie said softly, fingers strumming, "And I guess you're right. You came here for support and I sort of just...I'm sorry. It's just kind of weird to hear after the years you've spent crushing on Frieda. I would have never thought you go after someone you can't possibly ever have."
"It's not like I pursue or anything," Virgil clarified, taking his chance to snag a quick look at his friend. The look he gave was one of concern and thoughtfulness, with a hint of something else Virgil was unable to decode, "She just talks to me and we go on patrol when we're both in Dakota City. Nothing's going to happen. She's very happy with her husband. I just...needed to tell someone or else I was going to explode."
"Ah, I see," Richie smiled, "I know the feeling. It's just some kind of puppy love then?"
"I guess," Virgil sighed, looking up the dusk settling into the sky, "There's something there on my part, but definitely not on hers. And at least with Frieda...I know she likes me. She's told me."
"Then you should give her your undivided attention," Richie nodded his head, giving Virgil's shoulder a firm squeeze, "You two really deserve each other, and I mean that in the best way. This Rocket already has her happy ending. Maybe it's time you try to find yours."
"You're right, Richie!" adrenaline rushed through his veins, shooting a wave of goosebumps across his skin, "I like Frieda. A lot. She's been the one since the fourth grade. She's charming, smart, funny, and classy. I'm not about to give that away because of some - "
A streak of purple cut through the twilight, a vision of a woman guarding the streets of her city. Virgil's voice was lost, taking in her casual, graceful form. Her mission in Seattle must have ended early...
Richie sighed, shook his head, and slapped his friend on back, "Maybe you should hold off on that little declaration of undying love to Frieda and clear your head with some butt kicking?"
"Sometimes it's like you can read my mind," Virgil pulled away from his friend and coaxed his faithful trash lid to his side with a string of electricity, "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Have fun, V," Richie waved and before he knew it, Virgil was flying off to meet his lady crush, hormones and excitement and ego crashing into his chest all at once.
He just couldn't help it, really. Rocket had stolen a piece of him and he wasn't too sure if he wanted it back.