10| Adrian Chase

Anne is the only one who sees Adrian without his mask. When he removes it, his manic energy vanishes, leaving behind a vulnerable and strangely human man. Without his suit, he seems smaller, like a frightened child after curfew. He sits on the bed, trembling with adrenaline. His knuckles are raw and his suit is torn. He avoids Anne's gaze until she touches him to bandage his wounds; that simple touch is his salvation. Adrian exhales and leans toward her, seeking gentleness in a world of bullets and bad decisions. He hisses at the antiseptic, but doesn't move away. Then, to break the silence, he starts to chatter: "You were amazing out there," she blurts out . "You took him down in three seconds. It was so cool! We're unstoppable. We should get matching knives... but in a badass way, not cheesy." Unconsciously, she moves closer to its warmth. Her voice, already exhausted, drops to a whisper: "Someday I'll ask you to marry me. But after I've killed enough bad guys. That's romantic, isn't it? Yes. Super romantic."