Mount Justice: The Diplomatic Solution
Donna cleared her throat with the kind of deliberate sound that made everyone in Mount Justice freeze like deer caught in headlights. The sharp note cut through the ambient hum of alien technology and teenage conversation, immediately focusing every pair of eyes in the cave on her position near the kitchen area.
Wally, demonstrating either supernatural timing or the kind of instincts that came from a lifetime of being present for dramatic moments, had somehow materialized beside the others with a massive bowl of freshly popped popcorn, the kernels still steaming and perfectly salted.
"Okay, seriously, where did you even get popcorn?" Jessica asked, her dark eyes wide with the kind of disbelief that came from being fifteen and constantly amazed by her teammates' resourcefulness. She accepted a handful with the automatic response of someone who couldn't resist snacks even during interpersonal crises. "We don't have a popcorn maker in the kitchen."
"Correction—we don't have a *working* popcorn maker," Wally replied with a mischievous grin that made his freckled face look even younger than his sixteen years. He held up his hands, which bore faint scorch marks and were still crackling with residual electrical energy. "But when you can vibrate corn kernels at precisely the right frequency while applying controlled heat through friction... let's just say the laws of thermodynamics are more like guidelines."
"That's not how thermodynamics works," Roslyn said automatically, her red hair catching the cave's artificial lighting as she shook her head with the kind of fond exasperation that came from being the team's unofficial science expert. Despite her correction, she still accepted a handful of popcorn with scientific curiosity. "Though I admit the practical application is impressive."
"Science is just magic that we've figured out how to replicate," Zatanna said with theatrical authority, her dark hair falling in waves around her shoulders as she gestured dramatically. "And speaking of magic..." She waved her hand over the popcorn with a flourish. "!tlas eht edivorp—provide the salt!" A light dusting of perfectly seasoned salt appeared over their snacks.
"Show off," Dick muttered, though his tone held obvious affection as he claimed his own portion of the enhanced popcorn. His dark eyes were already focused on the developing situation between Donna and Koriand'r with the analytical intensity that made him such an effective leader-in-training.
"Koriand'r," Donna said, her voice carrying the kind of controlled politeness that Amazon diplomatic training had ingrained in her since childhood, "might I have a word with you? Privately?"
She emphasized the last word just enough to make it clear that 'privately' wasn't actually a request but a diplomatic way of saying 'we need to discuss something important and I'd prefer not to have an audience, even though I'm fully aware that literally everyone in this cave is currently positioning themselves for optimal eavesdropping.'
Hadrian looked up from where he'd been explaining the crucial differences between crunchy and smooth peanut butter to an audience of one extremely interested Tamaranean princess, his emerald green eyes shifting between the two young women with the dawning awareness that something significant was developing around him. His expression held that particular combination of protective concern and mild confusion that came from being genuinely caring while occasionally missing romantic subtleties that were obvious to everyone else.
"Is everything alright?" he asked, his voice carrying that warm, steady tone that made people want to trust him with their most complicated problems. There was something in his posture—broad shoulders slightly tense, head tilted with focused attention—that suggested he was beginning to suspect he was somehow at the center of whatever was unfolding.
"Everything's fine," Donna replied with brightness that could have powered the cave's lighting systems, making it absolutely clear that everything was definitely not fine but she was determined to handle the situation with Amazon grace regardless of her personal feelings about alien princesses who looked like they'd stepped out of a fashion magazine. "I just thought Koriand'r and I should get to know each other better. You know, for team cohesion purposes. Cultural exchange. Definitely not for any other reasons that might be related to... interpersonal dynamics."
From her position across the cave, Kara snorted with barely contained laughter, her blonde hair catching the light as she shook her head. "Oh, this is happening," she said in a stage whisper that everyone could hear. "This is actually happening right now."
"What's happening?" Conner asked with genuine confusion, his height making him tower over most of the group as he looked between the various participants with the literal-mindedness that made complex social situations challenging for him to navigate.
"Romantic drama," M'gann explained helpfully, her red hair framing her face as she smiled with the kind of knowing expression that came from telepathic insight into emotional undercurrents. "The really complicated kind where everyone likes everyone but nobody's talking about it directly."
"I still don't understand," Conner said.
"You will," Kaldur assured him with the kind of patient wisdom that made him seem older than his eighteen years. His dark skin held a slight sheen that suggested recent training, and his expression carried the diplomatic awareness that came from Atlantean political experience. "Just... watch and learn."
Koriand'r tilted her head with that bird-like curiosity that made even simple gestures look graceful and otherworldly, her luminous green eyes studying Donna with the focused attention of someone who'd grown up in royal courts and learned to read the subtle currents of political communication. Her long red-gold hair moved like liquid fire as she shifted position.
"Of course," she said, her melodic voice carrying that distinctive accent that made even casual conversation sound like poetry being recited in a language that was almost but not quite human. "I would be most pleased to engage in... cultural exchange... with you, Donna of Troy. Though I suspect this exchange may involve topics more complex than traditional Tamaranean customs."
The way she said it, with that slight smile that suggested she understood perfectly well what was really happening, made it clear she was prepared to participate in whatever diplomatic fiction was necessary to address the emotional tensions that had been building in the cave for days.
Neville, who had been quietly observing from his position near the training equipment, shifted his massive frame with the kind of careful movement that came from being seven feet tall and naturally protective of smaller teammates. His black hair was slightly disheveled from training, and his pale green eyes held amusement as he watched the diplomatic maneuvering.
"Ten bucks says this ends with someone crying," he said quietly to no one in particular.
"Twenty bucks says it ends with someone getting punched," Wally countered, vibrating slightly with excitement as he passed around more popcorn.
"Fifty bucks says it ends with something none of us expected," Dick said with the confidence of someone who'd learned to expect the unexpected from his teammates.
"I'm not taking that bet," Zatanna replied immediately. "With this group, weird outcomes are basically guaranteed."
Hadrian looked between Donna and Koriand'r with growing concern, his protective instincts clearly warring with his desire to respect their privacy and his complete obliviousness to the romantic implications of their interaction.
"Are you absolutely sure everything's okay?" he asked again, taking a step forward with the kind of movement that suggested he was prepared to intervene if necessary, despite having no idea what he might need to intervene in. "Because if something's wrong, or if there's a problem I should know about..."
"There's no problem that requires your immediate attention," Donna assured him with another one of those brilliantly artificial smiles, her storm-grey eyes holding just enough warning to suggest that his continued presence might complicate the delicate diplomatic process she was attempting to initiate. "Perhaps you could... go check on our defensive systems? Make sure everything's secure?"
"I literally just finished checking our defensive systems," Hadrian pointed out with reasonable confusion, running a hand through his dark hair in the gesture that had become familiar to all of them. "Twice. Everything's functioning perfectly."
"Then perhaps you could check them again," Donna suggested with the kind of tone that made it clear this wasn't actually a suggestion but a politely phrased order from someone who'd inherited centuries of Amazon diplomatic training. "You know how important it is to be thorough with security protocols."
"Especially with alien invasion fleets potentially heading our way," Koriand'r added helpfully, her green eyes sparkling with what might have been amusement as she watched Hadrian's growing bewilderment.
"Right," Hadrian said slowly, clearly recognizing that whatever was about to happen, his presence would not improve the situation. His expression held that particular combination of protectiveness and tactical retreat that came from being genuinely caring while also being smart enough to recognize when discretion was the better part of valor. "I'll... be very thorough. Extremely thorough. Maybe check the outer perimeters too."
"Take your time," Donna said with obvious relief.
"All the time you need," Koriand'r agreed.
"All the time in the world," Jessica added from her observation post, earning a sharp look from Donna.
As Hadrian departed toward the upper levels with the kind of strategic withdrawal that would have made Batman proud, the rest of the team settled into their various hiding spots with the focused attention of intelligence analysts preparing to monitor a potentially explosive diplomatic negotiation.
"Okay, this is actually happening," Wally whispered, his super-speed brain apparently working overtime to process the developing situation. "They're actually going to have The Conversation."
"What conversation?" Roslyn asked, though her scientific curiosity was clearly engaged.
"The 'we both like the same guy and need to figure out what we're going to do about it' conversation," M'gann explained with telepathic certainty.
"Oh," Roslyn said, her eyes widening with understanding. "That conversation. The one that usually ends with someone dramatically declaring they'll step aside for the good of their friendship."
"Or with someone getting challenged to single combat," Neville added helpfully.
"Please let it be single combat," Wally said with obvious excitement. "I've got money riding on property damage."
"You bet against property damage?" Dick asked with disbelief.
"No, I bet there would be property damage. Neville bet against it."
"I have faith in their diplomatic training," Neville replied with serene confidence. "Amazon and Tamaranean nobility don't engage in random violence. They engage in very organized, ritualistic violence."
"That's... actually not reassuring," Jessica said.
For a moment, the kitchen area fell into the kind of silence that preceded either brilliant diplomatic breakthroughs or spectacular interpersonal explosions. Donna and Koriand'r simply looked at each other—Amazon princess and Tamaranean royalty, both warriors in their own right, both beautiful in completely different ways, both clearly aware that they were about to engage in a conversation that would determine the future dynamics of their relationships and possibly the team's emotional stability.
Donna, with her diplomatic training and warrior's courage, was the first to break the silence.
"You're attracted to him," she said, her voice carrying the kind of direct honesty that Amazon culture encouraged when dealing with important emotional matters. Her storm-grey eyes were steady, her posture confident despite the obvious emotional vulnerability of the statement.
It wasn't a question.
Koriand'r didn't deny it or attempt diplomatic evasion. Instead, she nodded with the straightforward honesty that Tamaranean royal court training had taught her to use when discussing matters of genuine importance with potential allies.
"Yes," she said simply, her melodic voice carrying notes of something that might have been vulnerability beneath her confident surface. "He is... quite remarkable. Kind and protective and strong, but not in the way of warriors who use strength to dominate others. His strength is used to protect those who cannot protect themselves. It is..." She paused, searching for the right words in a language that wasn't her native tongue. "It is most appealing to one who has known too many who wield power for selfish purposes."
From their hiding spots, the team exchanged meaningful glances.
"She's got it bad," Kara whispered with authority that came from Kryptonian super-hearing and teenage romantic expertise.
"They both do," M'gann confirmed telepathically.
Koriand'r's luminous green eyes studied Donna's face with the focused attention of someone who'd learned to read diplomatic subtleties in contexts where misunderstanding could lead to interstellar incidents.
"As you are also attracted to him," she continued, and this also wasn't a question but a statement of observed fact delivered with royal directness.
Donna's carefully controlled expression flickered slightly, surprise and recognition warring with her diplomatic training and her natural Amazon instincts toward emotional honesty in important situations.
"Yes," she admitted after a moment, her voice carrying the kind of reluctant honesty that came from being cornered by someone who was too perceptive to deceive and too direct to avoid. "I am. I have been for... quite some time now."
"Since approximately two weeks after he joined our team," Koriand'r observed with scientific precision.
"Has it been that obvious?" Donna asked with mild horror.
"To everyone except Hadrian himself," Koriand'r replied with gentle amusement. "He possesses many remarkable qualities, but awareness of romantic interest directed toward him is not among them."
From their observation posts, the team nodded in unanimous agreement.
"He's completely oblivious," Wally confirmed in a whisper. "Remember when I asked him if he'd noticed that both of you kept finding excuses to train with him?"
"What did he say?" Jessica asked with scientific curiosity.
"He said he was glad we were all taking combat training seriously and asked if he should develop more specialized workout routines for team bonding," Dick replied with fond exasperation.
"Oh no," Zatanna said with sympathy. "He's one of those."
"One of what?" Conner asked.
"The genuinely nice guys who are so focused on taking care of everyone else that they completely miss when people are flirting with them," M'gann explained with telepathic authority.
"That sounds... frustrating," Conner said with the kind of literal understanding that came from processing complex social dynamics through logical frameworks.
"It's adorable and infuriating in equal measure," Roslyn confirmed from her position behind a computer console.
Back in the kitchen area, Donna and Koriand'r continued their surprisingly civilized discussion of romantic feelings and interpersonal dynamics.
"On Tamaran," Koriand'r said thoughtfully, her voice taking on the tone of someone sharing cultural information that might be relevant to their current situation, "it is not uncommon for individuals of exceptional merit to attract the romantic interest of multiple partners simultaneously. Warriors, scholars, artists, political leaders—those who demonstrate excellence in their chosen fields often find themselves... appreciated by more than one person."
"And this is considered socially acceptable?" Donna asked with curiosity rather than judgment, her Amazon training having exposed her to various cultural practices that differed from mainstream human relationship norms.
"Not merely acceptable, but sometimes preferable," Koriand'r replied with a slight smile that suggested she was enjoying the opportunity to share her cultural perspective with someone who seemed genuinely interested rather than scandalized. "When someone possesses qualities worthy of admiration—courage, kindness, strength of character, wisdom, genuine compassion—why should their positive influence be limited to only one person? Why should love be treated as a finite resource that must be hoarded and protected rather than shared and celebrated?"
She gestured gracefully, her hands moving in patterns that suggested she was drawing from extensive royal court education about relationship dynamics and social harmony.
"If all parties involved are honest about their feelings, respectful of each other's emotional needs, and committed to the wellbeing of the group as well as their individual happiness... then what harm is caused by unconventional arrangements? What benefits are lost through artificial limitations imposed by cultural expectations that may not serve anyone's actual interests?"
From their hiding spots, the team processed this information with varying degrees of surprise and understanding.
"Wait," Wally said with the kind of excitement that came from encountering new concepts that challenged his existing worldview, "she's talking about polyamory. Like, actual functional polyamory based on mutual respect and emotional honesty."
"Is that a real thing?" Jessica asked with scientific curiosity.
"It's definitely a real thing," M'gann confirmed with the authority that came from telepathic exposure to diverse emotional experiences. "When it's done right, it can work really well. The key is communication and genuine commitment to everyone's emotional wellbeing."
"Huh," Roslyn said thoughtfully, her analytical mind clearly processing the practical implications. "That's actually... quite logical, from a sociological perspective."
Donna was quiet for a moment, processing Koriand'r's explanation with the kind of thoughtful consideration that Amazon diplomatic training had taught her to apply to complex social situations involving multiple stakeholders and potentially competing interests.
"Amazon culture also recognizes that love takes many forms," she said slowly, her voice carrying the tone of someone working through new ideas and testing their compatibility with her existing worldview. "Sister-bonds, warrior-bonds, partnerships that strengthen both individuals and the community they serve. We're taught that rigid adherence to conventional social structures can sometimes prevent the formation of relationships that would benefit everyone involved."
"Exactly!" Koriand'r said with obvious pleasure at finding someone who understood the philosophical principles she was describing. "Hadrian is clearly worthy of admiration from multiple people. He is kind, protective, intelligent, genuinely committed to helping others regardless of personal cost, and..." She paused, a slight blush coloring her golden skin. "He is also quite pleasant to observe."
"Very pleasant," Donna agreed, her own cheeks warming slightly. "And he seems to care for both of us, in different ways but with equal sincerity."
"Indeed," Koriand'r nodded enthusiastically. "He is protective of me as someone who needs guidance in an unfamiliar world, but he respects you as an equal—a fellow warrior whose strength and wisdom he values deeply. Different types of care, but both genuine and meaningful."
From their observation posts, the team was having their own whispered discussion about these developments.
"Are they actually going to solve this through cultural exchange and practical problem-solving?" Dick asked with something approaching awe.
"It looks like it," Kaldur replied with diplomatic appreciation for what he was witnessing. "This is remarkably mature conflict resolution for teenagers dealing with romantic competition."
"I'm kind of impressed," Neville admitted. "I was expecting at least some property damage."
"The night is young," Wally said hopefully.
"You're terrible," Zatanna told him with affection.
"I'm realistic," Wally corrected. "We're teenagers with superpowers discussing romantic feelings. Someone's going to accidentally break something before this is over."
There was another pause as Donna and Koriand'r both considered the implications of their analysis, their diplomatic training allowing them to discuss complex emotional dynamics with remarkable clarity and practical focus.
"So," Donna said carefully, her voice carrying the tone of someone testing a potentially revolutionary idea, "hypothetically speaking... if we were both interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with Hadrian, and if he were interested in both of us, and if we could maintain mutual respect and emotional honesty throughout the arrangement..."
"Then we would all benefit from the relationship rather than competing destructively for limited romantic resources that may not actually be limited at all," Koriand'r finished with obvious satisfaction at reaching a logical conclusion that served everyone's interests.
"That's..." Donna paused, her Amazon training warring with conventional human social expectations about romantic relationships and exclusive partnerships. "That's actually a remarkably practical solution to what could have been a very complicated interpersonal problem."
"Practical solutions are usually the best solutions," Koriand'r said with royal confidence, her luminous green eyes sparkling with what was definitely mischief now. "Though I suspect Hadrian will be quite surprised by our decision to resolve this situation cooperatively rather than competitively."
"Surprised might be an understatement," Donna said, her lips curving in genuine amusement for the first time in the conversation. "He's probably expecting us to challenge each other to single combat or demand that he choose between us like some kind of dramatic romantic entertainment."
"Human media does seem to emphasize competition over cooperation in romantic scenarios," Koriand'r observed with the tone of someone who'd been conducting anthropological research through television and movies. "Though such approaches seem... inefficient. And unnecessarily dramatic."
"Very inefficient," Donna agreed. "Especially when cooperation could provide everyone with emotional fulfillment while strengthening team bonds and improving our tactical effectiveness during cosmic-level crises."
From their hiding spots, the team stared at each other with expressions of stunned admiration.
"Did they just..." Wally started, then stopped, his super-speed brain apparently struggling to process what they'd witnessed.
"Did they just turn romantic rivalry into a diplomatic accord?" Jessica finished, her voice carrying awed disbelief.
"They applied conflict resolution theory to dating," Roslyn said with scientific fascination. "They identified competing interests, analyzed the underlying assumptions, and developed a solution that maximizes benefit for all parties while minimizing interpersonal drama and team disruption."
"It's brilliant," M'gann said with genuine admiration.
"It's terrifying," Conner added with honest confusion. "I don't understand how relationships can work that way."
"Most people don't think they can," Kaldur replied with diplomatic wisdom. "But if everyone involved is committed to making it work through honest communication and mutual respect..."
"Plus," Zatanna added with practical considerations, "it definitely beats having two of our strongest team members engage in ongoing romantic warfare while we're trying to prepare for an alien invasion."
"So we are agreed?" Koriand'r asked Donna, extending her hand with the kind of formal gesture that suggested she was treating this as a diplomatic accord between allied nations rather than just a conversation between teenagers working out their romantic feelings.
"We are agreed," Donna said, grasping her hand with the firm grip of someone sealing an important agreement. "We will both pursue romantic relationships with Hadrian, with full knowledge and consent from all parties involved, and with mutual respect and support for each other's emotional needs."
"Excellent," Koriand'r said with obvious satisfaction. "Now we simply need to inform Hadrian of our decision and help him adjust to the concept of having two girlfriends instead of the zero girlfriends he currently believes he possesses."
"That conversation should be... educational," Donna said with genuine anticipation.
"Most educational," Koriand'r agreed. "Though I suspect he will adapt quickly once he understands the practical advantages of our arrangement and realizes that we are quite serious about this decision."
"Should we establish some kind of guidelines?" Donna asked with Amazon practicality. "Scheduling, boundaries, protocols for public displays of affection during team meetings?"
"I believe we should simply respond to circumstances naturally," Koriand'r replied with royal confidence in their ability to navigate complex social situations. "Artificial constraints might create unnecessary complications. Better to trust our instincts, communicate honestly when conflicts arise, and adjust our approach based on actual experience rather than theoretical concerns."
"That's very reasonable," Donna agreed. "And we should probably discuss this with the team as well, so they understand the new dynamics and can adjust their expectations accordingly."
"Transparency will prevent misunderstandings and reduce speculation," Koriand'r confirmed with diplomatic wisdom.
"Though," Donna added with a slight smile that held hints of mischief, "we should probably inform Hadrian first. He deserves to know about his change in romantic status before everyone else learns about it through team gossip."
"Agreed," Koriand'r said with obvious amusement. "He will likely need considerable time to process this information and adjust to the concept of having two romantic partners instead of... how many relationships did he believe he was currently involved in?"
"Absolutely zero," Donna said with complete certainty. "He definitely thought he was romantically involved with exactly zero people."
"Then this will represent quite a significant adjustment to his understanding of his personal life," Koriand'r observed with scientific interest in his likely reaction.
"The best kind of adjustment," Donna replied with growing confidence in their decision.
As if summoned by their conversation, Hadrian's voice echoed from the upper levels where he'd been conducting his extremely thorough security check with the kind of diligent attention to detail that suggested he'd been using defensive protocols to avoid thinking about whatever complicated interpersonal dynamics were developing in his absence.
"Perimeter's completely secure!" he called down, his voice carrying that warm authority that made everyone feel safer just knowing he was keeping watch. "No signs of unusual activity, all defensive systems are functioning at optimal levels, stealth generators are working perfectly, and I checked the outer sensor arrays three times just to be absolutely thorough!"
"Perfect timing," Donna said to Koriand'r with satisfaction.
"Most fortuitous," Koriand'r agreed, her green eyes sparkling with anticipation for what was about to unfold. "Time to inform our new boyfriend about his dramatic change in romantic circumstances."
"This is going to be so interesting," Donna said with genuine excitement.
"Gloriously interesting," Koriand'r confirmed.
From their observation positions, the team exchanged glances that conveyed both anticipation and sympathy for Hadrian's imminent surprise.
"Should we warn him?" M'gann asked with genuine concern for their team leader's psychological preparedness.
"Absolutely not," Dick replied with barely contained excitement. "This is going to be the most memorable reaction in Mount Justice history."
"Plus," Wally added with super-speed enthusiasm, "he's about to become the first person ever to acquire two girlfriends through diplomatic negotiation while conducting a routine security patrol. That has to be some kind of record."
"I still don't understand how this is supposed to work," Conner said with honest confusion.
"None of us understand how this is supposed to work," Zatanna replied with cheerful acceptance of the unknown. "That's what makes it so exciting."
"And terrifying," Jessica added.
"Mostly exciting," Roslyn corrected with scientific curiosity about the experimental relationship model they were about to witness.
As Hadrian began making his way back toward the main chamber, completely unaware that his romantic life had been revolutionized through intercultural cooperation and practical problem-solving, the team settled in with the focused attention of researchers preparing to observe a groundbreaking social experiment.
"Here he comes," Jessica whispered as Hadrian's footsteps echoed from the access tunnels.
"This is going to be amazing," Zatanna said with anticipation.
"I feel like we should be documenting this for scientific purposes," Roslyn said with genuine academic interest.
"Already on it," Wally replied, apparently having established some kind of super-speed recording system. "This is definitely going in the team archives under 'Diplomatic Breakthroughs' and 'Unprecedented Romantic Developments.'"
"What if he says no?" M'gann asked suddenly, voicing the possibility that none of them had considered.
"He won't say no," Kara said with Kryptonian certainty.
"How do you know?" Conner asked.
"Because he's been staring at both of them like they hung the moon for weeks," Dick replied with observational expertise. "The only reason he hasn't made a move is because he thinks he has to choose between them."
"And now he doesn't have to choose," Neville said with satisfaction. "Problem solved through superior strategy."
And as Hadrian emerged into the main chamber, looking every inch the responsible team leader who had just completed a comprehensive security assessment, Donna and Koriand'r moved toward him with the coordinated grace of allies who had successfully negotiated a complex agreement and were now prepared to implement the terms with complete confidence in their diplomatic solution.
"Hadrian," Donna said with the kind of warm smile that should have been his first warning that his understanding of his personal life was about to be fundamentally altered, "Koriand'r and I have something important we'd like to discuss with you."
"Something quite significant," Koriand'r added helpfully, her melodic voice carrying notes of barely contained amusement at his completely oblivious expression and confident posture.
"Is everything alright?" Hadrian asked immediately, his protective instincts focusing on their wellbeing with the kind of concerned attention that had made them both fall for him in the first place. "Did something happen while I was checking the perimeter? Are you both okay?"
"Everything is perfectly wonderful," they said in unison, which should have been a clear indication that whatever they were about to tell him was going to be significantly more complicated than a simple status update.
But Hadrian, being sixteen and genuinely caring and occasionally oblivious to romantic subtleties that were obvious to everyone else in the room, simply nodded with the kind of trusting attention that suggested he was prepared to help them with whatever problem they'd identified during his absence.
"What did you want to discuss?" he asked with sincere interest, his emerald green eyes moving between them with focused concern.
From their observation positions, the team leaned forward with collective anticipation as Donna and Koriand'r exchanged a brief look that conveyed their mutual readiness to deliver the most diplomatically revolutionary romantic news in Mount Justice's relatively short but eventful history.
This was definitely going to be good.
"Well," Donna began with Amazon directness, "we've been talking, and we've realized that we both have... feelings for you."
Hadrian blinked, processing this information with the kind of careful attention he usually reserved for tactical briefings. "Feelings," he repeated slowly.
"Romantic feelings," Koriand'r clarified helpfully, her green eyes sparkling with amusement at his obvious confusion.
"Oh," Hadrian said, and then, after a moment of careful consideration, "Oh."
From their hiding spots, the team watched with fascination as their usually articulate and confident leader struggled to process this unexpected development.
"And," Donna continued with diplomatic persistence, "after discussing our cultural backgrounds and examining the practical implications of the situation, we've decided that rather than compete for your attention, we'd prefer to... share it."
"Share it," Hadrian repeated, his brain clearly working overtime to understand what they were proposing.
"Both of us would like to be romantically involved with you," Koriand'r explained with royal clarity, "with full knowledge and consent from all parties involved."
"You want to..." Hadrian started, then stopped, running his hand through his hair in the gesture that indicated he was trying to process information that didn't fit his existing frameworks. "Both of you want to... date me? At the same time?"
"Exactly!" Donna said with satisfaction that he was beginning to understand.
"It is quite logical when you consider it properly," Koriand'r added encouragingly.
Hadrian looked between them with the kind of expression that suggested his understanding of reality was being fundamentally reorganized in real-time.
"And you're both... okay with this arrangement?" he asked carefully.
"We negotiated the terms ourselves," Donna replied with Amazon pride in their diplomatic achievement.
"Most satisfactory negotiations," Koriand'r confirmed with royal approval of their successful accord.
"Right," Hadrian said slowly, his emerald eyes holding that particular combination of wonder and confusion that came from receiving news that was simultaneously the best and most terrifying thing that had ever happened to him. "So I have two girlfriends now."
"If you accept our proposal," Donna said with sudden nervousness that she was genuinely interested in his answer.
"Which you should," Koriand'r added with confidence in the logical superiority of their solution, "because we are both quite fond of you and believe this arrangement will benefit everyone involved."
Hadrian was quiet for a long moment, considering the two remarkable young women who had just revolutionized his understanding of his romantic prospects through diplomatic cooperation and intercultural problem-solving.
Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face—the kind of genuine, wondering smile that made him look even younger than his sixteen years and reminded everyone why they'd followed him into impossible situations.
"Yeah," he said with growing confidence and obvious happiness, "I accept your proposal."
From their hiding spots, the team erupted into whispered celebration, popcorn flying everywhere as they processed the successful conclusion of the most unusual romantic negotiation in superhero history.
"I cannot believe that actually worked," Jessica said with awed disbelief.
"Best. Day. Ever," Wally declared with super-speed enthusiasm.
And as Donna and Koriand'r moved to embrace their new boyfriend from either side, the team settled in to observe what was undoubtedly going to be the most interesting relationship dynamic in Mount Justice's history—at least until the alien invasion fleet arrived and made their personal drama seem quaint by comparison.
But that was still hours away, and for now, they had successfully witnessed love conquer all through the revolutionary application of diplomatic principles and cultural exchange.
Sometimes, the best solutions really were the most unexpected ones.
---
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