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As far as first impressions go, Drake thinks Launchpad did pretty poorly. Even though he had three chances.
The first time they met, Drake had been mid freakout because oh my god Mr. Starling was right THERE and he was fairly sure he was rambling and saying something crazy until a huge hand landed on his shoulder. Drake startled before glancing up and behind himself - and immediately came to face probably one of the most attractive men he's ever seen in his life.
Red hair, handsome features, built like a greek fucking god, and a dopey but genuine grin on his face. Hot Line Guy was saying something - probably about how weird his jar thing was because god why did he just say things without even thinking about it beforehand - but Drake only really tuned into the man's words when he mentioned not being able to meet Mr. Starling yet.
And then he got fainted on.
The second time they met, Drake hadn't really been able to see Hot Line Guy. He barely noticed him, a little focused on answering to his boss - and his boss's boss who was also there?? - and trying not to flap his hands too much because Mr. Starling was here too! Drake settled for clasping them together, having thrown away whatever he was holding, which obviously wasn't nearly as important as finally being able to meet his hero.
Or, well. Being tackled by his hero. And punched and slapped by him. While he shouted cruel words and said he hated him. Mr. Starling having to be dragged away from him kicking and screaming, while Mr. Boorswan ushered him away to run over lines while he dealt with security.
Drake only got a glimpse of Hot Line Guy while he was being pummeled by his childhood hero, but from what he saw, his bill was downturned at the edges. So there goes his hope of asking for his number - as if he'd ever muster up the courage to do it in the first place. He probably thought Drake was a loser or a jerk for taking Mr. - Jim, he reminded himself, he's not really his hero anymore - Starling's role.
The duck resigned himself to never being able to see Hot Line Guy again.
Until he met him in his own trailer.
The third time they met, Drake should've stopped being surprised that the universe had it out for him. Because Hot Line Guy was locking the door behind him and now Drake had to put up his dukes and fight a duck at least twice his size.
Drake threw himself at HLG, but ended up being flung off when he thrusted his shoulders, crashing into his own bathroom. He'd be impressed if he wasn't so annoyed.
The big guy had said sorry; which, while sweet, kinda meant nothing when Drake was being held hostage in his trailer. He shook off the toilet paper wrapped around himself and snarked back at HLG, pushing himself off the ground and back into the fight.
Drake doled out a couple punches and kicks, but HLG was just blocking them with his arms. Which were really thick by the way, even with the jacket on Drake could tell he was buff as- getting distracted!
And then HLG was fighting back, swinging his fists while apologizing over and over - kinda ruining the drama of it, but whatever - as Drake bobbed and weaved under them. While advancing, he saw the bigger man scrabble for something on the dresser behind him, landing on-
"NO DON'T TOUCH THAT!" Drake panicked, flailing his arms. The big guy looked at what he was holding and immediately stopped? He didn't think that'd work.
HLG gasped, "Woah... a vintage Darkwing Duck Grim Avenger grape shampoo bottle?!" He seemed impressed, as he should be, Drake spent ages looking for one on EBeak!
Gently, HLG set it back down. And immediately blocked Drake's oncoming attacks, bracing his arms in front of himself while the smaller duck landed blows on him.
But just when Drake thought he had him cornered, HLG grabbed him - by the WAIST!!! - and leaned over backwards to bodyslam him into the floor. (Which, as an aside, made Drake's face heat up because holy shit this guy was lifting him up and tossing him around like nothing, like that wasn't one of the hottest things ever)
Drake barely managed to focus enough to throw his arms ahead of him to stop the momentum once he saw where he'd be landing. "NO!! My Darkwing Adventures comics, it's a complete run!!!" He pleaded with HLG. Because Drake could handle a potential concussion, but he spent years collecting those!
And suddenly they were tip toeing (or fingering? handing? in Drake's case at least) a foot away before collapsing on the floor entirely. Drake definitely didn't miss it when the big hands left his waist, absolutely not! But anyways, HLG was gawking at all his incredibly cool merchandise, which, like, rude? Darkwing Duck was just Drake's special interest is all!
He would've defended himself had HLG not immediately started grinning at his awesome collection, looking at it with glee and asking if he could play with his hyper-rare battle hat Darkwing Duck action figure. Oh! He wasn't being bullied!
Not what Drake had anticipated frankly. HLG clearly had a keen eye, so he acquiesced. Besides, it's not every day he meets another Darkwing fan. The "fan club" really only had him in it, and he was both the founder and the president.
To absolutely nobody's surprise, the conversation evolved into a fierce battle between Darkwing Duck and Hot Couture - and Drake now had the chance to talk to the other man properly! First of all, he finally found out Hot Line Guy's name; Launchpad. Kinda weird, but who was he to judge. Secondly, as it turns out, the guy's a huge DW fan too! Drake had never met anyone who was as into it as he was, maybe even more than him!! Could he be more attractive?!
Despite having the shit kicked out of him by his childhood hero, maybe today might actually turn out to be a pretty okay day after all!
Okay so as it turns out, that is not at all what happened. Long story short, Drake got thrown in a closet (hello old friend) by Jim Starling himself, broke out of said closet (again), had an admittedly pretty epic fight with his hero, watched Launchpad nearly get blown up, and watched Jim actually get blown up.
Yeah, pretty harrowing. Had Launchpad not been there to cheer him up and encourage him to actually become a superhero, Drake probably would've spent the rest of the week sobbing on the floor of his apartment. Hell, he might do that anyways.
But Launchpad was there, asking Drake to sign his poster, and then tracking him down on his way out to give him his number - "for superhero stuff!" he had said, a big grin on his face.
So as far as first impressions go, maybe Launchpad didn't do that bad after all.