The fluorescent lights of Bryman Audio flickered to life as Hughie Campbell fumbled with his keys, the early morning silence broken only by the soft jingle of metal against metal. At 23, Hughie's lanky frame and mop of curly brown hair gave him a boyish appearance that belied the weariness in his eyes. He'd been opening the shop for months now, a responsibility he'd taken on with a mix of pride and resignation.
The musty smell of old electronics and dust greeted him as he pushed open the door, the bell above chiming softly. Hughie's sneakers squeaked against the linoleum floor as he made his way to the back, flicking switches and bringing the store to life. Rows of stereos, speakers, and various audio equipment hummed with potential energy, waiting for the day's customers.
As he settled behind the counter, Hughie's mind wandered to Robin. A small smile played on his lips as he thought of their plans for the evening. It was nothing fancy – just dinner and a walk in the park – but with Robin, even the most mundane activities felt special. His fingers absently traced the outline of the small velvet box in his pocket, a gesture that had become a habit over the past week.
The day crawled by with its usual monotony. Hughie assisted a handful of customers, mostly older folks struggling with their ancient sound systems. He patiently explained the benefits of upgrading, his voice carrying a hint of passion when discussing audio quality. It was a job, yes, but one that aligned with his interests, even if it wasn't quite the dream he'd once envisioned for himself.
During a lull in foot traffic, Hughie's phone buzzed. A text from his dad, Hugh Campbell Sr., popped up on the screen:
"Don't forget to pick up milk on your way home, kiddo. And good luck tonight!"
Hughie smiled, warmth spreading through his chest. His relationship with his father had always been close, if a bit co-dependent. Since his mother left when he was young, it had been just the two of them. Hugh Sr.'s unwavering support was a constant in Hughie's life, even if his dad's enthusiasm sometimes bordered on overbearing.
As the afternoon sun began to slant through the shop's windows, casting long shadows across the floor, Hughie's anticipation grew. He found himself checking the clock more frequently, willing the minutes to pass faster. When closing time finally arrived, he practically bounced through his end-of-day routine, his mind already blocks away with Robin.
Stepping out into the New York evening, Hughie took a deep breath. The city's cacophony of honking horns, distant sirens, and the general buzz of millions of lives intersecting washed over him. It was a far cry from the quiet of the shop, but there was an energy to it that Hughie found invigorating.
As he walked towards the subway station, weaving through the crowd of commuters and tourists, a news ticker on a building caught his eye. The headline scrolled by: "Homelander Saves Hijacked Plane." Hughie paused for a moment, watching as footage played of the blond, caped hero waving to cheering crowds.
A mixture of awe and unease settled in Hughie's stomach. Like most people, he'd grown up idolizing the Seven, Vought's premier superhero team. Homelander, with his All-American smile and godlike powers, was the epitome of what a hero should be. And yet, something about the way Homelander's eyes never quite matched his smile always left Hughie feeling slightly uncomfortable.
Shaking off the thought, Hughie descended into the subway station. He had more important things to focus on tonight than superheroes. As he stood on the crowded platform, one hand unconsciously patting the box in his pocket, Hughie allowed himself to imagine a future with Robin. A life beyond the confines of Bryman Audio and his father's apartment. A chance to be more than just Hugh Campbell's son or the guy behind the counter.
The screeching of the approaching train snapped Hughie back to reality. As he boarded, squeezing into the packed car, he couldn't shake the feeling that his life was on the cusp of change. Little did he know just how profound and traumatic that change would be.
The subway doors closed with a hiss, whisking Hughie towards a rendezvous that would alter the course of his life forever. As the train lurched forward, carrying him through the dark tunnels beneath New York City, Hughie Campbell was blissfully unaware that this ordinary day was about to become the last normal moment of his existence.