I have a character who is a superhero. While in his secret identity, he is talking to his gay friend. The superhero doesn't know the gay friend is gay and the gay friend doesn't know that the guy is secretly a famous (in-universe) superhero, and neither does the audience btw. The superhero works with two other superheroes, one of whom is a woman.
The gay friend had a recent encounter with the superhero. What I want to happen is for them to have a conversation where the secret superhero asks his gay friend if he thought the super heroine that helps was hot in person (because he's a nerdy pig like that). Naturally, the gay friend doesn't find her hot. I was gonna have the gay friend comment instead that he finds the superhero he is unwittingly talking to be cute. The superhero is straight. How should he react without offending people? I was thinking of making the superhero so egocentric that they both fawn over him, but that makes the superhero look gay, since his secret identity is secret, which I don't want. I was also considering making his response be squick, but that makes him look homophobic especially since, again, his secret identity is still secret.
I want to drop subtle clues at the superhero's identity, not just drop it like an anvil until I'm ready. The work is also a lighthearted comedy, so having the reaction lead into a punch line of some kind would also be helpful.
Also would like suggestions as to how to make a character say they're gay besides coming out right and saying "I'm gay" or having another character being "whoa wait, you're gay?!"
The gay friend had a recent encounter with the superhero. What I want to happen is for them to have a conversation where the secret superhero asks his gay friend if he thought the super heroine that helps was hot in person (because he's a nerdy pig like that). Naturally, the gay friend doesn't find her hot. I was gonna have the gay friend comment instead that he finds the superhero he is unwittingly talking to be cute. The superhero is straight. How should he react without offending people? I was thinking of making the superhero so egocentric that they both fawn over him, but that makes the superhero look gay, since his secret identity is secret, which I don't want. I was also considering making his response be squick, but that makes him look homophobic especially since, again, his secret identity is still secret.
I want to drop subtle clues at the superhero's identity, not just drop it like an anvil until I'm ready. The work is also a lighthearted comedy, so having the reaction lead into a punch line of some kind would also be helpful.
Also would like suggestions as to how to make a character say they're gay besides coming out right and saying "I'm gay" or having another character being "whoa wait, you're gay?!"