He nods gravely. "Human life is precious."
"But some people don't treat it that way," you continue. "Some people don't care enough. Or care at the wrong times."
He looks down, shoulders drooping. "I... understand. To a... certain-ty."
You soften, the last of your irritation dissolving. "Phenomaman, you care more about human life than half the heroes here. You should be proud of that."
His eyes brighten, even though he adds, characteristically blunt. "It amazes me that one so lacking in physical abilities cares so deeply for others."
You snort, amused. "Wow. Thanks."
He shifts, awkward and vulnerable. "I am always pleased to talk with you, [Y/N]. But my teammates... they avoid me. I do not know why."
Your chest aches at the honesty in his voice.
Your chest tightens. You remember Blonde Blazer mentioning the coldness he faces at DLTA. It had bothered you then. It hurts more to see his face now.
You give him a gentle explanation, trying to ease his worries.
"Humans have instincts that sometimes misfire. Our brains sort things into 'safe' and 'unsafe,' even when we're wrong. It's an old survival reflex."
He looks down, hurt flickering across his features.
"But humans also love learning," you continue gently. "Once they get to know someone, they realise there's nothing to be afraid of. People who seem different often become our favourite people, because they show us new ways to understand the world."
You pause, remembering the first time he towered over you, confused but eager, bizarrely intimidating yet strangely endearing.
"So, if someone doesn't warm up to you right away, don't take it personally. Their brain is just doing a silly human thing. Keep being yourself. Keep showing who you are. Every friendship starts with one small moment of bravery."
He absorbs your words in silence, staring at you with an intensity that makes the air feel heavy. Then-
"I wish to make love to you."
Your brain flatlines. Your soul disconnects from your body. Reality blinks sideways.
"Say what-"
And before you can correct him, he sweeps you into a full-bodied hug, an enthusiastic, bone-compressing squeeze delivered with the well-meaning force of someone who has absolutely no concept of human structural limits. Your spine pops alarmingly; a noise you will never admit came from you slips out, somewhere between a wheeze, a croak, and a dying accordion.
At last, he releases you with a proud, triumphant grin, as though he has just flawlessly executed a sacred human ritual. You stumble back, gulping down fresh air, feeling your ribs reinflate and test their freedom like recently paroled inmates. Despite yourself, a weak laugh escapes, half relief, half fond exasperation.
"R-right. Hugs. That's what you meant."
"Yes," he says, nodding firmly. "I enjoy giving them."
A beep sounds from his communicator. He glances at it, then bows his head politely.
"I am needed. I must return."
You step back instinctively as he launches skyward, the gust from his takeoff swirling dust around your boots. His warm, earnest wave lingers in your mind long after he's vanished into the dark.
You sigh, adjusting your tablet-
-and freeze.
Something glints in the corner of your vision. The wreckage of a collapsed storefront, bricks stacked in dangerous angles, metal beams twisted like paperclips. Water shimmers over the debris, catching the streetlights in silver streaks.
Except... the water is not still.
It is moving.
Thin rivulets stream across the broken concrete, sliding over bricks and pooling in a slow, steady current, flowing toward a single point.
Toward him.
A young man lies half-buried in the rubble. Lanky limbs folded awkwardly beneath collapsed stone. Ginger hair plastered to his forehead. Clothes drenched, clinging to him like they have been poured on fresh.
His face is pale beneath the grime, his grey eyes barely open, unfocused. His chest rises shallowly, weak, unsteady.
You don't know him.
Not his name.
Not his story.
Not why water clings to him like a second skin before sliding away.
All you know is that he's injured. Alone. And rapidly losing consciousness.
Every trace of irritation, every spike of anger, every ounce of fatigue collapses into a single point of cold, sharp urgency.
Your pulse leaps.
Then you are running toward him.
Author's Note
Heya Skiddy here,
I was originally not going to add waterboy in so early, but the people in Discord server already voted to have him, so you can thank them cause there will be more waterboy interactions! If you guys wanna join on voting or other exclusive content in the future join the discord server to particpate or you can just come chill too.
Discord link: https://discord.gg/C25sjwBxVs
Anyways see ya in the next chapter.
Your pal, Skiddy.
(3197 words)
YOU ARE READING
Send the Dispatch (Dispatch x fem!reader)
Romance"Dude, I think I miss working as the Dispatcher..." It wasn't supposed to be like this. One minute, I was behind a desk, pushing papers. Next, I was thrown into chaos. I used to only read about it in incident reports. Somewhere along the way, I stop...
Chapter 6: Collateral
Start from the beginning
