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A few hours after his fateful birthday, Henry changed into his Kid Danger suit and fled the house. He didn't want to be there, surprisingly he didn't want to go to the Mancave either, which was rare, but after the whole incident where he felt that even Ray had betrayed him, he wanted to be alone.
He did a quick patrol then sat down on the roof of some building, sighing. Just as he had been annoyed all day by the alarms every second, now he wished some criminal had pulled something. Then at least he wouldn't be thinking about this awful day.
He drew his knees to his chest, watching the city. He was feeling bad and then felt stupid about it. After all, it was just a birthday. He only turned seventeen, what's there to celebrate. What was his problem. Others had it worse.
He swallowed and took a deep breath. He didn't want to cry, he was better than this. He hid his head in his lap and closed his eyes. He didn't like the fact that his chest was aching. He had had enough of it all. Enough of his parents, enough of Piper, enough of Ray, even Charlotte and Jasper. Enough of stupid birthdays. Enough of still being treated like air.
"I want this to be over," he whispered then raised his head and looked ahead. The exit was right in front of him, but Henry was no coward. He didn't want to kill himself, seriously, he wanted to live. He just got tired of it all already. Not even Kid Danger's costume was helping anymore.
The phone vibrated in his pocket so he pulled it out and looked at the screen. A message was visible on it.
Captain Dad 🗿
hey kid, how are you feeling?
He rubbed his eyes. He didn't want to answer, but he knew that if he didn't then Ray would get worried and start looking for him. Whatever would happen, he still loved his mentor and didn't want to worry him unnecessarily. He took a shallow breath and wrote back that he was ok. After a while, he got another message.
Captain Dad 🗿
you sure?
He sighed. Why did Ray have to care? Why couldn’t he just don’t give a shit?
Me
sure
Captain Dad 🗿
ok, where are you? i wanted to talk to you
He sighed again. Of course. How could he think that Ray would leave him so easily. He wanted to be alone, but at the same time he needed closeness and despite everything, the superhero was the only person the boy wanted to see.
Me
patrol
After that he locked the phone, hid it and didn't take it out again. He knew Ray would find him. He always did.
He wasn't sure how long it had been since his last message, but he knew when Ray appeared on the roof.
"How did you know I was here?" He asked when the man came closer and sat down next to him.
"There are only a few buildings from which you can see the city well, but this is the only one you come to when you don’t feel okay," he replied, and Henry tensed up.
"How...?" he began, but Ray interrupted him.
"I'm not blind, Henry, I know when you're hurting and you're hurting now," he explained. Henry looked away. "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, but I came here because I wanted to give you something," he added, making the kid look at him again.
Ray pulled out from behind his back...a cupcake with a candle with the number "17" stuck in the center. He blinked a few times.
"It's not a big 'Diez Leches' cake and it's not really a cake at all , but the bakery was already closed so I had to improvise," he explained, scratching the back of his neck.
"Ray..."
"I know, it's not the same thing, but I acted like a jerk earlier and wanted to make it up to you somehow."
The boy laughed lightly.
"Dude, I ate a piece of cake from the same plate as the raccoon , it can't get any worse," he said. Ray snorted.
He pulled the cupcake more towards the teenager, smiling slightly.
"Happy birthday, kid."
Henry smiled back. His chest was aching again, but for a whole different reason.
"Thanks, Ray," he replied. He thought for a moment and then blew out the candle.
"What did you wish for?" Ray asked. Henry smirked.
"I won't tell you because it won't come true," he added. The superhero rolled his eyes, but there was also a smile on his face. He handed Henry his cupcake.
"Okay birthday boy, eat your cupcake and let's go to the Mancave," he announced. Henry frowned.
"To the Mancave? Why?"
"What do you mean why? For your gift, duh," his mentor answered him, smiling.
Being careful of his "cake," Hen leaned over and hugged his father figure. Ray was taken aback for a moment, but hugged back.
Okay, someone cared about him. Henry was glad it was Ray.