Work Text:
ever since invisigal had taken over red ring, things at sdn had gotten significantly more chill. of course, there was the usual jobs, like bank robberies and drug raids, but the large scale attacks slowed to only once or twice a year. this gave the Z-team more time (and budget) to be able to have parties (or “work bonding events” as the managers called it).
of course, the whole team couldn't agree on one thing, so there had to be a system for choosing what would happen each month. each hero would get a turn, including robert because he “has to deal with your stupid asses all day”, so when it came to waterboy’s turn, he naturally chose a pool party.
the Z-team was gathered around a pool on a rooftop, laughing and talking. prism was singing karaoke, flambae sat in a wire chair cursing whenever he got splashed, robert and blonde blazer were attempting to teach beef how to swim, and you were just leaning against the wall of the pool. the air was warm and humid and filled with happiness.
you opened your eyes to see herm standing before you in the pool. he looked just as wet as always, except he was out of his usual suit and in a pair of blue swimming trunks. he looked joined you on the pool wall with a shy smile.
“hey” you smiled, glancing up to meet his eyes.
he looked strangely rejuvenated. his skin had a healthy glow to it, and he seemed more confident than usual. most of the time, he was a leaking stuttering blushing mess around you, slipping on his own puddles and such, but now he was able to hold a conversation, and even look you in the eyes.
“um- i- i like your swimsuit- not that i don't like your normal outfits but-” “thanks.” you cut him off, putting an end to his second guessing. the water helped, but it wasn't a miracle. you looked him up and down, noticing how his skin blushed at his joints.
when you looked back up, his face was red as a tomato, his eyes bashfully glancing aside.
he started to put his arm around you, but paused.
“can- is it okay-” you nodded.
you felt a skinny but surprisingly strong arm wrap around your waist, pulling you in gently. Your slippery wet skin met his, warming you up slightly.
your usually stable heart did a flip in your chest, you felt strangely giddy when he touched you…and it wouldn't be false to say that you often thought about what it would feel like to have him in your bed..probably wet.
even with the help of the water, herm was still nervous, glancing around the pool trying to avoid your burning gaze, but he could feel your eyes checking him out, though in his mind you were surely judging him..god why did he wear trunks instead of a wetsuit..
In reality it was the opposite.
“i’m kind of cold.. do you wanna join me in the hot tub?”
his cheeks flushed impossibly redder, but he managed to stammer out a response.
“i-i-i- would-uh- yeah!”
after both of you were seated in the hot tub, you scooched in close and leaned your head against his shoulder, which was well worth the anxiety spike that pierced the gut of herman.
“this is nice.” you murmured.
“those-that’s why they should let me get the place..pick the place?” whichever one was correct, you chuckled and hooked an arm around his waist.
he turned to look at you with the nervous but trusting eyes of a stray puppy in a rainstorm, which flicked downwards to your lips, and quickly back up. your hand shifted onto his. It was obvious what was going to happen now.
slowly, (and slightly shakily) he leaned down, and you leaned up, and your lips pressed together for a soft, sweet kiss.
it lasted all of 5 seconds before flambae’s fat ass slipped and fell into the hot tub and nearly lost another tooth because he was running after beef.
he quickly scrambled out of there a frightened squirrel and ran off, slipping and sliding on his way up. not a second after he was out of earshot did you two start laughing hysterically.