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Royd could see something was wrong with Herman.
It wasn't like anything was noticeably different to anyone else, but Royd could always see when something was up. Herman had those small tells that often gave it away. Royd especially grew worried when he began noticing Herman's frequent visits to the lab to keep him company during breaks had begun to stop. He realized pretty quickly he needed to get to the bottom of whatever was wrong.
The sun was casting the bull pen in soft hues of gold by the time Royd had finally managed to corner Herman down. The janitor was going about his usual routine, wiping down the desks that looked like they needed it the most. His gloved hands gripped the soaking wet towel tightly as he rubbed the water into the hard surface of the cubicle's desk. It wasn't presently dirty, but Herman liked to be extra thorough.
Royd lets one heavy hand clasp down on Herman's shoulder halting his scrubbing. The slimmer male jumping at the sudden contact and dropping his soggy rag to the floor with a wet slap. "AH! R-RO-Roy!! You- Y-You scare- Start-Startled me. Did- Are... What did you wa- n-need?" The hero stammers out awkwardly, looking up to meet the smile Royd offers, giving a hesitant one himself. "Ey bruddah! You be workin' all hard wit'out visitin' me down in da lab, eh? Tell me what da droplet all been up to?" He questions, watching as Herman shakes his head before nodding. Unsure how to respond to that in a correct way. "U-Uhm... No..? Yes? M-Maybe. I-I've been bu-busy! Up he-ere. clean- Cleaning. Tidying up the de-desks. Wh-Why? Did... You need m-me down there to cl-clean something fo-or you?" Herm manages to stutter out.
Royd gives a light chuckle and a shake of the head. His hand sliding off of Herm's shoulder. Letting the slighter male relax a little without the added weight. Herm gives a hesitant chuckle in response.
"Nah nah bruddah, be all like dis... You be distant, an' ole' Roy be noticin', so whatcha been on ya mind droplet? What can be done tah help? Lemme know, I be doin' anytin' you ask of me." Royd offers. Herman gulps as a soft flush comes to his cheeks. Awkward and hesitant as always. "I- I don't... Need. Any-Anything. From yo-you. Roy... Thank- Thank you."
That was a lie, and Royd could see through it. As soon as Herman moved to try and step around him, Royd blocked the way. Then again when Herman went for a second try. By the third try, Herman was a little irritated.
"R-RR-oy! S-Stop do- bl-blocking me." The ginger huffs out, slicked brows furrowing with exasperation. Royd only shakes his head. "No. You gotta tell me whatcha been all stressed fo' first. Yeah? Lemme be helpin' ya out bruddah. Lay it all on me, I can handle whateva' ya' be stressed wit." The taller man insists.
Herm hesitates, thinking through his options before he finally folds. Letting his eyes drop to the puddle he'd made by his rain boots with his idle standing. "I-I haven't... I don't... Don't ne-ed anything!" Herm scoffs out dismissively. Wiping a gloved hand against his cheek to wipe off some excess water. Though it does little as more simply forms to slick the spot right back up. Royd slowly narrows his eyes, choosing not to believe his friend for the moment. It sounded suspiciously not true. Herman shifts uncomfortably under the stare-down.
"Tell me." Royd repeats, firmer. Finally Herm nods, heaving a long slow sigh.
"I-I- I w-wuh... Wa-anna get aw-way from here. Soo- n-now. Sometime."
Get away? Curious... "Yeah? Get 'way how, droplet?" Royd prompts, his tone much softer as he lifts a hand to rub supportively at his friend's shoulder. "R-Ruh- Run... No, uhm. Go, some-somewhere. An-Anywheh- place."
Slowly the larger man begins to nod, an idea already forming in his mind. A list of required items forming. "A'ight bruddah, be hearin' ya on dat. You go home tonite, yeah? Be packin' some clothes inna case ta carry dem, be here bright an' early tomorra' mornin'. I gotta plan." He announces, shooting Herman a bright grin to which Herman can't help but return with a more hesitant smile. "U-Uh... Alri- O-Okay..." He murmurs out. Trying to figure out what the hell Royd could have planned already.
By the time Herman has the nerve to ask, Royd was already out the door.
Royd was at work before the sun could even think to raise above the horizon. The darkness soft but not unkind as he looks into the rearview mirror, taking stock of his supplies and thinking on what he could need that he didn't have already... Blankets? Check, AND waterproof! Snacks? Check! Water? Double check check! Spare towels? A whole mountain full... Towels everywhere else? Triple checked.
He was just about ready to go. Tank all filled up, time off clocked in, and Herman on the way (as sent by a text. Royd kept checking in case another one came in without him noticing. Which it hadn't) Royd was sure it was going to be perfect. If not perfect, then at least decent enough. He just wanted to help his friend relax... Speak of the devil!
Herman hesitantly opens the car door and stares into the front seat silently with wide, uncertain eyes as Royd looks to him. Then slowly he slips into the empty passenger's seat, nearly cautious to touch the towels laid down for him. "R-Royd... This is- Is nice." He offers with an awkward grin, settling a (presumably waterproof by the looks of it) duffle bag between his lanky legs. "S-So where are we go- h-headed to? Today. N-Now?"
"No idea bruddah! Les' go."
Herman stares in shock. It was so simple, so carefree, so bright. "Y-You don't know?" He repeats, Royd chuckling with that deep rich baritone of his. "Nah, ain't got none'a dem destinations pulled up, we goin' wit' da flow droplet. Buckle in, eh?" The large man states, reaching over to grab the large buckle and offer it to Herm. It was a pretty large sized car. Standard for the market considering how many heroes (or civillians, depending on their chosen professions...) were larger. Which was at least good for Herman since it meant extra leg room which he definitely seemed to need. "Y-ou... Don't..." Herm trails off again as he buckles in and turns his eyes out the window. "Know..."
Royd didn't mind the comment; he let himself fall into a rhythm as he drove. Tapping his fingers to the wheel along to the tune on the radio. The streetlights shutting off one by one above them with the rise of the sun over the California skyline.
It was comfortable, warm, like coming home.
And despite Herman's initial shock with the news that they didn't have a plan, he was slowly starting to relax the longer that they drove. The tension in his shoulders easing up and the furrow in his brows smoothing out. His grey eyes fixed on the blur of the world outside passing by. It took only a few minutes before Herm began to hum along to the radio, in time with the drumming of Royd's fingers.
It was a nice duet, one that would probably last them the length of the Journey, however long that may be.