Work Text:
It was the same phrase
No matter what was asked
“I taught myself.”
Flambae asking where he learned how to cook so well after trying his lunch.
Prism questioning how he sewed the gap in her suit so quickly and yet so efficiently.
Coupé wondering out loud how he knew she was behind him.
Waterboy's responses seemed so similar they seemed to blend together.
“O-Oh! Im happ-.. glad you l-like it! I taught myself when I was- um t-twelve!..”
“I.. used t-to read some books about sewing when I-I was um- ten… I kinda.. t-taught myself!”
"Mh.. heh, when I was-.. Seven and W-Whenever I couldn't sle- uh, stay up.. I'd lis- hear my family's steps.. Kinda t-taught myself to listen..”
It always seemed he taught himself some random hobbies at some random age, whether he needed it or not.
To some, Herman just had enough free time to learn these silly skills after school.
To others, Herman had no business learning these things, at least, not by himself.
He never spoke about his parents and really only mentioned his grandma, which the Z-Team never investigated. Flambae rarely mentions his parents, only gloating about his niece and his sister.
Which was why it was shocking when he finally did.
After a whole day of accomplished missions and very minimal injuries, the Z-Team decided it was highly appropriate to go out for drinks. Hell, even Robert was on board for it!
Waterboy didn't usually drink much, and when he did, his water powers usually diluted the alcohol and well- watered it down.
But tonight, the hero ended up feeling.. buzzed.
The world was sloshing around, and nothing seemed that scary with how the Z-Team had him in the middle seat of the booth, Sonar and Malevola on both sides of him. Their cheers and loud laughter didn't startle him, and instead seemed like a lullaby.
Herman hummed softly, managing to sit with crossed legs despite how long they were. His eyes dragged from member to member, smiling softly with half lidded eyes as he listened to their ridiculous stories of their ex-villian days.
He was fine, until he noticed something out the bottom of his eye.
His boots were untied.
The natural thing to do was tie them, and go back to whatever you were doing previously.
But for Herman, and his tipsy mind, all he could do was stare and blink slowly at the loose laces.
Suddenly, he felt Malevola jostle his shoulder.
“Sorry to uh.. interrupt your intense staring session wetguy,” She helped him out of the booth as she continued talking. “..but Flambae kinda just got us kicked out by picking a fight with a villain and throwing him across the bar..” hissed the demon, wincing with a sheepish grin.
Waterboy just hummed in acknowledgement and followed her outside, where the rest of the Z-Team was loitering.
The group chatted as they walked to a nearby taco place, not noticing how the wet hero kept his head down until they reached the cheap joint.
“What's wrong with you, Waterbitch.” Teased Flambae, who sat besides Waterboy on the curb.
Herman stayed quiet for a minute before sniffling a bit.
“m-my boots are untied..”
Before he could stop it, Flambae let out a snort once he heard the other's reasoning for looking so glum.
“That's it? Just tie them, it's not even that hard.” The fire hero scoffed playfully as he nudged the taller. “Don't tell me the guy who knows how to lockpick several different locks can't even lace his shoes!” A grin grew on his face up until he glanced over at the hero.
Herman was.. crying?
“I.. I-I never learned..” He whispered, furrowing his brows. “Mh.. I-I wanted my m-mom and dad to teach me.. mm.. but they didn't..” Another sniffle came out as he continued to eye the pair of strings.
Flambae’s eyes widened as he processed what was just said. He watched Waterboy cry softly before looking up towards the group, who didn't seem to notice. The older looked towards Prism before letting out a whistle, loud enough to have her glance up and notice the situation.
“Shit-” The pop-star stood up and walked over before sitting beside Herman. “Hey, hey what's the matter?” whispered Alice, who sent a glance at Flambae that seemed to ask ‘what did you do?’ To which he angrily whisper shouted 'nothing!'
Not noticing the exchange between the two besties, Waterboy wiped his eyes, “G-Grandma was too old.. fingers always mm.. always shaking.” Another heartbreaking sniffle left him before he began to sob.
Finally, noticing the three huddled heroes, the rest of the Z-Team plus Robert walked over, trying to see what was wrong.
“What happened, Herman?” murmured Coupé, crouching down In front of the crying man.
“I-I can't tie my shoes! I-I never learned!” He tried quieting his cries, hiccuping as he squeezed his hands.
She stared at the wet hero before swiftly hugging him. Waterboy froze, panicking about how his water might ruin her beautiful outfit, but when she didn't pull away, he was quick to wrap his arms around her.
The team startled at the sight of Coupé voluntarily touching someone, let alone hugging.
“Your parents never taught you, correct?” assumed the winged hero, to which the other nodded.
Janelle thought for a moment before slightly pulling away.
“Why didn't you teach yourself? You're quite smart, and you're a quick learner.”
Waterboy froze, slightly curling up as his lip wobbled and a fresh set of tears poured down.
“I.. I-I wanted.. my P-parents to- umh.. to sho- teach me…” As he said it out loud, he realized how stupid it was. “They- they were always b-busy. A-and when I last saw them.. Like- was w-.. when I- I was on m-my grandma's p-porch..” His stuttering got worse as he tried to explain, avoiding the gaze of the Z-Team, and how his voice cracked as memories flooded back.
Waterboy sniffled, pausing before taking a breath and continuing, “I.. Some s- stupid w-w-wish I had w-was that… m-maybe one da-day they'd c-come back..”
“And teach you?” Finished Robert, sympathizing with the poor kid.
The Z-Team was silent, unsure how to proceed, letting the hero cry.
Suddenly, Prism spoke up.
“Y'know.. my dad had left me and my mom. I never really got to meet him, but through my entire childhood, I always felt someone was missing. My mom tried, but I still had to learn some shit on my own. Like how to sing.” Alice smirked, nudging Waterboy.
Then, it was Flambaé who piped up.
“I.. me and my parents never really spoke.. After they found out I liked guys during High school, had to learn how to fix my car and drive it all by myself.” Chad thought of his beautiful vehicle, and how many modifications he'd put on it to have it looking so fresh.
And finally, it was Coupé who simply stated, “My parents abandoned me at a warehouse. I was picked up by assassins, who knew nothing of how to work my powers.”
Pausing, she stared up at Herman,
"I had to learn how to fly by myself.”
Waterboy kept his head lowered, brows furrowing before, along with the rest of him, relaxing.
Then, he spoke.
“.. They're n-not co-coming back..”
He let out a shaky breath before smiling at the Z-Team, who seemed confused.
“A-and I don't ne-need to wait for them anymore… B-.. because I h-have you guys...”
The Z-Team froze on the spot before erupting into cheers.
“Don't sweat it, wet guy.. I'm a professional shoe tie.. er..” Grumbled Golem in the midst of the yelling, who gave the hero a smirk.
.
.
“wait a minute. you wear shoes?”