Chapter Text
Ray knew that his kid was struggling a long time ago, but he always chose to ignore it. He knew it was selfish. He knew it everytime Schwoz noticed more and more scars on his body. He was way too afraid to have a bad reaction towards the kid. He chose to ignore everytime Henry wore long sleeves on a hot day.
One night, him and Schwoz sat down on the round couch in the man cave. They were watching a horror movie. It was supposed to be their free night. Schwoz seemed to be in his mind, not paying much attention to the movie.
" What's on your genius mind this time? " Ray said breaking the silence. He looked at his co worker even though Schwoz didn't look up.
" Henry. I'm getting more and more worried about him. He keeps getting more of those.. you know. " Schwoz mumbled in his strong accent. " You need to talk to him, Ray. " The man said more serious.
" I will tomorrow. I know if we wait much longer he might do smth real stupid. But I mean, what could be going through his 15 year old mind,,,? He is too young for this stuff. "
" The mind you hired while he was 13! " Ray sighed as Schwoz kept talking. " Listen, I'm not blaming you or anything, in fact, from what Charlotte told me, he seems much closer to you than his own father. "
──── ୨୧ ────
When the time of Henry, Charlotte and Jasper to come to work has come, Schwoz gave him a look. They both knew what they had to do.
Henry was wearing his usual long hoodie even though it was almost summer. He was laughing with Jasper about a video they both saw during lunch today. Even though Henry was laughing, he looked like a ghost. Pale, big eye bags, his beautiful brown eyes were dull and no spark seemed to show and he most definetly lost a lot of weight ever since he turned 15 a few months ago. Jasper told him that the boy stopped eating lunch, despite Charlotte's worried comments. Everyone knew what conversation was about to come, however no one was ready for it. Not even Charlotte.
When the elevator door closed behind the 3 teens, Ray, Schwoz, Jasper and Charlotte all shared a look. The concerned look. But Henry didn't seem to notice.
" Any emergencies happening, Ray? " Henry said, walking towards the monitors, not looking up from his phone.
" No.. not yet. " Ray took a deep breath. " Kid..? We.. want to talk to you. " His voice shook uncaracteristialy.
This was the first time Henry looked up ever since he got inside the man cave. He noticed everyone's worried look on their faces. 'Oh fudge,,,' Henry thought. Ray took a step closer to the boy.
" Henry. Are you harming yourself in any way? " Ray said straightforward, at which Jasper cursed internally.
Henry's eyes widened. He did not expect that question. Cuz of course he did, but he wouldn't admit that, not even in a million years. " What?! No! What the hell, Ray! " Henry said defensively. His fingers went instictively to his sleeves to make sure they're down. If he was to talk with one person abt his bad habits, it would be Jasper. And he knew Jasper has seen them, alongside with Schwoz. He knew that Jasper wouldn't judge him or yell at him. I mean after all, Jasper became the person who knew him the best. So, Henry looked at Jasper for help, to see if he could get him out of this stupid situation. But Jasper looked as worried and guilty as everyone.
One of the reasons why he didn't want Ray to not find out, is not because he didn't want him to comfort him, in fact he thought that it might be so personal, the boss might fire him, thinking the kid might bring him down while fighting. He didn't want Ray to look down on him. He did not want to ruin the only place that brought him comfort. The person whom he saw as a father figure. He just couldn't. So he put built up walls.
" We just want you to know that you're not alone and you can always talk to us about your problems..! " Charlotte said trying to help Ray. " Yeah!! We're family in here! " Schwoz jumped in with his strong accent to help reassure Henry.
" I do not know what you guys mean by that. Nothing is wron- " Henry was cut off.
" Then take off your hoodie. " Ray said calmly, but firm, not wanting to scare Henry, but at the same time to make place to make himself understood. He knew he might be too sharp and probably said somethng insensitive but he stopped playing around when it comes to his kid, cuz God knows Henry's parents were too unaware of what's happening in their son's life.
" Ray! " Jasper jumped as quickly as Ray's words left his mouth. They all knew Jasper started getting more and more defensive of Henry once he found out Kid Danger's secret identity. Ray and Schwoz always suspected Jasper had feelings for Henry, but they kept it to themselves, bc deep down, they all knew they were rather cute together.
But what nobody expected was Henry actually listening to Ray's words. He slowly took off his dark red hoodie with Spiderman off. The view cut Ray's breath off. Cuts new and old all over both of his arms. The view was pretty disturbing even for a superhero who has seen MANY things. Due to not having words, he stepped closer and hugged Henry tightly, which surprised the kid. It took a few moments till Henry buried his face into his mentor's chest and melted into his embrace. 'Gosh, Charlotte didn't joke when she said he is touch starved.'
Speaking of Charlotte, she had tears in her eyes. And Jasper as well. Schwoz put both of his hands on their shoulders to try and reassure them.
The moment broke when the emergency alarm broke off their bittersweet moment, scaring everyone. Charlotte went past the boss and her best friend as she wiped her tears, to see the emergency. " Doctor Minyak has created a new machinery and he is threatening everyone how THIS is the machine that will take you, Captain Man, down. "