Chapter Text
The interview had not been as hard as he had imagined. It had been quite easily. Mostly a formality, according to the dispatcher that sat in front of him. He was to start immediately.
The questions had been mostly about his past job as a janitor. What experience did he have before this. What his powers entailed. Things he had explained in earlier interviews, things that weren't relevant at the moment. He wanted them to ask if he had any experience heroing (though he didn't), fighting (did mall classes count?), anything that could prove he was here for a reason.
As soon as the job as offered, Waterboy lept from joy. Nearly rushing to the nearest entrance ready to star. At least, before he was explained thoroughly what his job would entail,
He would not be a hero. Not yet, at least. He was being the opportunity to work at SDN and train, and hopefully in a matter of time he would be given the opportunity to apply to be a hero once more.
“You’re a good match,” he had been told with a smile. “Just- We do not have much time for training someone the basics.”
“And your resume does imply you have done jobs like this, have you not?” asked a bright woman sitting next to him. Smiling softly. Not unlike one might look at a child when breaking the news the family dog had just died.
“Yes!” he had said loudly. Though the job was far from what he wanted, he needed the money. He needed a job. This could be a good chance to do something that mattered. “I’ve been- I have been a- a- jan- clean- janitor before this. I used to work at a school. It was- fi- goo- goo- great,” he sighed. Giving up in trying to explain.
It’s not entirely a lie. Being a janitor came easily to him. Making sure everything was in his place and organized did not sound hard, but still. He couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
He had applied to be a hero. He had interviewed for a job. Had maintained the hope for weeks that, perhaps, someone out there saw him for more than he was, but for what he could be. Of course, he’d take the job. Of course, he would.
But, well- it wasn’t exactly what he wanted to do with his life. He quit his past job for a reason. He spent his entire day taking care of his grandma, making sure the place was spotless. He had hoped this would be a good way of getting him out of the house. Getting him out of the routine.
Working in a school had been good. Seeing the kids run around from place to place, bright smile on their faces. Hope for the future that was yet to come. It was good.
Seeing the way most treated him with kindness. The thought of being cruel, still far from their minds. Though some comments stung, of course they did, kids never meant to be evil. Adults did, though, adults could be cruel if they intended on being so.
He would give an example, but he had not been able to catch a hold of the plate guy that had trampled on him with his car just a few hours ago. Body still aching, tension still pulsing.
But life never worked like you wanted, right?
He would still work at SDN. He would still be able to use his suit (designed by yours truly). He would still be able to use his powers without being ashamed. Here, at least, they wouldn’t find his abilities strange. They’d probably be seen as an advantage, at least for his job.
At least he didn’t have to wear one of those blue shirts that seemed unflattering on everyone. Though, maybe, that was the point. The dispatchers weren’t supermodels, nor were they the image of the company.
Working at SDN, any level of SDN meant he was helping. He was saving the word in his own little way. So, being a janitor wasn’t hero work, but it was still helping. More so than he did sitting on his ass watching novellas with his grandma.
Just as he made his rounds, he was bumped on the shoulder by what seemed like pure air. He had almost convinced himself he had tripped over his own puddle before he saw a woman crossing the bullpen.
Shorter than him, sporting an easy smile on her face, making her way to the cafeteria. He looked at the desk she had just left, realizing she had left a glazed donut on a desk. Sitting on top of a napkin, placed in view so it would be the first sight of whoever sat there. Ready to make the rest of the day as good as possible. He smiled at the thought.
If everyone was as kind as her, he would have a good enough time.
Of course, he was quickly proven wrong as sharp insults came tumbling through the floor. Coming back from the same place she had gone to. She stalked back to the desk, boots stomping around the place, making the water in his bucket tremble. Waterboy nearly cowered before her, nearly dropping his utensils in favor of running. Maybe, his cowardice had not helped him get the job, he though wearily.
She stalked past him grabbing the donut from its place, slamming it against the desk with a hard push. Waterboy couldn't help but wince at the sound. She left shrugging the remnants of the thing across the desk, leaving the sticky mess to be dealt with by someone other than her. A far cry from the nice surprise she had intended on a few minutes ago.
He whimpered at the though. The dispatched would be lucky if the keyboard managed to hold the keys intact. He got to work easily, grabbing his rag he had thrown over his shoulder, trying to get his long fingers between the tiny space. Trying to do a quit work less he wanted the sticky glaze to dry. That would make the keys jam, leaving the keyboard useless.
If the dispatcher didn't notice in time, the thing could jam in between missions. Making their job impossible. Putting people's lives on the line.
As soon as she was out of earshot, he got to work. Trying with all his might to get the drying honey out of the space. Much to his chagrin, his work seemed useless. Fumbling his hand around the desk, trying to at least get the surrounding bits.
“Hey, kid,” said a raspy voice behind him, almost making him jump.
He looked up, realizing a dispatcher stood behind him. All amused eyes and soft tiredness that came with the end of a working day.
The man stalked closer, making Waterboy freak out. He understood how the sight looked. The damp donut smashed into the desk.
The man would probably assume he did it. Would probably scoff at his inability to perform a simple task.
“No,” he tried, fumbling with his hands, trying to keep the man at bay. Trying to stop hm from seeing the horrific sight of his ruined computer. “I didn’t did this! It’s, uh, weird cause, yeah, I saw this lady, smiling lad- lady- put a donut on your desk. Previously, and it was nice- nicely on a napkin. But then sh- just- she comes back, and she goes- crazy! Evil… mode!”
As he explained, he waved his hands around, trying to make the image clear. Trying to explain the situation better. The shorter man held one of the offending pieces up to his nose. Trying to decipher if the donut was contaminated with something. Clearly deciding it was a regular one, throwing it back on the desk with a sigh.
“I will clean it!” he explained happily, making the short man frown.
“What?” asked the man. “No, no, no.”
“Yes!” he said, trying to make the excitement bleed through his words. “I’m SDN’s newer- newest he- he- here- heee”
“Hero?” said the other man proudly. Almost making Waterboy slip more on what he was trying to imply. The man sounded pleased, like if Waterboy getting the job was something he had on his mind, though he doubted it.
“Helpful janitor,” he finished lamely. Ready for whatever mock might come his way. Though, mock never came. Only a short huffing smile.
“Okay!” said the other with a smile. “Cool.”
The man seemed proud. Like even though he hadn’t exactly gotten what he wanted, he had done good. There was nothing else Waterboy could possibly ask for.
“It would me- by- my pleasure,” he said, stealing his rag back from the other’s stubborn hands. “And it’s my job. Which you helped me get. So, thank- thank you.”
The tie had helped him, if not in the literal sense, in his confidence. He had worn it as an amulet. Letting most of his anxieties strip away.
If he had been able to hold a conversation with Mechaman, he could hold a job for sure. The shirt and tie had already been stuffed into his lockers. Not wanting people to see how much he had tried for a simply janitorial interview. But, the knot had been a reminder someone had stopped to help.
Because in a place like this, helping was the most important thing. Everything came second.
“Thanks, kid,” said Robert with a smile. Placing a soft hand on Waterboy’s shoulder, almost on instinct.
And the normal part of his brain alluded to the fact that the touch had been nothing but thankful, barely a friendly touch. But, he could also not help but notice the fact that Robert didn’t pull away from the cold water dripping down his body.
In fact, he could not see the man scrubbing his hand away as he walked away. As if the water that had accumulated on his skin was not relevant. Not a problem.
Waterboy couldn’t help but sigh at the though. Looking down with a frown at the keyboard, the woman had decided to ruin.
He did not have many plans on a Friday night, but still. It was the thought that counted.