Chapter Text
Henry came late.
Jasper was already fighting the automatic snackmachine for his blueberry shake, Charlotte in a conversation with Schwoz about whatever smart thing they were talking about.
And Ray?
He was staring at the curly boy with a look that just told Henry how much he considered choking the boy.
'Don't.' He said.
Ray snapped his head up at his voice, as if pulled from deep thoughts.
'I wasn't gonna do anything.' he grumbled, defensive.
'You were thinking it and that's enough for me.'
Ray rolled his eyes at those words, and muttered something about 'Bad choice of friends.'
Henry had to keep himself from shouting at the man. He's already had enough of today; His dad hanging the new, remade, family picture on the wall. His mom posting it on all her socials. And Piper making fun of his looks in the photo. And now his boss was considering choking his bestfriend to death for just existing.
Ray turned to the screens. And that simple movement, Henry realized how tense the older man looked.
He huffed, 'Bad night? What, gone out catching criminals without me?'
Ray kept silent.
That was wrong. Even Schwoz and Charlotte- Who had been half-listening half-fighting about a minor disagreement - turned around.
'Ray?' Schwoz asked.
'I'm fine!' Ray suddenly exclaimed, annoyance dripping from his voice.
It didn't sound convincing.
Henry frowned, and was about to ask, but before he could move, Ray seemed to sense his ideas as he suddenly stood up and forced the secret door open - interrupting Jasper with no shame or remorse.
Jasper seemed offended and shouted back 'HEY! I was busy with that!'
When Ray didn't reply, Jasper turned to the others, confused, 'What was that about? He seemed annoyed-annoyed.'
'No idea.' Charlotte, Schwoz and Henry said in unison.
Charlotte than got a notification, she looked at her phone and snorted.
'What?' Schwoz went back to her, curious and already forgotten about Ray.
'Henry's mom posted something.'
Henry's face turned to horror, and he ran to Charlotte in hope to snatch her phone.
'No! Don't show that!'
Charlotte dodged, holding the phone away from his reach while Schwoz tried to hold Henry back from grabbing it, yelling ´Show us!´ with his deep accent.
Charlotte grinned and turned the phone to the 3 boys.
Schwoz immediatly laughed, pointing at the childish captain costume. ´What is that?!'
Jasper raised his eyebrows, 'Your parents made a remake of the old thing?'
That got Schwoz's attention and the tiny old man turned to the younger curled boy, excitement all over his face. 'There's another?!'
<>
Ray walked to his secret crimefighters only room and collapsed into the armchair, rubbing a hand over his face, and stopping under his chin to support his head.
'Damned dreams.' he muttered.
He'd considered calling Charlotte after he'd woken up that night, but last time she'd yelled at him, and he didn't want to explain to her that he'd had a nightmare of Henry dying.
It was shamefull, stupid, and she'd probably laugh, or find one or another way to insult or lecture him again.
He could already hear her voice, sitting there getting lost in thought,
'If you don't like it why would you keep taking him on dangerous jobs with you?'
That boy is more stubborn and idiotic than anyone, there's no way in hell someone can change Henry's mind.
'He's alive and well, what kind of stupid, unintellegent mind would you need to posses to think he's gonna stop breathing in the snap of a finger.'
He's idiotic, and it are stupid dreams.
'He isn't yours to worry about. He's your sidekick. You're his boss, not his father.'
Clearly. They don't look alike at all; He has dark hair and blue eyes and Henry has brown eyes and blond hair. Henry would protect his little sister from hell by walking through it himself, while Ray would complain about heat and turn back home. Henry can hold a relationship for longer than a single night.
Ray huffed a breath, scowling at the wall at that thought.
'How do I keep losing to a damn child?'