Waterboy Dating Hc! ❤︎₊ ⊹
Pairing(s): Waterboy (aka Herman) x Gn!Reader
The two of you likely got close because of the fact that you’re apart of the Z team or even if you work in some other position in SDN
If you’re the type to show interest right away or are a bit direct, I fear that might scare him away
He’d likely be not only taken aback by your directness, but also maybe even a bit afraid because of how unfamiliar and unexpected the sort of behavior is
He’d run away and unfortunately avoid, just not outright
Just keeping his distance– not too much though because he feels guilty for it
Now, if you were to have approached him by just saying that you’ll be teammates from now on so you’d figure it best to get introductions out of the way or by gradually greeting him when you see him around– well that's the best route to take.
It would still be unexpected but I think that Herm would slowly grow to appreciate how you always make time for him, even if it’s just a good morning, good afternoon, or a see you later.
I think he’d be the first one to develop a crush– which then spirals into a pile of doubts and overthinking everything he’s ever done and will do
It first starts when you do a small, nice gesture. Maybe you get him something or even just pay him a compliment
Whatever it is, he keeps replaying it in his head and gets more and more excited at the prospect of seeing you from then on out
He finds himself staring longer than usual, and even makes excuses to be around you
He probably doesn’t even realize he likes you until someone else notices like Robert who just casually points it out and encourages him or even someone on the Z team who just makes fun of him for it.
From then on, he’s a complete and utter mess.
Before, he just thought you were a good person that made him feel good about himself– but now he thought you were a good person that made him feel good about himself who he also happens to have a (presumably one sided) crush on.
Whenever you’re apart, he’s filled with either hesitation and anxiety or optimistic and hopeful thoughts
He gets anxious at the thought of seeing you and beats himself up over how he behaves around you
What if you thought he was weird and never wanted to see him again?
He’d rehearse conversations in his head but never actually succeed at saying them aloud
Then, he has waves of feeling optimistic
Whether it be through Robert or him just feeling a bit better about himself– he suddenly gets bursts of thinking he might actually have a chance with you
I think it takes a while before he finally becomes determined to pursue you, especially after he’s presented with undeniable proof that the crush is indeed not one sided
From then, he’d do small gestures and be the first to reach out
He’d likely try and get you something small that is drenched wet by the time you get it, which you don’t care for because it's the thought that counts right?
Eventually though, I think he’d bring you flowers or even chocolates– very traditional I know– and come up to you at the end of a work day and confess through a long string of stutters and hesitations
You can see the occasional regret flash across his face but his determination to say what he wants to get across never wavers
Then he hands you the gifts and just stares at you, waiting for your answer
You can tell the anticipation is eating away at him though and the moment you agree to go out with him, you can tell he wasn’t expecting that response
Surprise flashed across his face and he nodded along like it was exactly what he had expected
The actual relationship is pretty sweet
Hermy is a really sweet partner and really considerate
He’s so awkward yet earnest that you can’t help but feel endeared
He might still fumble over his words and overthink gestures, but everything he does comes from genuine care
He’s very attentive too
He notices when you’re upset and provides support and listens to you if you want to vent
He’d listen and nod along, even relating it to himself to show that he also struggles with it, afraid that you might be a bit embarrassed by the end of it
He’s not the best at it, but he’ll also give you pep talks and cheer you on
He’s not too loud about it, but he tries
When it comes to affection, I think he’s most likely to compliment you and spend time with you– maybe even give small gifts
He’d be flustered, but he’d be happy to compliment you and go on how amazing you truly are
Plus you’re bound to spend time together regardless
I do think he’d be pretty wary of any physical touch though
I doubt he’d want to upset you if he got you wet, not like he’s used to initiating it anyways
So, if you do ever hug him or show physical affection– he’d be very startled
Eventually he reciprocates and holds you back but he’d never initiate due to him not wanting to wet you when you least want it
If you ever kiss, he’d be both flustered and giddy about it
I doubt he’d ever kissed anyone– both due to his powers and how he’s only ever lived with his grandma without any friends (presumably)
So when you do, it’s not the best kiss in the world
It’s a bit awkward and he stiffens up at it but doesn’t pull away
So despite the butterflies he feels in his stomach, he leans in
He doesn’t know where to put his hands or how to reciprocate at all
You would part afterwards and while he’s surprised you even kissed at all, he’s really, really, glad you did












