#waterbae

Herm always had a bad day. It was just who he was. How it is. He would always screw something up or slip on his own water. He would always eat something that upset his stomach or miss the bus by a few minutes.

He was just unlucky.

And normally, he would take it in his stride. Brush it off or laugh through it. But not today. Today was too much, too many setbacks, too many clumsy moments.

And Chad saw it.

He saw the tension in Herm's shoulders. The twitching muscel under his goggles betwen calls. And now the clenching and unclenching of his palms as Victor leaned against the shower room's lockers and smiled.

"All I'm saying is I could optimise your pay check by 5% if you just lend me a tiny, tiny amount of money as a start up investment"

Herm rubbed a towel through his hair. Like that would help wick away the moisture of the shower before his own caught up. His bone ached, his head was pounding. And Victor just kept talking.

"I don't-I'm not interested"

"Aw, come on, Herm. It's an app! Everyone loves apps! It will make a killing!"

Victor was equally as wet. Shaking his fur and splattering everyone within three feet with the smell of wet dog only moments ago, shift over and say done. The whole team washing off the dirt and the grime.

He dug a finger into his ear, chirping as Herm sucked in a slow, deliberate breath, and reached for his street clothes.

"I'm not-can I get change-dressed now? The bus-"

Victor hand slammed the locker door shut, almost catching Herm fingers in the sharp metal edges as he leaned in closer. Tongue darting out to lick his snout.

"Don't worry about the bus. You'll have a private chauffeur soon! I just need $10,000-"

"Ten-ten thousand!? Victor, I-that's-no, no, I dont-I can't-"

And then Victor was in his space. Chirping and damp. Hands on Herm's shoulder and squeezing far too tightly. Herm could feel himself crumbling. Over stimulated and over irritated. Anger and frustration bubbling in his chest like bile. He tried to swallow it down. He really did try. Chad's eyes followed the way his adams apple bobbed and shook with the effort he was desperately trying to employ. Pulling on his jeans and buttoning up his shirt, watching as Victor just kept going.

"You can! It's an investment! Come on, don't be such a wet blanket"

Chad saw it before Victor did. The shift in Herm's muscels. The twitch in his jaw. The build-up to Herm's arm slamming against Victor's throat. Pushing him back against the metal of the lockers. Holding him in place as he gasped and grasped at Herm's forearm. Watching and waiting, letting Herm have his moment. Getting it out of his system. Locked and still and suddenly terrifying.

It wasn't until Herm's breath hitched, just slightly, his fingers curling into a fist by his side, that Chad stepped in. A warm hand landing on Herm's shoulder. Steaming away as he tugged once. Then twice.

"Ok, that's enough, wet fart boy. Bat brain gets the message-"

"Does he?'

Herm voice was low and cold. Victor nodded. Legs shaking and empty eyes wide. Chad heated his hand until Herm hissed and pulled back, letting the hybrid drop and scramble away. His towel slid off his hips and left him running bare assed to hide behind Mal's legs. Peaking out like a child as Herm took measured breaths. His jaw clicking as his teeth ground against each other.

Chad let him go. Opening his locker and shoving Herm's ridiculous duck print swim shorts and tank top into his arms.

"Get dressed, I'll drive you flat ass home"

The room was silent suddenly silent, the air heavy and thick. The hiss of the showers and the slamming of lockers filling the space as Herm felt the tell tale prickling at the corners of his eyes start to build. Shoving his clothes on and following Chad out the doors before it was too late.

It wasn't until he was leaning back against the leather passenger seat of Chadsbeat up car that he let a small hiccuping noise escape his throat. His hands shaking and shame overloading his senses.

"I'm sorry. I didn't-that was-he's my friend. I should apologise-"

Herm moved to unbuckle his seatbelt. Intending to rush back inside and find Victor. Tell him he didnt mean it and he was just tired. He didnt mean to hurt him. But Chad's hand covered his, squeezing and holding. Grounding him until he looked up at him with watery eyes.

"Nah, let him tremble for a bit. He was being a pushy bitch. Besides....it was kinda hot"

Herm blinked and Chad was suddenly so close. His hand lacing through Herm's fingers. His breath fanning in hot waves across his cool cheeks.

"W-what was?"

Chad smirked. Tilting his head. Hair lose and cascading down his shoulders.

"You, getting angry. All puffed up like a fucking blowfish. Was fucking hot. I didn't know you had it on you"

His fingers slid up Herms arm. Over his shoulder and across his neck. Laying softly around his throat as he tugged and locked.

"W-what are you-"

Chads lips were suddenly sliding against Herm's. Wet and plump and parted. Swallowing down watery gasps as he licked at his teeth. Steaming up the windows with droplets of condensation racing down the glass.

As quickly as he captured Herm lips, Chad pulled away. Pulling a pathetic whin from Hermthroat, over taking the shame and leaving nothing but a vibrating heat in its wake. Pupils blown and chest heaving.

"Don't do that shit again, wet fart boy. You're just starting to grow on me. Victor's bat brained business sense isn't worth lossing your fucking job over"

Herm licked his lips. Nodded frantically.

He tasted like cinnamon.