Herman stands at the edge of the empty pool like he’s been dropped into a dream. The evening sky is clear overhead, stray birds cawing as they flit through the air to roost. Not a soul in sight. No recruits, no Dispatch members who might laugh when his powers flare the second he gets nervous. Just you… and the quiet hum of the pool filters.

“You- you booked the whole place?” he asks, voice cracking shyly. He clutches the strap of his swim bag as though it’s a lifeline. “For we- for us?”

When you nod, his eyes widen so much they practically glow. He tries to push it down, but Herman's control wavers, little beads of water forming at his cheeks before dripping off his jaw. "Did you choose- choose the pool because of mine- my- mymy power?"

Herman's heart skips a beat. In the pool, it wouldn't matter if he soaked everything, everything is already soaked. Slowly, his shoulders loosen, an invisible weight sliding off them and he takes a steadying breath. "That's... That's really thoughtful."