Distraction

Uniform

She sees him in his Kid Danger uniform almost every day, so it shouldn't still be affecting her.

But it does.

She thinks that she may possibly have a thing for superheroes (or one in particular).

But she's not the only one.

On multiple occasions, she's heard people at school talk about Kid Danger, how good he looks and 'Isn't that uniform so sexy? He looks so good in it', as per the words of one boy at school.

Charlotte chooses to never comment when that topic is brought up.

But right now, as she looks at him, still clad in his uniform and animatedly speaking to Ray, she can't help but let her eyes roam over him. Her usual spot -in front of the screens- grants her the perfect means to surreptitiously stare at him (it sounds creepier than it actually is). Her thoughts become a jumbled mess of appreciation and concern (because this is her best friend, so she shouldn't be looking at him like this!).

That suit fits him perfectly in all the right places.

All his muscles are extra defined, his hair is all heroically swooshy.

His back is mostly towards her, but she can see the side of his face. Her eyes wander over his hair, his mask, his nose, his (freaking perfect) mouth and his jaw.

When he turns to fully face Ray, her eyes keep wandering down the back of his neck, his shoulders, his back and towards his-

Okay, that's far enough.

She shifts her eyes back up quickly.

Only to find Ray looking directly at her.

He's smirking -that amused smirk that's almost always on his face when he's teasing someone-, his eyes twinkling with merriment. He's nodding his head to whatever Henry's saying, but he's looking at her and his smirk keeps getting even...smirkier.

Charlotte stands up from her chair, and briskly walks towards the elevator.

She needs to get out of there.

Her boss just saw her looking (ogling) at her best friend and

Nope, nope, this is not good!

Ray is not the most discreet person when it comes to teasing someone and she really doesn't need that right now. She hears Henry asking her where she's going and she sputters out something about buying ice cream because it's pretty hot in the man cave (it's not).

Ray murmurs something under his breath, which she of course can't hear.

Schwoz -who had just walked out from the back and had made his way towards Ray and Henry- however, hears him perfectly well.

"What else does Charlotte think is hot?" he says in that innocent-confused Schwoz way.

Henry's eyebrows almost disappears into his hairline as he looks from Ray to Charlotte and back.

Kill me. Charlotte thinks as she looks up at the ceiling.

Ray starts laughing like it's the funniest thing ever, doubling over and slapping one knee in delight.

After a moment, Henry -who had been giving Ray a befuddled look- turns back towards Charlotte, who has her back towards him and is pushing the elevator button repeatedly.

"But, you can just get some from the auto-snacks." he says in confusion. She can't see him, but she can practically hear the frown in his voice.

"Yeah, uh, yeah. But I, uh, I want some from the, uhm, the parlor. Cause it's more authentic you know?" Charlotte answers, not even looking back at him.

She's still pressing that darn button.

The one time she's trying to escape, the door doesn't open up immediately.

Of course.

I should've taken the tubes.

"Uh, okay." Henry says from behind her, clearly still confused.

Ray had stopped laughing, but even with her back towards him, she can feel that he's smirking.

Charlotte almost heaves a sigh of relief when the elevator door slides open. She steps in, presses the button to go up and turns around to face the (soon to be) closing door.

She sees Henry taking out his tube of bubblegum. And Ray-

Ray is looking at her and waggling his eyebrows, his smirk now a huge, teasing grin.

Oh well. At least she's finally out of there.

But then Schwoz-

Oh Schwoz.

Schwoz just had to open his mouth.

"Hey, you still haven't told us what else Charlotte finds hot."

Ray doubles over and starts laughing again, holding his stomach as he falls down to the floor, unable to keep himself up because he's convulsing with the force of his own laughter.

Charlotte groans right as the door closes.

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Tbc.