Chapter Text
Robert Robertson was the kind of guy to help others. He didn’t make a big deal out of it either, it was just muscle memory. For him, helping people didn’t feel like a chore, it was instinct.
So it was no wonder that when he saw a lil old lady fall over while crossing the street, with a car coming right at her, that he would be quick to save her, and of course help her, and her grandson, in any way that he could.
*****
Robert was walking home from high school after staying past the bell to work on the robotics club's current project. The crosswalk sign was about to turn off as the people crossing worked on getting to the other side, so Robert pressed the button and decided to just wait for the next turn.
Ahead of him already crossing the street was a young boy, about middle school age holding lots of groceries. They were clearly too heavy for him, so he rushed to get home fast, walking a few steps ahead of his grandmother.
The boy made it to the other side of the street and tried to adjust his heavy load while he waited for his grandmother. The tiny old woman tried to pick up her pace, but staggered and fell on her side right as the green light went on.
“G-GRANDMA!!” The boy called, but he froze.
‘Shit’
Robert immediately ran to her, holding his hands up so that the cars wouldn't go. Once he made sure the cars wouldn't move, he stopped rushing. He gently talked to her as he scooped her up and carried her to her grandson on the other side of the street, smiling at the boy to let him know his grandmother was safe, then waved at the cars to go.
It seemed so natural to him, like he had done it a million times. A few people even clapped.
The boy stood and watched him, still frozen as Robert called for an ambulance. The grandmother groaned in pain, but still had her wits about her to tell her grandson to hurry home or the food will spoil. The boy didn’t respond, he just looked at Robert wide-eyed.
Robert chuckled, “The food will be fine ma’am” The grandmother looked at him stern with disagreement. “But if it's really that important, once the ambulance gets you, we'll drop off the food at your home and then meet you at the hospital.
To that, the grandmother smiled, and started to thank Robert perfuslly. She gave him their names and Robert gave his.
Once the grandmother was on her way safely in the ambulance, Robert turned to look at the boy a few years younger than him.
He bent down onto his knee to see him eye to eye, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“You alright Herman?” Robert felt bad for the guy to have a name like that. Not that Robert Robertson the third was much better.
It was the call of his name that took Heman, the glasses wearing boy, out of his trance. Herm blinked, and relaxed his tensed up muscles, letting all the heavy grocery bags fall to the pavement. His eyes began to water.
“M-My gr-m-my grandmo-mother a-almost…. a-and… I-I d-didnt- c-couln-n’t d-do anyth-thing…”
Tears started to pour from the younger boy's big blue eyes, and the teen ruffled his hands through Herman's hair as he consoled him. Robert understood why the preteen was so shaken up. Hell, he’d probably freeze up at first too at his age if not for his dads training.
Once Herman got his breathing and tears under control, Robert picked up the groceries for him and Herman showed him the way to his home. It was a relatively short walk, once the younger boy unlocked the door he helped Robert set the groceries on the table.
The house didn’t smell like pheromones at all, he guessed Herman and his grandma were both betas. Of course, Herman was still young, and considering his personality it wouldn't be surprising if he presented into an omega.
As Rob unloaded the groceries Herm put them in their place, Robert noticed all the photos of Herman around the cat-filled house. The baby photos of him wearing those little goggles they put on babies that need glasses warmed Robert's heart.
There were stacks of comics books everywhere, it was clear that Herman was quite the fan. Rob had been to, when he was younger than Herman's age.
Once everything was in place, Robert made sure Herman had everything he needed before they left for the hospital.
Herman, nervous as ever, wanted to run so they would get there as fast as possible, so Robert, who was already tired from a long day at school, decided to hail a taxi instead.
*****
Once inside Robert talked to a nurse and she showed them to a waiting room. Herm's grandmother was fine, but she banged up her hip pretty bad and they had to finish going over her medications before they could prescribe her a new one.
Robert bought 2 packs of twinkies from the vending machine and gave one to Herman.
Sitting and eating in silence, Herman finally found the confidence to thank his freckled savior.
“T-Thank you, R-Robert”
Robert turned his head towards the stuttering boy, but before he could respond, Herm, whose head hung and stared at his lap, continued to speak.
“Y-You s-saved my g-grandma-ma and e-even went ou-out of your w-way to help me with o-our g-g-grocerie-es a-an-”
Herm gripped his shorts and thought about how Robert didn’t freeze, he sprung right into action, and got the situation under control with ease. People clapped when he saved her. Just like a superhero. The older boy was an alpha for sure, Herm had no question about that.
Robert placed a hand on Herm's rigid shoulder. It was a bit damp, guess Herm’s the type to sweat when he’s nervous.
“Don’t worry about it kid, it was my pleasure. Helping others is what I'm here for.”
Herm relaxed a bit as the older teens' kind words sunk into him, making him feel warm.
“W-Wow… Y-You really ARE like a superhero…”
“Superhero?” Robert tilted his head, a bit confused.
Suddenly, Herm started to get a bit flustered and looked Robert in the face from shock from what he just let slip.
“I-I j-just mean that- uhhh y-you know!”
Robert was pretty sure he understood, but decided to tease the little guy “I don’t think I do?, do tell.”
Herm's face was bright red at this point, but decided to continue.
“W-When my gran-grandm-mother fell, I-I was p-powerless, my arms were t-tangled up in the gro-groceries, but that's not even an e-excuse, b-because… I… I w-wouldn-n’t have been able to do anything a-anyways.”
Robert stared down at the trembling younger boy, who had turned his face away so Robert couldn't see his expression.
“I-I g-guess… I’m j-just not th-that guy...”
“Yet.”
Herm lifted his head to look at Robert once again, the older boy's hand still on his shoulder.
Robert smiled down at the teary eyed boy, “You're not that guy yet.”
Herm was surprised at first, then slowly smiled and nodded his head. “Yea”
“”Yet””
*****
Just like a superhero, Robert made Herm feel not only better about the situation, but also better about himself. He gave the younger boy hope that one day, he would be like him. Robert really was just like a superhero...
And now, to Herman, Robert WAS a superhero. Not only was he probably an alpha, but he wasn’t rude like one either.
Eventually Herman fell asleep while waiting, so Robert carried him on his back and the grandmother wheeled herself home with them in the dark night. She’ll have to use a wheelchair for a month or two, but with physical therapy and some medicine she’ll be fine. After helping them get home safe, Robert went and tucked the sleeping Herman into his bed. Something about it just felt so natural for Robert.
The grandmother thanked Robert profusely for helping her and taking such good care of her grandson.
You could tell how much she carried for him, and how much she worried about him. She went on a spill and practically told Robert everything there was to know about the guy. How he loved superheroes (Rob already knew that part,) that she was his only caregiver, and how he struggled with self confidence and making friends.
“He’s a good kid, just needs a little direction and time to figure things out.”
“Thank you sonny, I wish he had a good role model like you in his life.” She smiled at him, and then her eyes lit up with an idea.
“Say… How’d you like to make a bit of extra cash?”