Chapter Text
The bar was loud, the terrible karaoke in the background blasting through Robert's ears and causing him to pinch his eyebrows.
“The drink’s already getting to your head Robert?” Courtney chuckled next to him, bumping her shoulder against his.
“I’d ‘av though’ Mecha Man would ‘av a betta tolerance for alcohol." Colm chuckled across from them, Malevola by his side.
“Oh, fuck off. This is literally only my second drink. It's that horrible karaoke that making my fucking ears bleed.” he replied as he made eye contact with the heroes in front of him.
Colm chortled as Malevola smiled
“Don't worry, Alice's just finishing up her last drink and then she's giving us some fucking good music.” another voice, one that Robert loved hearing, said above him. He glanced upwards to see Chad holding two drinks, his hair in a half-up bun, wearing a funky black, western styled shirt with embroidered flame motifs, a large gold belt buckle and some dark grey pants. Robert realised he was staring again, and pulled his eyes back to meet Chad's.
“Scootch.”
Robert began to when he bumped his hip into Courtney’s and she let out a loud scoff and eye roll before scooting over slightly so Chad could slip into the booth next to Robert.
“Here,” Chad muttered as he placed the small glass of whiskey down next to Robert, taking a sip of his own drink.
“I'm still busy,” Robert started before he was cut off by Colm’s gasp and Courtney's arguing.
“Oh, so we're not good enough for drinks as well now?!” she quipped but Robert noticed that mischievous spark in her eyes.
“We're just not as… close as him and Robert.” Malevola added with an obnoxious eyebrow wiggle.
Chad just ignored them as he sipped his drink and Robert tried to cover his own smug smile.
He hadn't told the team anything, hell, they themselves hadn't put anything official on… whatever was going on with them. In all honestly, nothing “serious” had happened yet, but Robert had a suspicion the team all knew something was going on between them anyways. The amount of knowing smirks he got from Courtney on a daily basis whenever he and Chad were in close proximity was enough to confirm his suspicions. Even Waterboy kept on glancing between the two of them when they were together. Not that Robert minded, the Team could think anything they wanted and it didn't exactly help when Chad did things like this.
“You fuckers all broke or something?” Chad asked with a smirk.
“I’ll remember tha’ one, lad.” Colm chuckled as he downed the last of his beer and hopped off the chair and headed towards Victor, Herm and Mandy at one of the pool tables.
Robert was surprised when Mandy had accepted the invitation, but she seemed to be enjoying herself and seemingly beating everyone at the pool table by the distraught look on Victor's face as she sunk another ball. It was also amusing watching Courtney's eyes that kept on wandering towards Mandy when the other woman wasn't looking and her face going pink when she realised Robert was watching her. Something he could tease her with later on if she ever got on his nerves. Well, when she did it more than usual.
“Oh my god! When is that guy going to get off the mic!” Alice exclaimed as she waltzed over before flopping down into the seat next to Malevola.
Chad chuckled and Courtney snickered.
“Are you and Chad going to sing tonight?” Courtney asked and Alice gave Chad a pointed look.
“Yeah, yeah, of course. Just need to finish this off first.” he replied and he gestured lightly to the drink in his hand.
“Obviously not all heroes have fucking talent because in so ready to boot this guy off stage.” Courtney sighed as she stared at the man at the mic, not impressed.
“I'm going to go see what's going on at the pool table.” she added before blipping invisible and reappearing a few seconds later, walking towards the pool.
“Did she just jump across the table?” Chad scoffed.
Robert nodded, taking another sip of his beer and pressing slightly further back into Chad's side, the man in turn pressing closer to Robert, soothing his muscles with the contact.
Mal and Alice were too busy looking at something on Alice's phone to notice anything and Robert soaked in the warmth of Chad's side.
They both continued sipping their drinks and Robert was observing his teammates when that dreadful singing stopped and one or two quiet claps made way through the noise of the bar.
“Bae! We're up!” Alice exclaimed almost immediately and she jumped up from the seat and headed straight towards the small stage.
Robert felt Chad shuffle beside him and Robert lifted his back up slightly so Chad could walk up to the stage.
“I'll be back now,” Chad muttered as he placed his empty glass on the table.
“I know.” Robert replied with a knowing smile and Chad just stared at him for a moment before Alice’s voice rang out through the crowd.
Chad tore his eyes away from their dispatcher and rushed towards the stage where Alice was gesturing for him frantically.
Soon enough, the backing track started and Alice and Chad's voices rang out. Prism's voice almost immediately captured the attention of many of the people at the bar and people began to get up and dance near the front of the stage, cheering the two on.
Once they finished their first song, they were met with many more claps, promises of drinks from the audience and chants for more.
The energy around Prism was electric and her smile brilliant. She turned to Chad and they discussed for a few seconds before he headed to the karaoke machine and chose another song.
The whole vibe in the bar had changed, people were up and dancing now, drinks were high in the air, almost the whole Z-Team was out on the floor in front of the stage, Malevola teleporting Bruno inside.
Robert couldn't help smiling as he watched everyone from the booth, the smiles, the dancing, the laughter and cheers.
“Come on, you're not staying here and moping,” someone said as they grabbed his arm and pulled him up. He looked up and saw Mandy, her eyes crinkling from her wide smile, her hair slightly frizzy, flowing around her shoulders and face. Robert let himself be dragged towards the rest of the team, getting sandwiched between Janelle and Victor as Mandy let go of his arm. Victor was cheering and sloshing his drink in the air as he danced against Mal. Robert laughed before turning his attention back to the stage and his eyes immediately locked on Chad.
The man was singing his lungs out with Prism, the two of them focused on each other, their synergy unmatched. Robert found his right foot tapping to the beat, his smile growing wider when suddenly Chad looked in his direction and bright amber eyes stuck to melted brown.
Chad's skin seemed to almost be glowing, his hair flowing over his shoulders and some loose strands flying around his face, eyes now not leaving Robert's, even as he sang with Prism. Robert felt his cheeks heat up slightly but he kept the eye contact until the last ending chords of the song echoed out and the crowd erupted into cheers and claps.
Prism let loose a sparkle of light fragments, lighting the stage up like a disco ball, the yells of the crowd getting louder.
Chad and Alice exchanged one last side hug before he headed off the stage and towards Robert, Prism already starting another song.
“You like the show, Bob Bob?” Chad asked as he sidled up next to the shorter man.
“Eh, you were a little pitchy, but other than that, yeah, it was great.”
“Bitch,” Chad exclaimed in mock annoyance as he bumped their shoulders together.
Robert looked up and smiled, soaking up in the way Chad was looking at him.
The two of them stayed in the crowd, watching Prism sing song after song, the crowd never ebbing, her energy extravagant
Chad began dancing along with the rest of the team, dragging Robert with him. Robert wasn't nearly drunk enough to fully get in the groove but he bobbed along at points.
“WOOOOOOOO! C'mon Robbo, come join us at the pool table.” Victor slurred, appearing next to him, hand already wrapped around his arm and dragging him to where Mandy and Courtney stood, watching with amusement. Robert looked back at Chad but the man was just laughing and following along. Victor let go of his arm and immediately shoved a pool cue into his hand and took his drink out the other and downed the last few drops.
“Ey!” Robert exclaimed but Victor just sheepishly smiled before he let out a loud belch.
“Sonar,” Mandy groaned with an smile while Victor just continued to set out the balls.
“You ready Robert?” Courtney chuckled with a smug expression and Robert matched it, gripping his cue tighter.
“Oh, it's on Courtney.”
Mandy and Courtney laughed as Robert chalked his cue and waited for Victor to finish up the setup.
Robert wouldn't have said he was the best, but he could play well when it counted.
Mandy played first, scattering the balls and luckily banking a red ball, first shot.
Victor played next, then Robert and he sunk a ball. Chad stood behind Robert and watched with interest. They played on, Mandy in the lead, Robert second and Victor with no balls sunk. Robert and Chad watched as Victor bent down, aimed with precision and missed his cue so badly it slid straight past the ball.
“Holy shit! You're fucked man!” Chad cackled as Victor threw his head back and yelled out in frustration. Robert tried to cover his own smile as he bent down and lined his cue up. He aimed, hit and sunk two balls while he heard Courtney mutter, “Shit.”
He smirked up at her and she just scoffed before going to take her shot.
They played on and soon enough Robert was tied with Mandy and Courtney, Mandy sinking four and Courtney sinking two. Robert had sunk six and Victor… Well, he was there for vibes Robert guessed.
“You might just win, Bobert.” Chad mused from where he was standing and Robert just gave him a small nod, too focused on where Mandy had just hit the white cue ball. Victor played, hit a ball dangerously close to one of the corners and Robert planned to take his shot.
Suddenly, Courtney took her index and middle finger and dragged it just outside the corner pocket.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Robert asked with a snark.
“Hmm, nothing. Making sure you don't win.”
“Oooh, she's a sore loser ‘eh?” Chad chirped from behind them.
Robert just grunted and began to aim…hit the cue and the orange ball literally went straight for the pocket but bounced along the interior and back out.
“Courtney what the fuck! What the fuck did you do?!” Robert exclaimed as the woman burst out laughing. She tumbled into Mandy's side and he saw his boss covering her smile too.
“I can't believe that actually fucking worked!” Courtney cackled, wiping her eyes.
He even heard Chad suck in a laugh and try to hide it behind a cough and Robert shot him a glare.
“Lock the fuck in, Robbo.” Victor cackled, whacking his fist on the side of the table.
“Okay, you know what?! You're on my team and you've done fucking nothing. You don't get to talk.” Robert snarked at them before Chad placed his hand on his shoulder.
“Just ignore the fuckers. You'll probably win regardless.” he said, just loud enough for Robert to hear. Robert took a deep breath and tried to calm his competitive side that was ebbing out.
He did in fact, not win.
It was neck and neck, only the black ball left and Robert had the perfect angle that almost guaranteed he would sink it in when Courtney did that stupid fucking thing with her fingers, rubbing the felt surface just before the pocket he was aiming at and the ball. fucking. stopped.
“Courtney! Get the fuck away from the table. Like, actually!”
She was cackling again and edged up to push their last ball in, then magically one-shotting the black ball in, winning the game for her and Mandy. The two women hugged each other and were smiling wide and Robert rubbed his face with the palms of his hands before congratulating them both, Mandy giving him a friendly hug.
He was just about to place his pool cue back when Chad grabbed his forearm.
“C'mon. Up for a rematch Bob Bob?”
How could he say no to that offer? He put on a determined look and nodded.
“Okay, rematch.” he turned and announced to the two women. “And none of that weird, finger shit Courtney.”
“Aw, I thought you might like my “weird finger shit.” Pity you'll never find out now.” she teased with a smirk but Robert saw how Mandy suddenly stood very stiff and flustered. Oh, interesting.
“Yeah, yeah Invisibitch. You're about to get smoked.” Chad replied hotly, his eyes ablaze.
Courtney smirked and began setting up the table again while Chad went over to take the pool cue from Victor.
“Okay, move over Batbitch. Let me show you how to actually play.”
Victor grumbled out but passed over the cue and trudged over to the booth where Janelle and Colm were sitting again.
“Ready Bob Bob?” Chad asked as he pulled out his hairstyle and restyled it in a messy bun, all the hair strands out of his face now.
Robert gulped and sadly tore his attention away from the man next to him and to the table again.
“Never felt better.” he replied and got ready to win, his heart pounding in his chest.
The game was chaotic, especially when some of the Z-Team members came around to spectate. Malevola watched with interest, her tail flicking from side to side, holding Courtney's drink that she kept on sipping on throughout the game. Katon-Ur and Herman were cheering on Robert and Chad, and when Alice was done with karaoke she came over and watched with avid interest as she cooled down.
“Y-you got t-th-thus- this R-Robert!” Waterboy cheered, his arms animatedly pumping the air.
Robert gave him a quick smile before turning his attention back to trying to sink the last two balls. He closed his one eye, lined up his shot and let his cue go, not quite getting a ball to go in the pocket, but they were now in a perfect shot for Chad to.
“Shit!” he heard Courtney mutter as she lined up her shot, still having to sink three more balls.
She had her turn and yelled out an excited “Yes!” when she sunk one. She clapped Mandy's hand and took another turn.
Robert heard Chad take a deep breath beside him as he waited for Courtney to take her shot.
“Okay,” he murmured when she finished and edged towards the white ball and seemed focused. He took his time adjusting his cue and when he hit the white ball, it hit the one ball into the pocket, ricocheted against the one side and into the other ball which flew into the center side pocket.
“Holy shit Bae!!!” Alice yelled with excitement, Herm beside her yelling excitedly. The team around him cheered and clapped them both on the back, Mandy even smiling and clapping while Courtney stood with her mouth open.
“How the fuck are you so good at this game?” Robert chuckled, incredulous. “Why didn't you join me in the first round?”
Chad just gave him a nonchalant shrug and a smug smile and Robert sent a light punch to his shoulder.
Eventually, they sunk the black ball and won, the team gathering around and congratulating them. As the team crowded around, Robert found himself being pushed into Chad's chest and he ended up giving the taller man a hug and a few pats on the back.
“Told you we would smoke them.” Chad chuckled into Robert's ear and he smiled wide, unable to help himself. He leaned back and was squished into a hug from Malevola and a pat on the thigh from Colm.
He heard an aggravated sounding sigh beside him and turned to see Courtney.
“Well, I guess you are really good at pool. Well done, weirdo.” she congratulated with an eye roll, but she was smiling wide.
Robert chuckled back and gave her a hug.
Mandy gave both him and Chad one last hug of congratulations and decided to all head back to the booth.
Katon went to grab a tray of shots from the bar while the rest of them headed to the table. They all squeezed in, Mal opening up a large enough portal in the wall so Golem could peek through after they had kicked him out again. She snuck him a drink and he smiled.
Robert was squeezed back in next to Chad and Herm, his right side getting a little damp from the man next to him. Eh, it didn't bother him, not when Herm looked so excited at the moment.
Robert suddenly looked around for his drink of whiskey when he saw Victor holding the empty whiskey glass in his hand.
“Victor, did you just drink my fucking whiskey?”
The bat man looked up, eyes wide, a sheepish smile enveloping his face.
“Oh, oops? Finders keepers Robbo.”
Janelle and Courtney chuckled while Mandy sent a slightly disapproving eyebrow his way.
Katon headed back over with the shots and the tray got passed around for everyone to take a tiny glass.
“Never mine’ all tha’! Cheers! To tha’ Z-Team!” Colm exclaimed and they all clinked their glasses together before tipping their heads back and letting the liquor pour down their throats.
“Tonight was extremely excellent.” Janelle smiled, Robert noticing how her hair had fallen out of her usual slicked back style, some of her eyeshadow smudged.
Actually, almost everyone looked a tiny bit disheveled, hair slightly messy and frizzy, but smiles plastered on everyone's faces, hopefully meaning everyone had a good time. Robert's internal question was answered when nods and hums of approval sounded towards Janelle's statement and he smiled again.
Mandy let out a happy sigh as she leaned back into the booth.
“Thank you all, for tonight, I had so much fun. It's nice to…loosen up a bit.”
The team “cheers-ed” to that, raising their empty glasses in the air and she laughed.
“Haha, thank you. I should probably start heading back home soon though.”
Bruno mumbled in agreement and Robert saw Chad give a slight nod. He caught Chad's eye and saw the man flick his eyes towards the door.
“Awww, c'mon guys, just a little longer?” Courtney asked, aggressively batting her eye lashes and Mandy just laughed.
“I would love to, but I might have to pop by the office tomorrow, so I at least need to have some rest to look presentable.”
“Ughhhhhhhh!” Courtney groaned out and Mandy just patted her shoulder.
Robert cleared his throat, “Um, yeah, I should probably get going as well, I've got Beef at home and he's probably scratching at the door right now.”
That…was a white lie, but it wouldn't hurt anyone, right? Robert had left Beef in Chase's care for the night, the older man giving Robert a knowing but teasing look.
“Don't have too much fucking fun tonight. And try not to get fucking burn marks on your neck.”
Robert had to stop himself from gawking at Chase's accusation and just rolled his eyes instead.
“Yeah yeah, thanks for the advice, grandpa.” he replied as Chase chuckled in the doorway.
The old man didn't technically have the wrong idea but Robert didn't know how the night was going to end. All too often, his dates with Chad ended up with either of them walking away from the other’s doorway, wishing they were not.
Up until now, Chad's voice knocking Robert out of his thoughts.
“Yeah, I think I'm going to head out too. It's been a tiring week.”
“What? You're never tired man!” Viktor grumbled from the table, his head flat on the surface and his eyes barely open. Looks like he might need to go home sooner than he would like Robert thought.
Chad just shrugged his shoulders before the team to the left of the booth all scooted over and out of the booth so Chad, Robert and Mandy could get out.
They waved their goodbyes and all went to the bar to pay for their drinks, Chad getting pulled back by Alice for a moment, the woman seemingly whispering something to him, her hands pointing sternly up into his face. Robert shrugged it off as Chad made his way over and they both paid for their drinks.
They gave the team one last wave as the three of them headed out, Mandy giving them both hugs before she made her way to her car.
“Want to head back to my place?” Chad asked and Robert tried to keep his expression neutral as he said yes. Robert had gotten an Uber there anyway, subtly hoping Chad would offer him a ride back to one of their places. They both hopped in the car and drove in their now, comfortable silence, save for a few jokes about the night, to Chad's house.
Once they arrived, they took the now familiar stairway up to Chad's apartment, Robert placing his shoes next to Chad's like he had done before, and they both headed to the kitchen. Instead of sitting on the bar stools across the counter, Robert came and stood with Chad as the man opened one of his cabinets and took out a large bottle of whiskey and two glasses. He poured some of the liquor in the glasses and passed one to Robert.
“Here, since you stupidly left your glass unattended earlier.” Chad smirked at Robert.
Robert lightly shook his head and took a sip, acutely aware of how close they were standing next to each other, hips nearly touching.
“Well, thanks for this. And, for at the bar.” he replied and he heard Chad chuckle next to him.
The light was dim, only the kitchen counter and hallway lamp on, the atmosphere intimate. Robert's brain was working on overdrive at the moment, trying to make way through all his muddled thoughts. His eyes flicked to where Chad's hand rested back on the counter and Robert moved his hand up there as well, their arms dusting each other.
Robert heard the light breath Chad sucked in and he turned to face the man. Chad's eyes were flitting all across Robert's face until they settled on his eyes. Robert tried to convey all his wants through his face, glancing at Chad's lips then back again.
“Chad,” he murmured and (nervously) edged closer, turning his body slightly so he was nearly facing the front of Chad.
Chad was quiet, but he had placed his glass down on the counter, hands tightly gripping the sides.
“Can I…” Robert almost whispered and Chad let out a breath, quiet “yes.”
Robert's heart was pounding so hard, he felt like he almost heard it in his ears, especially as he reached up, hesitating, before he placed his hand softly on Chad's cheek and closed the gap between their lips. Chad's body beneath him was stiff for a moment underneath him and suddenly all his “fight or flight” responses flooded to his mind and he pulled back.
He worriedly looked at Chad's face and saw the man's eyes open, his expression hard to read.
“I, I'm sorry. I think I went to far, we've had a lot to drink, Chad, I-”
He stopped as he felt strong arms wrap around his waist, pulling him closer and his lips were back on Chad's, his hands automatically finding their way up through the man's soft, thick hair.
Robert had to stand slightly on his toes as he continued to kiss Chad, their mouths fitting together, the slightly bitter taste of the whiskey on their lips. They had spent so long dancing around each other, the flirting at work, the comfortable dinners filled with their usual banter, the open, inviting apartment doors that often led to regretful footsteps down the hallways instead.
Robert felt his body relax underneath Chad's warm hands and chest, like an old, taunt rubber band finally loosening under the heat.
Finally, Robert had to move so he could take in a proper breath. Chad's hands loosened around his waist and Robert rolled back onto his flat feet, hands flowing downwards to rest on Chad's chest. The taller man gave Robert a long look as he opened his mouth to speak.
“Firstly, we're not drunk. You've had, what, two drinks and a few sips of whiskey? And I, well, I just don't feel the effects so…”
Robert took a deep breath, ears pounding and hot, waiting for what Chad was going to say.
“Secondly, you know how long I've waited for us to do that?” Chad asked in a breath, his eyes bright in the dim light.
Robert didn't quite know what to say to that, his eyes glued onto Chad's face, his relief evident as his shoulders untensed. He still felt the remaining warmth from Chad's hands on his waist and it stirred words out of his throat.
“Well, I'm sorry it took so long. I'm an overanalyzer, remember?” he chuckled softly, ears heating up even more.
Chad laughed, his eyes soft, and Robert felt himself smiling too.
“Come here,” Chad said and Robert obliged, craving the warmth that soon found his lips and neck, his own hands finding their route through Chad's hair again, scrunching it lightly in-between his fingers.
They kissed fiercely, like some insatiable hunger had consumed them, somehow moving sideways and landing against the wall, Robert leaning into Chad, his right leg nestled in-between Chad's thighs.
They shifted quickly, inhaling deep breaths, Robert pulling the elastic from Chad's hair with a sense of urgency, the man's dark hair spilling around his face and shoulders.
“Shit Robert, you have a hair kink or something?” Chad joked between breaths.
“Shhhhh, you're going to ruin the moment,” he murmured into Chad's mouth before the distance closed again and they sunk into each other. Chad's lips started to edge towards the corner of Robert's mouth, his stubble scratching lightly against Robert's chin and cheek, before he began pressing hot kisses along Robert's jaw and neck.
Robert felt heat prickling along every inch of his skin, Chad's hands slipping under his shirt and edging along his bare back, soothing his muscles in the process. He began pressing kisses along the top of Chad's forehead, trying to muffle any sound from the sensations Chad was leaving on his neck.
“Chad, I-” Robert muttered out, trying to catch his breath and thoughts when Chad suddenly bit down on his neck and Robert shut his eyes tightly, but the sound still reverberated deep in his throat.
Chad lifted his head back up and took one look at Robert's red cheeks and slightly messed up hair and his chest bloomed with heat.
“Robert… Do you want…?” he asked, his eyes flicking behind Robert towards the open bedroom door.
Robert followed his gaze and felt his stomach twist into nervous knots. He wanted this. He had wanted this for a while now, and now… it was only a few steps away from him.
He reached for Chad's hand, still on his waist and took it, squeezing slightly.
Chad slid up the wall, no longer slouching and stood up straight, Robert's hand still in his and they headed to the bedroom, hearts beating, chests heaving, the cravings for each other consuming them, and closed the door.