Chapter Text
"Hey, we're sorta in a pickle here," Punch Up grunts while the sound of someone falling over is heard. "The door's jammed. And tear gas is just thrown, I'll be fine but dunno about wet wipes lad over here."
"Oh, it's fine. W-well, not, not ideal uh b-but J-just- WOAH OKAY! Yeah- uh, take your time!" Waterboy musters up while the sound of glass breaking and the words “It’s shut tight” is heard.
Robert sent them both on a simple take down on a robbery, he didn't take into account they'll get tricked and locked inside the goddam vault, he should’ve taken this to account, the thief and become air for christ sake. "Give me a second."
He hacks into the main frame and starts to work, first flash of red light, he chews his lips, it's fine. He can do it. He can focus. This is in his element, he used to purposefully change the wifi password from the principle’s office to mess up the teacher’s lives. While continuing to type, he glanced over at the screen. Seeing Punch up helping Waterboy get to highground, aka the vents apparently.
"Shite, they REALLY lock the place well. It'll take me a bit, blegh. Anytime now, lad!" Punch up coughs and breathes in his shirt while Waterboy pulls him up.
Another flash of red. He narrows his eyes as his vision blurs again. Struggling to deafen his headset, he leans back, taking a deep breath and trying to remember the codes. His head starts to pulsate, oh he wishes he could rip away this stupid migraine. He works well under pressure, when he’s in the suit, fighting crime, life or death situation. It’s a work flow he’s comfortable with. But why now, of all things, of all places, his brain isn’t doing what it can always do.
“Buck, you good over there?” Chase voice up, oh shit, now is not the time to freak out.
Robert quickly undeafens and looks through the coding one last time, hearing Waterboy and Punch Up tense up, their coughing becoming hard inhales.
"I can come over immediately," Malevora speaks out. "Robert do you need help-"
"I got it," he says harsher than he should have. He cusses silently to himself, now everyone is on edge.
All eyes are on him. His throat begins to tighten.
"I got it," trying to swallow his saliva with difficulty, he narrows his eyes. Finally.
Ding
His screen glows green as the air vents push all the gas out, into the air vents then outside. He watches Punch Up and Waterboy both tumble out of the air vent to breathe. He stares at the screen seeing Punch Up get up and patting Waterboy's back. His breath hitches.
"Hes okay!" Punch Up gives a thumbs up, looking around then doing that action again at the camera. Robert breathes out the air he held in for who knows how long. The others also sighed in relief. “Jesus boy, you’re gonna cough out a lung.”
The group laughs the tension away and already back to teasing Waterboy, Robert huffs, he should be laughing.
He still feels the lump in his throat.
Robert gets up and walks to Chase, tapping his shoulder and signaling he needs to use the bathroom. Once he got there, he quickly got in one of the stalls, closed the lid and sat there. He didn’t bother closing the stall in case someone wants to use it, then he can just fuck off.
So he sat there, and staring at himself in the mirror, he looked like he hasn't slept in years, despite being in a coma not too long ago. He feels like shit, looking at the light and blink away the red in his eyes.
It's quiet for now, lunch time is around the corner so he should get up.
"You jerking over there?" A voice echoed out
Robert blinks and looks to the right side of the mirror seeing Sonar pissing in the urinal. Being all casual.
"Ah no, just, taking a break." He went back to staring half lidded at the same position he did before.
"Cool," Sonar nods then goes to wash his hands, “By the way, cool save, Mal was gonna jump, but we all know we can trust our beloved dispatcher,” he makes a baby tone then looks up at the mirror at Robert, who just gives him a quick glance of acknowledgement then back at himself.
He should reply, instead what come out was a tired cracked voice uh huh, then they have an awkward silence. Sonar’s ear flicks.
"...wanna get lunch now?" Sonar clears his throat. Robert blinks at the hybrid, before opening his phone screen.
"It's... gonna be in 15 minutes, you go ahead, I'm not hungry." He sees black shoes appear in his stall, looking up seeing Sonar towering over him, his ear seems to twitch to every sound and movement Robert makes. He doesn't step into the stall, just at the entrance.
"There's this burger place I found and I want to taste test the burgers," Sonar states, "Mal is gonna go out with Prism. So I want you to come with me."
"...so you can make me eat?" Robert asks to see the plan layout but Sonar waves a finger at him.
"No no no, you see, I want to taste the burgers, about 4 samples, the ones I don't like. I will give them to you. I don't like wasting food, you see. Mal couldn’t come so you will have to do." He sighs dramatically.
"...why would I agree to this?" Robert tilts his head, Sonar just smiles while fixing up his suit.
"Cause I asked, and it'll be from my pockets cause you're eating my bitten burgers," he said matter of factly, smug as if he won an argument. Robert could just refuse, for the hell of it. But free bitten burgers doesn't sound too bad.
Robert nods, Sonar puts out his wet hand and he stares, ah fuck it. He grabs and gets hoisted up. "Oh you must be really hungry." Sonar takes notice of his cold hands, Robert feels his own hands numb and shaking.
Maybe from hunger, from tiredness or stress. Which is the norm to Robert, obviously not to everyone. "Uh yeah, it'll pass in a bit." He waves off pulling his hand away but Sonar interlocks their hands. Robert, obviously, makes an effort to raise a brow, a warning yet confused look at Sonar, who's just giving him a nonchalant look that is punchable. "...you should let go."
"Don’t worry, I washed my hands," Sonar starts moving them out of the stall. Robert lets him guide.
"That’s not what I meant. We are coming out of the bathroom stall, holding hands, people will misunderstand is the problem," Robert moves their hands up pointing at the said issue. Sonar tilts his head as if he spoke a foreign language.
"I don't see an issue, bros hold hands all the time, even when pissing," Sonar says then looks down and zips up his fly. "I forgot."
"Yeah, no, I'll pass. I don't like my hands damp," Robert pulls away and wipes the water away on his pants. Sonar still stood close to him as they went out, wrapping his arm on his shoulders.
"Cmon, Bobby my boy. Lets make a mukbang video," Sonar gleams, seemingly excited. Chase glances at Robert with the look you getting pushed around?, to which Robert shakes his head, Sonar takes notice. "Dont worry, father in law, taking pookie to get some yummers."
"First of all, ew. Never talk like that again." He smacks his arm off but the arm gets back on anyway.
"You’re smiling." Sonar pokes his cheeks, which Roberts pushes down as they walk out the door.
"I'm not, it's just my muscles moving." He deadpans with the corner of his lips moving him, he doesn't like to admit it, but Sonar is pushing his buttons in a humorous way, it's fun in a way.
"Whatever you say, Boberino. This is the place I wanna eat, it's new and has decent reviews. Some are bots but ehhhhhh, I'll be the judge- Did you know mukbang is getting popular? You look like the type to watch those while you eat cereal water."
"I mean, you're not that far off," Robert admits he hasn't been thinking about his diet, just eat anything that's fast and working through the day. The last time he had a good meal was when his dad was in his life. Thinking of it makes him feel lightheaded.
Shit, what would he think now, maybe lecture him about how important it is to have a balanced diet. Maybe talk over pizza and apologize for not being there. Maybe order Chase to take care of him better, while he left to do his thing.
The last time they talked was when his dad agreed to be at his show and tell, to get burgers later.
The teacher excused him when they saw Chase, shit that must be traumatizing to a kid. He knew he cried that day but that kid doesn't feel like him. Out of body experience or something. Like a husk, Chase tells him who did it, all he felt was, something, something enough to want to-
He feels a grip on the back of his neck.
He instinctively jabs the ribs and hears a screech. He winces at the noise then looks at the danger, seeing Sonar holding his sides and doubling over.
"Oh my god, oooooh that shit, owwww," Sonar hisses and Robert stammers.
"Oh fuck, Sonar. I-I spaced out, sorry-" he helps the man up who is rubbing the rib that got attacked.
"Okay, no neck grabbing. Got it, shit, you know where to hit," he breathes then huffs at Robert with no malice, "you’re that hungry that you're violent?"
Robert chews his lips and rubs his own face, "yeah, yeah maybe." He nods, rubbing off the cold sweat forming on his forehead, maybe the hunger is building up. "I'll make it up to you,"
"Hah, you better..." Sonar observes him before reaching out and hold his hand, which Robert looks down at then at Sonar.
"So you won't punch me while I order and think on your repayment," he explains while jogging them into the fast food.
As they wait in line, Robert studies the hybrid who is now holding out his phone and showing tiktok videos to him. Sonar has been showing good actions and has been physical with him like how Visi and Flambae would be.
Maybe it's because he's the dispatcher and being friends or close with him would benefit him in the long run. A common idea, doesn't seem too far off of how Sonar would think.
Or maybe it's because of him spacing out so now Sonar feels obligated to watch over him. Doesn't feel accurate.
Or maybe he sees him as an actual friend and cares for him. Seems reasonable? A bit affectionate, then again the group has shown they are not afraid of physical contact. He hasn't interacted with people in that relation for a good while, maybe this is how it works.
Not that he minds, it's nice. Even with the lewd jokes and stupid things they do to get a reaction out of him.
He feels his hand get lifted and he looks to see Sonar's teeth hovering dangerously close to his skin.
Robert narrows his eyes and processes the sight displayed in front of him. "I need that hand."
"Oh, busted," he says in a sad tone before pointing at the drinks on the counter with a tray of burgers in his hand. "I was asking if you could pick those up."
The duo sat out on the benches, he watches Sonar set up his phone and take the plate of burgers. Gesturing Robert to sit on the opposite side away from camera view. Robert sips his coke watching.
"Welcome chat, today we're reviewing Bob's burgers, I have here today their carnivore burgers, new addition, its made of rats-"
Robert reaches out to get the receipt and fries, looking while eating the bland fries. Rat burger, salmon burger, cricket burger and meat patty with sweet peanut butter.
This either sounds fancy or disgusting, but the smell makes him lean on the first option and salivate. Looking up, Sonar takes a bite on the burger. "Hm, delectable, maybe a 7, yo, honored guest, indirect kiss this food."
"I forgot to ask, have you brushed your teeth this morning?" Robert leans over the table and takes a bite anyway seeing Sonar gasped taking offense to that question. Robert chews, its gamey, flavor not that bad. Knowing it's made of rats does make him think of sewer rats though.
"I'll have you know, I brush with colgate every morning! Colgate if you're watching the stream, sponsor me," he finger guns at the camera. Oh its live, Robert glances at his phone to try and see the comments but Sonar pokes his forehead and moves him away. "Watch out, if they see you, I might lose followers," he gets the next burger while Robert chuckles, trying to keep his identity a secret. Eh, well, he did cause an uproar as Mecha Man in the media. Privacy is nice.
"What? You're afraid I'll get your followers?" He jests as Sonar takes a bite on the salmon burger, seeing the inside is raw, Robert debates to skip on that, he doesn't trust fast food joints with raw food. Sonar seems to get the hint and takes another bite on the food.
"Mmm, not bad, 7. And no, you don't have aura, my big dick aura that can get all the ladies, I'm not sharing any," he puts the half burger aside and opens the next one while Robert laughs.
"Sure, tell yourself that." Robert clears his throat, shit he didn't mean his voice to sound husk randomly, he then leans against the table waiting for the next burger, Sonar takes a moment before squinting at his phone, then scrunch up his face. "Mods, ban that chatter. This aint about him, it's burger time." He huffs taking a bite in annoyance making Robert raise a brow.
"Jealous that I'm getting attention on your stream?" He asks, amused as Sonar hands the cricket burger to him to bite. He likes the crunch, a bit salty but not bad, he debates on keeping this. Sonar leans back as if thinking.
"8. Anyway, next burger," he chews while looking at his screen, "mmm y'know what, mods, change chat to emotes only. By the way, 2 out of 10 for the weird burger." He hands the salty meat sugar peanut to him. His eyes widen at the taste, oddly works well.
"This one is a 10 for me," Robert scruffs down the food making Sonar look in disgust.
"Dude we need to get you better food the fuck?" Sonar is flabbergasted, making Robert laugh and cough his food. Sonar can't help but smile at the sight.
Once Robert can finally breathe, Sonar then looks away, then disappointingly at his phone, "Chat no, finders keepers. Alright see you in ten thousand years." He puts away his phone as Robert sips his coke to breathe.
"Ugh, ow, why gatekeep the fastfood?" Robert asks as he takes smaller bites now. Sonar opens his mouth to speak, his ear flicks for a moment before shrugging. "So I can have it all to myself," Sonar takes the salmon burger and eats it.
Robert shrugs, sounds childish but sure. "I found my favourite food, thanks man."
"Next time, we will judge salads so you wont get kidney stones early." Sonar kicks his shins lightly under the table. Earning a smile and an eyeroll from Robert.
"Eh, gotta check my schedule and we'll see," Robert shrugs while eating the rest of his fries.
"But you're not saying no to our date?" Sonar looks at him expectantly and seemingly nervous.
"Hmmm we'll see" Robert responds, he huffs a smile seeing Sonar sulk his ears slightly, he sees why the gang likes getting reactions out of each other. Its endearing to see Sonar liking to hang out with him. "I didn't say no."
That made Sonar happy, then leaned on the table casually, "I knew that, you couldn't handle NOT being in my presence cant you, Bobby?"
"Mhm, sure," he nods, looking down at his phone to see the time." Fifteen more minutes till next shift," he says. Maybe Sonar is tired because he just hears a hum in response and silent chewing.
"Oh yeah, I thought of a repayment, from earlier's assault in the parking lot," Sonar finally says, throwing away the trash. Robert doesn't like how gleaming the hybrid is expressing. It reminds him of business sales men having malicious intent once they have you on the hook and trying to reel you in.
"Shoot," he slurps his coke empty, Sonar in response cocks a finger gun at him making a pew noise, Robert scoffs and nudges him with his fist.
"Owie, but yeah ten out of ten offer, friendship discount, we're friends obviously right?" He nods. "You consent to physical contact right?" Robert nods, wondering where this is going cause he sees Sonar mustering up the courage. "Cool, anyway-" this earns an eyebrow raise out of Robert, "-like i said, i have a habit of ordering things i find interesting then eat for my tiktok. So I want you to be my dumpster when this happens. Just like today.... food is free." He adds the last part
Weird way to say it but Robert did have fun, plus, free food. "Tell me beforehand so I can schedule." The answer seems to delight the bat cause he pulls him into a hug with a firm back pat. Robert just stands there and let it happen while throwing away his empty cup into the trashcan beside them. Sonar pulls away to wrap his arm on his shoulder, leaning close.
"...and play Roblox with me."
"Don’t push it."