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Flambae's apartment was quiet and dim as he opened the front door and walked in, exhausted and irritated, even more so than usual. He headed straight to the bedroom to find Robert laying on the bed, cuddling Beef while he watched a hockey game on the TV. Robert had taken the day off from his usual job as dispatcher to work on the Mecha Man suit with Royd all day, and of course he’d left early and cleaned Flambae’s apartment for him.
With Robert away from the desk Galen had taken over as the Z-Team’s dispatcher for the day. Flambae got along well enough with him, but it just wasn’t the same responding to calls without Robert on the headset. He realised throughout the day how much he relied on hearing Robert’s voice during a regular workday, his calm yet firm instructions and judgment the perfect guidance for Flambae. He found himself lost in these thoughts, before one hit him like a truck.
If things had gone differently throughout the course of his life, his time as a villain, and going through the Phoenix Program to become a hero, this… slightly lost feeling he had might be the norm. If he hadn’t turned himself in, he wouldn’t be in the SDN, and he might not have ever met Robert (or Mecha Man) again. Even worse, if he’d managed to kill Mecha Man when they fought – if he hadn’t been stopped by having his fingers removed – he would’ve guaranteed never getting to know Robert, someone so important to him now. He could’ve ended up in prison, or even dead, just as easily.
He didn’t even want to think about what might’ve happened if Golem hadn’t stepped between them after Robert revealed he was Mecha Man. He would’ve seriously injured, if not killed Robert, purely on impulse. It was maybe the one moment Flambae regretted most.
His thoughts plagued him all day as he tried to work to his usual standard, but as soon as he made eye contact with Robert, Flambae felt all of the tension in his body release at once, overwhelming him with sudden guilt and regret.
Flambae shut the bedroom door behind him and leapt into bed, barely giving Robert time to put Beef down before he threw himself into his arms, breaking down almost instantly. Tears began flowing down his face, concerning Robert, who had never seen Flambae so much as upset.
“Hey, what’s wrong, baby? Did something happen at work?” Robert asked softly.
Flambae just continued sobbing, burying his face in Robert’s shoulder.
Robert was surprised but remained gentle, stroking Flambae’s hair. “You wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“Yeah… fuck.” Flambae muttered, his face still pressed against Robert.
“Take all the time you need, Chad. I’m not going anywhere.” Robert assured.
Flambae sat up, still crying as he began to speak. “I’m… fucking sorry Robert. I don’t fucking deserve you.”
Robert looked him in the eyes, even more concerned. “Hey, what’s this about, baby?”
“I was gonna fucking kill you, Robert.” Flambae spoke between sobs.” “If you didn’t stop me… as Mecha Man… I would’ve… killed you… and when I found out you were…”
Robert cut him off, still stroking his hair. “Chad. Hey. Breathe for me.”
Flambae nodded, trying to calm down a little as he continued. “When I found out you were Mecha Man… I couldn’t deal with knowing that the guy I was fucking falling in love with was the same guy I was trying to kill. And the same guy who- who cut off my fingers. And I couldn’t deal with all the anger at the same time as the… feelings I had… and I wasn’t thinking clearly… and I’m so fucking glad Golem stopped me. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you right now, Robert.”
“Hey, it’s in the past. I know how it must’ve felt for you. I even expected you to react like that, don’t be so hard on yourself baby.” Robert assured. “It’s not like I’m all innocent either. I cut off two of your fucking fingers, Chad. I probably could’ve killed you that day just as easily. I’m the reason you’re missing a tooth, too.”
“I… guess you’re right.” Flambae sniffed.
“I do think the tooth gap’s pretty hot though.” Robert smirked.
Flambae blushed. “Sh-shut up.”
“You feeling any better?” Robert questioned.
Flambae grabbed at Robert’s shirt. “Can you… take this off? I wanna see… what I did to you.”
Robert nodded softly and unbuttoned his shirt.
Flambae looked over Robert’s bare torso and begun tracing scars with his fingers, particularly the burns that were almost certainly his doing.
“I did all this to you. I was gonna fucking kill you, Robert.” Flambae reiterated with a whisper.
Robert tried to lighten the mood. “Good thing you didn’t, you’d miss out on all the things I do to you now.”
Flustered, Flambae buried his head in Robert’s shoulder again, stifling a giggle.”
Robert pushed him away and began to speak again. “Hey, look at me. We all have slip ups. We all make mistakes. I wouldn’t be here with you if this wasn’t the one place I feel the absolute safest.”
Flambae took a deep breath and kept his eyes on Robert as he continued. “I saw you walk into SDN on my first day and I saw you in a completely different light for the first time. I saw you as someone who wanted to finally live up to what you were meant to be. To do good. And when I heard the way the rest of the team gave you shit about your fight with me, I wanted so badly to defend you from that. I think I realised I felt… something for you that very first day.”
Flambae looked at Robert in disbelief. “Robert…”
“There’s a reason I talked to you all about having potential so early. I saw it in you from day one. I wasn’t the only one either, you wanna know something? You can’t tell anyone you know this, but Blazer told me the Phoenix Program was built around you. When you turned yourself in after I… got rid of your fingers… SDN saw that deep down… you always had the potential to do good. You wanted to turn things around, Chad.”
Robert kept speaking as Flambae stayed silent. “Blazer always trusted you. And when she was telling me that… I realised I did too. Always have.”
Those words made Flambae melt. Tears began streaming down his face as he embraced Robert again.
Robert wrapped his arms around Flambae tightly, pressing their foreheads together. After a moment he pulled away from the embrace, moving his hands to the back of Flambae’s head as they locked eyes. He glanced down to Flambae’s lips and smiled, his own eyes going glassy as they leaned in to meet in the middle.
After what seemed like a perfect couple of minutes, Flambae broke the kiss and leaned forward to put his forehead back together with Robert’s. “I’m sorry, Robert. For everything.”
“So am I, Chad. I love you.” Robert replied.
“Love you too, Bob Bob.” Flambae smiled. “Sorry about my uhh… karaoke song from a while ago, too.”
Robert laughed. “Hey, at least you know I don’t have a small dick with erectile dysfunction.”
Flambae grinned, speaking softly and seductively. “I dunno, might need you to prove it again for me, Robert.”
“Oh yeah?” Robert chuckled as he pulled Flambae back in, kissing him softly at first, then firmer as Flambae’s hands started roaming through his hair. He shoved Flambae backwards, pinning him to the bed, heat rising between them in more ways than one.
****
Robert managed to get one arm free from Flambae’s grip and pulled out his phone. The Z-Team group chat was blowing up, so Robert opened it up and read.
Z-Team and Friends: 13 unread messages
Malevola – anyone else notice flambae was really quiet today or am I making shit up?
Prism – no bitch you’re right like he wouldn’t even talk to ME something is definitely WRONG
Punch Up – I saw him at lunch. Poor fucker looked like he was about to pop.
Waterboy – I… was worried about him too. He didn’t even bother me today. I hope he’s doing ok!
Galen – he snapped at me at one point. guess it makes sense since I’m not robert.
Invisigal – the guy didn’t even call me a bitch today lol
Sonar – I could hear his heart rate from miles away earlier. Maybe Robbie sent him a dick pic
Malevola – lol sonar you can’t just say it out loud like that
Blazer – I tried checking on him but he just kept repeating that he was fine?
Chase – Ok so did any of you motherfuckers try actually talking to him, or did we all just observe him like a fuckin zoo animal
Coupe – That’s easier said than done
Golem – at least he didn’t set anything on fire?
Prism – robert if you hurt that man I will FIND YOU
Robert decided to put them all at ease.
Robert – He’s fine now, don’t worry guys.
Robert – [One photo sent]
Flambae was asleep on top of Robert, face buried in his chest with both arms around him tightly. Robert looked up at the camera, smiling.
Prism – OH MY GOD????
Malevola – didn’t know flambae could look adorable. disgusting.
Waterboy – He’s so… peaceful.
Punch Up – He’s gonna kill ya for that when he wakes up.
Invisigal – never taken a screenshot so fast
Sonar – I was fucking right pay up bitches
Chase – Shut the fuck up batboner
Blazer – Oh! Well let Flambae know we’re glad he’s feeling better.
Galen – knew he only listened to robert
Coupe – Not both of his arms around you
Golem – this is adorable, thanks for sharing robert.
Invisigal – I know for sure robert wore him the fuck out too, trust me
Malevola – gross, dude.
Punch Up – She’s probably right though.
Robert smiled and put his phone down, drifting off to sleep again.
After another hour or so of napping Flambae rolled over from on top of him, waking them both up. “Shit. Sorry, Robert.”
Robert grinned, a little groggy as he spoke. “It’s fine, probably shouldn’t have been napping anyway.”
Flambae sat up and pulled out his phone. He saw the notifications from the group chat and opened it, knowing what they were probably talking about. He scrolled down, reading the group’s speculation about his shitty day, before stopping when Robert entered the conversation.
Robert – He’s fine now, don’t worry guys.
Robert – [One photo sent]
There, in front of the whole team, was a photo of him asleep on Robert’s bare chest, as good as dead to the world with his arms wrapped around his boyfriend.
Flambae glared at Robert. “I fucking hate you.”
Robert laughed. “Not what you were saying while I-”
“Shut the fuck up, Bob Bob.” Flambae retorted, now blushing madly as he tried to hide a smile.
Flambae continued scrolling past that, pretending to be mad at the Z-Team’s reactions to the photo, before another line stopped him.
Invisigal changed the group icon
The icon of the Z-Team’s group chat was now the image of Flambae’s head buried in Robert’s chest. How wonderful. Flambae scrolled straight to the bottom and began typing, disregarding any other messages the band of misfits had sent since then.
Flambae – do not fucking test me bitches I will end you
Prism – aww he’s here! welcome back babes <3
Waterboy – Glad you’re… doing alright now, Flambae!
Malevola – visi that’s the best thing you’ve ever done thank you for your service
Invisigal – np, hope you like it flambae <3
Flambae – if anyone else sends me this stupid little fucking heart I’ll burn down the office tomorrow
Sonar – I tried to tell them not to. You’re too peaceful in the photo it’s unnerving
Golem – you do look adorable though flambae
Flambae – we’re getting rid of it fuck you bitches
Punch Up – I vote we keep it.
Blazer – Me too. Serves him right for worrying us all day.
Flambae heard Robert giggling and turned to see him reading the group on his phone, before beginning to type.
Robert – You look cute. We’re keeping it.
Flambae groaned loudly and dove across the bed to wrap himself around Robert again, making sure to take his phone out of his hand along the way. “Don’t even fucking think about it.”
Robert chuckled, pressing a kiss to Flambae’s forehead. “I wouldn’t do it again, don’t worry about it, gorgeous.”
Flambae just about combusted on the spot at the new pet name. He felt safe in Robert’s arms, free from the worries of the past.