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Chad hoped Robert was grateful that he was taking so much time out of his day to help his stupid ass. A Saturday of all days, he could be doing anything else— but here he was, flying to Robert’s apartment. Did Chad actually have anything else to do today? Well, no— but being Robert’s unofficial official guide to having super powers meant even if he did, he’d have taken some time to visit him anyway.
It had begun unofficially, and perhaps a tad bit unwanted— lingering around Robert in the dispatchers’ office, so he could melt and dry the ice trails around him— even though being under Robert’s gaze at the time was like being stabbed through the heart. Bringing him hot food, even when his own lunches got mysteriously frozen in ice. Something he would definitely have fought him over any other time, though Chad realized there wouldn’t have ever been a time Robert could have done so— you know, with his power not being a thing until he charred him up. He had considered the act of biting his tongue a show of his incredible self restraint. Not because he deserved it. Definitely not.
Just like he wasn’t helping Robert out of guilt, not at all. Their powers just…fit. Robert was the ice and the storm. He was the fire and the flame. It may have been in the opposite direction, but he took it on himself to try and show the stubborn ass of a hero that his powers weren’t all bad. Then it became something sort of official.
To say Blonde Blazer had been reluctant to let him help in these sort-of-physical-therapy sessions was an understatement, because it was already a tenuous deal in the first place— more of a precaution in case Robert’s strengthening powers got out of hand, instead of actual medically recognized therapy. Just have someone who could be around Robert, and figure out how to help him best— Someone other than Flambae, at first. Of course, that was anything some sabotage and threatening anyone else willing to apply couldn’t solve.
The irony wasn’t lost on him. He was the one who hurt Robert. Their powers were in total conflict. Yet here he was, the one wanting to help him. Not to mention that their powers were more similar than they first seemed. Flambae wasn’t totally immune to fire, and if he used too much or stayed hot for too long, it was easy to burn himself out, to be chilled. And yet, if he didn’t use them, he felt horrible in a different way. Itchy almost—like he needed to burn. He was sure Robert was the same, with how his powers acted in this currently untrained state.
Speaking of the frozen bitch. Chad found him asleep. Robert’s new couch was already covered in a thin sheen of ice crystals, the numerous blankets Coupe and the others had piled up high over him. Briefly, Chad wondered if the physics of Robert’s powers would actually allow him to warm up this way, but decided not to question the collective gesture of kindness. “Bad day today?” He asked, leaning over Robert, letting his internal flame come out as hot air.
“Keep your hot ass breath to yourself.” Robert mumbled. He shrugged himself into sitting up, a yawn coming out in a visible puff of frost. “Not really too bad today, actually. Was almost warm this morning when I cuddled Beef.” The little guy looked up at his name, on his pillow far away from the couch. He even had his own little blanket. Spoiled ass dog.
Chad huffed out another breath, and sunk down next to Robert. “Alright. That’s good, I wasn’t really feeling like holding back a winter storm.” He definitely wasn’t disappointed he didn’t get to hold Robert, not at all. Though, if Chad could be honest with himself, the work was a little exhausting. Their bodies constantly sought an equilibrium that seemed fucking impossible to maintain, and constantly burning higher to compensate for someone’s lacking temperature was a little different than blazing flame and fire. Sort of like running a fever on purpose. But now that means he’s here without a reason, and no doubt Robert would ask him to leave to wallow—
“Actually, could you… ugh.” He pressed his lips into a thin line, as if whatever he’s about to ask is painful. “My back’s been aching. Slipped, again.”
“What, Waterbitch’s leaking ass got your ass again?”
“Probably? How am I supposed to keep track?” Ah, definitely Waterboy. Some days it seemed like he was the only person Robert would defend like that. Of course, Chad would probably be back in jail if that were the case. “Any-fucking-way, could you, you know.” He pointed at his back, and the grin that spread across Chad’s face could have blinded him.
“Aw, you want a massage, hmm? Well, you’re in luck, because I’m sure if hot rocks and shit make for good massages, my hands will be 1000 times fucking better. Back pain? No more with Flambae.“
”Pfft. What a shitty slogan, gotta work on your advertising campaign. Honestly though, if you could cure back pain? Nobel peace prize worthy right there.” He said, rolling over and pulling off the sweater knitted by Coupe. Since Robert got his powers, she’d been speed knitting, he swears. First gloves, a scarf, now a sweater. She was single-handedly making him a new wardrobe. But thoughts on her generosity get dashed, when his focus goes to the other’s body. Certainly wasn’t the first time he’s seen his bare back, but yeah, it didn’t take great observation skills to realize that he was fucked up. Huge scars, tension that was visible, and his near constant shivering had combined to create no doubt an experience that Chad wasn’t sure he was actually equipped to help with.
Well, it didn’t hurt to try. “Well, that peace prize or whatever the fuck is gonna be mine.”
Chad’s hands traced tentatively over the curve of Robert’s shoulders, mapping out the muscles underneath. He felt like an ice block— cold and uncomfortably stony. A shiver went through him— It was not a feeling that brought up good memories. But thankfully, with a little heat focused on his palms, he could replace that chill with his fire.
“Hoooohhh…” A wispy breath like smoke reached his ears, and Robert tensed under him, before he worked a knuckle down his shoulder blade. There was a large scar right under his shoulder blades, and when Chad pressed his thumb against it, Robert tensed, and punched the backrest of the couch.
“Shit, man, is it really that painful?” Chad teased, before he glanced at Robert’s fist, seeing ice climb up his arm. “Hey, breathe, relax, Bob Bob.”
He tried once more, kneading over the area again, feeling how tense it was. The scar tissue was tough, and he treated it carefully, but Robert’s skin chilled under him, powers reacting again. “Fuck. Sorry. Sorry.” Robert tried to relax, and the ice stilled, before receding slightly as Flambae’s warmth spread against it.
“Maybe you should take those fucking classes that Blazer offers.” Chad replied in a bit of a grumble, ignoring the apologies he didn’t deserve. A heated breath was all it took to evaporate it away, anyway. Life he can breathe back into the other. “Learning to control your powers would probably, slightly, make you less of a miserable bitch.” The lazy attempt at a kick he felt under him acted as a reward, Chad chuckling as he squeezed down on a hard knot in return.
Robert gave a gasp as Flambae worked the large scar and the tight muscle beneath it. “Didn’t seem to have worked for you,” he shot back, praying the other would ignore the voice crack halfway through. He did not. In fact, Chad found Robert’s pained groans, the edge of a whimper that would sneak out, or soft, muffled whines enthralling. Every puff of breath, every squirm, every slight jolt— Chad was doing that, was affecting him and helping him, in a way Robert only trusted him to.
He continued his motions, thumbs pressing in the area just beside Robert’s spine. He wasn’t exactly trained, so he didn’t do crazy pressure or apply them directly over it. Still, he ended up finding a bad knot, and Robert practically jerked. “Fuck, shit, Chad, are you trying to kill me?” He hissed out.
Chad froze then, and pulled his hands back. That was not the greatest choice of words, and call him paranoid, but Robert was the kind of asshole to casually remind him about how he almost killed the guy he was currently giving a massage to. Did he want Chad to feel bad? He thought they had gotten past that already. No, no, how could he think that? Of course Robert would still be upset, would still hate him—
”What’d you stop for?” Robert looked back at him with a raised eyebrow, a slight confusion, but no anger— none of that biting cold in his half lidded gaze that Chad had spent months simmering under. Air came back into his lungs.
Robert hadn’t even realized what he said. Right, yeah, Chad was overthinking again.
He had got to stop doing that.
“Don’t joke about dying.” The sentence came out fast, too fast, as his hands slid back over Robert’s neck, shoulder, and sides, Robert giving a hum of affirmation as the connection returned to him, hopefully considering Chad’s words, though he made no further comment. Chad just focused on his work. Flesh that could become corpse cold, revitalized with his hands— just as it should be.
The massage continued without any more hang ups, Robert practically melting into the couch, and the effect notable around him— even the frost from his lashes had melted, temporarily as it was. When Robert finally moved to pull away, cracking his neck and looking back at him with half lidded eyes full of relief, Chad sat up a little too quickly. “Done now?”
“Mhm. Thanks, you’re the fucking best.”
Chad felt heat rise up his neck and cheeks, yes, it’s all worth it for this. “Of course I am.”
“Here,” Robert said, sitting up and stretching his limbs, shaking the strength back into them. “Your turn, lay down.”
“My turn??” Chad looked down at him, were his ears broken or had Robert actually said that?
“Yes, asshole. I thought since… Ugh, if you don’t want me to that’s fine.”
“Oh no, you don’t get to backpedal now. I’m just not sure your weak ass can actually do anything about these guns,” Chad flexed an arm for emphasis, only to bite back a laugh as Robert stared at him with complete disdain.
“Lay down.” As expected, Robert stood, and shoved him over— Flambae obliging by slumping over.
“Hope you know you wouldn’t have actually knocked me down—“
Robert’s hands find the nape of his neck, and they’re fucking freezing already. He pressed his thumbs hard into Chad’s shoulder blades, and he realized too late this might be a bad idea actually. The noise he makes is high and indignant, and Robert can’t help but chuckle above him. “You fucker—“ Chad hissed out, back all tensed up, ready to jump out his skin. Robert’s palms slid up to the nape of his neck, and then he dragged his knuckles down his back in one, long motion. “—That hurts like a bitch!”
“Good, that means it's working, right?”
The smug asshole’s hands landed at Chad’s sides, and he pressed into the divots on his hips. The cold streaks along with him, but once gone, it leaves a pleasant tingle, reminding Flambae that he could feel warmth after all. “Mmph…” He relaxed a bit more, letting himself sink into the couch.
It smelt like Robert, of course. Not just the sensation of frost nipping at your nose, which had become a tell for whenever Robert was near, but also the faintest hint of his hair. Something that made his chest buzz was the hint of the shampoo Chad bought when he realized this barely functional adult somehow only used shitty bar soap. Hands continued to run up and down his back, Robert having to put in a bit more effort since he was skinnier and not quite as strong as Chad. But still, it was surprisingly pleasant— the weight on him, all the blankets under him, now actually warming up thanks to his body heat… Very comfortable, perfect and balanced. He closed his eyes, thinking, gonna show Robert how you’re supposed to… relax…
“Hey, so how am I doing…? Chad?” Robert paused his motions, and leaned over the other, now oddly still, clutching his pillow. “Oh, you asshole. You fell asleep!”