Chapter Text
"Does it ever hurt?" Robert asked as he pointed at his augment, it was about a month after he'd gotten shot in the ear by the mech suit. He wasn't allowed in the workshop anymore but Elliot let him in sometimes as a secret to keep him company.
"Sometimes, but after a while you get used to it." Elliot responded, working on waterproofing his augment, "Does your ear still hurt?"
Robert shrugged, "A little, only when I touch it." He glanced at the mech suit, the dents he'd made a month earlier fixed, Elliot no doubt having to fix them the same day they were inflicted. "I'm sorry..." Robert mumbled a minute later.
Elliot's attention turned to the 7-year-old, he just chuckled and ruffled his hair, "It's alright, kid."
"How about I treat you to a Twinkie, don't tell your father." Connors proposed as he stood up to put on his coat, "Really?" Robert asked, seeming to light up as he followed Elliot out of the workshop.
~
Robert stared at his reflection in the growing puddle of blood beneath his uncle, his ears ringing as he glanced over at Courtney in the same state as Shroud, blood pooled beneath her limp form. Robert felt sick smearing blood on his face as he covered his mouth.
He was only pulled back to reality once he realized Beef was sniffing Shroud's blood, about to lick the puddle, before Robert snatched him off the ground, rushing to grab the astral pulse as well.
It hit him all at once as he stumbled through his apartment door, he set Beef and the pulse down as he gagged, bile rising in his throat before he threw up into the sink. Tears welled in his eyes and rolled down his cheeks, stinging his cuts and scratches.
He sobbed as he picked Beef back up, holding him close to his chest, petting him softly as he crumpled on the pull-out couch Mandy had gifted him.
After a few minutes of sobbing, he realized he'd been smearing Shroud's blood on poor Beef's coat. He sniffled as he got up, bringing Beef to the bathroom to clean him up. "I'm sorry, Beef..." He mumbled as he turned the faucet on, letting the water warm up before setting beef in the tub to clean him.
Robert stared at the reddish water as it drained, gently drying Beef. He glanced back down at the panting bundle smiling up at him. Robert softly smiled back, holding back his tears, "C'mon boy, you must be hungry..." He picked Beef back up, holding him like a baby before setting him down to fill his bowl.
Rob stared at the red circle on the wall from the party, he tore his eyes away from the sight as he stood up, heading for his closet to pack his things, stuffing the astral pulse, Mecha Man suit, some extra clothes, dog food, dog toys, Beef's bed, and a bottle of water. He slung the bag over his shoulder, wincing as it weighed on his cuts.
~
Beef slept soundly in his lap as they rode the bus, the duffle bag sat beside Robert, who had his hood pulled over his head. Searches were out for him, his face put out on TV as missing instead of wanted.
He petted Beef gently, and he started to relax against the seat. The bus stopped at a motel, and Robert picked up his things as he left the bus, Beef in his arms.
Once Rob checked in, he shut the door, locking it, putting a table in front of it just in case, before sighing exhaustedly, setting Beef on the bed after dropping his duffel bag. He climbed right into bed and passed out.
~
Robert stared in startled surprise as the mech whirred to life, tears still rolling down his cheeks as he clutched the hammer in one hand. He was nearly shot straight in the head until Chase pulled him away and his father deactivated the security system.
Robbie was going to most to comfort his son when he finally noticed the dents on the mech suit. Robert watched as his father's expression hardened, turning to the 7-year-old. "Get up," Robbie demanded.
Robert held onto Chase, the man who would hold him close when his father had refused.
It was a frequent dream, a memory he seemed to keep revisiting. He saw it before he woke up after the explosion, he dreams of it occasionally and wakes up, staring at the ceiling.
Tonight the memory had hit a nerve, gasping as he woke up. He stared at the ceiling, and then at Beef, who slept next to his head. Robert's heart still beat rapidly in his chest from the memory.
His ears rang, and suddenly, he was back in the infirmary, the red lights flashing outside the room as both he and Beef squeezed through the door. His heart seemed to stop as he realized the monitor was flatlining. He started chest compressions, desperately trying to revive Chase to no avail.
The flatline rang in his ears, making him sick, his head aching as he stared down at the bed. His lip quivered as he bit it, gripping the edge of the bed. He noticed Beef scratching at Chase's bed, picking him up, and setting him on the bed before running out.
~
Robert turned on the sink, gripping the edge of it as he panted, nauseous, his heart beat rapidly in his chest as he found it hard to breathe. He swallowed as he glanced up into the mirror for a moment. He saw his reflection in crimson once again, and his face felt like it wasn't his once again.
Robert stumbled towards his duffel bag, swallowing back the bile in his throat as he pulled on his mask. Finding it easier to breathe, he splashed his face with water before shutting the sink off. He pat himself with the hand towel before heading back to bed, pulling Beef into his arms as exhaustion claimed him once more.