Chapter Text
SDN had strict policies surrounding one's mental health, with mandatory mental health screenings, free access to onsite therapists and most importantly required proof of designation matching. All caregivers in their employment were to have a designated little to care for on a regular basis and all littles a designated caregiver. The policy was put in place to avoid declines in employees health and prevent unwanted drops.
Robert wasn't really sure how it happened exactly, he knew because he didn't have a caregiver SDN would be assigning him one, he just didn't know his caregiver would be Flambae of all people. At first it was a train wreck, between the shared history and trauma the two of them seemed to constantly be causing the other to drop.
Robert would dissolve into a puddle of crying baby one day because Chad had been too harsh with him. The next Chad would be overly fretful and protective of the little regardless of whether or not he was regressed. Then just as the two were about to cut their losses and beg for new partners Robert (sort of) unexpectedly dropped at work. He'd been ignoring his regression for over a week and while he's ashamed to admit it now, Chad had let him. Partly out of spite and partly because he was afraid of making things worse.
Robert dropped hard in the break room after his twinkie got stuck in the vending machine on a particularly rough day. Chad still remembers how Alice had called him out on his negligence and demanded he fix it before they lost the only decent dispatcher the team had. He seriously couldn't thank her enough for that.
They spent the next two days at Chad's apartment while the caregiver worked tirelessly to soothe the little in his care. Robert was a mess, with his headspace jumping all over the place, one minute he was four happily playing with blocks or fussing over not being allowed to take Beef with him to the bath and the next he was tiny, barely a few months old if the way he struggled to hold his head up was any indication.
Despite his health being in shambles and his regression keeping Chad on his toes it had honestly been the most refreshing two days either of them had in months.
It took hours for Chad to initially calm Robert but once he had the little attached himself to him like a lifeline.
After that they met up at least twice a week (despite Robert's insistence that it was too often) so Robert could regress and Chad could ease his protective instincts. With time, Robert started to look less like an overly caffeinated zombie and Chad found himself marginally calmer over all.
By the fourth week Robert had taken to calling Chad ‘Papa’ when he was regressed, ‘pa’ if he was feeling especially small.
With shroud gone and his little boy recovering wonderfully, Chad had assumed his struggles regarding Robert's regression were behind them. Unfortunately, Chase, the ancient asshole, had other plans.
“The fuck you mean ‘no’! He's my fucking kid!” The old man yelled, using his borrowed amulet to hover a bit so he could be at eye level with Chad.
The amulet being the issue, now that he was powered up, Chase wanted Robert back. Apparently, despite being baseline, Chase had been Roberts main caregiver both as a child and after his first regression. At least until his father died and the brunette went AWOL on him.
“You heard me bitch! You're not his caregiver anymore, I am! I'm not just giving you my baby because you changed a few diapers before he was Mecha Man!” Chad snarled
“now you listen here you HOT HEADED PIECE OF SHI-”
“OK!” Mandy cut the argument short with a clap of her hands. This had been going on for nearly thirty minutes now, not including when she had to pull them into her office to prevent a brawl over the very same subject from happening in the hallway.
With both sets of eyes on her she took a deep breath and began to speak, doing her best to channel some of Roberts famous pep talk energy. For a man constantly on the edge of giving up he sure did know how to give an inspirational speech.
“I think we can all agree that you both love Robert very much” she ignored the eye rolls they both gave her “BUT, Chad has a point”
“What-”
Mandy was quick to interrupt Chase's protest
“You don't have a designation Chase, meaning SDN isn't going to agree to the switch, especially when BOTH parties are happy with the current arrangement” she made sure to emphasize that Chad wasn't the only one benefiting here.
“Robert is pretty attached to Flambae too, he even called him Papa when he's small. That being said Robert did mention wanting to spend more time with Chase now that they've been reunited, both in and out of headspace”
“Why would he-” Mandy shot a harsh glare at the fire hero's interruption. She could already feel a headache coming on.
“Which is why I suggest the two of you arrange a joint care agreement. Flambae, you can remain Roberts primary caregiver,” she tried not to roll her eyes at the smug look on his face as she turned to Chase “and Chase can come visit and be his first call babysitter”
Neither man seemed too enthused by the suggestion.
“Of course, this is ultimately Roberts decision as well, if you'd like I can call him up so you can discuss all of this toge-”
This time both men succeeded in interrupting her with vehement protests at the suggestion.
“The kids stressed enough dealing with these chuckle fucks!”
“Bob Bob doesn't need this kind of pressure right now! He's still recovering!”
Mandy stared at the two for a moment, shocked. How could they both care so deeply for Robert and yet hate each other so fiercely?
She heaved a heavy sigh as she spoke next. “I'm giving you one week to sort this out on your own before I call all three of you in for a group therapy session and an HR meeting. Understood.”
The two men nodded.
“I want a written care plan and schedule for Robert by Tuesday. If it's not on my desk before the end of the day the meeting is happening and it's happening Wednesday morning.” She was stern as she spoke. She wanted it to be very clear that this wasn't about their pride. It was about Robert.
The impromptu meeting ended shortly after. Flambae and Chase shoving and grumbling at each other like cranky toddlers as they left. They quickly straightened up however when they saw Robert turn the corner, looking mildly panicked.
All three locked eyes and the little marched right up to the two most important men in his life with long determined strides.
“I heard you two were fighting” it was a statement, a fact. Not a question.
Flambae stepped forward first, he didn't like the deep crease that was forming on the smaller man's brow. He cradled his face in his hands and worked to smooth it out as he spoke.
“It's nothing azizam, just banter.”
Robert didn't look convinced, so Chase spoke up next. He did his best to ignore the growing ire in his gut as the flaming asshole held his little brother.
“Just some fuckers blowin’ shit outta proportion”
Robert relaxed at that and Chase took great pride in being the one to ease the other man's concerns. It was just further proof that he was the better option for Robert's caregiver.
“Good” the brunette sighed. “Next shift is starting soon, you two should get to the bullpen.” Reluctantly Robert slipped out of his Papas hold and made his way towards his desk.
As soon as he rounded the corner the tense atmosphere returned.
In a flash Chase was in Flambae's face again, one boney figure shoved into the larger man's chest. “Alright fucker, well do this joint care shit, but I'm in charge here, got it!”
Flames licked up Chad's body as he shoved the super powered jeriateic back. “You're senile if you think I'm letting you be in charge! Roberts MY little, MY baby!”
“I'm his fucking Brother!”
“And I'M his Papa!”
Before things could escalate further the coms came to life in their ears, signaling the end of break. The second shift was officially starting.
Chase narrowed his eyes at the pyrokinetic “this isn't over” and with that he was gone.
It was gonna be a long week.