Chapter Text
“He sent it.”
Prism immediately sidled up to Flambae and looked over his shoulder to look at his phone.
“Where the hell is that?” she grimaced as she grabbed his phone to look at the message Robert had sent him.
It was Thursday, the end of their shift and he and Prism were leaning against the side of his car, dressed in funky, glittery clothes, ready to go clubbing under neon lights. Flambae had been waiting for that message since Robert invited him to dinner on Monday and he had tried to play it cool throughout all their shifts, trying to will Robert to send the information.
Maybe he’d forgotten? Shit, was he joking?!?
But no, his dispatcher was just drawing out Flambae's anticipation until he had received the message, a minute and a half ago.
19:30, Friday
The Helix
Dress nice 👍
“The Helix? Is that a bar?” Flambae questioned as he waited for Prism to hand him back his phone.
“And he has the audacity to tell me to dress nice?!”
“I've never heard of this place but seriously? If it is a bar? Maybe you two really are meant for each other because no way this is his idea of being romantic.” she explained with a grimace, completely ignoring his exclamation.
“Bitch! I invited him to a steakhouse?” he cried incredulously.
“Yeah, after I suggested it. Your first idea was Crypto Night.”
Flambae rolled his eyes before grabbing his phone back and immediately typing the name of the place in his search bar. The name sounded familiar but he couldn't remember where he knew it from. As he hit enter he was very confused.
“What the fuck?” Prism muttered, voicing Flambae's own thoughts.
“There's no… pictures, no menu, at least it says it is some sort of bar… but where the hell does Robert think we're going?”
The page just had the name of the restaurant, the opening times and phone number. He scrolled down and just saw some reviews saying the place was good.
“I hope Robert isn't taking you to this mysterious place to murder you.” Prism said as she patted the taller man's back.
Flambae continued scrolling to find more information with furrowed brows.
“Why can't gay people ever do things normally?” Prism said with a loud sigh and Flambae's head shot up.
“Hey!” he exclaimed incredulously while she just lifted her brows up at him.
“Am I wrong though?” she asked with a smirk and Flambae just shook her off his shoulder and headed to the driver's side.
“C'mon, we got clubs to get to.” he said and Prism smiled back at him from across the car roof before sliding down into the passenger seat.
“Okay, no more thinking about Roberto Robertoson. You can always ask him about it tomorrow, but tonight, you and I are going to get fucking plastered my friend!”
Flambae pulled out of the SDN parking lot and chuckled at Prism's words.
“Heh, you know that can't happen babe.”
Prism just laughed and gave him a light tap to the thigh as they headed towards the throbbing, colourful lights of the night city.
*****
“Yikes, when did you and Prism get home last night?” Sonar asked as he made his way over to the couch in the staff room to sit next to Flambae.
“Pfsh, maybe 2, 3 in the morning?” he shrugged as he let his head dip back on the couch. “I wasn't really paying attention to the times, y'know? Just the next dancefloor to hit.”
Sonar let out a squawk of laughter. “Yeah, I feel you man, but I hate to admit it but I'm feeling it thi ‘smorning.”
Flambae flicked his eyes to the bat man next to him and did notice that he didn't look as put together as he usually did, his suit rumpled like it had been left on the floor, his fur poking up everywhere and not even wearing his tie.
While club hopping last night, Flambae and Prism had tumbled into the same club as Sonar and Malevola and the friends had stayed dancing and drinking with each other for close to two hours before Prism and Flambae left to find another place.
Sonar let out a loud groan as he pushed the palms of his hands into his eyes and Flambae gave him a pointed look.
“Yeah, club life isn't for everyone, man,” he smirked and Sonar shook his head. “Maybe stick to the weekends when you don't have to turn up to work hungover.”
“Shut the fuck up dude.” he grumbled just as Malevola walked in, looking fresh as rain.
She took one look at the two men and let out a laugh before she headed towards the cupboards to pull out her mug and fill it with something from the fridge.
“Yo! Can you grab me my leftovers from the fridge, Mal? It's in the tupperware with the yellow lid.”
The woman put her cup on the counter as she scrounged around the fridge for Sonar’s leftovers before holding them up for him to see as her head popped back up.
“This?” she asked and Sonar nodded.
“You want it heated up?”
“Nah,” he said as he flicked his head and grabbed the container mid air as Malevola threw it towards him.
Flambae's eyes flicked back down to the tupperware to see what Sonar was having and he regretted it immediately as the bat opened the lid.
“Oh my fucking god that stinks!” Flambae exclaimed as he got up off the couch in record time and grimaced back at Sonar.
The tupperware was filled with some weird mince-looking sauce and… were those fucking rats’ tails in amongst the noodles?!
Gross.
He turned away and headed back out of the staff room, leaving Malevola’s chuckles behind him as he headed to Robert's desk.
The man was already on the computer but his head immediately turned when Flambae stood behind him.
“Where the hell are you taking us tonight Robbo? Mecha Man's super secret hero hideout? Because I could barely find information on that place.” Flambae fretted, his eyebrow raised in mock annoyance.
“Good morning to you too, Flambae.” Robert said with a smirk and Flambae's shoulders dropped. Robert's eyes flicked across the man's chest before settling on his eyes again.
“No, it's just a nice bar and restaurant? I remember Blazer mentioning it once.” he continued with a shrug.
She probably wanted him to go to dinner with him Flambae thought but he brushed the thought away as he lightly shook his head.
“Okay, but it still looks suspicious as hell. I mean, what restaurant doesn't have a main page on Google?”
Robert just shrugged as he swiveled his chair to fully face Flambae.
“Just, be ready at twenty past seven, okay? I'll come pick you up, we go have a nice dinner then I'll drive you back to your place. That good enough for you?”
Flambae heard the slight tease in Robert's last sentence and rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, okay Bob Bob.” he matched Robert's smirk and decided to lean down towards Robert's ear, his hot breath ghosting across the scar.
“Maybe you can go a little bit easier on me during these shifts? Don't want me covered in scratches for our date tonight?”
He heard Robert's breath hitch before he felt a strong hand push against his chest and Flambae stumbled upwards again.
“Just because of that, I'm going to send you on back to back missions.” Robert deadpanned before he spun back in his seat, trying to hide his smile.
Flambae couldn't help the small ego boost he got from flirting with Robert in public, getting the dispatcher to actually cover a smile. He felt himself walking away with a higher posture, straight past the prying heads of Punch Up and Sonar peeking out past the staff room door and straight to the hero room where he flopped down next to Prism.
“Why are you walking in here like a goddamn peacock, Bae?” Prism asked with an incredulous expression.
Flambae really wanted to tell her but some part of him also wanted to keep it to himself for a moment. Anyways, Punch Up and Sonar were gawking at them when it happened so it would probably be brought up at some point during their shifts anyway.
“How are you feeling today?” he asked, changing the subject.
Prism sighed before scrolling on her phone again.
“Fine. Kinda wish I could get shitfaced once in a while though.”
She bumped his arm and he turned to look at her again.
“Did you see Sonar? That bat boy was absolutely fucking gone!”
Flambae chuckled, “He still is.”
Prism cackled and brought out her phone towards Flambae, showing some of my photos she took throughout the night, many of them blurry. One photo showed Sonar nearly plunging to the ground, Malevola's tail barely wrapping around his torso to keep him up in time.
Once the whole team had gathered in the hero room they all heard their comms switch on and Robert's voice ran clearly through their ears.
“Okay team, we have three missions ahead and-”
Sonar let out a screech and shook his head.
“Too loud Robert, too loud.”
“Um, this is the normal volume our comms are always at? What are you talking about?” Robert’s slightly annoyed voice came back.
“Just… not quite awake yet. I'm semi-nocturnal remember? I just… didn't sleep a lot last night.”
“More like gettin’ fukin’ drunk all nigh’ with Flambae, Prism and Mal!” Punch Up chortled, Malevola smiling wide next to him.
Flambae smiled that devilish grin at Sonar and the strongman, Punch Up whacking Sonar's knee as the Harvard graduate shook his head.
“On a Thursday night? Seriously?” Robert sighed through the comms and now almost the whole team laughed.
“Robert, if you are seriously surprised by that, I do not think you have paid enough attention as our dispatcher.” Coupé replied with a sly smile. The team let out a few more snickers before Robert continued with the briefing.
Flambae and Prism were sent out on a mission first to help calm some Youtopia fanatics trying to break into a set they thought she was in. It was easy, even though Prism was still a little bitter towards the performer. They got back to the hero room and waited with Invisigal, Gollum and Phenomoman for their next call.
Just then, the comms beeped and Flambae heard Robert's gravelly voice in his ear.
“Okay, next mission, Flambae and Phenomoman. There's a private jet that's been hijacked. Go help get it safely back to the airport.”
The two men were already half out the door and heading up into the sky when Flambae heard Robert's voice again.
“You think you're good to keep this up, Flambae?”
“Oh hell yeah. I'm on fuego right now, Bob Bob. No stopping this flame now.”
He heard Robert chuckle and, maybe, Flambae just soared faster and higher in the sky because of that.
*****
Despite Robert keeping his word for almost exactly the whole of the first shift, he gave Flambae a lot more rest following the second shift. Flambae didn't mind, this was what they usually did, didn't they? They bantered, they made each other laugh, they… went on dates? Prism was getting sick of him always looking at Robert and more than once that day she sent a hit to his chest.
“So much for him not being your type.” he heard Visi say during their break.
Flambae just ignored the pointed look she gave him and continued talking to Prism.
It finally reached the end of the day and Flambae headed eagerly to his car to head home.
“Hey!” he heard a yell from the lobby and turned around to find Prism rushing up towards him. He stood and waited and when she stood directly across from him she reached up and placed her hands on his shoulders.
“You better tell me everything. This is your chance Bae.”
Flambae wanted to make a joke but found himself just nodding his head.
Prism regarded him with a stare before she let go and started walking out the door next to Flambae.
“You better send a selfie of your outfit. You need to be snatched tonight.”
“Alice, I've been on dates before. So many. I know what the hell I'm doing, okay?”
Prism hummed beside him. “Yeah well, this one seems good. Like it could be more than a one night hookup.”
Flambae scoffed as they parted ways at their cars and Prism waved him off.
“Have fun!” she called and he waved back across the parking lot, saying goodbye.
He started his car and got home in record time, dodging all the usual traffic. He had a cold shower, washing and drying his hair so it looked full and soft, deciding to put it in a loose bun, carefully styling small loose strands around his face. He sprayed his signature scent of sharp ginger and woodsy notes that bled into a rich bourbon base, mixing perfectly with his heated skin.
Okay, classy but… casual he thought as he rummaged through his closet, eventually choosing a vintage maroon coloured button up, the fabric light and flowy. He paired the shirt with tighter fitting jeans and some black dress shoes. He put on a gold chain and his golden hoop earrings before going back to his bathroom to brush his teeth and gel his eyebrows. Just before he left the bathroom, he snapped a mirror selfie and sent it to Alice. After he was done, he sat around for a while, scrolling through social media and texting Alice back.
He was just about to call her to busy himself when he heard a buzz signalling that someone was at the outside door. He hurried up and locked his apartment and slowly walked down the stairs (he didn't want Robert thinking he was that eager.)
When he reached the front glass doors he had to suck in a breath as he saw Robert waiting on the other side of the door, his frame bathed in the twilight. When the man caught sight of Chad walking down the stairs he sent a light wave, then returned his hands to his pants pockets. Chad reached the door and let himself out, meeting Robert outside, the breeze wafting across his skin.
The man looked good. Like, really good. He was wearing something stylish, an outfit that Chad just couldn't picture Robert ever wearing. But oh my god, it worked. He was wearing loose olive green pants and a short sleeved, off-white polo shirt which seemed to be knitted with a ribbed design. The colours complemented the browns in Robert's eyes and hair and Chad was very impressed. (Or enamoured, he couldn't really discern between the two feelings at the moment.)
“You all ready?” Robert asked as they headed to his car and Chad nodded his head, noticing that Robert was glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. Chad looked back at him and Robert tilted his head and held the eye contact before he had to open his door. Chad made his way around the front and settled in the passenger seat noticing that Robert's car smelled faintly of… was that pineapple?
“Robbo, why does your car smell like Piña Coladas? Were you out drinking before this?”
Chad meant the last part as a joke but a slight frown appeared on Robert’s face as he began speaking.
“No, why would I-” he began before his eyes widened slightly in realisation. “Oh, that's the air freshener. Herm left it on my desk a while ago but I keep it in the car boot so the scent isn't so strong. I must have just gotten used to it though, ha, I didn't think it was still that strong. “
Chad turned his head slightly towards the back seat and, sure enough, the scent did seem a bit stronger.
“Strange sense of preferred gift-giving…” Chad muttered as Robert started the car and began driving through the arching shadows, chuckling at Chad's comment.
“Yeah, it would not have been my first pick but, y'know, you get used to it. Herm meant well and it just becomes a part of your every day, I guess.” Robert shrugged as he turned the steering wheel right.
“Hm, I guess so.” Flambae replied before the car fell silent. Not necessarily uncomfortable, more like the quiet after a busy day.
“So…” Robert began, trying to fill the beat of silence a few turns later. “Did you enjoy your shift today?”
Chad flicked his attention towards Robert and saw that mischievous glint in his eye.
“You bet Bob Bob. I could have gone on much longer. Honestly, I was about to become an unstoppable, fucking supernova and then no one would have needed any heros anymore.”
Robert sucked in a laugh and turned his attention back to Chad for a few seconds.
“Oh really? That so? I swear I saw you yawn more than once, leaning your head against Prism’s shoulder during the break…”
“Pfsh, your eyes must have been malfunctioning, Bobert, we might need to get you some glasses. ”
Robert sent an amused hum towards Chad and he tried to keep his joy and heat manageable. They made small conversation about the previous work week and other random things until they finally reached what looked like an older 2 story building with dark green canopies over the windows, a warm glow from inside casting light onto the sidewalk. It was on the corner of the block, the trees outside strung with fairy lights and LED lanterns.
Robert parked his car in an empty spot and they got out, the sky now almost completely a deep navy colour.
“Cute.” Chad joked, sending a look towards Robert who just shook his head.
“Just wait, you're very impatient.”
Chad huffed but followed Robert along the sidewalk to the wide open doors where a server was waiting by a lectern just behind the doors.
The place was… large and did not match the older looking outside architecture, the inside modern and funky. Strung above the ceilings were warm string lights and funky modern lamps that looked like glass bubbles. There were lots of concrete planters with large Monstera leaves lining many of the walls and a slightly elevated area where the bar counter stood right by the stairs that lead to the second floor. The place was busy, almost every table looked filled as they entered and Chad was impressed.
“Hi, how can I help you two today?” a server asked at the entrance, wearing a full black outfit and a green apron.
“I have a reservation for 19:30, for R. Robertson?”
The woman flipped through the book on the lectern quickly before returning with a smile.
“Right this way, your waiter will be with you shortly.”
She led them towards a table further back, tucked into a warm corner with round, green velvet chairs
“Wow, you really outdid yourself here Bob Bob. Didn't know you even knew of places like this.” Chad said as they sat down.
“Well, I'm full of surprises, Chad.”
Chad was suddenly very glad he ran so hot which meant blush didn't easily appear on his skin and people rarely noticed the slight hue shift.
Just then a new waiter came over, introduced himself and handed them menus, saying he would give them five minutes to decide on drinks.
“What are you having Bob Bob? This place looks like it has a lot of fancy stuff.”
Robert chuckled and lightly shook his head.
“I have to go light on the alcohol tonight. I have to drive you home without crashing or getting pulled over, remember?”
Chad raised his eyebrow towards the man across from him.
“You bring me all the way to a nice place that serves fancy alcohol and you're not even going to drink? C'mon Robert.”
He nudged his head slightly in the direction of the bar and Robert's eyes narrowed playfully.
“Fine. I'll share a bottle of wine with you.”
Chad smiled, leaning back in his chair, fully taking in the man across from him, bathed in a warm light.
“I didn't think you had as much fashion sense as you do, Bob Bob. Never would have thought you would show up in,” he gestured slightly towards Robert's chest. “this.”
Robert's mouth quirked upwards and just as he was about to speak the waiter came back and Chad gave him their order.
“Anyways,” Robert started again as the waiter headed towards the bar. “I… actually didn't choose this fully myself. Courtney helped me get this outfit together.”
“Courtney?” Chad asked, somewhat incredulous.
He noticed that Robert's posture straightened slightly as his eyebrows lowered.
“Yeah, she overheard you talking to Prism about our date so then I was ambushed and she basically dragged me to the mall. She basically was implying that I look like shit every other day." he replied, tilting his head to the side.
“It sounds like you're blaming me Bob Bob?”
“Hm, maybe I am.” he replied but he smiled at Chad. “Not necessarily a bad thing I'm blaming you for.”
Chad scoffed and found his right hand fiddling with the folded napkin on the table.
The waiter came back quickly and poured them both a reasonable size in their glasses and took their meal orders.
“I’ll have the grilled kimchi chicken, with extra chilli sauce.” Chad answered as the waiter quickly scribbled it down before turning his attention towards Robert.
“I’ll have the beef fillet, please.”
The waiter nodded before heading off again, leaving the two in the soft glow of the lights.
“Thank you,” Robert spoke up and Chad put down his wine glass. “For coming.”
Chad gave the man across from him an enigmatic smile and almost wished his hair was loose so he could flick it over his shoulder.
“Of course Bob Bob. I mean, how could I say no when someone so obviously has the hots for me. I can't be breaking your heart now, can I?”
Robert seemed to nearly choke on his wine before he sent an incredulous look towards Chad.
“Excuse me? If I recall, you invited me to come meet your family last weekend! That's something you only do after, like, a month of dating at minimum.”
“That was not a date! I just thought you had no food in your fridge and you might be bored out of your fucking mind, so I invited you! It was…out of the goodness of my heart. I am a very kind person Robert.”
Robert let out an unexpected laugh and returned to look at Chad with that stupid sultry expression.
“That's not a very… “co-worker” thing to do, Chad.”
Chad just averted his eyes and tipped his wine glass towards his lips. Many of the other people in the restaurant were engrossed in their own conversations or meals, and when Chad found his eyes back towards Robert the man had a slightly smug expression on his face. He knew Chad was ruffled.
“Oh, wipe that smile off your face.” Chad scoffed and Robert just smiled again, his eyes so soft and dark.
They continued to banter throughout dinner and their meals, the conversation lulling occasionally when they ate or sipped their drinks. The night seemed to fly by quickly, and too soon they had finished their meals and the bottle of wine had maybe a half-glass of wine left.
“Hope you enjoyed that?” Robert asked, his eyebrows slightly lifted.
Chad had his wine glass tipped towards his mouth and he quickly downed the last of the maroon liquid and gave Robert a soft hum of approval.
“Yeah, this has been nice.”
In truth, Chad wanted to stay here all night, admiring Robert’s features in the soft glow of the lights, shoes pressing against each other underneath the table.
Robert also sipped the last few drops of wine from his glass before he placed it down and fiddled with the bottom of the glass, the glass turning round and round.
“You want dessert?” Robert asked as he lifted his eyes to meet Chad's. Honestly, Chad wasn't really craving anything, but if dessert meant more time here with Robert… then yes, he did want dessert.
“Of course.” he replied with a nonchalant shrug and Robert smiled, clearly happy to eat more sugar. Chad had definitely noticed how Robert had a very big sweet tooth, always snacking on those god awful sugary deaths called Twinkies, and donuts that Waterboy occasionally brought. He would have to get Robert on the more healthier snacks if the man wanted to avoid diabetes.
They waited for the waiter to come back and Robert ordered something called the “Golden Reverie”, and Chad decided to order the same. He hadn't even read the menu properly but he hoped Robert's sense in desserts was good enough.
“I hope whatever you picked tastes good, Bobert.”
Robert chuckled and gave a small shrug.
“I mean, I just saw the words salted caramel and pecan crumble and knew it probably wouldn't be a let down.”
He sent a small smile to Chad and he returned the expression, keeping eye contact as Robert began speaking again.
“Any plans for the weekend, Chad?” he asked as his head slightly tipped to the side. God, he looked so good.
Chad unclouded his thoughts and placed his elbows on the table, edging a little closer, over the table.
“Hm, I have a pretty busy schedule actually. I'm a very popular man, you know?”
Robert’s expression shifted and became hard to read for a second before he furrowed his brows.
“Ah, I see. I guess it's got to be an early night for you tonight then.”
Oh shit. Was… was Robert trying to initiate something. Oh god, did Chad just fuck this up for himself.
“Well, you know, I guess I could clear up. Just have to see Alice on Sunday.”
He shrugged again, watching as something flashed behind Robert's eyes and he nodded.
The desserts arrived and the two men tucked in and, oh, Robert was right. The desserts were divine. There was a light hazelnut gelato that melted on the tongue, snaps of brittle caramel and salt that paired excellently with the maple and pecan crumbs sprinkled around the bottom. There were so many other delicious flavours that tasted so good individually but even better with the accompanies of the other elements of the dish.
Chad was just bringing another spoonful to his mouth when he heard Robert let out a contented sound as he pushed another spoonful of the gelato into his mouth. Chad's eyes immediately flicked towards the man and he felt his chest heat up from the way Robert looked; his eyes closed and the corners of his mouth upturned. Robert opened his eyes and caught Chad staring and he quickly put his melting gelato into his mouth.
“Didn't your sister tell you it's rude to stare?” Robert joked as he quirked his eyebrow upwards.
“Pfsh,” Chad scoffed before turning his full gaze back towards Robert. “I have a nice view tonight.”
He noticed Robert's breath tighten for a moment before he placed his spoon back down.
“Well, I guess I can't really fault you for that then, can I?”
Chad felt the heat returning, and try as he might, it was very hard to push down. This man was making him feel things so intensely lately, and Chad just didn't know what to do with all of his feelings. It's not like he could set off a thousand fireworks to show Robert what he was feeling for him- wait, he could actually… No. Not the time. Alice would call him a simp.
Chad just lightly shook his head and painstakingly tore his attention away from Robert and back to his dessert.
They both finished up, small comments and conversation made in-between until the waiter came back with the bill.
Robert immediately grabbed it and tore it away from Chad's eyes. Usually, Chad wouldn't mind his other date paying for their meal but he felt he should contribute. This man made him do things he usually wouldn't do.
“C'mon Bob Bob, I'll pay for my stuff. Stop being a bitch about it.”
Robert just gave him a steely look and shook his head.
“I invited you here, I'll pay. Plus, I ate all your sister's food last weekend so-”
“Pfsh, please, Robert, that…that doesn't count. They were cooking the food anyway.”
Robert just gave him a cocky smile as the waiter came back and Robert paid, Chad letting out an exaggerated sigh.
“Tell you what, if you're so set on paying, we can go for drinks sometime again. Just, not when I'm driving.” Robert joked as they got up from their seats and headed back through the restaurant and out the front doors.
“Next time? Alright Bob Bob.” Chad replied as he tried to cover how large his smile was growing. They hopped into Robert's car and began driving into the cloudy night, the illuminated car clock reading 21:56. The drive back was relatively silent, Chad resting his head back against the headrest, eyes dropped downwards.
Soon enough, they reached his apartment complex and he buzzed them in, the soft footfalls of their steps echoing throughout the quiet building.
Chad's heart was pumping, and if he was actually able to sweat, he would probably be sweating buckets right now. His key clicked in the lock and he pushed the door open into his dark apartment. He took a step inside as he flicked on the light switch and turned back towards Robert.
“You want to come in?” he asked, trying to keep his voice from sounding too hopeful.
Robert’s expression was, as usual, hard to read, before he gave Chad a slight shrug and lopsided smile.
“I’ve got to get back to Beef. Next time though, I promise.”
Chad stood in the doorway and quickly pushed down his disappointment.
“Okay Bob Bob. Don't crash and die on your way home alright? Drinking and driving isn't good for you.” Chad joked and saw the other man smile.
“Aw, you care so much about me? Anyways, I'm not drunk, perfectly capable of driving. I'll hop on one foot in a straight line if you want?” Robert smirked before his eyes flicked down Chad's face before meeting his eyes again. As much as Chad would have loved to see Robert make a fool of himself, he just chuckled and crossed his arms.
“Goodnight, Chad. Thanks for coming to dinner. It was… really nice.”
Chad uncrossed his hands and placed one down on the doorframe.
“It was nice. Have to do it again soon.”
Robert smiled.
“Definitely.”