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It was no secret that Robert and Chase had a close relationship. Even before the team found out that Chase was Robert's old babysitter, they had picked up on the fatherly energy radiating off of chase when Robert was around. And Robert seemed to give of a more care free, playful attitude when he was with chase. Blazer had noticed it first when she reunited the two. She thought it was the sweetest thing. Chase and Roberts relationship seemed to kick back off where it stopped as soon as they saw each other, despite the time. It just goes to show how strong their bond is.
It was clear in chase's behavior that he was protective of Robert. Even from the first day when he chewed the z team out about making fun of Robert over coms, he's always had Robert's back. Even if Robert himself wasn't offended, chase hated to hear people being rude to his boy. Robert didn't have anyone to keep him safe. God knows his dad didn't. So chase took to looking out for robert. Robert protected the entire city and chase projected Robert.
Robert on the other hand had a deep trust and respect for chase. Chase was always the cool older one. He was Robert's favorite hero as a kid and the best sitter. Robert could come to chase for anything and be understood and taken seriously. Even if that came with being cursed out and a lecture. Despite how stubborn Robert was, chase could always get him to listen.
Robert never went hungry when chase was in the office. Normally when people offered him food, Robert would turn it down. His fear of poison was strong enough to be paranoid about anything not previously packaged, no matter who gave it to him. All except for chase. Chase was always giving Robert money for the vending machines, bringing extra lunch to share, and getting onto Robert about his eating habits. He would get Robert to a healthy weight even if it killed him. Robert was stubborn but he trusted chase's cooking. Chase knew all of Robert's preferences.
Any idea Robert has for the z team is run by chase first. Not because Chase has the authority or want to decide for Robert, but because Robert valued chase's input. Chase has been dispatching for much longer than Robert has anyway. Most of the time chase would bitch at robert to make his own decisions. He wouldn't admit it but Chase loved that Robert looked up to him even as an adult. But chase never decided anything for Robert because he wants him to feel confident in his decisions.
Chase is gradually trying to teach Robert more and more skills. Robert only had chase to teach him when he was younger but once he turned 15, they stopped seeing each other. Becoming mecha man at such a young age and having a neglectful father meant Robert didn't have a lot of time to learn basic adult skills such as cooking and cleaning. So now that they are reunited, chase likes to come over with groceries to cook with Robert. He'll scold Robert for his mess of an empty apartment and instruct him on what cleaners to use. Robert claims to be self sufficient but chase isn't going to stop until his boy's apartment is stocked, furnished, and cleaned. They have already made noticable improvements that even the z team have noticed.
It's no secret that chase and invisigal don't get a long and that Robert's the root of it. Chase didn't care for her even before Robert became a dispatcher but once he started noticing how weird she is with him, he saw red. Anytime invisigal got to close or tried to be alone with Robert, chase would shut it down. It's not that chase cares who Robert dates. He's an adult and can make his own choices for his love life. But Courtney doesn't seem to respect Robert's boundaries and it's concerning how Robert doesn't take it seriously. Chase just wants Robert to feel comfortable in his place of work. And not have to deal with someone following him into bathrooms and changing rooms. Invisigal's been reported to her many times but most of them were made by chase.
Robert still bothers chase for twinkies and to hang out just like he did when he was a kid. Of course he doesn't try to get the older man to use his powers anymore, but he has no problem asking for a dollar for the vending machine. He loves dragging chase to different dinners or parks around town. Robert wasn't able to be close to his own father as a kid and he grew up way to fast in order to be mecha man. He wouldn't admit to needing this but it's a way for Robert to experience the few good parts of his childhood again. Chase bitches about it but he's actually happy to indulge Robert.
The whole team loved to tease their relationship. Any time chase cursed at them for making fun of Robert, they would tease them for it. "Yeah yeah, go run to your dad to defend you". "Oh how dare we make fun of your baby boy chase". It was sweet really, chase was a grumpy old man but he softened for Robert. They had their banter but they truly cared for each other. Chase was like the grandpa of the z team but he was a father for Robert.
Robert has slipped up and called chase "dad" on so many occasions, it's hard to keep count. Robert always corrects himself, not wanting to make chase feel overly responsible for him. And chase always teases him for it. "I'm not your ugly ass father Robert". But deep down they both know the nature of their relationship. Their lack of biological relation didn't matter. Due to the rapid aging, chase never got to think of family planning. And since mecha man was more important, Robert had to grow up without a father. Robert was like the son Chase was never able to have. Chase will always look out for Robert and Robert will forever respect and look up to chase.
