#mechabert

[cityelf]

Kiss him (!)

[pinkdisc]

Been thinking about a cliché college AU Flambert with a side of betting: Chad, frat boy and football player, makes a bet with his friends that he can sleep with Robert Robertson, an engineering (or robotics) major and the one person on campus who genuinely cannot stand him.

The bet happens at a frat party after Victor and the others start giving Chad shit about “losing his edge,” which is an insane accusation to make just because he’s been bored lately. Nobody interesting crossing his path for a couple of weeks is not the same thing as him going soft, and he isn’t about to let them act like it is. One stupid challenge later, there is a hundred dollars on the line, a month to pull it off, and Chad, being Chad, shakes on it without hesitation because at that point it still sounds like easy money.

Then the front door opens, and in walks Robert Robertson with his friends.

Victor laughs so hard he nearly falls off the couch. Chad, meanwhile, is left wondering whether homicide counts as forfeiting, because Robert is the one person on campus he never would have picked for this. He’s too smart, too sharp, too self-contained in that maddening way that makes everyone else feel flimsy by comparison. He’s the kind of engineering and robotics major that professors know by name and other students talk about in the library like he’s some kind of academic cryptid. Terrifyingly competent, annoyingly unreadable, and, more personally, the reason Chad lost a tooth freshman year.

Or fine, technically Chad had been the one who tried to swing at him and missed. But Robert threw the water first, and Chad still feels like that should count for something.

So no, this is not ideal.

Still, there’s no way he’s backing out now, especially not with Victor already wheezing himself half to death on the couch. He spends the rest of the night trying to get Robert alone and failing spectacularly. Robert is never by himself for long. Mandy's with him half the time, and when she isn’t, somebody else always is—a classmate, a friend, a lab partner, some random honors kid who probably color-codes his notes. Every time Chad thinks he has an opening, Robert is already turning away, already leaving, already looking at him like whatever Chad is trying to do is too obvious to be worth acknowledging.

And that look, more than anything else, is what gets under Chad’s skin.

At some point Robert disappears upstairs, and Chad waits just long enough to avoid looking desperate before following him to one of the spare bedrooms with a narrow balcony off the back. Robert is standing outside with a cigarette between his fingers and, as it turns out, no lighter. Chad lights it for him, tries to make the gesture look casual, and gets called on it almost immediately. Somehow, in what becomes one of the more humiliating moments of his life, he then hears himself asking Robert if he would tutor him in Quantitative Decision Modeling, a real class he is absolutely bombing (and an excuse he made up on the spot to continue talking to him).

Robert lifts an eyebrow and says the price of any help at all is an apology for freshman year.

Chad gives him a terrible one first, obviously. It is defensive and half-assed and packed with enough sarcasm to ruin the whole effort, and Robert just stands there, unimpressed. So Chad tries again, this time admitting plainly that he was an asshole, that trying to punch him had been a stupid move, and that being drunk and pissed off did not make it right.

Robert studies him for a moment, exhales smoke into the dark, and says, “Alright. That’s probably as good as it gets from you.”

“So,” Chad says. “You’ll tutor me?”

Robert blinks. “I never said that.”

Chad stares.

“I don’t know what your angle is, but I wasn’t the only one who took that class. I’m sure you can find another tutor in no time,” Robert says, stepping back toward the doorway, and then, with a shit-eating grin, adds, “Thanks for the apology, though.”

Chad ends up standing there on the balcony, irritated, embarrassed, and strangely exhilarated, because for the first time in weeks he isn't bored anymore.

So he keeps at it.

He starts showing up at Robert’s job to order coffee. He appears in the library with increasingly flimsy excuses. He lingers outside classrooms he has no business being near, complains loudly about QDM in places where Robert can absolutely overhear him, and generally makes himself impossible to ignore. Robert tells him to get lost every single time. Chad keeps coming back every single time.

At first it's mostly persistence and irritation, with Chad treating the whole thing like a challenge and Robert refusing to give him an inch. Then Robert makes the mistake of glancing at one of Chad’s assignments, and maybe “mistake” is not the right word because inevitability feels more accurate. Chad has come armed with a half-finished paper so catastrophically bad it looks like it was written by a toddler, and Robert reacts to it like Chad had personally insulted him.

Eventually pity, money, and Chad’s utter refusal to disappear wear Robert down enough that he agrees.

And that's when things really start going wrong.

Because the tutoring is awful—genuinely, spectacularly awful—but not in any way that makes Chad want to stop. Robert is ruthless from the start, taking one look at Chad’s notes and informing him that they read like they were written by someone with a concussion. Chad, unwilling to let that stand, fires back. From there it only escalates. Robert says Chad has the attention span of a badly socialized puppy; Chad calls him an elitist snob with a superiority complex and a dangerous caffeine dependency. They spend entire sessions fighting over concepts Chad should have learned weeks ago, and somehow Chad ends up having more fun than he's had in months.

That’s the problem, really. Nobody ever keeps up with him like this. Most people either laugh, flirt, get flustered, or let him win eventually. Robert does none of those things. He meets Chad point for point, insult for insult, with dry, vicious little comments delivered in the flattest tone imaginable, and the meaner he gets when he’s tired, the more Chad likes him for it. Their tutoring sessions start to feel less like academic help and more like foreplay by combat.

Somewhere along the way, tutoring stops being just tutoring. It turns into coffee after the library, then diner food because they stay so late studying they get kicked out of the café. Chad starts walking Robert home after late-night sessions. Robert starts visiting him at practice. Chad begins showing up at Robert’s apartment with assignments in one hand and takeout in the other, and Robert complains every single time before stepping aside and letting him in.

The line blurs so gradually Chad barely notices it happening.

They still bicker constantly, still snipe at each other on instinct, but now Robert nudges his foot against Chad’s under the table when Chad gets too smug, and Chad knows what kind of coffee Robert buys after a terrible lab day. Robert learns that when Chad gets unusually quiet, it means he's actually trying and not just zoning out, and Chad—without ever meaning to—starts collecting details about him. What music he studies to. How he rubs at the bridge of his nose when he’s tired. How different he looks when he lets himself relax.

Chad starts finding excuses to touch him. A hand on his lower back. Fingers brushing when he steals Robert’s pen. His arm slung around Robert’s shoulders on the walk home, late enough at night that either of them can pretend it means less than it does. Their tutoring sessions turn into hangouts so naturally that by the time they're obviously dates, neither of them ever bothers saying the word.

One night Chad shows up at Robert’s apartment with food because Robert had mentioned, almost absentmindedly, that he hadn't eaten since lunch. Robert opens the door in an old sweatshirt, looks at the takeout bag, looks at Chad, and steps aside without a word. His apartment is cramped, cluttered, and overflowing with textbooks, wires, coffee cups, loose papers, mechanical parts, and half-finished projects. The kitchen table is buried under enough engineering debris that they end up eating on the floor instead. Chad makes a joke about getting tetanus just from looking at the place, and Robert tells him to shut up and hand over the chopsticks.

So they sit there shoulder to shoulder while the city outside the window slowly darkens, and the conversation drifts from classes to football to robotics to professors to all the tiny, useless details that make up a person. Somewhere in the middle of Robert explaining a project with his hands moving fast and animated through the air, Chad realizes he could listen to him talk for hours. Robert, for his part, watches Chad with that same sharp, assessing look of his, but there's something different in it now, something more curious than dismissive.

When they finally hook up, it feels less like a surprise and more like inevitability. Chad is leaning over Robert’s shoulder to look at a problem set, Robert turns to say something, and suddenly they’re too close. Robert’s mouth is right there, and then one of them kisses the other—Chad can't even remember who moved first, only that suddenly Robert’s mouth was there and then everywhere, and then Chad had him backed against the counter with his hands in Chad’s shirt and his teeth at Chad’s lower lip.

“You are so annoying,” Robert says into his mouth.

“You like me.”

“I tolerate you.”

“Liar.”

“Dick.”

It's messy and hot and a little mean in the way they both like best, all the tension of weeks collapsing at once. Chad had expected it to feel like winning.

Instead it feels like relief.

After that, everything blurs.

Chad finds himself wanting him with a kind of intensity that starts to feel genuinely humiliating.

Not just physically, although physically too, obviously. He wants the bickering, the texts, the tutoring, the late-night food runs, the way Robert looks at him when he says something especially stupid. He wants to keep sliding into Robert’s life until there’s no point anymore where one ends and the other begins. He wants it all in a way that should really alarm him.

After that, tutoring becomes the excuse instead of the reason. Chad ends up in Robert’s bed often enough that leaving a toothbrush just feels right. Robert falls asleep against him on the couch. Chad, who has never thought of himself as someone built for anything remotely domestic, discovers that he wants it with a sincerity that feels actively dangerous. He wants the sex, sure, and the banter and the thrill of matching Robert blow for blow, but he also wants the stupid small things: shared takeout, cranky mornings, Robert fitting himself into the shape of Chad’s life so neatly it starts to seem like he was always meant to be there.

Which is how Chad, against all odds and common sense, catches real feelings.

Naturally, that’s when things go to shit.

It happens during a hangout with Chad’s friends; it’s the first time Robert is meeting everyone officially. Victor, being Victor, says something offhand about how he still cannot believe any of this started because of the bet, and the room goes dead still. Robert looks from Victor to Chad and asks, “What bet?”

Chad feels every muscle in his body lock up. Victor’s face goes blank with horror a second too late, and Robert’s expression changes in such small increments most people probably would have missed it. Chad does not. He sees the warmth drain out first, then the amusement, then everything else, until what is left is cold enough to make him feel sick.

“Robert,” Chad says immediately. “Fuck wait, let me explain—”

“Fuck you,” Robert says, and leaves.

Of course Chad goes after him. Robert won't let him get close enough to touch, and after that nothing works. Chad texts, calls, shows up, tries apology after apology, and gets nowhere. At first he convinces himself he can fix it if he just finds the right words, but after a week passes he is forced to accept that this is not the kind of damage you can smooth over with words alone. He tries to do the mature thing and give Robert space, which lasts maybe two days before he completely loses his mind.

Flowers come first. Robert leaves them outside his apartment until somebody else takes them. Chad tries alcohol next, leaving an expensive bottle with a note attached. That at least disappears inside, though Robert still doesn't answer. Then Chad starts writing letters, because texting is too easy to ignore and because he needs Robert to see effort, to see proof that Chad is trying in a way he has probably never really had to try for anyone else. Some of the letters are apologies, some are explanations, and some are just Chad admitting in increasingly embarrassing detail that he misses him so badly he feels physically sick.

He even asks Robert’s friends for help, which is just as humiliating as it sounds. Courtney laughs in his face, curses him out, and says he deserves to suffer. Her girlfriend Mandy is gentler, though not by much.

“He’s hurt,” she tells Chad. “And angry. Which he gets to be.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” Mandy asks. “Because every solution you come up with still sounds like you think effort should get you instant forgiveness.”

Chad hates that she's right.

He keeps trying anyway, just less carelessly now. He waves at Robert on campus and gets ignored. He holds doors open and gets brushed right past. He tries apologizing in person and Robert walks away before he gets three words out. Every rejection leaves Chad more miserable, more frustrated, and somehow more gone for him than before.

Then, because his brain is deeply diseased, he manages to switch into one of Robert’s classes.

The first time he walks in and sees Robert already sitting there, he gets exactly the reaction he anticipated: one long, flat stare that says, This again? But at least it’s something. That same week, the professor assigns a group project. Robert gets paired with some random guy. The random guy, after one suspiciously persuasive conversation with Chad in the hallway, suddenly decides he would love to switch groups after all. Robert is less than thrilled, but at least now he has to talk to Chad.

Being Robert’s project partner is not forgiveness. It isn’t even kindness. Robert works him like he's extracting payment from God himself, sending him for coffee, making him carry books, redo formatting, gather sources, print articles, and rewrite sections of the project until his eyes cross. Chad lets him. Half because he deserves it, half because being ordered around by Robert is still infinitely better than being ignored.

And slowly, very slowly, the ice starts to crack.

Not enough to call it fixed. Just enough to feel like maybe it could be.

Then Alice spots Robert in a coffee shop with another guy and reports back immediately, and Chad is there in under ten minutes. The guy is leaning in. Robert is listening. Chad sees red so fast he doesn't even have time to think before he's walking over, dropping into the empty seat beside Robert, and slinging an arm over the back of his chair like he has any right to do that.

Robert turns to look at him with terrifying calm. “What are you doing?”

“Joining you.”

“No, go home.”

The other guy looks deeply uncomfortable. Chad smiles at him anyway and says, “Don’t mind me.”

Robert closes his eyes for a second like he is praying for patience, then turns to the guy and says, “Sorry, looks like we’ll have to cut this short.” The guy leaves so fast it almost makes Chad feel bad. Almost.

The second he's gone, Robert rounds on him.

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Me?”

“Yes, you,” Robert snaps. “What was that caveman ass behavior? Territorial pissing? Should I be grateful you didn’t beat your chest too?”

“I just—”

“You do not get to ambush me, scare people off, and act possessive after what you did.”

The jealousy that got him there drains out of him all at once, replaced by the awful realization that maybe he really has gone too far this time. Robert keeps going, laying into him about boundaries, entitlement, and how embarrassing his behavior had just been, while Chad visibly deflates in real time.

Then, after a long beat, Robert sighs.

“I was tutoring him,” he says.

Chad blinks. “What?”

“I was just tutoring him,” Robert repeats, slower this time, like he is talking to a complete idiot.

The jealousy vanishes so fast it leaves Chad dizzy. What replaces it is such immediate, stupid relief that it must be written all over his face, because Robert looks at him and rolls his eyes.

“You better make up for the money I lost not tutoring him,” he mutters.

“As long as I’m the only one you tutor, I’ll pay you triple.”

“Possessive dick.” But there is fondness in it now—tired, reluctant, buried under exasperation, but real.

Chad grins before he can stop himself and asks, “Does this mean I'm forgiven?”

“No.”

His face must fall in a way that gives him away, because Robert’s gaze flicks over him and softens despite himself.

“You’ll be making this up to me for the rest of our lives,” he says, and pulls him in for a kiss.

Not for long, just enough to shut him up and wipe Chad’s brain pleasantly blank, just enough to leave him staring when they pull apart because Robert still has enough dignity left for both of them and is clearly unwilling to do more than that in public. Robert takes one look at Chad’s expression and pauses, because Chad's looking at him like he's just been handed the sun.

And what Robert sees there, with a mixture of horror and helpless affection, is love. Or something ruinously close to it.

Chad swallows once, still dazed, and says, “Does this mean we’re getting married?”

Robert groans.

══════⊹⊱≼≽⊰⊹══════

the thought of robert walking chad like a dog was funny to me so thats how this came to be lmao

btw if you follow me for my villain!Robert don't worry im almost done heh

[greenlaut]

the saga of dumb4dumb miiflambert continues

flambae flopped his proposal thank FUCK robert stepped up

yes i set flambae to wear all clothing types yes my miis call me dad whats it to you

++dispatch miis line-up that i gave birth to made

[sunnyfrenchfries]

Robert and Flambae run into Robert's ex, the cause of the Mezcal overdose, at a concert

[no1randomperson]

My fanfics

Just realized i liteally made this blog for the sake of my fanfics but i never actually posed abt them...

So here ye go

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

My A/B/O Beta Robert au with Omega vers on its way (+ Z-Team pov)

Which will be coming soon (Z-Team pov. Omega ver after)

and my fav trope "dating your secret identity"

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[sophiasharp]

Okay I could use y’all’s help actually.

So I’ve been futzing around with this au for the past few weeks, right? If you don’t want to click, it’s the idea that before the Mecha Man suit blew up, it was being haunted by Robert’s grandpa, Bobby Robertson, and that Bobby switched to haunting Robert in order to save his life.

Well, I’ve been working on a fic outline. The Au so far has a lot of fluff, some angst, and a fair amount of hurt comfort in terms of what’s been fleshed out.

However, one thing I’ve been going back and forth on is whether or not to include romance. Because I can see some really funny scenarios it would bring up, but I am uh. Bad. At coming up with concepts for it. Comes with the aroace-spec territory.

I have some notes on what the beats would be for Flambert up to a certain point. But romance isn’t really the focus of the story so I’m going back and forth on it.

General concepts I’m working with so far:

Bobby being unimpressed with the chosen love interest (in flambert’s case, “seriously? The guy who nearly gave you heat stroke?”)

Bobby panicking a bit when he finds out Robert is Bi. Not for homophobia reasons, but he wouldn’t be up to date on LGBT laws and protections and would be worried for his grandson’s safety

Bobby third wheeling on whatever date Robert and [love interest] go on during a planned time skip. Neither him nor Robert are thrilled about him being there. [Love interest] is confused and worried about the resting bitch face Robert keeps making when left alone for too long

Post Z-Team finding out about the ghost situation, Bobby possessing Robert long enough to have a shovel talk with [love interest], trying to gauge their intentions (in flambert’s case, “fuck man, I can’t answer that, I don’t even fully know myself now that I’m aware he’s mecha-dick and you’re mecha-dick senior. Any chance we can rain check this for after I have my shit together?”)

Note: most of this would be completely circumvented if we went with Malevola. Bobby quite likes Malevola actually!

So uh. O Gods of Shipping in Dispatch, I beseech thee: help?

[artistica18]

Just read "Flambert/Mechaflame" as "Mechabert" and now I'm thinking about shipping Robert with the suit.

There are layers to this... Being in love with the thing that will kill you, the only thing that gives you purpose, the shadow of your father's love ...

There's something fascinating there

[closedcurtains6]

You're Under My Skin

Part 15

Flambae hated not having a car.

For one he didn’t have an official flight license yet. He had one of those flight passes that allowed him to do hero work until he could get his official license, which he had been putting off because he has way more important things to be doing then go to school to learn how to fly. He already knew how to fucking fly.

Plus Robert has yet found the time to send him to flight school.

And for two! He can’t drive his niece around without a car.. Luckily his sister agreed to let him borrow her car so he could still take the little one on ice cream dates.

 

He had just flown into work to find that Phenomaman was no longer there, and instead Waterboy of all people had take his place.

Robert had already informed them all that Phenomaman and Waterboy would be rotating days but he was hoping that they’d just keep Phenomaman on. Guess he really was too depressed to handle the job full time.

Waterboy can’t even handle a job as a janitor but they’re trying to put him onto hero work? They really do just let anyone in here…

Of course Flambae and the team had to make some comments, but they tried not to overdo it considering they did still feel a bit indebt to Robert. Still, it was clear non of them were overly happy about the new arrival.

Adding Phenomaman was one thing, the dude was annoying and pathetic but he didn’t hinder the team any. For the most part at least.

But Waterboy? He was making a mess- not to mention he was taking everyone out.

 

Flambae was sent after a purse snatcher. He flew to the area the call was made then tracked the snatcher down. Waterboy was supposed to cut him off so they could make the arrest.

Though Flambae didn’t really need the help, he’d have the purse snatcher kissing the pavement long before Waterbitch shows up—

WHOOSH!!

Water shot from an alleyway and nearly took out Flambae, luckily he was able to react fast enough and dodge the soaring water and the puddle it made, he flew right over it and landed on the purse snatcher, successfully catching him.

 

He lifted his head towards the alleyway, expecting to see a water-main break or a busted fire hydrant.

Instead, he sees Waterboy, shaking in the shadows like an edgy wet chihuahua.

“So-sorr- apoloi- my apologises I mean- I- Still working on my pow-po a-aim-”

He gave an awkward wave as he tried to walk over, nearly slipping on his own puddle.

Flambae just groaned as he hauled the thief up, twisting his arm behind his back so he couldn’t run away. He started walking the criminal back to the original call spot where the police were waiting, he flew off once the police had the guy in cuffs.

And once he got back to SDN he saw- Puddles. Puddles everywhere from Waterboy that people kept slipping on, and that wetnoodle tried mopping up only to spread it more and make the floors more slippery.

“Oh okay. Another Puddle.”

Golems disappointed voice came through the comms. Poor guy has been trying to avoid becoming a mud puddle.

“Waterbitch almost took me out back there.”

Not to be a snitch but how many times is this guy going to take someone out before Robert does something about him??

“Is there a return policy on this motherfucker?”

Prism was unimpressed at this point, and Malevola was getting frustrated, probably because she’s had to heal with whatever injury people got from their slips.

“Yeah, maybe we get someone who doesn’t suck instead?”

“Mm-my uh, sorry f-for the puddles, it’s i-involuntary.”

That stuttery voice came through the comms, making Flambae roll his eyes.

“Ease up, it’s his first day.”

Robert just made Flambae roll his eyes even harder, because he was of course going to defend Wetboy.

He gets Robert wants to see the good in people, wants to do the ‘heroic’ thing and help Waterboy, but this is a bit much.

Still.. he found himself not really talking back against him.

“Can it be his last day too?”

Punch Up was the one saying earlier that 10 is a crowd, and he’s right.

Flambae was sitting in one of the wreck rooms, legs kicked up on the coffee table as he rested.

Then Roberts tired voice tingled in his ear

“Well if he’s so awful, show him the ropes.”

“Some things you just can’t teach.”

Punch Up had a point.. Everyone on the team wasn’t taught, they’ve all been figuring shit out as they go.

“Okay, sounds like quitting talk to me.”

Flambae shouldn’t take the bait.. He doesn’t want to help with fucking Waterbitch. But his lips were moving as soon as Robert had finished his sentence.

“You calling us quitters?”

“Prove me wrong.”

Robert challenged, and Flambae should NOT be so into that right now.

Yes he wants to prove Robert wrong and rub it in his face that HA! Flambae CAN turn a loser into a hero and doesn’t give up on any task!

But he also gets a rush from specifically Robert challenging him. He’s already starting to feel warm at the thought of Robert having to give him praise for a good job.

He closed his eyes and he could picture it.

Brown eyes looking up at him through long lashes, Robert making an adorably annoyed face as he has to admit that Flambae is actually the best and he should be a lot nicer to his best hero—

The thought was cut short by someone entering the room, and he had to huff and shake his head free of the thoughts that continuously plagued him.

 

First shift ended, and Flambae was so over slipping in Wetboys puddles.

He headed over to the breakroom and grabbed his lunch out of the fridge. He didn’t overly feel like cooking, or waiting in line at some food joint, so he had packed himself a simple sandwich for lunch, which thankfully wasn’t tossed out for once. He had angrily drew flames and his name all over the bag just to be sure.

Waterboy was probably too busy with his shift today to go around throwing out everyones food to starve them.

 

He sat next to Prism at one of the tables in the breakroom with a huff.

“Sick of this shit man..”

Prism was eating a salad, not even bothering to fix her hair that had been messed up from her own slip up when Robert had sent her on a mission with Waterboy.

“I hear you. Didn’t think that wet noodle was capable of so much damage”

Flambae just grumbled well rubbing at his knee, eating his sandwich with his other hand. Prism was just eating quietly in defeat until she noticed Flambaes movements.

“He fuck you up that bad, huh?”

“No, well maybe. I don’t know. Feels more like that tingly bullshit I’ve been dealing with.”

He just leaned back with a sigh, setting his sandwich back down on the table well rubbing at his knee with an annoyed face.

 

Prisms eyes shifted to him, then she caught a glimpse of the glass door that led to the rest of the office, she could see Robert bent over rubbing his knees. Her eyes flickered between Flambae and Robert, they were rubbing the same knee.

“Uh.. Did your doctor ever figure out the cause of said ‘tingles’?”

Flambae opened his eyes to glance at her with a shrug.

“Not really. Uh, stress maybe? Some mental disorders can effect physical health so, ya know. Could be that.”

“Uh-huh.. And a soulmate was never an option?”

Her eyes went back to tracking Robert.

“Why does everyone want me to settle down? I mean I will once i’m ready but I’m still young!”

Flambae let go of his knee and got defensive, only to regret it a moment later and go back to rubbing his knee. It wasn’t really painful, but it was way more persistent today than it had been any other day.

“No I mean- You know, soulmate tingles?”

 

Flambae looked confused.

“What the fuck are you talking about. What does that have to do with my knee?”

 

“How have you been alive this long without knowing what a soulmate is?”

Prism pointed her fork at him in frustration.

“I know what a soulmate is! I just don’t know what that romantic stuff has to do with my knee.”

Prism threw her arms up in exasperation before standing up and grabbing him by his ponytail, turning his head toward the glass door where Robert could be seen limping, favouring his left side, the same side that Flambae claimed his knee was tingling.

“Soulmates SHARE feelings sometimes. And it can sometimes come across as tingling.”

Flambae stared at Robert, his chest started tightening.

“You don’t mean that— that’s a real fucking thing!?”

He abruptly shot up and started pacing the breakroom as Robert limped out of sight.

“Of course it’s a— Seriously!? how have you gone this long without knowing!? Didn’t you say your sisters husband felt like he was going through contractions when your niece was born??”

Prism just stared at him, baffled by how he’s survived this long without knowing, especially since he gloated about his parents being soulmates and so are his sister and brother in law.

“I thought he was having sympathy pains! Or being a little bitch! I don’t know!”

He threw his hands up into his hair, the perfectly gelled strands now falling out of place.

 

Prism stood up and followed his pacing, fanning him with her hands, clearly he was heating up without noticing.

“Alright Bae’ just chill, this isn’t a bad thing- You like all that soulmate junk don’t you??”

“Yeah! But I didn’t know it was real! I thought it was just like- finding your person! Ya know! Someone that just-just clicks with you!”

His breathing was short and fast. He shouldn’t be panicking, why is he panicking? Soulmates being real isn’t a bad thing— But ROBERT being his soulmate might be a bad thing! Scrawny sassy annoying Robert is who he’s supposed to spend the rest of his day with??

Yeah he sort of wanted to blow his back out but he wasn’t thinking about blowing his back out for the rest of time!!

Prism grabbed his shoulders, her gloves luckily somewhat protecting her from the heat of his skin.

“Listen bae, breathe. You’re freakin’ out over nothing. Soulmates are an optional thing anyways, if you ignore it enough it’ll fade away. Plus we don’t even know for sure if that’s the cause.”

 

Flambae took a deep breath and simmered down.

Prisms right. This isn’t confirmed to be the cause, maybe its a coincidence that Robert has a sore knee on the same knee that Flambae is getting tingles from.. Though if Robert was his soulmate.. it would explain the in-explainable attraction he has to the little white boy.

“Well.. Maybe I don’t want it to go away..?”

Prism stepped back and gave her hands a clap.

“I know something was up between you and him! That whole leaning over your shoulder during our first meeting was just weirdly intimate from my view.”

“Pft- It wasn’t like that! I mean, I don’t think it was at least. I don’t know what that was.”

Flambae huffed, shoving his hands in his now messy hair. Yeah as a kid he romanticised the idea of soulmates, having something like his parents had, but he thought he was doomed to be alone. No one could handle his temper before, and the few people that could he just wasn’t attracted to.

Now the universe just sends him some random guy that’s apparently made for him and now what?? they date? get married?? white picket fence??

He plopped back down in his seat with his head in his hands.

Prism crouched down in front of him and softened her voice.

“Listen bae, just try it out. It’s not like you’re doomed to forever with him if you end up not liking it. I mean Punch Up and Coop are soulmates and they’re not together.”

His head shot up.

“You think Robert and I aren’t going to work out??”

“woah there, nobody said that. I mean he’s a little lame, his name IS Roberto Robertoson the third.”

“yeah. that really is a lame name.”

If they get married they’re either keeping their own last names or Robert is going to have to take Flambaes— He really shouldn’t be thinking about that yet. He dropped his hands and looked up at her

“So.. How do I prove he’s my soulmate?”

Prism gave a shrug.

“Just got to spend time with him until it clicks for both of you. You can start by getting on his good side.”

Flambae looked back out the glass door to see Waterboy standing in his own puddle with a mop, looking like he was just pushing the water around the floor instead of productively soaking it up. Sonar and Coup were standing near him, just watching with disapproving faces.

With a long sigh, he started tidying his hair and getting up out of his seat.

“Don’t say I never didn’t do anything for love.”

“Okay. I think I just threw up in my mouth a little.”

Prism stood up straight and started fixing her hair as well.

“Me too.”

Flambae put his lunch away and headed outside of the breakroom. He marched over to Waterboy and snatched the mop out of his hand.

“You have to wring it out piss boy, you’re just spreading your puddle to the entire floor.”

Waterboy stumbled back, stuttering per-fucking-usual.

“I- r-right so-sorry, there’s no- wasn’t uh the, mop bucket wring thing was bro-br- missing.”

“Then go buy a new one. Or tell Blazer to. I don’t care just get out of here you’re a dripping stuttering mess.”

Waterboy looked like he shrunk into himself, but he did start awkwardly making his way out.

“R-Right. I’ll get- go do that..”

Flambae looked over to see Coop and Sonar still standing there, looking amused, probably thinking they’re gonna see Waterboy get verbally chewed out or burned.

“What the fuck are you two staring at? Don’t you have jobs to get to??”

They both seemed surprised to have been called out, but turn to walk away well talking to each other.

“Geez what crawled up his ass?”

Sonar wasn’t quite whispering like he probably thought he was.

“Maybe nothing, that might be the problem.”

Coop spoke in her usual deadpan voice, but they both snickered at her response as they walked away.

Flambae only shook his head.

He looked from left to right to see if anyone was watching. His only spectator was Prism in the breakroom who was finishing up her salad.

He’d rather no one be watching but he’ll have to make an exception.

He ignited his hands and used his fire to evaporate the water, he had to be careful not to leave any scorch marks.

He’d just have to clean up after Waterboy and give him some pointers here and there.

He’d already planned to give Waterboy some pointers when they were on missions together because of Roberts little dare, but now he’d have to put in more effort.

Robert better fucking appreciate it too.

Chase: Alright assholes. Robert had to step out so I will be your dispatcher until he comes back. Which means you fucknuts better listen up. Shifts about to start back up so get back from your little lunch dates.

Flambae: Where’s Robert?

Chase: Non of ya business. He’s out, he’ll be back, and until then I’m here.

There was a chorus of groans, everyone knowing they were going to get cussed out whether they actually did something wrong or not.

Flambae was mostly sulking because he’s supposed to be charming his supposed soulmate right now! Not the old geezer! No offence Chase..

But he could use this to his advantage..

The thought of talking to Robert again after finding out about this soulmate stuff makes his stomach twist in knots. So having a bit more time to settle down isn’t a bad idea..

He doesn’t need to get this all done in one day after all!

He just has to be nicer to that wetrag and clean up after him today, that should get him points with Robert, then he can focus on REALLY wooing the man.

So he relaxed a bit.

Rambled to Prism whenever they were together, basically reiterating the soulmate thing again and again because it was all he could think about right now. He helped out Waterboy anytime they were paired, Prism was playing along because she’s a good damn friend.

She also kept pointing out that calling Waterboy names and berating him wasn’t the same as being a good teacher but eh, he’s working on it.

Then he heard it.. His ear tingled right away at that voice, and now he was wondering if that was apart of the soulmate effect too.

Robert: Sorry about that team but I’m back now, hope I didn’t miss too much.

Flambae felt his heart rate pick up but quickly tried to calm down, because what if Robert felt that too? How much was Robert feeling without noticing?

The team ribbed at him in greeting, except for Waterboy who was kissing ass with a ‘Welc- G-Glad to have you back sir.’

Flambae: So, what happen man? Must have been pretty important to have left us with Chase.

Invisigal: Probably crapped his pants from all the coffee he drinks and needed to go change.

Gross. Flambae did not need that mental image of the guy he wants to woo. Thanks Visi.

Thankfully Robert manages to completely trash that image by sending his heart racing again.

Robert: Aww. You sound worried Flambae. Miss me that much?

Flambae: Ha! Psh- No. Just not a fan of when the grumpy old fart gets left in charge.

Shit. He could have been way smoother than that! It just catches him off guard when Robert teases him like that.

Malevola: So you like when Robert is in charge is what I’m hearing.

Flambae: No- That is not what I said.

Prism: That’s what it sounded like to me too~

Flambae: What the fuc—

Well- It’s probably best to flirt on private channels or in person, so he doesn’t have these fucks messing it up for him! Not that he was doing a great job on his own- but he could’ve saved it!!

Sonar: Yep, I heard it too. No shame in it, Roberts just a natural born leader. Like me.

Back off BatBoner.

Coupe: You couldn’t lead yourself out of a wet beg.

Flambae felt himself start to flush and heat up. God this was embarrassing.. The team had started to move on, poking fun at each other now, but Flambae was still embarrassed.

He huffs and shakes it off.

He’ll stick to his original plan. Just be good for the day to win some brownie points, then tomorrow he can make his move.

Flambae did his best to hold back on losing his temper with Waterboy, but he couldn’t help it if he still got snippy. He’s doing his best okay!? There’s only so many times Flambae is willing to get splashed in the crossfire well holding his tongue.

Waterboy looked like he was dreading everytime he got paired up with Flambae. He seemed to appreciate the help and pointers, but the kid was getting more and more stressed from Flambaes ‘teachings’

Sadly, since he was currently the only one helping Waterboy out, Robert kept pairing them more.

Then there was the rest of the team who kept teasing Waterboy, luckily they were smart enough not to tease Flambae too much to avoid his temper.

But Waterboy got more anxious when he got teased, then his powers would flare up, then there’d be more puddles and slips! So now Flambae had to defend the poor bastard and shoo the others away.

Shift had finally ended.

Waterboy slinked away as soon as possible, well the others start taking out their earpieces and heading for the locker rooms.

Flambae was lingering though. He wanted to be the last one on the team to sign off so he could spend the longest with Robert. It’s stupid he knows, but he wants to spend more time with Robert, maybe he’ll stop by his desk before leaving.

Everyone disconnected, and he was about to do the same. But then the ping of being moved into a private channel rung out.

Robert: Hey uh, could you hang back for a minute?

Flambae immediately straightened up as if Robert was in front of him.

Flambae: Sure thing Bob Bob, what’s up?

Robert: I just wanted to thank you for looking after Waterboy today. I know you’re not exactly his biggest fan but.. It was very big of you to still help him out.

YES! He wasn’t expecting results so quickly, but of course Robert noticed how good he was being. Robert was vigilant of everyone on the Z-team, but Flambae liked to think hope that he paid extra attention to Flambae.

Flambae: Psh, heh, yeah. Ya know, just doing what a hero is supposed to.

Robert: Yeah well, I appreciate it, hero.

Well, it looks like Robert calling Flambae a hero is going to be something that loops in Flambaes head for the rest of his life.

But he’s got to play it cool right now. Robert doesn’t seem to have caught on to them being soulmates yet. or.. maybe he has and he’s waiting on Flambae to make a move?

Flambae: Eh, the kids not that bad, bet he’ll be a pro when I’m through with him

Flambae could hear Roberts deep voice chuckle lightly through the mic. He really wanted to hear it in person.. He was originally waiting in the hallway outside of the locker room so no one could hear his conversation, but now his feet were moving towards the elevator.

Prism had just come out of the womens locker room and saw that Flambae was talking into his earpiece.

Flambae: Hey man, I’m just saying I could do some real good work with that wet- boy.. Wetboy. Waterboy. Anyways maybe if I put some extra work in.. I could get something back?

Flambae was making his move.

Usually he likes to be more coy, but fuck it. They’re supposed to spend more time together until the bond becomes more clear anyways right? Why waste time!

Prisms mouth formed an O as she overheard the conversation and followed him to the elevator. Mouthing for Flambae to call her when he’s done.

Robert: He’s rubbed off on you that much? Well.. We’ll see.. Let’s let the kid get settled in before you decided to drag him through whatever military grade training you have in mind.

Flambae nodded and blew her a kiss as he went in the elevator. She blew one back well excitedly yet quietly clapping her hands to cheer him on. The doors closed and he pressed the button for the dispatch floor.

It took him a second to catch what Robert had said.

He’s not taking the bait and still talking about Waterboy.

Fuck he should’ve just taken the stairs. He could get his flirting across way better in person.

Flambae: Well- I don’t like him that much. I mean I can tolerate him. He’s fine I guess but what I was trying to get at—

Flambae felt himself heat up as he tried to explain himself. He kept pushing the button as if that would make the elevator go faster.

Damn it! There was no rubbing off! The only one he wants to be rubbing against him is Robert! Or vise versa! Or- God damn it he’s just going to have to lay it on thick.

Flambae: You know since I’ve been on my best behaviour kind of, maybe we could celebrate.

Robert: Sure. You’ve all been doing good, team drinks, I’ll pay.

Is he being willfully dumb?? Or is Robert usually this dense when being flirted with? He knows when Visi is flirting with him that she’s pretty upfront and vulgar about it. Is that the only way Robert knows someone is flirting with him???

The elevator dinged and he quickly stepped out, he had to consciously slow himself down so he didn’t look too eager. Drinks wouldn’t be bad- maybe the team being there would help Robert chill out

Flambae: What- oh I mean sure yeah- No wait hang on that’s not what I meant.

But he still wanted it to be more one on one and he’s sure the team will get in the way of that.

Robert: We can discuss the details tomorrow? Sorry Blazer just stopped by with a file.

Flambaes feet slowed to a stop.

Flambae: Oh.. Yeah tomorrow- I uh- I’ll talk to you later Robbo-

Flambae just stood there for a second. Does he turn around and go back downstairs? Should he go to Roberts desk anyways after Blazer leaves? He walks carefully down the hall and peeks around the corner, he sees them talking, he can hear them somewhat too but he only catches them halfway through the conversation.

“Oh, good well- no not good that you have to deal with that- I just mean good that it’s nothing major, or ugh this isn’t coming out right.”

Blazer seems embarrassed about something, but Robert doesn’t seem bothered.

“Don’t worry about it. It took a few months but I’ve gotten used to it”

He shouldn’t be listening in, but he really wants to know what they’re talking about.

Blazer is tucking hair behind her ear

“Maybe you could tell me more about it over dinner some time?”

No..

Roberts leaning in

“Sure. You free now?”

That quick..?

Blazer sighed.

“Sadly not. I have to go to a late night conference with the downtown branch. But.. how about tomorrow?”

Good, he still has time but—

“I’m sure I can pencil you in.”

Why is Robert so eager..?

“Great! It’s a date. If you’re okay with that..”

Don’t call it that BlondBitch!

“It’s a date.”

Don’t call it that..

Blazer starts to leave and Flambae hurries so he can make it to the stairway without being seen.

God his chest hurts, his skin is burning. Why is he even upset?? It’s not like he even proved that they’re soulmates yet! Actually cross out that yet! Why should he even bother trying to prove anything when Robert seems so happy to jump ship with little miss blond and perfect?? They can have each other!

Like Prism said, soulmates aren’t required or whatever!

He knew it was too good to be true! To have some sort of perfect love story like his parents and his sister.

Fuck it

He can still have it with someone else, it’s not like Robert was that big of a catch anyways! Scrawny fucking bit—

Flambae shoots off from the parking lot, scorching the pavement as he did.

Authors Note: I felt bad that I haven't updated yet so I just decided to post what I have done so far and then I'll update this chapter when I finish the rest.

Not really in a good headspace so updates will probably be becoming more random/half finished like this.

ITS BEEN UPDATED!! Chapter finished <3