There’s a reason you never see Beef with a leash in game and it’s because he’ll pull some shenanigans like this. 🤭🩷 And yes, this is based off of the 101 Dalmatians scene I posted a while back…the second I saw @strawbeaniie ‘s prompt list I knew I just HAD to draw it for the matchmaker prompt!
How are fankids born? Well, you read headcanons about your F/O being a parent and then are compelled to design your fankid with him of course
I just cooked up some quick sketches of Robert and Scarlet’s daughter. :) Still deciding on a name but I will put my contenders in the tags. Any input is appreciate :)
Also thanks again to @sheepie-self-ships for giving me the idea to give them a daughter instead of a son lol it makes sense
So guys the Smokeshow romance route goes kinda crazy
Okay. Okay. So many of you guys guessed my insert was for Dispatch AND if you did who my F/O was. I’m going to pretend that doesn’t say something about my predictability…
Summary: When Robert has to choose between a date to the movies or a late dinner, an alternate choice presents itself.
Word Count: 1158
Notes: Takes place at the end of Episode 4. One swear word. Also, about the band name…hmm.
Tonight was busy.
Not in the form of alerts of trouble popping up all over the archaic computer Robert spent half his day hunched over, or even in the form of Royd asking him to run more tests in his new and improved Mecha Man suit.
In front of him, his computer displayed a view of the local theater, Invisigal plopped in a chair near the middle, muttering about wanting popcorn. In his hand, his phone displayed a dinner invitation from Blonde Blazer.
Looks like he had a tough call to make. He made plenty lately. Strategic choices. Ones that would best help others. This one? Not so much.
On one hand, he did want to get Visi some popcorn so she wouldn’t end up scaring the workers, thinking her a ghost. On the other hand…Blazer was his boss. It’d be rude to decline, right? And he supposed he could eat…
A shuffling noise to his left tore him from his thoughts. He figured he and Waterboy would be the only ones around at this hour. He approached the sound, hoping it wasn’t one of the Z-Teamers pulling another prank on him.
The smoke form that, though lacking facial features managed to make Robert feel like he was being stared at, immediately quelled any of those suspicions.
“Scarlet,” he said simply, and the smoke, almost flattening in defeat, dispersed, leaving a very sheepish looking Scarlet in its place. Instantly, his gaze was drawn to the more casual look she currently sported. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, her typical work clothes swapped for a black mini dress, bomber jacket and matching boots.
“Sorry, I was trying to leave quietly. Did I startle you?”
“Surprisingly, no. Where are you going all dressed up?”
Her eyes shifted away, and she sighed before answering.
“A little concert…thing. My friends are playing tonight, so…I wanna support them.”
“Concert…thing?”
She brightened.
“Mhm. It’s super fun! The crowd there is always amazing, and if you’re lucky, they sometimes bring someone on stage to sing with them! Ooh, you should totally come!”
She paused.
“Ah, unless you’re busy with…whatever you were doing. I didn’t mean to interrupt!”
Right. His dilemma. The phone weighed heavy in his hand, and the brightness of his computer bathed the room in a gentle blue glow. Dinner or a movie…Visi or Blazer…
Robert shut his phone off, slipping it in his pocket before turning back to Scarlet.
“You know, it’s been a while since I’ve heard some good live music.”
—
Robert stuck out like a sore thumb in the sea of reds, blacks and purples. His SDN uniform, even in its simple sky blue, was too colorful and too lacking in sequins to help him blend in with the crowd. Despite the stares he got, Scarlet seemed unfazed, keeping him close.
“It won’t be easy to lose you in the crowd, but just in case,” she teased.
As they waited for the show to start, Robert leaned in, hoping she could hear him over the din of concertgoers.
“So, these guys. The…” he squinted his eyes as he read of a nearby poster. “…Cherry Static.”
“Just ‘Cherry Static’. No ‘the’, or they’ll sniff the fake fan on you.”
“Because the blue polo shirt didn’t clue them in the first time.”
“And,” she continued, giving him a pointed look, “Before you judge the band name, we came up with it in college when we were all drunk and it stuck.”
“Who said I was judging?”Robert said innocently.
“You so were.” She pinched his arm, and he chuckled. Barely felt a thing, and he was honestly disappointed about it. Though he probably shouldn’t be.
His eyes met the captivating yellow of hers in the dim light. Her lips, slightly parted. Her hand, settled on his arm. There were a lot of things he probably shouldn’t be doing. But hanging out with friends after work wasn’t a crime. And that’s what they were, he reasoned.
…Somehow, that in itself felt like a crime.
“So friends,” he said, before correcting himself. “I mean, about your friends…you were in the band with them?”
He immediately regretted opening his mouth. She helped name the band. No shit she was likely a part of it.
“You’re looking at the former lead vocalist!” Scarlet grinned at him. “Though, they’ve leaned a lot more into punk rock nowadays. Natalia always said my vocals were ‘giving showtunes’. Not the insult she thinks it is!”
Robert huffed, shaking his head.
She shook his shoulder. “Ooh, it’s starting!”
Robert found himself engrossed in the music. He couldn’t remember the last time he had even heard live music…aside from when he heard Flambae singing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” in the shower one time. He found himself bopping his head to the beat, his gaze occasionally flicking to Scarlet, eyes wide with excitement, swaying gently to the beat. He noticed her heels lifting off the ground as she attempted to see around all six foot four of the man in front of them.
“Can’t you go smoke?” He whispered.
Scarlet froze for a moment, before shaking her head quickly.
“Not trying to draw attention right now,” she explained, though Robert sensed she wasn’t telling the full truth. Still, he was a little endeared to the sight of her trying to get a better glimpse of the stage.
“Hey buddy,” Robert tapped the man on his shoulder. “You mind letting us get in front of you? My…friend can’t see.”
To his surprise, the man, who could definitely throw him across the room if he wanted to, nodded, letting them in front.
Scarlet flashed him an appreciative smile before turning back to the stage. It was a smile he’d seen many times. When he got her favorite chips from the vending machine. When he greeted her before getting settled in his desk. It always felt genuine, but this smile felt as though it conveyed something deeper than simple, momentary happiness.
Whatever it was, he liked it very much.
—
After the show, the two stepped into the chilly night air. Scarlet tugged her jacket tighter with one hand as the other ordered herself an Uber.
“You sure you don’t want a ride?” She asked.
“Yeah. My apartment’s pretty close to here, I was just gonna walk.”
Scarlet almost looked like she wanted to protest, but she respected his answer, stepping back.
“Alright. I’ll see you Monday, then?”
Disappointment settled in his stomach, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.
“Yeah. Monday.”
When her ride pulled up, Robert fully expected her to get in without giving him a second glance. Instead, his eyes widened as he felt her arms settle around his waist. Robert’s hands hovered over her before settling hesitantly on her upper back, returning the hug as best he could.
Soon after, Robert watched the car drive into the night, hands in his pockets.
