Pivot
Dispatch x PR! reader/ Dispatch x fem! reader
Synopsis: Blonde Blazer never mentioned hiring a new dispatcher...it's Mecha Man!?
Timebomb Masterlist
word count: 3k+
beta reader: @hyperfix-wip
warnings: Cursing (Chase)
next chap. >>
~
Sometimes, dreams were simply dreams. You wonder at what age that realization sets in. Ten, maybe thirteen? When princess was no longer an ascertainable ambition and astronaut was one star too many apart from your pay grade.
You take a deep breath in, then out. Staring at the ceiling instead of the clock at your side. Casting a soft glow against your cheek. You contemplate all of the world’s big problems like the concept of dreams. You can’t remember the last time you had a dream. Every morning it’s been the same. Five o’clock. Watching the rain or listening to your world tick by. There were more important things than wishing for more.
With a grunt you sit up. 5:15. Not too bad, you think.
The warm almost scalding water of the shower welcomes you and everything falls into place like usual. A cup of coffee, an SDN uniform, and a silent goodbye to your apartment. Adjusting your collar you wait alongside the rest of early commuters. The streetlight turns green and while a handful of cars whiz by to avoid L.A. traffic you simply cross to the other side. Your mornings are slow but that’s how you prefer it because from 9-5 you’re SDN property and the wicked never rests.
The days are starting to blur together if you want to be honest. You don’t expect anything new, exciting, or even mildly horrific except maybe the Z-Team but even their mess ups are predictable.
A tickle itches your nose and already knowing what’s coming you sneeze into your elbow. Sniffing you don’t put much thought into your actions as you swing the door open to SDN. Holding it with the edge of your foot. You wait 1, 2, 3, 4,…5. Then the sound of footsteps appears. It’s not unusual for Mandy to show up around the same time you do. You don’t make much of an effort to smile, she makes it easy but instead of those familiar blue eyes behind an even brighter mask you see Mecha Man.
Nearly dropping your now lukewarm brew you ignore the way it dribbles down your knuckles when you catch it. Your eyes never leaving the man before you.
“Good morning,” you murmur. Dazzled by his dark colored eyes and jawline.
He looks surprised but then smiles politely and if that wasn’t enough to stop your heart, he thanks you.
You deal with heroes on a day to day basis but Mecha Man? He was a legend. Three generations of heroes. Three generations of suits. You thought the third generation was where it had ended. Seen with your own two eyes the ball of fire that lit up the sky.
You had to find Royd. No, you had to find Chase first.
“What the fuck is going on?” Your bag slams onto the first empty space you can find as you trudge up to Chase. You found him in the records room.
“Well good-fucking morning to you too.”
“Sorry,” you cough. Righting yourself as Chase turns fully in his chair to see you more clearly. Clasping your hands together you bat your lashes and put on the most syrupy voice known to man. “What the actual fuck is going on?”
“So you saw him?” It’s more of a statement than a question.
“Yes I saw him! What on earth is he doing here?”
“Here as in on this planet or—”
“Don’t fuck with me Chase! I’m the first one who’s supposed to know about new hires from Blazer.” Pointing an accusing finger in his face you rest your other hand on your hip. “Were you two planning this? Thought it would be funny to give me the biggest jumpscare of my life?”
He smirks. Arms crossed over his chest. “Your shitty power so shitty it forgot to work?”
“I’ll have you know you little shit five seconds isn’t enough time to gather information about my whole day.”
“Hence the shit in shitty.” Chase’s amusement doesn’t fade because of course it doesn’t. “Looks just like him huh?”
“Almost identical.” You answered with a huff before looking off to the side. “It’s eerie.”
“That’s how genetics work dipshit.”
You throw your hands up in exasperation. “Ok what is up with you and shit today? Forget to take your prune juice?”
Chase recoils, “Fuck you motherfucker!”
“No fuck you—” You jut your finger in his face again. Towering over him when the door creaks open. The two of you stop dead.
Glancing between the newcomer and Chase you grumble. “This isn’t over.” Making it very obvious with an ‘I’m watching you’ sign with your fingers and walking towards the front of the room.
Robert Robertson III was not the first and apparently not the last Mecha Man you would meet in your lifetime.
“Holy shit. Who’s this freckle faced fuck?”
You refrain from laughing because you’re still mad at Chase but it’s amusing watching the confusion spread across Robert’s face.
“How are ya?”
“That’s an aggressive way to greet someone—” Robert grunts at the strength Chase puts into hugging him and you can’t blame him.
“Look at this skinny latte prick. You’re bones, Kid. You here to whip these assholes into shape or what?”
“That’s the idea.” Blazer round the corner looking pleased with herself. As Robert and Chase get reacquainted you slide in beside her. Blazer’s hand comes to rest on your shoulder after scolding Chase over his very dark joke about Robert. The second not the third. God this was going to get confusing.
“And this is (y/n). Our PR manager. You’ll be working closely together on the Phoenix Program.”
You wave half-heartedly. “We already met at the—in the lobby.”
He seems to pause before turning to Blazer. “So much for keeping me a secret.”
“Don’t be shy fucker.” Chase lightly jabs your ribs. Pointing his thumb in your direction with pride. “Your dad has a history with this one.”
“Don’t say it like that,” you groan.
“Well then you fucking do it. You’re a fucking grown ass woman.”
Blowing air through your nose you roll your eyes. It was strange how your platonic soulmate could piss you off and make you laugh within the same sentence. Shaking your head you jab him back then get back to the elephant in the room. “Sorry about him but, you know how he is.”
“Don’t apologize for me motherfucker. I can speak for myself and I’m not sorry.”
You groan even louder. Grabbing your co-worker by the shoulders and pushing him away to make your way towards freedom.
“Thank you Chase!” Speaking through gritted teeth you catch Blazer’s attention. Doing your best to look halfway decent with your face feeling hot and your will to live even lower than when you came in. “I’m already running late for a meeting so I’ll talk to you later.”
Chase throws his hands up as if to prove his innocence. He is anything but.
“Oh before you go,” Mandy’s hand catches you before you can walk too far. Stumbling back you wait for her to speak. “Could you show Robert to his desk? Since you’ve been working with the Z-Teamers these past few weeks I figured you could give him a few pointers. After introductions of course.”
Your brows furrow but you nod and seeing your unasked question she squeezes your arm in reassurance. “Don’t worry about that, I’ll take care of it. It’s more important we get more progress underway for the program.”
“Yeah, okay.” You sound more sure of yourself as you nod again.
She smiles, “good luck you two and Chase, be nice.”
“I am nice, I’m as nice as a fucking summer breeze.” He crosses his arms in indignation. Glaring at you from the corner of his eye which you gladly return.
“Alright, enough of this feelings shit. Let’s introduce you to your team of losers.”
You gesture for Robert to go on ahead of you when Chase begins to lead the way but he doesn’t take this for an answer this time.
“No, after you. It’s the least I could do.” He shakes his head. Hands in his pockets after gesturing forward.
“Oh. Thank you.” You blink owlishly and turn your back to him.
Maybe you had been working with the Z-Team for too long…basic human decency should not have your stomach in knots.
“Now, if I’m being honest, I thought, and still think, we shoulda canned these tunas months ago.”
“Your cynicism is quite inspiring,” you murmur.
“Thank you, I do my best.”
You snort and nudge Chase before allowing him to continue to pull up the files. While he does that you figure this is the best time to fill in any gaps Robert may have about the job.
“The program is being threatened of being cut if we don’t see improvements soon. We’ve been looking for a suitable dispatcher since I’ve been filling in after the last one quit.”
“So I’m guessing you’re happy to see me,” Robert quirks a brow.
You chuckle, “ecstatic.”
You don’t miss the glance Chase takes at the two of you but you ignore it, desperately.
Sonar, whom you love and hate like the rest of your rowdy crew, has definitely improved from trying to rob you for all you’re worth (which isn’t much) to brewing you a cup of coffee when he has the chance. His relationship with Malevola has definitely brightened your own with her.
Flambae is still the same douchebag that came in on the first day of recruitment however, he’s doing his best to prove he’s a worthy hero. You have high hopes for him as long as he can face failure with a persevering attitude. You think offering him a hairband once really improved your chances of trust. Baby steps.
Invisigal was a difficult customer but not an entirely unreasonable one. You don’t ask questions but you do leave room for her to speak her mind whenever the situation arises. The bridge is weak but Rome wasn’t built in a day so…
Coupé was actually a lot easier to read. She was blunt, straight to the point, and no nonsense. The only big character flaw was her tendency to be self centered unless it came to Punch Up. There was a reason for that so all you had to do was open her up to the possibility of being able to rely on others. If only you could get her teammates to be reliable.
Punch Up was the friendliest Z-Team member but not to be trifled with. Same thing here, a good relationship with him led to a decent one with Coop. His tendency to want to brawl with the nearest object did cost him on missions but that was easily something that could be worked on.
Malevola was…well, she was a terrifying kind of beautiful. Honestly the most agreeable but you weren’t friends by any means. At least that’s how you perceived it observing the team. If you weren’t teased mercilessly about your life choices you weren’t in on their inner circle.
Golem was a gentle giant through and through. He just had tough skin both figuratively and literally because of the maltreatment he received for being different. It would be impossible not to create walls when you were a sentient being after all, that existed for a short period of time.
Prism, a double edged sword but a hard worker if her music career was any consolation. You had your ups and downs but it seemed that taking accountability for your own mistakes led her to feel comfortable enough to do the same when she blew up on you or the rest of the team. You could tell she was grateful for the chance to be a part of the program.
“We’re hoping for the best,” you sigh. Staring at the screen with a sort of melancholy anyone could recognize. “They have a real shot if they have the right people to guide them. I would hate for the team to lose their chance at being something…something great.”
“You’re putting too much faith in them to do the right thing but, it’s coming from a good place kid.” Chase smiles, a genuine smile not the smug smirk he wears on his face like a mask. He’s a good guy. Always has been.
“Thanks grandpa.”
Chase guffaws and hits your back. “That’s low, even for you.”
You hum and shrug your shoulders. Your smile crooked and pointed in his direction. “Payback for making me sound like a groupie.”
“But you are.” He says, totally convinced.
“I am not!” You steam like a kettle from your ears. “Do you even know what that means?”
“I’m not the one with a Mecha Man—”
“Okay!” You shout. Yanking the back of Robert's chair and laughing nervously. “Let me show you to your desk Robert.”
Chase coughs into his fist. “Pussy.”
“Your mom,” you mouth.
You pass by Royd on your way through the office and make a mental note to visit soon. Chase was more over who you gossiped with while Royd was a form of emotional support when the people in the office became too much. Which was often.
“This computer’s older than you look.”
You muffle a laugh into your elbow as you rest against the walls of Robert’s cubicle. Chin tucked neatly on top of your arms.
Robert wastes little too no time getting comfortable at his new desk and you admire him for that. You can only hope Mecha Man is as versatile here as he is out on the field. Most dispatchers don’t last more than a day or worse, one call.
The familiar start-up sound from the computer has you straightening up instantly. It’ll be nice to get a break after being Pavlov-ed to hate the sound.
“Wait. So, we’re doing this? I haven’t even met the team yet?”
“We did the slide show.” Chase answers before you can.
“First of all, that wasn’t a slideshow…” Robert fiddles with the headset before putting it on gingerly.
“You’ll do great,” you interject. “The Z-Team isn’t really a group you can prepare for.” Trailing off you wince at what’s to come and immediately feel like you’re releasing him to the wolves. “If you need me, I’ll be just a few doors down.”
Your office sat conveniently beside the conference room. A bit neglected from your time as a temporary dispatcher but still standing.
“He’ll be fine,” Chase drawls affectionately. Shooing you away when you peek over his cubicle. “Get out of here kid. See you for lunch.”
“Fine, fine.” You raise your hands in surrender. Though the look on your face hasn’t lessened. “Take care of each other alright?”
“Knock on wood.”
Smiling you and Chase simultaneously find the nearest surface and a light knock rings out on either end.
—
You hadn’t stopped worrying since you closed the door. Bouncing your knee, chewing on your nails. When it got to be too much you stood up only to find Robert surprisingly handling his own. Exhaling you let yourself rest against the doorframe for a minute longer before finally deciding to put some more trust into Mecha Man. It was a lot easier to fill out paperwork after that.
You set the stack aside for Blazer to review. Easily moving onto the next task when a tickle began in your nose. Sneezing into your elbow just in time you stood over your desk. Frozen in place before scrambling for the door.
Your heartbeat was loud in your ears as you rounded the corner to the breakroom. Hearing the last bits of commotion before the door slammed open.
“Feel Bad? Good. Fuck—”
“Visi!”
Her fist meets your palm instead of Robert’s face. Your relief fading away instantly. Hardening your stare you force her hand back down to her side. Her bewilderment isn’t enough to keep you from holding your tongue like usual.
“Go take a ten then come back to talk.”
She sputters then hardens her face as well. Thrusting her hands forward. “I—he was the one—”
“Now Invisigal.”
The daggers in her eyes are only pointed in your direction for a minute before she looks back down at Robert like he was to blame for her misfortune. She lands a swift kick to the door and leaves flipping her finger off.
“That wasn’t necessary!” You call after her. She returns the gesture with two hands instead of one.
Sighing, your shoulders slump as you mentally prepare for how behind you’ll be now. Forced to take the time to play therapist to an unwilling patient. The scent of coffee is enough to bring you back inside the breakroom to find Sonar. Waiting patiently with a heavenly brew with all the excitement of a kindergartner wanting to impress their teacher for show-and-tell.
“Speacially made,” he croons. Shaking the jar of coffee beans in his other hand.
You laugh and graciously take the cup. Jumping when a high screech interrupts his next sentence.
“Where have you been? We missed you.”
“I can see that.”
You don’t let your mind drift too far when it comes to Invisigal. She needed to cool off before you could even think to ask what happened. Sonar’s ears twitch when you take a sniff of the brew. A dark roast almost as close in color as straight black coffee. It ripples under your breath. Froth bubbles around the edges of the cup.
“Guess it’s back to business huh? I wish we’d been together at Harvard. We would have made a great team.”
“Embezzling?”
“Of course! You could be Bonnie and I could be Clyde.” He straightens his tie. “Just think, your intuition, my brains.”
“I don’t think that’s the best comparison, my guy.”
“What? Oh you mean that. Well, no guts no glory.”
“I hate to interrupt, whatever this is—”
“Robert! Right. Listen, Sonar, good work today and keep the team going okay? I don’t need everything falling apart because I’m not there to threaten you.”
Sonar sighs heavily but shrugs. “Whatever you say mom. You gonna eat those twinks?”
You wheeze, “the what?”
“That’s not what they’re—-you know what, help yourself.”
Sonar collects his prize and his coffee grinder. Pats you on the head and hums before letting another deafening screech to kill your already weak eardrums. Clasping your hands together you look sheepish as you give your full attention to Robert.
“So…my office, or yours?”