Blondbae thoughts appeared again
It's hard not to appreciate efficiency, and Robert has always been a sucker for competency. Blond Blazer, as he introduces himself to the befuddled crew, while not officially on the leaderboard or this universe's SDN still volunteers to go on missions. For funsies, as he puts it. Mostly, Robert thinks it's because he's bored and wants to show off. Wants everyone to see that he is the better, superior version out of the two fire-starters currently occupying this reality.
Blazer is faster; Robert has to give him that. He is more charming and seems a lot more certain of himself and his worth. Privately, the dispatcher thinks it's because he never went to jail, but who knows for sure? He certainly hasn't bothered asking any deep questions while the man was kissing the daylights out of him on their first meeting. And afterwards, he never found the time or motivation to inquire further.
What Robert does know for certain is that Blazer, or Blondbae as he has called him in his head, as soon as the misunderstanding of his identity was cleared, has been a hero for far longer than Flambae has. And he has gained the skills and know-how necessary to prove it, too.
It surprises Robert how easy he is to work with once they establish some ground rules. There are still insults being thrown every which way, and a bet seems to pop up every other shift, but he responds to Robert like a program tuned to his every touch and suggestion.
Still with sass, still with character, it seems no universe will have a sullen Flambae who doesn't talk back; but so so very responsive!
Suggestions are implemented only to be dissed afterwards.
Directions followed with a quick laugh and a joke.
Blazer pushes and antagonizes when appropriate. Suggests daring plans and outlandish operations that somehow work out when it's him at the wheel. Robert meets him halfway with just as much bite, delighting at being able to meet him head to head on the strategic front. For some reason, the dispatcher has never had this much fun on the job.
Robert was always alone in his heroic work. He liked it this way. But for once, someone is inexplicably on a similar wavelength to him, and he can spew jargon he hasn't used outside the suit and be met with understanding. He can add a quip about a past villain that had used a similar tactic to the one that's being utilized in the crime that Blazer had been sent to, and be answered with tactics he himself would have found appropriate in the situation, due to it being common sense to him.
And apparently, to Blazer, who had been at this gig for about as long as Robert himself apparently has.
Is it any wonder then that after another shift where the team has started showing their true colors more and more, successful almost to the 90th percentile, Robert leaves the dispatching station and walks over to the changing rooms, where everyone is getting out of their hero outfits, and approaches Blazer with an offer of dinner and drinks?
And is it any wonder that the blond readily accepts and offers to show him some of his favorite places in LA, provided they exist in this universe?