#trans!robert robertson

[quitealotofsodapop]

Pregnant Robert, what's his cravings?

It varies from pregnancy/partner. But one thong remains consistent; his sweet tooth.

His love for Twinkies is unending. But only the original Vanilla flavour. Give him a Banana or Fourth of July-flavoured Twinkie, and he might just cry.

As for cravings that vary between partners/AUs I have considered:

Sonar/Victor: Bugs/shellfish (inspired by one of my fic fics). Its the bat instincts. Robert might just eat his weight in fried shrimp, tails and all. Victor takes the opportunity to introduce his mate to some of his fave buggy snacks. Robert hates that silkworms and ant eggs quickly become his go-to choice of invertebrate.

Flambae/Chad: Spice. He craves foods that bring him warmth; curries, chillies, spiced meat etc. Robert suspects its his body trying to balance out the fire the baby carries. Once Chad finds out about the pregnancy, he is feeding Robert as much traditional Persian dishes as he can.

Chad: "You eat like shit, and I don't want our kid to be born with normie white-boy taste buds." Robert: "Aww, I knew you cared." <3

Punch Up/Colm: Pickles and leafy greens. Colm might just steal Robert away for a "honeymoon" to his home country of Ireland to show him off to family + introduce him to local cuisine. Robert discovers piccalilli (a neon yellow relish common here) and pretty much drowns his food in it. Discovers that nettles are edible and very tasty.

Coupe/Janette: Blood and foods with a high Iron content. Robert develops pretty bad anaemia while pregnant, and Janette is willing to feed him her own blood if she has to. Robert thanks her for the dedication, but points out that pre-natal vitamins are a thing for a reason. Janette compromises with blood sausage and Seonji-guk (Korean beef blood soup). Robert gains a taste for organ meats and oily fish like mackerel.

Waterboy/Herman: Fruits and vegetables with high water content; cucumbers, zucchini, bell peppers, and regrettably; melon. The edible arrangements are quickly decimated - Phenomaman is delighted that someone is enjoying them! Robert still thinks cantaloupe is gross, as he chomps down on his fifth slice of the day. (Photo of a otter scowling as it eats watermelon). Herman makes Robert plenty of summer salads he learned from his grandmother. Robert also gets extremely thirsty during his pregnancy - suspects the baby has a water-absorption power.

Phenomaman/Katon-Ur: Stuff that people normally wouldn't eat. Pica is a pretty common pregnancy symptom, often tied to unknown vitamin deficiencies/prehistoric instincts. Robert craves fucking clay and chalk. The xeno-biologist on his case quickly deduces that Robert's baby is leeching calcium off him, and gets him on an upped vitamin regiment. Robert also gets the urge to eat literal grass and flowers. One day, Katon greets him with a bouquet of edible flowers. Robert cries as he eats them.

Katon: "I asked the flower selling person about flowers safe for humans to eat! I hope these may reduce your cravings." Robert: (*starts crying*) Katon, sad face: "Oh no. I have failed you." Robert, still teary-eyed: "No! You did great! It's just very sweet." Katon: "I can assure you some are peppery tasting." Robert, hugging him tight: "You big goober."

[mechalise]

It felt like a shrapnel cutting through him. At least, Robert guessed that was how shrapnel felt. He had been unconscious following the worst of the explosion, and brain damage generously blocked his memory of most of the event. It was too vicious and overwhelming for a knife wound, though. He was experienced enough in that to make the comparison.

Maybe Chase was right and he should work more with SDN's insurance and clinic. If he was better about taking his T and doing what he needed to, maybe his menstrual cycle would stop for good.

He tried to keep calm and focused with the team, but based on how the team went from snippy to concerned from first shift to second, Robert guessed he failed. It was particularly telling when Sonar left twinkies on his desk and Flambae dropped by with the excuse that the restaurant messed up his order and gave Robert some lunch. Flambae was a terrible actor and the whole scene earned a raised eyebrow from Galen, who thankfully kept his mouth shut. Robert shared his twinkies with him.

Even more telling was how Visi visited with some questionable pills Robert refused to take but thanked her for, and Prism offered him some Midol and a milkshake. Even if Robert wanted to hide in a dark corner for a while, he still loved his team.

When the end of shift alarm came, Robert was ready to cry. Only partly out of relief. "Okay, guys, you are free to go. Enjoy your weekend."

He barely listened to the team's chatter before he muted them and rested his forehead on the desk. Sudden cramps woke him up from an already shitty sleep the previous night, and the walk home sounded exhausting. If it wasn't for Beef stirring at his feet, recognizing the end-of-shift cues, Robert would be tempted to just sleep at his desk. It wasn't like his back could get any worse. Between chronic pain and cramps, his back seemed pleased to launch a full revolt.

Maybe he should ask the clinic to just cut the whole thing out, Robert thought, closing his eyes. He had no use for the parts, and what were a couple more scars at this point. He wrapped his arm around his cramping stomach and daydreamed about doing it himself. Hell, he bet Coop would do it.

Robert heard the man's steps and felt the familiar rise of heat before Flambae spoke. "Damn, you still look shitty. You're not finally dying, are you?"

If Robert had the energy, he would happily tell him what he could do with his stupid questions. Instead, he just groaned, prompting a whine from Beef. Flambae wasn't the best with certain things: periods among them. When they first became FWB, Flambae looked at Robert's equipment with absolute confusion and some slight, hilarious fear before Robert showed him exactly how everything worked and told him what to do. Flambae had improved over the months, but this was the first time Robert's menstrual cycle had decided to fuck Robert over since they got together. Flambae never had to deal with it before.

Flambae had dealt with his chronic pain before. That thought struck Robert as Flambae knelt beside him, poking Robert's cheek. Robert was so distracted by the realization that he didn't even bite Flambae's finger.

"Hey, Bob Bob," Flambae said. His voice grew a little quieter, his accent slightly stronger. "You good?"

Instead of answering, Robert grabbed Flambae's hand, pulled it away from his cheek, and pressed it against his stomach. He didn't move otherwise, forehead still pressed against the desk. "Warmth, please."

Even with the 'please' at the end and the near sickly rasp to Robert's voice, it was clear that it was a command. Flambae responded immediately, a beautiful, amazing, living heating pad. Robert sighed as the warmth began to flow. Half-heartedly, he waved for Flambae's other hand. "Back, too."

Immediate response. Even better than he was in the field. "Body kicking your ass again," Flambae said, voice surprisingly sympathetic. Flambae responded to Robert's chronic pain far better than Robert had ever expected, although Robert could have done without all of the lectures regarding his "weak, normie body."

"Something like that," Robert mumbled, mind already made up. He had enough stuff at Flambae's place that he wouldn't need to go home. They could just go directly at Flambae's apartment. Then Robert could enjoy his living heating pad as much as he desired.

Flambae had a sister and his best friend was a woman. Surely he knew how to deal with this bullshit, right? If he didn't, well, if Robert had to suffer, so did his lover.

"More heat, please." He could probably convince Flambae to make a chocolate dessert, too.

[ipainkiller1999]

I haven't stopped thinking about @quitealotofsodapop's Look who's talking AU, so much so that I ended up starting a ref sheet for Rose! I still wanna do more posing with a full body, and do some painting here, but exams are coming and I'm busy, so this will have to do for now lmao

And yes, I will eventually do Robert and Sonar, I'm drawing that throuple no matter what >:)

[m00n-man2]

t-girl Robert. as a treat.

💙🩷🤍

[loststarphounix]

Feral Thoughts During Adulting Hours (work) TW: NSFW Trans!Robert

Robert’s a squirter. He is one of those partners that you’d notice if they’re actually turned on or not. Like his boxer shorts are drenched and he pants are kinda ruined levels of wet pussy. The “need to change the sheets for the bed before you even can recover from the orgasm” scenario he gets that wet. He finds it embarrassing, but Victor finds it to be a massive ego boost because he has physical proof that his Baebert is attracted to him and is having the time of his fucking life.

And he swears that his slick is like the best protein supplement off the market if he wasn’t such a mature (semi) drug free alpha, he’d probably try to see about selling it for profit. Not that he would - thats all his.

[quitealotofsodapop]

thinking of a pregnant!Robert or singleparent!Robert au where Robert's baby-parent is absent/dead/non-applicable, that turns into a Flambert story.

Flambae/Chad; who's been told since puberty that his powers make it impossible to sire/bare a child - meeting the Z-Team's nervous-asf single + expectant dispatcher.

He's furious in more ways than one.

Jealous that a "normie" man who barely takes care of himself enough to function has been blessed with something he could never have. Flambae quickly begins "bullying" Robert into eating the homemade meals the fire-hero brings from home, seasoned with endless excuses.

("I made too much, so eat it, bitch." "Your dog is fatter than you." "I added too much cumin." "Shut the fuck up. I know your flat ass is eating nothing but snack cakes!")

Infuriated that the new dispatcher is able to match and challenge his attitude, and even reprimand him for lapses of anger. Robert will shout at Flambae for flagrantly setting something on fire until he's blue, in the same breathe he praises him for how he handled a child-focused call that day.

And finally, Frustrated that Bob Bob doesn't seem to be oblivious or deliberately ignoring Chad's obvious interest in him. Not that Chad himself will admit it first ofc (tsundere).

Prism quietly orders a "Dad who Stepped Up" t-shirt in Flambae's size. All else fails, she'll gift to too-big shirt it to Robert as a harmless joke. (He ends up stealing it anyway)

Thoughts?

[quitealotofsodapop]

Idea I randomly had that will not leave me alone:

Robert gets knocked up before his coma, but he didn't know. He maybe suspected something was wrong, but was too busy/too broke to really investigate, so he ignored it. He still doesn't know about it when he wakes up, but only because he left the hospital before they had the chance to tell him.

Robert just, never figures it out. He assumes the weight gain (Visi's dad bod comments are very true) and nausea is a coma thing, blames his mood swings on brain damage, and everything happens like in canon.

Then a few weeks into dispatching, Robert wakes up just feeling like something's wrong, but he can't figure out what. All he knows is that he's feeling random cramps and a lot of weird pressure. It gets so bad by the time he gets home that he decides to just sleep off what he assumes is the worst stomach ache of his life, then boom! Surprise baby.

Robert just assuming every symptom is a side-effect of his recent coma + mid-air explosion is very on-brand for him.

There is actually a number of conditions that can make detecting a pregnancy difficult. Ex: PCOS/PMOS, hormonal imbalances, If a person is born with an inverted uterus, if the placenta presents anterior (towards the front), incompetent doctors, etc...

Years of medical issues, scattered HRT, injuries, and exposure to dangerous materials; left Robert (and doctors) just assuming he couldn't become pregnant without fertility assistance.

+Robert, AFAB or a cursed/magically-affected AMAB person, also likely had a little mental block of denial.

So when Robert wakes up with bloating, nausea, brain fog, and difficulty timing bathroom breaks - he blames the coma.

Robert expects the "dad bod" comments. Since his crash his muscles have atrophied, replaced with soft fat derived from his love of cream-filled sweets.

Hilarity ensues if the birth occurs during a very tense portion of the story.

Like say... Post-Episode 5.

Robert is in a bad place mentally and physically.

Sharing his secret identity with the Z-Team brought them closer together - all except the one he had the most history with. He's pretty sure Flambae would have scorched him if Golem and Waterboy didn't intervene. What's more is that the hothead's best friend, Prism aka Alice, hasn't been able to get in contact with him since that fateful night.

Then came the failed Proto Pulse test.

He doesn't blame Royd for what happened. If anything, Robert should have used a dummy instead of himself.

It would have saved him fourteen hours.

The medical staff wanted to keep Robert under observation, but all he wanted to do was get back to work.

The bottle of scotch acts as decent pain relief when the contractions start.

Robert strips down into his birthday suit, hoping that a lukewarm bath will soothe the aches and pains.

The pain keeps coming, increasing with intensity in waves.

Robert thinks he probably should have stayed in medical after all.

The final straw is when he feels a gushing sensation and a trickle of blood starts to paint the water.

Grasping blindly, he grabs his phone from his discarded pants and calls Chase.

Robert, seething through a wave of pain: "Ch- Chase?" Chase, instantly worried: "Robert? You okay, kid?" Robert, taking breaks to breathe: "I'm not... feeling so good. Think I should have... fuck!" Chase, serious: "Robert, where are you right now?" Robert: "My place. Bathroom." Chase: "Hang tight, I can get a ride asap. Stay on the line with me." Robert: "No, Chase... I need to talk to him first."' Chase: "Talk to who first? Robert who-" Robert: (*hangs up, scrolling through the Z-Team's work contacts*)

The phone rings for a solid minute before the recipient decides to answer.

Flambae: "What the fuck Robert?! You can't be trying to apologise before I come over, I didn't plan for that!" Robert: "Why would you...? Never mind. I just really want to say that I'm... sorry for taking your fingers. Sorry for putting you in jail and shit. But I'm not sorry for stopping you from destroying yourself." Flambae, analysing his voice: "...How drunk are you?" Robert: "About most of a bottle of Bourbon Whiskey." Flambae: "A-allah... takes you over five years and a high blood alcohol content for you to say anything about it." Robert: "Also I think I might be dying right now..." Flambae: "WHAT!?" Robert, getting light-headed: "I took a bath and now there's blood... I called Chase... he's picking me up." Flambae: "Call an ambulance, you idiot!" Robert: "Can't afford an ambulance." Flambae: "Then you can't afford a funeral either, bitch! Where's your apartment - I'm getting there first!"

Robert mumbles his address and unit number as another wave of pain causes him to cry out loud enough to echo off the cheap tiled walls.

Flambae is ultimately the first to arrive - melting the lock off the balcony door so he can burst in to his foe's aid.

Upon assessing Robert's condition, the ex-villain's face turns from furious worry to utter confusion.

Flambae: "Heyyy, Bob-Bob? Any chance you could be pregnant?" Robert: "Not to my knowledge, why?" Flambae: "Because you're dilated as shit, bro. I think all the bloody stuff is like, amniotic fluid." Robert, half-delirious from pain and drunkenness: "Wha...?"

By the time a very worried Chase (nearlt breaks his "no more running" rule) + Z-Team burst into the apartment; Flambae is standing in Robert's bathroom holding a newborn baby with a first aid kid scattered across the floor. Robert himself naked and mildly drunk in the bathtub.

Sheer confusion all around.

Robert: "Oh hey. When did you get here?" Flambae: "They literally showed up just now." Robert: "Nah, I meant her." (*boops baby's nose*) Fourth Gen Robertson: (*also looking very confused*)

It becomes a very eventful housewarming-turned-hospital trip.

Flambae not-so-subtly suggests he should get naming rights to the baby so "It can all be a bridge underwater." Robert agrees, despite the mangled metaphor.

"Zarmina Robertson" is a healthy 36 weeks, a little skinny, and overall seems equally puzzled on how she got here in one piece.

[quitealotofsodapop]

Ok now I really need Flambae as the baby daddy because I just imagine in Cypto Night Robert recognizing and ugh this is going to suck hope he doesn’t kill me just grabs him by the wrist saying we need to talk and drags him to the bathroom

Man’s flambae is growling bloody murder before he blue screens as mecha man pulls off his mask revealing Robert the man he can’t get out of his mind after their one night

Gotchu homies.

Went over in my head what the most fun/ironic way for these too to meet prior to Dispatch's main story, and I decided; Flambae saves Robert.

Specifically; it's Chad (short for Chadli) who saves Robert.

Robert had been chasing leads as usual. Shroud was out of prison, and Robert want to know why, and what he was doing.

One of his informants lets him in on a secret; it seems that a few former-supervillains are being pardoned into some sort of SDN-funded reform programme. Including a certain firebug that Mecha Man had put away five years prior.

Robert's interest flares. A former nemesis would be high on the list of suspects wanting to team up with his dad's killer to oppose and possibly murder him.

So like a moth, he chases the flame.

Flambae is pretty easy to spot out in the wild. That blazing silhouette, that braggadocios laugh, that criminally-low v-neck he hasn't changed up since his villain days...

Robert tries to observe from a distance. No interaction with the Red Ring, at least not from what he can tell. The arsonist seems to be behaving himself for once.

But old habits die hard.

Robert wasn't following Flambae the night he got jumped.

A group from one of the bars must have thought he was a possible police informant, and decided they needed to send a message. Or they had seen a lone, skinny, tired man and decided he was an easy target for worse things.

Robert was being dragged into a minivan by at least five masked individuals when a voice breaks the chaos.

Chad: (*Is clearly [to Robert] Flambae in civilian-mode, wearing the most eye straining rave outfit on earth*) Chad: "Fuck you doing with my man?" Bar Crook 1#: "This don't concern you, fag. We'll handling this bitch." Chad: (*tsks as he tucks away his sunglasses*) "You'll find that this very much concerns me, bitch." Bar Crook 1#: "Yeah? And what are you gonna-" Bar Crook 2#: (*pained screaming!*) (*Eyes snap to the sound's source, who's currently in the process of getting his ear bitten off by a feral-mode Robert*) Chad, impressed: "Oh damn."

In the aftermath, five bodies lay on the ground in varying states of burn and mutilation. An SDN unit it already on their way. Robert and the mysterious "stranger" sit on the curb, the former's hoodie stained with someone else's blood."

Chad: "You fight pretty good... for a normie that is." Robert: "So do you, for a peacock." Chad: "What? You expect me to go to the clubs and not look my best? At least I'm not wearing a filthy flour sack." Robert: "Your best is a mesh shirt and flame decals?" Chad: "I can't help if the frame compliments the artwork!" Robert: "You mean a Picasso, right?" (*both laugh at their shared jabbing, tension easing off*) Chad: "No, seriously though. You didn't even seem shocked you were being manhandled like that... Shit okay for you?" Robert: "No, it is. I'm just... not used to being saved, is all." Chad: "That's depressing at shit. You really thought no one was going to help you back there?" Robert, hesitates to answer: "...No." Chad, huffs: "Sucks to be you then. I see someone being dragged out of a bar, I make it my business." Robert: "I suppose that makes two of us." Chad: "You like playing hero?" Robert: "Only as much as you do, evidently." Chad, leaning closer: "I can also play bad when I want to." Robert, also leaning in: "So can I." Alice: "DAY-UM, Bae! You didn't tell me you were out getting into fights!" (*Robert and Chad turn to see, possibly the most colourful woman Robert has ever seen. She has a large afro, and is wearing a pink and blue toned outfit with her arms lined with kandi bracelets*) Chad, smiling: "Hadn't planned on it. But my friend here needed an assist, so I obliged." Alice: (*looks Robert up and down, scrutinising his appearance and attire*) Alice: "He's cute. In a flea-bitten cat kinda way. That outfit is a bust though, why he out here looking like a grey nut sack?" Robert, little miffed: "I was trying to find someone." Alice: "Boy, you ain't finding anyone looking like that." Robert: "Objection, I found him." (*points thumb at Chad*) Chad, sly smile: "Actually, I remember being the one to find you." Robert, completely aware how it sounds: "Yeah, and you had to beat five guys off of me." Chad: "You were doing some fair share of beating yourself." Robert: "I can make it six." Alice: "Ooooooo!"

It's around here that they exchange names - both Chad and Alice cackle when Robert explains his. ("Three fucking times!? Three!?" "Your ancestors must have hated you.")

Robert gets roped into their "girls night"; dragged by the other two as the SDN night crew finally pick up the unconscious attackers.

They aren't the only three out that fateful Saturday.

Robert is informally introduced to; a very sweaty man-bat with powder on his nose, an Australian demoness that looks like she could crush him underfoot, a short Irishman with forearms thicker than his torso, and a woman with a sharp gaze with wings and nails like knives. ("Golem couldn't join, bitch isn't 21 yet.")

Robert wonders if he's somehow wandered into a gang of supervillains.

Hard for him to complain though. They buy him a drink or three. Help wash the blood off of his collar ("Damn, his whole ear? We got to see you in action some day!"). And drag him to the noisiest, seizure-inducing clubs they come across.

Robert isn't sure when, through the haze of bodies and body glitter, do he and Chad end up in each other's sights again.

He remembers them packing up for the night, Malevola opening a portal to carry an unconscious Sonar home, while Alice organised an Uber for herself, Coupe, and Punch Up.

Chad offers to fly Robert home as his "designated flyer". Robert asks teasingly if he has his flight licence yet. Chad presses a finger to his lips with a shush.

The rest of their night didn't start with passion. Chad sneered at the state of Robert's apartment ("Damn, bitch! You live like this? Looks like you got divorced from life!"), and dog ("You're the fattest piece of shit I've ever seen. Yes you are!" *pets Beef*).

As heated as their flirtations got, both were distracted. Chad wanted to understand why Robert had such an empty life that he sought out his own kidnapping. And Robert wanted to know how an ex-convict managed to jump back into normalcy.

So, on Robert's bare mattress, they talk. And cry a little. Then they kiss. Then they... accidentally burn the mattress.

Robert wakes up alone, but with a new number keyed into his phone as "Hottie <3" and a plate of food on the counter. He's not sure where Chad even got the ingredients from.

For weeks he feels a warmth inside he finds hard to push down. And nausea, but that's for a different reason. He tosses the test he got from the pharmacy into the trash can before it can finish telling him his result.

He ignores it for now.

He barely responds to the texts Chad shoots off. Basic "how are you rn?"s and "you up for tonight?"s that Robert can only respond with claims of family drama and a photo or two of him and Beef. Chad's text come across as understanding, but with a hint of disappointed hidden behind the words.

Robert promises to meet with him again after he "talks to his dad about something", and turns off his phone.

He's got a villain to catch.

Chad sighed. Unable to get that Robert guy out of his head. Something about him seemed so familiar. Something that ignited something in his chest that wasn't just lust or fire. Alice teases him, saying that he might just have found "The saddest twunk in existence to fawn over". Coupe makes a comment about "soulmates" and "fated encounters" that makes most of the group laugh at the absurdity. Punch Up and Sonar quip that Robert must just have given fantastic head to still be stuck in the flame-welder's mind. Chad can confirm that last statement at least.

A huge explosion rocks the Southland.

Mecha Man is down.

Many didn't even realise it had been him at first since it was all aflame as it fell.

Chad feels dread, and he's not sure why.

Robert recovered quickly, all things considered. He didn't have as nearly the amount of burns he should have given the nature of the wreck.

The coma sucked, as did the nerve and neurological damage. But he survived.

Robert wonders if he was supposed to.

The doctors drop the ball on him while organising pain relief. They found something. Something alive and heat-resistant.

Robert stares at the ultrasound in shock. Tears and laughter bubble up at the irony of it all. One of his most personal past foes had given him a precious gift. Something- no, Someone that sensed the heat of the explosion and steeled itself to protect it's parent.

Robert texts Chad immediately.

Robert: (*is texting, lying in the hospital bed, hooked up to multiple machines*) Robert: "I lived, bitch" Chad, seconds later: "WHAT THE FUCK BOB BOB" Robert: "Talking to my dad didn't go as planned, lol" Chad: "send me the hospital address now, I am coming to see you" Robert: "simp <3"

Robert expects to get yelled at, even punched. But Chad rushes to his side, and kisses his sweat-slicked forehead.

Robert wasn't the only one who couldn't stop thinking of the other.

Chad's assumption was that Robert's "dad" had reacted badly to some sort of confession or reveal. Robert simply tells him that; "Him and my other dad broke up years ago. Shit got real over some custody bullshit. I got fucked up."

Chad tells him he's glad he's alive. Robert breathes a chuckle. If only he knew...

Chad continues visiting him in the off-hours. Sometimes he doesn't even bother changing out of his Flambae attire, unashamed that he was flaunting his secret identity to his normie lover. Robert *tries* to act surprised. Chad doesn't buy it. Robert points to a recent new broadcast, showing off the Z-Team. Flambae doesn't exactly cover up his face that much.

Chad: "Damn right! My face is too beautiful to just hide from the world!" Robert: "Still, I'd prefer if you were more careful." Chad: "Why? Jealous that the public gets to see me?" Robert: "Scared that you might get hurt, Chad. What if some piece of shit recognises you on the news like I did, and jumps you while you're out with your family?" Chad, thoughtful: "I... shit, you're right." Robert: "I know I am." Chad, groans: "Ugh... at least I can convince Alice to design me something that's not too hideous."

Flambae adds a large pair of sunglasses to his attire. Robert sighs but considers it progress.

The night of the press conference, Robert tells Chad that he's about to go under an "invasive and embarrassing procedure". Chad says enough said, and kisses him good luck.

Robert leaves the conference hall in chaos. After that reporter Kingsley passed comment about how Robert’s father and grandfather must feel now that the mech suit was destroyed and himself still alive; Robert answered truthfully.

Robert: “I think they’d be happy I’m alive. And so will be the future generation.”

Mecha Man Blue limps away before the reporters can swarm him for more context.

Blazer is a little more forward with her job offer. She immediately clocks why Mecha Man is hiding his form behind a thick jacket. Robert can’t be expected to go out fighting crime in his state, suit or no suit. He’ll need a desk job. But that doesn’t mean he has to be barred from all the action.

Robert is about to contemplate her offer, when a familiar voice cuts into frame.

“Hey! Bitch!”

Robert doesn’t let Flambae finish his introduction before dragging him into the men’s bathroom.

The former-villain is fully prepared for there to be a bathroom-exclusive brawl, but freezes when Mecha Man pulls off his mask.

Chad, disbelief: “Robert?” Robert: “Yeah.” Chad: (*eyes and expressions dart around. He seems unsure of what to think*) Robert: “Look I… I get if you never want to speak to me again… but please know I really do care-” Chad, enraged; “Your ass is supposed to be in recovery, you idiot! And now I learn you’re the bitch who sent me away?!” Robert: “Yeah. It’s… a lot. I didn’t expect to be saved by the guy who nearly cooked me alive.” Chad: “Fuck you!” Robert: “Too late for that.” Chad: (*goes into deep thought. Takes a deep breath*) Chad: “I am mad as fuck. But… I don’t want to hurt you - for whatever fucking reason. I’m going to… take this anger out on a tree or a therapist or some shit. I’ll text you if I’m cool or not.” Robert: “Take all the time you need.”

Flambae leaves the bathroom, unfought. His fellow co-workers (people Robert 100% recognises as two of the people he partied with before), reacting with confusion as Mecha Man exits later unharmed.

Robert accepts Blonde Blazer’s offer as Dispatcher at SDN. He needs the money.

Plus it’s a good excuse to run into Chad some more.

On his first day, as he helps a soggy young man with his tie, Robert can feel Chad’s eyes boring into him. They don’t say a word to one another.

It is only when Robert introduces himself on the com line that the former-villain says anything.

Robert: “Hey team. This is your dispatcher, Robert Robertson. I’m starting my first shift-” Prism, near shrieking: “FUCKING ROBERTO ROBERTOSON!?” Sonar: “Lol. Flambae, your ex is here.” Flambae: “Shut the fuck up! He is not my ex, okay!? It was a one night thing!” Malevola: “You didn’t stop talking about him for weeks, dude.” Flambae, lie: “No I didn’t.” Coupe: “You SO totally did.” Robert, teasing: “Aww. What about the weeks of texting, and you visiting me in the hospital, Flambae? I doubt that was all in one night.” Z Team: (*loud “Oooo!”s and laughter*) Flambae, seething: “I swear to god, Robert. Once this shift is over, I am either kissing or punching you square in that stupid depressed freckled face of yours.” Robert, smiling: “I will prepare for both.”

Chase is, understandably, confused and concerned that Robert is seemingly in a relationship with one of his past foes. Robert points out that they didn’t start the relationship as supers. Chase retorts that it doesn’t make it any less weird.

Robert mentally prepares himself for the rollercoaster that is being in a relationship with someone as fiery as Chad. And begin planning how to tell him about how the latex they used that fateful night wasn't as heat resistant as they thought...