Chapter Text
Robert Robertson didn't have the best dad in the world; It would be harsh to call the old man neglectful, but then again, that's kind of what he was. But it was fine. Even though it hurt, Robert was able to convince himself, for the most part, that he didn't mind it. After all, his father was gone so often because he had an extremely important job; He was Mechaman- A superhero who protected the city and saved people. It was a task far more important than Robert and his dumb feelings or wanting to spend quality time with him.
Besides, he didn't have room to complain, now did he? Because he was certain that the kids that lived across from his own house, on the other side of the street, had things far worse happening to them than he did. Mild to sometimes major negligence of a child was one thing, even if it was or wasn't on purpose. Going out of your way to abuse one, however, was a far more horrid thing entirely.
Robert had been eight when the new family across the street had moved in. That had been about three months ago, near the end of the school year. It was normally quiet in that house. And Robert hardly ever saw anyone coming in or out of it. Maybe the old man who was somebody's dad or grandfather came out to sit on the porch once or twice a week, as well as a kid who would sometimes open the door when somebody came knocking, but that was basically it.
However, inside, there was plenty of noise: Screaming and sometimes even the occasional breaking of objects. They happened in spare interals a few times every week or so.
It was about a week into the new family moving in when he heard the noises for the very first time. He had been playing ball with his babysitter, Chase, outside when it happened. They had both stopped in their tracks, looking towards the location of the commotion.
"Shit," Chase- his babysitter-said with a look of concern. Robert himself was also startled and concerned, if not a little morbidly curious. "That doesn't sound good... give me a second, kid. I'll be right back."
Chase passed Robert the red ball they had been tossing back and forth, and Robert watched as he went across the street and rang the doorbell. The noises from the house slowly shimmered down, and a boy opened the door. The boy looked to be about eleven or twelve, as far as Robert could tell, with messy dark brown hair and slightly thick eyebrows.
Robert wasn't close enough to hear the conversation, but Chase told him about it once he came back across the street. Chase had questioned the boy about everything being alright, and apparently, the boy had just said that he had been watching a movie; That the movie was playing too loudly. The boy had apparently looked really anxious and uncomfortable the whole time as he apologized to Chase about the noise, and then he had shut the door in Chase's face and locked it shut once the conversation was deemed as being over.
"Do you really think it was just a movie?" Robert had asked Chase. That hadn't sounded like a movie to him, and he wondered if maybe he was just overthinking things.
Chase, in response, gave him a sympathetic look. He then ruffled Robert's hair. "Hell nah, kid...but hey, don't go worrying about it, alright? I'll keep an eye on it. Now come on, let's play inside, yeah?"
"Alright..." Robert said. The two of them then headed inside, Robert giving the house across the street one last look.
And that's how the rest of the summer went; With Chase once in a while checking in at the house. Robert was able to learn a lot more about the new family from the intel Chase provided to him. Apparently, the older boy's name was Chad; he and his family- a father and an older sibling who was going into their sophomore year of high school in the following weeks- had moved to America from Afghanistan.
But even once the summer was over and school started up, even once Chad and his sibling were seen more often, coming back and forth from school, still, Robert never found the courage to introduce himself to either of them. Because why would he? They were both older than him and would probably be annoyed by a kid still in elementary school trying to talk to them. So he didn't.
Until one faithful day when he finally did.
It was on a random Friday evening, ending off he first full week of school. Robert had gotten home about two hours earlier, completely home alone; Chase was busy that day doing hero work along with his dad, who would be home in who knew how long. But he wasn't scared. Robert had been home alone plenty of times now and was pretty used to it. Plus, he knew all he had to do was call if there was a real emergency, and Chase would be there in a matter of seconds.One of the many perks of having the fastest man alive as a family friend, he supposed.
As he was relaxing at the desk in his bedroom, having just finished his homework, his attention was suddenly snatched as he looked out the window to see Chad running out of his house. The older boy looked extremely upset.
Robert continued to watch Chad, leaning over his desk as he saw the older boy speed-walk down the sidewalk for a few seconds before sitting down with his back against a giant green powerbox. Chad then proceeded to bring his knees to his chest, and, after folding his arms, he covered his face in them.
Robert felt sorry for Chad.
Truly, he did.
He knew he wasn't old enough to be a hero, but still, he wanted to do something. He wanted to help him in some way.
So, taking a deep breath, he decided to leave his room his room. He went down to the kitchen and made a small bag of ice for Chad's eye, which was more than likely injured; He contemplated for a moment if maybe he should take bandages as well. It hadn't looked like the eye had been bleeding, but then again, Robert had been too far away to really tell. Heading to the pantry, he also grabbed one of the packs of Twinkies he had been saving. They were a snack that had always helped him feel better whenever he was having a rough day.
Making sure to check both ways like his dad had taught him to always do, Robert then crossed the street. He then walked over to Chad, who hadn't noticed that he was there, and now could clearly hear that the older boy was quietly crying. He crouched down and gave Chad a small tap on the arm. Chad snapped his head up to look at him; his swollen, black eye was now clearly visible
" Good." Robert thought to himself " At least he's not bleeding, I guess."
Chad looked fearful at first, but the second he saw that it was just a scrawny eighth year old, he quickly wiped his tears as his expression turned into a look of annoyance. He then spoke with a thick accent, "What the hell do you want?"
" Uuhhhh,” Robert answered awkwardly, offering him the ice pack as well as the Twinkies, “I, um... thought... You could use this. It should help with your eye...as well as just a Twinkie's cause why not, y'know?"
The beaten boy’s expression softened slightly as he stared at the gifts for a moment. Then, hesitantly, he took them from Robert's hands. "Oh... well...thanks... I guess."
" So what happened to your eye, if you don't mind me asking?" Robert then asked as he watched Chad look down at the floor and hold up the pack to his black eye. "You didn't have it before you came home from school."
Chad then looked back up at the younger boy. "You been spying on me or some shit?" He asked defensively.
" What, N-no!" Robert explained. Not really knowing why he felt nervous now, seeing as he didn't want to seem guilty. "My name's Robert. I live across the street and... a-and just saw you out my window by coincidence."
"Okaaay?.." Chad said. His expression showed that he was still not fully convinced, but was willing to let it slide for now. He looked back down to the ground once again.
"Soooo," Robert continued, sitting down next to the older boy. Chad scooted over a bit, allowing him to sit down.. That was good; Chad wasn't driving him away. "You wanna talk about it?"
"Nothing happened." Chad spat. "There's nothing to talk about, and if there was something, it's none of your business anyway."
"Ok, sorry." Robert apologized sincerely. "Rough topic, I guess?"
It took a moment for Robert himself to answere " Well... I get how you feel... sometimes my dad makes me cry like a pathetic bitch too..."
Char looked up a little with his eyes, but his head didn't move. " Really?"
"Yeah." Robert replied as he tried his best to give the boy a comforting smile. "Really."
Chad sighed " ... He isn't an asshole all of the time... my dad, I mean... like, he normally doesn't hit me like today-... he's normally not this big of an ass is all I'm saying..."
" Hey,I get it man." Robert comforted. " My dad has really bad days as well...and, like I said before, a twinkies always helps me feel better whenever he makes me cry..."
He looks down at the unopened twinkies in Chad's lap. " That's why I gave it too you. I know it's no cure for a crappy dad, but hey, might make your day feel a little less..."
" Shitty?" Chad asked.
" Yeah." Robert replied. " That's the word."
Getting the memo, Chad puts the ice pack down for a moment and picked the pack of Twinkies up. Opening it, he took the two sweets out, and, to Robert's suprise, handed one out for him to take.
" Here." Chad said. He was smilling a little now. " I'm not the biggest fan of them to be honest. I probably won't get through both of them."
"Oh." Robert said with a smile more genuine than before. " Well thanks then."
He took a bite of the twinkie, and Chad took a bight of his own.
"I'm Chad by the way." Chad said to him. " Sorry. Probably should have introduced myself a bit sooner into the conversation. But, you know. Crying and such. Emotional garbage and all that."
Robert chuckled. " You're all good man. I'm Robert; Robert Robertson."
"I know that dumbass. You already told me, remember?" Chad said in a joking manner. " Also, Robert Robertson? Seriously? who gave you a name like that?"
" You mean Robert Robertson the third?" Robert asked, amused.
Chad couldn't help but laugh "The third!? Wow man! I know you said your father was an ass, but that kind of a name!? Really!? There's been three of you?!"
" Yep!" Robert replied " My dad, my grandpa, and me. All named Robert. They were going to call me Bobby, but I liked the name Robert more. I want a name that can be respected."
Chad snorted " Well then Robert was probably the worst choice to go with then, now wasn't it? I like bobby better to be honest. But eh, either way, nice to meet you, Robbo."
" Same here." Robert said, not paying any mind to the new nickname he had just been given. " Nice to meet you too, Chad."