Chapter Text
As soon as Robert's done eating, Flambae takes the plate from him. He doesn't get up though.
“I cooked, someone else can clean.” He waves the plate in the general direction of the team. Of course Herm is the one that immediately goes for it, practically leaping at the opportunity to help out. “There's more of the shitty pasta in the pan. Anyone hungry can eat it, but it is not good.”
Robert would seriously disagree with that statement. He liked it a lot, would even take more. He's not going to ask for another plate or compliment the food again though. Flambae's ego does not need inflating.
“Thank you,” Robert calls after Waterboy, since no one else seemed to be doing so. He's only gone a couple seconds before he's back from the kitchen, not long enough to have washed the plate. Robert doesn't mind either way. Knowing the Z-Team, he'll be left with a mess to clean up anyway. Either a physical one, or one of them upsetting his neighbours.
Herm returns with a napkin with something on it, quickly handing it to Robert. It's a little damp, but the cake on top stayed dry. Robert just stares at it for a while. It looks to be vanilla or lemon by the colour, with some kind of frosting on it.
“You made this?” Flambae asks, to which Water boy nods. “Why's it not all wet and gross like everything you touch?”
Maybe Robert shouldn't antagonize the man that tried to kill him twice and is currently one of the only things making the constant pain in his body settle, but Flambae's being an asshole. Robert elbows him in the ribs. Flambae exhales sharply, halfway between surprise and annoyance. He doesn't say anything though.
“I onl- only touch- I used gl-gloves.” Herm wrings his hands. “The fla-flavour- It's le-lemon. It's a lemon cake. Noth- Not special.” After getting that out, Waterboy quickly goes off to the kitchen again. Robert doesn't even have time to say that he's never really baked anything before and that this is impressive to him already.
Robert takes a bite of the cake, holding it close to his face to prevent a mess. It had already looked good, but it tastes even better than that. It's the perfect balance between tart and sweet. When's the last time Robert's had cake that didn't come from a factory? He can't remember. Some of the events he went to as Mecha Man must have had cake, though Robert was always vary of food at those. If a villain's going to poison food, a meeting of superhero's is exactly the place you'd want to do so.
“I brought things too,” Victor shouts a little too loud, moving into Robert's field of view. Robert nods as much as he dares, more focused on keeping his hands steady as he eats the cake rather than what Sonar will show him. He'll find a way to repay them, Robert knows that. He hopes they know him well enough that they won't feel the need to list everything they did for him. Robert is good at keeping track of debts he hasn't repaid.
Sonar points out the painting, telling Robert who made it, but Robert's never heard of them, so that tells him very little. He still appreciates the gesture. Next, Victor brings out a set of expensive looking knives.
“You had like, no cutlery, so I got you the good stuff,” Victor boasts. Robert hums to show he's listening, not entirely sure what he'll need such fancy knives for. They feel a little wasted on him. Coupe seems quite interested in that part of the conversation, though Sonar moves on before the two of them could start discussing the topic further. Robert's sure Janelle has some very strong opinions on what makes a knife good.
“The best is yet to come though, Robbie,” Sonar says, carrying a cardboard box towards Robert. If Robert had the energy, he'd tell Victor to not call him that again. He'll have to do so later, when his limbs aren't as heavy and it doesn't feel like he's been dragged halfway around Torrance by a truck. “Ta-da! It's rechargeable, so you can use it anywhere.”
Robert needs to squint a bit to make out the writing on the box. It's a heating pad. That's a very thoughtful gift, all things considered. The whole team's been very considerate. Robert's not sure what to make of it. Either way, a heating pad would definitively make life easier when Robert's got to sit at as desk when his back is playing up.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Flambae huffs. “Get that shit out of here, I'm much better than any heating pad.”
“Are you seriously getting jealous about a heating pad?” Courtney laughs,
“Bae, are you planning to move in with Roberto? 'cause that's the only way you're going to manage being his permanent personal heater.” There's amusement in Alice's tone.
Broken ribs and sore joints be damned, Robert laughs. “Sure, Flambae's going to move in with me because my back sometimes hurts.” Now that would be something, wouldn't it? Flambae deciding that he'll forgive and forget that Robert is Mecha Man, just to help with a bit of pain.
It is funny though, how easily Flambae is personally offended by things. It's just a heating pad. Does his ego take a hit from every thing that produces heat? Robert's seen it before, how insecure Flambae gets about being perceived as weak or failing. Robert gets it, though he isn't sure how Flambae manages to be both supremely arrogant and worry about not being enough. He also isn't sure how he could support Flambae in working past that, especially now it is unlikely that he'll want any help coming from Mecha Man.
“Shut up.” Flambae's a lot quieter than usual. Robert can feel the way he's getting warmer. It's still at a comfortable level, so Robert doesn't complain. As long as Flambae doesn't set anything on fire. Beef is sitting quite close by and Robert couldn't afford fixing fire damage to the apartment. His landlord certainly wouldn't be pleased.
Nobody talks as Robert finishes eating. Mal takes the napkin from him and throws it at Bruno, who presumably eats it. Robert's not sure he wants to know what all is part of Golem's body at this point.
“You should sleep,” Bruno says. Robert can feel him moving closer better than he can make out his expression.
“Yes,” Katon-Ur announces loudly, “humans must sleep for seven hours a day. If they don't, they die.”
Robert sighs. “No, that- That's not true.” He knows for a fact that he can live off of three hours of sleep perfectly fine, even if that time comes in the form of naps across a larger span of time.
“Shut up, Bobert, you're going to sleep.” Sonar pushes him further into Flambae's arms, Flambae huffing in annoyance.
It's noon, so it's weird to sleep now. It's also weird having the entire team staring at him as he does so. But Robert feels wrung out and tired, and Flambae is very warm. When Flambae pulls him down to lay on the mattress fully, Robert gives in. It's shocking, how careful Flambae seems to be with him.
“I'm going to have to shift position after a while, or my joints lock up.” That didn't used to be as bad, not before the coma. It's just another fact of Robert's life now. Warning Flambae of it also serves as giving him one last way out of this situation. Robert knows Flambae doesn't want to be a part of this, even if he feels personally offended by the though of a heating pad being better than him. Knowing Robert's going to be annoying whilst laying down lets him change his mind without feeling like he failed.
Instead, Flambae just hums in acknowledgement, wrapping Robert up in the warmth of his body. One hand is wrapped around Robert's chest, the other resting on his hip, fingers digging into the skin slightly. The targeted warmth seeping into Robert's joints feels amazing. Robert only just manages to bite back a pleased sigh.
One of Flambae's knees is between his legs, doing wonders for his stiff knees, but also making it very hard to keep the inappropriate thoughts at bay. When Flambae settles, something soft brushes his neck. It takes Robert a second to realize that it must be Flamabe's hair.
Robert's never seen him with it open, curiosity burning hot in his chest, almost rivalling the heat creeping into his face. Before he can decide against doing so, Robert sits up just enough to look back at the man holding him.
The long hair cascades over Flambae's shoulders like water, some strands in his face. It looks silky, obviously the product of a lot of time and care put into keeping it that way. Robert is hit with the urge to brush it out of Flambae's face, test if the hair really is as soft as it felt on his neck.
Flambae's brows are pinched as their eyes meet, pupils bright with a fire that's unique to him. His lip quirks, almost into a smile, but quickly proving its self to be a sneer. “What?” Flambae snaps, knocking Robert out of his stupor.
Flambae hates him. He's only doing this because, despite what he wants some people to think, he isn't actually a complete asshole. Robert's eyes flick back up to Flambae's, getting stuck there. He should stop staring, Robert knows that, but he can't get himself to. How long does he just stay there, holding awkward eye contact with Flambae?
“Thank you,” Robert ends up saying. He quickly lays back down again, ignoring the way his spine protest the sudden movement.
He expects Flambae to comment, at the very lest to call him a bitch or weak. Instead, he says nothing, just tightens his hold on Robert. Flambae's breath is hot against Robert's neck, his face pressed against the back of Robert's head.
Maybe Robert should worry more about how comfortable he feels in the arms of someone that nearly burned him alive a few days ago. After all, Flambae could easily try again now. Robert can't help it though, not when he actually feels good, even strangely safe. That's exactly why Robert can't ever let his guard down.
He's too far gone now. It's fine, he accepts his fate. If Flambae tries to kill him, Robert's glad to let him do so. He's too tired to care.
Robert's also too tired to care about the argument that brakes out moments later. Pretty much everyone has some opinion on why they should be the person laying on Robert's second side. Only Courtney and Herm seem to withhold themselves from the conversation. Robert didn't hear what sparked the disagreement, but if they're that desperate to nap, they could just go home. Blazer isn't going to call them back to work more or less depending on if they're at Roberts place or their own.
Paying attention to what is said is hard, but Sonar definitively brings up his fur. Robert's pretty sure Phenomaman mentions being good at hugs, someone pointing out that he's too rough. Telling him that so directly might mess with the poor guy's self esteem, but Robert guesses someone's got to tell him sooner or later. Robert had been hinting at him to be gentler, and Katon had been improving.
Punch Up argues that he has strong arms, and someone, Bruno by the sound of it, mentions that they're large.
Malevola's argument of being slightly warmer than the others wins out in the end, getting a triumphant exclamation from her. Robert is quickly manoeuvred to be sandwiched between Flambae and Malevola, his face ending up pressed to Mal's neck. He's tankful for the fact that hides how red he's gone.
A blanket is thrown over them, one made from colourful squares, possibly hand made. Any battle Robert's been fighting against the weakness is entirely lost at this point. He's warm, being held by two people and actually laying down somewhere comfortable. It becomes harder to stay awake by the second.
A shift of weight on the mattress lets Robert know someone sat down near their heads. A hand starts carding through his hair, nails scratching at his scalp. Robert feels vaguely like he's the team's weird dog with how they've been looking out for him.
The exhaustion wins out, and the Z-Team are finally free to discuss all their weird rumours about Robert without him listening in.
Flambae can't sleep. He should be able to. He's in his own, comfortable bed, one of his two cats curled up next to him. It's dark enough and there's nothing obviously disturbing him. But still, Chad can't get to sleep.
Something feels off.
Chad's never had difficulties with going to sleep except for the time he spent in prison. He's had issues, but insomnia has never been one of them. He knows when it started, at least that it was some time after that stupid bitch, Mecha Man, passed out at work.
If it had been anyone else, anyone with powers, Flambae would have assumed this is some super power bullshit, cursing him to have trouble falling asleep. But Robert's powerless, so that's out of the question.
It's been days of this shit now, ruining Chad's vibe and making him look tired and weak. He's even started developing eyebags. It's seriously going to start fucking with his dating life if he turns up looking all depressing.
To Chad's annoyance, his mind starts drifting to Robert every time he tries to figure out what's wrong. It's bad enough he has to be there at work the entire time, voice constantly in Flambae's ear, now he's got to invade Chad's thoughts too. Flambae clenches his jaw.
There's not a single part of Mecha Man that doesn't seem tailored to piss Chad off. He's smug and arrogant, always hiding in that mech when he's doing hero work. Flambae doesn't want to think about the scars on Roberts body, they're probably just there because he's a bad fighter and an idiot. Chad also technically knows that's not true, but considering that will just frustrate him.
He's no better when he's their dispatcher, of course. That stupid voice in their ears, the way his face scrunches when he's focused on something, the annoying grin on his face. Flambae just wants to wipe it off. Maybe he should punch him, that might get rid of that stupid look and serve as some degree of revenge for what Mecha Man did to him.
But now that annoying bitch had to go ahead and have chronic pain, so Flambae's got to be worried about breaking something if he hits Robert.
Thinking back to the day Robert collapsed, Flambae frowns. Even then, he was being irritating. Pressing his face in Flambae's neck and smiling at him when all Chad did was cook shitty pasta. It was awful, most disappointing shit Chad's cooked in ages. Robert liking it is just pathetic and so, so sad.
Makes Flambae want to grab him and force him to try actual good food. That idiot should be banned from eating any of those disgusting vending machine snacks unless he's eaten something real first.
He's starting to get a headache from clenching his jaw. Flambae flops on his side, running his hand over Fire's back. The small ginger cat stretches, leaning into Chad's touch. Her and her sister are both orange, though Fire's a little darker and smaller. Flame is also more of a trouble maker and wouldn't lay next to Chad for too long without getting restless.
Flambae sighs. This is just stupid. He doesn't stay awake thinking about men he doesn't even like. Chad's better than that.
Then there's that weird staring Robert did when Flambae was trying to get him to lay down. He suddenly feels very hot. That was odd and infuriating, should have been uncomfortable. But it wasn't.
And when he'd been in Flambae's arms, that should have felt wrong too. Holding Mecha Man should have felt wrong. But that's the problem, he's also Robert, and holding Robert had felt good.
Flambae groans, turning onto his back and staring at the ceiling. This can not be happening. He doesn't like Robert and holding him definitively doesn't feel right. Flambae is letting himself get influenced by Alice's teasing and the stuff Coupe said, nothing more. The frustration is making him heat up.
Fire hops onto Chads chest, curling up. At least someone's getting something good out of Flambae having a bad time. Resting a hand on her back, he reaches for his phone. It's two in the morning. He is not getting nearly enough sleep today, again.
Alice is definitively asleep at the moment, but Flambae instinctively opens their chat. He frowns when he sees the images she last sent him. He knew these would be here, why did he open the app?
They're photos of him and Robert when Chad was being the bigger person and helping him with his joints. The moment in the break room, where Flambae had his hand in Robert's hair, and many from later. Chad sitting with Robert on the mattress and the two of them asleep later on, a tangled mess of limbs between the two of them and Malevola. He should have immediately deleted those images, demanded Alice erase all evidence too. Why hadn't he done that?
Alice had sent them to Chad with the comment that he and Robert look cute together. Flambae looks cute with any guy, so that really doesn't mean much. But Robert absolutely isn't anything of the sort. With a huff Chad clicks on the images, scrolling through them again and zooming in on Robert.
Chad has been trying to never look at the pictures too long. Doing so makes him angry, or at least makes his heart rate spike. It's doing so in that moment too.
It hadn't occurred to him before just how relaxed Robert looks when he's asleep. None of that tension he usually carries is to be seen. He seems content.
It's so different to usual. Flambae's used to Robert's snark and annoyance, he's even gotten accustomed to the determined look on his face when he's working out. And that quiet, halfway to a smile look he has when Chad keeps Robert from hurting himself in the gym.
Chad can feel the way his face goes red.
Oh fuck, Robert is his type. Flambae quickly slams his phone screen down on the bed, slinging his forearm over his eyes.
This can not be happening to him. He can not genuinely be crushing on Robert Robertson of all people.
That's why he can't sleep. Because he fucking misses holding Robert. That's more pathetic than any other explanation Flambae could have found. Fire lets out a tiny chirp as she lifts her head, almost in sympathy. If only she understood half of the bullshit Flambae's got himself into.
Grasping blindly for his phone, Flambae picks Alice's contact. Yes it's late, but this is also something of an earth shattering emergency. Chad's heart beats against his ribcage as he waits for Prism to pick up.
“If you don't explain yourself right now bitch, I'm replacing your conditioner with the 5in1 we found at Roberts,” Alice snaps as soon as the call connects, somehow both half asleep and livid.
“It's serious,” Flambae says. “I've got a problem.”