Chapter Text
The throbbing in his side was killing him as he held it. But that’s not what’s important right now, the Z-Team, his team, was having a great time as they celebrated the win. Robert decided he can handle the pain a bit longer as he watched them dance around, drink, and memorialize their moment.
And it wasn’t like his side was the only thing in pain, practically his whole body was a bruise right now, his side just hurts the most because Visi knocked herself into everyone, causing them to let him fall to the ground instead of being caught. The beer he was handed should help take the edge off soon…
“There you are, Motherfucker.” Chase zipped over to him, “How are you feeling? And none of that ‘I’m fine’ bullshit you like spouting.”
“I am fine, grandpa.” Robert snarks, taking a sip from his beer, “Just tired… maybe a bit numb to it all.”
“I guess that’s understandable.” Chase zips around him like a hyper dog, “You still look like crap though. Think Blazer will let me borrow her amulet more often? This is great!”
“That’s a question only Mandy can give you.” Robert tells him as Prism hands him another beer as she dances by, “It’s not mine to share.”
“Ohho!! Mandy?” Chase teases, “When were you privvy to that information? Don’t you have a thing with Invisigal?”
“Fuck off.” Robert swats at him, “I’m not interested in any HR violations thank you, it’s strictly professional, with everyone.”
“Whatever you say.”
Robert rolls his eyes as Chase zips away to talk with someone else, enjoy the enjoy and ability to use his powers again that the amulet was granting him, leaving him to lean against the back of the couch.
At some point they decided to move the celebration to ‘anywhere but the ruined parking lot’ and ended up at some dive bar that hadn’t been destroyed and was still actually open.
“Hey, babe.” Malevola drops down next to him, throwing her arm around him, “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“Good, come dance with us then.”
She shoves a glass of liquor into his hand as her tail wraps around him, making his side throb at the contact as she drags some along.
The next… However long it has been, was of him being dragged around by the rest of the Z-Team to dance, rather poorly, with them as he tries not to wince at each pull of his growing soreness.
“Alright Lieutenant Dan.” Visi pulls him off to the side, "I think you've had enough fun for today.”
“What makes you say that?”
“You’re literally swaying.” Visi points out as she pushes him back down onto the couch. “Just take a minute, yeah? And don’t accept anything from Sonar.”
“No really?” Robert says, leaning his head back, “I wonder why.”
“Yeah yeah.” Visi rolls her eyes, “At least I don’t look like a zombie, just stay here and be a buzz kill with Blazer.”
“Blazer?”
Robert looks to his side… Seeing a very drunk Mandy leaning over her knees
“Boss Blazer here seems to have overdone it with the alcohol.” Visi pats the brunette’s head, earning her a groan, "Just keep an eye on her, we’ll probably be done in the next hour or so… or until we get kicked out. Whatever happens first.”
“Have fun.”
He could help chuckle, as she disappears, only for a moment later to appear next to Punch Up to steal his drink.
“Come on.” Robert helps lay Blazer across the couch, “That can’t be comfortable.”
“I forgot I wasn’t wearing my amulet.” She mumbles with a slur, “and-“
“And you had your regular pint of vodka?”
“Yeah…” Robert scooches over to give her more space to be comfortable. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“That’s good.” She drifts off a bit, “I’m just going to sober up a bit.”
Chase zips by, dropping off two glasses of water off with a wink, earning a middle finger from Robert.
Letting out a sigh, Robert leans his head back to stare at the questionably stained ceiling. Letting it sink in that after fifteen years… his goal was completed, Shroud was behind bars again, his father, avenged, and his time as Mecha Man wasn't over just yet.
…
It almost doesn’t feel real. He didn’t die. He can still be Mecha Man once the new damages were fixed, and he has lost anyone else again.
It was… nice.
Robert let his eyes close, they felt heavy from exhaustion and relief. He let the pain fade, a nap didn’t sound too bad at the moment, the only danger he was in was waking up with dicks drawn on his face but it was a risk he’s willing to take.
…
…
“Rob-“
Robert felt a hand shake his shoulder as sounds tickled his ears.
“-ert!”
The shaking was more forceful as it jostled him, making him furrow his brows as soreness and pain grew more prevalent.
“Robert!” That was… Chase‘s voice? As he was shaken again, “Come on! Wake up!”
Despite the urge to return to sleep, something in Chase’s voice made it seem like something was wrong so he forced his eyes open the best he could. He was met with Chase’s and Mandy’s blurry, worried faces.
His heart leapt as he tried to sit up, clearly something was wrong, but Chase had a hand on his shoulder to keep him down.
…
When had he laid down?
“Don’t move, Motherfucker!” Chase scolds him, “Can you hear me you Bastard?”
“What’s…” Robert's mind was muddled, making it hard to talk as he tried to figure out what’s going on. “What’s wrong?”
He tries to move again, his side flaring in pain making him wince and his head spin. Curling up out of instinct, nausea swells and he couldn’t help it but vomit as hands tried to hold him still.
“You are, Dipshit.” Chase’s voice ranted in his ear. “The fuck is wrong with you!”
Robert only caught half what was said because he was staring at the mess he just made.
Mixed in with… whatever he had eaten that day was blood, a lot of blood. He could hear the team faintly somewhere nearby as his dizziness grew stronger and Chase’s words lost understanding.
“Oh…”
It was all he could say as they finally got him back into his back as he was no longer fighting them, letting him see the clear smog filled sky.
…
…
When had they gotten outside?
Chase’s face filled his vision but the darkness at the edge was growing stronger and the shaking started to return. He felt something warm touch his stomach, run up and down his sides before disappearing and feeling something else snake underneath him.
Then the ground was gone. Chase’s muffled voice still fills his ears even though he can’t understand him. Wind made his hair before he was in the silent darkness again just as he felt the arms carrying him tight a bit.