Chapter Text
Robert Robertson usually could predict a lot of things-
He easily could have predicted almost having been burnt to death-
That was normal when it came to the Fire-hero.
And that's where he currently was.
Pinned to floor, with the Pyromancer's hand clasped around his throat, a look of sheer rage painting his features.
They'd been arguing- of course. When did they *not* argue?
But....
It'd never gone this far.
Maybe he'd done or said something to far- of course he had zero idea what that could be, he'd pissed off Chad plenty of times but it had never gotten *this* bad.
All he did know was the heat was *Sweltering*- He swore he could feel his sweat beginning to sizzle.
Something inside him had turned frantic and desperate- adrenaline maybe? All he knew was the last time he'd felt fear like this was when he'd almost died in the Mech-suit.
Some sort of desperate, sort of hysterics took over and he was frantically clawing at Flambae's chest leaving deep claw marks like a cornered feral cat, Urgently trying to escape the angry ex-villains grip.
The man was looking at him- no, looking *through* him'- and god it was terrifying.
Not even just pure adulterated rage-
But Self-preservation....
Robert squirmed against the grip, hand gripping Chad's wrist.
"Chad!"
The fire blazed brighter.
"CHAD......!"
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Chad's ear's were ringing.
The room that had been blurred out of focus slowly was slipping back into view.
And slowly he realized-
It wasn't his father he had by his throat.
It was Robert.
He....He hadn't meant too.
The room felt like it was closing in on him, Robert's voice sounding Distant and muffled.
His hand trembled.
Fuck.
He slowly peeled his fingers away, his eyes locked on his hands- like he didn't recognize them.
*Fuck, fuck, fuck.....*
"I....I didn't...."
His tongue felt like lead, the words crumbling like ash.
Robert remained still, worried that any sudden movements would trigger the man- Looking at Chad like he was a skittish animal.
Chad could feel his chest becoming unbearably tight, and the earth seemed to shake-
Atleast that's what he'd thought.
However after several moments he realized it was *him*.
Trembling, like he had all those years ago.
Chad leaned back further, almost frantic in his movements.
Robert predicted a lot of things- that Chad might scoff, or insult him and tell him he was lucky he wasn't burned to death-
What he could have never was predicted was the man slumping- the light catching on the droplets of wetness as it cascaded down the fire wielder's face.
Robert stared in shock as the man slowly seemed to break into sobs, hands clasped over his face as if they could create some sort of protective barrier.
And god Chad- The sobs wracked through him harshly, and while it wasn't loud- it just sounded so broken.
"I'm sorry- I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm-"
He choked, his fingers clutched at his face like he was desperately trying to ground himself.
Robert slowly sat up.
"I-I didn't mean to....I'm sorry....I'm-"
Things slowly connected in Robert's head. This wasn't a normal outburst or anger- What he'd seen in Chad's expression mere minutes ago- Hell, he'd dealt with his own PTSD shit for years, he knew it when he saw it.
Robert raised his hands allowing them to settle hesitantly on Chad's biceps.
When the man didn't pull away Robert gave a deliberate tug until he was close enough, and his hand cradled the back of Chad's neck, coaxing him into his shoulder.
"I'm-"
The words broke in his throat as Robert's hand slid over his hair, stroking it and a soft sound- a whimper escaped Chad's lips.
Robert said nothing.
Just letting the man cry into his shoulder for what felt like hours.
It was like Roberts body was moving on Autopilot.
His lips brushed the fire wielder's shoulder, and as the man's head slumped forward he pressed them to the crown of his head.
He was aware of Chad's hands sliding up the curve of his back.
He waited.
For the man to pull away, to come back to himself and mutter about how he didn't need to be babied-
Only thats *not* what happened.
Instead he was suddenly very aware of short stubble scratching against his cheek- and his eyes widening as he felt the press of burning lips against his own.
Robert instinctively leaned back, and Chad *whimpered* again.
"No-"
Chad's head frantically followed his movement.
"No-no, please no please..."
Robert went still- Chad's breathing was fast and shallow, fingers clutching the fabric of his shirt like a lifeline.
His hand slowly dropped- Chad was *begging.*
"Please....please."
And when Chad leaned closer again?
He didn't pull away.
Robert felt reluctant but couldn't bring himself not to reciprocate-
It was so warm. He tasted bitter like coffee and smoke tinged with salt from his tears.
The smaller man could feel guilt pooling in his guts as he allowed himself to kiss back.
The kiss wasn't smooth- it was hungry in a quiet, aching kind of way, and it wasn't gentle.
Robert could feel the slight tremor in Chad's movements- not from hesitation- but from need.
Need to ground himself, need to feel something, anything other then the slew of mental bullshit that had just wrecked for the hundredth time in years.
Suddenly Robert was cold.
Chad had pulled back and was staring at him with a startled expression of 'oh fuck.'
Like he'd just realized what he was doing.
And that Robert hadn't stopped him.
Chad shot up, standing quickly.
Robert hurriedly got to his feet upon seeing the other man's expression.
"C...Chad?"
Chad stuttered.
"I- fuck, I have to go-"
Chad turned and was practically running through the empty SDN office.
"Chad! Chad, wait-!"
But Chad had already reached the parking lot and in a blaze of fire shot off into the sky like a Meteor, leaving Robert standing there.
Confused, in complete inner turmoil and shocked-
His lips still tingling.