bootyhunter | CALL ME OUT

[He shakes his head side to side rather quickly, noting just how dejected Robert looks and clocking himself how strange it is to feel so damn bad about it. He doesn't let go of Robert's hand, but he does reach over with his other free one, gently rubbing it over the other man's thigh. The gesture isn't meant to be a sexual advance, it's more of something intimate, something clearly indicating that they're more than friends with the sort of affection it signifies.]

No! I hated you for not remembering me.

[Past tense. Clearly, he likes Robert quite a lot.

Even if he tried so terribly hard to hide it for so long.]

And I hated you for throwing me in jail. Because it meant that I lost, and that it was me who fucked the fuck up.

[His brows furrow, and Flambae continues to watch Robert carefully. He doesn't want him getting too upset.

How strange, having empathy for the kind of people who would celebrate your demise- Or dunk on you for being stupid enough to do good with no superpowers in the first place.]

You know, the first guy I kissed almost broke my nose?

Before, I mean.

[Before they kissed.]

We got into a fight, and it was weird, because he was touching me a lot. Like, yeah! He was hitting me too, but...

I dunno.

[It is a little uncomfortable to discuss, especially for certain people who might not understand.

Oddly enough, he has a slight inkling that Robert just might.]

Men can be so stupid when it comes to love.

[Unfortunately for Flambae they are the only ones he's ever wanted.]

They're like cavemen, hitting each other over the head with their clubs! Until they realize they could be slapping each other with their dicks instead.

[Flambae scoffs.]

I guess I thought because you motherfucking maimed me, that I was special!

[His delivery gets a bit more joke-y there. As much as he hates poking fun at himself, it is funny.]

Then I saw you slinging body parts at Sardines and I put two and two together.

You're just a freak! And that wild, crazy shit had nothing to do with me.

It stung. And stunk, woo... Pee-yew.

Edited 2026-01-29 02:00 (UTC)

[ Robert winces a little, but not because of anything Flambae said or is doing. He'd known it would rub his former adversary the wrong way. Whether he actually remembered him is another thing, but at the time, Mecha Man had just wanted to stick a barb in the guy and he sure succeeded.

But he goes quiet for a bit then to let Flambae continue talking. At first he wonders what the hell some other guy he'd kissed has to do with anything, but it sort of comes to light.

Bit by bit.

Piece by piece. ]

Oh ...

[ Robert lets his gaze drift from the other man's sharp features to the hand on his thigh (it's nice), back up to those eyebrows and those shockingly soft lips hiding the gap in his teeth which is also Robert's fault. ]

Okay, first of all, if I didn't do that at the Sardine, I'd be the one in pieces.

[ It was purely self defense in a very tight situation, he didn't have time to think about it or consider that he has, in fact, a track record of taking fingers.

Robert huffs a little, partly in amusement that he can't believe this is his life. Partly exasperated because he can't believe this is his life.

The thing is, he does in fact understand what Flambae is discussing. Even if it wasn't in a sexual sort of way, his adrenaline was pumping during their meeting. The tension wasn't lost on him either. It was the build up of it all that probably led to him hurting Flambae the way that he did, when he wasn't planning to originally.

It's fucked up. But yeah... he gets it. ]

Secondly, I'm not a freak. I just feel like I have an obligation to defend myself there.

[ . Anyway- ]

Lastly... you're special because I was trying to talk to you that time. I didn't have to go into that building after you, but I did. I'd do it again.

[ Perhaps, more importantly, and he offers the very slightest of smiles here. He doesn't even know if this will make Flambae feel better at all, but he's taking the shot. Ever since he and Flambae started working together, he'd looked at his hand, those missing fingers, he'd had flashbacks of that night, felt regrets, wanted to say something. That lizard freak? He'd forgotten he even did something like that at the Sardine at all. That whole night is a weird, violent, taco-flavored blur. ]

I don't ever think about that guy's fingers the way I think about yours.

Okay, see... That right there? That means you're freaky!

[It does make him feel better.

The smile is back.]

What are you thinking about them for? What are you, like, imagining the two dismembered things getting up off the floor and doing a strangely coordinated dance?

[ok tim burton what the fuck]

If they started doing the can-can, would the knees be the little-

[He lets go of Robert's thigh only to bend his index finger, wiggling the the part that is bent. Look, English is not my first language either.]

This thing?

[Flambae does recall that Robert wanted to talk. For once, he hadn't, for multiple reasons. First of all, that's the oldest trick in the book to catch any wayward combatant off guard, and secondly, Flambae hadn't really been interested in talking.

There were other things he would have preferred they did with their mouths.]

Right, right.

You fight dirty to stay alive! That makes sense.

[Then, perhaps a little too casually:]

Have you always wanted to?

[Stay alive, he means.]

Edited 2026-01-29 02:56 (UTC)

[ Robert laughs at that, waving his free hand. ]

Maybe a little.

[ But if Flambae likes that kind of freak, then he's okay with that.

Unfortunately he also apparently likes a freak because what on earth is this maybe Spanish Afghan man going on about? Flambae gets the longest, dullest, driest look Robert can muster. ]

How do you think of these things?

[ Like is this what his brain is full of because it's missing out on intellect? This could be studied by science, actually. There could be a huge breakthrough going on here.

It's also very convenient to not just... tell Flambae that when he's thinking about them, he's thinking how guilty he feels. Before the Z-team knew he was Mecha Man, he'd been thinking about how terrifying it would be if Flambae specifically found out, how he'd burn Robert to a crisp and he didn't want to die that way but he might deserve it —

So yeah, moving right along. ]

If I'm up against a guy like that, yeah I fight dirty to stay alive.

[ Shrug.

The question though takes him off guard a little. He'd tried not to bring up the heavy topic of guilt and here Flambae is asking him about an even heavier topic. This one though, this one feels like it warrants an answer. ]

Honestly? My grandfather died in the suit- never met the guy. My dad died for the suit. I knew at some point I was just going to die as Mecha Man too. 'When', not 'if'.

[ So no, he didn't particularly care all the time if he was going to stay alive. It may have been a mercy if he'd meet his end sooner rather than later. ]

It wasn't until the suit broke and I came to SDN that I ... figured out that I had more options than that. That I wanted those options.

[ His smile is a little sad, a little apologetic. He's not sure if he's just ruined the mood himself this time. ]

Sorry. I've only told Beef things like that before.

I think I watched too many foreign cartoons as a kid.

Some of them were pretty vibe-y! But also very violent.

[He does like that kind of freak, unfortunately. It's a better indicator as to whether or not they'd be compatible in the long run.

The truth is, Flambae is glad he didn't kill Robert. He wasn't even considering the outcome of his behavior, he was just so livid, he threw everything he had at him, only to pathetically blast off and away after embarrassing himself in front of his (mostly) new friends. The entire shift he took off, he was torn between still feeling pissed and downright horrible. If he had ended up killing Robert, not only would he have surely spent the rest of his life back in prison, the world would have lost an irreplaceable hero, and he would have lost-]

No need to be sorry.

[He shrugs, although he moves to comfort Robert again. The hand that he used for his gruesome little demonstration urges the dispatcher's chin upwards if Robert lets it, mostly so that Flambae can look him in the eyes directly.]

I am the one who asked.

So! You didn't necessarily not want to be alive, but... Staying here-

[In the world of the living.]

Wasn't necessarily a priority.

[He nods. Flambae isn't one to shy away from serious topics when he feels they are important, especially for context. Plus, if things get even more serious, he's going to need to know what is most likely to send Robert spiraling. How else will Flambae be able to help?]

I haven't always wanted to be here.

I do now. More than ever! But...

I was wondering, if in that sense, I could understand you.

[He tilts his head to the side.]

If it wasn't for work, what with the way you've clearly neglected yourself...

I'm not entirely sure you would be here to play nurse with me.

Edited 2026-01-29 03:46 (UTC)

Yeah, that would do it.

[ A lot of cartoons from when these millennials were kids were, in fact, incredibly violent and weird.

Robert lets Flambae tilt his chin up, meeting his eyes. He's still for a moment, and then ducks his gaze behind his lashes for a second. ]

Right.

[ When he looks again, his brows furrow and there's a certain weight of sadness that's settled on him. He's sad for them both, that they've had to feel this way. But he's also glad that Flambae wants to be here now, and that he himself wants to be here. Right now? Here specifically, on Flambae's bed in his neat apartment together even if he is wearing really tiny underwear. They can help each other by sticking around the living world together. ]

If it wasn't for work... yeah. I don't think I would be.

[ Another little smile lifts up on his features. A bit fuller this time. ]

But I am. So Nurse Robert it is.

[The second Robert's face falls, the hand that was beneath his chin goes immediately to his cheek, a thumb rubbing over the side of it in repeated, gentle strokes. Every time the former supervillain is reminded that Robert has gone these past few years almost entirely alone, he's baffled. His own insane desire to rush to Robert's side and pick him up has to be universal to some degree, no?! What is wrong with people.

Flambae bites his inner lip, wondering if he should lighten the mood a little.so he intentionally leans close enough to peer over Robert's the fabric of Robert's collar and into the gap between the crisp cotton and... Skin. Is he trying to spot a nipple?! What the fuck is going on here, indeed-]

Speaking of nursing...

[don't look at his tits like that even if it is a joke]

You could use a little TLC yourself.

You've been kicked around so much over the years, you must be sore.

[Said somewhat ominously-]

I think I can fix that for you.

[ On the reverse side, Robert is actually baffled that Flambae seems to be under the impression that he's hot shit as Mecha Man. The suit is plenty respected, sure, and he gets the occasional fanfare. But enough to be in the Superpowered's Top Bachelors/Sexiest Super of the Year running? ... Would that have been possible if he didn't just throw himself entirely into the work? They'll never know now.

And anyway, somehow he's happy just having the attention of one, flaming hot guy. ]

... What the hell are you doing?

[ He's watching this... peeking behavior and with the nursing comment that's just sooo much all once. Is this a kink of Flambae's and is this really how he's going to learn about it? No, that's too insane even for them. For anyone on the Z-team perhaps.

And why is he being ominous about it? Hello? ]

Now wait a minute, I'm supposed to be taking care of you right now.

[ He's the one who's actually injured! Mind you the dispatcher has done a pretty stellar job of patching Flambae up a little, and the healing factor is going to wipe away all evidence in just a few short hours. Still, he wants to make sure the former villain is squared away before he starts coming up with nefarious plans for Robert and TLC (for all he knows, a joke about the band is still coming). ]

First, how are you feeling?

[If they did know, there's a strong chance that murder would be one of the crimes listed on his rap sheet. He meets Robert's eyes with a catty, mildly bemused expression at first, like he's satisfied with the confusion he's caused.

For now, he'll leave the answer to that first question to Robert, his gaze and hands taking time to to slide down and around the wound that the former hero has just patched up, admiring his handiwork. Flambae can be rather careless when it comes to his own injuries. If he's wrapped them up, it's primarily been for vanity reasons, like keeping the blood from a nosebleed out of a vintage silk or to patch up his seemingly perfect face and body. The loss of his own fingers was perhaps the first permanent damage that he took seriously in any regard, and when left to his own devices, he would have fucked that shit up for himself majorly too... If the medics who had arrived on scene didn't take a peek at them first.

He looks back up at Robert, doing his best to stifle the warm, jittery feeling in his stomach. It's not often that others have been so concerned for his well-being, other than his family and close friends, of which there may only be the one we've seen thus far (Prism).]

Honestly? Kind of horny, you fucking scruuuuub.

[He chuckles, leaning inwards and onto Robert's right shoulder. There it is! The TLC joke.]

Haaaah.

[That sigh was exaggeratedly loud, but, anyway.]

Because of my fiery outburst, we didn't get to watch the Ring movie.

[Flambae, that is a different franchise entirely.]

Sorry.

I am feeling better now.

[The reason for it is simple. Grade-school adjacent, even.

Its because I know he likes me.]

Thank you.

[ Robert meets that catty expression with suspicion. Seriously, what was that about!! He can't believe he's being left on read.

But wait, yes he can.

Honestly, he also gets a sort of jittery feeling in his stomach when Flambae moves on to other things, saying that he's horny. It's really dumb. But it makes him happy. He's contributing to this. Even if the TLC joke did in fact make its timely appearance. In a way, that just makes it better, since that is Flambae's little flair on things: wild pop culture jokes in the midst of already out of pocket sayings.

Despite this gooey feelings, he answers sarcastically and with a smile on his face. ]

Yeah, that's not anything new.

[ He brings his hand up to gently rest against Flambae's shoulder. It's really kind of sweet he's thinking about how they said they might watch a movie together. Even if he is confusing franchises. Or combining them? ]

I think we'll have plenty of time to do that.

[ Perhaps even watch both Ring franchise movies. Imagine!

Robert is pleased to hear the words though, and smiles. He could have verified Flambae's state of being with how he's being his weirdo self but it is nice to hear it directly. He leans in just enough to press the featheriest of kisses against the man's warm temple. ]

I'm glad to hear it. So what was this thing you thought you might be able to help me with?

[ He's genuinely curious, now that he knows he doesn't need to fuss (too much) over Flambae's injuries. Or maybe they should just go right to the horny problem... ]

[It isn't anything new.

Flambae has harbored those feelings for a lot longer than he would like to admit.

Robert mentions that they have plenty of time, warming Flambae up in a manner quite contrary to his destructive abilities. The sensation is gooey and saccharine in a way that he would never dare to speak about out loud. He remembers being younger and not thinking he would even be here at this age, much less with someone he liked this much in his bed. Once upon a time, Flambae had even wondered if he had somehow missed his window to find the love of his life, only recently coming to terms with the fact that maybe that man would still be out there or perhaps there would be multiple.

While he's peppered with kisses, Flambae closes his eyes, sporting a smug, pleased expression, once again in the way a cat does when it is feeling comfortable. He pulls Robert into an embrace, although he does so softly not to disturb Robert's nursing efforts, quite content to snuggle albeit awkwardly in a G-string and on those peculiarly white sheets of his.]

After all those fights as a normie, you've got to be sore, right?

I swear, when I pass you in the hallways, I can hear your bones snap-crackle-popping man!

I think I could help fix that for you.

[Rats. Robert is still wearing his uniform, otherwise Flambae would demonstrate.]

Even though setting shit on fire is the coolest superpower around, I am so fucking amazing, it's not like I can just do that.

I can heat things without burning them.

[Where is he going with this-]

Like your muscles!

[cute at least he is admitting robert has them

sort of]

And all of your creaky joints that go, "Crunch-crunch."

[ Robert honestly is going to feel a little insane for not realizing Flambae has been kind of obsessed with him. But also maybe he doesn't need to know the extent. Difficult to say! What's important is that they're here now, and the dispatcher is happy about it, especially knowing that Flambae isn't injured enough (physically or for his pride) to be concerning. He's back to being his normal self. ]

I don't think my body is really the equivalent of a guy in his 30s, no.

[ Even though he works out and tends to his own injuries and whatnot, he is definitely crunchy.

Enough so that he can't even come up with a witty retort to Flambae's words.

So instead of that, he leans back just enough to be able to get a good look at the man, his expression curious. ]

You mean like a heated massage?

[ A couple of things happen here once his mind opens to this possibility. Firstly, he is more than happy to volunteer himself for it. Secondly, he already feels a sense of warmth in his chest and even his stomach, but that's all from the fact that Flambae cares enough to offer something like that to him.

Also, thank god Flambae is not on Team Dad Bod. Even Robert's dignity can only take so much. He'll gladly take even a "sort of" acknowledgment of his muscles instead. ]

I wouldn't complain...

Edited 2026-02-03 02:00 (UTC)

[He doesn't need to know, and Flambae will be doing everything in his power to prevent that from getting out, but... We all know how that goes.

That means it will, in fact, come up, and in a manner that is going to be truly horrendous.]

Ch'yeah! One who just got back from Vietnam, maybe.

[If he ever hears about the Dad-bod accusations, he is going to have a conniption. Instead, since he's remaining iNnOcEnT and sUWeEet, he'll reach a hand out to rub repeatedly at the back of Robert's neck. How stiff is it?

Flambae may boast constantly about his own long hair, but it's nice that Robert kind of keeps his short. It makes manhandling him a lot easier, since he doesn't have a long mane to get caught on things.]

Something like that, yes.

I mean, have you ever even been to a spa?

[Somehow, the idea of him having attended several ska concerts seems more plausible.]

[ It will definitely be revealed in the most out of pocket way. Look forward to it! ]

It's worse than that.

[ Not that he was in Vietnam obviously because he is a millennial. But he's pretty sure his bones are crunchier.

Thoughts of self-depreciating jokes drift away though as Flambae's hand rests against the back of his neck. Robert shivers a little, but he's anything but chilly. There's just this little euphoric rush of being touched by someone you have (very very recently) just starting dating and this is no exception. Even if it's not kinky or any sort of foreplay.

It's just ... really nice.

But the former "normie" hero laughs a little at the question. ]

When, and with what money would I have?

[ He subsists on twinkies and cereal and he sleeps in a chair. This man does not treat himself to the spa. ]

Sometimes if you flirt with the masseuse a little you can get in for free.

[He leaves out the detail that his own tip in that situation had been a blowjob, but! Details.

Flambae silently looks over Robert's body. He doesn't know whether to feel pity or relief, in part because the other man is finally admitting that something isn't right in the first place. He's been a little defensive, hasn't he, and not in the way Flambae usually is, with the moody firestarter's outright denial of things.

As eager as he is to "get to work" on his new man, he's terrified. Even with all of that effort, will it ever be enough? Then again, Robert seems to not fix things even if they are way beyond broken, so... He will probably stick around if Flambae doesn't torch their relationship majorly.]

Everything you say about your life... It's like, I can't even make a joke about how fucking sad it was. You are worse than EEE-YORE. You know the EE-YORE? His tail keeps falling off... Like a bad toupee, or... A leaky buttplug.

[sorry for the unnecessary dispatch humor i-]

My niece likes that one.

[Cartoon, stuffed animal... It's all the same to him.]

The jolly bear and his jittery pink boyfriend remind me of a lot of couples I used to know.

[The hand on Robert's neck trails upwards, his warm fingers running through the other man's hair, messing with it on purpose.]

Fuck.

I should probably feed you.

[Despite being sore and incredibly reluctant, he is ATTEMPTING to get out of bed but it isn't very successful-]

You didn't eat anything on the way here, did you.

Yeah, didn't do that either.

[ His brow lifts at Flambae like seriously? but then he leaves it at that. He doesn't actually want to be regaled with stories of giving a masseuse head for free spa treatments.

As for admitting he's a bit broken in body, Robert doesn't intend on getting too deep into that either. It's just that he couldn't find a quick reply in the moment that was better than leaning into the joke.

There are definitely some things he needs to work through ... ]

Okay, saying your niece likes him and talking about a soggy buttplug in almost the same sentence is actually really fucked up, just so you know.

[ And Robert will not even comment on being compared to the depressed donkey from Winnie-the-Pooh. See, there is a limit to some things!!

When Flambae moves to get out of the bed, he reaches out to lightly take his arm, tug it in a bit. ]

No, I was too busy wondering why my boyfriend was ignoring me when he's hurt. But I'm not going to starve if you just rest for a little while.

[ Besides, he likes being like this. Close together, touching. Warm. ]

Unless you're hungry? Maybe I can just call something in.

[where is the icon of him lighting fully on fire BOYFRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

[God! Commitment is something he's been wanting so badly, and while they have discussed being exclusive if briefly, this is different! A step up, and he said it so casually and without thinking...

Flambae notably perks up at the use of the word, and there's an odd, nervous intensity in how he holds himself even though his words provide no contest to the label. In fact, he's so jittery and determined to play it cool, something that would appear nearly impossible for him to do by nature, that he forgets to respond to the comment about Eeyore and the his tail ear loosely attached stuffed animal butt plug.

Very little force is required to plop Flambae back onto the bed. The G-string with straps does wiggle out of a place a little, even if Flambae doesn't seem to notice. He shakes his head, a little too voraciously.]

It's okay.

My appetite today is a little... Meh?

[He reaches out to touch the side of Robert's face again.

He can be chill, he can be gentle, even if the icky butterflies weevil-ing away in his stomach are reminding him that there's still time for him to ruin this.]

It wasn't ignoring so much as...

[Those fuzzy brows furrow again.]

I am not quite sure what you are seeing when you look at me.

It'd be nice if it... Didn't get any worse.

[They never will, though.]

I really would like to help take care of you, if...

It's any fucking consolation.

[ The word did just slip out so naturally and well established that if Robert stopped to think about it for two seconds he would be kind of surprised about it too. But that's what they are, right? Flambae isn't laughing at him or telling him to go fuck himself so he has to assume he didn't overstep here.

He's mostly thinking about how that g-string is wiggling around though and takes a very slow swallow. ]

... Oh. Yeah. Okay.

[ But he'll still call something in for them later if they get the munchies? That seems like a normal thing to offer, since he's not about to cook something up himself, and he doesn't want Flambae to strain himself even if he does have super healing abilities that will kick in. So that is that.

After a moment, Robert kind of resituates himself to sit more properly on the bed and still beside Flambae. His head tilts up as his face is touched, and he offers a quiet sort of smile. ]

You think ... telling me that you're hurt is going to make me see something different?

[ How shallow does he think Robert is, anyway? Well it's not even that exactly. It's that Robert cares with his whole heart or he doesn't care at all, so it's fairly clear where his former nemesis stands on the scale. And he's already established that he was really worried, that he's lost too many people not to be. ]

I said I wouldn't complain about the massage.

[ He quirks a smile, but is then more serious and less la-dee-dah about things as he continues. ]

You've figured it out by now that I've ... never really had that? So it might take me a bit. But I'll ... probably let you.

[ Take care of him a little, he means. As long as he can still patch up Flambae's scrapes and scratches from time to time too. ]

[Flambae isn't one to let himself openly look sad. Anger is the emotion he feels first and foremost, since it's so reactionary, and the violence wrought from it is often mistakenly touted as power.

He had assumed that maybe it had been a while, that perhaps Robert had been in a few relationships early on and they had all fizzled out. What he's told is even more jarring to accept. Flambae has spent way too much time in prison envisioning Mecha Man's various conquests, and at work, he'd been continuously driving himself up the wall trying to figure out which Z-team woman Robert had taken out on a date, narrowing it down to Invisigal or Blazer. Now he's wondering if there wasn't even a date at all, and if his own paranoid obsession had created a nonexistent scenario entirely.

When he takes Robert's face in both hands again, he examines it ruefully. Flambae finds many features of the former hero attractive much to his own dismay, but it is in fact Robert's face that he prefers most. The man has gentle brown eyes that look so different when they light up, his smile is kind, and the freckles over Robert's nose and cheeks have practically burned their way into the back of Flambae's eyeballs at this point.]

I almost don't believe you.

[So nobody else has had the chance to love him?

Oh boy. They are going down a very dangerous road indeed.

Knowing Robert, he's likely to have kept his distance for the safety of others. So that they wouldn't get hurt or have been used as a bargaining chip, or weep when he was inevitably killed in combat.

Losing the functionality of the suit was probably one of the best things to ever happen to him in hindsight.]

I know you are not lying to me.

It's just that you...

[Flambae takes a deep breath inwards. Why is this so hard to admit?]

Really seem like a big relationship guy.

Edited 2026-02-03 05:16 (UTC)

[ Losing the suit had been a blessing in disguise, though even now Robert is reluctant to admit it definitively. He's even still young enough that he can probably salvage some kind of life. He's liking the direction his life is going, at least.

Though he had no intention of making Flambae feel sad about him or anything like that. Facts are facts and he's not just going to pretend that there hasn't been some damage, especially not to someone he cares about. Someone he also wants to know the truth about.

His gaze drops down for a moment as he exhales through his nose, even as his face is taken and he knows he's being studied. ]

After my dad died, I sort of ... shut everybody out. Even Chase.

[ For much, much too long. It hurts his chest to even think of how he'd almost lost the guy when he'd just gotten him back, and he was the best friend and family member Robert had really ever had. God, no wonder Flambae wanted to compare him to the sad donkey.

He looks up again, still smiling, though it's a bit resigned now. ]

So no, I'm not lying.

[ Seriously, he didn't want to shift the mood like this. He isn't entirely sure what's got Flambae feeling this way, even though he does feel quite warm that he even cares enough to want to know these things. ]

People weren't exactly lining up to get a piece of me, either. Not in a sexy way, in any case.

[Flambae doesn't find himself wanting to shy away from the melancholy this time, especially considering that the closer he gets to Robert, the harder it gets to shy away from it. He's always had an underpinning of quiet misery to him, what with his eyes being so dead most of the time.

He pulls some of his covers askew, scooting over and beneath them.

He eyes Robert suspiciously. Does he start undoing the man's buttons or does he ask...]

That's crazy! He seems very annoying and honestly? A little hard to lose.

[But maybe Chase struggles with technology?!

Flambae makes a face at the idea of nobody lining up to sweet Robert off his feet. Sure, an average Joe with no superpowers in a giant robot doesn't exactly scream Sex God, but MechaMan was an accomplished and well-respected superhero. He's sure to have had some admirers that he's overlooked... Guess who's in denial about how insane his preoccupation with said hero is.

He decides to give Robert a pap on the shoulder. Maybe if he's silly about it, the other man will feel better.

Also, having no competition is kind of nice... Only, there is Invisigal. And maybe Blazer?! But maybe Robert prefers men... Ugh, he can dream, can't he...]

H'ohhhh, come on! At least one of those killer cannibal fuckers has got to be making a fetish out of it.

Didn't you put, I dunno, five out of the six in the slammer?

[ok stalker]

[ Unfortunately, yes, it does seem that melancholy is an included accessory if you happen to want to get close to Robert. It's not entirely by his own choosing, but he has certainly contributed a lot of damage to the issue.

With Flambae tugging at the covers, he moves along with it to make it easier. He's also kind of wondering, should he ... get out of his uniform? The two of them are on extremely opposite sides of the "level of dressed" spectrum right now. Mostly though, he just wants to get cozy.

He does laugh a little at the assessment of Chase. The man would probably also be pleased to be perceived that way even though he is actually a huge softie. ]

Probably, but I tried really hard. And I think he wanted to give me space too.

[ It hit Chase pretty hard too, after all. It seems like he's more or less kept tabs on Robert (or at least Mecha Man) for the past 15 years, but it was a hands-off approach. And in hindsight, that sucks. He shouldn't have closed him out. He shouldn't have just let him keep his distance, but it's what he wanted at the time and then time passed and it was awkward and maybe he was a little ashamed at how far he'd fallen...

Anyway. Robert would find it very silly that Flambae is wondering about competition when he literally just referred to him as his boyfriend.

But he lifts a brow, suspicious and impressed all at the same time. ]

Yeah, actually. Was that just a lucky guess?

[ Flambae kind of a freak in multiple ways so.... ]

Either way I don't care to know what they're imagining about me.

[Does he lie? Oh, yeah, he's going to lie-]

Yes.

[At least none of those newspaper clippings were used for jerkoff purposes. No, no, those were only the hot-blooded memories of their fight pre-amputation, and he's not proud of it! Prison sucks and he needed an intense memory.

Speaking of Chase, it's both a miracle and a huge relief he doesn't die. Also, it's bit weird to know that if he did, he'd be "taken care of," as Malevola put it. What the fuck? What does Flambae have to do to get what sounds like the eternal equivalent of financial security?!

Flambae snorts. Robert is joining him, so he'll shut up about the unnecessary layers of clothing for now.]

Yeah, they were all kind of fugly, to be honest.

[So that was their greatest crime?! Not, you know, the consumption of human flesh...]

Did you spend all those years being, ah, emo without all of the excessive guyliner-

[crying emoji]

Because you were missing your father or something?

Huh.

[ Not entirely sure if he believes him but he won't pursue the subject any further. Cannibals with the hots for Mecha Man is a bit much, right? He still laughs at the comment though. ]

Oh, yeah. Incredibly fugly. Also, they ate people.

[ SO yeah, lots of dealbreakers there. Flambae doesn't even have murder on his rap sheet so they're doing pretty good here.

Robert stretches a little in an effort to get more comfortable now that they've decided they wish to stay planted to the bed for a bit.

He considers the question. Was it because he missed a father he barely knew? Some of it, undoubtedly. He looked up to his dad, he wanted to carry on their legacy correctly and make him proud.

But after a moment, he shrugs. ]

That's part of it, sure. He was murdered in cold blood by a former friend of his.

[ Robert feels this explanation is justification enough that he would have wanted to get revenge, whether that ended in Shroud's death or merely in having him locked away for good.

He waves his hand a little in a wishy-washy gesture. ]

I was just going through a lot. That's all. I lost sight of what was important, but I'd like to think I'm working on getting it back.

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cw: mentions if suicidal ideation

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1/2

have i used the shaving dig yet

i don't think so

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im gonna pretend batman is a comic hero i know i remember the bat man punchline sue me

i'm crying you left the title but took the context away