CALL ME OUT

[bootyhunter]

CALL ME OUT:

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Currently writing Dandy (Space Dandy) / Rex Splode (Invincible) / and Simon Laurent (Infinity Train)

bootyhunter / himbomb / incelligent



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*Note: Sakamoto Tatsuma (Gintama) kaihentai and Asher Millstone (How to Get Away With Murder) moneyballer available on request



Also voicetesting Mike Wazowski (Monsters Inc) googlybear / Eddy (Ed, Edd, n' Eddy) edboy / Reagan Ridley (Inside Job) madcryentist / Abdul Ali (Squid Game) aitbaar / Portia Davenport (Search Party) portialain / Elliot Goss (Search Party) confabulous / Fleabag (Fleabag) feminitwit / Johnny Bravo (Johny Bravo) pretteh / and Joel Hammond (Santa Clarita Diet) screechy

Comments

[bobbob]

[ 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.

[incinerhater]

[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]

[bobbob]

[ 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.

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

[incinerhater]

[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?

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

[bobbob]

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.

[incinerhater]

[God, why the hell is it always men like this he's attracted to... As much as he lied about Robert not being his type, the guy really is. He's juuuuust damaged enough to need the kind of love and care Flambae can offer a partner, but not sad enough to really ruin the fiery hothead's life.

Supposedly.]

Are you sure they were really friends, man?

Because Shroud was giving off some serious jilted ex-lover vibes to me.

[Flambae runs his five-fingered hand absent-mindedly through Robert's hair again, then curling those fingers and brushing the knuckles up and down the other man's cheek softly.

He watches Robert carefully, trying to see what kind of touches are his favorite. Everyone has a preference.]

I don't care how evil you are.

No self-respecting homosexual would threaten to kill a fatty chihuahua in front of everybody like that! Especially not in an outfit so horrible.

[ALSKDJFAKSJFLSKJF

He then cups Robert's face with both hands, this time running his palms upwards and over both ears, teasing them between his index fingers and his thumbs.

He doesn’t say it, but some of those important things are probably lost forever.]

Have you ever considered that having fun can be important too? I mean, just look at you! Your banged up bod is suffering because of it.

[it really could have ended there]

And the lack of the of the fun kind of banging, you know

[All the jizzing he hasn't done...]

this icon is his face when you make him think about dad yaoi

[bobbob]

[ Supposedly.

Normally Robert would soften at the touches through his hair and against his cheek, but he takes a moment to look both distrubed and affronted. ]

What? I don't know, I—

[ It's true it seems like jilted exes behavior, and Mrs. Robertson wasn't in the picture, but — he doesn't want to imagine his dad in yaois??? ]

Dude.

[ Like for real that's his dad.

And the whole thing with Beef was just - well, it makes him really mad, enough so that it elevates his heartrate, gets him a bit riled up even though Shroud has already been taken care of. It's, weirdly enough, Flambae's hands sliding against the sides of his face and against his ears that soothes him down again. Maybe it's because a chunk of one is missing, but his ears seem to be pretty sensitive.

Robert exhales softly, and then looks at Flambae quietly before he gives a little smile. ]

I told you I'm working on it.

[ More importantly!! His life has already improved by leaps and bounds from what it was before all he ever did was Mecha Man things. Blazer and the Z-team and Chase, and now Flambae, they're all teaching Robert what he's missed.

And so he quirks his brow suggestively at Flambae's crazy commentary, curling a hand around one of those wrists. All the jizzing he's not done seems kinda personal but!! You know what- ]

So are you going to show me a fun time or not?

[incinerhater]

[Flambae wants so badly to kiss Robert roughly and to do as he's prompted, despite every ounce of soreness that he's experiencing right now. The pain is all a part of the super-healing process, something about things feeling a whole lot worse before they get better. Flambae's skin is regenerating so the cells in his body are working tirelessly in comparison to his usual baseline, which makes him even more exhausted. It isn't helpful that Flambae remained awake far too long the night prior, wanting to ensure that the apartment was clean and that everything was perfect, even going the extra mile to wake up so he could treat Robert to breakfast and pack him a fucking lunch. Flambae half-asses nearly everything he doesn't care about, but when it comes to the things and people he loves, he goes all the way.

That doesn't come without any consequences.

God, he'd like to be able to push himself to do it, and perhaps if he were with someone untrustworthy or unfaithful, he'd force his way through the act of it. Tonight, albeit nervously, he tries to tell the truth.]

I would if I could...

[He almost uses a nickname, and then continues with the real one. This is a bit more serious.]

Robert.

I'll be hunky-dory tomorrow, especially since we can both agree that I am far hunk than door, I mean honestly, who came up with this slogan, whatthefuck...

[Flambae incomprehensibly grumbles, although he does reluctantly pull his hands from Robert's face and tries to mess with some of the buttons of the other man's shirt, if they are within reach.]

But during the healing period... I guess you could say I feel worse?

I'm not bullshitting you.

[Surprisingly, he sounds sincere.

And even moreso, he sounds tired.]

I'd fuck you again if it wouldn't end in disaster.

[He can't really trust his body in this state.]

It would also be nice if I could manage to make you some dinner.

[bobbob]

[ Robert wants all of those things too, but certainly not if Flambae isn't feeling it, if he's still hurting. Of course he doesn't know how a super-healing thing works, not being blessed in that department. It does of course make sense that it's not just waving a magic wand so everything feels better and more of a ... balance system. So he'd understand. He does understand.

Though he was mostly ribbing Flambae about it, he does feel a bit bad about when the man gets serious. Even uses his real name, so you know it means something. ]

I don't think that's what hunky-dory means.

[ He answers that first, softly, because it's easier to say the silly things. His fingers loosen and drop away from Flambae's wrist, but rest lightly against his leg instead. Though he doesn't stop his buttons from being tampered with, he's looking very intent and focused on that face. ]

It hurts that badly right now? You should have told me earlier.

[ Now his gaze drops to sweep over Flambae's body and not even in a suggestive way. Do painkillers even help something like this? Probably not. Superpowered humans suck actually.

Robert shakes his head. ] I know you're serious. What can I do to help?

[ Even if it's just keeping him company with gentle touches, Robert can do that. He doesn't want to be useless. If there's even a tiny thing he can do to make it less bad, he wants to do it. This isn't something he's ever had for himself, so he's all the more eager to offer it since he can. ]

Let me call in something to eat. I don't want you to be moving around so much when you're in pain.

[ He also doesn't want to point out that they didn't really fuck, Robert just came with a finger inside him and that's ... embarrassing. ]

There's always tomorrow.

[incinerhater]

[Flambae busies himself with Robert's buttons, avoiding the other man's gaze as he is being affectionately questioned. He can feel Robert's eyes on him, surveying him closely in a way he wasn't sure that he'd like, though he does. If they weren't in an intimate setting, he'd shrug the concern away or feel embarrassed, but in private, when it is just the two of them...

It's like being under a warm spotlight. Not the kind that burns or makes you sweat unnecessarily, but the sort that would make any showman happy to be seen.

So when he responds and finally makes eye contact again, he's as shitty as ever.]

Well! I had a shitty-goddamn-miserable day, and you came to my fucking rescue, hero.

[Flambae rolls his eyes.]

Aren't you supposed to be out of office, anyway?

[His fingers finally press away the last button, and he finds himself distracted. In theory, all he's looking at is the chest and a tight, battered torso, and yet he finds himself captivated by the sight of it.

Maybe he shouldn't, maybe he's sending mixed signals, but he flattens his palm and runs it slowly up the center of Robert's exposed upper body, hands glowing with warmth as they get higher.]

It's not the pain that's the problem. I kick the crap out of people for a day job! That comes with the territory.

It's the fucking fatigue that gets me, man.

It's... Annoying.

Not having the energy for the things you want to do.

[And the people.]

[bobbob]

[ Well, if Flambae wasn't shitty in response, Robert might actually be very concerned. Regardless, it doesn't matter to him for the moment that the super-healer is looking away from him, or that he's quiet for a moment. Robert just wants to make sure that he really does at least look okay and nothing is just glaringly wrong.

He does make eye contact when the other man speaks again though. There might have been a retort if not for the use of 'hero', which does strange things to him in his chest. Even if Flambae appears to be acting like an ass. ]

You got a problem with that? I can still leave.

[ Can he though? He definitely isn't going to despite what he says. The hero job, first of all, is 24/7. Second of all, worrying about people he cares about is also something he'll do on and off the clock, and he's not even sorry about it.

Robert exhales softly, observing Flambae as he gets the buttons of his shirt undone and appears to be studying the body revealed underneath. Yeah, it's rough. And yet it doesn't seem to be a turn off at all? Which is pretty nice, actually. Warm hands on his bare skin are also very nice, and it's difficult not to let himself get a bit riled up about it. He wants to be intimate with this man, he wants to be touched by him. But he can't encourage it in good conscience. Not when that healing factor is doing its arduous, slightly annoying, but ultimately very important job. ]

I get it.

[ Not in the same way, but the fatigue just ... taking over you, destroying your motivation or your ability to do anything. Robert gets that a lot. He calls it Seasonal Depression.

After a moment, Robert pulls his shirt off before he attaches himself to Flambae's side, urging the other to at least recline a little more and get comfortable. ]

I can't guarantee that you aren't going to rile me up while you're touching me and wearing a g-string, but ... we can just stay like this for a while too.

this tag is so short but i HOPE it is effective in its shortness

[incinerhater]

[He withdraws his hand only because he's been made to feel shy. Flambae isn't exactly timid when it comes to his choice of bedroom attire, he is who he is and can rock a lot of risky silhouettes and generally will, it's just that he wasn't quite sure that Robert would appreciate him in such things as opposed to when they are being plucked off.

Flambae turns his face away to laugh softly, covering it with a hand, although he does so while nestling into Robert's shoulder, that fuzzy cheek resting on the brunt of it.]

kawaii

[bobbob]

[ It's a small shame to have that hand drop away from him, but Flambae acting bashful actually makes it more than worth it. Robert feels like he's witnessing something really secret and special at the moment, and quite frankly it's pretty damn cute. If only he really knew how to express that he does appreciate everything he sees right now. What he sees, what he feels, just the quiet contentment of resting on the bed together like this ...

One side of his mouth tilts up as he watches Flambae turn and then attempt to burrow into a shoulder. He does know he's enormous and can't really hide there, right? ]

Okay ... cute.

[ He speaks so softly that he'd probably be okay if the words hadn't even been heard, huffing afterward and bringing the arm not attached to the shoulder Flambae has claimed up and around to hold him in a sort of loose embrace. God but he wants to kiss this man all over. He'll be good though. He'll let him rest. ]

[incinerhater]

...Feh.

[He thinks he hears something affectionate, a word that sounded suspiciously like "cute," so his expression sours externally, even if it is primarily an act. Flambae is staying put, and as soon as Robert places an arm around him haphazardly, he leans just a little harder into the other man's shoulder, taking care not to rest too heavily on him, he doesn't want to crush the guy.

Flambae can vaguely remember situations like this with other partners, although the memories are blurry, and even he, a master of (shitty) denial, can't entirely trust any of them since it's been so long. What sticks out the most is a hazy recollection of him attempting to lean on an ex-boyfriend's shoulder in the early 2010s, only to be shrugged off when two women caught sight of them through the car window at a stoplight. They were in the back seats! He wasn't even the one driving, asshole...

Then again, even Flambae has to admit- He does have a tendency to warp reality with his own perspective. It's something he's working on.

Robert is so affectionate. One could say it's because he's a bit starved for it, but even then, most men struggle with as much as speaking to a romantic partner. Flambae makes a mental note that he can't let this connection slip through his fingers, as it's not every day that he gets a chance to be with someone who values loyalty just as fiercely.

Sex is the easy part. That's muscle memory, practice, and a little creativity. Sometimes people just aren't compatible with what they want and what they like, but letting others know you care is that much harder. Flambae has often struggled with it himself, coming on too strongly or doing too much in silence, wearing his own heart and patience thin either way.]

So are you...

[He sounds so pouty and sheepish, it's incredibly silly.]

Down for Chinese takeout, by any chance?

[bobbob]

[ That sour expression just makes Robert want to kiss Flambae all the more. Still, he refrains. He doesn't want to push, and he doesn't want to rile either of them up. As just a tiny treat though, he leans in briefly to press a kiss against the firestarter's cheek. Yep, he said it, he said that was cute and he's not sorry about it.

Robert isn't the type who would continuously say things like that though, he's too sincere to lay it on thickly when it actually matters. It was simply that he couldn't help himself in the moment. He really is a bit starved for affection, but he wouldn't want to hear it put like that.

That pouty look that Flambae has shifted toward makes it really difficult for Robert not to crack a smile or even laugh a bit. But he doesn't want to hurt Flambae's feelings or pride or anything like that, so he does his best to contain it. Is he seriously pouting right now though? Maybe Robert would need to compliment him sweetly more often. They're both action-over-words kinds of guys but clearly an exception can be made. ]

I am down, in fact.

[ For just a few long seconds more, he studies Flambae's face before he rolls back a moment and fishes his phone out of his pants. He's still wearing those, after all. ]

What do you like? I'll order it.

[ He can't cook a fantastic meal (that Beef eventually ended up devouring) so he wants to do this, like he said he would. ]

I'll even go answer the door, so you don't have to get dressed again.

[ Why is Robert smiling flirtatiously about this... ]

[incinerhater]

[When he's kissed, Flambae turns his head over ever so slightly to look at Robert. The expression he dons is one of subtle surprise, those fiery eyes round and curious, the corners of his mouth just barely tilting upwards as his lips part. He considers kissing Robert, only he's too slow. The dispatcher asks him about what he likes to order, and he wonders if he should mention it.

Flambae is fond of a spot that's a walking distance from here, and usually goes in person. The restaurant has always had fairly limited staff, and due to the area, they take orders from behind a clear wall of plastic, one that he's seen with a few bullet holes in it in various iteration. The woman who owns it speaks limited English, but she's always happy to see him, and often gives him a side of free egg rolls or crab and cheese wontons depending on the season, with the first being for the warmer months and the second a treat during winter.

He'll have to take Robert in person when they can go.]

Uh... Chicken kung pao, extra spicy?

[Oh.

At the mention of him staying in his skimpy little getup, he looks down and away again, only the smile that makes its way onto his face is smug, self-satisfied and a little wicked.]

You'd like that wouldn't you, you fucking pervert.

[He says the insult slowly and flirtatiously, rolling the "r" seductively on purpose.]

Thanks.

[Look, the gesture was sweet enough to earn some legitimate gratitude. Robert is being sweet because he's tired, he knows. And he got a little compliment out of it... Flambae needs to reinforce this scientifically. Pavlov-Dog him, or whatever the fuck.]

What are your usual go-tos?

[He's going to commit them to memory.]

[bobbob]

[ Damn, Robert will have to slow down next time if it means he gets a kiss out of it. But there's a lot of time for that later, too. He also wants to know what kinds of thing Flambae likes; things that won't or aren't likely to come up during the work day, either in a dispatch assignment or the idle chitchatting the Z-team does. They'd sooner talk about who has the best tiddies than what kind of food they prefer, though you never know ...

He'd like to go places with Flambae too, places that aren't work or the apartment. But they have time for that too. The hero just needs to rest for now.

The seductive r-rolling and sharp, wicked smile get Robert to quirk a brow, his own smirk curling up on his lips. ]

I would, actually.

[ The shrug he gives is like a challenge, daring Flambae to question if Robert is even a little bit sorry for admitting he's gotten a lot of good looks at the g-string while they've been in here like this.

As for the question, he just smiles like this is the easiest, most normal transition of topics ever. ]

Oh, I like that one too, if I'm feeling spicy. But sometimes I'm more of a sweet and sour kind of guy.

[ Is ... is Robert making a joke? It's up to you to decide. He's already looking down on his phone so he can call in an order. ]

[incinerhater]

[When he isn't being caught off-guard by it, Flambae finds that he likes Robert being forward.

He'll give the other man as much of a once-over as he can in this position, the image of which is quite stilly actually, seeing as he's snuggled up so closely to the other man's shoulder.]

Most of the time, I don't even bother wearing this.

[It's a very... Beautiful but hairy situation. Listen, it's humbling to clean all-white sheets and see all so many dark strands float up in the wash... And then wonder exactly which part of his body those hairs came from.]

I was just trying to be poliiiiiite.

[If it's possible, because what are bodies and positions in a psl yaoi thread, Flambae brushes his fingers and palms over the back of the hand loosely cradling him. He's lying in bed nestled against a man he claims to have hated for years, in a position where he can't even be physically intimate with him, and he's so happy, he can hardly remember this sort of euphoric sensation, even if it is familiar.

The new hero even dignifies Robert's joke with a little chuckle. He may not have a dad bod, but he's definitely got some dad jokes in there. It's alright though, they're kind of charming.]

Sweet and sour, huh?

[Chicken? Shrimp?

Once the order comes in, Flambae will try to study it, even if he isn't planning on eating that much himself. They are going to fight at some point, and he will need all the help he can get to be well-equipped for a big, romantic apology.]

Get whatever you want.

[Flambae silently wonders how hard its been for Robert to do just that.

Get what he wants.

The man seems to have had to self-extinguish all of his desires entirely. How horrible.

Exhaustion from his current state creeps up on him, not slowly but suddenly and all at once at that. To steady himself, Flambae closes his eyes, muttering something he probably wouldn't admit so readily in such a tender way if he were feeling one-hundred percent.]

I'm just so happy you're here.

Alone with me.

[bobbob]

[ Being forward with Flambae specifically does have its perks, whether the man is taken off guard by them or not. And yes, Robert's jokes can have a dad edge to them, but how is he to know he has a knack for such humor when his dad probably never told him a joke in his life?

He laughs, not at all surprised that Flambae would just be in the nude most of the time. Thankfully he has yet to be confused over whether a wiry black hair he finds belongs to Beef or to his boyfriend, and he will mourn something deep inside that breaks on the day that does arrive. ]

You know I've already seen you naked at least once. Twice, if you count from my phone?

[ Just saying. But the g-string has its charms. It's also really crazy and only something that Flambae could look good in, he thinks. But he's not going to say that out loud.

He sets to ordering their food for them, getting a side of eggrolls too, and sweet'n'sour chicken for himself with the extra spicy for Flambae. Is Robert going to become the type of boyfriend who steals a little from Flambae's plate? Maybe, eventually.

With the order taken care of, he settles back down more comfortably, nestled against the living space heater's side. Even if the food has to wait and be reheated later, because Flambae needs a bit of rest, he's fine with that. The real dilemma is, does he ask later if the man remembers saying such sweet, soft words to him (without any weird quips or jokes or strange pop culture references), or does he just tuck this away and keep it forever for himself?

He leans to kiss a temple. ]

I'm happy about that too.

[ It something Robert or Mecha Man would never, ever have considered in the past. Yet it's turned into something so precious, the salve to a burn that he never even knew he had. Very ironic when the source of it is an actual walking fireball. But he'll take it. ]

[incinerhater]

[Flambae himself is surprised by his own reactions to Robert's teasing. Without the added context of the other man's seemingly growing attraction to him, every remark thrown his way had been infuriating. Some of it had really gotten under his skin in an unpleasant way, and brutish as Flambae is, he'd actually been deeply offended by everything up until and including the identity reveal.

Now it all feels so flirtatious, like a fun challenge, but the context of everything really does change once you've had a man's dick in your mouth.]

Don't bullshit me, Robert.

I know you looked at those pictures more than once.

[If he had more energy, he'd probably turn and peer annoyingly at Robert's phone, eyeing all the little boxes he ticked on the web application, chiming in with unnecessarily unhinged quips, but today he simply closes his eyes once again and enjoys the warm sensation of Robert's lips on his temple, not wanting to open them and somehow wake up in an empty apartment again.

He wonders if this is a dream. It's one he often had as a kid, while some of his classmates were out doing god knows what with other horny teenagers their age, he had been sitting in his room listening sadly to a variety of pop divas all by himself, wishing desperately to share all these records with a loving boyfriend.

Thank goodness nobody on the Z team can read minds. Even though it isn't really possible, he one hundred percent would self-immolate if anyone could hear his thoughts at the moment. He's cooing and cawing over how Robert is nice enough to order food for the two of them and check in on him when he's not feeling great, a bottom of the rung, barely there requirement for a potential partner, but it's enough to make Flambae happy.

He's put up with a lot of nonsense over the years. Maybe this time things won't end badly, for once. If anything, it really seems like Robert needs someone in his (private) corner too.]

I might fall asleep before the food gets here.

If I do, I'll make it up to you tomorrow morning.

[bobbob]

[ Most things that either of them said to one another before and including the identity reveal were not exactly said with good intentions. So it is a bit weird. Robert does like this better. Even if he scoffs at being called out. ]

What? You can't prove that.

[ And he knows Flambae doesn't have the energy to try, either. Therefore, this victory is safely Mecha Man's for now.

Lately he's also been wondering if any of this is some kind of dream. For all Robert knows, he could be in another coma, and this is what sort of landscape his consciousness has given him. Pretty fucked up if true. But he hopes that it isn't true, that here and now is reality and his life appears to be getting sunnier day by day and now there's even a chance at love and being loved.

There are two very lonely young boys inside of them both. If only they had met sooner and in a different way, huh?

But they've got this now, and that's good.

With Flambae settled down, Robert gets comfortable again too. He won't have to get out of the bed for a good chunk of time anyway, and he really does seem to be drawn to the natural heat that that body gives off. A regular cat left out in the snow until Flambae opened the door. ]

Don't worry. We'll heat it back up when you're hungry.

[ And awake. Robert really doesn't mind waiting. ]

Get some rest, I'll be here.

[incinerhater]

Hey!

[Flambae has to laugh at that. The sound is short and breathy.

It'd be nice if Robert were disgusting enough to have pleasured himself to any of those photos, as that's kind of what they're for, after all, but he isn't so sure that the dispatcher would be doing any of that, much less admit it out loud if he did.]

You could really stand to stroke my ego a little bit more, you know.

[Robert edges closer to him and Flambae instinctively curls an arm around the other man, somehow making things worse. On the topic of love or falling in it, Flambae is pretty quick to get a little too emotionally attached, no matter how cool he tries to play it initially. That and sooner or later, his weird little Robert fixation is probably going to be uncomfortably revealed, and it is most likely going to happen during sex knowing him!]

You better be, asshole.

[Safety isn't something Flambae takes for granted either.

When it comes to new partners, he often has trouble falling asleep. There's all the self-consciousness, including the harrowing (*to him) possibility of farting in his sleep, god forbid. Maintaining the illusion of perfection is almost as exhausting as his draining healing process, but around someone like Robert who is so scrungly rough around the edges to start, he doesn't think twice about closing his eyes and letting the soothing lull of unconsciousness seep in.]

When I'm awake, I'd like to love you properly.

[Speaking of love, he silently wonders if it's something Robert's ever been in.

It's starting to sound like the answer is no.]

[bobbob]

[ Whatever the truth is, it doesn't seem like Robert is going to admit to anything right this moment. He does seem very comfortable in the curl of Flambae's arm, even though it kind of feels like he should be the one doing the big spooning, since he's the one (somehow) in better shape. ]

I'm pretty sure I stroke it plenty.

[ He answers, after just enough time has passed for Flambae to close his eyes and start getting all settled in.

But of course he doesn't plan on disappearing as soon as the other man is asleep (and Robert is also sure now that the food will need to be set aside for a bit). Other than to answer the door, he's going to stay where he is so he can make sure that the healing does happen. Not to mention he has the warmest and safest feeling seat in the house. Chase had already been informed that Beef could be with him overnight, and that's fine. ]

When you're awake, you can.

[ His answer is simple and maybe even coming off a bit cheeky. But inside his chest, Robert's heart flutters at even the mention of that four letter word. Of course Flambae didn't just profess his love, but the thrill and excitement of being intimate with a new flame (haha) is very much alive. And no, he hasn't got much experience with being in love.

He has loved plenty, and sometimes that love has been returned: from Beef, from his dad in some weird way, even from Chase. In love? Maybe not even once. ]

Feel better.

[ It's murmured so quietly it could be missed, but Robert is also almost certain that maybe Flambae has already drifted off. ]

[incinerhater]

[Somewhere in the back of his tired mind, the words do in fact register.

Flambae comes to some time in the dead of night, those orange eyes of his taking a few seconds to adjust to the lack of light in the room. Robert's sleeping peacefully, and even he is unsure of why he's up, although he is certainly feeling a lot less exhausted than he did when he fell asleep.

His furry brows furrow again, a warm expression finding its way onto features that appear almost permanently strung into a thin-lipped scowl. Robert always comes into work looking so haggard, although he did look better this morning.

Flambae silently thinks about the amount of time that Robert has been strung up, beat down, and even kidnapped in the last few months overall. Every time he wakes up in a hospital bed, does it feel more normal? Flambae is a hater of the harsh overhead lighting, personally... And of course, the food? That is just terrorism. Not only is it tasteless, it's usually unhealthy, so what is the fucking point!

He doesn't have to pee or anything, and he's a little too scared to touch him, so he is just going to creepily observe Robert peacefully snoozing like some kind of serial killing maniac. And yet, he does manage to whisper:]

Ohhhh.

You look like a churro that somebody forgot to dip in cinnamon.

[bobbob]

[ For a while, Robert just lays there, listens to Flambae's breathing for a bit before he takes his phone out and scrolls a bit. Normally he might just try to catch some Zzz's right away too, but he's got to wait for that food. When it does eventually arrive, he sneaks out of Flambae's arms as best he can, puts on his shirt again (to spare the delivery guy from questions or asking if he's ok or needs to call the police), and gathers up their meal.

When it's put away in the kitchen - he kind of finds his way around - he heads back to the bedroom, drops his shirt off to the side again, and slides right back up next to Flambae, eventually drifting off once he's sure that the former villain is alright.

It seems that he's not a heavy sleeper though, because Flambae stirring around and then whispering gets the dispatcher to stir and, by chance, flutter his eyes open. ]

...

[ ...................... ]

Hello?