bootyhunter | CALL ME OUT

[ 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.

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.]

[ 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. ]

[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.

Edited 2026-02-12 02:40 (UTC)

[ 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?

[

cue him straightening out immediately
but he is lying down so he is just

like this "|" ig]

...

[😬]

Hello.

[He flashes Robert an unnerving, toothy smile.]

Edited (merry im so sorry) 2026-02-13 03:24 (UTC)

[ god this is horrific, is he actually awake or is this a nightmare? ]

.......... Flambae.

[ Once he's come to the conclusion that he is, in fact, awake, Robert startles a bit, pushing himself back (almost falling off the edge of the bed in the process). ]

What's— are you alright? Why are you looking at me like— why are you planking?

[ Genuinely it may be that this was all a long con to get to this very moment when he could exact revenge upon Mecha Man in the most terrifying way possible. ]

[Oh, look at him being all scared... He will reach out to catch Robert so that he doesn't fall off the bed! Just to steady his shoulders.]

Why, would you rather I be...

[not this in the accent and with him moving the furry brows up and down]

Arching my back instead?

[This is gaslighting...]

Boo.

[ OF COURSE HE'S SCARED, DOES FLAMBAE REALIZE WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE- ]

What.

[ Now that he's safe from falling off the bed, Robert gives Flambae the flattest look he can muster in the dark. ]

Were you just watching me in my sleep? And whispering? I swear I heard whispering.

[ If nothing else, this is telling him that Flambae is probably feeling better, so there is that. What time is it even though? Probably doesn't super matter... ]

Look, Robbo-

[What a fucking greasy pony-tailed rat-]

I just had to see if you plugged yourself in while you were sleeping.

[If Robert didn't hear the exact words...]

But I guess...

That is only true for the suit, not you.

[WHAT A FUCKING BULLSHIT ANSWER-]

Edited 2026-02-13 04:02 (UTC)

[ Mr. Wet Ponytail... ]

... I can't tell if you're joking right now.

[ He's joking, right? The accent doesn't help.

Rolling his eyes a little, Robert gives Flambae's shoulder a half-hearted shove. ]

Fine, don't admit you were watching me sleep in the dark like a creeper. You're feeling better now though?

Look, I just wanted to make sure you were breathing!

[....]

You've been through a lot! I don't want to wake up one morning to find out you just kicked the bucket, okay... Come on.

[He lets himself be shoved, although he'll reach back again to... Fluff Robert's hair or whatever.]

Yeah, I... It doesn't hurt to fucking breathe anymore, and my back isn't aching like crazy...

[Sheepishly, finally:]

Did I spook you for real?

Fuck.

[ now he really can't tell if Flambae is being serious. Was he actually worried about something like that or is he deflecting from the fact that he's a freak... ]

Okay. Well. I'm still alive.

[ Obviously. But the hand in his hair is endearing and soft enough to kind of deter him from trying to get real answers from Flambae. And he really is glad to hear it from that tooth-missing mouth of his that he's doing fine. ]

I'm glad.

[ Giving a small huff, he gives Flambae a little push again. This time though, he comes along with it, essentially wanting to lie on top or at least partially on top of him. ]

I was worried about you, if that's what you mean. But whispering at me in the dark isn't enough to scare me away.

[Flambae moves to widen his shoulders a bit so that Robert has more room. Without saying anything first, he'll place a gentle hand on the dispatcher's back. In a way, he's testing the waters too, trying to see what Robert will and won't ignore.]

There's no need to worry, BobBob.

[From the unhinged confidence in his voice, even though he's trying to be quiet, it's clear that he's definitely feeling a lot like himself.]

I am just like the Energizer Bunny. Only my hair is not pink, and I am not banging a fucking drum around everywhere.

[As stupid of an excuse as that was, he does worry about Robert often. The man has sustained a fuckload of stress, and he doesn't seem to look after himself as much as he might need to.]

He is always rocking some pretty cool shades, though.

[hello]

[ It seems Robert is pleased with that, since there's a trace of a smile on his lips and it's not just for being told he doesn't have to worry (he worried anyway, so that's moot). It just genuinely is a relief to hear that Flambae is back to his stupid self, but Robert doesn't feel like telling him that again.

Genuinely though, what does he see in this man who is just rambling on about the Energizer Bunny of all things?

Unfortunately, Robert is very into it. He's slowly accepting this about himself. ]

I think you're more attractive than a pink rabbit with a drum.

[ He quirks his brow at Flambae in a challenge. Maybe he can't see that well in the dark, but he knows that the superpowered guy can. ]

But sure, we can keep talking about him if you'd like.

[Flambae's chin buckles at the genuine compliment.]

I should hope so.

Otherwise you would have fucked Sonar, no?

[He snorts, as it's a joke.]

Do you usually sleep well?

[Maybe he shouldn't be asking this, especially if they have work tomorrow... But he's so curious. Should he be looking into brewing some camomile teas for his new man, because he will?]

I think... And it's not just me, it's the rest of the team too, but maybe... Mostly me...

[Because he is obsessed with you, Robert.]

That you do not really...

Uh, look after yourself? In a way that isn't very fucking concerning, I mean.

Edited 2026-02-13 05:49 (UTC)

[ Not the direction he thought this would take. Robert's mouth pops open briefly before he shakes his head. ]

Would not fuck Sonar.

[ No offense to him, but Robert does like to kiss and he doesn't want to kiss...that.

Anyway, he deflates a little against Flambae, turning his head so his cheek can rest flat against his chest. He isn't sure he wants to get into this in the middle of the night, but if he was alone in his apartment at this exact time, what would he be doing? Either obsessively searching for Shroud (before that all ended of course), drinking, or sleeping in his plastic chair. ]

No, I don't.

[ He begins, sounding a little cautious. It's easy to want to fuss over someone else, to make sure they're alright and healthy and taken care of, but when it's turned on you it's kinda different. ]

Last night was the best sleep I've gotten in a while.

[ Which is a genuine statement, not him trying to butter Flambae up to distract him. Robert keeps his head resting against the man as he talks, like he's content to be there. ]

I don't know. I still shower and go to the gym and brush my teeth? But maybe the rest kind of ... wasn't that important for a while.

[ They've already talked about it a bit, how Robert was just kind of expecting to die in the suit sooner or later. ]

I'm fine though. I'm good now...

Edited 2026-02-13 19:33 (UTC)

[He believes it! Flambae has unfortunately acquired a bizarre fondness for the flying freak, as he has for all of his misfit teammates, but Sonar doesn't quite seem like Robert's type.

Then again, he's often surprised that he is someone Robert would even entertain the idea of dinner with, let alone whatever the hell they're doing right now.

Maybe that's a part of it. Rolling with the punches, ready to take on the unexpected- That much they do have in common.]

Mhm.

[Flambae doesn't boast, and he doesn't let that comment boost his overblown ego. He suspects that Robert may experience night terrors or simply have trouble sleeping, he's cool and collected in front of his peers, but there's probably a hoard of unpleasant thoughts brimming between the injured ear and the normal one. If there's that many scars on his body, it's likely that whatever goes on inside of his head is a lot worse.

He glides a hand slowly over the back of Robert's head, rubbing at the hair and skin up and down in a soothing gesture.

Most of the Z-team isn't great at getting consistent rest.

Golem often needs to take THC gummies to fall asleep, Prism doom scrolls and will pester Flambae if he's awake, which he usually is, and Malevola prefers being awake at night. Sonar's stimulant fueled bursts of productivity can sometimes mean he's awake for 48 hours straight, and Coupe and Punch-Up aren't really the type of people to sleep consistently either, for reasons probably similar to Robert. As for Invisigal, Flambae doesn't know her all that well, but he suspects that her sleep probably worsens when she's feeling badly about herself.

It's either that or she sleeps too much.]

Did you eat before-

[He stops himself before saying, "Coming back to me," because, wow! ~~in the flambae voice:~~ Crazy.]

Eh, crawling back in here?

[ Honestly, Robert is surprised about all this too. Blazer or even Visi (for as bad as she is for him) seem more like his type. But somehow Flambae just coasted right past them like it wasn't even a challenge. It's had the Dispatcher thinking very deeply about things from time to time, ever since he realized. But he doesn't really have any regrets, even when Flambae says the most outrageous shit in the world.

That hand rubbing at his hair and neck is soothing on its own, but Flambae's natural warmth makes it ever moreso. Robert even closes his eyes. It could put him back to sleep and here he had some devious plan to seduce the firestarter in the middle of the night instead.

He really hasn't had a chance to sleep well in the past ... well. Decade, at least. ]

Mm, no. I was waiting for you.

[ Not for any self-neglect or anything like that. He fully intends to eat his portion. But they were going to eat take-out together, and it's too lonely to dig in by yourself in your boyfriend's house while he's not feeling well in the other room. ]

What?

[Oh. There's a rare, genuine hint of concern in his voice. It's the kind of soft, unsavory thing he would usually hide from others, but it feels necessary here.]

Robert!

You should have eaten something.

[Flambae closes his eyes, sighing.

A part of him doesn't want to disturb the other man by having him get up. Why did he think the idiot would've had a bite while he was sleeping?! God, it's just like Robert and his stupid self sacrificing ass to wait for his nearly unconscious boyfriend to wake up and have dinner with him... But Flambae wasn't thinking straight, and then again, he never is, is he-]

Are you still hungry?

[He doesn't use this voice all that often. The accent is still present as always, but it's not the way he speaks to people who aren't... Well, significant.]

For anything other than ass.

[ Honestly, the concern that's clear in Flambae is really touching. But Robert groans anyway. He doesn't want to move from his warm heating pad either but he can tell that the nitpicky man is not going to let this go. ]

You need it more than I do.

[ If they need to do a care-off competition, he will. But he does reluctantly roll off of Flambae in preparation of getting out of bed. ]

I could eat something, and you definitely should.

[ He doesn't care how the healing factor works, Flambae hasn't eaten all that much today either. And yes, it is really ironic that Robert would insist on this behavior but he doesn't really care right now, as he leans forward and fishes around for his shirt. Granted, he's not sure if Flambae will wear the g-string to "dinner", so it's not like he really needs to fully get dressed. ]

And that sounds like a weird way to imply you want me to eat your ass.

[Again, Flambae laughs a little irreverently. The sound is as sweet as anything anyone could get from him, save for his niece, maybe.

He doesn't tell Robert that his healing factor, when it does kick in, when the wounds are all closed up and the exhaustion is gone, has a few other setbacks. For one, it's like having three espresso shots kick in in the dead of night, so he won't be sleeping easily either.]

Okay, fine! Fuck.

I'll eat if you do.

But why do I feel like you're the kind of guy who chooses sleep over food most days, huh? Mmm.

[At the mention of that, Flambae digs his fingers in Robert's hair again, those bright eyes curious. Like he's finally in careful contemplation, actually weighing his options and not wanting to say the wrong thing.

He's a bit too casual about a few things that men who have yet to experiment with other men may not be, not so much. It's selfish to hope that maybe he's the first guy that Robert has acted on any feelings for, but he'll go with that narrative anyway, since it makes him feel better, more special, more unique.

After a few seconds of intense eye contact, that is, if Robert is even willing to look back at him, he decides to answer honestly-]

Would you?

I was considering doing that for you, but... It freaks, ah...

I know you're not straight, but I guess, normie? Normie guys out?

[Flambae then blows a raspberry a little half-heartedly.]

Then again you're not really a normal guy either.

You're a fucking freak.

[lakdjflks]

[ They should probably hang out when they don't have work the next day. Then again, this wasn't really planned. And also, they work together so the chances of them going home together after is pretty high. Oh no, he's really got it bad doesn't he... ]

Good.

[ It's settled then. They'll eat. But he pauses in the middle of his shirt search to let Flambae put his fingers through his hair. He gives him a dry look at first. ] I sleep in a chair, remember? I'd definitely choose food first.

[ That being said, he allows the sudden, intense eye contact, wondering briefly if he's said something weird or if Flambae is about to say something weird. If it's the latter, that's not much to worry about, but with how deep this eye contact is going, it seems like it would be a doozy.

And it kind of is, but he can also kind of tell that it's a serious question. Flambae can fantasize or theorize whatever he wants really and Robert doesn't mind. But he is, either way, not nearly as experienced in the art of ... men. Despite what he says about blowing people. ]

I've never really done that before ...

[ He may have with a woman, we simply do not know. But, he crooks a smile, deciding not to correct any of this "straight/normie"whatever talk. Instead, he just shrugs. ]

I am kind of a freak though.

[ which ... means ... he's not opposed to it.

hELP ]

Yes, but that's not-

[The same level of comfort.

He doesn't like being wrong, but he'll try and remember it, mostly because it means that Robert and Beef are more alike than they appear. Like father, like canine son, apparently.

Robert moves to get dressed, and so it's Flambae who sits reluctantly while being swallowed by blankets, trying to stop himself from blurting out the first few things that come to mind, as he typically does, in part because they are so embarrassing.

Chad never really had the chance to experience his firsts with men his own age. He had a dangerous tendency in his youth to chase the kind of men who were strong enough to pin him down, older and larger, and not reliable sources of affection by any means. The intimacy was often violent, in a way that Flambae could bounce back from and enjoyed the risky nature of, but none of it could be considered healthy or viable. He was still in limbo at the time, deciding if he really wanted to stick it out on Earth for all that long, and in some ways he finds himself still reeling from it.

Like right now. God, he really is toxic, as Prism would say.]

Yo, hey! One step at a time, Robert, Jesus Christ!

I should probably do that for you first.

Do you even know how it feels?

[Ugh... He rubs the back of his own head with one hand, not bothering to put on anymore clothes. Robert has seen him naked, there's no point!]

Actually, don't answer that. Because if I have to think about somebody else doing that for you, I'm going to burn down this whole apartment.

Fucking forget it.

[It's nice that Robert is so adventurous. A lot of men cling so wholly to their masculinity... Flambae is literally a flaming homosexual and yet even he doesn't manage to clock himself doing it all the time.]

[ Truth be told, Robert sucks at both feeding himself and sleeping, really. So it's not like Flambae was wrong either. At least he stuffs his face with something though whereas he puts no effort into bettering his sleep situation. Honestly, Robert.

He pauses again to glance back at the large man wrapped up in his blankets and just. gives up on putting on his shirt again. Flambae should know though, that the more naked they are, the more likely dinner is going to get interrupted. He's been wanting to jump him since earlier this evening, after all. And also during work a couple times, before he got injured and flew off.

But now he needs to defend his honor a bit, so he scoffs. ]

Dude. You're the one who just asked me if I would. I was just answering.

[ He's not the one that needs to take a chill pill on it!

He half lays down again, just because he stretching back to reach for Flambae and his blankets, tugging at them. Either he is going to drag him out of this bed or he really is just going to jump his bones in a minute here.

It's so frustratingly endearing how he gets jealous over these fantasy scenarios about Robert and other men. ]

Just accept that I want to do the sex things with you. Okay?

[ Why'd he say it like that???? ]

Time to eat.

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wiping my tears

he is being so annoying

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