bootyhunter | CALL ME OUT

[ Even if he wasn't getting pleasantly buzzed from chugging down his beer, Robert would feel his chest getting weird and warm and soft from hearing that genuine laughter from Flambae again. He really doesn't think he'll ever get tired of it, especially when he's the source of it.

It definitely feels like it could be something like love, and he thinks he's okay with that.

He closes his eyes briefly in a laugh of his own, bringing an arm up around Flambae as the much taller man rests into his shoulder. Maybe they're being gross right now to the public eye but it's a gay bar, it's probably just another Tuesday. Robert isn't going to worry about it. ]

I thought you might like that.

[ It's definitely a stupid word, but it has its own stupid word kind of charm that Flambae is so good at coming up with himself.

The dramatic (villain style) pause followed by the word again and the silly laugh makes Robert's heart want to burst. Clearly that means he needs more of his beer to calm it down. The question that follows also manages to keep him from completely exploding in feelings on the spot.

It's not that he minds the question- he doesn't really. He doesn't consider it an uncomfortable breech or anything. But his own relationship with his father is ...

Well, we know how it is. ]

I haven't, really. I was never really sure I wanted to, um, put some kid through the kind of life I had.

[ He winces internally at that. That makes it sound like he's aware of how shitty his childhood was. Or that he's not proud of what his father and grandfather left him. He is. It's just... complicated. ]

[Flambae thinks he can feel Robert’s shoulder tensing slightly, although he chides himself for once, taking a moment to critique his often accusatory and overactive imagination. He keeps himself stationed there, oddly affectionate and quiet, feeling himself breathe an internal sigh of relief.

They are not in the business of stability or suburban living, as is common amidst most of the others with their lifestyle, whether they identify as heroes or villains or anything in between. Flambae finds that men in a similar age bracket are often scrambling to leave themselves with some sort of legacy, and seeing as he’s made his peace with being an excellent gay uncle, he’s not intending to entertain that thought anytime soon.

If Robert had wanted anything of the sort, he would’ve cut the chord soon.]

I always thought it was kind of creepy… The idea of spilling your seed into something or someone, and then…

It grows up to look back at you with eyes that might look exactly like yours, like some kind of fucking horror movie…

[The hand around him makes Flambae feel something strange. Like warmth and pity, all at once.

Poor man.

There’s a lot that could be said about his own desire to (not) have children. Flambae had thought he hated them for a long time, that is, until his precious little niece was born. He considers himself fairly lucky, someone who has the opportunity to spoil and help raise a child but without a large variety of the factors that make it so excruciating.

For now however, he chooses to focus his attention on Robert.]

Even if you had a little one, you wouldn’t have to force him to do what you did.

But it sounds like you didn’t have much of a choice, man.

[Flambae’s following delivery is subtle, as he doesn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to Robert in this moment. He’s not betting that the guy will get emotional, but there’s an odd chance.]

I’m sorry.

[ Continuing on the "legacy" definitely crossed Robert's mind a few times, but as the years went on, the prospect seemed less and less likely. Less and less appealing. He probably felt guilty as hell every time he settled on that thought, too. At some point he'll probably have to acknowledge his issues with his father in more than just a conversation with some idiot Shroud crony. Today doesn't appear to be that day.

He's emotional, sure. There's an entire storm raging in his soul right now about all this, but he isn't going to release it. He doesn't want to spring that on Flambae tonight. Especially when most of the rest of the vibes are affectionate. Warm. A bit embarrassing because they're in a bar and he's got no shirt on, sure, but he's having a good time. ]

That is something like how genetics work, yeah.

[ He snorts softly over the top of his beer before he takes another drink. Slowly but surely he's getting fuzzy as the alcohol kicks in. One single beer isn't totally enough to get him drunk drunk anymore but apparently he hasn't built up a strong immunity to it either.

Just a tiny, tiny bit of that storm in his heart seeps through in the form of a quiet smile that he mostly keeps to himself, only turning his head toward Flambae a tiny fraction. ]

Wouldn't I? I felt the pressure to continue all the time. A kid would probably make it worse.

[ Would he be able to stop himself from having his kid grow up knowing he'd one day take on the suit? And what about the kid himself? He could start to feel that it would be his destiny all on his own, merely by watching Robert, learning their history, etc... He certainly didn't feel like he did have a choice, until very recently. And now he's in his thirties.

Robert clears his throat and eventually kind of gestures at Flambae's drink. ]

Let me try that.

Your throne of despair-

[He interjects, finally raising his pretty, all-too-angular head in reference to Robert's pitiful apartment chair.]

Does not even rest beneath a singular pillow-cushion.

You think you could scrape together enough money to raise a kid in this economy when you live like that? Please.

[Flambae has no idea what's going on between Robert's chipped ear and the intact one, but wild as it may seem, he'd entertain some unsexy conversations about the guy's dad. For one thing, it sounds like Mecha Man senior was either absent or incredibly strict, as complexes to follow in someone's footsteps or preserve some bullshit legacy are hardly ever self-wrought.]

Legacy would not be that little shit's biggest problem, okay? The fact that there isn't another tiny, freckle-y menace running around out there is a good thing.

Maybe this way you can finally learn to take care of your-

[Self.

The joke isn't a good enough potshot, and Flambae winces, realizing it all too soon. Robert isn't inconsiderate enough to have ever finished inside some poor woman without a condom, not when he's spent so much of his life living by the book.

The question about the drink distracts Flambae a little, so much so that he blinks-]

Hah?

[This poor, beautiful idiot. He's inhaled too much hair product over the years.]

Eh, sure.

[you fool

you fool he is flirting]

It's very fruity, though. Obviously! It's pinker than one of those fucking homosexual bears.

[ASLDKJFSKDJF

Flambae sets it down on the table, pushing it Robert's way with three fingers.]

You know! The ones that came in different colors?

[Carebears.]

With the little rainbows over their fucking belly buttons... C'mon!

Edited 2026-04-24 03:43 (UTC)

[ Robert may sigh and mumble something about "here we go" once Flambae starts going on about his throne and his shitty apartment and everything. But on the plus side, he doesn't have to go further into why he doesn't really want to have a kid or why his childhood was bad actually. So he just lets the man go on about it until he offers the drink.

Of course, he doesn't get the connotations of the request at all either but. Whatever, it's fine. ]

Uh-huh.

[ He rolls his eyes as he takes a sip of the daiquiri. He does have to take his hand away from Flambae in order to do so, but they're still close enough that he's probably going to start sweating from the heat the firestarter gives off anyway.

It is fruity, but since when has Robert not appreciated something sweet? ]

Hm. It's not bad.

[ Strawberry maybe isn't his flavor of choice, but honestly who can't enjoy a strawberry daiquiri? Weaklings, that's who. ]

And it's Care Bears you're thinking of, by the way.

[ Might as well help the guy out even if he didn't get Robert's attempt to be cute with him at all. When the bartender glances at them, he also lifts his hand up to signal another beer. If he keeps it light, he probably won't get drunk and silly no matter how many he drinks! Okay, he knows that's not how it works but he's still kind of nervous about all this. So it's still the safest choice. ]

[He watches Robert's lips on his glass with the hunger of an impatient predator, only belatedly understanding what the unfortunate, touch-starved man was meaning to do. Sometimes it feels like torture to gaze upon Robert's lips, knowing just how eager he was to be kissed when they had finally gotten down to becoming more intimately physical with one another.

Care Bears... He will remember that. Mostly because if a caring bear had looked his way seven or eight-ish years ago, he probably wouldn't still be single.

Well, in this moment, Flambae isn't single anymore.

It delights him.]

Not bad?

[He cocks his head to the side. Okay, so Robert isn't as partial to strawberry-flavored things as Flambae is. All the fire-based hero has got to go off of is the shorter man's wretched love of Twinkies, which has addled his empty brain enough. When his niece visited his week, he had scoured the internet for gourmand roll-on perfumes before shutting his laptop and cursing himself.

Musks and citrus-y scents work better for him. Vanilla reminds Flambae of all the bathroom hookups he had with college-aged twinks around that age.]

I thought you liked it when I spit in things.

[He raises a furry eyebrow, attempting to make eye contact with Robert if he can. Is the little wretch drunk already...]

Or on them.

Edited 2026-04-25 02:15 (UTC)

[ Maybe he's not a caring bear but he is, indeed, the current cause of Flambae's lack of singleness. And maybe his flirt diversion failed a little bit, but it was still a diversion from the kid thing and he's still having a good enough time that it doesn't really matter. Another attempt can present itself at any moment.

Or Flambae could say something raunchy (and not completely untrue).

Robert huffs out a laugh, eventually turning himself so he's facing Flambae completely. He's careful to try not to knock those ~~large yaoi~~ arms away from him too so that his boyfriend doesn't think he doesn't like or want it anymore. It's just easier when he can look right at him, even if it makes him a target for his own expressions or the color of his complexion to betray him. ]

You might have to spit in it a little more, I could only taste the strawberry.

[ He raises a brow slowly and it might even come off as a bit coy. Has another opportunity already presented itself? If he's not drunk, he's certainly a little loosey-goosey compared to usual.

He leans in to deliver a sexy-whisper close to Flambae's ear (he can't reach the best). Although if it actually ends up being sexy, well. That'd probably be dumb luck. ]

And you don't taste like strawberries.

[WHY THE FUCK IS THIS WORKING-]

[It is because he has that stupid, raspy sexy voice, the slooooooow, irritating drawl....!!!!]

[Flambae is indeed frozen in place.

Clearly, that stupid line has had an effect on him. His complexion is a little deeper than Robert's, but not deep enough to hide that he's definitely blushing.]

You fucking lightweight. You...

[To make matters even worse, he humiliates himself further by jumping the gun.]

Then what do I taste like?

[Flambae snorts.]

Idiot.

Edited 2026-04-25 03:10 (UTC)

[ Oh shit, it worked. Not that Robert had any doubts, because in his currently tipsy state of mind, he's very confident about his moves. Or at least, he's getting more confident and less in his head about whether he's doing or saying the right things because all this dating and caring and falling in love stuff is ridiculously out of his wheelhouse. ]

I'm not drunk.

[ which is what drunk people say, but he's not! He's not wasted, he is still aware of what's going on!

And as if it's going to win the argument, he picks up his new beer for a couple of drinks of it. He puts his other hand on one of Flambae's pecs as he does. ]

You taste like... well, something spicy, obviously. [ Good spicy. Not 3am tacos spicy, you know? That's still good but in a completely different context and strictly at 3am. ]

You might need to remind me.

[AH!!! BOOB GRAB, NOT STEALTHY...

Flambae stands up a little straighter-]

[Flambae feels a touch humiliated. He despises how, in this moment, he knows just how pathetic he seems, yearning for what is one of the stupidest not-pickup lines he's heard in a while.

It doesn't matter how vulgar the words are- Or corny. It's just nice that Robert bothered to say anything at all, and it's not lost on the former supervillain that it might've taken some booze to get any of that to happen.

He looks down at the hand on his chest, his drink that's been set back down on the bar, and finally Robert's face. He leans forward, challenging the other man, although he's trying to get close enough to see if the dispatcher's breath reeks of liquor already.]

Robert.

[Flambae sounds more concerned than angry.]

You are drunk.

[and if it's physically possible he will caress Robert with the hand that isn't carrying his stupid sdn shirt, imagine, the sensation of having your face caressed by three fucking fingers-]

I can't kiss you if you're shitfaced and I'm not, you know?

It wouldn't be right.

Edited 2026-04-25 04:17 (UTC)

[ It wasn't a stealthy boob grab, but Robert doesn't even have a shirt to hide behind, it only seemed fair. And maybe he just feels better about this weird foreign place (even if Prism's music is blaring in the background) when he's got a hand on Flambae, familiar and warm.

He blinks a couple of times as Flambae leans in closer and he doesn't give Robert what he wants. Then he almost looks sad. The truth is, he didn't just say these stupid things because of the alcohol, he just feels less stupid about it. ]

I told you I'm not. Maybe by the end of the second one.

[ His cheeks are still a burning shade of red, perhaps even a little darker now as he looks away. Kind of a childish sulk. The critical success in his pick-up attempts seems to have died as quickly as it lived. ]

Thought that was only the rule for people you aren't already dating.

[ He doesn't move to pick up his drink again though. ]

[The sadness in Robert's eyes cuts at Flambae instantly. He winces as the other man's eyes fall, and he speaks before thinking-]

Baby, your face is red.

[What was three fingers and maybe two nubs becomes a palm, tender and flat against the side of a roughed up face. Looking at Robert in this moment feels like a little bit of a relief, weirdly enough, seeing as he's so used to seeing the man with various injuries. A fat lip, a bloody nose, various bruises...

Sure, he's tipsy at the very least, but his stupid, pouty face is in one piece.

Flambae leans inwards to press a soft kiss to Robert's temple.]

I dunno if that's a good rule, actually.

[His voice is soft, wholly sincere amidst the insane lyrics that are probably being rapped over a sick beat right now.]

I can't tell if you're just buzzed, or...

[Flambae tilts his head to the side, observing Robert keenly.]

It takes a lot of drinks for me to get where you are, usually.

[A beat passes.]

And a little molly. Or some E.

Edited 2026-04-25 05:06 (UTC)

[ Robert blinks a couple of times, his mouth shrinking into a sort of "o" expression, though his lips are still closed. Sort of like the icon but a little more pursed together and closed-lipped in a way I can't describe any better...

Anyway, his cheeks were kind of a "I'm getting tipsy" shade of rogue but they soften into the flustered pink of a blush.

He called him baby ....?

///// ]

I uh

[ he shakes his head quickly. ]

I'm just buzzed. You don't have to worry.

[ He's not that bad.

Sometimes he wonders though, if he'd want to be like Blazer and Flambae who have to drink a lot or something ridiculously strong to even feel a tingle or if that just sounds like it kind of sucks. ]

I'll slow down, if you want me to.

Oh?

So you are starting to do the things that I want, now? So you're into pet names, cool... I learned something new about you.

[He tilts his head further.

Flambae isn't used to being this nice, not in public, and certainly not without the ever-looming threat of losing the person he is addressing in earnest. It's a privilege that has been primarily earned by friends thus far, as all his past loves have been a bit tumultuous, ending up in flames nearly every time.

Robert can be so unpredictable. Maybe there's a sense of relatability to it- How the dispatcher can seem like he feels so on top of the world one second and so irrefutably dismayed the next. For all his pesky nagging over the intercomms at work, it would seem that he isn't so perfect, so stoic, when he actually bothers to listen to the thrumming of his own heart.

This time when he sees Robert's face color, the freckles mixing in with hues of red and pink, Flambae doesn't feel any hesitation or humiliation about the tingle he experiences himself.

He's lived long enough to know his own biology by now- It's not the fruity cocktail that's making him feel this way.]

Do places like this make you feel uncomfortable?

[Clubs or bars with raucous crowds, the kind that isn't seedy or violent.

In some ways, the chaotic atmosphere creates a unique pressure to be or feel happy, which isn't always for the best.]

Not the gay part, but the, uh...

Loudness, fun-ness...? All the silly people?

Edited 2026-04-25 22:01 (UTC)

What? No ...

[ Is he protesting doing things that Flambae wants, or the pet names? ]

It just felt like you wanted me to slow down on the alcohol, that's all.

[ Ironic that Flambae is being so sincere and Robert is having trouble with it at the moment. But his head is starting to feel fuzzy around the edges from the alcohol buzz, and he's got a lot of thoughts churning around in there. Like how he doesn't want to embarrass himself or disappoint Chad by getting drunk too fast and he's already almost blown it. And how it made his heart flutter when he was called "baby" even though that's never something he'd considered before. Or how he notices how intently he's being stared at and he doesn't know what it's for or how to feel about it.

Obviously he likes being looked at by Flambae. ]

Huh? Oh...well.

[ He glances around almost cautiously at their surroundings for a brief moment. Prism's music is amazing, they all know that, but the rest of the scene? Flambae is right to guess that it's not really Robert's.

Not because he isn't fun, mind you!! ]

It's not the kind of bar I usually hang around in. [ Flambae knows this, obviously. He's just saying it for posterity or something. ] And I wasn't expecting to just get rid of my shirt in the first half of the night, either.

[ Robert has never really been self-conscious about his body, so why start now? Maybe it's just a combination of many factors tonight, but it feels weird. More than once he's had little thoughts of "I only want Flambae to look at me like this" stab his brain. ]

You know, you can go dance or catch up with people- well, Prism's probably not coming back anytime soon- or whatever. I won't disappear or anything. Or get shitfaced. [ He holds up his hands. ] Promise.

[ Suddenly he just feels like, since he asked that question, maybe Flambae is a little disappointed they're not partying like it's 1999. Maybe he's staring at Robert so much because he wishes his boyfriend was better at this. Ugh. ]

[Robert has yet to blow anything (sadly).

Flambae can't help but think that this isn't quite what he imagined from Mecha Man, although that's a thought he's had at least fifty times over by now, but he's grateful for it. Robert's shyness is cute, a word that Flambae knows the dispatcher will protest if he utters it aloud.

He's never really had to deal with anything like this, as Robert is the only normie he's even bothered to get to know in a coital context. Sure, Flambae has often observed that non-superpowered beings are affected by alcohol more quickly, but he's never really been made to think about it.

If he kisses Robert, would it be the same as someone kissing a drunk person who had no capacity to say no? That's his primary worry.]

And why would I want to dance with anyone but you?

[His head moves to either side slightly. The words are spoken plainly in earnest, without the onslaught of relentless swears or typical flashy drama.]

And Prism! But...

I think she's getting fucked or something.

[ASLKDFJASKDJFSKDJF]

Good for her, honestly! I know it's been a while.

[bestie ur oversharing...1!!!!]

Edited 2026-04-25 23:59 (UTC)

[ that's because they're in a gay bar and there's TONS of people around and he hardly even wants to be shirtless, let alone blowing Flambae here! Back at his apartment, however....

Anyway, Robert thinks about it too sometimes, that he probably isn't what Flambae imagined Mecha Man to be, especially after holding such antagonist feelings about him for so long. He wonders if it's disappointing, or if he should even care whether it is or not. After all, they're still here, together. He called Robert "baby" ... so he must not be a complete let down. Never meet your heroes (or your enemies??) they say, but he's probably doing alright.

Saying something like he only wants to dance with Robert also makes the dispatcher just really want to kiss Flambae all the more. Of course he gets it, doing anything to people who are under the influence can be sketchy... but he knows for a fact that he would feel the same in any state of sobriety (or lack thereof).

He can wait though. He can be good and patient and enjoy their public date.

Feeling both humbled and pleased though about the dancing, he nods a couple of times, looking down at the drink that he hasn't touched since he said he wouldn't. ]

I don't know. Just making sure you knew that.

[ He won't hold him back from having fun. He will, however, hold him back from sharing all the details of Prism's personal sex life. ]

Okay, TMI. Let her have her fun, I don't need to know.

[He looks at Robert knowingly, whatever's left of Flambae's own drink sitting at the bar, remaining untouched.

He wraps an arm around Robert as if to shield him in a way, feeling a little guilty for making the man undress, somehow having foolishly believed that things would have been alright either way. The states of undress that Robert has been in have all been due to violence, how could he fucking forget? Other than what's happened between them in the apartment, and when the Z-team ambushed Robert in his home, has this wet noodle of a former hero even gone to the beach within the past year?

God, what is he even talking about. Look at how pale the guy is, the answer is no.]

Okay, then.

[He makes no effort to hide the once-over he gives Robert. Flambae does genuinely feel bad for making him uncomfortable, but damn, does the dispatcher look good in his arms.]

Now I know.

I get that you don't exactly want to raise the motherfucking roof when I tell you this, but-

[His voice dips, wavering into more sultry territory, and he leans in to give Robert another kiss on the cheek.]

I think you're at your cutest when you're nervous, BobBob. ❤︎

[Flambae is quiet for a few seconds, letting that thought sit, once-again intensely observing the other man for his potential reaction.]

Do you wanna go back to my place?

You seemed more comfortable there.

Maybe finish your drink first?

Edited 2026-04-26 02:41 (UTC)

[ Despite not feeling particularly ashamed of his body, Robert does appear to be pretty private about it if he can help it. He was willing, though, to make up for his fashion blunder if he could! It isn't the most comfortable but having Flambae's arms around him really does help. Somehow the PDA is less harrowing than the idea of his privacy invaded by strangers' gazes.

When in the world would he ever have had time to go to the beach? Maybe they can find some now. Or maybe it's for the best that Robert's pale white body just stays away.

Having Flambae lean so close to him and use that voice has him suppressing a shudder, trying to keep it together as his ears flare up in betrayal and his heart dips as the kiss to his cheek leaves him longing for one to his mouth instead. Can't believe this guy has this kind of power over him.

He huffs, glancing off to the side in protest. ]

Ass.

[ Unfortunately he can hardly be actually annoyed when he's so smitten with the fireball in front of him and the alcohol in him only seems to make it worse, so he looks back at Flambae in defeat, brows scrunched as he smiles at him. ]

I thought you didn't want me to finish my drink.

[ And what if Flambae definitely won't kiss him if he does? It already feels kind of lame that he'd rather go home than stay here and party. But Prism isn't even around anyway, sooo... ]

I think I'd rather go, yeah.

What about my ass?

[Flambae snorts again, although the sound is notably triumphant this time.

As much as he loves to party, he's been doing his best to ignore the hollow echoes that seem to follow all these fun nights out. Make no mistake, Flambae is an adventurer through and through, and is grateful that his strength carries him through the night in ways that would render mere mortals tired and hunkering down several hours earlier...

But he's found himself longing for a companion as of late, even before Robert showed up at SDN.

Flambae had beat himself up about it quietly. In some ways, it's been difficult to admit, a sign that he's getting old.]

It's not that I don't want you to have fun, Robert.

[Ooh. That cheeky, nearly sadistic tone he's using indicates that tormenting Robert is all sorts of fun- For Flambae, anyway.]

I thought I could tolerate taking you out for a night on the town, but boozing around in front of, what is this... This peanut gallery of twinks-

[LKSDLKF]

Is making me realize I prefer having you all to myself.

[It's here where he taps Robert's cheek with a thumb, then guiding it so that they are finally face to face.]

I know how much you like to be kissed.

[laying it on thick, huh, hot cheeto yaoi]

But, before I do that for that you, I need to make sure you're sober enough for me. So~! You tell me!

How many fingers am I holding up?

[And then, like a goddamn curse... He holds up the three remaining fingers on the altered hand, then folding all of them down except the middle one.]

You heard me.

[ He answers flatly, finally reaching for his beer for a sip. It's just a tiny one though. Honestly, alcohol hasn't consistently been something he's turned to for "fun", so it really hasn't been such a big deal not to chug beer after beer down. But being subjected to being referred to as cute (and for being a nervous idiot at that) earned a sip.

And really, he's about to retort to that cheeky tone of Flambae's voice as he explains, but the man keeps going and admits to wanting Robert to himself, and if that doesn't send his heartbeat skyrocketing into space he doesn't know what will. He doesn't even know why it has such an effect on him, so his eyes are a little wider than normal and his expression one of subtly dazed twitterpation when his face is tilted back to Flambae's.

It's just. Sure, the Z-team constantly teases him and tries to touch him and other HR nightmares, but some part of him (that he didn't even consciously know of) just really wants to be wanted that badly. It's nice to see someone being selfish about him. ]

Obviously twinks aren't really my type, so you're good.

[ Twinkies maybe, but look at this guy holding him. He can't be classified as a twink, and Robert's pupils have teeny tiny little hearts in them right this very second. Not that you'd be able to see them, with how his lids get a little heavy with want. He likes to be kissed. He wants to kiss Flambae so badly. There was no choice but to deflect all of the feelings with dry wit.

Then his eyes narrow a hair as his gaze slides over to the three-fingered hand. That's almost his answer— again, he's keenly aware of how many he's got and why that's the case — but thankfully, he has time to amend it before he opens his mouth. Flipping him off...really mature!!! ]

One. And the feeling is mutual.

[ So just kiss him already, he wants it so bad it's stupid. ]

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