bootyhunter | CALL ME OUT

Entry tags:

CALL ME OUT

CALL ME OUT:

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

bootyhunter /

himbomb /

incelligent

*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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The homosexual hater does indeed registers Robert's lips against him, warm and soft. What the fuck? He's had anniversary blowjobs that have felt less intimate than this. It doesn't help that any slight hint of the dispatcher's mouth moving against his skin in a manner that isn't erotically motivated brings up the memory of Robert's stupid, shit-eating grin. God, no, no, no! That's the last thing he wants to associate with this fluttery, heart skipping a beat feeling...

But that was a part of it wasn't it.

It may have even been the true source of his burning rage. Right before, the friction that ignited the spark.]

You are a little liberal, Robert, with-

[It's not as though he hasn't done it completely blasted, high, cross-faded, you name it. He hasn't dwelled all that long on drug-addled hookups that he can't remember, seeing as since he can't recall them they probably weren't memorable anyway. If it were anyone else, he would throw caution to the wind. The fact that he is exercising any caution, if at all, isn't something he can blame on being stone cold sober.

That means he does care intensely about this, no matter how cool he'd like to play it.]

I don't know.

[His nose travels downwards, amber eyes taking note of the everything that's visible. The hair, the slender but still ever-present muscle definition, the freckles, the scars. One could argue that he's had the chance to touch several more titillating bodies, but, he can't help but feel oddly sensitive about this one.

Robert isn't even old enough to sport a figure so storied.

Not like this.]

Do you think the drinks have made you a little less nervous?

[Flambae closes his eyes, inhaling, taking in Robert's scent.]

You don't do really do cologne, huh?

You smell like, ehhhh...

[He sniffs again.]

Eau de par-Fool.

[ He might even deliver on that shit-eating grin, if he wasn't so worried that Flambae thinks he'll wake up in the morning and want to promptly erase everything that happened. It's the opposite, if only this fool man would understand. Pot calling the kettle black when Robert can't seem to figure out what Flambae is thinking half the time either, but. ]

Liberal with what?

[ He asks, replacing his lips with just his nose as he nuzzles in against Flambae. If he won't keep on kissing Robert or doing something about their cocks being millimeters away, then he's just going to snuggle up. ]

Ha. No ...

[ His eyes close and somehow when he realizes that Flambae is breathing him in, it only makes his longing for the man grow stronger. Has he always been this much of a horn dog after a couple of beers and a sip of daiquiri, or is it that whole I'm in love with you thing that's making him feel insatiable and insane ...

God, maybe he is Eau de par-Fool. ]

I'm nervous as shit right now. Like you might push me off any second now, put me to bed without a kiss, or tell me I'm going too fast.

[ He doesn't want to slow down right now, he wants to ride this rush as far as he can before it simmers into something sweet and sturdy. But the fear of rejection is apparently real and taking on many forms tonight.

Although, looping back to the nonserious side of things, because that's easy to do: ]

You know it's not a diss if you like the smell, right.

[Oh, he knows.

Flambae looks up at Robert, his amber gaze fiery and intense as usual. He would say something like, "I'll only push you off if you piss me off," but his lips never end up moving in that direction. His furrow brows falter at the edges slightly, giving way to a look that's far gentler.

And a good deal more morose.

With tender hands, he has a go with what remains of Robert's shirt, gently removing it from the dispatcher's shoulders. If there's a button or two that needs undoing, he'll take care of it, although as his fingers move in and out from within the holes, the lack of all ten is evident, even if it doesn't reflect in his timing.

Robert means well, but god, Flambae has to keep from wincing as he hears all of it. From the sound of things, he hasn't been a very good boyfriend to Robert now, has he? And god, when was he ever! It's not as though he doesn't want to make rash, horny decisions, but there's a quiet part of himself that wants to be good, wants desperately to feel as though there's hope for his and therefore their future.

Maybe he should give Robert what he wants.]

If you're nervous, I can go ahead and put your cock in my mouth.

It might calm you the fuck down, you know?

[Flambae, as frightened as he is, is doing his best not to sound like it.

He knows as soon as things get properly intimate, he won't want to stop going at it, not until he's outright refused. It's a strange and humiliating thing, to experience the hellish intensity of a hatred that wasn't just that.]

It doesn't matter how soft it is at first, I'll do it for you.

[He laughs softly, his grip returning to Robert's back.

Flambae pulls him in again, this time more intensely.]

But it sounds like more like you want to be fucked.

[ Robert wouldn't be any sort of judge on whether Flambae is being a good boyfriend to him or not. But he's happy. Happier than he can remember being in an embarrassingly long time. He's still giddy about thinking of or referring to Flambae as his "boyfriend". He still feels bad that he showed up to their sort-of date to support Prism with his work shirt on!! These seem like reactions you have when your man is being a reasonably good boyfriend.

With how nervous or pessimistic either of them is feeling about the other, you have to wonder how the wires got crossed. But maybe they'll figure it out. Maybe Robert could just man up and not be afraid that his feelings are premature or too strong or not allowed.

He gives a small huff as his eyes duck behind his lashes for a moment, smiling somewhere between bashfully and resigned. ]

You think it would?

[ Or would having Flambae's dick in his mouth just rile him up a bit more? It could go either way. It could also, wondrously, be both at the same time. Because somehow that's how all of this is playing out so far for Robert the Dispatcher. ]

I'd rather your dick wasn't flaccid before it went in my mouth.

[ is he joking or.... ]

Is that so wrong?

[ Wanting to be fucked by your boyfriend, that is. He starts out with his hands flat against Flambae's chest when he's pulled in, though he slides them up and around the man instead a few seconds later. From his spot there he gives Flambae a handful of kisses against his neck and shoulder. Some mixture of the time from leaving the bar and their up and down conversations felt like they were sobering him up some, but he's feeling a bit cuddly, so. He's definitely still a bit tipsy. ]

We don't have to though. If you want to wait until the beer wears off.

[ He just ... wants Flambae (Chad) to know that that's not all he wants. ]

Edited 2026-05-09 17:07 (UTC)

[Oh. The dart of the eyes behind the lashes is precious.

Robert's lashes are nice. They're that same rusty, reddish brown as his hair, going nicely with his freckles and kind, if tired, eyes.]

No.

[Joking or not, Flambae doesn't appear to take offense to it.

He closes his eyes like a cat when kissed, clearly enjoying the sensation of tender, gentle affection, fighting the ripple of shame that bubbles up inside him for craving such an inane, pathetically human show of tenderness. Flambae's eyelids remain shut for a little longer, as he irrationally fears that once he opens his eyes, Robert will disappear, and so will his warmth.

And his forgiveness.

Eventually, he musters the courage to slowly open his eyes, leaning into Robert before peering back up at him. Flambae's gaze is always intense, but there's something affectionate about it.]

And it wouldn't be! You're cute or whatever, it's annoying as hell.

[He is going to file away the Prism soundbite about the men he likes always being mid, but whatever! This is one who has a lot more going on despite the Regular Guy facade.]

I know this is incredibly hard to believe, also because I am so fucking fabulous, like, just look at me come on!

[He says with missing fingers and a gap-toothed smile like some character from Oliver Twist but okay gov'nur continue-]

But I don't want to be...

I dunno.

Some guys superpowered, extra-hot... Human attached to a fleshy dildo, you know?

I know you-

[It's Flambae's turn to avert his eyes.]

I know this isn't like that, I just...

[no.... words aren't his strong suit... especially when they aren't curt and short]

This is nice.

[Them together, alone in his apartment.]

I know you haven't been able to get what you want, a lot of the time?

[He wonders if he should even admit this.]

It's nice that one of those things that meant enough for you to even fucking try was...

Well, me.

[ For as long as Flambae lets him, Robert plants gentle kisses against his too-warm skin. Because he wants to, and he can, and the remaining alcohol in his blood makes him feel pleasantly toasty too. This is the kind of closeness and tenderness that he's craved for all his life without even realizing it.

Eventually, when those orange eyes open up at him again, he stops just enough to be able to cup both sides of that whiskered face in his hands. His own gaze is what a lot of people might describe as murky or dull. Half the time there's not any life behind those eyes. But some people have taken the time to see that that's so far from the truth. Some people like Flambae who in turn have unlocked this gentle place that Robert was probably scolded for ever considering before.

You can't be gentle if you're a hero. Or something like that. ]

I'm cute...

[ The huff he gives is barely perceptible. What's annoying is being called cute, even though he's definitely (somehow) thought the exact same thing of Flambae many times before. Anyway, small as that sound is, there's affection behind it for a few seconds before it's crushed by shame.

How embarrassing ... did Flambae really think even for a second that Robert only wanted him as some crazy superpowered dildo? He'd been trying to prevent that and to think he'd failed feels pretty damn bad.

Because this is nice. All of it has been so nice and most especially the parts where he can just sit here with this other man and they can talk or even banter a bit, and lightly touch, and simply exist- ]

You're not. That's not — [ This time when he huffs out a breath it's much more obvious. ] That's just a perk, you know?

[ An unexpected and horrible perk that this flaming idiot cupped between his hands is actually not only literally smoking hot but metaphorically too. ]

This is nice. It's the best, Flambae— Chad, I ...

[ I know you haven't been able to get what you want, a lot of the time?

Robert can almost feel this hairline fracture in his chest creaking open as Flambae hits it right on the head. It's never been about him, it's always been about somebody else, from his family to complete strangers. "Robert Robertson the Third" has never been part of the equation. Look even his own damn name isn't his own damn name.

Rather than let that crack turn into something worse though, he lets it crinkle up in his eyes as he smiles genuinely at Flambae and finally lets his hands drop away from his face. ]

I guess I didn't make myself clear before. [ With saying that he feels like he's the one on fire and all that— ]

Of course I'm going to try. I'm, uh, I'm in love with you. Asshole.

[Despite being nonexistent in this icon, Flambae's thick brows shoot nearly all the way up to his hairline. He's in shock, standing or sitting there rather, with an open maw. For a second he wonders if he's the one who's had too much to drink, his stomach turning inwards, knowing full well that Robert is telling the truth, as ill-advised as it may be.

The use of his first name proceeding it, followed by the curse.

Flambae's first reaction is that he doesn't deserve this, such affection after all of the nonsense that's transpired between them, even though Robert is the strongest believer in starting anew that he's ever seen. SDN can sing its praises for reformative justice but it's just a clever cash grab at the end of the day, and Flambae is jaded and street-savvy enough to know that.]

What?

[His own injured hand drifts to Robert's cheek, concerned about the crinkle that he saw in those dark brown eyes, the remaining fingers caressing it in a concerned manner.]

You-

[He says that so gently and softly, although his own heart is racing like mad.

Flambae can't say he disagrees. Why, just tonight, he assumed that Robert would be tired from the too cool party and the week without proper sleep, and that he'd carry him home and tuck him in. The fiery hothead had been thinking about their potential weekend the entire shift when he wasn't being dispatched outright, how they could finally lie in bed together until they were ready to leave it if at all. That he'd give this miserable little man the best massage of his life, that they'd mess around, and maybe make something of the groceries Chad brought home the last night since he's begun cooking for two as of recent.]

You did not snort any of the cocaine that Sonar was doing in the bathroom earlier, did you?

That shit supposedly came straight from Wall Street, which is fucking crazy, because we are in California.

[ASLKDFASKDJF]

Like, he had to have Fed-Ex-ed it over from New York or some shit. "Straight from Wall Street" my ass, it... That's not the right way to put it! Not even if it got here with express shipping. It's a good thing it's not 9/11 anymore, otherwise they would have thought it was that white powdery poison thing, that everyone was freaking out about!

[Flambae pulls Robert in aggressively, the embrace tight. They're so close that there's no denying the fiery super hero is nervous, with that gigantic super-powered heart of his thundering away. If Robert is in love with him, if he's being honest, what does that mean about how Flambae has felt for him for years? With all of his trademark intensity, he leans in, breathy, whispering into Robert's chipped ear, like it isn't just the two of them together, like he's still holding onto some kind of secret-]

I think I feel the same way?

It's fucking frightening, man.

[ For a few really, really, really long seconds, Robert feels like his heart is going to burst. He's seized with dread once the words leave his mouth, even though he tried to soften the blow with the "asshole" that followed. The L-word was used, and he totally meant it too. That's a really vulnerable thing and it could be received in so many ways. Genuinely he doesn't know which way will be the chosen one for Chad.

So even as those fuzzy black brows shoot up into the sky, Robert doesn't really see it. He turns his face more downward, feeling suddenly like everything is way too hot.

Eventually, when he does look at the other man again, it's because Flambae's gone off on a cocaine tangent and Robert can't help but exhale almost exasperatedly as he shakes his head. ]

I did not. I don't put that kind of stuff in my body.

[ Only twinkies and alcohol thank you very much. Also, Robert probably does not order off of Amazon either, mostly on account of being broke. So he didn't order any crack cocaine off the internet to be delivered.

Sonar, though? Sonar he would definitely believe Fed-Ex'd some cocaine from Wall Street just so he could brag about it while he snorted it.

That's not really what they're here to talk about, though, Robert is going to say before he's pulled tightly into Flambae's arms. Blinking a couple of times, he eventually allows himself to melt into it. Pressed together as they are, their hearts are in sync, both beating a little too fast— maybe a bit faster even once he realizes that they're on the same page here. At least, on a close enough page that he doesn't have to endure the sheer humiliation of his vulnerability being rejected.

He can feel his cheeks flood with heat as Flambae whispers against his ear.

He thinks he feels the same way. Robert can work with that. ]

Yeah, I know it is.

[ Maybe the most frightening thing he's faced so far, which is saying a lot? At the same time, all of this has somehow made him feel the safest and most hopeful about life that he's felt in ages. Or possibly ever. That seems more than enough to balance out the fear. ]

But it's how I really feel, so... I don't want you thinking you're just a walking dick to me and that's all.

[ ... ah ... ]

You are a walking dick, to be clear, but unfortunately I'm into that.

[ he couldn't help clarifying, it seemed really important (or they're just idiots who have to get in a barb at any possible opportunity or they'll simple wither and die). he gives a groan of frustration a few moments later. ]

I just- I've been really happy, ever since I could ... call you my boyfriend.

[ He says the last part of that pretty quickly like it's embarrassing, and it kind of is. He's past the age where such a thing should mean so much or make him giddy or do stupid things. But then, when he was the proper age, there wasn't a chance in hell he'd ever get to have something like this. That, somehow, makes all of this even more significant. Enough so, he hopes, that Chad isn't going to doubt him. ]

So. You don't have to ... worry. About that stuff.

[he makes a face at the walking dick comment but briefly, at least he says nothing-]

[The significance of being partnered isn't lost on Flambae, who grew up in a place where such a thing would lead to a fate worse than impossibility. So, despite wincing at the walking dick comment and biting back a comment about how he thinks Twinkies are somehow worse for you than a bump of cocaine now and then even if he can't scientifically prove it, he gives Robert the space to speak about it.]

Wow!

[Aw, here he goes and-]

You somehow found an even shorter way to say that you don't know how to have any fun!

I'm impressed.

[He does reach up to cup Robert's cheek once more, again with the injured hand, running his remaining fingers over the scars or scruff or whatever the fuck it just so happens to be. Playfully, he clicks his tongue a few times, the sound even crazier with the added whistle of the missing tooth.]

Grindr [and all of the other apps, honestly] is a hellish as some of the holes on there, you know?

[His gaze darts away slightly, subtly. Flambae isn't the best at hiding his moments of real vulnerability.]

Nobody wants to commit, and I'm bad at sharing, obviously.

I probably could have gone to jail for that too.

[He's jealous, he knows.

Even so, the joke isn't strung together as thoroughly and sharply as his other barbs. Something about his time in that place was notably unpleasant, and it shows in how he fumbles through the joke and immediately moves on to the next thing-]

If anybody would've told me that dating my arch nemesis meant he would tell me he loved me and have the cajones to be my man for real, I would have set their hair on fire.

Well! Amongst other more painful things.

[me wondering if he would ever say this icly but here we go-]

You have been waiting a long time for someone to call your own, no?

So what! Be happy about it.

It's okay, Robert.

[ The walking dick thing had, of course, been meant as a joke. Even Robert can't get by an entire vulnerable confession without falling back on some defense mechanism sarcasm. So he tries to ignore what that look he gets could mean and instead waits for the verdict on everything else.

... Not before a dry look about him being no fun though, of course.

Twinkies are fun. They're whimsical! (Sure, Robert)

With that hand (incomplete as it is) at his cheek, he feels a little more grounded and less like he's about to drift away into the sun like a lost balloon. But his first reaction to Flambae's reaction is to feel a little hurt. Is he being taken seriously, are their feelings the same or did he really, really mess up right now?

Those subtle fumbles in Flambae's jokes are reassuring though. That's right. This is just how the man is. His ridiculous anecdotes and silly jokes are his own way of dealing with vulnerability. Robert's still learning, but he likes to think he's better at understanding it. Still, it's got his ears flushed red to have the tables turned on him, to hear that he's been waiting for someone to call his own —

Has he been waiting for that? It's only something he's really thought about lately. But there are a lot of things beneath the surface he doesn't realize about himself. Or he hasn't wanted to. —

He lets out a groan, and not the sexy kind, but leans forward to bury his face against Flambae again. If nothing else, he refuses to be looked in the eyes when he's feeling embarrassed. ]

I was supposed to be reassuring you.

[ But he's the one being told it's okay. What the hell. ]

You better appreciate my cajones.

They're nice!

[Robert isn't looking, which is fortunate, seeing as the fondness in Flambae's eyes betrays him. He lets his hand drift to the back of Robert's head, massaging it with the yaoi palm and remaining three fingers. If he were someone else, he might come up with some inane bullshit about how nice it was to have someone else here, but he isn't just any quasi-homicidal homosexual. Obnoxious and outspoken as he might be, Flambae actually tends to prefer his peace and quiet, his order, and if he despised Robert's company he'd have the man ushered out as quickly and curtly as possible.]

I can always tell that you've gone and cleaned up for me. You would think it was common courtesy, but these Grindr gays have no fucking shame, I'm telling you...

[In all honesty, it worries Flambae, and it terrifies Chad.

His choice in colors is unmistakably loud, but his outfits and general enthusiasm for visual art are ways to keep from having to open his mouth in public. It's not that he doesn't enjoy the right kind of conversation, it's that he hates bothering with stupid ones.

Having Robert around this week has felt like playing house.

Why is he so comforting and pathetic at the same time...]

What are you really getting out of your other place, anyway?

Is it just a locker to store your suit? One made of metal and one made of human skin?

[Why don't you just stay with me, is what he is asking but not spelling out at all in a direct manner.]

If you need a room to jerk off in, my bathroom's a pretty good size.

[he is joking

sort

ok not really]

[ That gets a puff of air blown out against Flambae's skin in reply, Robert smiling a little even though he doesn't quite lift his head yet. ]

Thanks.

[ He's glad that his cajones are approved of. Genuinely!

It feels a little silly to be soothed like this, held in a lover's arms with his three fingers and his yaoi palm rubbing against his scalp. Though he's mostly sobered up, this warm gesture plus any remaining alcohol could almost see to it that he falls right asleep. He isn't going to, there are too many other things going on in his heart and mind to let that happen, but the possibility is there.

Eventually though he does pop his head up and sit back enough to cock (haha cock) a brow at Flambae, the slightest of smirks on his lips. ]

Okay, but you shouldn't have to worry about Grindr gays anymore anyway.

[ And yes he does clean up in general, but especially so when he's going to go and be with Chad. It's important! Robert certainly does not want to be lumped in with the unwashed assholes of random Grindr horndogs. The goal is to be enticing to his boyfriend, after all.

... He just needs to work on his wardrobe. Somehow. Maybe if SDN starts paying him ... ]

As for my place, well. It was kind of my base of operations, when I was looking for Shroud.

[ Obviously he doesn't need to do that anymore. It's clear though that his "home" was never a home. There's literally nothing fulfilling he ever got out of the place, other than coming back to his dog.

As for whether he gets the underlying request of this joke though ...

Maybe he doesn't want to hope too much. Maybe he doesn't want to feel insane again for moving too fast (even though he wants to). Maybe it genuinely goes over his head. Either way, he choses to just go along with the flow of the joke as best he can. ]

Why use your bathroom when I can just do it in your room?

[ That is to say he's joking

but also

he's not opposed to staying.

It's scary and new and weird but he meant what he said. And he does feel safe with Flambae, which is absolutely insane when the guy wanted to kill him not that long ago but it is what it is and he can't take it back at this point. ]

Edited 2026-05-18 03:55 (UTC)

[There is a warm, delicate sort of light that dances in Flambae's eyes, flickering and soft, not like the raging fire that appears when he's angry (or horny, unfortunately), when Robert says the line about not having to worry about Grindr gays anymore. He shouldn't be so happy, but if there's any chance that this relationship could actually be his last in a non-monkey-paw curse interpretation sort of way, it'd be nice.

He blows a raspberry, immediately regretting it, because god, what an ugly unglamorous sound-]

That was not a fart.

[Ah, so Robert is obsessive too (on the note about Shroud).

Flambae isn't the type to think too hard about... Most things, unfortunately, but he does begin to wonder- Was it a way for Robert to distract himself from his grief? Pour his energy into something tangible, like revenge, so he could lock his emotions away and simply not feel anything?

It's not a question he'll ask now.]

You can do it wherever you want.

[That is absolutely not true do not get cum on the upholstery-]

I know you'd rather have me do it for you.

And I could, if you... Uh...

[NO!!!!! NO THIS IS SO CRINGEY AND IT ISN'T LIKE A TIKTOK HE CAN't JUST dELETE-]

Edited 2026-05-18 04:40 (UTC)

[ Honestly, Robert would be really glad that Flambae felt happy about these things. He wants him to hope for a relationship that will last ... because that's what he wants as well.

He doesn't even know what to respond about the raspberry or the words that follow it, though. Of course it wasn't a fart...

You know what, he decides to just let that one slide and instead focuses on the weird banter they've got going on instead. Robert likes to think they're on a good path here. This is a positive thing despite how silly or dirty it happens to be. Flambae probably doesn't even have to worry about the upholstery either, as a bonus.

It actually makes him feel better to see the firestarter have his TikTok moment, and he puffs out a small laugh. ]

So are you saying you want to fuck me or not? Make up your mind, Chad.

[ Yes he is using the real name as arsenal once again. ]

Tonight?

[Flambae rubs the back of his supposedly perfect neck, which is sore, although he's resigned to admit it. Poor Robert, he wants it bad doesn't he, and a part of him wants to deliver on that front. To make matters worse, when it comes to things that Flambae feels he is good at or should be good at, ie, fighting, cooking, fashion, and especially sex, his performance anxiety is at its peak at the slightest inkling of trepidation. Not being one hundred percent confident is even worse.

He bites his thin lower lip, chewing it to a point of rawness that he would only notice during a kiss, once again terrified by his innermost thoughts and desires. Flambae has never been one to feel ashamed of any kind of animal attraction, especially when he knows that it's mutual, but the thoughts he had in the morning when waking up next to Robert were dirty, weren't they?

Pushy even? God, how embarrassing. Like he would ever feel shame for something so natural if it were with someone else.

But he hasn't woken up with someone else for a while.

The others didn't have a habit of staying over, and when they did, the vibes were always off. Awkward, regrettable, opportunistic... Nothing good.]

I think I want something even worse.

[ That brings Robert to raise a brow. Yes, tonight. He's not asking definitively for the rest of time or anything. And truthfully, at this point, after his confessing some pretty big words and experiencing twenty or so mood swaps, he actually doesn't mind if they don't do anything. Thirsty as Flambae believes Robert to be (and he is, overall), he isn't trying to push.

He just really wanted to point out the ups and downs he's being taken on here. It's getting to the point where he might start to question things again.

Unfortunately he doesn't really know how to help Flambae, he's already exposed so much of his heart and mind tonight... ]

Worse? Like what?

[His broad shoulders tense, and he grits his teeth, nearly hissing at first. Why is he so ashamed to ask something like this? Is it because it's in front of Robert, who he's had a habit of being humiliated by? Or is it one of his many stupid, un-alterable failures-]

Tonight, can we just be together, without...

[To fail to be im-perfect.

Openly.]

You said you were falling in love with me.

[Admitting that seems to take the wind out of the tall, hairy man.]

And, I fucking believe it, because-

[He stops himself from saying something silly.

Primarily because this isn't.]

I believe you, I just...

When the person falling in love is me, I...

I want to know that I can look at you and fall asleep without feeling any sorrow, you know?

[ After blinking a few times, Robert is the one to put his fingers on the sides of Flambae's face (though he has all ten of them). ]

Hey. Of course we can.

[ His brows furrow, unable to stop thinking, even for a brief second, that he really has made it seem like the physical stuff is all that matters. But no, that'd be silly right? He literally confessed with the L-word and all. ]

I don't know how to tell you more clearly that that's not all this is to me. You're the one making the dirty jokes.

[ He was just going with the flow, you know? Because when he doesn't do that— when he goes with his heart and he's earnest and a little soft instead, it's so much easier to get hurt or feel uncertain or like he's doing something wrong. Or, at the very least, doing it the wrong way ... if there is such a thing.

But it's not really a blame thing either. He certainly doesn't mean it like that. Especially when he thinks that the strange, fiery man has just admitted that he almost certainly is also falling in love? ]

I think you feel like I might just disappear on you. This is all— shit, it's terrifying, like you said. But I'm not going to.

[ Not if Chad gets a little too real for a minute, not if he leans the other way and communicates entirely in wild anecdotes and lewd jokes. He said he was falling in love and that isn't something he's going to say lightly in that sad, dry tone of his. There's not a drop of sarcasm in what he's saying now. ]

You don't have to keep changing your mind, either, if you're doing it to please me. [ He actually almost rather Flambae pull back on the back and forth sometimes. Other times, their roundabouts make him feel energized. It's kind of weird, but it's a good kind of weird he thinks. ]

I'm here to be with you, the rest doesn't matter nearly as much.

It's not changing my mind so much as...

Wanting to give you what you want.

[But he could do to be a bit more straightforward.

He places both arms behind Robert again, ushering him in closer, pulling the smaller man so that Flambae's bearded face is buried in that slender chest. To steady his own heartbeat, he closes his eyes and simply breathes the other man in, basking in the sound of their hearts beating for a few seconds.]

Why don't you stay with me this weekend?

It was nice waking up next to you, you know.

[Ugh.

He hates the sound of his own voice here. It's so... Pitiful. But he'll continue anyway.]

We can even pick up your little poochie tomorrow!

He probably is waiting to be fed some more shrimp.

Edited 2026-05-20 02:34 (UTC)

[ Robert huffs softly in a laugh, though it isn't meant to be unkind. ]

Do you really think I'm that difficult to please?

[ Flambae has actually pointed out several times how desperate and yearning Robert is, and it isn't wrong. Even if Robert hadn't been aware himself or maybe even doesn't fully accept it yet either. He doesn't know exactly where this anxiety in the other man is rooted, but he's trying to help it any way that he can. His fingers gently smooth against that well-maintained hair as the face attached to it finds home in his non-existent chest.

It should be noted that it takes a lot for him not to insist out loud that he doesn't only think with his dick. He usually doesn't, actually. But that seems like it would invite a tangent they probably shouldn't take right now.

He blinks a couple of times, not even sure why the invitation takes him by mild surprise. It's really sweet though. When's the last time he was asked for such a simple thing ...

There he goes again, letting himself admit that he's as pathetic as he seems.

Luckily Beef saves the day as usual, as the comment about the shrimp makes Robert laugh a bit. That was terrible actually, but he wouldn't take that night back for anything... ]

I think Beef has had enough shrimp. But ...

[ Waking up next to Chad was nice for him too. It's a no brainer, right? Even if it is a little scary still to think of the commitment this all leads to. He wants that though...and he wants Flambae to want it with him. So he's just going to have to stop being afraid and reach for what he wants for once. ]

That sounds nice.

[The calloused fingers to his scalp are a nice touch, which is truly saying something, seeing how precious he is about his hair. Flambae turns his head to the side, resting his cheek and ear above the spot where he hears Robert's heart beat most loudly.

He wonders if he should answer.

A part of his frustrations, though certainly not something he'd wanted to question at the time, had been exactly that. Robert seemed encouraging even when the other Z-team members were performing with mediocrity, or so Flambae had felt, while consistently being dunked on. While everyone reading this (ie, myself and Merry) understands that the flamboyant fuckass had absolutely deserved it, his short-sighted, flame-spouting ass had been more than slighted by it.

It certainly doesn't help, in retrospect, that he's been forced to come to terms with the fact that he may have had feelings for Robert since before he even knew his real identity, which is a ridiculous thing he hopes he'll never have to voice out loud again.

Out of fear, he'd dismiss it, and he mostly wants to go straight to bed after relishing the sensation of being held, something he's yearned for often, especially on the nights he thought he'd die alone.]

I guess you could say I am a little sensitive.

You haven't been hard to please after you opened up to me, that's for sure.

[And the idea of them, together. His foolishness has been quite refreshing, actually.]

But you forgive and forget.

Me, on the other hand... I fucking hate the bullshit I remember.

[His grasp on Robert tightens.]

I'm scared I won't be enough for you.

But if you ever feel like that is what is really happening... You should leave.

[Why does he believe the words too?]

You should leave me.

Edited 2026-05-22 03:07 (UTC)

[ Not that he's paying much attention to it, but Robert's heart is probably doing some impressive gymnastics right now. He's a little on edge, worried that he's upset something beyond salvaging even though he's not even sure why. Should he be less easy to please? He's really not sure he has that in him at the moment. ]

I don't know about forgive and forget, exactly...

[ He can't help it, the way a sort of amused, sort of exasperated laugh comes out of him at that. After all, how many years did he spend with that empty apartment and a conspiracy board of potential leads all for Shroud?

But he sort of understands what Flambae is getting at. Sort of. It just causes a sharp twisting in his chest to hear that the man would ever think Robert thought he wasn't enough, or that he should leave him. They just fucking got together, and that's huge for him! He can't think about something like that right now. ]

So we talk about it. Or work on it. I'm not going to just leave you.

[ His brows furrow together. Did he not just accept an invitation to stay the weekend? Of course, he understands now that this isn't all in the moment but rather insecurities and past wounds that are bothering Chad. They still have things to learn about each other, which includes some darker shades in their memories. The thing is though, Robert's fine with that. When he decided himself that he wanted to learn everything about this stupid, loudmouth ball of fire, he really meant it. ]

I feel like ... I keep giving you the wrong answer, even for the most simple shit. What can I do? To put your mind at ease.

[All of that earns Robert a chuckle as well. It's nice to hear him laugh without any spite in the sound, although Flambae doesn't open his eyes. It had taken him a while to muster up the courage to be physically intimate with partners at first, since seeking affection that wasn't sexual had proved rather difficult, especially in the rough and tumble villainous crews he had rolled with. Trusting the wrong people would've resulted in lost lives or limbs if you were lucking, which makes it rather surprising that Flambae lost his to Robert.

By doing too much, perhaps he had let his guard the most down? No, no, it's the whole "lust makes you goofy" situation-]

If you were really saying the wrong thing-

[His breath darts against whatever patch of skin Flambae is nearest to.]

Something in this room would already be on fire.

[Flambae had somehow thought he'd be more ashamed, but Robert's gentle reaction has soothed some of his bubbling worries for now. He'd never really gotten the chance to be with someone who in a way seems so strangely innocent, having had such a strong attraction to passion and danger, but this union is dangerous in a different way.

Can two former enemies really manage to be lovers to the end? Somehow, a love born from a workplace friendship, especially one so tentative as theirs, seems even more questionable than that.]

But don't worry.

I have yet to burn any ex-boyfriends, literally, so~!

[He then opens his eyes, which faintly peer around the room until they find Robert, catlike and dangerous.

Perhaps this is the wrong thing to do.]

But I got pretty fucking close to burning you, now didn't I?

Mmmmmm.

[Some of the playful terrorism(???) dims in those glimmering eyes, and he looks downwards once again.]

You're doing fine, Robert.

You are flirting with me in your own way.

I'd just to like you to stay here, is all.

I know we see a lot of each other at work, but... It's so different when we're alone.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2