Chapter Text
It had been months since Shroud had been hauled off to jail, and the SDN building was still being rebuilt. During the time the building was undergoing reconstruction, Robert and Flambae had started to grow closer, and it happened honestly quite out of nowhere.
Robert had started jogging while he was waiting for the gym at work to get rebuilt. He really wanted to keep up with his training regimen, but since he didn’t have weights, cardio it is.
During his runs at the park near SDN, he ended up running into Flambae, and thus began their tepid friendship. They started scheduling runs together, usually Flambae making fun of Robert for how slow he was.
Running together became walks with Beef, just talking. Walking became sitting at cafes. Cafes became hanging out at each other's places. Where Flambae, Chad, as he had been told, made them food. Hanging out at each other’s places led to movie nights. And movie nights led to something more.
Robert was cleaning up his apartment for the next scheduled movie night with Chad. He’d been looking forward to these little meetings, it was honestly the highlight of his week while they had time off from work. His apartment even was actually starting to look lived in, mostly because Chad had bullied him into being an actual person. He had a coffee table to go with his couch, a nice area rug, a TV stand with a tv, a memory foam bed and a bookcase with actual books. Thanks Coupe! There was a knock at the door and Beef immediately ran over barking excitedly and scratching at the frame. Robert was much calmer than the little sausage that was his dog as he slowly made his way over. Though he wouldn’t admit it, his heart was racing. Opening the door he held in his quiet gasp as he saw Chad.
Said man was wearing a silky black shirt buttons undone in a way similar to his supersuit, dark orange slacks that fit just right and his hair was in a half up half down style. He looked gorgeous.
“Wow you look nice. Should I change?” Robert asked, raising an eyebrow as he himself was just in a graphic tee and jeans.
Chad rolled his eyes before walking in and of course giving Beef his mandatory pets. “Of course I fucking look good Bob, I’d never leave the house looking anything other than fucking amazing.” In his other hand was a bag of groceries, “I brought shit cause I assumed you probably haven’t fucking eaten yet like the loser you are.”
Robert looked at him with a very obviously guilty expression like he’d been caught, but in Robert’s defense he had been stress cleaning. Chad rolled his eyes again, muttering under his breath as he made his way to the kitchen. He started to unload the ingredients to make mantu, Robert’s favorite dish Chad had made him before. Robert watched him move around the kitchen, grabbing items from specific shelves and utensils from certain drawers. It occurred to Robert then, that Chad had been over enough times to know where everything was without having to ask Robert anymore.
“Rob get over here, you’re making the yogurt sauce bitch. I won’t slave away for you so make yourself useful and start mincing the garlic.” Robert was quick to follow Chad’s orders even doing a pretty good mince but mostly because he had a pretty good teacher.
Once done cooking they settled together on the couch a respectable distance between them, as they looked for a movie to watch. “How about Jurassic World?” Robert suggested only for Chad to scoff and look at him in disbelief.
“No, we’re watching real fucking cinema, I’ve had enough of Chris Pratt’s stupid fucking face and voice being in every god damn movie.” He quickly snatched the remote from Robert and scrolled till he found Red, White, and Royal Blue.
“I’ve never seen this one.” Chad huffed quietly, “Course you wouldn’t have, lame ass normie.”
They settled in to watch the movie, as he ate his food Robert realized he was getting really invested in the plot. So much so that he didn’t notice when Chad had started slowly moving closer until suddenly he felt heat and pressure on his thigh. Looking to the side he saw Chad’s thigh pressed up against his and when he looked up their faces were inches apart.
Robert couldn’t stop himself from getting lost in the other man’s eyes. “Have your eyes always been so orange?” he asked dumbly.
Chad couldn’t stop his quiet chuckle as he leaned closer, “You’re barely noticing that now Bob-Bob?” Just as the characters on screen kiss for the first time, Chad cups Robert’s cheek in his hand and pulls him forward pressing their lips together. Robert’s eyes slid closed as he melted into the kiss, Chad’s lips were so warm and he couldn’t help but bury his hands in the man’s hair pulling him closer.
That kiss cemented the start of their relationship. They hadn’t told the rest of the Z-Team, not because they were embarrassed or ashamed but because it just felt nice existing in their bubble. They had just gotten done with a shared shower. Chad sitting naked on the couch, since he was already dry, Robert sitting on the floor between his legs letting the fiery hero dry his hair with a towel.
Chad couldn’t help himself. He quietly set his phone up, started a timer, and pressed the button to take a picture. He gave Robert’s head a gentle squeeze with his thighs, making the other man chuckle as he leaned back and flashed Chad the most open, gorgeous smile he’d ever seen. Chad glanced up just in time to see the photo had been taken. In his haste to make sure Robert didn’t notice, he shoved the towel over Robert’s face and tossed his phone to the other side of the couch. Robert ripped the towel away, playfully glaring at him,only to be kissed sweetly in response. And really, how could he even pretend to stay mad after that?
Chad found himself looking at the picture often. Robert rarely let him take photos, and even more rarely did he smile for them. Nothing compared to the smile from that night, so calling it one of his most prized photos was an understatement.
He gave the image another glance before slipping his phone into his locker. He’d just finished working out in the building’s newly revamped gym, so it was definitely time to hit the showers.
Visi was definitely not supposed to be in the men’s locker room. In her defense, the team had asked her to snoop through Flambae’s things. Both he and Robert were acting really strange lately, and it was a lot harder to spy on Robert.
She snuck up to Flambae’s locker, opening it as quietly as she could. Visi was used to this type of work so she was quick in rifling through his items, until she noticed a faint glow coming from his phone.
Picking it up, she realized it was her lucky day. He had forgotten to lock it.
Turning the screen toward her, she nearly did a double take at what she saw. There, plain as day, was a picture of a very nearly naked Flambae. His face was not in the picture but his body sure as hell was. The only thing covering the man's family jewels was Robert’s beaming face. She quickly took her own phone out and snapped a quick picture.
The sound of water shutting off echoed from the shower area. Visi froze, then scrambled to put Flambae’s phone back and quietly closed the locker. Taking a deep breath, she turned invisible and slipped out of the locker room just as Flambae returned, a towel wrapped low around his waist.
Visi let out a quiet laugh as she became visible outside the break room, then burst through the door.
“Oh my god! Guys! Look at the dirt I just fucking uncovered! You so fucking owe me!”
The others immediately crowded around her and her phone, a chorus of very different reactions breaking out as they saw the screen.
Prism had already been doing a live and seeing the photo she started ranting to her followers about bestie betrayal.
Sonar just kept yelling about how these bitches were gay, good for them.
Golem let out a quiet, “Damn, alright.”
Waterboy stuttered about how this was an invasion of privacy and not cool, while Punch Up and Malevola couldn’t help but kind of agree.
Coupe pointed out how genuinely happy Robert appeared.
Phenomaman was just confused as to why this was such a big deal.
What they had each failed to notice was Visi’s phone, with the screen still on, had found its way in to the background of Prism’s live.
The day had been going pretty well for Robert. The usual calls, the usual team mischief, except for one thing. They were being very well behaved, suspiciously well behaved. He didn’t want to let it ruin his good day so he decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
At least that’s what he thought, until Chase stormed up to his chair, whirling Robert around to face him. “Mother fucker! You should fucking know better! And with that fiery fuck no less!”
Robert stared up at Chase confusion clear across his face, “Woah, Chase slow the fuck down, what are you talking about?”
A phone was shoved into his face, when his eyes adjusted to what was on screen all the color seemed to leave him. It was open on twitter there for the world to see was a picture of himself and Chad. Not only was it of him and Chad but it was of them from that one night. Chad’s whole body and his own face plastered all over the internet.
When had that picture even been taken? Why was it on twitter?
He needed to talk to Chad, now.
Without sparing Chase a second glance he stood up and went to find the flame hero, ignoring Chase’s concerned voice yelling after him.
Robert eventually found Chad in the locker room. Chad greeted him with a cheerful “Bob-Bob!” Though his smile fell when he saw the expression on Robert’s face.
“What’s wrong Azizam?”
Robert did his best to calm his breathing as he asked quietly, “Where is your phone Chad?”
Chad’s brow furrowed, “Robert what’s going on? My phone’s been in my locker all day.” He moved to open his locker and pull his phone out. He was confused as to why there were so many notifications. Clicking one, he froze.
“Flambae, why is there a picture of us practically naked on the internet?”
Chad stood still, every muscle in his body seeming to have locked. Robert only ever called him by his hero name when they were actively working or when he was very upset.
Looking up at his boyfriend he quickly attempted to defend himself, “Robert I swear I did not fucking do this. I just wanted a picture of us! You looked so happy!”
Robert just shook his head, “I… I think I need to go home.”
Without another word, he turned and left, ignoring Chad’s calls.
Chad remained in the now empty locker room, angry and guilty all at once. He checked his phone again and noticed a text he’d missed from Prism.
BestieBitch: ‘Bae I am so fuckin sorry! I was doing a livestream when Visi showed us that picture of you and Robert we swear we had no clue you could see it in the background of my live.
Flambae felt himself growing hotter as he stalked upstairs to the breakroom knowing most of the team would be there.
“Oh shit did Robert not kiss you today?” Visi tried to tease only to receive a glare so heated it shut her up immediately.
“You… You nosy ass fucking bitch! Do you fucking realize what you’ve all fucking done!?” Visi quickly turned invisible only to reappear behind Golem.
Sonar stepped up trying to calm the situation down, “Chill dude. If you and Robbo hadn’t been so secretive we wouldn’t have sent her to snoop. You were acting off dude.”
Chad’s glare turned to the bat hybrid, smoke starting to roll off his body, “Acting off?” His voice was a low growl.
“ I wasn’t fucking acting off you dumbass! I was just being fucking happy but oh look that might be fucking ruined now! So fucking thanks for that team.” He spat, not done with them just yet.
“It ever fucking occur to you fucks that we hid it for a fucking reason? Like fuck me right for wanting to fucking enjoy my relationship without you assholes being annoying shits about it.”
He couldn’t control the flames that burst from his shoulders in his anger. Everyone was stunned by how angry Flambae was. Sure, he was always kind of moody but this was the worst they had ever seen directed at them.
Chad was breathing hard, “The best thing that ever fucking happened to me could be over.”
His flames started to die down the more he spoke, “Robert didn’t even let me try to explain. He’s going to leave me and-” His flames completely died out as he stared wide eyed at the ground.
Prism took this as her cue to run up and quickly usher him out.
Robert was at home sitting on his couch, holding Beef tightly to his chest as the overweight chihuahua tried to make him feel better by licking his face. There was a knock at his door making Robert sigh as he set Beef aside and shuffled over to answer it, surprised to see Mandy.
She smiled softly, lifting up a case of beer before asking, “Can I come in?” Robert moved to the side to let her in, closing the door behind her. He tried to lighten the mood, “Just so you know you can’t scold me, we’re HR official.”
Mandy chuckled quietly, “No scolding here… I checked. How are you feeling?”
Robert shrugged, he felt violated for sure, his relationship thrusted out into the open. Betrayed was a word he could use, feeling betrayed that Chad had taken that picture. Not so much upset at the picture having been taken, but more upset that Chad hadn’t been more careful with it. The biggest feeling he had was guilt. Robert felt terrible for leaving Chad in the locker room, for not hearing him out. For making it seem like he didn’t want to be seen like that with Chad.
“Not great.” He finally said, taking the beer Mandy held out in offering. “Did you wanna talk about it? I know this is all kind of crazy.”
Robert sighed and took a long sip of his beer, “I think I messed up Mandy.” He admits slowly. “I was just so shocked that I didn’t even hear him out” He slumped down onto the couch looking miserable.
“What if he thinks I’m ashamed of our relationship, or ashamed of him. I didn’t even let him tell Alice.”
Mandy came over to sit next to Robert putting a hand on his shoulder. “You’ve always been a private person. MechaMan was your life and Robert never had something that was his own. Now you do and you kept it close because it was precious to you. Now that thing was forced into the open.”
Robert stared at her before chuckling dryly, “When did you get so wise?” Mandy laughed softly, rolling her eyes, “Drink your beer… And for what it’s worth Robert, you looked really happy in that photo.”
Chad didn’t know when they got to his apartment or when he was put on the couch, or why it made him so sad. Well actually he could probably answer that last one. Chad had been staying at Robert’s more often than not, so being here just felt wrong.
Chad didn’t realize he was crying until Alice gently wiped the moisture off his cheek. “If a bad bitch like you is crying it’s gonna make this bad bitch start to cry too.” The sentence was so absurd that Chad couldn’t help but laugh.
“I really am sorry ‘Bae. I didn’t realize Visi’s phone could be seen on my live. I’d never wanna hurt you like that.” Chad sniffled, “I know Alice, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away. Totally fucking broke bestie code. I just… I really liked how it was just us, you know.”
Alice nodded as Chad rubbed at his eyes aggressively, “I don’t want to lose him Ali, fuck… He’s so good. Being with him feels like a reminder that I can be good too. Like even with our fucked up past. He saw me on my worst fucking day, I tried to burn him years later, and he still forgave me. Like who the fuck does that!?”
Alice blinked, “Damn ‘Bae it’s sounding like you love that white boy or something.” Flambae smirked softly, “Nah I don’t love that bitch… I’m in love with that bitch.” Alice laughs and Chad joins in, “He’ll come around hot stuff, just from that pic I know he’s crazy about you too.”
Robert stood outside Chad’s front door hesitating to knock. His mind was a spiral of worst-case scenarios, and he could feel it dragging him down. What if Chad hated him again? What if their relationship was over? What if- He knew he had to stop himself. All this second guessing and catastrophizing was only going to make him feel worse and lose his nerve.
So, before Robert could change his mind he quickly knocked on the door. From inside he could hear a commotion as the door swung open revealing a disheveled Chad in sweatpants and one of Robert’s t-shirts. Even though it was way too small for him.
Robert immediately noticed that Chad’s eyes were red and slightly puffy. He’d been crying.
Without a second thought he threw himself at Chad holding onto him tightly, burying his face into the taller man's chest. Chad didn’t waste any time wrapping his arms around Robert and slightly squeezing him. They were both stumbling over their words trying to apologize to each other, when a throat cleared behind them.
“I’m gonna head out now. You be good to him Robert, or else. I know where you fucking live bitch.” Alice was trying to go for threatening but she couldn’t stop the small smile that was on her face from seeing how crazy the two were for each other.
Once Prism had left the two men migrated over to Chad’s couch knees gently bumping every now and then. Robert and Chad both tried to speak at the same time.
“I shouldn’t have left like tha-” “I should have told you about the pict-”
They froze before laughing softly, “I wanna go first.” Robert added in quickly to which Chad nodded for him to start.
“I’m sorry, for leaving the way I did in the locker rooms. I let my own panic kind of take over and that was selfish of me. I put you in a position in which you had to defend yourself even though you hadn’t done anything wrong… And I'm sorry for that.”
Chad couldn’t believe that Robert felt like he needed to apologize, “Yeah well, I’m sorry too…. Bitch. I should have just told you about the picture. It was fucking stupid of me to do that and I’m sorry I wasn’t careful with it that we got plastered all over the internet.”
They stared at each other for a good minute before bursting into more laughter, “We’re so fucking stupid aren’t we?” “The stupidest.”
The next couple days were a bit hectic, since it was obvious who the people in the photo were and the fact that the team had been saying their names, the paparazzi had gone feral. Robert had told multiple reporters to either go fuck themselves or a simple no comment when he wasn’t feeling like being argumentative. Chad took it all in stride but was just happy they were navigating this fiasco together.
The team even set up a surprise party in Robert’s apartment with a banner that said ‘Sorry for Hard Launching your Gay Relationship to The World’. Robert appreciated the sentiment while Chad had gone off about it just being a relationship, why did they specify gay, what kind of homophobic bullshit was that.
Later that night Robert and Chad were hanging out on the balcony, the party very much still going on inside. Chad held Robert against him as they swayed gently to the music they could faintly hear. Robert looked up, sighing softly as he stared into Chad’s bright orange eyes.
“Have I ever told you how pretty your eyes are?” He asked, causing Chad to huff, cheeks turning a soft red. “Only all the fucking time.” Robert chuckled leaning closer, “Well they are. I’m so glad I’m able to get lost in them whenever I want.”
“You corny bitch.” Chad mumbled, finally closing the gap between them. It was probably the softest kiss they ever shared but it was full of all the words they didn’t need to say out loud.
And right now, that was all they needed.