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It didn’t take much for the life you had led to be turned upside down. Robert was more than aware of that, considering how often his whole world has been blown up, quite literally so.
From having his father ripped away from him he was 11, to having to step up and become Mecha Man shortly after, to losing everything 15 years later, after he failed to defeat the man that murdered his father.
Becoming an dispatcher for a group of shitheads, helping them rise like the phoenixes they were and nearly falling off the deep end after finally killing Shroud.
Being bullied by his the very same team, pack now, into an healthier lifestyle and ripped out of that dark hole he had dug for all these years.
And yet, he was still surprised when it happened again, inside one of the shitty bathrooms of the SDN Foundation no less.
His hands were shaking as he stared down at the pink test, forcing him close his eyes for a few moments. Trying to pretend he was somewhere far away from here, far away from the life changing news that were in his hands.
Two lines, a positive test and the possibility of a life inside of him.
It wasn’t possible. Shouldn’t have been possible if he believed what the doctors have told him.
Not with the damage his body had taken during the time he was active as a hero. His body barely created enough hormones to enter an heat and even then, they were never of the sexual kind, always the ones that made him search for comfort and warmth. Because he apparently starved his inner omega of the base feeling of saftey and protection for too long.
That was one of the reasons why he and Flambae entered a relationship after all.
The older alpha, whilst being good with children, never wanted to have the responsibility of having pups of his own. They had talked about this when they first started dating, when Robert had told him about his infertility. So, they wanted the same things, what allowed their relationship to grow nicely. Sex was also great, even if Chad tended to get a bit overprotective whenever he followed his instincts.
He couldn’t even imagine how he would react about this… betrayal. The man had tendencies to blow up in flames after all, even if he hadn’t used unwanted force against him since they had the talk.
Wiping his face, he quickly threw the test away, trying to ignore the growing pit in his stomach.
Would he want him to get rid of it? To give it away after it was born? To just rip it away from him?
Probably not, but he still felt that paranoia growing inside him. After all, he still remembered well how unassuming Elliot had acted before he suddenly snapped and murdered his dad.
There was also the problem that Robert didn’t even know what he wanted to do himself. If he should keep it and become a father or move on and just forget about it.
„You alright? Hopefully you didn’t spend your break puking out your fucking boytoys breakfast again, did ya?“
Chase was waiting for him when he returned to his desk, worry hidden well behind his grumpy expression. But Robert knew better, having spend most of his childhood with the Beta.
He was one of the few people that he couldn’t hide his weaknesses from, no matter how much he tried. For that man, he would always stay that tiny pup he needed to watch, just like how he would always see pack in him.
„Aww, where you worried about little old me? Don’t worry, Flambae wouldn’t waste his cooking skills on poisoning me.“
He smiled, trying to calm the worries of his old friend. That man had his own problems he had to deal with, even if the exposure of the amulet was slowly helping him, restoring his health little by little.
Picking up his headphones, he took a deep breath and tried to push the revelation he just had into the darkest corner of his mind. The omega needed to concentrate on his job and make sure that no one got hurt.
He could do that. He had done that just fine with the problems of his past.
*All I am saying is that we could be rich if we just invested a bit of money into it!*
Seemed like Sonar was on it once again using his short break to get the others to throw out their money. Knowing him, he didn’t even want to know what kind of financial endeavours he was getting into.
*oh fuck off. We ain’t gonna invest in human meat stocks! Do you know what kind of PR nightmare this could cause?!*
Prism sounded genuinely disgusted and the rest of their pack made sounds of agreement. If he hadnt been so shaken up, he’d probably reprimand the Beta for such an stupid idea.
„Yeah. Let’s not do that. The rumor mill is already doing its best to churn you down. We don’t need the maneater allegations on top of everything.“
———
———
———
The shift surprisingly well, even if he wasn’t really there, mentally. There hadn’t been any notable injuries and if he ignored the property damage, all missions were successful.
*ya know what? We should go out! The guys that took over the sardine are finally celebrating their grand reopening!*
Punch ups question was followed by cheers, as a cold shudder went through his body. Alone the possibility of drinking alcohol and gettign into bar fights made him feel sick. One of his hands automatically went to his stomach, where that small, fragile life was growing and he couldn’t avoid the distressed sound that left his throat.
The comms immediately fell silent, as Chase peaked over the divider. Robert had never been someone to vocalise his emotions, so he felt the shame rise up in his body. He wasn’t a little pup asking for his dads attention anymore.
„Don’t be like that. I am just-, tired. Yeah. I am tired and planning to go to bed early. Please have fun tonight.“
Without waiting for an reply, he pulled of his headset and gave the old looking man an forced grin. The kind that begged the other to not ask any questions and to just let him go home.
It was probably a good think that his scent glands had been etched away, considering the anxiety he was feeling right now.
„Just… shit. You better fucking call me if you don’t feel well. Ill be there in one fucking blink of your eye.“
He wouldn’t, but he was still thankfull for the sentiment. Grabbing his mantle and Beefes leash, he slowly made his way out of the building. His hand was still resting on his stomach and Robert felt his thoughts spiral again.
A baby. A tiny human being whose fate was in his hands.
„Hey Bitchboy! Thinking of leaving without me?“
Warm arms wrapped themselves around him, the scent of burned wood and smoke surrounding him like an blanket. Flambae rubbed their cheeks together, basically covering him in it and calming the omega inside him at the same time.
„Thought that you wanted to go out with the others. You haven’t been able to… share your lyrical energy with anyone for some time.“
Gently pushing the other away, his partner bumped their noses together before stepping back and crossing his arms. He was still wearing his ridiculous suit, the fire user not being affected by the cold weather.
„Oh please, that wouldn’t make half as much fun without having you there to make fun of you.“
He doubted that. Prism has send him the videos of him getting shitface drunk and make a fool of himself. It was kinda cute. Especially those where he started to… sing ballads to his honor.
Chad grabbed is hand, intertwining their fingers and smirked-
„Let’s go home. Don’t worry, i send the others to grab some drinks, so don’t go all emo on me tonight.“
The other man put airquotes on the last part and Robert couldn’t help himself and rolled his eyes.
Rude. He wasn’t an emo, Waterboy had told him so.
„Oh please, I don’t need an Babysitter… even if Beef likes you.“
The dog barked as Chad bend down to pet the dog, even allowing him to jump on him. For someone that didnt like dogs, the man had a surprisingly soft spot for the corgi.
It was… adorable to see him like that, so off guard and gentle. Even if it was weird to use adorable to describe a fully grown ex-villain.
And now he was going to ruin it all, like he always did.
„We need to talk. Preferably at home.“
His partner froze, ember eyes snapping up to him. Robert knew how his words sounded, but he needed to rip off that bandaid as soon as possible. Even if it ended with them breaking up and never talking again.
Chad’s mouth opened and closed like that of an fish, as he quickly stood up, his body shaking and scent quickly sou ring.
„What is-, uh. Sure. I could fly us there!“
The brunette didn’t have time to answer as the other all but cradled him and Beef in his arms, like they didn’t weight anything. He was being gentle, gentler than usual, as they took off, flames all but embracing him.
Despite the way the other was handling him, the omega had to clench his teeth to fight the rising nausea, trying to distract himself from the need to puke all over himself and his partner.
It only took them a few minutes to reach their-, Flambaes-, home, even if the flight felt like an eternity. Who would have thought that he would have ever wished for his lovers stupid quips. Even if he was mostly threatening him to let him fall.
As if the other heard his thoughts, his grip on him only became stronger as they entered the apartment. The omega was only set down down when they reached the couch, making him feel strangely emotional.
„Be a good little Bobert and stay here, alright?“
A warm Hand ruffled his hair and a blanket was pulled over his legs. It made him blink in confusion, brain not quite comprehending the situation.
´We need to talk` was usually used in grave situations, like when you need to tell your partner that you somehow got pregnant. But chad didn’t seem to get that message as the other man was rummaging through the kitchen.
He smelled like shit too, anxiety and worry clear in the air around them. It was most likely that he was just following his instincts to calm himself down, but it still irritated him.
„Can you believe this? The audacity of this man.“
Beef barked in agreement, his tail wagging happily. Petting the dog, he tried desperately to stay rational and not loose himself in his feelings.
Now that he was in the saftey of his home and so close to his mate, he felt his instincts scream at him. The Omega inside of him wanted nothing more but to get up and rebuild his nest, to make sure that the flat was ready for the pregnancy and his pup.
Robert didn’t even know if he really wanted keep the baby. He didn’t know if he could be a good, loving dad. After all, his dad might have loved him, but his duty as hero kept him away. His mother hadn’t been around and, outside of Chase, the brave brigade didn’t really spend time with him.
He couldn’t help the fear of history repeating itself to sour his decision. This baby would have both parents and pack be heroes, a target always on its back.
That is if Chad wanted the baby too, considering that becoming a single dad wasn’t something he ever had in mind.
„Hey, earth back to bitchboy-“
The horrible love of his life flicked his forehead, as he pushed a bowl of oatmeal into his hands.
„Heard that you puked out your guts again. You really should go to the doctor before you waste more of my food.“
There was no real heat behind those words, the way those embers eyes glowing in worry betraying his mates intention. As he sat down next to him, the omega felt himself relax against that warm body.
The silence stretched between them like chewed gum as he tried to put his thoughts into words. Just screaming out that the former villain defined all odds and knocked him up didn’t seem all that classy. Not that they were classy in the first place, considering everything.
„You aren’t dying, are you? Your… everything… finally catching up to you? “
It was the alphas whisper that broke the silence, making him freeze in his tracks. Flambae looked… tense. Serious. Like he just came back from an mission gone wrong.
His scent had become even worse, fear, anxiety and anger nearly crushing them both.
Without really thinking about it, he placed the bowl on the table and grabbed the others hand to place it on his stomach.
„Not yet. Probably. You wont get rid of me that easily.“
The man looked confused for a second, before he suddenly jumped up. Flames licked up his arms as Chad desperately tried to shake them off in what seemed to be an very interpretive dance.
It was something he would have made fun of it, if the situation had been different.
„Seriously?!“
He was smiling. His alpha was smiling in a way he hadn’t ever before. It was overwhelming to see him like that, even if it did calm some of his worries.
„Are we-, are you going to keep it? I mean… you are pregnant, right?“
Robert nodded slowly, his instincts pleased with the reaction of the other. It made him feel bad for ever doubting him.
„Yeah. Somehow you were able to put an bun into my barley working oven.“
The omega hadn’t treated himself well for most of his life.
Using drugs and all but starving himself to prevent his heat circle from forcing him to take any breaks, playing with the risk of infertility. Ignoring the telltale sights of exhaustion and the injuries he substained, not even stopping when they had to remove some of his organs to keep him alive, one of his tubes and ovaries included.
And that was before the explosion and the coma that almost put a stop to all his bodily functions.
Most doctors had considered him to be infertile, especially after Shroud and Toxic-
„I mean, you always liked to prove others wrong, Mr. I survived being blown up twice?“
He didn’t have time to respond to that, as his partner all but jumped on his lap, placing kisses all over his face and the remains of his scent glands, not unlike an overly excited puppy. The scent that was wrapping around him was a mix oh pure bliss, happiness and excitement.
„You know, for someone who didnt want kids, you are quite joyful about these news.“
Chad froze for an moment before he shrugged. His eyes looked to the side, clearly trying to avoid his questioning ones.
„I kinda like you, you stupid bitch, and the idea of, uh, us growing old together, i guess. You said that you couldn’t have kids, and that was fine to me. Things apparently changed and i am more than fine with that too. We would make killer dads anyway and i am pretty sure that the others would get overly excited aswell-“
The other was blushing like he just confessed his deepest feelings to him, making him grin. Placing a kiss on his partners lips, he held him close. He couldn’t scent him to show him his feelings, so he should probably put them into words aswell.
„I love you too, you stupid flameingo. Not going to lie, this situation is still kinda terrifying, but i am positive that we won’t fuck them up. Somehow.“
There was silence between them for a few seconds, his alphas hands gently travelling up and down his stomach, as a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
„We aren’t going to call them Robert, right? It wouldn’t be weird of me to break that tradition and not like I stomped all over my dads and grandpas grave-“
Lips were pushed onto his, as Chad successfully silenced him and his worries.