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“I appreciate you all meeting me this morning. Sorry, this branch is a little out of the way, but we didn’t have a lot of other options with our own building under construction.” Mandy spoke with a shy smile at the head of an unfamiliar conference room in an even less familiar building. She’d sent an email to the Z Team to meet her Monday morning at 8AM to discuss something important, but didn’t give any details beyond that. Robert stood beside her, noting the questioning looks his team was shooting his way. He subtly shrugged with an arched brow and pursed lips. He had no idea what this was about either.
Mandy continued, “The board members in charge of SDN found some footage of you guys around Torrence during the Red Ring attack. Between drones, cellphone cameras and security footage, they got a pretty complete picture of everything you all did.”
Robert could practically taste the tension in the room as eyes shifted between each other. His chest swelled with pride as they all held in their protests and panicked questions while Mandy continued, but he could tell it was painfully difficult for them. Invisigal, Prism, and Flambae more than the others.
“So, the board has decided that you all will be sent to a beach house farther south in California for a week. All expenses paid, with company cards with one hundred dollar limits each per day.” Her smile broadened as the quiet seething of the room turned into a raucous excitement full of questions and statements with varying degrees of excitement. Robert was stunned to silence himself. Why would SDN fund such a trip, and why for them specifically? There were plenty of other teams that were involved. He could count on one hand how many higher leveled heroes he sent his team to assist alone.
“Okay, okay, I can’t answer all of your questions at once! Okay, first of all, the why. Why you? Well for one, you guys technically get credit for taking down Stroud. For another, you were all at the bottom of the leaderboard. On paper, by anyone’s account, this was a team doomed to fail. Reformed villains aren’t all that common, especially around here.” Mandy allowed a moment of awkward silence to pass before continuing. “So when all of that was proven wrong, the board felt a bit of a sense of… obligation, I suppose? But really I think they felt guilty and wanted to get that off their conscience. Really, what else would you all be doing? Our branch isn’t built yet, and you might as well kick back and relax on the company’s dime. So, what do you say? Should I give them the green light to send you all tomorrow?”
After all of the agreements, Mandy sent out an email to everyone to pick up their tickets and beach house keys at that same building in her temporary office. She handed the sleeping plans and the list of nearby activities and restaurants to Robert with an envelope full of the company cards she had mentioned. Malevola offered to get them all to the beach house herself, which cut the travel cost for the company. Mandy texted him that an extra fifty dollars had been added to each card as a show of appreciation.
“Alright everyone, let me get everything sorted so we can all settle in.” Robert adjusted his backpack, already worrying about Beef in the back of his mind. Chase had all but demanded to dog sit while Robert and the rest of the team were on this practically forced vacation, which he was grateful for, but he hadn’t spent so much time away from his dog since he adopted the little pooch. Pushing the feeling away, Robert sat on the bench outside the large, well used beach house. He’d taken in the wooden building with its large wrap-around porch, patio furniture complete with sun umbrellas, and sliding glass door when he arrived. He could tell it was going to be nice on the inside as well, and couldn’t wait to sleep on a real bed instead of his pull out couch. Not that he wasn’t grateful for the generous gift, but it would be nice to swap out for a mattress for a little while.
“Okay, first of all, I’m going to get the sleeping arrangements sorted. It’s been pre-determined… for some reason. I’ll give out the house key and company cards after that. Each have your names on them, so don’t lose them.”
Robert looked down at the sleeping arrangement chart and his stomach dropped into the sand.
Golem
Attic Room
Sonar - Malevola
Upstairs Left
Phenomoman - Waterboy
Upstairs Middle
Prism - Invisigal
Upstairs Right
Punch Up - Coupé
Downstairs Left
Flambae - Robert
Downstairs Right
Swallowing his discomfort, Robert read off the room chart as he handed off the keys and cards. Flambae, who he’d read last with his own name, looked down at Robert where he sat with a shadow across his face. He took the card and key silently, shouldering his own, orange duffel bag. Everyone else was clearly happy with their roomie for the week, as they found their partner and rushed to the house with excitement. Robert followed a few steps behind. He could swear he heard snickers from Prism and Visi, who were elbowing a tense Flambae.
Inside was as nice as Robert expected. There was a sunken living room covered in a soft, cream carpet surrounding a rustic fireplace decorated with plush couch pillows and a couple of throw blankets of varying beach themed colors. To his left, Robert could see a modern kitchen with a sink island, a stainless steel refrigerator with a matching dishwasher beside it, and a decent stock of dish and cookware. To his right were three doors. Coop and Punch were inspecting the one on the far left, and Flambae entered the one on the far right. The center was open enough to reveal a decent sized bathroom with a glass shower. Past the fireplace was another sliding glass door leading to the other side of the porch. Robert could see a metal fire pit next to a propane powered grill. He offered a low whistle. This place was definitely nicer than anywhere he’d stayed in his adult life.
Deciding it was pointless to avoid the situation, Robert slipped into his assigned bedroom. Flambae was folding the clothes he’d brought and placing them in the small three drawer dresser on the side of the room he’d chosen. There were two matching queen sized beds separated by a cherry wood nightstand. A vase and a fake lilly decorated the top of it. Flambae had opted for the bed closest to the window, so Robert set his own pack down on top of his bed. He followed his temporary roommate’s example and put his belongings away. He’d brought a couple of casual outfits, a pair of swim trunks, and an old T shirt and shorts to sleep in. He had opted for a simple white button down and slacks in case the team decided to dine somewhere on the fancier side, but he honestly hoped they didn’t. He was eager to test out that grill on the back porch, personally. He hadn’t had a properly grilled burger in ages.
Robert had just finished putting his things away when his and Flambae’s phones both went off. He checked the team group chat.
Courtney 🍩: There’s a convenience store nearby. Prism and I are gonna grab some liquor and mixers! Mal and Coop are getting shit for dinner.
Malevola 😈: I’m thinking yakisoba with chicken.
Chad 🔥: Works for me. I can make a mean yakisoba. Just make sure to grab chili oil.
Courtney 🍩: Vodka or rum?
Victor🦇: Bacardi.
Courtney 🍩: You’re literally just saying that because it has a bat on it.
Victor🦇: That’s literally discrimination and I don’t have to take it.
Jan 🩰: Daquiries.
Katon Ur 🧙♂️: I will acquire tiny umbrellas
Robert 🤖: You want me to go with you to get the food?
Malevola 😈: You’re so sweet.
Malevola 😈: But no.
Robert pocketed his phone and looked out the window to gauge the sun. They had arrived around 1PM, so there was plenty of time left in the day.
Flambae, who had been looking out the same window, turned around. Their eyes met briefly, but he turned away with a sharp shift of his gaze, as if his bed had done something particularly interesting. Robert held back an exasperated sigh.
“I know this isn’t your idea of an ideal roommate situation. Prism might want to swap with me.” He offered the possible solution with a hint of desperation. He really wanted to survive the night.
Flambae rolled his eyes, “She’s had a fat crush on Visi for a while now. That isn’t going to happen. That’s why she put in the request, dumbass.”
Robert frowned. “Request?”
Flambae looked like a parent who had to answer a toddler's ridiculous questions. “Mandy sent that email? The one that said “Who wants to room with whom?” Remember that?”
Robert whipped his phone out and scrolled through his emails. There was one from Mandy that was buried in his mess of messages that was unread. The subject was “Sleeping Assignments”. He groaned and wiped his hand down his face.
“I completely missed it.”
Flambae threw his hands up in the air. “I swear, Mecha Bitch. If your head wasn’t attached to your skinny body you’d fucking lose it.”
“I can’t even argue with that. Well that makes me feel even worse about this. Who’d you put in for?” He shoved his phone back in his pocket with a soft sigh.
Flambae crossed his arms and looked back out the window. “Didn’t reply. Didn’t really care.”
There was a beat of silence between the two before Robert decided he was ready to exit the tense room. “Well, I don’t care either. It’s just sleeping, right?” He threw over his shoulder while he opened the door.
“Yeah. Right.”
The team made themselves at home on the patio furniture with plates piled high with Flambae’s mouth watering yakisoba and Prism’s extremely strong alcoholic beverages or beers. Robert had opted for the latter, planning on pacing himself better than some of the others. He leaned against the railing of the porch and watched his team with a sense of pride. He had watched this family of misfits grow and blossom into the heroes they were. They were all villains with colorful backgrounds and charges before, and now they were celebrated by SDN to the point of a paid vacation.
“A toast to you all! I might be a little buzzed, but really, I’m proud to be your dispatcher!” He held his beer up, fully expecting to be booed for his classic inspiring speeches. He was surprised by the various “hell yeah” “to us” and variations of self gassing as the rest of them raised their chosen poison into the air.
“Not to sound as cheesy as you always do, but give yourself some damn credit, man. None of us assholes would have made it this far without you stubbornly dading at us all the time. So fuck it, to Robert!” Visi raised her drink in the air again, earning another cheer for Robert’s sake.
He forced his jaw back up and felt his eyes melt with his soft smile. He tilted his beer towards the group and continued watching them enjoy their care-free party.
Robert didn’t really remember going to bed, and the throb in his temples explained why. He had flopped into the bed in the same clothes he arrived at the beach house in. It was a wonder he didn’t choose the wrong room altogether. He cursed his past self for giving into the peer pressure of the stronger drinks. He checked his phone for the time. It was ten in the morning, much later than he usually slept. There were a few messages in the group to check as well.
Malevola 😈: Making hashbrowns and gravy for you lightweights.
Courtney 🍩: Thank FUCK! We got sports drinks?
Bruno 🍃: Rookies.
Colm ✊: I feel fine. Don’t know what you’re all bitching about.
Jan 🩰: He’s lying.
Victor🦇: Hah! You got snitched boi!
Colm ✊: Shut the fuck up!
Chad 🔥: I’ve got the perfect hangover cure, bitches. Family recipe… just don’t ask what’s in it.
Alice 🎙🎶: Fuck I don’t care what’s in it I know that shit works miracles!
Courtney 🍩: Did Flambae kill Robert in his sleep or something? Kinda fucked up to sneak attack like that.
Chad 🔥: Fuck off. Bitch passed out like a lightweight pussy. Maybe he suffocated in his sleep or something I don’t know.
Victor🦇: I had a dream I was suffocating on tits.
Malevola 😈: Is that why you were moaning so much? Fuck man!
Victor🦇: Sorry not sorry 😏
Robert groaned and slowly dragged himself out of bed. He was with Prism. Whatever was in Flambae’s supposed cure was a risk he was willing to take. He ruffled his hair with his fingers, applied some deodorant, and changed into a different outfit in an attempt to quickly freshen up. He stepped out of the bedroom, cursing the bright light the large windows and sliding glass doors let in. Prism and Visi were sitting on the sunken floor looking at videos on Prism’s phone. Robert smirked when he noted how close they were sitting. Visi dressed the same as usual, but Prism was much more subdued than normal. Her stark white afro practically shone in the late morning light, and she was wrapped in some sort of knitted cardigan. Robert passed the living room with a mild hello, which earned him an obnoxious “He lives!” From Visi.
The smell of sausage and oil greeted his nose when he entered the kitchen and plopped down onto the dining table. Malevola smirked at him over her shoulder.
“Gotta step up your game if you’re going to party with your team, Rob.”
The fridge shut, revealing Flambae with an armload of various odd ingredients. He was wearing an open beach shirt and swim trunks. His hair was pulled up into a messy man bun. His fire repellant oil was not present, so his locks fell along his face and neck in soft wisps as he worked.
“Sorry if I was snoring or anything. I’m definitely not going that hard tonight.” He spoke with his head in his hands, covering his eyes from the relentless light.
Flambae snorted. “Not gonna lie, it was kinda tempting to smother you with your pillow, but I managed. Besides, I’m about to get my revenge.”
Robert was about to ask what that meant when a sharp whirring noise interrupted all thought.
“Ah fuck!” His hands abandoned his eyes to cover his ears against the onslaught of the blender that Flambae had turned on. The man wasn’t lying, it was definitely revenge.
Once the appliance was blissfully shut down, Robert looked up with a glare he hoped was lethal. “Fucking warning?”
Flambae’s smirk was more than a little smug. “You want my secret hangover cure, or not?”
Sighing, Robert stood and approached the kitchen island. “Yes, thank you.”
He accepted the questionable, gray and chunky beverage that was now in his hand as graciously as he could. He took a hesitant sip, and fought the convulsions his face wanted to make as the rotten taste met his tongue. He was trying to be polite, as Flambae was watching him intensely. He knew he failed, but his pride kept him going. “Delicious. Thank you.” He choked out.
Flambae barked a laugh. “It tastes like shit, bitch. It’ll work though, so stop being a pussy and just drink it so we can all eat without looking at that pathetic face.”
With the permission to express his distaste, Robert forced the vile beverage down as fast as he could without vomiting and discarded the tainted glass into the sink. “Fuck… if this doesn’t fix me in the next ten minutes, you’re fired!”
“Oh shit is this your cure Bae? Nasty shit but it’ll knock you right back into the fight.” Prism poured herself a generous glass and tilted it to Flambae before knocking it back without giving any indication as to the taste. Robert watched in awe, feeling his manhood shrink before her.
Malevola chuckled, “You all disgust me. Food’s done, so eat something that doesn’t contain… anything that was in there.” She wrinkled her nose.
The group decided to take advantage of the nearby, relatively clean beach for most of the day. Robert teamed up with Phenomoman against Prism and Golem for beach volleyball. It seemed like an unfair advantage at first, playing on the same team as Phenomoman, but given the man simply could not understand the rules of the game, he sabotaged them more often than not. Robert, Golem and Prism ended up in stitches at the ridiculous moves that were played as a result. The game was promptly ended when the ball sailed into the abyss that was the sea.
Malevola and Sonar were burying Invisigal in the sand, which didn’t last long as the woman got bored and escaped with her powers when they weren’t looking. It took an amusing amount of time for them to realize she simply wasn’t there anymore, much to Malevola’s annoyance. Waterboy was fascinated with a crab scuttling about on the beach like a child watching a butterfly. Flambae was sitting in the sand watching them all with his stupid sunglasses that finally made sense. By the end of the day, Robert was thoroughly burned through his sunscreen, exhausted from the day’s activities, and having the time of his life.
No one was particularly feeling like cooking that night, so it was a unanimous decision to grab dinner at a nearby diner. It wasn’t overly fancy, as it was a simple mom and pop area, but there was a homey feel to it that Robert could appreciate.
They called ahead of time so that there was enough room for the lively bunch, and enough tables to put together. Robert sat at an end where there was only one other chair beside him, which he was shocked to find Flambae chose to sit. He recovered from his surprise and opted not to comment on it as he scoured the menu.
After the group ordered, idle chatter about the day took up the majority of the conversation.
“Did P Man really spike that ball straight into the water? Like how do you even miss that bad?” Flambae snorted over his cup. “The look on the rest of your faces was fucking hilarous when you watched the damn thing disappear.”
Robert chuckled at the memory. “Yeah, I imagine that thing will be out at sea for a while.”
“But did you really have to cry ‘Wilson’ like a dork?” Sonar piped up from his phone with an arched brow. “You lose major cool points for that one.”
Robert shrugged, “I’m already in the negative, so what is there to lose?”
Malevola snorted, “You really want an answer to that question?”
Coop shook her head, “I don’t think he does.”
Robert rolled his eyes, “I’ve been your dispatcher for long enough that I’m pretty aware that you’re all assholes. If I couldn’t handle whatever you want to say, I wouldn’t be here.”
Flambae shoved Robert hard enough to move him, but not quite enough for him to fall from his seat. “Shut up with your emotional little bitch shit.”
Robert didn’t comment on the soft smile that was on Flambae’s face when he said that.
Their food arrived and the conversation stalled for a little while.
Full and sated, the team portaled home and spread out to their respective activities. Robert was leaning against the porch railing, watching the moonlight glittering on the gentle waves that lapped the shore. He held a beer loosely in his hand, half finished, while he thought back on his life and the choices he made to get here. It was a rough road, that much was beyond debate. But now, he couldn’t say he’d change it for the world.
A warm presence approached, leaning against the railing to his left. Robert tore his eyes away from the view to see Flambae, with a glass of rum in his hand, taking a similar pose to his own.
“Trying to spot that damn ball?”
Robert hummed, “Naw, just looking at the water. It’s nice out here. Can kinda forget the crazy life we all lead for a minute.”
Flambae took a sip of his drink, “Kinda the point, I guess. You know, of this vacation.”
Robert nodded. “Yeah.” His eyes locked in on Flambae’s right hand, which was resting on the wooden rail. At the time of his fight with the fiery man beside him, he didn’t think much of the damage he’d done. He was attacking in self defence, and he knew no one would have survived that much heat if his suit wasn’t protected against elements like that. He doubted Flambae knew about those safeguards, so he was pretty sure the man was actively trying to kill him. Even as justifiable as it was at the time though, Robert wasn’t looking at a villain he was taking down anymore. This was his colleague, his ally… maybe even a begrudging friend on a good day. He twirled his beer around in thought. “You know, I never really apologized to you.”
Flambae arched a brow, “For?”
Robert, feeling tired and buzzed, placed his left hand over Flambae’s. He lightly traced along the knuckles down to the stubs of his missing fingers with a featherlight touch. “Your eyebrows grew back, but-”
Flambae yanked his hand back. Shooting a dangerous look Robert’s way, “Don’t.”
Robert felt the moment halt, and immediately sobered up. What was he thinking? Clearly, he wasn’t. “Fuck I-” He drew a deep breath, “Yeah, you’re right.” He swallowed the burn of embarrassment and disappeared into the house as quickly as he could. He found Sonar and Coop playing chess, so he pretended to be interested in the match and sat to watch. Sonar used some sort of weird, overly complicated strategy, while Coop’s moves felt more like a well choreographed dance. In the end, she won, much to Sonar’s dismay, and the two retired to their rooms.
Robert sat in front of the gas fireplace long after everyone else had gone to bed. He was stalling, he knew he was. He had made it weird between himself and the fire hero himself, but now he was being childish by staying in the living room, fighting his exhaustion to the point of almost passing out on the sunken floor’s step. He should just go to bed without acting like anything happened. Likely Flambae had shaken the irritation off by now or was even sleeping. Robert leaned back against a pillow he’d set on the seat behind him and stared at the wooden ceiling. No matter how much he used logic, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted between the two men with that out of character touch. Robert rubbed his fingers together, pondering why he’d even done it. Was it some weird, drunken show of sincerity he was going for?
He was shaken from his thoughts when he sensed another presence. He looked to his right as Flambae made himself comfortable barely an inch from Robert. He was in his black tank and loose sweats he’d brought to sleep in. His hair fell loose down his back. Robert tried to deny he thought it, but the man was really beautiful.
“It’s almost two in the fucking morning Rob, what are you doing out here looking at the ceiling like a depressed idiot?” He leaned back, himself, but looked at Robert. His amber eyes were tired, and his voice soft.
Robert flashed a smirk, “Can’t sleep without me close now? Damn. One night and I’ve got you hooked.”
Flambae rolled his eyes, “Just get your ass to bed. Stop making shit weird.”
Robert’s smile dissolved and he looked back up at the ceiling. “Yeah, I keep doing that, lately. Guess I got nostalgic earlier, or something.”
“Robert.”
It was a rare thing, hearing his proper name by any of the Z Team, but he couldn’t remember a time when Flambae had ever said it. He looked back at the man with eyes that glowed like embers in the darkness that surrounded them. His jaw was set and he looked like a man ready to enter danger.
“Don’t ever. Ever. Fucking apologize for what you did.” He sat up and pressed his right hand against Robert’s chest dangerously close to his heart. The action felt intimate, and Robert had no clue what to make of it. “You saved my life. You really think if you hadn’t taken me down that day that I’d be drinking fucking mimosas on the beach right now?”
Robert felt the press of two fingers, a thumb, and the shorter stubs through his T Shirt. He pressed his own hand over it, gave it a brief squeeze, then sat up to meet Flambae’s eye more easily. “Is this your way of saying you don’t hate me anymore?”
Two perfectly manicured eyebrows furrowed into a hard glare. Flambae’s free hand traced along Robert’s jaw, but he was too frozen by the intense gaze that held his to react. He could feel his pulse picking up beneath Flambae’s hand and he knew the other man had to feel it. The hand at his jaw slowly, almost hesitantly, curled around his neck and guided Robert closer until feverish lips pressed against his own.
It was chaste, and so brief Robert half believed it was only in his head, but the lingering warmth on his lips and the hand that cradled his neck said otherwise. He searched the glowing amber eyes for answers to the storm that now raged in his head, but all he saw was fierce, raw emotion. Flambae was not a careful, subtle man. He was an inferno in a forest: loud, striking, all consuming and unapologetic. Seeing him sitting in front of Robert, silent… it was unnerving.
“Say something,” his own voice was a mere whisper. He felt like the moment was a thin sheet of glass; one out of place move and it would shatter.
Flambae pulled away. Robert immediately missed the warmth of his touch, but he didn’t dare follow it. He waited for the other man to declare the whole thing a mistake and to stomp away. Flambae didn’t stand up, however. He looked down for a few long moments in thought. When his eyes returned to Robert, there was a resolve in them that wasn’t present before.
“I lied about the sleeping arrangements. I saw that email. Probably responded before anyone else.”
Robert blinked. “I… so…” His brain refused to catch up with what he wanted to say. Luckily, Flambae didn’t have the patience to let him sort through it anyway.
“Mandy responded, double checking there wasn’t some sort of mistake. She then made me promise not to singe you in your sleep. That bitch needs to work on her humor. Still such a corporate dork.”
Robert shook his head to dislodge the confusion. His hands came up to halt the other man. “But… why? I don’t get it. You’ve hated me since before you knew who I was and that only got worse when I revealed my identity.” His hand shot out to grasp the other man’s arm when he sensed he wanted to leave. “Chad,” the name worked better than his own grip at keeping the man still, but there was a look in his eyes that screamed ‘flee’, “I want to understand. Why you wanted to share a room, why you just kissed me, all of it. Please.”
An irate huff left Flambae’s nose and he brushed Robert’s hand from his arm. “You’re supposed to be the smart one Bob Bob. I’m supposed to be the hothead who doesn’t think. Kinda funny that I have to spell shit out for you.”
Robert allowed a smile, “You’re stalling, Chad.”
“Fuck off.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking at the unlit fireplace instead of Robert. “You need me to tell you how often I think about fucking you into next week? I’m used to wanting that, been a fantasy since before I knew who you were. But this new stuff, wanting to hold you in bed and make you breakfast the next day? Fuck if I know how to handle that.”
Robert felt his blood rush to his face and he withdrew the hand that was holding Flambae slowly. His pulse raced wildly, and he couldn’t think of what to say. Flambae seemed to see this as a sign to walk away, as he stood up so quickly he nearly knocked Robert over in his haste.
“Chad, don’t- hey wait!” He scrambled after him, but the larger man didn’t slow. The two resumed their awkward flee and chase clear to their shared room, which honestly made the whole thing pointless anyway. Robert shut the door as quietly as he could without looking away from the fire hero who was crawling into his bed, content to face away from him.
Robert allowed himself a moment to gather his thoughts. He would be lying if he said he didn’t have feelings for the other man. He had known ever since he faced his fire a second time, and instead of feeling anger or resentment, he felt sad. He didn’t want to see that betrayed, hurt look in Flambae’s eyes again; especially not because of him.
So he changed into the clothes he’d packed to sleep in, not bothering to hide himself from the man who was clearly ignoring his existence, then stepped around his own bed to crawl into Flambae’s.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing, bitch?” Flambae spun around in the bed, shooting Robert a comically scandalized look.
Robert smirked, but he was panicking a little on the inside. He was literally playing with fire here, and the consequences didn’t only burn him on the outside. He snuggled into the bed, getting comfortable. He didn’t break eye contact with Flambae the whole time. There was confusion spinning in those amber eyes, but he wasn’t kicking Robert out… yet.
Settled in, Robert forced himself to lightly cup the other man’s sharp jaw. He didn’t do anything more, simply let his hand rest where it was, testing the waters a little. “Remember when you asked me if I went on a date, and I offered to go to dinner with you?”
Flambae simply nodded.
Robert’s thumb traced the line of stubble along Flambae’s cheek, “Do you remember what you said?”
There was a long stretch of silence that settled between the two of them. Both knew the answer, no one actually needed to say it. So, Flambae said something else.
“A lie. Coward’s move. Happens to the best of us.”
There was a weight on Robert’s chest that eased with the words. He felt light enough to move closer until they were practically nose to nose. “A truly devastating one, though. Figured I was going to carry this feeling alone. If I knew you wanted me, I’d have made a move a long time ago.”
The uncertainty that had been rolling in Flambae’s eyes shifted to a hardened resolve, and Robert suddenly found himself on his back. Glowing, fiery eyes were framed by long locks of hair that fell freely around Flambae’s face.
“Don’t fuck with me, bitch.” His voice was thicker than usual, carrying weight Robert was unused to.
In lieu of response, Robert shot up onto his elbows to meet his lips. He was firmly pressed back into the bed while Flambae all but devoured him in his hungry kiss. Robert’s hands couldn’t seem to touch the other man enough. They wandered along his back, arms, face, and in his hair as they fought for dominance in a way that was purely them. No one pulled back until air was necessary, and Flambae substituted pressing his forehead to Robert’s.
“Fuck… I want you,” the words were hoarse as they escaped Flambae’s mouth. Robert’s body reacted, and he opened his mouth to reply, but a quick kiss silenced him. “Not tonight.”
Robert’s words struggled to string together in his lust muddled brain for a moment. “You just said you want me. If you’re worried about me wanting the same thing, I’m literally offering.”
Flambae groaned and pressed his head into Robert’s chest. “You’re such a goddamn tease.”
Robert’s chuckle at the pouty behavior bounced against the other man’s head. “That’s the point.”
Flambae sat back up and laid down to his arm so he was closer to Robert, and no longer looming over him. “I don’t want just some one night fuck, Robert. So unless you want the same shit I do, it isn’t happening. And tonight,” he traced a finger along Robert’s face softly, “I want this soft shit.”
Robert tried to simultaneously calm his breathing to reel back from the spike of lust while Flambae’s painfully soft words kicked his heart into gear. It was a tough battle that was taking too much of his attention, so he opted to give up. “Sleep it is then. Better not hog the blanket.”
Flambae snorted and pulled Robert in so close he could feel the near oppressive heat of the man everywhere. “You won’t need one, bitch.”
Robert honestly didn’t doubt that. He pressed a kiss to Flambae’s collarbone, settling into the embrace. “You have me, by the way. Have for a while.”
Strong arms wrapped around him tightly. “Same.”