Chapter Text
“Fuck…”
Robert is dragged out of slumber by an annoying but familiar chime. Must be his alarm, he thinks blearily, hand reaching out blindly to try and retrieve his phone. He struggles to search for it in its usual spot by his bed with no luck. He needs to turn that shit off. He’s got a massive headache, and the ringing is a disorienting, cacophonous noise that drills deeper into his brain as it continues to play. As agonizing as the sound is, it’ll eventually snooze if he does not interact with it. He’ll get up, it’s just more comfortable to lay with his eyes closed. Just a few more minutes.
“What the fuck is that?” Asks another voice, thick with exhaustion. Robert jolts at that. He recognizes that accent, and has unwillingly grown fond of it. He slowly opens his eyes, flinching at the blinding morning, or afternoon, light. Brown eyes meet an unmistakable amber, confusion melting into terror as both men belatedly realize that they are in the same bed, dishevelled to the point of near undress. Robert shrieks, scooting away and poorly attempting to make himself decent. He eyes his bed companion, and the weight of the situation fills him with acute dread. Somewhere in his mind the windows of his sanity crack and shatter.
“Chad, did we…” Robert begins, breath shaky.
Exasperated, Chad runs a hand through messy long hair. He stops at a tangled knot, and there he clutches his strands and scratches. “Fucking shit.”
Robert slams his eyes shut, desperately trying to recall how he had gotten here, in Chad's unsurprisingly lavish bedroom. Tries to remember what compelled him to bed the most obnoxious guy in the office, one of his subordinates too. He huffs almost angrily when the puzzle pieces do not quite fit well in his head. What time is it even?
Robert finally finds his phone on the floor and picks it up. His alarm had already snoozed itself by now. 11:09 AM on a Saturday. Right, Robert sets up a late wake-up call on the weekends in case he sleeps in so that he could feed Beef. He can see from his notifications that he had received texts from multiple people, but the one displayed on top is the message from Malevola, thanking him for the treat and wishing him a pleasant day.
Right, yeah. Alice suggested they all go out to drink after their shift yesterday, and Robert offered to treat the first round of shots. Then, then…
Then what?
“Good shift, guys,” Robert commends, standing at the door of his office. He’s just about ready to start his weekend with everyone else, laptop and books packed in his work bag. Just waiting on Courtney and Alice to finish their remaining work from today. “At least, it would be if you guys were a little more punctual with your assignments,” Robert adds, arms crossed. Everyone else from their department had already left, save for Chad. He had already clocked out, but Robert assumes he’s just chilling so he can leave with Alice. He’d only become their supervisor for about a month or so, but he can see who’s close with who.
“Whatever, you’re stuck with us ‘til we finish your work for you,” Courtney complains from her cubicle. Robert rolls his eyes and doesn’t comment. He had sent those correction emails hours ago for those involved to fix their errors. Everyone had responded back once they had made the necessary adjustments, besides the two ladies still in the office past their closing time.
“Girl, please, we were just too lazy to do this shit earlier,” Alice laughs from her seat. “Collections is gonna get our asses before Ms. Blazer does.” Chad chuckles beside her, leaning back in his rolling chair and mindlessly scrolling on his phone.
Robert fishes out his own cell so he can check up on any last minute emails. He doesn’t see any, so he switches to Facebook. The first post he sees is one of their local bars promoting their happy hour drink and food menu. He hums, seems like a good deal for a bigger group of people going since their shareable plates are more value for buck.
He walks over so that he’s closer to Courtney and Alice. “Have you guys been here?” Robert asks, turning his phone over to show the bar’s post to the pair. Chad looks up as well, raising a curious eyebrow. “Didn’t know their happy hour deals were this good.”
Courtney peaks briefly and shrugs, returning to the paperwork in front of her. “Haven’t been, heard bad stuff about the staff.” Alice flips over one of the forms aside her keyboard, lifting her gaze. Her mood perks at the prospect of alcohol and food. “Hell yeah, food is great, and they got a live band on the weekend,” she says, then turns to Chad. “C’mon ‘bae, let’s go! Haven’t had a karaoke night in forever!”
Chad grins at the idea. “I’m down,” he agrees easily. “Maybe I’ll pick some hottie up tonight.”
“Wooo, okay!” Alice hollers, slapping his bicep a few times before returning to her work. She seems more eager to finish up if her increased speed was anything to go by. “Ain’t no one as fine as you, hoe! Fuck, hope your lay is at least some decent eye candy. Remember Liam?”
Chad groans, sinking deeper into his chair. “Ugh, yuck, don’t remind me.” He waves a hand dismissively in the air, as if shooing away any mental images invading his mind at the memory. “He had nice eyes and promised a good time, but fuck–he needs to lose that mullet. Shit was ugly but he was so proud of it. You know? His dick wasn’t that big anyway.” Alice howls at that, tickled absolutely pink.
An inexplicable twitch in his hands urges Robert to put his phone away, and he takes that as his sign to intervene. “I don’t mean to interrupt,” Robert interrupts smoothly. “But I’d really like to go home. Chase is doing overtime today and my dog’s waiting on me.” His older roommate mentioned that he had an urgent customer meeting earlier, and Robert wants to hug his dear Beef tightly to kickstart his weekend right.
Alice glances up at their supervisor, eyes twinkling. “Oh my gosh! We should all go!”
Robert pales at the suggestion. “When you say ‘we’, do you mean…”
“Yes,” Alice affirms with a wide grin. “Need yo’ stuck up ass to loosen up a little, and nothing some good drinks and better company can't fix! Right?” She waits for Chad to validate her statements, and when he doesn't, she continues. “Maybe you'll be a little nicer to us, too, hm?”
“I am nice,” Robert huffs, defiant. “You just need to learn some better time management. You’re only keeping yourself hostage here. If you love your job so much, at least keep it within your designated work schedule.”
Courtney sighs dramatically loud. “This is why we don’t invite him anywhere.” She suddenly stands with her fists pumped in the air. Her quick motion makes Robert flinch. “Email sent, fuckers! Alright, I’m ready to drink myself wasted.”
“Oh, bitch, let’s go!” Alice cheers, whipping out her phone to thumb rapid messages. “I’ll let the group chat know, we can all meet up at like, 07:30? We’ll be in time for their happy hour menu and just order whatever in advance. They don’t close ‘til like, what, 3 AM?”
Courtney strides over to Alice, leaning her thigh against the edge of her desk. “Hey, we are not staying at the same spot all fuckin’ night.” With a gentle shake, she breathes in from her inhaler and fiddles with it, casual and deliberate. “We can hop a couple spots, maybe some tacos if we get hungry again. I think I’ve just been craving.” Courtney chuckles as she stares at Courtney’s screen. “You, uh, got a typo there.”
“Oh, shit, my b’.” Alice sets her phone back down before returning to her keyboard. Robert feels his phone vibrate in his pocket, guessing that Alice had sent a message to their informal group chat the team uses for planning hangouts outside of work. Mandy added him when he was initially onboarded, but admittedly he hasn’t really looked at it much. He doesn’t have it muted because the notifications don’t bother him, and he would like to think that one day he would find it in himself to join these jokers on their fun nights.
Alice heaves a grateful sigh, swivelling in her chair and stretching her arms out. “Okay, okay! Finished all my shit! Fuckin’ finally.” She sends a pointed look in Robert’s direction. “So, are you joining us tonight or what?”
Robert hesitates. “I don't know,” he starts, a little sheepish.
“C'mon Roberto,” Alice presses. She's turning off her computer and collecting some documents to scan when they return on Monday, filing them away in a folder. “You never go out with us.”
“Um, yeah, like Courtney said, I'm not really invited,” Robert points out, and the aforementioned snickers from her spot.
“Bitch, if it’s in the group chat, everyone's invited.” Alice's expression teeters on annoyance and exasperation. “Didn't mean that, don't write me up. I've been holding that in since your stupid email.”
Robert manages a laugh at that. “Like I said earlier, not on me. Those were your errors, and I got very nice, last-minute messages urging you all to correct them by the end of the day.” He considers it briefly, then relaxes. “Alright, alright, I'll join you guys tonight.”
“Alright!” Alice hurriedly clears her belongings and collects her bag and jacket. “Why the hell are you so quiet, baby? Cheer up! We get to dress up and drink!”
Robert doesn’t realize how silent Chad had fallen. As if snapping out of a daze, the older man jolts when Alice grasps his arm. Robert's fingers twitch when he sees that. Why are his hands so fidgety? “Girl, c’mon! We gotta pick the fit for tonight! Let’s stop by mine first.”
“Yeah, yeah, okay,” Chad stands. He gives Robert a short glance. “I better see you there, Bob bob.” Robert nods, relieved to be rid of this place for the next couple of days. He collects his bag and starts setting the alarm system once they all leave through the employee exit.
Robert doesn’t know what proper bar attire is. Outside of his work clothes, he only owns plain shirts, several button ups, a couple hoodies, and one fancy suit that Chase had urged him to get once he had become a working adult. He cycles between slacks, cargo shorts, and his one pair of jeans depending on the occasion. Robert figures that jeans would be appropriate for a night out. He picks out one of his fitted tops, and spends too long deciding if he should put on some layers.
Robert turns to consult Beef. “Should I wear a jacket?” Beef stares at him, tail wagging. Beef patters closer to him, yipping excitedly. “You’re right, might get too hot with all the bodies in there.” He hangs the jacket back up in his closet. Might make him look too comfortable, like he was going out to the movie theaters rather than a friendly hangout with booze and greasy chasers.
Once he determines he looks somewhat presentable, he shoulders his sling bag, double checking he’s got his wallet, and little essentials, like mints. You never know.
“Be good, buddy,” he coos to Beef. He’s played and fed his baby once he got home, ensuring he’s showered with enough love to last him centuries, but knowing Beef, it’ll only be enough for the night. He’ll recharge him with more in the morning, surely. “Chase will be home soon. He’s just going to drop me first.” He’s rewarded with a cute lick to his hand.
A honk, and that’s Robert’s cue. He grabs his keys and slips his shoes on. He bids Beef one more farewell accompanied with an air kiss before locking the door behind him. Chase thankfully agreed to drive him so that Robert wouldn’t have to worry about crashing his own car while inebriated. Chase had been a little too eager to be Robert’s chauffeur, and when he had pointed it out, Chase crassly reminds Robert about his lack of a relationship and sex life, and that he seriously needs to get out more, fucking finally, he’ll be turning thirty in a year.
He slides into the passenger seat, and Chase gives him a look before turning the car into the road. “Why do you look like you’re going to a startup for tech bros in someone’s basement?”
Robert knocks into the older’s shoulder, offended. “How dare you. I was going for a casual, approachable type of vibe. Trying to deviate from the overworked, sleep-deprived hot guy in the back to just the hot guy from the back.”
Chase takes another moment to judge Robert, then snickers. “At least you didn’t wear your stupid fake glasses.” Robert’s tired of reminding him that his blue-light glasses aren’t stupid or fake.
After a bit of driving, Robert checks the hangout group chat.
Janelle
Colm and I have just arrived. ETA for everyone?
07:18 PMAlice
Me and bae are on the way! save a table for all of us plsssss
07:18 PM
(👍 Janelle)Victor
sry bois i was waiting for mal to gt rdy. leavngn now
07:19 PMRobert
Be there in a few. See you guys there.
07:19 PMCourtney
oh shit he’s actually gonna show lmfao
07:20 PMAlice
YESSSSSS FINALLYYYYYYYYY
07:20 PM
(‼️ Courtney) (😂 Malevola)I’m assuming Chase is your DD, I better see you get FUCKED UP TN ROBERTO!!!
07:21 PM
Robert tries to stop the smile that falls on his lips. They’re a little too comfortable around him sometimes. Doesn’t matter, they’re out of the office.
Bruno
🙂
Just got here, where yall at
07:22 PMJanelle
In the back. Colm is waving at you.
07:22 PMBruno
Cant see him lol
07:22 PM
(😂 Courney, Malevola, Alice)
Chase parks right outside the entrance. Robert thanks him, but before he could leave Chase stops him. “Don’t do anything stupid, like blow a guy in the bathroom floor, place is fuckin’ filthy for sure. Oh! No acceptin’ drinks from old dudes you don’t know, or anything from anybody you don’t know, for that matter. Got that?”
Robert laughs. Only Chase would ever nag Robert like this, because what other family did he have to watch over him? He’s practically his older brother in every way besides blood. “Don’t worry,” Robert reassures with a wave. “I’ll behave. Don’t want to go overboard on the first outing with the team. I’ll text if anything.”
Chase does not look entirely convinced, but gives Robert a curt nod. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. If I fuckin’ hear anything, and I will, don’t test me–”
“Alright,” Robert laughs. “I wouldn’t dare think of hiding anything from you. If I find a hookup you’ll be the first one to find out. I’ll even give you all the details, a play-by-play transcript if you want, of the hot sex we’ll have–”
“Ew, what the fuck, forget it! I don’t want to hear nothin’! Don’t tell me the details.” Chase looks thoroughly disgusted, but the strain in his face relaxes, and at that Robert gives him another cheeky grin. “See you later, drive safe.”
“Have fun, kid.” Robert watches him drive off before entering the bar. A loud but inviting atmosphere envelops him as soon as he steps through, and the muffled sounds he heard from outside the door suddenly cranked up to 110. Trendy music and rowdy chatter consume his senses, the bright bar lights blinding and the warm air stifling. He’s completely out of his element, but it isn’t an unwelcome change.
It doesn’t take long to find their table. Janelle and Colm picked out a large booth towards the back with a curved bench, a rectangular U-shape that should fit their entire group. This time it is Bruno that waves Robert over. The big guy sits at one end, and beside him is Courtney. Janelle and Colm sit in the center, all of them eyeing the drink and food menu.
Janelle gives Robert a slight nod. “I’ve ordered two pizzas for the table. Meatlovers and cheese.”
Colm gives a wide grin as he says, “Aye, got some wings, too! Both spicy and non-spicy.”
Robert offers an appreciative smile as he slides to sit beside them. “Sounds good.” Courtney wordlessly pushes a drink menu towards him, a challenging glint in her eyes as she does so. Robert takes it and reads it over. He hasn’t gone out to drink in a while, partial to drinking cheap beer at home alone, sometimes with Chase. A lot of colorful choices, and now with questionably good company.
“Shit, okay! I see you Rob!” Alice exclaims excitedly from a distance. Robert watches as Alice and Chad approach their booth.
Of course Chad would be the type to wear sunglasses, indoors. At night. Like the prick he is at work. But no one can know Robert’s struggles but himself.
Chad situates himself beside Robert, and Alice scoots in beside him. “Girl, I swear you only had one shirt!”
“Ah, well, gotta save my best fit for work,” Robert jokes. He tries but fails to ignore how warm Chad’s presence is beside him. Something about his body heat, and the cologne he’s wearing. Maybe it’s his attire. Robert subtly takes in the way Chad’s wavy hair is done in a half ponytail, the way his burgundy button-up is undone until his chest, or how tight his black jeans look. He looks away when Chad faces his direction.
“Shit, Robbo,” Chad peers over his shoulder to look over the drinks. Oh, cinnamon, Robert’s brain supplements. Chad gives him that dumb smirk. “Thought you were too pussy to drink tonight. Always such a stuck-up at the office. Never had any fun in your sad life.”
Robert rolls his eyes. He knows how to have fun. “Sorry that I’m so professional at our place of employment. Almost like I know how to do my job, unlike certain hotheads that sit to my left.”
Chad’s eyes burn, indignant, and before he can come up with a retort, a server stops by to take any new orders. Alice points out some items, and a cocktail that Robert’s never heard of that sounds sweet. Chad orders the same cocktail, with a beer. Robert settles on whiskey, and ponders for a bit. “How many in our group, Alice?”
Alice hums, counting on manicured fingers aloud. “Well, basically all our team’s comin’. Mal and Vic are just a little late, but that’s usual for them bitches. Ms. Blazer said she got plans already. So, that’s nine?”
“Sounds about right. I’ll get nine of these on my tab.” Robert points to one of the shooters on the drink menu. “A taco platter, too, please.” Might as well indulge his team, they do good work. He doesn’t miss the appreciative smile Courtney hides to herself.
Alice whoops. “Oh fuck yeah, shots on boss man!”
Bruno whistles, impressed, and gives an approving thumbs up towards Robert. “Cool, man. Thanks.”
“Oh, doing shots, babes?” Malevola strolls in with a hand on her hip, Victor right behind her whose face glows alight with joy at the mention of free drinks. “Sorry we’re late, Vic suggested we pregame a bit at his and we got carried away.”
Alice laughs, stealing one of Malevola’s arms as the tall woman sits next to her. “Yes, queen! That’s the way! More where that comes from!” Victor sits opposite Malevola beside Bruno, and that completes their group.
Their first round of drinks come trickling in, and the waiter that took Robert’s order arrives with their shots. Once divvied up, Alice raises her glass and proclaims to the table, “Cheers to Roberto Robertoson the Third! To the first drink out with our new boss man! Let’s get it!” Excited clamor fills their space, and one shot becomes two, courtesy of Malevola. Glasses multiply faster than they are whisked away. The edge of Robert’s vision blurs, throat tingling from his fourth glass of, something, that was handed to him. He’s still nursing the first whiskey by his side as his coworkers are zealous in their pursuit to see him shit-faced. He’s glad he hasn’t inherited his mother’s drunken cherry flush. He thinks he’s managed to mask his intoxication well over the years of weekends nursing any inexpensive bottle or can he is willing to afford as he watches random sitcoms with Beef and sometimes Chase.
This is certainly different from that, the conversations are light and fun, jovial. Not unlike the random talks they have at the office, when they peek into Robert’s office and settle with a witty back-and-forth that ends with Robert reminding them they have work to do and shooing them away. It admittedly was a rough beginning when he was brought onto the team, but gradually, walls have been broken and he had eventually began returning to an environment of trust and acceptance. Robert cannot resist the smile as he reminisces on the gruelling month and a half.
“Damn Robbie, you fuckin’ drunk already?” Victor goads from his end of the table.
Robert tilts his head. “I’m fine,” he insists, drinking until he realizes he’s finally finished his whiskey. He moves on to the next glass that Alice insisted he finish so she can take over the karaoke. He can see her on the microphone, sparkling and dancing to an engaging rhythm, an alluring bounce in her movements that Robert recognizes in her charmful buoyancy at work.
Courtney rolls her eyes. “You didn’t even hear anything I said just now.” She sounds a little pissier than her usual, thanks to the alcohol. “You in La La Land or something?”
Oh, maybe he wasn’t as good at faking sobriety as he believed. “Sorry, my bad. What did you say?”
Courtney groans, displeasure layered with annoyance as she repeats, “Happy hour’s ending soon. Did you wanna head out after Alice and Chad finish their set? Or you done?”
Robert realizes belatedly that Chad’s warmth is gone, and that they are missing several people. “Where’d everyone go?”
Victor snickers and shakes his head. “Dude is deadass so gone,” he chimes as he chugs what’s left of his glass and gestures around the table. “Colm and Janelle paid and left a bit ago, they said they had stuff to do in the morning. Mal’s in the restroom, and Bruno went to go sit with his friends over there.” He points, but Robert’s eyes aren’t able to follow. He slumps, body sinking into the bench cushion as he leans his head back.
“Maybe I’m a little gone,” Robert acquiesces, stretching out his words with a gentle, tipsy emphasis punched by a resounding hiccup. Ow, that made his chest hurt.
“Here, water,” Courtney slides a glass of iced water towards Robert, quirking an eyebrow. “Didn’t think we’d get you like this so soon. You gonna be okay?” Robert accepts it, takes a sip, and fishes out an ice cube to chew on. He needs to distract himself from the buzzing in his head, thoughts and words as heavy as honey that it’s difficult to construct any full, coherent ideas. What he is able to settle on is Chad standing beside Alice, swaying to the live performers’ beat, alive on a stage of his own. The only idea that Robert manages to make is a bad one. Crunch, goes the ice in his mouth, as he decides he needs to get up.
“I need to be right back,” he mutters, scootching along the bench so that he could get out and stand. He doesn’t catch Victor and Courtney exchanging confused, worried looks, nor does he notice Malevola returning to their booth and calling out to him. His walk, more a stagger, is clumsy as he approaches the band and where Alice and Chad are singing with their entire bodies. The spotlights shine on the pair, and Robert is momentarily stunned by how radiant Chad’s smile is, how his skin glitters. “Pretty…” he says aloud to himself, standing slouched in the crowd gathered in front of them.
Their song concludes with a resounding note, and the audience roars in applause. Alice thanks the band and proceeds to take multiple selfies with them and the bargoers. Chad takes one picture with her before slipping away. Robert stumbles after him. The tall man attempts to enter the single-room restroom, but Robert catches the door before Chad could close it behind him. “What the fuck, Bob–?!”
Robert looks up at him, mischief dancing on his lips as he says, voice low, “I needed the restroom, too.”
Chad stares incredulously before reaching a hesitant hand out to Robert. “You’re slurring your words, Bob bob. How much did you drink after–”
“Not enough,” Robert interrupts, stepping into Chad’s space. This close, he can see the sweat on Chad’s skin, wants to lick it and confirm how it would taste. Can smell his cologne, musky and spicy and sweet.
“Shit, Robert, no, you are too fuckin’ drunk.” Chad’s hands are on Robert, heavy and heated and strong. “This is embarrassing, do you even know how you look right now?”
Robert’s hands are free, so he resolves to use them to remove those awful shades from his face, perching them on the top of his head. The forward part of his brain ignores how terribly uncomfortable Chad looks, eyes alight with concern and uncertainty, and he decides to move his hands again. He has one on Chad’s cheek, and the other wind through his hair. “I’m lookin’ at you.” He says, gentle like a secret. “Been lookin’ at you. So pretty. You’re so unreal… It‘s unfair how much of a dick you are.”
Chad stammers, leaning away as if Robert spat in his face. He probably wasn’t expecting that. “Wha–?! N-now you’re just fucking playing, Rob. Please keep your mouth shut, you don’t know what you’re saying. Give me your phone. Chase needs to take your ass home.”
Robert whines and shakes his head at the mention of his part-time roommate, full-time guardian. The last thing he wants is a lecture. He’d rather take a scolding from the hot man he has in his arms. How can he tempt him? “Nooo,” Robert urges, voice pitching higher than intended. His hand entangles itself further into his hair before he’s grasping the back of Chad’s head. He pulls him closer, and he doesn’t miss the way Chad’s adam apple bobs at their proximity. Chad’s entire being overwhelms his senses, and all Robert asks for is a taste. “You need to take my ass home.”
“Fuck that, you are not my type,” Chad states, firm, but the way he leans closer with Robert’s guidance, the way he ghosts over Robert’s lips with his own, the way their tongues eventually meet and the way he fucking moans (Robert takes it all in), is anything but convincing. Robert decides that Chad is at least a little attracted to him, which is enough to have the brunet’s otherwise unmoving heart sing elatedly.
Robert
Drnk. Gn g oo chad’’s plce. ,’m safe
11:21 PMChase
The fuck? I can just pick you up
11:23 PMWhatever just sleep it off let me know if your drunk ass needs a ride in the morning
11:27 PM
Chad never knew how touchy Robert could be as a drunkard. Office Robert had reserved his hands for gentle shoulder squeezes and handshakes with clients. Current Robert would not get his hands off him. A hold on his waist as Chad tried to usher him out of the bar, a grip on his thigh as they drove, a tangle of their fingers as he drags his swaying ass to his apartment. He helps Robert take off his shoes, sets his bag on a side table, and has him resting on the couch so that he can fetch him some needed hydration. He fills a glass full of water and returns to where he left Robert, who looks around him in a daze. “Is this your place?”
“Yes, you slow idiot,” Chad holds the glass in front of Robert, and an uncertain hand accepts it. “Once you drink that, wash up. I have a spare toothbrush in the bathroom cabinet. You can sleep on the couch.” He sits beside Robert and undoes his hair. He massages his temple as if that could will the annoyance that is Robert Robertson the Third away.
Robert exhales loudly after he drinks the whole glass, giving Chad a pout that he deems atrocious. Grown men shouldn’t make faces like that. He looks horrid. “Why?” Robert asks, mournful. “Should sleep together.”
“We are not sleeping together,” Chad states, grunting as he gets his phone out. He received a few texts from Alice, so he pops open their chat to read them over.
Prism 🪩✨
BIHH where the fuck r u at???
Court n Vic wanna do pool lesgoooo
11:10 PMYou better not be fucking ignoring me tf you at?
ISTGGGG if you found sm twink to bone and didn’t at least say bye
On sight
11:30 PMFlambae 🔥
Sorry
Rob got wasted and started acting stupid so I brought him to my place
11:55 PMPrism 🪩✨
Ohhh shit
Is he okay??
11:55 PMFlambae 🔥
Yeah hes just a dumb fuck
Cant handle his fkn drink
He couldnt even stand up straight
11:56 PMPrism 🪩✨
Haaaaa I get it
11:56 PMFlambae 🔥
Stfu
11:56 PMPrism 🪩✨
LMFAO love you too bae
11:56 PMTake care of boss mannnn
Guess I’ll beat these guys asses on your behalf
11:58 PMFlambae 🔥
Slay like always
You gonna be okay to get home safe?
11:58 PMPrism 🪩✨
YEA Vic n Mal can drop me
Mal barely drank so she drivin
12:00 AM
“But,” Robert starts, moving his body to crawl into Chad’s personal space once more, settling in as if he paid half rent. Chad glares at him, eyes twitching, rusty with irritation. “You kissed me.”
“Means nothing, bitch,” Chad grits out, shuffling to the other end of his soft couch, a futile attempt to keep Robert distant. “You are not my type of guy.”
Robert smirks, and leans against Chad's shoulder. He doesn’t comment on how hot Chad’s skin feels, or how he flinched at the contact. Robert drawls out, almost dreamily, “I see the way you look at me.”
Everything stills. When Chad finally releases the breath he’s held in at Robert’s nonchalant observation, the world unfreezes, and everything becomes a little too much than he can admittedly handle. Robert moans, uninhibited, in his ear, and Chad blames the alcohol for the way his cock twitches. “I’m not blind… not stupid, Chad.”
“You are the stupidest guy I’ve ever had the displeasure of ever meeting,” Chad says, as if trying to convince himself. His voice quivers, and this doesn’t go unnoticed by even a drunken Robert, who starts unbuttoning Chad’s shirt. “Wh-what the fuck are you doing?!”
Robert makes an unamused face when Chad takes his wrists in his hands, weakly fighting against his constraints. “You… you said it yourself.” Chad balks at the man. “Find a good lay tonight. Could be me–”
Several emotions rage wildly in Chad, seething and flickering and stewing. Confusion, disgust, frustration, interest. He can’t control the way his heart aches as hard as his dick when Robert gives him that damn look with brown hooded eyes dark with desire. Like he’s hungry, infatuated. Robert uses that brief chance of Chad being a sputtering mess to push himself closer to the other, leaning his weight into him. Chad’s still holding him by his wrists, but Robert practically has him wrapped around his finger.
“Shut up, you’re drunk,” Chad utters. “You’re my fucking boss. We’re not doing this. Didn’t you have a thing with the blondie? Your boss?”
Robert blinks, then gives Chad a lovely smile. Oh, he’s so hammered. “Don’t wanna get in trouble for dating a superior.”
“What? Fucking hypocrite!” Chad compelled the last amounts of strength within him to push Robert away. Truly, he is this close to snapping. The brunet whines again, protesting against the distance. “What makes this any better? Use your shitty brain for once and see that this is the exact same thing. HR will have your ass–”
“You could have it right now!”
“Shut it.” Chad stands. He’s better than this. He’s not about to have some one night stand and ruin the vibe at work. He was finally warming up to Robert, the guy that changed departments and got a pay raise. The guy that had only become their supervisor for a month and more and increased team productivity and morale in so little a time. Their previous two were terrible. Robert was efficient, and it felt good knowing that they had someone capable not only leading them, but understanding their strengths and defending their slip-ups. Someone like that…
“I’ve heard I give really good head.”
… Needs to leave Chad’s house, and thoughts, immediately.
“Yeah, no, we are not doing this right now.” Fuck this. Chad turns and grabs Robert by his bicep, urging him to stand as well. Robert groans but follows. “I don’t know what kind of guy you think I am, but I’ve got fucking class. Standards.” He pulls Robert into his bathroom. He grabs one the spare toothbrushes he keeps for guests, and hands it to Robert. “Brush. Then sleep on the damn couch. It’s time for you to go to bed.”
Staring straight into the mirror above the sink, Chad can see Robert’s reflection blink those doe eyes of his, and watches as they fall with quiet dejection. Robert does as he was ordered, brushing his teeth and washing his face. Chad offers a clean towel to him, feeling deep relief and satisfaction that the other finally seems to be sobering up a tad, coming to his senses. Robert steps out of the room once he’s finished, leaving Chad to do his own nighttime routine. He ties up his hair and gets unready. He has a specific multi-step skincare routine, and no way stupid Robert is going to distract him from his literal beauty sleep.
When he’s done, he exits and makes his way over to his bedroom. He passes the sleeping form of his supervisor sprawled over the length of his couch. He lingers on Robert’s lips, parted slightly. Chad wants to feel them again. Shit.
He rushes into his bed to erase the visual from his mind, but he doesn’t think the memory would be as easy to forget. Chad still feels it, the lasting sensation of their kiss. Hesitant and awkward, but hot, urgent. He drifts into sleep, but not without thinking that the kiss would be their first and last.
He doesn’t have a fitful dream, so when Chad wakes after what feels like only thirty minutes, he groans, confused, as he opens one eye. Another disgruntled sound crawls from his throat when he sees what had woken him up. “What the fuck are you doing, Robbo?”
In lieu of a response, Robert cuddles deeper into Chad’s side. A surprisingly strong arm is around Chad’s torso, tender and grounding.
“Get the fuck out,” Chad says, voice guttural with ire. Why is this man such a pain in his neck?
“I promise,” Robert starts, then sighs as if content. “I promise I won’t do anything. I was just cold on your couch. You’re warm.”
Chad blinks at that, staring at his dim ceiling for answers to how he should proceed. Truthfully, he’s too exhausted for another squabble with a guy as stubborn as a rock. He tries anyway. “I can give you a blanket, dumbass.”
He feels the subtle motion of Robert shaking his head. The smaller man’s presence burns hotter as he comes impossibly closer. “You’re enough.”
Chad sighs, exasperated. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He is answered by a soft string of snores, and his chest rumbles with a wave of misplaced affection.
Deciding that this is an issue for tomorrow’s Chad, he falls asleep again. This time, his dreams are plagued by chocolate eyes, sweet and savory and wanting.