Chapter Text
After the destruction of their SDN Torrance branch and the defeat of Shroud, Robert and the other dispatchers were assigned to work from home for a couple of months until they could re-open. Robert was additionally instructed (ordered even, by Mandy) to take a week of mandatory recovery time from the incident.
Robert walked into his not-so-empty (but still sparsely decorated) apartment in the late afternoon of the same day of the defeat.
They all had a long night and a longer day, talking to the press, explaining the situation and also… Mecha Man's appearance.
“We saw Mecha Man fighting again. Does that mean he is coming out of retirement? Is he working with SDN now?” The reporter asked Chase enthusiastically.
“Sorry fellas, I'm told I'm not allowed to comment on all of that.” Chase managed to eloquently reply without throwing a curse word in. “But what I can say is that Shroud got fuc– I mean sent to the slammer, and he won't be coming out of there for a long time!” He added excitedly, floating a little above the ground as he pumped his fist up.
Robert slowly leaned with his back to close the door behind him, one hand holding his phone with the news video, the other hand was holding the box containing Beef. The door shut with a soft ‘click’, he stared at the corkboard hanging on the wall tracking Shroud.
Robert never knew a true sense of calm, he was always on edge, alert at all times. A part of him knew, ever since he was a little kid, that he'd always be in danger.
That was the price of being a superhero, but now? Now he was… what?
Robert forced himself to breathe out when he felt Beef’s wet tongue drag against his chin.
“Sorry buddy, here you go.” He let his chubby animal companion to the ground gently. Beef scurried to the couch and clumsily tried to jump on it, not really managing beyond a low hop.
Two hands picked the dog onto the cushion, Beef dug a little into the spot he stood on before yawning and plopping himself down.
Robert let out a chuckle as he situated himself beside the dog, starting to pet him idly. Staring again.
“Do I still want this now?” His voice was just above a whisper, the words however, hung heavily in the room.
He looked at the closet door where he knew his suit was still hanging on a clothing rack before it shifted to the wall where the last of the sunset’s rays were hitting it.
His phone buzzed at 6 a.m. on the coffee table as Robert opened his eyes with a low gasp. He stretched his arms and winced from the way his whole body was aching.
He noticed that he fell asleep in his work shirt again, by a force of habit, he was going to prepare something for work when he remembered.
“Right… Sick leave…” He took off the tarnished blue button up, staring at the little clothing options he had, his hand slid to a plain t-shirt.
Robert wasn't what you'd call “skinny” anymore after he started working for SDN, a “dad-bod” also wouldn't really be the most apt descriptor.
Working as a dispatcher left him with a bit more of a gut than he felt comfortable with, but he was still fit, worked out, and kept healthy-ish habits. Just a bit of roundness that working a desk job didn't exactly make it easy to lose.
Nonetheless he was quite self-aware that his body wasn't exactly what you'd call “superhero-like” now.
Robert wrinkled his nose as the t-shirt hung snugly over his stomach, putting the dark navy hoodie over it, zipping it up as he went with Beef to a nearby park for his morning walk.
Sitting on a bench at the park, staring at the blue sky, Robert's mind was still replaying the events of the day prior.
‘We saw Mecha Man fighting again. Does that mean he is coming out of retirement?’ the words repeated in his mind a few times.
He thought he yearned to get back into his mech, be Mecha Man again. Yet for some reason, he was far from excited.
The mecha was working, the Astral Pulse was powering the suit, Shroud has been taken to an even higher security prison with all his technology stripped, so why was Robert feeling anxious just thinking of doing more hero work?
Beef pawed at his leg to be picked up, after lifting his companion and scratching at his chin, Robert closed his eyes tightly and sighed.
“You’d like it if I stayed retired, wouldn’t you?” He whispered to Beef and got a little bark in return. “The Z-Team would probably agree with you too…”
The recovery week crawled by slowly. Robert would wake up on his couch from the morning chill, do some stretches, walk Beef and then just spend his day lounging back again on the couch, munching on one snack or another in boredom while scrolling his phone or texting the team.
Each day someone else from the Z-Team would come over to check on their dispatcher, either during a break or after work hours.
Chase flew by to ruffle Robert’s hair and play with Beef, the man was ecstatic to be a hero again. He left him a whole box of Twinkies before flying to his next job, and while Robert tried to pace himself with his favourite snack, by the evening of that day the box was already empty. He felt guilty that it didn’t last more than that, idleness got the worst out of him.
Aside from the Twinkies, Robert also got gift baskets, liquor, a gift card and now he was standing at his doorstep with a small bag of cocaine that Robert had to decline politely and return to Victor “Yeah I’ll pass…” he simply replied.
“Nice, thanks man, I was banking on it.” Victor sounded giddy as he began opening the zip locked baggie and pushing a finger inside. Before he could have a taste of his own supply, a red tail yanked it out of his grasp and threw it through a portal. It closed behind Malevola as she gave the bat a stern look.
“Oh come on, this will barely make my dick twitch.” Victor pleaded his case.
“Mate, don't make me sign you up to AA meetings again...” She pulled him gently by the ear before turning to Robert.
“Sorry about that Robby, here.” Malevola threw something towards Robert, who caught it in the air and when he opened his palms, a small Mecha Man keychain was there, his Mecha Man.
“What is this?” Robert asked with an almost accusatory voice.
“Did he make you sniff his powder? It's a Mecha Man Blue keychain, you know, so you'll remember that you left an impact even if you’re retired… or whatever.” And while Malevola said it with a matter-of-factly voice, it was a sweet gesture. It even got an ‘Awww’ out of Victor before her tail slapped the back of his head.
“...Thanks.” Robert said softly, the corner of his mouth curled up.
Last of the Z-Team who had not yet visited Robert during his ‘sick leave’ week was Chad. Not that Robert was expecting any of the team to come by but they still did, which was nice, it left Robert with a little warm feeling in his heart.
But he was not expecting Chad to visit. They weren’t on the best terms after Robert’s reveal of his identity as Mecha-Man.
Although the whole Z-Team rejoiced with him at Shroud’s defeat and joked and laughed together, after the adrenaline rush died down, the tension between Robert and Chad returned. Like Chad had remembered he was supposed to hate Robert.
It was a day after Victor's visit, near the end of the week. Robert was lying on the couch during the afternoon hours, Beef on him. From his hand hung the small Mecha Man keychain which he held above his head, letting it rotate idly as he stared and let his mind wander to places and thoughts he wasn’t sure he enjoyed.
Robert was also itching for the next week to start, to get back to work, and have a sense of purpose again. A purpose different than the one he felt as Mecha Man where he–
The incessant knocking on the door snapped him out of his spiraling thoughts.
“Right, I'm coming, relax…” Robert groaned as he moved Beef aside to get up, the knocking continued until he swung open the door.
Chad stood there with a plastic shopping bag in one hand and the other hovering over the spot he had just knocked on.
“Of course… Flambae you know you didn't need to knock so much, right?” Robert sighed, but clearly wasn’t as annoyed as he tried to sound.
“Thought you were asleep, and I don't have much time on my break, unlike you, Bob-bob. Anyways, don't keel over, we still need you to do dispatching. Here.” He shoved the bag into Robert’s hands.
The dispatcher raised an eyebrow as he took a careful look inside. A blanket folded in a neat square with a ribbon tying it on top as a gift laid at the bottom of the bag.
When he looked back up, Robert’s face clearly portrayed his confusion, because Chad was quick to speak with a click of his tongue and a judgedy tone.
“I don't know how you sleep in this dingy ass apartment, but a normie like you should cover up at night, it's getting cold.” Chad folded his hands over his chest, heat radiating from him.
Staring at how serious Chad was about this, made a chuckle escape Robert's throat. He was nothing if not blunt, but Robert noticed it often came with care. In his own… unique way.
“Thanks Chad.” He might have sounded warmer than he intended, using Chad's name instead of the hero name Flambae.
Robert swore he could see the tips of Chad’s ears turn pink as he huffed out and readjusted his posture.
“Whatever man, it’s not like I got you flowers, it’s just a stupid fucking blanket.” Chad murmured.
“Flowers? Thought I wasn't your type.” Robert tried quipping with a smug look, like they did before his identity was revealed.
“You were not– are not my type.” Chad’s stumble got an eyebrow cock out of Robert. Chad was positively gaining colour to his cheeks now.
“Either way, thank you for the blanket. It will come in handy.” Sometimes it was difficult for Robert to not sound sarcastic, even when he tried his best. He was genuinely grateful. “I do mean it.” Robert added for good measure.
Chad rolled his eyes while muttering something about having a spare gift card from Christmas he needed to get rid of and spend on something before he turned to leave.
It was quite endearing to Robert and when he slept on his couch that night, he didn't wake up freezing from the morning chill.
Come Monday, Royd arrived with Robert’s computer, he hooked it on the shabby coffee table that sat in front of the couch. Then stood and took a look around.
“Bruddah, next week I will be bringing you a proper desk and chair, or you're gonna be sore working on your couch all hunched up like.” The big man portrayed a hunched position before laughing to himself and giving Robert a shoulder pat.
“Thanks Royd, I'll be fine until then.” Robert laughed along.
“And don't worry, the Mecha is safely stored in my lab.” Royd’s voice got a bit softer.
“There's no one I'd trust more than you to take care of it.” Robert extended his hand for a fist bump that Royd reciprocated.
After the big man left, Robert quickly went and turned the computer on, the familiar musical sting and ascii SDN logo flashed on the ancient screen to let him know that he was logged in.
The portraits of the Z-Team loaded too, there was a little happy flutter in his chest seeing them pop up. Robert connected his headphones.
“Look who it is, Roberto Robertson in the building!” Alice hollered into the mic followed by sounds of cheer and positive chatter.
Then Colm spoke up.
“We missed you bud, Blazer– or well, Mandy, really needs to stick to managing the branch.” There was a shared groan of agreement among the team. Seems like their week was rough with her.
Courtney was third.
“We're glad your hot juicy ass is back.” she said with the least sarcasm Robert had heard from her ever. Maybe even the least childish sex humour from her as well.
Chad cut in.
“The juiciest ass on this team is my ass, Bobbert is still flat as a board. Now come on, I need to set some criminals on fire.” The sound of crackling fire could be heard through the mic.
There was a round of greetings from everyone, at the end of which Robert chimed in, unable to hold back the giddy smile he had in his voice.
“First of all, didn’t know you were checking the status of my ass–”
“Just an obvious observation.” Chad cut him off, there was quiet snickering in the chat.
“Secondly, I’m really glad to be back with you guys, now let’s save Torrance.”
The shift went smoothly, at this point they worked like an oiled machine. Successful mission one after the other.
Then, just before going out to lunch, Robert noticed Chad’s location nearing his apartment. He changed to the private channel.
“You live nearby?” Robert joked, knowing full well Chad didn't live in his neighborhood.
“No, idiot, I'm bringing lunch, hope you like Chinese takeout.” Chad replied, annoyed, as he always did.
Robert shut the comms and headed towards the knocking at his front door.
As expected, Chad stood in his hero attire with two bags of takeout.
“Spicy chicken or beef.” He said instead of a greeting and pushed past Robert to set the food on the countertop.
“Chicken… and come on in.” Robert said as if Chad was still at the door.
He blinked a few times before finally asking.
“Why are you having lunch with me? Do you want my company that badly?” He walked up to Chad’s side with a smirk as he was taking the boxes out of the bags, he was all focused on the task before furrowing his brows with annoyance.
“Fuck off, it's so you don't go crazy sitting all alone in this depressing ass apartment until we're back in office. Here Bobby-boy.” He said with his usual annoyed tone, pushing the box of noodles towards Robert with a couple of chopsticks sticking out of it.
“Oh, I haven't thought about that…” Robert looked at the strips of chicken breast lying atop noodles and vegetables. “... Thanks.”
“Shut up and eat your lunch, I have like 15 minutes.” Chad deflected the gratitude but his ears were a little pink, Robert couldn't help but smile as he took the box and plopped on the couch, the superhero doing the same.
Chad was always abrasive, but he wasn't a bad conversation partner, they went at one point to past relationships and, of course, Chad bragged about all the men, women and clubs he'd go to.
When Robert commented that he never goes to clubs and joked that they should go together sometimes, Chad replied almost seriously.
“We'll have to work on your horrible fashion sense first. Can't have you walking around with that ugly hoodie you have around me.”
Robert dug into the takeout with an appetite, glazing over the insult on his fashion sense. He let out a pleased hum at the first bite. It was some of the best chicken noodles he’s had in a long while. As he was getting through the first box, he noticed that there were 2 more in the bag Chad brought with him.
And he was probably staring too hard because Chad spoke up, just swallowing a bite.
“You can have another, I bought more just in case, planned to use your fridge to store it for later.”
“Ah, so you guys are planning to use my apartment for your lunch breaks, I see the plan now.” Robert exhaled a chuckle and shook his head.
“Come on Bobby, you're gonna be fucking bored outta your ass without us. Admit it.” Chad pointed chopsticks at him in an accusatory gesture.
“You know what, you're probably right. Especially if you're all going to be buying me lunch from now on.” Robert said as he pushed the first box aside and reached for the other, feeling a little greedy for taking the offer but he was still hungry, or well, snackish.
Robert fully expected to hear a comment from Chad about that, an insult? A tease? Instead there was a short moment when the hero's eyes followed Robert's movement, face unreadable, just before he dug back into his own box.
“Eh, don't get fucking used to it, next time you're ordering for all of us, yeah?” Chad finally replied to Robert’s last quip.
Robert began eating from the second box of spicy chicken noodles with equal enthusiasm as he did the first, a pleased hum escaped him at the first bite.
“These are so fucking good.” He commented with his mouth full, halfway through the noodles. He was already feeling quite full when he started digging into the second box so, absentmindedly, Robert adjusted the sweatpants he had been wearing at home a bit lower. It was to accommodate the taunt feeling in his midsection before he continued eating, now a little slower.
Robert let out a deep sigh as he finished the box, putting it atop the first on the coffee table and leaning back on the couch, satisfied, his hand on the little mound as was patting it.
“Damn I'm stuffed, where'd you say you ordered from?” Robert asked as he tugged down his work shirt (which last week still had a bit of space in it, but now was quite snug on him) before placing a hand on top of his stomach again, there was no hiding the sliver of skin and happy trail poking just a little underneath the button-up.
“It's uh… the-the one in– Seafood Town.” Chad barely managed to get the words out, it striked Robert as strange to hear him falter on his words like that, Robert hadn't even riled him up.
Yet Chad was also staring at him, did Robert have sauce on his face? He wiped his mouth with a napkin from the takeout bag just in case.
“Are you okay? You sound like you're having a stroke.”
“Shut up, I'm fine, my break is over anyways dipshit, bye.”
Pushing himself off the table, Chad had started for the door before Robert could even properly react.
“Uh, Bye…?” Robert voiced to no one and looked back at his front door in confusion, before returning to his shift. A little heavier and more sluggish than he anticipated to be.
The Z-Team started a routine for the two months the office was being rebuilt. They'd rotate coming by to Robert's place, mostly two at a time, though Chad seemed to like coming by himself, Robert started enjoying their time together.
At some point the team straight up began hanging out at Robert's place between dispatches, they'd use his fridge to store their lunches and hang out on his balcony during breaks.
It was honestly… nice, and slowly Robert's dingy little apartment started becoming a livable space.
Colm brought an armchair (mostly for Janelle to chill on and read some romantasy novels), Victor got proper chairs, Alice couldn't handle the shitty little mirror in Robert's bathroom so she and Malevola dragged a full-body mirror to place against the northern wall.
At some point Courtney floated the idea of hooking up a TV to much enthusiasm from the other teammates, but that was vetoed by Robert who still worked from his couch a month in, despite having a proper desk now (if you could call an old shitty dining table a desk), his reason: they would all start slacking more than they already did.
.
.
.
As the second month went by, Robert hadn't really noticed the weight creeping on, nor that his work shirt started sitting not just snugly, but tightly in his work-from-home outfit of sweatpants with the button-up shirt from SDN. He would usually tug the shirt down or pull the sweatpants up if he noticed himself showing skin. It’s not that he was oblivious to his body’s change, he just didn’t consider himself fat yet, therefore nothing that working out back at SDN couldn’t fix.
The day before their return to office, during their lunch break, Robert caught Chad staring at him while they ate another Chinese takeout at the “desk” (the shitty dining table).
“What do you have some kind of fetish for watching me eat?” Robert joked after swallowing a handful of noodles.
“What?! No! Fuck you Robert. I was just zoning out and your stupid face was in my line of sight.” Chad replied quickly, freaking out a bit.
His eyes searched for Alice who was out smoking and chatting up with Mal and Victor while the others were out on missions. When his head returned to face Robert there was the faintest hint of a flush on Chad's cheeks, his ears were positively red though.
“Relax I'm teasing, you seem distracted lately.”
Chad huffed out of his nose hot fumes, like he was worked up already.
“Fine fine, tomorrow we're going back to the office, I got used to stopping by your place. I think we all have.” He leaned back, eyes wandering again to his teammates on the balcony.
“Right. No more of this then, huh?” Robert lowered his utensils as he watched where Chad's gaze landed.
“Wrong, we're gonna bother you after work even more now. Just not… hanging out here all day I guess.” The smug look returned to the hero's face.
“And here I thought I'll finally have a quiet moment to myself.” Robert shook his head in mock exasperation. Truth is, he wouldn’t mind if they came over to hang out after shifts.
A hand appeared and touched his shoulder. It was Courtney, who of course was eavesdropping while invisible “And let you wallow in your sexy, sexy misery all alone?” She tilted her head for a better look at him.
“Or maybe it’s more like, let you eat a family-sized takeout all by yourself, am I right, dad-bod?”
Robert caught how Chad's eyes visibly travelled from his midsection quickly back up and away. The comment made Robert's cheek flush, as if he only just noticed the way his shirt sat tightly over his belly.
“I hardly qualify as a dad-bod.. ” He tried to maintain his usual calm tone.
“You sure? Cuz I think someone should bring you a bigger shirt before HR roasts you tomorrow for flaunting your ‘goods’, kind of a hot look for you though. Not anyone can pull that off.”
That remark made Robert's face burn hot, he began tugging his SDN work shirt down (to little success), as it kept riding up to reveal his navel and the lower buttons threatening to give way if he pulled it wrong.
“Even I wasn’t gonna say anything about that, jeez Visi, let a man eat if he wants to.” Chad said, squinting his eyes at Courtney. It was unexpected but Robert appreciated Chad for not jumping on to tease him about the matter, even if it was rather backhanded.
It's not like he was completely oblivious to the weight he gained the past couple of months, but he didn't think someone would think or call him out for it like that.
He pushed the box of noodles in front of him aside and folded his arms.
“So I'm a hot-fat-dad-bod now?” Robert sighed and tried to return to his usual cool demeanor, make light, something to disperse the awkward air that hung around the trio.
“What! I didn't say it was bad, you still look fucking hot, skinny or fat. I mean I don't think anyone here fucking cares, Flambae said he’s practically drooling over you for weeks now– oops.”
The moment the words left her mouth, Courtney knew she fucked up. Her eyes widened, as did Robert's and Chad’s, his mind short-circuited, looking at Chad who seemed rather… mortified.
Chad shot up from his seat with a loud drag of the chair, Robert wasn't sure if his face was red from anger, embarrassment or if it was the reflection from the flame he conjured and brought up to Courtney's face.
“Visibitch, what the fuck did you say?”
His eyes bore holes into Courtney’s eyes for a long moment before briefly meeting Robert's with a mix of embarrassment and fear, then back at Courtney who was grimacing in guilt.
“Drooling huh? I thought–” Robert said after a moment of tension.
“I wasn't drooling! I was surprised at how a bitch like you can get so fat so fast. That's all!” Chad seemed to find his voice. The way he said that did sting Robert.
After which Alice, Mal and Victor walked from the balcony back inside.
“I knew I could smell tension from outside. Delicious smell.” Malevola commented jokingly on the situation in front of her.
“I only smell the chicken noodles.” Victor added after a sniff of the air.
Alice, however, seemed to notice something in Chad that the rest were not privy to.
“You know what, for once I don't want to know, let's go Bae. “
“Whatever, fuck you, bye bitches.” Chad finally said and extinguished his flame.
“See you guys tomorrow for our official office opening parteyy.” She tapped Chad's shoulder as the two walked out, keeping her usual upbeat demeanor.
Robert noticed that Courtney disappeared sometime after the balcony trio walked in. Victor and Malevola looked at each other before shrugging.
“We'll… Hang by the park, if there’s any more mission for us.” Malevola gave Robert a soft look and a wink, he thanked whatever god exists, that Mal dragged Victor with her outside.
The door softly clicked shut and Robert was left by himself, he walked up to the full-body mirror and stared.
“Did I really get fat?” He pinched the pudge of fat hanging over his waistline. He shook his head and pulled up the sweatpants, then the shirt over the exposed part… it looked as ridiculous as he felt now.
“You just noticed?” Courtney said as she breathed out from the inhaler.
“Courtney what the fuck! And what the fuck was that?” Robert exclaimed.
“Look look, I fucked up, I wasn't supposed to tell you that about Chad but, like, you looked kinda bummed after what I said and I wanted you to know you were still like, hot shit, you know?” Courtney spoke quickly and emoted with her hands. Robert went to sit on the couch, raking his hands over his face.
“So the whole ‘Chad was drooling’...?”
“I kinda… overheard him talk to Prism that he uhhh… enjoyed seeing you put on weight and eat a lot.” Courtney looked lost when Robert sighed, annoyed.
“What? You asked!” She added defensively.
“While it is… flattering to know, I think you should’ve kept that one to yourself.” It wasn’t really flattering to know that Chad seemingly found enjoyment from him gaining weight. Part of him thought it might be some sadistic joke from Chad about how easily he stopped looking like the superhero he wanted to get back to being so much, especially after their 3am tacos talk. A sadistic joke that Courtney took seriously.
A moment passed between them.
“How many of you think I'm fat now…?” His head tilted to meet hers.
“Uhm… all of us? But look, it's fine! You're not Mecha Man anymore! You can get fat if you want, you're still a good dispatcher!” Courtney continued to try to make it all okay. He could appreciate the sentiment, but the execution just kept making him feel worse.
“Ugh… I'm going to start going to the SDN gym again starting with the opening tomorrow.” Robert said, somewhat unconvinced.