Chapter Text
It was a great day. At least for Flambae, so for everyone that matters. All of his missions were successful, his hair looked amazing, and now he was celebrating with his team. They gathered in Robert's shitty apartment after work to relax and bond with cheap beer in hand. It wasn't the most optimal place since it was getting quite crowded, but nobody seemed to mind.
Looking from the balcony window, he felt content. Seeing all of these people, people he gives a shit about, being so happy and free. He was free. This feeling couldn’t be outshone by anything. There was this strange warmth in Flambae's chest that was beginning to stop being so unusual for him.
“You did a good job today.” The monotone voice brought him back from his thoughts. Robert. The same man who once associated only with suffering and humiliation was now a partial reason for his joy. He was leaning over the railing with a can in his hand and a soft smile on his lips. He looked tired in a way he always looked. Like he was about to collapse from years of exhaustion. Yet it wasn't as repulsive as Flambae used to find it. No, if anything, it was a little worrying.
“Of course I did, Bob Bob. I'm awesome,’’ he responded with usual cockiness, but the warmth in his chest spread a little at the praise. Robert didn't need to know what effect he had on Flambae or how important he became. After Shroud got defeated, there was a shift in their relationship. If Mecha Man could forgive and move on with his life, why wouldn't Flambae be able to? He couldn't be fucking worse. So he did, and not only did he stop despising Mecha Bitch, but he also started to like Robert. Flambae could even call him his friend on better days like this one. Not to anyone, of course, especially not to Robert, but in the privacy of his head.
“You sure are… " Some casual flirting was also something that was now their new normal. “But seriously, I'm proud. You came a long way, and at least I can acknowledge that.’’
Robert then looked him in the eyes and smiled the most beautiful, sincere smile Flambae has ever seen. The temperature rose just a little. Through Flambae's body ran a pleasurable shiver, and ignoring his fluttering heart was getting harder and harder with each word.
“Don't make this into a motivational speech, bitch. Just enjoy the night.’’
They stayed in a comfortable silence for a while. Both looking at the city they were trying to protect. Grey, cold, unwelcoming, but somehow charming. Although not many stars were visible due to air pollution, there were still plenty of light sources. The city was alive, and it was supposed to stay that way if only for this night.
“Look at those freaks,” he pointed at a group of teenagers in the parking lot. “They're probably doing drugs or some shit like that. I sure was when I was their age.”
“Nuh, it looks more like just casual vandalism to me. They have spraying cans in that backpack, I bet.’’ Robert answered, getting closer to Flambae, so now their arms were touching. He then pointed in the direction of a woman much farther away. She wore a big jacket, similar to red cotton candy, high heels in the same color and black shorts. “I would be more suspicious of this one.’’
“This diva? Bitch, just because someone has a better fashion sense than you doesn't mean they are suspicious. It doesn't mean shit actually, ‘couse most people have better fashion sense than you.’’
This remark managed to draw a small laugh out of Robert. “Maybe, but I have a feeling she wouldn't hesitate to bite if she needed to.”
“Yeah, and she would be looking fabulous while doing it. Not like you”
“Next time, I have to bite someone, I’ll try to look more pretty for you.”
“Bitch, you better.” He glanced at a dispatcher, perhaps a few times even, but there was and will be no proof of that. So he glanced one more time. Someone else caught his eye, a lonely man standing at the bottom of Robert’s apartment building, staring right at them.
“What the fuck is this loser’s problem?” Flambae murmured to himself and then added loud enough for every neighbour to hear. “Hey! Get the fuck out of here, creep!”
Immediately, the man ran away as fast as he could with a terrified expression. “So, he was definitely the most shady… Well played.”
They played their little game for a little while longer, until noone was in their eyesight, but the silence that followed was far from unpleasant. Muffled sounds of a party were coming from the inside. Laughter, singing, talking. Non was as loud as the rhythmical breathing of the man standing beside him. Robert shifted slightly, now fidgeting with a can, like he was preparing himself to say something important. Their eyes met for longer this time. They were so close, mere inches from each other. Flambae almost couldn’t tell if the heat was still his or already theirs. He practically could…
“Hey, Flambae I…’’ Robert wasn't allowed to end the sentence, because someone was shouting his name. Fucking Invisibitch. Always suddenly barges in when she is unwanted. He didn't need to turn around to know it was something stupid and unnecessary. Flambae would have ignored her at best, but Robert just chuckled and shrugged. “Some other time then. It seems I'm needed elsewhere. See you tomorrow.’’
And with that, he left Flambae with warmth and another reason to go to work the next day.
The next day, Robert was late for work. To the Team's despair, Chase was covering for him. Now with Blazer's medallion, this old prick had even more energy to obliterate them wordily. But it was fine if Robert just hurried the fuck up.
They all thought it would only be a couple of minutes, half an hour at worst, but when 10 minutes turned into 45 and then into almost two hours, jokes about their dispatcher started to have a worried undertone. Robert doesn't come late to work, not without anyone knowing about it.
“I'll go check his place,’’ said Malevola, one foot already in a portal. But he wasn't there. And he wasn't anywhere else they checked.
“Blond Blazer will take care of it.’’ came an almost whisper from Chase after the team skipped yet another mission on behalf of finding Robert. His voice lacked the usual bite to it. They never heard him so unenergetic, so hollow. Passing by his desk, mostly to make sure Robert still wasn’t there, Chase had Beef on his lap, petting him, like it was the only thing keeping him sane. “You need to focus on your fucking job or you will fucking lose it.’’
The rest of their morning shift was spent in a solemn mood. Flambae will be so mad at Robert for this when he finally shows up. Making him worried for no reason and destroying his good humor from yesterday. Fucking normie.
But then lunch break came, and in the middle of it, Blond Blazer announced a meeting in a conference room. She was already sitting there when everyone else joined. Staring numbly at her phone, she didn't even glance at the heroes. The room was cold, and Chase was nowhere to be found. A sickening feeling settled on Flambae's stomach, like he had eaten something rotten.
“Miss Blazer?’’ Prism put a hand on Blazer's shoulder. No reaction. “You wanted to see us.’’
“Right.’’ She responded, still not looking at them, but slowly standing up. She took a deep breath and turned to face them. “Please take a seat.’’
There was nothing said before they fulfilled her order. Another big pause. She is stalling. Flambae realised. He had seen people behave like that before. The air became so thick he couldn't breathe. He knew what happened without needing to hear it.
“As you all are aware, Robert did not turn up to work today.’’ She took another deep breath, trying to pose professionally. “We recently learned he was in a car accident. The paramedics had done all that they could to help him, but Robert did not survive the drive to the hospital. I'm really sorry.’’
Blazer's voice didn't break, but there were tears in her eyes. She was breathing hard, but otherwise stayed still, waiting for their reaction. The time stopped for Flambae. It was calm, it was quiet, like he was alone, just drifting through the air. It wasn't real, but he could've believed it if not for the crying Alice on his shoulder. He didn't like this calmness. Phenomaman left without a word.
“Are we sure it is Robert?’’ Sonar’s question was the first thing he registered. He was right. Robert was nothing special and looked similar to hundreds of people. It could be anyone. But before his heart could spark with hope, Blazer crushed it.
“I'm so sorry. Chase just confirmed it.’’ Her composer crumpled, and a lonely tear streaming down her left cheek wasn’t so lonely anymore. The air was getting even thicker and colder.
“Bullshit. You are lying! Why are you lying?!’’ Invisigal pointed accusingly with her finger. Anger was mixing with sorrow on her face. She was fuming, there were tears in her eyes, and her whole body was trembling. Flambae thought mindlessly if she would really fight Blond Blazer. “The fuck is wrong with you?!’’
Visi only screamed before running off in her invisible form. Golem followed shortly after, leaving the rest of his team in quiet, only interrupted by shuddering breaths and gasps. Flambae is not sure what happened after, just that they got the rest of the week off, and he had gone home with a very shaken Alice.
“I was gonna take him shopping on Friday.” She kept repeating. “He has nothing to wear.”
Mecha Man was dead. He had been dreaming about this for years. Praying for his downfall. In a cold, empty cell that he put him in. Back when he was so full of anger, so prideful and bitter. Back when he was left with nothing but sweet dreams of revenge. He should be happy. He should feel this satisfying sense of justice being served. He would back then. Back when he lost hope for himself. Hope that he regained not so long ago, thanks to this job, this team and Robert. Robert, who was now dead with Mecha Man, so there was nothing to be happy about. Not anymore.
While drifting to sleep, cuddled with Alice in his bed, Chad cursed any God that listened to his prayers. Cursed Robert for being a fragile normie. Cursed him for dying in such a pathetic normie way. He cursed everyone who didn't save Robert and everyone that he saved. Flambae cursed himself for ever wanting that to happen. He will mourn later. He could just be angry tonight.
He could only hope that the next time he opens his eyes, the tightness in his chest will lessen.
“You did a good job today.” The monotone voice brought him back from his thoughts. Robert.