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If looks could kill, the glare Invisigal was sending Sonar's way would leave a burning hole in his head. The bat knew she was staring but didn't acknowledge her outside of a polite hey when he entered the breakroom. Honestly, if there was more conversation, Invisigal would have him in a grave.
"Girlie pop, what's going down here?" Prism slid up beside Invisigal, curiosity calling the cat.
"Him."
"Him? Him as in bat baby?"
Invisigal nodded sharply.
"Okay, Imma need a bit more context," Prism set her chin on her hand. "Tell me what's going on?"
"He's..." Invisigal grumbled. "He's the only one who can hug Robert..."
"Hug? Girl, what you mean hug?" Prism lit up, however. "Why you want a hug from our dispatcher?"
"Don't you want a hug?"
"...what?" Okay, Prism definitely texting the group chat now.
Invisigal huffed. "Okay, here's the deal. So, Robert isn't a touchy-feely guy, right? Too much trauma, not enough bondage?"
"I'm following," And so is the rest of the Z-Team. "Go on."
"So, after the...after Chase..." Invisigal took a deep breath. "He gave me a hug. And it was so, damn, good. Like warm and makes you feel like a million bucks."
"Daddy issues, girlie-pop?"
"Shut up," Invisigal blushed a little though. "This was stupid, nevermind."
"No, no," Prism waved her free hand. "Go on, go on, I insist."
"...okay," Invisigal sighed, leaning back in her chair. "Greatest hug ever, right? So, I keep trying to get another one, but he either dodges or flinches and I feel awful about it... but Sonar!"
Sonar's ear flicked as he picked through a leftover Chinese takeout container. No one was sure it was his, least of all him.
"Sonar gets a damn hug whenever and however!" Invisigal pulled on his hair, frustrated.
Prism tried thinking of times where Robert was particularly affectionate... but nothing came to mind. Friendly pats, head nods, maybe the occasional fist bump, but nothing overly doting. Unless you're Beef, you got zilch, zitch, and nada. Not even with Sonar. So, she had no idea what the fuck Invisigal was talking about.
...then, Prism realized Invisigal was sneaking around all invisible-like and spying. Sneaky bitch. Clever bitch. But sneaky.
"Okay, let's put it to the test then," Prism set down a stack of cash. "Each member of the Z-Team gets a chance to try and hug Robert. If he denies all of them, the money mine. If he denies all of them but Sonar, you get the big bucks."
Invisigal stared, then smirked. "You're on."
Interesting.
Very interesting.
——🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 ——
So all the Z-Team – minus Waterboy and Phenomeman – had gotten into the bet. They set up rules, regulations, and all sorts of fun shit. They all agreed everyone was to get one turn – Sonar going last – and what counted as Robert accepting a hug. No interfering from others but they could ask for outside help.
...maybe if they put this much effort into their missions as they did betting, the Z-team would skyrocket to number one.
Oh well.
The first test was Flambae.
In their defense, Flambae would be the most unlikely bastard and more likely to make a fool of himself.So, A-plus entertainment for Z-Team and one step closer to their betting pool getting resolved.
"Bob-bob!" Flambae approached Robert at the dispatcher's desk, grinning ear to ear.
"You're back early," Robert commented. "Was the mission a success?"
"Of course, who do you take me for?"
Robert cocked an eyebrow.
"Oh whatever," Flambae rested his arm across the back of Robert's chair, acting all casual like. "So I was thinking, maybe we should utilize more of me–"
As Flambae leaned down, attempting to wrap his other arm around Robert – Z-Team had agreed this would count beforehand – Robert ducked under and stood up.
The dispatcher went to the copier machine and printed out the mission success report. "Unfortunately for you, SDN requires a minimum of twenty-minutes rest between missions. Unless there's something else you want, I'd go use them."
"Ugh, whatever," Trying to play off his failure, Flambae sauntered off.
——🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 ——
Prism tried next.
She had her phone out, took a deep breath, and ran up to Robert. "Selfie!"
Her entire plan was to catch Robert off guard, basically jump onto his arms and take a picture. The dispatcher was always a little hesitant on selfies and pictures, unsure to any photography outside of his Mecha Man suit, but usually humored Prism.
This time, however, Robert stepped aside just as Prism went to wrap her arms around his shoulders. She looked at him confused and a little offended.
"Sorry," Robert gave her an apologetic smile. "I really don't want a selfie right now. I don't feel great and all."
"Uhuh–?"
"How was your mission?"
Prism shrugged. "Kids are easy to entertain, babe."
So, she failed too, whatever. She didn't need a hug from this pasty ass white boy with birthing hips.
——🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 ——
At first, Punch-Up was confused as to what they were doing – he was only half-listening to Prism and Invisigal and the plan – but apparently, he'd get money when he hugged Robert, and that's all he needed to know.
So, when he learned Prism and Flambae tried to be sneaky and coy, Punch-Up decided that it wouldn't do. Plus, he's a man of action! He'll leave all that social sexiness nonsense to them.
"Robert!" Punch-Up rushed up to Robert at the buffet table.
The dispatcher choked on the donut he was eating, quickly recovering with a few slaps to his chest.
"Ah, shite, lad, sorry 'bout that–"
"It's good, god..." Robert sighed. "What can I help you with?"
Punch-Up opened his arms. "Bring it in, big guy."
"Uuhhh..." Robert looked around for a bit, confused, then he picked up a box of donuts and handed them over. "There you go."
Robert grabbed another donut before heading off.
"...what the hell just happened?"
——🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 ——
Coupé approached Robert the same way she approached all her targets; with grace, precision, and everything according to plan.
She made sure everyone would be out of the office, a part from some members of the Z-Team to bare witness to her victory. Robert would be staying, finishing some paperwork, and right at his desk. All distracted and vulnerable.
An easy target.
So, Coupé, silent as a mouse, walking up behind. She loomed over Robert, watching him tap away on nonsense. No hesitation. Nothing of the sort.
She struck forward, constricting her arms so tightly no prey would escape.
But all she held was chair.
"...what?"
Robert had leaned down to pet Beef and grab a pen he dropped, sitting back up with confusion. "Coupe? You okay? Did you need something?"
"Tsk, no, merely curious why you stay so late," Coupé would not mention this defeat to anyone. She'd rather die.
——🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 ——
Malevola was a demon. Not quite ancient but powerful and knowledgeable enough to know she was sexy. She had seduced all sorts of favors with insolent mortals left and right, often not even compromising her body or time.
Getting a man to hug her? Especially a disaster bisexual? Well, that's basically child's play.
So, Malevola strutted up to Robert during his conversation with Waterboy. "Excuse me, Robert, a moment of your time?"
"Uhh," Robert glanced to Waterboy, who awkwardly waved at Malevola. "Uh, sure, okay."
Waterboy shuffled away, cheeks bright red with embarassment.
"What was that about?" Malevola asked, curious.
Robert shrugged. "So, how can I help?"
"I need one tiny, itty bitty favor from you. In turn, I'll give you something amazing~ sound like a deal?"
"Depends on the favor and the something," Robert was smart, at least, not to blindly accept any ol' offer.
Malevola smiled far too sweetly. "I'd like one of them embraces of yours~ your arms wrapped around me while your head rests against my–"
"No, thank you."
"...what?"
"No," Robert repeated. "Thanks for the offer, but I'm good. Did you really need something or is this some kinda demon training ritual?"
Malevola thought for a moment. "...wanna grab smoothies later?"
"Sure."
——🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 ——
Since Golem didn't want a turn, something about not wanting a hug, Invisigal got two attempts. One for herself, one on Golem's behalf.
For her first attempt, Invisigal tried being sneaky. She turned invisible and tried to sneak attack Robert like Coupé, but with an added element. Invisigal has gotten use to her powers, how to walk silently enough to be unnoticeable, and how to avoid smacking into things without purpose.
However, as she came up behind – the breakroom floor silent beneath her feet – Robert suddenly looked up from the coffee machine and dodged out of the way.
Invisigal groaned in frustration, needing a hit of her inhaler. "What the fuck, Robert?!"
"You're all acting weird as hell this week," Robert brought out a few packs of sugar and a giant thing of creamer. Weird, she thought he drank straight black. "Also, you need to work on your presence. Coupe's stalk up works because she's learned how to minimize her presence in dangerous situations. She only let's her notice you when it's too late. I think, if you train with her for a while, then you could do the same thing and you two could syner...gize... are you okay?"
Look, she was never the type to cry, especially to get her way, but when 700 bucks was on the line? Inviaigal could kiss her growing morality goodbye. So, when the waterworks came, Invisigal used it.
"I'm just so stressed and everything is awful right and Chase and you and the team and–" Invisigal reached her arms out, ready to steal a hug.
But Robert took her hands, lowering them. "Hey... nothing is your fault. Why don't you take an early lunch and I'll have Golem make some constructs to make up for your absence. Okay? Take a breath, grab a water or something, and know you're okay."
Invisigal gaped. "I..."
"You're okay," Robert's phone beep and he checked it. "I gotta go, will you be alright by yourself?"
She nodded.
"Okay...good," Juat like that, lingering only slightly, Robert exited.
"MotherFUC–"
——🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 🦇 ——
When the shift was over, all of Z-Team gathered in the breakroom. Minus Sonar and Robert.
"Damn, girl, not even you?" Prism whistled. "Oof, who had Sonar as the winner?"
No one spoke up, far too confident in their abilities.
Punch-Up raised his hand. "I bet he wouldn't hug any of us. Am I still in the running?"
Prism nodded. "Yeah–"
"How hard is it to hug one middle-aged, depressed ex-hero!" Flambae huffed. "He's like 5'5", we should just be able to manhandle him."
"Can't catch on," Coupé reminded him. "That was our rules."
"Can't catch on to what?" With the worst timing ever, Robert stepped into the breakroom. "What have you guys been up to all day? Something fishy is happening and I need to know if it's good or bad before I react."
"It's not bad, lad," Punch-Up. "Just another one of our weekly betting. 700 on the line and it already looking like I'm the winner!"
"You don't know that yet, asshole," Malevola argued.
Robert pinched the bridge of his nose. "Children. I work with children."
"Well, excuse us for being bored!" Invisigal slumped in her chair, arms crossed.
"Whatever," Robert went up to the coffee machine, filling his mug with hot water. "So, what is the bet about anyways?"
"Robert," Sonar walked in before anyone else could speak, slyly marching up behind the dispatcher. "Whatcha making?"
"Tea, want some?" Robert grabbed another mug and two bags of tea.
Sonar hummed a yes before snaking his hands around Robert's torso, connecting above his heart. "You know me so well."
"I do," Robert's cheeks blushed bright red. "You're affectionate right now–?"
"So what if I am?"
"The team–"
"Were gonna find out sooner or later," Sonsr nuzzled his snoot against Robert's neck, then snuck little kisses here and there. "Why not now?"
"Just...want you to be sure–" Robert bit the side of his side when Sonar traced his fangs over the curse of his neck. "Victor–!"
"I'm right here," Sonar teased lightly, pressing a kiss on Robert's pulse before turning him around.
They hugged properly, Robert too embarassed to look anywhere but the floor. Sonar, however, was very pleased with himself, smirking at Z-Team like he won a million bucks instead of 700.
"THEY WERE DATING!" Invisigal shouted, as if she blew open a whole mystery. "I thought you were just a lucky bastard!"
Not that she isn't happy for them but her money is gone now.
"Nope.... well, yes and no." He'll count himself very lucky to have a boyfriend at all – and, someday, rub it into some snob assholes' faces – but, for now, Sonar traced Robert's spine, holding out his other hand expectedly. "Now, if you'll kindly hand over my winnings, I'm going to use it to take my boyfriend out on a date."