Chapter Text
Flambae didn’t even know how Prism talked him into coming to Robert’s so-called “house party.” After his reaction to Robert revealing he was Mecha-man, Flambae wasn’t even sure if he had a job to return too. Granted Flambae doubted if any of the Z-team could get fired, Robert had gone to bat with Blazer refusing to fire Coupe or Sonar from the team. In the end Robert had negotiated the team putting in a few extra hours here and there until the results spoke for itself. If it was anyone else who had come up with that idea, Flambae would have given them credit where it was due. However, this was Robert FUCKING Robertson, FUCKING MECHA-DICK. He glared down at his two missing fingers, how had that asshole even gotten the upper hand on him?
A sharp flick to the side of his face brought Flambae away from his thoughts. “Are you even fucking listening to me?” Flambae caught Prism’s wrist before she flicked him again.
“Do you mind bitch? I’m fucking brooding over here.”
“Well brood another time you’re starting to smoke up the damn hallway.” Flambae released Prism’s wrist, looking down the smokey hallway. Fuck shes right. He inhaled sharply, a slight whistle coming from his mouth. Another reminder of what Robert fucking Robertson had taken from him. Prism placed a hand on his shoulder tilting her head.“Are you sure you’re good? Blond Blazer’s gonna be there and I’m not sure we would be able to cover for you if you waste Robert’s ass at his own house party.”
Prism’s hand squeezed Flambae’s shoulder as he let out the breath he was holding. The temperature in the hallway noticeably decreased. “I’ll be fine. Thanks Prim.” They smiled at each other before Flambae decided to ruin the moment. “Now I can’t promise I won’t punch him in the fucking face by the end of the night. But I deserve AT LEAST one.” Prism rolled her eyes at that and stopped at a door with a crumbled up paper on the door.
Music thrummed from behind the door as Prism knocked. She spared a quick glance to Flambae. “If you need to leave let me know, no questions asked.”
Before Flambae could respond the door opened, Robert beamed at Prism before his eyes landed on Flambae. A flurry of emotions crossed Robert’s face before he stepped out of the way welcoming them in. Prism walked in placing the lamp she had brought on the kitchen counter before quickly leaving to talk to Punch-up and Coupe, leaving Flambae with Robert. Traitor.
Robert cleared his throat, bringing Flambae’s attention to him. “Are you going to stand in the doorway all night or are you here to finish the job?” Flambae felt his eyebrow twitch in irritation, at this point Robert was asking to be punched. Instead of being kicked out before even entering the party, he clapped a hand on Robert’s shoulder and leaned in close, taking pride in how the smaller man froze.
“Maybe later Bob-Bob the nights still young.” Flambae squeezed Robert’s shoulder before letting go, taking a step past him into the near empty apartment. “Damn this place sucks!” It brought Flambae a bit of joy that he lived in a shitty apartment. Karmas a bitch.
Flambae turned into the kitchen, placing the bottle of whiskey he had brought onto the counter, before opening the cabinets. Glancing over his shoulder he noted how Robert had cautiously followed him. “Hey bitch where do you keep your cups?” Robert pointed to the cabinet on the opposite side of the kitchen. Opening it Flambae was greeted by the sight of only shitty coffee mugs.
“Before you ask, yes that's all I have.”
Flambae snorted before grabbing two mugs and pouring out a generous serving of whiskey in each. He held out one to Robert, who hesitated before accepting the mug. “Are you trying to get me drunk before you kill me?” Flambae's eyebrow twitched, Prism had told him to play nice and he did not want to listen to her bitch at him again.
“Consider it a truce Bob-Bob.” Robert smiled at his response before taking a sip from the mug. “Now it won’t stop me from punching you in the face once in a while but I feel like I get the pass since you’re a bitch.” Robert rolled his eyes, Flambae caught a glimpse over Robert’s shoulder of Water boy peeking into the kitchen. He caught Waterboy’s eye and glowered at him, causing the skittish man to squeak and quickly retreat into the common area with the others. Annoying fucker had doused him with water before he could attack Robert a second time outside of the taco restaurant. Flambae had to give it to the kid though, he didn’t expect the scaredy cat to stand up to him.
Robert looked over his shoulder before back at Flambae confused. Flambae refused to give Robert anything to work with, taking a large sip from his mug looking into the main living area. The party seemed to be picking up with Prism’s help adding songs to the playlist. A map of the city was cast onto the wall and the fattest dog he had ever seen was sprawled out on the couch. He caught Prism’s eye who was dancing with Coupe and she gestured for him to join them. Flambae pushed past Robert, “Gotta go bitch. The life of the parties here.”
Flambae still wanted to punch Robert fucking Robertsons lights out, but tonight he could pretend to get along.
—--
Robert’s mind spun as he was pushed into the counter by Flambae moving past him. He knew it wasn’t from the really strong whiskey he was sipping. Robert glanced down at the mug in his hands. When he had opened the door to see Prism and Flambae he had come to terms with his entire apartment being burnt down with him in it. Not that there was anything to burn besides his copious amount of lamps and the couch Blond Blazer got him. Before Robert could put more thought into it Royd and Invisigal joined him in the kitchen.
The night passed by quickly after that, Robert found himself in many conversations with most of the Z-team at one point or the other. He now stood with his back against the wall watching Chase and Blazer debate on what Beef’s fictional voice would sound like. Glancing at the Z-team, his team having fun together in his shitty apartment filled Robert with something he never felt before. Affection, or it was the whiskey he had been sipping throughout the night.
It was honestly if Flambae had a psychic power that told him that Robert’s mug was almost empty. Appearing to refill it and his own mug before disappearing back into the dance circle throughout the night. After their conversation in the kitchen Flambae had been on the opposite side of the apartment at all times, except for when he filled Robert’s drink. He didn’t blame Flambae for avoiding him, hell he had just found out Robert had been the guy who chopped off his fingers and knocked out his tooth. (Frankly that wasn’t exactly Robert’s fault but he doubted he could convince the human torch that.)
Robert looked down at his empty mug before walking towards the kitchen to grab the bottle of whiskey for a refill. Usually he refused to allow himself to get anything past tipsy but tonight was special. Finding the bottle Robert poured himself a generous dose before turning and looking for Flambae, who was in an intense discussion with Coupe and Punch-up in the corner. As Robert walked up to the trio, Flambae saw him and grinned holding out his mug. “About time you return the favor bitch!” Robert rolled his eyes filling up the mug with as steady a hand as he could muster.
“Where the hell did you get the good shite?! I’d been drinking shitty beer this entire time!” Flambae stuck his tongue out at Punch-up before taking a large swig of his drink.
“Sorry bro but the whiskeys for me and Bobert here.” Flambae slung his free arm around Robert’s shoulder and pulled him into him. Robert felt the heat radiating from the taller man. Clearly the alcohol had an effect on Flambae, his cheeks lightly flushed. Deciding that he was not sober enough to handle the fact the man who had tried to torch him outside of a taco joint earlier now was holding him like they were buddy buddy. Rober took a giant swig of his drink and attempted to change the subject.
“So what were you guys talking about? Coupe looked like she was gonna stab you both.”
The trio laughed before Coupe leaned in conspiratorily. “We are taking bets on who Blond Blazer is going to get with. Wanna join in?” Robert nearly choked on his drink, he should have known their conversation was definitely in HR level offense territory. But it was outside of work hours and he was way too drunk to care.
“What’s the current bet?” Flambae laughed slightly, shaking Robert as he did. He felt the warm grip around him tighten so Robert took another drink.
Punch-up answered first, “My bet is that she gets back with Phenomaman! You always gotta bet on the ex!”
Coupe rolled her eyes before gesturing at Robert, “My bet was on you.” Robert choked on his drink and coughed aggressively. He felt Flambae slap his back a few times. Weakly glancing back at Coupe he raised an eyebrow. “I mean after a breakup often people go for the exact opposite of their ex and-” Coupe gestured to all of Robert. “You got that sickly corpse vibe going and a lot of people dig that.”
He chose to skip over that last statement. “Blazer is nice and all but she’s not exactly my type you know?” Robert ignored Flambae’s grip tightening around his shoulder. “My bet would be on Invisigal, Blazer’s been her biggest supporter and well-” He gestured towards the two women who were dancing together. “That is NOT a platonic dance between friends.”
The trio swore as they watched the two women dance. Robert smirked, proud of his crowd winning opinion. A slight tug on his sleeve got his attention, Robert turned to see Waterboy-Herm looking at him nervously.
“T-Thanks for inviting me Robert. I h-had a good time, I have to go before my grandmother gets worried though.” Robert beamed at the awkward man before shaking off Flambae’s arm, ignoring the loud protest behind him. He wrapped an arm around Herm and gave him a hug, ignoring that his shirt was getting wet.
“Anytime Herm. Thank you for coming, get home safe okay?” When Robert pulled back, Herm was paler than the walls staring behind him. Robert glanced over his shoulder to see Flambae taking a giant drink from his mug. He looked at Coupe and Punch-up who were sharing a look with one another. God only knows what they’re probably thinking. Most likely about to start a betting pool on his love life. Not that he had one.
Herm quickly excused himself, Royd heading out with him stating it was getting late. After Robert said his goodbyes he turned back to the trio to see that Coupe and Punch-up had gone to dance with Malevola and Sonar. That left him and Flambae who seemed determined to burn a hole in the wet spot Waterboy had left on his shirt. Catching Flambae’s eye the man quickly averted his gaze to the whiskey bottle, grabbing it before pouring the rest into his and Robert’s mug. “We can’t let this go to waste, Bobert. I spent a pretty coin on it.”
That last mug full of whiskey put the final nail in the coffin that Robert was drunk. Hell he was so gone he allowed himself to be dragged into the dance floor with Prism and Malevola. Could Robert dance? Hell no, but he tried his best to follow their advice. At some point he remembered Flambae joining them, dancing way too close to Robert who could feel the heat emanating from the taller man. He had eventually moved away from him, when Sonar decided this was the best moment to try and teach Robert the waltz (poorly).
Robert now found himself on his balcony, enjoying the cool night air. At some point in the night the first 2 buttons of his shirt had been undone. He was way too warm to fix it right now however, enjoying the cool breeze on his chest. Most if not everyone had left already, with the last few saying their goodbyes inside. He felt the air around him warm, turning to see Flambae leaning in the balcony doorway. “Hey bitch.” The usual venom behind his words was almost nonexistent as he stared a hole into Roberts chest. “Prism and I are heading out, don’t throw yourself off the balcony once we leave.” When Flambae realized Robert caught him staring he quickly averted his gaze.
A wide grin spread across Robert’s face. “You wish matchbox, unfortunately you can’t get rid of me that easily.” He gave Flambae a quick smack on the arm before slipping past him into the apartment saying his goodbye to Prism. As he walked them to the door Robert noted the frown that was now on Flambae’s face. Had he said something wrong? Well apparently it wasn’t that bad or his ass would have been knocked out already.
Making sure his door was locked, Robert stumbled around his apartment turning off his eight? Nine? Lamps before collapsing on his couch and letting sleep overtake him.