Chapter Text
Hazy.
That’s all Robert can feel. A thousand voices whisper to him, calling him. Beckoning. Commanding. Robert can’t stop his body from moving. The whispers quiet down with each step. He can’t get himself to focus on anything but the last whispering voice. He doesn’t register his own hand reaching out until he sees it in front of him, reaching straight towards the thick and growing fog ahead. Something…some…one? Robert doesn’t know what it is but it gently takes his hand, pulling him closer…and closer…
And Robert follows, his mind quieter than he’s ever had it before.
“Come here…my sweet…”
Robert takes another step. He wants to stop. He wants to turn around. He can’t. He can’t hear anything else. He can’t see anything else. Something touches his face. A hand with fingers that feel like cold, curling tendrils gently turns his head and pulls him ever closer into the darkness. That whisper calls again.
“Robert…my sweet, Robert…”
Robert follows the voice. He can’t stop. Why can’t he stop?
“Give in to me, Robert…You will be mine.”
“No!”
Robert startles awake on his couch, looking around his quiet apartment as he catches his breath. Tired, honey brown eyes scan the room. No one here but his many lamps and Beef who is sleeping at his feet. The dispatcher sighs and leans against the back of the couch only to jump again when his phone buzzes from somewhere. Swearing softly, Robert swings his legs down and his feet hit the cold concrete floor. He then grabs his phone from the side table that Punch Up gave him. He makes a mental note to thank the muscly guy before unlocking his phone.
There’s several messages from the unhinged group chat that Victor made for the Z-Team’s shenanigans outside of work. There’s a few from Chase who was just making sure he got home safe and didn’t pass out on the floor. The old speedster had grown a little more protective after learning what Robert put himself through during the 15 years they were apart. Then there’s a missed call from Blonde Blazer or ‘Mandy’ as Robert has her on his phone. Robert squints and checks the time. It’s 5:00am and Robert doesn’t have to leave for another hour or two. Sighing, Robert calls her back and hopes it’s not about the Z-Team doing something stupid again.
“Oh, I thought you were still asleep so I wasn’t going to call again.” comes Mandy’s equally tired voice. “Sorry for interrupting your sleep.”
Robert yawns and stretches.
“It’s fine, Mandy. I just woke up. Did my idiots do something stupid again?”
“What? No, no. I’ve been alerting them to clock in an hour early for work today because we have a de-briefing and I want to make sure we cover everything before the morning shift.”
“Fine. I’ll be there. Just…gimme five more minutes…” Robert mumbles, feeling sleep pull him back in again.
Mandy laughs softly.
“I’ll give you at least thirty. Bye, Robert.”
“Uh-huh.”
There’s a click as Mandy hangs up. Robert checks in on the group chat for a moment. Everyone’s complaining about having to be up early. Alice seems to be particularly ticked about it, saying something in the group chat about her hair routine. Flambae, or who Robert knows as Setareh, is just as irritated and Robert finds himself smiling fondly. Suddenly he feels more awake and he switches to his private chat with the flaming hero.
Robert: morning, sleeping beauty.
Setareh (Flambae <3): hey bitch. did blondie tell you why she wants us at work at too fuckin early in the morning? Ali’s having a bitch fit and i’m gonna throw one too.
Robert laughs softly, feeling the tension melt from his weird ass dream earlier. If only it had been a wet dream of his hot boyfriend.
Robert: dunno. said she wanted to cover a lot of stuff over a de-briefing before our shift starts. was gonna sleep thirty minutes more but I missed your stupid face.
Setareh (Flambae <3): bitch u love my fucking face. missed your dumb face too. plus, bed’s cold without your flat ass in it.
Robert: bitch you love my flat ass. but maybe if the weekend is free and Royd doesn’t need me for the suit, i can make that bed feel less lonely?
Setareh (Flambae <3): i fucking love u. see you at work, bitch. sure you’re not gonna sleep? i might sleep thirty minutes.
Robert: I don’t think I can anymore but I’ll try. Beef says hi. Love u too.
Setareh (Flambae <3): hello my favorite round baby. I’ll see you and your flat ass owner at work <3
Robert: see ya.
Smiling, Robert sets his phone aside and lays back on the couch. He sighs and stares at the ceiling. That nightmare…it’s something he hasn’t had before. He’s had dreams of his father. He’s had dreams of the suit, crushing him alive before he could even scream. He’s had dreams of Shroud, standing over the Z-Team’s bodies, laughing in victory while Robert sits there defeated. He’s had terrible and horrible nightmares that were what-if stories of his life. What if he never got out of the suit when it blew up? What if Chase hadn’t been there when his father’s suit fired that beam? Before Robert can find any answers, he feels himself drifting off again.
“Robert.”
Whispers. Fog. Hands.
“Come here, my sweet.”
Robert’s mind feels hazy again.
“Give in to me.”
Robert gasps as he jerks awake again.
The dispatcher looks around once more. Just the empty apartment with no one else but him and Beef in it. Grumbling, Robert checks the time on his phone. Only five minutes had passed. The group chat has long quieted. Sighing, Robert sits up and after another minute of shaking the sleepiness away, he stands up with a soft groan. His joints are burning and there’s an ache in his lower back and spine. Nothing new to him. He merely stretches and trudges to the bathroom.
For the next thirty minutes, Robert slowly gets ready for work. He could’ve used that time to sleep but it’s been decided that he’s not going to. Robert instead stands in the shower until the water goes cold and his fingers start to prune. Then he gets out and brushes his teeth before taming his hair. After debating and deciding not to shave today, Robert gets his uniform on and feeds Beef his breakfast. While he waits, he checks his phone again and the Z-Team seems to be awake now, more active in the chat and not very happy about coming in earlier than usual.
Robert thumbs through the messages. Alice still seems upset about getting woken up early, complaining that she doesn’t like being up so early. Setareh is complaining all the same. Everyone else follows, talking about plans and wanting to sleep in. Bruno’s messages are incoherent and Robert can’t blame the construct. Big fingers and small buttons on screens don’t mix. He watches the group chat until he hears barking. Looking down, Robert sees Beef waiting for him.
“Alright, bud. Let’s go. Maybe Chase came early too and you can hang out with him later.”
With that, Robert clips the leash onto Beef and they leave his apartment. Once outside, they’re greeted by the cool morning air. It’s quiet and still. It’s almost peaceful. Almost. Robert eyes a suspicious alleyway and quickly guides Beef away. He knows by now that Torrance isn’t always quiet, regardless of what time it is. With a shiver, the dispatcher starts the morning walk to work. It’s still a bit early so he takes his time, letting Beef sniff at dead leaves and cracks in the sidewalk.
As they slowly walk, the sun starts to rise and a bit of warmth cuts through the cold air much to Robert’s relief. He’s not that far from the SDN building and he stops by a bench to rest his feet. Sometimes, if he’s early and not going to the gym, Robert would sit here and just think. That’s what he does today, closing his eyes to enjoy the growing warmth as the sun keeps rising. It’s nice but…his mind drifts back to last night’s…well, calling it a dream would be generous.
It’s just so strange. It’s so new, and yet, Robert feels a heavy familiarity from it. The voices, the hands, and…the words. Something about this dream makes his stomach churn. He thought he was doing better. Robert tries to remember what or who was in the fog but he saw no one there. Not even a pair of eyes. Still, someone had pulled him in and…he let himself reach out to it. He reached out and he didn’t stop himself. He let himself follow the whisper into the fog and…
Give in to me…
Robert startles awake for the third time today, blinking when he sees his hand in front of him. He sighs and looks around. More people have started to mill about, none of them batting an eye at him or Beef. The round dog was currently licking Robert’s shoe. Catching his breath, the dispatcher stands with a soft groan. His back aches a little but he ignores it again and gently tugs on his dog’s leash. With that, Robert continues his walk to SDN while the sun sits a little higher in the sky.
The dispatcher walks a little faster now. It’s still earlier than his usual arrival but he takes advantage of the quiet on the streets. Once he’s in that office chair, Robert knows chaos will start popping up and not from just the Z-Team. Robert just hopes today stays like this. He hopes it stays peaceful and that today’s calls is just cats in trees or another kid’s lost balloon. It’d be boring for the team but a weight off his already heavy shoulders for the day. After the night he had and the confusing images from last night, Robert wanted an easy day.
Fate, as he’s come to hate it, had decided to throw its middle finger back at him. When Robert enters the SDN lobby, he finds himself frozen at the front doors. With Mandy is a face that Robert swore he left far, far back in his past and out of his mind. What was he doing here? Why was he here? Shaking his head, Robert puts on his neutral face and approaches his boss.
“Morning, Blazer. Who’s the new guy?” Robert asks, staying cool to mask the uneasy feeling in his stomach.
Mandy turns to Robert, a gentle smile on her face.
“Oh, good morning, Robert.” she then gestures to the other man with dirty brown hair beside her. “This is Pheromone. A hero from the northern SDN branch who’s here for the employee exchange.”
“Employee exchange?” Robert tilts his head, glancing at the other…hero.
“Yeah. Sometimes the company likes to play mix and match with our heroes and dispatchers. Just to give them new experiences and in case we ever have to work with the other branches.” Mandy explains.
“And him?”
“He’s our exchange. They sent him here and I’ve decided to send Phenomaman them. It’d be good for the big guy. And uh, your team wouldn’t let me send you away so I sent Galen with him. Just in case. The northern branch is short on dispatchers anyways.”
Robert hums, trying to ignore the feeling of eyes on him.
“Aren’t we down a dispatcher then?”
“Nope!” Mandy grins. “I’m taking over for him until he comes back. I thought it’d be good practice. It’ll only be for two to three months.”
Robert feels his stomach churning again. Good thing he hasn’t had breakfast. Holding back a sigh, he nods instead and glances at the other man again. Those moss green eyes make him feel uneasy.
“Cool. Can’t wait to work with this guy then.”
Mandy gives a pleased smile, gently squeezing his arm.
“Thanks, Robert. The team should be on their way so you’ve got time to get acquainted with our new hero if you want.”
Robert then watches as Mandy leaves to do whatever it is she does as a manager here. He then ducks his head down and tries to make a quiet break for the elevator. He’s got plenty of time to make coffee and drown a twinkie in it. He’s tempted to run out the front doors but he’s already here and he’s not leaving his idiot brigade to someone else. He’s not leaving them with Chase either. However, just as he turns, a hand slams down on his bad shoulder, making him wince. Robert feels something tug him around and-
“Robert, is that really you? I haven’t seen you in years.”
Robert shudders at the unsettlingly smooth, deep voice. Out of instinct, he picks up Beef and holds him close.
“I’ve been busy, Daniel.” he answers quietly.
Pheromone aka Daniel laughs softly, eyes gleaming at the shorter man in front of him.
“Have you? I wish you would’ve told me. You just packed up and vanished on me. That’s not fair.” the new hero pouts.
Robert swallows, trying to keep his face neutral but his heart starts to pound.
“I…”
Daniel only steps closer, adjusting the red plaid scarf he’s wearing.
“Oh, it’s alright. I missed you so much. I wish you hadn’t left…my sweet…”
Robert freezes. Something about that…it makes his mind grow hazy again. The air starts to faintly smell like cinnamon, his nose wrinkling at the scent.
“I…I had my reasons.” he rasps, faking a cough as he tries not to shiver at the whisper in his ear.
“Well, don’t worry about it, Robert.” Daniel grins. “We’re stuck together now for the next few months. I look forward to working together.”
Robert feels his head spin and he’s not sure if it’s the cinnamon or the lack of breakfast in his still queasy stomach. He manages to give a quick nod before trying again to leave but there’s a hand on his shoulder pulling him back.
“I really did miss you, my sweet. I hope you’ve been…good since our last time together.”
The cinnamon in the air grows stronger, making Robert quickly pull away.
“Right…excuse me.”
Robert then hurries into the elevator, pressing the button a few times until the doors slide shut. He sighs and catches some air now that it doesn’t smell like cheap lattes or sugary breakfast cereal, absentmindedly petting Beef. Part of him wishes he had called in sick but then he’d just worry the team for no reason. He also really didn’t want Flambae to be banging on his balcony again. Still, Robert didn’t want to do this. He didn’t want to work with him but if he told the team…no. They couldn’t know. They’d be disgusted.
The elevator dings and Robert steps out onto the dispatching floor. He ambles down the hall, waving to his fellow co-workers and passing heroes. Once he’s in the main office, Robert beelines to his desk with a quiet sigh. The dispatcher sets his dog down, smiling softly when Beef sneezes. Once he sets his bag and jacket aside, he picks the rotund pooch up again and wanders over to Chase’s cubicle.
“Morning, Unc.” Robert greets tiredly.
Chase looks up from some papers he’s organizing and he stands up, taking Beef from Robert’s arms.
“Hey, kid.” the old hero greets back before frowning. “Woah, you okay? You look like fucking shit. Well, more shit than usual.”
Despite the effort that Robert put into getting ready this morning, he does look and feel like shit. He blames that stupid nightmare again and the fact that he decided to flirt with his hot boyfriend to make himself feel better instead of getting a bit of sleep. It makes Robert wish he were here so he could bury his face in his chest and stay there all day. Instead, he sighs and waves Chase away, not wanting to worry him more than he already does.
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” Robert mumbles, stretching his aching muscles. “Just a bit tired. Mandy asked us to come in early today.”
Chase gives Robert a concerned look but decides not to push it. It’s not often Robert has to come into work this early.
“Alright, kid. If you say so.” the old man sighs, giving his little brother a worried glance.
After staring at his blank monitor for a minute, Robert pats his face and stands up. He pets Beef one last time and waves to Chase before heading to the conference room. There’s no one inside yet when he gets there so Robert takes his seat near the front, throwing his feet up. A glance at the nearby wall clock tells him he could have a quick nap so this time he takes advantage of it, eyes fluttering shut. Then the dispatcher drifts off a moment later.
“Robert…”
Whispers.
Fog.
Something brushes against his skin but never really touches him.
Hands.
“My sweet…”
Cinnamon
Robert feels himself moving again. He can’t stop again. His hand reaches into the fog. Someone reaches back and he’s pulled in.
The hazy feeling grows stronger.
“Give in to me.”
Robert jerks awake, flinching as the door opens and someone walks in.
“Shit, are you seriously sleeping on the job? Don’t tell me you’re going to fall asleep later too, bitch.”
Robert relaxes, seeing Setareh. Apparently Chad was Flambae’s American name.
“Well, normies need to sleep, ‘Bae. Thought you’d understand, Mr. I-Get-Cranky-Without-My-Beauty-Sleep.” Robert rolls his eyes fondly, yawning as he sits up.
“Maybe you should fuckin’ try it. You look like shit right now and- “
Setareh pauses and wrinkles his nose, sniffing the air before making a face.
“Ugh, who the fuck lit a scented candle? It smells like cinnamon. I fucking hate the smell of that shit.” he grumbles, sitting in the seat beside Robert.
Robert knows exactly why and despite the unsettling feeling in the air, he choose not to burden the others with more of his problems. They already dealt with enough of them since his first day here. They don’t need to deal with his stupid ex.
“Dunno. Maybe someone brought something?” he shrugs, not noticing the weird look that Setareh gives him.
“Whatever it is, I hate it.” comes Victor’s voice as he and the rest of the team filter in. “It’s making my nose itch.”
“Gross. Reminds me of cafes when fall comes around.” Courtney adds. “If I have to see another cup of pumpkin spice latte, I might just go back to villainy.”
“Bitch, you’ll survive. The scented candles are much fucking worse. Don’t even get me started on the cinnamon flavored vapes. Ugh.” Alices huffs as she follows after.
“M-My grandma m-makes-bakes c-cinnamon r-rolls. T-They s-smell b-better t-than t-this.” Herman follows next.
Soon the rest of the team trickles in, Malevola showing up last as usual. All of them grumble about the smell of cinnamon ruining the atmosphere of the break room. Now that everyone has arrived, it’s not long until Mandy soon follows with Daniel. The scented hero wears an innocent smile and something about that makes Robert feel sick. He watches the other man wave apologetically to the team, a hand on his scarf. Robert tries not to make too much eye contact.
“Apologies, everyone. That might have been me.” Daniel rubs the back of his neck. “It’s part of my powers.”
“What, you shit cinnamon rolls?” Setareh scowls, making the others stifle a laugh.
“No, no.” the new hero shakes his head. “I have glands on my neck that lets me release a calming scent. It’s meant to ease people or…incapacitate them. I didn’t mean to make anyone uncomfortable.”
Robert goes to say something but the cinnamon scented air grows stronger. Almost thicker. He remains neutral to hide his discomfort but the break room starts to feel…distant. He feels like he’s falling far, far away in his mind.
“I don’t know about this.”
A pair of hands caress his cheeks.
“It’ll help you calm down, my sweet. Just relax.”
He squirms, leaning back against a wooden headboard as he sits on the bed. Honey brown eyes on moss green.
“I’m not sure. You’re practically asking me to give up control.”
Fingers brush at his trembling lips.
“No, no. Never without your consent. Just let me help you.”
He shakes the hands away and stands up.
“I-I…I can’t! This feels too fucking weird.”
The hands try to pull him back. He pulls away. The hands pull again.
“Oh, come now, my sweet. You just need to trust me. I can help you.”
He sighs, looking away. A hand tilts his head up. He sees moss green again.
“Just relax. I’m here to help you.”
A calming scent fills the air. Something strange. Something…dizzying.
“There you go, Robert. Just…breathe. Take it all.”
He breathes. In and out. He slowly forgets himself, body going slack. He falls into greedy hands.
“Good. That’s it, my sweet. Just…give in.”
He feels so hazy. His body won’t move. Not unless he’s told to.
“Give in. Give in to me, Robert. Do you hear me, Robert?
“-bert? Robert!”
Robert blinks and he’s back in the SDN break room, Mandy giving him a concerned look while the Z-Team stares at him. Setareh rests a warm hand on his shoulder before it slides down to his arm.
“Are…Are you okay, Robert?” Mandy asks, eyebrows furrowed in worry.
“I’m fine.” Robert automatically answers, rubbing at his head. “I’m probably just a bit tired. Go on.”
“Alright. As I was saying…our hero’s powers aren’t volatile but he will need help getting them under control so it doesn’t just spread involuntarily. I was wondering if you could help with that, Robert.”
The dispatcher blinks, shifting ever so slightly. Janelle catches it but says nothing.
“Uh, sure. I’ll try.” Robert nods, feeling his heart sink at the thought of being that close to him. Again.
It doesn’t help that Daniel is smiling at him. It looks innocent to the others but Robert knows that look in his eyes.
“I’d appreciate the help.” the scented hero nods back.
Setareh scowls, rolling his eyes as he shifts closer to Robert. His warm hand gently squeezes the dispatcher’s arm again.
“So, you woke all of us up just for this shit? Ruined my fucking beauty sleep, man.” he grumbles.
Robert sighs in his head, leaning into the warm hand. He wishes it were that easy. That he could go back to bed and bring Setareh with him. He wishes that he didn’t have to wait until the weekend to be in the same bed as him. Instead, he listens as Mandy explains what she told him earlier.
The team understands Galen being gone but some actually don’t like that Phenomaman left. The big guy had grown on most of the team which was good. Robert knows the big guy needs some friends. Then he hears his manager mention that Daniel was to be on his team specifically. Great. Robert tries not to look him in the eye when he steps forward.
“My name is Daniel. My hero name is Pheromone.” the hero starts. “I know my powers aren’t as impressive but I hope I can still be of help and the scent isn’t distracting. I was hoping the scarf would cover it.”
“You’re good, dude. We’ve smelled worse.” Malevola nods.
“And I literally smell like dirt.” Bruno adds.
“But hey, if we ever need someone down in the sewers again…we know who Robert can send.” Courtney grins.
The rest of the team laughs and welcomes him. Robert’s surprised they haven’t tried to maul him for trying to join their ‘cool kid’ gang. Then the dispatcher hears a scoff beside him.
“Fuck this. I work with enough bitches. I don’t want to work with one more!” Setareh complains, glaring at Daniel.
Alice rolls her eyes.
“Oh, don’t be like that, ‘Bae. It’s only a few months.” she rolls her eyes. “He’s not a permanent member but I’ve been dying for someone new to join us.”
Mandy is pleased when team nods in agreement, smiling as Daniel is welcomed in.
“Good. Since you all have extra time right now, you can use it to get acquainted with your new member. Daniel, if you have any more questions, Robert and the team can point you to my office.”
Mandy leaves the break room while the Z-Team starts chattering amongst themselves, Daniel joining in at some point. With them busy and blocking the one vending machine that holds his favorite sweet, Robert quietly turns and slips away through the doors, silently closing them as he hopes Victor didn’t hear anything. He misses the frown on Setareh’s face on his way out.
As soon as he’s out, Robert quickly returns to his desk, sighing as he sits down and leans back against his chair. His head still hurts and if he moves wrong, he could feel a sensation of dizziness. The dispatcher massages his temples with a soft groan. It’s like there’s a heavy weight in his head or some kind of…fog. Robert huffs, wishing it were just one of his shitty migraines but his mind just feels…off.
“The fuck is wrong with you, huffy?” comes Chase’s voice as he pops over the divider of their cubicles. “You sure you’re okay?”
Robert scrubs his hands over his face and nods.
“I’m fine, really. Still just tired, Chase.” he answers tiredly, hearing a deep sigh from the old speedster.
“Fuck, I swear your fucking stubbornness got fucking worse and- “
Chase pauses, sniffing the air and scowling.
“The hell? Why the fuck does it smell like cinnamon now. You fucking hate cinnamon.” he huffs.
Robert groans, the scent filling his nose and making his head spin more than it already is.
“It’s...It’s the new guy. Pheromone. He’s gonna be here for a few months.” he explains. “His powers lets out scents that are supposed to be…calming.”
The dispatcher rubs his temples once more before continuing.
“He’s on our team now. At least for a few months.” he huffs. “Fuck, I never thought I’d actually miss Phenomaman.”
“Okay, what the hell did I miss?” Chase grumbles in confusion.
“Employee exchange bullshit. The northern SDN branch takes one our heroes and we take one of theirs. They’ve got Galen and Phenomaman. We’ve got this guy.”
“I’m surprised they didn’t send your skinny ass.”
“The team would maul the higher ups if they tried. Plus…there are things I can’t just leave behind.”
“Fair enough. I’m not dealing with your fucking idiots.”
Robert goes to reply but the words die on his mouth as that cinnamon scent once again grows stronger. He sees Beef waddling over, sniffing at the floor on his way. The dispatcher watches as the rotund dog pauses, sneezing and growling at something. He sighs and leans down, petting Beef’s head to settle him. When he looks back up, he looks across the office to see Daniel and the rest of his team entering in.
Robert sighs and watches the team show him around. If his shift weren’t starting soon, he’d leave immediately so he could breathe in actual air. Then Robert does something stupid. He glances at Daniel. Daniel glances right back. There’s that stupid innocent, fake smile again. Yet…Robert doesn’t look away. Something keeps him from looking away. The fog in his mind grows again, like his head was filling up with cotton.
“Hey, is that the new fucker?” Chase asks, muffled and far away to Robert.
Robert doesn’t answer, turning in his chair instead. He doesn’t hear Chase calling him. Because something else is.
My sweet…
Robert leans forward and-
“Hey, bitch. Did you eat breakfast? You look like a fucking stick.” Setareh suddenly appears in front of him, blocking his view of Daniel. “Bob, bob! You’re spacing out again.”
Robert blinks slowly before realizing Setareh was still standing in front of him. He shakes his head clear, rubbing at his temples.
“I…hadn’t noticed, sorry.” he mumbles. “I…uh, ended up skipping breakfast to make it to work on time. Especially since we were needed here early.”
Setareh rolls his eyes and grumbles, fishing out a burrito from his plastic bag. He didn’t have time to make breakfast either so he grabbed something from a nearby store.
“Here. Eat this. I didn’t have time to make shit and I bought extra so shut the fuck up.” he huffs, handing it to him as he hides his blushing face.
“O-Oh, uh, thanks.” the dispatcher takes the burrito, nodding awkwardly.
“Whatever.” Setareh reddens despite the soft look in his eyes. “Just…take care of yourself. I’m not going to work with dispatcher who’s just going to pass out on us, bitch.”
Robert can’t stop himself from smiling a little as the fire user leaves. He watches him for a moment before unwrapping the burrito. It’s just egg and cheese with some bacon but it’s good enough for him. After a quick sniff out of habit, he takes a bite and leans back. For a moment, his nerves settle as he eats. He forgets his situation as he takes another bite, pausing when Beef whines at his feet.
“Alright, just one small piece. You’re on a diet now, remember?” Robert then breaks off a small piece of bacon and feeds it to Beef.
“Those fuckers really care about you, huh?” Chase pops up over the divider a moment later. “They’re spoiling you too.”
“Oh, come on. That’s not true. They just like me because I’m the only one putting up with their shit every day.”
Chase rolls his eyes.
“Sure, you fucking idiot.” he mutters.
Robert only ignores him and finishes up his burrito while he continues watching the flaming hero from afar.
Soon, it’s the start of the first shift as everyone logs in one by one. Robert watches their little icons pop up with a fond smile that they’ll never see. He greets everyone who says hello as he takes roll call. Then…Daniel’s icon appears. Great. The fond smile is gone. Robert checks his profile. Name, date of birth, birthplace, age, crimes, abilities, hero name. It seems legit but Robert doesn’t remember any of Daniel’s hero work. Maybe it’s just been too long and his brain’s been a mess since the coma. Sighing, Robert unmutes again to talk to the team.
“Welcome to the team, Pheromone.” he greets, hoping he doesn’t sound like he hates it here. “Be ready to head out when I tell you to.”
Daniel chuckles softly in Robert’s ear.
“It’s a pleasure…my sweet.”
Robert jolts to a stop. Oh no.
“Ooh, getting flirty with our dispatcher already?” Courtney teases.
“Bitch, I wanna see you try and get him to blush.” Alice adds with a laugh.
“Damn, I didn’t know you could pull like that, Bobert.” Victor chimes in.
The dispatcher sighs, groaning. Though…he doesn’t hear anything from Setareh.
“Aye, and I thought was smooth. Robert, my sweet…it really suits ye, lad!” Colm laughs, making the situation worse and everyone but Setareh laugh.
Instead, the fire user growls.
“Shut the fuck up! I want to get shit done, already!” he huffs.
The comms go quiet, leaving Robert sitting in surprise. When did he get so protective?
“Thanks, Flambae.”
Robert then starts sending out the heroes one by one, starting out with simple and small calls. It’s going well for an early morning and it seems to be going slow. He almost lets himself relax and as he sends Alice out.
“You’ve got it.” Alice answers before laughing. “My sweet! Oh, it’s just too cute! You really got the new guy flirting with you already!”
The dispatcher holds back a growl.
“Just…drop it, Prism. It was probably just a joke.”
“Aw, come on. It’s cute, babes. We’re just messing around.” Malevola adds.
“It’s not.” Robert huffs. “Knock it off.”
“Hey, maybe it’s a bedroom thing. Maybe he’ll get hard if I say it enough. My sweet.”
Robet slams a fist on his desk, startling the other dispatchers in the office including Chase who swears and looks over to glare at him before going back to his own cubicle. The ex-hero sighs and takes a deep breath to calm down.
“I said. Drop. It.” he growls.
It’s quiet for a moment before Courtney clears her throat.
“Geez…sorry. I didn’t know it was that bad.”
Robert takes another breath as his anger subsides and so does that strange feeling that come with that little name.
“I’m sorry too. It’s just…really embarrassing and I’d really rather not do that name.” he answers, hoping Janelle hasn’t seen right through his lie. “It’s really… weird.”
To his relief, everyone who teased him apologizes and swear they won’t use it again.
“Oh. That’s a shame. I really thought it was cute.” Daniel cuts in, ruining the moment. “I thought- “
“Well, you were fucking wrong.” Setareh interrupts him. “And it’s not fucking cute. It’s annoying so shut the fuck up.”
Robert smiles in appreciation at that.
“Alright, team. Focus and get back to work.”
The dispatcher then switches to a private channel with the flaming ex-villain.
“Hey, Flambae? Thanks for that. I’m surprised you didn’t call me a bitch though.” he teases.
“Bitch.” Setareh answers, a grin on his lips. “Does that make you feel better, Bob?”
Robert laughs softly, glad that he’s here to make things easier. How ironic given their first day working together.
“It kinda does, actually.”
Speaking of working together, the dispatcher gets serious.
“One more thing. Look, even if you don’t like him at all, just…try to work with Pheromone? Please? We don’t have any other choices right now.”
Setareh huffs and sighs, swearing in some language that Robert doesn’t understand.
“Fucking fine. I’ll try. But I’m not staying to smell that bitch’s cinnamon toast fucking ass.”
“That’s…That’s fine, yeah.” Robert nods, a strained tone in his voice.
“Hey…” Setareh calls before the dispatcher can switch channels. “You sure you’re okay? You did eat, right?”
“I’m fine, Flambae. I did eat the food you gave me. Now, go save this kid trapped up in a tree.”
After what felt like a long morning shift, lunch break finally came around much to Robert’s relief. Once he sees his team’s icons on their way back, he logs off and heads to the break room. He’s first in there today, heading straight for the vending machine. Eager to decompress with some sugar, Robert slips in a slightly wrinkled dollar and presses the same buttons. The machine whirrs and drops his favorite cream-filled snack.
Just as Robert grabs the snack out of the machine, he catches that cinnamon filled air again and stops. He stands up and looks over to see Daniel entering the break room. Robert tries to ignore him but the other hero catches his eyes before he could even look away. Did…Did he even try to look away? The dispatcher’s stomach twists as the scented hero approaches him.
“Hello, my sweet.” Daniel greets.
Robert can’t move. Why can’t he move?
“W-What…” he clears his throat. “What do you want?”
“Oh, it’s just been a while since our last lunch together. I thought I’d join you.”
Daniel steps closer and Robert steps away, his back only hitting the counter behind him. It makes the scented hero grin as he leans in but his hands never move from his sides. Never touching.
“You know, Robert…” he purrs. “I really missed your cute face, your innocent eyes…”
The cinnamon scent grows strong again.
“You…” Robert tries to speak but his mind fogs up again. He tries to fight it but…it’s just so sweet. It’s calling him again.
“I really missed you so much.” Daniel smirks. “How obedient you were. How calm you were. I wonder…”
Then Daniel gazes into Robert’s eyes.
“Will you still be good for me?”
Robert feels himself falling again and he can’t stop himself before-
“…Yes.”
Daniel chuckles softly.
“Good. Give in to me, Robert.”
And as his mind goes blank, Robert feels the break room fade.
“-bert. Hey, Bobert! Earth to Robert!”
Robert jolts and feels like he’s waking up from a really weird dream as he looks around. He’s still in the break room but now Victor and Malevola have entered, both giving him matching concerned looks. He sighs and rubs at his head, feeling dizzy and strange again. What had he done this time? And at work too?
“What happened?” he asks a moment later.
“Don’t know, dude. We came in and you were spacing out-“ Victor pauses and sneezes. “Sorry. I really, really hate that cinnamon smell.”
As Victor goes to look for some tissues and his rodent lunch for the day, Malevola looks Robert for any injuries she might need to heal.
“Are you sure you’re okay, babes?”
Robert nods, ignoring the ache in his head. It’s probably nothing, he tells himself.
“I’m fine. Just hungry.”
Robert dismisses her and sits at his usual spot in the break room by the warm window. Before he can open his treat, he hears familiar rowdy voices and looks up. The rest of the team is coming in for lunch. Amongst them was an innocently smiling, Daniel. That smile was really getting on his nerves. His brain, however, is confused. Had he imagined the whole thing earlier? How sleep deprived was he?
“Hi, Robert.” Daniel pulls him out of his own thoughts again. “You seem…shaken up…”
“I’m fine.” Robert answers as he always does.
“Are you sure?”
Before Robert can answer, the door swings open again.
“Ugh, I told you to stop spreading that cinnamon shit here. Fuck off.” comes Setareh’s grumbling as he enters, his shoulder roughly bumping into Daniel’s along the way.
The flaming hero then makes his way to Robert’s spot, dropping a plastic bag that holds two styrofoam takeout containers.
“I told you stop eating that sugary shit so much. Here, eat some actual fucking food. I ordered two again.” he huffs, the tips of his ears pink.
Robert smiles faintly and pockets his twinkies for later.
“Thanks ‘Bae.”
“Whatever.”
While Robert takes out the first container, Setareh takes out the other one and hands some plastic cutlery to Robert.
“So, what the hell’s that guy’s fucking deal?” Setareh asks a moment later. “Why does he keep bothering you?”
Robert sighs and stabs a piece of chicken.
“It’s nothing. Just let it go.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” the flaming hero raises an eyebrow. “Robert- “
“Flambae. Let it go.”
Setareh huffs, knowing he can’t really disobey when Robert uses his hero name. The dispatcher means serious business when using that name at work. Still, the fire user huffs and sits in the seat beside Robert as he starts eating his own food as he glares at Daniel now and then.
Victor glances over once but says nothing despite having overheard Robert and Setareh.
When everyone else looks away, Daniel looks back.
It’s going to be a few long months…