Chapter Text
The bar they chose to hang out in that night wasn't very crowded. Usually, any hangouts among members of the Phoenix Program were held in Crypto Night, but considering Dopple had made it very clear he didn't want to see Flambae or his missing tooth there again, they had to find someplace else to get their drinks. They were all out of their usual get ups, wearing more casual clothes since they were drinking among civvies.
"What are you talking about? People fall all over me!"
Visi snorted.
"Please. Anyone with eyes can tell from a mile away can tell you're a douchebag. Especially when you wear those sunglasses in the middle of the night."
Flambae fumed, mostly figuratively, as he was reminded of Mecha Man's comment. Invisigal wasn't there that night, so he knew it wasn't intentional, but it still pissed him off.
"Come on," Prism piped up. "Flambae's a hottie. We hottie's stick together, after all."
"Nah, him being next to you just makes you look better in comparison."
"I can't tell if that was a compliment, or an insult. You better hope it wasn't the latter."
"Listen," Flambae pointed a finger at Invisigal. "I bet you I could get the number of anyone who walks through that door."
"Oh yeah?" Visi leaned forward, the rest of the Z-team also looked over at the exchange. "What are you willing to bet?"
He paused for a moment. He hadn't actually thought of what to bet.
"Tell you what," Visi started. "If you can get the number of the next person who walks in here, I'll buy you those noodles you like so much for a whole week. If you can't... you have to let Waterboy tag along on your missions for a month."
Flambae sputtered.
"Why the fuck is my punishment a whole month? Yours is only a week!"
"What?" She challenged. "You afraid you're going to fail?"
"Hell no!"
"Then let's shake on it."
Invisigal held out her hand over the table they were gathered around. Prism shook her head at Flambae. Stubbornly, he took her hand, giving it a firm shake.
"It's on, Guy Fieri."
Flambae rolled his eyes, turning to watch the door. The group chatted amongst themselves for a while, almost forgetting about the whole ordeal until they heard the sound of the bar's door opening. HIs eyes flicked over to the door as he took a sip of his beer, choking as he registered who walked in. He just barely avoided doing a spit take, coughing after he managed to swallow his drink. Walking towards the bar counter was fucking Robert Robertson of all people. Just his fucking luck that the next person to enter the bar was their team's dispatcher. Invisigal was cackling into her hand, nearly doubled over with laughter.
"Oh fuck no." Flambae turned towards Visi. "That doesn't count. There's no way I'm flirting with that bitch."
"Deal's a deal, Fieri," She wiped a tear from her eye. "You either get his number, or you're on Waterboy duty."
Flambae groaned, dragging a hand over his face. He took off his sunglasses, throwing them onto the table as he composed himself as much as he could before sauntering towards where Robert sat at the bar. The ex-villain adjusted the collar of his barely buttoned, black shirt to show off his chest and rolled made sure his sleeved were rolled up to reveal his muscular forearms. He placed a hand on the bar top, leaning in as Robert looked up to see who had entered his space.
"Hey there."
"Flambae? The hell are you doing here?"
He tried not to let his irritation show, putting on a flirty smile as he sat on the stool next to Robert.
"Just enjoying the view, I guess."
Robert narrowed his eyes at him.
"Come on, Robert. Loosen up a bit. We're not at work right now."
He sighed, turning in his stool so his body was fully facing Flambae.
"What do you want, Flambae?"
Flambae smirked. Sliding his hand across the top of the bar until his finger's brushed against Robert's.
"Can I buy you a drink? You haven't ordered anything yet."
Robert raised an eyebrow at him, but didn't pull his hand away. Good, that was progress.
“I’ll just get a beer.”
He ordered drinks for both of them, raising his own glass at an unamused Robert when they arrived. They sat in silence as they drink. Even Flambae knew that, if he came on too strong to Robert too fast, he’d be guaranteed to be stuck with Waterboy.
"What do you say we get out of here?" Flambae leaned towards Robert. "Go somewhere more comfortable?"
Robert just stared at him for a bit, brows furrowed.
"Are you hitting on me? Why are you hitting on me?"
Flambae laughed at that.
"Why else?" His hand brushed over Roberts again. "I think you're cute, and I want to do something about it."
That wasn't as much of a lie as Flambae would have liked it to have been. The dispatcher was admittedly, attractive. He was just too fucking annoying for Flambae to actually want to do something about it. Even if it was nice to occasionally imagine fucking him into his mattress.
"If you don't want to tonight, the offers outstanding," Flambae winked. "I could settle for getting your number instead."
Flambae groaned internally. He was definitely getting stuck with wet bitch duty for the month.
"We're going to have to use your place."
His brain came to a halt.
"What?"
"My apartment isn't suitable for... visitors."
Flambae blinked at him.
"You really want to do this."
Robert stood and started walking towards the door.
"Yeah. And if you don't want me to change my mind, we should go."
Flambae scrambled out of his stool, catching up with Robert. He wrapped an arm around his waist, throwing a smug look at the rest of the Z-team, who were staring at them in various degrees of shock. Except for Prism, who just seemed disapproving. He smirked. He was going to win that bet.