Chapter Text
Robert let out an irritated groan as the blinds allowed parallel lines of light to cascade onto the bedsheets and directly into his eyelids. The brightness made him squint and shift his head in an attempt to escape the assault. His torso and head rose slowly as though on a platform before lowering into the light again, pulling Robert’s mind to wakefulness at last.
Taking account of the lack of blankets around him he guessed that he had kicked them off at some point. Letting his eyes flutter open Robert felt hot bare skin against his cheek, two muscular pecs cradling his head. He was lying on top of Flambae, who had his hands lazily wrapped around his midsection to prevent him from rolling off.
When had he ended up like this?
Robert found himself not caring all too much how the two had tangoed their ways into such an intimate position, opting to savor the view of Flambae’s face still slackened with sleep. As though aware of being watched, Flambae’s lip twitched slightly before his eyes opened. Blood orange eyes met his, he simply blinked back slowly; not wanting to break the tender moment. Flambae must have sensed this and closed his eyes once more, rubbing Robert’s back slightly with warm hands.
“Your back?” Flambae’s voice was gravely from sleep.
“Much better, thank you,” Robert said.
Flambae had begun tapping against Robert’s back absentmindedly, opening his eyes again and bringing his hand up to Robert’s neck to copy the massaging motion.
“Still hurts though?”
“Yeah, I don’t think the pain will ever go away fully. It’s much more.. Manageable right now though.”
“Good,” Flambae had snaked his fingers into Robert’s short, messy hair. Scratching at his scalp soothingly.
Flambae was very touchy in the morning, it was… sentimental.
Robert reached up and began to twirl a lock of Flambae’s hair that had splayed out on the pillow beneath him, watching the curl fall before repeating the motion with another piece.
“Your hair is soft,” Robert said.
A laugh rumbled through Flambae’s chest into Robert’s ear, it was almost a purr.
“That’s because I don’t use three-in-one, seriously that is messed up,” Flambae said.
“I guess,” Robert nodded.
Flambae tightened his grip on Robert’s back as he guided them into a sitting position, Robert was now basically straddling Flambae’s lap. The two did not seem to mind much as Flambae examined Robert’s hair.
“Looks better already, crazy what a little bit of conditioner can do. So sad, so so sad.” Flambae teased while rustling Robert’s hair.
Robert rolled his eyes and watched Flambae reach for his phone on the nightstand beside the bed, checking the large illuminated screen. His eyebrows twitched in thought.
“What time is it?” Robert asked.
“Early, lay your ass back down.” Flambae grabbed Robert’s limbs and flipped him like a pancake onto the bed. He then swung his legs over the side and stretched before standing.
“Where are you going?” Robert suppressed a shiver at the loss of warmth, his hands probing the sheets for a minute until he found the blanket.
“To take a leak, that allowed? Mecha bitch?” Flambae’s tone had returned to its normal sass, the prior tenderness gone.
“Oh, yeah.” Robert frowned before lying flat on his back against the pillow, tilting his head to watch Flambae leave.
A sense of dread began to worm its way through Robert’s sleep-addled mind, he on one hand was feeling the most refreshed he had felt in forever; on the other he worried that what had happened the night before could have been something he may never experience again. The thought made him nauseous, he had truly felt something special between himself and Flambae. An understanding, a sense of cherishment.
Had he been foolish hooking up with Flambae? Would things go back to normal at work?
Robert knew that a part of him should want the situation to be a one time occurrence, the challenges of dating in a work setting were always a risk. The other part of Robert felt slightly discarded, a regret of even knowing how enjoyable sleeping with Flambae had been. A flush and a faucet running brought Robert’s attention back to the present, the coldness of the room making his bones ache familiarly. He waited for Flambae to come back, for him to tell Robert to get his ass out of his bed and to meet him at work.
Robert waited.
And waited..
Sounds had echoed from the hallway, making Robert flinch a bit before sitting upright. He sighed and swung his legs over the side of the bed and touched down lightly. He scratched his neck and stomach before mosying down the hallway.
The sight that greeted Robert had him smiling in bemusement, Flambae was facing away from him at the stove in the small of his back was a tight bow holding a dark apron, when Flambae turned he saw that it was equally fitted on the front.
“Making breakfast?” Robert mused as he took a seat on a stool at the island, resting his chin in his palm and watching Flambae strut about.
“Duh, your skinny ass could use it,” Flambae said.
“Don’t have time usually,” the smell of pancake batter made Robert’s mouth water. Their chatter was accompanied by the sizzling of meat on a pan.
“Well you’ll need it after last night, seriously I thought you wouldn’t wake up. What a way to go,” Flambae chuckled.
“About last night..” Robert started, his chest tightened when Flambae paused to look at him.
Flambae stayed quiet, lifting an eyebrow as an invitation to continue.
“I had a really good time.. I really appreciate it and all.. I..” Robert rambled, aware of a tenseness forming in Flambae’s jaw. “That wasn’t.. A one time thing right?” Robert looked up, his vulnerability making him fidget with his fingers on the cool marble surface of the island.
“Of course not, bitch.” Flambae slackened immediately, clearly relieved. “I told you that you would be topping next time, didn't I?” Flambae said, resuming his movements smoothly.
Robert’s relief matched Flambae’s, he had not noticed his shoulders had been tensed until he felt them lower.
“Okay.. cool.”
“Cool.”
The worry Robert had felt melted away as he watched Flambae cook, he even had revealed a ridiculously nice espresso maker from somewhere in a cupboard. Brewing the two some shots before placing them in sweet little porcelain cups alongside some other liquids. In an efficient time Flambae had prepared two large plates with pancakes, sausage, and even a small portion of fruit on the side for them both.
“Feel’s like a bed and breakfast, or a really nice hotel.” Robert speared a piece of pancake at once and took a bite. He normally did not eat breakfast, but the smells of Flambae’s cooking had made him ravenous.
“So sad,” Flambae said, his laugh catching in a snort.
The two bickered light heartedly for the remainder of the morning, taking their time getting ready and heading towards the SDN building. Something Robert was not used to, but openly welcomed.