Chapter Text
Another week another boring ass meeting. Robert’s voice muffled in Chad’s mind as he went on about something the Z team did wrong. There was always something wrong and always something to complain about. Chad didn’t care. He never fucking cared. As long as his ass was out of prison he would do whatever the hell he wanted… within the phoenix programs rules, of course. And that included sitting in these bullshit meetings. Although he was forced to be here he sure as hell wasn’t forced to listen or care. Zoning out was the perfect way to make these meetings somewhat bearable. Anything but listen to Robert’s stupid voice.
When Chad first started everything had been fine, like maybe he could get used to this hero thing, until one day he knew too much. Robert Robertson was just a lame guy who did nothing except come to work and go home. MechaMan ruined his life. Once the lines were merged he could never separate them again. The man who sent him to prison sat on his pedestal and bossed him around all day. The man who cut off his two fingers was in charge of his performance reports. The man who broke his tooth on the bar top led this boring weekly meeting.
Chad's eyes raised from the laminate surface, lazily scanning the room before he rested his eyes on the man directly across the table from him. Not only was this man a blubbering lanky freak, but he also hosed him down with water the second time MechaMan ruined his life by sharing his identity. Waterboy. More like WaterBaby. He acted like some kind of lap dog to Robert, running to his feet at every call. Coming to his ‘rescue’ at the taco place as if he could actually stop Chad if he tried. It was pathetic. Even now, Herman sat across the table with his annoyingly wide eyes, nodding along to every bullshit word coming out of Robert’s mouth. What does he even see in that bitch anyways? What does anyone see in that MechaBitch? Chad was the strongest one on the team and he could easily burn Robert to a crisp outside the suit. He was sure being behind the metal made Robert feel like a big man and have an ego bigger than his head. At the least Chad wasn’t hiding anything. It was actually strong of him to not jump across the table right now and pin Robert to the ground-
“Hey, Flambae! Are you even listening? “ Robert’s louder tone broke through his daydream. Chad blinked a few times before he leaned back in the office chair and met eyes with his mortal enemy, ignoring the rest of the looks from the room that now stayed on him. Any attention was good attention, right?
“ What-thefuck-ever. Not like this shit matters anyways. We done here or what? ” Chad’s arms crossed not breaking his eye contact. Robert scoffed in response and shook his head.
“ I don’t care whatever it is you got going on but right now you are in this meeting which means you need to actually pay attention for once.” Robert’s stern tone was meant to be intimidating, but that clearly wasn’t working.
“ So what? You gonna cut me like Coupé? “ Chad replied knowing well that it was still a sore subject and it was met with a few grumbled words from the rest of the Z Team.
“C'mon man that’s not funny” Malevola interjected from his right. Chad couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Before turning to address the rest of the group.
“ We all know he’s not gonna do shit. He bitches at us all day. Bet he gets off to this. “ Chad turned back returning his glare to Robert. “ So we done here or you gonna keep bitching all night til you cum in your tighty whities?”
Robert couldn’t squeeze the bridge of his nose tight enough to prevent the impending headache that would set in if he even tried to argue.
“ You know what? Fine. Meetings over. See you all tomorrow. “
Robert raised his hand to vaguely wave at the rest of the team dismissing them before turning and quickly leaving the conference room. Chad’s smirked widely feeling accomplished for breaking the MechaMan in the smallest way he can. Any win is a win. Chads palms pressed against the table lifting himself up from the chair. Before he turned to the door his eyes met with Herman’s who now had a glossy look to them and lips turned to a deep frown. Their eyes only met for a few seconds before Herman quickly turned his head away. Upsetting the lap dog was yet another win in his books. Chad's smirk grew as he pushed his chair away and left out the door.
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One steaming shower later and Flambae felt on top of the world. He wrapped a towel loosely around his waist and made his way over to his locker. His jet black hair now lay flat against his back. Water droplets quickly steamed off his skin. Everyone else on the team had left already, leaving Chad to have the locker room to himself which is exactly the kind of me-time he needed after an annoyingly long day. Chad grabbed his brush and hair oil from the locker before sitting down on the bench and beginning his usual routine. God knows he wasn’t gonna leave before his hair was perfect.
Chad's head rested to the side as he worked to comb through his long thick locks leaving them looking like silk falling from his scalp. A small gasp broke the silence of the locker room.
“Ah sorry I- I didn’t know you were- I mean I can come back l-later if you don’t..” Hermans pathetic words trailed off as Chad raised his chest and looked over his shoulder at the neon suited man. Those amber eyes burned and brows furrowed back at him. His glare lingered in the silence causing Herman to shift in his own feet and patiently wait for an answer. The WaterBaby could never take a hint even if it was gifted to him on a silver platter and god it was annoying. Chad set the brush down and rose to his feet. His arm swung the silk hair around his shoulder to lay at his back again.
“ You know.. I was just thinking about you.” Chad finally responded in a lower tone as he turned to face Herman.
“ You wanted to- M-me? “ Herman's voice barely squeaked out of his throat. His slender fingers began intertwining nervously with each other. Chad watched as Herman’s eyes glanced down to his pectorals and a flush grew over his pale cheeks. He couldn’t hide the smirk growing on his lips. If he couldn’t get back at Robert he could at least get his lap dog to turn on him.
“ Not like anyone else is in here. “
Chad made his way closer to Herman like a lion approaching its prey. It wasn’t until he was a few steps away that Herman finally caught on that he was the one being hunted. Before he could so much as turn around Chad shoved Herman, slamming his back against the lockers. His fisted hand followed suit slamming into the metal beside Hermans head earning a pathetic yelp from the man now pinned with no escape. Herman's slender fingers found their place in front of his own mouth as if he was afraid that any word would lead to his last. Those big blue eyes looked like they were gonna practically pop out of his goggles. To be loved and to be feared felt all too similar to Flambae making him enjoy the sight of Herman’s body quivering even more.
“ The fuck do you even see in him? What does he have that I don’t?? “ Chad’s loud interrogative tone caused another squeak to escape Herman’s throat. Those big blue eyes blinked a few times before he finally registered the question.
“I-..Who are you- What? “ Herman cautiously replied, slightly lowering his fingers. Chads brows furrowed deeper.
“ MechaBitch! Bob Bobert! Who else would I be talking about??” Chad's body radiated heat as the fire grew more in his chest with anger. Herman didn’t have time to answer before Chad continued his outburst.
“ You go around kissing his ass all day and I can’t stand it. He’s not a hero. He’s not your fucking dad. He’s a piece of shit.” Chad raised his other hand in front of Hermans face. His three digits and 2 stumped ones flexed in front of him.
“You know he did this to me, right? Bitch stole my fucking fingers! The fuck do you think he’s gonna do to you if he could get ME like this? “
“ I’m sorry! I-I didn’t know he- that you.. that happened..” The wide eyed prey now practically pleading for his life.
“That’s what I fucking thought. You see that shit as some god but all he did was ruin my life!” Chads fists glowed, on the edge of bursting into flames.
“ Did you -..Did it hurt? “ Herman quietly responded, voice trembling along with his body. The question caught Chad off guard causing him to blink a few times. No one ever asked him about it. No one really cared.
“ Yeah it fucking did..!” Chad responded still in his defensive tone. His fist beside Hermans head finally lowered and he leaned back giving space between them. “ Hurt like a bitch..”
He shook his head, feeling the heat in his chest return to a simmer. He was getting side tracked from his goal. Chad shook his hands brushing away the last of the fire inside him.
“ He’s using you. You think he wouldn’t snap you in half the moment he got tired of you?” Chad’s voice was brought back to its lower tone. “ Just watch your back WaterBaby.. “
His stare lingered slightly before he turned around and returned to his locker. It was only a moment before he heard quickened footsteps and the locker room door swing shut. He still didn’t understand why someone like Herman would care so much for a pathetic hero who didn’t give a fuck about him. If Flambae had fans he’d be sure to enjoy every moment of praise. Maybe make a cheesy name for the fan club. For now it was nice to be feared and that would have to do.