Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Elliot did not like being in the brave brigade; he loathed it on multiple levels.

If he had chosen a fulfilling career where he was respected and loved for his path, he would have made that decision long ago. One where he is appreciated and not pushed to the side of the current events in the world. Once, he had seen himself as more than just a background manager for a bunch of unfulfilled heroes who had done less than he had ever done for them.

All he ever asked, wanted, pleaded for was one simple congrats on his part, and yet he's left in the dust of their idiotic trail. Every one of them has their very own abilities for something seen as worthy, heck, even the other person who had no powers seemed to be seen more, no matter what he had done. If Elliot had known that all it takes is flashy screens and bright lights on a biomagnetic robot action figure twice its size, well, then he would've done it long before Robbie ever had.

He sounds almost selfish for admitting it, Robbie was a true hero he was something unlike anybody he had ever met, sly laughs when stealing information from the college office just so him and his ‘cool Eli’ could do better in a subject, or get equipment, scrap metal that would help him further his research, he had earned his hero title long before the world new of Mecha man astral. Elliot had just wished for a second that he had brought him along the line of fame. So, to him, it was true in a way.

It was the reason Elliot even wanted to be a hero. Robbie made him feel somewhat worthy, there and indestructible, Elliot wanted to be a real, true hero who was congratulated and famed like everyone else in the team. However, despite his resentment, there were multiple things he adored about the Brave Brigade; it’s not as if they weren’t helping people - they were helping more than half the people Elliot had ever talked to in his life.

In his life, he’s met about fifty people, so that’s not hard to top. The whole world seemed to think that, or maybe Elliot had just been reciting things in his mind.

Recognition was simply a back burner to justify his tiny ego, something entirely different. As much as he loathed, hated, and in all honesty had to deal with the agonizing pain of turned heads and ignorance he was pleased with the little team that transpired through the demanding job of being a hero. Nobody ought to admit it, but yes, he was also a hero on many accounts, and that fact brought him immense joy, even if only among himself.

In fact another thing he liked, emphasis on liked, was Robert ‘Robbie’ Robertson the second being the Brave Brigades leader. The most mundane sounding name residing to the most unique man you’ve ever met is someone entirely out of anybody's standard and wellness.

Robbie was smart, social, brave,well everything you would think of when imagining a heroine among Villain. He was the reason Elliot himself said yes to his stupid idea. Said yes to everything Robertson said, something so grand and shining came from the blood line it was so close to the astral pulse you would have forgotten when looking into his eyes. Robbie believed in him, said he should be on the team, and that was enough on his part.

He would love to say he hated Robbie for putting him in this frustrating position, that he was the worst man in the universe, no multiverse for his brash and demanding nature, but he couldn’t. Robbie was…a man, yes, a man. A man he had quickly agreed to be roomed with and talked for hours.

If Elliot weren’t any better, he would have even said he fell in love with the other, not romantically, something far more complicated than that. Something he couldn’t really put into words. He simply thought that they had been connected somehow, their souls together, that bond was just impossible to ignore.

Maybe that’s why it wasn’t a shock when they basically lived with each other. It was related to the astral pulse; of course, they were researchers. It was simple, just easier that way. When they, yes, they created the astral pulse, it was when the pair realized they could create anything if they just tried hard enough.

Call it stubbornness from Robbie, but to him it was persistence. Wonderful persistence, they couldn’t wait to exploit each other’s talents, because just for a moment, it felt like they were something stronger than some average superhero; they were above any superhero they knew. That’s how it felt anyway, something different and changed, you could even say better.

That might’ve gotten to their head.

The large halls in the building made Elliot’s clicking of a keyboard and Robbie’s long, drawn-out toddling with the mechanical parts of his mech, the brash, confident strokes from each of their respective places.

The brave brigade had been off that day; everyone had been off at missions or had family matters to attend to. Not that there was much crime that day; nothing another superhero couldn’t handle. If it were truly needed, they would be able to form again, but today was slow.

It had left Robbie and him in their lab to toddle to the machinery, Robbie adding upgrades and a new AI to his mech suit while Elliot worked on something senile from what he had remembered. They had sat in the team's building, which wasn’t far from Robbie’s home anyway, and it was easier to work on things without consequence. The long, drawn-out white walls seemed to dampen the tech room, if you could call it that; it was more a room that Elliot and Robbie had claimed to be somewhere comfortable to work, small but still big in a way. The grey stains danced around the ceiling.

Elliot was looking up at the ceiling rather than his work; they had most likely been there for hours, didn’t make a difference to him. Robbie was looking at the ground. It was sickenly mundane in their case. Usually, there was a high-level threat that they had to eradicate, but today just felt different.

In fact, the entirety of Robbie’s aura had differed from the past few days, a revelation perhaps? If so, it wouldn’t be long before he told Elliot something of his thoughts; the banging of the metal stopped, and Robbie sighed. All the years Elliot had known him, he always thought Robbie held a bit of awkwardness in his tone; it was strange for such a charismatic man.

“Elliot. I’ve always wanted to know something.” Elliot turned to view the man on the ground. Using the chair's back for his neck as his head leaned to the left, Robbie had not turned his body, but his eye watched Elliot carefully.

Here it was, the ‘talk’ Robbie always seemed to have some awkward statement he would make.

“What do you want to know?” Elliot exclaimed dryly; no amusement was uttered from Elliot’s mouth.

“I’ll die one day, right?” Elliot quickly hummed in response, “So will I.” Elliot wafted his hand in the air before putting it back onto his stomach.

To which Robbie smiled, “yeah yeah of course you will. But-“ a beat passed. “Wouldn’t I need a successor?” His hand came to his chin as his smile carried no humor.

“I mean-“ Elliot tried to argue, the prospect of Robbie's strange name. Robbie hadn’t talked about this since he was in college; the whole bloodline thing was Strange to Elliot, even when he had met Robert Robertson the first.

Robbie seemed to notice,

“No, no, truly, Elliot. I've come to realize I would need somebody to continue my legacy just like my father.”

Elliot’s face must have contorted in a way that made Robbie smile bigger.

He understood exactly what Robbie was trying to get at.

“Someone with my name!”

“Someone with your name.”

Robbie had stated loudly, his hands dropping the wrench in his hand and putting his arms onto his thighs in his criss-crossed position.

It made the grey-haired man sigh into his chest. “And how do you guarantee that’ll happen? Have you suddenly decided to start dating?” He crossed his arms, Elliot then sat up, an unimpressed face dawned over Robbie’s eyes, to which they widened shortly after processing the words.

He knows better than anyone that Robbie deciding to date would be a big deal, but why did he announce it so…? Like he was committing a crime against the government?

“What,”

Oh.

“no! no!” A rough laugh left Robbie. “Like I want a son, none of that dating nonsense, I’ve got much more to do, you know that.”

“I do,” Elliot ignored the ‘son’ part, “guess I’m the same,” he smiles gentle

“Exactly! You're like me, just like in college, we’re equals, Eli!!” Robbie smiled wider, with perfect teeth and all they almost seemed fake.

Elliot nods, a smug look dawns on him “Well, I wouldn’t say I’m like you exactly.” he looked up, “Think I’m quite different in ways, like you’ve got a lot more charm”.

“More charm?”

“Yeah, something like that.”

“Less brains though,” Elliot chuckles as Robbie sighs dramatically.

“Well, I’ll give you that, you're definitely smarter than me, your IQ and everything about your brain is…well, it’s higher than mine,” Robbie turned to look at Elliot with his entire face. “That’s why I think this is perfect for you!”

“Instead of tethering in that stupid situation of mothers and dating and such, I thought, wouldn't it be easier if we did something else?”

“What could you possibly do besides dating Robbie?”

“something much better.” Before Elliot could get a word out, he was quickly ignored by Robbie’s insistent statement the next second.

“I need a child Eli!” He put a hand on his chest

“I need a child better than me. Someone who can truly guarantee safety in the world and be a mecha man, it’ll be perfect. I just need something.” Quickly spoken out of his mouth with a proud smile like a kid who won a prize from a raffle, Elliot sighed, really sighed this time.

“What are you insinuating exactly?” Elliot grabbed the ridge of his nose before Robbie got off the ground, coming closer to Elliot, the large, brash footsteps making their way closer to his chair. He towered over Elliot when he had opened his eyes.

“The astral pulse took a lot of different tests, you know? Including DNA tests…” he drawled out,

“You wouldn’t.” A hint of unserious horror came from Elliot’s voice as he brought a hand up to his mouth.

“I would!” Jesus Christ.

“Why would I agree to such a foolish thing?”

“Because it’ s for the greater good, something you would never give up. Eli, isn't it your one dream to be seen?” Robbie crouched down close to Elliot’s face,

Oh, we're doing this again. The sly head turn of acknowledgment, like an innocent puppy and true joy Robbie had for observing people he liked when pushing their buttons, he was truly interested and loved to see them react.

Without any real malice, Robbie continued,

“To see yourself, or bloodline, out on the field rather than this little office, this is your chance.” Robbie huffs, “Don’t you want that?”

A beat crossed along the pair.

And embarrassingly, he had said,

“I do,” Elliot embarrassingly admitted. Robbie knew him too well.

It was simple, “Just let me have some of your DNA.”

Elliot should have said no. Should have said, ‘Are you insane?’ but in a way Robbie had been correct. The meager thought of some part of him moving on to protect the world made a selfish part of him agree. Robbie was a real good sweet talker, and in a way, he would feel guilty if he hadn’t agreed. Then Robbie would sulk with sad puppy eyes, he hated- or worse, find someone else to do it, and if Elliot's being quite honest, he doesn’t want to deal with that.

Whether Elliot agreed or not, Robbie would have done it anyway; it was truly whether Elliot wanted to come along or not.

It’s funny that it had been years since Robbie had even suggested the idea. He thought Robbie had just gone on one of his many tirades. The ones where Elliot would wake up in bed to find the man rambling to him about how to fix their connections and such, randomly get these ideas, and spend months on it, and a few weeks later, when he either found out the project was senile, stupid, or outright impossible, he just stopped. You would never truly know if Robbie had given up; he could beam at the brigade meeting and be somewhat bubbly, and then the next day be agitated and quiet.

Robbie was a strange man, but in all honesty, so was he. So he never judged Robbie for it, only worked around it. Elliot thought he was the same. So Elliot truly thought it had all been some project Robbie would realize was insane. Sure, he would blabber about it now and again, but he wouldn’t treat the idea like having a son. He gave Robbie his DNA, and that’s where it would end.

He would treat it strangely till Robert realized that making a child for his own selfish reasons was wrong. He expressed this, not like Robbie didn't listen to him. Elliot had been in the lab working on the pulse calibration, changing it to be most optimal because Elliot had ‘lost’ it.

He was lying; he just wanted to test something. For someone whose entire family revolves around being Mecha man, it’s almost as if being a scientist made it worse. Robbie wanted to test it and the life of the incredibly hard to make astral pulse he supposed, stupid idea, truly, but he would make it more optimal for Robbie, that’s what he wanted, or needed…he guessed.

Robbie had come in, carefully stepping over the wires and speeding towards Elliot's desk. Elliot quickly turned to Robbie, his eyes squinted from the blaring blue of the screens. He should get blue light glasses; he has blue eyes there more susceptible to light after all. Robbie had crouched down, showing Elliot a computer screen, which was the plan for…of course, the stupid child Robbie had been fixated on.

He just wouldn’t listen, this is the first time Robbie would do anything but give up on this pipe dream.

What’s worse is the plans were doable…incredible doable, and Robbie was smiling and talking as if this were a simple hero speech. He was so happy it put Elliot off in a way, he was tired of this conversation, he wanted to say no to Robbie but he was so instantly happy

would it be so bad to say he was a little excited as well? Just a tiny bit..maybe it was Robbie’s convincing process which was essentially forming a test tube baby.

He liked Robbie. He was smart, he was everything, so would it be so bad to admit this wasn’t the worst idea he’s ever had?

…

…

…

He guessed it truly hadn’t been.

Elliot was there when Robert was born.

He was furious, angry, and confused on many accounts, but he was there when Robert was brought home, Robert had spent barely an hour with the women that birthed him, and Elliot just watched, he watched Robbie look at Robert closely, inspecting and smiling and for some reason it had happened all too quickly

Elliot isn’t sure it was a good idea that Robbie had full control of that baby's name, ‘Robert Robertson III’, ridiculous. Truly so utterly ridiculous it was, times like these, he hated the man for a short second.

Mainly because little ‘Robert Robertson lll’ had blue eyes like his, sure they faded to brown but it was unmistakable his eyes. What a weird coincidence.

Elliot didn’t think about his genes showing at all. In fact Robbie only imagined his genes would affect his mind, the fact the blue stayed over the more dominant gene of brown made him laugh a little, his ‘experiment’, ‘mind revolting idea’ was flawed after all.

A bitter fact seemed to reach Robbie as well. He stared at Robert like the mech suit after completing a mission. Which made sense, it made sense…he just thought of it all differently.

He thought that this was some cover up for Robbie wanting to have a son. Some fickle part of his obnoxious young brain said ‘this is some big cover up’ a big cover up for them to just take care of something besides themselves.

But the more Elliot looked at the scene of Robbie holding Robert he realized he was holding him quite rough, and that was quite odd but Robbie was smiling. Robbie was smiling and hugging the baby, he was smiling and hugging him with delight and joy, like that’s his son, why did Elliot feel angry?

He participated in this. He participated in this strange scene of Robbie cooing at his son, he should be happy why did this feel off?

He hadn’t decided till he had left the two alone, feeling awkward and went back to his lab, his studies, his ideas, his thoughts. That only a few hours later the baby carrier Robert had come in was left on a chair by him with no word, no conversation, no Robbie in sight.

He was livid, angry he wanted nothing to do with that child. His excitement before was fickle but Robbie convinced him, Robbie had said it would be great, Robbie said he was excited, why was Robbie still not there?

He should be. Shouldn’t he?

He got closer to Robert looking into the baby carrier, he realized,

oh.

Robert was an experiment, and it was Elliot’s job to take care of those.

But at the time he just said, Robert is as much dna as he is Robbie’s, and it was as much of a responsibility to see this through as him.

As much as Robbie’s…as much as his, right.

But why did Robbie just leave the thing? This should be for him to take. To nourish, why was Elliot being given the baby as Robbie went down for the night. It’s not as if he was crying, no no, the baby was silent.

Elliot scooted closer to Robert from his chair, the wheels echoed throughout the silent room as he peaked into the basket again. It had been the middle of the night.

Everything around Robert was quite plain, no inch of personality to it, and for some reason Elliot wanted to change that. Don’t babies usually have soft colors surrounding them? Yeah that sounded right..?

Elliot would change that, for Robbie he thought.

Robert was born for success. So he must be more of a success if he did the things other babies had, like Robbie and himself, yeah, that makes sense.

He looked at the soft skin and the sleeping face of the baby and sighed, he didn’t understand why it was so conflicting to look at it. Something he did, something he made.

Maybe it was his name, his name that had a certain destiny that made his dear friend unstable enough to make a baby for success and his own morals, he couldn’t decide if that was bad.

He had just thought,

Robbie was no father, and little Robert’s name showed that well. Robbie was Robbie, and now Robert was Robert and he had the job of taking care of them both.

He thinks,

November 10th, is when Elliot started to truly despise Robbie, but Robert, that’s the exact day he started to adore him.

It wasn’t obvious. It wasn’t brash. It was a silent resentment that he couldn’t stand.

Elliot held baby Robert longer than Robbie ever touched that child. He would always be so busy, he left Robert like he left Elliot.

He had something in common with a baby, isn’t that funny?

That day when Robert was placed by him he hated Robert, he got angry and he wanted to ignore him like he should’ve, in fact he was going to until he remembered Robert had little blue eyes like him, same shade, same dark blue, same pupils, and maybe that would have been for the best but he just couldn’t.

He truly truly couldn’t.

He had broken down on the same day Robert was born with the realization that

He had to take care of their little experiment.

So he did.

Robbie would come every now and again as he stayed with Robert, acting like this father that was too good to be true, but eventually it didn’t stick. Robert was reaching every milestone without him. It didn’t stick one bit.

Elliot and Robbie’s relationship was strong, but conversations turned awkward when Robbie realized Elliot was cradling Robert, Robbie realized he had to acknowledge Robert, and in that Elliot almost gave up. Eventually Robbie got the hang of it, the occasional fight sure but they had gotten through it.

They were best friends after all. There was nothing they couldn’t do, but it was strange every time he would talk about the boy,

‘This will be amazing for’ and ‘he should ' and ‘fix that for’ or ‘you have to stop that for’ it was expected, calculated even from Elliot’s mind but it bothered him.

Elliot would blow off the mouth that spoke those words.

Robert was a crawler and refused to walk, when Robbie had found out he sighed looking angrily.

“I’ll have to fix that.” Then he made a joke a few seconds later. So Elliot assumed it was a joke, Elliot soon found him trying to get the baby to walk, kept putting him up right, it was cute, until his grip got a little too rough, too rough for Elliot’s liking so he stepped in.

Robbie smiled at him with all grins, it was strange because the feeling never left the room.

He hated that feeling, and when it kept happening, Robbie’s liking kept falling too, with him at least, the public’s eye was much happier to applaud him for everything and anything.

Elliot had started distancing himself from Robbie after the situation; however, Robbie was an unpredictable man, and his mood changed quickly..

Elliot wanted to trust Robbie, he wanted to leave them together and not have this gut wrenching feeling of something horrible about to happen. Whether Elliot himself liked it or not, he wanted to make sure Robert was not being hurt by his dear friend as harshly as that sounds.

He wanted them to be a family, like how Robbie had been to Elliot. He wanted the three of them to stay up at night, have that parent longing and tired experience, but it never happened because Robert was a quiet baby.

And in all honesty, he was neglecting every need that the baby had; if Elliot hadn’t been there, Robert would have died long ago.

Too busy to be a mecha man to simply give a baby a bottle, or attend to any of that baby’s needs. Elliot had to choke Robbie out before he even considered actually taking care of his son; Robert shouldn’t exist right now, but it was too late to back out anyway.

Elliot couldn’t take it anymore. Robert was two years old when Robbie was his least favourite person in the world.

Chapter Text

Watching Robert grow was a privilege that Elliot’s not sure he should’ve had the right to. He understood, he truly understood why he had to, and why it was better that Robert was in his own grasp rather than his true fathers.

Robert looked like him…yes, looked like him, but he was mostly Robbie, he's not sure if he can find it in himself to be angry at it, his face more specifically. In fact, it only ever started to truly bother Elliot when Robbie had begun to get closer to Robert than Elliot had planned, even if it failed most of the time. It was so strange to him; it was strange because Robert was certainly attached to Elliot more.

It all happened when Robert was two years old, when he started speaking. Maybe it was because Robbie became aware that Robert was starting to become an actual kid you could talk to, he would play with Robert more, give him more stares in the lab, and talk to him, meeting Robert eye to eye. It all felt unbelievably fake,

Robert looked like a fool in his opinion; he was not sure what Robbie was trying to prove, or if he was trying to change his mind. What difference did it make? Robert was nowhere near as attached to Robbie as he was to Elliot. Robert’s attachment was more than Elliot had planned in the first place, actually. He may sound like an idiot for even suggesting that staying around with a baby all the time wouldn’t lead the baby to be attached to you, but he truly didn’t realize it till Robert was attached to his hip.

Compared to when Robert was first born, quiet and blank, Robert turned out to be a very ecstatic child, even if that meant hitting him with a rattle or two. Robert was a sweet child; he didn’t mean it…or that’s what Elliot is going to believe for his sanity and everyone’s influence, meaning Robert’s influence. He's not sure if Robert’s smart, but he ought to think Robert has to be. He could do simple puzzles with ease, but he’s still a child, one who couldn’t possibly understand that hitting hurts.

If a child doesn’t understand hitting, does that mean it was raised in a safe environment…? He’s still not sure.

He’s not sure whether that was just a developmental stage or an indication that he was smarter than most; he was two years old, and it was anyone’s guess at the time.

It’s not like Elliot knew what was good for a baby; he was trained in coding and invention, not figuring out kids. By how happy Robert is all the time, he’s probably doing fine. So what if he was the one surrounding the chokeable wires around a baby? In his defense, he didn’t think Robert would become the baby form of a puppy who put everything in his mouth. He will neither deny nor confirm whether Robert has ever eaten a wire; that’s a secret they kept between them and no one else.

In fact, that seemed to be the relationship Elliot had made with Robert, a silent agreement that was just in his head, far off from anything logical. Can babies melt your brain? He doesn’t care.

But maybe Elliot had become reliant on Robert? For some unforeseen reason, Elliot had just started talking to Robert. He once tried to be responsible and put Robert to bed while he worked, and yet he couldn’t get anything done. He found that it was quite lonely without the grabby hands of a toddler; the quiet but loud clanking of Robert’s clumsiness trying to walk couldn’t be absent, if it had, he’s not sure he could code anymore. It was confusing because, for some reason, he hadn’t registered; he had been attached to Robert the same way Robert was attached to him.

It made him less lonely in a way, and it’s good to talk to children; it's how they grow verbally. It's not like Robert would learn his speech anywhere else but from him…he should work on that, that’s probably really sad.

Mainly because Robert never saw much of anything else, wherever Elliot went, Robert would follow right between his legs, and that something else just happened to be Elliot’s lab.

Looking back, it was strange.

That’s where Robert’s first words were, in the same lab that Robbie and he had discussed making Robert, and what made it worse was Robbie had been there, it wasn’t for Robert, it was never for Robert, if it had been Elliot wouldn’t have Robert glued to him like a keychain, but he was there at least. Maybe in some alternate universe, Elliot didn’t have to deal with an awkward conversation between Robbie because he was holding the other baby he made.

Maybe then Robert wouldn’t have pointed at Elliot and said ‘papa,’ and eventually he looked at Robbie and said nothing; it was a little funny. Mainly because he could see it in the subtle kink of his eyebrow and frantic scrambling, looking at Robert and saying ‘who?’ And Robert just kept pointing at Elliot. In a long while, Robert had made Elliot laugh, laugh harder than a mere chuckle and belly laugh. For some reason, Robbie’s grimace made it all the funnier. Oh, Robert, his pride had certainly been hurt. Elliot hoped he knew that. And that man couldn't do a thing to fix it.

He’s still not sure if that was the right word for him, but Robert didn’t know much more, and he didn’t want to discourage the other from talking; he’d figure it out.

Robert had begun to make Elliot laugh a lot, and that’s probably where the fighting began most between the two; they always seemed to be short with one another. Telling the other to shut up, it was banter, stupid banter that was not friendly whatsoever; the only conscious reason for not screaming was the fact that little Robert was in the room.

It was pushed to harsh shoves, then it was aggressive pats on the shoulder to slaps, then the slaps turned to punches. Sure, Robbie may have had an advantage, but Elliot was as sly as Robbie was when fighting. Think of two strays on a street, but one’s a giant dog and the other a toothpick of a cat. He had to pretend the cat was Robbie; it was his mind, no one could control it.

Robbie always won physically, probably because he was constantly fighting during super hero work, but at the same time Elliot wasn’t too short on his own self defense, 

He might’ve given Robbie a bald spot because of their foolish fights, but to be fair, Robbie had pulled out a couple of strands of Elliot’s. No one asked Robbie why he had shaved his beard anyway; that team was so personal and impersonal at the same time.

What made it worse was that they had to keep it far away from Robert’s eyes. They had to begin to have nice conversations when the boy was around. Robbie could do it so perfectly, the polite smile, he would call himself ‘dad’, it somehow made Robbie grow closer to Robert, it made Robbie realize he barely knew the child.

Robert didn’t exactly like Robbie, but he certainly didn’t hate Robbie. Elliot wouldn’t forget that time when Robbie and he had been quietly arguing, which entailed whispers of threatening words.

It was in the hallway, and Robert was supposed to be cuddled in bed with his thirteen different blankets. Robert was always bundled up. It had to do with the fact that he was cold; he was sweating half the time, so Elliot humored the boy.

What had that whole argument been about anyway…? Oh, it wasn’t the hallway at all, but rather the kitchen. Elliot had come in to see the other man disheveled and tired, still in the thick suit that he wore inside the mech suit without the armor.

Sitting on one of the island's stools, he paid no mind to Elliot at first, but then it began to become a problem when Robbie asked where Robert was. Not in a curious way, but rather in a satirical manner. Pissed him off, Elliot had angrily stated. “What did it matter to you?”

“How is it not?” Robbie smiles coldly, “he’s my son after all.”

“Sure.” Elliot shrugged, looking at the other. It was strange how a few years ago this would have been seen as light-hearted, far from the passive-aggressive tone it had now. Bittersweet, that’s what you called it.

“Sure. Right. What is it you want from me?” He sighed, looking away from Elliot's cold blue gaze. The other always seemed to look back at Robbie when he spoke; every facial feature, wrinkle, and change in Robbie's movements was noted.

It made Robbie more uncomfortable than he liked.

“Me? What do I want?” Elliot blew out of his nose as if something was funny. “I want you to be someone who could call Robert his son.”

“I do spend time with him, just because you play babysitter doesn’t mean I don’t take care of him.” Robbie casually responded,

“When do you?” Elliot smiles, waiting for the inevitable response from Robbie, which was none. “Oh yeah, you don’t.”

“Because you left him with me.”

“With you?” Robbie raised his voice, “no you just took him from me!”

Elliot quickly put a finger to his mouth, making Robbie sit back down in his seat. He hadn’t even noticed he had gotten up. The widening of both of their eyes and the acknowledgement of the elephant in the room seemed to calm it from becoming punchy in a way.

“You know exactly what you're doing, and you can’t just victimize yourself, you know?” Robbie exclaimed, putting his hands up to express his point.

“What am I doing? What could I possibly be doing but maintaining what you left?”

“What I left…?” Robbie had sighed with a scowl on his face. “I didn’t leave anything, I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Yeah, sure you're here, you're so here that Robert knows what to call you.” Elliot had looked up at Robbie getting closer to the other right by his feet and leaning into his face, “New Flash Mecha-Man, he doesn’t, so get over it.” A pointer finger beat across Robbie's chest as the beats of Elliot's voice boomed through the corridors.

Elliot moved to walk away before Robbie had grabbed his wrist again. Elliot’s not sure where that altercation would’ve gotten before a soft little voice echoed throughout the room,

“Your uncle.”

Both men turned over to see the small two-year-old Robert staring at them with his ridiculously large eyes. In fact, his eyes were creamier in the night; they almost glowed. Freckled face and mouth that resembled a cat's,

“W-what?”

All the tension seemed to disappear at the sight and well words that echoed in the room, where had Robert even come from? It was anyone’s guess. Robbie’s confused reply seemed to cut but melt the tension in the room.

“Name uncle.” Robert pointed to Robbie before putting his finger down. Robert was so confused that he looked at Elliot, and Elliot looked back, and somehow they were embarrassed.

Robbie quickly let go of Elliot’s wrist, his elbows touching the iron stools backing in a laid-back position. Elliot walked over to Robert, and Robert hugged Elliot’s leg. Elliot guessed Robbie had been given a name. Shit, he was listening, maybe Robert was a genius. That’s the only thing Elliot thought while leading the tired boy back to bed.

It was shocking at the time, but it was memorable. Who would’ve thought the actual father turned out to be an ‘uncle’? It made Elliot feel important somehow… weird how he just thought Robbie was his strange uncle somehow…? It also helped him win that argument. He could’ve only imagined Robbie’s stupid face.

He won a lot of arguments like that; he really enjoyed Robert. In some ways, he thought he didn’t deserve him one bit.

Elliot thought Robbie didn’t deserve Robert either; Robbie didn’t care, and he was much too focused on Mecha-Man to care at all, in fact ever since they had gotten into these harsh spats, Robbie’s eyes lacked that bright swirl that danced in his eyes as of late. Elliot didn’t hate Robbie; he didn’t hate Robbie until Robbie was becoming erratic, yeah, that’s what Elliot would’ve called it, incredibly erratic.

It was a long year of on and off anger, sweetness that it became beyond scraps and slaps. It's almost as if an entire shift came soon after the man; he closed himself off so much that Elliot’s not even sure if he was angry or not before it was simply just Robbie, a man who couldn’t care less for what he saw as less important compared to his true purpose in life.

Elliot wasn’t sure when it had really gotten bad, bad as in he hadn’t seen Robbie for months. He hadn’t seen Robbie ever; he had called brigade members, and they were all as confused as him. Robbie had somehow disappeared from everyone’s noses until there was only Mech-Man on the screen in front of him.

For some reason, he only thought to worry. Truly worried. This shouldn’t have been news to him. Robbie not connecting with his son wasn’t on purpose; hell, he knew it was him avoiding a new stress on his life, whether he asked for it or not. Elliot thought he was going to come back as he always was, but that was never the case with him

He was coming out of Robert's bedroom, the one he had made for Robert, not Robbie. He was going to finally go down for the day, or that’s what Robert believed; it’s more like he was going to finally sleep in the la,b he didn’t have the energy to share a bed with Robbie anyway.

As he was walking down the corridor, he heard a crash from outside. It was late at night, and it was drizzling, no thunder or anything. So it was strange to hear a loud clang through the window. He was going to ignore it, mistaking it for lightning, before he heard another aggressive hit,

He slowly lifted his head to the shed that held the mech suit, and the remainder of whatever Robbie had found were finished, the final projects of you will.

And Elliot had stared, stared long and hard at the shed, wincing when he heard it again. It wasn’t thunder, but rather Elliot had heard the harsh sound of metal crashing into one another. It was loud, and it wasn’t exactly close, no, it was far away, but it was still loud, exactly where the little building had sat.

The long pang wouldn’t have been noticeable, couldn’t have been if Elliot didn’t remember the exact sound. If Elliot hadn’t been in an almost completely quiet house, he would’ve never heard it.

He squinted, bringing his hands closer to the window's sturdy edge. He found the light was on, and the door was creaking open. He couldn’t he…?

Elliot looked at the door that led to the yard and quickly sped walk towards it, leading himself through the door and quickly striding across the lawn.

The wind made his eyes tear up as he had gotten wet. He didn’t know why he was doing this; in fact, he couldn’t help but say Robbie should go to hell, but he was weirdly worried; he was so insanely worried about those echoing sounds. They scared him; they reminded him of something.

His own straggling breaths only made him realize he had run out to that shed rather than just walk. His heart was pounding, and he was sweating more than the rain that dripped onto his head. He didn’t nearly have the proper gear to be out there anyway, but he was, and he opened the door and panicked all the way.

It was exactly what he had thought; the scene before him had Robbie, the large man holding a pipe; he could only see the backside of Robbie. Robbie’s chestnut hair seemed to have grown a significant amount, much more to Robbie’s liking; he knew that because Robbie made him cut it.

The sound was very prominent. His suit was still on, it was dirtied, and the loud sound came from the pipe coming into contact with the mech suit. Robbie continued grunting harshly, breathing staggered as he continued beating the leg of the suit. The yellow flickering light illuminates the tools and vitals of the robot.

It scared Elliot. It scared him half to death when Robbie had turned his head at the noise. His brown eyes, devoid of emotion, stopped what he was doing and turned fully to Elliot. The men stared at each other, both of their breaths coming out as if they had run a marathon, and Robbie stepped closer, and closer, and closer.

Elliot moved back. This man was not Robbie. This man scared him, scared him to the point he felt he couldn’t breathe. No one would be there to help him, and Robbie kept coming closer. He couldn’t take it; it should never come out here. Robbie was scaring him, and he had no idea what to do.

Robbie didn’t have any open points because of that. Armour and Elliot were unarmed. Why was Robbie continuing to come closer?

Eventually, the shed door was shut, and Elliot was trapped; he wasn’t, but he felt trapped. He couldn’t find a way out; he was far too panicked. He knew he should lift his weight off the door to get out, but he couldn’t move; he had to, but his mind won’t let him. Why was Robbie so close?

Elliot could feel the others' huffs, making the air around him hot.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

He couldn’t speak; he didn’t have the courage.

“Elliot?” Robbie said angrily, “I’m not asking again.”

“What are you doing?” A terrified voice spoke in a whisper that seemed to make Elliot gulp. The crack in his voice would’ve embarrassed him if Robbie weren’t much greater of a threat.

“Maintenance,” Robbie said plainly, before looking back at the large dents he put into the suit. Elliot looked at him, dumbfounded as he seemed to turn away.

“…maintenance?” Elliot hadn’t stopped hugging the door.

“Yeah…” Only now had Elliot realized Robbie’s fogged eyes; he didn’t look directly at Elliot.

He wordlessly hit the machine again, hurting Elliot’s ears, making him cover them with his hands. He never liked loud noises, and neither did Robbie, so why..?

“Why are you destroying the mech suit…?” He whispered breathlessly, still breathing sporadically from the events.

“It has to go.” What..?

“Robbie, you can’t just-“ Robbie turned to Elliot, glaring, which made him shut up. He wasn’t the biggest fan of the mech suit, but this was borderline insane. Robbie was…this was Robbie’s entire life.

“I prefer to do this alone, Elliot.” Robbie looked down at the floor before looking back at Elliot, “Or do I have to chase you out, too?” He squinted his eyes.

Elliot couldn’t understand what to say or how to say it. What was he supposed to do? Robbie made the choice clear when he threw the pipe at Elliot’s head. Elliot had crouched to the floor, avoiding the massive piece of metal, and covered his head.

Elliot fumbled with the doorknob and closed the door to the wet outside.

How pathetic of him.

He’s not going to admit who that was targeted at; he never would because he’s not even sure himself.

Elliot had walked back into the home, the quiet house having familiar comfort. His white, black button-up was soaked, including his hair and pants, and everything. He’s not sure if he was just trying to make things up to think about something else. But he slid down the door tiredly, bringing his knees into his face.

For a second, Elliot had finally understood what it meant to look a hero in the eye as a villain, and somehow Robbie became the worst hero he’d ever met.

Oh. He was crying, he was crying out of pity? Sadness? Stress? Maybe a combination, but he was. He hated crying, did you know that? Did anybody know?

By the time he had lifted his head, he saw two blue eyes staring at him from the corridor, small lights illuminating the smallest face. He realized he had cried too loudly, hadn’t he?

“Why are you up?” He asked hesitantly, his voice raspy.

“Everything is loud.” He said bluntly, Elliot, moved his arms out. The quiet signal led Robert to scamper into his arms. It made Elliot smile,

“Yeah, everything is loud. I’m sorry for waking you.”

“It is okay.” Robert was always a blunt kid; he had an angry face that seemed to be his natural one. It was cute…he almost forgot this is why he wasn’t charging out of the house, this situation.

As Elliot held Robert in his hands, the other hugged Elliot back. This would get Robert sick. Elliot stood using the door as support, still holding Robert.

He sat him down on the kitchen counter and got a towel from the cabinet below. He would’ve dried himself more, but he was still shaking; he wondered if Robert noticed.

He had to get Robert to bed; that’s the most logical thing he could think of. Routine, yes, routine was necessary.

When Elliot had reached Robert’s bed and almost collapsed next to it, he slowly tucked Robert in. The soft blue stars that decorated his ceiling seemed to ward off any ‘monsters’ Robert had made up, but if anything, Robert never had monsters in his imagination; maybe Elliot just made that up so Robert would seem more childlike.

He laid his chin on the suspended mattress, gently looking at Robert.

“Papa”

“Hm?”

“Can you read the birds?” Robert said quietly as if he knew something.

Elliot was taken aback at the odd request. Robert only asked this if…oh, Robert only asked Elliot to read when he was upset.

“You're not upset, are you?” Elliot asked as he rubbed his eyes.

“No.” Robert said, shaking his head, “You are.” The little brought his hand to Elliot’s hair, patting it gently.

Oh, he loved Robert greatly. He quickly looked around for the book, which was about how blue jays helped the forest grow. It wasn’t his favourite; there was another, but for some odd reason, Robert hadn’t demanded the other.

Maybe they were both tired. It was funny, for some odd reason, Robert had a fixation on birds. He even had a bird nightlight; it’s what he wanted, so Elliot got it. Elliot wondered if Robert would keep that fixation. He hoped he did, he found himself interested in birds as well, or maybe it just reminded him of Robert; he would never know.

Elliot fell asleep in a book on Robert’s bed, and Robert was right there beside him. He wouldn’t have it any other way, as sappy as it was. He liked combing through Robert’s hair and reading him books he himself couldn’t comprehend. Robert was too important to him to ever wish him out of his life.

Elliot decided that Robert would never be left alone with Robbie again, or let Robbie separate them at all. He hadn’t tried, and he probably never would, but the idea may have given him too many murder plans to be classified as a hero. He’s not even sure if he is one, but Robert thought he was, that’s for sure.

He never exactly told Robert much about heroes, but he did read stories about them, especially when he got older. He loved reading or getting a story told to him. Elliot had found out when he was reading a story to Robert that Robbie never actually broke that suit; it was broadcast on the television, and it’s like none of that stuff ever happened. He knows it did, but Robbie was with the brave brigade the next day, like nothing had ever happened.

Funny how that works.

After the whole incident, Elliot had begun completely putting off the entire brave brigade and their actions. He did not care about them; he simply couldn’t. He found it pointless to get dirty looks from people who paid him no mind. The embarrassment of being seen as the man who just ‘made the astral pulse’ was more than that.

He was more. But he didn’t want to prove that, he had a job and he would see it through and see it through.

He had to be with Robert, and he wanted to be with Robert. So he was there for his third, and now his fourth birthday. Robert blew out the candles on a small cake excitedly. It was nothing major, but Robert liked it. He expected Robert to say something about Robbie for some odd reason, but he didn’t. Robert really did like Eli, didn’t he?

They had gone out and been to the grocery store, the convenience store, and then the park. It wasn’t much, but Robert didn’t ask for anything special; in fact, they went to the park to feed pigeons. Elliot stopped keeping Robert inside so much. Robert was a very good kid; he didn’t get scolded, and he did copy Elliot’s attitude and voice. It was funny, Robert was like Elliot’s little copycat, and maybe he should’ve picked up on that when the others' speech didn’t stop from being blunt.

Robert was almost proud of it in a way; he didn’t shy away, he said thank you, and he listened. Elliot had guessed he spoiled him a little, but Robert was there for him like Elliot was to Robert…well, as much as a four-year-old could be there for a grown ass man.

Robert always held his hand when they were on the street. Once Robert hadn’t and Elliot lost track of where Robert was, once Elliot found Robert again, he explained in great detail that if Robert wasn’t holding his hand, he could get kidnapped and die, maybe that was overkill for a kid, Elliot couldn’t care that Robert was holding his hand.

Their destination was home, and they would count the cracks together along the sidewalk to their home. They would walk on each crack mainly to break his father's back, because that’s definitely how the saying went, and yes, Robert, it was good. Robert would get tired, and he would have to carry him by the 57th crack to the house; it was always the 57th crack compared to going to the park and coming back from the park.

There were a thousand steps between the two places; they couldn’t go if it was anymore. They were supposed to go home, but today was different, because today was Robert’s fifth birthday, and he wanted a Twinkie at the convenience store, so he had more energy to swing Elliot’s hand and shout out the different variations of pigeons, quals, finches, titmice, chickadees, woah Elliot knows too many birds.

Sometimes, parents would come up to Robert at the park and ask if Robert was okay or if he had been abducted because Elliot didn’t feel the need to smile at Robert playing. Maybe sometimes he seemed like a random guy who kidnapped a kid, but it was ridiculous sometimes.

In fact, that might’ve been the reason for Robert’s angry resting face; he should have listened to those parents…but Robert was smiling now anyway. Bright and wide, skipping to each crack. He had a light blue puffer coat with black pants and yellow boots; compared to Elliot, he was quite the opposite. Elliot wore multiple layers of some variation of dark browns and reds. They were all old, but Robert’s were brand new.

He just wanted Robert to be warm. Elliot hoped nothing would ever spoil that boy's day; he would become a cannibal if they did. Elliot meant it.

By the time Elliot got home, it had been dark, and Robert was sleeping on his shoulder. Elliot had just sighed; it always seemed to be dark when he looked outside from these windows. He’d rather not think about the events outside the home, so he just sat on the kitchen chair with a sleeping child.

Maybe Elliot shouldn’t be a hero; maybe he ought to be a civilian. For some strange reason, Elliot never told Robert that his dad was Mecha-Man, and he never told Robert what the big signs about the brave brigade meant. He’s sure he’ll just tie two and two together; he should put Robert to bed, actually.

He put the boy down in his bed, tucking him in gently. Robert clung to his coat mainly because it was wool. He tried to take it from him, but apparently, a sleeping toddler has more muscle mass than him. He knows, realistically, Robert would never develop a superpower; it was genetically impossible, but he kinda hoped that if he did, it would be just to annoy Elliot.

He liked the long, tired scenes like this; he liked them a lot. Robert would hold his gloved hand and never let it go; he had smiled harder every time he put Robert to bed. Something about it just made him increasingly happy. He liked seeing Robert grow up; he was so excited that he could.

The thought lingered as Elliot shifted away from the bed, eventually coming out to the dimly lit hallway.

The long, drawn-out hallway had lights covered with grate-like covers. Elliot never really turned them on; there was no need for it. Robert didn’t leave his room because he would get woken up by Elliot anyway. So it was strange to find them at this time.

But as Elliot looked across the floor, he realized that some of the light had been blocked. Elliot sighed, already knowing what was about to come. The looming shadow of Robbie had appeared before him; it shook him slightly, but it didn’t scare him, not yet, at least.

“Hello Robbie.” Was said to be devoid of any emotion.

Elliot looked down at the floor as the clanky boots came closer, the creaks almost making him flinch. He could almost feel the air becoming stagnant.

Right. Robbie. He had almost forgotten he had existed.

He always tried to intimidate Elliot with long strides, though it was different from that night, so he didn’t care. Robbie hadn’t even been an inch away from Elliot that be realized Robbie had done it so much it left no effect. He didn’t expect Robbie to realize and back off, but he had this time.

A soft hum of assurance that Robbie had heard the other. He could tell Robbie was looking at him, but he just tightened his hands.

“I want to know something, Elliot.” A beat between the two as Elliot tried to walk away, before the larger hand had grabbed him.

“Do you think I haven’t been around Robert enough?” He said desperately, tugging Elliot’s arm. Robbie seemed to whisper, looking away from Elliot,

Elliot stood there for a moment whether or not he should say the truth or not. He decided it would be best if he did,

“I do.”

Elliot stopped for a moment, then became frustrated. “Have you just noticed now?” He said, raising his voice, but it still registered as a whisper, only said with a bit of emotion leaking from his mouth.

The white handkerchief he wore around his neck had been slightly undone from ‘playing’ with Robert at the park.

“I guess I have,” Robbie said, backing away. He was trying to come to terms with something, but Elliot couldn’t stand to think about anything but what he already had.

“You guess?” He laughed.

“Yeah, Elliot, I guess I have.” He tightened his fists. Elliot could see the man’s nose crinkle, the hair that had become too long for his usual look.

He looked…dirty…Actually, when was the last time he saw Robbie in the day? When had he seen Robbie out of that stupid mech suit?

It had been months.

“What do you want?” Elliot decided to push the thought down. “What is this exactly?”

“I’ve come to realize I left this on you, haven’t I? This whole parenting thing.” his mood completely shifted, his shoulders less tense, as the grip on his arm began to weaken, he looked up at Robbie, really looked up at the illuminated face and realized,

Was Robert Robertson the second sorry?

“You have,” Elliot said plainly, not sure of what could come out of Robbie if he truly was rude to the other, so he just looked at another corner in the corridor, again becoming uncomfortable.

But Elliot was still angry, and Robbie knew that sharp look in his eye that said it. He almost seemed to wince every time Elliot looked at him with rightful anger.

“I’m sorry, Eli…” The soft, intimidating nature of the room disappeared as Elliot heard the quiver in his voice.

Elliot really looked at Robbie’s face, and he was crying, real tears, and he quickly pulled Elliot into a hug that confused him to no end. It wasn't a fickle short hug; Robbie was crying on his buttoned shirt. He was being loud as well, loud and unapologetic with his tears.

How Robbie of him.

“I’m so sorry, Eli. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I couldn’t-“ another sniff. “I couldn’t talk to you without feeling out of place. I’ve ruined this.”

“Well-“ Elliot couldn’t sputter a word. This was not a predictable action with Robbie; nothing was. But this? What was he doing???

“It’s- well, it’s not okay, Robbie.” Robbie was still hugging him and hugging him tight. “Okay. Calm down, Robbie. Calm down.” Ellliot began to rub circles on the taller's back.

“You have to believe me, Eli. I love you both, but I don’t know Robert that well, that's” he choked. “That’s why I’ve only been talking to you.” He said with perseverance, like he wanted to say it for so long, but it was ridiculous.

Elliot couldn’t help but huff fondly as much as he didn't want to, “That’s an awful excuse, Robbie.”

“Just awful, I say.” He rubbed more gently, becoming less stagnant.

“I know it is!” Robbie almost yelled, almost comically, for as long as Elliot knew the Robertson family there tears were either non-existent or somehow over the top; he could only hope Robert’s were a tiny bit more mature.

Though Elliot felt bad now. He truly felt bad. Was he not including Robbie enough…? Or did he truly not see Robbie’s intentions correctly? Had he done something wrong?

Was he truly selfish in wanting Robbie to always be there?

Robbie had been truly horrified by the fact that he hadn’t been there for Elliot and Robert. He kept spewing on and on as Elliot brought Robbie up the stairs, his hand never leaving his back as the man sobbed.

Once they reached the edge of Robbie’s bed, the man stopped crying. There were still tears coming down his face, but he seemed clearer now. For months, all Elliot had seen were Robbie’s dark brown eyes devoid of any emotion, but as he was looking at Elliot tonight, he noticed that glint in Robbie’s eyes again that Elliot had seen when he was younger.

This was Elliot’s Robbie, this was Elliot’s dear friend; he had almost forgotten what the other looked like.

His eyes weren’t black and cold, no, they were much more chestnut. He cared so much, wouldn’t Elliot see it?

“I’ll be better, Eli, I swear.” Robbie stopped. “I’ll help you when I can, like what I’m supposed to be doing anyway.”

Elliot's anger dissipated in a second, and it felt more like guilt. Robbie was so kind, and Elliot had treated him so harshly so fast.

He guessed he loved Robbie too much, too great to say he didn’t accept his apology, would Robbie hear? Probably not.

He kept thinking while looking at the other,

Robbie had started pulling his hair; that wouldn’t do. Elliot got up, leaving Robbie alone before returning with scissors. Elliot silently started snipping the older hair, while Robbie just stared at him.

“Why are you being so nice..?” He started, “I hurt you, and you're being nice to me?” Elliot shook his head, not responding.

A couple of minutes rolled by, and Elliot had been done, he placed the scissors and his hands in his lap and sighed.

“Listen, Robbie. If you promise you’ll actually be there for Robert. I’ll be there for you,” Elliot stopped. “I’m not saying all the time, I’m just saying more than you are now.” Before Robbie could respond, Elliot replied harshly,

“Which is zero.” Robbie only nodded before Elliot seemed to ask, “Why did you destroy the mech suit that night?"

“I was tired…I think.” Robbie scratched his head

“You think…?” Elliot skeptically turned his head.

“Look. I was just so angry I couldn’t think straight, and everything had been wrong, I think I failed a mission.” Robbie stopped for a moment, “You weren’t supposed to be there.”

“I wasn’t..?”

“No…sometimes my mind makes me blank on stuff.” Robbie sucked in a heavy breath. “If I’m honest, Elliot, I barely remembered that night.”

“But I remember hurting you.” Oh, somehow it didn’t feel true.

Elliot pretended it was, maybe for some comfort for himself, relief that Robbie would never do something like that again.

He was an ignorant, ignorant, stupid fool. He had broken the one promise he had given to himself for this stupid fantasy.

When Robert turned five, Robbie was a father for a year. He was somewhat present, he took Robert out, he laughed, and he got to know that boy. Elliot was so happy, he even went back to a meeting with the brave brigade. He was happy, and so was Robert; Robbie even accepted the ‘uncle’ title Robert gave to him.

He said it was better than nothing, and he had only awkwardly smiled at Robert when he said it. Things were still weird between the two, still secretive, and there wasn't even a competition at this point. Elliot had already won, yet Robbie seemed to find ways that would somehow boost his status with Robert

On Robert’s fifth birthday, Robert, Robbie, and he were going out. It had felt nice and calm, with tension seemingly melting. However, that was quickly soured with the fact that Robbie had gotten Robert something special for his birthday, but he wouldn’t even tell Elliot. He hadn’t worried; he only wondered what it could have possibly been that not even he could discuss it with Elliot.

Obviously, he should have, he specifically should have, because the dread that came over Elliot's face when he saw the golden lab's ears made him turn to Robbie and almost choke him out.

Robert had gotten a puppy that year for his birthday, and he didn’t tell Elliot at all.

It wouldn’t be a problem, truly, if he knew that Robert couldn’t take care of it, nor could Robbie. Although Robert would try, it all felt as though Robbie had done this just to get back at him for something. For what? He doesn’t know, he still doesn’t know.

Although it melted when he had seen Robert’s face,

Robert had the widest smile on his face as he declared the dog's name was stroganoff. The lanky teenage puppy licked his face. When Robert had learned the word stroganoff, Elliot may never know, but Robbie had laughed loud and boyish just like Robert, so he couldn’t help but follow along between the two and laugh; he might as well. It was all strange how everything seemed to come together. Robbie was acting good, kind, like Robbie and Robert didn’t just stare at the man blankly.

He guessed they had changed a lot. Had Elliot changed at all? He didn’t care all too much.

Eventually, Robbie had to leave; he had to go beat up a villain no one seemed to have the courage to fight. It was strange that somehow the entire state had just appointed Mech-man as the one guy who could truly save all of California, it didn’t bother him as much as he wanted, it was inevitable, however, right before leaving Robert’s party, Robbie said it was a treat to Robert the entire thing, the puppy, him being there on his birthday. Elliot's sure that’s not what he meant; he’s sure that Robert didn’t take it any other way, but the fact that he was a good child. Though to Elliot, it had a connotation he didn’t like whatsoever. It was such strange wording that it seemed to make the entire situation sour. ‘A treat’, what that could entail. He could only hope it was just bad wording, more than anything else.

He started to look at stroganoff like a threat, an undeniable ‘treat’ that could’ve been taken from Robert, because it was so easy. The dog wasn’t exactly a puppy; this dog was a little bit older than that. It felt right, it made sense, the dog was potty trained, it was calm, but it didn’t feel right. Maybe Elliot had been going insane; he was paranoid, he knew that before anyone, but could you blame him? Could you blame him for thinking Robbie's sudden change in mood would actually be serious? Robert valued life; he valued it greatly.

In fact, once Robert had brought an almost dead bird from the yard, he wasn’t crying, he was trying to fix it. He had told Elliot that he fixed everything, and he pleaded with Elliot to help him fix the bird as well. Elliot had no idea how to help a bird; he couldn’t even imagine the anatomy of one. Robert kept begging him; he kept that bird in the house for days, and it never got better. Elliot wasn’t going to perform batched surgery on a half-dead bird that was already going to die, but he wanted to. He really wanted to. So he tried, he tried again and again, looked up different ways that could traditionally help a bird, but its spine was broken, he’s surprised it didn’t have maggots coming out of it. He doesn’t understand why he was trying so hard to heal this bird; why had he tried so hard?

Was it because of Robert? No. It was something strange within himself. The brown finch kept chirping at him; they were almost silent, but it kept going and going, and he would mistake it for Robert's voice. He wondered if Robert had ever thought of turning into Mech-man, becoming something far more convoluted and sparse. Would he end up dead? Sure, Robbie hadn’t died, or he even refused to, but he would.

Would Elliot sit there and watch him die? Would he watch Robert die?

He never brought that suit up to Robert, but it would happen. He couldn’t keep staring at that bird. He couldn’t keep thinking about him; was it even him? He wanted to make Robert happy; he wanted to find a way to fix it. So he did,

But not before the bird started dying first. Robert has been crying; he couldn’t stand it. Oh, he would rather kill himself than see a sight like that again. So he fixed it, called it a machine-made bird, but it flew again. He’s not even sure where it went, if it died. But he knew he brought it back for a time, and maybe that was all he needed to prove, to Robert at least.

He derailed the conversation to himself, hadn’t he? He just wanted to make Robert happy, and fixing a few spines and organs would do Robert just fine. He kept thanking Elliot as much as a little boy who could articulate simple sentences could.

If that dog died, Elliot might do something he would regret. He’s not sure what's worse, so he ignored the thought anyway.

Elliot shouldn’t have stared at Stroganoff for that long, because now it was licking his hand. It was strange, Robert wasn’t even up. For some reason, he got out of Robert's room and found Elliot at the same dining room where he was shown to Robert. He likes Stroganoff; he’s just what Robert would’ve wanted. Despite that night, that dog was so lazy and just followed Robert around, and Elliot thought the dog would be a major hassle. It wasn’t, at least not for the most part.

However, Elliot has realized something. He doesn’t think he can handle being a full time parent, not as if he didn’t enjoy it but rather… he had needed help at some point, Robbie was still doing his superhero nonsense, and Elliot sort of needed to contribute. He put off being a ‘tech guy’ for far too long.

He didn’t want to leave Robert alone; he didn’t exactly know any nanny and certainly didn’t want to hire anyone. Robert was still a lonely kid. Even when he took Robert to the park, he still made no friends, and so what if he left that part out to Robbie? Robert was a good kid, but he didn’t want friends he had guessed. All Elliot needed was just needed someone for a couple of hours, barely even a day, but his contact list was three people, his parents, Robbie, and Chase?

The newest brave brigade member…he liked chase…he guessed, but Elliots not sure if the sentiment continued with the other. It was almost comical how that had happened; he’s not even sure how he had the kid's number.

It must have been when Chase got so excited that he was let into the brave brigade. He ran around faster than anyone could realize putting his contact in everyone's phone, made Elliot sort of happy that he was a part of that scavenger hunt.

He wondered if anyone else had noticed, if Chase had any interest in the other.

Turns out he had, he had a lot to say about it as well.

Chapter Text

Chase windbreaker, one of the youngest superheroes of the brave brigade had found himself in one of the more strange situations and jobs you could have when you choose being a super hero over college.

You’d imagine he’d be somewhat of a failure and barely getting by, but it was quite the opposite in fact, Chase was anything but not successful, he was actually really successful.

Ever since Mecha-man decided that he was a bright star waiting to be shown to the world, something across those lines of the long winded emotional speeches astral gave Chase-he started hero work,

And even with his awesome friendship with Mecha Astral, Chase still felt so utterly…nervouse, yes that’s what Chase was.

Chase was nervous, he was nervous beyond any sorts of dumb fresh out of high school man could be. It was like the whole damn world was going to fall apart the more he thought about it,

He couldn’t wrap his head around even being a super hero. Chase sometimes had to imagine mecha-man as some professor, but even then he still gets nervous cause he’s scared of that too.

Fuck he’s scared of everything. He was scared when he met the rest of the brave brigade, and he’s certainly scared that one of them was texting him?!!

Look, listen even to Chase’s plea but,

He knows he’s a part of the brave brigade, he knows that technically he should have civil conversations with his teammates, his much older teammates he’s not scared of.

In fact, if Chase was scared of these people he would never have agreed to be on a damn team with them in the first place!

Okay but he did. So he’s here.

Actually the more chase thought about it wouldn’t it be the opposite, power dynamics or something. Actually he learned that from Zap…another grown man on the team.

Chase likes Zap, he also likes pixie, he always wondered why they tolerated his nicknames for them. He always assumed this would be like the military, but it’s a lot like the retirement home,

Well not all of them are that old, maybe he’s just surrounded by thirty year olds.

but Chase is noticing a not so subtle pattern of superheroes and social awkwardness.

He wishes he was kidding, conversations are cut short, nobody ever relaxes, and they're all busy with…their wife and kids…or their husband and kids.

Speaking of kids, oh yeah, Chase had almost forgotten the horrible unread text, he can feel its ominous green energy…it reeks…can a Nokia even explode?

Or is he huffing the fumes of the bright yellow phone that gave him a notification more than a couple hours ago. He should pick it up, he knows that phone number…he knows that man…

Well not really, if Chase did know him he’d have jumped to replying, but this is un-touched ground…something he was afraid of,

Elliot Connor’s…

Or better known as Robbie’s best man.

He really likes Mecha man, or Robbie. That guy gave him a job, believed in him, and pushed Chase to a level he didn’t even think was possible!

Robbie was a guy who would buy you beer and then scrambles when he realizes you're underage and then says ‘forget it.’ Because he’s obviously embarrassed and he also is very nice to you. (He gets cool points for that)

But that just made things worse for Chase! He knows a good amount about Robbie, but nothing about Elliot and Elliot was always a part of the brave brigade.

he really was, he did so much for them, but he never got a real conversation going with the guy. It made him slightly wary of him.

Elliot didn’t speak words more often than not he was silent, and stared. He wasn’t intimidating when he first met him. Chase would say Elliot was the most approachable out of any of them, he was a heavier set man, and he seemed like an intern.

For a second Chase thought Elliot was going to be like- his weird mentor while big ol’ Mecha man was…mechamanning…

Whatever that means, all Chase really remembers is happily telling everyone how excited he was to work with everyone, and dashing around the room before Astral had told him to calm down.

He went so fast he forgot he added his number into their phones in the first place. It was like second nature to Chase, a cool way he picked up friends and girls, or impressed people okay!

He’s a cool cat, black doesn't crack, all of that…

That wasn’t the point, the point was when he was finally inaugurated into the stupid group by vote(?) the man across from Chase, and also known as Elliot stood and- Jesus Christ!?! Chase didn’t think a thick branch of a man could be so scary.

Seriously, why is he like six foot?!!

And in turn it made Robbie scarier because he was taller than Elliot? He didn’t even think men could get that tall. Though it started this weird thought in his mind that their houses must be really tall, but then Chase realized that’s a stupid thing to think about.

Maybe Chase was overdramatizing the situation, but looking at Robbie next to Elliot in public was like watching a solar eclipse. It’s not as if Elliot was closed off no, brave brigade members talk to him for short moments, and bam,

Happy Elliot unlocked.

But Chase couldn’t figure out how to do it…

Cause, one time, Chase had been complaining about being tired and getting these random twangs of pain after missions, probably had something to do with ramming into doors on accident Chase got lost in the stress sometimes okay? We all ram our bodies into giant metal doors as hero’s!

but running fast always depleted his energy, and the guy just came over tapped his shoulder and gave him boot enhancements so he didn’t have to use his powers 24/7, never beat the real thing, but fuck it was nice.

Yes they were clanky, yes they were a little ugly, but he never felt so excited to work! He wanted to thank Elliot and everything, but he couldn’t find him.

In fact every time Elliot was in the room he was like those cats that villains have that they just pet…but make that a hero function and Robbie is talking about how the government needs to get off of his ass, those conversations were funny,

it’s the loveliest you’ll ever see the brave brigade, when the option is to bully their fantastic group mates, this includes hero work.

Elliot wasn’t the most…awhstriking man, he wouldn’t be surprised if maybe that’s why he didn’t talk. He seems like a nerd to Chase, in a good way.

He did little things nobody noticed, it was a shock to find out from Robbie he wasn’t even on the team.

But now that man couldn't even make one singular conversation or have any reason to know he knows he's not on the team (Robbie’s words not his!) was texting him? What's going on?!

Chase should man up, he should be able to check the text but he literally can’t. He thinks his sheets are wet, everything about him is clammy. Is this how girls feel when they have a crush? He’s had crushes, but maybe it’s cause he’s not a loser.

That’s so mean. He’s so mean he needs to answer the stupid fucking text message, he will do this! He’s a damn super hero. A part of the equivalent of the Harvard university of super hero teams.

He can and will do this!

Okay…all he has to do is pick up the phone, and answer, can people see read receipts, do older people know about leaving each other on read? Probably. Elliot’s like super smart.

Chase slowly grabbed the phone in his hand, and with a few hard handed clicks eventually looked at the digitized screen to see the very soft and collected words, that Chase could only rephrase as,

‘Come to Mecha-man’s house if you can on November 4th (AKA tomorrow), please if you don’t mind’

Which would more accurately be said as,

‘Hello Chase, or rather track Star, I’m so sorry to bother you. I know this is quite short notice-‘ blah blah blah, Chase isn’t rewording that block of text, it took him more than one scroll to get to the bottom.

Seriously, how polite was this guy? Not even Astral would text him like this, he’s much shorter and precise. It sort of let his guard down to know Elliot was more scared to text him than Chase was to ever look at the message anyways.

Chase could feel the anxiety through the screen-

The repeated, ‘I’m sorry’, ‘if you don’t mind’ was like watching a British person on the tv.

Was Elliot British? He’s not sure.

But as Chase slid his eyes across the general message in his bedroom with his legs being up to his face as he read, he realized Elliot wasn’t just asking him to meet, but to meet a friend? No, Chase continued along the lines, oh, a kid?

Had they come along with a kid that couldn’t go into foster care immediately? Is it-

Oh, Elliot used the word ‘my’ so-

Was Elliot asking him to babysit his kid?

Was this a new low? Has Chase been demoted? But he knew the address far from anybody, why was Elliot asking him to meet at Astral's house? Was it like…

…

…hm.

You know Chase isn’t a bigot. Chase will never be a bigot he understands, maybe this is all just astrals request after all, maybe astral just has some secret kid he’s never heard about?

Maybe he’s adopted?

Because as far as Chase knows, he knows very well that Astral, or rather Robbie, has no love interest of a different gender…from what he knows.

Okay. Chase can do that, he can agree to that, honestly Chase isn’t sure if he should be casual or not, but settles for a more casual tone with the other.

He simply states a little ‘yeah, of course Mr. Elliot!’ And puts his phone down for the night, he just assumes Elliot would kind of like to be referred to with proper etiquette.

Who wouldn’t? So for Chase’s sanity and sleep, he will assume things.

He will assume that Elliot likes to be referred to in a proper manner.

He assumes that this is just Elliot or Astral's child,

and he’s going to assume that Elliot takes care of Astral's child, or it’s the other way around.

That’s what Chase will believe until tomorrow. Then he would ask questions, as politely as he could.

As politely as he could…

By the time Chase woke up, it wasn’t as bad as he thought it was going to be?

Nobody had called him into action from what he knew of, and there was no general crime around the city, in fact it was quite calm.

It kind of made him stressed that it had been so calm for so long, but Chase wasn’t the one to get notified about smaller or more ‘adultish’ jobs that he wasn’t needed for.

The brave brigade was adamant that he got more rest days, something to do with not burning out or injuring himself. Or maybe this was his mission?

He’s not sure, he’s never sure, Elliot had responded to him with a plea of thank you’s and honestly it made Chase more confident.

Elliot didn’t seem angry at Chase or anything for responding a little late. He was just nervous, and maybe it’s a gift from Chase's but he’s had enough nervous friends who just needed a little push that when someone’s really nervous he somehow gets less nervous.

He’s cool, he knows, okay he’ll stop.

And by the time he had gotten to Astral's house, and walked through the two storey house's garden, he was sort of in shock. Don’t get Chase wrong it wasn’t a mansion, but it certainly wasn’t small…

It was truly something gawking, Chase kind of stood there in the middle of the grass trying to decipher the differences between their paychecks.

He now realized that he might be underdressed, and he now started to realize how incredibly under-experienced he is to be doing this.

He’s not a babysitter!! He uses the lawnmower for his neighbors to get a quick twenty.

Actually. Now that he’s looking at this nice house, with the light pretty blue paint job, and white trims along it.

The long forest in the back that could go on for miles and miles, barely any neighbors in sight… Chase could see the line forest from the front of the damn house! He could not describe how elegant this house was, it was actually the perfect home for Robbie.

Robbie with his perfectly trimmed hair, neatly ironed shirts, and suit that never seemed to get sweaty, did he ever sweat? He’s like in a hundred degree machine, in a hundred degree weather and he’s sparkling somehow?

The more chase looks at this house, and thinks about Robbie. The slow realization seems to hit Chase all at once,

he could totally be dealing with a spoiled brat.

A total shit show, one of those demons who think they can get away with anything because their dads got money. Oh, and he’s just the biggest superhero ever?!

Damn, maybe this soon to be met kid should brag.

Is that why Elliot gave up? Is Astral spoiling this kid? Wait…he doesn’t even know this kid's name? What’s he supposed to do with that?

Chase isn’t one for superstitions but come on! Having someone’s name could totally change the perspective on someone. Take his name! He’s Chase! You have to Chase to get him, he’s fast? You get it.

Elliot’s got no powers, he’s well…a quiet reserved fellow…? If that’s the word for it. He’s totally an Elliot!

Robbie or rather Robert is strict but leading, that's Robert okay! A generic white man with good genes that can pull anyone!! Anyone!!

Chase looks down at the simple grey shirt with red accents on the tips of the sleeve and collar, his loose dark blue jorts, and the yellow jacket he has tied around his hips.

He’s totally gonna get destroyed. In fact it’s worse because he’s actually standing in Astral’s grass. He would move, oh he would move, but he’s too busy planning his ultimate escape plan.

He could run, he could, and no one could even see, he could text Elliot, ‘hey I’m so sorry family emergency’ but god. Then the guilt, the shame.

His wonderful mama raised him right. He would see this through, he is if anything but a flake. He doesn’t even have an excuse he can run faster than a cheetah, he needs to own up.

Worst comes to worse- he has to take care of a spoiled brat for a couple hours, and decline any request from then on forward.

So, Chase sucked up his unwillingness and pride, and decided to knock on the black screen door, the small echo of the hard material didn’t seem to disturb much.

Oh, he had forgotten doorbells existed okay.

He rings the doorbell, quickly looking away from embarrassment as he grabs his arm. The soft brown porch made of wood creeped against his feet. Chase kept looking around, his mind moved a mile a second so he wasn’t sure if it had been awhile or not.

He’s never really sure, he looked at the one chair on the porch with a glass that hadn’t been used at all, it confused Chase so much he looked back at the door, he moved closer to see if he could hear a thing.

but his eyes soon found the soft texture below his feet was much more interesting, it was a welcome Matt, the grained texture always bothered him. Chase understood why, it was to clean the dust off your shoes, but no one ever really used them.

Chase doesn’t think he’d use this one either, it was like the usual ‘welcome’ door Matt’s but it had red little ladybugs painted onto it.

It made him smile, he’d almost forgot to register the door opening, but luckily he found himself returning from the dazed thought and looking up towards the larger man.

He couldn’t really tell the expression, because of the large black grate that separated them, but somehow Elliot was looking widely at Chase.

Honestly he expected to be greeted with just Elliot, a tired disgruntled Elliot. The usual one he had gotten, but no, he had gotten a surprise.

Another pair of eyes seemed to look at him, they were a lot littler, and before Chase had realized he quiet ‘sorry’ was muttered before the black door was opened to find that Elliot was holding the ‘possible could be a brat’

But once Chase looked at Elliot and then back at the kid, he was very shocked to find that this kid didn’t look spoiled at all.

Nothing he was wearing was designer, not even a little collared shirt with a bow and suspenders. Okay, he knows that’s a flanderized version of a spoiled kid, but the house!!

In fact the kid looked like he was wearing average clothes, a striped shirt with a grey jacket and beige shorts. He wasn’t even fussing in Elliot’s arms, he was just being held tight on Elliot’s hip.

“Do you want to come in?” Elliot asked backing away from the entrance and into the house, inviting Chase in politely.

“Huh?” Chase has looked up in disarray,

“I said do you want to come in?” Chase noticed no change in the other man’s expression, he wasn’t agitated,

“Oh yeah, I kind of have to do that for the job” he laughed gently, smiling the best he could,

“Yeah. That’s why I asked” still no change, not a serious face but a content one. Chase had looked over at the boy he was holding.

He was only able to get a short glance, but as he stepped into the house he saw a lot more of the kids' features.

Blue eyed baby, dark like Elliot’s, and freckles like Robbie’s, he wasn’t even looking at Chase he was looking at the wall finding the portraits far more interesting. His hair was even more confusing, while it was primarily chestnut brown, he had stripes of grey in the head, it all seemed natural and unnatural?

He’s seen kids with white hair because of different melanin in their hair follicles, but he's never ever seen grey?

Before Chase had even realized Elliot wasn’t even looking at him he was looking at the other. Fondly, actually, he was repeating ‘hey? Look at me’ until the other had looked at the older.

Elliot started to say, “this is Chase!” Gesturing his hand over to him, pointing his fingers directly at him. It was kind of sweet the way Elliot spoke so softly, it wasn’t rough at all.

Chase offered a small wave to the other to which he had shied away, and as Chase was gonna say his next words he was quickly caught off guard with “oh-! I’m so sorry Chase, this is Robert. Say hi Robert.”

Elliot looked gently at Chase, pushing his hand out to the other, to which Chase gently shook his hand. The soft but heavy grip almost comforted Chase in a way.

His face creased back at Elliot’s larger smile, the dimples on his face becoming evident. It seems he wasn’t the only one as Robert had followed as well, saying a loud ‘hi!’ And inverting back into himself.

To which both men chuckled, this wasn’t anything at all what he expected. Elliot wasn’t even dressed, he had his polo shirt he worked in, and white sparkly neck tie he always seemed to wear, but other than that, he was just a guy?

“So…?” Elliot perked, “why did you want me to watch Robert?” Elliot’s eyes widened looking at Robert before he placed the six or five year old down.

Whispering something into his ear as if it had been some big secret. Elliot then stood tall, looking straight at him, his gaze piercing.

“Right. Thank you so much Chase for coming on such short notice” Elliot pressed, Chase only chuckled raising his hands to calm the other.

“It’s okay man! I don’t have much else going on”

“Still it’s-“ but quickly being interrupted,

“It’s really okay.” Making the taller smile,

“Right, sorry, I need you to watch Robert because I’ve needed to update things, code, ideas” Elliot played with his fingers gently, “I’ve been neglecting them because of Robert, not that I mind, or! That anyone’s forcing me to! I just wish to make sure the team has accurate data.”

“So it’s not because I’m demoted?” Chase had blurred out. To which Elliot shook his head and laughed bringing his hand up to his mouth. “Why would the brave brigade bench the youngest and most helpful super hero?”

“I’m helpful?” Chase questioned confusingly,

“Of course you are Chase.” Elliot seemed to smile wider, it surprised Chase to no end “It’d be stupid to think otherwise, the data shows it!” His posture becoming much less restricted, it was kind of natural the way he talked to Elliot.

“Oh so I really am cool?”

“I’m not entirely sure if I can account for what’s considered cool, but I guess I could approve of that, yes!”

“Awesome!” Chase looked away almost as if to continue his supposed thoughts, or rather questions. “But I was wondering…who is Robert…?”

“What do you mean?”

Chase put his hand onto the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Oh sorry, like where did he come from. He looked around five or-“

“He’s six.” Elliot said plainly, “,and he came from Robbie and me.” Said plainly, as if it was two plus two.

Huh.

“What.”

Oh, so maybe his long speech about how bigotry is wrong is back on.

“That was vague. Robert is Robbie and me’s kid.”

“Like a donor baby?”

“Yes in a way!”

Oh lord…that statement could be taken so many ways Elliot, and trust him Chase would’ve asked, but it all felt too intrusive? Robbie wasn’t the most closed off man, but his private life was as much as he wanted to share.

“Oh wow, is this like confidential? Do you want me to keep this a secret?” He drawed

“You don’t have to? I’m a little surprised Robbie never told you, actually am I?” Elliot became quiet. “No I’m not actually. Choose whatever you want to do with the info, but I guess don’t yell it from the roof tops.”

“Okay…Mister Elliot!” Chase said enthusiastically putting his arm in a salute formation, covering the small thoughts he had in his brain

Oh so they were open. That’s okay, Chase is a superhero, not a bigot, and you know maybe the scarf should’ve given it away. Is that microaggression? He’s not sure. He supports.

Maybe they had never been asked if they swung the other way, that never really came up when would it? Chase didn’t really want to intrude, but maybe he would keep it to himself for now. Just for now.

What matters now is the kid himself, Robert.

As Elliot and Chase continued to chat idly, they had made their way over to the living room, he’s not even sure what he expected, it was just a home, and Elliot didn’t seem scared at all of Robert.

Now with the new information he was given, he’s starting to realize why Elliot wasn’t at a lot of meetings recently, he was genuinely just busy.

He was busy with this very happy and excited six year old.

By the time Elliot had put a hand on his shoulder and walked away, Chase had connected a lot of puzzle pieces.

Like maybe Astral was a lot less talkative and willing to hang out with the brave brigade because he had a kid he was worried about.

Did astral miss Robert? Most adults do, especially when they're a hero. All the brave brigade members got worried when they were injured, especially about their families.

It’s not as if Astral didn’t get hurt, in fact he probably has a lot more scars then the rest of them. How that managed to happen, Chase would never know.

Astral was Robbie and Robbie was Robert, and wait? If Robbie was Robert.

…did he name his kid after himself?

As Elliot was explaining details so he could, you know, do his job better, about the home, the house, and dog? He hadn’t seen any dog around, but the house is moderately huge so he’s not sure if he’d see any dog.

But before Elliot could explain further he interrupted.

“Did Robbie name Robert after himself?” Chase said plainly, to which Elliot reacted with a small huff, his hands finding their way to his hips

“Oh god.” A tone that could only be described as comical, he even had a smug grin on his face.

“Did I intrude? Sorry, I know I’ve asked enough-“

“No no Chase” Elliot put his hands on Chase's shoulders smiling before looking him straight in his eyes, “it’s a family tradition” Elliot said with quotation marks heavily implied.

“Oh.” Chase said looking at the boy staring out at the window. His face souring a little, Chase isn’t sure he understands and he’s more scared to find out anything else.

“Yeah, oh.” Chase brought his attention back to Elliot. “Though, I didn’t choose it at all. I think it fits Robert for what it’s worth.” Elliot said fondly looking away from Chase and at Robert,

Okay well now he has made it a little sad, awkward even, they know Robbie wasn’t the first Mecha-man, but they're hoping it would stay the second for a little bit longer.

He’s not even sure if that’s what Elliot thinks, but the tight fist and brow he holds, he thinks it is, so it is.

“I’m not sure if I’m picking up on what that means, but I’m glad you found something good out of it.”

“Yeah, I hope that name is a formality and nothing more.”

“Yeah…” Chase drawed. “But let’s just say it is, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Besides, a lot of white people do that!” Chase changing the topic.

“What? like dick?” Elliot raised an eyebrow playfully,

Chase taken aback by the random cuss word Elliot seemed to hold his way. Chase knows technically it’s not one in this context, but he’s not exactly out of his teen years is he?

“Well yes!” Chase shrugged, “dick dick dick and dick!” Chase tried to play off Cooley, the atmosphere becoming softer.

Though, he’s not even sure when it had toughened.

“Knowing your age bracket you just wanted to say dick four times.” Elliot mused

“You can’t prove that!” He defended dramatically to which it caught the young boy's attention.

Oh right. He was watching a kid.

Chase had looked over at him,

“He shouldn’t be in much trouble at all. I promise.”

Chase hadn’t looked back at Elliot, only waiting for the little boy to speak, he just stared back at Chase before he continued to stare outside of the window.

“Hopefully…” Elliot said, before he whispered, “he’s shy.” He chuckled, moving away from Chase and towards a door.

“Yeah no kidding” Chase had said dumbfounded, but still mustered up perfect chance to say something to the other,

“Oh mister Elliot before you go” heightened his voice

“Hm?” Elliot said as he had one hand on the side of the door.

“Thanks for making me those boot enhancers!” Chase said cheerily

“It was no issue Chase!” Elliot started to wave gently at the one below, “bye Robert I’ll be back.”

And just like that Robert and Chase were left alone.

Chase looked back at the young boy, tilting his head, and Robert had tilted his head directly back.

“So what do you do?”

“What I do?” A small voice muttered, it was surprisingly small, and Robert had looked at him from the yellow couch.

“Yeah for fun dude.” Chase smiles, “I know you don’t sit on your ass- I mean butt all day” the other giggled his hands covering his mouth.

“I read a lot with papa.” Enquired Robert, looking directly at Chase to see any change in the feature, he kept going. “I do a lot with papa.”

“Oh so I’m like the first time you're without him?”

“Yes!” Robert stopped for a moment, his eyebrows scrunching together. Trying to wrap his little head around something, “I also play outside with stroganoff”

Chase stepped closer to Robert, “kid what kinda name is stroganoff?” He crouched down to Robert’s level,

“Stroganoff is kind of white, like stroganoff the dog.”

“Oh okay I understand better now.” Chase nodded seriously “Hm.”

“Have you ever heard of a game tag?” Chase had his own chin, as if he was the mastermind of some game,

“No?”

“Oh we’re gonna have so much fun.”

Robert was indeed not a spoiled brat.

In fact he was the exact opposite, they had a lot of fun. Chase had met stroganoff, and the dog was pretty cute for the most part, just a simple lab.

Chase had figured out a lot of different things about the boy, mainly that he really liked birds, and he really liked Chase.

Chase would do this again, he thought it was much funner than whatever else he had planned. Who knew you could have so much fun with your boss's kid?

…

…

…

Elliot was actually having a fantastic day, in fact once he had explained to his very hesitant and meager son that someone else was here to play with him, and Robert hadn’t gotten scared?

He was having an amazing day, he truly thought Chase wouldn’t be one to accept but he did, and Chase honestly is one of the kinder people on the brave brigade.

The only reason he chose him was because he had so much thought when taking care of the kids on missions, so he wasn’t exactly worried about that.

He hadn’t seen Robbie, he hadn’t seen anyone who irritated him.

All of the updates and programming as he soon realized, clacking on his keyboard and inside of the lab room, were actually working correctly.

It made him wonder if he could retire early?

Everything was going too perfectly, he even checked his text messages, nothing there to bother. He couldn’t help but think that there was something sinister going on.

Everything was too perfect.

Maybe it was his paranoia? Is he over-thinking? He couldn’t care less if he was. Overthinking was something that got him through the day,

Ever since he had gotten to take care of Robert. Something had been odd, Robert seemed to lighten his mood.

Robbie, although still distant, had some few good conversations with Elliot. He was being that goofball that Elliot knew him as, and Elliot can’t always be angry,

But that felt wrong? In a way. He felt as if he was supposed to be angry, something deep seated in his mind was supposed to change him.

But it wasn’t happening.

Elliot’s not one to think about universes, or changes in them, but his mind kept wrapping around those ideas.

He just kept thinking,

Isn’t there something that should be happening in this time line…?

Something horrid, he knows his happiness is out of touch and misplaced.

When he was talking to Chase it felt like a reality that was made up, it was just nice. It almost made Elliot rub his eyes harder than he already was, what was he saying?

He would have no reason to think about that, not at all.

What could be so different? It wasn’t Robert, it wasn’t Robbie, and it wasn’t Chase. What could possibly make him feel so utterly displaced in where he was?

The only new thing in his life was..? Stroganoff.

Okay, while yes stroganoff has been here for around a year or so, stroganoff is still new. Stroganoff is still this random dog he has no idea about.

He never wanted to admit it to little Robert but, stroganoff was weird. Wasn’t he? He was a weird, strange dog.

It also has nothing to do with the fact Robbie had picked him. Nope, don’t get him wrong he’s strange but he doubts Robbie would be so foolish.

He liked Robert, or the idea.

But stroganoff was something that was so strange, that dog looked old, he looked so incredibly old, yet he was supposed to be a puppy. Sure the dog may have the basis of a puppy, but it didn’t play like one.

It didn’t senselessly bark like regular puppies, it just had its stupid tongue out and wagged its tail. Every time Elliot was sad or even Robert, here came stroganoff to lighten the mood.

It was strange, it kept pulling him out of all sorts of different over-thinking sessions, but the doors locked so she can’t hear this one! Can she?

Of course she can’t? He knows that dog is wrong, he knows it!! The way it looks at him, and licks his hand, and miraculously brings him water every few hours.

That dogs are not normal. It’s all Robbie’s fault, he knew something was wrong with it all, there was something so odd and strange about it. Robbie must have done something, anything to it?

He had to…he really had to find Robbie, as much as it pained him to say it. He just wants to know where this dog was from, he just hopes Robbie has some mundane answer, but would he even believe it then? How could he?

Elliot continued to contemplate as he paced around the cords and table, far from his computer, oh what did it matter? Did he even remember leaving his computer desk? No, not one little bit, but he’s too busy.

Elliot’s contemplating, and baseless pacing continued throughout the hallways and up and down the halls and door, eventually Elliot’s adrenaline had begun to skyrocket, heavy breaths controlling his every move.

Alward shakes of locked doors he has locked, he had the key on his pants, hooked on with a subtle tingle.

Why was he so stressed? Was it because he needed Robbie so badly? Or that he couldn’t find Robbie at all. He wasn’t stressed at the fact he couldn’t find him, he was more bewildered that he hadn’t seen him.

But Robbie wasn’t something important, wasn’t this about stroganoff the dog? Wasn’t it? Or was it Robbie.

Soon the heavy thumps left the top of the house and he led himself down the looming doors upstairs and rather he came downstairs, expecting to see Chase and Robert.

They were in fact not there. In hindsight, this was not something to panic over, this house has an acre outside but the emptiness of the place only stressed Elliot out more.

He could always usually find Robert, maybe not Robbie, but definitely Robert, where was he?

No seriously where was he?

If it had not been for the swift wind that made the backside of Elliot crawl to turn around to find,

Chase…?

He had leaves and looked a bit scruffy, mud on his boots, and a wide spread out mouth could only be described as discontent.

“Um! Mister Elliot!” Chase screamed startling Elliot, making him move back from Chase, “Robbie is totally passed out in the bushes.”

“What.”

“Me and Robert were playing” Chase sniffed, “and then we found stroganoff and he had led us to this big ol man, and I almost didn’t recognize it until Robert said something.”

Elliot was so bewildered all he could muster was, “stroganoff is a she.”

“Oh well she…you know.” Chase sniffed while huffing, Elliot could only start to wonder if Chase had left Robert alone,

“Where’s Robert?” He stressed

“With Robbie…?”

“Don’t do that.” Elliot’s shoulders sagged, he heightens his voice. “Really don’t do that”

“Which part? Leaving Robert alone with Robbie?” Chase asked confused, Elliot only came closer to Chase picking a leaf out of his hair and inspecting it.

“Yeah something like that.”

Once Chase had guided Elliot over into the tree covered ground, the pine filling his senses and making him sneeze that oh, oh god, the man he lives with is a very stupid man.

Robert was right beside him, looking more dirty than he usually did and almost identical to Chase, they must’ve been playing wolves with the way they looked, but what had grabbed more of Elliot’s attention was Robbie, he was completely unconscious on the ground, and he was breathing heavy

Robert was beside him shaking him gently, only to perk when he saw him and Chase, running over excitedly.

“Hi papa! We found our uncle!” Excitedly going on his tippy toes.

“It seems you have Robert.” Elliot said, dazed, continuing to look at Robbie. He gave Robert a side hug before approaching the much bigger man.

“Is he okay?”

No response was given to the teen, Elliot has gotten down on one knee and turned the man over feeling his forehead,

Robbie had a fever.

Now Elliot wishes he could say this is new, but it was not. In fact Elliot knew that every Mecha-man was a workaholic, he sometimes dated when he thought they were sick, creepy to some, but now that he works with a mecha-man it was useful.

Stupidly useful.

“For god sakes Robbie.” The man was unconscious when he heard his curses. “He will be just fine.” He huffed, Robert only giggled which made Chase let out a ‘huh?’ In return

“Robbie!” Elliot yelled loudly, making the older man stir and then. “Robbie!” He said louder, scaring away the birds on the tree tops. A loud jerk from the man known as Robbie looking around confused, as an unimpressed Elliot looked at him.

Eventually Elliot had talked Robbie into going on his legs and both Chase and Elliot helped drag the older all the way to the house and upstairs, Robert falling right in pursuit.

When he had gotten Robbie onto his bed and gave him water and medicine, he muttered a thank you to Elliot.

To which Elliot muttered “your welcome”, Chase and Robert watching the two, Chase more in astonishment than the other.

“So he’s just sick?” Chase asked, to which Elliot nodded, Robert crawling on the side of Robbie smiling at him, he honestly couldn’t care how dirty he was,

“You okay uncle Rob?” He asked innocently, and with a few huffs Robbie had responded with, “yeah…I’m just really tired.”

Chase leaned on the end of the bed, speaking more casually than he had ever to Elliot.

“I’d bet dude, how did you even get in the middle of the forest.”

“Well I was working on my mech suit” Robbie huffed, and Elliot couldn’t care to tell him to stop, just gently putting a towel on his head, “and then I realized I was going the wrong way, and I gave up.”

“You gave up?” Robert intruded,

“Yeah. I just got really hot.” Robbie moved himself into a sitting up position, making Elliot give up and sit on the left side where Robert was lying next to him.

Robbie began to pet Robert’s head, to which Elliot only scowled at, if Robbie was better he would’ve stuck his tongue out at him, but his eyes were half lidded, and he wouldn’t see this time.

“Well it is hard to be a Mecha man!” Chase chuckled

“What’s Mecha-man?” Robert asked curiously.

“Huh?!?” They all said in unison, “what do you mean what’s mecha-man?” Robbie asked,

“Is it about the ‘mech’ thing in the yard?”

“Oops.” Coming from the black haired man, Elliot had been smiling as he moved closer to Robert, the boy slowly sitting into his arms.

“What do you mean oops Eli?” Robbie asked exasperated,

“Superhero’s…” Elliot stopped himself from laughing, “we’re never brought up at story time…” he cringed, wiping some of the dirt off of Robert’s cheek with his shirt.

For the next twenty minutes Chase and Robbie had quickly explained what super hero’s even were, and explained their superhero aliases.

Elliot expects Robert to go ‘wow that’s so cool’ but Robert just stared for a moment and thought, much to the others dismay as he said,

“That's nice.” Robert drew his words out, before looking at the other men’s faces and quickly changing, “that’s cool!” He shook his head

To this day Elliot’s still not sure why Robert never was impressed?

Because what child wouldn’t, and it’s not as if Robert wasn’t interested, he asked multiple questions after, but he certainly wasn’t mind blown to learn there were people protecting the world with their super powers.

“They're like firefighters” he told them, and maybe Elliot started to understand that infantilizing Hero’s with powers wasn’t very interesting to Robert.

And maybe he had raised a kid too like him with expression, but he liked that.

It honestly made everyone laugh, they kept explaining in detail about different missions, and although Robbie was nodding off he woke up when Robert asked what he needed to become a hero.

It was a simple question with no malice in it, but Chase had begun to say something about powers, something different and all powerful, like his superspeed.

But Robbie took the opportunity to do something much different. He had been offended that Chase's statements could be held up to ‘if you have powers’ but Robbie decided it was the perfect moment to say what he thought Robert needed.

“That’s not true, you don’t need powers” Chase looked over smugly, Elliot only looking away. “Take me Robert, I don’t have powers and I’m still a superhero!”

At this point both Chase and Elliot were sitting somewhere Robbie couldn’t see them, Robbie only staring at Robert.

“I’m a part of a tradition” Robert looked up curiously, “and one you're a part of too!” Both Elliot and Chase looked at each other knowingly, “your name is Robert right?”

“Mhm” Robert bumbled, “my last name is Robertson.”

“Correct!” Robbie placed a finger to his lips, “meaning your one of the third Robertsons”

“I am? But isn’t there supposed to be a first, I’m a second.” Robert scrunched his eyebrows, counting with his fingers in confusion.

Robbie sighed gently, “Robert I had a dad too” followed by a small ‘ohhh’ from the other

“Yeah, and he was Mecha-man first, he was prime” Robbie said proudly, his nose stuffed but said without a care in the world. “I’m Mecha-man astral! It’s cool huh?” Robert nodded

And just like that Elliot began to make a disgruntled face at the other, before he could stop him Elliot just wavered slightly enough room for Robbie to continue,

“That’s where you come in Robert!” He smiled wide, “your gonna be the next Mecha-man when I-“

“Retire!” Both Elliot and Chase screamed covering Robbie’s mouth quickly, “when uncle Rob retired Robert.” Backing from Robbie has he realized and mumbled a sorry,

“Yeah retire” Robbie shrugged not caring if the truth came out about that or not. “You're gonna be the next Mecha-man and show the whole world that you're
a strong hero!-“ Robbie continued

It becomes word vomit at some point continuing over and over again, as the room was almost encapsulated with the larger man’s voice. Once you get Robbie talking, you couldn’t stop, and Elliot hated the crap he was spewing at Robert. As much as Robert surprised him, he could see the crushing pressure of Robbie’s words falling down on Robert, his boy, and he hated it.

Elliot quickly came beside Robert so he could see him, and everytime Robbie seemed to imply or flat out say ‘you have to become Mecha-man’ Elliot shook his head and put a hand under his throat, mouthing the word ‘only if you want.’ And ‘you don’t have to.’

Chase eventually became overwhelmed as well, but copied Elliot the same. It was fun, having someone on Elliot’s side, and eventually Robbie had gotten tired and officially decided he would rest, leaving a very confused Robert Robertson and a sick sleepy Robert Robertson.

Too many Robert Robertson if he were to comment, but Elliot had gently told Chase to take Robert out of here, the day becoming darker, he’s sure Chase had almost overcome his stay and wanted to leave. He just asked him to take Robert to the living room, and not be covered in mud.

Elliot only looked at Robbie and huffed, washing his hands and sitting there with Robbie for a couple more minutes. He could hear the echo of Chase and Robert’s voices laughing and echoing through the upstairs, it was shocking how loud they were.

It had been so long, Elliot had almost forgotten why he rushed downstairs in a hurry. He realized it was stroganoff again, it was always that damn dog, but he’s not sure if finding his technical owner was really a bad sign or a good one.

And he was too tired to figure it out. Massaging the side of his head from thinking for so long, he looked at the chair on the other side of the room moving closer

He brought the chair up to the side of Robbie’s bed or rather their bed, simply saying, “what’s wrong with you…?” Squinting his eyes at the larger. Expecting no response,

But with a sniffle and a shuffle, the chestnut haired man quietly said

“I’m sick.” Elliot not surprised by the others voice,

“Of course you are, what else would you be”

“I don’t know.”

“I have” Elliot stopped looking at the light from the window turned white to a dusky orange, “-a question.” He asked earnestly, putting his kneecaps on his elbows.

“We’re did you get stroganoff?”

No answer from Robbie made him put his hands down, “Robbie?” He huffed his fists finding their way onto the white bandana tied around his neck “where did you get her?”

Robbie’s half lidded eyes turned, “w-what?”

Only making Elliot’s anxiety worse, the multiple possibilities going through his mind, his leg bouncing up and down continuously, is this where Robbie finally reveals it?

Reveals the big something, why wasn’t he answering.

Did Elliot have to ask another way? Something more obvious,

“Robbie, did you do something to that dog?” He asked raising his voice slightly as he looked around

Realizing he’s not even sure where the dog is, he was far too busy with bawling Robert to the house to even pay attention, should he have paid attention? Was he doing something horrible?

“Eli what?” Robbie said in a creaky tone, shaking his head and bringing an arm to his forehead, “stroganoff?!”

“Yes.” Elliot’s fist tightened on his pants.

“I’m confused” Robbie stopped, “what’s wrong with the dog?” Looking at Elliot’s piercing blue eyes directly, noticing how much smaller the pupils are,

“Did you do something to it?” Sweat rained down from Elliot’s face, his heart beating faster and faster, “I’m serious what is that dog.” He mumbled, bringing a hand up to his face,

“Elliot.” Robbie used a calmer voice

“That dog is too human. Don’t fuck with me” he cracked, realizing a lot of his sweat seemed to be tears, had he really fixated on this so much he was crying.

“Rock star”, an old name Robbie gave Elliot, something small but harsh in intention. He rarely used it now, he’s not sure why it’s happening now,

“Elliot I got that dog from the failed service animals” he said numbly, not much emotion came after the little nickname, why was Robbie acting like he was insane?

No, he knows better, he’s smarter than Robbie, he knows better,

“Okay? So what.” He drawed, “that dogs are aware, too aware of itself and me.” He rushed from his mouth the salt he felt from his mouth with each word, “just say you did something”

Elliot didn’t get an answer, he only realized once he hesitantly raised his head to which he had no idea he had hid his face in the first place, that he had seen Robbie’s terrified face, maybe Elliot was asking the wrong questions,

What was wrong with him?

“No, it’s just a dog.” Robbie said plainly, the hot breath and sweat made him stop moving as much as before, further explaining to ease Elliot’s mind

“It knows a couple tricks, it's hyper aware of emotions” he draws, “I never told you, but I thought you’d assume” he gulped.

“Why would I do that?” A bitter beer swept through the room,

Because why would Robbie do that?

“I-“ Elliot stopped, “I don’t know. It’s just-“ Elliot looked away ashamed, ashamed of ever mentioning this to Robbie. “I just haven’t felt like you are being honest.”

“About what” Robbie raising a brow under the towel on his forehead his head slicked back, Elliot’s shoulders rose agitatedly,

“About everything, I still remember that night.” He huffed, trying to get the words out as clear as he could

“I know.” Robbie’s words are sorrowing with an unimpressed grin. “Don’t know why your bringing it up

“Are you sorry?” Elliot flatly said,

“No.” Robbie dryly uttered

A Bear of silence between the two, as if Elliot should’ve never brought it up, but he didn’t care. He would never care, he didn’t want to, he wanted this to be about him.

“So is it so hard to see why I may think this.” He realized he was screaming, the laughter from down stairs quieting, “it’s not insane to say you’d do something?”

Robbie didn’t respond, not even a head nor he glossed over it.

“I’m not that crazy. I’m afraid rockstar” the same fond tone coming back, making Elliot huff, huff and huff again before the constant shaking in his leg had died down,

the small echo of the hell against the hard wooded floor becoming non existent, and he let himself become fond towards the name again.

He's not sure if it’s for his own comfort or Robbie’s, moving from the chair to the side of the bed, smiling and quieting his voice,

“Oh.”

“Okay I feel silly now” devoid of anything, and Elliot’s not sure why he did it,

Was it to please Robbie? The smug grin on Robbie’s face certainly would approve, but Elliot’s not so sure.

That feeling was still there, but it felt patched in a way, was it the annoyance in the back of his brain, or the need to sit there and say ‘I can deal with this for a bit longer’ a bit longer for what? He doesn’t know.

Did he want to? Sure, by all means he’d love to, but he’s not sure he’s able to get by the older man’s smug car smile.

He didn’t hate Robbie, or maybe he did? Maybe he loved and hated Robbie at the same time, he would know. Or rather he should

“I’m more concerned on why you think I would do that” the words pulling Elliot outside of his thoughts, Robbie’s larger hands rubbing his arms, they both sniffled at each other,

“I guess I’ve just been thinking” Elliot turned his head, looking at the brown eyes, wondering why Robbie even chose to pick his eyes, did Robbie love Elliot too?

It didn’t feel wrong or right to say that.

Though, the whole in the universe, or whatever he imagined seemed to close, and yet Elliot felt miserable.

Was he miserable before? Was he miserable when ignoring Robbie?

No, he doesn’t think he was at all. So why? Why when he bends to Robbie’s will, does he feel impending doom?

“Too hard?” It almost made Elliot chuckle, before he looked over at the hair arms and pushed them away, res positioning himself on the chair quietly, Robbie’s smile still evident.

“Yeah…” looking away from the face and at the tie on his neck, it felt better to look at that.

The white tie he found to be a charm, a wish if anything. When he and Robbie were in college, he was anything but strong, he wasn’t even sure he was going to make it, to be coder, a builder, a mechanic, whatever was in that fancy school.

Robbie wasn’t there to talk to him, to hear him talk about his wounds and despair, in fact, it was one of the days he had decided he would quit college, he didn’t feel he could do it. He sat in his college dorm, the sound through the walls of happy people passing, it all felt too loud.

He got like that, when surrounded by so many things, he began to panic, it was all just too much, usually Robbie would be there for Elliot, he could hang onto the man’s sleeve.

Let any bully have it, but Robbie was out, and Elliot was sitting alone distraught. It was embarrassing, it was embarrassing to be the man child of the school.

He knew that more than anyone, and he wanted to go home. He’s not even sure what he would do after that, but repeating phrases, hiding, finding somewhere dark, covering his ears surely didn’t work. What was he going to do?

He had thrashed his side of the dorm room across from Robbie’s, and he realized he was a mess and maybe the world was too fast for him.

He ran out, he couldn’t stand the people talking, and yammering and it was the middle of the night nobody was around.

He let his feet carry him to a bus stop, and no one had been there besides a dirty white bandana, embroidered at the ends with little ruffles, he didn’t think much of it. He just sat next to it,

Waiting and waiting, had to be around 3 am, there would be no other way it could be so dark, and he just kept looking outside, it was much more tolerable, barely any cars passed because it was a college town at night, and this was into the town rather than in the middle. No buses ran, so it was nice.

It let him collect himself, wiping his tears, and curling in on himself from the cold. He looked at the crowd tap five times on the concrete, waiting for something.

He got so bored he tapped back on the metal seat. The crows got really close, so close he pet one, the tapping footsteps almost startled him, a woman dressed in all black and a wide long hat startled Elliot,

“You like them?” She said proudly, making Elliot jump and cower, to which she awkwardly put her hands up in defense whispering the rest of her words, “I’m not here to kick you out, I’m here for the birds!” Which might’ve been some attempt as humour, Elliot didn’t respond,

She must’ve thought he was some random sad man on the brink of suicide, but she let him pet the crows, and maybe that’s when Elliot started to enjoy birds. He never realized how gentle they were without trying.

“I’m Vanta!” She stood far from him, her hands on her hips “what are you doing here?”

“I think…” Elliot drawed, “I’m gonna drop out of college.” Defeatedly waving his hand, bringing his mouth to his hands as he was playing with the beak of the crow, biting his finger.

“Are you sure?” She stopped, making Elliot look at her confused. “You seem like you're pretty far into this.” She muttered, her eyes blacked, as the sharp gloves scratched her cheek.

“Like- I’m a junior?”

“Yeah!” She stopped walking, “why would you give up at the finish line?” She quirked her head, a crow following suit,

“I don’t think” he stopped, “I don’t think I can keep up with the world.” Elliot sagged

“But you're literally in this fancy school?” She inquired softly, waving to the giant building in the distance.

“I meant socially.” He muttered plainly, each word getting easier to say, awkwardness aside, but when was he not awkward.

“Oh.” She stopped, “I don’t get it.” A harsh crack felt through Elliot’s heart,

Weren’t heroes supposed to comfort? She never really did say she was one, but still,

“What?” Elliot asked quietly, looking at her,

“I don’t get it.”

Usually people say ‘I get it!’” Her finger being placed above her top lip, “to make someone feel better, but I don’t think it’s quite effective, cause I don’t.”

Elliot huffed looking away, the crow pecking at his hand to which he opened up letting the bird up by his finger, the fake wings flapping

“But I think you’ll be fine based on how you handle my crows” she sniffed flapping her hands back to to her hips,

“What why?” He looked at her as the crow climbed on his arm,

“Because if you can understand what a crow is trying to tell you, maybe you’ll be okay with people” she reasoned, picking up a crow of her own

Elliot shook his head angrily

“It’s not the same.” Yelling into the empty street, but were graciously adding the word ‘yell’.

“Yeah.” She stopped moving, “But it’s nice to pretend it is, isn’t it?” She smiles getting closer to Elliot

He smiled, “yeah.”

“So I think you have a shot.”

He’s not sure why those words were kept with him for so many years, but eventually she came to sit down next to him, grabbing the bandana and asking, “is this yours?”

He's not sure why he said it, but he nodded, grabbing it and tracing the hand knotted piece of clothing.

By the time the crowd flew away the women left as well, and the only thought in Elliot’s mind was that if a hero could do it? Why couldn’t he?

He knows logistically, it doesn’t work like that, and he’s not sure why he kept the dirty bandana but no one asked why it was wrapped around his neck by the next week.

Nothing changed socially, nothing at all, but maybe he just liked it. Liked the feeling? Liked the sentiment? Liked the fact it was a hero?

He guessed he liked it a lot, and it was his way to keep going. It didn’t directly start the floating thought of being a hero, none of the sort, but it made him think later that he had a shot.

And that’s all that matters, so as Elliot looked at Robbie he realized, he was someone outside of him, and that was okay.

So he let Robbie tell him

“It’s okay Elliot we’ll get through it!”

Because he’s something far more than attached to Robbie, and he doesn’t even need to understand himself.

He muttered a “yeah.” With soft words, no anger in sight, discontent maybe, but grudge, non.

He knows he’s supposed to be thinking as he exits Robbie’s door

Was he supposed to want something more?

That’s what his mind was telling him, it felt right to believe, and think that.

But as the returning whole of “shouldn’t something be happening” began to settle, he found great comfort in closing Robbie’s door. Maybe the feeling was him changing, and telling him there was something much better outside of Robbie

And well, when Elliot calmly came down to the living room to find an entire console hooked up to the tv he was confused, but Chase had happily waved him over.

He’s not sure when or how long this had happened but he asked Chase, “don’t you want to go home? And Chase only said,

“Nah, your kids cool, plus your paying me” he winked and somehow he found no malice in it, Robert giggling and dragging Elliot by his hand to where they were playing,

Some odd game that had to do something with ‘platoforming?’ He’s not too sure. Was excitedly explained by them, Chase whispered,

“What was that screaming about?”

“It was nothing, just a spat between me and Robbie”

“Oh. I hope you guys are good”

“Thanks Chase.” He thought for a long moment, “thank you for watching him.”

Both of them looking over at Robert

“No problem, it wasn’t a biggie” he shrugged

Now that Elliot thinks about it, this feels somehow too sweet.

He kept thinking, Chase is supposed to resent him for fighting?

Isn’t he, Elliot Connor’s, supposed to be doing something that will alter the world?

…

Should he even be here?

Is this how it’s supposed to go? Is what Elliot kept asking in his head, but Robert kept excitedly pulling him out of the thoughts, telling him about this and that.

They even explained how they pushed each other into bushes, and how climbing wasn’t as easy as it sounded. It just made him laugh, laugh and laugh.

He’s not even going to worry about whether the boy would grow an addiction, he was just happy.

And that’s all Elliot could ever want.

Once Robert and Chase had become fully engrossed in the game, the so-called evil dog just laid down beside them.

Stroganoff probably wasn’t the problem, he looked down at the controller given to him by Chase.

The two kids laying on his couch, and he felt more in place then he ever had,

He’d have to keep that feeling of altering the world for good then if this was the outcome.