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"So, are you going to cut down the forest on your face, or are you keeping it this time?"
Chad scoffed, rolling his eyes at his sister as they deftly moved through the airport. Mina stuck her tongue out at him, and because Chad was a mature and responsible big brother, he stuck his tongue out right back at her. Before he could respond to her smart-ass comment, a light giggle escaped the little girl currently sitting on her uncle's shoulders.
"I like your beard, Uncle Chad! It's really scratchy," Mishal said, her hands reaching down and rubbing vigorously at it.
"At least someone here likes it," Mina said, before deftly avoiding a swat to the arm from Chad.
"You're the only one who understands me Mishal. That's why you're my favorite niece," Chad said, looking up at her.
Mishal leveled him with an unimpressed look. "I'm your only niece though."
"And? Even if I get another one, you'll still be my favorite."
"If I'm your favorite can we get ice cream?"
"No ice cream yet, Mishal," Mina said, reaching up and gently taking her daughter's cheek between her forefinger and thumb, pinching slightly. "We have to eat dinner first. Then we can get some."
Thankfully, they had finally arrived at baggage claims, so now all they had to do was wait for their luggage to get spit out. The three of them had finally landed in LAX after spending a week out in Washington to surprise their Padar for his birthday. But in his haste to pack for the trip he'd forgotten his razor, even though Robert had reminded him three separate times about it.
He then promptly made fun of Chad for forgetting it despite the reminders, because he was a little shit. He even made sure to send Chad a picture of himself holding it, a smug Cheshire grin on his stupidly pretty face. Chad had responded in kind with a picture of his middle finger, scowling down into the camera.
Padar had been overjoyed to see the three of them though, so it wasn't too bad. And if he was being honest, he was starting to get used to it. He'd even say he looked ruggishly handsome. Ruggedly? Was that the right word? He really couldn't give less of a shit honestly, because he was just happy to be home. But he'd be even happier if Robert were here to see him.
Unfortunately, his bitch dispatcher turned less of a bitch boyfriend hadn't been able to meet up with him after they landed. Apparently Sonar and Punch Up had a bet, something about how wasted they could be without Robert noticing? Chad thought it was funny, at least until Robert found out on Friday. And goddamn HR—which Chad didn't even know existed at SDN—actually did their job and had the Z Team working the weekend. Which meant Robert was working the weekend. Which meant Chad had landed in LAX without his cow-eyed boyfriend waiting for him.
He was going to fucking burn Sonar and Punch Up tomorrow. But like, discreetly. Like he was in a spy movie. He'd make a great James Bond, being all cool and suave and shit. Yeah, it'd be fucking awesome.
Chad was so lost in thought that he didn't notice their bags making their way towards them. He only noticed when Mina slapped the back of her hand against his stomach. He jumped at the sudden contact, before glaring at Mina as she snickered and picked up her and Mishal's luggage. He deftly grabbed his and followed Mina towards the exit.
"So, is Robert picking you up, or do you need a ride?" Mina asked.
Chad let out a long-suffering sigh, "I need a ride. Bob Bob has to work the weekend because of the fudging team."
Mina shot a smile at him, pleased with how he was watching his language. "Well, then I guess that means you get to have dinner with us, hm? We could go to that Thai place we like."
"Fuck yeah, they're so good."
Mina's face fell as Mishal smacked her hands against his face gently. "Bad word, Uncle Chad! You have to put a quarter into the swear jar!"
"I only have a twenty on me though."
"Then you're gonna have to put it in the swear jar," Mishal said with a decisive nod.
"Does that mean I get to swear more?"
"No it does not Chad," Mina said, leveling a glare at him. "Now hurry up and get in the car."
Chad flopped face first onto his bed, the flight having finally caught up with him. He toed his shoes off, leaving them by the edge of the bed for him to no doubt trip over tomorrow morning. He slowly moved his way up to his pillow, pressing his face into the softness. He could feel himself slowly releasing the tension that had built up during the day. He loved his family, he'd do anything for them, but it was nice to finally be home.
If Robert was here, it'd be even nicer though.
Chad turned his head from his pillow to look out the window across the room. The sun had nearly fully set, there was a gentle breeze slowly flowing into the room, and somewhere out there was Robert. Hopefully, he was back in his apartment if everything went well today. Knowing the rest of the Z Team though? They probably fucked around all day, and now Bob Bob had to stay behind late to do paperwork.
Just more reasons for him to fry his teammates tomorrow.
Before he could go down that trail of thought again, he felt his phone buzz in his back pocket. He pulled it out, and was greeted by his favorite picture of Robert. He was laid out on his back in the grass, a giant grin on his face as had Beef licked his face. Robert had gone so red when he saw it, and tried to grab Chad's phone and delete it. But he hadn't, and now it was Chad's lock screen.
Speaking of his boyfriend (which still sent a thrill through Chad, calling Robert his boyfriend) another one of his texts popped up on Chad's screen. He quickly unlocked it, and opened their messages.
Bob Bob: Hey.
Bob Bob: Just got off work. Wanted to know if you'd be up for a call?
Me: god bob bob its almost like youre obsessed with me or something
Me: kinda embarrassing ngl
Bob Bob: Haha. Very funny. Call?
Instead of texting him back, Chad pressed the little phone next to Robert's name. The phone rang once, then twice, before Robert picked up.
"Hey," Robert said, voice deep and raspy. "How was the flight?"
"Mmm, it was fine. There was a baby that wouldn't stop crying the whole time, but like. It's a baby. That's basically all they know how to do."
"Yeah. You probably would've gotten them to calm down though."
"Well duh. No one can resist a warm chest to fall asleep on, not babies and certainly not you."
"Says who?"
"Says all of the pictures of you drooling on me."
A quiet huff of a laugh escaped Robert, and they lapsed into silence for a few minutes.
"You sound tired," Chad said finally, voice soft.
A sigh escaped the other man. "I am. You know how the team is. Especially on a weekend shift. You sound tired too."
"Psh, I sound sexy and awesome, thank you very much."
"Ahh, so that's what we're calling it, hm?"
"Fuck off, Bob Bob."
A low chuckle floated over the line, and Chad felt a small grin spread over his face. He heard a door open and close, and then he heard Robert setting his keys down.
"You back at your apartment?" Chad asked.
"Yeah, finally."
"Beefy boy with you?"
"Nah, Chase has him tonight. Said that he didn't want us to scar him forever."
A snort left Chad's lips before he could stop it. But a quiet chuckle left Robert in return, so he wasn't too mad it had escaped him.
"Well, I should probably let you get some sleep," Robert said.
Chad felt his stomach drop suddenly, and his grip on the phone tightened slightly.
"Uh, well. We don't have to hang up, do we?" Chad asked, trying to find a reason for why they had to keep talking to each other. Damn, he was down bad.
Robert was silent for a few seconds, before softly saying "Well. No, I guess we don't. But aren't you tired?"
Chad wet his lips and felt his cheeks heat up, before muttering "Can you… can you stay on the line? At least until I fall asleep?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I can do that," Robert replied, voice achingly soft.
"Good. Now I'm putting you on speaker, so behave Bob Bob."
He had put Robert on speaker phone just in time for his reply to come through, "Or what? You'll spank me?"
"You'd like that wouldn't you, you freak?"
A little laugh came out of the tinny speaker as Chad finally started getting ready for bed. He stripped out of his day clothes, pulling on a slim washed out band t-shirt—he was pretty sure it was Robert's—and soft silk pants. He picked up his phone and moved to the bathroom, getting started on his nightly skincare routine. He and Robert didn't talk much, just existing and listening to one another get ready. After he brushed his teeth, he padded back into his bedroom, slowly lowering himself back onto the soft bed. They sat in silence for a long while, and Chad felt his eyes slowly start to shut as he laid there.
Before he fully drifted off though, he heard Robert softly say "Sleep well, Chad. See you tomorrow."
Chad dropped his duffel bag onto the bench in front of his locker. A yawn escaped him as he rubbed his eyes, trying his best to wake up for the day. He stood there for a few seconds, before a long slow breath escaped him as he turned to his locker to open it.
"Hey."
Chad ignored the voice, putting in the combination.
"Hey man."
Chad felt his eye twitch. All he wanted was to get ready for work.
A hand snapped in front of his face, and Chad jumped back before snapping his gaze to it's owner, scowl on his face.
"Woah man, listen. I'm trying to tell you that isn't your locker, it's Flambae's. And you really don't wanna piss him off, let me tell you," Sonar said, taking a step back.
"The fuck do you mean, Bat Bitch, you know this is my locker," Chad replied, scowl deepening.
"Oh shit, Flambae! Sorry man, didn't realize it was you."
"It's… fine, I guess. You can't see shit, by the way."
"Ouch. But true. No, but seriously man, I didn't even recognize you with the beard."
Chad rubbed a hand over his chin, the hair scratchy against his palm. "I was gonna shave it this morning, but I woke up late."
"Dude, how did you of all people wake up late."
"Ah-bah-bah, I don't wanna fucking hear it from you. Fuck off and let me get dressed."
As Sonar left, Chad seriously thought about frying his ass now rather than waiting for later. But instead, he opened his locker and started getting ready for the day. Just as he was about to change into his suit though, he slowed, the gears in his mind turning. If Sonar didn't realize that he was Flambae, would others not recognize him?
Would Robert not recognize him?
He wanted to find out.
He checked the time on his phone, and found that he had 15 minutes before his shift started. He picked up his bag, shoved it into his locker, and then walked out of the locker room, heading to the elevator. Before he got on though, he pulled his phone out and texted Alice.
Me: ali i need your help rq
My VIP: Bae we're about to start work
My VIP: WHAT could you possibly need help with
Me: meet me at the elevators
Me: wont take long promise
My VIP: If it does you have to get me coffee while we're out today 😘
Me: like i wasnt gonna do that already
"See, that's why you're my favorite Bae," Alice said, rounding the corner as the elevator opened. She looked up from her phone and smirked up at him. "Look at you, Mr. Scruffy. You keeping it?"
"Depends," Chad replied, letting Alice on first before following close behind. He pressed the button for the dispatcher's floor, and then leaned against the wall next to Alice.
"Depends on if Roberto likes it?" Alice asked, a sly grin on her face. Chad could feel his face heat up at her teasing, and adverted his gaze to the floor.
"…maybe," he mumbled, still staring at the ground.
"Softie. I don't think there's anything you could do that he wouldn't like," she said, gently bumping herself into his side.
Chad could feel a warmth spread through him at her words, and he felt a tiny smile spread across his face. Before he could reply, they made it to their floor and stepped out. They made their way to the bullpen, but before they were in plain sight, Chad stopped Alice.
"Ok, so the reason why you're here too," Chad began, quickly looking back and forth between the bullpen and Alice.
"Was wondering when you'd explain why I'm here," Alice replied, amusement evident in her tone.
"Well I'm about to explain."
"Bitch, hurry up then."
"Psh, whatever. So, I'm in the locker room getting ready. And Sonar like, snaps his fingers in front of my face."
"He don't know he's got a target on him yet?"
"No, I'm gonna make it look like an accident. Anyways, he didn't even fucking recognize me. Said it was cause of the beard."
"And you want to see if our little dispatcher recognizes you, yeah?"
"Exactly!" Chad replied, a grin on his face as he looked back out at the bullpen. His eyes finally landed on Robert, and there was a moment where he wanted to abandon his plan entirely and just run up to him and kiss him senseless.
"Bae," Alice said, forcing Chad's attention back on her. "Sonar is two steps away from being legally blind, what makes you think Roberto won't recognize you?"
"Well, for one I'm not in my sexy as fuck costume. Two, I've got this amazing beard now, and my hair's down. And three, he got home late last night, so I know his ass is tired today. The perfect combo for this to work," Chad replied, counting on his fingers as he spoke.
Alice cocked her head to the side, raising an eyebrow at him. "And why am I here?"
"You're here because I want you to record it. If he doesn't recognize me I'm gonna hold it over his head forever," Chad said, an evil grin on his face.
Alice put a hand on her chin, as if thinking about it. But she was already pulling her phone out, getting ready to put Chad's plan into action. She lifted it up, and shooed Chad off in Robert's direction, an equally evil smirk on her face. She moved behind him, out of the way so as to not draw suspicion but close enough so the recording could pick up everything they said.
Chad stepped up next to Robert's desk, and obnoxiously cleared his throat. He saw Robert tense slightly, before lightly tilting his head in acknowledgement. He still had his gaze trained on his computer screen though, so Chad stepped closer, just into the other man's peripheral vision. Robert's gaze quickly shot to him before going back to the screen.
Here goes nothing.
"Hey, uh, I'm looking for Blonde Blazer's office, but I got turned around. You know which way it is?" Chad asked, slightly deepening his voice to try and make it harder for Robert to realize it was him.
"Yeah, turn down that corner and go down the hallway, it should be the third door on the right," Robert said, pointing to where Chad had to go.
"Thanks man," Chad replied, heading off towards Blazer's office. As he passed Robert, he saw a small sigh escape the man. If he had been anyone else, he wouldn't of noticed it. Unconsciously, he heated the air up around him to the perfect temperature, and watched as some of the tension left Robert. He rounded the corner, and watched Robert as he waited
10 seconds passed. Robert was still working away on his computer.
20 seconds. His movements had started to slow as his brow furrowed.
30 seconds. He had fully stopped working, staring ahead confused, muttering something to himself.
40 seconds. His body went ramrod straight, and Chad ducked behind the corner again.
45 seconds.
"HOLD ON, WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE," Robert yelled, and Chad could hear his chair fall back as he scrambled in his direction.
Robert rounded the corner, barreling into Chad. Before he could say anything, Chad wrapped both arms around the smaller man's waist and pulled him into a bone-crushing hug, pressing his mouth firmly against Robert's own. A startled noise escaped Robert, but then he pressed back just as firmly against Chad, throwing his arms around Chad's neck and tangling his hands into his hair.
They stayed like that for as long as possible, but eventually they had to pull away from one another. Chad had somehow ended up against the wall, Robert pressed tight against his front. Robert's eyes quickly darted across his face as his hand slowly moved from his hair to his cheeks, cradling his face. He slowly turned it to the left, and then to the right, as if trying to see it from all angles. There was a devastating softness to the way he held Chad, and said man could feel his face heat up at the gentleness Robert was giving him.
"When did this all happen, hm?" Robert finally said, still gently turning his head this way and that. His fingers had started to gently rub against Chad's beard, and he leaned into it like a cat getting scritches from its favorite human.
"When I was visiting family. Kept forgetting to buy another razor, so it grew. Wanted to see if I could pull off a Clark Kent. And I did~" Chad replied, a sing-songy tone to his voice.
Robert only hummed in reply, his eyes slowly tracing Chad's face. His fingers were still lightly scratching Chad's beard, like he was trying to commit the feeling to memory. He leaned up towards Chad's lips, but just before they connected he moved and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of Chad's mouth.
"Handsome," Robert said, before moving.
"Beautiful," he said while pressing a kiss to Chad's cheek.
"Stunning," with a kiss to Chad's temple.
"Gorgeous," a kiss to the forehead.
With each kiss, with each compliment, Chad could feel himself get warmer and warmer and the grin on his face grow wider and wider. His grin was so wide that when Robert finally pressed a kiss to his lips, he could barely return it. When they parted, Robert pressed his forehead against Chad's, staring up at him.
"So… do you, um… like it?" Chad asked, suddenly nervous about Robert's answer.
Robert hummed gently. There was a lot he could say, in response.
Of course I do.
Why wouldn't I?
It's you.
I love you.
Instead, what Robert said was "I do. It's very scratchy."
Amusement flashed across Chad's face at Robert's words, as if seeing right through. But instead of calling him out on it, he said "Well, I guess I'll have to keep it if you like how scratchy it is."
"Smart man," Robert replied, before murmuring softly, "I missed you."
Chad pressed a kiss to Robert's forehead, and whispered "I missed you too, azizam."
Robert glided his hand down to Chad, grasping it and squeezing gently. Chad threaded their fingers together and squeezed back, before they made their way back to the bullpen. As they made their way back to Robert's desk, Chad noticed Alice sitting in Robert's chair, spinning slowly while on her phone.
"Did you know that your chair is super uncomfortable, Mr. Dispatcher?" Alice asked, glancing up at the both of them with a smirk.
"I did in fact notice that, but thanks for the reminder Prism," Robert replied, glancing between her and Chad.
"I sent you the video by the way Bae. Stopped recording after your make out session though," Alice said, waving her phone idly towards them.
"Nice. I'm gonna be holding this over you forever, by the way."
"Yeah yeah. Prism?"
"Yes Roberto?"
"Can you send that to me too?"
"Already did."
"Thanks. Now you two should get going, shift starts in 10."
Before any of them could move though, there was a little yawn from under Robert's desk, and Beef slowly stumbled out. He shook the sleep from himself, and then stared up at all of them with that sweet little head-empty stare Chad loved.
"Oh Beefy, I missed you so much," Chad said, leaning down towards the rotund chihuahua with a silly grin on his face.
Beef on the other hand, took one look at Chad and yelped in fright before scrambling to hide behind Robert. All three of them stared at the little dog, before Robert and Alice turned to look at the utterly heartbroken look on Chad's face.
"Robert. Robert he doesn't recognize me," Chad said, sorrow lacing his tone.
"It's alright Bae, you just gotta let him get used to it," Robert replied while patting the older man's back.
"I have to go shave. I can't have Beef afraid of me!" Chad said, before booking it towards the elevator.
"Wait don't—!"
"I'll go make sure he doesn't get rid of it Rob. See you soon," Alice said before hurrying off after Chad.
Robert watched as she booked it down the hallway after Chad, and shook his head fondly. He sat back down at his desk, putting his headset back on and getting everything ready before work started. He glanced down at Beef, who was looking up at Robert with an innocent gaze. Robert leaned down close to his dog, so that his words were only heard between the two of them.
"If he shaves it off because you didn't recognize him, I will be so upset," he said, trying his best to put on a stern face.
Beef, for his part, just tilted his head to the side before leaning up and licking Robert's face. Robert laughed at his antics, before petting him while sitting up straight.
"Well, I guess I can't stay mad at you. But I'm gonna have to hide his shaver."