da nanananana NUGGIES!

Size difference

He did say alien…

From a professional, sleek corporate standpoint, the z team is a chemical keg that already blew up.

From Robert’s perspective, he’s right where he needs to be.

They walk with messy steps, with jagged corners, with a past that aches if you press too hard. Coincidence can’t do that.

Strangely, Robert feels more included in months than Torrance did in 15 years.

And he knows things. Because they actually matter now.

He knows Coop’s favourite book quote. He knows the radio station always runs Prism’s favorite song at a specific time, and he always plays it over the coms.

He knows Punch Up’s about to strike with his right or left based on which eyebrow he arches.

He knows Victor jokes about the program closing the most, but obsessively checks their financial records.

So, knowing they also have no idea where Flambae vanishes to every weekend, is a bit of a comfort.

Not even Coop, who shrugs her shoulders and twirls a blade on nimble fingers.

“People hide better when they don’t know they’re hiding.”

“I’ll take cryptic quote for 200,” Victor grins, but offers Robert a pat on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. He’s probably punching some tree. Or maybe hiding a super deep secret that could, like, change the course of your dynamic forever. Or something.”

Or something.

He suspects Flambae wouldn’t appreciate hacking, tailing, interrogating, or any of Robert’s methods for getting information.

So he observes.

Every Friday, it’s the same thing. Casual clothes. A particular, tired quietness in half-hearted jabs that knots Robert’s stomach a little.

Then he acts.

“Hey. Can I come with you?”

Here's a version with the rest of the z team

NSFW under the cut, let's see how long it stays up. Art trade for @wickedvikingart, fanart strip for their fic Air Fryer!

Fabs

● So Chad? Not his native name. Obviously, I've heard alot of kids from immigrant parents or households will have two to three? By all means correct me if I'm wrong, I'll happily take corrections or constructive criticism. So yeah, Chad is his *American name* for legal documents and etc. Now I've seen alot of people calling him Zahir, no lie, I think it sounds pretty. And it stuck in my brain.

● His love language is cooking, feeding, all the touching, and acts of service.

● When he and Robert get together, Zahir was QUUUIIIICK to take Robert grocery shopping for actual food, like "This is fucking bullshit, Bob bob, you have two packets of ketchup, half a glass of orange juice and a plate of saltines.... why a plate of saltines?!" "I threw the packaging out and I didn't wanna just have 'em on the fridge door...."

"Oh .... my fucking god, get in the fucking car you fucking cave man !!!"

● Zahir always wants to take Robert grocery shopping. Even if its for himself. "BobBob, I'm out of rice, cmon."

"What ... do you need me for? You don't like when I try to help you shop...."

"Because I didn't ask you to shop for me, Bob Bob, I want you to stay by me and hold my arm!! Stupid Bitch!" It's true, Robert saw things on Zahir's little list and made a break to go find it, Zahir scolded Robert for trying to wander off. At one point, Zahir just put Robert in the basket of the cart. "Stop wandering off you ADHD bitch!"

● When Robert tells Zahir he's half Korean, (Robert cooked some bibimbap and kimichi pancakes after a long day and now having the means to) Zahir is both amazed .... and offended. "Bitch I spent an hour explaining to you about garlic and onions and other shit and you just sat there listening to me when you knew how to cook this while time?!?!?"

"You seemed happy, and I was ok to sit and listen... but you also never asked"

"BITCH HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO ASK!?!?! You're look like a white boy who would glow in the dark!!!"

"Haaaa yeaaaaa~"

●Robert is actually a secret foodie and HUGE eater. Zahir does NOT know this till maybe .... month five. It was a long hard day, Robert was starving and Zahir plated up some ​Qorma-e-Sabzi, Mantu and Ashak. He sits it in front of Robert, kinda nervous because he's never dived this deep into his own home cooking for anybody in a long while, he goes to get his plate and when he turns back, Robert has practically cleaned his plate. Licking up the last of the garlic yogurt sauce.

● Robert is very embarrassed of his large appetite and capacity to eat. Zahir has discovered he likes watching Robert eat. He piles on another plate full. Robert eats that to but slower and doesn't look Zahir in the eye.

● Zahir gets even MORE reason to cook, and never let's Robert get convience store or fast food again if he can help it.

● Zahir makes a single accepting for ice cream.

● Robert loves ice cream and especially ice cream cake. He always stops them in the frozen aisle (because Zahir doesn't let Robert's hand go) and points to either a pint of one of the flavors or begs for the limited edition flavors that come out for the season!! "I thought you loved twinkies?" "I do. But that's snack cakes. This is ice cream. And I can't ice cream out of a vending machine at work"

absolutely fucks up a good bath. You just know he has five billion bath bombs and never enough body wash/shampoo scents. I can imagine Blazer not seeing him for hours on a day off, even if they lived in the same apartment, because he's chilling in the bath with no lights on. Doesn't care much if the water is cool or hot, just wants to soak for longer than any human should.

talked about it at length on ao3, but I'll say it again: he eats bones. 100%. Can and will eat an *entire* rack of ribs when you're turned around. Otherwise, he really enjoys crunchy things. A good crackle is all he really needs to be happy.

Despite the previous note, he actually has a fairly small appetite. slapping on the idea that he can absorb energy from the sun's light, then the only reason he needs to eat is for nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

used to be bad about putting his fingers in his mouth and licking/tasting things he shouldn't, but eventually got bothered enough by Blazer + SDN media people to stop. He still does it in private though. (Important to note that this is not a species/cultural difference but instead him being weird all on his own.)