Love me Flambae who can't flirt for shit when it comes to Robert, but HEAR ME OUT—Flambae who IS actually really suave and good at flirting because you don't get that many hookups just on accident.
Flambae had been attracted to Robert for a while. It wasn't initially obvious, especially not to himself, but after everything, he's come to really respect the guy. And Robert is attractive, in his own scrappy way. Flambae likes him, he wants him.
And it doesn't really matter whether or not Flambae really knows he genuinely likes the guy. He starts flirting, a gentle lilt of his words, a sly tug of his lips, a tilt of his head, warm fingers brushing against his nape, lingering just a little too long.
Robert notices immediately and ignores it for the most part. When it didn't stop, he started bantering back, just a little. Nothing that ever crossed the line.
It was enough permission for Flambae to dial it up a little. A hand on the small of his back, squeezing just the slightest before pulling away. Flambae leaning down to whisper something into Robert's ear, or leaning down to listen when Robert has something to say.
Always that smirk on his lips when their eyes meet, and maybe a wink or two thrown in.
When they bump into each other in the locker rooms right out of the shower, Flambae greets him with a purred, "Hey," and a searing gaze that rakes slowly down his body, appreciating.
"What is this?" He demands, suddenly furious. Chad blinks, surprised, as he dries off his hair.
"What is what?" He asks innocently, tilting his head playfully again.
"Stop that." Robert huffs, a scowl on his face. "Don't—Don't treat me like one of your hookups."
Chad pauses, eyes widening. "You think that's what this is?"
"Isn't it?" Robert is furiously stuffing things into his bag to leave. "I don't want to be treated like a toy."
"You're not." Chad wraps a hand around his wrist, stilling him. "Robert."
Robert doesn't meet his gaze. His lower lashes are wet, Chad realizes. Not from the shower.
"Robert." Chad softens his voice, tilting the shorter man's jaw up with a warm hand. "What's wrong?"
Robert chews his lip and doesn't answer, his eyes refusing to look at Chad.
"Robert," he tries again. "Why are you crying?"
Robert takes a shaky breath. "Is that all I am to you? A hookup? Just—" His voice cracks, "Just someone to pump and dump and be over with?"
"No," Chad is appalled Robert would think that. "Of course not. I-I care about you, Robert."
"But you keep—" Robert huffs, "—you keep fucking flirting like you want to get in my pants."
"I do though." Chad admits quietly, almost chastised.
"I don't want it to be casual." Robert looks stricken.
Chad laughs now, more at himself but Robert looks utterly offended. He jerks his head back sharply, preparing to leave. "You know what, fuck you—"
"No! No, I mean—fuck." Chad hurries to tug Robert back towards him, wrapping his arms properly around him. "I like you, Robert. I don't want this to be casual either, if you don't want it to be."
It's criminal, how fast Robert relaxes into that. "Really?"
"Yeah." Chad smiles, pressing his cheek against Robert's, breathing in his scent. "We're dating now, Robert. Just so you know."
Robert laughs quietly at that, a gentle shake of his shoulders. He fully leans into Chad's embrace now, rubbing his cheek against Chad's stubble. "Jerk."
"And we're very exclusive," a kiss against Robert's temple as the shorter man giggles, "just you—"
"I get it!" Robert tries to escape the flurry of kisses being pressed against his jaw and neck. "I get it, okay."
"Mm, do you?" Chad asks slyly, smiling into his skin. "I think I might need to prove it a bit more."
He loves the way Robert laughs merrily at that, the way Robert has his arms wrapped around his shoulders and fingers playing with the hair against his nape.
He'll prove it to Robert for the rest of his life just how much he means to him.
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