#alpha flambae

They went back inside. Robert could feel that the air around them shifted, quite literally. 

“There they are! We worried you two ditched us.” Visi said, looking at them. 

“Wouldn’t dream of that. I just got a bit overwhelmed, that’s all.” Robert said, sitting back down and Flambae next to him.  

The fire user placed his arm on top of the booth, just behind Robert and the omega got comfortable again. He could smell the lingering scent of fire and spices, and it instantly calmed him a little more. 

“Sooo- What happened? I just saw some dude going away all angry and grumbling while you two went outside.” Malevola asked. Her tail pointed at them. 

Robert looked at her and then at Flambae. The alpha looked back at him and shrugged softly. It wasn’t his place to tell them why, and Robert appreciated it that he would not pressure him into saying it. Even though he had the feeling, this was as best as it could get and probably would clear up some of the questions the team might have. 

The Team watched them, silently exchanging glances as if they were having a full-blown conversation just with their eyes alone. Robert looked into those beautiful amber eyes, trying not to get lost in them and how the colors slowly moved between yellow, orange, brown and a hint of red. Like a flickering flame, calm and warm. 

He nodded. 

“Okay... I think I will tell them.” He said softly. 

“It’s your call, Robbo. I can burn them if they misbehave?” Flambae offered. 

That made the omega chuckle and shake his head. 

“Maybe it won't even come to that... But thanks for offering.” 

Flambae just winked at him playfully, and Robert shook his head once more, rolling his eyes in faked annoyance. 

“Hello? What is going on? What’s happening? If there is tea to spill, Roberto Robertoson, you better spill!” Prism said, clearly invested in what was happening and not missing the point that HER BESTIE obviously already knew and didn’t tell her. 

Robert took a deep breath before settling a bit more back, feeling the warmth of Flambae’s resting arm in the back of his neck. It was grounding. 

“So... As you all might have noticed or maybe not or thankfully not commented tonight- I am missing my collar,”  

“Oh shit! Now that you mention it- It is missing.” Sonar said, leaning a bit over the table to see, that, indeed, the collar was gone. 

“I didn’t want to intrude. So, I didn’t ask.” Golem said with a deep rumble. 

“Thought it was because you were in the infirmary, babes.” Mal said. 

A few agreed with either of them and were now looking at Robert. 

Robert watched them, smiling. 

“Well, you're not wrong, Mal. It was because my body was slowly turning against me. I was never allowed to be what I am, and it bit me in my ass.” 

The rest of the team was sitting there, letting him talk. The only thing that drowned out the silence was the steady thrumming of the music. 

“And... Because of the suppressants I was taking since childhood I got sick.” 

“Wait- Suppressant's? I thought you’ a beta?” Punch-Up asked.  

“Let him talk!” Prism interjected, clearly interested in the tea she got served. She was the one with her suspicions, and she wanted to know if her gut feeling had been right about their dispatcher. 

Visi looked at him, observing. She already knew and the way Flambae was behaving her money was set on him knowing as well. 

Robert took another deep breath. 

“That’s because I only presented myself as a beta. I am an omega, hence the collar. It suppressed my scent and made sure I could go under the radar...” 

He deliberately left out the part where his father made sure, he would stay under the radar. Mecha Man being an omega. That was another thing... Whatever this was with Flambae now, he needed to address the elephant in the room... That he was at fault for the loss of his fingers. He wasn’t sorry that he put him into jail, because that had been his job. But he could have handled the situation differently. 

Flambae softly nudged him. 

“Are you okay?” 

“Huh?” 

“Your scent got a little sour there.” Flambae said softly. His brows were knitted together in worry. 

His eyes were on him, this softness, the worry. He wanted this a little bit longer.  

“Holy shit! So, you are an omega!” Prism said, her smile turned brighter as she pointed at him. “I knew it! I knew that I heard you two correctly in the breakroom!” 

“Breakroom?” Robert was confused. 

“Yes, shortly after the thing with the donut shop with you and Visi. I wanted to grab my stuff from the fridge when I heard you two whisper. I wasn’t sure at that time, so I just stayed put, but I KNEW I had the right track.” 

Her smile turned a little evil as she extended her hand to the rest of the Z-Team. 

“Pay up, bitches!” 

A collective groaning and moaning erupted around the table as they all got their wallets out. 

“Could’ve sworn ya a beta...” Punch-Up mumbled. 

Coupé just stabbed one of her blades into the table and paid her part. She thought Robert was an alpha. 

Sonar was almost crying, looking devastated as he pulled 200$ from his wallet and Malevola was equally not pleased. 

“I really thought you were an alpha, Bobert...” Sonar sniffled. 

“I thought he would be a beta... Shit... Should’ve listened to the big guy.” Mal said grumbling. 

Visi knew, so she bet on omega, Prism because she overheard them and Golem because he had a feeling. Flambae? He hadn’t participated, because the bet had started while he was with Robert. 

Everyone seemed completely normal... Even if they made a bet. That’s just what they did, and it calmed him. They all didn’t care that he was an omega and the relief he felt was instant. 

“So... you all don’t care?”  

“Why would we? You’re still our annoying Dispatcher who we happen to like very much.” Visi said with a soft smile. 

“Exactly! You at least give a shit about us. Ain’t changing now, right?” Prism added. 

“Never.” Robert answered with a smile. 

“Then we’re all good, don’t ya worry laddy.” Punch said with a wide grin. 

Sonar lifted his big nose, sniffing the air. 

“Do you guy’s smell that?” 

“What?” 

“The sweet scent?” 

Robert flushed a little, because Flambae leaned over to him, sniffing the air around Robert. He let out a soft huff. The sweet scent of vanilla and burned caramel, soft and inviting. 

“Woah! Is that your scent, Bobert? You smell really good!” Sonar said.  

The others who could smell him sniffed the air too, noticing the scent. It was pleasant and soft and everything an omega should be. It was calming and warm, and they all seemed to relax. Flambae grumbled softly.  

Robert noticed the soft burned scent, like spices burning for a bit too long in a pan. He leaned a little closer to the alpha, instinctively directing his scent more to his side... Or at least that's what he tried. He emitted a bit more of his scent, but it didn’t only stay at their table. It attracted some other alpha’s from around them – which he didn’t notice, because how could he if he wasn't able to smell himself? He just hoped it would stay in their area.  

-- 

Robert had just entered the breakroom to get himself a coffee when people had already started to stream into the office. He sighed. 

The coffee was shitty as ever, but he didn’t get sick of it... so that was a plus- still he kind of wanted that delicious tea Flambae had made for him the day before. It felt warm and inviting as well as refreshing. 

Besides, it was the only thing next to the soup he had gotten that didn’t make him want to puke out his insides. 

He shook his head. 

He should really stop thinking about this. 

He sighed softly and got into motion, walking to his cubicle to start the day. 

-- 

Chase and Beef came a little later. Chase was obviously happy that Robert was better and back in the office. He gave him the report yesterday, which he scanned over quickly, while Beef was in his lap getting his well-deserved pats. 

“Did they give you any trouble?” He asked while still reading the papers. 

“They tried, but the fuckers quickly learned that they better not try shit with me.” 

Robert chuckled. 

“Oh god... please don’t tell me you scared the kids.” 

“HAH! Those bitches wish. If I could take care of your whiney ass, I can handle some ex-cons.” Chase said, crossing his arms with a dry laugh. 

Robert just let out an amused huff and shook his head. He took the headset after booting his computer up and opened the comms, 

“Good morning, team.” 

“OOOOOH THANK FUCK!” Prism sighed. 

“Fucking hell, Bobert! Never leave us alone with the old shit again!” Sonar screeched. 

“Next time we want a formal notice of at least a week if you decide to vanish on us!” Visi stated. It was almost like he could hear her pout. 

Robert smiled. 

“I’m sorry you guys had to get used to another Dispatcher pushing you around to do your job... But given from the report you all did well. I’m proud of you.” He said with an amused hum. 

A choir of fake “Aww’s” was heard. Robert rolled his eyes. 

“Don’t get mushy on us, Bob-Bob. We want our grumpy dispatcher!” 

A familiar voice cut through the chatter, accent thick, a smug smile practically audible through the comms. 

Flambae. 

The sound of it warm, rough around the edges, settled somewhere low in Robert’s chest before he could stop it. 

His lips curved despite himself. 

He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed that voice. 

“Hm~ Wouldn’t want you to get used to me being all nice, right Flambae?” 

“Oh, hell no, Bob-Bob! I need to call your bitch ass out.” The other man laughed into the comms and Robert couldn’t stop the soft smile on his lips. He was happy things weren't awkward now that Flambae knew and was with him when he removed his collar. 

“We should celebrate Bobbert's return!” Visi said cheerfully. A round of cheering and positive sounds came through the comms. 

“Oh, this sounds nice!” Mal said, an obvious grin in her voice. 

“You only search for a reason to go out for a drink.” Robert retorted. 

“HAH! We don’t need a reason to drink, but it’s a welcome excuse! Besides if we have a reason, it’s easier to excuse the hangover.” Sonar chuckled. 

Robert let out a sigh. He had been inside the SDN Building for almost a whole week. A little outing wouldn’t do him any harm, right? He let out another sigh, ignoring the exciting chatter in the comms, already talking about what bar they should go to and when to meet up. It was a Friday anyways, so there were no responsibilities. 

“Alright... I’m in.” 

“That’s a good lad!” Punch said happily. 

“I am very happy about this outcome.” Coupé added. 

“Cool... But I can’t go inside everywhere.” Golem said softly. 

“Don’t worry, babes. I’ll make you a portal.” Mal said, a wide grin evident in her voice. 

“Cool, thanks.” 

Robert rubbed his hands over his face. He couldn’t believe he was actively agreeing with this. He looked at the profiles, and his gaze lingered on Flambae’s picture for a moment longer. He had hoped the other one would not have been... so... normal? He didn’t know himself if he was honest. Somehow, he had wished that Flambae reacted differently? He was happy they weren’t awkward or that Flambae didn’t give him the cold shoulder...but somehow... 

Deep down, he had been sad that Flambae hadn’t come to visit him again. 

It was selfish... he knew that- but a small part inside of him had wanted that to get another whiff of that rich and flavorful scent. Even if it would’ve been for just a moment. Talk to him and hear that beautiful accent thickens the more he talked. Robert rubbed over his chest again, the aching sensation returned. Maybe he was still getting used to the collar missing? Was that a side effect? He didn’t know...  

He went into his kitchen. Robert would probably be hungry when he woke up. He looked through his pantry. He should have enough to make Shorbat Adas… He remembered his mom making it for him and his sister when they were sick. He took out a pot from the pantry and put it on the stove. While he waited for it to heat up, he grabbed some onions and started chopping them skillfully.

He tried not to think about it too hard.

Robert was sick and just getting used to his second gender, making itself known. No big deal. He had cooked soup for Alice before. No biggie.

Nope.

Not at all.

Completely normal.

He added some oil to the pot and tossed in the diced onions, letting them sit until they developed perfect, crispy edges. He took a second pot and started cooking the lentils in a mixture of water, vegetable bouillon, cumin, and black pepper.

Not too much, though.

He wanted to make sure Robert would be able to eat it.

While the lentils simmered and the onions turned golden brown, he grabbed yet another pot. He still had some fresh mint left. Might as well make some tea for him, too.

He filled the pot with water, set it on the stove, and added the mint. Now it only needed to boil before he could add saffron and sugar, making mint tea, na’na’.

While he waited, he took the onions out of the pot and placed them on a paper towel so the excess oil could be absorbed. The lentils were soft now, so he poured them into the blender and blended everything into a smooth, creamy soup. He transferred it into a container, added the onions, and stirred briefly to combine everything.

He went back to the pot with the mint tea, added saffron and sugar, and brought it to a boil once more. He grabbed his thermos flask, poured the tea into it, screwed the lid shut, and placed it next to the container of soup.

“That should help…” he mumbled. He grabbed a bag and put everything inside.

Your mate.

Again…

The nurse’s words echoed through his mind.

He rubbed his hands over his face, groaning. It felt like he was courting Robert.

He shook his head.

Robert was sick.

He was just making sure he got food his stomach could handle.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

He went to his bedroom before he could overthink and spiral further down the road, getting ready for work.