#echomech

Despite what his record might tell you, Victor does care about people. It’s just hard to care about others when said people make it clear they only view you as a ‘monster’. Either telling you outright, which was weirdly enough the nicest thing someone could do, or playing the long con in order to get something. Bottom line is that Victor may be a villain, but he’s putting that blame back at the feet of the people who made his life hell. 

The Medici family, his family, came from old money. His father’s side had deep roots in the entertainment industry while his mother was an only child and inherited the family’s oil tycoon. They were well off before either of them even knew what a job was.

Victor was very aware that he’d been born with the platinum spoon in his mouth, because silver was too cheap for the Medici line. But it did nothing to  help with his social standing in any way. No one wanted to be friends with the freak. It didn’t matter what Victor said, or did, or how much money he would throw at the problem. People would still stay away or take the money and run when they got what they wanted. 

So, Victor turned his attention to trying to be better than anyone else. His name was one letter away from spelling victory, why not lean into that? He’d show everyone that writing him off was a mistake when he paved his own way in life. Living a better life that he created without his parents financial support to get him there. 

Except determination turned to frantic nights of staying up late to ace a test. To finding solace in alcohol and drugs in a desperate attempt to shut his mind up. To paying whatever he could for some sliver, some crumb, of human contact so he didn’t feel like he was drowning. It was by some miracle that he was able to not only pass but graduate Harvard with the highest GPA in his graduating class. 

He did try, after university, to clean himself up. Got a well paying job, rented a high end condo, started going to meetings and even started seeing a counselor.

Fuck, he tried. Not that it really mattered in the end because his only comfort those early years were the drugs that eventually made him make stupid decisions. Crypto, fraud investing, bleeding anyone dry of their money. During that time, Victor had told himself it was the normal route of progression for people in his field. You were supposed to take as much as possible because that’s how you climb the ranks of success in this industry. 

Now, looking back, Victor wondered if he did it as some self gratifying revenge. He didn’t see the faces of his victims. He saw the faces that made him a victim for just existing. 

He really should go back to therapy…

Malevola was the official ‘good’ turning point for Victor. She may be a demon, but the hybrid was sure she was an actual gift from God. She was his first friend, the first person that he could really rely on, that made him feel that his name and status didn’t matter. 

It was hard to accept at first. Victor had played this game before, he knew the usual path. If anything, Malevola had a bit more to worry over as she was technically claiming community service hours by being Victor’s sponsor. Between that and expecting her to only want money out of him, Victor kept his distance. Ready for the facade to fall and for the other to leave. 

Only to realize that Malevola put more money down than he did when they were out. That she planned out how to manage and maintain their shared apartment so they were equals. Going out of her way to make sure Victor talked to her, actually talked to her, about the random stupid stuff that came across his mind. It all hit home for the hybrid when, on a night out at a rather high end restaurant, Malevola snatched up the bill. Looking it over casually before putting her card down. 

“What.” Victor has squeaked out.

“What?” Malevola responded as she passed the bill and her card over to the waiter. 

“I…was expecting to pay.”

“Why? We’re celebrating you tonight, why would I make you pay?”

“The fuck are we celebrating?”

“You officially have one month clean under your belt. That’s major dude, so of course we’re going to eat good food and the best whiskey this place has to offer to commemorate it.” Malevola’s teasing smirk melted into a genuine smile as Victor’s ears drooped in relief. “Hey, you should be proud of yourself.” 

“But…”

“Seriously, even if you fall off the wagon again, you made it so far. I’m really proud of you.” 

She had the decency to look busy on her phone as Victor covered his eyes, trying to keep it together. Managing to long enough to get home before collapsing onto the sofa and openly sobbing. Malevola joined, turning on the tv to play some sitcom while combing her fingers through Victor’s fur. 

Victor knew he was here only because Malevola was there with him. She was even the reason he joined the Phoenix Program. Even if he dug his feet in, because he didn’t feel like ‘super hero’ quality. He still joined. Because she was there. Which was a good thing because Victor wanted to bail out of this stupid thing so many times. 

The team’s first dispatcher was an ass, and not in a fun way. This one only really talked to and sent out the members that were the most ‘human’ looking. Like Flambae, Prism, Invisigal, Punch Up, and Coop. They were sent out the most, given the most attention, and were actually given praise. The rest were treated like trash or were invisible to the dude. Victor, for some reason, taking the brunt of it. He wasn’t sure if it was because he was a hybrid or because he’d fucked this guy’s family over in some way and he just couldn’t remember it. 

Whatever it was, that dispatcher only lasted 5 days before being fired. 

The second one was a little better, but still stayed clear of Victor. Which he was fine with because at least he got some actual action. Job action, not the other kind. This dispatcher only lasted a week because she couldn’t handle the crude jokes and chatter the Z-Team offered. Just decided to not show up one day and left Blonde Blazer scrambling to dispatch the team herself and still run the office. 

The third only lasted 2 days, leaving out of fear when Flambae torched the poor dude’s car. All because he’d sent the hot head on a mission involving water. Sure, Victor could understand where Flambae’s attitude came from with that. But still, poor guy didn’t deserve his car turned extra crispy over it. 

Then came Robert Robertson the Third. A name that confused Victor to no end, especially when everyone started to laugh over communications like they’d just heard the best joke ever. Malevola had to explain the ridiculousness of it to him later, which had Victor landing on Bobert for a good nickname. Because why not? 

Victor didn’t really see anything special in Robert the first time they met in person. The retired hero was skinny, buff skinny, but skinny nonetheless. He had unkempt reddish brown hair, similar colored eyes that carried bags for days, and a posture that said ‘I’m tired but I will fuck you up if you give me a reason’. Robert was even and monotone, Victor believing he should be at a call center instead of a dispatcher with how dead panned his voice was. The hybrid couldn’t really get a good read on the guy. But also didn’t try too hard, believing the dude was going to be gone by the end of the day. 

Especially after the disaster that was Granny’s Donuts Shop. 

Seriously, Invisigal was such an idiot. 

Victor had been getting his lunch the same time Robert walked in. They didn’t acknowledge each other, sticking to opposite sides of the room as they gathered what they needed. It started to get interesting when Invisigal entered, trying to spin the previously mentioned fuck up as an actual job well done. Victor has kept himself from snorting at that comment, instead he tried to focus on making his coffee. 

His coffee, mind you. Whole beans that had to be grounded up because that’s how you got the best flavor out of those suckers. Caffeine, the only legal drug out there. 

“The suit isn’t what made me a superhero. It was how I did my fuckin’ job that made me Mecha Man. Based on what I sway today, you wouldn’t last a day as Mecha Man, ‘cause there isn’t a mech suit in the universe that’ll keep you from being a selfish fuckin’ asshole.”

Victor stared hard into the magazine he was holding, not really taking the information in any longer. The grinder died down, but he still didn’t move.

Holy fuck, their new dispatcher was Mecha Man. The Mecha Man. Holy fuck. They had a living legend in the office and no one knew. Well, okay, some people had to know. Robert was pretty cavalier with that information. Did he not see the giant bat ears on Victor? Did he not get the fact that the ex-villain could still hear everything? What the hell was Victor supposed to do with himself now holding this information?

That worry was quickly forgotten about when Invisigal yelled. Victor floundering for a second to make sure he didn’t drop his magazine. Looking up in just enough time to watch the other ex-villain get a clean punch on Mecha Man’s- No, nope, Robert’s face. The dispatcher went down hard as Invisigal disappeared. Victor was still able to hear her heavy foot falls as she left the room. 

Well, that was an interesting exchange. 

He wasn’t sure why he left the safety of the counter top, but Victor soon found himself standing over Robert. Giving the other a slow look over with the dispatcher staring right back at him. A brow raised with an unspoken ‘Can I help you?’ glare in his eyes. 

“You…” Victor frowned, unsure of what he wanted to say there. 

Are you really Mecha Man?

How are you not dead?

What was it like helping so many people?

All insightful questions that Victor was sure would either get him killed, kicked off the team, or maybe gain him some respect from the hero if he’d been in a good mood. But his mind, in all of its drug-addled glory, stopped at the dumbest option it could provide. 

“You gonna eat those twinks?”

God. Damn. It.

“That’s not what they’re-” Robert let out a sigh before slowly nodding, “You know what, help yourself.” 

So, with nothing else to offer, Victor scooped down and grabbed one of the bags. Taking it, his expensive tasting coffee, and his panicking ass out of the kitchen. 

Well, now what? Victor sat on this information for days, stewing over what his next move should be. He had an interesting hold over Robert and, if he was in his prime years of being an ass, would have used it as leverage. Maybe get him a pay bump or a position that didn’t involve so much work.

Instead, he kept quiet. Quickly coming to the conclusion that he didn’t have the right to spill that kind of information. At the end of the day, they were all just trying to get by. Victor didn’t want to put the spotlight on himself and give Robert one more thing to worry about. So, he told no one, not even Malevola, what he’d learned. 

But he did start paying more attention to Robert. Because it was still a mystery to him that a stick like their new dispatcher was once the pilot for Mecha Man. The interest was first invented into trying to figure Robert out in some way. Like he was a puzzle that Victor had to crack in order to claim the big prize. What that was, he had no idea, but it was the only explanation he could provide for himself as to why he was suddenly so invested in Robert. 

Then, his view of the dispatcher shifted. It was a realization that hit him like a bat (heh) over the head that gave a solid reasoning as to why Victor was interested. Between the banter, the missions, and the slight down time they would have at SDN, Victor was suddenly aware of how Robert treated him. Below the dead panned humor and monotoned lectures, Robert treated Victor like a person.

Not a hybrid. Or a villain. Or a lost cause. 

As a person who lost his way and was trying to be better. Robert didn’t seem like the kind of person to just pretend he was being nice for the sake of claiming something. Robert…was a person treating Victor like a person. 

And that made his insides do something…weird. Something he brought up with Malevola that she pinned down on the spot.

“You have a crush,” the demon shrugged, “It’s no big deal.”

“What? No, I- what?” Victor sputtered. 

“Dude, don’t freak out on me. It’s normal to get crushes.”

“Sure, maybe for you and the normal looking population. But people like me don’t get ‘crushes’ because we know better.”

Malevola raised a brow. “And what do you know better?”

“That I’m either a sick fantasy to someone or their worst nightmare. No one’s interested in me that way, so why should I?”

“Okay, first off, if you think you’re the only person who’s been treated that way, you’re wrong. The number of times I’ve heard ‘step on my, mommy demon’ would make me rich enough to retire. Second, you can’t really control who you find interesting.” 

“Well, I should, because I already know it wouldn’t work out.” 

“You’re making this a worse situation than it actually is. Robert’s being nice to you, you find that hot, but it’ll eventually simmer down. Because you’ll eventually realize that you’re not used to praise and you’ll calm down.”

“I fucking love praise, what are you talking about?”

“Praise in the way of actually caring about you, not what’s in your pants.”

“Um…”

“Your wallet and your dick, you dick.”

“Oh, right.” 

“If it becomes an issue, we’ll talk to Blazer about it. You’ll be okay.”

Except Malevola for got the rule of thumb when it came to life: It has to get worse before it gets better.

Blonde Blazer announced the very next day, through a fucking email, that someone from the Z-Team was going to be dropped. And even with his low numbers, Victor was pretty confident that he was going to be fine. Considering that Invisigal’s numbers were practically in the toilet. 

It was a confusing few minutes, at the end of the day, when Victor heard Robert call out Coop’s name. The former assassin made no complaints as she was led into a board room. Whatever the conversation was about, it resulted in Coop smashing a window, leaving in quiet anger, and apparently threatening Robert. All of which confused Victor until he was told by Prism what had happened. 

He and Coop had been sent to the bottom after Invisigal’s successful arrest of that Thunderfuck whatever guy. They both held the same number of points, both were on the chopping block, and Robert picked Victor to stay. Picked the emotionally confused and drug craving idiot over the literary assassin. Meaning that Robert, for some reason, actually saw potential in Victor. Or was terrified of Coop, and the hybrid was a safer person to go with. 

Whatever the reason, Victor wasn’t going to waste this chance. If Robert believed in him, that was enough. It didn’t matter the situation, how tired he was, how hungry he got, how much he wanted to just sit still for just a second. Victor kept pushing himself forward. He needed to prove that he deserved this spot over someone who could easily kill him in his sleep. If he ever slept again, that was. 

Victor’s only lasted a few days before he was being confronted by the same person who saved his ass. Robert taking the position of being Victor’s boss seriously. Actually demanding that the hybrid stripe and clean himself off. 

“That was kind of hot.” 

Fuck him and his stupid mouth and his stupid sleep deprived brain. 

Thankfully Robert had brushed the comment off and Victor could pretend that it was just a typical conversation between the two. 

Until he felt Robert’s eyes on him while he was showering. A comfortable calm fell between them when Robert offered to dry Victor’s fur off. The moment when Victor let slip that he knew who Robert was. The kiss, God that fucking kiss, that was everything. 

Whatever you called that situation that happened in the locker room, Victor knew that was a big shift for him. And possibly a bigger shift for Robert. 

Did Robert seriously not have any romantic relations with anyone before that moment? 

Maybe they were more perfect for each other than Victor realized. 

While it was never fully verbalized between the two, there was an understanding that they had entered into some kind of relationship. A quiet one. There wasn’t a need to let the rest of the team know they were together. It was a thing between them, nothing else. 

Even if Victor’s skin crawled whenever Invisigal- sorry, Courtney, got too close to the dispatcher. Always getting a sort of thrill watching as Robert would pull away. Sending the hybrid a tired smile that gave the comfort Victor needed. 

As long as Robert came back to him, Victor knew he had nothing to worry about…

“Fucking Invisibitch was right on the money. Perfect name for a bitch like her. Man, fuck her!” Alice let out a grunt as she threw a chair across the break room. 

Victor watched it fly and crash into the wall with little satisfaction felt. “Come on, that’s not necessary.” 

“Fuck you it isn’t! It’s making sure I don’t bust your balls or go out and hunt that bitch down myself! Just- fuck!” 

“Propery damage isn’t going to help. How about we blow off some steam in the Rec Room?” Malevola suggested, already holding the door open. Alice huffed but took the lead, both ladies leaving the room. 

“Huh, she definitely improvin’,” Colm commented, “Pretty sure the lass would tearin’ the place apart before.” 

“Growth.” Bruno added, his voice rumbling. 

Victor sighed as he laid his head back, staring up at the ceiling. This was officially the worst day of his life. Even going to jail didn’t hurt this much. Just yesterday they’d all been at Robert's place, celebrating while planning out how they were going to help Robert become Mecha Man again. Which everyone knew about now, the dispatcher feeling comfortable enough to share. It had been going so well…

Then Courtney decided that they needed to raid the ship, right now, with everyone drunk. Victor wasn’t even sure he could have flown straight with how much he’d had that night, let alone fight. And he wasn’t alone in that thinking. 

Blonde Blazer said no. Courtney pushed back. And Chase…

Victor’s frown deepened. He rolled his head so he could keep a better watch on the hallway. Hoping that Robert would be appearing soon.

Courtney decided to go in alone. Tried to get the Astral Pulse on her own. Which only resulted in her almost dying…and possibly killing Chase in the process. How ironic. Track Star dying because of his powers, using them to save someone who put themselves in a stupid position. All because she wanted to impress Robert.

Maybe if she knew the dispatcher wasn’t available, she wouldn’t have done it. 

It didn’t matter. Because all Victor could focus on was how Chase was close to death and how Robert was practically unresponsive now. The hero hadn’t been able to shut up the night before. Calling everyone he could think of as he raced to the park Chase had collapsed in. Pleading with someone, anyone to get there fast enough to save his friend. 

Blonde Blazer had been on the scene first, taking Chase to SDN. Malevola was next, caught between wanting to yell at Courtney and tending to Robert. When Victor arrived, he found Courtney slumped against the tree. Alive, awake, and breathing, looking at anything but the team. Robert was up, but leaning against Malevola, his forehead resting on her upper arm, shoulders slumped in defeat. Malevola, on her part, had an arm around the other. Worry clearly written on her face as she offered comforting words. 

But nothing worked. Robert wouldn’t say a thing now that Chase was gone. 

Now here they were. Courtney on suspension, pending an investigation. Even though everyone knew what she’d done. Chase was on life support. And Robert was…

Victor sat up when he spotted Blonde Blazer heading their way. The superhero’s face schooled into a neutral expression. The hybrid greeted her at the door. Even opened it up for her to walk through. 

“How is he?” Victor asked. 

“Stable, for now. We just need to keep a close eye on Chase to make sure nothing else happens.” 

“What about Robert?”

Blonde Blazer offered a smile, placing a hand on Victor’s shoulder. “I think…he could use some company right now. From a reliable person. How about you go see him?”

Victor really should have questioned that wording more, but he didn’t care. He’d just gotten the green light from the big boss to check on Robert. Wasting no time, Victor headed down the hall Blazer had just come from. Quickly scanning each room he passed until he found who he was looking for.

Chase looked so small. It was unnerving, the hybrid was used to having the other constantly berating them Z-Team and moving round. Seeing him so still was horrible.

Robert was in the chair that had been pushed to the side of the bed. While the room was dark, Victor could see the hero’s shoulders shaking. Large ears twitching hearing a familiar sound, but not one that he’s ever heard Robert make. 

Crying. 

It was soft, but enough for Victor to pick it up. He placed a hand on the glass door, intending to walk in. Only to pause and really think about the situation. Robert wasn’t one to wear his heart on his sleeve. It had taken awhile for him to even properly smile around Victor, which had been an awesome moment for the hybrid. But this, right now, this was not something that Robert was offering. His tears needed to be shared with only himself, and Victor walking in would no doubt make the situation worse.

So he pulled back, tucked himself behind the wall, and waited. Messed around on his phone, not really paying attention to what he was looking at, as he listened. Making his move once the sound fell away until the only thing Victor could hear was the hum of machinery. 

He didn’t pause this time, entering slowly as he took the room in once more. Robert’s face was clear on any sign that he’d been crying. Possibly the only indication that he had was he now looked more tired than before. But that could just be blamed for the situation in general. The dispatcher looked up hearing the door open. Eyes widening slightly seeing the hybrid. 

“Victor…” Robert’s voice was scratchy and hoarse. 

“Hey Bobert,” Victor replied, “Any changes?”

“No…but he’s fine for now.”

“He’s fine, period. Chase will pull through. He’s too stubborn to just leave like that.” Victor tried to laugh. But fell short seeing how dejected Robert looked. “Hey, the day’s almost over. We should pack up.”

Robert shook his head. “I’m not leaving him. I can’t…not again.” 

“Bobert…there’s not a lot you can do right now. He’s in the safest place to be, he needs to sleep,  you need to sleep, we need to head out.” Victor reached out and gently took Robert’s hands in his own. The hero looked up, a little shocked with the contact, but thankfully didn’t fight as he was gently pulled from the room. 

They collected Robert’s belongings and Beef from the desk before departing from the building. Blonde Blazer giving a nod to Victor as they passed by. 

Again, should probably question as to why she’s so okay with this. But Victor had other things to worry about at that moment. 

Victor had driven to work that day, making it easier to get everything back to his shared place. Robert sitting passenger side, staring out the window with Beef in his lap. The hybrid was pretty sure the other wasn’t taking a single thing in at that moment. Dull eyes just letting everything pass by. 

A quick elevator trip up to the top floors and they were walking into the large apartment. Beef trotting over to the area made up just for him as Victor led Robert into the living room area. The hero practically collapses into the sofa. Victor turns on the tv and flips it to something that would count as a good background distraction. 

“You hungry?” Victor asked. Frowning when Robert shook his head. “Alright, I think we have some left overs.” 

“‘M not hungry.” Robert weakly commented back.

“I heard you. That doesn’t mean I’m going to listen.” Victor was in the kitchen, digging through the fridge and pulling out a few containers. “You just watch the show and I’ll bring something over.”

“Victor-”

“Once we have some actual food in us, we can try that dessert I kept telling you about. That chocolate cake thing, remember? I finally got the recipe right. Had to ask Chad for help, if you can believe that.” 

“...Yeah, I can.”

“Alright, well, ouch. See if I make anything for you again.”

“Depending on how this creation turns out, that might be a blessing.” 

“Come on man.” Victor’s ear twitched hearing a weak laugh come from Robert. Smiling a little knowing he’d gotten something positive out of the tired man. The microwaved dinged and Victor was dishing the food out onto two plates. Carrying them and two drinks over with ease, handing one off to Robert. “For you.” 

“Thanks.” The hero said softly, a smile of his own on his face as he started to eat. 

After taking his own seat, Victor turned the volume up a little more and focused on his own plate. The only sound came from the tv, the show doing all of the talking while the current inhabitants focused on their meal. Or sleeping, if you were Beef. Robert finished first, putting his empty plate on the coffee table before sitting back. 

“Seconds?” Victor asked.

Robert shook his head, “I’m good.”

“You sure? You’re still…skinny.” 

“I thought you liked that about me.” 

“I do,” Victor put his plate aside before leaning over to Robert, “But I’d also like to see you with a little something on the sides. You know, something to hold onto.” 

“Well, too bad for you because that’s never gonna happen.”

“Aww, what? Surely the desk job is helping out in some way with that.”

“Except I work out everyday.”

Victor sighed dramatically, earning himself another laugh from Robert. “An amazing dispatcher that works out everyday and has the personality that you have to earn to love. Is there anything else that you’d like to claim you’re amazing at.” 

“I can think of one thing…” 

Victor couldn’t hold back a shiver when Robert’s hand cupped under his chin. Gently pulling the hybrid down into a soft kiss. One that Victor returned happily. Shifting them both until Robert was lying on his back, seemingly unbothered to be trapped against the couch. He let out a moan as Victor’s hand slipped under his shirt, smooth hands traveling across scared skin. Pulling back slightly, Victor turned his focus to Robert’s next. Gently placing kisses along the pale skin while-

A choked sob suddenly escaped Robert.

All of Victor’s plans came directly to a halt, quickly pulling away with a look of panic. “Robert?” 

“Shit, fuck, I-I’m sorry.” The hero tried to cover his face, turning away from Victor as best he could. 

“Are you hurt? Did I claw you or-”

“N-No, fuck no, i-it’s not you. It’s just…” 

Victor’s panic grew as Robert fully broke down, The hero trying to keep himself quiet as his body shook. “Robert? Hey, talk to me, what’s happening?”

Robert opened his mouth a few times, but all that came out were more cries. Each louder and heavier than the last. Victor changed their position again so they were laying on their sides, facing each other. A quick, silent thanks to Malevola for insisting they get a deep set couch. 

Victor did his best to keep it together as he held Robert closer. Gently scratching where he could reach and rubbing the hero’s back. Trying not to fall apart as well as Robert just cried. 

“I can’t…I can’t l-lose him too…” Robert eventually choked out. 

“You won’t, Chase isn’t going down without a fight. You think he wouldn’t verbally tear apart whoever has the audacity to take his soul into letting him stay? Chase is a fighter. It’ll be okay.”

Robert let out a shaky breath, furiously rubbing his face before his hands fell away. Still avoiding looking Victor in the eye, uncaring as new tears started to fall. “...It’s my fault.” 

“What- No, what are you talking about?” 

“I should have talked to Courtney more, made her really understand why going out there was a bad idea. Brought her back to the apartment just to know she wouldn’t go.” 

“She’s her own person, she can decide-”

“I’m supposed to be helping you all. Your actions are a result of my choices. If I can’t lead, why…am I even here.” 

“Because you’re trying to make a difference and you’re only human.”

“Victor-”

“No, listen to me.” Victor gently lifted Robert’s chin so he had to look at the hybrid. “If there’s anything that I’ve learned from my life is that you can’t control other people. No matter what you say, or do, or offer, people are sometimes hard wired to act a certain way. I’m not saying people can’t change. But it’s also not an overnight kind of thing.”

“I’m…pissed at Courtney, I won’t lie. She made a stupid choice without really thinking about the consequences, but I do think her full intention was to help. But that was her choice. You did all you could that night to convince her otherwise. Sitting here, thinking about the what-ifs, isn’t going to help.” 

“...I just wanted to save all of you.” Robert whispered.

“That’s the hero in you talking. You can only do so much with what’s given.” 

“I really should know better.”

“Yeah, you should.” Victor reached out to gently run a thumb across Robert’s cheek, catching a stray tear in the process. “Feeling better? Even a little bit?”

“...I haven’t cried like that since my dad died.” 

“Well, then I’d say you were due for it.”

“Sorry for-”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” 

“Victor-”

“Nope, you shut your mouth. You’re going to lay here while I clean up and get our dessert. We’ll then eat it, get Beef settled in, and go to bed. You look terrible and I want to hold you closer, and not on the couch. Okay?”

Robert smiled weakly, giving a small nod. “Yeah, okay.”

“Good.” Victor claimed a quick kiss before clambering over Robert. Making a show to straighten himself out before heading back to the kitchen. Putting the dirty dishes away, the hybrid pulled out two square glass containers from the fridge. 

Just as he was about to take the lids off, Victor’s ear twitched, picking up a familiar sound. A deep inhale with a rumbling exhale that repeated. The wonderfully comforting sound of Robert snoring. There was a slight moment of disappointment in realizing the sweet treat would have to be saved for another day.  But Victor knew that all Robert needed right now was some actual sleep and knowing he was in a safe place.

Placing the containers back in, Victor set about ending the day properly. Getting Beef food and water. Double checking that the doggie door to the balcony was open in case the dog needed the bathroom in the middle of the night. Fully cleaning the kitchen, turning off the tv, and carrying his still passed out partner to Victor’s bedroom. 

It took awhile, but the hybrid was eventually able to get them both dressed in sleep wear and under the covers. Robert still passed out for the entire ordeal. Making sure both were covered, Victor gently pulled the other closer. Arms wrapping around Robert’s middle, legs tangled up just right, and finally with Victor nuzzling into the hero’s shoulder. 

 Before closing his eyes, Victor took a few moments to look Robert over. While he couldn’t see the other’s face, he knew Robert’s mouth was be open. Drool only a few seconds away from spilling out. His entire body is limp, seemingly uncaring as he’s moved around. All tension and fears completely wiped away as he sank further into the dark bliss that was sleep.