something something robert who was engaged, once, nearly a decade prior. he doesn't talk about it, not even to himself. he doesn't think about them anymore, doesn't think about the 'what could have been' or the 'what if's' because its pointless to do so. it also just hurts too much too.
it has been about five years after he started being mecha man. Just long enough for at least the initial sting of his father's death to pass; just enough time for him to find a groove with being a hero; just enough time to throw himself into the work but not quite enough time to drown in it, not yet, at least.
he met someone, probably at a place like crypto if not just there outright. another hero, another full time hero too. they hit it off. hit it off even better than he would with many years later. three weeks, multiple dates, and plenty of sex later and they start dating officially. it works, honestly. it works in a way that robert always struggled with in the past with anyone else he even considered liking for more than just a quick hookup or two. they're also a full time hero. they get the job, they know what it means to live and breathe the job.
and eventually, maybe a year or two later, they're engaged. robert is in Love. capital L and all. he's still throwing himself at the work, and so are they. but honestly, not even most full time heroes throw themselves in the way he does. it's becoming a strain. and he wishes he would have listened when they asked him repeatedly to slow down.
mecha man is many things, but yielding isn't one of them.
he was in a lot better place back then, and he couldn't make it work. so what hope would he have for anything now? but that doesn't mean he doesn't fall for anyone, or can't; but even if he does he doesn't pursue it. because what is the point?
so flambert or maybe even poly z team... he hasn't felt anything like this in so long, it's almost physically painful. and it fucking sucks. sucks because anyone else? he'd never have to see them, they'd be a one maybe two night stand and that's it. but he can't avoid flambae/the team. he works with them.
but still knowing he shouldn't. but also craving it, because humans crave connection. crave love and affection. and mecha man might just be a mechanical suit of armor... but robert isn't. the machines flesh-and-blood beating heart is only human.
so he tries to supplement it with just platonic affection how he can. hopes it's enough (it's not), and just be happy with what he has now.
