#pipeline

It’s a mistake.

Robert knew it the moment his lips met Chad’s. Knew it the moment his tongue tasted whiskey. And he especially knew it when his hands went up from his neck to his hair, gripping the soft strands tightly. He tilts his head, kissing him deeper. Robert melts when Chad wraps his arms around his waist, pulling him closer.

It’s a mistake.

Robert pulled back almost immediately. His resolve almost weakened at Chad chasing his lips but he held fast, stepping away from the man with an agonized expression. “We can’t.” He whispered, the words sour in his mouth.

Chad froze. “What.”

“We’re breaking rules, Chad. And the rules were placed there for a reason. We put them for a reason. We can’t break all the rules!” Robert blurted. He clenched his fists, his chest rose faster with each sentence.

Chad swallowed and Robert watched his throat bob. “We’re only breaking one.” He says.

“I broke another.” Robert mumbled.

Chad squinted at him. “What?”

“I broke another.” Robert said, firmly.

Chad choked. “The fuck?” Instantly, his face changed. He pulled back, his eyes glaring at Robert and his jaw clenched. “Who the fuck did you tell?”

“I fucking wish I broke that one.” Robert snorts humorlessly. Maybe it would be better on his mind if he told someone.

Before Chad could respond, Robert turned away. He passed by a few Z team members and told them goodbye, much to their dismay, before rushing out the door.

He’d never felt so stupid in his life. Why did he have to say that? Couldn’t he keep his mouth shut for a little while? Of course not.

Still, Robert couldn’t find it in himself to regret it. Even if it ruined his prospects with Chad, even if the flaming hero told the whole team, or made fun of him come tomorrow, Robert wouldn’t regret getting it off his chest.

The Monday Robert comes back to work is quiet.

It’s not the Z team, they’re as loud and boisterous as ever. When Robert slides his headphones on there’s no mention of the bar last night or of Robert’s pathetic feelings so he can be assured on the fact that Chad kept quiet about that.

Speaking of the man, he doesn’t say much to Robert. Barely says more than a few words regarding the missions Robert dispatches him on. The team picks up on it and tries to tease him but he doesn’t respond.

When lunch comes around, Robert opts out of eating in the break room with Herman and instead takes Beef for a lunch as an excuse to be elsewhere. Chase comes with him, though, ever so reluctant to part from the dog so the two end up sitting down at the Panera’s across the street.

The unusual silence continues into second shift. Alice says he’s just having an off day but, just as Robert dreaded, it turns out to be an off week.

Days of this weird tension between them persists.

Robert continues eating outside the break room and avoiding Chad. He doesn’t go to the gym at the same time as him, doesn’t go to the break room, uses the locker room before Chad, and practically runs whenever he spots a ponytail. If Chad hadn’t noticed Robert avoiding him before, he’s definitely noticing now.

It’s not like Robert can avoid him in the office for long. Him running around to get away from Chad means also getting away from Herman and he’s still helping the kid get used to things around here. Herman’s a grown man, sure, but that’s not going to stop the protective feeling Robert gets in his chest about him.

Which means when Friday rolls around, Robert gets up and goes into the break room. No matter how embarrassed he is, he won’t allow himself to be a pussy about it any longer.

Mal and Victor are in front of the microwave, talking while they wait for Victor’s rat to heat up. Courtney’s leaning against the vending machine eating a burrito. Herman and Alice are sitting at the table with Katon-Ur across from them. Janelle and Colm are standing off to the side, eating their own home-cooked meals, one a bit more bloodier than the other’s.

The only one missing (outside from Golem who ate outside) is Chad.

Robert doesn’t let himself relax but he does feel better as he walks over to the vending machine. “Came crawling back didn’t you?” Courtney said.

“Couldn’t stop myself.” Robert shrugged as he pulled out a five dollar bill from his pocket. He slipped it into the machine and pushed in the buttons for a Twinkie.

Courtney hummed. “So, what were you running from?”

“Your mom. Move.” Robert nudged her leg away from the small opening his Twinkie would pop out of.

Courtney scoffed. “Fuck off, she’s dead.”

“So’s mine. Whoopty doo.” Robert deadpanned.

Courtney rolled her eyes and finished off the last of her burrito. “You think you’re bullshitting me but I know what the fuck I’m talking about.” She insisted, narrowing her eyes at Robert.

“Do you?” Robert called her bluff, raising an eyebrow at her.

Courtney’s eyes faltered slightly and it was enough for Robert to turn away. Only for him to get shoved face first into a chest. An open hairy chest.

Ah. He knew he couldn’t get relaxed.

Taking a step back, Robert took a deep breath as he acknowledged Chad. “Good shift.” He said. He tried to step to the side but Chad followed, blocking his path.

Figuring they were going the same way, Robert tried the other side only for Chad to follow again. “Uh—excuse me.” He said.

“No, bitch.” Chad snarls. “You’re not going anywhere until we fucking talk.”

Robert couldn’t think of anything less appealing. Beside him, Courtney’s voice reached his ear. “I can see why’d you run from that.” She whispered. Robert couldn’t even comment.

“Look, can we do this somewhere else?” Robert asked, giving Chad an almost pleading look.

Chad doesn’t budge. “Are you going to run if we go somewhere else?”

“No.” Robert lies.

Chad gives him a flat look. “Try the fuck again.”

“Fine. Fine.” Robert relents. “We can talk at my place, just not at work.”

Chad grins smugly. “See you after work, bitch.” He walks past Robert, shoving his shoulder as he walked towards Alice.

Robert doesn’t look at anyone’s reaction as he leaves the break room.

When the day’s over, Robert doesn’t get much time after his shower before there’s banging on his door.

He tugs his head through his shirt as he goes to open the door before Chad can bang it open. “You’re gonna piss off my neighbors.” Robert chides.

“I don’t give a fuck about those nobodies.” Chad says as he walks in Robert’s apartment.

Robert sighs and closes the door behind him. He leans against the door and crosses his arms over his chest. “Well, you wanted to talk, right? Talk.” He gestured at the man.

“Fuck—okay.” Chad floundered, not expecting to be put on the spot. “Let’s just get rid of the rules.”

Robert straightens. “What?”

“Fuck ‘em. Okay? Forget about them. Just—come back to me.” Chad’s eyebrows furrow, pleading at Robert. “Stop scurrying off when you see me, stop avoiding me. Let’s just go back to what we were doing before.”

Was that what Robert wanted? In a way, sure. He used to want what they had before. But it feels meaningless now when he knows that he wants more.

“No.” Robert says.

Hurt flashes in Chad’s eyes before he can mask it quick enough. “Okay.”

“I don’t want us to go back to before unless we’re doing more.” Robert tells him. “I want breakfast and coffee runs, dinners with you, and more. I want lunch with you. I want to watch films with you. Go on dates! Get to kiss you without worrying about mistakes! I want you!” Robert huffs as he finishes his rant, panting.

Chad looks down at the ground for a moment, taking in Robert’s words. When he lifts his head, there’s a grimace on his face. “I don’t do relationships.” He starts. Robert can feel his heart sink into his stomach. “I don’t have a good history of them. I tend to fuck up. Go off the rails or whatever. Too much to deal with.”

Robert wants to protest but Chad’s already continuing, his cheeks flushed bur his eyes set on Robert with determination, “Still. I want to…I want one with you. So if you haven’t changed your mind yet. We can do that. The things you said.”

“Okay.” Robert said. Slowly, a grin overtakes his face.

Chad takes a few steps forward. “Are we done arguing now?” He asks.

“Yeah,” Robert chuckles.

Chad smiles. He takes Robert’s chin and tilts it up at him before giving him a chaste kiss. It’s not much but after their talk it’s enough to make Robert melt into it. When Chad pulls away, he leaves a small kiss on his cheek and Robert honest to God lets out a giggle. A giggle.

“Fuck.” Chad whispers before peppering kisses on his face. “You’re a fucking grown man, why are you cute?”