I wanna talk to people about Royd’s big ass thick ass truckasaurus rex ass fingers. Like, indulge me for a second. I know your jaw dropped when he jostled the hem of his pants and basically juggled his balls against the inseam. And he’s such a good sport when he’s met with negativity…
Robert complains so much too. Royd is too thick, who has fingers like fucking bratwursts? One after the other - two already feel so thick…
But Royd is so encouraging and good natured. And Robert… Fuck, Robert can’t leave the job undone and let him down. It definitely has nothing to do with the fact that he’s never felt so full in his life. That it feels like Royd is stroking his gut when he plunges his fingers in to the final knuckle.
Limits for natural birth (according to the Mayo clinic website) is typically over 8 pounds. So even if the babies can be born naturally, they have the likelihood of being chunky af.
The Z Team legit have no idea how a normie survives that, but Robert runs on defying expectations. Even Chase needs a moment to collect himself. How did Robert have two whole babies bigger than Beef combined? It scares a man.
I feel like out of all the Robert ships, these two are ridiculously normal. In a good way.
They wouldn’t meet in some back-alley fight gone wrong, or heroic rescue. No, their first ever interaction was actually online.
The mech suit was malfunctioning.
Robert felt like he was going nuts trying to figure out what was the issue. He knew his way around a toolbox and a circuit board, but even he had to admit he was stumped.
In between garage crash-outs, Robert was skulking engineering subreddits and forums, looking for possible answers.
Somehow in his research rabbit-hole, he ended up on a “LA Supers” thread. One of the top controversial topics being; “What is Mecha Man?”
Robert may have a little mischievous streak when it comes to his own fanbase. It’s hard not to when the person all these strangers are arguing over is in the same tab as them.
The direction of the “What is Mecha Man?” post was mainly “Who” he was. Speculations on whom the pilot could be, what sort of person he (or she or they) was, was he gay, was he actually a robot, etc?
Robert was about to click off for the night when he caught a glimpse of an intriguing comment;
AstralRoyd: “What I’d like to know; is how that suit works! I saw the second model up close and it was unreal!”
Robert pauses. The second model? Technically the Mecha Man suit he piloted was his dad’s just with a decade of ducktape attached. Curious, he shot a reply;
officialmechamanthrowaway: “Do you mean Astral or Blue?”
Within what seemed seconds, the original responded;
AstralRoyd: “Is in my name bruh! He arrested me when I was small and stupid. I musta talked his ear off asking questions about the suit!”
Robert’s interest was officially piqued.
They moved the discussion to the DMs and thats where the conversation really picked up.
This Royd guy really knew his stuff.
The mechanics, the computing, the sheer manpower involved. All from observing the mech suit from a distance, and (apparently) a years-old discussion with Robert’s father.
AstralRoyd: “I’ve made a few minis in before!” (*attaches photo of multiple Mecha suit models; each one is painstakingly detailed and looks like it contains advanced circuitry.*) AstralRoyd: “O’ course they don’t fly like the real one do. Need the Astral Pulse for that.”
Robert feels his heart leap into his throat.
How would a civilian know about the Pulse? The only two options were; being told about it by Shroud (bad), or as Royd claimed; getting the juicy details directly from Mecha Man Astral (mixed feelings).
Robert takes the plunge. He needs help with the suit. There’s only so much a GED and online engineering courses can go. It was a long shot, but Robert says “fuck it”.
officialmechamanthrowaway: “Im actually working on a bit of a personal project. based on Astral’s design, but I’ve hit a wall. If you’re ever in the Torrance area, I’d love to meet up and talk shop.” AstralRoyd: “yeah no, i live in torrance! Pick a place and we’ll catch up!”
Robert isn’t sure why he can feel his heart is pounding in his ears.
They agree on a bakery/cafe called Granny’s. It’s famous in the city for it’s quality goods, and crotchety owner. And even if this Royd guy bailed, or was a complete hack, Robert would get to try out Granny’s éclairs.
In-Real-Life Roy(d) was… not what Robert was expecting,
Towering over him at what had to be 7ft something, limbs thick with padded muscle, soft dark mane of hair, and a smile that seemed to warm up a room.
Robert isn’t ashamed to admit he blushed pink like a love struck teenager when he first saw him.
And that blush failed to fade as the pair proceeded to talk shop for literal hours. Comparing notes, theories, engineering mishaps, respective encounters with supers etc…
Royd: “‘Course it aint too shocking now I work the lab in SDN. Run into all sorts of buggahs!” Robert: “SDN. The call centre? They have a lab?” Royd: “Fo’ sure! Confiscated tech gotta go somewhere!”
This is what fully convinces Robert that he can trust the man with something very personal and dear to him. A quick background check on his phone while the other was in the bathroom confirms that Roy is an employee in the tech division of SDN, so he isn’t lying about that part. If anyone had to handle the suit in the likely chance of Robert not being able to fund or repair it on his own, he rather it be in the hands of a network of supers.
Robert, feeling a little bashful, asks Roy if he’d like to see the “personal project” he’s been working on. Roy agrees, his eyes flickering with not just scholarly interest.
Roy… beams like a kid at Christmas when Robert opens the garage door.
Royd, circling the mech suit: “It’s been years since I seen it up close!” Robert: “Pretty good for a tribute project, right?” Royd, impressed sigh: “You got that right Mecha Man.” Robert: (*pauses*) Royd, sly look: “You tink I wouldn’t figure dat out? The DMs, the talk about the Pulse - you either knew Astral closely, or you work on da real suit.” Robert: “And what makes you think I’m either?” Royd: “'Cus either you Mecha Man, or you a man after my own heart.” Robert, blurts out: “It can be both.” (*the pair shared a moment of silence, before the look on Roy’s face turns into one of interest*) Royd: “We see how the suit run first before making reservations.” ;)
The actual problem with the suit turns out to be something almost painfully obvious and fixable. Something that Robert could have figured out on his own without luring a poor stranger into his garage, and compromising his identity.
But he doesn’t feel any regret.
Him and Royd quickly become an unofficial team. Whenever Mecha Man took a beating in battle, the larger man was there to help Robert fix the suit. All while admonishing him for getting so badly hurt.
It’s not just maintenance either. Roy reveals ideas he has for the suit. A re-design. Something to turn it from “His Dad’s Suit” to “Robert’s Suit”. Something to turn it from a coffin back into the suit of armour it had been conceived as.
Robert isn’t even sure where the relationship turned into a romantic one. It just grew organically in between the shop talk, and the nights where Roy gently forced him to “log off Mecha Mode” and just enjoy being human for a bit.
Roy takes Robert on dates. Actual normal couple dates. Things the chronically-on hero had experienced since he was younger and less jaded.
Roy is the one to encourage Robert to get back in contact with Chase; sitting beside him the whole time as Robert’s hand shook with the dial tone.
The first in-personal words out of the now (much) older Trackstar’s mouth were; “So you like them tall, dark, and huge as fuck, right?” Robert gaped while Roy laughed uproariously.
He’s even introduced to Roy’s family. A big family of big warm hugs, and even warmer smiles. Roy’s mother and grandmother quickly steal Robert away for the sole purpose of fattening him up on some of the tastiest foods Robert has ever eaten. Robert brings Chase as his chaperone, and the older hero is swept away in discussion with the elder men of the clan, challenged to a game of cards and wit. Its a family of laughs, crowded living rooms, kids running around screaming their fun, and songs of a homeland far away.
It’s all what Robert’s childhood lacked.
He feels an ugly bubble of envy in his gut as he catches the sight of Roy and his dad (a man somehow taller than his son) hug without any shame. Roy’s life is one Robert wants more than anything. Wanted since he was old enough to understand that a preteen left alone in an empty house for days at a time wasn’t normal.
Roy notices the look on his guest’s face and approaches it.
Royd: “You ok, ipo?” Robert: “I want this. I want… I want you, Roy. I want all of this so badly.” Royd, soft smile: “You willin to go for broke?” Robert, confident: “Yeah… I want to take it all the way. Make it official.” Royd: “Then so am I.”
They kiss deeply under the cloak of night. There’s noise of a scuffle between good and evil somewhere deep in the city, but they decide to ignore it and not let the moment pass.
Chase knows exactly what happened once Robert and Roy finally return to the house. He jokingly calls them both hussies. The lovers laugh and prepare themselves for a bombardment of questions from the nosier members of Roy’s family.
Mecha Man still burns up over the Southland.
Shroud hadn’t managed to factor in Roy’s modifications to the suit. The blast does send parts flying across the crash site, and the pulse is still lost in the chaos of looting, paparazzi, and Robert himself trying to gather up what was left. With unofficial SDN help of course.
Robert is still hurt. But he isn’t “months long coma” hurt. Maybe a few bumps here and there, maybe a missing limb, nothing he can’t jump back from with help. His father’s damaged suit still weighs heavy in his mind.
Roy is there at his side, ready and willing to help get Robert back in the pilot’s chair. If he wants to of course. Robert throws his arms around his lover with a kiss of sheer joy.
The ultrasounds find more to celebrate.
Robert and Royd: (*shared looks of surprise and cautious excitement as they see the sonogram reveal an obvious-shaped blob*) Ultrasound tech: “It’s a miracle they survived the explosion. Babies must take after their dad!” Robert, shocked: “Did you say babies? Plural?” Royd, bashful smile: “Twins do run in my family…” Robert: (*overwhelmed with emotion. starts crying with happiness/worry*)
Chase has some choice words on the matter of course. Mainly; “How did you even survive him!? No, wait, don’t tell me. I don’t want to hear it!”
Roy’s whole family know about it within hours. Robert is nearly buried under kisses and hugs from his future in-laws. He expected scrutiny or disgust, only to recieve more love and cthan he’s ever felt in a single moment
There is no hiding Robert’s condition by the time of the press conference. Some very clever stage work is used so not too many members of the public catch Mecha Man’s protruding stomach.
Blonde Blazer is forwarned of Robert’s conditon obviously. She offers the temporarily-benched hero the position of dispatcher for the time being - mainly to keep his mind occupied, and the cost of repairs down.
When he greets the Z Team for the first time, their reactions are more ones of pleasant surprise rather than insult.
Prism: “Wait, Robert? THE Robert? The one who bagged Roy from tech?” Punch Up, aghast: “The HUGE fecker!?” Flambae: “You can’t see it Bob-bob, but I am burning with envy.” Robert, preening: “I know, I know. I have no idea how I managed it either.” Invisigal: “I saw him in the conference room. Major dad bod.” Prism: “Who? Roberto Robertoson?” Invisigal: “Well more of a Soon-to-be-Dad Bod, you know what I mean.” Z Team: (*loud calls of “Oooo!” and congratulations!*) Sonar, shocked: “How did you even survive it!?”
Chase gets them back on track before the Z Team ask anymore invasive questions.
As far as the ex-villains know, Robert is just the tech guy’s pregnant spouse. Not some suspected superhero down on his luck.
These next few weeks are going to be fun.
Cravings wise, PROTEIN. Roasted pork, chicken, fish, sweet potatoes, everything. Robert blames Roy’s family’s cooking for triggering this change.
Robert isn’t afraid to say that his favorite part of SDN is Royd’s lab.
Well, maybe he’s a little afraid. He shudders to think of what the Z-Team would do if he ever admitted out loud that they were anything less than the reason he woke up in the morning. For a team of former super villains, they have surprisingly fragile egos.
But the lab feels like home in a way nowhere else does. The smell of soldering irons and spilled coolant eases the tension from his shoulders, lessens the tightness around his rib cage. It reminds him of the rare cool days in the deepest winters of Torrence, when the air is cool enough to show his breath during a morning run. For just a moment, breathing is a little easier.
He passes through the lab, letting his fingers trail over the metal tables. Grease clings to his fingers and he rubs the pads together, relishing in the sensation. It makes him feel less like Robert and more like Mecha Man, a real hero. It’s a welcome change after the stresses of the morning dispatch.
Royd is already working on the mech when he reaches the testing chamber. With a hefty screech, Royd pushes his welding mask up onto his head, revealing a blinding grin. Sweat drips from his tables, and grease is smeared over his forehead. “You jus’ in time, bruddah!” he calls with a blinding grin. Even coated in grime, he looks completely unbothered, the kind of happy Robert doesn’t ever remember being. “I need you small hands.” He waggles his fingers at Robert. “I’m jus too big.”
Robert can’t help his snort. “I’m sure you get that a lot.”
[[MORE]]
“Yeah, yeah, I neva hear dat one befoah,” Royd says, rolling his eyes. He hands Robert one of the suit’s shock absorbers, hand nearly swallowing it entirely.
Robert takes it carefully, turning it over to get a proper look. The spring is jammed down, the mechanisms must have been damaged in the crash. Robert grabs a pair of pliers from the toolbox and gets to work.
“For all you know, I could have been talking about being too tall for roller coasters,” Robert teases as he coaxes the twisted metal apart. “Maybe you just have a dirty mind.”
“You lolo,” Royd scolds without heat, shoving Robert’s shoulder, “You lucky you one funny bugga. Uddawise, I woulda buss you up long time ago.”
“That is the typical reaction, actually,” he muses. Royd laughs at that, and his open joy brings a small smile to Robert’s face. He looks back down to the shock absorber, and gives it his full attention. He understands why it was giving Royd trouble. One of the internal clamps had gotten pinched and jammed the whole thing. Even with his tools, it is giving Robert a decent amount of trouble.
“Stubborn fucker,” he murmurs.
“Ey, no talk about my brah like that, even if it true!” Royd jokes and Robert barks a laugh.
“Okay, I earned that one.”
With a final tug, the spring uncoils, launching back into place. The force nearly rips the base mechanism apart, and Robert swears in frustration. A couple of the screws have been shredded, and Robert makes the snap decision to just take the entire thing apart and put it back together, replacing the parts that are too damaged to still be used.
It’s relaxing, working like this. It quiets his mind, putting everything back where it belongs. He needed this: needed things to make sense, to work how they’re supposed to. Still, the design of this could be improved. It’s no good if too much force can cause it to fail entirely. Maybe he could look into a failsafe system, or have Royd quality control this-
“Nice work, bruddah.”
Robert jumps, nearly dropping the hardware he was screwing in. He hadn’t realized Royd was still watching him.
“Sorry, sorry. Don wanna give you a heart attack.” Royd gestures to the device Robert has nearly finished reconstructing. “Jus impressed, ‘sall. Never seen no one work dat quick before.”
The compliment drapes over him like an ill-fitting suit. Robert ignores the discomfort and shrugs, like he can remove it entirely. “I can repair any part of the mech in my sleep. Literally, my dad used to wake me up at three in the morning and would give me a part to deconstruct and put back together. Couldn’t go back to sleep until I did it right.” He chuckles, and flashes Royd a wry grin. “Guess that’s where I started my designer eye bag collection.”
It’s meant to be a joke. Visi would have snorted and told him his dad did him a favor. Flambae would have called him a normie bitch for having to stoop to such ridiculous measures to be a hero. Even Blonde Blazer would have giggled behind her hand and joked about adding it to her training regimen.
Royd doesn’t do any of that. He looks at Robert with a soft, hurt expression, as if he’d just watched the saddest part of a nature documentary. He reaches out, so gingerly that Robert doesn’t even think to stop him. Royd’s hand easily cups his entire cheek. His skin is callused and warm, comfortable against Robert’s skin. He gently traces his thumb over the pits beneath Robert’s eyes, seemingly afraid he will crumple under too much pressure.
“Sorry dat happen ta you, bruddah,” he says, far too sincerely, “’S not right.”
This wasn’t how this conversation was supposed to go. Robert backtracks quickly, trying to reverse out of whatever awkward territory he has dragged them into.
“It—It’s fine really,” he fumbles. “Whatever it takes, right?”
“I no tink so,” Royd says, “'Cuz my folks, dey never woke me up befoah noon, and I coulda hadda doctorate, if it wasn’t fo da whole jail time ting.”
Robert feels his breath hitch. “That… That makes sense,” he says, voice sounding a million miles away. Because it seems obvious when Royd phrases it like that, that it was all just… unnecessary. Royd was talented as both a mechanic and a scientist, far more knowledgeable than Robert would ever dare to claim he himself was. And, if Royd turned out the way he did, getting to sleep in and take things at his own pace, then… that would mean…
Robert shoves the thought away. He pulls away from Royd’s comforting touch, despite everything in him screaming not to.
“Eh, this way worked for me.”
Royd shrugs, letting his hand drop. “If you say so. But dis time, it gonna be easier fo make the man Mecha!” He pats the arm of Robert’s mech suit. “No early bird calls required fo you to earn dis guy. All you haffa do is show up. And lend me you tiny hands.” He ruffles Robert’s hair, jovial manner back like it had never faltered in the first place.
In his many years as Mecha Man, Robert has gotten used to people approaching him with something they wanted. It is rare for someone to seek him without an angle, rarer still for them not to develop one once they realize who he is.
But with Royd… Robert doesn’t hear the little voice in his head, telling him to be on guard, to sniff out his true motivations. He just… believes him.
Despite himself, a smile creeps onto Robert’s face. “I think I can do that.”
He holds out his fist, and relishes in the warm touch when Royd returns the gesture.
They’re both so quick to shut down each other’s insecurities. Like no Robert you’re not nothing without the suit and no Royd you didn’t fail me because you couldn’t recreate the astral pulse
Whenever Robert comes back from a mission where he got hurt Royd tends to hover over him, even if it’s something Robert considers “minor” or has powered through before
Leave a ton of sticky notes with messages for each other around the lab. Mostly stuff like ‘Miss U’ and 'Don’t Overwork Urself’
The kings of all-nighters. They could pull of a string of all-nighters that would kill a normie or incapacitate a supe. Don’t think that because your powers give you more energy or enhanced durability you could outlast them because you can’t, especially not if they’re super focused on what they’re working on. It kind of scares the Z-Team/others
They’re also the kings of misplacing their glasses (Robert has them cuz he spent 15 years straight staring at screens, but prefers contacts)
Their individual love languages are quality time (Robert) and physical touch (Royd) and their shared one is acts of service
Royd will be (for the most part) appropriate in the workplace but won’t lie and say that seeing Robert in his pilot outfit doesn’t awaken something inside of him
Despite it being the most middle school flirting tactic ever they’ve def compared hand sizes at one point
Royd has a couch in his lab he uses for napping during breaks or while working late. Sometimes Robert comes down to use it and Royd always drapes a blanket over him whenever he does
Royd’s great for Beef’s health journey since he has the most restraint when it comes to Beef (love that dog but a chihuahua shouldn’t be that rotund lol)
Likes tracing Robert’s scars when the other is asleep (sometimes Robert wakes up while he’s doing this but pretends to still be sleeping, Royd is fully aware he woke up but continues anyway until he’s done pretending)
Robert’s Lock Screen is of course Beef but his Home Screen is a picture he snapped of Royd with his glasses on
Royd has some first aid knowledge as a basic precaution in his line of work and if he sees Robert with any fresh injuries either from being Mecha Man or from whatever bs the Z Team got him into he will sit Robert down and patch him up no matter how many times he tries to tell Royd he’s fine
Robert loves the doting but he’s too embarrassed to admit it
roydbert nsfw thought, robert jerks off in the mech after a stressful day, and royd gets an alert of hightened heartbeat in the mech, and realizes rob doesn’t know there’s a camera in the cockpit
i was writing more found family + roydbert and this chapter was focused on flambae + prism friendship and prism and robert bridging that gap until i saw someone in the fandom use AI and my paranoia about works getting fed into the prompt machine got turned up into maximum so im just. not posting it on ao3 anymore fuckkkkk bruh 😭😭😭
