Chapter Text
Robert had most of his life planned out, and this certainly hadn't been part of his agenda. The agenda of, be Mecha Man, and keep everyone at a distance, and don't do anything stupid, as vague as that one was. He applied it to most anything, and this could certainly be considered stupid.
This. . . Growth, parasite, this surprise. A pregnancy was not what he needed in his life right now, and it felt more like a punishment than a blessing as most people would view it. It was a punishment for sleeping around for information, for not using protection despite knowing damn well the consequences he could face- although he'd expected something more along the lines of sickness than. . . Well, impregnation. It was punishment for not being able to take Shroud down. He'd only recently broken out of prison, and Robert hadn't been able to stop whatever he was planning yet. It was punishment for canceling his insurance plan, and therefore losing access to cheap testosterone and birth control.
And despite how awful the timing was. . . He couldn't even be mad at it, at the fetus currently tucked away inside him.
It was just trying to exist, it hadn't done anything wrong even if the thought of being a parent terrified Robert. And the thought of getting rid of it almost hurt more than the fear of keeping it, all because it was innocent, just an innocent bystander in his sea of problems. This tiny, helpless creature he'd brought into the world through his own stupidity, that stuck with him even through awful decisions with his health, this baby that deserves a spot in the world.
It made it all too easy to settle on his decision, although it hurt when he actually had to follow through on it.
He didn't schedule any interviews, didn't make a grand statement for all to hear. Instead, Robert took the coward's way out, because if he did it any other way he'd chicken out. He posted it online, on his only legitimate “Mecha Man Blue” account, from the comfort of the Mech's chassis- “Due to personal reasons, Mecha Man will be stepping down, effective immediately. Operations will resume in time, but no estimate is available currently.”- something short and simple, and sure to blow up across news stations in no time at all.
He'd muted all notifications from that app and logged out of it completely, but that didn't prevent him from seeing the aftermath of that post through various news sites only hours later.
There was a public outcry over the temporary retirement of their beloved hero, and plenty of speculation for the cause. There were plenty of people bashing on him too, and Robert chose to ignore all of it for now, because he had more glaring issues to address.
Like his state of living for starters, or the lack thereof. He was currently between houses- or more accurately, homeless. His last landlord hadn't been the greatest, and kicked him out under the assumption that he was operating some illegal crime ring under their roof, so Robert was temporarily calling the Mech home.
It wasn't a bad home per se, considering he didn't own a whole lot so he didn't need a lot of space, but it wasn't somewhere he could raise a kid, especially when he was already struggling to fit in the damn seat even in the early months of pregnancy- little thing wasn't very little.
Then there was also the fact that his retirement was blowing up on the news, and the people he used to be close to had certainly seen it by now. He wasn't all too worried about most of the people on his Father's old team- they could be disappointed all they liked, but his only real concern was with how Track Star was handling the news. Track Star, who Robert still had blocked on his phone, who was the closest thing to a brother Robert had.
Robert took a few days to think it over, then ended up unblocking his number and sent him a single text, a picture of his latest sonogram. Only a couple of months in and the baby was developing great, there was no mistaking that little blob in the picture for anything else.
The response was instantaneous. One second Robert was watching the little “read” indicator pop up, the next his phone was ringing.
Chase scolded him hard, yelled at him for scaring him with the retirement thing and then springing this on him out of nowhere, but his worry was undeniable. He spent most of the call yelling at Robert, then forced him to explain what happened, going quiet enough for Robert to do just that.
He had to explain that no, it wasn't planned, and yes he was keeping it, and yes he knows he's a moron thank you very much Chase. It was harder to tell the man how scared he is, that he's terrified to stop being a hero, to be a parent, to turn out like his own dad. It was that admission that had the man demanding to meet in person, which Robert didn't even hesitate to agree to.
The reunion was way too emotionally charged, but it was nice to finally see Chase again after all these years of forced distance, even with learning about the hidden drawback of the man's powers. It was great to finally catch up.
Chase didn't learn about Robert's whole, being homeless problem until after a handful of hangouts, which prompted even more scolding from the man, before he practically ordered Robert to move in with him. And Robert certainly didn't expect that offer to come up, but Chase made a very good argument for why Robert should listen. It would be easier to make it to doctor's appointments if he lived with someone who could drive, and Chase owned a spare computer that Robert could use to find work, and Robert would undoubtedly need help with the baby once it was born- although he really didn't want to think about that yet.
It didn't take much more convincing before Robert agreed, and then he was getting settled in his ex babysitter/brother figure’s spare bedroom before he knew it.
Apparently Chase still lived in the same house he had when Robert was a kid- something about how the man's parents left it for him before moving somewhere smaller, so Chase had far too much space for being a single guy without a family. More space also meant that he had a harder time keeping it clean, what with old age hitting him faster than expected, so Robert very quickly made the decision to keep the house tidied up since he couldn't pay rent yet. Not that Chase even asked for rent, but there was no way Robert would be willingly freeloading off of him.
And Chase had been right, it was so much easier to have someone take him to doctor's appointments, and to have someone with him for support. Chase was incredibly supportive of it all, despite his hesitation at first, and had already declared himself the kid's uncle.
-~-~-~-~-
The pregnancy seemed to be progressing fine, up until his 18 week scan. The one where he could figure out the gender. He'd gone in nervous, scared that knowing would change his mind. Robert couldn't help but wish for a girl, because the thought of forcing the legacy onto a son had him absolutely terrified. He hadn't been allowed near it when he was a kid, until he and his dad figured out he was born the wrong gender.
But he felt awful for not wanting a boy, because he'd already decided to keep Mecha Man away from his baby. A boy was already safe from the legacy, he wouldn't have to worry about it.
He'd brought Chase for moral support, which helped him stay calm throughout the standard checkup. Blood work’s alright but low in iron, blood pressure could be better, weight is well past the expected range- which Robert considered a good thing, a big baby is a healthy baby, even if the doctor said it was too big. It just meant he was taking good care of it.
The ultrasound was when it all went downhill. Hearing the heartbeat again had been great, and watching Chase tear up over it was hilarious, but then the obgyn paused, muttered something concerning, and asked to speak to Robert in private. It could only mean something was wrong, and he almost didn't want to know what it was.
“There's no easy way to say this, but it appears the fetus has extra. . . Limbs,” The doctor explained, sounding uncertain- maybe even a little disturbed too? How bad could it be?
“What, like, extra fingers? An extra arm? But, wouldn't that mean there was a twin it absorbed then?” Robert mused. He really didn't see the issue with that, he'd still care for it, and if it bothered the baby in the future he'd help figure out a solution. Extra limbs were kind of cool, honestly.
“Not quite. It would be simpler if I showed you,” The doctor said, then turned the screen to face him. At first, Robert didn't really see what he was talking about. He only saw the hazy outline of his baby, wiggling about in its little home, then the obgyn pointed out a few strange shapes that he hadn't noticed before.
“This shape here is a tail, and it appears to also have more animalistic ears. I'm sorry Mr. Robertson, but the fetus is a hybrid- possibly a mix of genes from the other parent, considering your lack of hybridism in your genetic history.” Robert almost didn't hear his words, too focused on taking in the tiny little tail growing from the baby, and the pointy ears on top of its head that seemed to twitch ever so slightly. Then the weight of his words sank in, and he looked away from the screen, turning his confused gaze to him.
“Okay, how is that an issue? I thought you were gonna tell me something was wrong?” He pointed out.
“I thought it would be best to tell you now before you got too attached to the fetus. You're nearing the end of the usual termination period, but an exception can be made for this,” The doctor explained, speaking softly like he wasn't suggesting he kill his baby.
“What?” Robert hissed out, sitting up in a hurry. It disrupted the peaceful image on the screen, and he snatched up a handful of paper towels to wipe the gel off of his abdomen.
“I'm saying that statistically, most new parents don't want a hybrid child and it’s entirely possible to induce labor now, before you change your mind later-”
“No, what the fuck? What's wrong with you? I can't-”
“Mr. Robertson, please-”
“No, I'm not killing my baby! Why would you even suggest that? What the fuck?” Robert snapped. The doctor looked stunned, like he hadn't anticipated this kind of reaction, and Robert stormed out of the room before he did something that would get him banned. Chase was waiting outside the room and quickly followed him when Robert stormed out- only stopping for a bathroom break because his bladder was uncomfortably full and crushed- and didn't ask a single question despite looking confused the whole way out.
Robert climbed into the passenger side of Chase's car, slamming the door harder than intended, and glared out of the window, breathing deeply. Chase settled in the driver's side, not yet starting the car, just hovering and watching him worriedly.
“Kid. . .” The older looking man started, hesitant, but Robert shook his head, hunching into himself.
“Don't- just, give me a minute. Please,” He muttered, still seething. Chase didn't pry, just patted Robert's shoulder, reached around him to buckle his seatbelt, and reclined Robert's seat a little so he could get comfortable. He was always so considerate underneath his prickly exterior, quiet in his affection. It had Robert's eyes burning, but he refused to cry in front of him, whether it be angry tears or over-emotional tears, although he'd blame the hormones either way.
He wrapped his arms around his middle, focusing on the way the baby moved, dancing away to its own tune and wholly unbothered by all the drama.
“The baby's a hybrid,” Robert finally said after a few minutes of Chase driving in silence, the radio low enough that it was nearly muted.
Chase said nothing, only hummed a curious sound, so Robert continued.
“The doctor told me to get rid of it.”
“What the fuck?!” Chase shouted, nearly swerving out of his lane in his shock.
“Jeez man, eyes on the road. Can't have a kid if I'm not around to have it,” Robert snarked, easily falling back on his humor now that he'd mostly calmed down.
“Oh fuck off,” Chase snipped back. His hands gripped the steering wheel tighter, an angry thrum of energy practically emanating from him, “Did’ya punch the fucker in his smart mouth?” He asked, strained like he was just barely holding himself back from turning the car around and doing it himself.
“No, I should've.” Robert groaned, thumping his head back against the headrest. A sudden realization had him sitting up straighter, something distraught curling in his gut and making him vaguely nauseous from the intensity, “Wait, I didn't even figure out the gender, and I didn't get any pictures.” And that had the tears building back up again, damnit.
“Hey, hey,” Chase began, consoling, “It's not the end of the world, there's always next time.” He was right, but Robert still felt like shit. He'd been keeping track of all the scans, and now the one he'd been anticipating and dreading was ruined.
He felt Chase watching him for a long moment, long enough that Robert had to remind him to watch the road again, then the man huffed and abruptly changed lanes, making some sort of decision.
“Okay, how ‘bout this. We're gonna get some food in the two ‘a you, then go home and watch shitty TV and relax, and tomorrow you're gonna call the doctor's office and tell them you need a different doctor, a'ight?” Chase suggested, which did honestly sound great.
“Mhm. . . Damnit, I just switched obgyn’s too, the last one was weird about me being a guy,” Robert complained, and Chase grumbled profanities at that.
“Might as well change clinics then, what the fuck. They can't be mistreating my nibling like that, I could fuckin' sue their asses to the grave.” The man kept up his stream of cussing and complaints the whole way to Robert's favorite taco place, effortlessly lightening the mood.
-~-~-~-~-
After that whole fiasco, Robert did end up switching to a different clinic, and specifically requested an obgyn that was fine with him being trans and having a hybrid baby, since it seemed both of those things bothered health professionals. Apparently Chase had a very awkward conversation with his boss to figure out which clinic would be best for him, and so far she'd picked a pretty good one.
His new doctor was polite and actually listened to him, not once pushing for him to change his mind on everything. She'd even managed to get her hands on those 18 week scans Robert hadn't gotten to grab, which he was incredibly relieved by, and was quick to reveal the gender.
“It's a boy!” She reported cheerfully. Despite being so stressed over this outcome just last week, Robert was honestly just. . . Blown away, because it was really setting in now. He was having a little boy, a son. He was about to become a father to a precious baby boy, and Robert would make damn sure he had an amazing childhood, legacy be damned. “A very healthy boy at that, you're doing a great job hun,” The doctor added.
“Good, that's good,” Robert murmured, watching the screen intently. The baby's tail was moving like he was trying to wag it, but he couldn't really feel it.
“Ha! You owe me twenty, kid.” Chase nudged his shoulder, grinning. He seemed excited, probably looking forward to watching football with his nephew in the future. Knowing him, he'd have the kid watching it before he even knows what it is.
“Hey, I never agreed to that bet,” Robert protested, nudging Chase back in retaliation.
“But you didn't turn it down either! So, fork it over,” Chase demanded. Robert huffed a soft laugh, pausing when the image on the screen shook.
“Oh, uhh. . .”
“It's normal, that's just what happens when you laugh, it doesn't hurt the baby,” The doctor was quick to reassure.
“It's not uncomfortable for him?” Robert asked, watching the image settle and the baby start to move again.
“Not at all, you're happy, so it'll make him happy.”
Robert hummed, going quiet as the doctor finished checking some things. He sat up when the gel was wiped off, pulling his shirt back down.
“Alright, any other questions?” The doctor eventually asked, straightening some stuff up.
“Yeah actually, is there anything I should be doing differently? Since he's a hybrid,” Robert asked. He'd been thinking of it nonstop for the past week, wondering if it would be the same as raising a human baby- which he was essentially going in blind with anyway. He has been craving some weird things, like an insane amount of meat.
“Unfortunately, that's not my area of expertise, but!” The doctor flipped through some pamphlets, then held one out to Robert, “The library just down the street hosts a hybrid rearing class once a week on Fridays, I'm sure they could answer whatever questions you have.”
Robert took the paper and skimmed through it, considering. It seemed alright, definitely something worth checking out.
They wrapped up the appointment not long after that, and Robert left with two envelopes of scan photos and potential answers in a few days.
-~-~-~-~-
Robert went to the next class available, just to see if it would answer any of his questions. If it wasn't worth it, then he could at least say he tried before turning to the internet, and if it did actually help, then he'll count that as a win.
He couldn't help but observe all the people there though, and quickly noticed that mostly everyone didn't actually want to be there. It was also full of only moms with young children, and he earned quite a few strange looks while waiting for the thing to start, although he couldn't tell why exactly- it could be because he was the only one without a physical child, he's a man, he's a pregnant man, or all of the above. It could also be because of his dashing good looks, but that's so far out of the realm of possibility it's laughable.
From what little he'd picked up from stilted conversations around him, most of the mothers were forced to attend to better raise their children, but would rather be anywhere else. There were a couple of anti-vaxxers that were convinced vaccines turned their kids into hybrids (which was so horribly incorrect), a handful of hesitant foster moms, someone who was court mandated to attend after accidentally starving her own kid, and some Karens who were seemingly only there to belittle others.
Great, fun crowd. Totally worth it.
The guy in charge of the class interrupted the ladies still conversing, and started it with little fanfare. He droned on in a monotone voice, beginning with something about genetic history and how it presents in modern hybrid children. Honestly, very interesting stuff. Unfortunately though, Robert was distracted by the women who'd begun speaking in hushed whispers, quiet enough that the older man couldn't hear them, but loud enough that Robert certainly could.
And surprise surprise, they were trash talking him. Fuck, it felt like he was back in highschool or something, with the gossipy teens making fun of his name all over again.
They made digs at his clothes, at his obvious lack of money, at him being a “fake man”, at his baby bump he'd tried hiding in a jacket. Any sort of weakness they noticed, they dragged through the mud within earshot of them, and Robert was forced to ignore it all and focus on the actually interesting lecture. He thought it was awful, that all these children were exposed to people like that constantly. Thankfully, the kids present were in a little play area a small distance away from where everyone was gathered, so they wouldn't have to hear the bitch fest.
The rude conversation spluttered to a halt when the door squeaked open and someone new entered the room, their presence accompanied by the tapping of expensive sounding shoes. Robert watched the new guy round the tables and stop just next to the speaker, taking in his appearance curiously. He was a bat hybrid, with a very humanoid appearance apart from his bat head, and was dressed smartly.
“Sorry ladies,” The hybrid began, voice both flat and flirty, somehow. He paused, tilted his head in Robert's direction in interest, then continued, “And dude, traffic's killer this time of year.”
It was silent, even the kids stopped playing for a moment to examine the adult hybrid.
“Jeez, tough crowd,” The hybrid muttered, oversized ears flicking in a way that almost seemed displeased. The speaker took that moment of silence to introduce the guy as Sonar, a hero from SDN who was asked to be a guest speaker and share his experience as a hybrid.
Chase works at SDN, Robert wondered if the old(ish) man knew about this.
“Okay, real quick, age ranges. Am I giving newborn info, or teen info? Very different programming there,” Sonar said. He was very. . . Dorky, he definitely didn't start out as a hero.
He enunciated his dorkiness by pointing at a random woman, moving his pointer finger around the room as each of them muttered a response- most just barely above toddler age. He ended on Robert, and a prickle of discomfort trailed up his spine as various other eyes focused on him.
“Still under development,” He answered in a slight joke, and the hybrid’s mouth pulled into a mildly amused grin that sat crooked on his soft snout.
“Right, right, still working out the bugs and system management, cool.”
Sonar quickly took over the class, answering all of the dumb questions he was asked and cracking way more jokes than what should be appropriate. It was kind of funny though, and certainly made the backhanded insults more bearable.
The rude ladies started up their slew of whispered insults again after a few minutes, and Robert couldn't help but notice how Sonar's ears flicked in their direction with each creative slight. It almost felt like he kept most of his attention on Robert for the rest of the class. By the end, Robert at least had some answers to his unasked questions, and was ready to leave and never come back. An internet deep dive would definitely be more beneficial. He didn't make it out the door though, because he was stopped by the hybrid.
“Yo, noticed you didn't talk much. Those ladies bother you?” Sonar asked, apparently following Robert towards the exit. Robert paused, hesitating. Sonar flicked his ears, drawing Robert's attention to the large appendages, “I heard everything, very uncool of them to bash on you like that, ‘specially when you're the only one that looked even remotely interested.”
Robert shrugged his shoulders, meeting the man-bat’s white gaze, “I'm used to it,” He stated simply, because it was the truth no matter how sad it was. He spent a long time successfully passing as a cis man, but now with the pregnancy and the (terrifying) changes happening to his body, he had to put up with a lot of shit from other people. He didn't regret it though, not for anything.
“Still though, really shitty.” Sonar reached into his pocket and whipped out a business card theatrically, presenting it to Robert, “You seem cool. Got any more questions, feel free to shoot me a text.”
Robert doubted he'd ever do that, but he tucked the card into his pocket anyway.
-~-~-~-~-
Despite his denials, Robert did, in fact, end up texting Sonar.
He thought he'd been lucky with no morning sickness, but apparently he was wrong, because halfway through his second trimester, Robert couldn't stop throwing up and was so frequently ill that nothing was helping. All he craved were things the doctor told him to avoid, but he couldn't keep anything else down. So, he tapped a new contact into his phone, and asked the hybrid what the fuck was going on.
He got an answer almost immediately, thankfully, and figured out that he should be listening to the cravings because hybrids are a lot sturdier than human babies, and his baby could handle red meat because that's what he needs.
It helped too, and helped Robert figure out a new craving- ground beef. Barely cooked, unseasoned, plain ass ground beef. Anytime he was sick but the baby was hungry, that was basically his cure every single time. Occasionally he'd add some other random thing he was craving, like peanut butter, but mostly raw ground beef was his constant.
And that single text soon sparked into more. Robert normally just asked more weird questions, but Sonar was quick to branch off into random conversations, and complaints about his coworkers, and rants about some crypto bullshit that seemed very in character for him. It wasn't at all what Robert signed up for when he texted him, but he found himself looking forward to these random messages.
He'd even ask Robert more about himself, and seemed very curious about his single status (“Seriously? Nobody? Major L, my guy”), and asked for updates on the baby all the time.
And then Sonar asked him out on a date, completely out of nowhere, just “dinner with me 2nite? Found the perfect spot for u”, and Robert was completely thrown off, because oh, have they been flirting?
He ended up agreeing, because as out of the blue as it was. . . He didn't hate it.
Which led to Robert being taken on the best date of his life. Sonar took him to a restaurant that was mainly frequented by hybrids, a space where Robert wasn't judged. Sonar ordered whatever Robert wanted, footed the bill, and even paid attention to what he liked the most and ordered more of it to go. It was more care than anyone had ever put into a date with him, and Robert actually enjoyed it.
Really, Robert probably would've tried pursuing Sonar, if he didn't have one glaring problem.
He had an addiction, one that he kept falling back on.
Robert could see it clear as day, from the drastically different mood swings, to the way he'd been shaking from withdrawals during the date, then went to the bathroom and came back with traces of white on his suit’s collar and no tremble in his hands. In the past Robert might have overlooked it, or tried to help him, but it wasn't that simple now.
That wasn't something he wanted around his son, ever. So despite enjoying the date, Robert put his foot down and said no to the second one, and ignored every text he sent after that. The pleading texts quickly shifted to rapid calls though, and after letting most of them ring out, Robert ended up picking up, just to see what he had to say.
What he had to say turned out to be mostly confused begging, wondering if he messed up the first date, which had Robert sighing and finally speaking.
“Sonar, you spent half the date coked out. If you just want casual sex, then fine, we can fuck, but if you want anything even marginally serious with me, I can't have that kind of shit around my kid.”
Sonar went quiet, a long, contemplative lapse in speech, before he muttered something Robert didn't understand but sounded vaguely apologetic, then he hung up.
He didn't text again for a little while. It was complete radio silence on his end for a couple of weeks until he called Robert on a random Saturday morning, while Chase was out shopping and Robert was just barely waking up.
He answered the call groggily and a little salty about getting up, but quickly pushed that aside when Sonar murmured a soft “I'm sorry” over the line.
“What's wrong?” He asked, unsure what the sudden apology would be for unless the hybrid did something. While waiting for a response, Robert eased himself out of bed and padded downstairs to the couch. Chase didn't go upstairs often, so that whole area was essentially Robert's space.
Sonar laughed, short and unamused, “Nothing, nothing's wrong, I just. . . I was an asshole, I wanted to apologize,” He explained, and Robert hummed in response, “You were right,” Sonar added, which gave Robert pause.
“Was I? Or are you just saying that?” He asked, hearing a protesting noise from the phone.
“You were, I can't be living this lifestyle if I want a totally different one, so I've gotta cut one of them out,” Sonar began, sighing, “So, I threw out all my secret stashes, I've actually been going to my na meetings, I'm doing everything I can to curb the addictions. . . I actually moved in with my na sponsor so she could stop me from relapsing. I'm two weeks clean, Rob.”
Robert nodded along to his words, but he still felt uncertain about everything. It felt too good to be true, that Sonar was turning his life around just like that.
“That's great, but I need to know. . . Why do you want me? How do I know this isn't just some phase, or some secret pregnancy kink and you don't actually want a kid?” Robert asked.
Sonar went silent for a few seconds, a contemplative sort of pause, before he grumbled something illegible, then finally spoke up.
“Okay, I'm gonna be honest, it's mainly a bat thing?” He questioned more than spoke, almost sounding embarrassed. “It's your scent.”
“My. . . Scent,” Robert repeated, earning a confirming hum from the hybrid, “So, I stink so bad you want me?” He continued, amused despite his confusion. Sonar laughed, sharp yet chirpy.
“No no no, you don't stink. It's the opposite. You have this. . . This happy pregnancy smell and I really like it, and with you somehow being single, it makes you the hottest thing ever,” Sonar explained, “I guess some bats adopt babies too, and those instincts probably carried over to me as a hybrid, because I honestly, genuinely want to be there for the kid. This isn't just a temporary thing, I want both of you.” His words had Robert's heart doing funny things, but he decided to fully blame that on the little heathen slowly waking up.
“Speaking of, Beef's awake, he says hi,” Robert said, knowing damn well the baby had no clue what was going on outside of the womb.
“Beef?” Sonar asked, laughing. It certainly wasn't a normal nickname, but Robert thought it was fitting.
“Temporary placeholder until I find a better name. He craves ground beef all the time, ergo, he's my Beef,” He explained.
Sonar laughed again, mirthful, “Okay, that's kind of cute, give him extra luvins for me?”
“Of course,” Robert replied, “. . . But look, if you're absolutely serious about this, I need you to prove it, I can't just blindly trust what you say, Sonar.”
“Victor.”
“Hm?”
“Sonar's just an alias, my real name's Victor,” The hybrid explained. Robert cracked a little smile at that. It was a good start.
“Okay then Victor, nice to finally meet you.”
-~-~-~-~-
Against his better judgement, Robert did give Victor a second chance, and the hybrid really proved himself.
It was obvious he was off the drugs, and never once left to do a line on their second date. It helped Robert open back up to him. Victor also explained more about his past, that he started out as a villain before joining SDN'S Phoenix Program as redemption, eventually leading to his new status as a hero. He got hooked on hard drugs in high school, and he's been trying to cut back for years with no success, until now.
It should've bothered Robert, that he used to be a villain, but it was all in the past now. Sonar had made a new name for himself, and the world wasn't exactly all black and white.
The second date was honestly amazing, but Robert absolutely scared the shit out of Victor when he turned down a third one.
“It's not you! You didn't do anything wrong this time, I'm just. . . Not exactly raring to go out in public right now, not like this at least” Robert assured Victor over the phone. He felt a little like a beached whale at this point in the pregnancy, and was convinced he looked like one too.
He pulled his phone away from his ear when it started buzzing again, and stared blankly at Victor's video call request. He sighed, then accepted it.
“Really,” He deadpanned as Victor's curious face filled the screen.
“Yes, really. If we can't go on a date, then I still wanna see you. C'mon, show off a little for me?” He pleaded.
Robert hesitated, “I don't exactly feel great right now,” He pointed out.
“Baby, I promise you look good, you just don't see it the way I do,” Victor said. Damnit, he was pulling pet names now too.
“. . . Fine.”
Reluctantly, Robert made his way over to the full length mirror at the end of the hall, one he'd been avoiding looking at for too long. He stood awkwardly in front of it, then angled himself sideways and flipped the camera so Victor could see what had him so self conscious. He even went so far as to lift his shirt up, showing the massive shape of his belly.
“Hot damn Bobbo, you were seriously trying to hide this from me? You look amazing!” Victor exclaimed. Robert hummed and dropped his shirt, smoothing it back down and cupping a hand under the swell it covered. The whole time, he watched through the screen as Victor tracked every movement, something hungry in his white eyes.
“Trying to flatter me won't get me to change my mind,” He told him.
“Then let me come over tonight, you have no idea what this is doing to me right now,” Victor said, chuffing a soft noise. Robert just hummed again, considering.
“I'm still living with my brother,” He reminded him, but Vic didn't seem all that bothered.
“Eh, might as well introduce me to the family, since I don't plan on ever leaving you.”
“. . . Alright, we'll see how that goes,” Robert agreed, because he guaranteed Chase would have quite a few complaints.
And Chase certainly did have complaints, because not only did he work at the same branch as Sonar, but he was one of the ones in charge of his team, and he was not happy about Robert being interested in him.
“Hell no! No way in hell am I gonna let my little brother get with an annoying druggie fratboy lookin’ motherfucker like you!”
“Hey man, I'm really cutting back on the drugs!”
In the end he did back off though, accepting that Robert was a grown adult who could make his own decisions, and Victor had been doing a lot better lately. He still wasn't happy about it, but he begrudgingly allowed Victor to visit regularly once Robert whipped out the puppy eyes.
Oldest trick in the book, and he still falls for it every time.
Robert quickly discovered that all the visits really brought out Victor's softer side. He was ridiculously clingy, and half of his visits were usually spent cuddling with Robert instead of doing anything productive. The sudden switch from courting to domestic had Victor acting more affectionate and doting than Robert thought possible. Some days it was too much for him, and he had to forcibly put distance between them before he snapped, but other days he thrived in the little cuddle puddles he was dragged into.
Honestly, Victor had begun to act like he was the kid's second parent, effortlessly stepping into the role despite having no biological connections to him. It was really sweet, and just what Robert needs.
-~-~-~-~-
Robert gave birth alone, although not by choice. The baby was majorly overdue and had dropped days ago, but gave no other sign that he was ready to come out. Robert was ready for it to be done, so when the contractions first started he knew it was time. He sent Chase and Victor quick texts explaining the situation, then grabbed his bag and ordered a ride to the hospital.
Chase and Victor were both at work, so Robert knew they wouldn't see their messages until they went on break- if they saw them at all. . . Maybe he should have called.
Robert considered it, but didn't get the chance to call either of them, because the baby decided that he should have a fast delivery to make up for being so overdue. In seemingly no time, the contractions increased and his water broke, and then he was fully dilated and he couldn't second guess his decision for a natural delivery because the baby was coming now.
His only saving grace was that they drugged the hell out of him, but even then he could still feel it all, and it wasn't exactly comfortable. Even with the sped up labor, it still took a long few hours to deliver the baby simply because he was big, and Robert was a dumbass for not agreeing to a C-section. It was something he'd keep in mind for next time, although there wasn't going to be a next time, because there was no way in hell he'd be doing this again.
By the time it was over, Robert needed stitches, but it was worth it because his son was fucking adorable.
He was all rolls, over eleven pounds and had the cutest little chubby cheeks. He looked nothing like Robert, with still-wet dark hair and a cute little button nose. His tail was dark furred with a spot of white at the end, and his puppy ears were still curled against his head. Those two features seemed like his most noticeable hybrid traits, aside from the tiny black claws on his fingers and toes that Robert would have to trim, and the black spot on the tip of his nose, and the thin layer of fur on his shoulders and back.
“Oh you're a beefy little guy,” Robert laughed, holding his son close. He was incredibly healthy, had all ten fingers and ten toes, and perfectly functioning lungs, so Robert was honestly a little proud of himself.
The only thing that really dampened Robert's good mood was the fact that the boys were late, late enough that Robert managed to get a short nap in and cuddle his son some more before they came stumbling over each other into the room.
“Oh my fucking god kid, why the fuck didn't you call me?! I could've left work early!” Chase scolded the second he passed through the door, then faltered when he saw what Robert was holding, “Oh fuck, ain't no way this little cutie's yours,” He added, voice a lot softer this time.
“Mhm, he's my little Beefy,” Robert said, too tired to try snarking back at his brother figure. He was still pretty loopy from whatever they had him on.
“They've got you on the good stuff, don't they?” Victor chuckled. He quickly stole the seat closest to the bed, earning muttered swears from Chase, and leaned in to press his snout against the side of Robert's head, “You really should've called, baby. I didn't see the text until after work, then we got stuck in traffic,” He murmured, then dropped his voice to a whisper, “And let me tell ya, being stuck in traffic with old man over there? Not fun.”
Robert breathed out a soft laugh, leaning into Victor's touch.
The hybrid rubbed his cheek against Robert's hair- which was gross with dried sweat, then turned his focus on the snoozing bundle in his arms.
“Mm, you sure that's a baby? Looks more like a meatloaf to me,” He joked.
“He's not a meatloaf,” Robert protested, laughing again.
“Robbie, you ate your body weight in ground beef every day, you made yourself a meatloaf,” Chase piped up, dragging a chair over to sit by Robert too.
“A very cute meatloaf though, he's a little chunker,” Victor relented.
Robert hummed, then held the baby out to Victor, “Here, my arms are sore, you both take turns,” He mumbled to him.
“Are you sure?” Victor asked, hesitating for some reason.
“Of course I'm sure,” Robert answered, “Unless you're changing your mind about wanting him.”
“Hell no I'm not, gimme my baby.” Victor took the pudgy baby into his arms, pausing so Robert could adjust his hold. Robert trusted him, but he couldn't help but keep a close eye on them, not sure if he was really okay with it. His strange body language certainly didn't help Robert's worry.
Victor seemed a little tense, staring down at the chubby newborn with wide eyes. He spent a chunk of time just staring at him, then lifted him up and sniffed him, chirping a curious sound. He spent a good few minutes sniffing the baby from head to toe, continually chirring and squeaking without realizing. The whole time, the baby seemed unbothered, until he pressed his nose against the little boy's head and breathed in deeply, and the baby woke up.
The little guy grunted and squirmed a little, then managed to free his hands from the swaddle and reached up to grab Victor's muzzle. Victor froze, then pulled the baby away and stared into his eyes. He was only focused on the baby, so much so that when Chase reached over to take him, Victor hissed and jerked away, curling protectively over the baby.
“My pup,” He snapped, fangs bared. Despite the aggressive display, it helped Robert relax. Overprotectiveness was a good thing, even if Chase would grump about it later.
“Silly bat, he's fine,” Robert said, chuckling. Victor flicked his ears, turning his attention over to Robert, then back to Chase before he forced himself to chill.
“. . . Sorry,” He muttered, offering the little guy to Chase.
“You better be, like I'm gonna do anything to my nephew,” Chase scoffed, then shifted to a higher pitched voice, “What’d’you think little guy? He's bein’ a moron, huh?”
Victor huffed and leaned his head on Robert's shoulder, tucking his snout into his neck. Robert hummed and scratched at the base of his ears.
“What's his name?” Chase asked after a bit, and Sonar perked up, curious, “And it better not be Beef, motherfucker, it's already a weird ass nickname."
“I think it's a cute nickname,” Victor grumbled, “He's chonky, he's a little beefy boy. Little meatloaf man. A very healthy little meatball.” Robert snorted at the ridiculous nicknames, shaking his head.
“Bennett,” He answered, “Or Ben, but I liked Bennett.”
“That's a good name,” Victor said, and Chase nodded in agreement.
“Damn right it is, that's one I recommended.”
Everyone quieted down after that, slowly adjusting to the baby that was now the most important part of Robert's life.