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Nancy realizes a second too late how she feels.
Because one moment, she’s falling into the safety of a waiting group of teens and the next she’s staring through an open vortex and watching Robin disappear before her eyes. It takes the combination of Lucas, Dustin, and Eddie to stop her from climbing back into the Upside Down. Her feet keep slipping along the knotted bedsheets, but she won’t stop trying. She can’t. She hasn’t even told Robin how she feels, she’s barely been able to tell herself how she feels. Because it’s been years of a back and forth game between two guys, and Robin somehow is the first moment of clarity she’s had.
Nancy can’t remember the first time she saw Robin Buckley (yes she can: sophomore year, to be exact, in a hallway where they passed each other and Nancy remembers looking back. just one quick look back at a too big smile.) Nancy can’t remember anything remarkable about this sarcastic and awkward girl outside of the fact that she’s stupidly brave and quick as a whip. Nancy really shouldn’t care as much as she does, not when the person she’s supposed to love is miles away refusing to pick up her calls. She shouldn’t care the way she does, but she can’t help it.
Because every part of her screams to hold onto Robin, to whatever is building between them. To hold tight to the lingering glances and the shy smiles and the need to make sure Robin is always right there. She should’ve made sure, she should’ve checked, and now she’s staring up at Robin and there’s nothing there. Nancy shakes her head as Barb passes through her mind, as the remembrance of a chance she threw away plays in the back of her mind. She won’t lose someone again, she won’t lose Robin.
“W-Walkman.” Nancy murmurs.
Lucas struggles to hold her, “Huh?”
“Give me the walkman!” Nancy orders as she fights in Eddie’s arms. “Give me the goddamn walkman!”
“Wait!” Lucas pants as he releases her and throws himself towards Max. “S-She can’t, she can’t. He’s here, he’ll take her.”
“He won’t.” Nancy pleads as she fights her way out of Eddie’s arms. “I won’t let him, I promise. I promise I will keep her safe, but R-Robin…Robin needs this, Lucas. She needs me.”
Lucas stares at her with wide eyes and she is stunned for a moment as she realizes she’s watched this kid grow. She watched him start short and slowly grow tall, sturdy. She stares into those big eyes, remembers when he fell when he was eight and she patched him up, and reaches out with shaking hands to grab his shoulders and pull him forward. Lucas shakes his head as his lower lip trembles, as he tries to tell her exactly how Max makes him feel, but all she can think about is Robin.
“Robin needs it.” Nancy whispers.
Lucas hiccups softly, “Max needs it.”
“Once I get Robin back, I will bring this right back to Max.” Nancy assures him. “Please, I can’t lose her.”
“I…” Lucas stares at her, and she sees the way something comes to a realization for him. “Okay. Get your girl back.”
Lucas presses the walkman into her pocket and Nancy forces a smile, tries to act like she’s confident about her next moves. And then she’s turning and she’s climbing and she’s falling. Sweat drips down her brow as she hits the floor of the trailer, and it takes her a moment to catch her breath before she’s scrambling on her knees towards where Steve is violently shaking Robin by her shoulders. Nancy all but shoves Steve aside as she slides the headphones over Robin’s ears, cups her hands over them to press them down as Steve juggles the walkman and frantically presses play.
“Come on.” Nancy whispers anxiously.
“Buckley, you come back.” Steve orders, his voice breaking with each word. “I’m not sorting those goddamn tapes without you.”
“And we just started being friends.” Nancy reminds her over the muffled sound of the 80’s pop song. “I don’t even know what your favorite song is yet.”
Steve furrows his brow, “How is this going to work then?”
“I don’t know.” Nancy whimpers as she digs her nails into Robin’s shoulders. “But I will find that demon asshole myself if it doesn’t.”
Nancy feels her stomach bottom out as she feels a sudden weight against her hands, and it takes her a moment to realize it’s Robin. It’s Robin slipping through her fingers, right out of her grasp and into the air. Her head tilts back and Nancy knows she’s screaming, her and Steve both latch onto Robin and try to pull her down but she doesn’t move. On the opposite side of the portal, she can hear the kids yelling and pleading and Nancy feels absolutely helpless. She can’t dive into a lake and save Robin, all she can do is hold on and refuse to let go.
“Buckley, hey!” Steve roars as he yanks harshly at her calf. “You were right, okay? You’ve always been right. You’ll always be right. I’m the knucklehead, the dingus. I’m the idiot. So, this? This isn’t supposed to be you!”
Nancy is a little jealous of how sincere Steve sounds. And she knows she should be jealous of Robin, jealous that the boy she once loved so softly is fighting so fiercely for someone else but it’s the opposite. She’s jealous that Steve gets to fight, gets to be desperate. Meanwhile, Nancy is fighting tears back because she’s afraid the reaction will be too dramatic, their relationship is too new for her to be hysterical. But she needs Robin to live, she needs her to live because Nancy isn’t sure she can live through the idea of not knowing everything there is to know about this awkward band nerd.
And then suddenly, Robin is falling. Her body goes completely limp and Steve is the first one to gain his bearings and catch her weight. They drop to the dirty trailer floor, and Nancy somehow manages to push Steve far enough away that she can scoop Robin’s head into her lap. Below her, Robin pants as she stares up with wide eyes before her shaking hands rip off the headphones she’s wearing. Nancy sobs in relief, she lets the emotions that clogged her throat finally break loose as she cups her hands over each side of Robin’s head and looks her over.
“I hate running.” Robin coughs. “And I hate this song. I honestly came back just to tell you guys that.”
Nancy laughs welty and trades a relieved smile with Steve, “Come on, we gotta get out of here. You can rest when we get home.”
“Holy shit I’m going home.” Robin groans as she collapses her head back against Nancy’s thigh. “I have never been so excited to see my mom’s pale ass drapes again.”
“Let’s go, Buckley.” Steve smirks as he reaches out to haul her to her feet.
Nancy makes sure that Steve climbs first, and Robin manages to step on her fingers twice as she follows closely behind the other girl back into their world.
-
Robin is finally asleep, a heap laid out on Eddie’s beaten up couch with a blanket pulled up over her mouth and nose as if to hide her snores. She’s the picture of relaxed, serene. But Nancy knows there has to be a war brewing inside of her, she must be terrified; Nancy knows because she’s terrified herself, too terrified to shut her own eyes. She doesn’t think she can handle seeing the haunting images of Robin floating with white eyes. She doesn’t want to force her brain to replace the images of the other dead bodies, broken bones and broken spirits, with the face of Robin.
So, she cleans her guns. She takes them apart with careful precision and cleans each piece as she lays them out on the table in front of her. It brings a sense of peacefulness to her, makes her lungs hurt a little less every time they expand within her. As she shines each piece, carefully returns it to its rightful place, she reminds herself that she has a way to protect the people she cares for. She knows that Dustin, passed out face first at the kitchen table, will make it home to his mother. She’s assured that Max and Lucas, draped over each other on the floor, have a chance to have a second chance.
“Hey.”
Nancy flinches at the deep voice, “You’re still up?”
“Can’t sleep.” Steve shrugs as he leans his hip against the table. “Figured someone has to keep an eye on these idiots.”
“I got it.” Nancy assures him.
“And who’s gonna keep an eye on you?”
Nancy twists her lips as she looks to Steve, “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“I’m already a single mother to Henderson, I’m not really looking to take on any others.” Steve teases as he eyes her closely. “But seriously, you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Nancy says this like her hands aren’t shaking as she jams the clip into place. Like her head isn’t swimming with images of dead Robin. Like she doesn’t ache deep in her gut, like there isn’t a weight of something pressing down on her chest. She’s not fine. She honestly doesn’t know what she is. Because a few days before this shit storm started, she was mourning the dying relationship of a boy she thought she loved. Thought. She has so many of those swimming around, but one that presses harder than the others: Robin, Robin, Robin.
“Nance.” Steve breathes out, and her name comes out so tenderly she pauses. “This is me. I know I didn’t give you the best parts of me like I should have, but I’d like to think you know Henderson has softened me.”
Nancy chuckles lightly, “Yeah. He has.”
“Then trust me.” Steve begs. “Talk to me.”
“I don’t know what to say…”
“Maybe what’s wrong?” Steve offers.
“Nothing’s wrong.” Nancy sighs as she stares down at the table. “Or maybe there is. I’m…I’m really confused right now.”
“About…?”
“Robin.” Nancy murmurs.
Steve frowns, “She’s okay, Nance. I know we’re trying to figure out how he picks out his victims, but I thought we agreed that Robin was just kind of an open opportunity type of thing.”
“Not that.” Nancy whispers. “I…I loved you, Steve. I loved you so much, and it was hard letting you go. And I loved Jonathan. Watching him leave for California nearly broke me, but we made it and I loved him.”
“… loved?”
“Loved.” Nancy nods with a watery smile.
“You and Byers are done?” Steve asks slowly.
“We’re done without saying we’re done. We’ve been done since we both backed out of seeing each other.” Nancy admits. “I’ll never regret what we had, but we’re just going to ruin each other if we don’t let go.”
“Been there.” Steve mumbles. “But very confused what this has to do with Robin.”
“She’s just…” Nancy trails off thoughtfully. “Now that I know her? Behind the snark is…something else. She’s surprised me.”
“She does that.” Steve chuckles, so fond and so filled with adoration. “She grows on you like a boil, man.”
Nancy swallows hard and looks away, “I like her.”
“It’s about time because…”
“Steve.” Nancy snaps, and his eyes quicky find hers. “I like her.”
“Buckley?” Steve squeaks as his eyebrows disappear into his messy hair. “You have a thing for Buckley? My Buckley?”
Nancy’s cheeks color, “She isn’t yours.”
“I mean, if we went to court I’d probably get custody.” Steve shrugs.
“It’s insane, isn’t it?” Nancy sneers. “I…I barely know her, she barely knows me. But it feels like I’ll be missing out on something if I don’t try.”
Steve smiles sadly, “You never know what you’re missing out on till it’s gone. Take it from me, you’ll regret it if you don’t try.”
Nancy is so grateful for Steve, for how he lives life so carelessly. He looks at her with a smile, so comforting and soft, and she just falls into him. Steve holds her, presses his chin to the top of her head and rubs a gentle hand along her back as he tries to soothe her. In another life, she loved this boy for her entire life, she knows it. But here? She loved him for a moment, and now she gets to have him by her side forever. After a moment more, Nancy pulls away and goes back to putting her gun together as she tries to calm the tears that still pool in her eyes.
“You’re gonna be okay.” Steve hums as he knocks a gentle fist against her chin. “You and Buckley? I can see it.”
Nancy scrunches her nose, “You think so?”
“Yeah.” Steve grins, sure and steady. “I know so.”
And Nancy believes him.
-
“There you are.”
Nancy glances over shoulder, “Hey, you’re awake.”
“I had to pee.” Robin yawns as she stretches her arms over her head. “I probably could’ve slept for another three hours.”
“Then you should go do that.” Nancy bites out.
Robin lumbers towards her, “I’m good. Needed a little fresh air.”
Nancy looks to where Robin drops back against the trailer beside her, “Where’s your headphones?”
“Inside. They’re trying to find more batteries for my walkman.” Robin shrugs. “And I’m hoping Eddie has some Cyndi Lauper hidden away. Between you and me, she’s a guilty pleasure.”
“You need it.” Nancy declares as she pushes off the metal. “I’m going to go get it. Someone should’ve said we needed batteries when we picked up my guns.”
“Hey, wait...” Robin scowls as she catches Nancy’s bicep.
“I said you need it.” Nancy snaps as she yanks her arm away. “He could come back at any second, you need something to keep you grounded.”
“I’ll be…”
“No!” Nancy exclaims as she pushes against Robin.
Robin goes wide eyed, “What the hell?”
“You didn’t come back.” Nancy snaps as she shoves at Robin’s shoulders. “I left you alone for five seconds, and you didn’t come back.”
Robin stumbles over her footing as Nancy continues to push her, “Not entirely my fault, Nance.”
“You were floating.” Nancy cries, and Robin simply jerks her head back at the way her voice cracks with emotion. “I couldn’t get to you, do you understand that? I couldn’t reach you.”
“I’m sorry.” Robin offers as she reaches out to catch Nancy’s hands. “I’m sorry, Nancy.”
“Don’t apologize!”
Robin laughs softly, “Then what am i supposed to do here?”
“Just…stay.” Nancy pleads.
Robin feels her smile fall away and she stares at Nancy with confusion on her face because she doesn’t understand. Her and Nancy have been friends, and that’s simply a loose term, for less than forty eight hours. Yeah, they survived some out of this world shit but what do they really know about each other? Besides the fact that Nancy Wheeler is beautiful, smart, guarded, and a complete badass. Besides the fact that she pursues her lips when she’s annoyed, when she’s trying to hide a smile. Besides the fact that when her hair falls and she’s pushing it back, she’s bound to get a ring snagged in a part of it. Besides the fact that Nancy Wheeler is really fucking easy to fall for.
“I’m staying.” Robin whispers as she steps closer to Nancy, holds her hands right above the soft fabric of her shoulders. “I’m staying.”
Nancy arches her shoulders back and directly into Robin’s touch, “Promise?”
“I swear.” Robin nods.
“I don’t know…I don’t know what this is.” Nancy mutters as she darts her eyes across Robin’s face. “You and me? I don’t understand.”
Robin lifts a hesitant hand to push messy hair behind Nancy’s ear, “Me either. But if you’re in then I’m in.”
“I’m in.” Nancy declares, without a moment of hesitation. “Now will you please get your walkman and put it on?“
“Depends.” Robin hums as she stares down at Nancy, eyes hooded and amused. “Will you please kiss me first?”
Nancy stares up at her, a smile playing at the corners of her lip as she rushes a hand over the denim on Robin’s shoulder. She’s so beautiful and so alive, and Nancy doesn’t know how many moments like this they’ll have left. Her fingers play at the hair on the nape of Robin‘s neck and she giggles softly at the way Robin shivers beneath her touch. She’s gentle as she pulls Robin down, down until she can count the freckles sprinkled along her nose and the eyelashes that dance across her cheeks as they flutter. Nancy swears she could fall in love right here, even before she’s able to press a small kiss against Robin’s chapped lips.
It feels like a safety she hasn’t felt since she lost Barb that fall night. Robin is gentle as a hand curves around her hip and the other tucks messy curls behind her ear, and her mouth moves slowly and breathes her in. Nancy whines against Robin’s mouth as her hand drifts up the length of her neck, her hand curling around Robin’s cheek as her thumb rests against her chin to guide her head further down. There’s so much in each kiss that they leave against each other’s lips, their tongues brushing but never deepening enough to tap into the desperation they both feel.
“Damn.” Robin hisses as she rests their foreheads together, her chest heaving against Nancy’s. “I kinda don’t want to stop doing that.”
Nancy laughs breathlessly as her arms wind around Robin’s neck, “Then don’t.”
Twenty minutes later, Steve finds them with Robin pinned against the wall and Nancy kissing her lazily as day became night. He leaves them there, safe with each other, and smiles sadly as he feels a chapter ending in his life while knowing one is just beginning for them.
-
“You awake, Buckley?”
Robin blinks sleepily, “Mm.”
“You were talking in your sleep.” Eddie yawns as he props himself on his elbows, staring at her from the floor. “Talkin’ all kinds of shit about the bone breaker we’re hunting.”
“Sorry.” Robin murmurs as she glances around the room. “Where is everybody?”
“Everyone woke up after you and Wheeler passed out, they’re plotting outside.” Eddie shrugs. “I was ordered to stay where my ugly face couldn’t be seen by anyone.”
Robin sighs and glances down at Nancy, “How long have we been out?”
“Forty five minutes, maybe.” Eddie replies as he eyes her warily. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine…”
“Look, I know we aren’t friends,” Eddie begins, his tone careful. “But we just survived that shit and I feel like that means we can like…talk to each other, you know?”
Robin opens her mouth and closes it again, “I…I don’t know what to say.”
“Maybe fill me in on you and Wheeler.” Eddie scoffs with a nod towards Nancy. “The ducklings chucked it up to fear, but that is spooning. You guys a thing?”
“I guess?” Robin offers, hesitant and terrified. “I guess it’s kind of unspoken, but also we spoke about it.”
“Tough boat to sail in.” Eddie hums.
Robin arches an eyebrow, “You?”
“Well, I can’t lie to you and say it didn’t break my a heart a little thinking of Harrington and Wheeler making a comeback.” Eddie mumbles with a bitter laugh.
“Steve?”
Eddie mocks her wide eyes, “Nancy?”
Robin swallows, “When he…when I was with Vecna, he kept showing me the same shit of my mom finding out I was gay. The same look of disappointment, of disgust.”
Eddie sucks in a breath through his teeth, “I’m sorry. That…That’s rough, man. My uncle took me coming out pretty fucking well considering he’s a piece of a shit most of the time.”
“I just worry.” Robin admits, low and leaking with vulnerability. “I worry that I’m going to lose her before I even really have her.”
“Buckley.” Eddie scolds with amusement in his voice. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. She seems crazy about you.”
Robin follows his gaze down to where Nancy is pressed into her, her hands holding Robin’s tight with one of Robin’s thumbs pressed lightly against her lips. Nancy fell asleep like that, her lips tiredly leaving small kisses along her thumb. Robin feels her heart flutter as she scoots closer, tucks her hips as close to Nancy as she can comfortably. She’s so happy. A buzz flows beneath her skin as she ducks her head to nuzzle a gentle kiss against the side of Nancy’s head. Maybe Eddie is right, maybe she’ll be perfectly alright giving her heart to one Nancy Wheeler.
“Robin?” Eddie whispers. “Be…Be free, man. Don’t ever be ashamed of coming out, y’know? You deserve to be happy and shit, okay?”
Robin meets his wide eyes, “So do you.”
“Maybe one day. Maybe when I’m not a wanted murderer.” Eddie teases as he hears the squeak of the screen door. “And here comes the herd.”
“That’s not way I’m saying, Steve!”
“Yeah, but what I’m saying is that we need El! We always need El! You do remember she has powers, right? We need her awesome powers and Little Byers brain.”
Dustin huffs, “My brain is fine, thank you.”
“Nobody asked about it.” Max drawls as she slaps him upside the head, but she falters as she sees the scene before her. “Did we wake you up?”
“No, no. You’re fine.” Robin assures them with a yawn as she rubs Nancy’s arm. “Time for you to get up, sleepyhead.”
Nancy whines softly, “I don’t want to.”
“Too bad, Wheeler.” Eddie calls.
Nancy sits up at his voice, “What time is it?”
“Late enough.” Dustin slowly says as he looks between Robin and Nancy. “So, what uh exactly is going on here?”
“We’re waking up?” Robin asks as she brushes a chunk of curls behind Nancy’s shoulder. “Did you guys figure anything out?”
“Nothing useful.” Steve scoffs. “Dustin says he has an idea he wants to lay on everyone, but he needed Robin awake.”
Nancy nods as she reaches out to check Robin’s walkman, “Did you have this playing while you were napping?”
“Uh…no?” Robin offers with a sheepish smile.
“Great. We’ll need more batteries.” Nancy sighs, but she softens as Robin flinches back. “I’m not mad at you, I’m sorry.”
Robin sputters, “I…”
“I’m not mad at you.” Nancy repeats as she brushes the back of her hand over Robin’s cheek.
“What the hell is going on?” Dustin squeaks.
Lucas whistles in amusement, “Are you blind? How have you not drowned with the rest of us in their tension?”
Steve and Dustin share looks of confusion, “Huh?”
“I knew.” Max shrugs.
Eddie salutes, “As did I.”
Dustin narrows his eyes, “What is going on?”
“They’re dating, dude.” Max drawls.
“You two are…?” Dustin sutters as he gestures between them. “But the group dynamic! You weren’t here for the epic Steve and Nancy breakup. It was brutal.”
Nancy rolls her eyes, “It wasn’t that bad.”
“He was heartbroken!” Dustin squeals.
Steve nods weakly, “I indeed was heartbroken. Thanks for the reminder, Henderson.”
“Look, it’s new.” Robin shrugs as she hooks her chin over Nancy’s shoulder. “I don’t think we were planning to say anything yet.”
Nancy turns her head and cocks an eyebrow, “I didn’t know we discussed it.”
“I…I mean, we didn’t but I just figured…” Robin trails off as her cheeks color. “Look, Henderson can’t be getting me in trouble already.”
“What about Jonathan?”
For a moment, the room goes dim. Nancy swallows hard and tightens her grip on Robin’s hand, even as she makes to shake it off. Nancy aches at the idea of hurting Jonathan, he’s been absolutely amazing to her since the moment they started, but she can’t hold on. She isn’t capable of it. She’s holding onto what could’ve been and staying stuck in the past, staying stuck in something that isn’t hers. Not really, not anymore.
“I…”
“She’ll figure it out.” Eddie calls from his spot sprawled on the floor. “Byers will exit stage left and lick his wounds, and everyone will go on to live happily ever after.”
“I don’t see how they…”
“Can we not talk about this when Robin and I are literally a song away from dying?” Max demands as she looks around. “What’s the plan?”
“I’ve got one.” Dustin sighs, and Nancy sinks back against Robin at the look on his face. “But nobody is gonna like it.”
-
“It’s not fucking happening!”
“I’m with Nancy on this.” Lucas scoffs.
Dustin shakes his head, “Of course you are.”
“We are not sacrificing Max and Robin.” Steve scoffs. “There has to be another way. That’s insane.”
“It’s not…we are not sacrificing them! We’re sending them in for clues!” Dustin argues as he slaps his hands together. “We know virtually nothing about this thing!”
“And letting Vecna get his hands on her is your solution?” Lucas demands as he gestures to a nervous Max.
“Uh, I am here too also being offered up to that creepy burnt raisin.” Robin sneers, and Lucas looks momentarily shamed. “Is that really your only plan, kid?”
Dustin softens as he regards her, “It’s all we have right now.”
“Then I’m in.”
Nancy pauses from where she was pacing in front of Robin, as if circling her would keep anyone from tossing her back into the Upside Down. Nancy flexes her jaw as her sharp glare turns to Dustin, and he gives a low whimper as he hurries to hide himself behind Eddie’s lithe form. From the moment Dustin brought this idea to the table, the idea of allowing both Max and Robin to have an encounter with Vecna, Nancy has felt on edge. It isn’t right, the idea of just sending them out on their own and allowing them to be vulnerable like that. It isn’t in Nancy’s DNA to just step aside and let someone she loves, someone she knows she’s going to love, walk into danger without her at their heels.
“No.” Nancy breathes out as she shakes her head.
Robin stares at her sadly, “Nance…”
“I said no, Robin. It hasn’t even been twenty four hours since I almost lost you. Since we almost lost you.” Nancy scoffs. “So there’s no way in hell I’m willingly letting it happen now.”
“It could be the only way.” Robin argues.
Nancy holds a hand up towards Robin as she looks to Dustin with a scowl, “Find a way that doesn’t involve my girlfriend having to be put in the line of fire.”
“If it’s the only way,” Robin cuts in, her voice carrying over Nancy’s huff. “Then it’s the only way. I’m in. Anything to end this.”
Max looks to Robin with hesitation, “Me too.”
“I got you.” Robin assures Max with a nod.
And Nancy adores her for it, adores Robin for immediately taking charge of Max. But she loathes her for willingly throwing herself into danger again. The group slowly begins to disperse and they leave the couple scowling at each other, but Robin’s is more playful than Nancy’s. Nancy knows that everything is happening in a blur, she’s making moves without thinking, and she’s afraid Robin is doing the same. It’s been the craziest few days of any of their lives, and now to throw this in? Nancy is terrified it’s just adrenaline, terrified Robin will be swept away by the realization that this was brought to reality in a life or death moment.
“You’re mad.” Robin hums.
Nancy narrows her eyes, “I can’t imagine what gave you that impression.”
“You can’t be mad.” Robin declares as she juts her chin out defiantly. “I’m saving the world and that’s a good thing, if anything you should be proud that I’m a badass.”
“I never said I wasn’t.” Nancy huffs.
“She says with a pout.” Robin teases as she curls her arms protectively around Nancy. “Everything is going to be fine.”
“You’re an idiot.” Nancy grumbles.
Robin arches an eyebrow as she ducks her head to catch Nancy’s gaze, “I’m going to pretend I’m not offended by that.”
“You just volunteered to dive back into the upside down just to fuck with Vecna. The thing trying to literally kill you.” Nancy hisses. “You swore to me you were staying.”
“Just because I’m going doesn’t mean I don’t plan to come back.” Robin points out with a crooked grin. “If I can, I’ll always come back for you as long as you’ll have me.”
“When you say things like that,” Nancy sighs will a playful roll of her eyes. “Makes me want to keep you forever.”
“Oh? Wow. I’m smoother than I thought.”
Nancy kisses Robin, slow and soft. She tastes the hint of the black coffee she slammed before their nap, and the spearmint gum Nancy gave her that she swallowed when the flavor ran out. Nancy falls into Robin, her hands on her face and her knees growing weak as she realizes that she’s never felt like this. Not with the boy outside playing babysitter, not even with the boy waiting for her in California. This is new, foreign. And Nancy absolutely falls into it. Her stomach swarms with butterflies as Robin pulls away, her lips tilted into a sideways smirk as she drops a kiss to Nancy’s forehead.
“What are you going to do? About Jonathan?”
Nancy closes her eyes, “I don’t know. I don’t want to hurt him, but it feels like both of us have already let go. We’re both done, we’ve been done, we’re just too afraid to let go.”
“I don’t want to hurt the guy.” Robin mutters.
“You aren’t. It’s not your fault.” Nancy soothes as she pulls back to meet Robin’s gaze. “This decision? It’s mine. I’m making it. Nobody is going to blame you.”
Robin gives a half smile, “You gonna protect me, Wheeler?”
“Something tells me I’m gonna be the protector here.” Nancy sighs, and the thought immediately warms her.
“You know,” Robin sings after a long string of silence. “You called me your girlfriend.”
Nancy flushes, “And?”
“Is that what I am?” Robin pouts.
“I think…” Nancy hooks a finger in Robin’s belt loop to pull her forward and into her front. “…we both know the answer to that.”
Robin smiles widely as she ducks her head, “You didn’t even ask.”
“Robin Buckley,” Nancy whispers as her lips brush softly against Robin’s. “Will you do the honors of being my girlfriend?”
“This is so sudden, I don’t know what to say.” Robin breathes out dramatically, and Nancy simply grins. “Alright, alright. Don’t twist my arm. I accept!”
And with that, Robin kisses her.
-
“I still don’t support this idea at all.” Nancy protests as she slams the car door shut. “We’re just asking for trouble.”
“Kind of the point, Nance.” Dustin replies over his shoulder. “We’ll keep their cassettes ready, and pull them back if they start levitating.”
Lucas shakes his head, “This is stupid.”
“Kind of second that, Henderson.” Steve sighs, and he shrugs at Dustin’s betrayed face. “It is. It’s reckless. We can’t afford to be reckless.”
“And that’s why we need this El chick? Thought she lost her powers.” Eddie frowns.
“She’ll come.” Max nods. “She’ll be here. Somehow, she’s going to know. And she’ll get here. I believe in her.”
Lucas pursues his lips, “Me too.”
“So, in the meantime, you and I get to fuck around with the bad guy. Nice.” Robin smirks as she trades a high five with Max.
“Stick together. Find a way to make it to the police station and load up if you can.” Dustin orders as they reach Lovers Lake edge. “You’ll be smart about this, right?”
“As smart as I was with the Russians.” Robin assures him with a clap on the shoulder. “Nance, mind rowing us out?”
Lucas follows Max into the boat and Steve jumps in the last second, much to Dustin’s chargain. As they start across the lake, Steve takes the oar from Nancy’s shaking hands and nods towards Robin. With a soft breath, Nancy moves to sit beside Robin as they both sit in silence while slowly making their way across the lake. Nancy reaches for Robin’s hand and breathes a sigh of relief, of comfort, when long fingers slowly tangle with hers. It grounds her, feeling the warmth of Robin’s palm. She turns her head into Robin’s neck, presses her nose against her pulse point and simply takes her in. She’s only had her for a moment and now she’s letting go.
“I’m gonna come back.” Robin whispers.
Nancy allows a tear to fall, “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t.” Robin murmurs. “I’m going to come back and we’re going to have a crazy spring break romance. I’m talking insane. So many burgers and milkshakes.”
“Burgers and milkshakes?” Nancy repeats with a giggle. “Is that how you win all the girls over, Ms. Buckley?”
”Ooh, only the pretty ones.” Robin shrugs.
Robin nudges her chin against Nancy’s forehead until she’s able to find her lips for a soft, feather like kiss. Nancy presses closer, leaks her desperation into the way her mouth moves wet and sloppy along Robin’s as her hands clutch at the denim of her jacket. She’s crying, her wet cheeks pressing sticky and hot against Robin’s as she pulls away and rests their foreheads together. Robin dots kisses along her face, cups her cheeks carefully and scatters her lips along the bridge of her nose and over the apples of each of her cheeks.
“Look,” Robin sighs, low and pained. “If all else fails, I want you to grab a match, strike it, and go stand by Steve.”
Nancy gives a wet laugh, “What?”
“Go stand by Steve.” Robin orders as she tightens her grip on Nancy’s face. “Because with the amount of chemicals he has in his hair, he will be the closest thing we find to a fireball.”
“I hate you.” Nancy breathes out as her lips twist into a smile of adoration. “Only you would find a way to insult Steve when you’re moments away from sacrificing yourself.”
“Anything for that smile, Wheeler.” Robin teases. “I also tend to hide behind the tears of a clown, it’s the cool thing to do.”
“And you’re just the coolest?”
Robin winks, “You know it.”
And with that, just like every moment has to be for them, Robin pushes Nancy back and dives backwards into the open water. As she falls, she stares up at the darkening lake above her and hopes with everything in her that she can find a way back.