Chapter Text
Nancy blinks once. Twice. Wills the world to stop spinning and the music to stop blaring. Why is she here? She can't really remember. It seemed like a good idea when Tammy Thompson gave her the invite, but it sure doesn't anymore.
Bile bubbles up in her throat. Nancy backs up into what feels like a kitchen counter, and the collision makes her forget the nausea for only a moment before it comes back. The music is thrumming in her ears, and she feels like she'll either pass out or throw up any minute now.
"Nance?"
The voice is distant and barely distinguishable from the loud music. Nancy starts to turn, but the nausea immediately stops her.
"Nance, are you okay?" The voice is closer and Nancy is sure she recognizes it, though it's hard to pinpoint where from. There's a hand in her shoulder now, lightly pulling her away. Her feet stumble forward of their own accord, the ghost hand on her shoulder helping her keep what little balance is left.
They’re outside Tammy’s house now, and the dark sky above her head causes some sort of self preservation instinct to kick in on Nancy; she tries to shove the person away, but only manages to fall to the ground in the process.
“Nance, it’s me! Calm down, it’s just me!” They’re now hovering above her, and Nancy’s eyes finally meet the familiar ocean blue of Robin Buckley’s gaze. Her heartbeat slows down as the familiarity settles in. It’s Robin. It’s just Robin.
She offers a hand and Nancy takes it, nearly falling into the taller girl as she gets up. “Crap, Nance, how much did you have to drink?”
“A little.”
Even in her inebriated state, Nancy can see the creases of worry in the other’s forehead, and she tries not to slur her words too much. It’s in vain, and Robin shakes her head. “Come on, we’re gonna get you home.”
“No!” Nancy plants her feet firmly on the ground, firmer than she thought she could, a pout on her lips. She can’t go home, not like this, at a risk of puking all over her mother’s carpet. Not when she lied about a study group to be here, drinking her anxiety away. “Not home. Please, Rob.”
Robin sighs, but the pout and puppy eyes seem to work on her. “Okay. That’s okay.” She falls silent then, and it’s a strange sight; Nancy feels like she’ll get a lecture any minute now. But that doesn’t happen, and Robin instead holds her hand a little tighter. “But I’m not leaving you here. Where do you want to go? I could take you to J-”
“No.” She interjects before the name can be said. Robin doesn’t know about the breakup, in fact, she’s not sure anyone in the gang does. Except Mike, of course, but she swore him into silence. Nancy doesn’t need the pity that would come with breaking the news to everyone, even after it’s been a full month. “I don’t know. Anywhere. Just not home.”
“Anywhere. Okay.” Robin pauses, her gaze on the ground for a second before looking back up. “Steve’s is just around the corner and I have a key. That work for you?”
Nancy nods, not really processing the words. Nevermind that she doesn’t want Steve to see her like this. Anywhere that isn’t home, or Jonathan’s, or Tammy’s, sounds good now.
“Alright, good. Come on.” Robin wraps an arm around her waist and she allows it, throwing her weight onto the other. The walk is mostly silent, making it feel longer than it is, but Rob never lets go, holding her up firmly. When they finally make it, Robin fumbles with the key for a bit before getting the front door open. “There we go. Let’s get you to a bed, pronto.”
“Where’s Steve?” Nancy’s muddled brain finally thinks to ask as she plops down on the sofa. The sudden movement brings back the nausea she had forgotten about, and Robin kneels down next to her to rub her back.
“Don’t worry about it, okay? He won’t be home until tomorrow.” Her eyes then flicker to the long stairs in the living room before looking at Nancy again. “Do you think you can make it upstairs?” Nancy shakes her head, gaze falling to the ground in shame. It stays there until Robin lifts her chin back up, a soft look in her eyes. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s fine. Just stay here, kay?"
She obeys, watching quietly as Robin gets up and walks to the kitchen like she owes the place. Platonic with a capital P, yeah, right. But Nancy’s brain doesn’t have the time or focus to properly speculate before she’s back, sitting down on the sofa beside her, a plate with a very good looking ham-and-cheese sandwich in her hands.
If Nancy wasn’t so drunk, she’d definitely be ashamed of the sound her empty stomach makes at the sight.
Robin merely chuckles and offers her the food, which she gladly takes. The earlier nausea is not fully gone, but Nancy finds that she’s more hungry than dizzy, and the sandwich goes down fairly easily. She’s vaguely aware of the other girl watching her as she eats, but neither of them says anything until she’s done. A quiet thanks is all Nancy manages to get out once she’s finished, self-consciously wiping away the breadcrumbs in her lips.
“Don’t mention it.” Robin answers softly, dusting away some of the leftover crumbs that Nancy missed. The fog in her brain is slowly dissipating, which only adds to the growing feeling of shame. She isn’t even going to remember this tomorrow, which just makes it so much worse. “Hey, I’ll go upstairs and get you a change of clothes, okay?” Robin’s voice interrupts her thoughts and forces Nancy to look at her. “Then you can shower and get some sleep.”
But Nancy holds her hand as soon as she gets up. The thought of being alone right now, no matter how familiar she is with the Harrington house, terrifies her.
“Don’t go. Please.”
“Nance, I’m just gonna-”
“Please?” She pleads again, and Robin sighs, but sits back down. Nancy barely registers the small, grateful smile she gives the other.
“Alright, fine, I’m not going anywhere.” Robin holds her hands up with a chuckle. “But you’re getting a cold shower first thing in the morning, okay?”
“Yessir.”
“Attagirl.” Both of them giggle and Nancy lies down on her back, but Robin carefully rolls her over as soon as she notices. “Nope. We’re staying on our side. There we go.”
The concern in her voice causes the guilt in Nancy’s stomach to crawl up her throat once more. Robin should be enjoying the party and yet here she was, caring for Nancy while she was a complete mess.
“I’m sorry, Rob.”
“Hey, no. None of that.” There’s honesty in Robin’s voice, but she can’t bring herself to believe it. “You’re my friend, Nance. I want to help.” Robin’s blue eyes are as affectionate as ever, and Nancy feels herself choking on a sob. She doesn’t deserve her, or any of them, really. A tear gets out against her will, but Robin reaches out to wipe it away before she can.
“Hey, don’t cry.” She says with a weak laugh. “I will too, if you do.”
Nancy nods wordlessly, willing her tears back inside. It works well enough, and she relaxes into the soft fabric of the sofa. She hadn’t noticed before, but it really is quite comfortable. “I’m really tired.” And she is, not only in the sense that she needs sleep. Nancy is tired of being perfect, and strong, and brave. She wants to be stupid and clueless, for once.
Robin doesn’t seem to pick up on the hidden meaning, however. “Get some sleep, okay? I’m right here. You’ll feel better tomorrow.”
Once more, Nancy nods, but doesn’t say anything. She closes her eyes, and lets Robin’s fingers in her scalp soothe her into sleep.