Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024

4:56 pm.

“I’m not sure about this, Steve” Huffed the blonde girl as she walked into the small coffee shop, talking to the phone. “Maybe if I leave now, she won’t even know I left-”

“Don't you dare, Robin ” Said the voice on the phone. “It’s been a year since your break-up with Vickie and you really need to stop mopping about it ” Robin rolled her eyes as she took a sit in a little table for two.

“I still don't know if this girl is gonna be for me” The girl bit her lower lip.

“And you won’t know it if you run away now! ” Pointed her friend. “It’s just a date, Rob, you got this, you’ve done this before ”

“Yeah, but I’ve done it with someone who knew me for four years” Groaned. “I can’t even remember how my first date was after that long” Robin heard her friend sigh at the other side of the line. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to let someone get to know me that much again, Steve” The blonde couldn’t help tremble in her voice and the wave of sadness that came through her body.

Robin didn’t want to admit it, but breaking up with Vickie destroyed her life a year ago, and she still deals with the scars to that day. It doesn’t hurt as much as it did, obviously, but there were things from herself that she couldn’t take back, and that hurt more than the relationship itself. 

Robin believed she won’t love someone the way she loved Vickie, she was her first girlfriend after all.

They weren’t perfect, of course not, but they loved each other like crazy, Robin could’ve done anything for her, she just needed more time; Time she didn’t get the chance to have. 

Vickie left Hawkins for college, and they tried, they really tried, but, eventually, everything was too much to handle: Robin couldn’t visit her whenever she wanted, she had a job and needed the money, same as Vickie, and it was starting to become a real problem. But there was the elephant in the room Robin couldn’t ignore.

The thing about Vickie was that she was still in the closet, and Robin was fine with that, at first. She convinced herself that she could wait for her until she felt ready to take that step, but four years later, Vickie confessed that wasn’t going to happen. But Vicky wanted Robin to move with her and be her roommate forever, at least in the eyes of her family, so she wouldn’t disappoint her family. 

Robin’s heart was crushed.

They talked before about getting married, getting a nice house, having cats, maybe even kids, but until that moment, Robin knew all that was a lie, at least for Vickie, but Robin meant every word.

After that, Robin knew there was no point to stay together, even if it killed her to break up when she loved her with her entire being. 

“You’ll do it with the right person, but to find that person, you need to let your guard down, Bobin ” Robin couldn’t help her smile. “And keep your ass in that chair until Chrissy shows up ”

“Thank you for ruining the moment, dingus, for a second I thought you could be something besides a dingus” She laughed, until she spotted the redhead waitress walking in her way. “I have to go, but I’ll keep you updated, love you” She hung up and lift her gaze to look at the girl with a soft smile.

“Nice to see you, Robin, where did you leave Steve?” Greeted the girl with a smirk. 

“I’m capable of being without him, Barb” Returned the smile

“Oh, I know you are, it’s him who I’m afraid of” Both girls laughed.

The best friends were regulars in the coffee shop, so at that point, Barbara knew their drinks of choice and their dynamic as well. She was a friend.

“Same as always?” Asked the redhead with glasses.

“Actually, I think I’m gonna wait” The blonde smiled sheepishly. “I’m waiting for someone and probably would be rude if I order before her”. 

“Sure, what’s the occasion? Do you need some birthday cake?” Asked curious Barb, but there was something in her eyes that Robin couldn’t identify. 

“No, thanks, it’s just a date” Robin felt her face warm in embarrassment. She didn’t have planned to tell the worker of the matter, even if she would know it eventually.

Barb frowned her brows, looking in pain, but she recovered swiftly.

“Oh, then I’ll leave you” Smiled weirdly. “If you need anything, you know where I am” Robin was about to thank her, but the waitress left, almost running to the kitchen.

Weird .

Robin shrugged and continued with her waiting.

Checking her phone every five minutes. 

6:10 pm.

No messages.

Robin was trying really hard not to leave at that point, but obviously Chrissy wasn’t going to show up.

She sighed, leaving her phone screen down, just in time to see a shadow on the table. 

“Sorry to interrupt, I was wondering if you were going to order something” Robin immediately lifted her gaze to see a really pretty girl.

The girl wore the same outfit as Barb did, but Robin had never seen her before. She would definitely remember her.

Gorgeous face, pretty brunette hair pulled up in a ponytail, almost hiding her perm, and her blue eyes, looking almost gray.

Pale blue eyes met her own.

“Where’s Barb?” Robin found herself saying before she could stop herself. The girl just smiled politely.

“She just left some time ago, she was feeling sick” 

“I- yeah, I can do that” Mumbled the blonde, more to herself than the brunette. “I mean- order- right” Clarified quickly, feeling her ears warming up.

“Right” The girl chuckled in response, grabbing a little notebook from her apron.

“I’ll have a caramel iced latte and…” The blonde looked at the desert display. “A brownie, please” Robin smiled softly, looking at the girl again. “Sorry for taking so long to order, I was just waiting for someone who, obviously, didn’t show up” Laughed awkwardly, and the girl gave her a sad smile.

“I’m really sorry, that sucks” Robin just nodded. “But you know? I have the feeling that she's the one who's losing” Finished with a pretty smile.

Probably that girl was just being nice by saying that, but Robin was also very much a lesbian and a loser, so she couldn’t help the blush on her cheeks.

“How did you…?” Asked the blonde, genuinely curious.

Was she really that obviously lesbian?

“You have that pin on your jacket” Pointed the brunette, amused.

Right, her lesbian flag pin. Robin was definitely blushing right now. The girl laughed openly.

“I’ll bring your order in a moment” Said after her laugh died down, and left her.

Shaking her head with an embarrassed smile, Robin took her phone and immediately opened her chat with Steve.

You:

Dingus

U there?

Dingus <3:

Don’t text with me on a date wtf dude

You:

Im alone

Dingus <3:

This early?

Was it that bad?

You:

You could say that

She didn’t show

Dingus <3:

U jokin

You:

I wish i was

:(

Dingus <3:

Want me to pick you up?

Robin stared at her phone, thinking about asking her coffee to go and leaving, but the image of her waitress making her latte made her stop. She was gorgeous .

The coffee shop was empty, maybe she could stay a little longer…

You:

Im fine

C ya at home

She didn’t wait for him to respond, blocking her screen.

Robin wasn’t proud of herself for being the nerd who carries her book wherever she goes, but this time she was grateful for it. She took out from her bag her book and started reading, while she waited for her order.

At some point, lost in her reading, she felt a little touch on her shoulder, and rising her gaze found, once again, those stormy blue eyes, smiling at her politely.

“Sorry, here’s your coffee and your brownie” Robin smiled in return.

“Thank you, this surely will lift my mood” The girl gave her another sad smile.

“I’m really sorry for your date, again” Robin shook her head i little.

“It’s fine” Shrugged. “I wasn’t that excited for it if i’m being honest” Scoffed, earning a curious look from the brunette.

“How so?” Asked in return, and Robin felt embarrassed at the thought of telling her story to a stranger.

But it didn’t felt like a bad idea either. After all, talking to a stranger could make her see another point of view.

“I…” Laughed softly. “I’m sure you have better things to do than listed to a stranger talking about her problems” The brunette shook her head with amusement.

“I’m usually making coffee inside the kitchen, so believe me, i don’t mind the human company for once” Joked and Robin found herself smiling.

“Don't say I didn't warn you” Robin gestured for her to take the seat in front of her. Chuckling, the girl sat in front of her, and Robin started.

She told her about Steve and his insistence in making her date, about Chrissy, the cheerleader captain from her school, who she found on a dating app, and about her insecurities about dating.

Simple stuff. Nothing about her ex.

“I mean, she’s cute, but i’m not sure if we’re compatible, she’s a cheerleader, i’m in band!” Robin said, the girl watching her intensely. 

“I don’t believe that’s the problem” Eyed the barista, cautiously. 

“What do you mean?” Robin rubbed the back of her head.

“With all you’ve told me, i think you’re scared” Smiled a little.

“I’m not” Robin answered a little too fast. The brunette chuckled.

“It’s okay being scared” The girl shrugged. “I don’t know the whole story, but i’m a perceptive person, and i can tell you’ve been hurt before” Robin felt the familiar pain on her chest. “But also, i know you want to get over it, you just need to let go” Robin scoffed.

“You make it sound so easy” Robin took a sip from her almost forgotten latte. The girl looked at her with knowing eyes.

“It’s not” Agreed. “You just need to take your first step, it doesn’t matter if they’re baby steps” Laughed a little.

And looking at those pretty eyes, Robin knew .

Robin had eyes, she has seen a lot of pretty girls around since she broke up with Vickie, but the girl in front of her, with that confidence, beautiful smile, melodic laugh and gorgeous face, was the first one that actually caught her attention.

“I think i just did it” Whispered, almost to herself. 

“You’re right, starting dating again is a big step” Nodded, as she got up from the chair, Robin following her with her eyes. “Just remember” The girl gave another soft smile. “Baby steps” And she turned to leave.

 “Wait” Robin said, not being able to stop herself. The girl looked at her, with a too knowing look on her face. “Sorry, i just…” The blonde felt the red coming from her ears. “I wanted to know your name” The girl got closer to her.

“Not linking the concept of strangers?” Smirked, and Robin felt something new in her chest.

“I don’t think we’re strangers anymore, you just gave me a lecture about my insecurities” Joked Robin in return, and the girl laughed at that.

“Nancy” Said, once she stopped laughing.

Nancy.

“Nice, I’m Robin, Robin Buckley” Said the blonde extending her hand to take, and immediately shouted internally.

Nice? Really?

Robin must’ve made a face because Nancy laughed once again, but louder. 

Either way, Robin felt good. Really good.

Even more when Nancy took her hand and shook it.

“Ok, Robin Buckley, we’re about to close, so i have to go” Gave her a small smile, before dropping her hand. 

“It was nice to met you, Nancy” The blonde said sincerely.

“You too, Robin Buckley” Winked the girl. “It’s on the house” Said softly, and finally, turned once again to leave.

She winked.

Wait, on the house?

Oh.

“Wait, no, i do have money!” The blonde shouted, but the only response she got, was the faint sound of a laugh.

A laugh she could recognize everywhere from that day on.

Chapter Text

Wednesday, October 16th, 2024

5:02 p.m.

Surprisingly, Robin got another date: Heather Holloway.

Another girl from school. A popular girl.

It was a surprise that Heather apparently had noticed Robin before the dating app, but when they matched and messaged a bit, she seemed nice, and of course, she was pretty, so why not?

The most surprising thing: Heather chose the same coffee shop Robin goes.

You could say Heather had the first star of the night, unlike Robin, who’s just a little late. 2 minutes late, but Robin almost wishes Heather didn’t care enough to show up earlier.

Almost. 

Steve talked to her once again before getting ready, but Robin was simply too stubborn, and couldn’t wrap her head at the thought of some girl, like Heather, wanting to date her, while herself was just trying to get over her love trauma.

Obviously, Robin wanted to have a good date, but she was shaking in fear, something that was very inconvenient considering she was running and opening loudly the door.

She blushed at the sight of the people watching her like she was some weirdo.

Maybe she was, but that wasn’t the point.

She scanned the tables until she found the brunette, and her breath was caught in her throat. If she squinted, she could swear Heather almost looked like a certain blue-eyed brunette, who was probably in the same building right now.

Robin shook off her head the familiar thought of the barista and walked to her date, who was focused on her phone.

She could do this.

To say that Heather was something else was an understatement.

She was pretty, she wasn’t the most brilliant mind she had ever known, but she knew her stuff, she was a proud lifeguard in the community pool, she liked coffee and liked animals.

But Robin found two problems.

1. Robin learned all that stuff just scrolling through her profile and by the first talk they had.
2. She was dying to know what the fuck she was doing on her phone.

Robin wasn’t against the idea of checking her phone once or twice on a date, emergencies existed, but Heather was laughing at her phone, for almost 5 minutes .

The blonde was trying really hard not to call Steve in her face, just to see if she cared. But she knew Steve was on a date himself, so she wouldn’t do that to her best friend.

And as if it were a gift from the universe, a familiar shadow showed in the table.

“Everything’s good, ladies?” Asked Barb, watching Robin intently.

“Sure, sure, thanks” Heather barely lifted her gaze from her phone. Robin couldn’t help her scoff, that obviously didn’t get to her date’s ears.

“Want something, Rob?” An apology written in the waitress eyes, even if it wasn’t her fault at all.

“I could really use a drink, if you know what i mean” Mumbled, and as Barb left, Robin scrolled through her phone as well.

“Your drink, Robin” Said the soft voice of the redhead, bringing Robin back to the present.

She lifted her gaze to the girl and gave her an embarrassed smile, and Barb gave her a look, like she was fighting the urge to puke all over the place.

Robin immediately shifted her shame into concern.

“Barb, are you…?”

“My face is right here, Buckley” The firm voice of Heather made her look at the brunette.

“Excuse me?” Asked genuinely confused the blonde. 

“All this time you’ve been on your phone, and when you’re not, you’re looking around, or right now, at that waitress” Robin could help the bitter laugh that come from her mouth.

Robin took a deep breath. She wasn’t gonna explode.

Barbara was long gone.

“Heather, you’re the one who has been ignoring me the whole time, laughing at your phone and barely acknowledging my existence” Robin wanted to stand from her chair, but remained calm. “I tried almost 10 times to get your attention, but you always brushed me off” Heather looked at her, almost surprised to be called out. “What was i supposed to do?”

“I was just talking to a friend” Answered as it was enough for Robin, as if it was supposed to be enough.

“Well, we were supposed to be on a date, Heather” Robin deadpanned. “Or that’s what i though” Huffed humorless.

“Well, you should’ve known who i am, Buckley, and if you want to date me, you have to learn that i do what i want, whenever i want, and if i want to talk to my best friend while i’m on a date with you, you’ll take it with a pretty smile in that handsome face of yours” Heather smiled devilishly at her, and Robin felt her heart pounding in her chest.

In another time, Vickie told her exactly what kind of person she was: a person who would set aside her own happiness in exchange for being in good terms with her family and the society, and Robin took it because she didn’t know better, she didn’t know how badly it would fuck her in the future.

Robin didn’t know she was worth of someone who wasn’t afraid to love her, or even someone who can acknowledge her feelings. That wasn’t too much to ask, she realized.

It wasn’t the same case, but this was the moment: Heather, shamelessly, told her she is a bitch, who couldn’t care less about her feelings, she just wanted to take whatever she wanted from her, and she was going to do it if Robin didn’t take the opportunity to leave.

And maybe it was because she was holding her frustration back, but as she watched pretty little angry Heather, Robin didn’t hesitate.

“Well, i don’t want to date you then” Answered with an amused smile.

And as she watched an indignant Heather leave with a gasp, she felt herself breathe again.

Once again, Robin found herself drinking coffee after a failed date, but this time, Robin felt better, more in control.

Until she saw a piece of brownie slide in front of her.

“That was quite the show” Said a feathery voice, taking a seat in front of her, giving her goosebumps in the process.

“Nancy” Robin breathed, and the brunette gave her a kind smile. “Wait, i saw Barb, is she feeling okay?” Asked worried about her friend. That seemed to bloom something warm in Nancy by the sweet smile she gave her.

“She’s better, i talked to her a few minutes ago, but she had to leave either way” Robin just nodded, hoping the redhead would get better soon.

There were a few minutes of comfortable silence between them, when Robin took a sip of her coffee and closed her book.

“I have to say, i didn’t know what you were going to do” Nancy spoke, watching some table at her right.

Once again, they were alone.

“How so?” Asked Robin with a slight smile, trying not to feel offended.

Nancy shrugged, as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“She’s really pretty” She stopped for a second. “But she can be very manipulative if you let her in” Robin could tell there was more there, but maybe it wasn’t her business.

“I could tell” Robin shrugged. “But i was really pissed off to care about her beauty or anything she was saying” Nancy laughed at her statement.

“That bad?” By the look on her face, the blonde knew the brunette knew it was that bad, so she smiled.

“Maybe this is my cue to stop dating again” Joked, a little too serious to be entirely a joke.

Nancy eyes softened.

“I think you’re doing great” Robin took a bite of her brownie to avoid the look in those blue eyes.

“One girl didn’t even show up and another one ignored me the entire time” Recalled at the brunette. “I don’t know how you can call that great” Nancy shook her head in response.

“What i saw was a girl who realized she deserved more in time” Robin locked eyes with Nancy, and for a moment, it was like she was holding her breath. “And the scared girl from that first date, already knows she deserves better than her ex, someone who doesn’t show or some narcissist” Nancy smiled softly at her, and Robin couldn’t help her own smile.

“Maybe is this place” Robin joked once again, not being capable of keep her gaze in that ocean without drowning. “Maybe i should find another place to have a date” Nancy rolled her eyes in response.

“And miss the opportunity to drink my coffee? You’re not thinking clearly” Nancy inadvertently took a portion of the brownie with her fingers, her eyes amusingly watching her.

Robin pretended not to notice.

“I don’t know, maybe i passed enough embarrassment in this coffee shop already” Robin pushed, never dropping her own smile. “Two failed dates, people could start talking”

“Didn’t think of you as a girl who cares about what people say” The brunette pressed, and the blonde laughed in response.

“You’re right, i don’t, but it can still scare the ladies away” And Nancy giggled, and Robin felt proud of herself.

Having bad dates wasn’t that bad if she could talk to Nancy at the end of them. 

Beautiful and mysterious Nancy.

When the brunette stopped laughing, she gave her a look .

“Maybe you’re looking for ladies in the wrong place” And with that glint in her eyes, that lowered, almost flirty , voice, and that smirk , Robin felt the air being taken out of her lungs.

But with all the bravery she could gather in herself, she breathed again.

“Any ideas of where should i look?” Robin asked, hoping her voice wasn’t trembling once she noticed Nancy’s smirk changing into something more…something.

“I don’t know, haven’t you already look somewhere else?” If Robin wasn’t blushing before, by the feeling of warm in her ears, now she definitely was.

“Maybe i have a lead of some place, nothing sure” Mumbled the blonde, not sure if she was imagining that magnetic force pulling them together.

“You should take a look there then” Satisfied, Nancy got up from the chair, turning around to leave. “I won’t pay for Heather’s coffee, so you’re on, Romeo” 

Chapter Text

Wednesday, October 30th, 2024

8:43 pm.

Robin gave up on the dating thing again after that date with Heather.

Well, at least that’s what she says.

“What the fuck are you looking for, Rob?” Sighed Steve, watching his friend, who was at the very important task of finding an appropriate Halloween costume.

A costume that has been changed four times in the last ten minutes.

“This costume isn’t cool enough, Steve, i need something better” She huffed in response.

“All those costumes are perfectly fine, i assure you” He said with amusement, clearly knowing the origin of the blonde’s anxiety. “So don’t bullshit me, are you really that worried about that lame party at the coffee shop? You really expect me to believe that?” He smirked at her once she looked at him, like deer caught in headlights.

“It’s not lame, there’s gonna have alcohol just how you like” Huffed. “And y-yeah, so?” Robin immediately returned to her task, clearly avoiding that look in her best friend’s face.

“ So we both know what this is about, ok? I’m not buying that bullshit, this is about that Nancy girl” The blonde froze in her spot.

“Absolutely no” Denied immediately, knowing perfectly it was, indeed, about Nancy.

Robin hadn’t stop thinking about Nancy since their last encounter two weeks ago, replaying the look in her eyes, her silhouette in the dim light, her smile, and the flirting . Mostly the flirting.

Robin had been avoiding the coffee shop since their last encounter, but she couldn’t help looking for the girl in every social media. There are a lot of Nancys in the world.

But once she saw there’s gonna be a Halloween costume party at the coffee shop, she knew it was time.

She had to face this. But she needed a great costume if she wanted to get the girl’s attention.

“Yes, it is” He rolled his eyes, without annoyance. “And you know what else i think?” Robin shook her head.

“I really don’t care”.

“I think you should really just go for it” She scoffed at his response. “For what you’ve told me, she’s clearly into you” Robin rolled her eyes.

“I’ve seen her two times, dingus, you’re just being delusional and i’m not doing it with you, ok?” Steve gave her an incredulous look.

“Robin, that girl basically begged you to ask her out!” He shouted exasperated.

“Don’t act like i’m being ridiculous here when Eddie has been actively flirting with you for months, and you almost turn him down on a date two weeks ago because you were scared he wasn’t serious” Robin smirked, satisfied at her friend’s red face.

Steve only stood there gaping his mouth over and over again, until he found the words to respond.

“Okay, maybe i was being ridiculous, but you’re being ridiculous as well!” Robin groaned stressed, still looking for a godforsaken costume. “Just stick to the plan, we’ll be Michael Myers, Ghostface and Freddy Krueger” He insisted, already looking for his blue coverall.

“It’s easy for you to say, your face and Eddie’s will be covered and i’ll look anything but attractive with burns in my face!” Robin couldn’t have that.

She needed to look attractive as hell.

“You’re thinking too hard” Huffed the man.

“You’re not thinking enough” She bit back.

“Robin, it’s not like you have another costume, we planned this a week ago” He collapsed on the bed, clearly tired, but then he sat down abruptly. “Unless” He smiled mischievously.

“Unless…?” She asked, suddenly not that excited by her friend’s idea.

“Oh, you’re gonna love me, i have the perfect costume for you” He beamed as he got up and started to go to his room. “You’re paying the drinks!”

10:16 pm.

“I gotta say, Buckley, you look hot” Robin heard the muffled voice of Eddie from behind his Ghostface mask, and she agreed.

Maybe it was lame, and the Spiderman fever had died down years ago, but somehow, Robin was killing it with that Andrew Garfield’s costume.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Robin saw in awe how the costume made her muscles shine, even if she wasn’t the most muscular person in the room. She looked great.

Obviously it had been Steve’s before, but he managed to make some adjustments, and now it fit her perfectly.

Steve really was a mom.

“What if she’s not into Spiderman?” Asked the blonde, insecure.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Rob, everybody is into Andrew’s Spiderman, even if you don’t like Spiderman” Steve gave him a look, making Eddie take off his mask. “Don’t look at me like that, you know i’m right” He shrugged, and Robin took a deep breath.

“Well, i’m not into him” She rolled her eyes in amusement. 

And if Nancy wasn’t into her costume, she would make it work.

She had a good feeling.

11 pm.

Robin was stiff as a stick in the corner of the room, mask on, with the hope of being unnoticed and avoid an encounter with the brunette, owner of her thoughts.

They arrived to the coffee shop, and it looked nothing like it usually does. Whoever took charge of the decoration really went for it. The purple lighting, the fake candlesticks, the spiderwebs everywhere, the teamed appetizers, the menu of drinks, and obviously the loud music. It felt like an entire different place.

With Steve long gone, dragged by Eddie to the bar, Robin took the time to look at everyone’s costumes. She herself had drawn some looks at her costume, but she was glad that the people actually get dressed with a costume, so she wasn’t the weird one.

She was feeling self-conscious, so she decided that if she was going to talk to Nancy, she really needed a few drinks, only to brave herself. 

Yeah, she could do that.

She walked to the bar, where usually Barb was taking orders, and noticed that the girl behind the bar, dressed as a black cat. She hadn’t seen her before.

“What can i get you?” Asked, clearly bored. 

“Uh- a beer is fine, please” Robin looked at the name tag on her chest. Eden.

“Sure, do you have company? We’re making a list for every group or costumer to pay the final check” Clarified, clearly unable to see Robin’s expressions.

“Sure, i came with Steve and Eddie, i don’t know if they gave you their names” Robin stared at the list of names and numbers. “Michael Myers and Ghostface costumes” Added, and the girl nodded in acknowledgement.

“Right, they gave the name…” She looked through the list. “Robin” Eden read and Robin scoffed.

“Sure they did, that’s me” Said humorless, remembering Steve’s comment about her paying.

“Great, i’ll bring your beer” And the girl disappeared in the kitchen.

Robin looked at the sea of people looking for those idiots, and found them quickly, both of them dancing basically glued to each other, drink in hand. They seemed to be having fun, making some love eyes at each other. That sight made her smile, the previous annoyance gone.

They can have one night, she’ll punch them tomorrow.

She decided to take off her mask for a moment to scratch the tip of her nose, a little bit bruised from the friction with the fabric.

“So here’s your beer, sorry about the delay” Said a voice behind her, making her heart beat faster.

Nancy.

Robin turned her head fast, finding Nancy in a Hermione Granger costume. Gray sweater with red and yellow details, plus the Gryffindor’s emblem, and Hermione’s time turner on her neck. And her hair loose, giving her the view of her beautiful perm.

Yeah, i’m definitely screwed.

Nancy wasn’t wearing a costume of one of her biggest crushes of all time, no way.

The brunette seemed as surprised as she was to see her, but she recovered swiftly, a smile coming to her face.

“Well, seems like i just discovered Spiderman’s identity” Smirked, and Robin begged the lighting to cover the blush on her face, as she took her beer.

“I fear you’ll have to obliviate yourself because it’s dangerous to know that kind of information” Robin took a big gulp of her drink, keeping her eyes on the brunette.

Nancy grinned, with a playful glint in her eyes.

“I don’t know how, but you being a fantasy nerd just makes sense” Said in response, but Robin knew, somehow, it was a compliment.

“Sorry? I’m not the one wearing a Harry Potter costume” Nancy rolled her eyes, still smiling.

“No, but you’re the one trowing spells” Robin chuckled.

Once her laugh died, she smiled softly at the girl, feeling something warm in her chest.

“You look really good, Nancy” Said finally, and Robin was witness of a slight shift on the brunette’s face, looking almost shy , but then she took a look at Robin’s appearance.

“You don’t look so bad yourself” Answered, almost in a whisper, locking her blue eyes into her own.

Deep ocean at stormy sky.

Robin felt her hands begin to sweat under the gloves and her heart picking up.

God, she was about to combust under her gaze.

“Will you dance with me?” Robin blurted out.

What

I can’t dance for the life of me

Why did i do that?

But Nancy smiled and got out from the counter, walking towards her. Robin could take a look at the whole costume, stopping for a second on her long legs under that dark gray skirt.

Once she realized how close the brunette was, she immediately lifted her gaze, just in time to find that knowing smirk on her face. They haven’t been in that position before, Robin noticing the height difference, Nancy being shorter than she.

“Thought you’d never ask”

It turns out, Robin is not that bad at dancing. At least, it wasn’t before Nancy stood on tiptoe and whispered into her ear a soft, “ You need to relax ”. Sure, Robin almost passed out after that, she definitely felt Nancy’s smile on her ear, but she tried to do as told, and eventually, she was capable of making some decent moves, earning a soft “ Not so bad, Buckley ”.

She was actually having fun. The hours felt like minutes.

And she didn’t even notice before, but the brunette was really, really , close to her. The blonde could feel the heat coming from the shorter girl, and Robin felt her own body burning.

For a moment, Nancy was dancing with her eyes closed, clearly enjoying and feeling the music by the way her hips and curves flowed with the rhythm of the music. Robin was mesmerized by the sight, hypnotized by every move.

Nancy really put a spell on me.

Robin chuckled at the thought, disturbing Nancy’s trance. The brunette opened her eyes, making eye contact with the blonde, and smiled playfully.

“What’s so funny, Buckley?” The taller felt herself blushing.

“Oh- It’s nothing” Dismissed embarrassed at the idea of saying that out loud, but Nancy wasn’t having that, apparently.

The shorter hands snaked their way behind Robin’s neck and interlocked them.

“Am i amusing you?” Asked again, smirking, closer than before. Robin could felt the girl’s breath against her lips.

Dear God.

“No!- I mean- No, sorry” Stumbled on her words, feeling her hands sweating, not knowing where to put them, so she started to move them in motion of her incoming rambling. “It’s just- You know when your brain makes the most random thoughts, and you can’t control them? Well, i just had one of those, but the thought was that you clearly put a spell on me, and it’s funny because you’re a witch, i mean, Hermione, but you know, it’s the same thing, but now that i think about it, maybe you put a spell on yourself , i mean, there’s no way i’m the only one who’s feeling this way, right? The people can’t be that blind, unless you did put a spell only on me-” Robin stopped her rambling at the sound of Nancy’s giggles. “Sorry, when i’m nervous my mouth goes faster than my brain and i don’t have a clue of what i’m saying, well, maybe i do have a clue, but you know, i can’t really control it-”

“I’m making you nervous?” Robin stopped her train of thought immediately, finding a soft look on the girl’s face. 

The blonde couldn’t be more flushed, even if she tried.

Yes, you are! Can’t you see me drooling over you?

“I- I-” Stumbled on her words, not knowing exactly what to respond.

But that was answer enough.

“You’re really cute” Nancy smiled at her, a smile that Robin haven’t seen before, but her heartbeat quickened.

They couldn’t pull her eyes out of each other, and Robin let herself drown in those eyes. Nancy’s eyes looked like stars, shinning like never before.

The music shifted into something slower, and suddenly, they started to swing softly at the rhythm of the music. Robin, with shaking hands, move them to hold softly Nancy’s waist, it was an impulsive move, but the blonde had the feeling she just had to do it. Nancy’s smile growing proved her right. 

Content, the brunette took a deep breath and rubbed a little Robin’s hair in her neck, but after a long comforting silence, the girl spoke.

“You disappeared for a while” Said carefully, almost testing the waters. Robin smiled a little.

“I had a lot of thinking, about the dating thing, and you were right” Smiled at the brunette’s confused face.

“About what?” Robin could feel the uneasy demeanor in the girl.

“Now i’m looking at the right place” 

“Are you?” Smirked the girl, amused, but her eyes told another story, she looked delight at the statement.

“Yeah” Breathed Robin in return. “I mean, i am, right? Did i read something wrong?” The blonde panicked, and the brunette giggled in response.

“Yeah, you’re right” Robin felt a hand in her hair, rubbing it softly.

“Enough to know your last name?” Asked, entranced by the comfort of the delicate fingers between her hair.

“Wow, how smooth” Rolled her blue eyes in response, not dropping her smile.

“You’re someone impossible to find, miss Granger” Joked the taller girl.

“So you did look me up” Robin tensed in embarrassment.

“I- well- yeah” Confessed, and the proud smirk in Nancy’s face shifted into something softer.

“Wheeler” Smiled charmingly. “Nancy Wheeler”

Robin felt proud for some strange reason, just like she had won the lottery.

“Well, nice to finally meet you, Nancy Wheeler” Bowed her head, just for the sake of being funny.

Thankfully, it worked.

“I’ve known you for a while now, Buckley” The shorter just scoffed playfully.

“I’d like to know you better” Robin felt her heart wrecking its way out of her chest. “If that’s ok with you” The blonde took the shorter’s hand from behind her neck.

Nancy looked at her intently, and even if Robin couldn’t identify the feeling behind, her eyes were shinning, so she felt hope.

“Yeah, i’d like that” Both smiled widely.

“Spiderman! There you are!” Robin jolted her head at the sound of her best friend’s drunk voice. “Can you help us find Bobin? I think she’s lost and scared, and maybe she was murdered” Begged the man, almost bursting into tears, mask apparently long gone.

She was going to kill him.

“That’s Roberta, big boy” Smiled Eddie lazily, clearly drunk as well.

Steve seemed to forget the concept of personal space as he dragged the girl from the brunette and hold her face with his enormous hands.

“Steve-” Started Robin, trying to hold his hands.

“Yeah…she sounds like Bobin” Giggled, crying long forgotten. His eyes were on her face, but the blonde saw him fighting for his life to stay focus.

“Get off me, duffus” Laughed, finally being able to push him softly. “You’re drunk and stinky”

“No, you’re drunk and stinky” He furrowed his brows, apparently offended. 

“Both of you are drunk and stinky!” Screamed happy Eddie, making Nancy jump at the sudden noise. “Oh hi, i’m Eddie” The curly boy waved at Nancy, noticing the girl, and Nancy chuckled, waving in return. “You’re hot, i think Robin would like you, i will present her to you”

“All right, that’s enough, let’s go” Rushed the blonde, embarrassed, but when she stole a glance at Nancy, she saw the girl trying to contain her laugh. 

She looked like she was having the time of her life, hearing the show.

“No, wait” Steve poked her cheek. “Did you ask Nancy out or something?” Asked confused. “I don’t wanna hear you whining about how you missed your chance to ask someone as cool as her”

“Oh, right, the girl from the coffee shop” Remembered Eddie, and looked at Nancy with a sad face. “Sorry, our friend is taken” Robin felt her eyes widening in shock.

This couldn’t be happening to her.

“Oh, is she?” Nancy played along, amused.

Holy shit.

“Yeah, she’s always talking nonstop about this coffee girl, the other day she was rambling about her beautiful eyes, her face of an angel and how her hair look so soft, and how badly she wanted to-”

“We’re leaving, Edward! Dingus!” Interrupted the blushing girl in a shout, taking the hand of both of her friends.

“Hey, that’s not my name ”

“I don’t wanna go ”

Dragged both of them, but didn’t have the strength to fight her, so they obligated.

“Can you wait for me a second? I promise i’ll be right back” Robin gave the brunette what she thought were her best puppy eyes and by the laugh she got, she delivered.

“Sure, Spiderman” Robin winked at her and dragged her friends outside.

“I’m gonna kill both of you tomorrow when you can remember me doing it!”

Steve and Eddie fell asleep the moment they touched the back seat, but Robin ignored it, rushing inside immediately, looking for the girl of her dreams. When Robin spotted her, she was behind the counter again. She didn’t waste a second and ran to Nancy.

“Hey” Breathed, and Nancy chuckled.

“Hey you” Smiled sweetly.

Robin was about to have a heart attack if the brunette kept smiling at her like that.

“I’m really sorry for them, i didn’t think they would get that drunk” Rolled her eyes, not that annoyed, and Nancy just shook her head.

“Don’t worry, it was cute” Said, dropping her gaze for a second to watch the counter. “Such a shame you’re already taken by that cool Nancy girl you talk all the time” Smirked and Robin groaned, covering her red face.

“Please don’t” Robin wanted to put her mask on only to try to hide the blush that Nancy probably already saw. “That was so embarrassing” Nancy laughed openly.

In a second, Nancy took Robin’s hands and took them out of her face to make eye contact.

“You are incredibly cute” And then poked her nose. “But as much as i want to spend the rest of the night with you, your friends need you, and i already took a really long break” Chuckled, and Robin joined. 

“I’m really sorry for distracting you” Smiled Robin in adoration.

“You’re not” Stated the girl with an equal smile.

“No, i’m not” Confessed in a chuckle.

“Wheeler, this is the check of the group you asked” The girl, Eden, left a little note by Nancy’s side. 

The brunette said a little “thanks” and, after watching the bill, gave Robin an apologetic smile. The blonde’s smile dropped.

“Please, don’t tell me that’s-” Robin took the paper that was being handed to her and felt her eyes open in shock. “They- I- This is-” Mumbled. “I really wanna kill them” Groaned as she took her wallet out.

The brunette laughed.

“Please don’t, they seem nice” Said playfully, accepting the blonde’s card and making the payment.

“Their alcoholism isn’t nice” Scoffed, accepting her card back.

“You should thank them” Smiled coyly the brunette.

“Why?” Laughed in disbelief.

“I bet that Nancy girl feels flattered by their comments about your feelings for her” And with that statement, the shorter girl stood on tiptoe and kissed her cheek softly. 

What.

The.

Fuck.

“Now go, the city needs you” Nancy looked at her with her doe eyes and Robin was done.

Life wasn’t real.

She had to be dead, there was no other explanation.

“I- I- yeah” Stumbled in her words, feeling her ears burning.

“And don’t get lost again” Giggled, at the blonde’s reaction. “Might give a girl the wrong impression” Robin shook her head immediately.

“You’ll definitely see me soon, Wheeler, i’m serious” Gave her a crooked smile. “But i have a question first”.

“Sure, what is it?” Nancy looked at her, a little taken aback.

“Do i have to take the divination class to get your number?” The brunette let out a little laugh and shove her shoulder in response.

Robin laughed openly at her reaction.

“You’re such a nerd” Nancy shook her head with a bright smile on her face, giving her a little piece of paper with numbers.

“And you just gave your number to a nerd” The blonde gave her a charming smile. “I’ll text you” And then winked at her.

“You better” Joked the brunette.

“Have a good night, Nance” Said before her mind registered the nickname coming out of her mouth, but when it did, she ran in panic.

She wasn’t witness to the dreamy smile on Nancy’s face, but Nancy definitely saw the way the blonde jumped and shouted in excitement before leaving the building.

Chapter Text

Tuesday, November 5th, 2024

4 p.m.

Robin was terrified to go inside the coffee shop.

Since the Halloween party, Robin had been texting nonstop with Nancy, and it was really exciting getting to know the girl. Nancy was studying journalism, but apparently she was in the same school as her in high school, and Robin didn’t hesitate to say she was sorry they didn’t meet back then; she really was, Nancy was fascinating.

The brunette loved reading, writing, visit museums of any kind, spending time with the nature, and of course, coffee. She wanted to become a badass journalist and fight against the injustice and crime, discover the truth and maybe even save lives. 

Her favorite color was lavender, she loved cats, she had a brother and a little sister, she was very passionate about everything she sets her mind to, and she would like to see the world, which gave her the chance to show off and talk about her ability to learn languages.

They just clicked . Everything was flowing nicely, sure, but she hadn’t seen her since the Halloween party, both of them too busy to plan something, so, Robin decided she was going to make a bold move and visit Nancy at work.

And while she was standing outside the coffee shop with a bouquet of pink tulips, Nancy’s favorite flower, she was shaking like a chihuahua after a shower.

“You got this, Buckley” Whispered to herself. “She likes you enough to keep talking to you, so you just have to give her the flowers and ask her out”

Robin knew Barb was feeling sick, apparently been infected by some bacteria inside something she ate since last week, but hasn't left her alone yet, so Nancy would be with Eden again. 

That girl didn’t seem a bad person, but still gave her the creeps. 

The point was, Nancy would probably be more busy than usual, and maybe it wasn’t the best time to make a visit, but Robin couldn’t wait any longer.

She wanted to try something more with Nancy. And that realization gave her chills itself, but after a long time of second guessing and overthinking the course of love and relationships in her life, she wasn’t scared anymore. 

She felt ready, and needed to let Nancy know that. So she shook her body, and finally made her entrance.

Surprisingly, there weren't many people in the place. Maybe the luck was in her side.

With a bright, nervous smile, she made her way to the counter. She heard the faint sound of the bell behind her, but didn’t take notice as she looked for the brunette, apparently inside the kitchen.

“Nance?” Asked a little loud, to make herself known.

“Robin?” The blonde froze at the sound of the voice calling her.

Robin was known to have a really good memory for basically everything, she’s fluent in 4 languages after all, but even if she didn’t, she would recognize that voice anywhere. So after take a long deep breath, she turned to face that face.

The face of the girl who loved for four years, and a couple of months.

Vickie was in front of her, after a year of not seeing each other.

“It’s really you, God” Breathed the redhead, at the lack of response of the blonde.

“What are you doing here?” Were the words that made their way out of her mouth, and if the tone of her voice wasn’t exactly welcoming, she didn’t care.

“I came here to visit my family” Answered, noticing the demeanor of the taller girl. “You know, a visit before Thanksgiving” 

“But why are you here ?” Robin frowned.

Vicky just sighed.

“Guess i just felt…nostalgic” Confessed in a whisper. “Robin, i…” Started, but the blonde shook her head, knowing exactly where that was going.

For a whole year, Robin dreamed about the moment she could see the redhead again, what she would say, what she would do, but at that moment, finally in front of her, in the coffee shop they used to visit in their dates, she was speechless.

But she didn’t want to listen to her empty apologies.

“Don’t Robin me” Started, gripping a little too strong the bouquet, dragging the redhead’s attention. 

“The flowers are cute” Smiled softly, and Robin saw the nostalgia passing through those eyes.

And she wasn’t having that.

“And none of your business” Cut her quickly, hiding the flowers in her back, as if the mere look from the girl could burn them.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here after what happen, but i’m glad you are, because now i can tell you exactly how i feel” Robin scoffed in response.

“Vickie, believe me when i say i don’t care how you feel” 

“Robin, please-”

“No, I don’t wanna talk with you” Robin passed by her side, shoving her shoulder, making her way out of the shop.

“I still love you”

Robin couldn’t help herself from stopping. And Vickie took it as a sign to keep talking.

“I know i made a mistake, a huge one, and since the day i left, i regret the way a hurt you, the way i hurt both of us ” The blonde could hear her getting closer, but she was stuck. “You were right” Whispered behind her. “I dated Dan for a while, and other guy after him, but i couldn’t get you out of my head and i’m tired of hiding it”

Robin was getting tenser with every word.

“I want you, for real this time, no matter what it takes”

Robin wanted nothing more than hearing those words coming out of her mouth, months back. But right now, Robin only had eyes for a certain brunette who was inside the same building.

Maybe Robin loved Vickie with her entire being at that time, but the truth was, Nancy since the first moment, made her forget about the redhead who broke her heart, she just was too scared to noticed it at the time. 

Nancy was the light coming back to her eyes, the warm that defrosted her cold smile, the sound of her laugh being freed, her heartbeat picking up its pace in new and yet familiar excitement, her faith restored in a love that could last, her bravery to fall in love again. 

Nancy was everything and more.

Everything went silent for a moment, the blonde being sure everyone was looking at them, but without any care, she took a moment to breath and relax.

She was falling for Nancy, and she was going to take it with happy anticipation and a big smile.

And with a pair of sweet, pale blue eyes in her mind, she put a brave face.

She wasn’t scared anymore.

“Vickie, i don’t…” Turned to face the girl, but when she saw the same blue eyes in her mind, now full of hurt, behind the counter. 

She felt herself froze for a second time. 

“Nance” Robin didn’t waste a second and made her way to the counter, but Nancy was inside the kitchen again. “Nancy, it’s not what you think!” Eden immediately stopped her before she could try to enter the kitchen.

“Stop right there, Buckley” The black-haired girl gave her a threatening look.

“No, but i have to talk to her, it’s not what it looks like, i swear” Shook her head in terror. “Nance, please” Called again, but once again was stopped by Eden.

“You need to leave, now” Threatened again, and Robin knew there was no use, at least for now, and with unshed tears, she made her way outside.

Robin had been too excited when she arrived to notice the snow on the streets, but now, as she kicked the little mountains, she was grateful for the opportunity to let out her frustration.

How the fuck did that happen?

“Fuck! Fucking fuck!” She fell on her knees, ignoring the burning cold in her skin.

Maybe it had been seconds or hours, the girl didn’t know, but she was sitting by the side of the road, looking straight ahead and empty-headed, and bouquet long forgotten by her side.

“I didn’t know you were dating Nancy Wheeler” The voice said from behind, making her way to her side.

Robin thought on telling her to fuck off, but she didn’t.

“How do you know her?” Whispered instead, feeling the redhead getting closer and sitting by her side.

Vickie from a year ago wouldn’t have sat in the snow, too afraid to ruin her clothes.

“We used to take math together three years ago” Shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d know her, less that she would be your type”

“We’re not dating” Scoffed bitterly. “But i do like her, a lot” 

There was a moment of silence, where both girls were in their own minds, wondering how things had change in that year apart.

“Were you serious?” Asked the blonde carefully. “All you said inside”

Robin wasn’t looking at Vickie, but she knew her, and the answer she had it already, and, truthfully, didn’t matter anymore.

“I still love you, and i’m scared still about my family, but i thought-”. 

“You thought i would be waiting for you” Robin finished, with a disbelieving smile. “That i was still waiting for you like i was back then”

“You’re different now” Concluded instead the redhead, after a moment of silence.

“It’s been a year, Vick, i had to change” The blonde chuckled, without amusement.

“I suppose you’re right” Nodded the redhead, defeated.

Robin was calmer at that point, the anger of that first encounter almost gone, so she let herself relax by her ex-girlfriend. She didn’t love her anymore, so that moment felt almost like a closure for that chapter of her life.

“For what it’s worth” Began the girl. “I bet Nancy likes you too” Robin couldn’t help the scoff coming from her mouth.

“Yeah…i’m not sure how she’s gonna listen to me after that misunderstanding”

“I’m really sorry, wouldn’t have said anything if i knew” Mumbled the redhead.

“Yeah, right” Rolled her eyes, the taller girl.

“I’m serious” Vickie furrowed her brows. “I want you to be happy, Robin, and i will always want that”

Robin just kept her gaze straight ahead.

“Why?” Whispered, after a few moments of silence.

“Because you’re sweet, and kind, and you…loved me” Sighed. “You waited for me to be ready to come out for four years, and even if i couldn’t do it, you didn’t hold it against me”

“I did” Confessed the blonde. “Just you didn’t know because we weren’t together anymore, but i was so mad at you for lying to me for so long, telling me we would be together for real some day, and all those things-”

“I didn’t lie” The redhead shook her head, in pain. “All those things i said i really wanted to do them with you…I just thought i would be ready some day” Whispered the last part.

And she still wasn’t.

“You know, i was angry at myself too” Robin chocked a sob. “Some part of me always knew you weren’t going to come out, and i stayed” Robin blinked hard to get rid of the tears. “I stayed, hoping to be wrong, but the time passed and nothing changed, and so many times i wondered if the problem was me, that i wasn’t enough for you, or worth enough for you to come out and be with me” Chuckled bitterly. “I still thought about it even when we weren’t together anymore, a-and i also thought about the fact that our relationship was a basically a waste of my time” The redhead was crying at that point.

“Robin…” Sobbed the redhead.

“You fucked me up, Vickie” Let out a sob. “And it took a lot of my midnights, but i know now that i wasn’t the problem, and neither were you” Robin took a look at the girl. “I didn’t force you to come out back then and i won’t do it now, we just…weren’t meant to be together, and that’s ok” 

“I’m so sorry, Robin” Cried the redhead.

Even if she understands now that there’s no one to blame, and was capable to see the big picture, she can take the apologies for the way Vickie handled her fear at the time.

“I’m sorry too, for my attitude, i guess everything a didn’t say to you at the time just escape through my mouth” Joked the blonde, trying to ease the mood.

“I’m glad your sense of humor is intact” Scoffed Vickie, without bite. “But you don’t need to apologize, i guess i deserved that” 

Robin took a moment to choose her next words.

“We were happy, Vickie, we gave each other everything we could give, and i think that’s enough, at least for me, to say that we don’t have to be on each other’s throats” Started. “Well, not anymore” Gave her an embarrassed smile, and the redhead laughed, more calm.

“Yeah…we were” Smiled the girl, but it didn’t get to her eyes. “Thanks for everything, Rob, you made me feel understood, loved and…seen for the first time” 

“You’re welcome” Nodded. “Thank you for being my first girlfriend” Both girls smiled.

Robin felt better in so many ways, something she never thought could happen after an encounter like that, but she was grateful.

They fell into a comfortable silence, until Vickie got up and looked at her, Robin finding a quiet hurt behind her eyes.

“You’re enough, Rob, and so much more than that” Sighed. “You deserve to be loved in the same way that beautiful heart of yours is capable of love” Smiled sadly at her. “Don’t give up too easy, just give her a moment, she’ll talk to you” Robin nodded, unsure.

“Yeah, thanks…hope you’re right” The blonde felt the touch of the redhead, caressing her hair.

“You’ll see” Dropped her hand after a few seconds, the melancholic smile never reaching for a happy one. “Goodbye, Rob”

Robin took a moment to look at the girl, for what it seemed it was the last time, at least for a while, and smiled sincerely at her.

“Goodbye, Vick” And with that, the redhead turned to leave, not looking back.

Just like the first time she left, but this time, Robin didn’t felt heartbroken.

Robin was finally free.

Chapter Text

Wednesday, November 6th, 2024

10 a.m.

Robin groaned as she struggled to open her eyes.

Last night was a long, long night. After that last conversation with Vickie, Robin decided that the best she could do was leave Nancy alone, at least for the moment, so she walked to her house, where an overexcited Steve waited for her. Too bad nothing happened the way both of them wanted to.

They talked about it for a moment, but Robin decided that she wasn’t going to start mopping about it, not until she had the chance to explain the situation to the brunette, so she went to her room and tried to sleep. She couldn’t until the clock marked past midnight.

The sunlight came through her curtains, making impossible the task of keeping her eyes open, or that’s what she thought, before hearing a faint “ding” coming from her phone.

Robin had never moved that faster in her life.

Hoping to be a message from the brunette, Robin unlocked her phone, noticing a message on another app.

sunflower.barbie: 

We need to talk.

Barb.

Robin sat straight on the bed.

That message could mean two things:

1. I hate you, stay away from Nancy or i’ll burn your tongue 
2. I need you to convince me not to kill you.

Robin hopped it was the last one.

not-batmans.robin:

Sure

Good morning btw

NOT RUDE

Just hi

Sometimes, Robin would think she had more control of what she was saying through texts, but these kinds of conversations proved her wrong.

Either way, Nancy didn’t mind, she found it endearing, or at least that’s what she said.

sunflower.barbie: 

You’re lucky you’re really nice.

I’ll see you in an hour.

Don’t be late.

And Barb sent her location. The place wasn’t far from the coffee shop, but she decided to get there as soon as possible, so, after sending her confirmation to reunite, she started to change her clothes for the day.

45 minutes after the exchange of messages, Robin stood outside a light blue house, Barbara’s house, she supposed. It made sense, after all, the last thing she knew about the girl was that she was really sick.

The blonde took a deep breath and rang the bell. The girl moved her feet unconsciously while she waited for someone to open the door. Finally, the door opened, showing Barb, who looked like she was begging to be dead.

“You’re early” The redhead said as she let her in and lead her to the couch. “Anyway, my mom went for medicine and my dad is working, so we have some time.” 

“Right” Robin nodded, unsure of how could she begin.

“Right…” Insisted Barb, nodding along. “I’m listening, Buckley” Scoffed. “I thought you would be more desperate”

“No! I mean- I am! It’s just-” The taller took a deep breath. “I don’t know how to start, it all happened so fast! But i was just trying to ask Nancy out, i got her favorite flowers and everything, and then Vickie was there and started talking and i wanted her to stop but also i wanted to hear her saying that she was sorry for so long but when she finally did, i realized that it didn’t matter anymore, i didn’t need that as much as i think a did, at least not anymore, well, i deserved the apology, but that’s beside the point, you don’t care clearly, either way, i guess Nancy heard her saying she still loved me, realized she was my ex, a-and the flowers, and i didn’t say anything to Vickie, so maybe she thought i was happy with that information, which i wasn’t, and when i saw Nance looking at me, i just ran to her, but Eden stopped me and i couldn’t talk to her and explain everything, and she doesn’t answer my texts nor my calls and i can’t-” 

“Okay, okay, stop” Barb laughed. “I don’t know how the fuck did you manage to say all that in just one breath, but i’ll stop you right now, i know the rest” The redhead smiled at her. “So…no ignited feelings towards your ex?” Asked carefully.

“Of course not, i’m…” Robin rubbed the hair in the back of her head, almost embarrassed. “I’m serious about Nance, she makes me feel alive for real, and i never thought i could feel that way again, or even more than i ever felt before” Said in a shy smile, and Barbara just watched her, intently, as she was searching for a sign of her lying.

Then she sighed with a smile.

“I knew you could be kinda stupid, but i never thought we would be in this position” Confessed the redhead, clearly amused.

“Excuse me?” Robin looked at her puzzled and a little offended.

“I can’t believe you let the situation go that far” Scoffed.

“I was shocked, ok?! I haven’t seen Vickie in a year, since the day we broke up, i couldn’t believe she was here and that she was saying all those things and-”

“Yeah, yeah, you couldn’t believe it, i know” Mocked the girl as she adjusted her glasses in her face, and then she put a serious face. “But Nancy is really hurt, Robin”

“I know” Robin groaned. “She met my ex, and she probably thought we were going to get back together” Sighed covering her face with both hands. “This a mess” 

Robin couldn’t see it, but Barbara looked at her, conflicted, but it didn’t last long.

“Nance is gonna kill me” Murmured the redhead, barely audible, but before Robin could ask, the girl continued. “Did you knew Nancy and Vickie shared math some years ago?” Robin dropped her hands and locked her eyes with Barb’s

“Yes, Vickie told me yesterday, but what does that have to do with this?” Nodded softly, more confused. 

“Well…” Barbara took a breath. “She did think you two were going to get back together, but Nancy always knew Vickie was your ex, Robin” Started.

“What do mean?” Robin frowned. 

“That she knew” Trailed, cautious.

Robin stared at her, lost.

“Are you saying that Nance and Vickie were friends? I would know that, Vickie would’ve told me, i knew all her friends back then” The blonde shook her head, it was impossible.

“No, they sometimes talked about homework, but-” Barb huffed. “Remember how you used to walk Vickie to class?”

Robin couldn’t frown more, even if she tried.

“How do you know that? You were in that class too?” The redhead groaned into a cushion as soon as those words left Robin’s mouth.

“Do i really have to spell it out to you?” Both looked at each other, and Barbara knew the answer. “Nancy has had a crush on you for years, Robin” Finally said it.

“W-what?” Robin felt empty-headed in shock.

“She saw you one of those days, walking Vickie to the door, and she just thought that you were really nice for doing it, helping your girlfriend with her stuff, but as the days passed, she started to think you were cute, attractive even, and it only got worst from there” Scoffed. “Nancy is really good hiding her real feelings to the world, pretending to be this calculated or even cold girl, but her eyes can’t lie, Robin, and I remember that look on her face every time she saw you walking in the hallways with Steve, just laughing and joking about something stupid: you could see hearts in her eyes, and sometimes, a faint smile or a chuckle would come out of her mouth” Barb smiled at the memory. “She was enchanted by you, but for obvious reasons she wasn’t going to do anything about it” Concluded. “She felt bad enough for falling for someone’s girlfriend, without any of them having a clue, of course she would respect your relationship, even if she was dying to, at least, get to know you”

“That day in the coffee shop-” Stated the blonde, piecing everything together.

“Yeah…” Barb couldn’t help but chuckle. “She knew both of you broke up because you deleted your photos together in social media, she wasn’t brave enough back then to follow your account, so i did and i showed her” Confessed in a laugh. “But she never thought she would have a chance to speak to you, date you felt impossible to her, so she tried to let it go, to date other people, but it didn’t work obviously” Scoffed. “Nance can be very stubborn, so there’s no surprise her heart works the same way”

“Yeah, i’ve notice” Robin agreed with a sweet smile. 

She hadn’t met Nancy for too long, but she could tell that as well. 

“That look on her face when she saw you, before i left” Robin also remembered that day too well. “Her eyes lighted up immediately, just as she felt hope again, hope that the universe was telling her you were the one for her, just by looking at you” Rolled her eyes amused. “I almost thought she was coming out again but as a lesbian because that was too intense, even for her” Both of them laughed. “But i couldn’t let her pin over you one more second without trying something to help her shy ass” 

“What do you mean?” Laughed the blonde, flattered by the redhead’s words.

“I got sick on purpose that day” Confessed the girl, covering her face with both hands.

“What?!” Robin couldn't help but stand, looking at her in shock.

“Sit down, you, dumbass” Cackled Barbara, pulling Robin down to the couch. “I drank milk, i hate milk and i’m lactose intolerant, so i was going to puke or never leave the bathroom, but Nancy had to speak with you that day” Nodded, with a tint of red in her cheeks.

Robin couldn’t help but laughing out loud, and Barb followed her after a second.

That was crazy.

“I can’t believe you” Breathed in response, once her laugh died down. “Actually, i can’t believe any of this” Huffed. “Nancy has liked me all along for real?” Asked, wanting another confirmation. “Even that day, Nancy looked so confident and all acting mysterious, never in a million years i would think she felt shy to talk to me, she was very much flirting with me!” 

“Yeah, i couldn’t believe it either when she told me about all those times she was being all flirty and sexy, but she was so freaking out every time we talked about what she did and your reactions” Said amused. “Seems like that little push worked perfectly, and she decided she was going to make you fall for her” Robin shook her head with a blushed smile.

“I had no idea” Whispered. “But she definitely did it”

Robin was stunned.

She knew she was with Vickie back then, she loved her, but a part of her, the part of her that likes Nancy now wonders what could have been if she knew the girl back then. The blonde is trying to picture a younger version of Nancy. Robin was sure Nancy was a nerd, just by talking to her, so maybe she was the smartest student in the class at the time. Seemed fitting. She could imagine that sweet smile of hers, walking down the hallways to her class, with a bunch of books in her arms. Maybe Robin would’ve liked to help her carry them.

They would’ve been friends? Robin would’ve fallen in love with her?

She knew the answer, and the thought felt too intense, but also too real. She would've fallen for Nancy before, right then or at some point in her life, but she would. 

It was impossible not to fall for Nancy Wheeler.

“Why are you telling me all of this?” Asked finally, curious.

“Because you have to fix this, if you really like Nance the same way she likes you, you have to step up your game and fix it, that girl that has been waiting for you all this time deserves the best version you can give her of yourself” Nodded, looking at the blonde threateningly. “Or i’ll kill you without hesitation” Robin chuckled in response.

“Yeah, i wouldn’t expect less from you” The blonde said amused, earning a smile from the redhead. “But what should i do? I go to her house with flowers? Maybe a mariachi, she likes mariachi? Or maybe i could sing myself, i can call some friends, i’m not much of a singer but i can hold a tune, which song you think would be fitting? I was thinking-” A hand on her mouth stopped her rambling.

“Again. i don’t know how you do that” Huffed amused Barbara. “But you don’t need mariachi or build a band” Scoffed. “Just be honest with her, that’s all she cares about…but i advise you not to meet her today, she’s pretty upset, she hasn’t answered my last text either and i don’t know if she’ll go to work, so maybe she would slam the door in your face if you set foot at her house” Robin sighed as she nodded, understanding.

“Yeah, you’re right” Barb put a hand on her shoulder, supportive.

“I believe in you, Robin, as i said before, you’re charming and Nancy is head over the heels for you” Smirked. “Just try not fuck it up again, and don’t tell her i said any of this” The blonde chuckled.

“I won’t, i promise” Both girls smiled. “And i’m head over the heels as well” Murmured, blushing.

“Yeah, okay, no need to get all lovey-dovey about my best friend in front of me, just make her smile again, i don’t like when she’s sad and i can’t help her” Robin nodded, determined.

“I’ll make her as happy as she makes me feel” Beamed the blonde. “She’ll be the happiest girl alive, i promise” Barb looked at her for a second, and then, she smiled, calm.

“I know you will”

After that, they just laughed as they shared some funny stories about the brunette until Barb’s mom arrived, and it was time for Robin to leave, but she felt so much better, and mostly, she was determined.

She was going to fix her mess and make Nancy happier than ever, she would make her see that Robin was worth of all those feelings the brunette has been carrying all those years.

And fortunately, Robin knew exactly how to deliver that message.