𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐓𝐖𝐎 - tammy thompson

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 𝐀𝐍𝐘 𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐍 Steve's face very promptly evaporated the moment Robin took ahold of his hand; she yanked him through the theatre all the while trampling on people's shoes. She muttered a string of apologies that couldn't have sounded less sincere if she tried.

 Steve tripped over his untied shoe laces, yet still managed to swipe Scarlet's hand into his own, compelling her to come along. Scarlet simply let him as she stuffed away any remnants of the thoughts about herself and Steve, and instead, pulled on her babysitting pants; ready to ensure that neither of her sailors tripped up a flight of stairs.

 Robin moved like a woman on a mission, seeking out a water fountain as though she hadn't seen water for years... Scarlet was certain this was the one and only time Robin had managed to sprint without stumbling over her own two feet.

 Scarlet was quite impressed, really; Robin had managed to seek a fountain out as though she had the nose of a sniffer dog. She scooped handfuls of water into her parched mouth, choking for a moment before diving straight back in.

 Steve soon scrambled over, pushing Robin to the side before dipping his head into the water, gulping it down as swiftly as he could. Water trailed over his face, pooling into his uniform. Dried blood began to budge, tinting the water an awful plum colour that Steve still continued to swallow.

 Scarlet, after settling Robin onto the ground just to make sure she wouldn't topple over the railings, gradually made her way to Steve's side. He blinked, a sluggish smile fanning over his flushed features when Scarlet gently pushed his face to the side, filling her cupped hand with water. She held his chin, trying with all her might to ignore that silly little smile as she doused his cuts and bruises with cool moisture; hoping it would provide some relief for when the drugs would inevitably wear off.

 She tugged at his ascot, drenching it with water the moment it fell loose. Then, with a careful hand, she wiped away the blood on his face. His eyes had closed and Scarlet couldn't help but think back to the year prior when she'd cleaned his face of the blood Billy had left in his wake. How many more times would she have to clear away his wounds?

 Scarlet could then feel his eyes on her, watching every tick of her lips, the way her brows would rise and furrow every time he'd wince. He didn't say a word as she stepped back, giving his face a final once-over.

 The cuts on his cheekbones were deep and there was no way they wouldn't scar. The cut on his lip had been torn open again, little droplets of blood beading over his lips, tinting them a deeper red. He hadn't complained once, not even when the soaked ascot had been brushed over a particularly nasty bruise on the side of his face; it had already become a deep and dark yellow, splotches of wine and blue marring the middle.

 For now, it would have to do. Scarlet pulled back, tossing the ascot into a trash can, "All done." and for good measure, she gave him a light flick upon his chin.

 He mumbled a dazed thank you before suddenly remembering the scratch at the very back of his throat. Soon enough he was back beneath the steady stream of water, he pulled back for a second, cherishing the coolness that trailed down his throat, "Wow. That's amazing."

 "So, like, I wasn't totally focused in there or anything, but..." Robin stared off into the mall, watching a neon light flicker on and off, her brows curled together, "I'm pretty sure... that mom was trying to bang her son."

 Steve paused, unswallowed water gushing down his front, "Wait, wait... the hot chick was Alex P. Keaton's mom?"

 "Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

 "But they're the same age."

 Scarlet flicked the few remaining water droplets from her fingers, trailing them over her shorts, "He went back in time, Steve." She tried to explain, but really it'd be a futile attempt when the boy still had his head in the clouds.

 Such a thought was only confirmed when Steve wagged his finger, "Then why is it called Back To The Future? Don't try and trick me, little red."

 Robin groaned and pushed herself from the ground. Her legs had gone numb... actually, so had her fingertips, and, well, everything else, "He has to go back to the future because he's in the past. So, the future is actually the present, which is his time..." Robin turned Scarlet's way, watching as their designated babysitter slumped against a wall, head toppling back as her eyes clamped shut, "Right?"

 Scarlet hadn't the energy to form a reply, so she nodded and left the duo to it. She hadn't a clue in the world how much longer the drugs would be in their systems, but she could only hope and pray they'd be back to their normal selves soon. There was some shuffling as Robin pushed Steve out of the way, demanding another turn at the chilly water... and soon enough Steve called out.

 "Hey, Rob, you gotta check this out." His mouth had slipped open, staring up at the twinkling lights above with nothing but a spaced-out expression. Scarlet pulled herself up; knowing Steve, he'd soon be trying to vault over the railing, and Robin would be all too happy to follow.

 Robin slurped a final mouthful of water, wiped her chin with the back of her palm and swiftly jogged to Steve's side. She swayed on her feet as she stared up at the ceiling, eyes blinking between the lights

 Scarlet ran a heavy hand down her face, hastily walking over to the water fountain. She cupped a hand under the cool stream and splashed her cheeks. It was delightful, finally feeling the sweat that had sunken into her skin get washed away. It was at least enough to dull the throb of her skull, even if only a little.

 Her headache from earlier had only just started to subside and Scarlet could feel her battery beginning to recharge. She leaned her body against the water fountain as she watched Steve and Robin stare at the lights in utter awe. She couldn't begin to imagine what the two were seeing, or what the two had been seeing this entire time; the drugs were likely making them see things beyond her imagination and she could help but snort at their misfortune as the two loopy teens began to tilt and contort their heads to get a better view of the light show they were apparently witnessing.

 The two began to spin around and Scarlet shook her head, the two were most certainly going to make themselves feel sick. But, who was she to interrupt their moment of tripping?

 Tripping was definitely an understatement. The two red-eyed teens ogled the lights as they swirled like a Van Gogh painting, their stomaches matching the sensation; the two let out almost inaudible grunts and groans of discomfort as their stomachs began to lurch and twist every time the lights brightened and stirred. It looked like they were flying through space, passing by the stars and hurtling towards a planet. Then it hit them.

 Their stomaches jolted and they ran.

 Scarlet looked on in concern as the two teens held their stomachs and ran as though their lives depended on it. She thought about going inside and comforting the two but soon thought the better of it. If they were to empty their stomachs, Scarlet would much rather wait outside until they were done and suited... So she settled for leaning outside of the door, she could hear them choking and gagging, as much as she wished she couldn't, but at least she could make sure they didn't choke on their own vomit and die. What a waste of a journey that would be.

 Inside the restroom, both Steve and Robin took up their own stalls. Their elbows were planted on the toilet seats, entirely uncaring about germs and the like as they gagged and soon enough, emptied their stomachs out. Robin scrambled to gather her chopped hair into some semblance of a ponytail while Steve shoved his back, trusting the remnants of water and sweat to keep it slick.

 They remained in their pitiful state for a few, elongated minutes. Their throats stung, their noses were burning... and, quite frankly, they didn't feel very nice at all. At least all foreign entities had been ejected from their stomachs, left to ripple at the base of the toilet. Steve scrambled to flush the loo, grimacing as his former breakfast, lunch, ice cream and drugs all disappeared in a single gurgle.

 Steve soon toppled rearwards, back planted against the toilet stall... from the crack beneath, he could spy Robin splayed on the tiles... clearly, she'd thrown caution to the wind.

 Steve felt gross, but better... but still very gross. The inside of his mouth still burned, his throat still scratchy... he couldn't help but toss his hands a short and sweet glare, knowing a few thousand germs were residing upon his palms. His hatred was soon directed to his twisting stomach. A foul breath passed through his lips, eyes cast to the ceiling... he waited for the spinning to start, yet it never came.

 "The ceiling stopped spinning for me," Robin groaned, finger splayed over her rumbling gut, promptly ignoring the chill the tiled floor send down her spine, "Has it stopped spinning for you?"

 "Yeah... Yeah... you think we puked it all up?"

 "Maybe. Ask me something," Robin then spoke in the best Russian accent she could muster, "Interrogate me."

 Steve huffed, a small laugh slipping through his sore lips; while he was quite glad that the drugs were fleeing from his blood... he couldn't help but miss the numbness that coated his flesh, protecting him from feeling the bruises on his cheeks, and the cut on his lip. Not to mention, he rather missed not being able to remember what the Russians had actually done to him.

 "Okay..." he muttered, "Interrogate you. Sure... Um... Oh! When was the last time you peed your pants?"

 Robin's answer was instantaneous, "Today."

 "Wait — what?"

 "When the Russian doctor pulled out the bone saw." Robin then heaved from the floor, legs crossed as she fiddled with her muddied shoelaces. She really had thought she'd lose an arm, or perhaps a leg down there, "It was just a little bit though."

 Steve chuckled to himself; the higher octave in her voice, the out-of-character giggle right at the end... "Yeah... it's definitely still in her system."

 He hadn't quite spoken low enough for his words to bypass Robin's ears, "My turn." She announced. A beat passed — she could use her little question to finally corner Steve about his feelings; It was obvious how he felt, but Robin wanted to hear it from him, "Have you..." She paused, "Ever been in love?"

 "Yep. Nancy Wheeler. First semester, senior year." He made a pathetic imitation of a gunshot, his finger trailing to the ground. That hadn't gone well for him. After everything, there was still something in the very pit of his gut that made him... Sad? Maybe angry at how things had gone. He could have been better, he knew that, but did that really mean he deserved to be treated the way that he had?

 "Oh, my God," Robin groaned, her eyes rolling right to the back of her head, "She's such a priss."

 "Huh..." Steve had a very sudden flash of Nancy Wheeler whirling on her toes and pointing a gun right at his face, "Turns out, not really."

 But he could understand where Robin was coming from. All that time ago, when Will had only just disappeared, Nancy Wheeler had been pink frills and white lace, a perfect little princess; that's how everybody had seen her. That's how Steve had seen her. But, beneath the surface, that wasn't Nancy at all.

 Robin scoffed; she couldn't believe him, not a single bit. All she'd ever seen of Nancy was exactly what everybody else had seen; the school's golden girl. How Steve had ever been interested was beyond her, she was so different from... well, from Scarlet. There wasn't a chance that Steve could have still felt a single thing for Nancy, not when Robin had seen the looks he'd pass Scarlet's way.

 From pouted lips whenever Scarlet turned away, to the goofiest of grins that would overtake his features when she laughed at his stupid jokes. He was smitten, he was utterly whipped. Now, all she needed to do was get him to spill his guts, "So, are you still in love with Nancy?"

 Steve's lips parted, ready to confirm that no, he really wasn't... but Steve had a moment of clarity. It was a rare occurrence for Steve, he would admit, but somehow with the drugs gone from his system, and the trauma of the day steadily funnelling back to his brain, Steve realised just how very un-subtle he'd been.

 So he settled on a meek little, "You know I'm not."

 Robin didn't poke fun at him for his display of emotion, nor for the way he made his feelings known so very clearly... if anything, Robin was just shocked that he'd confided in her so quickly. No arguments, no defensiveness... just the outright truth.

 "I know." She replied softly, tracing a finger along a drawing on her shoe, "Didn't think you'd admit it that quickly, dingus."

 "You've known for a while, haven't you?"

 "From the very first time I was in a room with the two of you."

 Steve sighed; so he really had been that bad at keeping his feelings to himself. Was it surprising? Not at all, actually; Steve knew that the moment Scarlet walked into a room he'd stare and smile. He knew he came off as clingy and desperate at all times of the damn day — but she hadn't pushed him away, and that wasn't something Steve Harrington was used to.

 He knew he'd have to do it now. Not only had Dustin cornered him and made him spill the depths of his secrets, but now Robin was before him doing the very same. He could have lied, it would have been a pathetic lie, but he could have tried... thing is, he actually trusted Robin.

 They'd been through hell and back together, and while her relentless teasing and copious insults might have been somewhat irritating at times, he actually found her rather funny, and he also knew that her insults were never truly meant. Steve didn't have many friends, not after he'd cut off the assholes he had surrounded himself with.

 So to be able to open up to someone... was almost relieving.

 "I just —" Steve stammered. This was different from telling Dustin; because while Dustin adored Scarlet with every inch of his curly little self, Robin was her best friend. He almost backpedalled then, but what would have been the point? Robin knew, so he might as well tell her exactly what his dilemma was, "Rob... I never felt like this with Nancy. I loved her, of course, I did... but... but sometimes I doubt how much. I think I honestly might have made most of it up, hoping that someone, anyone would actually lo—" He swallowed, clearing his throat with a falsified chuckle, "I think it was all that 'first love' bullshit, you know?"

 Robin caught onto the mistake, that slice of vulnerability. She remained silent.

 "I never felt like myself. I always felt stupid, like I — I wasn't smart enough or that I always had to try harder... It felt like there was a part of me that was still pretending around Nancy. With Scarlet... she makes it so easy to just be me; I don't have to pretend to be smarter than I am, or that I like things even if I don't... She's been there for me, she's saved my life so many times. I can't stop thinking about her."

 Steve sighed to himself, dragging his fingertips through his tangled hair. His chest felt lighter with every word that flowed from his tongue, "Scar might tease me until I feel like I'm going to explode... but she's perfect, you know? She laughs at my stupid jokes, she's always so kind to me even when I really don't deserve it, she doesn't make me feel like an idiot when I can't —" Well, Robin hadn't judged him yet, so why not spill absolutely everything? "— When I can't read and write properly. I don't think I would have gotten into college without her... I just..." He trailed off then, that dreamy little grin dissolving into dust.

 "What?" Robin asked the silence, her raspy voice lowered to a mere whisper. As much as she delighted in finally hearing the truth from his lips, and as much as she wanted to jump and exclaim that she was right... Robin could tell he was really struggling. The tightness in his voice was something she hadn't yet heard.

 "I just don't think I'm good enough for her. You said it yourself, I was an asshole. I'm not smart, I don't have anything to offer her, so why?"

 "You were an asshole. Emphasis on the were." Robin shrugged, "Look, Steve, as much as I don't wanna inflate your ego, you have changed... anyone can see that. I don't know if that's her influence, Nancy's or just you, but you're not a dick anymore. You're — You're a good guy... and you make her happy."

 Robin knew that Scarlet still struggled her way through life; even if Robin had only just become privy to some of the reasons why — namely monsters and superpowers — it was as clear as day that Scarlet thought the very same things. She was always self-deprecating, and though it always came across as a jest or a lighthearted joke, Robin had always known there was a harsh truth behind them.

 Scarlet judged herself far too severely and shouldered the failures of everyone around her.

 Steve's foot tapped against the ground for a few beats, his heavy breathing joining the sound before Robin finally spared him and spoke once more, "I bet she'd disagree with all of that. You know she cares about you... to be honest, she probably thinks the same things about herself."

 He knew she was right; Scarlet always slapped a smile on her face and pretended as though nothing could get beneath her skin, but they could all see something lurking there, threatening to pull her under. She was strong and pushed it aside... but Steve hated it.

 He blinked, "Do you think —"

 "— That she likes you? Of course she does, dingus." Robin finally bit the bullet and slid beneath the stall that separated them. Now she had a clear look at his face, the worry he chewed into his lip, the fear in his eyes... the way his fingers rattled, "I think... that she's scared. I hate to say it, but I don't know everything about her, she's not — she's not open like that. What I do know is that something's hurt her, and I just think... that maybe she's protecting herself from being hurt again."

 "I wouldn't —"

 "I know, I know." Robin's hands were up in surrender. God, she knew Steve Harrington would be the last person in the world to try and break Scarlet's heart... but that didn't mean accidents couldn't happen, it didn't mean that he could stop their feelings from fading. It could just... happen sometimes, "Fear's not always rational."

 But her fears were rational, and Steve knew it. He saw first-hand how relationships could crumble out of nowhere. He'd seen it with his mother and father, watched the way his dad became unrecognisable and as his mom became a shell of who she'd once been. He'd been through it with Nancy... Watching as she fell out of love with him, if she ever had loved him.

 So Scarlet's fears were completely rational.

 "Look, Steve." Robin ploughed on, "She might be scared, but I know she likes you. Like you said... who else could put up with those shitty jokes of yours, huh?" She laughed in time with the boy and then swiftly sobered, "You know, some time ago she stayed the night... I woke up after hearing something, and when I turned to look, she was sitting at the window trying to breathe through a panic attack." Robin's eyes tumbled to the floor, nails picking at her own skin, "I tried to help her, but I had no idea what to do. I didn't know certain things about her... things I guess I'll learn about later, I can guess it had something to do with the whole..." She wiggled her fingers, mimicking what Scarlet had done to save them.

 Robin dropped her hands back into her lap; it was so weird to think about. To know that her best friend had superpowers... "I asked her what I could do — if she wanted me to call her dad or something... She asked for you."

 Steve could remember it vividly now. It had been about four months after Scarlet had arrived in Hawkins with her little sister by her side. He'd been home alone when the phone started screaming through his empty home. The lights had been flicked on and he'd almost tripped over his pyjama pants trying to slip down the staircase.

 He'd been bewildered to hear Robin Buckley on the phone at two in the morning. When he'd arrived and picked Scarlet up, they sat in his car for a while; Steve had pulled her close, waiting with utter patience as she sobbed into his shoulder. It had been a dream about Brenner, a dream that felt as though it was real.

 "It was two in the morning," Steve spoke, "You asked me to come and get her... she was shaking when I got to you."

 "So what I'm saying is... she trusts you with whatever horrible things have happened to her. I wish she trusted me, I wish I could have helped her... I hated seeing her like that, especially after she's devoted herself to helping every sorry old idiot she finds. She's my best friend, but you know her better, you understand her more... there's not a single chance she doesn't feel the same for you."

 The hope he'd tried to banish away suddenly blossomed once more, swelling within his gut. Steve knew he sounded pathetic as his voice cracked, yet still, he peered at Robin, "Really?"

 She snorted, "Yes, dingus, really. You have got to talk to her because, quite frankly, I can't keep watching you guys fumble around each other — especially you. You're like a little kid with a crush!"

 Steve laughed alongside her, he couldn't exactly disagree with her, could he? He did nothing but blush and stammer whenever Scarlet directed her infatuating gaze his way... but then Steve's laughter fizzled out on his tongue, hesitant eyes falling to Robin once again. The talk they'd had before drugs were pumped through their veins... He could only hope Robin didn't feel off-put... but then why would she ever develop feelings for him if she knew about Scarlet?

 "What — what about those things you said? Those things about me."

 Robin looked confused for a moment... and then her cheeks puffed out with a bundle of laughter, "I wasn't talking about you! You know, it's shocked me to my very core to find that I actually like you, just not like that. That stuff about me being jealous and obsessed? It isn't because I had a crush on you."

 Robin fiddled with her fingers as she felt her heart crawl up her chest. The furious pounding made it hard to breathe, to think. Only one person knew about Tammy Thompson, and only one person knew that Robin Buckley liked girls... that was Scarlet. Robin had confided mere months after their friendship had blossomed because she had never felt safer.

 Scarlet had never judged... well, no that was a lie. Scarlet judged with Robin; only now they had both boys and girls to judge together. Robin couldn't even begin to describe the utter relief that had crashed over her like a tidal wave when Scarlet had shrugged her shoulders and simply muttered 'You think I'd judge you for that? The real question is... who made you realise that?'

 When Robin had then pointed Tammy out in a crowd, Scarlet had turned her way with a shaking head, 'No way. You're better than this.' she'd said, ignoring every futile attempt Robin had made to defend her little crush.

 It had made her feel normal, as though what she'd said was no big secret at all.

 Now there was something telling her to trust Steve. There was just something about his dorky little face that screamed 'I'll probably forget your secrets, so they're safe with me', but also the way he'd been ready to take the brunt of the beatings just to make sure Robin was alright. The way he'd comforted her, only to find she'd actually been giggling like a maniac. She'd seen another side to him.

 Scarlet trusted him, so Robin knew that she could too.

 "It was because she wouldn't stop staring at you... " Robin swallowed, a hefty lump lodging free, "Tammy Thompson wouldn't stop staring at you, and I wanted her to look at me."

 Now was one of those many moments where Steve Harrington's little handful of brain cells were working overtime. For a beat, he stared blankly, as though trying to gauge if he'd heard her correctly... then, when Robin nodded her head, "But... Tammy Thompson's a girl."

 "Steve."

 "Yeah?" then it struck him like a bat over the head, "Oh."

 Robin's gaze remained fixated on the tiles beneath her, fingers picking at the scabs on her knees, "Oh," she repeated.

 "Holy shit." he leaned further against the wall, fidgeting hands planted within his lap. To be honest, it was the last thing Steve thought would happen. From the look on her face, she expected him to be an ass, to laugh and point like the meatheads in their town would do.

 He couldn't understand why. If anything, Steve's only thought was 'well yeah, why wouldn't you like girls?'. That was how simple it was to him now... Though Tammy Thompson of all people? Really?

 But he could only imagine just how terrified Robin was; from her shaking fingers to her eyes darting back and forth. So Steve finally found his voice, "Tammy Thompson though? Really? She's a total dud."

 Robin's mouth dropped, an affronted look blanketing her face. She wanted to retort, to defend her crush, to swiftly move over the fact that Steve Harrington had accepted what she'd revealed without a second thought... but that's when the bathroom door opened.

 Scarlet had heard every little part of Steve and Robin's conversation; there was a small sliver that felt guilty for listening in to what was very obviously a private conversion; from Steve spilling his feelings, to Robin coming out... But the moment Robin had asked that question...

 'Have you ever been in love?'

 Scarlet hadn't been able to tear herself away. 

 She'd never felt more proud before... For a small town like Hawkins, the people seemed to hate and scorn anybody who might be different; Scarlet experienced it herself... all because of her eyes, and she knew that Lucas had been treated harshly just because of the colour of his skin. So Scarlet knew how judgemental their fellow townfolk could be... and for Robin to trust Steve — it was massive, and she was so very proud.

 As for Steve... all of the things he'd said had shaken her. His vow to ensure he'd never hurt her, the depth in which he liked her... loved her. Scarlet couldn't say she loved Steve, because admitting such a thing would always be seen as a curse. Love. It was a tough subject for Scarlet, it was a hard feeling to digest and dissect.

 But Steve loved her... not for her power, not because of how she looked... but just because of who she was. She'd never doubted him, not really, for Steve had been nothing but kind and absolutely, well, smitten. She could see the light in his eyes, the way he'd stare for just a little bit too long... and there were those cheeks of his; the ones that would erupt red with even the slightest tease.

 Now it was out there, now that Steve had finally gotten those feelings off his chest... there was just something different between knowing, and actually hearing him confess. The softness of his voice had enraptured her, the despair when he'd spoken ill of himself...

 She couldn't keep away. So it was decided, Scarlet Hopper would finally let herself have something. She'd finally reach out and achieve the happiness she'd been craving. Scarlet Hopper was going to push that fear away — after all, if she broke her own heart by finally reaching out... maybe Steve's would stay intact.

 Scarlet had been sat with butterflies fluttering around her stomach, leaning against the wall beside the bathroom door. She'd been waiting for the right opportunity to inside... she tried before Robin had spoken but she'd backed out, just as always.

 Now, Scarlet Hopper was resolute; she would tell Steve, and now that the decision had been made, the stubborn part of her wouldn't let her run away again. So... when Steve berated Robin for her choice in women, that's when Scarlet knew she could trail inside. After all, Scarlet had poked fun at Robin time and time again for her crush on Tammy Thompson... there were so many better choices!

 A hearty breath was sucked in, because who knew how they'd soon be exiting the bathroom? Would everything crumble between them? Or maybe... just maybe, Scarlet and Steve would have a shot at happiness. God know they needed it after everything that'd happened.

 And everything that was soon to transpire.

 With a shaky exhale, Scarlet pushed open the door and slapped a smile onto her face, "I might have overheard you talking about Tammy..." Robin's face went pink, "I hate to say I told you so, but I really did tell you, Rob."

 "Wait..." Steve's brows furrowed as he looked between the two, "What?"

 Robin only brushed his words away, "She's known for a while," then she plastered on her most offended look, "Tammy's cute!"

 Scarlet could feel Steve's gaze burning into her cheek; she could only imagine the questions running through his head. It was obvious from the slight wobble of his smile that he was hoping Scarlet had only heard a sliver of their conversation.

 Scarlet pressed on, taking a step across the gleaming tiles, "Steve's right, she's a dud! You could do a thousand times better and you know it."

 Robin shook her head in utter disbelief; how dare the two of them team up against her! It was supposed to be her and Scarlet berating and teasing Steve until he crumbled into a pile of ashes. She couldn't believe it, "I hate you both!"

 "You love us."

 "Whatever," Robin groaned, planting her skull against the wall, "Come on, join us. Sit on this gross ass floor, next to this gross ass toilet, with gross little Stevie."

 Steve didn't even bother to retort, he did feel gross. He smelt it too.

 Scarlet felt her face scrunch up, finally registering the stale and putrid smell of the bathroom... so before taking a seat beside either of them, she pointed a firm finger towards the sinks, "I'm not going anywhere near you if you have puke breath. Go and wash."

 Steve and Robin shared a look. They seemed to contemplate making a retort; perhaps to tease the firmness of her voice, or perhaps the way she bossed them about like a mother — they assumed she'd learnt that from the Chief. But, eventually, Robin coughed to clear a tickle in the back of her throat and almost sent herself hurtling towards the toilet from the smell.

 So, the two of them pulled themselves up and hauled their asses towards the sink. Robin doused her face and neck before swiftly filling her mouth with handfuls of water, promptly spitting it back out until she felt as fresh as a daisy... however wilted that daisy may have been.

 Steve wasn't far behind. He splashed his face, scrubbing away the tiredness in his eyes... though he didn't have as careful and gentle a hand as Scarlet, for he poked a bruise then sent him groaning into the steady stream of water.

 He soon blinked and lifted his head, wiping away any remnants from his lips, "You still have that gum?"

 Scarlet fished it from her pocket and tossed it his way. She heaved herself onto the counter, hands slipping into a puddle of water. She watched them both as they laughed, wiping away droplets from their cheeks, as they scrambled to freshen their breaths with strawberry-flavoured gum... It was nice. Robin didn't have many friends, often keeping to herself because her sparky attitude and fidgety self didn't seem to appeal to many, while Steve had lost most of his friends during his turn of attitude and morals.

 So it was nice to see the two of them getting along, especially when both of them meant so much to her.

 "Hey," Robin chimed, tossing the half-empty pack of gum back, "Why are you smiling like some proud mom?"

 Scarlet snorted, "Nah, just thinking about how Tammy Thompson wants to become a singer."

 "Yeah, she wants to move to like, Nashville and shit," Steve added on, leaning against the counter, his hip bumping Scarlet's knees. He'd been subjected to Tammy Thompsons God-awful singing time and time again at school.

 Every basketball game started with a hardly held note. Every swimming competition had a poor rendition of the national anthem... Steve had been sure after the third time that his hearing would never be the same again. He mourned it, he truly did.

 Robin's voice rose higher than they'd heard it, "She has dreams!"

 "She can't even hold a tune. She's practically tone-deaf, have you heard her? I have! I'm pretty sure I'll be deaf by thirty!"

 Scarlet could certainly attest to that... and she knew Robin could too, "Don't you remember, Rob?" Scarlet laughed, "When we went to the store, and she was in the next aisle belting like Madonna? I thought our ears were going to bleed!"

 They'd only gone for a tub or two of ice cream to eat with the movie Robin had chosen... sure they might have piled the cart high than necessary with things they certainly didn't need, but then they'd heard it. They had finally gotten to the ice cream section of the store when they heard something so eerily similar to an old train horn. Even Robin had blinked and promptly plugged her ears.

 Turns out, as they rounded the corner to see which woodland creature had gotten caught in a beartrap... it was none other than Tammy fricken' Thompson. The mortification upon Robin's features was a look Scarlet would never forget, nor let Robin ever live down.

 "Oh come on! You're just being dramatic!" Robin groaned as she slammed the palms of her hands against her flushed and freckled cheeks, "Stop!"

 And they did stop. Only for three seconds before Steve began to gurgle out some lyrics. It was entirely off-key and utterly awful... but Scarlet was truly enraptured with how very accurate he was. It sounded just like her.

 Scarlet couldn't help the swell of laughter that bubbled in her throat and tumbled from her tongue. It felt so strange to have been laughing with every inch of her being, even despite the looming threat around the corner, and the way their day had already proceeded. But it felt good.

 Even Robin started to crumble, her resolve turning to ash as her lips curled higher. Then she laughed, trying still to defend her crush, "She does not sound like that!"

 Scarlet leaned back, hands residing on her stomach, "She sounds exactly like that, are you kidding?!"

 "He sounds like a muppet!"

 "So does she!" Scarlet and Steve chimed in sync all the while Robin teetered to the side, leaning softly against the counter. She settled, laughter stilling and not because the duo were making fun of her... They could have been laughing at her, at the fact that she wasn't like them. But somehow, Robin Buckley had managed to find two people that were, instead, laughing at her choice of girls.

 She felt warm, lucky even. She'd never have thought that King Steve and Hawkin's newest superhero would have been the two to make her finally feel welcomed; as though she actually belonged. All of those years of keeping her few friends at arm's length just to protect herself; it had been so tiring, heartbreaking.

 Robin Buckley felt free... and loved.

 She stared at them, watching as Steve leaned into Scarlet, his cheeks burning from the width of his smile. The way Scarlet gravitated towards him as though it was second nature; her hand was curled around his arm, using him as a crutch.

 Steve kept opening his eyes, his wide-brown gaze drinking in Scarlet's laughter. Her smile, her lips... Robin huffed, a smile forming. It was about time the two of them were left alone with no choice but to finally talk.

 She patted Steve's arm, neither being able to fully contain their laughter, "I'm going to find Dustin, stay here, okay?"

 Then she walked away, the bathroom door slamming shut behind her as their small moment of laughter and solace finally faded away... yet, even so, Robin found her content smile never leaving her lips. 

━━━━━━━

09-05-2020

edited version: 15/11/2022

:·ﾟ★PHEW this chapter was LONG but I really wanted to include Steve and Robin's talk, it's such a pivotal moment for both of them, as well as the development of their friendship. plus, I wanted Scarlet to have overheard everything so we can finally have everything out in the open. 

She's obviously known that Steve has liked her for some time now, but has always been too scared to let anything happen... but as we can tell from the last chapter, she's slowly been letting him closer and closer and doesn't find herself forcing restraint.

can you guess what'll happen next chapter? ;)

meme above sums up this chapter, really x