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Robin didn’t understand why she volunteered to go with Nancy. She clearly hadn’t thought this through.
They had been in the library flipping through pages and pages of files for at least two hours now. Nancy did say it was a shot in the dark but this was going nowhere. Speaking of Nancy, Robin kept stealing glances at her. She was infatuated with her. Nancy filled her mind with so many questions, she doesn’t remember the last time someone made her feel like that. She was reminiscent of Sigourney Weaver in Alien, from the stories that Steve would tell her of how Nancy “The Priss” Wheeler managed to fend off monsters with a shotgun. It was totally badass. She couldn’t believe that the girl who did all of that was the same girl who glared at her every time Robin opened her mouth to speak.
She remembered meeting her for the first time at the movie theater she worked at sophomore year. The dark-haired girl had been crying in the bathroom over Barb Holland. She barely even knew her but felt the need to comfort her. They met once again at Starcourt, Nancy had been cautious of her from the start.
It’s been a whole year since then, and they’ve only talked a couple of times. Maybe it was a good thing they didn’t talk much because the tension that filled the room was almost palpable. It was just Nancy after all, there was absolutely no reason to get so nervous around her. It’s just her: with her perfectly curled hair, bright blue eyes, the way she looks at her—
Okay. That’s enough.
She was getting a little sidetracked. She was probably just stressed. Yeah! That was definitely it! No underlying feelings here.
She wanted to say something, anything to rid them of the tension that hung in the library. She felt the words deep in her throat. She called her name uneasily to no avail. A few seconds later she knocked on the desk, getting her attention. She swallowed hard and took a deep breath.
“So… What are we looking for exactly?”
But Nancy fixed her with an articulate gaze. Her responses were filled with venom. Robin couldn’t place why. The brunette seemed to take herself way too seriously. It was the only feature that Nancy had that Robin could find any fault with.
Despite the fact that she knows better than to judge someone before fully knowing them, Nancy Wheeler still was a bit of a priss. She hated to admit it but, It was thrilling to know that with each syllable that left her lips, Nancy was annoyed. She would almost go as far to say that they were completely incompatible. Even so, Nancy’s cold words couldn’t dissuade the desire that Robin had to get to know her. The last girl she was friends with was Barbara Holland, who coincidentally left her to be friends with Nancy. They had her in common. But a dead friend to bond over wasn’t exactly the best foundation for a friendship. Though, she wouldn’t mind being wrong in this case.
They’ve tried to rearrange and go through all the news articles about Victor Creel, though the passage of many years made it difficult to find something that was useful. Sweating and fumbling, she flipped through countless documents. Occasionally her gaze would rest on something in the basement archives. That was it. If there was anything on family murdering demons, it would be right in here.
None of them said a word while she flipped through articles. Nancy leaned in, closing in the space between them. Robin restrained herself from staring for too long. She could have just moved away from her. But she didn’t. Her heart was racing yet she didn’t want her to know that.
“Elvis cloned by aliens,” Disdain filled her voice. It was almost comical how serious she sounded. She wondered if Nancy had a sense of humor.
“You never know.” She blurted out. She wanted to hide her head in her hands, rip her hair out strand-by-strand, anything to make her disappear. Despite her shame, she found herself paying close attention to all the details of Nancy’s heart-shaped face and the way her eyes rolled back in her head at Robin’s comment. It made her blush more than she’d care to admit. They held eye contact for a few seconds before Nancy turned away and stalked off to the other side of the library. Robin frowned, she was sure she had what they needed and they would find something useful in here. So, she decided to keep going.
This was it! She found something! She practically glowed with pride. She didn’t feel the need to prove her worth to Nancy but it was gratifying to know that she did something right by her impossibly high standards.
“Victor Creel claims: Vengeful demon killed family. The murder that shocked a small community!”
“Ha ha. That’s very funny.” She responded dryly.
“I’m not kidding. Get over here.”
She continued to read the article, occasionally stopping to share a puzzled glance with Nancy.
“This is exactly what we were looking for. Nice job, Robin.” Nancy’s expression softens. She could have sworn she heard some sort of admiration in Nancy’s voice.
—————–––––––—
They’ve come a long way since the library. To say she would be there to support her would be an understatement, through everything that they went through Robin felt like Nancy provided something that she never had in her life that she desperately needed. It wouldn’t be crazy to say that Robin adored her. A few years earlier, Nancy Wheeler probably had no idea she even existed. Now she found herself teaming up with her as friends… Officially. Nancy had an air of determination around her that she envied deeply. She would talk with pride about how she and Jonathan would head for Boston, away from all of this. Robin understood the urge. Sometimes she was completely overcome by her desire to leave Hawkins forever and never look back.
When she landed on the mattress in the Upside Down, she saw Nancy reach her hand out to help her up, Robin’s spirits soared.
Her spirits were then crushed as she remembered what had happened earlier. When Vickie met Robin’s gaze at Warzone, her heart had shattered. She looked back on all the times she gushed about Vickie to Steve with hurt. Of course she had a boyfriend, she had been so stupid to think that there was something there.
Steve had assured her that if she wanted to talk, he’d listen. She insisted she didn’t care and obviously there were bigger problems to focus on. This was true but Steve didn’t seem to buy it. She cherished the way Steve genuinely cared for her. She couldn’t ask for a better friend. Truly.
“It’s her loss, I know you’ll find someone better for you.” Steve comforted her, giving her a hug. When they pulled away, he happened to notice Robin’s gaze fell on Nancy.
“How long has this been going on Buckley?” A sly smile creeps its way onto Steve’s face.
“Shut up! I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She playfully punched his shoulder. What a dingus.
They had been walking through the Upside Down for what felt like hours. Thinking back on past conversations wasn’t the best use of her time, though she couldn’t do much of anything else.
Robin had been uncharacteristically quiet. It seemed like Nancy picked up on this because of the looks she’d been giving her since Steve and Robin talked. She clearly knew something was up because moments later, Nancy put a hand on her shoulder and looked up at her with pure sympathetic eyes.
“Robin, is there something wrong? You’re not acting like.. yourself.” Concerned laced her voice. Nancy’s cold and calculated tone that she had in the library was now replaced with one of affection. Robin was amazed at how quickly she managed to change after getting to know her better.
“I’m fine. I swear! I've just got a lot on my mind y'know? I mean I don’t think any of us are doing so hot right now with Vecna and everything so there are worse things happening.” She added quickly, “Don’t worry about me, I’ll be okay. It’s you I’m worried about. Besides, you could’ve been killed earlier, and now this. Not to mention we’re walking through this hellhole.”
These awkward ramblings keep happening when she’s around Nancy, she tries so hard to stay calm but the words keep spilling out faster than her brain can comprehend it. “Shit! I’m doing it again aren’t I?”
“There you are.” Nancy responded with a sweet smile. “I’ve missed you.” If she noticed Robin was hiding her feelings behind the thin veil of her messy ramblings, she didn’t say anything. She was grateful for that. Robin really didn’t feel like pouring her heart out at this moment.
She turned toward Nancy to speak, but she moved her gaze from hers. They fell into silence which wasn’t exactly unpleasant when she was with Nancy. However, she longed to have deeper conversations with the shorter girl. She wished she could be her full authentic self around her but the slight chance of losing Nancy because of it was too much for Robin to handle. She daydreamed about what the future would be like after they defeated Vecna. Robin could see herself having sleepovers with Nancy. Painting each other’s nails, watching movies they rented from Family Video, talking until the sun comes up. Maybe then she’d tell her how she felt.
“Uh…I .. don’t mean to freak anyone out but- I swear we’ve seen this tree before.”
“That’s impossible.”
“That would suck,, right?” She continued. “If Vecna destroyed the world because we got lost in the woods.”
“We’re not lost, Robin.” Nancy responded in a playful tone that made Robin laugh, mostly out of nervousness. Robin thought she had heard fear in her voice, but she seemed determined to stay positive, so she played along. That was another thing, Wheeler had a way of making Robin incredibly nervous. She couldn’t help the words from pouring out of her whenever she was around and Nancy seemed to hang on to every word. It was one thing to have someone pay attention to you, but it was a whole other thing when they actually care about what you have to say. She almost saw it as a comfort. Of course her and Steve got along very well but this was different. Being with Nancy felt like home to her.
“Robin, Hey! Watch out for the vines!! The hivemind. Remember?” Nancy’s voice cut through her thoughts, her voice filled with unease. Was she just being nice or was she really worried about me? In any case, her answer would be the same.
“Aww shucks, look at Wheeler getting all worried about me!!” She teased, a grin spreading across Robin’s face as she thanked her and ran off.
“Please be careful Robin.” Steve called out behind her. He was always looking after her which is something she deeply appreciated.
Flashing a smile and a thumbs up, she ran ahead and almost immediately tripped over her own feet, earning a few mocking comments from Steve. Before running off she snuck a glance behind her, Steve and Nancy seemed to be deep in conversation. She was insistent on pushing them together at first but with every close interaction they’ve had, Robin felt a tug of her heartstrings. Playing matchmaker was insanely difficult for someone who had no luck when it came to relationships. Not only that but Robin’s attachment to Nancy especially might present problems in the future. She decided that wasn’t something to worry about until after they’ve all made it out alive.
Upon approaching the Creel house, she could feel a sense of fear that surpassed anything she’s ever felt before. It was like they were approaching sudden death. The evil that surrounded the house was huge, dark, and threatening. There was a time when Robin would have scoffed if someone were to tell her that under our world there was an alternate dimension filled with monsters. But this was very real. She gave serious consideration to turning around, bringing Steve and Nancy with her and getting the hell out of Hawkins. Operation Croissant wasn’t completely off the table at this point.
Within the first step in the doorway she was filled with dread. She noticed the vines that riddled the floor and winced. Her lack of coordination would be the death of her.
“Shit…” In an impulsive moment of fear, Robin reached for Nancy’s hand.
“It’s okay. You got this.” Nancy looked up at her with a small smile and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be right behind you I promise.”
Robin nodded and cautiously took a step forward. With monumental restraint, she untwined their hands. Regret hit her instantly as the cold air grazed her empty hand. Now wasn’t the time to mourn the loss of her warm grasp.
The house shook and Robin clung to Nancy desperately to not fall. She hoped Nancy didn't notice just how flustered she was.
“S-sorry!” She sputtered, earning an amused glance from Nancy.
She instantly felt something grab ahold of her leg and slither its way around it. Hesitantly she lowered her head and to no surprise she knew exactly what got her.
It was the vines.
Aside from exchanging a horrified look with Steve and Nancy, there wasn’t any time to do anything but let out a loud shriek before she was slammed against the wall.
“STEVE!… NANCY!!” She cried out with more urgency than she’s ever had in her entire life. Being drugged and tied to Steve in a secret Russian base under Starcourt mall didn’t look half as bad compared to this.
Nancy didn’t even waste a second before sprinting over to her, weapon in hand, fighting to get her out of the constraints of the vines.
“Hang on Robin, we’re right here! I’m here.” She added quietly. It occurred to Robin that she was Nancy’s first real friend since Barb. She couldn’t bear to lose another friend. Based on her urgency, Nancy must’ve been thinking that too.
“Nance, I-If I die I feel like I should tell you something. I don’t wanna lose my only chance..” The incident with the vines had short circuited any chance of Robin revealing her feelings with dignity.
“Don’t say that..” Nancy’s voice was more hushed than before. Robin pretended not to notice the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. “You’re going to make it.”
“But-“ she started before being cut off by Steve.
“Robin, now's not really the time for this!” Robin had never seen Steve this panicked, it almost scared her.
“Steve, please!” She decided she would do it, what other choice did she have? She wanted Nancy to know how much she meant to her.
Nancy waited, saying nothing.
Her throat became increasingly dry. Not just because of the vines that threatened to tighten around her neck, but her nerves were starting to get the best of her.
—————–––––––—
Nancy’s room was exactly what she expected. She found it endearing, even the Tom Cruise poster that hung on her bedroom wall that Nancy claimed was old. It was so very… her. She found herself going through her cassettes despite Nancy’s protests. She scoffed looking at how many Madonna cassettes were on her dresser. So predictable, Wheeler. She thought to herself, picking up more. A certain cassette caught her eye and made her smirk.
“Blondie? I didn’t know you had good taste Wheeler, so full of surprises!”
“Uhm- Yeah!” She fumbled over her words. That was new. “Anyway, put those down and c'mere, I’m going to do your makeup.” She grabbed her hands, leading her to the bed, making Robin blush profusely.
“Do you mind if I get closer?” Without waiting for a reply, Nancy leaned in, eyes fluttering as she applied lip gloss. Her gaze fixated on Robin’s lips. She notices this and immediately feels her heart start to race. She could have melted right there and then. She moves on to doing her mascara. Once again, the space between them becomes scarce. She did not move. She sat there with her arms at her side, breathing softly. When Nancy turned away to grab more products, she brought her hands to her face to suppress the blush that spread across her cheeks.
“You okay there Buckley? I didn’t poke your eye out did I?”
“No. I’m just super uncomfortable in this,” This wasn’t exactly a lie, the pink frilly blouse didn’t exactly help, if anything it made her feel much worse.
“You’ll be fine. It won’t kill you.”
“Are you sure this is really necessary?”
“Just trust me. You’ll look great.” Nancy hummed.
There is another long silence. Her hand guides up to tilt Robin’s chin closer. A mindless act she does to apply more makeup but it drives Robin wild. She thinks of just how easy it would be to lean forward and plant a kiss on Nancy’s lips. The thought makes her tremble.
“You and Steve are quite the duo, huh?” Nancy started. Robin’s eyes shot open. Not this again.
“Uh-Yeah? I don’t like him though. I mean– I do like him, He’s my best friend, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him! But we’re just not… like that.” She said, “There’s nothing to worry about, I won’t make a move on him. He might’ve liked me at one point but he’s certainly not my type.” Robin smirked. She could tell Nancy wanted to say something else but she bit her tongue and furrowed her brow, clearly deep in thought. That wasn’t the response Nancy was expecting.
“So what is your type?” Nancy pressed. She had moved on from doing Robin’s makeup to doing her hair.
“Hmm,” She thought for a moment before answering, “For starters, I'd want someone who’d tolerate my rambles.” She stifled a laugh.
“I like them.”
“Wha- what?”
“Your rambles, I mean. I’m sorry if I seemed annoyed with you before, I actually find them cute.” There was a glimmer of delight in her eyes.
She found it… Cute? This wasn’t the same Nancy that was annoyed with her in the library. There was something about her that changed, about Nancy’s demeanor. Something softer. Something Robin is beginning to grow fond of. She couldn’t like her. Nancy Wheeler. The priss?
Nope. Absolutely not.
That wasn’t possible.
Right?
—————–––––––—
Despite being suffocated the words spilled out of her in shuddered rasps. She fought with the vines to speak.
“Nance, remember what I told you about Steve liking me? That’s true, but I left something out. I never told you why I rejected him.” Time to rip the band-aid off Buckley. No turning back now.
“I like girls.” Robin said, her mouth dry. “I figured I’d tell him because I trusted him and that was so hard.” She swallowed, Nancy remained still and it scared her.
“I got scared—I mean, really really scared. I’ve always been kind of a loner and he was the first person since Mr. Hauser that I truly saw as a friend. Then you came around and that changed everything. You make me feel safe. With you everything seems so much easier and I cherish you a lot. I would have told you earlier, but I was terrified. I don’t want to lose you.” Tears began to form in her eyes and she was unable to stop them. She was incapable of speaking now, the words hung in her throat as another vine strangled her.
Nancy was completely silent. She didn’t know if she was thinking horrible things about her, but she did know that the expression she saw on her face was closer to panic and shock rather than anger. Whatever the emotion was, it was far too late for her to say anything as another vine found its way around her ankle, throwing her into the opposite-facing wall. They’re forced to look at each other. Shortly after Steve is next to fall victim to the vines.
It was a nightmare. Endlessly, she felt the anguish of herself being suffocated, her life laid out right in Vecna’s hands to do whatever he desired with it. Her eyes darted between Steve and Nancy, she was terror-stricken by the fact they were barely holding it together as well. In all her miserable existence, there was nothing worse than this. Robin convulsed, choking back a sob. She finally found someone who made her want to be the best version of herself, someone she was beginning to love, and now they were going to die. It wasn’t fair.
Half an hour went by and Robin was so grateful none of them succumbed to the vines. The vines started to descend, some unknown force had saved them. Her breath was returned to her. The fact that Nancy and Steve’s screams had stopped might have been good for Robin’s state of mind, but she was more alarmed at the potential sight of them when the vines untangled than she would have been at the screams. She couldn’t help but fear for the worst as they collapsed onto the floor.
Steve lay on the ground with Nancy beside him, his knees drawn up. When she saw they were okay, she brightened, visibly relaxed, and breathed out a sigh of relief.
Nancy instantly rushed over to Robin, her hands reaching up to cup her face.
“Robin, are you okay?” She said tenderly. Robin nodded in response. Nancy swiped away the strands of dirty blonde hair that covered Robin’s eyes.
“I don’t believe in a higher power or divine intervention but that was a miracle.” She breathed out.
“We better not waste it.” Nancy pulled Robin closer into a deep kiss. Her eyes widened and she let out a whimper of pleasure. it was even better than Robin could have ever dreamed it would be. It was so intimate, despite being in the Upside Down, she couldn’t have felt more safe. She started to kiss back as if her life depended on it. She practically melted in Nancy’s embrace.
“Nance,” Robin breathes.
“We’ll talk about this later.” She grinned before helping her up. Robin wasn’t sure there would be a later, in other words, they might very well still be in danger. However, for the time being, she held onto the warmth of Nancy’s hand.