Chapter Text
Her parents took them both home from the mall parking lot when they realised that no one was coming for Steve. It also might've been because of her pleading and crying to not be separated from Steve. And maybe because her mom caved after taking one look at the boy, who just looked so pathetic, like a puppy that had been kicked several times just to be left out in the rain somewhere on the backroad. Being separated from him seemed almost unthinkable for Robin.
So, he came with them, slurring a bit when he talked, and eventually telling them that his parents weren't even in the country. So, "of course he can stay, honey. But he sleeps on the couch." her mom had said. Her dad just looked concerned when he brought up taking Steve to a hospital and the boy that was holding her hand, squeezed it unbelievably tight and just shook his head frantically, whimpering when it made his headache worse. So, no hospital.
When they got home, her mom helped them get cleaned up and took care of their, or rather Steve's, wounds. First, she made them drink a big cup of water, and then made them hot chocolate, which they sipped while being huddled together on the couch. Steve was wearing a pair of Robin's sweatpants that she always wore one size too big and a T-Shirt from her dad. All of her shirts were a bit too tight on his bruises. They both wore socks with little bunnies on them, which they found utterly amusing in their delirious state.
Meanwhile her dad tried to get in contact with the Harringtons, or even find out where they went - but nothing.
When the time came, they had to separate to go sleep in different rooms. Robin's initial sleepiness was immediately replaced with dread. She didn't exactly know where it came from, just that she felt like something was missing and she got scared.
It didn't take long for Steve to come up into her room, also not being able to sleep without her.
"Robin? 'M sorry. But 're you 'wake?" He mumbled, still slurring and holding his head.
"Stevie, come here." She sat up and held up her blanket for him to climb in.
"B't your parents..."
"I don't care, this is more important. Do you need another pill for your headache?"
" 's fine."
"Steeeevee...." She raised an eyebrow at him. He sighed in defeat, which was enough for her. She plopped another pill out of the blister in her nightstand and took the glass of water on it to give it to Steve. He dutifully took both while she went downstairs to get another ice pack for him.
Finally, they both shuffled down beneath the covers in tandem and Robin reached beneath her pillow and presented Quinny to him. She was a small little Jelly-fish plush from back when Robin was a child and had an "ocean phase."
He furrowed his brows. "What? Who's dis?"
"This is my most beloved Quinny. She has fought off many bad dreams since I was ten. And I think she should defend your dreams tonight." She was unsure about this being the right thing to do. But, he just looked so much like a little child that didn't know what to do with himself that she had to do something.
She gently put the little jellyfish into the crook of Steve's neck and he took Quinny into his hands, holding her like she was the most precious thing he'd ever seen. When he looked up at Robin again, his eyes were filling with tears and his lip began to wobble.
"Do you not like her?" Robin was already reaching for her plush when Steve pressed Quinny gently to his chest and shook his head. He didn't scrunch his brows this time, leading Robin to believe his headache was getting better.
"I like her so much. It's just....I..." he took a deep breath. "I haven't had a plushie since I was 8. My mom took them away from me right after my birthday."
"Oh, Steve." A tear slipped out of her eye and something in her throat tightened.
This was the saddest thing she ever heard and a part in her just wanted to tuck him into a big fluffy blanket with all the plushies in the world and just hold him. She couldn't believe how wrong she had been about this boy. This stupid, stupid, bagel-crumb spitting boy. It had all been a facade.
Instinctively, she reached for him and took one of his hands, holding it as softly as she could without letting go. "The first thing we're gonna do when you're alright again is go to a toy store and you get to pick one. As your birthday present."
"My birthday was in April."
"And...? Did I get you something?"
He frowned. "You didn't know me or like me back then anyway."
"But I like you now."
"You don't like me." He chuckled bitterly. "Not really."
"Yes, I do, Steve. I don't exactly know why right now - no offense, my brain is fried - but Stevie, I, surprisingly, really like you. And I trust you with my life." She carded her hands through his hair, and he sighed again - this time it sounded more content, and she saw a small smile curving the edges of his lips.
"I really like you, too. Everything else - you know... About me being in love with you -" he coughs self-consciously. "- it will pass eventually, I promise. I just need you in my life." And he looked at her with such sincerity that she took his shaking hands, still clinging to Quinny.
She couldn't believe that it took this long for the universe to put this boy - also... a boy - in her path. And for this boy to become this important to her in such a short time. She looked at Steve, who looked at her with so much... she didn't know what to name it... in his eyes, and she just felt safe. She shuffled forward to envelop him in a hug, whispered a 'thank you' into his hair, let herself be held tight. When the hug ended, they just stayed that way, too tired to move again. Wrung out over everything, really.
And when Robin's mom looked into her bedroom the next morning to check on her and found them entangled, but looking content for the first time since she picked them up, no worry etched into their faces, she pushed down her first instinct to get that boy out of her daughter’s bed and just closed the door quietly. She just felt like her kid needed this right now, and she was right.
