Chapter Text
Nancy's POV
"How long do we have?" Robin asked, her voice scratchy from sleep.
The sun hadn't yet risen, though the occasional bird chirped to signal its upcoming arrival. The nightmare of being caught startled them awake, so they forced themselves to stir, clean themselves up, and re-dress before anyone could see them naked.
"A couple hours, at least. My dad gets up early but not this early," Nancy whispered as she stepped into her pajama pants while watching Robin put her shirt back on.
As they both crawled back into bed, huddling close underneath the covers, she whispered, "Okay, great, 'cause I am dreading the ride home."
"You took your bike?"
"Mhm."
"Do you want me to teach you how to drive?"
When they woke up, they had shifted their cuddling position to spooning, with Robin keeping Nancy safe in her arms. This time they settled in facing each other, Robin purposefully lowering herself so Nancy would feel taller. She needed to curl her legs in to prevent her feet from sticking out between the bars of the bed frame.
"Cars are over-rated," Robin decided.
That reminded Nancy, "You didn't stash your mellophone in the bushes, did you?"
"Huh? No way— that thing is worth more than my life. I just left it in the band room storage closet. It's not like I need to practice it anymore. I'm switching to—"
"Trumpet. Yeah, I remember."
"You're so cool," Robin mumbled into her chest.
"You think so?"
"Mhm," her tone suddenly shifted more serious, "Hey, you don't think your mom is gonna think I'm non-committal if I change what I play, do you?"
"No," Nancy chuckled, "I don't think her test was that literal."
"That's good. 'Cause I'm loyal. You've got me, Nance. Did you hear how smokin' hot you were earlier? I heard how hot you were. So sexy…" she trailed off, no doubt replaying the events in her head.
Heard, she specified. Robin complimented what she said, not how she looked. In fact, she hadn't commented on Nancy's physical appearance once. It was obvious Robin liked looking at her— Nancy watched her do it. But… there were other more important things to compliment, weren't there? Though, her vocabulary had simplified significantly, which definitely meant—
"You're tired, Robin. Let yourself sleep."
"But I like you," she protested, looking up with those pretty eyes of hers like she was wounded.
"Alright," Nancy sighed, relenting a little, "Can I… ask you something?"
"Sure, Nance. What's up?"
"Do you think… people will know? About this?" ugh, she was being too vague, "Not us generally, more… what we just did."
Robin put it plainly: "Sex?"
"Y-yes," she admitted, more than a little embarrassed. Not that Nancy was embarrassed to have sex with Robin—it wasn't that at all. More… things hadn't gone so well after the last time she…
"No."
"Really? Because when I lost my virginity it was like everyone knew just by looking at me. The first day back at school last year was awful."
Robin yawned, waking up a little. "That's 'cause Tommy Hagan started spreading rumors about you the second he walked in the door. Steve kicked his ass the moment he found out."
"What? He never told me that. He just said he realized what an asshole Tommy was and they stopped being friends."
"That's one way to put it. If it helps, everyone moved on pretty fast. The Hawkins High rumor mill is ever-churning. But no, I highly doubt anyone—" Robin cut herself off, scrunching her face up in horror.
"What?"
Forcing her face to relax, she said slowly, "Your dad… is snoring."
Nancy had to close her eyes to listen for it. The faintest rise in volume could be heard from across the house, muffled by multiple walls. A low and repetitive gargle unmistakably sourced from Ted Wheeler.
"How could you hear that?"
"Magic ears. I'm incredibly perceptive. So yeah, everyone in this house is exhausted. No movement, no doors, nothing. And… my parents won't know. There's no way. And if they do suspect I got it on, they'll think it was with a guy."
Ah, that guy was probably Steve. Poor Robin. She deserved to be able to tell at least someone in her family about her liking girls. Being in a relationship. Nancy was definitely going to have to tell her mom about being in one now.
Though, the look of, Nancy, you didn't just commit to her— you claimed her! was probably acknowledgement enough.
"Did you tell them you'd sleep over here?" she asked.
"No. I uhh… didn't tell them anything. I had the thought to call, but… I dunno," Robin was definitely awake now. She scooted up so they were more level in the conversation. "Better to ask for forgiveness than permission, right? They're always so disappointed I'm home all the time, but then when I want to do things that are wild and free they backpedal. Maybe that's why they're here instead of living out of a VW van driving up and down the PCH."
"The what?"
"The Pacific Coast Highway," she clarified, then continued right where she left off, "They just wanted the memories of freedom without the consequences. They settled down, so look, nothing to worry about! Everything's normal here! They want me to have those memories too, without realizing that in order for me to have them, I need to actually experience being free first. But I don't just want memories— I don't want to leave myself in the past like this is something I need to grow out of."
Remembering the pictures hanging up in the Buckley's front room, Nancy tried to recall the expressions of Robin's parents. They looked happy back then. Always in a new place, surrounded by friends. Did they look the same amount of happy in the picture of hippie Christmas? Were they happy to be a sanitized version of themselves in order to meet Hawkins' standards? Were they happy now?
Were Nancy's parents?
Nancy couldn't be, if she had to live like them. There was no way Robin could be.
She said gently, "You said Mr. Hauser gave you advice on how to…"
"Survive the Hawkins monster. Yeah, he did. Work within the system. Make change slowly. Be careful… Fight at the right time, when people will listen. Focus on what you can control and on the things that make you happy now so you can make it to the places where you don't need to hide later."
"He said all that to you?"
"I used to hang out in his classroom a lot. Those weren't his exact words, but… it's what stuck with me. That this doesn't have to last forever."
"So I was on the right track, then."
They said, "Emerson," in tandem.
Robin sighed, "Yeah. But, you know… there's the here and now stuff too. Maybe now that you're going to be higher up on the newspaper team, you can try slipping in an article or two every once and a while about something you actually want to write about. Maybe not the homosexuals right away, but…"
"A profile on a woman who kills it in a male-dominated field," Nancy said, beginning to realize the possibilities.
Robin suggested excitedly, "A piece on how people are so sick of being told how to dress, popular fashion barely gives a shit about gender anymore. Like, have you seen my work uniform?"
"Things that are already happening around us that nobody seems to realize…"
"Nancy Wheeler, you are inspired."
"Great," she huffed, "Now there's no way I'll be able to sleep again."
"Me neither."
"Do you work today?"
Robin rolled her eyes. "Ugh, don't remind me."
"Would it be better if I was there?" she flirted, caressing Robin's cheek.
A grin crept onto her girlfriend's face. "Obviously."
They kissed, and a few hours later they found themselves making out again, this time in the dark alley behind a row of arcade cabinets. Their hearts pounding— the heat between them rising to a fever pitch— their hands gripped each other's clothes out of desperation. Now that all the barriers between them had been broken, there was no reason to hold back.
"Fifteen minutes just isn't long enough," Robin complained, trailing kisses up Nancy's jawline.
"You're sure no one will see us?" she gasped.
They could barely hear themselves talk, so that wasn't an issue. The stage show blared through the main area, distracting the kids and forcing the adults to corral them. Her brother and his friends hadn't yet found themselves at the games.
"Positive. The cameras can't see back here."
"Okay, great," Nancy loosened Robin's tie before pressing her against the back wall. Standing on her toes, she bit at Robin's neck, making her moan so sweetly.
Fifteen minutes earlier, Nancy dropped off Mike and Lucas at a table where Dustin had been waiting for them to arrive and made her way to Robin, who sat posed on her counter wearing a blue bunny-ear headband made entirely of construction paper and Scotch tape. The smug little smirk on her freckled face told Nancy everything. Robin knew exactly what she was doing!
"Trying to be my favorite?" Nancy teased.
"I don't need to try for that."
"That's presumptuous of you. How long has it been? Nine hours?"
"Uh, it's been at least twelve. And don't be mean about the ears! My new pal Tracy made them for me," Robin nodded over to a girl diligently working at a table covered in scraps of brightly colored paper. "I'm sure I could get her to make you a pair, if you're jealous."
"Can't I just wear these?" she reached forward and bent one of the ears down.
"No!" Robin leaned back, thinking Nancy was trying to steal them. When she saw what Nancy actually did, she smiled. "This one's mine. Get your own."
Nancy hummed a condescending high pitch, "My favorite would let me wear them."
"Oooh… see, now that's tricky. Because that's textbook manipulation, Wheeler. You're trying to get me to do what you want by making me think I already want it— and I recognize that— so it's not going to work."
"Even if you do, actually, want it? Damn. Will you ever forgive me?"
She removed her headband, stashing it safely away while doing her best to mimic Nancy's previous hum, "I think I have an idea on how you could make it up to me."
That idea was kissing it better. Repeatedly. In public. So much for being careful. Okay, thought had been put into their make out spot so it wasn't exactly reckless behavior— but they could still theoretically get caught.
Just like how it was the night before, and that was entirely Nancy's (slightly hypocritical) idea. But with Robin things were different. Sex had been less… physically audible. Sure, they shuffled around sometimes. But the bed didn't squeak like it would have with a guy. That sound was unmistakable.
And nobody heard them, so. Checkmate, Hawkins.
"How much longer do we have?" Robin whimpered, her head tilted to the side while Nancy left her mark hidden underneath the collar of Robin's dress shirt.
She pulled away and checked her watch. "Two minutes."
"Shit."
"Do you want to stop?"
"No, but we should."
Nancy kissed Robin's cheek before redoing her top button and resetting her tie. "There, all better. Well, you'll have to stop blushing."
"Yeah? You stop blushing! And your lips are all swollen."
"I was out in the sun yesterday," Nancy shrugged, "and you bruise easily."
That got her worried. "Is it visible?"
"No, Robin. It's fine. There's a good…" she slipped her finger underneath the fabric to check, "half-inch… before it starts."
"Okay, cool," she sighed in relief.
Nancy pat her on the shoulder and held her hand to lead her back out between the cabinets to the rest of the world (and to keep intimate contact for a little longer). They only let go of each other when the party approached, following (who Nancy assumed to be) Max towards the direction of Dig Dug.
"Stop following me, stalkers!" the redhead shouted, her ponytail whipping around as she turned to face them.
"We're not stalking you," Lucas insisted, "We're just…"
Dustin finished, "Being friendly!"
"Yeah?" Max cocked her head. "Well, I'm not looking for new friends at the moment. So you should just go."
They weren't letting up, but Mike and Will gave them plenty of space, not interested in getting involved. Mike was more than uninterested— disgust and repulsion were plastered all over his face, making his nose scrunch up and his mouth hang open. Hopefully when he was older he'd pick up on how to death glare without looking like a fish.
Nudging her shoulder, Robin leaned in to whisper, "I gotta go. You have fun, okay?"
"Yeah, see you later," Nancy nodded, watching her leave.
She turned back to smile again before crossing over the threshold into the dining room. Thinking back on when they first met, when Nancy wanted to know her so badly her heart ached, she realized she finally had an answer. Not every piece was in place— Nancy hadn't forgotten about their talk about Barb. They were almost ready for it, they just needed to find the right time.
But there were enough pieces of Robin in Nancy's head to form a solid picture. Not enough to satiate Nancy's curiosity, but… they'd get there. That's what dating was all about, right? Really getting to know someone.
Robin was Nancy's girlfriend, and she was hers. Holy shit.
They slept together last night… and nothing catastrophic happened. She didn't lose anyone. Everything was okay— more than okay. All they had to do was wait it out. Not biding time, but using it. Enjoy each other's company and the few nice things Hawkins managed to offer before ditching the shithole altogether.
Together, hopefully.
I want to take you to a place where the culture is as clever as you.
Oh, wow. Nancy wondered if she had a place in mind. She said it in French, maybe Paris? They could see a ballet together! Now that was a dream.
"You don't have to stand around and watch us, you know," Mike sneered, annoyed, "We're not babies."
"I'm aware. I was actually going to ask if you wanted to play a few rounds with me, but… if you're not interested…"
"Wait, Nancy, really?" Will asked hopefully.
"Sure, why not?"
Mike scoffed, "Because you hate fun?"
"I do not!" Nancy protested, "I played that session with you guys a few months ago."
"Yeah, you said it yourself: months ago."
"You are in a mood today," Nancy motioned to Will, "You wanna ditch this guy and go play Super Sprint?"
Mike shouted, now very irritated, "Super Sprint goes up to three players!"
"I know, dingus, I was waiting for you to come around."
Did she really just say that? That felt so weird coming out of her mouth. How does she say that so naturally?
"Who says that?!" Mike looked about ready to bash his head through a wall.
"Miss. Robin does," Will offered.
As Mike stormed off, Nancy chuckled at his misery. Her and Will shared a look and she could tell his Spider-Sense was tingling by the way his expression changed into recognition (what? Her nerdy brother constantly watched cartoons). A quiet kid, always observing and keeping his judgments to himself. He'd been called things Nancy wouldn't dare repeat, so she knew out of anyone, he'd get it.
Winking, she put a finger to her lips. Will's eyes widened and he nodded, eagerly, before pretending to zip his lips and throw away the key. She could practically hear his thoughts of, You can do that?! That's an option?!
Nancy couldn't help but smile. She'd tell Robin about it later. Plausible deniability— nobody said anything. It was all up to interpretation, whatever that meant. "Come on," she said, "before Mike loses it."
"Yeah, he's not a fan of Dustin and Lucas trying to add Max to the party," Will explained, following her.
"What do you think of her?"
"She's cool. I think more players is a good thing, but… they aren't really pitching the game well."
"Too distracted by the fact she's a girl?" Nancy dead-panned.
"Yeah," he chuckled, "totally."
"They'll get over it. Dating's over-rated."
Confused, he asked incredulously, "Is it?"
"Totally. You don't see me publicly fawning over a guy, do you? My relationship status is happily single."
"Ah, got it," Will's bright smile even made Mike at his most grumpy soften.
He was already manning the first wheel when they arrived. Nancy took the third so Will could fall in between them. Watching them as the quarters were fed into the machine, Will looked more hopeful and energized than he had in a long time. Mike, once he realized she was actually there to play with them, got competitive in the most little-brother way possible: getting Will to team up with him so they could bully her.
Just this once, she let it slide. After playing a few rounds of Polybius, she kicked their asses on Space Invaders. It was just too "old" for them. They'd mash the shoot button and end up firing basically at random, missing most every target they aimed for past row two. Nancy's attempt, however?
SCORE: 1,210
A new personal best. Even better than when Robin was helping her. Which, wasn't all that surprising; that girl's presence was maddening. Nancy couldn't wait to tell her.
Before she had to leave and take Lucas back home before dinner, Nancy stopped by the prize counter one more time. A few kids were perusing her offerings, picking out prizes one-by-one, deliberating with great care, like it was one of the most important decisions they'd make in their lives. Being silly, Robin would comment on their selections, putting on a show so every part of the Fazbear experience felt magical.
She was even wearing the Bonnie ears again. What a tease.
"Oh, Nance! Just in time," Robin said excitedly as the kids carried off their haul. She grabbed her cup and held it out. "I need a refill. Would you go get me one?"
Nancy cocked her head and crossed her arms. "Is that how it's gonna be now? I get to run errands for you?"
"No, no, it isn't like that! I just… wanted you to make me a nice new fun drink cause I really, really, really liked the last one you made me. That's all."
Rolling her eyes, Nancy took the cup. "You're lucky I like you, Buckley. Don't think for a second I didn't notice you trying to manipulate me. I'm only doing this because I want to."
She walked away, leaving Robin stammering. After dumping the melting ice out into the basin of the soda fountain, she ordered a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream. While Nancy waited for them, she idly looked around the room.
Neon lights overhead, stained glass mascot faces over the booths, stray confetti on the floor. Kids ran around with reckless abandon, laughing, screaming, or crying. They lacked all sense of civility, and Nancy envied that a little.
Freddy and Chica were out and about, greeting guests at the door or "talking" with kids. The Pirate's Cove curtains remained closed, a cheap out of order sign hastily placed in front of the stage to inform kids Foxy wouldn't be telling any tales today. And on the main stage… was Bonnie.
Staring right at her.
A shiver crept down Nancy's spine. It didn't move— he wasn't moving. His body remained in its… idle position? It faced forward. Bonnie's head was turned towards her and his vacant eyes were angled slightly down. There wasn't anyone around her— she was the only thing he could be looking at.
And yet, Bonnie was a robot. Why would he be looking at her? She wasn't the closet person to him. Creepy as it was, she couldn't look away. That was, until she was handed a small paper bowl of ice cream.
Nancy turned to say thank you and dump the dessert into Robin's cup. After a couple taps it fell in and when the urge to check grew too uncomfortable to resist— Bonnie wasn't looking at her anymore. His head faced forward, staring straight ahead, above the potential sight-line of any human person.
Unnerving, but whatever.
After mixing up a root beer float, Nancy returned to Robin again. The look on her face was priceless, somehow almost exactly the same as Will's, You can do that?!
"Hey, how 'come Bonnie doesn't walk around like the others?" she asked, trying not to let the discomfort show in her tone.
"Oh, he's got this electrical issue where if you get too close he'll discharge a bunch of power, so Mr. Brenner just leaves him up there. He's been working on a fix with his new endo design, so he hasn't bothered with the old one."
"Oh… okay. Well, enjoy your float, Robin. I gotta go."
"Okay…" she said softly. Not sad, just… content. "Hey, I'll see you Friday, right? Movie rental time."
"Of course. I'll see you then. Call me, okay?"
"I will!" Robin beamed, waving rapidly.
The boys said goodbye to Max (Mike appearing to have warmed up to her by approximately five percent) and readied themselves to part ways. Will and Dustin walked their bikes to the street while Mike and Lucas tugged on the door handles of Nancy's poor station wagon.
"Stop that!" she hissed, unlocking the doors. As they sat down, she called out, "Seatbelts!" and then she drove out of the Freddy Fazbear's Pizza parking lot.