Chapter Text
Humphrey
Humphrey was sleeping, otherwise he would have noticed Robin’s face only an inch or so from his. Someone had mentioned how the two had similar faces and Robin was trying to learn every part of Humphrey’s face - not to compare them but more to get to know what the others seemed to think his face looked like.
As he was staring, very intently, at Humphrey’s brows when he felt something soft against his lips. He pulled his head back, looking at Humphrey with a frown.
“You…kiss…”
Humphrey’s eyebrows conveyed a shrug. “If you come that close again, I’ll give you another one.”
Robin paused, not sure how to react to that. A voice made him startle again and he glanced between Humphrey and the others swarming into the next room.
“Go on, then. I’ll just wait here.”
Robin grinned, nodding. “I be back.”
Humphrey laughed as Robin ran off.
Mary
He’d kissed Mary before, at the party Alison had but this was different. That was private and after pretending they were drunk and raucous. It had somehow felt too rushed and too slow, like they were thinking too much about it and not thinking in the slightest, all at once. The next day, they had been awkward, avoiding talking and then just laughing it off.
This time, it had been very natural, almost easy. This time, he hadn’t been talking about anything important or emotional, just talking about his favourite plants to eat when he was alive and where they grew on the grounds.
This time, she had grabbed his face in the middle of food club and kissed him in front of everyone, rushing off before he could fully understand what he’d done.
This time the others had raised their eyebrows, then moved on as if it didn’t matter.
Kitty
Kitty giggled every time she saw Robin, since Mary had decided to kiss him. They hadn’t kissed since but that was mostly because Robin awkwardly shuffled out of the room if Mary or Humphrey were already in it. It wasn’t that he felt embarrassed about the kisses, or was avoiding more but people seemed to be cottoning on and giving him weird looks when he was with them. Robin didn’t see the problem with the others kissing him but clearly it mattered to the other ghosts.
Eventually, he was sat with Kitty, waiting for Julian so he could play chess.
“Why you giggle?”
Kitty gasps, giggling more. “Well, it’s so lovely, isn’t it? You and Mary, you and Humphrey.”
“Me and anyone.”
Kitty considered this, then lent over and kissed him. Then she giggled and kissed him again. She probably would have kept going if Julian hadn’t entered the room.
Thomas
After Kitty kissed him, the floodgates opened and Robin felt like he was a misfit in his own house. Not like he hadn’t been a misfit before but this was more serious, important. He found himself keeping away from the others as they seemed to scheme how to get the next kiss from him. He didn’t understand why it had to be such a big thing (kisses were kisses and good to share) but they had decided it was and he wanted no part in that.
Eventually, he found himself sat in Thomas’ sighing spot, not sure where else to hide. Of course, that meant Thomas sat himself down, ready to sigh and, upon realising Robin was there, gripped his furs and pulled him forwards for a kiss. After that, the poet turned towards the window and sighed, one hand on Robin’s arm to invite him to stay.
Robin left.
Fanny
Fanny was different to the others, confused by the new feeling that was spreading through the ghosts. She called out to Robin when he was sneaking around and he stopped, half resigned to what would happen.
“I don’t understand what is happening in my house.” Fanny started, looking at him with complete contempt. “But I don’t appreciate you taking up everyone’s time and attention.”
Robin shrugged. “Not my fault. Didn’t ask for it. Not bad though.”
Fanny sniffed importantly and stalked out, as if that was the end of the conversation. Robin watched her go with a quirked eyebrow.
A week later, Fanny grabbed him as he walked through the corridor, pulling him into a side room and kissing him for all he was worth. Then she let him go and walked off, leaving Robin blinking after her. He didn’t understand these young ghosts, they couldn’t make their minds up.
Captain
He was waiting for the Captain to say something, had expected it. But the Captain had ignored all the changes, keeping to his routine as best he could.
Robin found him watch a film, his eyes half glazed.
“This good?”
The Captain raised an eyebrow, shifting so Robin could sit next to him. “Oh yes, a classic. Fully shows the power of the tank and the effort the boys put into the war.”
As he rambled, Robin placed a hand on his arm. The Captain looked at him, eyes half scared.
“Now, Robin, I don’t know if this is… I shouldn’t…”
And then they were kissing, the Captain both terrified and frantic all at once. Robin had lent in, letting himself be kissed. The Captain had pulled away and moved instinctively for a second kiss.
It was cut short though, the Captain running away before Robin could say another word.
Pat
“Robin, mate, can I talk to you?”
Robin grunted and Pat took that as a yes.
“So, you may have noticed, everyone being a bit more affectionate with you.”
A raised eyebrow was all he got for that.
“Yeah, sorry for not telling you mate, we just thought it would be a good way to increase group moral. You know, everyone getting to know each other a bit better.”
“Kiss club.”
Pat paused, stuttering. “Well, sort of. But we didn’t think it was fair to move onto someone else until everyone had kissed you, right?”
Robin just looked at him, brow furrowing. Pat nodded, not saying anything.
“So…” Robin frowned. “Just you and Julian and then-“
There was movement in the next room and Robin looked up. When he looked back, Pat kissed him, quickly and then stood as the others entered.
“Right then. Time for music club, I think.”
Julian
Julian wasted no time, just sat down opposite Robin on the chessboard, placed his hands either side of Robin’s face and snogged him. Robin wasn’t even sure it could be called a kiss, considering the intensity. Robin’s hands moved to cover Julian’s and he found himself grinning when they separated for unnecessary air. Julian sat back, looking at the board.
“Right then. I think I’ll start with the knight this time, move it there.”
Robin chuckled despite himself. “That it? That was everyone?”
Julian raised an eyebrow. “Well, obviously. About time, we need to move on to kissing someone else.”
“Move on?” Robin said, staring at the board.
“Oh yes.” Julian smirked. “And once everyone has kissed each other, we can then start on the more exciting stuff.”
Julian’s eyebrows wiggled and, when Robin didn’t say anything, the politician leant over and kissed him again.
“Right now, darling. Your move.”