Archive of Our Own

"I'm sure she's just really into movies," Robin had commented once right after you left the store.

"Really into movies?" Steve repeated in disbelief. "She's here every week, always asks what you think of the movies she picks, and quite honestly it's like I don't even exist!" he added. "Robin, this girl clearly likes you."

"No, you don't know that. You're just theorizing!" she snapped back, visibly freaking out over the topic of conversation. "Stop doing that before you give me false hope!"

"Okay, whatever. I get that you're not ready to make a move on her and all...but you need to at least read the signs!"

"There's no signs, Steve," she insisted. "Please, just forget it."

And Steve did. He never once mentioned it again, much to Robin's dislike. It freaked her out how awfully quiet he was about the subject and, to be honest, she liked hearing all of Steve's theories, even if they only encouraged Robin to create even more fake scenarios in her head. Pretending you actually like her and you guys are together. That you'd walk in one day to the Family Video and confess your love for her.

But that never happened, so Robin continued to suffer in silence because she couldn't have you, and Steve watched the two of you with nothing but frustration. It was so incredibly obvious you had a thing for each other, he practically had to hold himself back from screaming at the two of you to get together already. He hates to see Robin so hurt over you and not being able to make her see what he sees every single time you're at the store with them.

As soon as you walked inside the Family Video, Robin turned to look at Steve who immediately pretended to write something down on a notepad. "Hey, dingus," she called, titling her head towards you. "We have a customer."

"Yeah, I know. Can you go see if they need something?" he asked, showing her the notepad. "I have to write some stuff down for...inventory."

"No, you don't."

"Fine, I don't. But I already attended every customer that came in today which means it's your turn."

"You have no idea how much I hate you, Steve Harrington."

Steve smiled after her last comment. "No, you don't," he copied her.

Robin sighed and fixed her uniform jacket before making her way towards you. Steve visibly frowned at her behaviour, watching her walk incredibly stiff to where you were standing. He really needs to start giving Robin more advice on how to approach a girl.

"H-Hi," was the only thing Robin was able to say, already feeling her palms sweaty and her heart about to jump out of her chest.

You looked over at her, once again smiling, and Robin swore she was going to pass out right there on the floor. How is it possible another human being could be this beautiful? That was a question she still couldn't find an answer to.

"Hi, Robin! How are you?"

"Uh, fine, yeah...fine," she stutters, clearing her throat shortly after. "And you?"

"Fine. I just finished the essay we had for english class next week, so...figured I could watch a new movie."

"Oh, that sounds nice," Robin replied, trying to make her sentences as short as possible. She was super self-aware and she knew once she opened her mouth, there was no way of shutting up. Her brain would move faster than her mouth (or the other way around) and she would end up embarrassing herself in front of you and completely ruining her chances of ever becoming at least your friend. She couldn't risk that to happen. "And, uh...you have anything in mind?"

You shrugged, "not for now," was your answer. "Though if I need something, I'll make sure to call you."

The way you smiled at her and the sound of your voice were enough to make Robin's mind go blank. No words, no sentences, no possible stuff to say. Nothing. It was just you and your gorgeous face and your breath-taking smile and...

Shit. It's happening. Everything she won't allow herself to blurt out loud is running round and round inside her head. Her mind wasn't blank, it was so filled with thoughts it was impossible for her to distinguish between each of them.

But she knew she had to say something quick before she continues to stand there like an idiot, so all she could come up with at the moment was, "Oh, okay. Grool."

What the fuck is grool? As soon as that left her mouth she wanted to instantly disappear and never come back. She wanted to say "great" but her mind was thinking about "cool" and she couldn't seem to choose one of them before the two came out together. Grool.

Steve was by the counter hearing all of this feeling absolutely sorry for Robin. He knew it was hard for her to interact with people, especially if she has a crush on them. She always tried her best, but more often than not things go badly for her. However, and much to his and Robin's disbelief, you laughed. Not like a laugh that showed you were laughing at Robin for messing it up, but with Robin.

"You're funny," you commented right before focusing back on the tapes in front of you.

Robin didn't fully understand what just happened, but decided to go back to the counter to avoid saying more stupid things. Steve looked at her with a confused expression and Robin immediately put both of her hands up, as if saying "I honestly don't know how I made it out of there alive".

And she clung onto what you said to her that day for the rest of the week, and the week after that because you didn't visit the Family Video. It was crazy how something so seemingly insignificant has light up a fire inside of her that she's not sure how to stop from spreading all across her body every time she thinks about that moment.

You truly mean the absolute world to her, you are her world, yet you've never exchanged more than a few words because Robin wouldn't allow herself to get so comfortable. That would mean bombarding you with half-coherent sentences and just a bunch of information no human being will ever be able to process.  She's weird, she's a nobody, she talks way too fast and always screw things up. You're the complete opposite. There's no way you would ever settle for her.

But after that day she started to get a little more comfortable. If you were willing to talk to her after what happened and didn't show any signs that you considered her a freak or anything remotely close to that, she began thinking that maybe there's a chance. Perhaps you do like girls in the same way as she does, and hopefully she can make you feel just as good as you make her feel if you give her a chance.

She talked to Steve about it and he quickly encouraged her to do it. To talk to you just a little bit more and see where things go from there. She was afraid you would be the wrong girl, that her secret would come out to everyone around town, but at that time she didn't see what she's starting to see now.

Her heart almost skipped a beat when she saw you walking out of your car after you parked just outside the Family Video. It's been almost two weeks since your last encounter, and Robin was already planning what she could say to you to start a (hopefully) normal conversation. However, the smile on her face faded and her heart shattered into a million pieces when she saw a guy exiting the car. But that didn't mean anything, right? It didn't mean what her mind immediately wanted her to believe.

That is, until she saw you laughing about something the guy just said as he pulls you into his arms, leaving a kiss at the top of your head. The gesture didn't look friendly at all, and there was no way Robin could save herself from the terrible truth: that is most likely your boyfriend.

She was awfully quiet watching the two of you, and it didn't take Steve too long to notice what she was seeing. "Robin-" he started, but couldn't finish because Robin quickly ran to the back of the store, trying very hard to hold back her tears.

You walked inside just in time to see her storming to the back of the store, which to you seemed kind of weird because of how unexpected that was. Whatever had happened to her, it quickly made you visibly concerned, walking over to Steve who was still by the counter, debating whether or not to go after his friend.

"Hi," you greeted him. "Is Robin okay back there?"

"Uh, hi. Yeah, she's...I think she was feeling a bit sick earlier," he lied, trying not to give it too much importance.

"Oh, would you tell her I hope she feels better?"

"Of course. I'll go see if she's okay real quick, but if you need anything let me know."

"Thanks, Steve," you replied, walking back to where your friend was so the two of you could select a movie.

While you were doing that, Steve rushed to the back of the store and knocked on the closed door before walking inside. He heard a faint, "come in," from Robin and that's when he opened the door. He immediately noticed her sitting by Keith's desk, her arms resting on the metal table with her hands covering her face. She was...well, heartbroken.

"I'm so sorry about that," he says in a soft voice, not wanting to upset her. "I shouldn't have put ideas inside your head."

"It's not your fault, Steve. I let you get ideas inside my head. That's on me," she replied, her voice a little more raspy than usual because she was still holding back her tears. "It's me the one getting my hopes up when I knew there was zero chances of her liking me back."

Steve really didn't know what to do, so all he thought about doing at that moment was walking towards her and put a hand on her shoulder as a way to comfort her. Robin truly appreciated the gesture, a weak smile momentarily appearing on her face when he touched her shoulder.

"Thank you, Steve."

He immediately shakes his head, letting her know that wasn't necessary. "Do you want me to stay?"

"No, no. It's fine," she quickly said. "I really don't want this to ruin my day." Shortly after that, she sat straight on the chair, sighing heavily. "How do I look? Too miserable?"

"You look as beautiful as always, Robin," he says as a way to cheer her up even further.

Robin playfully rolled her eyes at him before Steve opened the door to go back to where you and your friend were already waiting to rent a movie. He wasn't going to force Robin to interact with you if she wasn't ready, so he decided to attend the two of you.

As soon as Robin walked out of the back of the store, you walked towards her. "Hey, are you feeling any better? Steve told us you were feeling kinda sick."

"Oh, yeah...much better," she replied, barely being able to make eye contact with you.

"That's nice to hear," you said, reaching out to gently touch Robin's arm, smiling at her. Of course you didn't mean it to do that on purpose to torture her, but Robin couldn't help but feel absolutely defeated by the fact that you were touching her upper arm and she can't pretend that it means anything at all. It was all just in her head. A fantasy. "I couldn't help myself and I had to rent The Shinning again. I know you said I've watched way too many times, but...well, it's amazing!"

Robin tried to act as normal as she possibly could. Like things didn't just completely change between the two of you. "Why does that doesn't surprise me?" was her attempt of a joke. She definitely sounded less cheerful than usual, but you figured it was because she was still feeling a little sick. "So, are you...uh, is it movie date tonight?" she dared to ask, looking over at the guy you were with who was currently talking about something with Steve. She didn't care about whatever he was talking about. She doesn't care about his existence at all. As childish as it sounds, Robin already hated the guy.

"What? Oh, no...jeez, no," you chuckled. "We're just friends."

"Oh, I thought..."

"I just don't..."

Both of you shut up when you realized you spoke at the same time. "Sorry," both of you said simultaneously.

"You go," Robin says, mentally cursing herself for the way she was acting.

"I was gonna say I don't see him in that way," you finished your sentence. "I don't feel that way for any guy, actually."

That was your way of subtly throwing a hint at Robin, and by the way she was looking at you you really couldn't tell if she understood or not. That was slowly killing you, because you seriously don't know how long you can pretend that you don't show up almost every week to this place just to see her. You need to know if she has noticed, or if she at least feels the same way as you do.

"Oh..." was all you got out of her.

There was a brief silence, just the two of you standing next to each other. You noticed your friend was already with the movie inside a bag Steve gave him, waiting for you to finish your conversation. "I should...I should go."

"Yeah..."

The situation was weird. You've never felt awkward while talking to Robin until today. It was so awkward in fact, that you didn't even say goodbye as you joined your friend to walk outside of the store. While Robin watched you go, you debated whether or not you should just tell her how you feel.

I mean, maybe she's into you too? Why else would she ask if you were dating your friend? It was unclear to you if you were giving too much meaning to random things, or this could really be your chance to get closer to her.

And maybe it was that, or it could also be the fact that you're just tired of keeping your feelings to yourself, that before you could get in the car you said to your friend, "Is it okay if I go back? I kinda need to do something."

"No, go ahead. I can wait here in the car."

"Thanks," you quickly replied, walking back to the Family Video.

As you were about to walk inside, you noticed Robin was also heading towards the door, both of you standing there with the glass separating you, staring at each other with nothing but fear in your eyes. You were both scared of talking. But the situation has reached a point when neither of can pretend there's nothing going on.

You slowly walked inside the store again, looking more frightened than ever. "I...uh, I need to talk to you."

"Talk to me?" Robin asked in disbelief, her heart racing. "I- I was just about to go tell you the same thing." There was another pause before Robin spoke. "We can talk back there, maybe?"

"Yeah, that'd be great."

The two of you walked back to where Robin previously was while Steve tried his best to seem busy with the computer, like he wasn't invested in what was going on in front of him. Robin shut the door behind her to avoid Steve from hearing the two of you, not wanting her friend to hear in case she she gets rejected.

"So, uh, why- why did you ask that...that date thing?"

"I- I don't know," Robin shrugged. "I mean, I just thought that maybe you guys were together since you were hugging out there, and that's why that question just came to mind and I felt like asking."

"Yeah, but why?" you insisted. "Why would you care if I was dating someone or not?"

Robin tried to find an appropriate answer, but couldn't really find one. She evidently panicked at the lack of help she was getting from her own brain.

And so the mess began.

"Okay, look, I know that sounded weird. And I know that I have been weird with you because I always walk like a robot around you and say the most random stuff just to seem cool, but truth is I am nothing like that! My legs work half of the time and I have absolutely zero social skills. Like, I'm absolutely the worst at talking to people. That's why my only friend is Steve, because he's the only one who actually wants to put up with me and my- my weirdness. And it's totally okay if you don't want to talk to me ever again or if you think I'm a complete weirdo for asking questions I should be asking, but it's just...I asked that because...because..."

You took a step forward, one of your hands moving up to her face so you could clean the tears that were falling down her cheeks. She didn't even notice the moment the started crying, totally overtook by the thought that this will most definitely be the last time you'll ever want to talk to her.

"I don't think you're weird, Robin," you quickly reassured her. "I actually think you're the coolest person I've ever met. Well, the groolest."

That comment made Robin laugh, her eyes light up when they look back into your own. "Really?"

"Yeah," you replied with a smile. "Do you really think I come by almost every week just to rent movies?"

"Wait, I don't...I don't understand."

"Promise me you won't think different about me after this," your voice showed how concerned you were, which was mind blowing for Robin. You were worried about what she would think about you?

"Promise."

"Okay, so...I said I didn't feel a certain way about guys because...well, I don't. I have no interest in guys whatsoever, if you know what I mean."

Robin was about to jump up and down in excitement after what you just confessed, hoping and praying this was going somewhere. "I think I understand?"

"I like girls, Robin," you finally let it out of your chest, trying to see if that confession created a positive or negative impact. She didn't look disgusted or anything, so you decided to continue. "And I just...I think you're really nice and funny, and for as long as I can remember I've had this huge crush on you."

You noticed her eyes filled with tears again. "You- wait, you like me?"

"Yeah, I...I'm sorry, I know this is weird. It's okay if you don't feel the same-"

"I like you too," she interrupted, still unable to believe this was actually happen. "I've liked you for the longest time."

It was clear to you that all she wanted to do was cry, so you allowed her to do so as you move closer to wrap your arms around her. As soon as you hugged her, she broke down in happy tears as she hugs you back, never wanting this moment to end.

It was real. You were there, hugging her, telling her that you like her. You don't find her weird, you don't have a boyfriend, she didn't mess things up. You like her.

You hugged for as long as she needed until she calmed down. You knew she was overwhelmed and rightfully so, because things like this just doesn't happen to people like you and Robin. All you see around you is that girls who like other girls doesn't deserve to be happy. They don't deserve their feelings to be reciprocated or having the chance to love someone else. Yet there you were, confessing your feelings for each other.

"Sorry, I wasn't expecting that to happen," she said when she was feeling better, moving back from you as she cleaned the last few tears off her face.

"I know, me neither. And I would love to stay here with you and talk more about this, but my friend is sort of waiting for me outside, so..."

"No, it's fine. I think we've said enough."

You laughed shortly at her comment. "We sure did. Maybe we can talk more about it later? I can come pick you up after work and we can hang out."

"Yeah, that'd be great. Uh...my shift ends at 5."

"I'll be here at 5, then."

You leaned to give Robin a quick kiss on her cheek, watching as she instantly blushed at the gesture as she looked away with the most adorable smile you've ever seen. You mentally reminded yourself to do that later when you pick her up just to see that reaction again.

She opened the door for the two of you. Steve immediately turns back to act like he was using the computer instead of trying to listen what you two were talking about. You said a quick goodbye to him before joining your friend outside.

Steve was obviously dying to know what was that all about. "Well?"

Robin couldn't stop smiling. "She's picking me up at 5."

"Wait, so does this mean, like..."

"It means she is the right girl."