Work Text:
Tank’s POV:
I knew I had to do something. Literally anything to cheer her up. Robin being upset isn’t something I’m used to seeing. But throughout all the time I’ve spent with her, I’ve seen her grow from being so entitled to a kind, caring, intelligent person with so much empathy to give around. She's always so optimistic and has a creative sense of thinking with the way she closes these fairytales. I’ve never met anyone like her. Even though she may not have outright said it when we were in Vasilisa's tale, I kinda got the hint that she has low self esteem. But she acts like she’s fine. As I looked sadly towards her as her back was turned away from me, I couldn’t help but wonder if she’s always felt like this.
I’ll admit, at first, I didn’t even think she was going to last long in Forever After, but I was wrong. I misjudged her, deeply. I don’t want her to ever think that low of herself or her thinking that I do, again. I meant what I said the last time we were in the enchanted forest. I am proud of her. I think back to what I would always do with my little brother whenever he got upset and it always cheered him up.
“Hey, now I want you to try this with me, ok?”
She turned around, looking at me with uncertainty, eyebrows raised, but I still kept going, gently gesturing towards her.
“Take my hands”.
Her gaze still looked uncertain, but eventually heaved a sigh as she gave in and put her hands in mine. Ok, we’re making some progress.
“O..kay…? I’m sorry, but what are we doing this for?”
I kept going, “And you say something that you love about yourself and I’ll say something that I love about myself alright?”
She gives a little pout which was adorable,“...I don’t see how this is supposed to be any help Tank. Aren’t you the one who’s always saying that we need to get all these stories closed? No time for breaks?”
“Yes but… a little break never hurt anyone.”
She looks up at me, stunned. Then let out a smirk, “Okay, who are YOU and what have you done to Tank?”
“Yeah, yeah, I know, laugh it up. But will you please trust me?”
She grows quiet. Then answers, “I trust you”.
It takes every bit of composure I have not to just combust at the way she’s looking at me right now. Her warm brown eyes and smile are just full of trust. She's honestly just an embodiment of light. I want to hold her in my arms and never let go, but I don’t wanna make her uncomfortable.
I clear out my throat to calm myself and try to push down the blush that’s threatening to spread across my cheeks. “O-okay. I’ll go first. I love… my eyes. Now you”.
She looks down at the ground, suddenly finding her boots interesting as she sighs again, still holding on to my hands. “ I love… my smile, I suppose”. Her cheeks turned red.
I’ve never seen Robin shy before. It’s honestly cute.
“Alright.. Very good! I’ll go again. I love…the wings that I have”. I answered softly.
“I do too! I-I always thought they looked really pretty”.
The blush I've been trying to suppress suddenly just comes out without any warning. Thank the Fates that she's not looking at me right now cause I probably look like a burning tomato. This girl…has NO IDEA… what she is doing to me right now!!
She looks back towards me tilting her head, “But does that count?”
I cover my mouth with one of my hands as I let out a chuckle, “Well I think it does. Now you”.
I looked down smiling warmly at her as her eyes looked elsewhere again, trying to think of something else to say.
“Hm, alright…I love- mytasteinfriends”.
I perked my ears up, “what was that?”
“... I love…my taste in friends. Does that count? We’re still friends …right?” She looked up at me silently asking for confirmation .
The fact that she even asked honestly hurt me. What on earth could make her think that? “Yes! yes I- of COURSE we’re friends!”. I quickly answered and gently tightened my grip on her hands. “And OF COURSE it counts! I will always be by your side no matter WHAT”.
She was caught off guard from what I said, but I meant that with all my heart. Then her face shifted to utter happiness and joy.
She let out a laugh which I felt all the way down to the soles of my feet. Once she catches her breath, she looks up at me.“Thank you Tank. I’ll always be there for you too, you know.”
We stood like that, in each other's hold for what felt like a long time. But moments don’t last for… well, forever. We both want to get home and to do that, we gotta close these stories. She lets go of my hands(sadly) and turns around, drawing out her book. “Alright! Onto the next fairytale! You ready for this?” she asks as she looks over her shoulder.
“Yeah, let's do it!”
She lets out another smile, then looks back towards the book trying to pick a tale.
“ I have no doubt that you’ll be there for me too,” I whisper softly.