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They’re on patrol, and goddammit, Robin is not going to let Steve play the hero. There are three ( three! ) demodogs that have Steve backed against Skull Rock. Steve yells at her to Run! but like hell is she going to listen. Robin hefts Steve’s axe over her shoulder and brings it down on the demodog on the right. The axe glides halfway through its torso, blood and gore seep around the wound.
From the corner of her eye, Robin watches Steve swing his nail bat at the other two.
She yanks the axe up out of the demodog and it whimpers and gnashes its teeth. Viscera tumbles from the gash and onto the rocks below. Robin kicks it (and god did that hurt) and turns back to Steve and the other two demodogs.
Steve is on the ground and one of the demodogs snarls in his face, the other oozing out on the forest floor. Robin barrels forward and slashes at the demodog.
It skitters from her reach, but gives Steve enough room to smash his nail bat down on its head.
She catches it on the upswing and sends the demodog sprawling into Skull Rock. It connects with a wet thunk and slides down to the ground. Robin drops the axe and rushes to crush Steve in a hug. “Why would you do that to yourself, dingus?”
“Robs—.”
“No! Stop putting yourself in danger. I know you want to protect everyone, but who protects you? Who’s allowed to protect you, Steve?” Jesus, she doesn’t want to cry, but her vision is already going blurry.
Steve cups her face and brushes an escapee tear with his thumb. “Robin, I’m sorry. I just —I just want everyone to be safe and this is the way I know how.”
“But I want you safe, too.”
He pulls her tighter to his chest. “I know. I’ll try. I can’t guarantee I would go rushing in on instinct, but I’ll try.”
Robin steps out of his hug and scrubs her arm over her eyes. “Promise?”
Steve holds out his pinkie. “Promise.”
Robin latches her pinkie with his, and it feels stupid and childish, but it’s a sacred vow. “Let’s get back to Hopper’s cabin. No way those little assholes don’t freak when they see you.”
“You think the Party is bad, just wait until Joyce sees me.”
Robin loops her arm in Steve’s and the lean against each other as they walk away.