Work Text:
And I lost you
The one I was dancing with
Nancy Wheeler wiped her eyes as she drove away. Away from Hawkins, away from home, away from her. Too many words have been said, too many insults hurled at each other. Finally it all came crashing down to her and Nancy had to stop the car as tears flowed freely. She buried her face on her hands, body wracking with sobs.
"I'm sorry." Nancy whimpered. "I'm so, so sorry." Maybe if... Nancy scoffed. There's no use asking for forgiveness. The damage was done. So she just sat there, crying with nothing but silence and darkness accompanying her.
Simultaneously....
Robin Buckley stared at the ceiling, emotionless. She knew that Nancy meant it. The triumphant, almost smug expression on her face before turning into a look of horror as she realized what she said. Robin can still remember the fateful argument...
A few hours ago..
"What is wrong with you?" Robin yelled.
"Me? What is wrong with you?" Nancy shot back. "Why are you defending her? Defending Vickie?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you hurt her?"
"What the f*ck-I'm your girlfriend, and you are defending the offending party?" Nancy all but screeched.
"You f*cking slapped her, Wheeler. In front of God knows how many people."
Nancy barked out a laugh. "Oh, so we're going down the 'surname' lane now? Well, Buckley, if you haven't noticed, she was hitting on you. And you let her."
"I have no idea she was doing it! The f*ck should I know that she's flirting with me?!" Robin exclaimed.
"You know what? We're going in circles. Let me make this clear and simple: if only I knew what will happen, I wouldn't have said yes. Then this... this... thing between us wouldn't have happened. This is a mistake." A beat. "F*ck that. You, Robin Buckley, are a mistake."
Robin stumbled back. "You-you don't mean that."
Nancy's eyes widened. "Shit. I didn't-I'm-"
Robin held up a hand. "Pack your things. Get out. Now!" Robin practically roared at her partner as Nancy stood frozen on the spot.
And I wake with your memory over me
That's a real f*cking legacy to leave
Ten years later
Nancy was lying on the bed, reading, when the bedroom opened and in came Robin, blonde hair wet and wearing a blue cotton robe.
"Hey, babe. Took you long enough." Nancy said as Robin removed her robe to join the brunette on the bed. Robin rolled her eyes.
"Someone's quite needy." Robin said then yelped as Nancy playfully hit her.
"You are one violent woman, aren't you?" Robin leaned down to kiss Nancy. "Goodnight, love."
"Mmm, g'night." Nancy mumbled sleepily. She leaned in for another kiss-
Nancy jerked awake. It was just a dream, she realized.
"F*ck." Nancy groaned as she stretched, stumbling towards the bathroom. Lately she had been dreaming of Robin, more than she would have liked. It's like the universe itself was laughing at her, taunting her of the irreparable damage she had done. She took a quick bath and prepared herself for another hectic day.
Time Jump, Noon
The bell above the door tinkled as Nancy entered the café she frequented in. The barista, Amelia, was one of her friends, the girl working part time for the papers.
"Hey, Nance! Same as usual?" The redhead chirped, smiling brightly.
"I'm that predictable, huh?" Nancy chuckled. "And please add extra cream."
"Right-o. Be ready in five."
"Thanks." Nancy said. She turned-and froze as she saw the person behind her.
"Robin." Nancy said warily. The other woman looked at her, face expressionless.
"Nancy." There was no warmth on the blonde's tone, nor was it cold. It's just... dead. Nancy licked her lips, which were suddenly dry.
"Can we... Can we talk?" Nancy asked timidly. Robin scoffed.
"So now you want to talk? What's there to talk about, anyway?"
Nancy's temper flared up.
"Amy, hold my order. I have a business to attend to."
Nancy yanked Robin out of the establishment.
"What's wrong with you, huh?" Nancy hissed. "Here I am, finally willing to face and talk about what happened, and now you disregard me?"
"The way you disregarded my emotions that night? Do you really think that I would have gotten over it? You hurt me, Nancy. You accused me of false claims. On top of that, you called me - ME- a mistake, despite knowing that that is one of my triggers, and why. "
"Look, I didn't-"
"Didn't what? Didn't mean to say that? That it just slipped out? That's the problem with you. You speak before you think." Robin snapped.
Nancy's face crumpled. "I-I know that. That is indeed one of my flaws. And for that I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry of what I have said."
Robin looked at her, eyes dull. "You should have apologized ten years ago."