Work Text:
The car was quiet as Nancy and Robin made their way home from the party, broken only by Robin' sniffling. Nancy took her partner's hand, squeezing it tenderly.
A few hours earlier
"Are you sure you want to come with? It will be loud, I'm telling you." Nancy told Robin, to which the latter waved a dismissive hand.
"Babe, I'm fine. Let's go; don't want to keep the others waiting."
Robin winced as the lights and sounds bombarded her senses, but she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. You can do this, Buckley. You've been through more serious shit than this.
"I'm fine. Go have fun." Robin told her girlfriend as she raised an eyebrow. Nancy disappeared into the crowd, and Robin followed suit after a few moments.
"Robin!"
She looked over her shoulder. Steve was making her way towards her, grinning.
"Yo, dingus! Invited or gatecrashed?" Robin asked as she jumped on Steve, hugging the man.
"Plus one. Melanie was the one who was originally invited."
"Huh. How's she, by the way? Haven't seen her in a long time."
"Nancy grabbed her and started interrogating her. How about you? How is it, being Nancy's partner?"
Robin groaned. "Ugh. That woman is sweet and caring, don't get me wrong, but she's a workaholic. Sometimes I have to physically drag her away from the laptop. Otherwise, we're great. I guess shared trauma can form a stronger, unique bond."
Steve hummed. "Messed up, but makes sense. All right, you go on. Catch you later."
Robin meandered through the the tightly packed crowd, making her way towards the kitchen to get some refreshments (she swore to herself to never drink any alcoholic beverage of any kind) in the fridge, when she saw two people by the counter.
"Vickie?" Robin said, confused. The woman in question turned.
"Robin?! What-why-"
"Nancy. I just tagged along. Who's your friend?"
The other person extended a hand. "Anton Ivanov. "I'm originally from Yekaterinburg."
Robin paled. Russian. Just then it all came back.
Robin gasped as the cloth was removed from her face,
"Who do you work for?" The guard hissed.
"No one!" Robin cried, then screamed as her face was covered, thrashing as freezing water was poured over face.
"Who. Do. You. Work. For?"
"I' m not a spy! I'm not a spy! I'M NOT-
"Robin! ROBIN!"
Robin snapped back to the prresent.
"I have to go." Robin said, then ran to the bathroom.
Nancy was chatting with one of her classmates when Vickie popped up beside her, panting heavily.
"Vickie? What the-"
"No time," Vickie wheezed, "Robin, she-"
But Nancy was off like a shot, dreading the worst. She wnt straight to the bathroom, where she heard retching. Opening the door, she was shocked at the sight. Robin was bent over the toilet, hurling her guts. Nancy immediately was beside her, holding her hair up and rubbing circles on her back as she murmured wordless sounds of comfort. Robin tensed, then shrieked, jumping back. Her eyes were wide and unfocused, and she scuttled back against the corner, knees tucked in. Nancy paused.
"Robin?" She said, carefully approaching the blonde who was shaking like a scared animal. Her partner began mumbling something unintelligible., rocking back and forth.
"What was that?" Nancy asked gently.
"I'm not a spy. I'm not a spy. I'm not a spy." Robin sobbed. "Please, stop."
Flashbacks, Nancy thought. She crouched before Robin.
"Robin? Eyes on me, honey. Eyes on me." She instructed, but Robin shook her head violently.
"One of them. One of them." Robin whimpered. "They're back."
The bathroom door slammed open. Steve.
"What happened? Vickie-"
"Out!" Nancy barked, then turned her attention back to Robin.
"Eyes here, eyes here. That's a good girl." Nancy encouraged as Robin lifted her eyes. "Is it okay if I touch you?"
Robin nodded, and Nancy enveloped her in a hug.
"You're out, baby. You're out." Nancy whispered. "You're not in Starcourt. You're safe."
Robin looked at her, then broke down again.
"I'm so sorry." Robin sobbed. "I'm so sorry. You were having a good time and I-"
"Shh, shh." Nancy cut her off. "Sweetie, it's fine. There's nothing to apologize for. Do you want to go home?"
Robin sniffed, then nodded.
"All right. Just wash up and we'll go. I'll be right outside."
Steve was waiting for her when Nancy got out.
"How is she?" He asked quietly. Nancy took a deep breath.
"She had another flashback, this time when you two were being..." Nancy didn't need to finish her thought. Just then Robin appeared, face pale yet a bit better.
"Ready to go?" Nancy smiled at her girlfriend.
"Yes, please."