Chapter Text
June 23, 1986
Robin
“OK friends and neighbors, this is Rockin’ Robin signing off for the night. Stay safe out there, Hawkins”. Robin really loved this job. It was fun, technical, and she got to talk about music for hours. And of course she got to work with her best friend. Steve put her call sign on and they put their music on a loop that would play until midnight. Turning her mike off and looking at said best friend as he took his headphones off, she saw him wince slightly. He looked exhausted. (unfortunately that seemed to be his default setting since she had known him really,) His hearing had come back slowly, but the headache lingered. She just wrote signs on her notepad for him until he could hear properly and took back his sound man job. Jesus her heart had dropped to her shoes when he had fallen to his knees in pain. Stupid loud ass sirens. The emergency broadcast had gone off every three hours, and it felt like nails raking down her skin every time. Just the monotonous tone and the words themselves making her twitchy. They went over to the couch then fell/sat together both sighing and flopping their heads onto the back of the couch. One brain indeed.
Steve picked up the walkie again and pushed the talk button twice than three times than once in succession. That was their signal to switch to a private channel. (Yes they were all slightly paranoid hence the codenames and signals for everything, but could you blame them?) “Hey everyone, you all doing OK, over” She knew he had been worrying about all of them all day. He rubbed his head as he waited, trying to get rid of the headache. “Here Steve, are you OK” Dustin asked. “I’m good kid. Can hear again, just have a little headache” Over” A pause then “OK good. We are still at the Wheel. El, Mike, Will and me” Lucas was next on the radio. “Lucas and Erica here. We are at home. Mom didn't want us at the Cross all night. So she convinced a bus(ambulance) driver to bring us home” Robin could tell that Lucas was irritated at the fact. Wanting to spend as much time as he could with Max. Steve winced in sympathy. “Sorry, bud. But you know they just want you safe.” Lucas sighed, “yea I know doesn't mean I have to like it. Over” Nancy was last. “We are still at the Cottage Steve. Joyce, Hop, Jonathan and me”. And she saw Steve do the count in his head. The one he did every time his people weren't in front of him, near him. 7 kids (Max was always included) 3 teenagers, 2 adults and him. Always that way. He didnt put himself in the teenager category (even though he still was one) or the adult category. Just him seemingly stuck in between.
“Steve, El wants to talk to you real quick” Dustin said. “Hi Steve “she heard El say. Radio etiquette wasn't really her thing. Steve smiled. “Hey Supergirl. What's up? Steve asked.
“I went into the void after the earthquake. I did not see Vecna but I did feel something. I also saw two Demogorgans. They were by one of the cracks I think. Will also came with me into the void. He said he could sense the Mindflayer but not close. He felt very far away”
Dread had pooled in Robins stomach at Els words. They hadn't heard of an attack since right after the town split in half. The military said they handled it, according to Hopper. (They did not. That was Nancy, Jonathan, and Hopper, burning them back to the gate. Steve was still to hurt to help, much to his annoyance) But none of them trusted that any of the government or the military had the towns' best interest at heart. They had started covering the cracks (finally, it had only taken them three months) in giant steel plates but beyond that she didn't know what they were actually doing to help.
Steve pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Ok, kid thanks. Hop, we need to have a party meeting. There is something else going on beyond what they told us,” Steve said.
“Oh I don't doubt it” Hopper said. “You’re right. When and where? Robin was looking at Steve while he was talking. Saw when his face turned from tired to resolved. When he became the leader. Willingly putting that pressure on his shoulders. Hop deferring to him, trusting him, instead of taking over himself. She was so proud of him. He really was so good at this. Still awkward and goofy and a horrible flirt. Still her Dingus most of the time. Marshmallow fluff heart surrounded by an iron core. When shit hit the fan, there was no one she would rather have by her side. He was her person and she was his.
“We should meet at the Tower tomorrow. We can't meet tonight there will be soldiers probably trying to enforce this curfew thing. Robin and I have to be on the air until 4 tomorrow, so say 5ish? Over” Everyone copied when they heard the plan. “Alright, talk tomorrow. Stay where you are. Be safe” He paused and closed his eyes. “Love you guys”. Robin smiled a big sappy smile at him when he looked at her. “We love you too” Dustin said quietly. “Love you both,” said Lucas. “Love you kid, you be safe too” Hopper said. “Over and out”
Getting up she went to hug her best friend. “Love you, Dingus. Big sap”. Laughing, he hugged her tighter. “Love you too Robs” Disentangling herself she said “so since we are stuck here for the night what say we pop in a movie. Do you still have pajamas here”? He nodded. Well, this wouldn't be the first time they had stayed at the station overnight. And for some reason she felt it wouldn't be the last for a while.