Work Text:
whoosh
Robin stuck her hand out the window of her Ford Mustang— the car she had worked so hard to save for— with the license she worked so hard to get— and the smile she’d been waiting to see on herself her whole life.
The firmiliar hum of a song she’s heard one too many times on the radio coming to an abrupt stop once she slammed her hand against the car.
“Way to ruin the mood” she grumbled to herself as she continued driving— trying to convince herself she was annoyed.
Today was the day she would finally get the date at Enzo’s she’d promised Vic back at the hospital all those months ago. A time that felt so so long ago. Robin can barely imagine herself all that time ago, under the bright hospital lights— her face in Vickie’s as she intertwined her hands in her hair.
After all they’ve been through together, this date was a big step, and a deserved one at that.
———————————————
‘Every bond you break, every step you make I’ll be watching you’
The smell of hairspray and raspberry lotion filled the room Vickie stood in. Looking over the counter humming melodically to herself as she removed the large pink rollers from her short orange hair.
The distant memories of a once simpler, peaceful time, played over her as she listened to the sounds of ‘The Police’ fill her bathroom.
It seemed almost wrong to be able to return to her life as she did. After all that had happened it was hard to believe she would really get to experience such a cannon teenage experience such as a date— well about as cannon as a gay couple in the 80s could get.
rrrrring
“VICKIEEE!!!” her younger brother screeched from downstairs.
“Coming!” Vickie chuckled as she slipped on her shoes and made a few last minute touches to her makeup she had already perfected multiple different times.
Vickie rushed downstairs, practically floating down the stairs before she opened the large copper door.
“Hey Vic,” Robin muttered in awe as she looked Vickie up and down before landing on her beautifully crafted face.
“Hey Rob” Vickie struggled to say through her laughs— which in Robin’s eyes made her look even more astounding from before.
The two girls stood, unable to take their eyes off each other before Robin finally gestured to her car, still running— now just with the radio turned off.
———————————————
The radio murmured Purple Rain, fitting I know, as Robin snuck glances at Vickie.
“You do realize I see you,”
As they reached Enzo’s both girls tried to contain their excitement. Not for the food, or for the luxury felt behind Enzo’s— but because of the fact they were with each other.
They turned to each other now— really looking at each other. Looking past their trauma, looking past their arguments, looking past every doubt they’ve had for each other, and smiled at one another. A real genuine smile; a smile that signified all they’ve gone through and all they will continue to go through.
As they pulled into the parking lot Robins smile faltered for a second before she asked “Do you ever think about it? Like how we all just moved on from everything so fast?”
Vickie’s face softened before she reached over cupping Robin’s face in her hands and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.
“All the time.”
She dropped Robin’s face giving her one of Vic’s oh-so-sweet smiles before she turned and exited the car.
The clicking of Vickie’s shoes, and the beating of her own heart was all Robin heard as she climbed hand in hand with Vic into Enzo’s. The two were proud— but scared. No matter how hard they tried, there would always be someone who didn’t approve of how the two of them loved each other.
It was something Vickie always found so idiotic. There was so much on our earth to love, yet humans still choose to hate. They choose to hate love. A love so pure and unfounded in so much of our world.
The two strolled in, the soft throb of the orchestral music playing on the small stage, the soft scent of pasta just almost overlooking Vickie’s sweet raspberry scent, giving them a slight feeling of reassurance— like everything just might be okay.
“For two,” The girls synced.
Giving them a slight look of confusion, the waiter guided them to a table.
“Enjoy ladies”
The two sat down and grabbed their menus. The curly gold letters looping to spell out the firmiliar name of Enzo. They skimmed through the menu, their eyes meeting each other with occasional glances that made the moment feel real.
But through those looks of hopelessness, there was a falter— a falter that made everything spin, and made everything feel like the moment could break, and shatter into a million little pieces at any moment.
“Hey Rob, everything’s good right?” A hint of sadness in Vickie’s voice.
“I just— I can’t shake the feeling like everything may go sideways. Like, we’re all just pieces to a game that could fall off the board at any time.” Robin said eyes drooping.
“Hey, no.” Vickie said reaching across the table to take Robin’s hands in hers.
“It’s all in the past now.” Vickie’s eyes watering as Robins stared into them, seeing the reflections of the day at the hospital staring back at her.
A sob-laughing escaped Robins mouth as she realized the ridiculousness of the situation.
“Thank you.” Robin choked.
“For what?” Vickie asked as confusion dawned over her face.
“For being beside me; through everything.”
Vickie smiled— a real genuine smile before taking a final look back at her menu.
“I think I know what I’ll do.”
A tall thin lady strutted over to them before introducing herself as Allie.
“Hey ladies! Fun girls-night I see?”
The girls looked at each other chuckling before Robin said “Yes, exactly so.”
The waiter took their orders— a pesto pasta for Robin and some type of chicken dish Robin couldn’t pronounce for Vickie.
Walking away, Vickie started laughing, a small chuckle— then Robin joined in
The girls erupted into laughter not caring that the neighboring tables were staring at them like they had caught the plague.
The food arrived and set on the table. The steam of the dishes radiating a sense of comfort among the girls.
The room quieted— well not really. But to Vickie and Robin, it felt that they were the only two there. The clinking of the dishes and the setting of utensils softened as they ate in silence— but in the presence of each other.
———————————————
“Will we be doing desert tonight?” Allie asked with her little black pad out.
“No… I think that’ll be all— could we get the check?” Vickie asked looking at Robin before turning back to Allie.
“Sure thing, be right out.”
The check came fast and the girls looked at each other before Robin snatched the check smirking and refusing to let Vickie even try to pay.
Vickie tried to conceal the smirk rising onto her face— failing miserably once catching a glimpse at her Robin.
Robin finished paying, she gave Vickie a glance. A glance that said ‘let’s get out of here’. A glance that said ‘let’s go somewhere far’.
———————————————
The cold February air hit them the moment they walked outside. Robin saw, out of her peripheral vision the scene unfolding next to her.
The goosebumps immediately hit down Vickie’s side. The small risen bumps colliding with her freckle stamped arms. Without a word Robin removed her leather jacket and placed it around Vickie’s shoulders.
The leather was still warm with Robins heat— and had a slight citrus smell that must’ve been Robin’s shampoo. She turned to thank her, but instead saw Robin place a hand to her lips while using her other hand to take Vickie’s in hers.
The girls smiled to themselves, hand in hand walking together to the safety of the car.
The soft glow of the evening wrapped around them as they stepped into the car, the quiet hum of the engine a gentle promise of refuge. Their fingers remained intertwined, a silent vow of trust and newfound connection. Outside, the world continued its hurried pace, but inside, time seemed to slow— offering a moment of peace, warmth, and the quiet hope of the peace to come.