Archive of Our Own

t didn’t take long for them to reunite, and it was out of the blue too Firefly was doing her weekly grocery shop run late into the night, less people faster trip efficient. Quiet, but as Firefly scalp the aisles picking and choosing all the things she needed for the week. 

There she was, Robin in that same brown trench coat, Firefly darted behind the shelf her heart racing once again, her cheeks were flushed a bright crimson and their burned once more. 

“Why here...” She Firefly whined as she sunk to her knees in her head in her hands 

“Pleasure seeing you here Miss Firefly~” Robin said, chipper 

“S... Same” Firefly admitted even if her voice was shaky Robin could tell there was honesty behind Firefly’s words 

Robin giggled at the state Firefly was it, it was cute “Sorry to laugh Miss Firefly but I can’t help myself when you look like that, you’re adorable” 

Firefly could explode right there; Robin turned her into an utter mess with each work the Songstress spoke it was unfair and Firefly couldn’t hold it in; her face went a deeper shade of red as she sighed into her hands getting some sort of compose back into her system 

“No... I’m sorry” she stammered “You turn me into a nervous wreck whenever we talk... It’s... It’s” The words got caught in Firefly’s though as so tried to find the words 

“It’s...?” 

“It’s frustrating, I want to talk to you but... When you look at me my Anxiety spikes” the girl admitted through gritted teeth frustration in her tone 

“Would messaging me help?” Robin asked as she pulled her phone out of her pocket 

“Huh!... HUH!” Firefly shouted blinking rapidly “You want... M... My Num—” 

“Yes silly, I want your number” Robin giggled “You seem like someone who would find it much more comfortable if we talked through a screen than in person” 

Firefly nodded sheepishly “But do you really want a nobody like me in your contacts?” She asked as she clutched on the handles of her shopping basket until her knuckles went white 

The songstress tilted her head to the side in confusion “I told you yesterday didn’t I, there is no such thing as a nobody, now...” She pulled out her phone and handed it to the flustered girl  

“Your number please” Robin asked her voice chipper and sweet 

With shaky hands Firefly grabbed the unlocked phone and slowly typed in her number, her palms were sweaty and damp as she nervously typed in her number into Robin’s phone. 

Handing back the phone was a task within itself her hands shook violently as handed the phone back, thank God Robin was wearing gloves, or she would have felt the sweat against the phone case 

“S...S... Sorry about that, this must have been so much trouble, feel free to delete my number whenever you want Miss Robin” Firefly apologise before darting away trying to flee the situation she found herself in. 

“W... Wait!” 

Before she could get far however a hand grabbed her wrist delicately yet hard enough to keep her in place, Firefly took a deep breath before she hesitantly turned back her head nervous 

“Don’t say something like that!” Robin told Firefly her voice filled with sombre disappointment, which somehow stung more than if she was mad at her “Why would I delete your number is I asked for it, Firefly?” 

There it was again, the feeling of her heart trying to break out of her chest, her pulse screaming in her ears. Robin said her name again this time without the honorifics it made her cheeks burn brighter and the air get caught in her throat. 

“I’m Sorry I’m just not... Not used to people talking to me, let alone... you” She admitted shifting her feet against the tiled floor of the supermarket aisle 

Something softened in Robin’s expression she let go of Firefly’s hand and just smiled gently “Will I see you again?” Robin asked this time hoping for answer 

Firefly hesitated for a moment, she opened and closed her mouth her mind trying to form words but getting lost in translation, swallowing down clumps on her throat as the words formed then dissipated before they even left. She didn’t want to refuse but they had come this far so 

She just nodded slowly, a somewhat confident yes  

before darting away but she froze at the end of the aisle and turned away her voice sheepish and timid she whispered just loud enough for Robin to hear 

“B... Bye” 

And just like that the girl was gone, her grocery's paid for and out that place, out of the way returning to the darkness of her home back where she belonged, in the shadows. 

Steam filled the apartment as it seeped from beneath the bathroom door, Firefly let the water of the shower was over her as she looked blankly at the wall, utterly exhausted. So much had happened in the past two days and it was finally catching up with her. 

The lack of sleep her heart decided whether it wanted to beat or not and meeting The Robin Twice no less and then getting her number it was beyond anything Firefly could have anticipated. 

She rested her back against the wall and slowly slid down it, basking in the silence. The calming sound of the shower could sooth her to sleep and as her eyes began to flutter shut her phone vibrated against the tub startling her. 

She leaned forward draped her head over the tub as she wiped her water covered eyes with a towel the phone scream lighting up the room on the screen read a notification she was both hoping for and dreading 

Robin: Hey? 

Firefly’s jaw hung open eyes wide “So that wasn’t a dream” She mumbled rubbing her eyes  

She hovered over the keyboard typing and deleting message after message for whoever knows how long until she got something she was happy with. Firefly closed her eyes and sent the message 

Firefly: Hi, did you need something from me? 

Robin: Oh, is this a bad time? 

“No God no, it's not a bad time at all” Firefly shouted at the phone like it could hear her  

Firefly: No, it's just, I can’t really give you much 

Robin: And what is that supposed to mean!? 

Firefly couldn't tell if Robin was furious or just curious but she still panicked non the less ‘God damn it Firefly!’ She thought to herself as she typed frantically 

Firefly: It’s just there is nothing I can give you is all, I have nothing to offer. Like I’ve told you, I’m a Nobody 

Robin replied quickly, like she knew what she needed to say before Firefly even clicked sent 

Robin: You keeping calling yourself that word ‘Nobody’ Do you truly think you’re Nothing? 

Firefly faltered for a moment, her thumbs hovering over the keys, her breathing quickened slow to write her response 

Firefly: Yes 

This reply came faster 

Robin: I see... 

Before Firefly could even think of respond a second message shot through 

Robin: Well then, I need to fix that are you free sometime this week? 

Firefly just stared at the message, ‘needed to fix that’ what the hell did she mean by that? But that was less of her worries Robin was inviting her out, Firefly paused just staring at the message before she typed, erased and typed more 

Firefly: I mean I should be 

She had to phrase it like she wasn’t always free, cooped up in the darkness of her room doing nothing but watching as the clock ticked by hoping that one day her life would become a life worth living. 

Ever since that fateful concert her life had become much more eventful but if she was ready for it or not was the better question 

The screen lit up once again 

Robin: Great! One sec 

Everything grew quiet around Firefly in the time it took for Robin to type out her next message, was it the right choice to say she was free what if someone sees and get the wrong idea, that would ruin Robin’s career 

Her negative spiral was cut off by the vibration of her phone 

Robin: I know how much you like the quiet so if you want you can come watch we practice, no one else just us 

A small smile tugged at Firefly's lips as she read the message “You can read me like a book; I never even told you I prefer the quiet” She chuckled before finally letting the message sink in  

“Just us~” Firefly muttered against her lips 

Both of them alone was both a blessing and a curse, it would be quiet and if Firefly came in a little later than Robin nothing could go wrong but, her and Robin alone just sounded so stressful 

Firefly both dreaded it, and could hardly wait 

Firefly: I’ll be there, I promise 

Robin smiled as the message went through letting out a delicate sigh as she slumped down onto her bed her phone held tightly against her chest  

“See you soon~” She whispered delighted with the outcome 

Firefly sighed as she sent the message sluggishly turning off the shower as she made her way out of the cold bathroom and but something comfy on so she could finally relax. 

Once dressed into some pjs Firefly took a seat at her desk and took out her notebook and flipped to a clean page beginning to write. 

Dear Miss Robin 

You don’t understand how much it means to me that you’re interacting with me, but it's so scary, and I mean more for you, I don’t want you to be seen with me in public not because I'm disgusted with you, I would never be but because I’m nothing 

I’m scared I’ll ruin your career because one wrong picture was taken of us together and I’m scared; I’m scared that you’ll throw me away once you’ve had your fun. You would never do that but in the deepest part of my mind something back there thinks you would, you’ve only known me for 2 days and yet you’re so kind to me 

Why? 

I’m not just scared, I’m frustrated too, why me of all people? There are Billions of people on this earth, and you choose the one person who would rather lock herself in her room and be engulfed by the darkness than anyone else. I don’t have anything to give you; I’m nothing a shadow left by your radiant glow 

This doesn’t feel real, you were born to burn bright like the sun, and I was made to drift through life, I’m no better than Icarus and more I grow closer to you the more I can feel my wax wings melting away, but I don’t want to lose you. 

Not before I’ve even met You 

Admiring you from afar 

Firefly 

As Firefly closed her notebook, she finally realised how late it had become, moonlight shone through her curtains illuminating the room in an array of deep blues, looking off into the night her mind beginning to wander 

But before more time could slip through her fingers, she just shook her head and sighed paying no mind to sight and went to bed, it was already far too late, she could tell; the silence of the night told her more than she needed to know. 

The just over five days passed by and in that time, something changed within Firefly, she was still following her normal routine; except this time around she spent more time outside of her apartment. 

She checked her phone every other minute waiting for the fateful text from Robin, for how scared she was for this meeting Firefly couldn’t help but want it to come faster, maybe she wanted to get it over with or maybe she just wanted another excuse to see Robin again only time would tell. 

And when the message came through Firefly had never moved faster and it wasn’t long until she arrived at the studio, it wasn’t anything grand like the theatres Robin was normally seen on. 

It was small, plain the faint sound of mixed melodies filling the halls from those who had visited before, not present but the lingering sense of a tune still rung out through the empty cases. 

Firefly reached the room the sound of Robins voice leaking through the door overpowering the gentle strums of her guitar, Firefly reached out her hand to the door put pulled away. Frozen, was this really a good idea, she came this far and she never broke a promise. 

Firefly gentle opened the door peaking in her head and that's when she saw a glimpse of Robin. The real Robin not a Robin is disguise or the angel that gazelles the world on a stage. 

But just a girl who loved music, no fancy cloths just a plain hoody, sweatpants and her tied into a messy bun it a moment captured in time and it made Firefly’s heart take a moment to rest, a faint sense of calm washing over her a weight on her shoulders beginning to ease. 

“S...S... Sorry to intrude” Firefly muttered as she entered a small smile tugging at her rosy cheeks 

Robin was delighted her eye said it all “You came Firefly!” She gleamed waving a hand towards the girl but as Robin took a second glance at the girl, she smiled raising an eyebrow “You took more care into your appearance, didn’t you?” 

Firefly blushed “I did, did I... Go overboard” 

“Oh no, you look lovely now. Come take a seat, I won’t bite” 

Firefly did just that, unfolded a chair and took a seat as far away from Robin that wouldn’t be seen as rude 

Robin just blinked “Closer please” 

Hesitantly Firefly followed the instructions moving close to the women  

“Thank you~” Robin said with a smile before she began to play again 

It was a surreal sight, seeing Robin so focused like this, it was a sight she would hold dear, the way her clicked her tongue when she messed up a note, when she swore under her breathe when the note didn’t come out as she wanted the way she crewed her bottom lip when she grew lost in her thoughts each little thing was being engraved into Firefly’s mind. 

No words were spoken, it wasn’t needed the notes and melodies told her enough, each one telling her different stories all portraying different emotions which subconsciously only made Firefly more frustrated with herself 

Why did a Nobody like her get to see sights like these, it wasn’t fare on Robin and it wasn’t fare for all those who deserve this more than she ever did 

Firefly’s eyes slowly shifted to the pristine white acoustic guitar and the way Robin’s hands glided across it her callused fingers brushing against the string each note a melody within themself telling thousands of stories. 

Robin noticed her gaze and an idea sparked breaking the silence with a simple question “Do you play guitar Firefly?” 

“Oh well... I used too” She admitted rubbing the back of her neck nervously the friction seeming to sooth her nerves 

“Well, why did you stop?” 

“I just...” Her ocean blue eyes sinking to the dusty wooden floor “I just wasn’t very good” 

“Well give it a shot, play something simple, maybe the song that made you pick up the guitar, but I wouldn’t mind teaching you if you needed” Robin offered as she handed Firefly her guitar 

“Oh No Miss Robin I couldn’t” Firefly denied frantic her words all over, but Robins determination didn’t falter, the guitar didn’t move and it didn’t intent to not until Firefly played her a song 

Firefly clenched and unclenched her hand uncertain of the right choice but in the and she took the instrument and rested it on her thigh. 

“Are you sure, this is going to sound terrible” Firefly giggled nervously 

“I’m deadly sure” 

“O... Ok” Firefly took a deep breath and began to strum 

It wasn’t perfect by any means, but art was never meant to be perfect the faults is what made it truly shine, did Firefly hold down on the Fret board too tight, yes but did the chords come out clean, yes. 

Just like Robin’s, Firefly’s told a story of its own, a story of setbacks and sleepless nights spent in her room mastering the craft. A tune of hardship and longing filled the space, a song worthy of praise yet to personal to share with the world. 

Once the song was over Firefly took a breath the air seeping into her lungs like she was starved of it, Robin just stared her jaw hung open eyes wide filled with wonder 

“I told you it was bad, oh I’m sorry” Firefly apologise hiding her head in her heads 

“Firefly... That was... That was beautiful” Robin admitted her tone filled with an honest warmth to genuine to be a lie “You... You’re really talented you might even be better than me one day if you put in the work” Robin told the girl her voice growing more energetic with each word 

“You’re bluffing” Firefly deflected “A Nob—” 

“After that don’t you dare call yourself a Nobody around me” Robin told Firefly her voice stern and straight forward “I want to know what else you can do” 

Firefly had never heard something like that before, a compliment so genuine if she tried to deny it, she would just be lying. She had thought herself as a Nobody for so long that she forgot what praise really felt like 

“Just because I can do one thing kinda well doesn’t make me special” Firefly muttered 

“We'll all I can do is sing? Am I not special” Robin countered 

“Oh No! God no you’re amazing with everything that you do” Firefly corrected her tone panicked 

“You’re contradicting yourself” Robin tapped her foot rhythmically against the wooden floor folding her arms 

“But I’m not as good as you say I am” Firefly murmured, defeated 

“So, you’re calling me a liar?” Robin retorted once again her voice flat 

“No, I’m not trying too, Miss Robin please stop you’re confusing me” Firefly begged as she tried to get back into the right head space 

“Sorry but I can’t sit here and watch someone with talent put themselves down, I’ve not known you very long Firefly, but I want to know much more about you” Robin confessed crossing one knee over the other 

“Really?” Firefly asked sheepishly a glimmer of hope in her voice 

“Really” The women reassured in a gentle and welcoming tone 

Firefly rubbed the side of her nose slowly, rhythmically before she even uttered a word “Well to be honest Miss Robin, I wouldn’t mind learning more about the real you... This side of you” 

“It's deal then Firefly but do me one thing first” 

“And that is?” 

“Drop the honorific I’m not your boss; I’m your friend treat me like one” she said halfway between a chuckle and a demand 

There it was again, the sound of her heart invading her ears, beating against her ribs like a drum but then a sense of calm washed over Firefly, so much doute so much worry gone from Robin uttering a single world, a smile creped onto Firefly's face  

“Friend~” Firefly muttered  

The worded sounded foreign from her lips, for so long she had been alone that the word wasn’t native to her vocabulary, Firefly wanted to know why Robin warmed up to her so quickly especially since Firefly wanted to push her away at every turn. Keeping her not even at arm's length. 

Robin however was overjoyed; she could finally learn more about this person a person who to everyone else was nothing more than a shadow but to her would become something more because if Firefly was someone Robin could never have. A friend who only cared about the Robin behind all the theatrics 

To finally open up to each other, it was a step they both needed to take. 

The time slipped through their fingers like sand, the only sound present was the stum of notes and the gentle hums of both parties, and before they knew it their time to depart had arrive. 

“I guess... I’ll see you again soon?” Firefly asked as she rhythmically ran her hand across her arm  

“Yes!” Robin beamed “If you want... You don’t need to say yes, we can meet weekly and practice for a while, or you can come to watch my practice anything is fine” she suggested  

“I’ll... think about it” Firefly answered her voice tense 

“Please do, I would love to see you more often”  

There it was that feeling in Firefly’s chest, a tightness she couldn’t explain a heart rate increasing to a rapid degree she just stood there frozen “I want... I want to see you more often too, I’ll con... Consider your offer Mi— Robin” 

Robin just smiled “See you soon Firefly” 

“Ye... See you soon” Firefly waved 

In the blink of an eye, the sun had set the moon taking its place and once again there Firefly was writing in her journal it had become a habit at this point, before she would only write down all the thoughts that clouded her judgment but now it was less of a notebook and more of a diary 

Dear Miss Robin 

You scare me 

You scare me so much and it’s not because you’re vindictive or evil you just make me feel like I’m worth something, like I can be enough. You make me truly believe that I’m not a nobody, that I’m not someone who should lie down and take what coming to her. And it scares me 

You’re like the sun, and each day I feel more and more like Icarus, but today you were less like the sun, the guiding star in the sky destined to glow until the end of time and more like the moon, you still shone but it was relaxing soothing and calming, and if you were more like the moon maybe I could get closer to you 

But that is diluted dreams by a foolish girl, you only seem to glow brighter each day, and one day will that light blind you and shine so bright you don’t see me, will you spread your wings and fly away leaving me alone, back into the darkness once again 

It scares me, the thought of losing my only friend because there is nothing, I can bring for you, because what's a nobody to a star? 

Admiring you from Afar 

Firefly 

She closed the notebook and her eyes drifted to a case in the corner of her room, dusty tucked in a place out of view, faint whispers and fragments of a tune playing in her mind as she remembered all the sleepless nights spent at her desk strumming through the night. 

That's when she came to her decision, she picked up her phone and hovered over her contacts, hands shaky, breaths long and drawn out, she swallowed the lump in her throat and began to type  

Erasing and deleting message after message for what felt like hours until she hesitantly pressed send. 

On the other side of the town another notebook lay open, an entry in the midst of being written out a pen gliding across the page like a dance 

Dear Firefly 

You intrigue me so much and it's not for the reason you think I want to learn what makes you, you. Every time we tell you put yourself down until you are lesser than what you are. You tell yourself that you’re useless and a Nobody, but I know you're not, you’re the most interesting person I’ve ever met. 

Like you think you’re nothing but you’re stunning, smart, a kind person and a new thing I learnt today you’re incredibly talented too. I hope you accept my offer because I want to see you again, when you strummed that guitar the melody you played was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard. 

You’re the first person I can relate with the most, you say you don’t shine but you radiate the moonlight with each step, with each word you say, each tiny movement only makes you shine brighter. 

But what warms my heart the most is that you don’t want to know me as the celebrity, you don’t want to use me for clout or for money you just see me as well me, you want to see the human side to me. 

I want to know everything about you too, from your favourite foods to your favourite color but you built up so many walls that I though they wouldn’t break but after today, I can see cracks forming 

Can you hear my melody through that unbreakable wall? 

Robin~ 

The notebook closed and Robin sighed finally being able to get her words down onto paper let all the tension leave her body but before she could do anything her phone buzzed the screen lighting up with a message 

Firefly: Sorry to bother you but, can I take you up on your offer? The lessons I mean 

Robin chuckled as she read the message “I knew you would come around it” 

Robin: Of Course you can! Is same time next week ok? 

The response was quick  

Firefly: It is, thank you 

Firefly slid the phone away on her desk, her head in her hands as she let out a long breathless sigh of both relief and guilt “We’re really doing this” she said to herself before climbing into her bed  

When Firefly let sleep take her, it felt like less of an escape from the chaos of the world and more of a path slowly guiding her through her life, and that was enough for now, she no longer needed to sleep her days away now she had something she longed for her whole life 

A Friend who truly cared for her