Chapter Text
Maybe the storm will leave today
Maybe the fear will still stay
But even in the middle of it all
I feel safe when I hear your call
You don’t promise easy days
You promise you won’t walk away
-Your my shelter (Zelda Day).
——-
“Is the entire city of Hawkins here?” asked Steve, shocked, as he and the teenagers walked through the door. The gun shop was packed with people shopping as if Eddie Munson himself was about to attack the town. Little did they know, something even worse was coming.
“Okay,” Nancy said, sighing and looking around, unsure where to start. “We buy what we need and leave.” The three agreed and then went their separate ways.
Steve and Robin each took a shopping cart from the entrance. She shook her head as Steve grabbed a handful of items.
“Are you planning to buy everything in the store, Steve?” She said as he grabbed something else.
“Well, we need to be prepared.” He grabbed a grenade and tossed it into his cart. She rolled her eyes. “Oh, shit.” Before she knew it, he ran to the candy stand and started filling his cart with sweets. She walked ahead before he added anything else to her cart. Looking at the firearms and handguns, she wondered, How is this legal? Everyone and their mother was buying weapons. They didn't really think a bunch of kids who play Dungeons and Dragons would do this?
Passing the registers, she saw her. Vickie is looking at some keychains at a stand. She was in outfit that Robin thought she was hot in. That was her chance to talk to her. She checked her face and hair in a mirror—perfect. But then when she turned to walk up to her, she froze. She saw what’s-his-face, who recently graduated from high school, hugging Vickie from behind. She gasped in surprise then turned happily to kiss him. Robin’s heart sank. Tears welled up. Great, as if she didn't have enough worries. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped the cart handle tightly.
“Hey, do you think we need more ammo?” Steve questioned, approaching her. His cart was full of guns, other weapons, more candy than weapons. He stopped when he saw them too. “Oh, shit no,” he whispered. Robin looked like she wanted to run but couldn't stop watching them. They looked so happy. It seemed like they were in their own little world. She felt like she couldn't breathe. Maybe she wasn't what she thought she was. Steve placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, he hated seeing her like this.
“It's okay, Rob,” he said softly. “Maybe she's not the one. You don't know yet, but maybe there’s someone… someone right under your nose.” She quickly sniffed and turned away from them.
“Come on, Steve, let's pay and get the hell out of here,” she said quietly, walking away. On the way to the register, she brushed away tears, not wanting anyone, especially her to see her cry. Her head was beginning to hurt but she decided to take something when she got to the house. Steve looked angrily at the couple, who were unaware of what was happening. They joined Nancy to pay for the items.
The group decided to go to Steve’s house for now. It had plenty of rooms, according to him. Now they were fugitives, and they didn't really have a choice. It was fortunate his dad was out of town.
While everyone talked in the living room, Robin sat in the bathroom toilet with her hand on her head, her mind flashing back to the gun shop and Vickie. But something else was wrong—something she couldn’t explain. Her headache worsened, and she couldn't think clearly. A few days earlier, she’d had nightmares about being tied up under the mall, but this time, they killed Steve. She’d wake up crying in her room. She didn't want to tell anyone, especially Steve, fearing to worry him. It was just a nightmare, but very realistic.
Outside the door, Steve paced around. It had been a while since she was inside, silent, and he knew something was wrong the second she became quiet. He was sure she was upset about Vickie, but this was even stranger for her. He knocked on the door. Inside, Robin closed her eyes, the pain unbearable. She just wanted to disappear.
“Hey, Robs, are you okay?” he asked, running a hand through his hair in frustration but continuing to knock. “You know you can't hide in there forever. Please we need to talk about this.”
She abruptly opened the door, but before he could speak, she walked past him saying she needed fresh air. Everyone watched as Robin headed outside closing the door behind her.
“Is she okay?” Nancy asked Steve, who sighed and put his hands on his hips. “She’s been acting weird since we left the gun store.”
“Maybe the idea of fighting is getting to her,” Eddie said, tossing popcorn into Dustin’s mouth who kept missing.
“Did something happen at the gun store?” Lucas asked.
“Not that I know of,” Steve lied, staring sadly at the door. She was very upset about this, and he didn't know how to fix it. For now, he decided to give her space. But he hoped she’d feel better soon, because he really missed her.
Fifteen minutes passed, and she still hadn’t come back. Steve glanced at the door, worry mounting. It was dangerous out there, and she was still missing. He couldn't take it anymore.
“I'm going to check on her,” he said, getting up and heading outside.
Outside, Steve found Robin standing across from him, half-turned and staring at something he couldn’t see. “Hey, Rob, if you’re still upset about Vickie…you know it’s her loss…like I said, you can find someone better…” But she didn’t move. “Robin?”
No answer.
Her eyes were rolled back, unfocused, as if she was looking through him, into something else. Cold fear clenched his chest. It couldn’t be. “Hey,” he called louder, moving toward her. “Robin, look at me.” She doesn’t and Steve’s heart starts pounding so hard it hurts. Something was wrong. Then it suddenly dawned on him.
Vecna.
He’s there in an instant, hands on her shoulders. “Robin. It’s me. Wake up!. You need to wake up!” Steve panics—He felt like his world was suddenly falling apart. There's no way he was going to lose her. “Robin!” He started shaking her. “Hey!” he cried out. “Nancy! Dustin! Eddie! Help!” He kept yelling till everyone scrambled out of the house toward them. They watched as Steve desperately tried to tell Robin to come back. Her body was stiff unmoving. Everyone was in shock.
“Steve—what’s happening?” Dustin freezes mid-step, wide-eyed.
“It’s Vecna!” Nancy shouts. “He’s—he’s pulling her in!”
Max goes still. Her face drains of color. “No,” she whispers. “No, no—” She couldn't believe it was happening again.
“What do we do?” asked Lucas panicking.
“Keep talking to her,” said Nancy to Steve.“ We need her to come back. Where is her backpack? We need her Walkman.”
“It's in the house on the table,” said Dustin then ran inside to get it.
He presses his forehead to hers. “Robin, listen to my voice—just me. Forget him. Focus on me. You’re not alone,” Steve says, voice shaking but firm. “You hear me? You’re not alone. I’ve got you.” He cups her face, thumbs brushing tears away, forcing her to stay here. “You’re strong. You’re stubborn as hell. And you’re not letting him take you. Please don't leave me. I need you here with me.”
Dustin came back almost out of breath and stumbling but he had Robin’s backpack. He went through it, throwing clothes out till he found her Walkman. Placing the tape inside he placed the headphones over her head, then pressed play. They can hear the music coming out of the headphones.
She suddenly sways, breath hitching, and then she gasps—sharp, panicked—like she’s falling without moving. Her hands clutch at her head like it was going to break in half. Her knees started to buckle. Steve catches her before she hits the ground, pulling her tight against his chest. He sits on the ground with her. She’s trembling violently, breath coming in short, broken bursts. Her fingers dig into his jacket like she’s afraid he’ll fade away. Her eyes squeeze shut. Tears slip free, streaking down her cheeks.
“Steve,” she whispers, like she’s finding her way back through fog.
“That’s it,” he says urgently. “That’s it. You’re here. You’re here.” Her breathing stutters. Her hands tighten, then slowly—so slowly—relax.
Her eyes snap back into focus, unruly and terrified. Her face was relieved that she came back. She clings to him, burying her face against his neck sobbing as the last of the tension drains from her body. He holds her as he’ll never let go again. She sobs his name and it nearly breaks him.
“You’re okay.” He reassured her. “You came back to us.”
Nancy’s eyes filled with tears but she couldn't help but feel a tang of jealousy. The way they were holding each other and how worried he was. Of course, she’s everyone's friend and everyone was concerned but this felt different. She felt like they were watching something private between them. Minutes pass before she stops shaking.
“I saw him,” she says weakly. “I thought—”
Steve cuts her off gently. “I know. But you’re still here. And you’re not going anywhere without me. Ever.” She nods against his shoulder, fingers still fisted in his shirt. Her heart was beating hard against her chest. He doesn’t loosen his grip on her. She was safe and he wasn't going to hurt her anymore.
“I’m sorry,” she murmurs suddenly.
He glances down at her and his chest tightens. “For what?”
“For scaring every—” She stops, swallows. “For scaring you.”
He pulls back just enough to look at her. Her eyes are red, glassy, still carrying echoes of whatever Vecna tried to show her.
“Don’t,” he says quietly. “Don’t ever apologize for that.”
She exhales, shaky. “He knew things. Stuff I can't even—”
“I know,” Steve says. He brushes his thumb under her eye, wiping away a tear before it can fall. “And he doesn’t get to use that against you. Not while I’m here.”
Robin huffs out a soft laugh. “You’re not exactly subtle, Harrington.”
“Yeah, well,” he says, pressing his forehead to hers, voice softer now, “Subtle doesn’t really work on a psychic murder monster.” That earns him the tiniest smile.
“Did you have the same symptoms as Max did?” asked Nancy quietly interrupting the moment. She looked at Nancy and gradually nodded her head.
“I had headaches and it wasn't just a tiny one. It hurt so bad I thought my head was going to explode. I also had nightmares but I just thought it was because of what happened to us with the Russians. You know I thought we were going to die.”
“You still have nightmares?” Steve said looking down at her. His voice filled with concern. “I thought you said you didn't have them anymore.” But Robin didn't say anything instead, she sighed shaking her head. It was clear she didn't want to talk about it now. But they needed to talk about it sooner or later. She can feel him pull her closer.
“He preys on your weakness.” said Max “If Steve weren't there in time, he would have shown you more, or even worse..” Steve felt Robin tense up in his arms. Max was wrong he did show her more and it was something she didn't want to see again.
“Come on, let's get inside. You need some rest.” He helped her up and then brought her back inside. At first, he wanted to carry her inside but she insisted she was okay to walk but he knew how clumsy she was.
“I'm okay Dingus.” she said teasing him. How he missed her calling him that. The entire way he had her hand laced with his, her heart skipped a beat when he looked at her. Why was she acting like this? It wasn't new that they were touchy-feely and always teasing each other. But she liked the attention he was giving her, as if he were her boyfriend. That thought never crossed her mind till now. They went inside and he helped her onto the nearest couch and then placed a blanket on her. While everyone was glancing away he leaned down to kiss her forehead softly. Her body grew hot at the touch. “Get some rest, okay.” They locked eyes and she nodded her head. Robin tried closing her eyes. But she couldn't rest when everyone was talking but she didn't want to go to sleep.
If she did go back to sleep would Vecna try to get her again? She watched as everyone talked about random things and at some point took out a board game. Steve sat next to her and she instinctively rested her head on his shoulder while he wrapped his arm around her kissing the top of her head. She smiled softly closing her eyes. They always did that when they sat together in his house to watch movies. Except they did it when they were alone not in front of tons of people who are now watching them. But they didn't care they were in their own little world and they didn't care.