Disclaimer: I do not own Stranger Things. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
*
"We're dating." Nancy announced to the group, cutting off Robin's well-meaning, but long explanation. Then after a brief pause, she bit her lip, and then clarified, "Each other. Me and Robin are together, in a gay way. Not that I'm gay. Bi, really. But I just... I love her, and we're together. And I wanted to let you know."
"I think they get it." Robin said, squeezing Nancy's hand gently. She then checked with a frown, "You guys do get it, right?"
"Yeah." Lucas quickly chimed in, "And I'm happy for you, but... what about Steve?"
"Yeah." Dustin agreed, "Are you okay, man?"
"Sure." Steve shrugged, "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Because Robin stole your girl?" Eddie question with a raised eyebrow, but not sounding upset about it.
"Technically, Robin was stolen by Nancy. But that's not what happened." Mike chimed in, and then when he got a look he protested, "What? They told me?"
"And it's the truth." Nancy pointed out, "Steve and I haven't been together for a while now.
"No, no, no! For the millionth time, Steve and I are strictly platonic. With a capital P." Robin reminded everyone with frustration, "So, there was no stealing. Just two adults, sort of, getting together, who happened to share a friend."
"I'm still not sure about that." Dustin said dryly.
"You aren't the only one." Eddie grumbled.
"But on the other hand, this makes a lot of sense." Dustin admitted.
"Like, so much sense." Max said, looking at Robin with a hard to read expression on her face.
"And hey, I'm not available anymore, so I'm just glad someone is there for you, Nancy." Dustin beamed his toothy grin.
"Thanks, Dustin." Nancy said dryly.
"I don't have a problem with it." Max said softly.
"Me neither." Will said softly, trying not to draw attention to himself.
"I'm definitely into it." Eddie said flirtatiously, before glancing at Steve, "Love is love, right?"
"Right." Steve blushed.
"I already knew, an I'm good." Mike clarified, which was probably unnecessary.
"Me too." Steve clarified, which was definitely unnecessary.
Feeling all eyes turned to him, Lucas protested, "What? I'm cool with it. Okay? As long as everything is good in the group."
"It is." Nancy promised him, mostly feeling like it was true at this point.
Then all eyes turned to the member of their group who had superpowers, who naΓ―vely questioned, "So, girls can date girls?"
"And boys can date boys. If they want." Eddie explained nonchalantly, while looking nowhere in particular, "It's not considered acceptable in a small town. But hey, what's more metal than rejecting the norm?"
Another pause, then Elle beamed, "Cool."
*
Robin had desperately tried to be cool during that conversation, especially during the build up to actually saying the words, but when the time came, she couldn't help be nervous. After all, there was a reason she had only ever come out to Steve. Well, technically Nancy too, but considering that was returning the kiss that her now girlfriend had started, it didn't feel like it really counted. At least, in the same way.
But these were her friends, who just happened to be younger than her, for the most part. There was no true guarantee of how they would react. Luckily, she was vindicated, and they reacted exactly the way she thought they would. Or more accurately, exactly the way she hoped they would.
Admittedly, the first minute or so after actually admitting what they were to each other was extremely nerve-racking, but as their friends gave their approval one by one, Robin and Nancy relaxed more than they had in weeks. Or in the case of Robin, more than she had her entire life. After all, now she finally had people she could talk to about this.
People who wanted to know the real her, and despite being children, or man children, spent the rest of their time together asking all the right questions, and making them feel at ease. So much so, that Robin was feeling smug by the time she got to the car. Which of course, annoyed the other girl, but ultimately, she was gracious in her defeat.
"You can say it, if you really want too." Nancy grumbled.
"Say what?" Robin questioned cautiously, as if she didn't know.
"That 'I told you so'." Nancy said dryly.
"Well, I did." Robin pointed out, trying not to smile too widely in the process. Then she quickly added, "I mean, I get it. I was nervous too. You have no idea. But..."
"They're our friends, and I should have had more faith in them." Nancy smiled softly.
"Plus, I still think some of them are at least curious." Robin said.
"Yeah..." Nancy had to admit thoughtfully, both girls considering how some of the others had looked at each other for a few brief seconds.
Then Robin smiled, "And at least everything is out there in the open, right?"
"Right..." Nancy agreed, though it was not long before she questioned, "But, what about your parents? Have you told them? I, I know you don't have the best relationship with them, but-
"My Mom knows." Robin interrupted softly, before further admitting, "I think she knew it before I did. If you can believe that. Or at least, that there was always something different about me. Something she tried to fix. At first, but now? Every time she asks, 'you have a boyfriend yet', it feels like she's accusing me of something. I guess I could confirm her suspicions, but she's cold enough to you as it is. I don't want things to get worse. I'm, I'm not brave, like you are. I can't just tell my parents 'I'm gay, deal with it'. God Nance, it was bad enough telling Steve and the others, who I actually thought would be okay with it. But, I can't tell anyone else. Okay? I just can't."
"It's okay." Nancy reassured her softly, "You've been plenty brave. Living with this secret for so long. Taking a risk with me. And-"
"Facing a hell dimension?" Robin quipped, trying to lighten the mood.
But Nancy wouldn't let her, as about the same time, she continued, "Diving into a hell dimension, and fighting monsters, to save a town filled with narrowminded people."
"Well, that was mostly about protecting you and Steve, so I didn't really have a choice." Robin said dryly, "I love you both too much for that."
"No, you're still amazingly brave. And I love you for it." Nancy insisted, "And now, I get to be open about it with our chosen family."
"Chosen family?" Robin raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah." Nancy confirmed, before admitting, "Well, I didn't choose Mike, but after everything that's happened, we're closer to each other than ever before. And, while it's a little weird, I love those kids."
"Me too." Robin admitted, before frowning, "Although, sometimes I feel like their Mom."
"Please." Nancy scoffed, before laughing, "Steve is the Mom."
"Yeah." Robin agreed, joining in the light laughter, "And Eddie is Mommy's new boyfriend."
"Does that make you mine?" Nancy questioned.
"Always." Robin said automatically, before blushing.
There was a brief pause, then Nancy questioned, "Does that make me the Daddy?"
"What?" Robin blushed even more.
"Does that make me the Daddy?" Nancy repeated, before pointing out, "Because, I love you, sweetie, but you don't really have the authority. Especially not with those kids. And surely, in this scenario, Steve and I are the divorced parents, with Eddie as his new boyfriend, and you as my new girlfriend?"
"Yeah, I guess." Robin said, "But please, don't call yourself Daddy again. It's weird."