The Threat
Eddie wasn't sure what Robin thought was going on. But, for the most part, she seemed to be following his lead.
Steve was out cold again, and Dr Sinclair had quickly decided they needed to relocate. So Eddie, Robin, Claudia and Dr Sinclair had loaded everything into the doctor's car. Eddie carried Steve to the vehicle, cradling his body close. He was immensely grateful for the fact that he had always been stronger than he looked.
Because, soon, they were heading straight for the doctor's house.
Now, Steve was settled in the Sinclair couple's bed. Robin was stretched out on one side of his prone form, leaning against the headboard. Eddie was laying next to him on the other side, an arm draped carefully over Steve's uninjured hips.
"Eddie."
Eddie startled, his arm tensing around Steve.
"Yeah?"
He looked up at her. She was looking at him, confusion and apprehension spread across her face.
"I'm a lesbian."
She'd already told him that. Not two hours ago. But he guessed she felt like she needed to reiterate the fact. And maybe she did. Because it was only now sinking in that she had come out to him.
It really didn't come as much of a surprise to Eddie. His gaydar was pretty on point. That, and he knew what a crush looked like. She was crushing hard for Nancy.
"Okay. I'm gay."
She nodded, seemingly as unsurprised as he had been. Robin shifted, closing her book and shuffling to lay down. Once she was still again she looked over Steve, at Eddie.
"You know... I'm like 98% sure Steve is bi? I mean, usually I wouldn't talk to anyone about this shit. That's not cool. But, like, your feelings are reciprocated. I can see it, plain as—"
"Robin," he interrupted. "Back at the trailer?"
She nodded slowly.
"If you had come in a few minutes earlier, you would have caught us kissing."
Her jaw dropped. Eddie snorted with a smirk. She looked like she'd been utterly blindsided.
When she finally picked up her jaw, all he got was, "Rude."
Eddie sighed. "Robin, I'm only telling you this because I know he would tell you if he was awake. I love him. More than I have loved anyone I've been with. And he loves me, too. We haven't discussed anything yet. Hell, we've barely been out of— We're putting it off until he's no longer on death's doorstep, okay?"
She was eyeing him with suspicion.
"What was that? You've 'barely been out of'... what?"
"It doesn't matter. Not right now, okay? Besides, Steve knows more about it all than I do, so he'll explain it better."
Eddie's fingers danced over the cast covering Steve's left arm. He thought back to the way he had desperately clutched those scissors in his hand - all awkward around the cast.
Robin dropped it. For now, at least. He had no doubt she would try again later. But she kept up with the questions. They were harmless, so Eddie played along.
They talked about school - Robin was an avid PE hater, too.
About music - she was a big Bowie fan.
About their favourite books - she loved Orlando by Virginia Woolf.
Eddie eventually got her talking about Vickie. Which lead to a long and enthusiastic retelling of every interaction she could remember. If he’d thought her crush on Wheeler was obvious, he’d say her crush on Vickie was plain as fuckin’ day.
But that soon lead to further questions, especially about Eddie's friends. Who he missed so much, it ached. Who he hadn't seen in months. Who didn't know he was alive and innocent.
"I don't know. I should probably call them..."
Robin rolled over, grabbing the landline off of the nightstand, and pulling it onto her stomach; base and all. "What's the name and number?"
Eddie smiled softly at her. Of course she would do this. Steve had gone on and on about how she was a ‘problem solver’.
He rattled off the first number that came to mind. "Gareth Emerson. His mom will probably answer."
Robin nodded, phone held to her ear. Eddie watched her closely. The way her face changed when Mrs Emerson picked up. Her 'customer service smile' in place, sounding as non-threatening as possible.
"Good afternoon, Mrs Emerson. My name is Robin Buckley. I'm a friend of Gareth's, from school... Yes, of course... No, I haven't... That would be wonderful, thank you... Alright."
Robin glanced over at him, tossing him a cheeky wink.
"Hi, Gareth. This is Robin Buckley, from band class?... Yes, that Robin... Yeah... No, I was calling to– to get your thoughts on Eddie?... No, this isn't a ploy... No, I'm not writing anything... No– Gareth, I just wanted to see if you know he is innocent..."
There was a long pause. Robin's eyes drifted back to the ceiling as she listened. “Yes, I know he would never hurt anyone... Yes... He's fine. A little shaken up, but fine... No, Carver didn't find him... He's right here, if you wanted— okay, hold on."
Suddenly, the phone was in his face. The cord stretched over Steve's unconscious form. He clumsily reached for it. His arm was wedged under his body, his fingertips tingly from lack of circulation. But he couldn't bring himself to let go of Steve, just yet.
"Gare-bear?"
"Fuck, man. I thought you were dead. Nobody could find you, and Carver was on a fucking warpath. He even came here, looking for you, dude. Nearly broke my fuckin' wrist–"
"He what?" Eddie sat up, back ramrod straight. His hand fisted in the blanket covering Steve's lower stomach.
"He stepped on my wrist. Nearly broke it. I'm fine, though. That's not the point. The way he was looking at me, I was sure he was gonna kill you, man."
Eddie couldn't help the growl that left his throat. Robin looked at him, alarm written on her features. It was a feral sound. "I'm gonna fuckin' guthim. It's one thing going after me. But it's a whole other... going after my boys."
Robin looked concerned. She couldn't hear Gareth, and with no context, his threat sounded very misplaced.
"If Carver comes near you again, you call Dustin and tell him to tell me, okay?"
"Where even are you, Eddie? We've been to the trailer, and we couldn't even find Wayne?"
"Wayne's with me."
"Where are you, Eddie?"
Eddie turned to look at Robin. He wanted to see them, more than anything. She seemed to understand what he was asking. Robin shrugged. "It's not my place to say 'no'. It's all on you."
"I'm at Sinclair's house."
"We'll be there in twenty."