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After they kill him, Robin finds Nancy.
They don’t need words. They know each other too well for that. Robin’s arms are warm, safe. Home, after everything.
Nancy drops her gun and returns the hug, she knows Robin needs it even if she’d never vocalize that need. They stay like that for a bit, just breathe.
The others all cleaning up, not celebrating but taking it in. The safety. After everything, all Nancy and Robin can do is hug.
~~~
After El closes the portal, the silence is deafening. Robin watches Joyce, Hopper, Mike. Watches their pain, the quiet sorrow. Nancy is frozen, eyes wide with unshed tears.
They find one another again, as everyone grieves. Arms looping around one another.
But this time is different. It’s not comfort, of the after, the safety. It’s the pain. Why now, does one more have to go? Death is already a member of their party, why must they continue to replace the others?
“Why?” Nancy asks, a sob that breaks the quiet that has fallen over them. Tears begin pouring out now, no stop in sight.
The after of the after, a broken family lying feet from the slight comfort. It’s not enough for forever. It never was. But now, just for now, it is.
~~~
After a few months, Robin lies in Nancy’s arms. They’re both too afraid to let go of one another, to part for even a moment. The bedside light stays on, all night. Neither one can stand the dark anymore.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Robin asks quietly. Never pushing. Never. Nancy will tell on her own time, in a few minutes, or a few years.
Nancy nods, turning into her.
“He had you.” She murmurs, trying to keep the tears out of her voice. The nightmares haven’t stopped. Robin doesn’t comment. She knows it’ll only shut her down.
“He had you, and I couldn’t-“ her voice breaks, “I couldn’t do anything to stop him. And Mike, and Mom, and-and Holly,” she breaks down, and Robin wraps her arms around her.
Hugs used to be a thing she tolerated. They were necessary in social cues, in friendship. But hugs with Nancy are different. Always.
“Shh, it’s okay,” Robin soothes, sitting up to pull Nancy into her lap. It’s five in the morning, later than usual. Nancy almost made it through the night.
They haven’t left Hawkins, first because of Nancy’s parents needing help and now because of everything else. It’s a place of trauma, but it’s the only home they’ve known.
“He’s gone. It’s all gone, I promise Nance. You’re sa-We’re safe.” Robin murmurs, kissing her head. Nancy tilts her head up to kiss her lips, eyes shut tight with tears rolling down her cheeks.
“What time is it?” Nancy asks after she’s let it all out.
“Five thirty two,” Robin replies without pause, eyes locked on the clock.
“I woke you up, sorry.” Nancy says, slouching.
“Hey, no you did not. Don’t feel guilty for that. I will go a million sleepless nights to take care of you, to take care of us. Don’t feel guilty for that, ever.” Robin says, grip tightening just a fraction to keep Nancy here, out of her own head. Nancy nods, eyes still watering but gaze strong.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep after that. Mind if I go get some coffee?” Nancy asks, already kicking down the sheets of her queen sized bed.
“Better yet, I’ll come down with you. I can’t sleep in the mornings, you know that.” Robin smiles, getting up out of bed to lead her downstairs.
They don’t talk about how everyone in the house agrees to sleep with the hall light on. They don’t talk about her parent’s room, completely redone.
They don’t talk about the remodeled kitchen, or the way the island is bigger than it used to be, not that Robin would’ve known had she not lived there when it was happening. They don’t talk about the dirty dishes in the sink, or the glass cabinet containing the family’s various prescriptions.
They don’t talk about the photos on the walls, or Will’s drawings on the fridge. They don’t talk at all.
Nancy makes the pot, that special blend Robin got Karen hooked on months ago. Robin cleans the pot while Nancy puts the filter in, the grounds, the water. They wait the twenty minutes for it to be boiled and then cooled, then wordlessly pour and move into the living room.
Robin lays her head on Nancy’s shoulder, and Nancy pulls a blanket over them both. Domestic bliss, after so long of not having it.
~~~
After the boys graduate, Robin and Nancy see the guys. Eddie would be here too, they’re both convinced.
Jonathan eyes the way their hands are linked, but Robin doesn’t let it get to her. They didn’t work out in the end, and he came to terms with it.
Steve smiles at them both, proud of his place. They breathe in the peace here. Robin is wearing Nancy’s shirt, Nancy stole her jacket.
Steve confesses that he’s not a very good teacher. Jonathan talks about his film. Robin just holds Nancy’s hand as they drink and catch up, ignoring the elephant in the room. Or on the roof, they should say.
But this is the after, when nothing then matters. When the world is ahead of them, free from upside downs and demigorgons and mind flayers.
~~~
After the sun sets, after they get home, they stay downstairs with everyone. Robin cuddling Nancy in her lap, making eye contact with Will every so often to show how ironic it is they both bagged “Walk ‘em down” Wheelers.
Of course Mike is already tugging him downstairs to play DnD, leaving the adults and younger kids with them. Karen is settled next to Ted, head lying on his shoulder. Like mother like daughter.
Robin presses a gently kiss to the top of Nancy’s head, getting up to get her some sparkling water. Nancy’s terrified of drinking after she stopped, terrified it will start up again. Robin doesn’t drink in solidarity, just to make sure she doesn’t worry.
Hearing footsteps up the stairs, Robin returns to see the kids running up from the basement all smiles. Holly leads the younger group down, making Nancy chuckle as she accepts the drink from Robin.
Karen smiles at the two, their acceptance of having two homosexual children unbefitting of the time but a wonderful surprise. Nancy snuggles closer into Robin, hiding her face as she lets out a content sigh.
“Can we stay like this, forever?” She asks quietly.
“I don’t know,” Robin replies, chuckling, “you want to stay cuddled in my lap? I don’t think your parents would like that very much.” Nancy smothers a chuckle.
“You know what I mean,” Robin nods.
“Yeah, I do. And I, although powerless compared to certain members of this household, will do my best to grant my wonderful girlfriend’s wishes!”
She scoops her up, setting Nancy’s feet on the ground before moving to dance with her around the living room, faint music coming from the stereo.
Finally, peace, after everything. Maybe they will live happy, after all.