Chapter Text
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“Hey, movie night tonight?”
“Sorry, me and Nance already have plans.”
It’s been a year, why do you keep trying?
“Can’t. We’re starting a new campaign.”
“Oh.. well, I can drive you?”
“No thanks, Eddie’s driving everyone.”
The only time they want to see you is when they’re getting something out of it and they don’t even do that anymore. They didn’t even notice when you were in the hospital.
Robin gets rides from Eddie and Nancy. Eddie always visits her at work so she has someone to talk to. Their little ‘Older Kids’ group (Robin, Eddie, Argyle, Jonathan, Nancy) knows about her, so she has a safe space to rant about her girl troubles. The kids have Eddie now. Eddie knows about DnD, who they never make fun of or call stupid, who has a van that can drive them all at the same time. The kids have Joyce and Hopper and Wayne. Lucas has Argyle and Wayne, who both know basketball and can play with him. Mike never liked him. He can’t give them free ice cream or movie access anymore, so what use is he?
None of them ever invite him to any of the movie or game nights the group has.
None of them noticed when he started to lose weight.
None of them noticed when he missed weeks of work because his parents came home, for the first time in 4 years, just to beat him half to death.
None of them noticed when Keith helped him move in with Murray and Dmitri.
None of them noticed when he started visiting the city more.
None of them noticed as he became happier and more confident than he had in years.
None of them noticed when his hollowed face filled out or when he wasn’t able to see his ribs through his skin.
None of them noticed when he started wearing glasses or a brace for his back.
None of them noticed when Murray, Dmitri, Keith, and his new family helped him move into the city.
None of them noticed.
And he doesn’t think he’ll give a damn if they ever do.
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Eddie had just pulled up to Family Video with Robin in the passenger seat ranting about her date tonight with Vickie when he noticed Keith standing outside the store looking at them.
Putting his van in park, he looks over to the rambling girl with a smirk, “Looks like someone’s in trouble.” He says with a singsong voice, his grin widening at her groan. He turns the van off and hops out with her, whatever shit Keith wanted to give her, he had to give it while Eddie was standing over her shoulder.
“Munson,” Keith starts, looking bored as usual, “Still looking for a job?”
Robin and Eddie stop in their stride, exchanging a look.
Eddie looks back to Keith, “You offering?” He keeps his voice light, teasing. People have ‘offered’ him jobs before but with all the hush money the government gave him, he’s never really taken the offers seriously. But the idea of working with Robin did have some appeal, he’s already here for most of her shifts, and he knows his way around, might as well get paid for it.
Keith nods and throws him the green vest he was holding, “You can start now if you’re up for it. You got the same shifts as Buckley.”
He turns to head back inside but Eddie stops him with a disbelieving, “Seriously?” Robin shook him by the arm and bounced on her toes in excitement.
Keith shrugs, “Harrington quit a month ago and I still haven’t found a replacement,” His tone blasé, “You’re here all the time, might as well put you to work. Buckley, you’re in charge of training him.” He goes back inside like nothing just happened.
Robin’s excitement drained out of her. Did Steve quit a month ago? How didn’t she notice? Why didn’t he tell her... When was the last time she saw him? It must have been... No. No. Why can’t she remember the last time they talked? Keith said he quit a month ago. A month! Surely she would’ve noticed? He’s her Platonic soulmate, she would’ve noticed, she would’ve…
“Sorry Stevie. Already have plans.”
“Not tonight Steve.”
“Sorry, Steve.”
“Busy tonight, sorry.”
“It’s okay, Eddie said he could drive me.”
“Maybe another time.”
“Jonathan said-“
“Nancy said-“
“Argyle said-“
“Sorry-“
“Can’t-“
“Busy-“
“Sorry-“
Robin feels her knees give out, Eddie’s arms catching her before she can hit the ground. She can feel him lift her and carry her into the air-conditioned building, but she doesn’t react. He sets her down behind the counter, putting his leather jacket over her so she can curl up underneath it, just like Steve always did.
Steve who quit a month ago.
Steve who she can’t remember her last conversation with.
Steve who she left behind.
Steve who quit a month ago.
She hears Eddie talking on the phone, telling whoever’s on the other side that they have a code red.
Eddie, Nancy, Jonathan, and Argyle drive her everywhere now. They listen to her rant about Vickie and give her advice. They always visit her at work. Their her ride to the group nights-
The group nights she’s never seen Steve at. The group nights she blew him off for, without asking if he’d ever want to go or if he was ever invited. The group nights where they talk about and process their trauma, together.
Without Steve...
How didn’t she notice?
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