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“Do I have hot lips?” Steve asked one quiet afternoon at Family Video. He’d been looking at his reflection in the window instead of hoping to see customers coming in.
Robin gave him an odd look, “I don’t know what that means.”
“Are my lips hot?” He repeated, “Attractive? Sexy? The alluring pout boys go crazy for?”
She shook her head, “Lips aren’t hot. Smiles are cute and actions made with a mouth can be hot but I refuse to believe hot lips exist unless burnt or covered with like chilli or hot sauce to make them feel like they’re burning.”
“So my lips aren’t hot?” He pouted at her.
Robin nodded resolutely, “Nobody’s are.”
Steve crossed his arms, huffing a little, “I think Eddie’s are when he’s quiet.”
She threw up her arms, moving to tidy the shelves. “I give in. Go and ask him!”
“You’re letting me leave work early?” He smirked at her, turning around.
“No! You’re on till until the end of the day.” Robin clicked towards it, laughing at his groan.
~
Robin had noticed the comment earlier on, but decided not to question it while they were in the shop. It wasn’t a good place to bring up the subject when too many people could overhear. Now they were at his home she had to ask, “So Eddie’s lips? You’ve noticed them before?”
“Haven’t you? They’re hot and gorgeous.” Steve agreed. “Why is that interesting?”
“Pretty sure we could ask everyone we know and they wouldn’t agree.” She stated, “Also because it’s nice to hear you talking about one person you like rather than vague attributes. It’s got to be my turn to tease you over a crush now.”
Steve rolled his eyes, “Really? Can’t I just be happy to have something that stands half a chance of happening for a while?”
“You entirely can be happy, but best friend rights say I can tease.” She agreed cheerfully, “Cause that’s what real love is.”
Playfully frustrated, he nodded, “Fine.”
~
“Maybe I should try playing DnD with them,” Steve muttered, waving the party out of Family Video. “Casually spend more time with Eddie that way.”
Robin scoffed, “Casually play DnD? You? Dream on Steve, none of them would be casual about that, and only Henderson knows you’ve even tried playing. It’d be major drama and all of Eddie’s friends would be suspicious of it.”
“What do you suggest then? I can’t hope for another town disaster to casually fold clothes next to my crush like you and Vickie.” He complained.
She thought for a moment, before gesturing, “Use that empty house of yours to advantage. Let them play there. You heard the brats say they’re having trouble arranging it since the school isn’t letting any clubs run while rebuilding work is happening.”
“Now who’s dreaming? If my parents get wind of that then I’ll be looking for somewhere new to live, not just a place to play a game.”
“And you’ll live with me. Besides, that’d require them actually coming back to the town they barely set foot in even before the ‘natural disasters’.” Robin pointed out easily.
~
The Corroded Coffin boys looked at Robin in confusion when she opened the door, getting shoved aside a moment later by Dustin who rolled his eyes when seeing the cause for the delay. “Come on, I want to get set up.” He called vanishing into Steve’s house.
“What’re you doing here, Buckley?” Gareth asked cautiously, taking slow steps as he entered the house, looking around as if expecting someone to attack him.
“It’s my besties home so I’m gonna be here whoever he’s got hanging out.” She simply explained. “Steve’ll be your waitress today. You know the rest of your roles. Anyone need a tour?”
The men shared a glance before following her through a little less cautiously.
~
They had a sleepover after the DnD had ended and everyone had gone home, collapsing together onto Steve’s bed, Robin curling into his side.
“Are you still teasing me about the new crush or can I ask you to be kind now?” Steve spoke quietly into the dark.
Robin had insisted they could talk better without lights on and it had actually become truth from the amount of times they’d done it. She didn’t try to turn and look at him, just made a quiet affirming noise.
He took a deep breath, “Do you think I actually could ask Eddie out? That he might agree if I do it right?”
“I think that if you just be you, he’ll be leaping at any chance to date you offer.” She answered slowly. “He’s always been pretty open about being queer and definitely flirts with you. Don’t change though. That’s one of the things people back off from when you do it. Just be you.”
“I can try that. What’d I do without you?” He sounded thoughtful, and horribly sentimental.
Robin nudged him gently, “Same answer, you’d just be you, lonely, stressed, babysitter you.”
“Hey!” He tickled her side in a short burst in retaliation for the tease. “I’m glad I’m not lonely when I’m just me with you.”
“Me too.”