it's my feeling we'll win in the end

Chapter 2: tell me your troubles and doubts

There are some things in this world that are impossible to go through together without becoming friends. Coming out to each other while sobbing and watching The Breakfast Club is one of those things, apparently. After that first eventful movie night, Robin and Will have become inseparable. Now they're a duo, they're a pair, they're RobinAndWill.

Today, like most weekdays, Will swings by Family Video as Robin finishes her shift.

"Hey Dingus, your child is here," calls Steve as Will steps into the store.

"You love saying that don't you," says Robin, rolling her eyes as she takes off her work vest. "Ok Harrington, I admit it. It's not that weird to be friends with children."

" Thank you."

"I object to being called a child," interjects Will. "I'm, like, basically fifteen."

"You're right," says Steve as he ruffles his hair, "You're practically a senior citizen!" Will gives an indignant huff.

"Okay Byers, ready to go?" says Robin, swinging over the counter.

"Yep! Bye Steve!"

"Bye Robin Williams!" (Steve's nickname for the pair. It has yet to catch on with anyone but him, but he was very proud when he thought of it).

"So what is it today? Arcade? Movies?" asks Robin as they step out into the lazy August warmth.

"Actually I was thinking I could show you the woods near my house. You haven't seen Castle Byers yet," he says. Then he frowns, "I know it's kind of childish or whatever to have a fort, but-"

"Man, having a fort in the woods isn't childish; it's awesome!" she beams as she hops into the driver's seat of her rusty second (or third or fourth) hand car. She waits until he gets in before continuing, "I'm pumped to see it!"

"Oh, great!" He pauses. "So you really don't, like, mind hanging out with me? Even though I'm younger?"

" Mind hanging out with you?" she says incredulously. "Hell no, dude! We're bros."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

* * *

"Dude, I think I'm too big for Castle Byers," says Robin as she surveys the small building.

"Me too, probably," he says. They look at each other solemnly for a minute, then grin as they duck into the little fort anyway. It's the first time he's been in here in a while. He takes in the tiny room. He's had to do some serious renovations and rebuilding since that one unfortunate night in the rain, but it still looks pretty much the same as ever.

"This is so cool," whispers Robin. "It's like we have our own little world!"

"We don't have to whisper, there's no one else out here," he says, his comment somewhat undermined by the fact that he's also whispering. They erupt into giggles.

"Seriously dude, this kicks so much ass," she says, at a normal volume now. Then she grins wickedly, "Is this where you bring boys for alone time ?" She makes exaggerated and obnoxious kissy noises at him. He shoves her.

"Shut up! As if." His cheeks are red, but he's smiling.

They chat for a while about their days, about the newest U2 album, about what superpowers they would choose and why. All the important things in life. It's been so easy to just be together for the last few weeks. Will can talk to her in a way he can't really talk to anyone else, not even Jonathan or Mike. Even when they're talking about stupid shit like whether flight or invisibility would be a better power, he feels more understood and seen with her than anyone else.