BOLT ✔ P.M. ₃

three

IF THERE WAS ONE THING ROBIN KNEW FOR SURE AT this moment, it was that he had questions coming for him. He had lied long enough, and now he could no longer run from the consequences. This was proven when he was pushed up against the wall, out of earshot and sight of the others.

Pietro sent him a levelled glare, having to look down slightly to do so. "Were you ever going to tell me?" he demanded.

Robin glared right back. "Does it matter?"

"It matters to me!"

"Why? It has nothing to do with you!"

"I thought we were friends, that's why!" Pietro snapped. "I thought you would trust me with something like this! Isn't that what friends are supposed to do? Trust each other?"

Robin pushed the taller boy off of him. "No, I wasn't going to tell you. Ever. Just like I wasn't going to tell you that I'm gay, and like I wasn't going to tell you that I'm fucking in love with you! Okay? It doesn't matter! This friendship," he gestured between them, "is bullshit!"

Silence. There was not a sound that came from Pietro as he processed what Robin just said. Robin, chest heaving, did not even realize what he just admitted.

"You... are in love with me?" Pietro repeated, his voice barely above a whisper.

Robin froze. Shit, he thought. He did not mean to admit that. He was not ever planning on admitting that to even himself, never mind Pietro. Now, he realized, he messed up. Maybe for the last time.

"I can't do this right now," Robin whispered, trying to walk away. To get ready to fight an alien, again. More powerful than the last. Pietro quickly grabbed his wrist, preventing him from leaving. Though he easily could leave either way, Robin stopped.

"Please, stop running," Pietro said softly. "I know I haven't been kind to you... I was blind. But I don't want you to leave again."

"We don't really have a choice right now," Robin said, burying his emotions deep down. "We're kind of about to fight an alien, remember?" 

"I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you."

"And I'm trying to subtly avoid it!" With that he made his way away, to prepare himself. Leaving Pietro behind.

"You're not being subtle!" Pietro called after him. He sighed. It was hard to get anywhere with Robin with his constant joking to avoid confrontation. 

As he made his way to his own room, he got lost in his thoughts. Robin's confession was unexpected, but not exactly unwanted. Pietro was not completely sure what he felt - after all, the mental wounds Arielle had inflicted on him were fresh. But Robin... he was something else. If once, just this once, he stayed and talked through everything... maybe something could happen between them. Eventually. When Pietro was over his own heartbreak. Communication was something that was needed first.

Pietro sighed as he threw on clothes he could fight in. He wished things were easier. His sister and Vision did not seem to have this trouble. Although, Vision was an android. Maybe it was not comparable. Either way, it was a mess. A mess neither boy had time to deal with, with Thanos on his way.

The final decision was to go to the Avengers Compound, deeming it the best (and safest) place. Tony led Strange to his lab the moment they arrived. The rest were in charge of protection, in case Thanos sent people after the stone before they destroyed it. Or worse, he came himself.

With the situation at hand, Robin decided to go talk to Sam, something he had not properly done in a long time. The compound had many different rooms, as well as empty areas where you could hear your echo. Robin found Sam standing above, looking down on the training area. With him was Bucky, who had a hand on his shoulder.

Wordlessly, Robin walked up to Sam's side. Sam glanced at him, then at Bucky. "Give us a minute," Sam murmured. Bucky nodded and left. 

"I'm sorry," Robin started, his voice soft. "I shouldn't have lied to you. And since we're going to die, I want to tell you something..." Sam did not interrupt, instead just looking at the young boy he still cared so much about despite wishing time and time again that he didn't. Robin took a deep breath. "I'm gay."

Sam was quiet for a moment. "I'm sorry, did you want me to act surprised?"

Robin rolled his eyes but could not fight the smile that graced his lips. "I was under the impression you weren't smart enough to notice," he joked.

Sam shrugged. "It was easy to figure out after the thousand times you said you weren't interested in women," he said with a chuckle. "I'm glad you're back, kid. I missed you."

Robin opened his mouth to answer when the compound shook, nearly knocking both Sam and Robin to the floor. "What was that?" Sam asked, the rumbling nearly drowning out his voice.

"We'll find out," Robin said, using the winds to stabilize both himself and Sam. As usual, trouble followed him everywhere. This time was no different, but perhaps it was worse than usual.