BRANCE + RINNEY

robin wants to be alone, his best friends insist on being alone with him.

requested by @stanl3ysBathtub !
———

Robin hadn't been himself lately. Of course, physically, he has been. Mentally though, he's almost never present. Bruce, Vance, and Finn have noticed this. He didn't want them to but it couldn't be avoided. They were his best friends after all.
———

It was another school day. Thick fog clouded around the school, making the windows of said building look as if they were crying. Slow, sad drops of water fell from each window. Robin looked through the one in his class, his head being held in place by his hand. Sighing, he turned his attention towards the stout female teacher in front of him. Her voice droned on and on, making the class seem impossibly longer than it usually is.

Next to Robin, Finn twirled his yellow wooden pencil around his fingers, groaning softly when it fell to the floor with a loud tapping noise. Robin smiled at him. At least he had a friend in this class.

"So, as I was saying, we have a individual project due at the end of this week. It's over astronomy and it needs to be at least 5 paragraphs long. Class dismissed."

Robin rolled his eyes as the bell overhead blared loudly. He didn't even feel like making his bed this morning, how was he supposed to feel like getting this project done? More importantly, how was he going to get the project done?

"Robin? You alright? You look a little stressed."

Robin laughed softly, giving Finn a small smile.

"I'm alright. Thanks though Finn."

Although Finn didn't believe Robin, he didn't press on. He didn't want to anger or upset the boy by invading his privacy if something was bothering him. Especially if Robin didn't want to talk about it. Finn would have to talk to Vance and Bruce about it. Maybe they could help.
————

The day was halfway over, the lunch bell had just signaled the time.

Robin smiled as he made his way to the cafeteria and to his friends. He wasn't getting lunch today, not feeling hungry enough for it. That's what he'd say if anyone asked anyway.

Finn and Bruce seemed to be having a deep conversation about the upcoming project, Vance sat next to them with his earbuds in. He noticed Robin before the other two did. An eyebrow raised in confusion on why Robin didn't have a tray of food like he usually did. Robin noticed this and started to pick at his cuticles, something he only did when nervous or uncomfortable.

Vance stood up from where he was sitting and walked over to Robin, who was standing awkwardly in front of the table.

"What's wrong?"

Vance had asked the question in a kind voice but his expression was serious. Robin wanted to shake his head, tell him that it was nothing to worry about and that he'd be perfectly fine. He couldn't get the lie out fast enough.

"Robin?"

Robin's eyes traveled over to Finn, who had a worried expression on his face. Bruce stared with his eyebrows raised slightly and a confused expression drawn on his face.  Robin felt guilty for worrying his best friends. He choked out a laugh, it sounded painfully fake. Robin's eyes squinted shut and he forced himself to turn away from the caring eyes that bored into the back of his head. He laughed again, this time it came out as more of a sob. His legs moved faster than his brain, carrying him quickly to the bathroom.
———

Robin cried quietly in the bathroom, not wanting to draw attention to himself. He sat in the stall farthest from the entrance, his shaking body positioned against the wall.

Robin had been dealing with a lot recently. A lot that he hasn't told anyone about. He's been getting a lot of comments from family members telling him that he's too 'overweight' and should either eat less or workout more. Sometimes they said he should do both. His uncle recently passed as well, making his emotions spiral and claw at his brain and heart.

Robin cried harder, his whole body shook and his organs punched him from where they sat inside of him. He just wanted to be okay.

The sound of the entry door being opened prompted Robin to quiet himself down fully. He swallowed his sadness down as best he could and wiped his tears off of his face. Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, Robin listened for the voice of the person who had just came in.

"- him go in here."
"Are you sure? He could've just went home."
"Guys, look."

The voices, better known as Robin's best friends, stopped talking abruptly and the sound of numerous footsteps were heard coming closer to where Robin was. A knock echoed from the outside of the stall to the inside.

"Robin? It's me Finn. Vance and Bruce are here as well. Listen, we're worried about you and we care about you so much. Please talk to us."

Robin wanted to sob all over again. His heart felt fifty times heavier and was weighing him down. His brain couldn't think right and it felt like it was being squeezed tightly, and not in a good way.

"Robin?"

Robin scowled as he felt tears start to slide down his face once again. He couldn't stop them, instead he chose to slide back more in to the wall behind him. The voices quieted once again and Robin silently hoped that his best friends had left. His wishes weren't heard. The sound of the stall next to him being opened and a pair of feet on the toilet made Robin quietly groan in annoyance. Suddenly, Vance was right in front of him and was reaching down to embrace him. Robin let it happen, Bruce and Finn joining in soon after.

The three boys clung on to Robin for a little while until they thought it was long enough. When they pulled away, they were happy to see that Robin had a small smile on his face.

"Will you tell us what's been going on?"

Robin was hesitant but nodded his head. He knew it'd be better for everyone if he told them how he was feeling.
————

After Robin had explained what was going on, all four boys were crying in the stall. Vance tried to act tough but his red face and glossy eyes said otherwise. Finn had hugged Robin again, nuzzling his head into his hair. Robin smiled, wiping both his and Finn's tears when the boy had backed away again.

"Thank you guys. For being here y'know."

All three boys looked at Robin in confusion.

"Robin. We're your best friends. We're always going to be here for you."

Robin smiled bigger, a very genuine one. His smile made the others smile.
——-

The boys skipped the rest of the school day, instead going to a nearby skatepark that Robin had told them about days prior. It made Robin happy so the others were perfectly okay with staying there as long as the boy wanted to.

After the skatepark, the boys went to Bruce's and had a sleepover.

Robin was thankful for his friends. His best friends. His family.

——-