Whatever It Takes

Brave Together

"I cannot believe you two are actually a thing," Robin said, leaning back in her chair with a wry smile. I grinned like an idiot and shrugged.

"I can barely believe it," I replied, trying to keep my tone level. Her smile grew.

"You've really liked her for ten years?" she asked, her smile turning into a smirk. My face flushed and I looked down at my empty beer.

"I mean, w-well, like, okay, so—"

"Oh, my god, I thought Dovey was exaggerating – she was serious? You've liked her ever since you tried to be the 'cool dungeon master'!" Robin exclaimed, leaning forward in her seat. My face turned a darker shade of red.

"I didn't have much going for me, okay?" I retorted.

I tried not to get defensive, but this was one of Dovey's best friends. She was often on Dovey's side when they thought I hated Dovey and would encourage Dovey to torture me. I was desperate to at least have her somewhat on my side now. Robin smirked at me.

"No, you've got something," Robin assured me. She leaned back and pointed at me. "I don't think I've ever seen Dovey like this."

"Like what?" I pushed, immediately interested in more details. Her smirk grew.

"No, no, no – don't go fishing for compliments, Munson," she admonished as she shook her head. She nodded in the direction that Dovey had walked off to. "You can ask Dovey to tell you how pretty you are."

I grinned in spite of Robin's ribbing and looked down at my hands in my lap. She wasn't totally off base. It was nice to be validated about Dovey's feelings for me – after a decade of her vitriol in the face of my feelings for her, I was like and addict fiending for more evidence that she liked me now.

I looked up, trying to find the girl who had me in a chokehold over the last ten years. I furrowed my brows when I saw her still talking to Steve. I watched them, wishing I could read lips. Dovey looked bewildered and shook her head at him. I could tell she was trying to stay calm as she answered Steve's questions. I felt a wave of emotions and stood to go be the backup she probably didn't need.

She finally looked over at me, her expression exasperated. When she noticed me, her face flashed with relief momentarily, and my chest tightened with pride to know that I provided her with that. She shook her head surreptitiously, as if she could read my mind and know what I was going to do. I pursed my lips but nodded at her in answer. I stayed standing so I could watch her.

"You've got nothing to worry about there, Munson," Robin said abruptly. I looked down at her, confused. She took a sip of her drink. "It would have happened years ago if it was supposed to happen at all."

I looked back at Dovey and Steve, trying to believe Robin.

"Seriously, Munson – there's nothing to even to watch over there. I bet Dovey's letting him down as we speak," she continued. My eyes widened and I looked down at her.

"Really? You think so?" I asked, unable to cover up my excitement. She gave me a patronizing look.

"What did I say about fishing for compliments?" she retorted. I blushed and smiled awkwardly.

"Sorry," I apologized.

I noticed her finally break away from Steve and start making her way back to the table. She was shaking her head and muttering to herself, and I could tell she was barely containing her frustration. I decided to walk over to her and meet her before she got to the table. She almost crashed into me as I got to her, not noticing me coming to intercept her. Her face split into a smile that made my heart race.