Chapter Text
August 25th, Thursday, 1978
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All he could hear out of his ringing ears of nerves was the pounding of shoes against the dirt as well as the dirt being splattered all up his legs and socks from the pouring rain turning it into mud. He watched at how number ‘27’ ran throughout every base with two strikes behind him. “Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Bruce!” The rain muffled most of the cheering coming from the batting team, he sighed walking towards the cover to retrieve his jumper and bag, “Finn right?,” Finney nodded confused as to where this was going, “Man, your arm is mint.” Bruce smiled his fingers gesturing to Finney’s bowling arm.
Finney awkwardly smiled stepping away from Bruce towards the bleachers heading for the familiar faces that sat on them, he climbed the steep stairs immediately getting pulled into a hug when he reached the top, “It’s okay Finney, you almost got him!” Gwen, his sister was pulling away from him with a disgusted expression. “You’re muddy..” Finney raised an eyebrow shaking it off when he noticed the other person just behind Gwen. “Hey Finn.” Robin his best friend, probably his only friend except Gwen of course. “Come on, let’s get home.” Robin slung an arm over Finney’s shoulders starting to walk down the stairs again after Gwen. They stopped just before the pathway, looking at it then the rain that wasn’t stopping anytime soon. “Did anyone bring an umbrella..” Gwen asked looking away from the path to the two boys who were leaning against each other.
They both shook their heads she groaned stepping out her, hair flattening against her head, “Let’s hurry.”
-
They were almost at the Blake’s house just a road away, Gwen was walking in front leaving the two behind her taking their time, occasionally Gwen would look back at them with a raised eyebrow noticing that even if Robin’s arm was not around Finney’s shoulders anymore, they still stayed glued to one another’s side. “Think they’ll cancel school?” Finney was pulled away from his thoughts when Robin spoke up, it made him peel his eyes away from Gwen in front to the boy besides him. “Like.. because of the weather?” Robin smiled pointing up at the sky when he noticed Finney’s confused face, quickly Finney nodded laughing slightly. “Who knows, it might clear up by then.” Robin makes a ‘hm’ sound but Finney doesn’t know if he’s agreeing or disagreeing. He was about to ask when Gwen had called out that they were finally home and all of them ran to the front door trying not to slip on anything muddy.
After serval minutes for Gwen to unlock the door with her hands shaking from the cold and slipping off from the rain she managed to open it as they piled in standing on the old towel they use for shoes. “You guys can shower first, I need to finish some stuff before dad gets home.” Gwen walks away after that into the kitchen leaving the boys to toe their shoes off onto the towel. “You can shower first.” Finney clears his throat when they walk upstairs turning into Finney’s room, it was silent for a few minutes which makes the nerves in Finney get even worse. “I should head home.. I promised to be there after your game.” Finney turns around to look at Robin who is fidgeting at the doorway, He finally gets the chance to take him in looking him up and down, his breath hitching when they make their way up his face rather slowly.
“Are you alright?” Finney quickly shook his head feeling his cheeks heat up, but he turned around ignoring them as well as ignoring Robin who just frowned, “You’re not walking home in the rain, you can call your mom after you have a shower.” Finney turned around after picking through his drawers picking out what he thinks might fit Robin, he stares at the boys wide eyes then he squints, glaring at him when the other tries pushing the clothes back into Finney’s hands. “Go.” He tries again this time not getting anything but a small under his breath Spanish sentence. “Te odio a ti y a tus bonitos ojos marrones..” and with that Robin disappeared out the room and down the hallway into the bathroom.
Finney waited for the sound of a door shutting before falling face first onto his mattress then realising once he hits the bed that he’s drenched, he shoots up stumbling around the room lost.
. . .
It hadn’t been anymore then 10 minutes when Robin re-emerges to the bedroom dressed in Finney’s old grey hoodie and pants though Finney didn’t pay them any mind since his eyes were stuck on Robin’s curls, Finney never saw Robin without his bandana or even his hair curly, it was always pushed back by the bandana or it was straight slicked back keeping it out of his eyes. Finney cleared his throat forcing himself to turn away to grab the clothes from his bed, he walks past Robin who’s body turns to watch him leave.
A few minutes later Finney returned to see the bedroom door shut.. Huh, Finney raised an eyebrow opening it to see Robin on his back on the bed staring up at the ceiling, he didn’t move his head to look at Finney as the other placed a towel on his hair rubbing it dry, even if Finney couldn’t see, he could feel the burn of a stare on his skin. After rubbing his hair for what seems like hours he pulls the towel off shaking his head a little, his hair only feels a little damp. Finney brings a hand up running it through his hair to move it out of his face throwing the towel onto the bed besides Robin’s feet, out of the corner of his eye he sees Robin’s head move back into its original position.
“Did you shut my door?” Finney asks standing in the middle of the room not knowing what to do, “No Gwen did, said your dads home, or something.” Robin muttered whilst Finney just realised that his eyes were closed, Finney’s eyes drift lower to Robin’s lips, they were pink and a light purple probably from the cold. His brain imagined things without him even realising and when he finally stopped he looked up to see Robin staring at him a slight grin and raised eyebrows. “Oh.. uhm, have you called yet?” Robin pushes up on his elbows cracking his neck, he nods opening his mouth. “My mamá didn’t pick up, so I’m just gonna go.” Finney nodded waiting for Robin to get up before walking out of his room together, they made it to the living room to see Finney’s dad on his usual chair with a case of beer sitting on the table next to it, in the background there’s a light on in the kitchen.
Finney opened the front door stepping outside, the rain had stopped but it was still cloudy, probably gonna start again, Both boys were staring up at the sky in the silence waiting. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” Robin turns to face him with a smile, it only gets bigger once Finney nods starting to back up to the front door more so he’s under the porch. “Usual spot?” Finney calls out to the other who’s already by the mailbox turning to look at him last minute. He sees Robin nod before walking down the street, hopefully he gets home safe..
Finney looks at the sky once more before turning around to head inside, he closes the two doors behind him heading to the kitchen, “Who’s that.” His dads voice was raspy and it seemed like it was full of something, Beer he hasn’t swallowed yet. Gross... Finney sighed keeping his back to him, “He’s a friend.” Finney hears the creak of the chair, “Are you sure,” Finney flinches when the voice starts again, this time more louder. Finney nods. More creaks are heard presumably his father moving around in his chair or him getting up, more likely the first one since his voice is still a good distance away. “You better watch who you become friends with, Finney.. don’t want you becoming a fag.” Finney flinches once more to the word, he hopes deep down that his father didn’t see it.
“Are you a fag Finney?” His father asks more slurring in his words now, Finney turns around finally meeting his fathers gaze, he regrets it, having to look him in the eyes now, those eyes that make him feel see-through, hollow, a ghost. Finney shakes his head wanting to avoid speaking as he knew his voice would fail him. His father though, clearly wasn’t happy by his answer and started to pick himself up walking closer to Finney. “Are you a fag.” His voice got quieter on that word making sure Finney could really understand him, Finney starts breathing heavily suddenly getting a rise of anger. “No.” By the looks on his fathers face, he didn’t like that answer either, unconsciously Finney takes a step back alerting his father even more.
His father picks at his belt until it slides out he grips it tight raising it to point at Finney’s pale face, “Speak to me that way again.” His fathers eyes squint barely open for Finney to wonder if he closed his eyes or not. “Are you a fag.” He tries again putting the belt closer up to Finney’s face leaning in slightly. Finney tilts his chin up, something he had noticed Robin doing everytime in a fight and him explaining that it sometimes freaks the other out by your confidence. Obviously it won’t work on adults twice your size as he watches his fathers eyes widen even more, a scowl crossing his lips. “I said no.”
———
• • •
———
Before he even gets to move, the belt collided with his face leaving a sensitive red blob. Finney’s hand reaches up to rub it, some of the pain reducing into small pokes of a sharp stick. “I thought I told you to watch your mouth.” His father points a finger dangerously close to him then raises the belt again like he’s threatening him in some way, “We never had a problem before, now we do?” His father asks eyes opening more at the realisation, “Did that ‘friend’ of yours teach you this?” Finney’s breath stopped for a moment his brain kept making things up, things that scared him.
“Let’s make a deal. You watch that mouth and I’ll let you continue to see that friend.” Finney started breathing again but he doesn’t think it was by choice, Finney nodded feeling another burst of pain through his body on the same cheek once again, That’ll definitely bruise... Finney turned his head to the side his eyes starting to get glossy as he kept his gaze on where the doorframe connects to the floor. “Goodnight.” He listened as his fathers footsteps got faint and less noisey.
———
• • •
———
Finney ran upstairs into the bathroom, waiting a few minutes to make sure his father was asleep, he inspected his cheek pulling and tapping the skin testing where it hurt more and less. He hissed when he fingers came in contact with a particular spot that was already turning green, he groaned stomping out of the bathroom and down to his room stopping in front of Gwen’s door noticing that the light was still on. He smiled walking ahead to his room closing the door quietly, every step he takes he feels himself grow more tired till the point he falls onto the bed falling straight asleep too tired to move.
-
Finney puts his hands on his knees panting hard, He had just ran from his house to the meeting point where he and Robin would sometimes meet up early to hangout before school and today was one of those days, he straightened up, his mouth open as he tried getting air to his lungs. He bent over once more not even noticing the figure walking towards him. “Finn?” He stood up turning his head to the side to see a familiar baseball teammate, “Oh Bruce..” Finney coughed awkwardly as he fiddled with his bag that hung by his hip. “You heading to school?” Bruce was closer now, standing a few feet from Finney who looked around the roads for a certain someone, He shrugs turning back to Bruce, “Yeah, we can go..” Bruce smiles as they walk to school together.
They got to the driveway for teachers before Gwen ran up to them, pushing Finney a little for him to go stumbling forwards, he looks at Gwen who had an unreadable expression on his face. “You left me at home!” She yells joining Finney on his side as they all continue down the parking lot. Finney opened his mouth stuttering to find the right words when faintly you can hear the sounds of cheers. Oh thankgod..
They all ran to the crowd that was forming just by the school building, it looked like a fight, “Holy shit, Moose and Robin.” Finney didn’t like fights that much.. he hated them but when he heard that name he perked up walking to an empty side getting a good view. Bruce had walked off somewhere saying something about “meeting with friends” not that Finney really paid attention. His eyes were glued on the two on the ground mostly the one plummeting his fist into Moose, someone who bullied Finney for months. “Go Robin!” Gwen had cupped her mouth shouting it at the two, If this was a different fight with different people, Finney would of stopped her and dragged her away but.. his eyes were too focused on the way Robin’s muscles fle-
“Finney!” Finney flinched turning to Gwen who was shaking his shoulder, she tilted her head to the now stopped fight to see everyone had ran off and the two weren’t fighting anymore, There was a teacher crouched down their hands wrapped around Moose who looked pretty much dead, and another one scalding Robin who didn’t even look phased. “Come on, before we get caught up in this.” Gwen pulled him away and towards the building where everyone had disappeared too earlier.
Finney had put two and two together, when Bruce had said he was meeting with “friends” he had expected baseball friends, not Pinball Vance Hopper who didn’t match the excitement you could see coming off of Bruce a mile away. He had grinned the entire time they passed the two and even when he looked back to check on them when he was at the other end of the hallway. “Who knew, Bruce Yamada and Vance Hopper total opposites would be friends.” Gwen sighed excitedly when they approached Finney’s locker. Finney shrugged smiling himself, “Anything’s possible.” Gwen just scoffed walking off. Was it something I said..
Sighing he walks to his next class spotting Matty, Matt and Buzz leaning against the wall by the doors staring at him, with a tilt to the head all three were now looking his way. On instinct he jumps into the room speeding to the back of the class getting the furthest chair at the back. He hated Thursday’s, he hardly has classes with his friends on Thursdays. “This sucks.” He whispers once he sees the board.. he reaches into his pocket pulling out his rocket playing with it while watching the teacher.
He switched the flashlight on pretending it was a rocket leaving for space, he gets distracted looking out the window then to the girl sitting in the chair across from him, He remembered her from last year, Donna the girl that he’d catch himself staring at every once and a while, Gwen even teased him about it some times. She turned back to him smiling making him turn away quickly facing the front and slamming the rocket on the table quietly.
-
Finney continued to think about Donna and her catching him staring the whole lesson, he then thought of what he was gonna do when the bell rang, what he was gonna do with Matty, Matt and Buzz. It was 5 minutes left and he was dreading to leave, a part of him wanted to leave and get out of this boring class but another part wanted to stay in the safety of a class. “Okay class, head straight to next period.” Finney sat up clearing off his table heading out the class, he didn’t see them in the hallway, good news, so he headed for his class.
His eyes widened when he turned the hallway to see them grinning at each other about something one of them probably had said, they meet his eyes, Buzz tilting his head to him whispering something that makes the other two face him. Finney suddenly hears his heartbeat in his ears, he turns around putting distance between him and them. Speed walking through the glass door at the back of the school and then turning into the boys bathroom outside. He walks around the wall that sticks out a bit seeing Robin bent over scrubbing the blood from his knuckles, Robin notices him from the mirror turning to face him, “Oh hey Finn..” he smiles then looks at his knuckles which were less bloody so you could see the tears and bruises forming. “That perras teeth are sharp man..” Finney grins walking over to him inspecting his knuckles even though they were still under water.
The door opens again and Finney feels his stomach drop and gathering by the look on Robin’s face, it was plastered on his expression too. Finney didn’t have to turn around to know who it was but it didn’t stop Robin from looking between them. “Finn.. do you know these people?” Robin whispered keeping his voice low, between him and Finney, watching and waiting for a reply. He gets a nod of the head and he tenses turning the sink off, reaching for a brown paper that’s hanging from the dispenser. “You might need to bandage me after this.” Robin grins wrapping the paper around his torn knuckles breaking eye contact from the bullies to look at his hand.
Finney doesn’t turn around, only keeps his back to the bullies even though he can see them in the mirror and they can see him perfectly. He watches as the whisper to each other, turning to leave. “Wait.” They stop. “Fuck with Finn again, I fuck with you.” Robin was no longer looking at his hand but instead gripping the sink staring at them from the mirror. He released his grip once he saw the frightened expression. “You can leave now.” Then they were gone, Finney sighed loudly turning around to the urinal besides Robin. He awkwardly looks everywhere but towards Robin ignoring the way his cheeks burn up when he’d notice from the corner of his eyes or the top of the mirror that Robin was staring at him.
“You’ll tell me if they fuck with you again right?” Robin asked finally pulling his eyes away from Finney enough to move slightly for Finney to wash his hands. Finney turns to him before moving over to the sink still watching him this time from the mirror. “Yeah.. of course.” Finney smiles watching at how big Robin’s smile gets after that simple sentence.
There was silence between them, Robin awkwardly shifted on his feet whilst Finney dried his hands. “Uhm.. do you think you could?” Robin held out his hand and an extra paper to Finney who just stared at them with a raised eyebrow, he pushed them away, softly shaking his head as he reached for his bag. “May as well do something while we’re here.” Finney grabbed out bandages and alcohol wipes from a part of his bag labeled “Medical Aid, (Gwen)” in bold writing. “I don’t even want to ask.” Robin’s voice was quiet and raspy, though Finney didn’t mind, he could listen to Robin’s voice for days. “Gwen, as you can see.” He holds up the plastic bag lifting his eyebrows with it, Robin smiles sarcastically turning his head away but Finney could see the blush he had tried to hide.
Finney thought it was probably a better idea that Robin wasn’t watching him while he was literally clearing his cut and torn knuckles, He sighed raising the wipe up to Robin, he snatched Robin’s left hand holding it into his own. He then saw that there wasn’t any marks on that hand, he rolls his eyes grabbing the other hand hearing a quiet snicker from Robin.. that made him roughly place the wipe onto his hand grinning as he hears a sharp hiss and some Spanish. “Ay pedazo de mierda, ¡Eso apesta!.” Robin’s voice when he spoke Spanish was deeper than his usual voice, it made him more handsomer, beautiful many other things that Finney could think of.. hot
“Sorry..” Finney whispered as he delicately wiped over the cuts hearing some small hisses or flinches coming from the boy above him. Finney apologised multiple times after that and even when he started wrapping it, no matter how many times Robin would say it’s okay and told him he’s strong, Finney would laugh or roll his eyes. “There.” Finney had tucked the last piece in onto the palm again, then looked up at Robin smiling. Robin was looking at his hand (the bandages) in admiration. “You should be a medical.” Finney raised an eyebrow, “A med student?” Finney grinned this time at the look of awkwardness on Robin’s face. “Yeah, a med student, you’d be perfect at it.” Finney blushed turning away, “Oh, Finn, ¿te estás sonrojando?” Finney couldn’t understand what he had said but he knew it was something at him.
“Yeah right, My dad would never let me become one.” Finney shook his head turning back to the sink rinsing his hands, Robin frowned watching as Finney collected all the rubbish and extra bandages to put away, “What happened to your cheek.” Robin tilted his head pointing to it. Finney shrugged lifting his bag from the floor, “Was it your dad again..” Robin was the only one Finney ever told about his dad beating them, Finney shrugged again not feeling in the mood to talk.
“Finn.” Robin asked quieter this time, Finney could no longer hear the echo of the bathroom, “Robin, it’s fine, it doesn’t hurt.” Finney put on a smile trying to tell Robin that he was indeed okay and it didn’t hurt, but the other wasn’t buying it. “Who was it?” Robin stepped closer, filling in the gap between them, Finney’s back still faced Robin as he leaned on the sink. Finney’s body tensed, he heard someone clicking their tongue before some shuffling movements. “What was it for this time.” Robin was closer now, close enough that Finney felt a shiver run down his spine when he talked, close enough for them to practically be hugging.
Stop Finney, you’re not a fag. Finney shook his head not wanting to continue the conversation, obviously getting the hint Robin backs off and putting space between them again. Finney turns around still leaning on the sink. “Do you need help with math today?” He couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed when Robin shook his head. “And you know why?” Robin grinned getting a confused expression from Finney. “Because I’m going to watch my best friend play baseball.” Finney’s eyes widened remembering he had a game straight after school, “oh god.. I forgot.” Finney face palmed himself wincing a bit.
“You’re always forgetting, did you atleast pack clothes?” Finney nodded as the two walked out of the bathroom, they froze hearing the faint ring of the bell, it was lunch.. “Did we really skip a whole period..” Finney turned to look at Robin who seemed occupied and a bit out of it. Finney looks up at Robin then across his line of sight to see familiar boys coming out of the room, one talking and the other looking like he doesn’t want to be here. “Bruce and Vance Who would of thought.” Robin grins taking Finney by the sleeve heading after them.
. . .
It was dark now, Everyone in the Blake’s residence was asleep well except for Finney who was wide awake talking to Robin who was also wide awake and had snuck in just after their father fell asleep. They were sitting on the bed with a book in Finney’s lap and a piece of paper in Robin’s, it was 12:45pm at night and Finney was teaching him maths..
“Robin, it’s times not plus..” Finney whispered pointing at the mistake on the others paper trying his best to ignore the eyes that searched across his whole face, “It’s 52.” Finney smiled locking eyes with Robin, he couldn’t help but notice the way the other went red quickly before turning away to re-write the answer.
{1am}
It wasn’t the first time the boys have done all nighters, but it was the first time at Finney’s house. They would normally do it at Robin’s due to his mom hardly being around and not really caring what they do as long as they don’t get arrested, so when they hear a few creaks coming from upstairs bedrooms they froze or even went to a hiding spot between the wall and the fridge squished together. Now was that time, they had heard several creaks coming from upstairs and saw a light switch on.. they ran to the corner squishing themselves in, Finney first then Robin.
Finney giggled when they heard soft stomps down the stairs meaning Robin had to cover his mouth when they got closer. “Si te callas te juro que te beso..” Finney, confused raised an eyebrow looking at Robin’s face which was half dark due to the lights being turned off incase of anyone waking up. “Are you okay over there.. or..” Gwen, Finney’s eyes widened as he looks away and around the corner to see Gwen with a cup of water in her hand staring right at him. Gwen seemed to calm down when she realised it was just Finney until Robin had to peek his head out dangerously close to Finney’s.
“Oh.. oh, oh Robin..” Gwen’s confused and awkward expression turned into a grin when she noticed the blush on both boys faces, “Uhm, continue I’ll be in my room.” Gwen turned around out of the kitchen before popping her back in, “Dad is gonna be awake soon, he has work remember?” Finney mentally slapped himself for not remembering, they said ‘goodnight’ to each other, the boys coming out from the corner now standing in the kitchen. “Shouldn’t you be heading home?” Finney asks as they head up the stairs tip toeing. “No one’s home tonight.. can I just stay over?” Robin whispers closing Finney’s door behind him.
Finney’s eyes widen even more before pointing them in the direction to the wall, Robin sighs his head hanging low from his shoulders, a pout on his face. “Fine, but you’ll have to leave through the window..” Finney explains heading for his pyjamas drawer. Pulling out some clothes for the both of them, “Here.” Finney handed Robin some pants motioning for him to get dressed. “Do I- now?” Robin stutters, Finney just raises an eyebrow holding his clothes against him tighter. “Well I mean.. it’s nothing I haven’t seen..” Finney trails off his neck and cheeks flooding with red.
“Nothing you haven’t seen..?” Robin grins feeling his cheeks burn slightly, “That’s not what I meant.” Finney raises his head to look at Robin, “I meant, we’re both boys.. does it matter?” Finney’s voice trails off as he looks down again after seeing a split second of disappointment on Robin’s face, Robin clears his throat getting Finney’s attention again. “Just turn around or close your eyes.” Robin’s voice was a whisper as he watched with a grin as Finney turned around facing the wall above his bed. The bed they were going to share in a few minutes. Finney took a deep breathing sucking the air through his teeth, It’s not like Finney was entirely wrong with the whole situation, he didn’t actually mean it like that but some parts of him wanted to mean it like that.
“Alright I’m done..” Robin was suddenly in front of him, laying down on his back on the bed, Finney moved back to the corner of his room to get changed as Robin rolled over onto his stomach hugging one of Finney’s pillow. The clock on the bedside table was shining big bold green letters at him, 1:32am probably the earliest time for Robin to feel sleepy. Robin shifted making Finney freeze when he was pulling a shirt on, it was stuck at his neck waiting for his arms to go through the holes, his body shivered from the cold. After he knew Robin wasn’t peeking or going to peek he continued.
Eventually they were both in bed, Finney’s door was locked incase their father had tried to open it even though he’d be in shit either way, locking the door or being caught in the same bed with Robin, Finney was on the side closest to the wall meanwhile Robin was facing the door, probably not the best idea..
“You tired?” Finney asked his voice slightly muffled as his face was pressed into the pillow, Robin shook his head the remembering that Finney could not see him when his face was pressed into the pillow, “No.. I’m not.” They were whispering, the room was covered in awkward silence of the two boys not knowing what to say or when to talk, Robin had felt Finney shift a couple of times but he had always stayed on his side of the bed.
“Robin..” Finney had waited for any type of reply before continuing, what he had got in return was a small shift of Robin rolling around to face him. “How would you know if you were gay..” Finney held his breath getting ready for the comments he might get from the other, there was two parts of Finney.. the one part where all the sayings and rumours of him were true and the other part where those rumours weren’t true. “When you like the same gender?.. Finn we learnt about this.” Robin giggled watching as Finney’s tomato red face revealed itself from the pillow. “But uh.. you’d get a certain feeling around this ‘someone’.. and I don’t know, not like girls?” Robin sniffed his eyes not moving from Finney’s.
That’s good, he wasn’t gay then.. he had liked Donna, He had liked her ever since the first baseball game when she was sitting next to Robin and Gwen.. Robin who always came to his games.. but Gwen always came to them too… No he doesn’t like Robin. “Finn?” Finney snapped back to see Robin looking at him nervously, he was sat on his elbow leaning closer to him.. their faces inches apart. “I lost you there for a second.” Robin laughs quietly stopping abruptly when they heard a door open and heavy stomps, ungrateful fuck.
Robin fell to the bed pulling the cover up over his head, shifting closer to Finney in the process, Finney listened to the footsteps slowly come louder then they stopped in front of his door, a small knock was heard. “Go to sleep, Finney. You have school tomorrow.” Then he walked away presumably downstairs. Finney sighs sinking into the bed taking deep breaths when Robin removed the blanket from his head.
“Atleast he cares.” Robin whispered not bothered to move back over to his side, they stayed together practically laying on top of each other in the middle of the bed, Finney rolls his eyes looking away from Robin, “Robin.. It’s Saturday tomorrow.” Finney had his arm stretched out and the other by his side pulling the covers up to his neck, The arm that was stretched kept getting tickled by some of Robin’s loose hairs.
They both slowly fell asleep like that all cuddled up together, but even throughout the night they got closer
————————
Finney woke up first to the pounding of a hand (or two) against his door, right he locked it last night.. this morning?.. Finney looked at the clock squinting to the light, 12:??pm the other numbers were too blurry for him to figure out, “Finney!!” He blinked tiredly looking back at the door, he couldn’t be bothered getting up. Especially with this extra weight on him. “What.” His voice was hoarse, rough probably from just getting up, “Oh thank Jesus, you’re still alive. I thought dad would of seen you guys.” She paused though Finney could still hear her and her loud breathing, “That’s if Robin is still here.” Gwen started her voice quieter now
Finney looked up then around spotting the said boy, still sleeping, “Yep.. he’s here.” Finney dropped his head back against the pillow sighing, “Well.. are you guys gonna get up at all.. you’ve been sleeping for hours.” Finney closes his eyes, she was still here.. “Well we stayed up late last night.” Finney tilts his head sideways his voice more clear now. “Who’s fault is that.” That was the last thing she had said to him as she walked away, pretty loudly as well, Finney yawned scooting himself down the bed into the most comfortable position he could be with the other tucked up at his side, he groaned rolling his eyes with a small smile on his lips.
Then he fell back asleep.
-
Both of the boys woke up in a fright to see the door was open and a very worried Bruce was standing in it, “¿Qué... qué está pasando?..” Robin rubbed his eyes resting on his elbows while Finney sat up squinting. “Bruce? What’s wrong?” Bruce was closer now and now Finney could see the shaken look on his expression, “Why the fuck are you drenched?!” Finney shouts his eyesight finally normal, “It’s Vance, I- we were going to hang out today at the baseball grounds.. and-” Finney furrowed his eyebrows trying to understand his mumbling words. “Then it started raining.. so I went over to his house and asked his mom and she said he was on his way to meet me..” Bruce’s eyes were glossy.. sparkling in the dark of the room. Robin dropped his head back, groaning.
“Maybe he went to the arcade?” Finney smiled softly wanting to help the other calm down, “No no, he would of said ‘no’ when I asked him if he wanted to hang out.” Finney’s smiled dropped and his eyebrows lifted, Robin slowly brought his head up looking over at Bruce. “Did you ask out Vance Hopper??” Finney sat up straighter his eyes wide, “That’s not the point, the point is he’s out somewhere in the rain and he totally stood me up.” Bruce pouted crossing his arms, Robin grinned.
“Can we please go and look for him?” Bruce turned his head not wanting to see the looks of their faces, Finney looked at Robin who was laying on his back staring up at the ceiling, “Alright.. let me get changed though.” Finney signed looking down into his lap, Bruce nodded walking out of the room shutting the door after himself. Finney looked at the other body which didn’t move from its place, raising an eyebrow he waited. “Robin.” Robin groaned pushing himself up and out of the bed having to lean over Finney in the process.
Finney grinned rolling his eyes when the door shut once more.
. . .
Finney walked up to the two boys who were talking at the front door, He was pulling a jumper on as he passed them opening the door.. he looks back at them in expectation. “Come on, we needa find Vance.” Finney turns back to the saturated driveway with his hands on his hips. “Get an umbrella..” Robin grabbed one from the bucket by the door walking out next, Then Bruce. They all walked down the driveway under the umbrella being held by Bruce so everyone could fit, “Where are we going?” Finney asks, their feet taking them to the nearest spot they’d think Vance would go.. The Arcade
“The arcade, then maybe the baseball grounds, then we can try his house.” Bruce explains leading them into a walk to the arcade, Robin leans over to Finney grinning, “How much you wanna bet he’s chilling at home.” Finney leaned over not bothering to look at Robin he just spoke, his eyes strained on Bruce. “He better be safe if he’s got Bruce this worked up.” They turn the corner heading down the arcade street, they barely recognised their surroundings due to the storm being pretty bad. “We’re coming up on the arcade.” Bruce announced bringing the boys back from their own world. The sky was starting to clear up only sprinkling now, the same arcade where Finney had opened the doors letting the cops escort Vance out of. “It’s closed, I doubt he’ll be here.” Robin explains moving further underneath the umbrella. Bruce drops his head frowning.
“Gross, you’re so hung up on this guy.” He whispered turning away from the pathway looking down all the roads. “There’s no one around..” Robin turned back to Bruce seeing an upset and hurt expression that he clearly trying to hide, “Nothing.. but the missing posters.” Finney added placing a hand on Bruce’s shoulder.
“He’s okay.. let’s just go home and sleep it off, he’ll probably be home tomorrow.” Finney smiles picking Bruce up from the ground walking back with an arm on his back towards his house, what they didn’t see was the van that slowly drove out of the street watching them before disappearing down the lane way.
Bruce’s house was first, Then Robin’s then Finney’s, Finney had just gotten home closing and locking the door behind him when the phone rings, he rolls his eyes knowing exactly who it was. “Blake residence, who is calling?” Finney grins holding the phone up to his ear, “Oh good, you’re home. I wanted to call to make sure.” Finney smiled at Robin’s caring voice even though he had seen him not less than 15 minutes ago. “Robin I’m fine.. I’ll see you Monday?” Finney asks his voice quieter when he noticed someone else in the room. “Yeah see you” Robin replied saying goodbyes and something in Spanish Finney was sure he would need lessons for.
He rolls his eyes heading to his room without looking at the other in the room watching tv, knowing exactly who it was.
-
{Sunday, 28th}
___________________
Finney groaned rolling over to the sunlight seeping through his room.. he could of swore he closed the window and the curtains, he faintly heard a voice from behind him as he faced the wall his eyes pressing tightly together. “Finn.” Finney rolled over knowing that voice of concern having to experience plenty of times listening to it either over the phone or in an empty classroom. “What.” He rubs his hair out of his eyes which are squinting from the light still coming in from the window, “Why the fuck are you in my room.” Finney sat up his eyes looking all over the others face or rushed hair like he had just been woken up. “It’s Bruce, apparently he ‘never went home last night’ and still hasn’t been home.” Finney shot up further barely missing Robin’s forehead by an inch, “We dropped Bruce off last night though?” Robin was quiet.. great “And there’s something else.” Robin leaned back reaching into his pants pocket grabbing out a scrunched up piece of paper.
He held it out to Finney who hesitantly took it rubbing his eyes for them to focus on the bold letters
Missing Person
That’s all he needed to read along with the little picture in the corner, Vance their friend was missing.. Finney scowled remembering something that Gwen had told him one day along the way to school. They called him The Grabber, apparently he’s the reason Griffin Stagg and Billy Showalter went missing.. and now he was the reason Vance was.
Finney looked back up at Robin who he could finally see clearly, his eyes were wet and glistening.. he was crying.. Finney hated seeing Robin like this, the first time he had seen Robin like this was when his mother broke the news about his father to him. “Fuck.” Finney whispered pulling the covers off and standing up, some of the blankets came with him when he stood up bringing Robin into a hug. “It’s okay Robin..” Finney started hearing small sniffs coming from him, Finney just rubbed his back awkwardly.. “Everyone’s disappearing Finn..” Robin’s voice broke.. barely a whisper but loud enough for Finney to tune everything else out.
“What if.. what if your next.. what if I’m next?” Robin only hugged Finney tighter not daring to let go feeling as if he did he’d go missing. “You won’t Robin.” Finney brought a hand from his back up to his nape running the small hairs there. “I won’t let him take you.” Finney then stopped rubbing pulling apart from Robin, after a while Robin calmed down enough to move to a spot on the bed.
Finney looked away from the other to the clock, 8:30am, it was still early.. meaning they could either spend the entire day looking for Bruce or studying for the math test.
……
“I’m sure he’s fine Robin, it’s Bruce. Have you seen that guys swing..” Finney trails off, his eyes big as he stares in the distance as they swing endlessly on the swings at the local park. “He’s probably chilling somewhere with Vance.” Finney looks over at Robin who is just staring at the ground kicking up some bark from the ground. “Yeah.. I’m sure.” Robin didn’t look up he just smiled, then slowly that smile turned into a frown.
That’s all they did that day, cheer one another up, and before they knew it they were laying cuddled up together again.. this time wide awake and they both knew what was going on. They had been talking a few minutes ago and then suddenly the time was really late or really early in the morning. Finney yawned reaching up to scratch his head looking down at Robin by his side, “Tired yet?” He was waiting for Robin to get tired after he had woken the both of them up with his nightmare.. even though Finney told him it’s best to talk about them so they seem less real, Robin kept it to himself only snuggling closer to Finney.
“Well are you gonna be okay if I fall asleep?” Finney asked shifting his head on the pillow waiting for a comfortable spot to show up, he felt a nod of the head from Robin. Finney sighed, wrapping both of his arms around Robin bringing him impossibly closer now hugging chest to chest, it made Finney’s stomach drop and his cheeks burn. He calmed himself down by listening in on Robin’s breathing.. it got steadier over time, now it was calm.. he was asleep before Finney, wow.
Finney smiled drifting off to sleep as well.
-
His alarm was going off, still tired he slapped at it multiple times wanting to shut it off as it kept beeping at him, he groaned shoving his face into his pillow blocking the sounds out, Then knocks were heard at his door.. great, Gwen’s awake.
Finney looked up slapping the clock hearing it tick and continue the time, slowly he stretched and yawned then his memories came back from last night, the midnight talks the nightmare protection for Robin. His face grew hot thinking about it not even realising that the other was waking up besides him. Right.. last night, the conversation they had before falling asleep. Bruce was missing.. and so was Vance... Finney felt the bed dip besides him, turning to look he sees Robin heading for the window picking up his bandana in the process. “I have to go, see you at school?” Finney nods watching as the other smiles opening the window and crawling out.
Finney quickly got dressed heading downstairs to see his father was already in his chair drinking beer, Gwen was in the kitchen probably making some breakfast. “Morning Finney.” She smiles at him as he makes himself known by opening the fridge door, “Morning.” It was almost time for them to go due to Finney not waking up when he first heard his alarm. “We should start walking if we wanna get there in time.” Gwen suggested grabbing her bag and coat from the counter heading to the front door with Finney in tow. “Bye Daddy.” She shouts out getting no response, it makes Finney frown at the expression on Gwen’s face, it’s disappointment.
“Holy shit Finney!” Finney turns back towards her, she’s looking up at the power pole.. it has posters stuck to it, a new one and an old looking one, Finney didn’t have to go closer to know who they were, “A day apart..” he hears her whisper before silence once more, now she’s by his side and they’re continuing the walk. “Whoever it is grabbing them.. they must of gotten bored.” Finney frowns at the thought, he didn’t like talking about it because the two boys went missing a day apart from each other.. so did it mean they were already disposed or was he just collecting them like trophies.
Finney sighed as they came up on the school grounds, he looked around seeing no crowd.. no fight... this doesn’t seem like Robin, They hurried into school barely making it as the bell rung above them. “I’ll see you later kid.” Then Gwen’s off she disappeared into a classroom they passed, her rollcall/home room. Finney wished he had his rollcall on this side of the school.
Finney found his class as well as met up with a few of his friends along the way, walking into the room his eyes find the one person he’s been looking for ever since he came to this place.. and when he does find him, a smile crosses his face as he sits next to him. Robin was hunched over the desk with his arms folded on it, Finney could only see his side profile from his spot but it didn’t really bother him.. throughout the school day, Robin was quiet.. Finney could tell something was on his mind. Waiting for the lunch bell to go, Finney ripped a piece of paper out writing onto it before launching it onto Robin’s table.
He watched at how Robin unfolded it looking at the front and the teacher before writing something down, then the paper was on Finney’s desk, he smiled wider looking at the writing underneath his own.
ᴍᴀᴛʜ ɴᴏᴛᴇs.
ᴡʜᴀᴛ’s ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴏɴ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜ Rᴏʙɪɴ?
ᥒ᥆𝗍һіᥒg.. і ძ᥆ᥒ’𝗍 ᥕᥲᥒᥒᥲ 𝗍ᥲᥣk ᥲᑲ᥆ᥙ𝗍 і𝗍
Finney pouted starting to write before scribbling it out softly,
W̸a̸n̸n̸a̸c̸o̸m̸e̸o̸v̸e̸r̸?̸
ʙᴀᴛʜʀᴏᴏᴍ’s ʟᴜɴᴄʜ?
He passed the note back scrunching it up so the teacher wouldn’t notice, she couldn’t care less as her back was towards them. Finney started writing down the notes on the board whilst waiting for the reply, something hit his ear, he turned to see Robin staring at him wiggling his pen in his hands before turning back to the board leaving a confused Finney. Quickly, he unfolded the paper turning red quickly.
𝖿᥆r ᥕһᥲ𝗍~? ;) s᥆rrᥡ..
і’m 𝖿іᥒᥱ 𝖿іᥒᥒ..
He was about to write back when the bell went, scrunching up the paper again he threw it onto the bin as he passed it walking out of the room, He waited leaning against the wall for Robin, He saw the boys hair and bandana before him in general. Pulling him into a walk they made their way to the outside bathrooms where Finney first treated Robin’s wounds, “So what’s going on with the great Robin Arellano.” Finney says in a normal voice when the bathroom door closes behind them. They walk into a stall closing it behind them sitting on the floor with their backs against the walls either side.
Due to the cramped space Finney’s legs were in the middle whilst Robin’s were on either side of Finney’s hips and Finney’s knees bent under Robin’s boxing each other in. “I’m just thinking about stuff.” Robin finally spoke after the silence that had carried the whole time after they got there, “I feel bad.. like it’s my fault Bruce is gone.” Finney looked down his chin resting against his chest, “It wasn’t your fault Robin.” He looks back up surprised by the look on Robin.
“If it WAS your fault, which it’s not. Then it would be mine as well.. we both left Bruce that night.” Finney explained tilting his shoe to hit Robin’s side. Robin slowly raised his head trying to hide the smile, eventually the smile came through, Finney smiled leaning his head back against the stall sighing. “I honesty understand you Robin.” Finney closes his eyes not wanting to see the look on Robin’s face. “I don’t ever wanna see someone I love on a missing poster on a power pole.” He heard Robin snicker how much he loved that. “I think I’d die if I saw Gwen on one.” Finney’s voice was soft his head was still leaning backwards unable to see the way Robin’s eyes followed Finney’s adam apple bop as he swallowed.
“Let’s go, lunch is almost over.” Finney was looking at him by the time he finished staring away, he waited for Finney to get up first then he followed, Finney unlocked the door to see some random year younger then them staring at them with wide eyes from the mirrors. Finney and Robin stared in shock as the other slowly moved to the door. “Jesus.” Finney whispered heading for the sink washing his hands, Robin’s eyes just followed him an unfamiliar feeling in his stomach. He snaps out of it when his brain switches on for the first time that day. “Wait did you just indirectly tell me you loved me..” Robins eyes were wide and his eyebrows creeped to his hair line.
Finney shrugged walking to the door shaking his hands free of water, he turned back to look at Robin with a raised eyebrow and an expectant look on his face, “You coming?” He smiled before walking out of the door, Robin was frozen on the spot, Oh my god. he definitely had something to tell his mamá at the dinner table tonight. He followed knowing that Finney was probably waiting on him.
Not long after that he found himself being squished by the Blake siblings as they fought for the path not caring that Robin was in the middle, the soft grunts of the two fighting could be heard over the cars that drove down the street passed them.
The Blake siblings had stopped fighting for the pathway, Finney had just accepted that he didn’t deserve it of course getting a mock from Gwen in the process. They were coming up on the Arellano’s house meaning it was Robin’s stop, they awkwardly said goodbye as Gwen started walking ahead not realising Finney was still watching Robin, He was waiting for the other to get inside, wanting Robin to be safe and away from the dangers that’s happening in town he had promised Robin this last night and he will continue to keep his promise.
Finney started walking once the door closed shielding Robin away from him, he met up with Gwen panting softly as they continued home.. he couldn’t wait to see Robin again.
(Kinda gay there sir 🙂)
[Tuesday, August 30th…]
____________________
It was a usual day to Finney, get up pack his stuff wait for Gwen or Gwen waiting for him then they leave to school, they got there reasonably early walking into the school halls, it got awkward quick as everyone was staring at him.. they probably knew about him and Bruce’s meet on the field that day. They walked all the way to the canteen sitting down at one of the free tables, Donna, Finney’s “crush” according to Gwen had come over sitting herself next to Gwen. Finney awkwardly watched the two interact, he turns to look at the entrance of the cafeteria zoning out completely.
“-inney” he blinked resting his chin on his palm that was leaning on the table now holding him up, He was waiting for Robin to show up there walking over to them with that smile he always wears. “Finney!” Gwen screamed her eyes wide when a couple of people turn to her, Finney just lazily turns around facing her, “What?” She met his gaze as she quickly pointed with her head and eyes to Donna who wasn’t paying them much attention instead reading a book, the same book she had at the baseball game. “Donna asked you a question.” Finney’s eyes went wide as they trailed to Donna who just looked up putting her book on the table, spine up. “I’m sorry, what was it?” Finney took his chin off of his palm now crossing them on the table in front of him, “I was wondering if you wanted to go watch a movie tomorrow night?” Finney’s jaws goes limp slightly, his eyes wide. He cleared his throat noticing that he probably looked like an idoit.
Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Gwen shaking her head before placing it on the table, “I- I- sure..” Finney managed to get out looking confused with himself as Donna just smiled. “6:30?” She then asks her eyebrows raised expectantly.. “Yeah.. 6:30..” Finney forces a smile turning away to look out of the window ignoring Gwen’s sighs of disappointment.
———
Turns out, Robin didn’t come to school that day, and now Finney was left to deal with it by himself.. all alone, Yeah he had his sister but she was on the other side of the school half of the time so that wasn’t much use. Now in last period 10 minutes left of school he was anxiously tapping his pen against the wooden desk, “Who is tapping. Stop it.” The teacher spins around stopping Finney from his actions with wide eyes.
He groaned, rolling his eyes as he lightly tapped his pen against his book making a softer noise. Though he didn’t miss the soft groan of the teacher.
. . .
The bell had rung, everyone was sprinting down the halls to get out, he and Gwen always met outside the school at the power pole to avoid getting stomped on by the angry elephants, this time she beat him there so when she saw him she started walking knowing he’d catch up. “Come on Kid, I have homework to do.” Her voice was agitated probably because of the homework she had to get down by Thursday. Finney snickered earning a smack in the back of his head from her, “Hey, where was Robin? I noticed he didn’t come to school today?” Finney then remembered what he had thought about at the lunches, how when he got home he was gonna call up that shit and yell at him. He rolled his eyes grinning slightly, “He stayed home.. but don’t worry, he won’t get away with it.” He left it as that starting to speed up down the side walk.
“Finney, wait. Finney!” Gwen yelled out after him jogging up to her brother.
Gwen was now relaxing in the kitchen with her back leaning against the counter as she watched Finney call up Robin, she grinned when he showed a face of excitement knowing that someone had picked up,
“Hi Mrs Arellano, yes it’s Finney- oh.” Finney went red getting a laugh out of Gwen which he gave a glare too. She hummed continuing to chew on her biscuit. “Yes I was asking for Robin.. ma’am.” A couple of seconds of silence then Finney had pushed the phone away from his ear as his face crumbled up, “Yep still here.. somewhat.” Finney placed the phone against his ear again now watching Gwen walk away and up the stairs now it was just him and a slow ass Robin walking to the phone.
“hola quien es” Robin answered from the other line, Finney’s face brightened up at the sound of it immediately his nerves being calmed. “Robin..” Finney started unsure how to continue this conversation. “ah jesús..” Finney grinned turning slightly so he could lean against the wall next to the phone. “Hey Finn.. what’s happening?” Finney could hear the smirk in his voice as he rolled his eyes his grin dropping, “Why weren’t you at school today.” The line went silent.. shit did Finney scare him off already?
“I was sick.. I’m so sorry Finn, I’ll hurry to get better just for you.” Those words made Finney’s stomach do flips his “calmed” nerves now winding around each other in joy. “When someone says ‘I’ll see you tomorrow’ they actually see you tomorrow..” Finney complains smiling a little, there was a breathy giggle then a cough. “Yes I know..” Robin pauses as someone faintly speaks to him in the background, “¡Sí, lo sé, mamá, ya me voy!.. Jeeze” Finney raises an eyebrow “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Finney senses déjà vu and tenses. “Promise?” Finney asks turning to face the phone box ready to hang up.
“Goodnight Finn.” Finney stands there frozen with his mouth gaped open and wide eyes, Robin had hung up on him. Finney groaned harshly placing the phone back stomping away to his room where he would lock himself in until dinner or possibly tomorrow morning.
He went to sleep that night dreaming of tomorrow, planning a little plan on how he was gonna beat Robin’s ass and totally not get punched for it. He fell asleep not knowing that that call might be their last call…
-
Try number 2, this time. Finney was sure that Robin wouldn’t stand him up. He was sure that Robin was gonna be at school when he got there. He was pulled from his thoughts by some shakes, Gwen was in front of him her arms on his shoulders shaking him slightly, “My god, you aren’t listening are you.” Finney blinked at her his mouth suddenly dry as he forces a swallow. “The phone was ringing.. and it’s for you.” She pointed to the phone that was hanging by the cable, Quickly he hopped over to it picking it up, “Hello?” He hears a few sniffles and someone talking faintly.. “Hello?” He tries again this time getting a reply from the other side. He figures them out to be Mrs Arellano and Robin’s uncle, Finney could hear him sometimes in the background. “Is he okay? Why are you calling?” Finney raises his eyebrows as Gwen quietly listens but she could only hear mumbling, she watched the colour drain from Finney’s face.
Knowing that’s not a good sign she takes the phone off of him wishing Mrs Arellano a goodbye and the reason before hanging up to help Finney, He used her to ground himself as he almost fell over onto the ground in shock. Gwen didn’t understand why but didn’t hesitate to comfort her brother.. I guess going to school was a no go.
(Of course not Gwen. 🙄)
The next few hours, Finney was just in his room either sleeping or just staring at a wall/ceiling zoned out, Gwen would sometimes visit to check up on him or to bring him food, He hadn’t kept his promise… She frowned, she hated seeing her brother so down.. it wasn’t as if she wasn’t upset herself.. Robin was a nice friend to her always was, he would sometimes help her with her english homework when he was around or when she had some.. but she could never imagine what Finney is going through.
“Come on Finney, you gotta eat.” She held a new plate in her hands placing it on the table, she sighed noticing no movement from Finney, “I’m sorry Finney, I know he was your friend.” She held the door handle, Finney was looking out his window watching the rain drops race pretending they were cars, “Don’t say ‘was’. He is my friend.” Finney settled himself down onto his bed grabbing the covers and pulling them up, he locks eyes with Gwen. “Could you do your dream thing?” Gwen sighs, “It doesn’t work like that..” She shifted on different feet ignoring how cold the floor was upstairs. “Can you try?” Finney’s voice started to break as his eyes grew glossy.
Gwen nodded smiling at him softly before leaving the room, Finney turned away from the door watching as his room gets dissolved by darkness. Why was it you. was the last thing he thought of before falling asleep.
Everything was a flash, it showed the town’s arcade then it transformed into the baseball fields, after that it became an alley then the street by River lane. A bent tree facing the old house with the numbers ‘7741’ then it blurred she saw what looked like kids, bleeding kids.
Gwen panted as she shot up in her bed, she looked over to the window seeing it was morning, then she looked at the clock on her dresser.. she has 2 minutes before her alarm goes off.. may as well get up now. Gwen threw the blankets off of herself slowly rising to the floor stretching.
———
Finney was a light sleeper, he heard footsteps outside his room assuming it was Gwen and not the asshole, he started to get up, it was roughly around 7:50 - 8:00 when he finally dragged himself to the bathroom then back to get changed, he had eyebags under his eyes as he rubbed at them, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Finney got downstairs smelling the smell of burnt toast as he rounded the stair rails to the kitchen. He fake gagged with a finger pointing into his mouth, Gwen just scoffed flipping him off, taking a bite into her toast. She grimaced pushing it away.
Finney sighed.. he knew it was gonna be a long and hard day.
. . .
And he was right, half way into the day everyone just kept looking at him, perhaps everyone thought he was doing it since everyone around him kept leaving.. he had hoped Gwen wasn’t next. But apparently not everyone was sad and miserable, Buzz, Matty and Matt thought it was the perfect time to bully Finney again. They chased him down the street one afternoon giving him no other choice but to leave Gwen there, they pushed him down onto the ground kicking him in the ribs repeatedly. That was until someone came around the corner shouting curse words that surprised even Finney, slamming a rock into Matt’s head.
Gwen threw another one somehow missing Matty completely before running up to Buzz getting pushed to the ground, Finney sat up worried just in time to see a shoe connect with her lip and nose, Then the attention was back on him.
This happened the next day as well, but this time in school leaving Finney to walk the streets in silence next to Gwen who kept looking at his bruises and cuts, god if Robin saw him now. Finney just avoided every subject that Gwen brought up either about Robin or his bruises that he had been getting throughout the two days. Gwen started to space herself from him then she turned down a different pathway. “See ya kid.” Finney turned around looking confused. “Where are you going?” He asks eyebrow raised.
“Susie’s? It’s Friday..” Right.. their special weekend things.. “I’ll look after dad..” He smiles atleast she was happy then he continued down the street with some people behind him. Those people slowly vanished down their respected driveways or streets leaving him alone to walk past the sketchy part of the neighbourhood, that was until he saw a black van parked next to the side walk with the words ‘Abracadabra’ in bold green writing. He got closer being cut off by someone in a (Willy Wonka) a magic suit and top hat.
They tripped and dropped their groceries in front of him, if he wasn’t shitting himself scared he would of laughed and continued walking but something from this guy was different, He looked at Finney then back at his broken eggs. “Are you okay?” Finney asks clutching his bag strap tighter, the man grabbed a broken egg shell showing it off to Finney clicking his tongue throwing it away. “I’m okay.. the groceries.. not so much..” Finney watched as he grabbed something from behind his back when he bent down to grab the man’s hat. Hesitantly he gave it back looking at the van once more.
“Are those black balloons in there?” Finney got closer, he wanted to stop himself, stop walking towards what possibly could be danger. “I’m a part time magician.” Finney’s eyes widen in excitement, then before he knew it the door opened and the balloons were suddenly on him, he heard shaking of a spray can so he yells on instinct for anyone to come help him. Whatever he was shaking was now making its way down his throat.. he could feel the numbness of his limbs start tingling then he was tossed into the van watching as the man let go of the balloons.
His hearing came back first, then he opened his eyes being met with a door hinge. He turned his head from its un comfy spot feeling something hard hit his forehead, groaning softly he realised that the person carrying him now knew he was awake. “Sorry.. I forgot how small these doors were.” The man laughs quietly, Finney opens and closes his eyes repeatedly trying to clear his eyesight but failing and giving up when nothing but blurriness continued.
He heard a door creak before being met with yet another doorframe, he groans shifting his head a little, he heard multiple gasps from around him and the only thing Finney could think of was that whoever this guy was, he was surely not friendly.
His hearing wasn’t all that good as he swore he heard the voice of his best friend then the voice of his teammate, Finney felt himself be dropped onto something stiff.. a mattress of some sort before a blurry figure popped into his vision. It looked a bit like- “Robin..” he felt a warm hand on his cheek, he knew this feeling.. he remembered it.
Robin never took his eyes off of Finney, and Finney was the same, so when his eyesight started coming back he sat up leaning into Robin’s warm embrace.. finding somewhat comfort. Finney rested his head under Robin’s chin his arms wrapping around any part of Robin they could hold. “I missed you Robin.” He whispers just loud enough for only the two to hear. “I missed you too.” Robin smiles petting Finney’s hair softly. A loud cough distracted them from each other, Robin looked over as Finney opened his eyes to see 4 boys just staring at them with wide eyes. “Who the fuck-”
“Language.”
“-is he and why are you so touchy.” Finney’s eyes drifted from the blonde to the one in grey with a bleeding face, holy shit he’s tall... Finney gulped his eyes looking at the rest of them. “His names Fin-” Finney’s eyes find Bruce’s and he’s immediately sitting up his eyes blinking. “Bruce?!” Bruce’s eyes widen, his smile growing wider. “Finn?!” Robin frowned his eyes moving from Bruce to the wall then somehow on Vance’s shocked one’s. When the blondes blue eyes turn to him he freezes when he sees the disapproval in them.
“Okay so.. you three know each other.. and you two know him.” A shorter boy says pointing at the three then at Robin and Bruce then to Vance, Finney squints at the boy who side steps behind Billy a little. “Are- is your name Griffin Stagg?” Finney asks making most of their eyes widen. The boy nods growing a dark red from embarrassment. “I remember you.” Finney’s voice was soft as he remembered that day at school.
Finney was walking down the hallway and out of the back doors at school, he was told by Robin in class to meet up here at lunch for something when he had noticed a small boy wrapping a brown bandana around his hand. He had a bruised eye and small cuts on his leg.
“You’re the first one too then..” Griffin’s voice was quiet and muffled probably because he hid his face in his hands, Finney then looked up at the (giant) boy who was in front of Griffin with his hands in his pockets. Billy Showalter, the boy from the missing poster on Rivers lane.
Finney remembered him from a morning walk he took when he couldn’t sleep on a weekend, he saw Billy peddling on his bike with his dog down the street throwing newspaper onto peoples lawn.
Finney blinked away from Billy, moving to Vance, Bruce then back at Robin.. they were all alive, but they were being kept in a creeps basement. Finney closed his eyes resting his forehead on Robin’s chest feeling slightly dizzy, he heard someone talking to him faintly but their voice disappears as he gets swallowed into the darkness.
-
The next time Finney wakes up, everyone else is asleep, his eyesight is so much better he could actually see around the basement, His eyes still played tricks on him as he noticed the black phone in the corner.. there’s no way that’s real, who’s stupid enough to put a phone with kidnapped kids. “Stop it.” He whispers more towards himself than the phone.
“Stop what?” He jumps slightly looking for the person who owns the voice, he finds him squatting by a wall in front of Finney, “I’m hungry, I need food.” Finney tells him plainly, the man only sighs resting his chin on his knuckles. “How are your eyes?” he’s avoiding the question... Finney blinks now feeling the struggle to keep them open, “They hurt.” He glares at the man who starts getting up, “Oh well.. I can’t bring you something so you’ll just have to wait.” The man now stands by the door staring at the boys then at Finney. “Is their someone upstairs who’ll see you bring us food.” The man, Finney slowly works out to be The Grabber, sighs shaking his head. “Don’t you worry about that.” The Grabber turns gripping the door handle before Finney speaks up again making him turn his head.
“Then why’d you come down if you weren’t gonna feed us.” Finney’s voice is louder now, not caring that he’d wake the others, he needs help in this otherwise he thinks he might die from the awkwardness. “Just to look at you..” Finney grimaces, his head jumping back at the words, his eyes wide when he notices the light reflecting off of The Grabber’s tears. “I just wanted to look at you.” Then he was gone, and shortly after a small groan noise brings Finney back from that conversation as it replays in his mind.
Finney looks to his side to see Vance opening his eyes, somehow they all fitted onto the mattress only being a little squished and the fact that Griffin was almost completely on Billy and Bruce starfishing. Vance sat up meeting Finney’s eyes, his lips turn into a scowl. “You’re that boy that held the doors open.” Finney’s face went pale and the numbness feeling returned, was he about to get beaten up by Vance Hopper in someone’s basement.
“What..?” Finney decided to play dumb, maybe if he doesn’t remember Vance might not either, “At that dumb arcade, for those dumb cops.” Vance was glaring at him.. yeah he wasn’t gonna forget soon, “Was this before your supposed ‘date’ with Bruce?” Finney wiggled his eyebrows which obviously started to annoy Vance, the blonde scowled not breaking eye contact to see if anyone else was awake yet.
Finney had been walking through different aisles at the grab n go shop, he was at the back along with two other boys and Pinball Vance Hopper and his friend, they seemed very concentrated on the pinball machine when one of the boys next to Finney bumped into it knocking the down making Vance lose, Finney’s eyes widened when they started fighting.. 2 against 1 is hardly fair but since it was Vance, Finney understood them.
“You messed with my game!” Vance had yelled gripping one by the collar lifting him slightly before head butting him and throwing him back, the other pulled out a small pocket knife. “Come on!” Vance walked towards him not even phased by the knife pointed at him, he punched the guy. Finney raised a hand to cover his mouth as he watched the receptionist on her phone staring at the three. Once he looked back he saw one of them had put Vance in a headlock from behind as the other approached with the knife.
After the fight with the two boys on the floor bleeding from different parts of their bodies, Finney was holding the door open for the two cops that were escorting a thrashing about Vance, Finney swallowed.. seeing Vance stare directly at him.
“Thought I remembered you from somewhere.” Finney looked away feeling the mattress shift under him, the others were waking up now.. Finally.. he’s save from Vance this time. Finney looked at the phone again, he got creepy vibes from it.. the other boys had told him it doesn’t work.. that all of them have tried it when they first came, apparently The Grabber cut it before going on his kidnapping days. “I still don’t understand why he’d leave a phone in here, why not just get rid of it.” Finney stood up walking over to the small hallway at the side, it was darker in here than the actual basement.
He clicked the light on hearing the small ‘click’ before the lights turned on lighting up the room, “Wow he discovered the shitter.” The voice was muffled but he could tell it was Vance, he’ll never understand what that guy holds against him. Finney smiled atleast he was considerate to give them a bathroom. He walked back around the room in time to see the door open again, Finney jumped towards the others, it revealed The Grabber with his usual white devil mask and a tray of eggs and a bottle of soda. Finney looked back at the others seeing their faces were soft, They must be hungry.
“What did you put in that.” Robin felt slightly surprised and happy that Finney was the first to speak, even stand up for himself, The Grabber squinted at Finney then looked down at the tray, “Salt and Pepper.” Finney found himself drooling on the inside, he wanted the food but he was still cautious of the man. “Eat it don’t eat it, what do I need to drug you guys for..? You’re already down here.” The Grabber sighs when he gets no reaction from them. He turns around heading upstairs shutting the door on his way out. Finney’s eyes widened. how stupid is this guy.
Finney started walking to the door, “Don’t go upstairs.” Finney turns around to see Billy creeping closer to the tray, he doesn’t stop looking at Finney worried that he’ll run up the stairs if he does. “It’s a trap. He’s waiting upstairs.. on the other side with that fucking belt.” Finney swallowed looking up at the stairs, in the corner he saw what looks like a handle…
Still, he stepped forwards opening the door, Finney turns back. “Finn..” Robin looked at him with wide eyes so Finney just had a small smile before turning and walking up the stairs. Finney took a deep breath stopping atleast 3 steps away from the wooden floor, he sighed hearing little creaks and some cracks from someone’s body parts, he shivered only imagining what the hell was going on.
Finney turned around trying to keep as quiet as possible, he hears a few quiet exhales and one low grumble, he closes the door all the way, “We need to get out of here.” He then noticed the plate of food being passed down the boys, each taking a bit each. “Whoever needs the soda the most can have it.” Finney hands the soda over to Griffin who smiles nodding his head. “Well, we also have the shitter if anyone else gets thirsty.” Vance points making everyone turn to him. “What, you do know there’s a spot of clean water right.” Vance crosses his arms and huffs.
Vance mumbled ‘idiots’ under his breath before moving to the mattress, speaking of shitter, Finney had to go really bad.. he had been wanting to go ever since he was walking down that street.. I guess he forgot about it ever since then, with a small smile he walks around the corner.
. . .
When he came back everyone was spread out somewhere in the basement, Griffin and Billy were sitting underneath the phone leaning against the wall close together, Finney had noticed the two seemed close.. maybe because they were the first ones here they grew onto each other, Vance and Bruce seemed close, maybe it was the fact that the two were obvious they liked each other.. with the fact that Bruce did ask Vance out. They all had partners or someone close to them. Luckily Robin was not far from him, sitting by the mattress staring daggers into the metal door waiting for it to open.
Finney took a seat next to Robin, staring at the door as well, “When that door opens, I swear. I’m gonna kill that Hijo de puta.” Robin glares his voice rough, Finney just smiles before raising a hand to his mouth biting down on his nails, “Have you guys tried getting out?” Finney asks turning to face Robin, “We’ve all tried.. but this guy has rules.” Robin whispers wanting to face Finney but keeps his eyes glued on the door. “What kind of rules.” Finney didn’t want to find out these rules by accident. “If you leave when he doesn’t say you can, he’ll beat you until you pass out.” Robin paused looking around the room.
“If you try to escape from this room, he’ll beat you until you pass out.” Finney shivered this dude wasn’t playing around, “There’s three strikes. Use them all up. It’s game over.” Finney looked around at everyone, they seemed to be in there own little worlds, “How many strikes do you each have left?” The one time Robin looked at him made Finney shake slightly, he was nervous for the reply. Robin looked at him with a look in his eyes Finney couldn’t quite understand. “1 or 2. Lost count.” Finney sighed his head dropping forwards a bit.
Robin turned away from Finney taking a long deep breath, then he dropped his head on Finney’s shoulder closing his eyes. “Please try and stay alive.. he seems to take a liking too you.” Robin whispers, making Finney’s head straighten up to give Robin more room, “I’ll try, but promise me you won’t go throwing punches every chance you get.” Finney grinned resting his head on top of Robin’s. “No promises..” Finney hummed rolling his eyes even though Robin couldn’t see him. It didn’t take long for Finney to feel Robin’s head to go heavy, obviously the guy hasn’t been sleeping since he was down here.
Finney felt himself nodding off, his head became heavier to lift off of Robin’s head.
“It’s nice to see him asleep.”
Finney shot up careful not to wake Robin who lightly snored, he looked at the man in the doorway staring at them. “He’s been so cautious of me.. just like you earlier today.” The Grabber sighed his hand never letting go of the door handle. “You’re probably scared of me.. but, I’m not gonna hurt you anymore.” He smiled at Finney who just glared putting an arm around Robin’s back making its way to his waist slowly. “..I’m not gonna hurt anyone anymore.” The Grabber smiled at them noticing the arm going around Robin. His eyebrow raised. “Are you friends?” Finney didn’t answer which probably pissed him off as he sighed turning around and closing the door.
Finney sighed trying his best to calm himself down, maybe he should let Robin punch this guy, maybe he could even learn how to just to beat this guy up, He rested his head back against Robin’s he hoped that he would get atleast some more sleep.
-
Finney doesn’t know what time it is now, but he gathered it was late due to the dark sky outside the window, Finney has been awake the whole time after the small conversation with The Grabber, he kept looking at everyone making sure they were safe and okay. Finney squinted when bright lights turned on highlighting the basement more, he could finally see some of his surroundings. “Why is it so bright.” Finney lifted his head up as the other started shifting under him, Robin slowly picked his head up and now Finney just noticed the way his hair was everywhere.. without his bandana it was all over his face.
The door opened, everyone’s head turning to it, The Grabber comes into the room looking over at everyone. “I’ll have to be upstairs for a while.. there’s something going on.” Everyone looked at each other, “Did someone see something?” Finney’s voice cracked watching as The Grabber’s eyes found his.. “Nothings going to plan..” he mutters turning around and leaving it at that. Finney grins once he left standing up. “This is the perfect chance to escape.” He looks at everyone as they look at him nervously.
“Finn..” Robin whispered worriedly, but Finney ignores him just walking over to the window jumping up at it trying to grab the ledge. He stepped back analysing ways to get up there, “Finney.” He turned around to see Billy holding a long cable in his arms, “Thanks.” Finney tried to throw it up trying to catch it on one of the bars. Finney groans, before walking into a small jog to the bathroom, he grabs the green carpet roll setting it on a slide way up to the window. He bent down shoving the cable up the carpet watching as it comes out the end.
Finney sighs, maybe there is a way after all. Finney throws the carpet away grabbing the cable and pulling on it tight. “Anyone wanna try?” Finney asks but no one moves at all not even a small movement. “Alright then..” Finney pulls tight trying his best to pull himself up the wall, he hisses at the burn when he comes sliding back down. He stares at it for a while before pulling it tight to make a knot.
Finney tries again this time putting his shoe on the knot standing up on to it, He groans quietly as he slides his fingers through the bars to the screw holding the window closed. “Come on Finney..” he fights against the bars trying to push his hand in more, then before he knew it he’s coming down to the floor with the bar that shielded the window. He groans rubbing his head softly. Before he can process what the hell happened Bruce and Robin fill his view asking if he’s okay. Finney puts a thumb up smiling at their expressions.
“Atleast you tried, can’t say anyones tried that yet.” Griffin smiles at him again, this time Finney doesn’t reply he just rubs his head, “Anything else we could try?” Finney asks looking at everyone, they all look at Vance. “Well.. it won’t work but we could try.” Vance shrugs leading them over to the bathroom pointing at the outlet. “What.. do we crawl through that?” Finney tilts his head before turning away quickly when Vance glared at him. Vance crossed his arms watching as Finney scaled the wall with his eyes. “I dug about 2 feet above the outlet, I almost got to the other side if that asshole.. didn’t find me.” Finney nodded looking around the small bathroom.
“Okay..” Finney grabs the top of the toilet unscrewing it lifting it over to the wall, “Hope he knows that I didn’t have anything to do with this.” Vance walks back slowly with his arms up.
. . .
Finney gets a good depth in the wall but not enough for someone his height and size to crawl through it, they were all watching as Finney kept hitting the wall over and over again.
The door opened.
“Shit!” Vance whispered looking at Finney then at the door, The Grabber looked around finding them behind Finney who was on his knees with the toilet lid against the wall, “Oh.. I see Vance is giving you ideas now.” The Grabber came closer especially to Vance who backed up, “It was my idea.. I did the same to the window as well.” Finney’s eyes were wide with fear but he couldn't let Vance get hurt.. no matter if that guy has a grudge on him. “Standing up for your friends? Even when it’s their fault.” The Grabber sighs walking towards Finney, “He’s lying.” The Grabber stops as Finney turns around looking at whoever spoke. Robin.
“It wasn’t Finney nor Vance.. it was me.” Robin tilted his chin up staring straight at The Grabber, “It was my idea this time.” Robin didn’t flinch at all when The Grabber came close to him, “I told you I’d make your life shit.” Then he was close enough to grip him by the wrist pulling him along to the basement door, Finney couldn’t help himself but run after them the door locking on his face. “Robin?!” Finney tried pulling the door handle.
“Shit!” Finney’s hands went up to his hair pulling tightly, The other boys were in shock, Bruce was in too much shock to even notice that he was gripping Vance’s denim jacket. “Fuck this is my fault.. I never should of done that.” Finney stepped back unconsciously towards the mattress pushing himself down, Bruce only gripped Vance tighter making the blonde aware as he turned bright red.
Finney put his head in between his knees and closed his eyes, The others around him just stared at either the wall or Finney, No more bothered to move.. to scared too.
By the time the door opened again it was turning morning, The Grabber didn’t return at all that night or Robin.. Finney, who didn’t sleep at all shot up to stand. The door swung open showing Finney a view he wishes to never see again.. The Grabber was holding a beaten and bloodied Robin in his arms, without much care he threw him halfway onto the floor and Finney, Finney’s arms wrapped around the top half of Robin as anything below his knees fell to the ground. “What the fuck did you do!” Finney held Robin close worried The Grabber will take him away again.
“That’s what happens to naughty boys..” Finney felt his eyes burn, “He had it coming, Naughty boys deserve punishments.” Then he turned around and left, Finney was now crying a few tears were slipping past his tear ducts and down his cheeks, he felt his throat clog up, he could hardly breath.
He parted Robin’s messy hair to the side and out of his face to see his face clearly, Finney just felt something inside him break when he saw the massive bruise forming under his eye. He hesitantly pressed his lips against Robin’s hair closing his eyes, they were sitting on the ground, Finney was sitting with his legs on each side of Robin as the other was in between them resting against his chest almost upright. “I’m gonna kill that bastard.” Finney grumbled petting Robin’s head softly.
Finney opened his eyes to see Bruce sliding to a stop sitting besides Finney, he watched as Bruce’s eyes went along Robin’s beaten body, “It’s okay, it’s Robin.” Bruce placed a hand on Finney’s shoulder trying to keep a smile on his face even when he’s worried deep down. Finney just nodded his lips quivering slightly. Finney never stopped rubbing Robin’s head. He closed his eyes taking deep breaths.
He’s gonna fucking kill that bitch, for himself and the others.
For Robin.