Chapter Text
The Principal’s Office
Interior – Elementary School, Principal’s Office – Afternoon
Robyn sits on the small chair outside the office, arms crossed, chin high. There’s a faint smear of mud on her sleeve from where she helped Christopher up. Christopher sits next to her, looking guilty but secretly a little proud. The secretary peeks over the counter now and then, clearly entertained.
The door swings open. Evan “Buck” Nash rushes in first—fitness trainer clothes, duffel bag slung over his shoulder, hair damp from a post-session shower. He looks panicked.
Buck: “Is she okay? Did she break something? Did someone—”
Principal: “Mr. Nash, please sit down.”
Moments later, the door opens again. Eddie Diaz steps in, crisp polo tucked into basketball warm-ups, clipboard under his arm. He has the calm, no-nonsense presence of a coach who’s had to deal with rowdy athletes all day. His eyes immediately go to Christopher.
Eddie: (kneeling) “You good, buddy?”
Christopher: (shrugs, sheepish) “Robyn punched a kid for me.”
Buck freezes mid-sit. His eyes snap to Robyn, who’s unapologetic, swinging her legs.
Buck: (half-whisper, horrified) “Robyn…”
Robyn: (firm, loud) “He pushed Christopher into the mud. So I pushed his face into my fist.”
Eddie chokes on a laugh, covering it quickly with a cough. Buck glares at him.
Principal: (exasperated) “This is not how we resolve conflicts, Miss Nash. Violence is never the answer.”
Robyn: (mutters) “It was today.”
Christopher tries not to grin. Eddie rubs his temple, caught between pride and the need to be responsible. Buck, meanwhile, looks mortified, mumbling apologies.
Buck: “She’s never—she usually doesn’t—God, I’m so sorry.”
Eddie: (low, to Buck) “Don’t apologize too much. She stood up for him.”
Buck: (glances at him, incredulous) “She punched a kid.”
Eddie: (shrugs) “Yeah, but for the right reason.”
They exchange a look—part annoyed, part amused, part… something else they don’t have words for yet. The principal doesn’t miss it and sighs louder.
Principal: “Let’s all agree to work together to teach better conflict resolution strategies.”
Robyn: (brightly) “Like basketball drills?”
Christopher: (smiling now) “Or punching bags at the gym?”
Both dads groan in sync, and the principal pinches the bridge of her nose.
School Hallway – Kids’ POV
The door clicks shut as Principal leads their dads into the office. Now it’s just Robyn and Christopher on the bench in the hallway. The hum of the front desk phone and the squeak of sneakers on tile echo faintly. Robyn swings her feet, still defiant, while Christopher fiddles with a Velcro strap on his shoe.
Christopher: (quietly) “You didn’t have to do that.”
Robyn: (snorts) “Yes, I did. He shoved you. Into mud. That’s not cool. Somebody had to teach him a lesson.”
Christopher looks up at her, torn between guilt and admiration.
Christopher: “You’ll get in trouble.”
Robyn: (grinning) “So what? Trouble’s temporary. I’m like your big sister, Chris. Or… your sidekick. Take your pick.”
Christopher: (brows furrowed) “Big sisters don’t punch people.”
Robyn: (mock gasp) “Excuse you. Superhero sidekicks totally punch people. Haven’t you seen the movies?”
Christopher laughs, shaking his head, but it warms him from the inside. No one’s ever stood up for him like that before. He studies her, really studies her—mud streak on her sleeve, chin high like she’s daring the world to challenge her again.
Christopher: (softly, almost to himself) “You’re kinda scary.”
Robyn: (proudly) “Good. That means I can scare away anyone who tries to mess with you.”
There’s a beat of comfortable silence. Robyn leans back against the wall, satisfied. Christopher feels safer than he has all week, mud and all.
Christopher: (smiling) “Okay then. Big sister. Sidekick. Both.”
Robyn: (nods solemnly, then smirks) “Deal. But if I’m your big sister, that means you owe me candy sometimes.”
Christopher grins so wide his dimples pop out, and for the first time that afternoon, the hallway doesn’t feel heavy with trouble—it feels like the beginning of something important.
The muffled sound of adult voices leaks through the principal’s office door. Robyn and Christopher are still on the bench, leaning close, whispering like co-conspirators.
Robyn: (serious whisper) “Rule number one of being my sidekick: never eat the last gummy bear without asking.”
Christopher: (grinning) “Rule number two: don’t tell the teachers we’re making rules.”
They both stifle their laughter, shoulders shaking. The office door creaks open mid-giggle. Buck and Eddie step out first, Principal trailing behind with the look of someone who just gave a lecture to two brick walls.
Buck’s eyes immediately dart to Robyn, scanning for scratches. Eddie’s gaze softens at Christopher, still muddy but clearly fine. And then—both dads hear it.
Christopher: (still whispering, not noticing) “Okay, sidekick rule number three…”
Robyn: (grinning) “Punch anyone who messes with you.”
Both dads freeze. Their heads snap toward each other, same exact exasperated expression. Principal sighs louder, clearly done with all of them.
Principal: (to dads) “As you can see, they… have a strong bond.”
Buck rubs his face, muttering, “Oh my god.” Eddie fights back a laugh but fails, and Robyn beams like she’s just won something big. Christopher tries to hide his smile behind his hand.
Eddie: (to Buck, low) “Looks like we’ve got partners in crime.”
Buck: (half-defeated, half-proud) “God help us.”
Principal ushers everyone toward the hallway exit. Robyn hops up, confidently grabbing Christopher’s backpack for him without being asked. Christopher lets her, grinning. Both dads catch it—and for a split second, their annoyance fades into something softer.
Parents trickle out with their kids, the sound of car doors slamming and engines starting filling the air. Buck and Eddie walk out together, each with their kid in tow. Robyn is still carrying Christopher’s backpack, looking smug about it. Christopher is quietly pleased. The dads are silent for a moment, caught in the chaos of dismissal traffic.
Buck: (half-muttering) “First time I’ve ever been called into the principal’s office because of my kid. Guess I should’ve expected it with Robyn…”
He glances at her, and she shoots him a proud little grin like it’s a badge of honor.
Eddie: (amused) “Could be worse. At least she wasn’t the one getting shoved.”
They reach Buck’s SUV, parked a few rows down. Buck unlocks it with a beep, Robyn tossing her backpack in the backseat while still holding onto Christopher’s. Eddie notices and quirks a brow.
Eddie: (to Robyn) “You planning on keeping that, too?”
Robyn: (shrugs) “It’s safe with me.”
Christopher chuckles. Buck presses his lips together, trying not to laugh. Eddie shakes his head, then looks at Buck, finally serious for a moment.
Eddie: “Look, I meant what I said in there. She stood up for him. Not saying it’s the right way to handle it, but… it meant a lot.”
Buck studies him, surprised by the honesty. He’s used to lectures from other parents, not this steady calm.
Buck: “Thanks. I’m just worried she’s gonna think every problem can be solved with a fist.”
Eddie: (smirks) “She’s got good aim. You sure she’s not secretly training to box?”
Buck laughs, tension breaking. It’s the first time they share something easy, not just stress. Robyn interrupts from the back seat, leaning across to wave at Christopher.
Robyn: “See you tomorrow, Chris! Remember rule number three!”
Christopher grins from Eddie’s side, calling back:
Christopher: “Punch anyone who messes with me!”
Both dads snap their heads toward their kids at the same time, groaning in perfect unison. Then they glance at each other again—two single dads, clearly outnumbered. For a beat, they both laugh, shaking their heads like they’re in this together whether they planned it or not.
Eddie: (quiet, almost to himself) “God help us.”
Buck: (grinning) “Amen.”
They exchange a look that lingers just a little too long before Robyn slams the car door shut and Buck has to climb in. Eddie stands there, watching them drive off, already wondering what tomorrow might bring.