Warning: Self-harm implications.

Eddie woke up to see a shadow looming over him. He rubbed his eyes, and the shadow slowly morphed into the shape of Robin, staring down at him and biting her lip. She said nothing as she sat him up. As she forced him to drink a whole cup of water, and then another. She didn't sigh or grimace as she cleaned his arms, until the stark red lines across his wrist and hands faded, almost as if they never existed. She didn't even utter a word as she cleaned up the broken beer bottles and took away Eddie's cigarettes, tucking them safely into her pocket.

They didn't say anything for a while. Robin washed the teetering pile of dishes that rested precariously by the sink. Eddie watched her for a bit, before getting up and going to help, drying them off and stacking them not-so-neatly in the cupboards.

Once they finished, Robin sighed and sat down on the couch. Eddie sat by her feet, cross-legged and staring up at her. Instinctively, he fidgeted with his rings, turning them around on his fingers and admiring the intricate designs.

He wanted to say something, anything, to get Robin to smile. But instead, it was her who spoke first.

"So, Nancy and I were going to go out for milkshakes tonight, you want to come?"

Eddie hesitated. It was not what he had expected her to say. Yet he was grateful for it.

"Will Steve be there?"

Robin frowned. "I can ask him to come too, if you want."

Eddie nodded slowly, relief flooding through him at the thought of seeing Steve again. Of seeing his smile, making him laugh. He ignored the voice in his head that told him Steve wouldn't want to see him. That, if he had, he would have gone to visit Eddie by now. He pushed it down and refused to think about it. Instead, he found himself dreaming about Steve. About the way his eyes lit up when he smiled, the slight crinkle in his eyes and glowing energy that seemed to pour out of him when the corners of his mouth tilted up and a deep laugh echoed from his throat.

"I'll be there," Eddie said, warmth and delight rushing through him so suddenly, he felt a little overwhelmed. It was strange, how he could go from rock bottom to sky high in a matter of moments, all because he'd get to see Steve again.

Robin nodded, and then there was silence again. Eddie felt his abrupt joy drain away, gone as quickly as it had appeared. He hated the distance he now felt between him and Robin. Hated the silence. The energy between them seemed to change, shift slightly so they felt less like friends and more like strangers. Eddie missed the days where he would sit on Robin's bed and listen to music, punching the air and mouthing the lyrics, whilst Robin would be curled up by his feet, eyes closed, and a grin stretched out on her face as she bobbed her head up and down to the beat. She'd protested at first, he remembers, and a smile played at his lips at the thought. She'd told him his music was angry and loud and she hated it. But it had grown on her, just like Eddie had, and he was grateful to have someone else to share it with.

Now, there was no music. There was no passion or zest between them. There was just this empty, dreadful silence, dripping with guilt and worry and remorse. And Eddie hated it.

"Eddie..." Robin began.

Eddie shook his head firmly.

"Don't."

"But we have to talk about this!"

"Yes, we do. And we will," Eddie promised. "But... not today, okay? Please."

Robin sighed, torn. He felt guilty when he looked at her, at the worry in her eyes. A reminder that this was no one's fault but his.

He reached out an arm and took her hand in his.

"I will fix this," he assured her gently, "I promise."

Robin sighed again, fixing Eddie with a strained and sad look.

"There's nothing to fix, Eddie," she said quietly, brushing her thumb against his rings. "You don't need to be fixed because you're not broken."

He'd stayed on the floor after she left, legs tucked into his chest, and arms wrapped around him, filled with nothing but regret and anger. He was angry at himself for hurting Robin like this. But he was even more angry because he knew it wouldn't stop him.

He got up and dialled Robin's number into his phone.

It rang four times before she answered.

"Hello?"

Eddie hesitated.

"I'm not coming tonight, changed my mind. Sorry."

He hangs up before she could answer.