The afternoon sun hung lazily in the sky, casting long shadows across the cracked sidewalk as you walked beside Robin. His denim jacket was slung over his shoulder, his knuckles still bruised from the fight he got into last week— though he swore he was fine.

Robin grins. “You gonna keep looking at my hand like that, or are you finally gonna admit you think I'm a badass?"

You roll your eyes. "I think you're a dumbass for getting into fights in the first place."

Robin laughed, nudging your shoulder with his. "Yeah, yeah. But you wouldn't want me any other way."

You hated that he had a point. The two of you reached the corner store, where Robin immediately made a beeline for the candy aisle. He grabbed a pack of Red Hots and tossed them your way.

Robin grins. "Here. Since you're always whining about me never sharing."

You caught them, raising an eyebrow. "So, what's the catch? You want me to do your math homework or something?"

Robin scoffed, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Nah. Just thought you deserved 'em. Maybe 'cause you're kinda cool or whatever."

You blinked. Robin wasn't the type to say things like that outright. Sure, he joked around, teased you endlessly, but an actual compliment? That was rare. "Wow. Robin Arellano, being nice? Should I be worried?"

Robin smirks. "Don't get used to it."

As you left the store, Robin tore open his own bag of candy, popping one into his mouth before looking at you. “..You know I got your back, right?"

The words were casual, but there was something unspoken beneath them-something real. You nodded, unwrapping your candy. "Yeah. I got yours too."

Robin smirked, bumping your shoulder again. "Knew you couldn't resist admitting you care."

You rolled your eyes, but this time, you didn't argue.