Robin idly twirled spaghetti around her fork, humming the tune of whatever the jukebox was playing under her breath. As always, the saloon was packed, if the sixteen other people that made up more than half the town's population counted as packed. Shane was brooding in his usual corner, the kids were bantering over the pool table in the rec room, and Lewis and Marnie were lost in each other's eyes which wasn't doing much to stop the relationship rumours.

The only difference in routine was the farmer, though she'd already been here for a season so it wasn't like she was new to the saloon. However, while all the other townsfolk never deviated from their regular activities, the farmer never did the same thing. Never stayed in one place. She rotated between tables, having a round of beer with Shane, discussing angling techniques with Willy, absolutely destroying both Sam and Sebastian at pool, and splitting a salad and a poppyseed muffin with Leah. That last one had Robin suddenly very interested in her pasta, not wanting to look up for fear that she'd be unknowingly glaring daggers at the pair.

Petty jealousy aside, the farmer brought something to Pelican Town, a refreshing break from the same old monotony. She had a spontaneity to her that Robin couldn't predict, and the older woman found herself excited by this. And maybe a little envious.

She found herself craving the farmer's attention, seeking it out like some schoolgirl with a crush.

Except not. Because this wasn't a schoolgirl crush. This was a budding friendship. And Robin was married, so of course she couldn't have a schoolgirl crush. Not to mention she was long past schoolgirl age.

She just enjoyed the farmer's company, that's all. So young yet so sure of herself, something Robin truly admired. She remembered when she was that age, going at the world with gusto, no second thoughts, making every decision with complete certainty that things would work out in her favour.

Robin sighed and took another draw of pale ale.

"Hello Robin!"

Some time had passed, and the redhead looked up to see the farmer in front of her, as if the very thought of her had summoned her. "Hi," she greeted with a small smile.

"Mind if I sit with you for a bit?"

Robin nodded to the empty chair at her table. "Please."

There was the brief scrape of wood against wood before she was comfortably seated.

"Tough week?" Robin asked, noting how the farmer's shoulders visibly relaxed as soon as her butt touched the chair.

"Not more than usual," she replied, her smile showing that she was still in good spirits. "I just love coming in here on Fridays. It's always so busy!"

Her eyebrows shot up and she glanced around, thoroughly unconvinced. "I would've thought you were used to far bigger crowds in the city."

"Eh, yes and no." The farmer shrugged. "Everywhere was always packed, especially on a Friday night. Honestly, most places kind of became fire hazards. But not like this. I mean, where else could you walk into a bar and be friends with everybody there? I found it hard to make friends in Zuzu City."

"Considering you've made friends with basically everyone in Pelican Town, I find that hard to believe."

"I'm serious!" she insisted. "I mean, I'm fine at socialising, but the city is just so huge. It was hard to form meaningful connections and keep them long term, you know? Not like here."

Robin thought about it. "Hm. I guess that's true. Maybe that's something I've taken for granted, living in small towns my whole life."

"Do you think you'd ever want to live in a big city?" the farmer asked.

"I don't know." She considered the farmer's question. "I think for me, it doesn't really matter where I am. I care more about the people. And the people of Pelican Town are pretty great." Robin said this last line looking straight at her companion and hoping her expression remained neutral. "So I guess I'm fine where I am right now. But who knows what the future might hold for me."

The farmer smiled at her, and Robin felt her heart warm at the sight. "I like that answer." Just then, the song on the jukebox changed once again, and Robin could practically see the farmer's ears perking up like a dog in cartoons. "Hey, this is the song for the Flower Dance, isn't it?"

"It is. It's best not to question Gus' music choices."

The cogs were clearly turning in the farmer's head. "Since it's playing, maybe you could teach me the dance?" she suggested hopefully. "If you don't mind. This way, I'll be able to get the hang of it and be ready for next year."

As much as she didn't agree with the romantic specifications of Pelican Town's most rigid spring festival, Robin loved the dance. She had always loved dancing in general, from way back when she was a kid. It was one of the only activities she enjoyed doing that her mother didn't actively protest. Years ago, if this song had come on, she and Demetrius might have taken to that little vacant corner of the saloon, dancing in their own blissful little bubble. But much like at the festival, they hadn't danced this dance for a long time.

Now though, she had a different partner.

"Sure. I'd love to," Robin replied with enthusiasm.

The farmer grinned in delight. Soon, the two found themselves facing each other in that vacant corner, the younger woman restlessly bouncing on the balls of her feet. Robin couldn't help letting out a quick chuckle before they began.

"Watch me and follow," Robin instructed as her body started to go through the movements, muscle memory taking over. "Try and keep your arms and legs in time with mine."

Her feet stepped from side to side and she giggled a little when she watched the farmer try to copy her. When the music swelled and Robin raised her hands above her head, the farmer was about four seconds behind.

"You're really off beat," she remarked.

"I can't help it!" the poor thing protested. "I don't have the best sense of rhythm."

Chuckling lightly, the older woman stepped up behind her, gently taking the farmer by her wrists and ignoring the way her hair stood on end at their closeness. "Like this." Robin performed each step to the dance, at least in terms of arm movement, and the farmer followed through, their attachment making each move easier to mimic.

"One, two, three… one, two, three… one, two and turn… one, two, arms up!" She counted out the steps, her breath tickling the back of the farmer's neck. It reminded her vaguely of where she taught Maru and Sebastian this dance when they were teenagers, old enough to start making their interest in their peers known. She convinced herself that the nostalgia was the only reason that the moment felt as sweet and intimate as it did.

The two women were in sync, moving and breathing as one. In that moment, it didn't seem to matter that their bodies were barely an inch away from being flush together. At least, that's what Robin tried to tell herself. She was just teaching a dance. It didn't need to be deeper than that.

One day, far into their future, the farmer would reveal to her exactly what she made of that moment, confessing every thought that filled her mind, clean or otherwise, but for now, Robin could only focus on the rhythm of the song, the fluidity of their movements.

When the song came to an end, both of them were reluctant to stop. But it's not like they could keep dancing to Cloud Country without being weird. Robin already convinced herself everyone was staring at them, wondering why a married woman was practically slow dancing with someone half her age. In reality, everyone was too caught up in their own affairs to even bat an eye, but the redhead's intrusive thoughts got to her nonetheless.

She cleared her throat. "That was good," she announced, taking a step back so they were now an appropriate distance apart.

The farmer wrinkled her nose. "Was it though?"

Robin laughed. "Okay, it was better than when you started."

"That's not as much of a compliment as you think."

"Hey, I try."

"Maybe I just need more practice. That is, if you're willing to have your toes trampled again," she added with a teasing lilt.

Robin was very willing to have her toes trampled again if it meant more time dancing with the farmer Even if it was just to help her practise for next spring. Where she'd undoubtedly have a partner who wasn't Robin.

Yes, she would do it again.

"Hey Farmer! Hey Robin!" Just before Robin could offer a reply, the two turned to see Leah approaching them, her cheeks slightly flushed red from the wine she'd been drinking. She wasn't drunk by any means, but she did seem looser to Robin who was used to seeing her composed on Friday nights, moving with greater ease, a big grin on her face. "Those were some moves!"

"Thanks Leah. Robin was teaching me. Hopefully I'll have it down by next spring."

"I'll be the judge of that." Leah's wink wasn't missed. "You'll have to show me at the next Flower Dance." Right off the bat, that rubbed Robin the wrong way. It was still early days. How could Leah be hinting she wanted to be dance partners so far ahead? The fact that Leah was even considering the farmer sent a flare of white hot jealousy through her. Unjustified, of course. Obviously, Leah could ask her out. Hell, she wasn't even asking her out. She was just asking the farmer to dance with her next spring. Which was fine. Totally fine.

"Robin?" She suddenly realised the farmer had been talking to her. The rest of their conversation had been tuned out courtesy of the blood rushing in Robin's ears.

"Yes?"

"I said I'm going to walk Leah home. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

Robin blinked. Sure, Leah was swaying a little on her feet but she seemed fine. Though, the farmer probably just wanted to make sure she got home safe. If anything, it just spoke wonders for her character, reinforcing the fact that the farmer was an incredible human being, which Robin already knew. But she was still disappointed to be robbed of her company so soon.

"Yeah. Of course. You get home safe too, Farmer," Robin said, giving her a small smile. "See you tomorrow."

Her eyes were trailed on their backs as they left the saloon, There was an extra sway in Leah's step and she leaned against the farmer way more than necessary in Robin's own opinion.

She felt her mind running a hundred miles a minute. First, the dates – not dates, just a dance, Robin reminded herself – and now the farmer was walking her home? And maybe it was just all the wine in her system, but Leah was being so flirtatious about it.

The farmer was being sweet. She was looking out for a friend. But Robin, for the life of her, couldn't get her head around why she couldn't stand Leah's behaviour. The two of them usually got on so well. And the younger redhead inherently wasn't doing anything wrong. In fact, she was probably just doing what all young people were meant to be doing. Dating, or at least trying to date. Figuring out the rest of their life. That was what Robin had been doing at their age too, wasn't it?

And yet, it still got under her skin.

It was almost as if…

Oh.

The realisation hit her so hard she had to sit down again.

Oh no.

"Shit," she muttered.

She might have a schoolgirl crush.

A/N - Hello dear reader! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. After seven chapters of Robin being in denial, she's finally starting to get it (bi panic incoming). As always, let me know what you think and until next time, stay safe.

This story is also available on AO3. I also have a Twitter kayasmuttytoast where I post behind the scenes content, polls, writing updates and more. I also have a Tumblr and Bluesky kayassmuttytoast. The links are in my profile!