Chapter Text
It was currently lunch time the next day, but, as always, Finney's adoring fans still just can't get enough of him. His day had already been pretty shitty, with his history teacher on his ass for all of first period. He also apparently forgot to pack himself some snacks, so he had been absolutely starving all day so far. That, along with his breakdown yesterday morning, Billy's breakdown, the fact that today was the day of Griffin's kidnapping, and that his father had actually come back to the house last night, got mad at him for no reason, and then just left straight after was making him feel like absolute crap.
So yeah, he was having a pretty shitty day so far.
And not to forget right now's inconvenience, Matt, Matty, and Buzz were currently searching the school top to bottom for him, just to get a few punches out and then move on.
Maybe Finney should just lock them in a rage room together. See how long it takes for them to go from hitting the stuff you're meant to, to hitting each other.
Unfortunately, it was all just wishful thinking, because just then, the door to the boys bathroom opened and his lovely fans called out for him.
"We know you're in here, fag. You're boyfriend Arellano told us." Finney knew that it wasn't true, Robin would never, but it still caught him off guard.
"What?" Damnit.
"You idiot, you really believed that?" Buzz sneered. "Let's see what Arellano thinks we he finds out how low you think of him."
There was no point in trying to hide anymore, his psycho killer stalkers would find a way to get to him one way or another.
He left the stall to be met with Matt, Matty, and of course, Buzz.
"What are you doing in here, huh. This is the boys bathroom, not the fags bathroom." Buzz snickered. The other two were quick to follow.
"Shut up, you ginger whore." Woah. Finney did not mean for that to come out, but oh well, might as well keep going. He already just dug his grave, what's a bit deeper?
"I am not in the mood to deal with your guy's bullshit today, okay? In fact, nobody is. Ever. Do you ever wonder why you're all failing all your classes? It's not because you're stupid or anything, but it's because even the teachers are fed up with your bullcrap. You're not cool, you're not quirky, and you are not fun. What you are, though, is a bunch of piece of shit high schoolers, that for some reason get off to bothering people for no reason."
That felt so good to get out. And it was true, too.
People weren't friends with Finney, not because they thought he was weird, or because they believed any of the rumors that Matt, Matty, and Buzz spread around the school like wildfire, but because nobody could be bothered to make friends with each other. If somebody actually tried to make friends with someone else, people probably wouldn't have any problem with it.
Buzz apparently didn't like what he had to say, though, because next thing he knew, he was right in front of him, punching him square in the face. His head snapped back and hit the wall behind him with a dull thud, really not making anything better.
As if his day couldn't get any worse than it already had been, Matt and Matty were now on either side of him, ready to pin him down.
Finney acted on pure instinct, despite not really knowing where said instinct came from, quickly kicking Buzz in the balls.
Everyone, including Finney, kind of just froze for a second while Buzz was busy groaning in pain. Clearly they hadn't expected Finney to fight back. Finney hadn't expected it either.
He was quickly snapped out of his thoughts by the two tormenters who weren't doubled over in pain slowly advancing on him.
Finney was glad they decided to take their time, because just as he was getting ready to defend himself again, the door to the bathroom opened, revealing a concerned Robin Arellano, a confused Billy Showalter, and a bored looking Griffin Stagg.
The concern on Robin's face quickly turned to one of anger as he saw the three all too familiar boys surrounding Finney. That anger then turned into a look of surprise as he saw Buzz still in pain from Finney's previous attack, to one of amusement as he saw the fear on Matt and Matty's faces upon seeing him, and then finally back to concern as he noticed Finney's probably already bruising face.
To anyone else, the changes in Robin's face that conveyed these emotions as he takes in the rather interesting scene would have been almost unnoticeable. Luckily, Finney isn't just anyone. He's Finney Blake, Robin Arellano's best friend. (Finney wanted to be more than just friends.)
Everyone just kind of stood there awkwardly for a bit, no one really quite knowing what to do, Matt and Matty scared of getting beaten up by Robin, Buzz still doubled over in pain, Robin not knowing if he should go over and check on Finn first, or beat the shit out of the other two, and Billy and Griffin not really knowing their place in this situation.
Finally, Robin marched over towards Finn, grabbed him by the arm, and and practically dragged him out of the bathroom, Billy and Griffin following not far behind.
About halfway through their trek across the school (where they were going, Finney hadn't the slightest idea), Robin reached into his bag and shoved a dinner roll and an apple into his hands. Finney knew better than to say anything, though. One, because Buzz's assault on his face was finally starting to register in his brain, making his face and head hurt like a bitch. Second, because Robin would go on a twenty minute rant about how he shouldn't thank people for basic human decency. So, Finney silently are his small version of a shitty school lunch as they continued to whatever destination Robin had in mind.
It turns out that Finney really shouldn't trust Robin with bringing them places, because apparently the wonderful, all secret and mysterious destination that Robin was making them walk all the way across the school for was the nurse's office.
Finney groaned internally. He hated the nurse's office. The nurse always asked him complete nonsense questions like "are you sure you're okay?" and "come back if you need anything, alright?" He wasn't sure why she always did that, she had done her job by patching him up, who cares after that?
As they entered the room, Finney noticed that no one was there. Finally something was going his way.
"Oh, would you look at that, there's no one here! Guess we'll just have to leave and never come back, yeah?" Robin looked disappointed that Finney wouldn't be getting any help, but seeing as there was really no way to argue, he gave in.
"Next time, Finn. Next time you'll get help. I mean, just look at what they did to your face! Black and blue all over." He said, gently cradling Finney's face in his hands. Thankfully, he was clearly over exaggerating, if the looks on Billy and Griffin's faces had anything to say about it.
"Don't worry, Finney, it's really not as bad as Robin's making it out to be. You look fine."
"Thanks Billy."
He smiled. "Of course!"
The warning bell rang and Billy and Griffin scampered off to their next classes, Robin and Finney staying behind. They had social studies next. No one liked social studies.
The rest of the day, thankfully, went by with no more incidents or horrible realizations. It went about as smooth as it could get with Finney.
It was now last period, Finney had biology, when the group chat with him, Robin, Griffin and Billy started going off. Good thing he had his phone on do not disturb, that way it would only vibrate.
H-H-HOMOSEXUALS⁉️ 😨😨😨
2:45 p.m.
Billiam: so excited to hang out today!
Griffinherthighs 😼: me too! thank God for Robin's mom, because it turns out that my mom also needed me for something yesterday. It would've sucked to have to cancel on you guys 😔
Robinthebank: fr ♥️
Finneus and Ferb: we stan Mama Arellano 😍
Robinthebank: ^
Griffinherthighs 😼: ^
Billiam: ^
"Finney Blake, I better not be seeing any phones out during my lesson."
"Yeah, of course, sorry."
Finney's biology teacher is pretty chill, but you still definitely do not want to piss her off. He sent one last message.
Finneus and Ferb: Ms. Mayfield is gonna steal my soul if I don't get off my phone soon 😭
Griffinherthighs 😼: Sucks to be you 🤷♂️
Finneus and Ferb: 🙄
Finneus and Ferb: Whatever, bye losers (affectionate)
Griffinherthighs 😼: Bye Finney!
Billiam: Bye bye!
Robinthebank: Bye Finn ♥️
Finney smiled at that last message. Robin sent him a heart! He couldn't believe it! He quickly put his phone away and looked at the time.
Only five more minutes left. Finney thought excitedly. He couldn't wait to hang out with his friends.
But, no matter how excited he may be, he couldn't help but also be nervous, the familiar anxiety and paranoia that had long since rooted itself deep into his veins. What if Griffin ended up wandering around on his own? What if The Grabber still tried to kidnap Griffin even after today? What if it tried to get all of them? What if it succeeded?
No, that wouldn't happen, Finney wouldn't let it. He would do everything in his, rather limited, power to make The Grabber's life a living hell, starting with taking away the main thing that gave it pleasure. That gave it power. Kidnapping little boys. Two birds with one stone, Finney supposes. Save his boys, and take away what little sense of cruel and twisted joy The Grabber had.
The bell finally rang and Finney was the first one out of the classroom. He had packed up about ten minutes ago, knowing damn well that he wasn't going to get any work done. He all but ran out to the front of the school and waited by the entrance for his friends.
He must have spaced out at some point, because next thing he knew, he was being knocked over onto the ground, with a, thankfully, familiar face looking down at him.
"Hi Finney!"
"Hi Gwenny." Finney smiled softly up at her. He hadn't been seeing her much recently (he doesn't count his pathetic little breakdown yesterday morning as "hang out time"). He misses her. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to voice these thoughts to her, as he doesn't want her to feel like she has to come back to the house, like she's trapped. He would rather wallow in his own self pity and despair then make her feel compelled to go back to the pathetic excuse of a home. Back to him.
"What are you going to do now that school is out?" He asked her. Finney had already told Gwen about his plans for today the day they made them, but when asked what she was going to do, she just responded with "I'm not sure yet".
"I'm going to go hang out with Suzie, I'll be back before nine. Do you know if Dad will be home?"
Finney doubted it, his father had been in a rather depressed mood this morning, too busy grieving to even get the chance of getting mad at his children.
"No, I don't think so. But you might want to see if you can stay the night at Suzie's, even though it's a school night. I'm going to be staying at Robin's for the night, I don't want you home alone." He said instead.
Now, he knows that Gwen isn't stupid, in fact, she's one of the smartest in all of her classes, but he doesn't need to publicly announce how their father is still grieving their mother and can't even be there for his children anymore.
Gwen helped Finney off of his spot on the ground, just to get knocked down again right after, this time by Griffin, with Billy quickly joining in on their doggy pile. Robin just watched, and amused look in his face.
"Guys, I can't breathe!"
Even then with his warning, Billy still took his sweet old time getting off of him and Griffin.
"Sorry Finney, I'm just really excited, y'know? I've never really hung out with anyone who wasn't Billy. He can get quite boring after a while, if you know what I mean." Griffin laughed at Billy's mock offense.
Despite the joke, it still made him sad. Griffin deserves all of the friends in the world, and then some more.
Whatever, he has Finney and Robin now too, and hopefully Bruce in the near future. He hopes that they can become at least somewhat friends with Vance. It would be tricky though, seeing as Vance is scary as shit.
They said goodbye to Gwen (right after she threatened Billy and Griffin that she'd shave their heads in the middle of the night and cut off their balls if they hurt Finney), and set off for the Grab N' Go.
"Just so that we can get snacks first, then we'll go to Robin's." Finney explained. No one had any complaints. That made things about 1,000 times easier, being able to stay inside and within his line of sight so that The Grabber couldn't get them.
Once they finally made it to the Grab N' Go, the first thing Finney noticed was sound of the pinball machine going off the background. The second thing he noticed was the person playing it. Vance. He doesn't look so scary, now that he took the time to notice. He looks more... focused than scary. Now that Finney really thinks about it, Vance never really bothers anyone unless they bother him first.
Good thing Finney's too much of a wuss to even talk to Vance Hopper.
Billy and Griffin immediately rushed over to the candy isle, while Finney stayed back with Robin.
"Can you help me with the math homework again? Please? It's just so hard. I really don't know how can be so smart, it's incredible, really."
Finney blushes at the compliment. He can only hope that Robin is too dense to notice.
"Of course I'll help you. Come on, let's go make sure that Griffin and Billy don't overdose on candy." Finney linked his hand with Robin's as they walked over.
If only he saw how flustered Robin got at the action.
"Robin and I are going to go get some drinks, don't kill each other while we're gone, okay? Three different candies, max."
Griffin rolled his eyes. "Okay, mom."
That made Billy giggle, which led to Griffin giggling as well, which resulted in an almost laughing Robin, and a confused Finney who doesn't understand what's so funny.
He and Robin walked to where the drinks were kept, pinkies locked, and dopey smiles on their faces. Finn immediately grabbed a Grape Fanta soda (what can he say? They're good.), while Robin grabbed one of those big bottles of Coke. Finney hates Coca-Cola (he's always thought that it tastes like pennies), so he always just got a grape soda while everyone else (usually just Robin and Gwen) shared a big bottle of Coke.
He hopes that it'll be enough for everyone to have as much as they want, as they were pretty limited on money.
That reminds him, he needs to get a job soon. His father clearly isn't doing enough. As they were getting ready to leave, Finney heard a thud and a swear. He looked over at the corner where the pinball machine resides, spotting a very frustrated Vance Hopper.
He wondered what could have made him so angry, there was no one else but them in the store, so no one would have been able to somehow piss him off.
Then he saw it. Vance was rummaging through his pockets as if there was no tomorrow. He must have run out of quarters.
Before Finney could stop himself (because seriously Finney, stop), he found himself making his way over to Vance. He fished some stray quarters out of his jean pockets, and held out his hand for Vance to take them.
Vance just looked at him suspiciously.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving you quarters."
"Why?" That was kind of aggressive. Finney contemplated turning around and running away, but that would just make no sense.
"Because you ran out, right?"
"...Yeah..." Vance just stood there awkwardly. Finney decided to test his luck and walked a bit closer to him.
"Take them." He insisted. "You seem to have a greater use for them than me."
Vance scoffed, but took the quarters anyway.
"Thanks...I guess. I won't forget this." He sent a meaningful look towards Finney before turning back around and going back to playing pinball.
Finney doesn't understand what the look was for, but he supposes it doesn't really matter.
He smiles at Vance, despite him not being able to see it, and exits the Grab N' Go to join his friends outside.
The first thing he is greeted with by going outside is Robin and Billy rolling around on the ground, Griffin cheering Billy on. The second thing he's greeted with is the absolute horrendous sight of the front of an all too familiar black van turning around the corner.
This must have been when Griffin was kidnapped, walking out of a pathetic, run down gas station, unaware that he was going to get kidnapped by a pathetic, run down monster.
"Oh, um, I forgot to grab something inside the store, can you guys come with me?" Finney asked hurriedly.
"Sure, Finn! What did you forget?" Robin asked, immediately getting off of Billy.
"Simp." Billy coughed.
Robin turned a bright red. Finney, once again, did. Not. Get. It. He's so tired of not understanding things, because it sure seemed to happen a lot.
Finney quickly snapped out of his thoughts and ushered them inside.
While Billy and Griffin rushed straight back into the candy isle, probably hoping to somehow convince him and Robin to get another bag of candy (it would probably work), Robin stayed right next to him.
"What did you need? I can go grab it for you." Robin offered.
"Hm? Oh, yeah, um, I was just thinking that we could also grab a bag of chips. Does that sound good?"
"Yeah, of course. What kind?"
"You can choose."
Robin smiled softly at him. "Okay, I'll be back in a second."
As Robin went to the chip isle, Finney stared out the window. He enjoyed the look of confusion and frustration on The Grabber's half mask covered face as he drove by. The Grabber looked at the window. He stared at Finney. Finney stared back.
Eventually, The Grabber must have decided he had enough, because a few seconds later he finally drove off.
Finney let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. He made his way over to where Griffin and Billy were, still arguing about what candy they should get. Just because The Grabber didn't get Griffin right at this moment, didn't mean that it wouldn't try again sometime today.
"Finney, can we please get this bag of Sour Patch Kids? Pleaaaaseee?" Griffin practically begged. Finney sighed and gave in.
"Fine. Come on, let's go. Robin, did you find any chips?" He called out.
"Yeah, let's go."
They left the Grab N' Go once again, Finney on high alert this time. Robin seemed to notice his anxiousness and squeezed his hand.
"You okay?"
Finney smiled at him. "Yeah, let's go to your house, yeah?" He asked hopefully. He really didn't want anyone outside for too long, The Grabber could be waiting around any corner.
"Yeah, my house."
And so they set off once again.
They were now all hanging out in Robin's attic, where Uncle Ricky usually stays. When Finney asked Robin where Uncle Ricky was (because he was basically Finney's uncle at this point as well, his words, not Finney's), Robin told him that he was away on a trip in Peru.
Finney has always admired Uncle Ricky for going to trips like that, traveling the world. He has always dreamed of leaving the country some day. Maybe he would visit France, that was where their mother was born. He knew the language and everything, so it shouldn't be too hard.
Right now, they were watching a movie, waiting for dinner to be ready. Robin's mom had informed them that she would be making her famous mac and cheese after learning that Billy could not handle spice. Whatsoever.
Finney and Robin were sharing the beanbag, Robin's arm around him. Billy and Griffin were sharing the couch, Griffin practically laying straight across Billy, head in lap, hand in hair.
They were just getting to the good part of Tangled, where the other two thieves were tying Flynn Ryder up and sending him across the lake with the stolen crown, when Robin's mom called up to them that's dinner was ready.
Disappointed that they had to pause the movie, but excited for food, they somewhat, half heartedly, all but ran down the attic stairs and into the dining room.
As they were all eating, they were left in a comfortable silence, only being interrupted by the occasional sound of forks scraping against plates.
"So, boys, how was everyone's day?" Robin's mom asked.
"It was good, Mrs. Arellano."
"Yeah, after school we all went to the Grab N' Go and got a bunch of snacks, and we were watching Tangled and we just got to the really good part!" Griffin rambled.
"Well isn't that just wonderful? And Billy, please just call me Elena."
"Okay, thanks for dinner Mrs. Are- Elena." Billy corrected.
"Yeah, thank you." Griffin and Finney repeated.
"Oh, Finney, I've been wondering. How did you get that bruise on your cheek? What happened, bebé?"
"Oh, it was nothing, really, I-"
"He's lying mama! It was those estúpidos pendejos lame pisos!"
"Robin, language!" His mom scolded. "And Finney, you know that you can tell me anything, right? I won't judge, cariño."
"I know." Finney said sheepishly. "It's just, there's really no reason to make a big deal out of it. And besides, I actually fought back this time."
"It's true, mama! When we found him, Buzz was kneeled over, groaning in pain. I'm not sure what Finn did, but it must have been awesome!"
"Well, I'm glad that you can stand up for yourself, Finney."
Finney just sat there awkwardly, not really knowing what to say. Plus, how could he ever do possibly think of a response when his empty plate had just barely become just oh so interesting?
Robin, noticing that everyone had finished their plates, apparently decided to take pity on him.
"Come one everyone, let's all go back upstairs." Everyone quickly agreed, clearly wanting to get back to their movie marathon.
They quickly left their dishes in the sink, wished Robin's mom a good night's rest, and ran back upstairs.
It was now 12 a.m., everyone thankfully sleeping peacefully. They must have all accidentally fallen asleep while watching It (per Robin's request).
Finney quickly looked around counting the bodies next to him. Robin, above him, as his head was in his lap. Billy's head in his lap, and make importantly, Griffin, right next to him, cuddling into his side.
It finally hit Finney. He did it. He saved Griffin Stagg.
He felt a wave of relief and exhaustion crash over him like a tidal wave, finally being able to relax now that Griffin would be safe from The Grabber.
It had a way of doing things, a schedule of some sorts, so he knew that Griffin was out of the woods.
Finney let himself fall asleep with the comforting knowledge that Griffin was in fact, right next to him, and not in some creeps basement, scared out of his mind.
He did it.
He saved Griffin Stagg.