Robin Buckley/Vickie
| Pairing | |
|---|---|
| Pairing: | Robin Buckley/Vickie |
| Alternative name(s): | Rockie |
| Gender category: | F/F, Sapphic, Femslash |
| Fandom: | Stranger Things |
| Canonical?: | Sort of, developing |
| Prevalence: | Uncommon |
| Archives: | |
| Other: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
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Robin Buckley/Vickie (aka Rockie) is a semi-canon (as of 2023) sapphic pairing in the Stranger Things fandom.
Canon
Vickie is introduced as a character in season four and during scenes between Robin and Steve, it is revealed that Robin is attracted to Vickie. However, given the period-typical (and prevalent) homophobia, Robin cannot risk expressing any feelings about Vickie to her until she is sure Vickie either feels the same way or wouldn't out her to the entirety of Hawkins.
There are very few scenes between Robin and Vickie:
- During a band performance and assembly at school, Robin and Vickie stand next to each other in band and have a short exchange.
- Robin sees Vickie in the store just before she, Steve and the others are about to face off against Vecna. Steve encourages Robin to approach Vickie, but before she can, Vickie's boyfriend arrives. Vickie and Robin make eye contact before Robin leaves, but no words are exchanged.
- In the finale of season 4, after Vecna was stopped, Robin and some of the others go to help with the relief effort. Vickie is there making sandwiches and Robin joins her. Robin and the viewers learn that Vickie's boyfriend has left town and Vickie, and they continue to talk.
Fandom
Some fans expressed frustration at the lack of screen-time and development that Vickie got as a character[1], while others were concerned that, with the limited time available for character development in season five, either Vickie's character development would come at the expense of Robin's or the relationship would be rushed and poorly written[2]. However, others are optimistic that Vickie's character development will be better in season five[3] and that, by remaining in Hawkins, there will be no way for her to not see the supernatural elements surrounding the town[4], bringing her closer to Robin.
It isn't uncommon for LGBT+ characters to have their love interest be a supporting character with limited screen-time while most, if not all, the F/M canonical pairings in the same show are between main cast members[5][6], so it's not surprising that fans of Robin aren't optimistic about the development of the pairing.
On AO3, Rockie is Robin's second most common romantic pairing with 945 works as of August 2023. Unfortunately, as with many sapphic pairings in the Stranger Things fandom, many of this number are works focused on the achillean fan pairings Steve Harrington/Eddie Munson or Will Byers/Mike Wheeler. F/F is not the largest category tag for works tagged with Robin Buckley/Vickie (having 491 works to M/M's 655) which is usually a strong indication that a lot of background tagging happens with the pairing in question.
Common Tropes in Fanworks
| Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples. |
Example Fanworks
| Examples Wanted: Editors are encouraged to add more examples or a wider variety of examples. |
Fanfic
- I remember (way back when) by fivecenturiesverse
Fanart
- robin x vickie by katimanki
Fanvids
- I wish you were gay by ilystrangerthings1029
- All Scenes with Robin and VIckie by The Darkness - As a large proportion of this video involves scenes where Robin is talking about Vickie and Vickie is not present, this demonstrates how little screen-time the two characters had together.
Archives and Communities
- Robin Buckley/Vickie tag on AO3
Other Fannish Resources
- Robin Buckley/Vickie otp:true tag on AO3 - Works where Rockie are the only pairing.
- Stranger Things Femslash's curated bookmark collection where Robin/Vickie are the focus
References
- ^ dykediitsi at Tumblr
- ^ dufrau at Tumblr
- ^ will80sbyers at Tumblr
- ^ piratefishmama at Tumblr
- ^ Bess Marvin deserves better - Fansided
- ^ Sapphics are Television's Side Gays—And It's Not OK - taggmagazine
| Stranger Things | |
| Master Lists | Stranger Things Category • Characters • Ships • Zines |
| Crossover Ships | Will Byers/Richie Tozier • Bill Denbrough/Mike Wheeler • Eddie Kaspbrak/Mike Wheeler • Will Byers & Eddie Kaspbrak • Richie Tozier & Mike Wheeler |
| Part of the Fanlore Project on Stranger Things! Join us, say hello on the talk page, or join our Discord! | |