#I don't give a shit about Cheryl she's not a character

[thekimspoblog]

Unlike violence, telling the truth is one of those things you should do even when it does solve nothing.

[kijimha]

Hey, you know a lot about silent hill, right?

Can you give me a "explain it like I'm five" explanation of the lore? Please. I tried to do a deep dive of it and didn't understand half of it.

YES OFC

Silent Hill 1;

The main character is Harry Mason and he has a daughter named Cheryl. Shes his adoptive child. One day she asks him to go to silent Hill and he agrees. They get into a car crash, though, and they survive, but Cheryl has gone missing.

He explores the town and meets a few characters that aren't RLLY that important. The thing about the town, though, is that there's a cult called The Order that are trying to summon their own God. There's a crazy woman, the head of the cult, that had a daughter named Alessa.

Alessa had magic powers so they wanted to impregnate her with this God. She didnt want that so she split her soul into two parts. One part of her soul manifested into Cheryl. When Cheryl entered silent Hill, the soul parts reunited, and the God was born.

God kills the crazy woman. Harry defeats the God. The God/Alessa, before dying, gives Harry a new baby to replace Cheryl. He names her Heather.

Silent hill 3; (SIlent Hill 2 has no connection to the first and third game, but I'll explain sh2 too if you want!)

Heather Mason has an odd dream. She wakes up.

Shes the daughter of Harry Mason and is 17;.

After encountering a detective at the mall along with monsters, she finally escapes the mall. (She also meets an odd woman with no eyebrows that says some cryptic shit. Her name is Claudia.)

Heather, after escaping the mall, goes to see her father. To her demise, he is dead. She is aware those things or Claudia have killed him. Douglas reaches the scene and gives her his condolences. She is set on one thing; killing Claudia to avenge her father.

Along the way, she meets Claudia's "father", who tricks her. She ends up killing him in a sewer since he's this creature thing (at least, to Heather he is).

She also meets Vincent, a morally grey man that is the "priest" of The Order (the cult the crazy woman and Claudia are in). He seems to tease both Claudia and Heather, and you cant tell if he's helping or making you do the dirty work.

An important scene in this game is a conversation between him and Heather.

"You... enjoy spilling their blood, and listening to them cry! You feel pleasure when you snuff out their lives!"

"Are you... talking about the monsters?"

"...Monsters? They looked like monsters to you?"

"Gasp! Oh no..."

"Don't worry! It's just a joke!"

The thing about Silent Hill is that, while the protagonist and player might see monsters, other people might see something different. This ties back into silent Hill 2. To this day its unclear if Vincent was joking or not.

Anyway, he dies because Claudia kills him. She reveals she got Heather pregnant with the God, because she still sees her as Alessa. You see, a theme in SH3 is womanhood and a sense of self, so Heather having to accept her origins is very important to the story.

WARNING FOR FETUSES IN THE BOLD TEXT, SKIP TO THE NEXT PART IF UNCOMFY

Heather throws up the fetus of the God forcefully. Claudia- the absolute madwoman she is- fucking consumes it so SHE gives birth to the God. Which she does, and dies in the process.

Heather defeats the God. She comes back to Douglas, who was injured. Based on what you do in the game, there's a few endings. She kills him, or she sort of becomes his daughter and makes a joke about being blonde. I prefer the latter ending

[arty-shadow-morningstar]

So today there was this class where the teacher wanted us to learn how to be "empathetic".

Context is that this is the first day of the second semester back and this class is basically giving an environment for us to learn on how to interact with people different from yourself and work together to tackle a problem. (It's mandatory for us students.) So it had a mix of students (age 18-21) from different courses grouped together. We don't know anyone. We won't interact outside of this class.

She also wanted the pre-assigned groups of ppl to get to know each other a little better using this exercise as a team bonding activity.

Continuing on,

The exercise goes like this:

Each person in the group is a part of the family unit (u can be the mom,dad, child, grandparent and even the pet)

You are all living in the same house

Then you draw up what budget looks like for the family in a month.

The thing about this is that this class is happening at the end of a long day. A very long first day back to school, at least for me.

So chaos is waiting to be unleashed from inside of me.

My classmate, who I know is a shit stirrer, was also part of my group. There was also a guy who claimed to be a professional gaslighter during our icebreaker exercises.

It started simple.

My classmate (who we will call C) tells us that he will be the rich grandpa and the rest of us will be his family who is mooching off his wealth.

The two seemingly less chaotic people of the group goes on to take the role of mom and dad. Useless detail to add but the one claiming to be the mom is a guy. (Yay! Fuck traditional gender roles or sth)

In chaos gremlin mode, I claim the title of the aunt (divorced once and secretly gay) and sisters with the mom. The aunt hates the mom because of sibling rivalry and also because the mom was better than her. So the aunt is bitter and jealous and a hater.

Mr. Professional Gaslighter goes on to be the adopted kid taken in by the mom and dad.

Then C shared a google doc so we can use it to draw up the budget.

Clearly, the budget would need some context to explain the expenses so we used that opportunity to expand the backstory of our characters.

Meet Grandpa Xavier Demarcus Ang used to be a criminal and hv connections with the mafia. That explained his wealth. And also on life support.

He adopted 13 year old Nino Mazino as his grandson to be the heir to his empire and teaching the ways of the family business.

Little Nino is suspected of criminal activities, expert gaslighter (has framed the dad for something once)

Then the two Ang daughters:

Calista Ang (my character) the unmarried Aunt. Coporate Slave who does shady deals with shady people (her dad is a mafia boss so obvi she was a little bit in the underground world). Basically a professional hater. Hates her sister. Hates her brother in law. Hates the kid. Greatest desire is to unplug Xavier's life support and get her inheritance.

Cheryl Ang-Tan (Mom) social media influencer by day, taxi driver at night, single on tinder profile with another husband on the side. She is planning to divorce her current husband in 2 months.

Finally:

John Tan (Dad and perhaps the only normal character who should never have gotten involved with the family) office worker who wants to make more money and get promoted.

If you expected us to make a perfectly normal budget plan after making up that whole drama filled backstory, you are dead wrong.

-----

The basic budget plan the teacher wanted us to make:

Accommodation:

Food:

Groceries:

Utilities:

Clothes:

Any other expenses:

-----

The budget we made:

Accommodation: $3500/mon (bc we lived in a 4 bedroom flat and mortgage paid for by Xavier. This is the number they pick don't ask me how they got it.)

Food: $300 per person /month

Groceries: $450/month

Utilities: $550/month (because we want hot showers but Xavier would kill us we ever try to take a bath)

Finally the best part:

Clothes: $4588/ month (bc mommy and aunty love designer clothes)

Under any expense you can think of:

Car gas: $300/month (bc Calista needs a car to get to work and Cheryl is a 'taxi driver' at night)

Hospital bills: $5000/month (bc rmb Xavier is on life support)

-----

So while other groups got their total budget to be around 3~5k /month. Our group got over 15k /month as our total and we were mostly mooching off Xavier's wealth.

Then the teacher revealed the next step of the exercise:

Suddenly, your gross total household income has become $1500 per month. What will you do?

We had to redo our budget.

My suggestion to pull the plug on Xavier was well met and we made the almost unanimous decision to kill off Xavier Demarcus Ang bc his hospital bills were too high and he was dying anyways. We also needed his inheritance to live on. (You were a shit dad, Calista said to her father as he laid on his deathbed)

Then, we found out that Xavier was a spiteful shit that made it so little Nino got his inheritance and no one could access it.

Unfortunately, the family had to downgrade to a 2 bedroom flat bc the rent is cheaper. But that would mean that there was not enough space for 4 people.

The sisters made the decision to kick Nino out into the streets because he was so useless anyways. John was only kept around bc he contributed something(money) to the household.

The once mighty Ang family resorted to a meal a day, quick cold showers once a week and the bare minimun to survive.

The Ang sisters had to make the hardest decision to stop buying designer clothes and they couldn't afford any new ones right now.

(If you are asking why we didn’t sell the car or our expensive clothes, the rule was that we couldn't increase the budget by selling things so there was no point in selling anything)

-----

The new budget:

Accommodation: $150/month

Food: $200

Groceries: $200

Utilities: $200

Clothes: $50

Car gas: $0 (bc we ain't driving anywhere bc the gas price is high and the car remained a relic of pur former glory days)

Public transport fee: $50

Hospital bills: $0

-----

You might be wondering where the empathy part of the exercise it.

Well....

The teacher announced that the student playing the character that would be most affected by the changes in the budget to come up and tell us

What the hardest decision to make was?

What was the easiest decision?

Who was the most affected and how?

Our Answers:

The decision to stop buying designer clothes. And kicking the adopted kid out because he got the inheritance no one can get but no one wants him around anymore. Nino was Xavier's favourite so everyone hated him.

Easiest decision was pulling the plug on Xavier. Dude was dying alr and we couldn't the hospital bills even if we wanted to.

Most affected was Nino. And Mr. Pro Gaslighter gave this whole tragic story of how he was abandoned by the family since Grandpa Xavier was the only one to care about him and with him gone, Nino no longer had his protection. This 13 year old made his way in the world by catching pigeons in the park and making satay out of the birds in order to feed himself or sell them to ppl for a dollar a stick.

Me and C were giggling like mad the entire time.

Hilariously, the teacher went along with the entire thing and ask normal questions like:

"How would your friends feel about your new homeless situation?"

They don't know about it because I haven't been back in school bc the Ang family were sponsoring me and now they aren’t sponsoring me and I can't go to school.

"Where are you sleeping since you were kicked out?"

On a park bench

"How are you feeding yourself?"

I make satays out of the pigeon I catch and sell them for a dollar a stick. Also I steal from the Angs when they are not home. Grandpa taught me a lot of tricks.

-----

With each word coming out of his mouth, everyone was trying not to burst out laughing.

Honestly, I was dying of laughter and holding back tears at the end of it.

The teacher eventually decided to move onto another group because our group had taken too long. I think she was a bit in disbelief of how far we had taken the entire thing.

Our family dynamic had to be the most toxic out of the all of them and filled with drama.

It was shit but oh what glorious shit it was.

[livvyofthelake]

i think i just really really hate how 50s riverdale is simultaneously radically pro lgbt and wildly opressive towards lgbt people and there is literally no middle ground and no nuance. like i understand that they are trying to say that during bad times culturally there will still be good people, cheryl's mom is homophobic but toni is still bisexual and has no hangups about it but gay kevin is still repressed but clay is totally normal about being gay and apparently not too pressed about homophobia. also i don't love how riverdale does this annoying ass thing where characters of color always have to help the white main characters with accepting themselves or whatever. like roberto please be serious you cannot copy paste choni (which sucks) onto kevin and clay (also sucks). this shit fucking blows idk. anyway. betty just found out her boyfriend she just dumoed is gay and i haven't watced the rest of the episode but i know what she's going to do next is give him a supportive little talk about how they're friends and she'll always care about him and whatever the fuck and she won't be allowed to get mad at him and she won't be allowed to be bisexual herself even tho last season basically confirmed she IS bi but this has to be the barchie endgame season so that's illegal. and she won't be allowed to have a storyline that doesn't revolve around who her fucking boyfriend is when objectively she should be solving murders or something. and then kevin will be doing heartstopper with clay and i'll hate it because it's going to blow and be lame and boring and clay will never be moose or joaquin and if we were going to do clay why didn't we introduce him in any kind of interesting way. like roberto you have got to start putting the good back in this fucking show soon.

[ashsound]

I Will Divorce the Female Lead's Older Brother

Original Story by oaen (“Philomel the Fake”)

Art by Aloha (“A Tender Heart: The Story of How I Became a Duke’s Maid”)

I’m going to start posting summaries of stories that’ll probably be back someday.

Review: The title is real. There’s none of this nonsense about continuing to suffer through a person that ignored her for years while he gets his shit together. FL gets a new man. I recommend it.

Summary: Our FL transmigrates as Ethel Wallace, who has the ability "Mental Reading", which allows her to read parts of the ogNovel "A Returner's Rosy Second Life" & read them up to twice a day - it requires a lot of energy. She marries her favorite character in the novel, Leondro Cassius. Ethel put up with being an outsider in her husband's house for 2 years, until he forgot her wedding anniversary but still offered his sister, the ogFL, Reina, a present just to eat her carrots, Ethel asked for a divorce. Ethel and Leondro never consummated their marriage, he originally married her because Reina wanted the abandoned mine in andala (because Reina is a regressor in the ogNovel and knows it’ll be worth a lot), Leondro  misremembered that Reina tried on the wedding dress - not Ethel - and the Cassius family continue to praise Reina without hearing Ethel. Reina is also convinced that Ethel must love her and that she has done nothing wrong. Ethel tells Reina she doesn’t like her and hopes to never see her again.

Ethel finds Marquis Terrence Freheiden, “Tei”, illegitimate son of the emperor, and ends up hiring him as her bodyguard while she pursues a divorce. After the current emperor's older brother died, Tei's mother, daughter of Marquise Molo, was kidnapped by the former Emperor & Duke Velvet, while she was pregnant. She gave birth & returned, but the Emperor already married Duke Velvet's daughter & refused to recognize Tei as his son. Members of the Imperial Family are cursed, so they suffer from migraines. In the ogStory, Tei becomes a villain because he uses a powerful pain-relief drug "the devil's claw" to treat the migraines & Duke Velvet sends assassins all the time. Reina has the Goddess's Blessing so she neutralizes the curse for Crown Prince Mikhail. Our Ethel gets medicinal tea herbs & holy water to treat Tei’s migraines. Since Mikhail is blinded by Reina, Emperor Dominique plans to recognize Tei as his son, which will either make Mikhail get it together or means Tei will be emperor.

Leondro has Ethel’s mother confront her, but Ethel is with Vinetta (bodyguard when ML is away) and Robbie (from her divorce lawyer’s office) - the Wallace Family abused Ethel, never loved her, & only want her to stay married because they borrowed money from Leondro. Ethel slaps herself & cries "PLEASE DON'T DO THIS, MOTHER!" While messing up her hair then throws herself on the floor. Her guard gets to her in time for the doors to open & everyone to see. Robbie is the MVP, having drawn the crowd, & getting them on Ethel's side by chiming in by echoing some of what Ethel says & getting them riled up. Ethel says, so Leandro & crowd can hear "I told you I couldn't marry a man I hardly knew [...] I was scared of House Cassius, but you said I have to marry into that family to clear debts for you." She publicly abandons the Wallace name.

Ethel seeks a divorce through the office of Sharon Maytings & asks her to look for a woman named Anna, who is being abused by her husband; she is the daughter of ambassador of the kingdom of Leouk, who Ethel reunites and they side with her in the divorce. Ethel also recruits the Cassius Family butler because his son Joshua was traumatized by Duke Cassius for approaching Reina as a child; Tara, Reina’s maid, by helping her with her revenge; Laura, Ethel’s own maid; and a recording of the head maid saying Ethel will never be lady of the house. Ethel is able to secure her divorce out of the courtroom by giving Duke Edman Cassius the location of his late wife's (Cheryl) time capsule: hidden in the bust she gifted Edman. Ethel gets her court divorce, but still needs the temple to approve it.

[elliehallers]

X-Men:

I've already mentioned how I feel the X-Men fandom would treat Maddie, and it is Not Good.

I feel that Jasmine would be an underappreciated character, but those who love her really love her.

Ellie... Ellie would probably be the same as Jasmine. Or they'd hate that she isn't OP like her father, grandfather, and grand-aunt are, Idk.

Child's Play:

The fandom would probably hate Tara for daring to be against her parents murdering innocent people, and they'd call her boring. (This fandom hates women, I've found. Tiffany "ruined" the franchise for years and was "a selfless bitch" for wanting herself and her children to have real lives. Lexy deserved to be brutally murdered at 14 but being a bully, but Chucky's actions are fine at his big age. 🙄)

They'd hate on Josh for being "boring." (He is, but he's also a sweetheart, so it's okay!)

Valerie would be a mixed bag, or she'd get a lot of hate. (Again, this fandom hates women.)

Asher (he's new) would be divisive. He's a pretty, insane, traumatized White boy, so he'd most certainly have some fangirls.

DC:

Easy. All of the Nygmakins haters would hate their kids. Or worse, they'd steal Lee's children and give them to Oswald in their fanfics. 😒

Hairspray:

It's a small, mostly inactive fandom anyways, I don't think most would give 2 shits about Cheryl.

Scream:

Bitches would be so split on Caroline, but I know so many would hate her for 1) Loving her Brother, and 2) Killing the mains. I mean, she'd likely be mostly hated given the characters I plan for her to murk. 👀

Malcolm's ass would probably get woobified, good GRAVY. 🫠

Mortal Kombat:

Lana would either be heavily loved or heavily hated.

Elizabeth would get mostly ignored.

Hey, do you guys ever ponder how the fandom would treat your fandom OCs if they were canon? Is it good or bad? 🤔

I'm so curious to know! 🧐

[demon-of-the-ancient-world]

Ok if you've never actually watched Riverdale, I guarantee you it is more absurd than you think:

At one point Betty sings "Mad World" by Gary Jules while strip teasing in front of her boyfriend, her boyfriend's dad, her OWN MOTHER and a bunch of gangsters (and is roughly 16 at the time)

There's like. An evil version of D&D that also turns out to be a human sacrifice cult

Veronica opens a speakeasy in town with her dad's money (again, as a high school student) and then makes it kind of also a casino (legally? illegally? I have no fucking clue)

Jughead's absentee gangster mom shows up and tries to give a singing performance at said speakeasy but gets heckled and pulls a knife on the heckler so they both get banned, but she keeps trying to come back so Veronica hires a team of teenage gangsters (who ALL dress like '50s biker girls) to keep her out

Archie gets MAULED BY A FUCKING BEAR

Keep in mind this is all supposedly based on the very innocent and lowkey Archie/Betty +Veronica comics

There's a fuckton of OCs including Cheryl Blossom, who is one of the most fucking insane characters I've ever come across and I've watched a lot of tv

Example A: at one point she not-so-subtly threatens her MOM with bdsm punishment

Archie hallucinates going back in time and beating himself to death with a baseball bat (I honestly cannot believe I'm typing this shit)

Oh yeah, and Betty's dad is a serial killer

And Cheryl's homophobic mom (who runs a brothel!) pretends to be Betty's mom so she can visit him in prison

And admits to having written letters to Jeffrey Dahmer (I swear to you this is an actual line of dialogue)

Archie gets framed for a murder he didn't commit and sent to juvie, where he's BRANDED AND FORCED INTO AN UNDERGROUND FIGHT CLUB FOR TEENAGERS, and somehow this is just. allowed.

The entire town's main source of income is...maple syrup

Also sidenote: where the fuck is it supposed to be set?? They mention "crossing the border to Quebec" several times so I guess it's in New England somewhere? But I'm pretty sure it was shot in Vancouver so?????

Related: Archie goes on the run for a while after escaping juvie and is apparently in Canada somewhere (this is where the bear comes in of course) and I shit you not as soon as he sets foot on this side of the border EVERYTHING he wears is plaid

Cheryl burns her house down and gives her mother third degree burns - that leave no physical evidence after

Also Archie gets shanked in juvie and that doesn't leave a scar either

Betty also burns her house down

Betty's mom and sister join a cult that seems like a regular cult (except for the fact that it's based around evil dungeons and dragons of course) but then they levitate two babies over a fire and this still hasn't been explained???

Apparently the leader of the cult is harvesting organs and builds his own rocket to escape in once they catch him??? Haven't seen that bit yet but oh god do I want to

Barb from Stranger Things is in it! (she also joins the cult)

Jughead's gangster dad becomes the sheriff

The entire show kicks off with Archie (still in high school!) having a secret affair with his music teacher

Don't even fucking get me started on "Dark Betty"

There's a whole episode about how important SATs were but it's been a while and they STILL haven't graduated

Also, we never see them studying like, once, so it's a miracle they all passed in the first place

[feathers-fallen-on-riverdale]

Season 1, Episode 1: Chapter 1 - The River's Edge These Aren't The People From My Polycule! (They Said What?)

[Ep. Statues: Already Watched/First Time Watching + Remember/Vaguely/Don't Remeber]

First off. It sort of slipped my mind that Jughead narrates the opening of each episode. Doesn't he become like a God type writer in the new season? Very Jensen coded of The CW to only know how to do one (1) thing.

Oh god that nasty "Welcome to Riverdale!" board.

Also I will probably be saying this a lot but what are these outfits? Cheryl and Jason are going for thier stupid little boat ride (really? A boat ride? In the morning? On July 4th?) dress all in white expect for Cheryl's bright red stilettos. Like no wonder first time watcher me though Cheryl killed her brother. All the white, the creepiness of the scene and the "are you scared Jason?" just convinced me Cheryl had ritualisticlly killed her brother in a fucked up horror movie girl kinda way. Instant way to make me stan her. Kinda disappointed she didn't (would now would also be a good time to mention that I completely forgot who actually killed Jason? Oops?). Anyway where is that AU? Where is that show?

"In those last moments I hope he suffered. May Jason Blossom burn in hell" ? Miss girl. Are we sure Betty's mom isn't the real family psychopath?

Also can we talk about Jughead in season 1. With his lil beanie and his camera. I'm like 90% he was written to be a movie nerd/buff then it was retconed to books and they never talk about it again? That was weird.

Lol okay so I forgot how privileged the Lodges are made out to be. But honestly, Veronica's mom? Kind of a MILF. Now that I think about it, aren't they like, the Riverdale Kardashians?

Girl naurrr the gay-bestfriend-ification of Kevin 😭💀. My mortal enemy. I will make Kevin a full fleshed character if it kills me. Kevin walked no-crawled so that Will from Stranger Things could stumble over to Mike only to be called a slur.

Also how old are these bitches supposed to be? 15 year olds do not look like that. What is in the water in Riverdale? Pfffff what am I talking about Archie is Just Like That TM.

Also something about the way the actors deliver thier lines. I can't explain it but it's hilarious. Maybe just cause it's the pilot and everything's a little stilted still.

Also I think Kevin wants to hit that (Archie). #LetKevinHitThat2022 #LetKevinBeArchiesGayAwakening2022

Oh Archie's music passion my beloved. I forgot that one too. Season 1 may not be as batshit as its descendants but it has it's gems.

Betty and Archie: having their disgusting little heterosexual talk

Me looked in the background: omg Pop Tate 😍😍😍

I used to laugh at the sketches of Riverdale on tiktok because the facial expressions were so greatly exaggerated. But nope, it's actually Just Like TM.

Omg Veronica's slow-mo entrance my beloved. Some would say it's over the top but honestly she's an icon, she's a legend and she is the moment. She deserves this.

Also I know I should be focused on the Archie and Veronica's meet-cute but there's this one shot of Betty's face that is absolutely sending me.

Betty said gay rights because I'm going to be homophobic towards a straight couple.

ALSO FRED ANDREWS. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU. ARCHIE STOP BITCHING AT YOUR FATHER.

Forgot just how... Karen-like Betty's mom was in season 1. I know it's out of worry but I can't wait for her character to flesh out (as much as it can on a CW show). Also I did not know Betty has ADHD?

Archie, honey, what is your handwriting. Okay, if Betty has ADHD then I want Archie to be dyslexic. They bond over being neurodivergent and mistake that comradery for love.

Nasty ass early season Chad Reggie 🤮🤮🤮. Where is my is my mafia bimbo meow meow. Give him to me now.

What. What was this moment. ONLY The CW. I would only accept this moment if Veronica was wearing a little bi or pan flag. Hold on.

Guys she sewed them on herself! (her mother taught her!) (I know it looks like shit alright I'm horrible at editing)

JOSIE! AND THE PUSSY CATS. Okay but genuinely they sound really good.

JUSTIN GINGERLAKE ??! Oh she's savage I love her. Also Josie and her girlies all use she/they pronouns because I said so.

Also the way Veronica talks. How does Camilla Mendes pull it off. What ever they're paying her, double it.

"Are you two dating?"

"No we're just friends."

"No he's straight.'

I stand by my earlier statment, #LetKevinHitThat2022

Oh god. The one plot line I wish I could desperately forget is the one where Archie fucks his music teachers. How is nobody noticing these 2 eyes fuck infront of the entire gymnasium.

Oh Fred and Hermione 😔

"Is cheerleading still a thing?"

"Is being the gay best friend still a thing?"

Shots fired. I am loving the mlm wlw hostility. At least The CW got gay on gay violence right.

Cheryl? Body shaming! What year is this?

They're trying to make me like or feel sympathy for Grundy and it's not working. I'm just waiting for her to leave.

Okay no actually I need her to DIE. A student is asking for help because he's feeling guilty and scared of something he's witnessed but your saying no because you fucked him? 🔪🔪🔪

Beronica kiss hello? Young sapphic me blocked this out because they could not deal with the emotions and revelations this brought her. Also this is beginnings/foundation of the Riverdale polycule. Also that kiss was.... a little longer than necessary 😏.

Cheryl is not impressed tho and honestly good for her. But that baiting scene. Sheesh I'm not one to judge be get a better coping mechanism honey. Betty's half moon scars I remember vividly. I wonder if they ever resolved that plotline.

Also. VERONICA ACTUALLY POPPED OFF NOT CLICKBAIT!???!!!???

WE COME AS A MATCHING SET? I AM THAT RECKONING? SORRY CHERYL BOMBSHELL MY SPECIALITY IS ICE?

I am losing it. Is this Riverdale's version of "Freedom is a lenght of rope and God wants you to hang yourself"?

Nope, now I've lost it. That scene! Where Veronica is zipping up Betty's cheerleading outfit and the sweet music is playing and they're all smiles and giggles and she turns around and Veronica compliments her and Betty just touches her in the same way Veronica did her even though Veronica was already set! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH GOODBYE! The entire show could end right here and I wouldn't care. Also, I see you Veronica's black nail polish.

Oh Betty and Veronica's little chat after that felt very very real. Oh no this Supernatural all over again. Shit show, good moments that keep u coming back.

Okay Betty's mom is giving my mom vibes and that is not okay.

Fred's words to Archie about his future are ringing really true and are a really fresh and good twist on the parents dont support the kids passion trope.

Maybe this first season is actually good? Skdjkskdjd nah.

Omg our favourite trouple doing their entrance!

"What does your heart say?"

Archie: *looks over at Grundy*

Me: Come on, Grundy?!

Archie: *demands lessons*

Me: Oh he chose music!

Oh god.... I keep pausing the fantasy couple scene because I just can't.

Veronica and Kevin, mouthing: ask him about the polycule!

Betty, who can't read lips for shit: power couple? 🤔

The absolute silence on Archie's side. WHY did he look at Grunkle what's her face.

Let's see who's riding the ginger stallion tonight? WHO IS WRITING THESE SCRIPTS?

"Who are you asking for, you or Betty?"

Me: SAY BOTH

Veronica: *doesn't say both*

Me:

Me watching Archie and Veronica kiss even tho the polycule is in shambles before even fully forming:

Veronica and Hermione's relationship. God I wish I had something like that.

"Archie went looking for the girl next door. Instead he found me." Okayyyy, it's giving Jarchie.

Archie and Jughead's scene. First of all Jughead's dark humor. Love it. The talk to her. It'd go a long way. It'd have went a long way with me. Ooof. But also what did happen? Omg gay coming out went wrong!

Me watching the "I can't give you the answer you want" scene trying to focus on literally anything else but the forced monogamy in front of me: huh the way they shot this reminds me of the "I was there where were you scene".

Okay but let's put a pause on the polycule and talk about Barchie. Archie says something along the lines of "You are always perfect, I could never be good enough for you" and earlier on Betty said she's sick of being perfect, the perfect x,y,z for everyone else. I don't know if she's realised this but that may include being the perfect love interest for Archie. And Archie perceives her as Perfect when Betty just wants to be perceived. So if they were ever to get together, polycule or not they'd need to work past that.

Oh Moose. Didn't he just fade into the background as the show moved on or did I just forget him?

Oh Jason? Neat ig. Was he shot and his body dumped after the lake was searched? I can't even remember.

Unhinged rating: 3/10. There were some moments (mostly from Cheryl) mostly from the dialog and things I'd forgotten but this episode is really tame reconsidering my expectations for later seasons.

Tag list (you can ask to be added [or removed] though I doubt anyone will ask: @youre-only-gay-once

[volfoss]

ummm okay. gay kevin. idk shit abt persona so ur fave and least fave (maybe a side from creep weirdo adults actually I know Enough abt persona. least favorite Normalish character) feel free to elaborate on any of these and umm ummm cheryl also mwah mwah <33

HI. I'm putting this under a cut bc um. <- guy who will ramble rly rly long. Or smth

Every single day I shake my head thinking about the potential Kevin could have if yk. RAC didn't go cop mode and his god. His shit w Percival and also every other relationship it's rly :////. I don't know how unpopular my opinions r bc outside of my like 5 Riverdale mutuals I do NOT touch the main tags. I do NOT need the horrible barchie and varchie takes so. But it is very frustrating to me how he's treated and I rly think if I rewatched I could get more insane about him and use my epic ok let's give him more character abilities BUT I am holsing back from a rewatch so.

^ the dislike is well. For the current season shit and the stuff he did 2 Toni and fangs.... Bc like :/

Getting the Riverdale ones done before um I hit u w the persona essay. But Cheryl my literal best friend forever???

^ she needs to be on screen like. All the time forever and ever. If Cheryl is not on screen I think we all should die. She's literally the best part ever and my beloved friend Nico is so right about her and will hit me w the hi. Did u see Cheryl this episode and I will clap and cheer. She's literally the best and so funny and epic and has literally been since s1ep1. Any crimes that are adjacent to murder or well. Anything else. It's forgiven bc she's epic and funny and swag so. Like I'm not umm?? Super picky on any Cheryl ship BUT I think Cheryl and Veronica could be so fucking funny. Like the dynamic could go so hard etc. I love her a lot like in my top 5 rvd characters

Umm persona time and also like I'm gonna spoil a BIG twist about 4 for you so like. Heads up for that. It's not worth playing tho (I say so affectionately but it's also a hard twist to avoid bc everyone knows it and it's like a 10+ year old game)

My least fave (affectionate. Kind of. I also want him dead) character is adachi from 4. I want him dead like for REALSIES but also he's done nothing wrong but he's ALSO literally killed 3 people.

^ every fan sucks about him and I want literally every adachi fan minus my friend to die bc they suck but like he's ultimately just a silly little guy (again. Excusing the murders and also the well. General cringefail of him). Unfortunately I understand him and I think that like he has issues (in a good and bad way.) But he's also like rly???? Idk man he's kinda got issues and problems but he's also rly sillay and goofy and I think he's allowed to kill because he's sillay. He also sucks so bad and I need to kill him. Like a lot of the fans suck so so so bad and I think that he's a very interesting character if you actually understand him. I think he's a little loser ultimately and ummm I don't rly have coherent thoughts but I am microwaving him

Ok as for faves ummm I have a lot HOWEVER I'm gonna go a bit crazy insane about a little dude from persona 2. So like his name is Michel (or like that's his nickname ig?) And so like here's rapidfire facts about him before I hit u w the bingo. So like his weapon when fighting is a guitar case turned into a machine gun. I'm not joking it's very epic. He's also like?? His introduction in the game is LITERALLY basically a hey quit your job join my emo band. He says carpe diem like "crap a dime". He's a singer and like he comes up w insanely stupid song lyrics. He's also like full of issues and problems on many levels. And he literally has blue hair and pronouns

^ him btw. I just need u to understand the character a bit before I go insane in the bingo board

^ he doesn't get enough screen time bc he's not on my screen constantly but like I do not interact w any p2 fans minus my friend Chris and my lovely mutual toni who are both epic and understand it. However I do think some people probably suck about him and he's my bestie so I understand him on a fundamental level. He's rly epic and niceys and minus well a couple issues he does nothing wrong ever and ever. He's my best friend bc like. In persona 2 when u meet demons u can communicate w them and one of his options is to like talk to them and be like HEY you suck your life sucks etc. It's very epic and funny and he will also sing to them sometimes. Also just this gif.

[loudmound]

hey.

heather* mason for the ask meme. :-)

I GETFUCKING ATOMIZED

sexuality headcanon: absolutely 110% a lesbian still figuring it out. we've discussed this and with your wisdom, my opinion has been forever sealed.

gender headcanon: i hesitate to give her a concrete label bcs she's kinda like. i'm a girl but also i'm not. i can see her using they/them in tandem with she/her and i think her grasp on womanhood is tenuous at best bcs they really don't give a shit. they're just here to have a goodtime :-)

a ship i have with said character: there's nobody age-appropriate in the franchise for her to have romances with as she is 17 years old and i'm okay with that. i do think that when they get older, she gets a girlfriend <:-)

a brotp i have with said character: well ofcourse harry and heather* makes me scream and cry and throwup but douglas and heather* too... ;_; quit your job as a detective... RAISE your new daughter. she reminds you of the son you lost, no? well? (steepling my fingers)

a notp i have with said character: pretty much everybody in sh3 but especially either vincent or claudia. back the fuck up.

a random headcanon: my girl* fucking hoovers up alternative rock and industrial like none other; they also LOVE video games and is a big fan of rpgs and first-person shooters (she has very strong feelings about kingdom hearts 2 for very normal reasons)

general opinion over said character: i love you cheryl heather mason you are sowonderful and i hope you grow up to do great things and heal from the things that have happened to you and hurt you :-( <3

[evilblot]

Ey fam, how about Silent Hill for the ask meme if you're still doing it?

Oh damn you really wanna bring the big guns to the playground uh? Let's goooooooo 🔥🔥

*Only one disclaimer though: I am not familiar with the SH community, so if I pick a character who according to the fandom doesn't fall into the category I decided to put them into... Sorry but I literally don't care, I do what I want jdbhd

blorbo (favorite character, character I think about the most)

In my restless dreams, I see that man. James Sunderland. I promised I'd stop thinking about him someday... But I never did. Well, he became my poor little meow meow now... We hang out in our 'special place'... We're waiting for you...

I also think about Valtiel and Pyramid Head. An awful lot if I might but not for the reasons y'all might think of. I love them twitchy bastards so much, I wish they would take me by the hand and show me the secret to be so fucking amazing and with a flawless lore and a character design so on spot people still talk about it to this day <3c

scrunkly (my “baby”, character that gives me cuteness aggression, character that is So Shaped)

The One Truth! Nobody talks about him and it makes me sad... I mean look at him? He's so cool, his symbolism is slaying the absolute penis and ngl I'd kill to get a hug from him. I want him to pick me up and hold me gentle like the hamburger pwease <3c

Oh! Also Raw Shocks (Abstract version), they look like wet kittens in a cardboard box, so ofc I want to take them all home with me jddhd

scrimblo bimblo (underrated/underappreciated fave)

Heather, or rather Cheryl Mason. I honestly don't know nor care about her being underrated or not but I really love her and how's her character is handled. She gets a lot of shit for being "annoying" but she's a angry confused teenager dropped in an unforgiving cruel world so cut her some slack please?

Also shout out to my girl Lisa Garland, I'm gonna pick you up at 7 and take you somewhere nice, you deserve a break and a proper meal bestie.

glup shitto (obscure fave, character that can appear in the background for 0.2 seconds and I won’t shut up about it for a week)

Douglas Cartland! He's a sad old man who lost the light in his eyes and who can be seen walking around in boxers with the help of a cheat code.... What's not to love here? <3c

Very worthy of mention is also Fukuro Lady. I still have so many questions about her... Who is she? What's her story? Is she single? 👀 You get the idea jdbdb

poor little meow meow (“problematic”/unpopular/controversial/otherwise pathetic fave)

James Sunderland voted once again as wettest most pathetic littlest meow meow of them all but I'd still make out with him if left unsupervised, more at 8.

horse plinko (character I would torment for fun, for whatever reason)

Vincent. I'm gonna act stupid on purpose while challenging his religious theories, cackling like a mad man as he slowly goes insane trying to keep up with me.

eeby deeby (character I would send to superhell)

You know, I was about to say Claudia but fuck that, the only one who deserves to be yeeted to eeby deeby is Eddie and that's on that, no i don't accept criticism, only cash.

And we're done, sorry for the delay but this has been a real challenge ngl... Anyway, tènkius so much for the ask and sorry (<- not sorry) I desecrated this astounding piece of gaming history too with my poor life choices jdhfhdh

[doityourselfbombs]

S1E3 Body Double

or: all the out of pocket shit that happens in riverdale part 3

I forgot I was doing this for a hot minute. not to worry, I'm back on my bullshit with a new format.

click the links to see screenshots from the episode :)

find other episodes here xx

PLOT

Cheryl explains to the police that Jason wanted to leave Riverdale, so he asked Cheryl to help him stage an accident so their parents wouldn't go after him. He was supposed to call her after he left town, but she never heard from him again. Cheryl also says they heard a gunshot but didn't know what it was.

Betty asks her mother to stop writing clickbait articles about Jason's death. more on that later.

Archie finally tells the police he was at the river on July 4th, but says he was alone.

Betty wants to reboot the school newspaper and asks Jughead to join. Jughead acts like Betty is trying stifle his voice by checking his grammar and making sure he doesn't commit one of the seven deadly sins of journalism.

Veronica goes on a date with football player Chuck, who posts a photo of the two of them the next day claiming he gave her a "sticky maple". I don't want to know what that means and I'm kind of mad I ever had to hear the phrase. naturally this is an opportunity for more heavy handed feminist messaging.

Ms Grundy is back on her toxic groomer bullshit! nothing important just thought you should know that's still happening.

Cheryl gets the Pussycats to take Archie on as a student because she owes him a favor.

Veronica gets some honestly very funny hate comments, including one from the character Tony Topaz, who would not appear on the show for another season.

anyway it turns out what happened to Veronica is a fairly common occurrence for girls in Riverdale, and Betty wants to write an article about it. also apparently the football players have a playbook where they keep track of everyone they've hooked up with and how many points each girl was worth.

I hate this forced messaging but unfortunately it is important to the plot later on.

Jughead finds out that the gunshot came from the adventure scouts doing illegal target practice. also apparently the head adventure scout is preparing for the apocalypse??

the gang finds Betty's sister Polly in the playbook next to Jason's name.

the majority of the music segments from this episode come from the Pussycats/Josie, which is a nice change of pace because they all have beautiful voices and are genuinely very talented.

also, remember how the Pussycats have been wearing cat ears at school to "build their brand"? well apparently they forgot about that.

there's a really awkward covergirl product placement about halfway through the episode.

remember how I mentioned that Betty asked her mother to stop writing sensational clickbait articles abt Jason? Alice did not stop and gets punched in the face by Mrs Blossom at a party. it's what she deserves.

Alice also spends a good portion of this episode gossiping about 16 year olds. does she not have any other hobbies???

meanwhile, Betty has taken it upon herself to "punish" Chuck, which for some reason involves homemade dominatrix cosplay and a bad wig. reminder that this character is sixteen.

anyway she handcuffs him in a hot tub and tries to drown him a little bit. this is the beginning of "dark Betty", the alter ego Betty sometimes takes on. I'm getting a degree in psychology and I cannot explain this.

after the article about Chuck comes out and he's kicked off the football team, Cheryl and Betty set the playbook on fire. Cheryl says she's sorry for what Jason did to Polly.

the evil adventure scout tells Betty and Jughead that he saw Ms. Grundy's car at the river on July 4th.

notable character moments:

Betty keeps calling Jughead "Juggy", and now that I think about it that's only slightly worse than his actual name.

Archie yells "sorry I'm not perfect!" at his dad in one scene.

Veronica shoves Kevin into a locker for dramatic effect while giving a speech.

Jughead crouches in a restaurant booth like a gargoyle (or a bisexual). he's trying to look threatening and it does not work.

Josie tries to gatekeep the concept of music with Archie (and she's kind of right).

best quotes of the episode:

"I will cut the breaks on his souped-up phallic symbol".

"that high-toned bitch attitude may have worked on the betas you dated in new york, but you're in bulldog territory" (cue football players barking)

"thanks to you, Archie, I'm not the girl who cried gunshot"

"proof or no proof, book or no book, I'm going scorched earth on these privileged, despicable miscreants".

"I'd love to stay, but I've gotta shake down an evil adventure scout". (I unironically think this line is funny)

[snarkwrites]

13 | gangsta ; sweetpea

NOTES:

It's been a while. I've had these two chapters written for a while now but I haven't had time to sit down, edit them a little better and post them. Since I have time now, I thought I'd go ahead and do that, whether you guys asked for these next two chapters or not.

Sorry this took forever! Sorry I'm so slow, I've been settling into a new house and taking care of some IRL stuff / taking a little break. I swear, I'm going to update everything sooner or later. >.>

I love you guys.

WARNINGS:

NON/ LOOSE CANON COMPLIANCE - this is the biggest warning, so if you’re into things that follow exact canon plot you are… definitely not going to like this. ANGST & SLOW BURN, HEAVY SEXUAL TENSIONSTARTING NOW, ACTUALLY - this is just so everyone who started reading this thinking the smut would transpire in a hurry knows that apparently, it is not. VIOLENCE / SWEARING & FIGHTING, POSSIBLE UNDERAGE DRINKING AND OTHER SHENANIGANS- look.. it’s high school. shit happens. also apparently, my ofc Alyssa uses the word fuck like all the time?…EVENTUAL SEXUAL CONTENT / A VIRGIN ORIGINAL CHARACTER- this one is self explanatory. yes, i plan to write a smutty chapter in this at some point. when? i don’t rightly know. it’s got a while before we get there. STALKER TW - this chapter marks the true appearance of Alyssa's ex, Dave Novak. It's hinted heavily that he's a gross asshole who likes to play mind games. ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING TW - This chapter contains an attempted kidnapping. If this is gonna bother you you're best off not reading it.

If you're under 18+, probably not a good or wise idea to continue reading this series. Because there are going to be a few dark and adult themes within. I'll warn here, of course, but you need to understand that I don't control you. If you continue to read after having read the warnings and you're upset or don't like something... Totally on you, friend.

PAIRING:

Andrews!Sibling OFC x Sweet Pea.

TAGGING:

@brithedemonspawn is the only person on my Riverdale tag list. If you want to be added, the link to do so is below.

OTHER PARTS:

ONE - TWO - THREE - FOUR - FIVE - SIX - SEVEN - EIGHT - NINE - TEN- ELEVEN - TWELVE - soundtrack

OTHER STUFF:

[ about my writing - tag list doc ]

THIRTEEN.

[773 - 589 - 7956] Quiet sleepy little town you’ve got here. I can see the appeal, scarlet.

[773 - 589 - 7956] I saw you last night. If I didn’t know what a treacherous bitch you were, I’d say you look more beautiful than ever.

[773 - 589 - 7956] Have you shown that new boytoy of yours all the dirty little photos you were sending me? I bet he’d fucking love to see that… Or did you actually let him see the real thing?

[773 - 589 - 7956] You can say what you want to the cops, scarlet. You and I both know you enjoyed sending me those dirty little pictures. Do your parents know what a teasing whore their daughter really is? I know mommy wasn’t too thrilled when you went running to her to snitch just because things got a little too real for you…

[773 - 589 - 7956] I’ll see you soon. It’s like I said, scarlet. You owe me. I intend to collect. You think this is a game? You can just promise things and then betray me like that? That’s not how this works, scarlet.

The second my phone was powered on again after school, it immediately started to go insane. The texts came in a flood. They were so disgusting and scary that I dropped my phone because my hands were shaking so hard I couldn’t hold it. I quickly picked up the phone and took a few deep breaths, attempting to pull myself together.

,, I can’t keep this to myself. I have to tell someone what’s going on.” the thought nagged at me for the thousandth time in two weeks and I decided that as soon as I finished my tutoring session for the day, I was going to go to the construction site and show my father the texts. Tell him that somehow, Dave was out of prison and apparently, he was here in Riverdale.

My stomach was churning and a bitter taste filled my mouth at the thought. I felt like a dead girl walking. How could I have been so fucking stupid? I should’ve told my father the first time Dave texted me. I should’ve done something.

I felt anger at the situation too. I came here to get away from everything, to put it behind me. I just wanted to forget any of it happened. How dare he show up and ruin everything? He was supposed to be in jail right now, not walking free!

It wasn’t fair.

I knew I’d never be brave enough, but I found myself thinking that if I did see him again, I wanted to strangle him. To give him a reason to be afraid of me for once instead of the other way around. To get even for the hell he put me through in Chicago.

I stepped out into the parking lot, taking a few deep breaths to calm down. Leaning against the brick wall beside the doors that lead into the building. Waiting. Trying to pull myself together. Half hoping that my brother was still here, still in wrestling practice.

Then I remembered that he didn’t have it tonight and that he’d left earlier with Veronica, Betty and Jughead.

Cheryl and Toni were already gone too. I’d stayed over because I was tutoring some kids in the grade below me. I didn’t think it’d take as long as it did. When I realized just how late it had gotten and that I’d be walking home alone in the dark, I’d panicked.

I could always call my dad.

That’s what I wound up doing. About halfway across the parking lot and just as my father’s phone went to voicemail , Dave stepped out and grabbed me, clamping his hand over my mouth before I could do anything other than scream.

My phone fell out of my hands and hit the pavement . I fought him off, managed to get out of his grasp and took off at a run. He caught up to me and grabbed me, trying to drag me towards his Chevelle that was parked nearby, idling. I fought tooth and nail, making as much noise as I could. Grabbing hold of anything I could to try and wrench myself free from his grasp.

I spotted Sweet Pea walking towards the school and I screamed louder. Fought harder.

“Sweet Pea!” I screamed his name, biting at any exposed skin I could get my mouth on Dave’s body. Clawing and scratching. Determined not to go quietly or without a fight. Sweet Pea disappeared from sight for a few seconds in the scuffle between Dave and I, and I was fighting so hard that Dave was struggling to keep a good firm grip on me…

XXX

He’d come back to school because normally, Alyssa was done and at Pop’s within thirty minutes, an hour tops. It had almost been two. Something felt off. Sweet Pea tried to tell himself the entire walk across town to Riverdale High that he was just being paranoid or overprotective. By the time the school was in view, he almost had himself convinced that he was just being a paranoid idiot.

Until he heard her screaming.

Sweet Pea took off at a run in the direction her scream came from, watching as a guy grabbed Alyssa and started trying to pull her towards an idling Chevelle nearby. He locked eyes with Alyssa before slipping out of sight. Getting himself into a position where he could slip up on the guy from behind and hopefully, distract him enough that Alyssa could get away.

The second she managed to smash her head into the guy’s nose hard enough that he dropped her, Sweet Pea spoke up. Firmly. “Run, Cherry. Don’t stop running.”

“No.” I stubbornly refused to leave. I wasn’t going to leave him to fight Dave off on his own. Not when this was my mess to begin with, my own stupidity coming back to bite me in my ass.

“Damn it, woman. Fucking go!” Sweet Pea practically growled as he lunged for the guy in front of him, spearing him against the side of his own car. The fight took to the ground, the two rolling around. For a second or two, Dave had the upper hand because he managed to get his hand on Sweet Pea’s throat. Sweet Pea used his legs, flipping them so that he was on top, swinging his fists with no real thought other than the sheer rage he felt about the guy trying to grab Alyssa. Dave managed to get the upper hand again, holding Sweet Pea against the concrete, Sweet Pea’s hand wrapped around his throat as he tried to squeeze harder.

Sweet Pea swore in frustration when he saw Alyssa slipping over to the open rear door. She emerged with a baseball bat, making her way over to the fight.

“What the fuck do you think you were gonna do, man?” Sweet Pea snarled in anger as he got in a few hard and fast punches.

“I was gonna get my hands on that little bitch you call a girlfriend and teach her a lesson.” Dave grunted out the words as Sweet Pea’s hand closed around his throat tighter and he managed to get Dave on his back again.

“The only one who’s going to learn a lesson tonight is you, asshole. Don’t fucking touch her.” Sweet Pea got the upper hand again, holding Dave against the concrete, smashing his head against Dave’s head as he sneered, “I’m gonna fuckin kill you, putting your hands on my girl.” and really tightened his grip.

Dave managed to shove him off and stood, the two of them fighting. Alyssa swung the bat at Dave’s lower back, almost connecting with it but Dave stepped out of the way at the last minute, making a grab for her.

“Cherry, I told you to run, damn it!” Sweet Pea growled as he lunged at Dave, sending Alyssa stumbling back, barely managing to keep herself from falling on her butt on the pavement. The two were rolling around on the ground again, punching and choking wildly and Alyssa spotted her cell phone and she dove for it, dialing 911.

Just as she was about to hit call, Sweet Pea choked Dave out and grabbed for the rope that had fallen out of Dave’s jacket pocket, tying his arms together while he was down. Then he rushed over to her, checking her over in concern, wincing at the pavement burn on her cheeks and the few scrapes.

“What the fuck happened to run, huh?” Sweet Pea asked, trying to catch his breath.

“I wasn’t leaving you here with him.” Alyssa panted. Sweet Pea took her cell phone and hit call, keeping his foot on Dave’s head to keep him down as he made the call.

Two minutes later, a cop car came racing around the corner and pulled to a stop behind the idling Chevelle.

The cop got out and wandered over. Glancing from Sweet Pea to Dave.

Alyssa spoke up.

“Sweet Pea was trying to save me, officer.”

“I’m going to need you two to come to the station and make statements.” the cop informed them after getting Dave into the back of the cop car. Alyssa nodded, hugging herself against Sweet Pea’s side. Sweet Pea slipped out of his leather jacket,draping it around her, because at some point during her fight with Dave, her shirt had gotten torn down the front.

The cop left, leaving the two of them alone.

Sweet Pea took a few deep breaths, pulling her against him. Squeezing her tight. Holding her in place. “Thank God I decided to come by here. If something would’ve happened…” he muttered against her hair quietly.

She pulled away to look up at him and he locked eyes with her, leaning in closer…

XXX

My heart was still hammering away at my chest. The adrenaline was starting to wear off and I was starting to panic a little as I began to realize what almost happened to me. How close I came to disappearing, having God knows what would be done to me by Dave.

I wasn’t thinking about how awkward me kissing him would be. I wasn’t thinking about anything if you want the truth. I rose up on my toes, grabbing hold of the front of Sweet Pea’s t-shirt, pulling myself up. My mouth brushed against the corner of his gingerly, trying to avoid the portion of his lower lip that was busted and bloody because it had to hurt like hell. His hands dug into my hips and he growled quietly, his mouth latching onto mine just as I went to pull away, stop myself before I went for it and kissed him in the heat of the moment.

The kiss deepened and I raised my arms, wrapping them around his neck. Dragging my fingers through his hair. My back met the side of the Chevelle with a soft smack and he pressed himself into me more firmly. His mouth continuing to hungrily devour mine.

The kiss broke a few seconds later, we pulled apart breathlessly and stared at one another in a daze. Sweet Pea wiped the back of his hand over his mouth and cleared his throat. Going quiet again.

All I could do was melt into him and try to wrap my head around what almost happened and what had just actually happened. He curled his fingers under my chin, tilting my face so that I had to look up at him.

“Who was that? Wait.. was that your ex?”

My jaw dropped. I blinked at him and then I nodded quietly. He swore under his breath and held on a little tighter. Pulling away again, his hands on my upper arms as he stared down at me. “I should’ve fucking killed him.”

“H-how’d you know about Dave? Did my brother tell you?”

“And Jughead. I don’t know everything. I just know that I told myself if I ever actually saw the asshole, I was going to kill him.” Sweet Pea answered quietly. Taking a few deep breaths and then adding a few seconds later, “We need to get to the station.”

I nodded in agreement. Sweet Pea scooped me up when he saw me take a step and wince, then try it again with the same outcome.

“I can walk.” I protested weakly.

“You fell. You probably twisted your ankle. Just… let me carry you, Cherry.” he muttered quietly, his voice a soft and concerned whisper as he gazed down at me.

All I could do was nod. Lean my head against the space between his neck and shoulder.

As we worked our way towards the police station, it poured out of me. Every single thing I’d gone through with Dave in Chicago. I grimaced as I told Sweet Pea exactly what had gone down and why I thought Dave had come to town and tried to grab me tonight and Sweet Pea’s jaw set firm.

I could tell that hearing it bothered him. And at one point, he muttered quietly, “If you don’t want to talk about it you don’t have to…”

“No, I need to get it out. I shouldn’t have kept the fact that the asshole was texting me to myself. Blocking his number obviously didn’t work because he reached out with a new one. I thought if I just ignored him, he’d lose interest. I thought it was just him, trying to scare me. I didn’t think he’d be stupid or brave enough to show up here.” I muttered, shaking my head at how stupid that sounded now that I was really stopping to think about it.

“He’s not gonna bother you again, okay? I’m going to make sure he doesn’t.” Sweet Pea muttered after a few seconds, just as we stepped into the station and made our way over to a sitting area to wait.

“You need to call your dad.” Sweet Pea spoke up after a few seconds that felt like hours.

I nodded. Taking my phone back from Sweet Pea, I dialed my dad’s number and I could hear the relief in his voice when he answered.

Static crackled and popped on his end of the line so I strained to hear.

“I’ve been riding around town looking for you for over an hour, tiny. What the hell happened?” my dad asked in a rush.

“Dave was waiting outside of the school tonight when I came out… If Sweet Pea hadn’t gotten there when he did I… he tried to grab me tonight, Dad.” I grimaced as I said it, bracing myself for all the questions and the lecture I knew I’d be getting because I hadn’t told anyone the second all this started.

,, to be fair, I definitely deserve it.” the thought came and I let myself have it. Leaning back in the chair, resting against Sweet Pea’s side slightly. Taking a few deep breaths.

My dad swore and I heard him punching at something, probably the dashboard of his truck. After a second or two, he spoke up. “Where are you two? I’m on my way, tiny. Right now.”

“We’re at the station giving a statement.” I explained.

“Thank god. So Novak got arrested? That’s good. I’m going to be sure to find out what I can do to make sure that little prick stays in a cell this time.” my dad responded as I heard him rev the engine on his truck.

The call ended and I leaned my head against Sweet Pea’s shoulder. He slipped an arm around me and took a few more breaths as if he were trying to calm himself down again because he was still angry and tense.

The cop who made the arrest found us and ushered us back to his workspace and we sat down. Telling the cop every single detail of what happened tonight. The cop let me finish and then spoke up.

“We’re holding him for Chicago. He apparently escaped. Attacked another girl… A Claire Watson… Then he came here. But everything you’ve told me will help keep him behind bars, Alyssa. Do you have a parent you can call?”

I nodded.

“She already called him.” Sweet Pea answered calmly as he folded his arms over his chest and glared at the cop suspiciously.

The cop eyed him, nodding. Managing a cordial smile. “That was quick thinking on your part tonight kid. Also stupid as hell. If he’d had a weapon, that could’ve gone wrong. Next time, call the station.”

“And do what? Let an asshole make off with my girl? Yeah, no thanks. I’m good. I’ve seen how fast you assholes respond to any call you get from the South side.”

“Not all of us are bad, kid.” the cop pointed out in a calm and even tone.

“Yeah, well… I wasn’t going to stand there and let him take my girl either. I did what I had to do.” Sweet Pea took a deep breath, rubbing his forehead. Calming himself back down.

I spotted my father and Archie coming into the station, heading right for us and I let out a ragged breath. Squeezing my dad so tight he almost couldn’t breathe when they got over to where we were sitting in the back.

My father spoke up, addressing the cop. “We will be pressing charges. So, whatever I need in order to do that, just tell me and you’ve got it.”

Sweet Pea cleared his throat.

“If it helps, here’s her phone.” Sweet Pea held my phone out to the policeman and he took it, nodding. “If there’s anything on here, that’ll help. If you’ll come with me, Mr. Andrews, we’ll get that paperwork drawn up to start the proceedings.”

My dad gave me another hug and stopped in front of Sweet Pea. “If you hadn’t been there tonight, kid… Thank you.”

“I wasn’t gonna let anything happen to her, sir.” Sweet Pea muttered, awkwardly letting my dad hug him too.

My dad made his way to an office with the policeman who’d taken our statements and I glanced up at Sweet Pea, grimacing at the bruises and scraped starting to form on his face and neck. The black eye and the busted lip.

“Archie, can you go get some ice or a soda can? His lips really swelling up..” I muttered. My brother nodded, taking some change from me to go do it. And this left Sweet Pea and I alone again.

“About that kiss.. I’m sorry, I.. the last thing I wanted to do was make anything awkward. I just got caught up in the moment and I can’t keep fighting the way I feel and I… Sorry.” I spoke up quietly. Prepared to give him an out. Afraid that I’d gone way over the line.

“Yeah, about that… I’ve been wanting to do it for a while.” Sweet Pea admitted quietly. Making me look up at him as he chuckled quietly. “You wanna repeat any of what you just said?”

I felt my cheeks burning. I pouted up at him and gave him a dirty look.

He smirked in response and spoke up. “I’m being serious. You were doing that mumble and babbling thing again.”

“You heard me.” I answered, biting my lip as I looked up at him.

“A little, yeah… But maybe I wanna hear it again, cherry.” he pulled me close and gazed down at me for a few seconds.

“Wait.. you wanted to kiss me?” I realized what he’d admitted. Gazing up at him, a little shocked.

“You’re trying to change the subject now?” he questioned, slipping his arms around me. I gave a soft laugh and muttered quietly, “Maybe a little.”

“When you say you can’t ignore the way you feel.. What’s that mean?” he questioned again, making me look up at him. I took a deep breath and toyed with the front of his shirt, trying to figure out the best way to put it to words.

The truth. Simple and direct.

“I care about you a lot. I lo--” I started to say that I loved him, but Archie cleared his throat behind us, holding out the soda can to me. Then promptly excusing himself again to go find our dad. I gently guided Sweet Pea down into a chair and sank down to sit on his knees. Gingerly pressing the cold soda can against his lip. And after a second or two, I finally got myself to say it again. “I love you, okay?”

He chuckled quietly. Locking eyes with me. Lowering the soda can to ask quietly, “Like a best friend or something.. Right?”

I shook my head. “More than, actually. Since that day at the car wash when I drenched you with the hose, I’ve… It’s been hard to make myself not look for you in a crowd. Yes, yes.. I know this is mushy and you don’t do mushy, I..” his mouth crashing against mine cut off the flow of my words and he muttered in a daze, “Say it again. Tell me you love me, Cherry.”

“I love you.” I managed to get the words out breathlessly. His mouth was latching onto mine all over again. The kiss deepening. His arms enveloping me tighter. Squeezing til I thought I’d get lightheaded between the deep and heavy onslaught of kisses and the way he was holding me.

“I love you too.” he mumbled quietly. Gazing down at me. Panting for his next breath as the kiss broke yet again.

“Okay, are you two done with whatever yet? Because dad told me to get Al back home. You can come with us if you want.” Archie surprised me by inviting Sweet Pea. Sweet Pea eyed him and nodded, standing after I’d finally managed to pry myself away from him.

As we walked out of the station, he slipped his hand down between us, lacing his fingers between mine. Giving my hand a squeeze as he glanced down at me.

[tandv]

I agree...But I also don't like how the writers diminished Cheryl this season to give Toni a story line. Like they single handedly ruined her entire character to give Tonia a story line. The way the Riverdale writers do Vanessa so dirty is just beyond me. I think thats why I love Mads too because she's been vocal about Vanessa deserving a story line more then just Choni. I just hate that the way they did it this season.

Toni’s storyline is still so saturated in Cheryl also. I think they should have just given them their own storyline’s first and foremost. And left any choni stuff to later in the season, or next season. Like what they’ve done with Betty and Jughead. Give them their independent storyline’s with some interactions. But with room for working on themselves as their own characters and then working on their relationship issues second. Which would make for a better story in the long run. In general most couples on this show get rushed. So seeing main couples have a chance to get a slow burn where they already have a history and can grow and be their best selves first. That is the best way to improve on and not fall back into old habits. I haven’t watched any of the episodes in full. I’ve mostly only seen some Alice and all the Toni scenes. But I think they could have given both of them (c&t) more personal storyline’s that aren’t just feeling like they’re dealing with last season’s issues. Which happened 7 years ago in canon. To me it feels like they stunted Cheryl as if she spent 7 literal years doing nothing. And Toni moved on in every aspect of her life, except she didn’t. But then suddenly she backtracked on her obvious attempts at reconciliation. Which made no sense. They could have done their storyline’s better. I’m not a Cheryl fan but all I wanted for her was for her to have grown up and changed from her flaws and to be a better version of herself, (living her best life) while also moving on and experiencing what life can be like without Toni. So they both can grow and be mature and then come together whenever that may be.

But tbh if falice is anything to go off. The writers don’t care about developing previous couples and righting their wrongs. They just give them angst after years of being apart and then suddenly they’re just fine without talking or working through anything. Bc they know fans love their ships and just want to get them back. Like they don’t care enough to do right by them. They just give them drama for the sake of it and then push them back together and acting like nothing changed. So like. I don’t expect any of the couples to have grown or changed since high school when they’re back on track lol. They’ll just be the same as always cos it’s riverdale and all that matters in writing riverdale is making the fans go through hell watching their ships hurting and then just make them happy again cos they get bored of the drama and don’t know how to write them with different and substantial dynamics.

Also sorry for exploding. As someone who writes, and watches tv shows for the storyline’s and not for ships. It hurts my soul when great characters get wasted by writing that has so much more potential to be something great. This show had a great foundation to be really well done. But it’s become the butt of everyone’s jokes, and the main reason why so many people watch it is because they got attached to characters. The storyline’s can be interesting and fun but when you take a step back and really examine how poorly done some of it is. It’s just a shame. It has so much potential. But unfortunately some of the people writing and working on it just don’t care enough about characters and character arcs. They care about theatrics (click bait in storyline form) and keeping fans happy to a point where they’re not even writing well for those fans they’re just making ships exist to exist and don’t care if they’re falling on old habits. They don’t want to better any of the characters because it’s easier to just continue writing everyone the same over and over.

Also yeah it’s been nice having Lili and Madelaine publicly support Vanessa. I just wish that the show would also do the same for actors like Charles and Drew (and Jordan) too. Charles was promoted the same time as Vanessa and now Drew has the promotion and their storyline’s are still shit. I know the promotion is mostly about pay etc. but characters like Kevin, the first canon lgbt character from the start- gets thrown a bone every so often but is mostly background and a sidekick. Toni we all know she was a side kick for the last 2.5 seasons, and Fangs and Sweet Pea are also just there for the sake of it. Reggie has been a big part of the show from the start but in screen time/storyline wise. He’s really not. I don’t know how to remedy that because it’s not my expertise. I don’t work in the industry. And I know they’re secondary characters compared to the main 5 and Alice/Hiram. But it just sucks. And I’m happy Vanessa is getting more attention and more screen time because she deserves that. And I’m glad her peers support her because honestly it feels sometimes like a lot of people in Vanessa’s shoes get overlooked. And it sucks that 2020 had to happen for her to finally get some change. I’m so proud of her for speaking out and getting it done. Because Hayley, Asha and Ashleigh, (amongst others) sure didn’t get their voices heard the same way which is such a shame. Because the point I made before about riverdale wasting it’s potential? It extends to them too. The pussycats could have done so much in this show but unfortunately they’re not a priority and it sucks. So luckily Toni and Vanessa are sticking around and getting more recognition because that’s what they truly deserved.

[thetaoofbetty]

P1. I'll admit I'm a pretty casual viewer. I checked out of the fandom mid season 2 but still watch and gloss over the eps, but anyway how is it that Betty is getting more hate about this from both B/J fans and B/A fans and Archie is getting very little??? She made a mistake. It wasn't vindictive or to punish Jughead, I don't really know why she did it but I can see it doesn't come from malicious intent. Archie was happy to fool around with Betty if she had agreed and that is so super gross.

Hello you cinnamon bun! 

I mean, sexism. 

That’s it. Maybe people don’t like hearing it. Maybe people think they’re not acting that way. People are biased. People prefer Jughead. Sometimes I think there’s a small section of shippers who love Betty because Jughead does so she’s already fighting a losing battle of standards she’s almost always incapable of meeting because she’s got their fave’s heart in her hands. 

I have ships where I prefer one over the other, tbh. I have ships where I love them equally. I have ships where I can multi-ship one and not the other. It’s just one of those things. 

So, hey, I’m not here to police how people ship. Everyone can do what they want. But it’s pretty clear by the rewriting of history over the last few weeks that women can’t win for losing and Betty is no exception.

There’s a lot of other thoughts in there I have that I’m sure people would love to misinterpret but they’re allowed to feel how they feel, I’m not in charge of them.

I think B/A fans are always going to rationalize their ship. I’ve seen some say that Jughead is degrading to her (Feminist Icon Jughead Jones? I mean, I’m being a little facetious but let’s be real, that’s A Take™ on Jughead’s character to insinuate he’s ever been like that towards Betty) or that he’s the reason for her “darkness” among other things. 

It’s easy to rationalize your opinions when you put yourself in an echo chamber of people always telling you they agree and that you’re right. So, they’re constantly reinforcing each other (the way all shippers do tbh) how right they are and how it’s true love, etc, because Archie looked at Betty while she was speaking in a scene. The mark of true love, I hear, is to look at someone while they’re talking. 

They’re being pretty selective with the part where Betty says she thinks a part of her has been in love with Archie for the last 10 years from what I can see too. They’re definitely leaving out the part where Cheryl calls Betty out about it being untrue. Which is their right. They can ignore the context if they want, I’m not trying to insert myself in their ship. 

I do take issue with the idea that Betty seems to be Archie’s reward for being A Good Boy™. That’s...gross. Their fave doesn’t get the girl they want for him because they think he’s better than Jughead (that seems to be the consensus for some, they don’t like Jughead. Can’t relate but to each their own). There seems to be a bit of “Betty had a crush on him, she should get him” as well. Which, yeah, that sounds like a big dose of “I didn’t get what I wanted so I’m going to project” to me but whatever. 

Also, who the hell gets every crush they wanted? I sure as hell didn’t. No one I know did. My first big huge crush was my first big heartbreak so, like, sometimes shit just doesn’t go to plan. 

But yeah, Betty’s getting the worse end of the stick on this one and Archie did come off badly. It really did read like he was ready to start messing around with Betty while they’re both dating other people. Even the song sort of implied it, with the whole “give me tonight” thing. 

And I agree, I wouldn’t be interested in someone with a significant other and I wouldn’t romanticize it in one of my ships either. In the immortal words of Lizzo, let us all join hands and sing: I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever be your side chick. 

[soul-music-is-life]

I'm kind of with you on the lackluster Pilot episode of "The Perfectionists". I don't know whether or not I'm into it either. And not because of Emison (I'm more of an Emaya fan myself). I just thought it was cheesy and boring. I don't know if I should keep watching. What about you?

I have actually gotten several asks about whether I plan tokeep watching and why/why not. So I’m going to answer it here and just referback to it if it keeps coming up.

I don’t mind the asks at all. I love conversing, but because of the volume of asks about thisparticular opinion this is another long driveling post, and I’m sorry. You can mute my ass if you’re sick of me. I get it.

First of all OP, thank you for not ripping into me about notliking it. Also, Emaya had my heart. I loved them, too. Maya deserved better.

Second, this is a full-scale look at the show from a critic’svantage point. I watched the first episode twice because I thought maybe I hadn’tgiven it a fair shake the first time because I was in a weird mood. But even onthe second viewing I found a lot more that I disliked than I liked. Lots ofpeople are going to disagree, and that’s fine. Just don’t @ me. I’m legit notlooking for that. I’m just a girl (cue NottingHill music) standing in front her ask inbox asking those askers to love her.

Will I keep watching? I doubt it. Given that it only got a10-episode order and The Pilot wasn’t that interesting to me, I don’t see myselfsitting through it for 9 more episodes. My reasoning is two-tiered. Part of itis disinterest and the other part is the creative aspect of it in the media. Saddleup for my “truths” (I can’t remember who said that. Marlene maybe). I gave it afew days and considered it, and what I ended up with was this:

1) I’m just not into it. For the same reasons you (OP) stated.But I’ll also add that for me…it was predictable. I called the twists longbefore they happened. If I’m already doing that in The Pilot I can guarantee I’dbe doing that as the show went on. I’m like 93% sure I know exactly how it’sgoing to end this season. I tend to do that to myself. Being a writer suckssometimes. Because you see the way things are going to go from the beginning. You just have to decide if you want to go on the journey anyway.

2) While the characters were likable (I was surprised by howmuch I liked Ava), they are a bit one-sided and kind of bland (except I foundNolan’s duality extremely intriguing). There is the argument that can be madehere that they will grow, and I do agree with that. But when I watch a show’sPilot I need to care about at least one character to see what’s going to happenand where they are going to go (In PLL it was Em/Aria for me). None of the characters in TP did that for me (noteven Mona and Alison, which surprised me, because I’ve been super-hype for thisshow not only for them, but for the newbies, too).  

3) The plot (so far) just feels like a rehash of everysingle YA mystery novel/TV show that is hot right now. And I am aware that thisis based loosely on exactly that (Sara’s series), but I think maybe I’ve justbecome desensitized to the same cheesy soap-opera-y murder mystery plots. Or perhaps I’m just desensitized to this particular kind of storytelling. It doesn’tfeel new and different to me and it was very strangely paced with too muchgoing on and not enough time to care about it. It just felt disjointed. Everythingabout the first episode just fell flat for me.

4) And lastly, yes, I’d say there is a tiny part of me…likemaybe…6% that doesn’t want to watch because I’m not about that off-screenEmison drama. I knew it was going to happen and I’m not mad about them beingsplit. I’m disappointed (hears “that’sjust ‘mom speak’ for mad!” echoing somewhere) that the marketing team isusing it for ratings. When you have decent writing you don’t need to play games like that to try andget viewers. It would be one thing to be decisive about what happened toEmily/Alison (Split them. Don’t split them. I don’t care. Just make a fuckingdecision because you’re creating a war between fans and you know it). It’sanother thing entirely to draw it out because you need people to watch and talkabout it.

I am also particularly bothered by hearing the excuse (several times by MK) that “Shay was busy”because Marlene literally planned the spin-off in season 6 (confirmed by bothher and Sasha). It. Was. Planned. I say this as a critic and not an Emison fan: Everything about the way they’ve tried to use Emison to generate buzz was underhanded. And saying shit like that opens the door for people to hate on Shay, and that’s really not cool.

Personally, I think it speaks volumes that the producers felt the need to addthe off-screen drama on top of the really decent plot they already had. Theycould have kept it unproblematic with simple writing choices and less inflammatorycommentary. They could have left the PLL drama in the PLL-verse and given thespotlight to the new drama. I don’tagree with creating old off-screen drama with zero chance of satisfactoryresolution all in the name of ratings. I hate marketing shit like that. It’s acheap amateur tactic and it turns me off.

I think the show could have been something special had theynot marketed it as PLL. But they did, so of course there was a certainexpectation. And of course there is some backlash. Because there are these twoworlds that have nothing to do with each other and so far I don���t feel likethey’ve blended it together well. For me, it was like watching PLL, but with less magic and less chemistry. If I had to describe it I’d say it feels alot like a recipe where you’re just throwing a bunch of ingredients into a bowlwith no idea what you’re making and you’re just hoping it’ll be edible by theend. Rather than focusing on the new universe the marketing team chose to focuson Ali/Mona’s new world and the drama that comes with them. And to me that almost says they don’t have faith that TPwould have been able to stand on its own without the PLL universe. Part of methinks I’d be more interested if this had been a completely fresh start. I wasactually more compelled by the newbies than I was Alison/Mona (though I adorethem, too).

That being said, I really wish the best for the cast/crew. I’llcontinue to watch the behind the scenes games/cast antics. I’ve been a fan ofSasha since I discovered PLL (everything about her seems very sweet and genuine andjust positive all around). And Janel as Mona was one of my favorite castingchoices of all time. In fact, I think my very first PLL post here was praisefor Janel. I’ve been following Sydney since she was a smol lil bean on theDisney Channel (and loved her in Tia’s Mowry’s show “Instant Mom”). Sofia seemslike a sweet girl, and I have enjoyed her other work. And Eli honestly justseems like he’d be a cool dude to kick back and have a drink with (is he evenold enough to drink? Jesus, they’re all babies). I love them all. In fact, I’veenjoyed the fun behind the scenes stuff more than I enjoyed the show. I’dwatch a reality show of them all day. That’s where I’ll get my fill. Watching them being goofy.

Final verdict: No, the show will not be getting my views. I’llprobably just watch the absurdity of Riverdale instead. Cheryl is fucking wild,y’all. And I’m kind of living for mean-dark-snarky Betty. And Sweet Pea is like…myfavorite character ever. My dumb asshole child.

As far as whether or not youshould watch it, I have no idea. I have a lot of people asking me my opinion onthat (which, I’m like the worstperson to ask, please don’t give me that responsibility. I don’t even likebeing responsible in the real world. I literally had a cookie and Cocoa Puffsfor dinner). I will say that if you’re only watching for Emison then I’d changethe channel. Because guaranteed it’s just going to make you rage. You’re not going to get anything out of it. Fill yourevenings with something more pleasant and positive for you.

And be nice to others on social media. At the end of the day, it’s only a show. You like it or you don’t.