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amerart · 2 years ago

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Sterling had forgotten what human food tasted like—just another consequence of a half-century of vampirism, he supposed. It didn’t bother him much, usually. It did make things awkward when he tried to have dinner at the local saloon and ended up eating one of the other patrons, however. Or when he tried to lovingly craft a homemade meal for his soon-to-be-husband, as he was currently attempting to do.

Coffee: hot and perfectly brewed (he couldn’t taste it, of course, but it at least smelled edible.) Eggs: mostly splattered all over the counter and floor, as he couldn’t quite figure out how to crack one using a not unreasonable amount of force. Toast: more burned than a bull on barbeque day, currently on a one-way trip to trash town.

Sterling closed his eyes. Doves cooed in the scraggly trees outside. On some distant hill, a lone cow—or possibly a minotaur—lowed plaintively. The smell of dust and sand and woodsmoke harmonized to produce a single word: home.

He startled and dropped yet another egg as a pair of arms wrapped around his midsection.

“G’morning,” Archie mumbled into the back of his shirt, “you’re not ‘sposed to be in here, you know.”

“Ain’t illegal for a man to be in his own kitchen makin’ somethin’ nice for his husband,” Sterling replied.

“What’s illegal,” Archie said sleepily, “is a man nearly burning down his own kitchen on three separate occasions.” He let go of Sterling, yawned, and wrinkled his nose. “I slept like the dead. No offense. Why’s it smell like a burnt corpse in here?”

“Dammit, I was hopin’ you wouldn’t notice that. It’s a piece a’ toast. Or, was a piece a’ toast. Mostly cremains now I reckon. Smells better than them guys you got down in the basement, at least.”

Archie sat himself at their little kitchen table. “Speaking of, you should see the guy I pulled last night.”

“We ain’t even married yet and yer already cheatin’ on me with another dead guy?” Sterling said, pretending to be hurt.

Archie snorted. “He’s more plague than person. You ain’t got nothin’ to worry about. Might not be good for more than worm food, if I’m being honest. Oh well.”

They lapsed into a comfortable silence. Archie skimmed Wildstead Weekly for “bodysnatcher wanted” ads, and Sterling put the finishing touches on breakfast. He moved the eggs to a plate, and slapped a few strips of bacon in their place. They began to sizzle immediately, filling the air with an indescribable aroma. He’d be sick as hell if he stole a bite, but gods was he tempted.

And then he froze, as the doves outside were replaced with the pounding of horse hooves and gunshots. Finley’s Haven was waking up. Archie remained oblivious, while Sterling stayed on high alert long after the sounds had faded.

With a sinking heart, he remembered why he was doing all of this in the first place. He removed a small, ornate vial from the pocket of his chaps.

“Whatcha got there?” said Archie.

Sterling very nearly dropped the vial. “Bacon from the ranch down the road. Yer favorite.” He slipped the vial back into its hiding place.

“The one run by the snake lady?”

“Nah, the other one. Got all them minotaurs runnin’ around all over the place,” Sterling waved a spatula at Archie, “and we ain’t ‘sposed to call ‘em snake people, they get mighty offended.”

Archie rolled his eyes. “Next you’re gonna tell me centaurs ain’t horses.”

“You new here or somethin’?” Sterling replied, extracting the bacon from the pan before it could cross the border from crispy to cremated. Finally, he set the plate in front of Archie. Another silence descended, and Sterling decided to try again with the vial. Hands trembling, he measured out the required amount of the noxious tincture. One teaspoon for every calendar year, the alchemist had said. More if you wanted to be sure, but you ran the risk of the person forgetting more than intended. Or if you really overdid it, forgetting their entire life.

It was all so goddamn unfair. For the first time in 70-odd years Sterling was actually, genuinely happy. And now he was throwing it all away. He hesitated. Stupid blackmail. Stupid crooks. He should have taken off months ago. Leaving Finley’s Haven would be like severing a limb—unlike Archie, it was the only home he’d ever known. And aside from the folks threatening to shoot up everything he cared about if he didn’t comply, he loved it. He loved the endless desert and the cactus scrublands and the prairies full of cattle and the people that tended them. He loved the saloon that reeked of whiskey and sea salt. He loved the weirdos that called this place home—himself included in their ranks. He even loved the rampant, unchecked crime and chaos—he might get shanked in his sleep, but at least he’d never be bored.

He also loved Archie. Stupid, sweet, fragile Archie.

Sterling dipped the spoon into the still-steaming mug of coffee and stirred, three times, just as the alchemist’s instructions had indicated. One teaspoon down, one to go.

“It’s right nice,” Archie mused out loud.

“Hm?”

“All this,” Archie gestured broadly, drawing out the l’s, “Finley’s Haven. Bein’ here, with you.”

Sterling set the spoon on the counter, and turned to face his lover. “Now what’s got you all sentimental-like?”

“Hey, you’re the one making surprise breakfast,” Archie teased. Then his eyes widened in alarm. “Gods alive, did I forget our anniversary? Oh gods, oh no, Sterling I…”

Every time he got flustered or anxious, Archie reverted back to his “city slicker” accent from his previous life on the mainland. It was goddamn adorable, and it made Sterling fall in love with him all over again.

Fuckin’ hell.

If leaving Finley’s Haven was an amputation, leaving Archie was ripping out his heart. Nevermind that his heart hadn’t pumped a single ounce of blood in almost a century.

“Can’t forget somethin’ that ain’t happened yet,” Sterling said, plastering a grin on his face, “and even if ya did, I’d only be a lil’ bit mad.”

Archie returned his smile, sans vampire fangs. “If you say so…” He yawned. “How’s that coffee coming along?”

“Just about ready,” Sterling said. With a wink, he added “made it just the way you like it—tall, dark, and liable to kill you.”

Archie laughed. “More like dead, rotting, and six feet underground.”

Sterling would have done anything, literally anything, to protect that laugh. Before he could stop himself or dump the coffee down the drain, he quickly stirred in the second teaspoon, and handed it over.

“Speaking of hot dead guys,” Archie continued, “it’s about time to go check on ol’ plague pete down there.” He took the mug in both hands and stood. He was close enough that Sterling could smell the reek of the weird perfume he wore to mask the smell of death that followed him.

“Thank you for breakfast, darling,” Archie said, and kissed him. Sterling reckoned that the sound of his cold, dead heart breaking could be heard clear to the mainland.

Then Archie was gone, whistling an old cowboy ballad as he plodded down the stairs.

Moving with all the energy of a desiccated corpse, Sterling walked to the entryway of their homestead. Their own little haven, within a haven.

Boots, duster, pistol. Sun repellent—from the same alchemist, ironically. Four vials of sheep’s blood for snacking, until he could hunt down something more substantial. He picked up his battered Stetson from where it hung on a peg, next to Archie’s black bowler.

He chose to leave behind his engagement ring—forged from the very same bullet Archie had shot him with the night they’d met. Sterling didn’t have the heart to throw it in the river, and he was liable to lose the thing if he carried it around in his pocket all willy-nilly. He left it hidden in plain sight, where his former lover would no doubt find it later. Just one more mystery for Archie to unpack, once the alchemist’s tincture had done its work.

Sterling stood there, taking in everything they had built together. It wasn’t too late—he could race to the basement, knock the mug out of Archie’s hands, explain everything.

Killing a vampire was no walk in the park—aside from a stake to the heart, there wasn’t much that could actually take Sterling down. But Archie…he was only human. They could run—leave Finley’s Haven, together, but if they were caught the man wouldn’t stand a chance. His death would be neither quick nor painless—the outlaws hounding Sterling had promised as much. They’d draw it out as long as possible, torturing his beloved until Sterling learned his lesson about meddling in affairs not his own.

From the hand-sewn, sunlight-blocking brocade curtains to the smell of fresh coffee and bacon still in the air, everything in this space spoke of the love shared by its inhabitants. Gods knew they didn’t always get along—the gallery of reminders and passive aggressive notes on the kitchen wall was evidence enough of that (“stop getting blood on my antique couches”, “pls no more italian dishes. Thnx”, etc.) But they’d stuck it out this long, and the fact that Sterling was going to be the one to ruin things was just icing on the shitty cake he’d been gifted against his will. Their home spoke of love, yes, but the voices of the outlaws spoke louder, and the visions of the man he loved lying dead in the dust or strewn about in the streets were simply too much for Sterling to bear.

He turned, sprinted out the front door, and didn’t look back.

actually finishing a short story? in this economy?? it’s more likely than you think

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sally-mun · 3 years ago

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Any LGBTQIA Archie Headcanons ya have?

I can't go over 100% of them because some are coming up in future shows, but there are several others we can talk about today! And I'm actually taking the time to use a page cut this time, go me.

Knuckles - I suppose it's most appropriate to start here, huh? So I write Knux as bi, but what's fun about that is that he himself had no idea because of the skewed way Locke trained him. It was pounded SO firmly into his head that he'd eventually need to take a wife and produce an heir that he just never considered anything else to be an option. This is a large part of why he not only ended up in a relationship with Julie-Su at all, but why he lingered on it for so long despite it being highly toxic (tho to be fair he was already trained to tolerate toxicity from Locke, too). Once it clicked that he doesn't HAVE to follow the extremely rigid rules he was given, he realized he's attracted to more than just women.

Finitevus - He gay. He very, very gay. This has come up in the RP from Fini himself several times, typically when Knuckles is ogling a woman and Fini can't help reflect on the fact that the same image does absolutely nothing for himself.

Rotor - Both asexual and aromantic. Is there such a term as double-ace? If not there should be, because it sounds cool. Anyway I've just never read him as having the slightest bit of interest in anyone else relationship-wise in any canon, and in the RP he takes that a bit further. Rotor as I write him doesn't really like being around people in general and overall finds emotions to be kind of frivolous and annoying. He's not a misanthrope by any means, he just prefers to have company in limited bursts and spend the rest of his time solo.

Charmy - I've read Charmy as trans pretty much ever since I learned that only female bees have stingers. It's nothing we've ever explored in-game, it's just something that occurred to me one day and I was like, "Oh yeah, cool that makes sense." This is true for me whether he's depicted as a kid or a teen.

Athair - Also ace, and based on a comment I received from someone on Discord about one of his Brotherhood episodes, possibly also intersex. It was something I hadn't really thought about before, but once they pointed it out, I realized it perfectly fits his circumstances (particularly the detail that his spurs never grow in). I'm not aware of anything that would contradict it, but let's be honest, even if someone presented contrary evidence from canon I'd probably just discard it. I DO HAVE A HISTORY OF THAT.

Sabre - I used to think Sabre was aromantic, but nowadays I see him more demiromantic. I waffled on this mostly because I genuinely couldn't tell if he ever developed romantic feelings for Jenna-Lu, but since having written The Brotherhood series, I lean a lot more toward demi. I think he eventually developed romantic feelings, but actively suppressed them because of his stance on how Guardians shouldn't form romantic relationships. I do think I can safely say Jenna-Lu's aromantic, though. Yes I know this is about Sabre and not Jenna, but oh well, it came up here instead. THERE YA GOT A TWO-FER.

Shadow - I diagnose him with cinnamon roll, too sweet and too pure for us to know one way or another yet. I don't think the notion of a relationship has ever even crossed his mind yet because it was previously constantly overwhelmed with grief, and he was never able to move forward from that until just recently. Shadow's been doing a lot of emotional healing throughout his arc in the RP, so my fingers are crossed that this question might be answered in the near future. Right now my greater point is that he doesn't presently have any kind of a default, it's just totally unaddressed.

Breezie - About as pan as pan can get. Everyone is welcome at the table, tho only a select few are invited to have dessert. ...god that was a terrible metaphor, I apologize. Anyway the point is, Breezie doesn't really draw lines in the sand; the only thing that determines whether or not you're eligible in her book is whether or not you're a dickbag.

Shade - Okay this one's really based on nothing, but I've always read Shade as a lesbian. I can't really explain it beyond she just gives me a vibe. I'm half-gay, so does this mean I have a gaydar? If I do, Shade totally sets off my gaydar.

Elias - Straight but I'm 99% sure he'd be completely down for pegging if Megan ever expressed an interest.

#okay I'm not sure if I'm thinking of every char I have a head canon for but I'm leaving it at this for now #I've been picking at this for an hour and a half and I'm tired #even if I left someone out this is a good list overall #I HOPE Y'ALL LIKE IT #Sallymun RPs

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unexpected-possibilities · 4 years ago

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So! Been infected with the AU bug, apparently, thanks to @nikibogwater, and this is the latest one. And of course, I wrote something stupidly fluffy and sappy for it. Read it on Ao3 at the link above or here under the cut!

Summary: So my good friend Niki came up with a Mermaid AU and after a while I was tasked with writing the MerZouxie first kiss and so here it is, in all it's sappy glory.

Warnings: none (fluff overload?? lol)

Only prerequisite knowledge you might need is that Douxie’s a merperson and Zoe’s a Siren, otherwise, enjoy the fluff.

Miniature dunes are formed by the beach and the last light of the day throwing long shadows over the warm sand. Waves lick at rocks and the shoreline, lapping up over his tail and against Zoe’s feet every few seconds, steady and soothing. Douxie lays with his head against Zoe’s shoulder, one of her wings draped gently over his and their backs to the beach.

“This is nice,” Douxie whispers, nuzzling into the space under her chin and between her shoulder.

“Mhmm,” she responds, one hand tangling itself in his. Her eyes remain on the giant, fluffy clouds overhead and for a moment he wonders what it would be like to fly on one’s own, or if she’s thinking about that. Maybe eventually he’ll see about asking her to show him what it’s like. Not that Archie couldn’t do it, but something tells him it would be a good deal more fun with her.

He raises their entwined hands to the sky, pointing with a finger. “I think that cloud looks like Archie,” he says, and then drags their hands to aim at a different congregation of pink cotton hanging high above. “And that one looks like you.”

“Oh, you!” Zoe snorts and playfully shoves at his side and bats him with her other wing, not bothering to conceal her grin. It’s contagious, and soon enough he’s wearing his own smug look.

He draws an arm around her waist, pulling her closer and settling his forehead against hers. He could swear she’s blushing softly, though the light of the sunset is certainly emboldening her bronze feathers, casting a gentle glow on her features. He raises a hand to gently cup her cheek, moving slowly and watching for any hesitation or resistance on her part. She instead leans into his touch with eyes fluttering shut and he can feel the smile growing on her face.

With his heart pounding apprehensively in his chest, he tips forward, ever closer, his nose brushing along hers as he shifts, lips only a tiny space apart. Her breath is hot on his cheek and he resists a shiver. This closeness isn’t foreign, but gods, he’ll never be over how much he enjoys her warmth. It practically radiates off her like she’s her own little version of the sun, and he loves it. As much as I love her, dare he think. It’s a bold, brash thought, and yet, it’s utterly and wholly true. He closes his eyes, allowing himself to slip into this comfortable space with her.

Something stops him from closing the distance, though. He feels like he can hear his heartbeat, drowning out the waves and the birds calling overhead, so impossibly loud. He wants nothing more than to discover what her perfect lips must feel like, and yet, he holds back. He doesn’t want to pressure, and he won’t, no matter what he wants.

Luckily, he’s not waiting long before she makes the decision for him. Her hand has found its way to the base of his neck, pulling him forward and her lips sink into his, softly and firmly. They’re every bit as inviting and warm as he’d imagined. That odd aching in his chest turns to a strange swell and it’s a moment before he can even register just what’s happened even though he’d practically initiated. When he does make that solid connection, it’s like a bolt of lightning up his spine. A tingling shock, kind of, but a pleasant one all the same.

Lightning magics, hm? he thinks with bemusement, before the feeling of her other hand weaving into his hair brings him back to the moment, gentle chills at the touch. One hand shifts and runs through the downy feathers between her shoulder blades, the other with a thumb brushing her freckled cheek. He allows himself to forget everything else but her lips delicately capturing his.

And it’s such a perfect moment.

She finally breaks the kiss and immediately he tugs her to his chest, burying his face in her feathery hair with a satisfied sigh. She laughs lightly and he wonders for a moment if she can feel the happy hum in his chest, akin to an aquatic purr. He presses a very light kiss to the top of her head, that exhilarating feeling still burning in his chest.

“Still think that cloud must have been modeled after you by the gods,” he muses, watching her face as she rolls her eyes dramatically.

“Stop with all the sap,” she says, with eyes shining and prods his side.

“Make me, then,” he dares, the smirk ever-growing.

He makes a small sound of surprise as he finds her lips back on his. Well, that’s certainly one way, and effective… He’s far more than happy to reciprocate.

The lingering warmth of the beach and each other’s closeness keeps the chill away as the sun sets in shades of pink and gold and orange, but they don’t see it, lost in the embrace that the world conspired to deny them, eyes shut in happy defiance.

#toa mermaid au #merZouxie #that's a tag now I say so #douxie #toa zoe #zouxie #hisirdoux casperan #toa fanfic #toa fanfiction #my fanfic #my works #fluff #tooth rotting fluff #first kisses #mermaid au #kinda a forbidden love kinda thing and i hint at that towards the end there #anyways have fun!!

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snarkwrites · 4 years ago

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03 | gangsta, sweetpea

Notes:

Honestly, I do not know where I got the idea for this chapter beyond just.. Wanting to throw Sweetpea and Alyssa together in situations to see how it worked. I think it was cute? Probably not logical IRL, but this is fanfic. And some people just can’t deal with the smell of formaldehyde or dissections. Facts because I am one.. I think I might have gone a little overdramatic with some areas in how it played out, but I just decided to lean into it because it made things interesting.

Annnyway. another chapter absolutely noone asked for but I totally needed to write, apparently. Lmaooo.

Summary:

Opposites attract. But when they can’t fight that attraction any longer, will there be a comforting warmth, an inferno from the sparks, or a messy explosion?

Pairing:

Sweetpea x Andrews!OFC, Alyssa.

Warnings:

Angst. Slow burn. Eventual filth. Typical teenage drama. Embarassing situations. Boyfriends behaving like oblivious idiots. Pining. Language. Fighting / Violence. Going to go on a limb and say that this is kind of non canon compliant.

As far as this chapter goes.. The class did a dissection. But given the nature, I went as vague as possible in describing it. There’s mention of fainting and the fact that Alyssa wants to puke at one point, but beyond that, there’s really not much.

Other Parts:

[ one - two - soundtrack ]

Other Stuff:

[ faq - tag list doc ]

Tagging:

@brithedemonspawn

- if you wanna be tagged in this fic or in my riverdale writing tell me. I’ll happily add you to my tag list thing.

THREE.

I wasn’t expecting Toni to actually spare me a passing glance the next day, let alone look up from reapplying my makeup to find her standing behind me when I turned around after shutting my locker.

Reggie’s throat cleared and I felt him tense up almost immediately. I nudged him in the side, shaking my head “No” at him before he even got a chance to start.

But he went and did it anyway.

“What do you want?” Reggie spoke before I could.

I couldn’t resist the smirk that came when Toni flicked her eyes over him dismissively before deadpanning, “ I came to talk to Cherry. Not you. Pound sand.”

Reggie eyed me.

“I’ll catch up to you, Reg.”

He refused to budge and I felt my jaw clenching.

“I’m not leavin you by yourself. Not after what happened with the Ghoulie in the hall yesterday.” Reggie folded his arms over his chest. Speaking up with a calm smirk. “Whatever you gotta say to princess, you can say to me too.”

Toni studied him, unimpressed. “Where was this energy when a Serpent handled that Ghoulie you speak of, hm? Now you wanna play the protective boyfriend?”

I tensed a little, shooting her a pleading glance. She eyed me a second or two but luckily, she let the issue drop.

We started to walk towards the direction of our classrooms, talking about music and bands we’d seen live, basically continuing our conversation from the afternoon before when we’d been lounging on the bank down by the quarry.

“Hey, we’re gonna go hang out by the quarry this afternoon if you wanna come with again.” Toni slipped it in just as we got to the door of Biology. Reggie tensed even more, his gaze settling on me as if to ask what she meant by again.

I honestly didn’t give it a second thought, smiling and nodding, a lazy shrug. “Yeah. I mean the Vixens aren’t practicing and pretty much done all the stuff around my dad’s. Hey, remind me around lunch and I’ll go by my dad’s after school and grab that mix tape.”

“Definitely. I’ll see you later.” Toni smiled at me and gave Reggie a dismissive eye roll and as she walked away, Reggie spoke up. Calm and firm.

“Absolutely not. Are you out of your mind, babe? They’re in a gang. Is that where you were when you blew off school and practice yesterday afternoon? I thought you were at home. That prick Sweetpea wasn’t with you… Right?”

Reggie looked far less cocky when his eyes met mine. Almost as if he felt threatened by my choice to branch out. Stop losing myself in this person I was becoming. I’d talked to Archie the night before and Archie had basically told me that he’d been able to tell something was bothering me for weeks now, since even before Reggie and I became a thing. He thought I was homesick.

I’d explained to him how I’d been feeling out of place. Like an imposter because everyone in Riverdale either only knew the me I’d been presenting since I moved back, or remembered me as his younger sister only and that it bugged me because I wasn’t the same person they remembered or were expecting.

He basically told me that as long as being myself didn’t mean sneaking off to frat parties and older boyfriends or anything dangerous, if it made me happier, I should try just being myself more. He seemed to think that I might be surprised by how people reacted to it and sadly, from the looks of it, my own boyfriend was not going to be one of those who welcomed any sign of change.

,, because when you’re truly being yourself, you know he’d never be able to control you, let alone begin to be able to keep up with you. The balance of power is off now and he’s insecure.”

It worried me, more than I cared to admit.

I didn’t want anything to come between us. I didn’t want to fight with him all the time like we’d been doing lately. I just wanted to enjoy being his girlfriend.

“What if I was, huh? They’re normal. You talk like they’re all hardened criminals or something.”

“What’s this like.. A random act of charity?” Reggie eyed me, searching my face for any hint of an answer.

,, maybe the random act of charity is the time I’ve been spending pretending to be someone I’m clearly not.” the thought came but I stopped myself from giving voice to it. I sighed and shook my head, disappointed that Reggie was having such a hard time grasping the fact that I could be friends with whoever I wanted… Not excluding Toni Topaz.

Because we’d just kind of clicked. And I actually wanted to be friends with her.

“Reggie, if you really care about me, you’ll lay off this.” I said it as patiently as I could.

“It’s because I care about you, princess, that’s exactly what I’m not gonna do. They’re dangerous. Half of ‘em have a rap sheet as long as this hallway! What if they do somethin and you happen to be out with them, huh? How are you gonna explain that you were just there and not taking part?”

“Do you have to die on this hill?” I asked, giving him a pleading look.

The last thing I wanted right now was yet another argument with him. But the way he kept assuming he knew me like the back of his hand was starting to get exhausting. I wasn’t that same shy sweet little pushover I’d been when we were kids. I mean, I was still the same girl who hid with him in a tunnel on the playground and split a Hostess cupcake when his father came to collect him and happened to see him mess up a pass while just playing a casual game of toss the football with my brother and the other boys and started to yell and cut him down in front of everyone… I was still her, but I was also different... In so many ways.

“I’m willing to, yeah. Why’s this matter so much?” Reggie studied me intently.

I swallowed hard and took a deep breath or two to calm myself down. “It matters because I’m not the girl you think I am, okay? You’ve had this image of me built up in your head since I moved back and I’m sorry to say it, I’m not her anymore. I’m not the quiet little kid who used to hide behind my brother or tag along with you guys to play in the park like a lost puppy.”

“You’re not a Serpent, either, princess.” Reggie explained, a coaxing tone as he raised a hand, resting it against my cheek. “That’s one thing I like about you, okay? You were always the one to take in the strays. All I’m saying is there’s a time and a place for that and now is not the time. They don’t like us any more than we like them.”

“Don’t lump me in with the rest of you.” I glared up at him. “ As far as your earlier question as to whether this is a random act of charity, no. It’s actually not. I enjoyed talking to Toni yesterday.”

Reggie’s brows raised. “Why?”

I shrugged. “We have a lot in common.”

“Yeah, not likely.”

I took a deep breath. Trying to stay patient. Trying not to push this conversation even further into argument territory.

Because I knew that despite the way it felt, Reggie was only doing this because he cared. He didn’t really have any ill intent. He was merely being overprotective. Probably to make up for the rough time we’ve had being on the same page for nearly three weeks now.

Because I’d be lying to myself if I tried to pin all our fighting lately on the fact that Sweetpea was my Biology partner and Reggie was jealous because this started before that. I’d put it off to tension then, but maybe it was just me, starting to realize that no matter how hard I tried, things just weren’t working.

Before that thought could rear it’s ugly head again, I shoved it back down.

We walked into class and I sat down in my seat. Drumming my pencil against the desktop.

From beside me, Sweetpea spoke up. I didn’t have to be looking at him to know he was smirking when he made the remark, either. “Trouble in paradise, cherry?”

“Sweetpea, not today.” I muttered quietly, fixing my gaze intently on the open text book between us. The teacher rolled in the specimens we were supposed to dissect and my stomach rolled as the scent of formaldehyde filled the air.

I could feel my breakfast creeping back up my throat slowly. I took a deep breath.

That was probably the first way I fucked up.

As soon as we got our specimen, I grimaced. Gingerly picking up the scalpel. I could feel myself getting paler in the face by the second. Sweetpea grabbed the scalpel from me and eyed me with a brow raised. Pointing away from us. “If you’re gonna hurl, do it towards that side. Not into vomit on my leather.”

“I’m fine.”

Except, oh no. No I was not fine.

And the scent of formaldehyde was so thick in the air that I honestly felt a little dizzy…

XXX

She almost looked green.

Sweetpea shot a glance back towards the back of the classroom where Mandy and Reggie were absorbed in their conversation… More to the point, Reggie was so caught up in Mandy pouring on the dramatics that he hadn’t spared a single glance towards his actual girlfriend. The thought had Sweetpea’s jaw clenching tight. Alyssa’s hands shook as she picked up the scalpel.

“Give me that.” Sweetpea reached out, taking the scalpel. Because shaking hands and a sharp object in their grasp was never a good idea. He’d been around enough to know that if the person with the knife had a shaky hand, more often than not, things tended to get messy.

,, right and this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that even the thought of her injured kind of makes you physically ill lately. You did move that entire fight between the team and your boys to a vacant lot because you weren’t willing to risk her rushing out to try and stop it and getting hurt by somebody...” his mind taunted him, but he shoved the thought right out of his head. And then more thoughts came.

Like a replay of the argument he’d caught the tail end of between Alyssa and Reggie as he shoved past them to take his own seat. The way she actually didn’t fold under the pressure of Reggie’s argument, but stood her ground instead. Admitting that she enjoyed talking to Toni and she wasn’t going to stop just because it made Reggie Mantle uncomfortable.

Maybe he’d written her off a little too quickly.

He made the first cut in the specimen sitting between them and he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Luckily he happened to, because he saw her swaying a little right as the color drained from her face completely and she started to slump just a little. He grabbed her up quickly and shoved through the aisle, pushing open the door of the classroom to step out into the hallway, completely ignoring the threat of yet another detention from their Biology teacher.

“Did you not see her about to pass out?” Sweetpea snapped as he peered back in the door of the classroom. Their teacher stepped out into the hallway, giving him a firm warning look as he pointed to the classroom and Sweetpea clenched his fist, grumbling. Lingering for a few seconds before the teacher spoke up in a crisp tone, “Inside now. Unless you enjoy a month of Saturday detention.” before turning attention back to Alyssa, trying to make sure she was alright.

Alyssa met his gaze over the teacher’s shoulder, flashing him a weak smile, giving him a pleading look as the teacher warned him a third time to go back into class. “Sweetpea just go, I’m fine. I’ll be back inside soon.”

Sweetpea eyed her a second or two and finally stepped into the classroom, shutting the door behind him. Turning to find himself body to body with an angry Reggie Mantle. Glaring at him.

“I know you didn’t touch my girl, Serpent.”

“Would you rather me touch her or have her crack her head on the floor, dog?” Sweetpea stood taller, cracking his knuckles. Nodding to Reggie’s lab partner, who was grumbling and pouting, rolling her eyes because all the attention had been taken off her. Sweetpea stepped closer, smirking at Reggie, “Mad because you weren’t paying attention and another guy picked up your slack, asshole?”

Reggie went to shove him but the teacher’s throat cleared from behind the two, putting an end to the confrontation.

“This isn’t over, Serpent.”

“ I can do this all year, Bulldog. Just gives me the joy of kicking your ass over and over.”

“Enough you two!” the teacher yelled, silencing both males. “You two can settle whatever this is off of school grounds. In your own time. Understood?”

Sweetpea smirked, rolling his shoulders. “Gladly.” he muttered as he stormed over to his seat.

Alyssa made her way back in and over to the seat beside him, not looking at anyone in the room instead, burying herself in the text. Letting Sweetpea make the cuts as she pointed out the parts of their specimen’s anatomy they had to label and show.

XXX

“Are you okay, princess?”

“I’m fine, Reggie. For the thousandth time. I guess the smell of formaldehyde got to me. It happened at my old school once in eighth grade. I’m just embarrassed.” I answered. The scent was still stuck in my nose. It drifted through the entire hallway.

I knew I should’ve gotten my dad to write me a note so I could go and sit with the other students who’d chosen to opt out. It slipped my mind.

From across the table, Mandy spoke up. “ What was worse? That freak putting his hands on you or almost fainting in front of everybody?” with a smirk as she gazed at me.

Reggie tensed and I gave Mandy a dirty look. “Almost fainting in front of everybody. Hands down. Can we not call him a freak? He’s not in a side show. And he’s not any different than the rest of us.”

“He’s from South Side. Of course he’s different.” Mandy looked at me as if I’d grown two additional heads. I rolled my eyes and went quiet.

Irritated by her remarks.

Irritated by her in general.

Reggie cleared his throat, taking a bite of his burger. Nodding to mine. Coaxing me to eat. I shook my head, glancing at the burger in disgust. “I’m good.”

“You need food, princess.”

“If the drama queen doesn’t want to eat, Reggie, don’t make her. She could stand to lose a few pounds anyway.”

I tensed. Under the table, my fists clenched. Since I moved back to Riverdale, Mandy’s had it in for me. And she doesn’t bother hiding it.

And I was sick of playing nice. Looking stupid when I know what she’s about.

It wouldn’t have flown in my old school, why was I letting it fly here?

Was it really worth it to just come off like a doormat? I was really questioning my logic on that front a lot lately, it seemed.

I smirked at her and bit my lip. The smirk was replaced with a smile as I spoke up. “In that case, maybe you should skip the ice cream. Since we’re talking about losing a few pounds here. Just trying to help.”

Mandy’s jaw dropped and I shrugged, going back to my cell phone to scroll my Snapchat. Checking the stories of my old friends from my school in Chicago. Responding to a few snaps they’d sent me.

“ Mandy you’re so fuckin rude.” Reggie spoke up, surprising me. I kept my gaze fixed on my phone and Mandy shrugged as if his criticism rolled right off her. “I was just trying to be helpful.”

“You were being a bitch.” Reggie grumbled, fixing his eyes on me. He leaned in and asked quietly, “You wanna get outta here?”

I eyed him, biting my lip. Something told me if I hadn’t had my little incident in the lab, Reggie wouldn’t be trying so hard right now.

,, maybe that’s not true, you don’t know that..” my mind argued.

“It’s okay. I don’t like her enough to give a shit if I’m being honest.” I muttered, making Reggie chuckle quietly and smirk at me. “That’s my girl. It’ll be okay. People are totally gonna forget by last period, you’ll see.”

“It is what it is.” I shrugged, eager for the conversation to switch topics.

XXX

Toni caught up to Alyssa in the hallway, tapping her shoulder. Alyssa turned around, smiling. For a second or two, Toni thought she’d beg off. Change her plans under pressure. She rolled her eyes at Reggie when their gazes met. “Ready to go?”

“Yeah! Just give me a second.”

Reggie’s facial expression told the tale. He was not even remotely happy with being stood up.

“Babe, you were gonna watch me practice.. Remember?” Reggie butted in, pouting at her. reaching out to pull her close to him. Alyssa hugged him and gazed up at him, biting her lip, a patient look on her face.

Toni watched their interactions with amusement. The panic was plain to see on Reggie’s face. She found herself scowling at him. The guy was a fuckboy. For the life of her, she hoped for Alyssa’s sake the whole interest in him was just a phase because guys like that only hurt people...

“Reggie, I can watch you tomorrow. It’s just one afternoon.” Alyssa held firm, surprising Toni. Maybe she hadn’t been wrong to trust her gut like Sweetpea and Fangs insisted she was going to be proven to be.

After a whispered exchange of heated words, Alyssa jogged over, grumbling and rolling her eyes at the whole thing. Smiling at her. “Hey, if you want, we can stop by my dad’s together. Oh and the construction site. I usually take him a snack when I get in.”

“Aww, that’s cute.” Toni gave her a gentle but teasing smile, nodding. “Let’s go.”

They took off, falling back into conversation. Losing track of everything else.

After stopping by Alyssa’s to pick up the food for her dad and the mix tape she’d promised to lend Toni, they found themselves wandering around. Flopping on the grass at the park, watching the clouds roll overhead.

“ What made you join the Vixens anyway?”

“Cheryl strongarmed me into it. They needed a gymnast. I used to hate the cheerleaders at my old school.”

“ You’re the only halfway cool Vixen I’ve met so far.” Toni admitted, shrugging.

Alyssa stood, holding out her hand. Pulling Toni off the grass. “Let’s do something.”

“What?”

“I don’t know. What is there to actually do in Riverdale if we’re being honest?” Alyssa joked, making them share a laugh.

“Oh.. Oh.. no, you’d probably hate that idea.”

“No, what?”

“There’s a Mortal Kombat machine in the Wyrm…”

“Pretty sure Fangs and Sweetpea would be thrilled about me showing up there.” Alyssa mulled it over before smirking a little. “Okay, let’s go. It beats absolutely not shit to do here.”

“Don’t let them get to you. They’ll be assholes until they warm up to you.”

“Sweetpea confuses me? Like.. I know he’s being a jerk over half the time, then he does something like he did in Biology this morning and I don’t know what to think.. Anyway, I need to just not worry about it either way.” Alyssa tried to dismiss it, but Toni smirked to herself.

Determined not to just let her dismiss it.

Because any idiot could see what was going on.

Or she could, at least.

“No, what do you mean?”

“You know what I mean… Sometimes I feel like.. I don’t know… Like he’s trying too hard to be an asshole?”

“Oh no, he’s an asshole. Mega grouch. But you’re right. He does have his moments.” Toni kept things vague enough that she wasn’t putting her best friend Pea in any compromising positions, but she hoped that she said enough to get Alyssa really thinking.

It wasn’t like they were close enough friends just yet that Toni could go and tell her that she just needed to open her eyes. Pick a better boyfriend, because Reggie Mantle only liked the idea of her. Or the her that he’d known years ago from what she’d been hearing around school.

,, not to mention there’s the whole conversation you happened to overhear about there being a bet between Reggie and some Chuck asshole about getting in her pants..” the thought came but Toni shoved it down. Because how did you go about telling someone something like that?

Especially when you really didn’t know them well at all.

She didn’t want to lose a friend she was only just getting to know yet. She just needed to come up with a way to break it to Alyssa so that Alyssa understood. And wasn’t hurt or embarrassed or angry. So that Alyssa believed her.

Because she was disgusted with the fact that the guy had done that in the first place. The fact that she’d had the misfortune of overhearing only made things worse...

#sweetpea fanfiction #sweetpea fanfic #sweetpea fic #sweetpea imagine #sweetpea imagines #my writing ; sweetpea #my fanfiction ; sweetpea #my fics ; sweetpea #// season 2 reggie sucked... but i'm trying to soften him just a little bit #// angst ahead #// embarassing situations ahead

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tabloidtoc · 3 years ago

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OK, May 10

You can buy a brand new copy of this issue without the mailing label for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Inside Kim Kardashian's Wild New Single Life

Page 1: Big Pic -- Jenna Dewan enjoyed a stroll around her L.A. neighborhood with 13-month-old son Callum, whom she shares with fiance Steve Kazee, in a stroller

Page 2: Contents

Page 3: Contents

Page 4: The world watched as Prince Harry came face-to-face with the royal family for the first time in over a year to say farewell to his late grandfather Prince Philip, and now that he's back home in Montecito, California, with pregnant wife Meghan Markle and their 23-month old son Archie, Harry's been reflecting on the emotional reunion and preparing for what lies ahead in the coming months -- although the trip inevitably had its share of awkward moments, he's generally happy with how it went, and things had been especially frosty between Harry and The Firm following his televised tell-all, but the main thing is they broke the ice, and he's finally communicating properly with his family again -- in fact, Harry is said to have enjoyed low-key meetings with several relatives before heading back home to the States, including his grandmother Queen Elizabeth and cousin Princess Eugenie, although he did not have a one-on-one chat with his estranged father Prince Charles and it was more of a civilized catch-up than an intense sit-down because it wasn't an appropriate time to delve into recent tensions; however, Harry did take the opportunity to reassure everyone it wasn't his intention to upset them and that he loves them all very much and they, in turn, echoed their affection for him and they mutually agreed to keep moving forward positively and constructively and there's a still a lot of unfinished business, many are hopeful that all will be resolved when Harry returns to the U.K. for a memorial honoring his late mother Princess Diana on July 1 and this could be Harry's last chance to sit down with his family and properly repair things and Harry and Prince William have both agreed to meet before the event and have a frank discussion about how they can do their best to fix the damage that's been done and air their grievances in a calm and pragmatic manner

Page 6: Next spring, Johnny Depp and his ex Amber Heard will head back to court in the latest installment of their ongoing legal drama, but this time, Johnny, who filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Amber following a 2018 op-ed where she detailed her experience as an alleged abuse victim, is determined to clear his name one and for all -- Johnny and his team have new and explosive testimony from two of the responding officers, plus new body cam footage, that they believe will finally turn things around in their favor and they're convinced it will show that Amber made up claims about their alleged May 2016 brawl in an attempt to ruin him and the video shows a neat apartment with nothing out of place, nothing broken or anything to suggest a knockdown fight had just occurred -- Johnny's always maintained his innocence and now he's confident this evidence will prove it and Johnny's also working on a tell-all that he intends to release as soon as he's declared innocent and the tome will vividly detail what happened on that night in 2016 and throughout their year-long marriage and Johnny feels Amber never really loved him and his friends warned him not to marry her, but he didn't listen, and he's paid a dear price for it

Page 7: A fateful chapter from Ashton Kutcher's past could be coming back to haunt him as he's being urged to take part in the upcoming documentary on his late ex Brittany Murphy and it's stressing him out to no end and so far, he wants nothing to do with it -- the documentary is going to look for clues as to why it all ended like this for Brittany, and producers want Ashton to tell his side of the story and the thinking is he may have little choice but to participate because he had a front row seat to Brittany's life, and her fans want him to shed light on what really happened

* Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria Baldwin knew that having six kids would be a challenge, but they're realizing it's even harder to find nannies who are up to the task of tending to their brood because Alec and Hilaria have some pretty high expectations for the kind of people they want to employ and what the job entails and it's been a logistical nightmare hiring and scheduling a rotating team of caretakers -- in addition to children Carmen, 7, Rafael, 5, Leonardo, 4, and Romeo, 2, the parents welcomed baby Eduardo in September and their sixth child, Lucia, via surrogate in March -- long hours and multitasking are a must given the meal prep, diaper changes and homeschooling, plus the nannies have to know how to deal with a cranky set of kids without losing their cool and Hilaria's every bit the mother hen, so she won't settle for anything less than perfection

* Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna have had it with the romance between their daughter Amelia Hamlin and Scott Disick -- Amelia recently raised eyebrows when she was spotted with bruised lips, which often occurs after lip filler injections, and Harry and Lisa drew a line in the sand and they're concerned that Scott is convincing her to mess with her appearance, especially since she's talking about boob and butt surgery to keep his eyes off other girls and ever since the couple hooked up last October, Harry and Lisa have been sitting back and hoping that Amelia would come to her senses, but it's clear she's in way too deep now, and that they need to make their feelings known, but the worry is that Amelia will be pregnant before she knows it, so Harry and Lisa are ready to take the bull by the horns before Scott ruins their daughter's life

Page 8: It's been nearly four years since Matt Lauer was fired from Today amid a sexual assault scandal, and he's still being snubbed by his old Hamptons crowd -- Matt, who retreated to his waterfront estate in the celeb enclave after a colleague accused him of assaulting her at the 2014 Olympics, has done everything he can to regain his place in the community, but he's remained persona non grata despite his best efforts; he'll turn up to fancy events and be super friendly with everyone but most people just turn their noses at him -- the disgraced ex-anchor, who hooked up with public relations exec Shamin Abas after his 2019 divorce, has been talking to friends about marrying her in a big Hamptons wedding, but it's hard to imagine there'd be much of a turnout and people have had ample time to put out the welcome mat, but it seems like they've shut their doors on Matt for good

* Former Playboy Bunny Kendra Wilkinson has gone from living the high life to pounding the pavement to earn a paycheck, and she's missing the glam old days -- Kendra, who enjoyed a pampered existence as Hugh Hefner's girlfriend and Girls Next Door star, has had to bring home the bacon in the wake of her 2018 divorce from Hank Baskett to help provide for their two children, Hank, 11, and Alijah, 6, and being a single mom is a lot harder than she thought it would be and she currently resides in a humble Calabasas rental and recently snagged a job as a realtor and was hired by Kyle Richards' husband Mauricio Umansky and she's working long hours and weekends, and she looks pretty burnt out and Kendra tries not to complain and is sucking it up as best she can, but she can't help but think about the times when she didn't have to worry about bills and rent and could sleep in as long as she wanted

* He was once Hollywood's biggest bon vivant, but Jack Nicholson has become a total hermit, and friends are concerned that he's harder to get a hold of than ever and Jack's shut himself away in his hilltop home on Mulholland Drive, and everyone is worried about his state of mind -- the actor, who was last seen in public looking disheveled at a January 2020 Lakers game, says he just wants to spend his retirement in peace and quiet, but his loved ones wish he'd make himself a little more accessible -- Jack's admitted that he yearns for one last romance, but how can that happen when he's hiding at home? Jack turned 84 in April, and it's as if he's resigned to spending the rest of his life alone and it's so sad, but it seems there's nothing anyone can do for him

Page 10: Red Hot on the Red Carpet -- stars wow in sexy shoulder-baring dresses -- Ella Balinska, Renee Zellweger, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Page 11: Adrienne Warren, Martha Hunt

Page 12: Who Wore It Better? Rainey Qualley vs. Celine Dion in Chanel, Melissa Wood-Tepperberg vs. Idina Menzel in Alice + Olivia

Page 13: Ellie Goulding vs. Charli XCX in Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood

Page 14: News in Photos -- Gavin Rossdale took his beloved dog Chewy with him to tennis practice in the park in L.A.

Page 15: Jeff Goldblum stopped at celeb hotspot Craig's for dinner with wife Emilie Livingston and their kids Charlie and River in West Hollywood, newly single Real Housewives of Orange County star Braunwyn Windham-Burke hit the beach in Miami, Natasha Lyonne continued filming her series Russian Doll in NYC

Page 16: Amber Rose enjoyed lunch with her son Sebastian whom she shares with Wiz Khalifa in L.A.

Page 17: Anchor Robin Roberts filled viewers in on current events during Good Morning America in NYC, Kristen Taekman got all gussied up at her home in NYC, Howie Mandel showed up to the America's Got Talent set in surfing gear in Pasadena

Page 19: Bling Empire's Cherie Chan and fiance Jessey Lee grabbed a bite with their daughter Jadore, pro wrestler Ariane Andrew (a.k.a. Cameron) fueled up with a healthy sip

Page 20: Wells Adams stocked up on some essentials at the grocery store in L.A., Rachel Brosnahan protected herself with an umbrella while filming The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in NYC

Page 21: Jon Hamm and his new rescue dog Splash get some fresh air in L.A., Whitney Port in a beige sweater dress and matching boots while recording her podcast in NYC

Page 22: Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn brightened things up in designer duds while walking her dogs in L.A., Monique Green attended the drive-in premiere of her new series Big Shot in L.A.

Page 23: Irina Shayk and her daughter Lea De Seine walked hand in hand around NYC, friendly exes Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry take a stroll in L.A., Law and Order: SVU stars Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T snapped a photo together in between takes

Page 26: Inside My Home -- Sam and Aaron Taylor-Johnson's designer digs

Page 28: Home Town stars Ben and Erin Napier recently announced they're getting ready to welcome their second child, a girl, and the famously private pair, who chose to keep the news a secret to avoid any extra unwanted attention or stress, could not be more excited -- this baby is a miracle because Erin was told years ago that pregnancy would be unlikely due to a past health issue and when their first daughter Helen arrived, they were overjoyed, and they never imagined they'd be blessed with a second -- with Erin's due date just around the corner, she and Ben are busy prepping Helen to become a big sis and they have no doubt she'll be wonderful because she's very warm and empathetic toward others and she loves to hug so the baby will be extremely loved -- after the newborn's arrival, the busy HGTV stars will take some much-needed time off and they're a team, and Ben plans to be there to support Erin and make sure she gets her needed rest, but they both love what they do, so it won't be long before they're back in front of the cameras -- while baby No. 3 chatter has already begun, the college sweethearts aren't getting ahead of themselves and Ben and Erin always dreamed of having a big family, and if they can, there will be more children, but if it doesn't happen, then they will be quite content as a foursome

Page 29: Kacey Musgraves is head over heels for her new boyfriend Gerald Onuoha, but friends are worried that she may be rushing the romance -- Kacey, who hooked up with the Nashville-based doctor after calling it quits on her three-year marriage to Ruston Kelly in July, tends to jump into things with her heart and this relationship falls into that category and Kacey, who was spotted snuggling up to her physician beau while out and about in L.A., is on cloud nine with this guy, but when she has to hit the road again it's not like he can pull up stakes and follow her -- she's not thinking straight about the future, and her friends are bracing for trouble once reality sinks in and Kacey would be wise to slow things down and not get ahead of herself

* George Clooney turned the big 6-0 on May 6, and his wife Amal Clooney is being a bit of a birthday buzzkill -- George wants a big, booze-soaked sky's-the-limit bash in an exotic locale like Mexico or Italy with his old drinking buddies like Rande Gerber, but Amal is pushing for a quiet family celebration at home with their children Alexander and Ella, and it's led to a few arguments -- George figures it's his chance to finally let off steam and that it's his choice on how to mark the milestone occasion and he wants Amal and the other wives to come and join in on the fun, but watching George get wasted certainly isn't her idea of a good time and she sees nothing wrong with a dinner at home

Page 30: Harrison Ford is finally set to start filming the new Indiana Jones movie this summer, and his wife Calista Flockhart will be keeping a close eye to make sure he stays safe on the set -- Harrison has been training hard to get in shape and is feeling great, but at his age, you can understand why Calista is concerned and protective Calista plans to accompany Harrison as he shoots the fifth Indiana Jones installment in London and other locales and he's still capable of doing his own stunts, and a lot of it is thanks to Calista, who made sure he stayed fit with weight training and proper nutrition, but Harrison's going to have the best people in the business looking out for him so he doesn't get hurt again, otherwise Calista wouldn't have given him the green light

* It's barely been three months since Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker went public with their hot and heavy romance, and they're already talking about getting engaged and pregnant, not necessarily in that order and Kourtney fully believes this isn't just a honeymoon phase, but that Travis is the man she's going to share her dreams with -- as for Travis, he's been telling everyone he's hit the jackpot with Kourtney and Travis, who has two kids of his own, has already started shopping for rings and he's planning an ultra-romantic proposal because he's big on grand gestures and he's still looking for the perfect ring, but that doesn't mean the baby-making has to wait until it's on her finger

* Love Bites -- Zac Efron and Vanessa Valladares split, Brooks Laich and CrossFit athlete Katrin Davidsdottir dating, Tan France and husband Rob are having a baby this summer

Page 32: Cover Story -- Kim Kardashian single and loving it -- ready to mingle, an unattached Kim is having fun exploring her dating options -- she did all she could with Kanye West and now she needs to steer a new course for herself -- she's been relishing her single status and feels like she can finally breathe again -- Kim may be living it up, but her four children remain her primary focus -- the eligible bachelors who've caught Kim's eye: Drake, Rege-Jean Page, Brad Pitt, Lewis Hamilton

Page 35: Jennifer Aniston's on such good terms with her old flames she still talks to ex-husbands Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux regularly and has even stayed in touch with her former beau John Mayer -- Jen and Brad have a lot of complicated history, but she's glad they reconnected and are friends again and she thinks the world of Brad, and they support each other -- Justin recently revealed he and Jen text and FaceTime, and the divorced duo will always share a special bond -- although she and John split in 2009, Jen and the musician still hang out from time to time and they flirt here and there and when John's in town, Jen's down to meet him -- but friends are urging the star to finally and firmly move on from her exes and they think she needs a fresh start, and Jen's been on a few dates with someone who isn't famous and Jen's not looking to get married again, but she'd like to have a partner to share her life with and this guy could be the one, she's just got to give the relationship a fair chance, without any distractions

* Weeks after announcing she'd called it quits with Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez is feeling sad and disappointed and she didn't want to believe the rumors about Alex's wandering eye, but the Madison LeCroy thing was the last straw -- it's not the first time Jennifer's been fooled by a bad boy as cheating rumors plagued her romances with Sean "Diddy" Combs and Casper Smart and she's wiser now -- Jennifer's saving grace is she's got a jam-packed schedule so it won't leave too much time to be broken-hearted and she's a busy mom of two with a million projects up in the air so don't expect her to be dwelling on the past for too long

Page 36: Young and In Love -- Why wait? These stars were in their early 20s, or teens, when they tied the knot -- Olivia Wilde married an Italian prince when she was 19, Hailey Baldwin married Justin Bieber when she was 21

Page 37: Demi Moore married rocker Freddy Moore at 17, Uma Thurman married Gary Oldman when she was 20, Cher married Sonny Bono at 18, Macaulay Culkin married actress Rachel Miner when he was 18

Page 38: Jessica Simpson married Nick Lachey at age 22, Kate Hudson married rocker Chris Robinson when she was 21, Drew Barrymore married when she was 19 for only 19 days

Page 39: Janet Jackson married R&B singer James DeBarge when she was 18, Kim Kardashian eloped with a music producer when she was 19, Solange Knowles married and a baby at 18, LeAnn Rimes married a backup dancer at 19

Page 40: Interview -- Anya Taylor-Joy thrilled to pieces -- The Queen's Gambit star is still processing her phenomenal success

Page 42: Role Models -- like mother, like daughter -- these stars are inspiring their kids to stay healthy and fit -- Brooke Burke, Gisele Bundchen

Page 43: Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber, Christie Brinkley and Sailor Brinkley-Cook, Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson, Jessica Alba

Page 46: Style Week -- Saweetie has a new sunglasses collaboration with Quay

Page 48: What's Hot Right Now -- stand out with a statement piece from the 8 Other Reasons x Draya Michele capsule collection

Page 49: Make Me Blush -- follow spring 2021's hottest beauty trend and create a flush with a pop of peach, pastel pink or terracotta -- Mindy Kaling

Page 50: Mother's Day Gift Guide -- Molly Sims

Page 54: Entertainment

Page 55: Reality Check -- your small screen guilty pleasures are back and here are all the details -- Bar Rescue, The Real Housewives of New York City, Teen Mom 2, Million Dollar Listing New York

Page 58: Buzz -- The ACM Awards in Nashville -- Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans, Keith Urban and fellow emcee Mickey Guyton, Kenny Chesney and Kelsea Ballerini

Page 59: Blake Shelton, Chris Young and Kane Brown, Miranda Lambert and Elle King, Jimmie Allen and Brad Paisley, Maren Morris and husband Ryan Hurd

Page 60: Sound Bites -- Jessica Alba on not being afraid to complain, Justin Theroux on dating, Jodie Turner-Smith on her and Joshua Jackson being perfect partners, Rob McElhenney on expectations of men in Hollywood

Page 61: Chrissy Teigen on her break from Twitter, Courteney Cox showing off her extremely organized kitchen on Instagram, Lance Bass on the basic thing in his past he'd like to move on from, Amanda Seyfried on confiding to the Mank costume designer about her pregnancy, John Stamos on getting together with wife Caitlin, Eiza Gonzalez on developing body confidence

Page 62: Horoscope -- Taurus Henry Cavill turned 38 on May 5

Page 64: By the Numbers -- Rege-Jean Page

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ryttu3k · 7 years ago

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Time to hit up the Aqua base!

Here’s the details:

Think Oleracea is looking good to tackle lots of Water types. First a quick explore of the northern part of Lilycove, though!

OR A RIVAL BATTLE, THAT TOO. Swellow, level 37, huh? Good thing Oleracea is in the lead! Next is Swampert, level 39. Still no Grass moves, so Snowdrop can just spam Crunch. She is like seven levels higher, haha. Next up, Breloom, level 37. Chickweed is eleven levels higher RIP. Oops, Effect Spore. Now he’s asleep, haha. ...And just went up ANOTHER level jfc XD Next, Magcargo, level 37. And this is Sequoia’s! Hell yes she can learn Crunch.

Aqua Grunt tells Atsuko not to go to the cave in the cove. Because they’re an adult and they say so. WELL IN THAT CASE.

Actually. Department store! Not doing secret bases... oh, TMs. Nope, none of those. Vitamins, nope I’m good. Okay, onwards XD

Rest TM, gotcha. And a Poke Flute!

Anyway. ‘Sup Aqua base here comes a twelve-year-old on a Gyarados. I like the plants and waterfalls, very nice!

First grunt! He leads with Grimer, level 35. That’s Sage’s! Okay lmfao that Sludge Wave did only 6 HP damage. ATTEMPTS WERE MADE. And now it’s dead XD Next is Carvanha, level 35. Oleracea’s - fuck it - Oli’s turn!

Next one in this room! Just a single Golbat, level 37. Oli’s already out, she can take it!

I love the grunts here. Not slacking off, just making very important drink decisions!

Oh, here’s one on the ball. Leads with Mightyena, level 34. Over to Chickie! Next is Golbat, level 36, let’s go with Sage, this time!

PROJECT AZOTH File No. 2 We intend to analyze the power of the ultimate weapon used in Kalos 3,000 years ago and work on the development of a drill weapon utilizing the technology. The Seafloor Cavern is sealed by the power of a Legendary Pokemon. The only way to gain access to the cavern is to break the seal with power that exceeds that of the Pokemon. According to the report from the Petalburg recon team, Devon Corporation holds the secret of the technology of the ultimate weapon. We will dedicate all our resources to obtaining this technology.

I would legit want to see a game with Devon Corp as the main antagonists.

Oh hey, Shelly’s room! And the picture of her, Archie, and JIRACHI. Please give us that backstory!!

‘SUP MATT STEALING YOUR DARK PULSE TM. Bro Special Vol 7. So ridic cute.

Oops a grunt XD She leads with Carvanha, level 35. Oli takes it. Next is Grimer, level 35. Edel’s a bit underlevelled compared to the rest (not to the Grimer, he’s on 40), so he can do this one!

Single grunt with Mightyena, level 37. Over to Chickie!

Aaand Archie's room! I'm pretty sure like three of these four Pokeballs are Splodeys... Nugget! Splodey. ...Splodey. MASTER BALL. Nice. And onwards!

“Ahahahah! You really kept me waiting!” Sorry Grunt was robbing your leader’s room. He just has Carvanha, level 37. Oli takes it!

THE QUINTUPLETS. These puppers are all level 18. A Discharge manages them! Sorry, puppers!

HEY MATT FIGHT ME. Okay Matt chill a bit XD His Sharpedo is now at level 39. Oli is at 43, so unsurprisingly, it’s a OHKO. lmfao Chickie is now at level 50.

Aaaand there goes Archie. Whoops. Matt totally has a crush, doesn’t he.

Alright, where next? Mossdeep, IIRC, gonna need that Dive HM.

Oh dang, was hoping to avoid trainers, haha. Anyway, Swimmer Roland has a Sealeo, level 39, Oli OHKOs it.

Anyway. To Mossdeep! Super Rod get! Quash TM get! King’s Rock get!

And time for the gym! Snowdrop is level 47 should be good.

Psychic Preston has a Kadabra, level 42. Cronch.

Psychic Joshua leads with Kadabra, level 40. Cronch. Next up, Medicham, level 40. This is Edel’s! JFC IT SURVIVED FLY, HIGH JUMP KICKED, AND WOULD HAVE TAKEN EDEL OUT IF NOT FOR STURDY.

Okay, we’re good. Next is Psychic Fritz, who leads with Claydol, level 39. Mine’s better. Cronch. Next is Starmie, level 41. Oli can have this one!

Hex Maniac Patricia has a Chimecho, level 41. Cronch.

And time for the twins! If memory serves me, they have Solrock and Lunatone? Yup, level 45. Snowdrop (level 48) and Sequoia (level 47) are on the case! Ooh, double Intimidates ;D Cronch, Cronch, Lunatone survives, Solrock doesn’t. Light Screen isn’t gonna save you now, buddy. Cronch, and down!

Mind Badge get! Now I just need the Dive HM!

Well that sounds worrisome. Very worried crowd, also Steven. Oh, and there’s Dive. Very convenient! Let’s see... yup, let’s replace Dragon Rage. Pretty useless at this point!

LET’S GO DIVING... ...and because it’s time for dinner, we’ll stop here, at the entrance of Seafloor Cavern!

Current Team

Reserves

Dead

Catnip the Skitty, found route 116, killed by Lass Janice’s Marill in route 116

Daisy the Pikachu, found Slateport City, killed by Archie’s Sharpedo at Mount Chimney

#atsuko's adventure

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folklore-musings · 7 years ago

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If I Can’t Have You (part 2)

Summary: Very AU. Archie Andrews is dead. The only leading suspect is one of his oldest and dearest friends, Jughead Jones. Betty Cooper is forced on a mission to find Jughead and bring him in, getting herself kidnapped throughout the process. Everything is a lie and nothing is the truth in this twisted tale of love and death.

Read on AO3 here

Read Part One here on tumblr

A/N: Sorry this took so long to update I’ve been so busy with my other fic Camera Shy, my apologies. In this chapter we finally get to meet Betty! Thank you so much for the comments and kudos before, don’t be afraid to leave more if you like this! Thank you @jandjsalmon for the inspiration and @riverdalelovee for the read over. You ladies are wonderful.

Betty was sitting at her desk when the wanted poster landed in her inbox. “Do you know where we might be able to find him?”

She picked up the paper, hot off the press and scrutinized the face of the man staring back at her. Suddenly the walls were caving in and her throat felt like sand paper. Betty couldn’t believe it. Those eyes that same crooked smirk, the unruly curls falling into his face, and that stupid hat. He was 25 years old, in her opinion he really needed to let that thing go.

“No.” Betty said, face showing no emotion. “Why, what did he do?”

Kevin Keller pulled out the empty chair across from Betty and sat down. He reached over her desk and placed his hand over hers, a sympathetic gesture that Betty found welcoming. “We think he had something to do with Archie’s death.”

Betty swallowed the dry lump in her throat at the sound of her fiancé’s name. She told herself she wouldn’t cry anymore over him, at least not in public. It had been a little over a month since the murder and she’d been trying her best to move on with her life. It was a lot harder than she thought it would be.

“I think that assumption is a little far-fetched, don’t you think Kevin?” She grabbed the water bottle next to her laptop and took a sip. Wow, it was hot in her little office. She stared at the drawing some more, captivated by those haunting, pencil drawn eyes she knew so well.

“It’s Jughead, he’s capable of anything.” Kevin sighed heavily and dropped his gaze. “I need you to do me a favor Betty…”

Betty paced circles around the island in her kitchen, practically burrowing a path in the hardwood floor. She’d bitten her nails to the point where they were bleeding. How could Kevin do this to her? Wasn’t there a conflict of interest here, having Betty investigate the murder of her fiancé?

She hung her head in her hands, ripping the ponytail from hair and flexing it between her thumbs. The ponytail slipped and she watched it fly across the room, landing silently on the floor near the table. She curled her fingers into her fists like she used to when she was younger. Thankfully, she had no nails left to reopen the scars that littered her palms.

During her next lap around her island, Betty stopped just short of the fridge and opened the cabinet above and to the left. She peered inside, reaching up and grabbing the familiar orange pill bottle. Her hands were shaking as she opened it up, popping two little orange tablets into her mouth. They hit the back of her throat and Betty swallowed them dry. She gripped the countertop, hating herself for having to succumb to the prescription drugs she hadn’t taken in months. She despised feeling powerless.

Betty was about to place the pill bottle back in the cabinet before having second thoughts and pocketing them instead. If she was going to have to force herself to search out Jughead and ultimately solve the murder of her beloved Archie, she was going to need all the drugs she could lay her hands on.

She grabbed herself a glass of water, sipping slowly as she waited for the drugs to settle in. Glancing around her little two bedroom home her heart ached. Ever since Archie’s murder she no longer was capable of being alone in the dark. Every light was turned on in the kitchen and the living room beyond. The brightness was harsh to her sleep deprived eyes but Betty couldn’t handle turning them off. She was afraid Archie’s ghost would return just to haunt her; to ruin her life in the wake of his death, just as he did when he was alive.

Archie and Betty were the perfect All-American couple. They’d grown up as next door neighbors, forced into each other lives at the mere age of two. Betty had loved Archie since she was seven, and he brought her a princess Band-Aid to cover her scraped knee when she’d fallen off her bike, trying to keep up with him and Jughead. He’d kissed her knee, telling her it was all better and Betty was crushed.

Throughout high school he serial dated every girl in their grade, even the hot young teacher that came to town. Everyone had gotten a taste besides Betty and it drove her to the brink of insanity. No matter how hard she tried to be perfect, Archie refused to see her as the girl she could be for him. It wasn’t until after she dated and broke up with his best friend Jughead that Archie fell under her charming spell.

But Betty was never enough for Archie.

They dated for five years, long distance as they went their separate ways for college. As soon as they returned to their hometown Archie popped the question and Betty, without hesitation accepted the princess cut ring he forced upon her finger.

It wasn’t long until they moved in together, getting used to the pre-married life when Betty started to notice Archie’s web of lies. He’d come home in the wee hours of the morning, reeking of scotch and cheap perfume. Betty swallowed the pain the first time she saw the smeared red lipstick on his collar.

Red was never her color.

When she tried to confront him about it she’d be met with the slap of his hand across her cheek. He’d call her a jealous bitch and a child. “This is what you wanted Betty!” He’d scream in her face.

But without Betty, Archie was nothing. His parents were divorced and his father had nothing left to his name when an old business venture went south back in high school. Betty was his key to a solid a future, the perfect cookie-cutter American dream family that everyone wanted but no one ever got.

Four months before their wedding Betty threatened to leave him if he didn’t quit the drinking and the sleeping around behind her back. Despite his abuse she still loved him something awful. But Archie never stopped and thought about what Betty asked of him. And the night she tried to leave he pulled her by her golden ponytail and shoved her against the wall. “If you leave me, I’ll kill you.”

Betty fell to the floor in her kitchen, clutching the glass of water in her hand afraid it may spill. She tried and failed to hold back the tears as they fell. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to be. She’d wanted so much more out of life but all she’d gotten was the bad end of Lifetime movie drama.

Archie’s icy tone still woke her up at night, shaking in a cold sweat. It wasn’t until that moment that she realized she wasn’t safe, that she’d never be safe.

She walked on eggshells around Archie after he’d threatened her life, afraid to set him off again. She knew what he was capable of, but she never imagined he’d be capable of murder.

Weeks went by into months as their wedding loomed closer. Betty forced herself to focus on the details of the caterers, the dress and the cake, spending all the time she could away from home, away from him. She dropped fifteen pounds in a month without trying, and when she looked in the mirror, nothing but hollowed cheeks and sunken eyes stared back.

Everyone blamed the stress of the wedding, but Archie knew. And Archie thrived off her fear.

Just two weeks before the wedding Betty received a call at 3 a.m, waking her from troubled sleep. She felt the sheets beside her and they were cold.

She answered the phone with a yawn. In the background of the call she heard sirens and her heart dropped like a bomb to her stomach.

“Betty? Betty it’s me. It’s Kevin. I don’t know how to tell you this but Archie-“ The phone line filled with static and she missed the last of what he said.

“Kevin what? I’m sorry my signal is terrible. What’s wrong?” She stepped out of bed and paced down the hallway, flicking on every light as fled her way into the kitchen.

A groan sounded through the receiver. “Betty, Archie’s dead.”

Betty placed a hand over her eyes and cried as she sat on the cold kitchen floor, the memories flooding her mind like a hurricane. She didn’t cry for Archie, no. She cried for herself. She was finally free.

She grabbed hold of the counter for support as she brought herself back up to her feet. Her hands trembled as she finished the glass of water, setting in the sink. With shaky knees she walked down the hall and turned the corner into her room.

There at the foot of her bed was a suitcase full of clothes. She eyed the floral bag with remorse and reached down to the clutch the handle. It was time to go find Jughead.

#bughead #betty cooper #jughead jones #riverdale #bughead fanfiction #my writings #if i can't have you

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alltoosure · 7 years ago

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Seagulls, Oak Trees and Other Scary Things.

Do you remember when I used to bring you here? We'd feed the seagulls. You were always so afraid of them. And I wondered, "How did I raise such a scared little boy?"

Do you remember the second grade when you were afraid of the monsters under your bed, or the dark... or that old creaking oak tree? Who made you face your fears? Who didn't tolerate your crying and toughened you up?

ff.net

Henry trailed after his mother, as fast as his chubby six-year-old legs would allow. Regina was a fast walker and was not accustomed to slowing down for anyone else's benefit so Henry had learnt he must keep up early in life. The cell phone attached to her ear and the ongoing fight with Sydney about the need for new seating in the council room did nothing to remind Regina of the boy who was following her or even where they were going.

“I’ve had a backache all week. I am sure it is because of those chairs…Well, fine then, Sydney, don’t replace all the councilmen’s chair. Just replace mine.”

The boy trailed further behind the woman in the power suit. His breaths became more and more, jagged as he attempted to catch up. His small chest heaving up and down desperate to find a steady rhythm and his sight blurring with tears of exertion, making the boy finally stop. He slouched his hands to knees and took in some deep breaths.

They were on the outs of Storybrooke, close enough to see the water as it lapped the rocky shore. Today he and his mother were feeding the ducks. Archie, Henry’s therapist, and bestest friend, had suggested it. He said it would be fun for Henry to spend time with his mom and maybe it could give Henry the opportunity to talk to her. Henry was skeptical of any idea that put ‘fun’ and his mom in the same sentence but he trusted Archie so he thought he’d give it a shot (and it’s not like he really had a choice to say no anyway).

Henry sat on the curb for a moment, watching his mother’s figure grow smaller and smaller against the horizon. He wondered how long it would take her to realize he was no longer following her. He counted to sixty 5 times, but when he didn’t see Regina turn around, he got up and kept walking.

When he arrived at the beach Regina was still on her phone call, but when she saw him her eyes widened with remembrance and she told Sydney she had to go. She reached into her purse and pulled out half of a wholemeal baguette (it was the only bread they had in the house as Regina was strict about grain and fiber intake).

“Here, Sweetie. Go feed the ducks.” She said, in that voice she used when she was trying to be nice.

Henry took the loaf from her hand and nodded his head. He scanned the sea line for ducks but saw nothing. He tugged on his mother’s suit coat.

“Mom, there are no ducks here.”

Regina looked at the sea frowning. Under her breath she muttered to herself about how stupid Archie was to send her to an ocean to look for ducks. She sometimes wondered if he was purposely trying to sabotage her relationship with her son, before reminding herself that he did not have the balls to do something so devious.

The once queens eyes landed to a formation of rocks, which several birds circled.

“Over there, Henry. Go feed those birds.” She said pointing towards them.

Henry looked at her for a second and she smiled to encourage him. Nodding his head he took a few more steps towards the birds, before one let out a loud squawk. Henry jumped at the sounds and then remained frozen in place. Regina resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

“Go on.” She said.

Her son approached the animals once more, this time much more slowly. He held out the loaf of bread and several of the birds hopped over to see the boy. Filled with renewed bravery the six-year-old walked closer to the birds, giggling with relief. He did not look where he was walking. He tripped on one of the beaches sandy hills just at the seagulls approached him for the bread. One the ground it looked like he was now surrounded by the foul bird, each of them starring at him with beady eyes and squawking louder and louder. He held on to the bread tighter as if it could protect him but instead received more than a few harsh peeking’s from the birds.

Terrified and well into tears the boy picked himself up and ran back to his mother.

Regina looked over the boy with confusion. His hair was sticking up the fresh clothes she had just picked out were now covered in dirty and sand.

“Henry, what happened?”

The little boy’s lip trembled. “The bird..They-they’re..they scared me.”

“Oh Henry, don’t be ridiculous. They’re just birds and you’re a boy. How can you possibly be afraid of them?” She asked him, her frown etched into her face. She worried about him, she really did. Surely it was not normal to be so scared of little, winged pests. She was a strong, confident, queen who had managed to take down dragon women and even the Dark One himself. How could it be possible that she had raised a child so weak? So pathetic.

She heard her son sniffle again, and brushed her hair away from her face. Kneeling down, she briskly brushed the dirt off of her son before standing up again. Henry keeps his head down.

“Well, you’ve already dropped the last of the bread. I am sure the birds have eaten by now. Let’s go home and you can change out of those dirty clothes.” She points her head in the direction of him.

Henry lifts his head, still sniffing his nose but glad to have his freedom from the obstruction of his shaggy fringe.He reaches a hand out for Regina’s but puts it down again when he sees that her arms remain crossed against her chest.

In silence the two walk home.

Henry sat outside Dr. Hoppers office kicking his feet against each other. He still wasn’t tall enough to reach the ground from his seated position, but often he would slouch in the chair and imagine what it would be like when he was taller.

From inside of the office he could hear his mother and Archie talking. Well, Archie was talking. His mother was yelling.

“Something must be wrong with him. He is scared of everything. Seagulls, the dark, monsters under the bed even the oak tree on our nature strip. It just can’t be normal.” She said and Henry felt his inside sink.

“Madam Mayor, I assure you, at Henry’s age childhoods fears like the ones you mentioned are completely normal. He will outgrow them.” Archie’s voice was deeper and far more soothing on Henry’s ears.

“When? I don’t want to let these things go and have Henry grow into some kind of…some kind of coward or sissy. I have high hopes for him in this world and these silly little fears don’t make a strong man.”

Henry fiddled with his fingers and tried to block out what his mom was saying in the other room. His eyes tinged with tears, which he forcefully blinked away. He knew that his mom didn’t like it when he got scared but he couldn’t help it and it wasn’t like it happened all of the time – it was only when something scary happened.

“If you can’t do anything to help him, maybe I should find someone who can.” Regina threatened. Her voice was even clearer now, telling Henry she was close to the door.

He sat up straighter and wiped the lingering tears out of his eyes, readying himself to see her.

She didn’t stop to look at him. She walked to the buildings front door with just a loud command for him to follow her.

Regina decided she had had enough. The night she tucked Henry in, pulling the covers tightly around him and turned the lights off, including that damn swan-themed nightlight the boy kept on his bedside table. She stood at the door for a moment, looking at her son, evaluating him, before walking towards her own room.

When she was halfway down the hall to her she heared a small voice call out to her.

“Mom!”

She sighed and turned back to her son’s room.

“What is it, Henry?”

“Mom. Can I please leave the light on.”

“No, Henry. You get the best sleep in the dark. Everyone does. And I don’t want you tired for school.”

“But mom, I need the light on. I need it to keep away the monsters.”

“What Monsters?”

“The one’s that live under the bed and in the closet.”

Regina walked closer to the bed. Her head pounding with a headache brought on by the tall tales her child was spewing.

“Henry, this nonsense must stop. It isn’t cute anymore. There are no monsters living under your bed. Do you understand that?”

Henry nodded his head and thinking the matter was finally settled Regina stood up and made to exit the room.

“Mom, just the nightlight? Please, mom?”

Fuming, Regina turned back around to her son. She pulled back the covers he was wrapped in and pulled him out the bed.

“We end this now. Where are these monsters supposed to be?”

“Under the bed.” The boy mumbled out, frightened by how quick his mother had moved.

“You’re going to face this fear and you going to do it now. Go under the bed.”

Henry looked under the bed and then back at his mother. He shook his head, tears once again rising to his eyes.

“I don’t want to.”

Regina ignored the look of fear in the boy, knowing that such a worry was silly and preposterous. There were no monsters in this world, at least none that she hadn’t brought here.

“You have to Henry. This is the only way you won’t be afraid anymore.”

When Henry just stood there in the dark looking up at Regina, she spoke again, “Go.”

Trembling, the boy nealt down and crawled up the small space between his bed frame and the floor. It was dark under there, even darker than it was in the already dark bedroom. He could make out a black mass and flinched thinking it to be a monster. Taking a deep breath he summoned his courage and reached his hand out to touch it. His chest fell in relief when he felt that it was only an old sweater that had fallen under the bed.

“Well, Henry, are there any monsters down there?” His mother called.

“No.”

“You may come out now.” The boy climbed out from under the bed and sat on top of it instead. “See how silly such ideas are Henry? Now that you’ve faced your fear don’t you feel better?”

Henry thought about her question for a while. He guessed he felt a little bit better. He wasn’t afraid of the monsters under the bed anymore, but he felt kind of stupid and little embarrassed and very tired now. Pushing away his conflicting emotions he looked up and nodded at his mom.

Regina smiled in return and left the room, saying good night. Curled up in his blankets and on the very edge of sleep, Henry closed his eyes to visions of knights and heroes. Men and women who were never afraid of anything and never felt stupid. He smiled at the idea. One day he wanted to be just like them.

#Henry Mills #Henry Swan #anti Regina #anti regal believer #anti regina mills

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