#archie kennedy needs a break | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

salamanderskin · 5 years ago

Text

Any Port in a Storm, a Hornblower fic

In the aftermath of 'The Duchess and the Devil' Archie's self worth hits a new low, not helped by his seizure disorder and a nasty chill. Horatio isn't sure how to help, but he's willing to give it everything he has.

The year is 1798.

The wind whistled through the rigging of HMS Indefatigable, whipping up spray from the sea like handfuls of gravel to join the sheets of rain which lashed at the deck. The great grey clouds that stewed overhead were so low that the horizon was blurred and indistinguishable from the shifting steel surface of the ocean. Although the weather was dramatic; the sails snapped and billowed like washing on a line in the irregular gusts of wind and the masts creaked with a sound as though the ship was crying out under the strain, it was no more than a seasonal squall of the kind almost inspected on this part of the passage back to England.

Every so often a wave would fling itself ambitiously onto the deck and add to the inch or so of water sloshing from side to side in mimicry of the greater ocean, but it was nothing a few men with buckets to bail with couldn't handle. The whole crew was on deck, working to take in sail lest they be driven off course, but without particular urgency; the ratings seemed in fairly good spirits as they wrestled with the great unwieldy sheets of canvas, while the senior officers in their navy jackets and white breeches could be seen moving efficiently among them, with one notable exception. It occurred to the lone figure who stood on the quarterdeck that he did not really, in truth, need to be there.

Horatio Hornblower was getting gradually soaked where he stood. He could feel the wind and wet chapping the skin of his cheeks where they had become unused to the sting of salt, yet he was glad of the taste of it on his lips for it meant that he was back in His Majesty's Navy. No longer on dry land, no longer imprisoned. It meant that he was home. The feeling of freedom he gained from feeling the deck tilt beneath his feet was well balanced against the unpleasant creeping coldness of rain sliding down the collar of his greatcoat, setting him to shivering.

He did not have to be out in the elements. There was nothing for him to do here; the young Midshipman who had obviously been hired during his absence appeared to have filled his shoes infuriatingly well, shouting orders in a clear, confident voice so that the mainsail was taken in just as far as was necessary for a mild storm such as this. Horatio noticed a few tasks done sloppily, which as Acting Lieutenant he would never had allowed, but he knew better than to undermine another officer's authority- it would neither win him friends nor aid the progress of the crew to give conflicting orders. Much as he hated to admit it, despite his long absence, Indefatigable seemed to be running like well-tuned, if somewhat drenched, clockwork. However, although he felt perfectly redundant standing and watching, Horatio knew the feeling would be worse if he were to go below and wait out in the storm in the berth he'd been assigned. Being a sailor meant you were never to lie idle when the wind blew like this. There was work to be done somewhere on the ship, there always was, so lieing in a hammock rocked by the storm would be as unpleasantly foreign to him as the Spanish coastline he had only too recently escaped.

“Mister Hornblower!” A familiar voice called him from his reverie.

The deep and commanding tones of a man well used to making himself heard over the dirtiest of weather made it clear that Horatio was being hailed by no less a personage than Sir Edward Pellew, Captain of the Indefatigable and a rigidly uniformed force to be reckoned with.

“Sir!” Horatio turned smartly towards his Captain, instantly ready for instruction, but the man remained sheltering in a doorway, an expression of disbelief visible from under his impressive bicorn hat.

“I told you that your party are relieved from active duty until we make port. Your presence is not required on deck.”

“I was just seeing-” Horatio began, only to be interrupted.

“Are you insane, man? Get below!”

Any hesitation to obey must have showed on his face, but Pellew had only to open his mouth to begin “That is an order, Lieutenant Hornblower” for Horatio to know that he had disobeyed his Captain as much as would be tolerated, and not without some relief he retreated to join his superior out of the rain.

“Despite your obvious doubts, I am quite able to run a tight ship despite the unforseen absence of one junior officer.” Pellew remarked as they walked together back in the direction of the Captain's quarters. His tone was cold and Horatio re-experienced the familiar awe he felt in the presence of the Captain. It was always coupled with a sense of unease in that Horatio could never be sure whether or not the man was joking.

Pellew seemed serious, though, when he asked “What is it about that crew of yours, Mister Hornblower? I just had to tell Midshipman Kennedy exactly the same thing. You both seem determined to catch your deaths to no obvious gain.”

“It won't happen again, Sir.” Horatio replied, almost but not entirely sure he had caught a slight twinkle in the man's eyes under his steely frown.

As they neared the berth Horatio had been assigned, Pellew seemed to wax thoughtful, lowering his voice somewhat. “I shall have to have a word with you about your Mister Kennedy, perhaps when we are docked.” As if responding to the promise of a safe harbour soon the deck lurched slightly under their feet. Pellew barely moved but to his shame Horatio found himself staggering, his legs unused to the motion of a ship beneath him and not helped by the cold rain which felt as though it had seeped into his muscles.

“Yes, now is perhaps not the time.” Pellew mused. “But we will reach Plymouth tomorrow afternoon. Now go and get out of your wet things for goodness' sake, man. That was a waste of a perfectly clean, dry uniform.”

“Sir.”

Horatio had no sooner touched his hat then Pellew was gone, heavy cloak flowing smartly out behind, leaving Horatio to wonder exactly when the fellow officer with whom he was now sharing a berth had become his Mister Kennedy.

* * *

There was a lamp burning in the tiny berth and its light made leaping shadows on the wooden walls as the Indefatigable's restless motion set it swinging from the hook where it hung. Horatio stepped inside gratefully.

“Hullo Archie.” He said softly. “You look as wet as I feel.”

Archie Kennedy turned around sharply at the sound of his voice, as if startled, but visibly relaxed when he saw who had disturbed him. The warm glow lit upon a figure only a little shorter than Horatio himself and broader in the shoulder despite months of starvation.

Horatio could not help but notice that the lamplight was kind to Archie's tanned complexion, turning both the blonde hair and fair skin golden. His face still carried the hollow, haunted aspect Horatio had found upon him when they finally found each other after, but in the lamplight he looked better than he had in months and it was easy to see that he would make someone a handsome husband one day, God willing. He was indeed thoroughly drenched by the rain- his coat, hat and boots may have been set aside to drip but his navy-blue jacket showed black at the shoulders where the rain had soaked through.

There was a pause before Archie looked up and said, “I didn't hear you come in.”

“Captain Pellew ordered me off the deck.”

“Ah. You too. So it wasn't that he didn't want me commanding his men.”

There was a lot that Horatio could say to that, but he didn't. He recalled all too clearly the conversation they had shared as Archie lay nearly dieing in the sickbay of the Spanish prison.

“Well, don't you want to get back, hm? Stand on the deck of the Indie, hear the wind in the rigging-”

“-and hear how Horatio Hornblower rescued his shipmate from prison.” Archie had looked up at him from the sickbed, and those eyes, which had been glazed and misfocused suddenly lit right on him, blue and bitter.

“It won't be like that, Archie.”He had said.

But Archie had almost laughed, finding some warped humour in his own helplessness.

“It will be just like that.”

“Archie...” It was a soft, useless syllable as in their tiny shared berth on the Indefatigable, Horatio settled for touching his friend lightly on the arm when their paths crossed whilst setting their wet things to dry.

He never did know what to say when someone decided to bare their soul to him, and Archie's bitter comment made him feel more foolish than anything else. It wasn't that Archie Kennedy was disgraced- Captain Pellew had been grieved when he believed Archie lost in action and both grateful and amazed to find him still alive- but as long as Archie believed himself of no value, there was little Horatio could say to heal the wounds on his soul.

It was enough that Archie did not shrug off the gesture, and Horatio let that be a scrap of comfort as he settled into his hammock and tried to get warm enough for sleep to take him. Despite the blanket he couldn't seem to shake off the chill of the storm in his bones, though perhaps it was only that the could hear the creak of the masts and feel the uneasy rhythm as the weather tossed the ship. Archie felt it too, Horatio could hear the even rhythm of the man's breath break and flicker with the chattering of Archie's teeth, though it could just have easily have been the sound of his own.

The storm seemed to be easing. The wail of the wind had died down so that it was possible to make out the rain drumming on the wooden sides of the ship like thoughtful fingers and the two hammocks swung in a steadier, more lulling fashion as the rhythm of the sea reasserted itself. Despite this, their brittle exchange had left Horatio with an uncomfortable awareness that something wasn't right.

This damnable bitter weather would do his friend no good at all, weak as he was.

“Aren't you cold, Archie?” He asked into the dark, meaning to offer his blanket. Archie did not reply, did not even move.

“Goodnight.” Horatio said eventually.

Though Archie did not reply, when he reached instinctively for the man he found Archie's hand was also outstretched in the darkness. He took it and for a single, blessed moment he squeezed and Archie squeezed wordlessly back. As shivering cold seeped into blessed sleep, Horatio Hornblower decided to be grateful for small mercies.

* * *

It was late afternoon by the time they made port in Plymouth and the sun was just struggling to break through a thick bank of white cloud. Horatio Hornblower was glad for the warmth of the rays on his face and he closed his eyes momentarily, breathing deeply of the cold, brisk air which carried all the familiar smells of the dockside.

As he looked to his companion he saw that Archie was doing the same. The light made Archie's hair glow golden and even kissed some colour into the man's palid face.

Any decision to walk further along the dockside was curtailed when first one drop of cold rain and then another fell onto Horatio's face and dripped down his long nose.

“I think we must take that as a sign and repair to an Inn. I have no desire to be soaked to the skin on two consecutive evenings.”

Midshipman Kennedy looked fit to argue, but then he shivered and nodded his head in resigned agreement. “I had really hoped my return to English soil might be a little more glorious” he said, ruefully.

“Come now, to the men on the Indie you appear to have returned from the dead. Let that be sufficient.”

“Aye. That will have to do.”

They walked along the main street in silence for some time, heads tilted down to keep of the worst of the rain. The orange lights of various establishments resolved themselves out of the gloom and dissipated again as the men passed them by, intent on finding an resting place at least one level up from the kind of grog-shop where the ratings were doubtless already drowning their sorrows. Horatio moved forwards with purpose, Archie a pace behind him as though they were already Lieutenant and Acting Lieutenant, but he supposed it was the first time in three years Archie Kennedy had been somewhere more crowded than the Indefatigable. After three years of foreign jails it was unsurprising that Plymouth was a little more than he was ready for.

As they moved onwards Archie fell further and further behind, lagging in pace as he looked around him with something between satisfaction and apprehension.

Horatio looked back with concern. “I fear returning to your duties so soon has overtaxed you. Dr Hepplewhite said-”

“To hell with Dr. Hepplewhite.” Archie said in frustration. “It's good for me to stretch my legs. If only I wasn't so damnably light-headed.”

Here Archie paused, those blue eyes looking away from Horatio with an anxious flicker of his eyelids. Such was the misfocus of his expression that Horatio wondered if the man was likely to take a fit, and if he did, whether Horatio could catch his friend before that blonde head hit the cobbles. However his fears were unfounded and Archie merely pinched at the bridge of his nose with a murmured “-never mind. Lead on, it's freezing out here.”

They only moved a few more yards, boots splashing in the water pooled between the uneven cobbles, when he halted again, leaning one hand against a wall in a way that was clearly supposed to be casual. He seemed about to say something then shrugged, steeling himself to walk a little further and only opened his mouth to husk a cough into one fist and swipe the raindrops from his eyes with an dispassionate “Damn this rain.”

Horatio was at his side in a moment.

“Are you quite alright, Mister Kennedy?”

The man's answer was to suddenly dip his head into both hands to sneeze discretely, once and then a second time, shielding his face with his wrist.

“hp'Kff!” A breath. “Hffsch!” and a murmured “I beg your pardon.” before Archie faced him again.

“God bless.”

They walked a little further, turning down a wide street that Horatio remembered from a previous visit. On either side tall buildings listed up, their chimney pots making a forest of silhouettes against the darkening sky. A light wind blew the rain into their faces and made him turn his collar up and squint. It was nothing compared to a storm at sea, but it was chill and unpleasant. Behind him Archie did the same, repressing another sneeze into the back of his wrist.

“ht-chsch! - -Chsch!”

“God bless.” Horatio said again, paying full attention to his friend's plight now so that he turned his head to catch Archie's eyes, only to find them averted from him, hazily unfocused. Archie held an expression of exquisite irritation for a fraction of a second before his head was forced into his hands by another set of sneezes.

“Hp-chsch! Ht- chsch! Hffsch!”

“God bless you, Mister Kennedy.”

He noticed that Archie retained one broad hand gathered awkwardly at his face and when he drew a breath it was an unpleasant, damp sniff. The poor man sounded as though the rainwater had made its way into his very bones. Archie sniffed again, and then a third time.

Horatio kept his face fixed firmly away, determined not to notice his companion's embarrassing state but with a growing sense of irritation. For goodness sake, did the man not have a handkerchief to his name? Archie may have been out of society for some time but even in prison he had always been a gentleman. Yet before Horatio's frustration could fully form itself out of nebulous distaste, Archie addressed him.

“Thank you. Could you-” The voice was low and awkward. Archie was not looking at him, either. A pity then that he had a frog in his throat and had to start the sentence a second time.

“I don't suppose I could trouble you for your pocket handkerchief, Mister -snf- Hornblower?” he said sheepishly.

Suddenly Horatio understood- as a prisoner of war, Archie had lost everything but the uniform he had stood up. And there he was doubting the man's propriety! He could have kicked himself.

“Of course, Mister Kennedy. Here-” He produced the requested item from the inside breast pocket of his jacket and pressed it into Archie's hand, averting his eyes as the man blew his nose wetly.

“I seem to have misplaced mine somewhere on the march across France. And to think I hadn't noticed the loss until now.”

The gentle flippancy of it made Horatio smile even as he shook his head, tutting teasingly “In that case we shall make repairing the situation our first priority tomorrow morning.”

Indeed, the hoarse edge on the man's voice, coupled with that damp, persistent sniffling made Horatio suspect that this action might be necessary for other reasons than propriety alone.

* * *

Since their time as midshipmen together, the two had long been used to sharing quarters that were less than pleasant, not to mention that less than a week ago they were still sharing a tiny, filthy cell in a Spanish prison. Horatio's newly acquired Lieutenant's pay furnished them with a good deal more space than they had been used to over the years, but he hardly noticed the clean wooden floor, or the double bed which was absurdly spacious to those used to consecutive hammocks, so relieved was he to get himself and his companion in front of a warm fire. Horatio moved instinctively to its warmth and spread his hands in an attempted to rub some life back into his deadened fingertips. He sudden heat, though gentle, made his joints feel as though they themselves were burning as he flexed his fingers.

Meanwhile, Archie alighted on one of the two rather thread-bare wing chairs which flanked the grate. He seemed excessively drained by the walk up the stairs, the trek across town and the force of the elements- his face was pale and despite the cold a little sweat dampened his forehead where it should have been protected by his hat. He'd loosened his stock a little and Horatio could see his friend's pulse flicker there like a butterfly under a glass.

Horatio removed his own hat, boots and coat in short order, before slipping out of his uniform jacket and hanging it on the back of his chair.

A sudden sound broke the quiet of the room and startled Horatio from his thoughts, but snapping his head around he realised that it was only Mister Kennedy coughing spasmodically into one first. Though it began as a husking clearing of the throat, once he had started the man seemed hardly able to stop. The sound went on too long, and Horatio did not much fancy the tight, painful sound as it shook his friend's shoulders, doubling him over where he sat so that he braced one arm against his thigh to steady himself.

“I beg your pardon, H-horatio-” Archie tried to say, but the words seemed to prickle his throat and only set him coughing again, harder and more deeply than before.

“Water?”

Without waiting for a reply, Horatio crossed the room to fill a pewter mug from the jug which stood, as he had hoped, on the narrow dresser. Archie took it from him and gulped gratefully, the shudders subsiding, though Horatio thought he could see Archie suppressing a wince at the first, painfully overeager swallow.

“There...” The word left his lips and Horatio was surprised at it, meaningless and as such, useless, as it was.

He patted Archie's shoulder again, once more possessed of the need to reassure himself that Archie was real, was truly alive and, warm and solid beneath his fingers. Archie seemed to the relish the touch, too, relaxing against Horatio's body for a luxurious moment where the man stood beside his seated form. Those blue eyes drifted closed.

“Better?” Horatio asked at last. His words broke the spell and the other man straightened somewhat before bending down and beginning to untie his boots.

“Yes, thank you. You'll have to excuse me Mister Hornblower, I don't know what's come over me.”

Had Archie Kennedy always taken refuge in formality, or was it a recent defence upon finding himself back in the navy now that his closest friend was a superior officer? Due to their close friendship, he'd been wont to employ Horatio's title and full name with a hint of irony, but was that what was happening here?

“Shh. Come on, Archie, get those wet things off. You're making me cold just looking at you.”

Much as he hated the necessity, his friend responded to a direct command better than to any amount of hinting, and looked down at his damp jacket as if for the first time. He was soon stripped to his shirtsleeves and drew his chair closer to the fire.

For a long time there was stillness. Horatio bustled about the room; receiving his sea-chest when it was brought up for him and donning his other jacket, retying the stock at his throat into a neat knot that would keep out the weather, he found his eyes were drawn again and again to the figure by the fire. The warm light was kind to Archie's boyish features for all that it picked out the shadow under his eyes and cheekbones. It turned his hair to true gold and Horatio noticed now that the curls were over-long around his friend's face. Perhaps Archie would allow him to cut it? The thought of such closeness, of an excuse to bury his fingers in the silken stuff, made him smile.

Archie seemed to catch him staring, and there was surprise in his eyes to see Horatio standing over him in full midshipman's uniform.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“I am to meet with Captain Pellew at six.” Horatio said, mustering all his formality and newly-acquired Lieutenant's authority not to add “to discuss you, I expect.”

He didn't need to add that information to see Archie's expression close down, the haunted, bitter look acquired in prison washing over his usual open expression.

“I dare say the Captain will want an opportunity to congratulate you properly. After all, not only did you pass your Lieutenant's exams with an act of supreme courage in saving several ships of the royal fleet, you rescued all your men from a Spanish prison along with a handful extra. You're certainly back on form.”

Sarcasm would be too strong a word, for that was a strategy Archie Kennedy would never resort to, but there was certainly a resigned edge to the praise. When had the man learned to be so bitter? Horatio answered himself- perhaps during the beatings, or when you were to preoccupied to even notice him trying to kill himself.

“It's more likely he wishes to dock my pay to make up for the loss of La Reve.” Possible, though not likely, indeed. Horatio hoped that saving a handful of prisoners considered missing in action would outweigh his losing the first ship he had ever been in command of to the Spanish dons. “I shan't be gone long. Do you want to walk along the dock with me, get some fresh air?”

“I'm fine here.” Archie said. Then, “I've got in the way of your successes enough of late.”

The bitterness in the man's voice made Horatio want to shake his shoulders, whilst the equal and opposite resignation sparked in him the desire to clasp his friend to his chest. Archie coughed again and touched a hand to his throat in a delicate, unconscious gesture before running it frustratedly down the bridge of his nose.

“... I didn't mean that.” He said at last. “I'm not myself.”

Before Horatio could respond, Archie's breathing hitched audibly and he turned away again, fishing Horatio's handkerchief from his pocket just in time for him to smother a sudden sneeze into it.

“hp-chsch!”

“God bless y-” Horatio offered, but Archie only interrupted him with another.

“Chsch-uh! Hd-Chsch-uh!!

The breath he let out afterward was heavy and tired-sounding, and he did not dare remove the cloth from his face but glanced away from Horatio awkwardly. Horatio, who had winced at the way each release seemed to tear through his friend's throat, found now to be a convenient time to go and retrieve his boots from the other side of the room. He had never much liked blowing his nose in front of people either.

When he returned, Archie had composed himself but he looked more tired than ever. Something about the discomfort on his features wrenched at Horatio's heart- Archie had been getting well and looking so much better, but today's exertions had brought all the gauntness he had found on the man's face in the prison cell back into his features, even if only to a lesser degree. Archie was fine, he was alive and well and here in the room with Horatio, and Horatio was being ridiculous, but the distant expression reminded him of that day when it had rained, and a preoccupied Horatio had heard Archie's voice fade out of the conversation only to turn around and find the man unconscious. Through his own neglect and selfishness Archie had nearly died, and Horatio would never, never let that happen again, he- Horatio mentally shook himself. Why did the man resting by the fire, his broad chest rising and falling with restful breathing, conjure in him such a wild, desperately protective streak? He was being absurd.

He thought he recognised the stuffed-up cadence of his friend's voice now, though- the rasp of it made him want to brew a cup of hot tea with honey- and the reaction unmanned him. He longed to put his arms around Archie, to smooth his hair as he had done so easily when the man had been feverish and shaken by nightmares back in prison. For no logical reason, sharing affection then had been permissible, inevitable even, and he could not restrain himself, but then he never could, not with Archie. Until now.

“God bless you.” He said again, now that the man seemed to have finished, and then, feeling faintly ridiculous “Archie you- you sound as though you're catching a chill.”

The man made to protest, but he was shivering now despite the warmth of the fire, and his first attempt at speech came out so hoarsely it nearly set his coughing again. Eventually he said,

“It would be just my-” Half way through the admission, the man's usually well enunciated voice took on an airy, congested and thoroughly ticklish quality and he interrupted himself with a desperate, resigned “excuse me, Horatio-” After giving his warning the desire to sneeze seemed to back away, teasing his senses such that he did not dare lower the handkerchief from where he held it just in front of his face. “-just my- hk'KSSCh!”

“God bless you. You're shivering.” Horatio observed, crossing the room again to stand by his friend's side.

“I congratulate you on your perspicacity, sir.”

That was a favourite expression of Captain Pellew's, harking back to the time when they had only just been transferred to the Indefatigable. Archie had always had a keen eye for a foibles of superiors, and an actor's talent for mimicry, and his bright wit made Horatio grin now as it had then.

“You should be resting.”

“I think I'll read a little first.” Archie said.

“Is there a law which keeps you from doing that in bed?”

“Perhaps not,” Archie's voice was light enough as he said it but waxed serious as he turned to look at Horatio, eyes narrowing. “But I cannot let you go to the Captain, Horatio.”

Horatio swallowed. Could Archie know that the Captain intended to discuss Horatio's exploits and thus Archie's too?

“Why's that?”

The man's tired face lit slowly into the grin he knew so well.

“Because you look as though you slept with your head in a sack. Come here.”

Horatio laughed in relief as Archie rose and directed him to the newly vacated chair, returning a few minute's later with the comb from Horatio's seachest.

Horatio schooled his body to relax as cunning fingers loosened the strip of black silk ribbon which was standard-issue for an officer in His Magesty's Navy, and draped it over the arm of the chair. Archie took Horatio's dark hair in one hand, working the comb from root to tip in a motion that was rhythmic and efficient without ever being rough.

The simple touch took him back years. In his days new midshipman he had relied on the more experienced Archie to tie his pigtail for him, and in truth he still didn't have the knack of it, for all he had been forced to learn the skill when he believed Archie lost in action. During those first cold weeks after Archie's “death” every time he wrestled with the ribbon was a painful reminder, the cramp in his fingers from repeated attempts beating a muted counterpoint to the ache in his heart.

“I might have to pull.”Archie said sympathetically as he leaned in to get to a stubborn knot in Horatio's curls, so that his words were accompanied by a rush of warm breath. The other man's breath touched the sensitive spot behind Horatio's ear in a way that was deliciously ticklish, sending bolts of lightning running down his neck and side. It was only then that Horatio began to remember how his younger self had enjoyed having the older boy tend him in this way, how good it was to have Midshipman Kennedy run his fingers through Horatio's hair each morning. When they were in prison, with Archie so sick, Horatio had repaid the favour but that hadn't been the same. Of course he would tend a friend who was ill, and Archie would do the same for him, that went without saying. Something about this touch was different. He was a grown man now and didn't need Archie's help to keep himself presentable, but Archie himself had offered this assistance, this affection, as small as it was.

“Ship shape and Bristol fashion.” Archie said at last, when Horatio had placed the hat firmly on his head and straightened his rain-soaked lapels as best as he could. “You look-”

His features slipped into the expression of confused anticipation which was now familiar. His eyelids fluttered and the corner of his mouth twitched in an expression that appeared so distinctly ticklish that Horatio knew his friend could not hold his composure for much longer. Archie's hand made a curious gesture, cast briefly towards his pocket in frantic desire for the handkerchief until he seemed to realise, mid-motion, that there was no way he would get there in time. Instead he hovered it infront of his face as his breath drew an agonised, preparatory “hheh” before his body flinched in on itself like a book snapping shut.

The result was an appropriately sharp “ngkTSCH!”

The man's expression in the aftermath was one of perfect, miserable frustration, yet Horatio knew instinctively that it was not directed at himself. Archie seemed to feel that the events of the last three years had used up some store of weakness and left him loathe to express even a fraction more, though his body compelled him to it. Horatio did not much like the sound of repressed, husky coughing that the outburst generated, nor the moment of dizzy disorientation in Archie's eyes as he straightened himself, already apologising.

Alas, time was fleeting, and with an eye to his pocket-watch Horatio contented himself with an affirming slap to Archie's shoulder as he passed him in the doorway, finding nothing more succinct to say than a conciliatory “Get some rest.”

If there were things unsaid between the two men that hung in the silence as the door shut, Horatio studiously ignored them, setting his jaw and squaring his shoulders against the next challenge of the day.

* * * *

Upon entering the Inn, it was immediately apparent that something was wrong. There was no chaos, no musketshots, no crowd of people, none of the sights and sounds of carnage to which Horatio Hornblower had been hardened by way of a career in the Navy, yet the sight that greeted him was enough to set his heart hammering uncomfortably in his chest.

There was a small knot of people hanging around in an awkward fashion and at their centre was a wing-chair containing a slumped figure in naval uniform. The low light of the parlour glinted on brass buttons, on a tangle of golden hair hanging loose and upon the creamy skin of the man's throat where his jacket and shirt had been opened, evidently to give him some air.

“Archie?”

Horatio needed only to take one pace into the room to see that his suspicion was correct.

Archie's limbs hung loose and heavy, his head tilted right back to rest on the back of the chair in such an uncomfortably unnatural way that it was obvious he must have been carried bodily into the room and bundled into the chair by a well-intentioned, though clumsy, stranger. At the sound of his name he lifted his head a little to meet Horatio's gaze. The heavy torpor of his movements coupled with a familiar slackness of his features told Horatio all he needed know.

He turned to the bystanders for confirmation, lighting on the man he recognised as the Innkeeper.

“He had a fit?”

Horatio intended to explain in as few words as possible that Mister Kennedy was prone to fits on occasion but that they passed quickly, and providing he hadn't injured himself in the process the man would be himself again very shortly. However, he wasn't given a chance. The Innkeeper took one glance at Horatio's uniform and rounded on him.

“You, you're his mate what's sharing his room? Frightened the life out me, he did. Just walked out the door, took three paces and fell straight down on the pavement jerking all over the place. Has he been drinking?” The question caught Horatio off guard. “Drinking? No. It's-”

The man wouldn't let him continue. “Can't you snap him out of it? I thought he was dead, he went that still, and that's bad for business. Puts the customers right off. Hit his head a good crack too.”

The Innkeeper showed no sign of ending the tirade he had started, indeed he seemed to warming to his subject, appealing to the few bystanders that Archie's behaviour was both deviant and inconvenient for a man who has a business to run. His impertinence was infuriating but not so urgent as Archie's need and to this end Horatio allowed the words to wash over him as he came to kneel beside his friend. He spoke Archie's name again, more insistently, and Archie gave him a weak smile. He looked a state; his expression was glassy and fixed, his skin greyish against the white of his shirt whilst a cold sweat stood out in beads across his face.

“I happened again, didn't it?” Archie said. His voice was firm but slightly slurred, murmured as though his lips were too heavy for him to move.

He sounded resigned rather than surprised, and who could blame him. Horatio had hoped that after that last, painful episode in prison, Archie had somehow grown out of the fits he had suffered as a younger lad. Evidently Archie had felt the same way.

“It seems so.” Horatio replied as casually as he could.

He moved his fingers gingerly across Archie's face and into his hairline, sifting through the golden silk of his hair to see if he had indeed struck his head in falling. The hair on one side of his head was damp and gritty with dirty water, where he must have lain in a puddle, and as Horatio's fingers navigated Archie's jawline they found bruising already coming up swollen and red, and a lump a little behind the man's ear from which a minute trickle of blood painted his fingers. He winced in sympathy, but truly it was nothing a cold compress wouldn't fix.

The Innkeeper became aware he was being ignored and got Horatio's attention with a hand on his shoulder.

“Shall I send for a physician?”

Horatio looked at Archie, who shook his head fractionally, eyes signalling an urgent no. Doubtless he just wanted the drama of it to be over as soon as possible, and Horatio could empathise with that.

“There's really no need. I am sure he shall be quite well within the hour. ”

“I don't mean to take a liberty, but 'you didn't see him kicking and moaning like 'e was possessed. Gave me quite a turn, he did-

Horatio's patience finally snapped.

“You do take a liberty, Sir. I will take Midshipman Kennedy to his room.”

Something of the Captain he would one day be was in Horatio's voice. Both the Innkeeper and the few onlookers dispersed and left two men alone in the parlour. Only then did Horatio kneel on the rug to look his friend in the eye.

“Can you stand?”

Archie nodded, allowing Horatio to loop an arm around his back and help him upright. With only a little weight on Horatio's arm the two made their way up to their room.

They were forced to stop, half-way up the stairs as Archie stiffened against him, turning his head to sneeze away from them.

“hh'KFffschuh!' Archie had no force to give it but also none to contain it and the release makes them both stagger. He doesn't even repress the sound, just turns his head weakly away in soft, wet exclamation. “--hh...Itschhuh!”

Horatio braced this time to keep them steady. “So you're still doing that?”

Archie looked up to confirm “...'fraid I haven't ---iiht-KFFSchh- haven't stopped.”

They paused until Horatio was sure that Archie was indeed finished sneezing for now, before resuming the short journey upstairs. The fire had warmed the room nicely and the beds looked inviting as Horatio helped his friend lower himself onto one of them. Archie took his own weight on his hands and lowered himself to slump on top of the covers, shoes and all. His eyes were closed.

Horatio hovered, hands twitching anxiously at his sleeves.

“I- do you need anything? What can I do?”

Archie's shoulders moved in a minute shrug and his eyes opened, blue as the ocean. Even half-comatose after a fit his smile managed to be self-effacing.

“I'll sleep. Don't look so worried. You should be used to me by now.””

As he spoke he half rose, kicked his boots off against the foot of the bed and started on his jacket. The man moved as if still in a dream and his fingers fumbled with the brass buttons. Horatio came to his aid without being asked. Archie shied minutely from the the man's deft touch and Horatio could feel him steeling himself not to protest as he was undressed down to his undershirt.

Silence fell like a reverie induced by their proximity to each other, broken only by Archie's congested breathing. He did not meet Horatio's eye and turned even further away when ticklish coughing overtook him again.

“Hmm. Definitely catching cold, on top of everything else.” Horatio thought out loud.

Archie shrugged, sniffling back congestion to murmur, “I'm sorry.”

“Don't be. Come on, get under the covers. I'll have them send you up some tea.”

“I- thank you.”

Archie did so and there he remained quiet for the rest of the evening. He managed to drink the tea, laced with a dash of brandy that made him splutter, then true to his prediction fell back into the heavy, drugged-seeming sleep which usually followed a seizure.

Horatio did not find rest so easy to come by. As twilight darkened into night he lit a lamp, a maid came up and stoked the fire to a bright glow and he sat in its glow, trying to read. The rain began again. It came in fickle flurries that waxed and waned as they were buffeted by the whims of the sea breeze. Again and again the noise drew Horatio's attention from the page and left him staring first into the middle distance and then at his sleeping companion. Archie had turned his face to the wall and was snoring softly. His breathing sounded hoarse and painful and every so often he would snuffle himself into half-waking only to relax again.

Lieutenant Hornblower listened to those sounds for a long time, nursing a sympathetic ache in his chest at every sound of discomfort. Eventually the lamp burned low, the fire was nothing but hot coals and the mounting shadows made even the pretence of the reading impossible. Only then did Horatio change into his own nightshirt and climb into the other bed. Sleep took a very long time to reach him.

* * * * *

Horatio Hornblower did not know how long he had slept, only that something had awakened him.

The rented room was dark when he woke and the red glow in the grate provided a little heat but only the barest suggestion of light, such that room appeared in shades of black and crimson. His eyes and mind adjusted to the strange room at the same time and he realised what had woken him- the sound of the man in the next bed first crying out and now coughing convulsively.

“Archie-? Archie, are you alright?”

Hortaio looked over at the next bed and the huddled shape under the sheets. After a moment his friend rolled over to look at him, his head half-shrouded under the covers for warmth. Mister Kennedy was awake, then, but breathing as though he'd been running. His hair was mussed and his face pale, eyes ringed with shadow. Evidently he hadn't slept as well as Horatio had hoped.

“Mmhm?” Archie made a thick, uncomfortable little noise as he spluttered his throat clear.

“You were thrashing about.”

The man shifted. His voice was painfully hoarse. “I'b sorry, Horatio. I didn't mean to wake you. I think I was dreaming and then I-”

Archie paused, breath suddenly shivering. His every feature gathered in a quick, ticklish grimace and hung there until broken by a gasp of surprise as he shuddered with sneezes directed down towards the mattress.

““---hh! …iih’KFFSCH! --- iih'KFFSCh!--HFFSCHuh!”

“God bless you.” Horatio winced.

Archie tried to smile, tried to sniff and then just doubled into his cupped hands again. “uh-HFFSHu!...”

“And God bless you again.”

“I'b sorry. Excuse be.” Archie tried to blow his nose but only started coughing once more. He managed to splutter out “do we have any water?”

“Of course. Let me-”

Kicking himself for not having thought of it before, Horatio rose and filled a glass. He sat on the edge of Archie's bed to offer it and drew back the covers to take a better look at his friend.

At first Archie Kennedy drew back from the incursion of colder air then he breathed deeply in relief and tugged at the collar of his nightshirt. Horatio did not like the waxy cast of his skin at all.

“May I?”

He placed a hand on Archie's forehead, trying to gauge something. It was warm and moist with sweat but was it too warm? A quick comparison with his own dry cheek was not conclusive. The man had his head under the blankets after all. Damn it all, Horatio didn't know how to do this. He was more comfortable with a musket in his hand.

“Do you feel feverish?”

Archie considered, and then shrugged and shook his head. “I don't think so.”

Sitting up, his knees were raised to his chest and his blonde head rested on them as though he was too tired to hold it up. Under the white shirt his back kicked in and out with accelerated breathing, gradually slowing until the only movements were the tight runs of shivers that made his whole thin body shake. He wrapped his arms around his knees and drew in closer, eying Horatio's own thin shirt as he asked-

“Aren't you cold?”

Horatio shook his head. “I think it's just you.”

He could only watch his friend shiver for a moment longer before his expression softened. “You look dreadful. Come here.”

Horatio rearranged the covers and swung his legs around so that he was the right way on the bed, half propped on one elbow with his head at the pillow end near Archie's own.

Those blue eyes were wide and surprised in the dark. “What are you doing?”

“You're taking ill and you won't sleep while you're shivering like that. I'm warm. Lie down.”

He actually had to give the man a gentle shove to get him to settle back on the bed. Even then he felt Archie wincing away from him, turning his head from Horatio's gaze and into the pillow as though afraid to look at him. Perhaps there was no wonder. It was difficult for Archie to trust to touch, even to friendly touch; Horatio had learned that when they were in prison.

“It's alright. It's only me, Archie, I won't hurt you.” Horatio tried to reassure him.

Archie did not relax. On the contrary he suddenly flipped over to present Horatio with his back, shoulders tense and drawn away from any contact.

“No-” he murmured. “I have... to...”

Horatio could almost hear the irritated squint taking over Archie's face, the ticklish twitch of his nose as prepared to- “--hh! Hd'CHsch!-CHSch!-CHsshhuh!”

He felt the tight quake of the man's shoulders as he seized into the handkerchief again and again. The sound was thick and congested and finished with a useless attempt to blow his blocked nose.

At length Archie resurfaced somewhat, enough to offer a hoarse. “I'm sorry.”

“Don't be. God bless you.”

But the sneezing must have startled Archie into wakefulness again and he refused to be soothed. “Horatio... you won't get any sleep if you stay here with me. Besides you might catch this.”

“I doubt it.” Horatio considered. “But I don't think turning over will make much difference at this point. We shared a berth all the way home. Do you want me to stay here?”

A pause. Archie Kennedy's voice was hesitant in the dark.

“I- Yes. Please. It's just-” He coughed. He was all but in Horatio's arms and yet his voice seemed to be coming from a very long way away. Perhaps from back in prison or from earlier times still. Horatio remembered how they were both relentlessly bullied on their first voyage together. He had shaken it off, but he doubted that Archie had. The words seemed to be coming from the mouth of the seventeen year old Horatio had met all those years ago, bloody and beaten and shaken by seizures in the night.

“-I'm tired of this. The fits, catching ill again. I don't mean to-”

He sneezed again suddenly, a ticklish, exhausted “ngkTSCH!” buried wetly into the crook of his arm. He let it serve as the end of his statement and simply sighed.

When Mister Kennedy kept his face averted, Horatio drew closer. It was only partially to offer his warmth. The tired, pained sound at the end of that sneeze ignited a curious magnetism in Horatio's chest that wouldn't be satisfied until he lay as close as he could be, with his breast pressed to Archie's back and their knees awkwardly touching. His face was buried in the nape of the man's neck and his next words were addressed to the blonde curls behind Archie's ear. He could feel his lips brushing cloth and flesh when they moved.

“You nearly starved to death, then half-drowned. Now you're under the weather. Is that really a surprise? None of that was your fault.”

The tenderness in his own voice surprised him.

Archie's shoulders shook, fractionally. He drew a tight, shuddering little sniffle which might have been related his cold and might not; one quick hiccupping sob, swiftly quelled. And because Acting Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower had no idea what to do about this, he lay quite still and counted the man's breath in and out. He never did know what to do when someone bared their soul to him.

The sickness, that he could handle. He wasn't much of a nurse but that at least he could help, and if that caring soothed some other pain for both of them, some ache that was present in him too, that was mystifyingly, intensely Archie, then that was to the good.

It didn't take long now for Archie to fall asleep, leaning back into Horatio's warmth. His breathing gradually stilled to a steady, not unpleasant snore that made Horatio fancy Archie's nose would be a burden to him come the morning. For now, though, he slept, and Horatio did the same.

END.

#sickfic #archie kennedy needs a break #horatio needs to be less repressed #god I loved this series so much #this was a blast from the past

10 notes · View notes

acrossthewavesoftime · 3 years ago

Text

Merry Christmas to you, @downton-not-downtown-smh! I hope your holidays are happy and full of warmth and light!

For the secret Santa, I've written you a little something set during The Duchess and the Devil, as Horatio tends to the near-starved Archie.

I have to admit that I don't usually write m/m, and have to date only dipped my toe into Hornblower-related fics, but I hope your preferred themes of friends to lovers (although I don't think Horatio can quite identify his feelings for Archie yet...) and huddling for warmth shine through! In an allusion to your url though, I am sure Horatio asks himself Did I Make the Most of Loving You? as he sits by Archie's bedside...

Wishing you wonderful holidays,

-R.

His Warmest Affection

All night, Horatio sat beside the bed they had put Archie in— the first decent bed, he wagered, the latter had lain in ever since he had been taken to that place. He recalled too well the night of Archie’s disappearance at the taking of the Papillon; the grief he had swallowed at losing the only person on board he had considered his friend. Of course, as an officer, it would not have answered to show his mind, and speak his soul: the death of a fellow officer, or supposed death, must be taken with sobriety, and a stoic continuation in the way of duty: at war, such a loss must be daily expected.

Yet Archie had not died at war: Archie had disappeared in the jollyboat, and Simpson, that damned rascal, had set him loose. Perhaps he should have been more reconciled with the loss of Archie had he fallen in battle, fighting by his side: a valiant, brave death he himself had sometimes longed for in his darkest hours. Instead, his friend had slipped away from him, without a word of farewell, without the comforting knowledge that his life had been given for some cause deemed worthier than a single, fickle life: Archie’s loss had been quiet and unnecessary.

And there now he lay before him, sickly pale, his spirits so utterly broken Horatio barely knew his old friend: the Kennedy of old he had envied for his wit and admired for his merry mien, worn almost constantly, was gone, and the frail shell bearing his countenance contained but the ghost of the friend he had known.

The worst of it was, that it was his fault entirely that Archie had been lost in the first place, and he had become guilty of neglect a second time when he, traipsing along clifftops and having conversations with the Duchess, had not noticed his friend had elected to leave this place, this world for good. If only Archie would care to understand just how dear he was to him, never would he care to leave this place without him, even if all locks were opened, all guards vanished, he would still remain if Archie could not accompany him.

But Archie was a defiant patient, refusing anything offered to him with what little strength remained in him, and it cost Horatio much patience to remain amiable and of good cheer with him: he should have liked to shake sense into him by taking him by his shoulders, yet was dissuaded by his tender feelings for his dear friend and the latter’s present frailty.

At last, when once again they warred and squabbled over some water he wanted Archie to take, he could contain his feelings, that did not matter one bit weighed against Archie’s illness, any longer: “Archie— I won’t survive if you don’t help me.”

And it was the truth, he would not. He would die of guilt and grief and shame of having permitted, twice, the death of so excellent a man as Archie Kennedy, a fine officer, and an even better friend.

Archie protested again: but his lip trembled now, and Horatio suddenly became aware of his hand resting on Archie’s chest, as if to ensure his heartbeat would not leave him: whatever was in his might, he would do to fight death, and rip from his claws the soul of Archie Kennedy.

“You don’t need me,” he scoffed, but Horatio could tell his resolve was faltering: he must break down the last battlements of Archie’s stubborn resolve. “You’re one of us. We don’t leave unless you do,” he reminded Archie, and by “we”, he meant himself for God knows, there were enough men who would run if the chance presented itself to them, or would only remain behind out of loyalty to him, not to Archie Kennedy.

Indeed, his words were showing an effect on his patient: Archie no longer resisted when he put a cup of water to his mouth and bade him drink: in fact, he drank it all, parched as he was. Horatio felt that it was important to encourage his friend to drink some more, but not in excess, uncertain if his stomach was prepared to hold so much after having gone without for so long (even in the naval service, having been born the son of a doctor sometimes had its advantages).

The water had an immediate effect, for his body appeared less restless, as if his instinct to survive was now placated, allowing Archie to fall asleep. Horatio did not prevent him, sensing it was important that his strength and spirit should revive through rest: a valuable restorative.

Despite the room being well-heated thanks perhaps to the Duchess’ intercession, Archie would not warm; he added a piece of wood to the fire, and then another; but although the room was more than warm enough for him now, it was not for Archie, for despite having been put under a set of warming covers, his skin was still cold to the touch.

Even on board Indefatigable, in the close confines of their quarters, he had always been conscious about dressing or undressing in front of his peers; the memory of the gangly, unsightly shape of the seventeen-year-old weighed heavy on him, and still, he felt others would still think of him as the same when viewing him. Yet presently, such near childish considerations could not matter: he divested himself of his coat and shoes before laying himself alongside Archie, who had commenced to shiver in his sleep. Drawing the covers up, he slipped below, and immediately felt Archie’s form welcome his presence, for he gave a little sigh and pressed himself closer against Horatio, without waking up. Being so close to Archie, he became acutely aware of the latter’s shocking state: as he spread his arm across him to hold him even closer, he felt every rib below his fingers, reminding him just how close Archie had come to succeeding in his design— he swallowed at the thought.

“When you are well again, Archie,” he murmured into his dear, dear friend’s ear, “and we have escaped this place,” he went on, not knowing why he talked; Archie, in his sleep, could not hear him: or could he? “When you are well again, we shall leave this place: imagine that, Archie, imagine that— the wide expanse of the world open to us again, and the sea—! We shall be at sea again, together.”

In his sleep, Archie’s deathly cold hand reached for his, pulling him even closer, so that Horatio’s face was near buried in Archie’s hair. “Horatio,” the latter murmured quietly, but did not wake: instead, he appeared to sleep sounder now. Seeing as his treatment appeared to succeed, Horatio did not let go of Archie’s hand and continued to talk to him: of how happy his family should be to see him safely return, of how happy Pellew would be to receive the news of his survival and at last, how happy he was, how happy that he had met so excellent and dear a friend as him, and how they would, without a care in the world, sit in a Portsmouth inn, drink ale, playing cards and recount their adventures to eager listeners, their pockets full of prize money. Although he generally disliked company and the attention of strangers, he knew Archie, who was more inclined towards the company of people, would love that— and he in turn, would love it for Archie’s sake, and gladly endure a thousand pairs of eyes (more like fifty perhaps in reality, if at all) stare at him, as Archie, rosy-cheeked and happy, would recount how they escaped a Spanish prison.

There was no prize-money, no escape, no end of the war yet, but one could dream of that, and Archie certainly did now, and it did him good: his skin had assumed a more florid, healthy colour, and he no longer shivered.

It was not long after that Horatio too fell asleep, his hand entwined with Archie’s, only to wake early enough in the morning to be awake before him. Rested, his usual sensibilities made themselves known to him again: what if Archie, more awake and collected now than the previous night, might not relish the idea of finding him beside him in his sickbed? Besides, the bed was rather small for two— regretfully, he lingered a moment, pressing Archie’s hand, feeling the wonderful, wonderful slow, regular rise and fall of his lungs, almost like a ship at sea. With a pang in his heart, he rose, lifting his head off Archie’s shoulder, and made certain the latter was still well wrapped up in his blanket, before he went to add another piece of wood to the glowing embers, hoping it might catch fire, and returned to his seat beside the bed, where he was once again conquered by sleep, and although the place was now a different, less comfortable and above all, comforting one, his dreams were the very same.

#age of sail secret santa #downton not downton smh #horatio hornblower #hornblower #archie kennedy #r writes #the duchess and the devil

15 notes · View notes

randomestfandoms-ocs · 4 years ago

Text

Riverdale OC Masterlist

(several of these ocs may end up getting scrapped entirely, but I’m not ready to commit to that yet so they’re on the list for now)

Name: Amethyst Andrews

Story: (Cast Not Your Stone at the) Wayward Daughter

Series: (Child, They’re) Seeking Weakness Tonight

AO3 | FFNET | WATTPAD

Face claim: Kaya Scodelario

Love interest: queerplatonic poly Serpents, endgame romantic Sweet Pea & Jughead Jones

Summary: Amethyst Adams was 8 years old when her father died, 12 when she joined the Serpents, and 15 when her adoptive father, Fred Andrews, was shot in a diner. Between trying to run a gang, keep her family alive, and maybe, just maybe, not die along the way, her return to Riverdale never had a chance of going smoothly.

Name: Aaliya Andrews

Story: My Brother’s Keeper

Series: (In Their Triumph Die) Like Fire And Powder

Face claim: Danielle Rose Russell

Love Interest: Jason Blossom; eventual Sweet Pea & Fangs Fogarty

Summary: Aaliya Andrews loved her brother more than anything, and she would do anything for him; even keep her summer a secret. Archie didn’t need to know that she’d joined the Southside Serpents towards the end of their freshman year, he didn’t need to know that she’d done a strip show in a sketchy biker bar to earn the jacket that she hid in the back of her closet, and he definitely didn’t need to know that she’d started that fateful Fourth of July by waking up in bed with Jason Blossom. But then sophomore year starts, and with that comes cheerleading and football, playing guitar and talking about going professional, her boyfriend’s - now ex boyfriend’s, she’d suppose - body being found in the river, and an investigation that threatens to reveal every secret she’s ever kept.

Name: Abigail Adler

Face claim: Hailee Steinfeld

Fic: Swan Song

Love Interest: Archie Andrews

Name: Addison “Addy” Blake

Face claim: Troian Bellisario

Fic: Alike In Dignity

Series: (From Ancient Grudge) Break To New Mutiny

Love Interest: Sweet Pea & Toni Topaz

Summary: Addison Blake had it all. Class president at Greendale Prep, captain of the field hockey team, reigning champion of Riverdale’s Country Club’s teen tennis tournament, all around top girl. But when a shocking scandal shuts her school down and she’s forced to start at Riverdale High, she’s less than impressed—especially when she learns that an entire gang is transferring there too. When one of the boys catches her eye, she tells herself that she can resist the electricity she feels, but something is hanging in the stars, and star crossed lovers have never had a chance.

Name: Adelynn Andrews-Smith

Story: Abyss

Face claim: Phoebe Tonkin

Summary: Back in 2000, Mary Andrews was told that she could never have kids; and so, she and Fred looked into adoption. They found eight year old Adelynn Smith; and despite her temper and how many families had given up on her, they knew that she was perfect for their little family. And when Mary miraculously got pregnant with Archie a couple of years later, they were thrilled that their family was going to grow. And for several years, everything was perfect. They knew, and Adelynn knew, who her parents were; they allowed and encouraged her to develop her relationship with her father; and they always listened when she talked about her long-since adopted twin brother. And when, shortly after Fred is shot, Adelynn tells them that the Chic claiming to be Charles Smith is definitely not her brother, they listen.

Name: Alina Allan

Story: Violent Delights

Face claim: Krysten Ritter

Love Interest: FP Jones

Name: Ally Andrews

Story: Home Again

Series: (Make This Place) Your Home

Face claim: Adelaide Kane

Name: Amber Andrews

Story: Petrichor

Face claim: Kennedy McMann

Name: Anastasia Andrews

Story: Say I’m In Too Deep

Series: (Cause I’ve Still Got) A Lot of Fight Left in Me

AO3 | FFNET | WATTPAD

Face claim: Abigail Cowen

Love interest: Jughead Jones

Summary: Starting high school was supposed to be fun, right? Apparently whoever said that had never found their brother hooking up with the pedophilic music teacher on their first day, but Anastasia Andrews could tell you from experience, that ruined it. And if Archie was lying about his relationship with Grundy, could that mean he was also lying about July 4th? She might not care about Jason Blossom, but she cared about protecting her brother, and if the best way to do that was to team up with Jughead Jones to solve the case themselves, well, she’d do it.

Name: Angela DeSantos

Story: Gold Lie Promises

Face claim: Sofia Carson as Evie

Love interest: Veronica Lodge

Summary: Angela De Santos was a born Serpent, although she and her twin brother didn’t officially join until they were thirteen. She loved the Serpents, she really did, and she would do anything for them. So when her brother got roped into disposing of Jason Blossom’s body, she kept her mouth shut; when he got assigned to seduce the Keller kid to keep an eye on the investigation, she gave him a folder of research on all of his interests and hobbies; and when she got assigned to seduce the Lodge heiress to keep an eye on her parents? Well, it’d hardly be the worst thing she’s done for the gang, so long as she can keep her own feelings out of the mix.

Name: Ariel Blossom

Title: I’m No Princess of Pain

Series: (Something) Next to Normal

Face claim: Holland Roden

Love interest: Malachai

Summary: As the oldest Blossom child, Ariel was always supposed to inherit the family business. But after learning the truth she rejected the “maple industry”, moving to California the day after she graduated. Pursuing her dream of acting and modelling, she had no desire to ever look back. She wouldn’t have ever stepped foot in Riverdale again, if not for her baby brother’s corpse being found with a bullet hole in the head.

Name: Artemisia Andrews

Story: Watch What Happens

Face claim: Katie Douglas

Summary: When Arti Andrews first left Riverdale during her parents’ divorce, she was happy to get away from the small town and live in a big city. But over the years, things changed, and she wanted nothing more than to go home and reunite with her dad and her twin brother. So when, five years later, Ari Andrews is finally going home, she couldn’t be more excited. But Riverdale isn’t the town that she remembers, and with all of the secrets she’s keeping, the stakes are higher than ever.

Name: Astoria Topaz

Story: There’s A Fire Burning In My Bones

Series: (Hell Is Empty) And All The Devils Are Here

Face claim: China Anne McClain

Love interest: Jughead Jones

Summary: Astoria Topaz was a Serpent by blood, and by choice. She joined with her twin sister and their two best friends, Fangs and Sweet Pea, when they were all thirteen, and had quickly risen in the ranks among teenagers. She never expected to be a leader though, until FP Jones got arrested. Suddenly there was a hole that needed to be filled, and apparently Astoria would have to fill it. That’s fine, she’s a born Serpent and knows how to keep her family together–or she did, until Jughead Jones walks into the Wyrm, suddenly ready to take on his legacy. But still, Astoria was born a Serpent, and she’ll die a Serpent, she’ll live as a Serpent come hell or high water.

Name: Barbie Booth

Story: New Girl In Town

Series: (Cause I Am) So Much Better Than Before

Face claim: Candice King

Summary: By fifteen, Barbie Booth already had her eye on the prize: early admission to Tisch for musical theatre, followed by an upper east side apartment with her best friend Veronica Lodge - who would be studying business at Columbia, and then starring as Elle Woods in a revival of Legally Blonde The Musical. But her plan didn’t include Veronica’s dad getting arrested, and her other half moving to some bumfuck town called Riverdale, leaving her alone for her sophomore year at Spence. And it definitely didn’t account for her parents up and moving them to Riverdale, for reasons that they refused to explain. But at least she’d be with Ronnie again, and at least Ronnie told her that Riverdale High wasn’t as bad as they’d imagined. But then they get to Riverdale, and her plans really go to shit -not only did her parents not research the town that they were moving to, but they bought a house on the south side of the town, dooming her to the rundown school on the wrong side of the tracks, riddled with gangs, murder investigations and, worst of all, no musical theatre program.

Name: Becca Jackson

Story: Everybody Else’s Girl

Series: (Maybe One Day) She’ll Be Her Own

AO3 | FFNET | WATTPAD

Face claim: Sofia Carson

Name: Bella Baxter

Story: The Beauty of A Secret

Face claim: Ciara Bravo

Love interest: Reggie Mantle, Sweet Pea & Fangs Fogarty

Summary: Bella Baxter is as Northside as they come. Raised in a two story house with a white picket fence, River Vixen since freshman year, best friends include Archie Andrews, Betty Cooper, Kevin Keller, and Jughead Jones. The only thing that isn’t “proper Northside” about her is simple, FP Jones, the Serpent King himself, is her godfather–and more importantly, has been her legal guardian since she was ten years old. Bella has clung desperately to her Northside image for the past five years, but when Jason Blossom goes missing, it’s time to decide: is her loyalty to her family or to the persona she’s so carefully crafted.

Name: Beverly Mantle

Story: Steady Satellite

Series: (I’ll Walk Through) Hell With You

Face claim: Arden Cho

Love interest: Fangs Fogarty & Sweet Pea

Summary: Everyone at Riverdale High knew the Mantles. Beverly and Reginald, Bev and Reg, as inseparable as they’d been in the womb. Vice-Captain of the River Vixens and Vice-Captain of the Bulldogs, they were untouchable. And Jason Blossom’s murder only brought them closer together. They’d never had any secrets from each other, it was them against the world. Or it was, until a fight causes Beverly to run away, to cross the bridge to the Southside, where she meets two boys as attractive as they are mysterious, and she knows that she can never let Reggie find out.

Name: Beverly Mantle

Story: The Inevitably Cursed Life Of Beverly & Reginald Mantle; The Inescapable Secrets That Follow You From Riverdale

Series: (I’ll Walk Through) Hell With You

Face claim: Arden Cho

Love interest: Fangs Fogarty & Sweet Pea

Summary: Fangs got shot, the Serpents were at war, Archie had just been arrested, and Beverly had been shot. Well, the Mantle twins had always known how to cut their losses. They’d already dealt with being emancipated, after Reggie’s jingle jangle business had Marty hospitalizing both of this children, so it was clearly time for the next step. Get the hell out of Riverdale. Rosewood seemed like a nice enough place to go, and they already had a friend there. Sure, they hadn’t talked to Allison since last summer but really, how much can change in a year?

(aka the PLL crossover that nobody asked for)

Name: Caden “Adder” Archer

Story: Snake Bite

Series: (In Unity) There Is Strength

Face claim: Tyler Posey

Summary: Caden and Carson Archer, Adder and Asp to most of the world, had always been inseperable. Even as young children, stuck in the Sisters Of Quiet Mercy orphanage, they were always together. So when the Archers showed up, looking to foster a child, they knew they had to take the pair. Growing up on the Southside brought them closer, and the duo found themselves joining the Serpents together and quickly embracing their new names; Adder, dangerous but only when provoked, and Asp, unassuming but volatile and lethal. But even after they joined the gang, found themselves an extended family in the form of rough around the edge bikers, they were always closest with each other. And that’s why they’re the only ones who know the truth - on July 3rd, Caden and Carson Archer were hooking up with Cheryl and Jason Blossom and on July 4th, they heard a gunshot.

Name: Cameron Newton

Story: Ghost Of The City

Series: (The Ashes Of The People) You Really Meant To Be

Face claim: Maia Mitchell

Love Interest: Archie Andrews

Summary: After the creep in a black suit - the Gargoyle King - took over her town and sent her parents to work at his prison-slash-drug-den, Cameron Newton really didn’t think that anything could surprise her. And then the so-called Red Paladin showed up with nothing but his best friend an an absolute determination to destroy the man who ruined his life. Well, Cam can relate, and she quickly appoints herself as their third musketeer - if only she’d known what the quest had in store for her, for all of them.

Name: Candy Barker

Story: Sweet As Sugar

Series: (The Loneliness) Of Loving You

Face claim: Elizabeth Gillies

Love Interest: Poly Serpents

Summary: Candy Barker knew that the Blossom and Cooper children didn’t know that they were related. She also knew that they didn’t know that there had been a third brother once, who broke off from the family and changed his name to Barker. And that was fine with her, she could keep the secret from her cousins - it’s not like they’d ever talk to ‘Southside Scum’ anyways. No, Candy had no problem with keeping the secret between herself and her closest friends. At least, not until Jason Blossom is murdered in the Wyrm and Candy’s life gets thrown into madness.

Name: Carolyn Cooper

Story: Dirty Little Secret

Face claim: Dianna Agron

Love Interest: Reggie Mantle, Archie Andrews, endgame Poly Serpents

Name: Carson “Asp” Archer

Story: Snake Bite

Series: (In Unity) There Is Strength

Face claim: Shay Mitchell

Name: Carter “Lilith” Lane

Story: No Sweet Dream

Series: (I Keep A Record Of) The Wreckage Of My Life

Face claim: Nina Dobrev

Summary: Everyone at Riverdale High had heard of the infamous Serpent, Lilith Lane, and the equally dangerous Ghoulie, Carter. But no one would have guessed that they were the same person, let alone that she was their very own Carter Lane.

Carter “Lilith” Lane was something completely unheard of in Riverdale - a Ghoulie and a Serpent. Born to parents in rival gangs, she’s never really known who she was. Lilith Lane didn’t deal anything harder than weed; she was a party girl; she was very vocal about hating the Serpent Dance. Carter was the best drug dealer in town; a street racing champion; a part time stripper. And Carter Lane? She was little more than a ghost; a River Vixen who hated Cheryl Blossom, the main supplier for Bulldog parties who never showed up herself; someone who everybody knew of but who nobody knew.

It had always been easy to keep those parts of herself separate. And then summer came around; Carter Lane got emancipated, Carter moved into the House Of The Dead, and Lilith Lane dumped Jason Blossom’s body into Sweetwater River. And she’s fine.

But then school starts up again, and when Jughead Jones decides to investigate the events of the summer, her worlds start to collide.

Name: Cecilia Chambers

Story: Miss Americana And The Serpent Prince

Face claim: Josephine Langford

Love Interest: Jughead Jones

Summary: In a town like Riverdale, everybody knew everything about everyone. Or at least they liked to think that they did. And they certainly thought that they knew everything about Cecilia Chambers. They thought that she was the perfect All-American girl, the sweet, blonde, girl next door type. They didn’t know that she was a Southside Serpent, born and raised. They didn’t know that FP Jones was her godfather, and her parents’ best friend. They didn’t know that, when Archie bailed last minute, she was the one FP went to, whom he begged to get Jughead out of town for the summer. And even she didn’t know why, didn’t know what dark secrets he was trying to protect them from. But she agreed, and found herself embarking on a cross country road trip with Jughead Jones.

Name: Charlotte Jones

Title: No One Has to Know

Series: (This Time Maybe) I’ll Be Bulletproof

Face claim: Britt Robertson

Love Interest: Malachai

Summary: Alice Smith told FP Jones that she was pregnant, and he decided to raise their daughter. Serpent princess, heir to the mantle, and protective older sister, Charlotte would do anything for her family, including keep the secret about what happened to Jason Blossom; and she knew the truth, she dumped the body.

Trying to protect her brother without letting him in on the secret should have been easy, if only he hadn’t decided to write a novel about what happened on the Fourth of July.

Name: Christine Cooper

Title: Young & Beautiful

Series: (When I’ve Got Nothing But) My Aching Soul

Face claim: Sasha Pieterse

Love Interest: Poly Serpents

Summary: Christine Cooper had always gone after what she wanted. She’d gone after the Queen Bee title of Riverdale High, ruling the school with her best friend Cheryl. She’d gone after her older sister’s boyfriend, sneaking into Thornhill for clandestine hookups with Jason. She’d gone after the picture perfect life, existing in a different world from most of the town. And everything she went after, she got. She got the popularity, she got the boy, she got the dream tv life. And then Jason ran away with Polly - no, then Jason died. And the perfect, lovely, completely fake life that Chris had build fell apart.

Name: Daphne Dwyer

Fandom: Katy Keene

Story: Pasts That Haunt

Face claim: Leighton Meester

Love Interest: Katy Keene

Summary: Of course Daphne Dwyer remembered Riverdale, how could she not? Even when she wanted to, there were too many reminders: daily texts from her former foster brothers, Fangs and Sweet Pea, the leather jacket that she hid so carefully in the back of her closet, and, especially, the serpent tattoo she covered up every single morning. But she wasn’t a teenage biker gang member anymore. No, she had left that behind her when she was eighteen, when she moved to New York, when she began to climb the ladder as an Upper East Side socialite. Now she’s up and coming designer DeeDee; now her past is in her past and she’s only looking forward; now her best friend Katy is introducing their newest roommate - her former brother’s former fling, the daughter of Riverdale’s last mayor, Josie freaking McCoy

Name: Delaney “DC” Carlyle

Story: This Business Of Surviving

Face claim: Kristine Froseth

Love Interest: Endgame Jughead Jones & Archie Andrews

Summary: Matthew Carlyle was innocent, Delaney would bet her life on it. But, despite DC’s absolute belief in her father’s innocence, the FBI agent was still arrested for the murder of his fellow agent, Christopher Wells. So Delaney’s mother packed up their house in Washington, DC and moved her daughter back to her own hometown. But when they get to Riverdale they find a town shaken to its core by the disappearance of Jason Blossom. Honestly, DC couldn’t have cared less; she only cared about solving her father’s case and proving his innocence. At least until her mom brings her to the local Drive-In and everything changes.

First, she meets a boy in the projection booth who’s writing a novel about the murder; then she meets a man who turns out to be that boy’s father, her mom’s childhood best friend, and a gang leader - a gang that her mom is apparently a part of; finally she meets another boy, one with a snake tattooed on his neck and an undeniable magnetism. That’s when her whirlwind summer begins. But just as quickly as it started, her summer of romance, Serpents, and mysteries ends, and it’s time to make her space in a new school. DC is ready to put the past behind her and focus on the future, when in walks the daughter of Hiram Lodge - the last man her father put in jail.

Name: Doria Mary Wallis

Title: Untitled

Face claim: Jenny Boyd

Name: Drake Dawson

Title: Son Of Steel

Series: (Cause He’s) Stronger Than You Know

Face claim: Matthew Daddario

Summary: FP Jones and Derek Dawson had done everything together. They’d been Southsiders at Riverdale High together, they’d joined the Serpents together, they’d joined the army together, they’d even gone to Afghanistan together. But only FP came back. Drake Dawson had been raised by FP Jones for as long as he could remember, had idolized the man who was like a father to him, and had always tried to make him proud. And now, after four years of military service, the Serpent Prince is back in Riverdale. But everything has changed, and Drake no longer recognizes the town he grew up in.

Name: Emily Blossom

Story: Bloom

Face claim: Debby Ryan

Love Interest: Jughead Jones

Name: Everett Evernever

Story: Ain’t From No Heaven

Face claim: Madison Davenport

Love Interest: tentative poly Serpents

Summary: Of course Everett Evernever loved the Farm. Of course she respected her father and of course she pretended that her mother was her sister. Of course she only had one kidney and a partial liver. She would never consider anything else, would never question Edgar’s rulings. At least, not until her psychology class started to study cults. And the more Everett learned, the more things seemed familiar. But the Farm couldn’t be a cult, could it? It was her family. So she started acting out, determined to prove herself wrong. And that’s when Alice Cooper comes into the picture. In order to prove her loyalty and dedication, Alice is assigned to set Everett back on the right track. And it’s while she’s living with the Coopers that Everett meets the Southside Serpents, and her perfectly planned, perfectly secret life is thrown into a whirlwind.

Name: Evan “Fairy” Fogarty

Story: Don’t Take My Kindness For Weakness

Series: (Gonna Feel Me) When I Fight Back

Face claim: Lana Condor

Love interest: Sweet Pea & Jughead Jones

Summary: Evan Fogarty has been affectionately known as “Fairy” by the Serpents since she was nine years old, trailing after her brother and his best friend. It was Sweet Pea who came up with it, thought it was fitting for the sweet girl who paired a leather jacket with pastels, a switchblade with her ice capps, and razor blades with her pigtails, and honestly? She loved it. The Serpents, her family, knew that she was a lot tougher than she let on, but the Northsiders constantly underestimated her. They hear the nickname and expect an airhead child, not a girl who’s been taking care of her sick mother since she was ten. They expect a naïve fool, not the brains to her brother’s brawn. And yeah, she’d rather make peace with the Northsiders than start an all our turf war, but if that’s what’s happening, she’ll still be on the front lines. And when FP Jones is arrested for a murder she knows he didn’t commit, Evan knows that war has finally come to Riverdale.

Name: Fallon Parris “FP” Jones

Story: Every Day Is Like a Battle

Series: (We’re On the) Road to Ruin

AO3 | FFNet | Wattpad

Face claim: Brenna D'Amico

Love interest: Toni Topaz, Sweet Pea, Reggie Mantle

Summary: Fallon Parris Jones, FP to her friends, was taken to Toledo against her will when her parents separated. She would have stayed, for Jellybean, except her dad called her and told her that her twin had just been hauled in and questioned for murder. Fallon may play at obedience, but her twin’s wellbeing is always the most important thing in the world, so she hops on the next bus to Riverdale with no intention of leaving him ever again. It isn’t until she arrives that she finds out just how deep her family is in this mess, and clearly no one else can be counted on to fix everything. Armed with nothing but her well-worn Serpent jacket, a switchblade, and an unstoppable determination to protect her brother, Riverdale is about to find out that they messed with the wrong family

Name: Francesca Jones

Story: Living In Sin

Face claim: Lili Reinhart

Love Interest: poly Serpents (not Jughead of course)

Summary: Hal and Alice Cooper had only ever wanted two children, two perfect daughters for their perfect family. But when Alice found out that she was pregnant with twins, they agreed to keep both, and Francesca and Elizabeth Cooper were born. But then they found out that Francesca was deaf and, despite their decision to keep both twins, they were quick to give her to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.

Shortly after Jughead was born, Gladys Jones was told that she could no longer have kids. Devastated, she and FP were quick to look into adoption, and found the perfect addition to their family; Francesca.

Francesca Paige Jones grew up on the Southside with her brother Jughead and their miracle sister Jellybean, although she chose to stay on the Southside and not interact with the other side of town, despite knowing that she had a twin sister and biological parents somewhere across the tracks, despite knowing that Jughead was even friends with her twin. But then Gladys and Jellybean move to Toledo, Jughead leaves home, FP helps dispose of Jason Blossom’s body, and suddenly the Northside is paying attention to them. She would have been perfectly happy to fly under the radar, to continue to pretend that she had no ties to the Northside, had she not come face to face with a mirror image of herself named Betty Cooper.

Name: Genevieve Grundy

Story: Perfect Stranger

Series: (Don’t Like Your) Little Lies

Face claim: Natalia Dyer

Love interest: Poly Serpents

Summary: Genevieve Grundy wasn’t a born Serpent like her friends, but she was still Southside through and through. She’d been raised on the Southside by her grandma, until her grandmother died and she was taken in by Serpent foster parents. She’d attended Southside High and joined the Serpents, she was a Southsider. Keyword being was. But after the Jason Blossom Incident, as they had taken to calling it, Gen found herself being moved to the Northside. She would be fine, she told herself, she could still visit her friends and it might be nice to go to a better school. She would be fine. And she almost believed it, until she walked into her first music class of the year, only to find that the teacher was using her grandmother’s name.

Name: Harley Day

Story: Legendary

Face claim: Bianca Santos

Love interest: Poly Serpents

Name: Harper Hope Harrison

Story: My Demons and My Muse

Series: (Though It’s Truth You Find) It’s Innocence You Lose

AO3 | FFNET | WATTPAD

Face claim: Dove Cameron

Love interest: Fangs Fogarty, eventual Fangs & Sweet Pea

Summary: In the midst of her parents’ messy divorce, Harper Harrison and her mom go to live with her mom’s cousin, Fred Andrews. She was really excited, her Uncle Fred was the coolest person ever, and apparently her cousin Archie is now as into music as she is. But after an accident during the drive to Riverdale lands her in the hospital instead of onstage, Harper has to reconsider everything she’s ever known. She doesn’t think that she could ever be on Broadway now, not after the accident left her with severe hearing loss, but the boy across the hall, recovering from a gunshot, is determined to prove otherwise.

Name: Hera Lodge

Story: Sins Of The Father

Face claim: Camila Mendes

Name: Holli Hansen

Story: A Thousand Cuts

Face claim: Skyler Samuels

Name: Ivy “Vine” Verona

Title: Dreamers Often Lie

Series: (Look Like The Innocent Flower) But Be The Serpent Under’t

Faceclaim: Emily Rudd

Summary: If there was one thing that Ivy Verona was good at, it was lying. She lied to the Northsiders; she said she was Northside pure, that her guardian was an accountant, that she’d never even heard of the Whyte Wyrm. She lied to the Southside too; she said she was flunking all her major classes, said cheerleading was only a front, said she planned to stay in Riverdale the rest of her life. And then there was the lie that she told the entire town - that she had no idea what might’ve happened to Jason Blossom.

Only her uncle FP and best friend Joaquin knew the truth. She’d been Jason’s dealer; she’d brought him to the Wyrm; she’d watched him die, and then washed away his blood; she dumped his body in the river and pretended it never happened.

But the biggest lie she told was to herself - that Jason Blossom’s death was not her fault.

Name: Jac Daniels

Story: Light In The Dark

Series: tbd

Face claim: Alycia Debnam-Carey

Love interest: Fangs Fogarty & Sweet Pea

Summary: Despite being a Southside Serpent, Jacqueline Daniels was one of the last truly good people in the town of Riverdale. Despite being surrounded by darkness, she wore her heart on her sleeve and always kept her heart open for more strays. Of course the majority of it was taken up by her three best friends and fellow Serpents, but when Jughead Jones transferred to Southside High, she knew there would be a place for him too. And there was, and Jughead found himself with a new tour guide slash bodyguard slash friend, whose open heart and pure soul were rivalled only by her fierce loyalty and protective nature. But even the brightest light in Riverdale has a breaking point, and when Northside drama starts to endanger her friends, her family, Jac may just discover her own.

Name: Jasmine Blossom

Story: Archaic

Face claim: Abigail Cowen

Love interest: tentative Archie Andrews

Name: Jennifer Andrews

Story: Two Can Keep a Secret (If One Of Them Is Dead)

Series: (Though It’s Truth You Find) It’s Innocence You Lose

Face claim: Dove Cameron

Love interest: FP Jones

Summary: Before there was Harper or Archie or Jughead, there was Jennifer and Fred and FP. The Rebel Girl, the All-American Boy, and Mr. Varsity. Jennifer and Fred Andrews may have been cousins, but they were as close as siblings, and rarely seen without their best friend FP Jones. They’d always been inseparable, and detention was no different. While Fred and FP were in trouble for streaking, Jen had gotten caught spray painting the boys’ locker room. It was just supposed to be one Saturday, but instead it ended with a corpse, hair dye, and a secret to bring to grave.

Name: Jennifer Andrews-Harrison

Story: My Demons and My Muse

Series: (Though It’s Truth You Find) It’s Innocence You Lose

AO3 | FFNET | WATTPAD

Face claim: Kristin Chenoweth

Love interest: FP Jones

Summary: Jennifer Harrison (née Andrews) had been in love once and married once, but they weren’t the same man. She’d been in love with Forsythe Pendleton Jones Jr. since she was fifteen, although she only confessed it when she was sixteen and left Riverdale for good. She’d been twenty five and three months pregnant when she married Joseph Harrison, and they’d managed to put up with each other for sixteen years. But when she finally files for divorce, she realizes that she can’t keep her daughter in the middle of it, and moves her to Riverdale. She tells her boss that it’s to write an exposé on the small town now rife with crime and corruption–a girl had just been murdered during a school musical, after all–, she tells her cousin Fred that it’s for her daughter’s sake, and she tells the town that it’s to get away from her husband. She didn’t realize that going back to her hometown meant going back to a secret she buried twenty five years ago, or to feelings that she’d tried to bury the exact same day.

Name: Jett Jones

Story: Daddy Lessons

Face claim: Crystal Reed

Love Interest: Jason Blossom, Archie Andrews

Name: Opal “Jewel” Cooper

Story: This Be The Verse

Series: (In This Town) There’s No One To Trust

Face claim: Grace Phipps

Love Interest: poly serpents (not Jughead, of course)

Summary: Opal Cooper, the youngest of the Cooper sisters, had always known that she was different. How could she not? Her dark hair made her the literal black sheep of her perfectly blonde family. Sure, her mom always claimed that she inherited it from her grandfather, but Opal knew that something was different. So, in the summer before she started high school, she did some digging. She wasn’t surprised at all to find she wasn’t a Cooper, but she was more than a little shocked to learn her biological father was none other than FP Jones. A simple desire to build a relationship with her real dad started Opal down a road that she never expected; a road of gangs and murder and nicknames. Starting high school armed with a switchblade and the truth about what happened to Jason Blossom, the newly nicknamed Jewel Cooper was nothing like the Opal anyone remembered.

Name: Julia Smith Thomas

Story: Begin Again

Face claim: Lily James

Love Interest: FP Jones

Name: Juliet Capes

Story: Star Crossed

Face claim: Sarah Jeffrey

Love interest: Fangs Fogarty

Summary: When Fangs Fogarty got dared to seduce the uptight Northside princess Juliet Capes, he knows it’s a dick move. But he also knows that it’ll get him his stripes, get him accepted with the teen serpents. The river vixen is easy to win over, and soon he’s claimed all of her firsts. Fangs would be happy to keep his motivations, and the gunshot they heard, a secret, but in a town like Riverdale, the truth always comes out, and someone always gets hurt.

Name: Fraser Paxton Jupiter Jones

Story: Amphisbaena

Face claim: Dylan O’Brien

Love Interest: Poly Serpents (not Jughead)

Summary: Fraser Paxton Jones was many things. He was a Riverdale Bulldog, a Southside Serpent, Cheryl Blossom’s boyfriend, Jughead Jones’ big brother, FP Jones’ firstborn son; he was Jupiter Jones. The one thing he wasn’t was a murderer. But when Clifford Blossom showed up at the Wyrm in early summer, threatening to kill his little brother if the Serpents didn’t do what he said, the line between who Jupiter Jones was and wasn’t started to blur.

Name: Kathryn Keyes

Story: All That Glitters (Isn’t Gold)

Series: (Glory And Gore) Go Hand In Hand

Face claim: Olivia Holt

Love Interest: Archie Andrews

Summary: Kathryn Keyes loved growing up in Orange County. She loved the sunshine and the beaches, Disneyland and busy streets, shopping and even school. She loved that boxing classes, her dojo, and her ballet studio were all within five minutes of each other, with a Starbucks in between. Really, she loved everything about her perfect glittery life. But that didn’t stop her parents from moving her all the way across the country to some hick town called Riverdale. There’s no Disneyland or busy streets, no beaches or shopping, not even a Starbucks. But there’s a gym and a studio, a forest and a river, so her summer is spent boxing and dancing, running and swimming. And on July Fourth, she runs into something - a redhead boy who couldn’t be any older than she was, and a woman at least twice their age, and despite what they said, it definitely wasn’t just music lessons. But still, when the boy offers to walk her home, she says yes; she figures she might as well have one friend at her new school, after all.

But then they hear a gunshot and Kathryn finds herself drawn into the web of lies surrounding that day. She knew that helping to unravel the mystery would reveal some secrets, but she never expected to learn that her perfect glittery life in California wasn’t quite as golden as she thought.

Name: Keegan Rhodes

Story: Everybody Else’s Girl

Series: (Maybe One Day) She’ll Be Her Own

AO3 | FFNET | WATTPAD

Face claim: Jordan Fisher

Love interest: Stevie Cooper

Name: Kit Cooper

Story: It Gets Worse Here Every Day

Face claim: Kiernan Shipka

Summary: Hal and Alice Cooper had only ever wanted two daughters. Two perfect daughters. They’d never wanted the third; the wild child, the unplanned twin. They were going to keep her, they weren’t going to separate Betty from her twin, but when Kit Cooper was diagnosed with severe hearing loss and that was the last straw. Only five years old, Kit was shipped off to The Sisters Of Quiet Mercy, out of sight, out of mind. They told her sisters that she was at a private care facility, one that was better equipped to handle her disability than they were. They would have gotten away with it, if ten years later they hadn’t sent Polly to the Sisters as well. Now the secret is out, and Betty and Polly will do whatever it takes to get their sister back.

Name: Kristiana Keller

Story: Silver Screen

Series: (Know the Water’s Sweet) But Blood Is Thicker

AO3 | FFNET | WATTPAD

Face claim: Danielle Campbell

Love interest: Toni Topaz

Summary: If the Keller twins could explain one thing, just one thing, to the people of Riverdale, it would be that they were exhausted. With their father as Sheriff, it always seemed like they were held to a higher standard than the rest of the town. Lieutenant of the cheer squad and the best wrestler in his weight class; student body vice president and social coordinator; Model UN Secretary General and Chargé D’Affairs; 4.0 GPAs; and a secret to take to the grave. And if anyone found out that they heard the gunshot on the fourth of July, it might just be to the grave.

Name: Lola Lexington

Story: Living Like A Devil

Series: (Find Me) Where The Wild Things Are

Face claim: Emeraude Toubia

Love Interest: Toni Topaz & Sweet Pea

Name: Lyra Lovell

Story: Unconquerable

Series: (With A Devil) On Your Back

Face claim: Haley Lu Richardson

Love interest: Jughead Jones

Summary: When Jughead Jones moved to Toledo after his dad’s arrest, he thought that he was finally leaving Riverdale, and the Serpents, behind him. But when his mom introduces him to his guide, he knows that’ll be impossible. Lyra Lovell was a Serpent legacy like he was, and left her mom in Riverdale to move to Toledo with her dad. Being surrounded by the so-called Toledo Serpents would have been bad enough, but then FP is proven innocent and Gladys sends him straight back to Riverdale. Fully prepared for the worst, he’s pleasantly surprised to find out that Lyra has decided to go home too–if only they can find a way out of their seemingly inevitable destinies.

Name: Mallory Mason

Story: Lamb To The Slaughter

Face claim: Willa Fitzgerald

Summary: Mallory Mason had been popular once - with Moose as her brother and Cheryl as her best friend, she couldn’t have been anything less. She had been popular once, and happy, and desperately in love with her best friend. And then she came out. At fourteen, Mal Mason was sent to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy for conversion therapy. At sixteen, her best friend and first crush shows up in Mal’s personal hell. And then she gets rescued, and drags Mal out with her. And suddenly, after two years, Mal has to face Riverdale again. And, more importantly, Mal has to face her family.

Name: Mila Turner

Story: Fearless

Face claim: Victoria Justice

Name: Nova Nixon

Story: Serpentine

Face claim: Emma Dumont

Name: Olivia Cooper

Story: Walls Come Tumbling Down

Series: (Does It Almost Feel Like) Nothing Changed At All

Faceclaim: Lily Collins

Love Interest: Sweet Pea & Fangs Fogarty

Summary: As much as Olivia Cooper loved her sisters, and she truly did, it often felt like she was living with strangers. While Betty and Polly were thick as thieves, she never quite fit in. But she still knew her sisters better than anyone, and she knew that Polly wasn’t sick. No matter what their parents said, she knew her twin and she knew that something wasn’t quite right. She just never expected her investigation to bring her face to face with two magnetic Southside Serpents, and she definitely never expected to find herself feeling more at home with them than she ever had with her sisters. But that won’t stop her from finding out the truth about Polly, no matter how many secrets get revealed along the way.

Name: Pandora Peabody

Story: The Snake Whisperer

Series: (It Isn’t In) My Blood

Face claim: Ashley Benson

Love interest: Poly Serpents

Summary: Everyone on the Southside knew Panda Peabody, daughter of the Snake Charmer, Penny Peabody herself. A king pin in the making, Panda was virtually untouchable, and she had her mom’s talent for business. But instead of dealing in favours, she deals in secrets.

Everyone on the Northside knows Pandora Patterson, the aloof queen bee herself. Pandora isn’t popular the way that Cheryl Blossom is, through a desperate grasp at the social ladder, but rather because she’s so disinterested. She walks like she owns the halls, she keeps to herself, and she knows everything about everyone.

While the Serpents knew that their own Snake Whisperer was a student at Riverdale High, dealing in both secrets and drugs, the Bulldogs had no idea that their It Girl was not only a Serpent, but the one most capable of destroying all of them.

Name: Persephone Parsons

Story: Heartbreak Is The National Anthem

Face claim: Ginny Gardner

Name: Presley Palmer

Story: Living In The Garden Of Evil

Series: (Tell Me All Your) Sweet, Sweet Little Lies

Face claim: Carlson Young

Love Interest: Sweet Pea & Toni Topaz

Summary: Presley Palmer wasn’t just a normal Northsider. No, she was the peak of the Northside. Raised by a single father who was as rich as the Blossoms, in a sprawling mansion near Thornhill, and Cheryl Blossom’s best friend and co-captain of the River Vixens, she was the girl that every Northsider wanted to be or to be with. But, as popular and social as they were, Presley and Cheryl were equally insular. It was always, only, the two of them; ice and water; Queen Pres and Cherry; Presley and Cheryl. Two sides of the same coin, they knew everything about each other.

Well, not everything. Cheryl didn’t know about the snake tattoo that Presley covered up every day; she didn’t know that on the other side of town, Presley Palmer was known as Prissy Peabody, the only daughter of the infamous Snake Charmer; and she most certainly didn’t know that it would be Jughead Jones’ investigation into her brother’s disappearance that would bring those secrets to life.

Name: Queenie Quincy

Story: Liability

Series: (Die Only For) You Above All

Face claim: Marlo Kelly

Love Interest: Toni Topaz

Name: Raven Richards

Story: Cruel Summer

Series: (This Town Will Be) The Downfall Of Us All

Face claim: Emma Mackey

Love Interest: Poly Serpents (not Jughead)

Name: Rayne Rivers

Story: An Ounce Of Loyalty

Face claim: Lucy Hale

Love interest: Poly Serpents

Summary: Maybe Rayne Rivers wasn’t the most popular Serpent, or the most feared Serpent, or anything special whatsoever by her gang’s standards, but she was loyal. Loyal enough that FP Jones asked her, personally, to help deal with Jason Blossom’s body. Loyal enough that she did so without question, without complaint. Loyal enough that now that his body has been found, Rayne would sooner die than give her up her gang’s secrets. But in a town like Riverdale, be careful what you wish for.

Name: Renee Steele

Story: Ourobos

Face claim: Winona Ryder

Love Interest: Robert Steele

Name: Riley Richards

Story: Cruel Summer

Series: (This Town Will Be) The Downfall Of Us All

Face claim: Kathryn Newton

Love Interest: Jughead Jones & Archie Andrews

Name: Robert Steele

Story: Ourobos

Face claim: David Harbour

Love Interest: Renee Steele

Name: Rose Blossom

Story: A Rose By Any Other Name

Series: (Ill Met) By Moonlight

Face claim: Sophie Turner

Love interest: Sweet Pea & Jughead

Summary: The youngest of the Blossom siblings, Rose had always been the most spoiled. Affectionately, and mockingly, referred to as Princess Blossom, she was everything a Northsider, everything a Blossom should be. Of course, things started to fall apart when her brother disappeared, but when she joined the River Vixens, things seemed to be getting back on track. At least they were, until her brother’s body is found with a bullet hole in his head. Unsure of what to do next, Rose runs. She runs and runs until she finds herself on the Southside, falling into the arms of a tall, dark, and handsome stranger who goes by Sweet Pea. And then there’s the question of Jughead Jones, and the magnetic attraction she feels towards him. The cycle always ends the same way; a Jones and a Blossom, a Serpent and a Blossom, but by god, Rose will make sure that she’s not Riverdale’s next tragic Juliet.

Name: Rosebud Reynolds

Story: The Price Of Your Greed (Is Your Son And Your Daughter)

Series: (I Gotta Recognize) The Weapon In My Mind

Face claim: Halston Sage

Love Interest: Archie Andrews, Toni Topaz, Sweet Pea, endgame FP Jones

Summary: At seventeen years of age, Rosebud Reynolds had… well, she definitely didn’t have it all, but she had what mattered. She had the Serpent jacket that she’d been wearing for ten years and the nickname she’d had for even longer - and god help anyone who used her real name. She had fifteen years of ballet lessons under her belt and an upcoming audition for Juilliard.

But everything is on the line when she gets sent to Riverdale High to keep an eye on Jughead Jones. It would have been fine, if he hadn’t decided to investigate the disappearance of Jason Blossom.

It would have been fine, if she didn’t know the truth about what happened.

It would have been fine, if she hadn’t watched her father shoot him.

His son.

Her brother.

Name: Roxie Harrison

Story: Nothing Town

Face claim: Shelley Hennig

Love Interest: Poly Serpents

Name: Ruby Klump

Story: Blood In The Water

Series: (This Town Kills You) When You Are Young

Face claim: Meg Donnelly

Love interest: Fangs Fogarty, eventual Fangs x Sweet Pea

Summary: Ruby Klump had been thirteen when she was first sent to a school for “troubled kids” on the outskirts of Greendale and, despite still living in Riverdale, that had been the beginning of a lifetime of isolation. She barely knew any other teens in Riverdale, not even her older sister’s friends. Her parents had worked long and hard to keep their problem child away from their perfect Riverdale life, but when Midge is murdered during the school musical, Ruby has to come to the funeral. And once the floodgates are open, there’s no going back. Finally making friends in her town, Ruby refuses to be hidden away anymore. Especially after she befriends a particularly cute boy in a leather jacket… who just got arrested for her sister’s murder.

Name: Ryann Hernández-Viamonte

Story: A Real Nightmare

Series: (Dangerously Having) The Time Of Our Lives

Face claim: Sofia Carson

Love interest: Toni Topaz

Summary: Next to her brother Malachai, Ryann Hernández-Viamonte had always been underestimated, never seen as a real threat by anyone outside of the Ghoulies. But the Ghoulie Princess knew that, despite everyone’s assumptions, she was one of the most dangerous people in Riverdale. And after the stunt that Andrews kid pulled at the drag race, Ry found herself spending eight months in Juvie. Finally, two months after her brother and most of their fellow Ghoulies were released, Ry is back in Riverdale, only to find that everything has gone to shit. First she finds out that she’s now attending Riverdale High, and then she learns that not only did Malachai make a deal with Penny Peabody, but now they’re also working for Hiram Lodge? Well, not if she has anything to say about it.

Name: Samantha Cooper

Story: Glissade

Face claim: Willow Shields

Love Interest: Fangs Fogarty & Sweet Pea

Summary: Skating was, and had always been, Samantha Cooper’s entire life. But not by choice. No, as much as she had always loved skating, it was her mother who had forced her to focus her entire life on perfection, on the Olympics. It was her mother who didn’t let her have friends, or hobbies; who didn’t even want her to go to a proper school. And Samantha really didn’t mind skating being her priority, but she’d always wanted a real life. And when Alice pushes too far, when Samantha runs off in the middle of the night, right into the arms of two tall, dark, and handsome boys from the wrong sides of the track, she may finally get her chance. But everything comes at a price, and Sam is soon going to find out the cost of her choices.

Name: Skylar Smith

Story: Lonely World

Series: (This Town Has Got) The Youth Of Me

Face claim: Amanda Seyfried

Name: Stevie Cooper

Story: Everybody Else’s Girl

Series: (Maybe One Day) She’ll Be Her Own

AO3 | FFNET | WATTPAD

Face claim: Sabrina Carpenter

Love interest: Keegan Rhodes

Summary: The middle Cooper sister, Stevie never really knew or cared about the Riverdale drama or the Cooper drama, because she was “eat, sleep, breathe, gymnastics”. She didn’t even live in Riverdale, she lived just outside of New York City at an elite facility, where top athletes could train with the best of the best, while also attending a school designed to accommodate their training.

She knew that Polly had been dating Jason Blossom, but didn’t really care as long as Polly was happy; she knew that Betty had been in love with their neighbour since she was eight, and that she was spending the summer with some fancy internship, but that was it.

But after a broken wrist takes her out of gymnastics for a while and she has to trade her gymnastics-oriented boarding school for Riverdale High, just in time for the first day of class, she realizes exactly how much shit her little sister is caught up in, at school and at home, and god help anyone who tries to stop her from protecting her.

Name: Summer Simmons

Story: Such Sweet Sorrow

Series: (Serpent Heart) Hid With A Flowering Face

Face claim: Janel Parrish

Love interest: Archie Andrews

Summary: Much like her twin brother Sweet Pea, Summer never used her real name. No, no one needed to know that–most people didn’t even know their last name. So yeah, names had never really meant anything to Summer, until she finds out that the Archie she’s been dating, ever since he walked into the Wyrm in a Riverdale High varsity jacket, is none other than Archie Andrews–her brother’s new enemy and now the leader of some teen vigilante gang that’s sworn to hate her gang–her family. Well, as Shakespeare would say, the course of true love never did run smooth.

Name: Talia Steele

Story: Ourobos

Face claim: Zoey Deutch

Love Interest: tentative Poly Serpents

Name: Tanya Conway

Story: Yesterday’s Girl (Is Not What You See)

Series: (This Human Place) Makes Inhuman Monsters

Face claim: Kat McNamara

Love Interest: Poly Serpents

Summary: Identity was fickle, as far as Tanya was concerned. To some she was Tanya Trent, a first generation serpent whose mother was the principal of Southside High, until the Black Hood killed her. To others she was Tanya Svenson, a Southside punk whose father was the janitor at Riverdale High, until he was killed for being the Black Hood. To herself she was Tanya Conway, a teenage girl who knew that the Cooper family had killed her dad’s family; who knew that, even after they divorced, her dad loved her mom; who knew that, no matter what anyone said, her dad wasn’t the Black Hood. And now she’s just Tanya, a scared but stubborn girl with no sense of identity who’s just been sent to Riverdale High with her fellow Serpents, armed with nothing but the snake tattooed on her back and the need to clear her father’s name.

Name: Tiara Blossom

Story: Dollhouse

Face claim: Maddison Brown

Name: Victoria Lodge

Story: You Inherit The Sins, You Inherit The Flames

Series: (Now We’re In The Ring) And We’re Coming For Blood

Face claim: Jenna Ortega

Summary: Victoria Lodge was the black sheep of the Lodge family. She didn’t care about the constant parties or connections, she didn’t particularly like her dad, she’d never even watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and oh, right, she had no interest in being a mob princess. Maybe that’s why she’s the only one looking forward to moving to Riverdale–until she realizes she’s walked onto the set of a real life murder mystery, and even her parents are suspects.

#masterlist #riverdale oc

6 notes · View notes

fyeahmeninroyalnavy · 4 years ago

Text

“Achee, what book is that your reading?”

“What,this old thing? Just something I picked up in port once, nothing you’d be interested in, certain sure!” The young lieutenant closed the book with a snap, holding it behind his back.

“Acheee, give me that book!” Horatio tickled Archie, who was now holding the tome over his head. He was extremely ticklish under his arms and dropped it immediately, giving his friend the opportunity to grab it easily.

Eyeing the cover critically, Horatio looked at first shocked, then confused, and finally hurt. Sighing, his lips turned down into a serious pout. “69 Ways to Woo your Man of an Ill Humour?” he read aloud, his brow furrowing. “Where on earth did you even find this, Mr. Kennedy?”

Archie looked extremely guilty and after hanging his head for a moment sighed deeply. “I didn’t pick it up in port, I borrowed it from my sister. I was ashamed to admit it. Sorry.”

“The man the book is referring to is clearly me. Horatio looked remorseful. Because I’ve been horrible recently, especially today.” Horatio suddenly paled, and his cheeks looked mottled. Archie’s thinking of breaking up with me and who could blame him? He swallowed hard and his heart began pounding, his deep insecurities rising full throttle.

Oh damn, he looks like a kicked puppy, thought Archie. He couldn’t bear to see Horatio hurt in any way, because he loved him. He loved him exactly the way he was. Sensitive, kind, thoughtful, brave, brilliant, and gorgeous. Who wouldn’t cherish such traits?

Okay, I admit I’m picking on our poor boi Horatio a bit. But it’s all in fun and with great affection. Besides, Archie Kennedy is done with being raked over the coals and needed a break! This occurs about 3 months after Frogs and Lobsters and our boys are together. A short Archratio story. I don’t do Horchie because it sounds too much like Horry.🥴

#six sentence sunday #fanfiction #horatio hornblower #archie kennedy #current wip

4 notes · View notes

numberoneheroallmight · 5 years ago

Note

If you're still doing the playlist meme - how about Archie Kennedy?

Ahhhhh, my Very Favourite playlist topic!!!! 🥰 Currently the Archie playlist on my phone is sitting pretty at 2 hours and 35 minutes worth of content lol, so this is my Archie Kennedy: The Greatest Hits playlist 💖

Archie Kennedy

welcome home, son - radical face Ships are launching from my chest Some have names but most do not If you find one, please let me know what piece I've lost Peel the scars from off my back I don't need them anymore You can throw them out or keep them in your mason jars I've come home

the tides - brae Bags are packed you’re on your way, on your own. Mother’s milk is still on your face, in your soul. Your ship is sailing to sea, shore growing harder to see.

ship in a bottle - steffan argus Sailing on a ship in a bottle Anchor all your thoughts to the bottom Pulling ropes and pulling your head back To see what is breaking the foremast You set sail alone there is no crew No one on the deck who can help you This is all your own battle to win This is your ship and you are the captain

roll over me - the autumn film The cannons have fired They call my name I know that I’ll lose But I’ll go just the same And I’ll take all the blows As they hit one by one Even if I’m afraid I’m not gonna run

when you see my blood - kathryn calder Like claws, the crawling of the waves In thirst, the drying of the ground Like claws, like claws, the breaking waves will crawl It's all the same as long as you're around When you see my blood...

#playlist ask #hornblower #archie kennedy #my sun my moon and all my stars #juniperwick #thank you so much!#ask #honorable mentions to heavy rope by lights; ships on the ocean floor by the autumn film; and underwater by elizabeth & the catapult

11 notes · View notes

puremalachaitrash · 6 years ago

Text

Racing for Ghoulies pt23

Spoilers: obviously

Normally I have a masterlist link but I’ll put them in the next one since tumblr has a thing about links at the moment❤️❤️❤️

Previously

"If it helps, I'll get the Ghoulies to back off the Serpents a bit..." he told me "and I'll try to avoid FP" he added in a mumble. I smiled

"Malachai, you're the best boyfriend I could've asked for" I told him and Malachai smirked cockily. I got on my tip-toes and pressed a kiss just under his chin "now I have to get ready for school" I told him

Now

I walked through the school doors. Big groups all huddled together right at the entrance of school would've normally been intimidating, but today I could've cared less. The chatter of passerby kind of mixed together thanks to my major hangover

"Nugget!" The voice pulled me out of autopilot and I turned my head to the sound. My eyes landed on Veronica and my eye twitched. I sighed and gave her a smile. Veronica linked arms with me and I awkwardly allowed it. She gave me a grin

"The craziest thing happened yesterday!" She told me excitedly and I hummed in slight interest "but, you'll have to wait until I tell the others to find out what" she stated playfully. I gave her a nod. I might've not liked her but gossip was my weakness. She dragged me along to the student lounge. I raised an eyebrow as we entered. Archie, Betty and Kevin were all sitting together

"I told Sheriff Keller everything today" Archie stated and then his eyes flicked to me and back to Kevin quickly. I squinted at him in suspicion. I doubted he told them everything

"Just listening in, but you talked to Sheriff Keller?" Veronica asked tilting her head. I smirked rolling my eyes as Archie nodded. Veronica plopped into a seat "So, are you a suspect now?" She inquired raising an eyebrow

"My dad says we all are, including me" Kevin stated. I hummed. There was no doubt that the Sheriff was suspicious of me especially

"Not me, girl. I don't know these people" Veronica stated With that smug look. I had to withhold a huff

"Guys, should we maybe re-binge 'Making a Murderer' on Netflix tonight?" Kevin asked. Betty laughed and I hummed. 'Killer in the family' would be more appropriate for this situation.

"Sorry. Can't" Betty stated with a smile. She reached forward grabbing some food from the table "gotta stay late to work on the paper" she told him plopping the food in her mouth

"Count me out, too. I've got a date tonight" Veronica stated. I raised an eyebrow. Was this the 'crazy thing' that happened yesterday? Last question I needed answered was ‘who would want to date Ms Preppy?’

"You do?" Archie asked and it clicked in my mind that they had kissed before... but from the rumours going around maybe they did a little bit more than kiss

"Which Riverdale hottie made the cut?" Kevin teased leaning closer to her. Veronica tilted her head and almost answered

"Hey, V-Lo. I'll swing by the Pembrooke to pick you up at 8:00?" Chuck said -with perfect timing might I add- as he pulled on his jacket

"I'll be waiting" Veronica agreed and I looked at her. There was one thing I knew for certain, Chuck wasn't one to date someone preppy unless it was for the stupid playbook. Heck, even if it wasn't for the playbook it was going to be in there

"Cool" Chuck said walking out followed by Reggie and another boy. I liked Chuck but damn did he make some bad decisions. The only reason I could even talk to him privately without him spreading rumours about us having sex was because I’ve saved his ass multiple times. Veronica swept her hair behind her ear with a smile.

"Chuck Clayton?/You're going on a date with Chuck?" Betty and Kevin said at the same time. I sighed wondering whether or not I should tell Veronica

"He's kind of a player" Betty told her and Kevin looked at her like she was insane. His mouth was practically on the floor

"Who cares?" Kevin asked before looking back at Veronica "He's the hottest of hot, and he's the varsity football coach's son" he said as Veronica took a long sip of her coffee "In Riverdale, that's like dating a Kennedy" Kevin said and Veronica gave a smile. I shook my head with a scoff. I couldn't leave it be without feeling guilty when it happened

"Stay away from Chuck" I told her seriously and their eyes flicked to me. Veronica furrowed her eyebrows

"Is that a threat?" She asked confused "do you like him or something" She said and I sent her a look. I let out a chuckle

"It's not a threat, it's a warning" I stated "if you don't watch out he's gonna break your little heart" I told her and the bell went off. I looked at the time "that's my cue to head out" I said with a smile "but seriously. Be careful around Chuck" I warned before heading off.

———///———

I sat in class writing what the teacher wrote up. Really I didn’t feel like I was learning much but I supposed it didn’t really matter. My eyes flicked to the door as Principal Weatherbee walked through it. I tilted my head. Our teacher looked at Weatherbee confused

“Nugget, if you wouldn’t mind coming to my office for a second” he said gesturing to the hallway. I tilted my head

“Yeah, no problem” I agreed standing up. I shook my head shaking off the bad feeling crawling up my spine. I started packing up my stuff

“No need to pack up, you’ll be back soon” Weatherbee said interrupting my packing. I awkwardly put down my pencil case. I walked out following him. We walked out and toward his office. As we walked in my eyes landed on Sheriff Keller

"Sorry for pulling you out of class like that, Frideswide" Keller said and I crossed my arms with a sigh. I licked my lips and smiled

"Please. Call me Nugget" I insisted as I plopped into the seat opposite of Weatherbee’s "and it's no trouble at all, Sheriff" I said politely, making Keller glare at me slightly "what did you call me in for?" I inquired tilting my head innocently

"We heard from Archie that you and him were at Sweetwater River on the 4th" Weatherbee told me and my eye twitched a little. I hummed in confirmation, not trusting my words

“What were you two doing?” Keller asked and I gulped. I had to think about what Archie was likely to say. I looked Keller in the eyes not showing my hesitation

“Writing music” I said confidently “he asked me to come along so I could judge what he wrote” I told them my hands went to the arm rests and I tried to remain as confident as I could

"did you hear or see anything... strange?" Weatherbee asked. I tapped my bottom lip pretending to muse it over

"Thinking back to it, yeah" I agreed "we heard a loud... popping noise? I think it was just fireworks or something" I told them waving it off

"Do you think it could've been a gunshot?" Keller asked looking at me with a serious face and I looked to him furrowing my eyebrows. How would I know? I wasn’t there

"I suppose..." I agreed slowly "You don't think it was the shot that killed Jason do you?" I asked in fake worry. Weatherbee shook his head

"No, but it could have been an attempt" Weatherbee stated and I nodded "thank you for cooperating" he said with a smile "you should get back to class" he told me. I nodded standing up

"Sorry I couldn't be more help" I told them with a wave as I walked out of the office. I slowly walked back to class and my heart was racing in my chest. Next time I see Archie I swear he’s dead

—————————

TAGS

@savvy7392 @topstory21 @krazykatkay456 @scarrasco1325

#malachai #jughead #ghoulies #racing for ghoulies #riverdale #drag race #car #fp #gotta go fast #northside #sister #twin #archie #veronica #betty #kevin #keller

29 notes · View notes

fanfics4all · 6 years ago

Text

Behind Bars Part 2

Request: Yes / No

Request are closed <3 Have a nice day/night

Archie x OC

Word count: 2514

Warnings: Abuse, Alcoholic mother, Dead father, Cursing, Underage drinking.

Summary: Blair grew up on the Northside of Riverdale but spent a lot of time with her friend Jughead Jones who lived on the Southside. After her father dies and her mom becomes abusive and an alcoholic Blair ends up joining the Serpents and making new friends. But things suddenly change when an old friend is arrested for a crime he didn’t commit and his life gets seemingly worse than hers. Maybe all it took was each other. Who knows?

A/N: This is a collab fic with @beginningstofandom

PLEASE DO NOT STEAL MY WORK, I WORK HARD ON MY FICS AND IT’S NOT COOL TO STEAL SOMEONE ELSE’S WORK!

If you want to be on the tag list for anything (My series fics, specific character fics, or just all of them) All you have to do is send me an ask and I will add you!

Part 1, Part 2

Masterlist

(Not my photo, credit to whoever made it!)

Blair Kennedy’s POV

I got home from visiting Archie and of course, my mom was in the living room drunk off her ass. She didn’t notice me yet so I figured I could quietly sneak by. I quietly closed the door then tiptoed to my room. I was almost there but the cheap trailer decided to betray me and squeak under my weight. My mom snapped her head in my direction and I stared at her like a deer in headlights.

“Thought you could just slip on by huh?” My mother slurred and got off the couch.

“U-um n-no…” I stuttered, frozen in fear.

“You little bitch! You think you can just go out whenever the hell you want!?” She shouted and grabbed my arm.

“You need a reminder who’s in charge here!” She pulled me into my room and tossed me to the floor. I looked up at her in fear, wondering what tonight was going to entail. She started off by kicking me in the stomach a few time then pulled me to my feet. She threw me against the wall and hit me with her empty beer bottle in the arms, luckily it didn’t break but it was definitely going to bruise again. Once she was done she left my room, probably to pass out on the couch. I wiped my tears and got dressed in my favorite pajamas that my dad got me before he passed away. I crawled into bed hissing in pain from my sides. I laid down and attempted to fall asleep.

The next morning I was tired but I had to meet Archie for breakfast. I checked my phone and had a text from him asking if we were still meeting up. I texted back telling him yes and then I got undressed. I looked at the newly formed bruises that were all along my arms and stomach. Looks like its long sleeves in the summer again. I sighed, I wanted to dress cute but I have work later so I couldn’t dress in something revealing or whatever. I pulled out a long sleeved batman shirt, some maroon skinny jeans, and a pair of cute boots. For makeup, I did a simple maroon smokey eye and a purple berry colored lip, for my hair I brushed it out and straightened it a little bit then threw on a matching beanie.

I threw on my Serpent jacket and grabbed my phone looking at the time. I had ten minutes to get to Pop’s or else I was gonna be late. I grabbed my keys and slowly opened my bedroom door. I peeked out to see if my mom was home or awake even. Lucky for me she didn’t seem to be home. I walked out to my Toyota Tacoma X-Runner, year 2007, and got in. She use to be my dad’s car and me and him would work on it all the time, once he died she was locked up for a bit. I couldn’t even look at her but after a few months I dusted her off and made her mine, just as my dad wanted it. I made my way to Pop’s and was late unfortunately. I got out of my car and walked in making the little bell on the door ring. I glanced around the diner and spotted the familiar red hair I love so much. I smiled and walked over to the booth. I sat down and Archie looked up with a smile.

“Sorry I’m late.” I laughed a little taking off my jacket.

“Don’t worry about it, you only five minutes late.” He laughed shaking his head.

“Yeah whatever.” I rolled my eye with a smile.

“I ordered for you, you still love your favorite right?”

“French toast with whipped cream and syrup, sausage, and a cup of tea?” I asked with a huge smile. He smiled back and nodded.

“Still the same.”

“In my taste in food, yeah but Archie I’ve changed, I’m not like the girl who lived next door to you…” I sighed but Archie reached over and held my hand. I looked up at him and he smiled.

“‘I know, you joined the Serpents and now you’re just more badass.” He smirked and gave me a playful wink. I giggled and shook my head at him. Our food came and the two of us ate and chatted about anything and everything.

“Remember that one-time Jughead was too scared to go down the side in the part and you just pushed him?” Archie asked and I laughed. I nodded shaking my head.

“He was so mad at me for a week!” The two of us laughed at the memory then sat in silence.

“Ya know Blair, I was a little hurt when you didn’t come visit me…” Archie said and I looked down at the table.

“I’m sorry, I just didn’t think I could handle the image of you in a cell burned into my memory…” I said quietly.

“I know, I just would have loved to see your smiling face while I was in that hell.” I looked up at him and he had a small smile on his lips. I smiled and opened my mouth to say something but my phone went off before I could. I blushed and picked it up, seeing it was Axel I answered it. I gave Archie and apologetic look and he just smiled.

“Axel, what’s up?” I asked confused as to why he was calling me. Axel was my friend and my bosses son.

“You’re supposed to be here that’s what’s up!” He shouted into the phone.

“What? No, I have an hour?” I said confused. Archie gave me a confused look and I motioned for him to take out his phone. He did and I opened it to check the time. I was late! Oh my god! How could I let myself lose track of time? I grabbed my jacket and started putting it on.

“Shit, I’m so sorry! I lost track of time! I’ll be there in five minutes!” I said freaking out.

“Calm down Motor, I covered for you with my dad.” Axel said and I relaxed a bit.

“I owe you, thanks!”

“Drinks on you later.” He said then hung up. I shoved my phone in my pocket and took out some money to pay for my food.

“I’m really sorry to run off like this but I’m late for work.” I said and put the money on the table. Archie grabbed it and handed it back to me. I looked at him confused but he just smiled.

“I got it, Blair, don’t worry about it.” He said grabbing my hand and placing my money in it.

“Are you sure because-”

“I’m sure, now go. You’re already late.” He smirked and I smiled. I gave him a hug and kissed his cheek without realizing it.

“You’re the best Archie!” I smiled then walked out with a wave.

I drove to work and rushed into the garage. Axel was there sitting on a desk and he smirked when he saw me. I punched in and hung up my jacket. I turned to Alex and he was still smirking.

“What are you smirking at?” I asked confused.

“My dad isn’t even here.” He said then started laughing. I started at him in shock and stomped over to him.

“You made me think I was going to lose my job!” I shouted and grabbed his shirt.

“Chill out Motor, you’re the best one in this damn place. My dad wouldn’t fire you for being a little late.” I glared at him and let him go.

“You owe me now!” He nodded and put his hands up in defense.

“Alright, alright, drinks on me tonight.” He said and I nodded.

“Blair! Finally, you’re here!” I turned and looked over to see Sweet Pea covered in grease.

“Yeah sorry, I was having breakfast with Archie.” I said walking over to him and he tossed the grease-covered towel at me. I caught it and shook my head at him.

“Well, now that you’re here we can get this done.” He said and I followed him to the back of the garage. Some of the Serpent’s bikes were lined up and a few of them were in bad shape.

“Wow, Ghoulies?” Sweet Pea sighed and nodded.

“Well let’s get to work!” I said grabbing a toolbox then walked over to one of the bikes.

While we were working on the bikes we talked and listened to music. It was nice, I always loved working on bikes and cars. This was my happy place. My home away from hell. Well, this and Jughead’s place.

“Hey Motor, little help over here?” Sweet Pea called over to me. I got up and walked over to him.

“What’s up?” I asked kneeling down next to him.

“Tires are slashed, the chain is snapped, and the alternator and gearbox are smashed.” He said with a sigh.

“That’s it?” I asked removing the chain.

“That I can see, might need to open her up more.” I nodded and rolled up my sleeves. I started working but Sweet Pea stopped me by gently grabbing my arm. I looked at him confused and he had a worried expression on his face.

“What?” I asked confused.

“Who did this?” He asked holding my arm up. I looked and saw the bruises and my eyes widened, how could I forget about them!? I pulled my arm out of his grip and looked at the floor.

“Don’t worry about it.” I said trying to get back to work.

“No! Who the hell did this?” He growled truing me towards him.

“My mom was drunk last night… She didn’t know what she was doing…” I lied, I’m sure she knew what she was doing but she was still my mom. My only family left.

“How long?” I sighed and looked at his pissed off face.

“Since a month after my dad died…” I whispered.

“Does FP know?” I shook my head and he punched the toolbox.

“Damn it Blair!” He growled.

“You can’t tell anyone!” I begged.

“As your friend, I can’t just let this keep going on!”

“I can’t lose my mom too! You have to keep this between us!” Sweet Pea looked at me and sighed.

“Will you at least try and stay safe?” I gave him a small smile and nodded. I put my sleeves down once again and Axel walked up to us.

“Hey guys, you two are done for the day.” He smiled and we nodded. We clocked out and went to leave when Axel stopped me.

“Blair! Here, you forgot to pick up your pay so here.” He said handing me a thick envelope.

“Whoa, this is way more than usual.” I said looking at him.

“Yeah, my dad gave you a raise.” He smiled and my eyes widened.

“Oh my God! Thank you! You have to thank your dad for me!” I said hugging him. He laughed and hugged me back.

“I will, now get out of here.”

“Yeah Motor, let’s get to Veronica’s club!” Sweet Pea said from his bike.

“I’ll meet you guys there later!” Axel said and I nodded getting in my truck. Before I left I texted Archie asking him if he wanted to meet there and he said yeah. I smiled and drove off to Pop’s once again. Sweet Pea and I got there and walked into the club. I looked around and spotted Toni, Cheryl, Fangs, Betty, and Jughead sitting at the bar. I smacked Sweets and nodded over to the bar. He nodded and the two of us walked over to our friends.

“Hey Motor’s here!” Fangs said happily.

“What’s up guys?” I asked sitting next to Toni.

“Nothing much, want a drink?” I smiled and nodded. Toni motioned Reggie over and he smirked at me.

“What can I get you Blair.” He said in his usual flirty tone. I rolled my eyes at him.

“Give me an Old Fashioned.” I said and he nodded. A few moments later he returned with my drink then went back to flirting with some girls, one of them being Veronica.

“So, is this going to be one of your parting nights or is this a one or two drinks night?” Cheryl asked.

“Just one or two.” I smiled taking a sip then coughing a bit.

“Maybe just one, this shit is strong.” Everyone laughed and Toni shook her head.

“Fine, be a party pooper.” Toni said and I rolled my eyes. Someone came up behind me and wrapped their arms around me before I could turn around punch whoever it was their voice ran through my ears.

“Relax Blair.” Archie laughed and I turned around with a smile.

“Hey! I was a little shocked when you said you would come.” I said honestly.

“Yeah well, can’t avoid them forever.” He said referring to Reggie and Veronica. I nodded.

“Hey guys!” Veronica said coming over. Archie looked at her then back at me.

“Archie, can we talk?” She asked biting her lip.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” He said and pulled me off my chair.

“Come on Blair, let’s go dance.” He said and pulled me over to the dance floor.

“So can’t avoid them forever?” I said with a smirk, he rolled his eyes and pulled me closer to him.

“Just shut up and dance.” I laughed and nodded, also blushing at how close we were.

“So, how’s the Southside? Ya know after everything that happened.” He asked over the loud music.

“Ghoulies are running all over the place and my mom has decided to join them…” I sighed and Archie hugged me.

“You know you could always stay at my place if you need, my dad loves you so he wouldn’t mind.” I smiled up at him and nodded.

“Maybe I’ll take you up on that offer some time.” He smiled and we continued dancing.

The rest of the night Archie and I hung out with our friends, danced, and Jughead and I kept him from attacking Reggie. Once the night was over I went upstairs to Pop’s to get my mom some food. I got it and hopped in my car to drive home. I got home and my mom was on the couch nursing a beer. I walked over to the coffee table and place the bag on the table.

“Here, I got you dinner.” I said and she just grunted in response. I rolled my eyes and went to my room to turn in for the night. Before I went to sleep I received a text from Archie telling me how tonight was great and we should do it again. It made my heart skip a beat and I smiled. I texted him back saying how about tomorrow? We could go to Sweetwater River for a swim? He answered with a yes and a goodnight so I texted him back goodnight then went to sleep.

Tag list: @les-bio-lie @tashy-bear @cuddlememerrick @blueandgoldaus @southsidefandoms @emo-godess-loves-you @hiya-imthatgirl @answer-the-sirens @mindsetjupiter @averysinclaire @mittelerde1999

#riverdale #riverdale serpents #riverdale imagine #archie andrews #archie andrews imagine #archie x oc #veronica lodge #veronica x reggie #reggie mantle #betty cooper #jughead jones #betty x jughead #toni topaz #Cheryl Blossom #toni x cheryl #sweet pea #fangs fogarty #fanfic

27 notes · View notes

christinakennedy · 3 years ago

Photo

“ Working 9 to 5.. „

FULL NAME: Christina Kennedy NICKNAME(S): Chris, Christy (most common), CK AGE: 25 | March 1, 1997 GENDER & PRONOUNS: Transfemale, She/her FACE CLAIM: Nicole Maines EYE COLOR: Brown HAIR COLOR: Brown HEIGHT: 5′7″ OCCUPATION: Director of Operations & Heiress; Country Club HOMETOWN: Fallbrook, NC NEIGHBORHOOD: Queen’s Park TW: Transphobia, surgery, death, motorcycle accident

Quick Facts:

She is one of five Kennedy siblings (three older brothers and one older sister).

The Fallbrook Country Club has been run by the Kennedy Family since it’s founding.

Christina worked as the Operations Manager after college and made director in 2022.

She’s a very friendly person and sees no one has beneath her. She uses her wealth to help those around her as much as possible.

She quietly underwent surgery during a college summer break. She doesn’t feel the need to talk about it with those she isn’t in a relationship with, however.

Christina lost her fiancé to a motorcycle accident in 2019 not too long after the two of them arrived to Fallbrook. She was broken up about it for a long time, but has recently decided it was time to move on.

Though quite independent, she still does live in the Kennedy Mansion with her parents.

Fashion is something she genuinely loves, often wearing well put together outfits, especially when she’s working.

Her current interests include but are not limited to: hiking, kayaking, skiing, snowboarding, and learning recipes from the internet so she can become more independent.

Spoiled wouldn’t even begin to describe the upbringing by Christina Amber Kennedy had. She was the baby of a slew of Kennedy children and it was on her to right all the wrongs of her older siblings. Thankfully for her parents, this seemed to be the case as she showed signs of drive, passion and intelligence from a very young age. Early on, there were questions from teachers about things that made her look different. When the other boys in her kindergarten wanted to play sports, she was more focused on how she looked. She was never someone to be overly girly, but she had a natural femininity to her that wasn’t easy to explain for her parents at the time. Thankfully, they were both from rather large cities, being from San Francisco and New York City respectively. Her father, Archie was a tech guy from Silicon Valley and he co-founded a Cyber Security startup with one of his best friends and he met Kristine during their master’s program in Los Angeles. Archie’s father moved from his small town of Fallbrook for college himself and settled in San Francisco where he founded an Investment Management firm, Kennedy Private Wealth Management.

With the blessing of Kristine’s family, they relocated to Fallbrook when they decided to start a family and got to work almost immediately. They had three sons and a daughter before Christina came along. When Christina, originally named Christian came to them with her idea of being Christina, she was just six years old and thankfully, they were both incredibly open and supportive of her. Of course, they took the necessary steps, having had friends who were trans, they wanted to make sure she was well taken care of. Countless therapy sessions later, she finally started hormone therapy when she was in her pre-teens and she was even more comfortable in her skin. Truth be told, while she did experience dysphoria, she was never completely upset with her body or who she was. She took it one day at a time.

Her parents wanted her to do whatever made her happy and during her formative years, it was a mixture of playing volleyball and participating in pageants. Sometimes she would have to deal with the discriminatory comments from people who felt she shouldn’t be included in female pageantry, but she overcame these obstacles and would finish in the top 3-5 consistently. This would spill into adulthood as she was Miss North Carolina in 2020 but would ultimately be eliminated during the Miss USA competition. But rewinding to just before this, she had a very successful high school career due to her intense studies. Having taken mostly AP classes, it was a long, hard road to the discovery of her getting into Harvard. Surprisingly, not her first choice and after a third rejection, she was fed up and wanted nothing to do with the letters until that acceptance from Harvard came through.

Studying Business Management with the goal of taking over her father’s business eventually. That business being the Fallbrook Country Club, a staple that had been in the Kennedy family since the founding of the Country Club. Though his own father, Christina’s grandfather hadn’t taken on the business, one of his uncles dad, and he would then pass it on to Archie and his family. That was where Christina and her siblings came in. The oldest brother was focused more on eventually becoming the new CEO, while another sibling was focused on Marketing, and Christina focusing on Operations. The other siblings are involved to some facet, but not as heavily as the three mentioned.

Right out of college, she started working as an Operations Manager for Fallbrook Country Club, where she helped reform company culture, raised wages and implemented employee initiatives such as meal credits for office-side employees and provided meals once a week for other employees. The man she had met in college was someone she dated up until the day he passed away due to a fatal motorcycle accident. She was incredibly broken by this and decided to focus more on her work during this time. The two had just gotten engaged and she pulled him away from his family in Boston, she felt absolutely terrible. His family didn’t blame her though and they would remain close even after his passing.

After four years of focusing so deeply on work, she was promoted in early 2022 to Director of Operations, where she would oversee the entire business from an Operations standpoint. Romance was kind of put on the backburner, she wasn’t sure when it was appropriate to get back into the dating world, so she continued to focus on work for as long as she could.

She is well aware that nepotism put her in the spot she’s in today, but she works just as hard as other employees, if not more to prove herself. She wants the best for the country club her family has kept so near and dear to them for generations and has plans to share this with her own children someday.

#fallbrookintro

1 note · View note

sportscardsdtor · 3 years ago

Text

2022 Phillies In Topps Series 1

2022 Topps Series One is out and I, of course, sought out to find a blaster or 2 of my own. I was unsuccessful so I got into some breaks. I had purchased the Phillies and the Cubs, in a break and I order a Bryce Harper manufacturer medallion cards.

Unfortunately, for me the Phillies & Cubs were from a breaker, who stated clearly that all base cards will not ship. Only rookies, inserts, and variations. I was the not reading the fine print and just jumped in. Luckily Beau, of One Million Cubs project, had sent me some of the base cards from his pulls with the Phillies.

The cards look really nice, like everyone else would say, they are now legible and I like the have the white border for another year. Full print cards are always a Topps Stadium Club thing, to me at least.

Of the base checklist I have 9 of the 14 players featured, Kyle Gibson, I have but as a foily. Maybe I will updated this when I get the remainder. Here is my list;

Got:

10 Archie Bradley 59 League Leaders Turner/Soto/Harper 62 Luke Williams RC 67 Freddy Galvis 102 Ian Kennedy 178 Jean Segura 250 Bryce Harper 316 Matt Vierling RC 321 Bryce Harper CC

Need: 44 Didi Gregorius 57 Kyle Gibson 179 Zach Eflin 180 J.T. Realmuto 249 Zack Wheeler

This is not counting inserts and parallels, just the base team cards is what I was after. But since you are dying to know. I mentioned I had the Bryce Harper manufactured jersey number medallion, and the Kyle Gibson foil. I also have the Andrew McCutchen 2021’s Greatest Hits insert. So yeah that is what, I have for 2022 Topps Series 1, so far. Thanks for your time, I will update this when I get the next 5.

0 notes

bbcphile · 7 years ago

Text

Holding Fast

At long, long last, here’s the fic I promised @lt-williambush, filling the prompt “The first time Will was octopus-cuddled.”

Happy holidays!!!

Title: Holding Fast

AO3 Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/13127007

Fandom: Hornblower (TV)

Relationship: William Bush/Horatio Hornblower/Archie Kennedy

Summary: Will has a nightmare. Archie and Horatio help.

“Bush! What’s our status?”

Will snapped to attention. “Sir. The third delivery of water today is on its way, and the first team on the ground said they’re ready for the medical crew. The Lynx is being loaded with supplies right now. They should be taking off any moment.”

“Good work, Bush,” Captain Flanighan said. “Report to the wardroom for briefing when you’re done. We still have a long day ahead of us.”

“Aye aye, Sir.” Will nodded and tried to force his eyes back into focus.

“Bush? When was the last time you slept?”

Will blinked. He must’ve slept since they’d docked in Cebu. He just couldn’t remember it. Or what day it was. “I’m . . . not sure, Sir.”

Captain Flanighan frowned. “I see. In that case, the new orders for you and your crew are to get some rest immediately after sending off the Lynx.”

“Sir?”

“The next few days will be equally grueling, and we’ll need everyone in top condition. The people of the Philippines are counting on us. We can’t afford to get sloppy from sleep deprivation. Tell your crew they’ll have thirty minutes of rest before they’ll start up again.”

“Aye aye, Sir.”

“Dismissed.”

Will nodded and began to walk up the staircase, the sound of propellers filling the air. The Lynx must be taking off. And soon, the crew could rest. He smiled. They’d appreciate the break. The last three days had been hard for everyone.

The faint sound of raised voices reached his ears.

Will frowned and sprinted up the remaining steps and onto the deck. He squinted, the sun briefly blinding him.

More voices rang out, but it was impossible to make out the words over the whirr of the helicopter.

He shaded his eyes with his hand as he tried to see what all the commotion was about. Gradually, the Lynx came into focus. He frowned and tilted his head. Was its pallet of supplies crooked?

He looked over to his right. Boyle was running towards him, gesturing frantically. His mouth was moving, but the wind carried the words away.

Will frowned, then started jogging towards him. “Boyle!” he bellowed, “What’s--”

“BUSH!” Boyle screamed, “RUN!”

A loud snap like the crack of a gun filled the air.

Will looked up, his heart lurching to his throat.

A large, gray pallet was hurtling towards him, blocking out the sky.

Will sat up with a strangled gasp, his heart racing and his leg throbbing wildly. Everything was black. Why couldn’t he see his leg? Why couldn’t he see the blood? Was he dead? Oh, God, it fucking hurt.

“Will? Love?” A gentle hand rested on his shoulder. “You alright?”

Archie? What the bloody hell was Archie doing on the Daring? Will tried to ask but all that came out was a ragged, shuddering wheeze.

“Ah. Got it.” Fabric rustled nearby. “Horatio? Wake up?”

“Mmmph,” Horatio mumbled, his voice muffled.

“Horatio, love, Will’s had a nightmare. Turn on the lights.”

Will blinked as he tried to suck in another shaky breath. A nightmare? What--

“Oh! Of course. One moment.”

A second later, the room was flooded with light.

He glanced down, braced for a mangled mess of flesh and blood.

His stump, long-since healed, greeted his eyes instead.

He blinked, then glanced around at the blueish walls and the white carpet.

This was their bedroom in London. He wasn’t on the Daring.

He was safe.

His eyes closed as he sighed in relief.

“That’s right,” Archie murmured. “You’re alright. You’re home, love. We’ve got you.” He slid closer until their sides were pressed against each other, his arm a comforting weight around Will’s shoulders.

Will exhaled slowly and let himself learn into Archie’s arms. The phantom pain in his leg was starting to lessen. “Sorry to wake you up,” he muttered.

“It’s perfectly alright,” Horatio said as he scooted from Archie’s left to sit at the foot of the bed. He rested his hand on Will’s right knee and ran his thumb gently back and forth across the kneecap. “We wouldn’t want you to do this alone.”

Archie held him more tightly and pressed a quick kiss to his neck. “And if I’m not allowed to apologize for waking you up screaming bloody murder, then why should you be? Sounds a bit unfair to me, doesn’t it?”

Will huffed out a shaky laugh.

“Is there anything we can get you, Will? Some tea? A biscuit?”

“Or pain meds,” Archie offered.

Will hesitated, then shook his head. If he waited another ten minutes or so, the worst of the pain should fade. “Not just yet.”

Archie nodded. “Take your time. You can always change your mind if you need to.”

Will dipped his head in thanks and focused on emptying his mind, imagining the fear and the pain drain out through his leg and stump and into the floor. That little trick Dr. Patel’d taught him always worked more than just focusing on breathing.

“Did you want to talk about your nightmare?” Horatio asked after a moment.

Will shrugged. “Not much to say.”

“Flashback of the accident?” Archie asked.

Will nodded, barely managing to suppress a shudder. “Hadn’t had one in awhile.”

Horatio frowned. “You had them before? When we were in the dormitories? How often?”

Will shrugged. “Two, maybe three times a term?”

Horatio gaped. “What? Will, you could have said! You shouldn’t have had to suffer through that alone! Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You needed the sleep,” Will said simply.

Horatio rolled his eyes. “I would have managed--”

“--And we didn’t have . . . this, then,” Will said, gesturing vaguely at the three of them. He shrugged again. “So I handled it.”

Horatio frowned. “How?” he asked quietly.

Will wetted his lips. “Early morning shower. Reading. Meds. It varied.”

Archie shifted and began to run his fingers through Will’s hair, massaging the scalp as he went. “Well, you don’t have to do that alone anymore. We can keep you company however you want: we can watch an episode of something, I could read to us . . . oh, or we could shower together, although I doubt all three of us could fit.”

Will managed a hint of a smile. “Here’s fine.”

“Alright,” Archie said, shifting his hands to massage Will’s shoulders and neck. “There’s one more thing we could do, if you want.”

“Mmm?” Will asked with a satisfied sigh as Archie’s thumb did something particularly useful to a knot at the base of his neck.

“Well, up ‘til now, Horatio or I always end up in the middle while we sleep. What if you took a turn?”

Will blinked. “But . . . then I’d be between you and Horatio.”

Horatio frowned. “Well, yes, that’s the idea.”

Archie glanced at Horatio, swallowing back a laugh, then looked back at Will, his forehead wrinkling. “And that’s a problem because?”

Will stared down at his hands. How could he explain why it felt like overstepping this . . . thing they’d made together? He wetted his lips. “I don’t want to get in the way,” he said at last.

There was a silence.

He glanced up. Archie and Horatio were staring at him in horror.

He raised an eyebrow.

Archie took a deep breath, then sat up on his knees. He took Will’s hands in his and stared directly into his eyes. “Ok, glad I asked. Will, love? We’re in this together. All three of us. This isn’t us deigning to allow you to share our bed. You’re never going to be in the way, because you’re every bit as much a part of this as either of us. We love you. Both of us. And we’re not going to change our minds because we’re spending a few hours holding you instead of each other. Right, Horatio?”

“Of course! Will, I--” Horatio frowned and pressed his lips together. “--I apologize if I have ever implied otherwise. It’s -- it’s an honour to share our lives and our bed with you, and I promise to do everything in my power to ensure you never have cause to doubt that.”

Will ducked his head as a warmth flared to life in his chest. “Ta,” he mumbled to the bedspread, his throat feeling oddly thick.

“So, in light of this revelation,” Archie began, “I move that Will be thoroughly snuggled tonight. Horatio, do you second?”

“Seconded,” Horatio said instantly.

Will looked back up, eyebrow raised. “Parliamentary procedure?”

Horatio cleared his throat. “I believe you meant ‘Poly-mentary procedure,’” he said, a twinkle in his eyes.

Archie blinked at him, then raised an eyebrow incredulously. “Horatio, that’s--”

Horatio raised an eyebrow back, trying and failing to keep a straight face.

Archie rolled his eyes. “That’s absolutely horrible, love. I don’t know if I should be proud or horrified.”

“Both, I think,” Will said drily.

“Both. Both is good,” Horatio quoted, his lips twitching as he tried not to laugh.

Archie’s eyes opened wide. “Horatio, love, did you just --”

“--Quote The Road to El Dorado?” Horatio asked, beaming. “Why, yes, I believe I did.”

Archie grinned. “You, my love, are a wonder.” He leaned over to press a quick kiss to Horatio’s lips. “Will, have you seen that one yet?”

Will shook his head. “Should I?”

“Absolutely! Dreamworks animation from 2000, I think, about two Spanish con-men who try to find the city of gold and end up fighting against colonialism. The two con-men were lovers in the original script before the writers were forced to change it, and it ends with an OT3 riding off into the sunset.”

“And there are ships,” Horatio added.

Will snorted.

“Also true,” Archie said with a grin. “Plan for tomorrow night, then? When I get back from the audition?”

"I’m free,” Will volunteered.

Horatio nodded. “I should be able to make time.”

“Excellent. In that case, date night tomorrow. But now, we should get some sleep.” Archie paused. “If you’re ready to give it a try again.”

Will hesitated. He usually couldn’t sleep after nightmares like that, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. Especially if it meant Archie would be better-rested for his audition. He nodded. “It can’t hurt.”

“Ok, then,” Archie said with a grin. “Horatio, how about you swing over to Will’s over side, and we’ll see how that works?”

“Alright.” Horatio climbed over Will, pausing while briefly straddling him to give him a quick kiss on the lips, and sat down on his right side. “Who would you like to hold first?”

Will blinked. Somehow they’d never needed to have this conversation with Archie. He just always happened to be in the middle, unless Horatio was having trouble sleeping.

“Why don’t you start by facing me, Will? And if that gets uncomfortable for you, we can roll over? Horatio doesn’t get to hold you nearly enough,” Archie said with a grin.

“Alright,” Will said with a nod. He lay down on his left side, then pushed himself down on the bed until his head rested on the pillow. A moment later, Horatio’s arm was wrapped around his chest. Horatio slid closer, nestling his face into the nape of Will's neck. Will smiled. Horatio always ended up draped over Archie by morning. Would he do the same here?

Archie leaned over to turn off the lamp, then lay down and rolled on his right to face Will.

Will raised an eyebrow at him. “I thought I was holding you.”

Archie shrugged. “You can. While I hold you, too. I did promise that you’d be thoroughly snuggled, didn’t I?” He tilted his head up to kiss Will on the lips, then slid further down the pillow until his forehead was against Will’s chin. He shifted until his legs were pressed up against Will’s and put a warm, strong arm around his waist. “This ok?” he murmured. “You’re not feeling trapped? I’m not bumping anything?”

Will shook his head. “It’s nice,” he said quietly.

Archie and Horatio squeezed him more tightly in unison.

“Alright, then. Wake us if you need anything at all--including if you get too warm or Horatio goes all octopus-like on you.”

Horatio huffed in mild irritation. “I’m nothing like an octopus, Archie, I’m--”

“A glorious, warm-blooded octopus with a tendency to wrap all manner of limbs around its partners--”

“--Octopodes have eight appendages, Archie. That’s twice as many as I have, and I thereby think it’s impossible for me to--”

“--Who we both love very much and who needs to go to sleep now,” Archie finished, smiling into Will’s neck.

Horatio sighed into Will’s neck, the fond, amused, exasperated sound reserved only for Archie. “Very well. But if I’m an octopus, then you’re clearly a limpet.”

Archie laughed quietly, his breath pleasantly tickling Will’s neck. “Whatever you say, love. As long as you assign Will his sea creature alter-ego in the morning.” He yawned. “Goodnight, loves. See you in a few hours.”

Horatio’s hand shifted to briefly brush Archie’s fingers, before sliding back to Will’s chest. “Goodnight, Archie. Goodnight, Will,” he mumbled, his voice already sounding unfocused.

“Night,” Will answered quietly, putting his right around around Archie’s waist.

With a quiet, happy murmur, Archie shifted closer until his nose and lips were pressed against his neck. Soon, Archie’s breath was slow and steady. He let his chest rise and fall in time with Archie’s and was surprised to discover how heavy his eyelids felt.

“Sea anemones,” Horatio mumbled into the back of his neck.

Will huffed out a quiet laugh and relaxed into the warmth of their arms.

He let his eyes fall shut.

#HHornblower #Horatio Hornblower #William Bush #OT3 #Archie Kennedy #Husbands of Renown #poly things #fic #Harboured and Encompassed

18 notes · View notes

queenof-fiction · 7 years ago

Text

One month Part one

@thelittlenightingale

This is going to be my side of the story. The story where things went bad real quick. We needed money and found a way we thought was easy. The only requirements were for us to stay in a nice fancy cabin for one month with no access to the world. We thought that would easy, just to go stay in a fancy cabin for a month. I’ll start from the beginning where everything starts.

It was a cold morning, surprisingly colder than most. The sky was lined with dark grey clouds making the world look just as cold as it felt. I had just slipped my boots and jacket on and headed out towards my car. Aiden, my younger brother following close behind. He jumped into the passenger side of my car, neither of us said much to each other.

Snow slowly fell through the air, as I drove. We had pulled into the parking lot right behind Archie and Aspen. I shut the car off and jumped out to meet with them, while Aiden ran off with some friends.

“So, I have an idea,” Archie said walking around the car towards me.

“Oh yeah, and what’s that,” Hazel said walking up. Hazel was the same age Archie and me.

“So, I found this ad. It seems legit.” He explained handing me a paper. I narrowed my eyes in fake suspicion and took the paper. Aspen sat there quietly next to Archie, who was her brother. She never did talk much.

Hazel leaned over my shoulder as I read the paper.

New contestants wanted. Can you stay in this cabin for a whole month? Of course, you could, but could you do it without any contact with the real world? If you can’t make it you lose nothing, but if you are able to make it through the whole month you will receive $20,000,000. Every participant will receive their own share of it. Could you make it?

I looked over at Archie, “I don’t know that sounds a little weird.”

“I think we should do it.” Hazel said excitedly, “Plus Christmas break is coming up.”

I thought about it for a while, “I don’t know it just sounds bad.”

“Don’t start this again.” Archie pleaded.

“Start what?” I asked confused.

“Every time we mention something you never want to do it. You’re worse than my mother. You think everything is going to hurt you.” Aspen explained.

I sighed, “Fine, we can go.” What are the chances of anything bad happening?

“Good. I didn’t think you’d actually go through with it.” Archie grinned.

“Can I go?” Aiden asked.

I spun around quickly, “Aiden! I thought you went off with your friends.” I practically yelled.

“I did, but I forgot a book in the car.” He explained holding up one of his books. I sighed heavily. “Fine. I guess you can go.” I muttered.

Aiden smiled and ran off. I shook my head and looked back at my friends. “It’s alright if Aiden tags along right?” I asked.

“Yes, I love Aiden,” Archie said.

“Archie. You only like to pester him and scare the crap out of him.” I said.

“Same difference.” He laughed. “I’m gonna go contact those people. I’ll see you guys later.” He waved and walked off.

“Then there were three,” Hazel said.

“Actually two. I gotta run. I have to retake some geometry test.” Aspen explained and ran off.

“Then there were two and it’s going to stay two, because you aren’t leaving me alone,” Hazel explained.

I shook my head and laughed. Soon enough, the bell rang excusing everyone to their first period. Hazel and I walked into the school. She went off to her class with some guy and I went to my locker to grab my English book before class. I walked into class right as the bell rang and sat down next to Archie.

“So, did you talk to them?” I asked.

“Yeah, we leave Friday.” He explained and I just stared at him.

“Archie!” I almost yelled. “Today’s Thursday. How are we supposed to get all of our stuff together in one night?” I asked.

“They said they will supply everything. All we have to bring are some clothes. They are even going to send someone to pick us up.” He explained.

I sighed, “Archie…”

“Be ready they will be there at 9 pm.” I sighed. “Alright.”

The rest of the day went by in a blur. I couldn’t rid the feeling that something was wrong. I felt bad almost, guilty that I was letting this happen. I tried to shake it off saying it was nothing, but it definitely didn’t feel like nothing. I drove home with Aiden, who was rambling on about his day. No matter how much I tried to ignore the deep feeling in my stomach I just couldn’t.

I tried to go to sleep early that night, but I didn’t actually fall asleep until like 2 a.m. I tossed and turned more than ever that night. Finally, I gave up and turned on my little bedside light and decided to read. I fell asleep with my book in my lap. The following morning I dragged myself out of bed and into the bathroom.

The day felt weird. I was anxious for most of the day. I decided to officially push the feeling off and decided to have fun. It was a slow day like most Friday's were. We tested in most classes and studied in others. I met Aiden out at the car and we went home.

I was surprised to see that neither of our parents was home. They work at home most of the time, but on occasion have to stay out of town. Although they usually give us a heads up it wasn’t too weird. I unlocked the door and we walked in. I dropped my bag at the door and was hanging up my keys.

“Kennedy!” Aiden called from the kitchen. I walked up to the counter where he sat, as he handed me a paper. It was a letter from mom and dad. The handwriting was a weird, but they were probably in a rush.

Kennedy,

We had to go out for a few days for work. We will be back in a few weeks. I’m sorry it’s so long this time, but you know that’s how the holidays are for us. We might not be able to make it home for the holiday but will make up for it when we get back. They said we will be able to head back in about a month. Talk to you later.

Love, Mom, and Dad.

I sighed and set the paper back down. Aiden looked at me questioningly, “Looks like we will are definitely going up to the cabin. Mom and dad won’t be home for like a month, and guess what neither will we.” I smiled.

Aiden’s face lit up with excitement. “Actually you need to pack now. They will pick us up at 9 tonight. So, I suggest you go get in the shower, then pack your bags.” I explained. Aiden jumped out of his seat and ran upstairs.

I pulled out my phone and texted our group chat.

Send to: Aiden, Archie, Aspen, Hazel

K: Hey everyone! Meet at my house at 8:45 tonight and we can all just leave from here. So, whoever is picking us up doesn’t have to go to multiple places.

Arch: Ight. Aspen and I will be there.

H: Okeee see you then!

I ran upstairs and started to put my bags together. I packed a few weeks worth of clothes and some basic bathroom items. I tossed everything into a duffel bag and set it by the door. About 15 minutes later Aiden got out of the shower and I was able to jump in.

I got out and walked downstairs drying my hair. Now it was about 5 pm and we still had almost 4 hours to kill. I put in a movie and made dinner for Aiden and I. Once 8:30 rolled around everyone started showing up. Archie and Aspen showed up at about 8:40 and Hazel showed up at 8:50. Hazel, of course, brought her dog. Tiny little dog its name was biscuit and could easily fit in her purse. Archie had apparently asked about it when he called them.

At exactly 9 pm there was a knock on the door. Archie got up and answered it, while the rest of us were grabbing the bags. The guy who was picking us up was a tall built man. He looked like he worked on cars and stuff by the way his hands were. He was dressed casually in just jeans and a red flannel. He had gentle features to his face, along with soft eyes.

We all carried our bags to the car, which had just enough seats for us. I sat next to the window with Aiden next to me on the ride up there. Which took approximately 4 hours. Aiden fell asleep on me and Aspen and Hazel fell asleep against each other. So, it was just me and Archie for the ride. The guy didn’t say a single word on the drive there. It was weird, but I didn’t look too much into it. It was pretty deep into the woods. We finally came around a bend and I surprised to see what sat in front of us. To say the least, it was not a large fancy cabin. It was a small old cabin that looks like it’s about to just crumble to pieces. One more wind storm and it’s gone. I started getting a very uneasy feeling again. I looked over at the guy who drove us there. He looked mad, but got out our bags and left. Leaving us alone.

#OC #Horror oc #chapter one #writings #horror #cabin #woods

2 notes · View notes

aion-rsa · 4 years ago

Text

Examining Bill & Ted’s Excellent Pop Culture Adventures

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Bill & Ted Face the Music is OUT NOW! Excellent! (Loud screeching guitar solo). And really, the dim time-traveling duo have returned just when we need them the most. Since first making their debut in the 1989 sleeper hit Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, these characters — portrayed with glee by Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves — have become that unique thing: A sci-fi/comedy franchise that somehow is both a cult sensation and a mainstream success. Following the unexpected success of the first film, the sequel Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey was released in the summer of 1991. Fans expecting more of the same were instead treated to a rumination on life and death that featured everything from aliens to evil robot doppelgangers of our leads. But the inventiveness of Bill and Ted creators Chris Matheson and Ed Solomon worked against him, and the film went underappreciated during its original run.

In the nearly 30 years since their last big screen outing, the legend of Bill & Ted has only grown. Much has been made about how the pair influenced everything from Beavis and Butthead to Kevin Smith’s Jay and Silent Bob, and while there’s validity to these claims it’s important to remember that the template for Bill and Ted was forged as far back as 1980s teen sex comedies in which goofball/borderline stoner characters were used to great effect. (See also: Sean Penn’s performance in The Beaver Trilogy, a terrific cult effort that was a dry run for his take as Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times at Ridgemont High). Ultimately however, Bill and Ted have endured because their films are smart and strange with terrific performances, a game supporting cast (George Carlin as Rufus is particularly great), and a fun concept that merges teenage wish fulfillment with offbeat science fiction concepts.

So with the final, for now anyway, Bill & Ted film upon us, we thought we’d look back on the characters’ first three decades with an exploration of how their impact has reverberated throughout popular culture. From misguided TV spinoffs to audacious rip off ads, this is a journey that you will find to be most excellent indeed.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adentures (Animated)

No one expected Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure to be a success. At the time, most everyone involved with the film — with the notable exceptions of George Carlin, Bernie Casey, and Jane Wiedlin — were unknowns. Furthermore, the film had the kind of small budget that screamed straight-to-video. So when it became successful, the decision was made to strike while the iron was hot, and so Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures was born. Produced by Hanna-Barbera and aired on CBS, this cartoon chronicle of Bill and Ted’s ongoing adventures had them encountering everyone from Little Richard to William Shakespeare. Giving the enterprise an air of legitimacy was the fact that Winter, Reeves, Carlin, and Casey all reprised their roles. After the first season, the series switched to the Fox network, with DIC Entertainment (creator of shows like Inspector Gadget and The New Archies) taking over production. The big name stars were jettisoned and the show took a dip in quality. It ran for another eight episodes before whimpering out of existence. But for the actors who voiced Bill and Ted on this iteration of the show, they were just getting started…

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures (Live Action)

Cartoon spin-offs of sitcoms like The Brady Kids and Fonz and the Happy Days Gang were commonplace on the televisual landscape of the 1970s and ’80s. But what made Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures so unique, and probably the only truly memorable thing about the whole affair, is how what started as an animated version of a popular film ditched its actors for the toon’s second season and then these replacements went on to anchor a live-action version of more or less the same show. That’s some inverse Coy and Vance/The Dukes of Hazzard nonsense right there. Evan Richards and Christopher Kennedy once again portrayed Bill and Ted respectively when Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventures hit Fox in 1992. Don’t lay the show’s failure on their performances though, they did a more than passable job of walking in Winter and Reeves’ footsteps. It was the lack of budget and, you know, creativity that quickly and rightfully doomed the series. Yet around the same time as the Wyld Stallyns were ending their television run, they were thriving in another medium.

Bill & Ted Comics

Bill & Ted’s first foray into comics was a straightforward adaptation of the first film that DC Comics released and is noteworthy merely for Angelo Torres’ fun art. After this release, Marvel got the license to the characters, and a Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey adaptation soon followed with work from Milk & Cheese‘s Evan Dorkin. The comic subsequently spawned a 12-issue ongoing series in which Dorkin let his imagination run wild. As someone who is obsessed with the things I am speaking with experience when I say that most licensed comics are a slog to get through. That is not the case here, and Dorkin’s work with Bill and Ted stands alongside of Carl Bark’s Uncle Scrooge efforts and Roger Langridge’s The Muppets comics. (To prove I’m not being hyperbolic here, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Comic Book was nominated for a Best Humor Comic at the 1992 Eisner Awards). There have been other Bill & Ted comics in recent years, but none have reached the stellar heights of Dorkin’s work with the characters. Fortunately, he has returned to the fold with the just-released mini-series Bill & Ted Are Doomed, so spread that news to comic lovers far and wide.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Cereal

Unfortunately, Bill & Ted’s Most Excellent Cereal was anything but. Imagine stale Cinnamon Toast Crunch mixed with decades old marshmallows and that begins to describe the heinous experience that downing a bowl of the stuff was like. That said, I still have the phone booth cereal premium that came shrink wrapped with it and that is, of course, excellent.

Bill & Ted’s National Air Guitar Championship

In the summer of 1991, MTV went all in with its promotion of Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. As a result we have the above Bill & Ted’s National Air Guitarist Championship contest, which features an appearance by a bemused William Sadler (who rules, always) and introductions from Dweezil Zappa, who seems like he can barely hold in his contempt for the entire enterprise.

Bill & Ted’s Bogus Premiere Party

Another A/V relic from MTV’s summer of Bill & Ted is the premiere party the network hosted by Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey. Featuring Pauly Shore on hosting detail and appearances from a bunch of bands who were about to rendered irrelevant due to the rise of grunge, this program is a journey back to a simpler, less flannel-centric time in our now-distant past.

Bill & Ted Action Figures

Looking back now at Kenner’s Bill & Ted Excellent Adventure action figures, the main question I have is just why didn’t I snatch these things up when I saw them in the closeout bins at Kaybee Toys? Genghis Khan in a Wyld Stallyns shirt? The second I’m done this article I’m heading over to eBay.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure Sideshow Figures

With nostalgia being one of the few things that 2020 has yet to destroy, the deluxe action figure market is booming. NECA is currently offering stunning figures based on the Bill & Ted saga, and for those who really want to up their uncanny valley collecting game there are these toys from Sideshow that well set you back $399. Decide for yourself if this is excellent or bogus.

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Video Game Adventure

In the 1990s, LJN was notorious for making confounding Nintendo Entertainment System games out of popular movies. Jaws, Friday the 13th, Back to the Future, and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure were all given the LJN treatment to various degrees of frustration. My personal memories of playing their Bill & Ted title solely consist of wandering around in a daze wondering what the hell was going on. Wait? Was the game secretly a stealth 2020 simulator?

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Musical Adventure

The invaluable Bill & Ted’s Excellent Online Adventure website is the Internet’s greatest resource when it comes to information on these characters. While researching this piece I was blown away to discover that Bill & Ted’s Excellent Musical Adventure exists, and the site breaks it down thusly:

It was in 1992 that Dean Collinson, a singer, songwriter and actor, first saw the Bill and Ted movies and set about to write a musical version of our favorite movies with his writing partners Mick Walsh and Gene Jacobs. In October 1998, Dean Collinson would win the Vivien Ellis Award for Best New Musical Composer for the music to Bill & Ted’s Excellent Musical Adventure.

The musical seems to have been staged at least a couple of times, once as a three week run during the Edinburgh Festival at the venue The Pleasance in Scotland. The other was a condensed version on May 4, 2000 as part of a program called “Musical Futures” at the Greenwich Theatre in London.

Unauthorized though it may be, this thing sounds glorious. You can hear the songs and learn more about it here, and whoa, you should. Spoiler alert: There is no song called “San Dimas High School Football Rules.” Tragically.

McDonald’s Ads

Speaking of unauthorized, McDonald’s produced and aired the above commercials that shamelessly tried to ride Bill & Ted’s pop culture coattails. There’s a lot that is wrong with this, but the main thing is probably how you just know that Bill & Ted are In-N-Out burger dudes.

Weezer – Beginning of the End Music Video

The Bill & Ted movie soundtracks have contained everyone from Kiss to Slaughter. Apparently now the pair are listening to Weezer? I mean, I guess the franchise’s ultimate message is that we all eventually give up our youthful dreams and become what we fear most. And what I fear most is ever having to endure another conversation about Pinkerton, so I suppose I’ll end things here. Just do me a favor, be excellent to each other, okay?

The post Examining Bill & Ted’s Excellent Pop Culture Adventures appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/2D76B9p

#aion-rsa #Den of Geek

0 notes

bharatiyamedia-blog · 5 years ago

Text

Padres rally to cap record-setting sequence

http://tinyurl.com/yydg8nwc Greg Garcia had 4 hits, together with a two-run triple as a part of a four-run ninth inning, and the San Diego Padres rallied to beat the Colorado Rockies 14-13 in Denver on Sunday. The 2 groups mixed for 92 runs of their four-game sequence to set a modern-era report. Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon homered and had three hits within the finale to set a report for many hits in a four-game sequence with 15. Hunter Renfroe hit two house runs for San Diego on Sunday, and Fernando Tatis Jr. had three hits and was a house run in need of a cycle. Gerardo Reyes (3-0) struck out the facet within the eighth inning to get the win, and Kirby Yates obtained the final three outs for his 24th save. The Padres rallied within the ninth for the second time within the sequence after getting back from six down Friday. Rockies nearer Wade Davis (1-2) walked two, Wil Myers minimize it to 13-11 with a single and Garcia tied it together with his triple. Dodgers 3, Cubs 2 Cody Bellinger hit a house run, and nearer Kenley Jansen discovered a little bit of redemption as Los Angeles held off visiting Chicago. Jansen earned his 21st save, though simply barely, at some point after he gave up a two-run house run to Anthony Rizzo within the ninth inning that gave the Cubs a 2-1 victory. Jansen put the primary two runners aboard within the ninth inning however escaped unhurt. The Dodgers took a 3-2 lead within the eighth inning when Russell Martin fought off a breaking ball from Steve Cishek (1-4) to dunk a single into left discipline and rating Chris Taylor from second base. Ross Stripling (3-2) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the victory. Purple Sox 8, Orioles 6 (10 innings) Rafael Devers led off the highest of the 10th with a house run whereas Mookie Betts and Christian Vazquez every added two-run singles within the inning as visiting Boston rallied previous Baltimore for its firth straight win. Boston trailed 3-2 heading into the ninth however Marco Hernandez tied the sport with a one-out homer off Mychal Givens (0-4), who additionally gave up Devers’ blast within the 10th. Brandon Workman (5-1) earned the victory for the Purple Sox. Stevie Wilkerson helped Baltimore attempt to rally within the 10th with a two-run homer, and Trey Mancini added a solo shot, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient. Yankees 10, White Sox 3 Cameron Maybin homered as New York went deep for the 19th straight sport and salvaged a four-game sequence cut up with host Chicago. Austin Romine drove in a season-high 4 runs, and Brett Gardner additionally had 4 RBIs for the Yankees, who received for the fifth time of their final 13 video games. New York starter James Paxton (4-3) allowed two runs on eight hits in six innings, placing out seven and strolling one. Odrisamer Despaigne (0-2) allowed seven runs on 9 hits in Four 1/Three innings within the loss. Rays 6, Angels 5 Brandon Lowe and Tommy Pham hit solo house runs to assist raise Tampa Bay previous Los Angeles to earn a cut up of the four-game sequence at St. Petersburg, Fla. Pham hit his 10th house run of the season within the fifth inning to interrupt a 3-Three tie. The Rays tacked on two extra runs within the eighth on an RBI single by Yandy Diaz and a wild pitch, vital runs after Mike Trout hit a two-run homer within the ninth to chop the deficit to 6-5. Colin Poche (1-1) obtained the win in reduction for Tampa Bay. Angels rookie right-hander Griffin Canning (2-3) went six innings, permitting 4 runs on six hits and placing out seven. Indians 8, Tigers 0 Trevor Bauer notched his first win since April 30 with the primary complete-game shutout of his profession, rookie Oscar Mercado drove in a career-high 4 runs and Cleveland cruised previous host Detroit. Bauer (5-6) allowed simply 4 hits and walked none whereas placing out eight because the Indians swept the three-game sequence. His final complete-game victory was June 22, 2016. Tigers starter Spencer Turnbull (3-6) allowed six runs on 10 hits in 5 innings. Detroit has misplaced 4 in a row and dropped 11 of its final 14 video games. Royals 8, Twins 6 Martin Maldonado went 3-for-Four with two RBIs and two runs scored, and Jorge Bonifacio and Billy Hamilton every drove in two runs as Kansas Metropolis held off Minnesota at Minneapolis. Nicky Lopez and Cheslor Cuthbert every scored two runs for the Royals, who defeated Minnesota for the primary time in 5 video games this season. Jorge Lopez (1-6), in reduction of Jakob Junis, allowed one run on 4 hits in 2 1/Three innings to choose up the win, and Ian Kennedy picked up his seventh save. Story continues Nelson Cruz homered and drove in three runs, Miguel Sano additionally homered and Max Kepler went 4-for-6 for the Twins, who left 15 batters on base. Martin Perez (7-3) allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on six hits, all singles, and a stroll whereas placing out seven to choose up the loss. Braves 15, Phillies 1 Josh Donaldson homered for the second straight sport, considered one of three lengthy balls hit by Atlanta in a blowout of visiting Philadelphia. The victory gave the Braves their ninth win of their final 10 video games. The Phillies have misplaced 5 of their final seven. Donaldson was 3-for-4 — his second straight three-hit sport — and Ronald Acuna Jr. added 4 hits for Atlanta. Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz (2-5) pitched six innings and allowed one run on 4 hits, strolling 5 and placing out six, whereas Phillies righty Vince Velasquez (2-4) labored 2 1/Three innings and allowed 4 runs on 4 hits for the loss. Blue Jays 12, Astros 0 Trent Thornton labored 6 2/Three shutout innings as Toronto salvaged the finale of its three-game sequence at Houston. Thornton (2-5), a fifth-round choice by Houston within the 2015 draft, allowed six hits and three walks with seven strikeouts for his third scoreless begin this season. Rookie first baseman Rowdy Tellez slugged the primary of 5 Toronto house runs with two outs within the first inning, a solo shot off Astros right-hander Brad Peacock (6-4). 9 of the Blue Jays’ 14 hits went for further bases. Cardinals 4, Mets 3 Paul DeJong continued to thrive towards New York when he hit a tiebreaking solo homer with one out within the eighth inning to steer visiting St. Louis to victory. DeJong snapped a 3-Three tie when he lifted a 3-1 breaking ball from Chris Flexen (0-3) into the decrease rows of the left-field seats. It was the shortstop’s third homer of the four-game sequence, through which the Cardinals received three video games. Andrew Miller (3-2) labored round a single within the seventh, and Carlos Martinez pitched two scoreless innings and recorded his second save, ending the sport by getting pinch hitter Wilson Ramos on a double play began by DeJong. Brewers 5, Giants 3 Eric Thames and Jesus Aguilar hit house runs, and the bullpen tossed 5 scoreless innings as Milwaukee ended host San Francisco’s win streak at 4. Christian Yelich went 2-for-5 with two doubles within the Brewers’ 12-hit assault, and Yasmani Grandal, Travis Shaw and Thames every added two hits. Matt Albers (3-2) obtained the win, and Josh Hader retired all six batters he confronted for his 17th save in 18 probabilities. San Francisco starter Jeff Samardzija (3-6) grounded an RBI single however allowed 4 runs and 9 hits in 5 innings. Mariners 6, Athletics 3 Kyle Seager’s two-run double with the bases loaded within the eighth inning sparked a four-run rally as Seattle defeated host Oakland. Mallex Smith homered for the Mariners, who took two of three video games within the sequence. Mike Leake (6-6) pitched seven sturdy innings, permitting three runs (two earned) on seven hits with no walks and 7 strikeouts, and Roenis Elias labored the ninth for his seventh save of the season. Khris Davis and Ramon Laureano homered for the A’s. Oakland right-hander Lou Trivino (2-5) took the loss, regardless of simply one of many 4 runs he surrendered within the eighth being earned after a fielding error by proper fielder Mark Canha. Nationals 15, Diamondbacks 5 Matt Adams had two homers and a career-high seven RBIs, together with a grand slam within the eighth inning, and Anibal Sanchez had one other sturdy outing as host Washington dumped Arizona for a cut up of a four-game sequence. Adam Eaton, Anthony Rendon and Howie Kendrick added three hits for Washington, which has received 14 of its final 21 contests. Sanchez (3-6), who gave up two runs in six innings, captured his 100th MLB win and third straight choice over 4 begins. Archie Bradley (2-4) gave up 4 runs in 1 1/Three innings in his first begin for the Diamondbacks since 2016. Reds 11, Rangers 3 Jesse Winker homered to focus on his career-best four-hit, five-RBI efficiency as host Cincinnati drubbed Texas. Yasiel Puig launched a two-run homer for the second straight sport, and Reds starter Sonny Grey (3-5) allowed three runs on 5 hits and struck out eight over 5 innings. Texas’ Hunter Pence belted a two-run homer earlier than exiting within the fifth inning with tightness in his proper groin, the group introduced. Rangers starter Ariel Jurado (4-3) was roughed up for seven runs on 9 hits in three innings. Pirates 5, Marlins 4 Josh Bell hit a go-ahead RBI double within the seventh inning, serving to visiting Pittsburgh rally previous Miami. Pirates reliever Richard Rodriguez (1-3) earned the win, pitching one scoreless inning. In all, the Pittsburgh bullpen pitched 4 innings of scoreless ball, getting 5 outs from Kyle Crick and 4 from Felipe Vazquez, who earned his 16th save. Reliever Nick Anderson (2-3), who gave up two runs within the seventh, took the loss. The Marlins offense was led by rookie Harold Ramirez, who hit a three-run homer. –Area Stage Media Source link

1 note · View note

democratsunited-blog · 6 years ago

Text

How Democrats can win by losing a Supreme Court fight with Trump

https://uniteddemocrats.net/?p=4965

How Democrats can win by losing a Supreme Court fight with Trump

Democrats are going to lose the short-term battle over the Supreme Court’s future in the aftermath of Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement. But in the end, they might just win.

The naming of Kennedy’s replacement is about more than the Democratic-Republican divide. It’s about the future of Roe vs. Wade and a woman’s right to choice.

That’s an issue that crosses party lines. It’s not just Democratic women who value that right — many Republican women recoil at the religious right’s push to outlaw abortions.

We may have heated discussions about conservative court rulings on public-employee union dues or travel bans from Muslim-majority countries. But nothing compares to the issue of a woman’s choice.

Chances are the Democratic minority in the Senate won’t be able to block any anti-Roe vs. Wade nominee President Trump puts forward. But even if Trump gets his way, the Democrats win because they will have living proof sitting on the Supreme Court bench of what is at stake in the midterms this fall — and in 2020.

Shocker? A Bernie Sanders supporter soundly defeats the No. 4 House Democrat, sending shock waves across the county — but it shouldn’t.

Times change, and so did New York Rep. Joe Crowley’s district, which is split between Queens and the Bronx. What was once Archie Bunker’s neighborhood now looks like the United Nations on a lunch break.

Crowley has been in office for nearly 20 years and had impressive liberal credentials and more money than God. He was even being shopped as a possible successor to Rep. Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic leader. But he got caught up in the national riptide and drifted too far from his district.

The woman who beat him in Tuesday’s primary, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, is a 28-year-old who until recently was employed as a bartender. She turned out to have two things Democrats desperately need: a message, and boundless energy, applied to her district.

As she said on “Morning Joe” after winning the primary, she was “laser-focused … (on) economic, social, and racial dignity for working-class Americans, especially those in Queens and the Bronx.”

Roll call: London Breed, mayor-elect. Malia Cohen, president of the Board of Supervisors. City Administrator Naomi Kelly. Terri Jackson, San Francisco Superior Court’s presiding judge.

From a governing standpoint, African American women are running the town.

Movie time: “Incredibles 2.” An intriguing story, although a bit on the lightweight side. Still, all the greats from the original “Incredibles” are back.

The neatest addition is a baby who, from a superpower standpoint, is more interesting than everybody else. The animation is fabulous, but be sure to bring a kid with you.

“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” The prehistoric animals aren’t nearly as frightening as in earlier installments. Worth a couple of hours of your time all the same. And maybe they’ll do better on the scary front in the next one.

Foodie time: Every week I assume people are checking this column for the true scoop on presidential politics, civic intrigue, electoral angling. But that’s not true, it turns out.

My readers want burger news.

Last week’s item on my daily quest for the perfect burger brought a flood of emails, including many from people who say they’ve already found the holy grill. Here are some of the best tips:

“In your search for a good hamburger you ought try Tarpy’s in Monterey. They have a Kobi hamburger with lobster on top! (25$) GOOD!” — Charles Speyerer

“I live in San Jose and love the Habit burgers. Their Portabella Char Burger is, I think, the best burger I have ever had. I have tried a couple of their other burgers and really like them.” — Tom Smyth

“Don’t forget to try a Hamburger at Absinthe on Hayes!” — Byron Nevins

“You have got to try JJ’s Burgers in Novato. Fabulous!!” — Ray Hollister

“For a while I thought nobody could beat Chez Maman, but Epic may be better. However, the new Hamburger Mary’s on Castro is surprisingly in the running! Damn good burger there too.” — Kevin McCarthy

And then there was this, from Gary Rosenberg, which I treasure most of all:

“My wife, Angela Marti, did a hamburger tour of SF 10 years ago. She rated Cafe de la Presse (Bush/Grant) as #1. I lost her last year to ovarian cancer (56 years old). If you get a chance, check out de la Presse burger as a shout out to her. And who knows, maybe it’s still good.”

Want to sound off? Email: [email protected]

Read full story here

#Democrats

0 notes

altusfl · 6 years ago

Text

86. The 1990 off-season --- The 1991 USFL draft

The 1991 USFL draft

The 1991 Draft would be disrespected by fans but not by evaluators of NFL talent. The year’s draft would be considered largely devoid of true “blue chip” talents or ready to go QBs by the fans and the media, but would be one of the deepest drafts in several years with several raw talents with great upside. “This is the kind of draft where a team or two might have one of those once a decade drafts where they hit on a player in almost every round.” an NFL scout would tell a reporter after the bowl games.

The USFL’s latest expansion and the influx of money from the league’s TV partners would kill that NFL dream.

Notre Dame Heisman Trophy Winning WR/KR Raghib “Rocket” Ismail was considered the #1 talent in the draft by a large margin. The Dallas Cowboys owned the NFL’s number 1 pick after trading up with New England from #12. The Cowboys had already picked up WR Anthony Miller, QB Troy Aikman, DT Cortez Kennedy, and RB Harold Green in the prior three drafts. While adding a deadly complimentary receiver like Ismail to partner with Miller and Aikman made sense on paper, there was a general feeling that Jimmy Johnson was out on principle on spending the #1 overall pick on a #2 WR.

Add the fact that the NFL was spending 2-3 times what they felt they should be on first rounders and signing Ismael seemed to rub Johnson the wrong way. There was no question he saw enough value to take Ismail #1 overall, but to pay him at a premium? It was unlikely.

This was a problem for Dallas as Ismael was not going to be without suitors. The CFL’s Toronto Argonauts had been sold to a group that included actor John Candy. The Argos were going to make a serious run at Ismail if only for the PR value.

There was no way Dallas was going to be able to sign Ismail on the cheap. This spurred New Jersey Generals owner Stephen Ross into action.

The New York Generals surprised no one by signing Rocket Ismail to a very large contract to be the first pick in the draft. The most surprising thing about the deal would be that Ismail would end up making less than most expected when the terms were finally announced. It appeared that the early nature of the spring draft prevented the Candy group from putting together the sizable offer most expected and frankly, Ismail was eager to play his pro career in a run and shoot offense.

Sacramento had thought to pay handsomely to land Todd Lyght — considered one of the two best CBs in the draft and certainly the highest profile one. Lyght was impressed by Gold Miner defensive coordinator Charlie Sumner but was leaning towards waiting for the NFL draft. Sacramento spoke to Russell Maryland next , but quickly became convinced he cut a deal with Dallas on the cheap to go #1 overall in the NFL draft and was unlikely to look at Sacramento, so the team opened up talks to trade down. New England’s Vince McMahon saw a player he could sell in New England in the former Notre Dame star CB and traded up. McMahon was able to convince Lyght that his team offered Lyght the chance to make additional revenue as a spokesman in New York City AND New England. Lyght was taken with the proposal and quickly signed.

It was thought that Portland would pay Pat Harlow handsomely to protect Gary Hogeboom’s blindside, but the Lumberjacks surprised everyone when Norv Turner drafted San Diego State’s Dan McGuire, the Brother of Oakland Athletics star Mark McGuire. While McGuire was the #1 rated QB prospect in the draft, he had his flaws. While he was big with a strong arm and a winning personality, his decision making and release weren’t as quick as one would hope and he had started fewer college games than one would have liked. He was considered a raw middle of the first round prospect. Turner was worried that Hogeboom was too reckless and might quickly become injury prone in his 30′s, even with Harlow there. The thought was that at his size, McGuire could take some hits. Turner knew Paul Allen loved the thought of marketing the 6′8″ Dan McGuire and respected Turner as a QB whisperer. Turner thought he could mask McGuire’s deficiencies in his QB friendly system that mostly required a QB who could throw a consistent Slant route and bring him around slowly in a year or two. This plan fell apart when Hogeboom’s agent immediately request a trade.

Sacramento realized they had little to offer a player in terms of glitz, so they thought they would target a player they could impress with a red carpet rollout….an offensive lineman. They drafted Pat Harlow out of USC. Harlow was a Californian and the idea of making good money and not leaving the state appealed to him.

The DC Federals went after a guy they considered the best WR prospect in several years….Herman Moore. Moore was a tall breakaway threat with off the chart hands. Moore would be very receptive to staying in his home region and playing for a coach with a great offensive mind for whom he had a ton of respect.

Seattle’s ownership would have a coin flip between safeties Eric Turner and Stanley Richard as a high caliber defensive player they thought they could land. Richard would seem taken with waiting for the NFL draft, so the team would pick Turner. After drafting him they would discover that Turner was leaning towards staying in for the NFL draft as so many players seemed to be signing with the USFL. This was only cemented when Cleveland fell in love with Turner when he climbed over a locked fence to participate in their workout. Seattle would find themselves unable to trade his rights.

New Mexico’s owners, the Maloof family, had their eyes set on Dan McGuire to be their featured star, but when Portland took him they thought about trading down. Their coach, Craig Morton, had been ok with the McGuire plan, but he preferred to sign a veteran QB anyway as they make fewer mistakes and he saw McGuire as a bit of a project. “We don’t have to be the most talented team in our first year, we just have to spend our picks wisely on contributors we can sign in the first three years. We can get a good RB or WR to sell to the fans with our second first round pick.” He argued. “We don’t have to keep the first pick.” Morton wisely advised that it would be tough selling Albuquerque to rookies, so it would be better to build a respectable team of hard working younger vets first. “We can always trade for Testaverde, Hogeboom, or Craig Penrose,” He argued. He had worked up a contingency deal with his former team, Denver, in case McGuire was not there. New Mexico traded away the #7 pick for Denver’s first pick in 1992 as well as several vets. Denver would pick popular Colorado game breaking WR Mike Pritchard. Pritchard was raw as a receiver, but his talent was indisputable. He had averaged a mind boggling 26.4 yards per catch for his college career. New Mexico loved him and their fans were disappointed with the trade, but Pritchard’s agent had made it clear that Pritchard would only play for Houston, Memphis, Denver, or New Jersey in the USFL….other than that, he was content to wait for the NFL draft.

Archie Manning quickly selected Tennessee Tackle Charles McRae for his New Orleans team. McRae would fall victim to Manning’s charisma and sign quickly. Manning considered McRae a natural blindside protector for Tommy Hodson, who had taken a beating his rookie season. Manning liked Hodson and thought the kid showed a little potential…Manning didn’t want Hodson to have a career like Manning had with no personnel support on offense. This was the only reason Manning passed on his favorite prospect, a local player by the name of Brett Farve. Farve had a lot of moxie and a huge arm, but had been involved in an auto accident that he was still recovering from and was very undisciplined on and off the field. Ultimately Manning decided the safer option was to give Hodson the tools to succeed.

Although Oklahoma liked Nebraska LB Mike Croel, there was a general consensus that Croel was waiting for the NFL draft and they needed a replacement for the retired Peter Raeford at CB, so they drafted his teammate CB Bruce Pickens. Pickens would listen to the Outlaws, but Croel rightly convinced Pickens that if they waited they would both be top 5 picks in the NFL draft.

Birmingham would quickly chose Tackle Antoine Davis. Charlie Pell was a sound coach who realized nothing worked with a questionable offensive line. Davis projected as a right tackle who could probably also play left tackle at a high level in the USFL. The problem was Davis’s agent. Davis’s agent would wisely tell the player to wait for the NFL draft as Davis was likely to be the #1 OL in that draft. Davis would listen to the advise for a couple of weeks before the Birmingham’s minority ownership group would exercise their Auburn recruiting networks and start making offers to Davis’s extended family and friends, improving the perception of the USFL in the Davis household. Davis would warm to the USFL and be signed by the end of camp.

Ted Marchibroda would be disappointed to see the 3 elite offensive tackles off the board. He would toy with drafting Florida OLB Huey Richardson, but would instead pull the trigger on a trade with the Arizona Wranglers for their first and second round picks. Arizona was in love with the idea of signing Arizona State’s star RB Leonard Russell. They thought the powerful Russell would fix a long time problem —an inconsistent running game — as well as give Phoenix fans a second new reason to come to Wrangler games (in addition to their championship win). Russell would quickly sign at a reasonable price.

On the clock again, Denver would draft and sign Colorado OLB Alfred Williams. Williams would sign a reasonable contract to play for Denver when the Gold assured him they planned to “Go all in on Buffaloes” in the draft. (They would also take and sign RB Eric Bienemy and OLB Kanavais McGhee in the second round.)

Pittsburgh would draft Tennessee deep threat Alvin Harper to plug in opposite Greg Anderson. Impressed with head coach Al Saunders and the prospects of the team, Harper would take a reasonable deal given general uncertainty about his placement in the NFL draft.

Don Coryell would surprise everyone with his selection of USC QB Todd Marinovich. Marinovich had legit elite level talent, a great feel for the game,a big arm, good feet and mechanics, but he was a scratch on most team’s draft boards due to cocaine & Marijauna use, insubordination, and weird family dynamics. He was considered another hit or miss second round prospect… at best. Coryell hated the insubordination and cocaine and told Marinovich from Day 1 that would not be tolerated, but the two men really clicked. Marinovich had both the talent and a well developed understanding of the game that Coryell wanted and Coryell gave Marinovich an alternative NFL success model to his dad. It came out of nowhere, but Marinovich fell in love with football again. Marinovich would later write “Don was amazing. He really turned my life around. He told me, ‘You can be the jerk you have been for the last year and the Raiders will likely draft you in the first round because of your Dad, or you can be the MAN I see and know and I’ll draft you because of YOU.’ Dude… It sent a shiver down my spine. It still does every time I tell the story. There is a reason he was a first ballot hall of fame coach. I quit partying and all the hard drugs and toed his line. Except for occasional pot in the offseason,... I was done with it. It was weird, I never got it before, but from that point forward I enjoyed football on a whole new level.” Marinovich would sign a multi-year deal at a deep discount --- about what he would have made if the Raiders had picked him at the end of the NFL’s first round.

The surprises continued in the draft as Milwaukee coach Hayden Fry picked and signed his former collegiate RB Nick Bell next, despite having Anthony Thompson on the roster. Bell was considered a second or third round caliber back, but his speed and athleticism for his size was off the charts. Fry would explain in the press conference, “Don’t read anything into this. Nick is a special talent who is getting better as a runner each season, but Anthony is one of the best RBs in the league. I am making this pick because Anthony is not a big guy and he ran for over 1600 yard last season. The USFL plays an 14 game regular season plus several playoff games. If I do that to Anthony every year, he’ll be done in this league in 5 years. If I can offset some of the load to Nick, both might play 8-10 years much like Buford Jordan and Marcus Dupree did in New Orleans. I’ll have done better by both of them.”

Carolina had a QB problem as a chronic shoulder injury forced longtime starter Mike Hohenesee into retirement. Hohenessee would become the team’s new QB coach. With a gaping hole at QB the assumption was that the team would sign a veteran or trade for Vinny Tesreverde. They did neither, instead opting to draft Brett Farve a round ahead of schedule. Both Head Coach Jonnie Walton and Hohenessee saw a special focus in the raw Southern Miss QB. Farve would realize that his car accident injuries were working against him and he would never go higher in the NFL draft, so he quickly took the money.

Atlanta would draft Mississippi DL Kelvin Pritchett next. Pritchett would wait for the NFL draft.

San Antonio would quickly draft and sign UT OT Stan White who would be taken with the idea of playing for Tom Landry.

With almost all of the top rated QBs off the board, the Spirits of Miami would draft Louisville QB Browning Nagle a bit earlier than most media thought appropriate. Coach Howard Schnellenberger instantly clicked with Nagle who played the position the way Schellenberger envisioned. Miami was worried when Carolina didn’t take Tesreverde that the Skyhawks might take Nagle, the only other “ready to play” QB prospect in the draft, even though he was graded a second round prospect. When Carolina didn’t Miami quickly scooped him up. Nagle quickly signed a reasonable long term deal.

New Tampa Bay coach Rich McGeorge would finally satisfy QB Chuck Long’s long instance that the team was leaving points on the field by not having more speed at receiver by drafting Miami WR Randall Hill. Hill would consider waiting for NFL money for a day or two, but the idea of staying in Florida and playing with a guy who appeared to be a future Hall of Fame QB was too enticing. He signed a reasonable deal.

Philadelphia would draft and Indiana safety Mike Dumas at a slight premium to fill a longtime hole in their secondary.

The Allens would want to draft Mike Croel of Nebraska as he was the last unspoken for lottery talent on the board but the move would be rejected by management as too expensive and possibly fruitless, so the Allens would instead draft Louisville DT Ted Washington. Washington was as big as the nose tackles of the day but had the ability to generate a pass rush. Washington would want 3 times what a pick in the 20′s had gotten the year before, arguing that given that most of the 1st round physical talents had signed with USFL teams, he was likely going to go in the top 10 and be paid a premium by the NFL. The Allens would make the same case to Oakland’s owners and they would grudgingly agree. “Even when George Allen is on a budget, he overspends....” Tad Taube would groan.

Michigan would draft Percy Snow’s Michigan State sidekick —hard hitting and mobile OLB Dixon Edwards. Expected to be a second round pick, he would sign an inexpensive deal.

Jacksonville wanted Ted Washington but would settle for UCLA OLB Roman Pfifer.

Hawaii would finally land a true feature back in Fresno State’s Aaron Craver. Craver, at 215 lbs., had good size and very good speed. Projected as a second round pick, Craver would sign a fairly inexpensive deal.

Orlando would draft and sign second round grade prospect DE Shane Curry of Miami at 26. He would sign a fairly inexpensive deal.

The Chicago Blitz would draft and sign Illinois S Henry Jones.

Houston would consider Michigan FB Jerrod Bunch, but would take Texas A&M’s legendary RB Darren Lewis. Lewis would initially decide to wait for the NFL draft, pissing off Houston, but then he tested positive for cocaine at the NFL combine. He would end up signing a one year “prove it” deal with the Gamblers for the league minimum.

The NJ Knights would sign CB Vince Clark of Ohio State at a major premium to become the team’s #1 CB.

Memphis would take Ed King at #30. King liked the Showboats but the money wasn’t rich enough and the NFL draft appeared gutted, so he waited. He would go early in the NFL draft.

Boston would draft Jerome Henderson to help their secondary at 31.

Baltimore would shock the world by taking semi-pro prospect Eric Swann at 32. Marchibroda had fallen in love with the kid’s game. Swann had elite size, strength, and talent and didn’t take plays off. With no college experience, the pick would be widely questioned by the media. He would quickly sign with Baltimore.

Boston would pick safety Jesse Campbell at 33 with the pick they acquired for QB Mike Buck. Boston had not accounted for the success the USFL teams would have signing draft picks. Their plan of picking up secondary help at reasonable prices would not work out as the players’ NFL leverage increased. Boston would whiff signing both players.

The Federals would pick up Notre Dame bare bellied NT Chris Zorich at 34. Zorich was a very active DT who played with fire and promotionally, was a great name in football. The Federals would pay a slight premium to land the second round grade prospect.

Seattle’s original plan had been to pick a defensive player from the lottery who they felt they could sign and then with their second pick try to land any upper level defensive player who other teams didn’t think they could sign without causing salary issues on their team. Turner didn’t work out for them, but a faction in their group felt they probably could pay either OLB Huey Richardson or MLB Mike Croel what they wanted to pay Turner and survive this first draft with a name player to sell to fans. The trouble is the majority of their coalition was more conservative and felt both players were solid in waiting for the NFL draft. That conservative faction favored drafting a player they knew they could sign, so they drafted Jarrod Bunch HB/FB out of Michigan. Bunch had been converted from a tailback to a FB in college. Seattle would sell Bunch that he would be the feature back in Seattle’s run focused game plan. Bunch, tired of being viewed as only a FB, would quickly sign for a slight premium.

New Mexico would make the final pick of the first round landing LSU’s RB Harvey Williams, who some scouts would call a poor man’s Eric Dickerson.

The success of the USFL in signing players ahead of the NFL draft, despite the NFL’s offers of premium contracts, would have ramifications for both leagues.

Click here to continue to the next post

Click here for previous post

0 notes