#reggie mantle x oc

[multireese]

Masterlist!

DC

Jason Todd

x male reader

x magic!male reader

dating a Black male reader.

x vigilante male reader

Dick Grayson

GRAYSON

x male reader

Hank Hall

A Helping Hand

Riverdale

Reggie Mantle

Bully!Reggie

Jealous!Reggie

Archie Andrews

Archie Andrews seducing his boyfriend

Friday the 13th in Riverdale

I'm Not Ready

Nate Jacobs

Hooking up with Nate Jacobs at a party.

One Piece Live Action

Roronoa Zoro x male reader hc(18+)

OC's

streamer stepbrother x male reader

Yandere!Roommate x male reader(Pt2)

Stranger x male reader

[veetlegeuse]

3 WIPs Tag Game

Rules: post snippets/screenshots/etc. from three of your WIPs! art or fic! tag as many people as you like! (created by @limetimo)

i was tagged by my wonderful friend @joaquinwhorres! 🫶🏼

Mr. Right — Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd x OC (Layla Burton)

“You don’t have to do that.” Layla told him, “I’m just going to go get my wallet.”

“I really don’t mind, ma’am.”

Layla’s eyebrow arched suspiciously. “That’s, like, almost thirty dollars in snacks.”

“That’s alright.” The man produced his card with a small smile, passing it to Jamie. Layla reached for it, but Jamie snatched it out of her reach.

“Let the nice man pay for your snacks, Layla. Damn.” Jamie chided, trying not to laugh at Layla’s frustrated expression.

“Fine,” Layla gave in with a huff, “But I’m not giving you my phone number, or my Snapchat, or whatever.”

The man chuckled. “Respectfully, ma’am, I’m not asking for it.”

Layla meant what she said, but his response definitely bruised her ego a little. She wanted to say, “Well, why the fuck not?” but she knew a response like that would only get her into trouble, so she resisted. Instead, she grabbed a pack of gum from the display rack and said, “And this too.”

Audrey would be proud.

is it casual now? — Natasha ‘Phoenix’ Trace x OC (Clara Thomas)

Clara had never seen anyone as gorgeous as the woman making her way behind the pool table across from her.

Big brown eyes, long lashes, dark hair, athletic build — Clara’s type to a T. Even in her wildest dreams, Clara couldn’t have conjured up a being more perfect.

Clara would have believed that the Lord above had sent her an angel… had she not realized said angel was in the military.

Now she was certain God hated her.

The Proposition — Reggie Mantle x OC (Mabel Harlow)

Mabel’s evenings were much quieter now that Maddox was gone.

Lonelier, too.

He’d moved out of their childhood home about a month ago, and while Mabel knew it was something that absolutely needed to happen, she couldn’t help but resent him, if only a little. Since Maddox moved out, he had a lot more freedom than she did. He wasn’t stuck under their father’s thumb, his every move no longer watched and scrutinized like hers were.

He’d escaped the ivory tower, but he’d left her behind in the process.

no pressure tagging @carmens-garden @waterloou @n0-eyedtaissa @humangrumpycat

[randomestfandoms-ocs]

Fallon Parris Jones ✤ Every Day Is Like A Battle

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.

AO3 | FFNet | Wattpad

Forever Tag List: @themildestofwriters @gottaenjoythelittlethingzz @perhapspearl @seaweedhufflepuffocs @bravelittleflower @the-october-reviewer @foxesandmagic @perfectlystiles @papergirlverse @anotherunreadblog @peacheydelanhoes @darkwolf76 @felicitys-smoaking @ocfairygodmother @itsjustgracy @witchofinterest @villanele @ultraocfury @guardiansofheroes @malice1329 @mystic-scripture @ochub @xmelia-pxnd @zoeliemyers @butcherofblackwater @fragilestorm @eddysocs @reggiemantleholdmyhand-tle @ocappreciationtag @ocmerunning @fiercefray @stareyedplanet @farfallasunicas @skleetheirken — want to be added? shoot me an ask!

[waterloou]

Meggie secret santa drawing for @reggiemantleholdmyhand-tle

1/who knows 💕

[imagine-riverdale]

Diet- Reggie Mantle Imagine

Alison Keating was one of the smallest girls at Riverdale High, perfect to be a dancer, which is what she did in her free time, she danced. Reginald Mantle just so happened to be a football player, quarterback at that, and Alison Keating’s boyfriend. Alison was on a tight diet being a dancer, which Reggie was completely against, especially after finding out Alison would never deny food from him. It was about a month after they started dating and the two were eating lunch together when Reggie noticed Alison only eating a fruit salad with pecans in it.

“That’s all you’re having?” He asked sitting down with his plate that had a burger, fries, and an apple.

“That’s my diet Reg, I can’t eat anything they serve here.” She scrunched her nose up. “As much as I want to, Linda would throw a fit if she found out I went off the preplanned schedule.” She stated pushing the fruit around.

“Well what can you eat?” He asked turning towards his girlfriend.

“Normally like a cheese sandwich with lettuce and shredded beetroot or a chicken pasta with stir-fried vegetables. Not processed stuff, really.” She shrugged. “I don’t really have time at home to pack a lunch, so I just grab fruit.” She mentioned. “Not a big deal, I get a snack later.”

“Not good enough.” Reggie abandoned his plate on the table and left, coming back twenty minutes later with a cheese sandwich with lettuce. “I couldn’t find shredded beetroot in a pinch, but I will.” He mentioned handing her the sandwich. Since that day Reggie always showed up ten minutes into lunch with his own food and normally a sandwich for Alison, sometimes he’d switch it up and bring her pasta. Alison always provided her own fruit and a bottle of water for both her and Reggie.

When Veronica Lodge showed up at Riverdale, she immediately took notice that everyday Reggie would show up late and hand the small blonde a lunch box off food, which he would receive a smile and a bottle of water back. It took a week before Veronica finally asked Betty about it.

“What’s up with Reggie always bringing that girl food?” Shea asked whilst sitting at the lunch table with Betty and Kevin.

“That’s Alison Keating, Reggie and she started dating the end of last year. She’s a dancer.” Kevin stated.

“She has a strict diet, which out cafeteria doesn’t offer.” Betty stated. “She used to only eat fruit, which she brought from home, but Reggie didn’t let that last once he found out, so he started leaving for lunch ten minutes early and bringing her back food.”

“That’s sweet of him. All he gets back is a bottle of water?” This caused Kevin and Betty to laugh.

“No.” Kevin shook his head. “Trust me, the Keating’s live next door to me, Reggie gets much more than a bottle of water.”

“But Alison does make sure he drinks plenty of it, they both drink very little caffeine.” Looking back towards the couple whom were chatting away with the group of footballers Alison caught Veronica’s eyes and smiled at her.

 “Come on, show me the routine.” Reggie whined as he laid sprawled on Alison’s bed.

“It’s not done Reg.” Alison whined stomping her foot and turning to her boyfriend. “It’s a surprise for our anniversary, which if I need remind you isn’t for another two months.” She stated with a grin. “Besides, we have better things to do.”

“I like the sound of that.” Reggie said sitting up and moving towards Alison at the end of the bed.

“Biology work.” She grabbed her bio book and dropped it on the bed next to Reggie who fell back and groaned. “Oh, come on you big baby. It’s either this or you go home.” She mentioned.

“Fine.” The two began studying before Reggie groaned. “Okay that’s it.” Reggie pushed the books off the two of them. “Come on.” Pulling Alison up he grinned. “Put your shoes on.” Reggie slipped his own shoes on and once Alison had on hers he pulled her out to his car and drove to Pops.

“Reg, I can’t eat anything here.” She complained once Reggie opened her car door and ushered her out.

“But you’re going too. You need to live a little.” Reggie stated pulling her into the diner. “Come on, you’re eating whatever I put in front of you.”

“Reggie no.” Alison whined as Reggie pulled her to a booth and sat her down before ordering her food. “Reg, no I can’t.”

“You can, listen, with how hard you work, you deserve at least one cheat day.” He mentioned. A couple minutes later a plate of onion rings, two cheese burgers, one for Reggie and one for Alison, and a strawberry shake arrived, a chocolate shake for Reggie and cheese fries.

“God Reg, you think I can eat this?” She made a face.

“I will call the other guys to make you eat it.” He mentioned.

“No, you won’t.” Reggie pulled out his phone and sent a text and not ten minutes later Moose Mason and Chuck Clayton came walking in and towards the booth. Moose pulling a chair up beside the table. “You didn’t.”

“Oh, I did.” Reggie smirked leaning back.

“Come on, eat.” Moose smirked at his best friend’s girlfriend.

“I cannot eat this.” Alison whined.

“Babe. Reggie smiled. “I will do whatever you want for a week straight if you eat this.” Alison paused and thought for a moment.

“Anything’s a strong word Mantle.” She smirked at him. “Fine, you know those doughnuts from New York that your mom brought home this summer.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re going to drive up to New York and buying me a whole dozen of them.” She smirked. “Oh, you’re also on the same diet as me at school this week.” She mentioned grabbing an onion ring off the plate. “Actually, all four of you are.” Looking around at the group.

“Oh hell no.” Chuck went to stand but Alison shook her head.

“Oh no Clayton, you came when Reggie called, meaning, you’re involved or might I remind you that your little sister is in the dance class I teach on Saturday’s.” She mentioned. “Which your mother comes to and I can just causally mention how you forced me to eat all this food.”

“Fine.” Chuck sat back down, and Alison smirked.

“You all better order food, your diet is strict this week.” She mentioned as she glanced at her boyfriend and winked.

 That Monday, Alison walked into school with a lunch box full of breakfast for the three football players. The three were sitting in the lounge when Alison came in, bright and cheery, carrying food and four cups of tea, each one with a little bit of milk in it. Around the lounge sat Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Archie, Kevin, and other students alike, all glancing over when Alison announced her arrival.

“Good morning boys, are you ready for hell week?” She teased setting the lunch box down that help their avocado toast. “Tea for you all.” She passed tea to the three boys whom groaned.

“We thought you were kidding.” Moose mentioned as Midge laughed in her spot next to him.

“You should know by now that Alison doesn’t joke about her diet.” Midge mentioned leaning back.

“And for breakfast, avocado toast and a multivitamin.” Handing out the food Chuck groaned. “You agreed Clayton.” She stated smirking as she sat next to Reggie and took a sip of her own tea.

“I’m going to get payback.” Reggie said taking a bite of his food and grimacing.  “I do not like avocados.” Reggie mumbled causing Alison to laugh.

“No babe, this is my payback for Saturday night.” She grinned kissing his cheek.

When it came time for Alison’s snack for the day, she again found the three boys in the student lounge. She tossed each one a bottle of juice that was diluted with water and a pinch of salt.

“Snack time boys.” She then handed each one an oatcake. “These are oatcakes, enjoy!” She grinned biting into her own oatcake and gaging the reactions of the boys just as Moose gagged.

“These are disgusting.” He stated as Alison grinned.

“You’ll get used to them Moose.” Alison moved and sat on the arm of Reggie’s chair. “Remember, this is your fault.” She said leaning against him slightly.

Lunch came around and both Alison and Midge carried in the food for lunch. All three boys would be eating a chicken pasta with grilled vegetables and a cup of fresh fruit.

“Boys, this is something I only eat once in a blue moon, but I figured you all deserved a little break, today. So, we have chicken pasta, grilled vegetables, and a cup of fresh fruit.” Both she and Midge set the food in front of the boys. “And water, lots of water.” She grinned. “Now an hour after lunch we have a handful of nuts, I normally eat pecans, but I brought walnuts today.” She handed all three a small bag that had walnuts in them. “Enjoy.” She grinned at them all before beginning to eat her own food.

 Meanwhile Kevin was talking to Betty and Veronica about how Alison was making the three boys eat her diet.

“Why is she making them eat it?” Veronica asked glancing at the group.

“I hear Alison and Midge talking, something about Reggie making Alison break her diet over the weekend and they agreed that if she ate the food Reggie bought that they’d eat her diet for a week.”

“You think they’ll last?” Veronica asked glancing back at the group.

“Definitely, Alison is scary.” Kevin looked back at the group to see Alison smirking at Reggie whom was complaining. The four of them had dinner at Alison’s house, where they had grilled salmon and grilled vegetables with water.

The week continued with the group eating all their meals together and by Friday, the three football players were used to eating what Alison. Alison had decided to give the boys a break, that morning they still ate the same breakfast and snack but come lunch Alison and Midge headed out to Pops and grabbed all the boys their favorite food and milkshakes before showing back up at school and set all the food in front of the three.

“You’re free.” She teased as the three quickly grabbed their food from the bags, all of them grabbing their drinks whilst Alison sat next to Reggie with her own lunch and laughed watching all three of them shovel their beloved Pop’s into their mouths. “Ridiculous.” She teased shaking her head. “I have a recital next week.” She mentioned to Reggie.

“I’ll be there.”

 The next week came, Alison was ready for her recital and walking out on stage, she smiled upon seeing Reggie and the whole football team, all of whom cheered for her after she finished her dance. Walking out into the lobby of the theatre she had her recital at Alison was met by all the football team, mainly Reggie who immediately picked his girlfriend up.

“You were amazing!” He said spinning her around before setting her down and noticing all the guys holding flower, Moose holding two bouquets, one obviously being Reggie’s.

“Thank you, babe.” She smiled as Reggie handed her the flowers he bought before the rest of the guys did the same, Alison laughing as she tried holding them all. “You guys didn’t have to do this, or even show up.”

“Yes, we did! Reggie said if we didn’t, that you’d make us eat the meals that they ate with you last week!” One of the guys stated causing Athena to laugh and shake her head.

“Is that so?” Looking at her boyfriend as he took some of her flowers from her and they all began walking out. “Well good thing I have a cheat day tonight seeing as I finished my recital, so let’s go to Pops.” The group of football players cheered as they all began walking to their own cars, Alison grabbing onto Reggie’s arm. “Thank you.” She said softly. “For coming, and these.” Looking at the flowers in her arms and Reggie’s.

“Don’t thank me, we do crazy things for the people we love. You think I’d eat oatcakes for just anyone?” The two laughed before climbing into his car and driving off to spend some much-needed time being normal teenagers.

As always thank you for reading my loves! I procrastinated studying for finales cause I wanted to get something out today. So here it is! Thanks again my loves!

REQUESTS ARE OPEN FOR ALL RIVERDALE CHARACTER

[kurokoros]

So I spent all of last night binge reading @southsidewrites fic Pretty Lies, a post-S2 fic exploring the relationship between Reggie Mantle and Becca’s OC Lydia Boyd. Lydia has had my whole heart for so long now and it was amazing to finally read the fic where it all started!

[southsidewrites]

Be Mine (Reggie x OC)

A college-AU Rydia drabble requested by @rivendell101​ from the @riverdale-events​ Tricks & Treats mini game.  I didn’t quite use the line, but I think I definitely captured the spirit of it!  Enjoy!

55. “I know what you should be for Halloween: mine.”

Reggie Mantle x OC | 1k words

Lydia flopped onto the floor with a groan, the layer of clothes scattered across the floor providing a surprisingly comfy landing. “What am I going to do, Jubilee?” Groaning, she rolled onto her stomach to look at her friend who was sitting on the bed. “Everyone is going to be at this party, and I need to look amazing.”

“And you will,” Jubilee answered, rolling her eyes as she looked up from her phone. “Assuming you ever decide what you’re going to be.”

“Why did I put this off so long?” she whined, burying her face in a particularly tall pile of clothes. “I’m such an idiot.”

“Well, to be fair, you were bound and determined not to go until Midge spilled that Mantle will be there.”

Lydia scoffed, her face turning bright red. “That is absolutely not why I decided to go.  Reggie had nothing to do with it.”

“Sure,” Jubilee drawled, giving her a skeptical look. “It’s entirely irrelevant that they guy you’ve been crushing on since Freshman year is going to be there—makes sense.”

Biting back yet another annoyed groan, Lydia grabbed one of the many pieces of clothing scattered on the floor and covered her face with it. “I have not had a crush on him since Freshman year.  Hell, I barely even knew the guy until he was in my English class this semester.”

Jubilee rolled her eyes. “And I’m sure it’s entirely coincidental that he never seems to remember the homework and has to text you every other night.”

“He’s very busy with football,” Lydia said defensively, finally sitting up to look at Jubilee. “He forgets to write things down.”

Jubilee laughed, her shoulders heaving. “You have got to be kidding me—not only do you have a crush on him, you’re in utter denial that he has a thing for you, too.”

Lydia scoffed. “He does not have a thing for me,” she replied, rolling her eyes and praying that she wasn’t blushing. “He’s the captain of the football team, almost a household name in college football, and nearly every girl on campus is in love with him.  I’m amazed he even remembers my name.  There’s no way he sees me as more than the nerd in English class who always knows the homework.”

“I can’t even reason with you.” Jubilee hopped off the bed, shaking her head as she went. “Now, you better figure your shit out and put a costume together because we’re leaving in fifteen minutes.”

With an annoyed huff, Lydia collapsed back into the pile of clothes. “I hate Halloween.”

~

Thanks to some quick thinking and a raid of Jubilee’s closet, Lydia somehow managed to find herself a costume—black jeans, a terrifyingly tight black crop top, and a pair of cat ears to complete the look.  Jubilee helped her with makeup, and when she looked in the mirror, Lydia had to admit that she almost looked hot.

The party was exactly what she expected—blaring music, bad punch, cheap beer, and hordes of people grinding on the makeshift dancefloor.  Lydia remembered in a heartbeat why she hated house parties. Within minutes, Jubilee had found Sweet Pea and made her way to the dancefloor, leaving Lydia to scrounge for drinks alone.

She recognized his laugh as soon as she walked into the kitchen.

Reggie Mantle was standing by the island, filling an orange solo cup with punch and laughing at something one of the other guys was saying.  At first glance, Lydia thought he was naked, his entire torso exposed over the counter.  It was only on the second look that she managed to pull her mouth shut and notice the loincloth.  The insanely attractive asshole would go as Tarzan.

When he looked up, his eyes widened, his lips parting slightly. “Lydia?”

Walking the rest of the way into the kitchen, she grabbed a cup from the pile as casually as she could when her heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest. “Hey, Reggie.”

His eyes were moving up and down her body, and it took him a minute to put together words. “You—um—look—well, fuck.”

She laughed, her heart now threatening to rocket off of the planet entirely.  Smirking, she leaned onto the island, reaching to grab a cup and giving him what was sure to be an excellent view down the front of her low-cut top. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, you—uh—don’t normally dress like that.” He swallowed hard, his eyes darkening as he managed to take a breath. “You look great.”

She rolled her eyes, glad the room was dark enough that he wouldn’t see how hard she was blushing. “Thanks.  I had a bitch of a time finding a costume.”

He nodded, licking his lips as he walked around the island to stand next to her.  Lydia could practically feel the heat radiating off of him as he leaned on the counter, his body just inches from hers. His lips curved into a familiar smirk. “Really?  Because I have an absolutely perfect idea for you.”

“Yeah?” She bit back a laugh. “And what’s that?”

His grin softened, and he leaned in even closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Be mine.”

Her jaw dropped open, and it took a moment before Lydia could even think of a response. “Are you serious?” she blurted.

“I am.” Laughing, he snaked his arm around her on the counter, nearly touching her but leaving a sliver of space. “And while I may have asked in the dumbest way humanly possible, I would love to go out with you, Lydia.”

Slowly, she nodded, leaning in closer and closing the gap between their bodies.  Feeling more courageous than she had in her life, she rested her hand on his chest, running her fingertips over the smooth muscle. “I’d love to, Reggie.”

His hand moved to her hip, pulling her slight frame even tighter against him with an uncontainable grin. “Awesome.  Want to dance?”

“I’d love to.”

SEND ME HALLOWEEN PROMPTS FROM THIS OR THIS LIST, AND BE SURE TO SPECIFY WHICH LIST YOU’RE SUBMITTING FROM!

[reggiemantleholdmyhand-tle]

Third Time’s the Charm | Reggie Mantle x OC

“Go to the Yule Ball with me.”

Mabel looks up from her studies, coming face to face with Reggie Mantle, the person she least expects to be asked by. Also, the person she least expects to see in the library, for Merlin’s sake.

Reggie wastes no time taking a seat in front of her, making himself comfortable. “So? What do you say?”

Mabel’s eyebrows raise, both impressed and annoyed by just how confident he is, “I say, have you been charmed? Do you know where you are? Do you know who I am?”

——————————

Summary: Mabel Harlow is a tough nut to crack, but Reggie will be damned if he doesn’t try.

Word Count: 6k

Warnings: sugary sweet and fluffy magical antics

READ ON AO3 ABOVE

[princesweetpea]

“Lie to me again.” She whispered.

“I love you.” He said.

[mandak201]

Reggie felt a chill run up his spine. He wasn’t sure if it was the slight breeze that picked up since the sun went down or if it was the cold grip of reality that had recently sunk in. There was no lying when someone called Riverdale a wicked town but those words held more value than he thought. The roots below the buildings of the little town surrounded by forest held secrets that had begun to rise up. These were things he probably knew already but was shadowed by denial. He wondered how the truth would affect the relationships he’s been fighting to keep with all the recent chaos. Wether he blamed it on the protective parents he had or his own oblivion, there was no running from the truth of fokelore which was more true than he would like to admit.

Riverdale Spring Fling Event: Theme 7 Supernatural : The one where Reggie finds his hidden powers with the help of a girl with some magic of her own.

[azoraahai]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* JOEY’S ENDLESS LIST OF CROSSOVERS *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ ↳ kaitlin keller ( @freakingbradleys ) + dakota chambers

❝ If he hurts you, I hope he knows I'll be coming for him. ❞ ❝ With what? Holy water? ❞

[themenof--riverdale]

‘Called Out’ Masterlist

Pairing: Reggie Mantle x Reader

Summary: The new girl, being an antisocial outcast, and Reggie Mantle, the social butterfly who has a nasty tendency to be a bully, form a deal to change their ways. Will they actually succeed or will they continue to struggle and give up? Above all, is Reggie only trying because he really wants to or because he wants to change her opinion of him?

----

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

[ceruleanmusings]

angry kissed for wynn and reggie!! i love a good angry kiss prompt 😂

Wynn groaned at the sight of him, as she descended the short set of stairs in front of the diner. She didn’t need this, not now. Not after a particularly heavy disagreement with Pop about the hours for the diner. Surely it wasn’t unreasonable to suggest that they cut back on having the Chock’lit Shoppe being run 24/7. Especially with a murderer on the loose. But Pop insisted the hours stay the same, that they stay the same. As if that were possible, Wynn had thought at the end of their discussion. But she didn’t push it anymore after that. Pop was a steadfast man. It’s where she got it from. And if he wanted to work all night and all day to make sure the people of Riverdale had a safe place to eat, he’d do it. Still, hiring extra help couldn’t be a bad thing, right?

“Didn’t I tell you to leave hours ago?” Wynn asked as she approached her bike, still chained up to the rack. Not that it mattered; it wasn’t anything worth sneezing at. Anyone who wanted to steal it would be lucky to break $50 for it.

“Nice to see you too,” Reggie said dryly.

“That’s the thing — it’s not,” Wynn stated, the once dormant fire flickering inside of her once more.

He shoved his hands into his Bulldogs varsity jacket. They were roomy, big enough to hold another set of hands to warm up on a particularly cold day. Wynn knew that firsthand.

“Seriously? Get the stick out of your ass, Wynnie. I’m only—” 

“What?“ she snarled, whirling around to face him. He pressed his lips together in a line. “Only what? Trying to protect me? Is that what you call that measuring contest you did in there? Because that’s not protecting me! That’s interfering with my job!”

Reggie scoffed. “You shouldn’t have to serve Serpent scum.”

“They’re customers! Sweet Pea and Fangs and Toni didn’t do anything to you!”

“And don’t they have their own place to hang out?” Reggie continued, ignoring her comment. Wynn made a noise of indignation and crossed her arms. “The Whyte Wyrm? Some rundown shack they can slither into?”

Wynn groaned. “You’re ridiculous.”

“No, what’s ridiculous is having them walk our halls! Take our classes! Share our space! They have their own places to fuck up! Riverdale is ours.”

“Oh god, is this still about Sweet Pea owning you on the basketball court?” Wynn asked, studying his face.

“Wha—no!”

His hesitation, a brief slip of the Mantle Mask, confirmed her guess. She pressed a closed fist to her mouth as she took in a sharp breath; it was better to ground herself in such a way than get in trouble with Pop for witnessing her socking Reggie across the face for being so…so…Reggie.

She removed her fist from her mouth, unclenched her hand and kept it extended as if to keep a barrier between them, and said slowly, her words wrapped in a rage-induced quiver, “You’re so unbelievable.”

“Glad you haven’t forgotten.” His cocky swagger returned in the blink of an eye, she was almost impressed.

“What I’ve forgotten until just now was why I broke up with you,” Wynn replied. Reggie blinked rapidly and Wynn took his apparent stunning to take a step closer to him; she wanted to be up-close–and-personal to hear what she had to say. Sometimes being close was the only way to get through to him. “I am not your property, Reggie Mantle. I don’t need your protection, Or whatever that was that you claimed to be for my benefit. Got it?” She jabbed her finger into his chest for good measure. “You fucked me over tonight because of your macho attitude. Don’t come between me and my work!”

“If that’s what this is about…” Reggie reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. He yanked out a few bills and held it out to her. “Here, then. More than they could ever afford to tip you, I’m sure.”

She slapped his hand away. The bills fell onto the ground, landing in a shallow puddle leftover from the previous rain. The neon lights bathed the puddle in an eerie glow, amplified by the darkness surrounding them.

“That’s not what this is about and you know it!”

He threw his arms into the air. “I don’t know what you want from me, Wynnie.”

Wynn growled, the sound of frustration amplified in the near-empty lot. “I want you to leave me alone! I want you to let me talk to who I want to talk to and do my job. We’re not all born with silver spoons in our mouths; some of us actually have to work! And I can’t do that with you sniffing around like…like…like some sort of watchdog!”

“I prefer alpha,” Reggie said, followed by a short series of barking. Of course.

Wynn lifted an eyebrow and made a show of looking him from head to toe. “Really? Because all I see is a beta,” she stated. To drive her point home, she lowered her voice, “A beta threatened by another pack coming onto his scene, barking any chance that he gets to appear bigger and tougher than he actually is.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched when he clenched his teeth together. She hit a sore spot she knew—both from his reaction and from experience—and maybe that was beneath her but she didn’t care. She was tired, her feet ached, and she’d barely made a decent amount of tips that day thanks in part to him scaring off some of her customers and because of that drifter who thought sugar packets were the right way to go for a tip because “hot chocolate needs a bit of sweetener”. Gross. She still saw his gross smile in her mind.

Wynn cleared her throat and turned her attention back to her bike. “So, if you don’t mind—” 

She wasn’t even sure what the end of her sentence was going to be, not that Reggie gave her a chance to come up an ending. He grasped her chin, turned her head, and kissed her with such ferocity that she gasped and took a step away from him. He was too fast for her, looping an arm around her waist and pulling her flush against his body.

Her head swam and her heart raced and all common sense left her mind as she stood on her tiptoes, gripped the thick sleeves of his jacket, and kissed him back. Maybe he hadn’t been getting much action lately—doubtful—or maybe he had something to prove, either way Reggie’s hot, frenzied, hungry kisses raining on her mouth and face and neck left her wanting, no, needing more. More of his touch, more of his kisses, more of his attention. All fire, all fight drained out of her and she vaguely heard herself say something about Pop being able to see them.

But he heard his response, loud and clear: “So let’s go somewhere he can’t see.”

She shouldn’t have agreed, shouldn’t have said yes, but he had a way of making her throw all caution to the wind and just go along for the ride. He had a way of making Pop side-eye him and question her decisions. That’s where she got it from.

But he also had a way of making her forget about her stress and worries, making her feel important and needed. He had a way of making her insatiable.

And that’s where she tended to go wrong.

[waterloou]

Happy Birthday @reggiemantleholdmyhand-tle !!!

Moodboard 10/10

Mabel Harlow x Reggie Mantle

[imagine-riverdale]

Rich Part One- Reggie Mantle Imagine

Rich Part Two (coming soon)

Anissa knew her parents wanted her to marry someone from a wealthy family. A family up to their standards. Anissa’s parents come from a long line of entrepreneurs that date all the way back to the early 1900s. Anissa grew up in California where her parents had made most of their money, and everyone she had gone to school with knew that her parents had money. So, when her parents announced that they had bought a new business in Riverdale, a small company that sold antique jewelry, she was keen on moving there and helping oversee the buyout. Though her family already owned half the town.

That’s how Anissa Vaughn moved to the small town. Her parents opted to stay in California, but Anissa ended up with a nice apartment not too far from the jewelry store and a driver whom drove her to and from school. Still, no one at Riverdale High knew whom she was, that she was the daughter of Gregory and Kelsie Vaughn, and she was keen on keeping it that way. Even the workers at the jewelry store thought she was just hired in to work the register.

So when Anissa moved to Riverdale, she wasn’t sure what to expect. She half expected everyone to recognize her, but no one did. So Anissa lived as a normal girl, going to school, work, then home and repeat. That was, until she met Reggie Mantle. Reggie was the quarterback and captain of the Bulldogs, which turned Anissa away at first but eventually Reggie won her over.

Reggie kept pestering Anissa to go on a date with him. He showed up at her work multiple times with flowers, had tried asking her out in the cafeteria and even shown up at her home with chocolates. Finally after many attempts Anissa agreed to go on a date with him when he had shown up at her work, empty handed and announced that he understood she didn’t want to go out with him and that he would leave her alone.

Their first date ended up being to Pops, which was a change for Anissa, she was used to her dates taking her to expensive restaurants, so it was a welcomed change. After six months of dating Anissa and Reggie loved each other, neither saying those words yet. Anissa had yet to inform Reggie of her family’s money, which she hoped to keep that way for a little while longer.

“Hey.” Reggie smile upon greeting his girlfriend.

“Hey handsome.” Anissa smiled as she set the inventory sheet down for the jewelry store. “Missed you.” She hummed kissing him.

“I missed you too.” He laughed wrapping his arms around her. “So, my parents are out of town for the night, you think you can sneak away from your parents?” Reggie asked as Anissa sighed.

“I’m sure I could my love.” Anissa smiled. “But what if instead you snuck over to my place, my parents aren’t in town, for the whole weekend.” She stated with a grin. “We could have the whole place to ourselves for a few nights instead of one, and I don’t have to work at all this weekend, which is a miracle.” She stated as Reggie smiled.

“I have football practice tomorrow after school, but after that I can come by.”

“Awesome, I’ll grab our usual from Pops and a movie.” She smiled. “Warning though, my parents don’t keep alcohol stocked at the apartment.” She stated as Reggie nodded.

“Good thing I don’t need alcohol to have a good time with you my love.”

-

The next day Anissa went home and cleaned the apartment she lived in, though it wasn’t that dirty anyways seeing as she wasn’t home often. Nevertheless she cleaned the whole place and tidied her room before finding some movies and picking up her order from Pops. Around an hour later Anissa opened the door for Reggie to enter her apartment.

“Hey.” She grinned up at him as she opened the door. “Come in.”

“I think this is the first time I’ve ever been to your place.” He mentioned pressing a kiss to Anissa’s head.

“I think so too.” She stated before taking his hand and leading him towards the kitchen counter. “I got dinner.” She grinned showing him the food from Pops.

“Have I mentioned that I loved you?” Reggie asked causing Anissa to pause her platting of food before turning to Reggie.

“What?” She asked. “You love me?” She asked again just as the front door of the apartment opened.

“Honey are you home?” Anissa heard the voice of her mother causing her to free in her spot before hearing her father.

“Anissa Ann?” He called causing Anissa to look at Reggie before moving around him.

“Mom, dad.” She stood in front of them, her mouth open. “What are you doing here? In Riverdale?” She looked between them.

“We came to visit you honey! Plus we had to come check on all the properties.” Her mother stated pulling her into a hug. “Oh who is this?” She spotted Reggie behind her.

“Oh.” Anissa turned to Reggie. “Mom, dad, this is my boyfriend Reggie. Reggie, these are my parents Gregory and Kelsie Vaughn.”

“Did you say, Gregory and Kelsie Vaughn? As in the two people who own half of Riverdale?” Reggie asked shaking her parents’ hand as Anissa nodded.

“Yeah.” She said softly.

“You said your parents worked in Greendale.”

“Well it’s good to know we have someone looking after our girl whilst we’re in California.” Gregory stated as he shook Reggie’s hand.

“Wait, you live in California?” He asked looking towards Anissa whom was looking at the ground. “Not in Riverdale?”

“Oh goodness, no honey.” Kelsie stated. “We still live in California, we sent our dear Anissa down here to overwatch the buyout of the jewelry store.”

“The jewelry store.” Reggie looked at Anissa. “You’ve never mentioned any of this to me? You always told me your parents were out of town. You said you worked at the jewelry store not that you owned it. What else aren’t you telling me?” Anissa sighed.

“Reggie, you have to understand why I didn’t tell you. I didn’t want you to treat me differently knowing whom my parents were.” She said as her parents moved around the apartment.

“Honey it looks amazing here.” Anissa paid her parents no mind.

“Well you never really gave me that option.” He stated. “You lied to me the whole time we were together.” He told her. “Did you actually want to date me or was that to another part of your elaborate ruse to hide who you were?”

“Reg, it wasn’t like that.” Anissa said watching Reggie grab his coat. “Reggie please.” She grabbed his arm as he headed for the door. “Can we talk about this Reggie? Please, just give me a chance to explain.”

“You had six months Anissa.” He stated opening the door to the apartment. “Everything you’ve told me about your life has been a lie and I’ve had enough lies for a lifetime.” Reggie stated. “I thought I loved you but guess I loved the you that you pretended to be. We’re done Anissa.”

“But I love you.” She said just as Reggie shook his head before quickly leaving, causing Anissa to turn to her parents. “Why didn’t you call and say you were coming?” She asked as the tears began flowing down her face. “God. Dinners on the counter.” Turning she headed into her room, which is where she stayed the remainder of the weekend.

-

When Monday morning rolled around Anissa slowly exited her room, dressed and ready for the day. Her parents both sat around her small dining table with breakfast.

“Darling, come here.” Kelsie motioned her daughter over and looking over the inventory list from the jewelry store. “You’ve done an amazing job with the jewelry store. We’ve never had revenue like this in just six months.” She stated.

“Thanks.” Anissa mumbled grabbing an apple. “I gotta go. Driving myself.” She grabbed the keys to her personal car. “Eduardo is yours, I don’t need a driver anymore.” She stated heading out of the house.

Once Anissa arrived at school, she immediately sought out Reggie, unable to find him she headed to her classes. The day went on before she stopped at the football field after school, where the bulldogs were practicing. Anissa stood by the bleachers watching Reggie practice for awhile before Reggie noticed her.

“What are you doing here?” Reggie asked coming towards her.

“Reg, I just want to explain.” She stated softly.

“What’s there to explain Anissa?” He asked. “You lied to me, about everything.”

“No, no I didn’t. I just didn’t tell you the whole truth about my family, please just give me a chance.” Reggie laughed.

“Nah.” He shook his head. “I know all I need to Anissa. Just stay away from me.” Reggie headed into the locker room to change. Anisa stood still for a minute before leaving the school and heading to the jewelry store where she met with her parents.

“Oh Anissa!” The manager Terri greeted. “These are Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn, the owners!”

“Terri, I know.” Anissa stopped in front of her parents. “Mom, dad.” Anissa sighed.

“Baby.” Anissa mother smiled. “This place looks amazing. You’ve done so well.” Kelsie rested a hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“Yep.” Anissa nodded looking around. “Your office is set up in the apartment upstairs.” She stated. “Fully furnished apartment, might I add.” She said leaning against the counter.

“Honey.” Gregory looked around and smiled turning to her. “You have done a phenomenal job angel.” He told his daughter with a smile. “We are so proud.” Anissa nodded.

“Well since you two are here, I’m taking the day off.”

“Honey,” Kelsie went to grab her daughters’ arm but Anissa stepped away quickly.

“Mom, don’t right now, okay? I can’t deal with you guys popping in randomly right now.”

“Anissa.” Her father called after her.

“Dad stop!” Anissa turned towards her father. “Just stop okay? I’m so not in the mood right now. Every time something good happens in my life you guys show up and ruin everything okay? Just give me space.” Anissa backed out of the shop and headed back to the apartment.

-

The weeks passed, Anissa’s parents left back for California, leaving the jewelry store for Anissa to run. Anissa continued her new routine, she’d head to school in the morning, head to work at the jewelry store then grabbed a quick dinner at Pops before heading back to her lonely apartment. After she and Reggie split it wasn’t long until everyone in Riverdale found out whom Anissa’s parents were and eventually her friends stopped talking to her.

“What are you doing here Anissa?” Terri asked noticing Anissa inside the jewelry store working the register. Since they found out that Anissa’s family owned the store, Anissa mainly stayed in the office upstairs working on things from there.

“Needed a break from the stuffy office.” She mentioned. “It’s hard to track down antique jewelry.” She rubbed her head and glanced at the clock. “I should get going, I’ve got a ton of homework. You’re good to lock up?”

“Yeah, head home Anissa. Take some time to care for yourself.” Anissa nodded.

“Thank you, Terri.” She said softly before heading out and going to Pops. “Hey Pop, can I get a bacon cheeseburger with fries and a strawberry shake.” Pop Tate nodded and quickly headed back to make her order.

“See you didn’t skip town with your parents.” Cheryl Blossom stated taking a seat in the booth across from her. “Why stay?” This question caused Anissa to lean forward.

“Why do you care Cheryl? Afraid that I have more money than you and will become more popular? Cause I assure you, that’s not gonna happen. I’m here for one reason.” She said sighing. “I’m finishing the school year and leaving, so don’t you worry Cheryl.” She stated whilst shaking her head.

“That’s not what I’m worried about Anissa. I’m friends with Reggie, I see how he’s hurting.”

“Cheryl.” Anissa shook her head. “Reggie broke up with me.” She stated. “We’re over with. History. That’s all it is ever gonna be.”

“I don’t believe that for a second.”

“Doesn’t matter if you believe it Cheryl. We have two months left of school, then I leave, and Reggie can forget all about the rich girl whom lied to him.” Anissa stood as Pop showed up with her takeout. “Thank Pop.” Paying him Anissa glanced back at Cheryl. “I’d appreciate it if you kept my plans of leaving to yourself.” Anissa headed back to her own apartment.

As always, thank you all so much for reading. Part Two will be out sometime next week!

REQUESTS ARE OPEN FOR RIVERDALE CHARACTERS.

[kurokoros]

I loved you every mile (you drove away) 1/2 | rm x oc

Title: I loved you every mile (you drove away)

Rated: T

Words: ~3.5K

Pairing: Reggie Mantle X Lydia Boyd

Summary: Being stranded in a car with her ex wasn’t really on Lydia’s agenda. Realizing she’s still hopefully in love with him definitely wasn’t part of the plan either.

AN: For @southsidewrites who I love very much! I saw the “Stranded” prompt for Camp Riverdale and absolutely had to write this one!

Read on AO3

“You aren’t paying for me to Uber four hours back to Riverdale, are you?” Lydia asks suspiciously. She pauses curling her hair to glance at her phone, Face Time open.

On the other side of the screen, Jubilee Jones rolls her eyes. “No, I didn’t pay for an Uber. You think I have that kind of money laying around? I work at a florist shop and bartend on weekends.” The brunette is blocked from view by a big, orange tabby cat investigating the phone.

Lydia grins as Jubilee scoops up the cat and plops him on her lap. “How am I supposed to know? All you said was ‘don’t bother getting your car fixed, or spending money on a bus, I’ve got it covered.’ ” Honestly, that had been something of a relief. It would have cost a fortune to have the old car fixed and the guys down at the shop wouldn’t have been able to get it in until tomorrow morning, and by then it would have been too late. “How am I getting to Riverdale anyway?”

Jubilee scratches under the cat’s chin as she shifts, tucking her legs beneath her. “I had a… friend in the area that said they could give you a ride.”

Lydia sends her a look. Because that’s not cryptic at all.

“Do I know this friend?” Lydia turns off her curler and unplugs it, checking to make sure her bag is ready. She doesn’t have much, just a change of clothes for the weekend and some toiletries, but she should be fine.

“You could say that.” Lydia frowns, about to ask what that means when Jubilee sits up. “Looks like he’s there!” The cat jumps from her lap and plods away.

Shaking her head, Lydia scoops up her bag and lifts her phone from the vanity, heading for the window to see who it is. Hopefully, Jubilee didn’t send one of the Southside Serpents to pick her up. As much as she’s grown to like members of the gang, she’s not sure her neighbors would appreciate it.

Lydia’s mouth drops open when she recognizes the car that pulls up in front of her apartment steps. The familiar, black, 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle slows to a stop, parks, and though she can’t see who it is in the front seat through the windows, she knows exactly who it is.

Jubilee goes suspiciously quiet over face time and her lips twitch in amusement as Lydia stares out the window with wide eyes, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. “Okay,” the other brunette starts slowly over the phone, “so I know you’re probably panicking right now, but—”

“Jubilee, what the hell?” Lydia glares at her friend as she ducks away from the window, praying he didn’t see her. “Why is Reggie Mantle parked outside my apartment?”

She has a sinking feeling she already knows the answer, which is only confirmed by the mischievous glint in her friend’s eyes. “He’s your ride to Riverdale,” Jubilee explains simply, looking far too calm for the words coming out of her mouth. Probably because she’s the one that gave Reggie her apartment address in the first place.

“No,” Lydia responds immediately. “No. Nope, this is not happening.” Not today Satan.

Jubilee sighs, her eyes rolling as she sinks back into her chair. “Lydia,” she starts, caught somewhere between exasperation and amusement, but Lydia immediately shakes her head. “Come on, it’s not—”

“No,” she repeats, peeking around the curtain again. She almost swears when she sees him getting out of the car. “Absolutely not, Jubilee.” Again, she ducks away from the window. “I’m not going to catch a ride home with my ex.” Maybe she can just pretend she’s not home. He’ll have to leave eventually if she does that. “I’m not going.”

Jubilee’s eyes widen as Lydia mutters to herself. “What? Lydia Tabitha Boyd, you are not skipping my wedding because of a breakup from almost two years ago.”

“Oh, please,” she says without thinking, “like this will be your only wedding.”

“Lydia.” Oops, too far.

She cringes. “But, Jubilee,” she whines, dragging out the other girls name and pouting. Maybe she can appeal to Jubilee’s softer side today and she really will pay for an Uber to pick her up.

But Jubilee only grins at her. “Buckle up, bitch, it’s a long drive to Riverdale.” Before Lydia can retaliate, Jubilee disconnects and the screen goes dark.

Lydia just stands there for a second, weighing her options and trying not to panic. The way she sees it, she can either be stuck in a car with her ex for a few hours and be a bridesmaid at one of her best friend’s weddings, or she can skip the wedding, piss off Jubilee, and suffer her wrath.

Neither is appealing.

Deciding she’d rather not piss off an already stressed bride-to-be, Lydia sighs and shoves her phone into her pocket. She takes a deep breath, silently prays that this doesn’t end up being a disaster, and shoves open her front door, locking it behind her.

She can do this.

He doesn’t notice her at first, fully engrossed in tapping away at his phone—he’s probably texting Jubilee, that traitor—and Lydia takes a moment to just look at him as she walks up to his car. It’s been a little over a year and a half since they broke up at the tail end of their college days and though she’s loath to admit it, Reggie looks just as good as the last time she saw him. Maybe even better. He’s always looked like a knock-off Calvin Klein model, all biceps and abs that make you want to lick them. And right now, even wearing sweatpants and a tight T-shirt, he looks pretty damn delicious, if she’s being honest with herself.

For a second, she can’t remember why they ever broke up in the first place.

Reggie finally tears his eyes from his phone, noticing her for the first time. He grins and straightens from where he’s leaning up against his car. “Hey, Angel.” Her heart skips at the old pet-name. “You look like you could use a ride.” He has the audacity to wink at her.

Ah, yes. That’s why.

The smile on her face is tense. “Hi, Reggie.” Why couldn’t it have just been an Uber? She’d rather pay some ridiculous fee than be stuck in a small car for four hours with Reggie Mantle. Of all people why did Jubilee have to ask him to give her a ride?

Scratch that, Lydia knows why. This is punishment for getting wine drunk at their last girl’s night and moping the entire time.

Reggie’s smile only widens. “Lyds,” he greets her, looking her up and down briefly and making her squirm internally. She almost regrets her choice of shorts, a tank-top, and sandals. Almost. The way his eyes linger on her legs definitely make up for it. “Can I just say you’re looking—”

“Reggie,” she says, stern.

His expression is all puppy-dog eyes. “Yeah?”

Lydia sighs. She can’t believe she’s saying this but, “just get in the car.”

He grins at her again. “Yes, ma’am.”

Lydia desperately hopes she isn’t blushing as he unlocks the car. Reggie waits for her to throw her bag in the backseat and slide into her familiar spot in the passenger seat of his car before following her. The car is started without a word from him, and Lydia doesn’t know what’s worse, the silence or one of his dumb jokes.

Reggie turns on the radio to some hip hop station that makes her eye twitch with annoyance, but she keeps her mouth shut. Out of the corner of her eye she catches Reggie smirking, clearly pleased with himself.

It’s going to be a long drive.

For the first hour, the car is relatively quiet. Lydia busies herself with staring determinedly out the window in an attempt to ignore him and Reggie sings along quietly with the radio, his fingers tapping against the steering wheel to the beat of a song she doesn’t recognize. It’s rap or hip-hop, the beat loud and fast enough that she can feel it pumping through her veins.

She’s pretty sure her ears are going to start bleeding soon.

She’s texted Jubilee twice, but she hasn’t responded. Either she’s avoiding Lydia because this is a setup or she’s busy with wedding plans—or busy with Sweet Pea, but Lydia doesn’t want to think about that.

They’re only an hour into the drive and she’s already losing her mind.

Lydia considers pulling out her headphones and grabbing the book she shoved into her bag earlier, but doesn’t want to give him the satisfaction. He knows she doesn’t listen to music like this. Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, Lydia watches as Reggie bobs his head to the music, mouthing the words. As if feeling her gaze, Reggie’s brown eyes lock with hers, a smug smile growing on his face.

The asshole winks at her and Lydia huffs and looks away before he can see the blush creeping up her neck.

“Would you turn that shit down?” she snaps at him, heat prickling along her skin. With her arms folded across her chest, Lydia refuses to look at him again, hoping she sounds more irritated than flustered.

Reggie reaches for the radio and she sighs, thinking he’s finally going to turn down that awful music and stop the assault on her ears. Before she can relax though, Reggie cranks the music louder. “What?” he shouts over the music. “Did you say something?”

“Reggie, I swear to God,” she manages to choke out, shivering as the smooth tone of his voice curls down her spine like a physical touch. God, how is she still so affected by his voice after all this time?

He blinks at her innocently. “Isn’t that blasphemous?”

“Reggie!”

A large grin pulls at his lips and he turns back to the road. “Sorry, babe, can’t hear you.”

The pet-name rolls from his tongue so easily that she almost doesn’t realize he’s said it. But then it hits her in the chest. A sharp, quiet inhale escapes Lydia, a hiccup that can’t be heard over the music. Reggie seems to realize it too a second later, and his fingers tighten around the steering wheel. Lydia bites her bottom lip and wonders if that still drives him crazy.

(It does.)

Being in this car is taking her back to memories she’s tried so hard to forget. Sneaking into the church back in Riverdale. A midnight drive along the coast when he was going to South Florida. The two of them on a quiet beach, their toes sinking into the wet sand and sticking to them like a second skin. The air, sticky and humid as they lay between the sheets, naked limbs intertwining despite the thin layer of sweat clinging to them. Even after almost two years she can still feel the tickle of his fingers trailing along her thigh, the heat of his breath against her neck as he moaned her name.

The echo of his touch makes her shiver with anticipation but she shuts the feeling down before it can fester. The last thing she needs is to dwell on Reggie Mantle and his hands and voice and mouth.

Lydia yanks the book out of her bag as well as a pair of headphones, steadfastly ignoring him even as Reggie’s grin grows wider.

Lydia begins to regret her decision exactly thirty minutes later when her stomach starts to flip sickly. The thrumming bass of Reggie’s music is giving her a headache and the vertigo is quickly catching up to her. Just great. She shifts in her seat, fiddling with her fingers in her lap after slipping her book back into her bag. Taking deep breaths through her nose, Lydia wills herself not to throw up all over herself and the interior of Reggie’s car. As much as she’d like to get back at him for being an annoying pest, she really doesn’t want to smell like vomit for the rest of the drive.

Subtly, Lydia glances at Reggie. He stares straight ahead out the window. Lydia crosses her arms and bites her lip again. Reggie’s gaze briefly snaps to her.

After a few minutes of her silent squirming, Reggie finally takes pity on her and pulls into a gas station off the highway. Or maybe he’s just worried about her puking in the car. Regardless, she’s grateful.

Lydia tries not to visibly sigh in relief as they turn into the lot. “Why are we stopping?” Already her stomach is starting to settle and she could kiss Reggie for pulling over.

He turns the car toward the pumps and sends her a look. “Gas,” he tells her shortly, shrugging like it’s no big deal.

Liar. “You have over half a tank left,” Lydia says, gesturing to the dashboard. And she’s been in this car enough time to know how far they can drive without needing to get gas. Besides, the tank was full when he picked her up.

Reggie’s finger tap against the steering wheel as he avoids her gaze, fiddling with the keys after shutting the car off. “Yeah, and we’re going to be driving for like two more hours. So, unless you want us to run out of gas on the way there…” he trails off expectantly and Lydia rolls her eyes.

Her phone lights up with a text from Jubilee and she waves off his sass. “Okay. Whatever.” Lydia unlocks her phone and unbuckles her seat-belt. “I’m going to run inside quick.” She slides out of the car without waiting for a response and slams the door shut behind her.

She’s halfway across the parking lot before Reggie throws open his car door and calls after her, “grab me a donut!”

“No!” she shouts back.

“Lydia!”

The chiming of the bell above the door drowns out anything else he might have said.

She doesn’t browse the convenience store for long, walking around just long enough for her stomach to settle. Reggie must be done with the car by the time she’s gotten herself a to-go cup of coffee and a bag of skittles, but he doesn’t come looking for her, and she’s grateful for that.

Being in that car with him is suffocating in ways she doesn’t remember them ever being before. Things are still so easy between them, and she hates that. Because they broke up. Because she should have moved on by now, but there’s a little part of her that refuses to. Because he’s Reggie Mantle of all people and he drives her crazy in the best and worst ways.

There’s still a long two hours before they get to Riverdale and she’s already frazzled.

Shaking her head, Lydia plops her things down on the counter, flashing the cashier a small smile.

“Anything else for you today?” the cashier asks, looking her up and down a little slower than necessary. He’s her age, maybe a little younger, and Lydia contemplates chugging the coffee and going back for another one as her smile becomes brittle.

“Not today, thanks.”

The cashier only nods, suddenly more bored than a moment ago. “Any gas outside?”

Lydia glances out at the Chevelle, but doesn’t see Reggie at the pump. He’s probably finished already. “Uh, no—” A warm hand settles low on her back and Lydia gasps, jolting. Her head snaps up to find Reggie standing behind her, an easy smile on his face.

“Pump three,” he tells the cashier, hand still on Lydia’s back. An annoying prickle of heat licks up her spine. And he must not realize it, but his thumb rubs slow circles against her back through her thin shirt, making her shiver at the achingly familiar touch. “And we’ll take this too.” He plops a pack of donuts onto the counter. “Thanks.”

The cashier rings them up and Reggie hands over his card.

Lydia takes a slow breath through her nose and fights the urge to lean back into him. “Reggie,” she bites out, sending him another look.

He peers down at her with wide, innocent eyes. “What? I said I wanted donuts.” He swipes said donuts off the counter and grabs her coffee, holding it out of her reach as he walks out the door. Lydia huffs and storms after him, struggling to keep up with her much shorter legs.

“You’re infuriating!” she shouts at him, watching his shoulders shake with laughter from behind. A trio of bikers across the parking lot glance up at her, but she waves off their concern. She’s never needed bikers to help her handle Reggie. Though, Sweet Pea would be ideal for knocking in his idiot brother’s head.

Reggie doesn’t even look at her, just offers a “cheers!” with her coffee. “You love me!”

She rolls her eyes and jogs the rest of the way to the car, wrenching open the door just as Reggie starts the engine. As soon as she’s settled in Reggie plops her to-go coffee back in her hands and rips open the pack of donuts.

For a while, the drive went well. Lydia had her coffee. Reggie had his donuts. And the highway was an empty expanse of road. With the radio down, Lydia could think again, and she was slightly disturbed how natural it felt being back in this car with him. It’s been almost two years since they broke up, but it’s instinctive, the way she curled up in her seat.

More than once Reggie’s fingers twitched like he wanted to put his hand on her thigh like he used to, but he always caught himself at the last second and shook his head like he was being startled back into reality.

It went like that for a while.

The rabbit in the middle of the road was unexpected.

It happened fast. Reggie’s foot slammed down on the brakes. Lydia was jolted from her daydreaming as she lurched forward in her seat. The seat-belt slammed against her chest and knocked the breath out of her. Her grip on the to-go cup slackened in surprise. Coffee spilled down Lydia’s front, drenching her shirt and making her shriek in surprise.

“It’s okay, baby,” Reggie coos after they’ve pulled over and Lydia is wriggling out of her soaked tank-top on the side of the road. “You’re gonna be just fine. It’s just a little coffee.”

Rolling her eyes, Lydia glares at him over her shoulder, watching in annoyance as he pats the side of his car and mops up the coffee sticking to the leather seat. “Seriously, Reggie? I just spilled hot coffee all over myself and you’re worried about your car?” She wrings out her ruined shirt, nose scrunching in disgust as coffee drips onto the ground by her feet.

He doesn’t turn around, too focused on the car. Or maybe he’s trying to be polite for once and not ogle her while she’s half-naked and  sticky. “This car is my baby, Lydia,” he reminds her, scoffing. “I would die for this car.”

“Oh, yes, how could I forget,” she snaps back sarcastically. “You loved this car more than you loved me.” It’s comes out more bitter than joking, and Lydia squeezes her eyes shut, sighing through her nose.

Behind her, Reggie stops stroking Bella. “That’s not true,” he tells her immediately. The firm tinge to his voice makes her suck in a sharp breath and she stills. Reggie glances at her, eyes on her stiff shoulders, her hair falling into her face. “Lydia?” he says, so quiet she almost doesn’t hear him. “Lydia, I—”

“Can you toss me one of the shirts from my bag?” Reggie is quiet for a while before she hears the pull of a zipper as he opens her bag. There’s a soft brush of fabric against her back and she takes it without looking at him. “Thanks.” Immediately, she recognizes the sweatshirt. Her favorite one. “Reggie, this isn’t mine.” Her throat tightens at the sight of it.

He doesn’t respond for a second. “I know.”

“Reggie—”

He cuts her off with a sigh. “Just take it, Lyds,” he tells her, softer than before.

She hesitates until he slams the car door shut and walks around to his side, waiting for her. Taking a deep breath, she closes her eyes and holds the sweatshirt to her chest. After a minute, she finally slips Reggie’s old USF sweatshirt over her head and tries to ignore the way it feels like coming home.