#sometimes i just remember that Archie really called him friend after everything

[goldengrecha]

How are we feeling today, people who read pokespe?

[lostintransist]

Okay HELLO! I just red the entire Liaison series in a few hours and good lord I am actually just on the verge of tears. I screenshotted multiple paragraphs of your writing it was so beautiful. Truly I have never read something that has affected me like that. Your main character was so likable, powerful, emotional, and deep. Most writers, even professionals, struggle to portray that level of humanity. I was in tears when Gaz died I COMPLETELY skipped over the major character death tag so I wasn’t even expecting it. I have never read a truly poly (that’s the closest word I could think of to describe mc and the boys’ relationship) story before and it awoke something in me. The way that the word “love” was mentioned only a handful of times but this entire story lived off of that concept and what it truly meant was so touching. Archie’s character really resonated with me because I feel like we’ve all been that little boy who just needed “someone in their corner” as you said. I am just so emotional after reading this masterpiece I am just reeling. The scene of all the remaining 141 men giving her the option to kill them? SO symbolic. I also particularly loved the relationship she had with Roach. He has a special place in my heart and watching the mc’s relationship with him flourish was truly special. Him being selectively mute to only occasionally talking to her spoke volumes of the character development you had created. As someone who struggles with being sometimes nonverbal, I really enjoyed reading about Roach. I have so much more to say lol I’m just forgetting. OH and also how you made the mc absolutely shameless about her sex life and who she was? Incredible. Reading about a genuinely powerful and intelligent woman with men (AND WOMEN) wrapped around her finger was lovely. Anyways sorry for the rant I just really wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your work. Congrats on your masters degree! I know it’s very belated but that is very special. College is not for the weak lol.

Okay I will be answering everything in order so I don't miss anything.

As a person I am sorry that I almost made you cry, but as a writer?? My words, the one I fight with nearly daily, made you feel that mUCH? That is wild to me.

Screenshots??? I am beyond words. Like..what? I can't think of anything I wrote worth that. Except maybe killing Gaz, I was pretty pleased with how those words worked out.

Characterization is so HARD, I have found that the small things really make or break it. Liaison likes to bake and responds to threats with sass, those things for me make her feel real.

Okay, on the Gaz note. I am so so so so sorry you missed that tag. That probably hurt even worse than it did for someone who caught the tag. But, you know, no one was expecting it. That was a little bit of the point. 😅

OOH the polyam (I am told by my friends that it should be noted like that because being Poly is typically in reference to being from the Polynesian islands.) I have a couple friends who are poly and they were so kind to always answer my random ass, off the wall, it's three am why are you awake questions.

I, in life and in writing, struggle with the monolithic word of love. Other languages have different words for the different kinds of love and I felt, especially with this story, that the word didn't have enough heft for what I needed to say. The couple times I can remember writing it was so purposeful, to make you think about the fact the first time you see it is from John and Liaison is instantly wary of it.

I love Archie! I had to assure my in-person friends so often that he would be okay, though I feel like I kinda forgot him at the end... I should go fix that...

I can't remember what I call that chapter but it was one of the first I wrote for the fic. Gaz was originally in it when I wrote it. I had to find a way for them to show, because words hold so little value to these versions of the characters, that they were truly sorry. More than sorry, they were willing to lay their lives in her hands because they tried to take hers without listening. They labeled her a traitor, to steal a line from Full Metal Alchemist, it was a 'law of equivelent exchange.' It was the only way I could feel satisfied with her forgiving them, anything less would have felt disengenous to me.

Gary "Roach" Sanderson is an underrated character and I will slay on this hill. So, so many fics I read leave him out but he is my FAVORITE. (Do I have a thing for quiet people? That is literally not the point) One thing I feel really helps characters feel real is the variety of relationships. They are best friends. She dragged him from a blown up BUILDING and he cried for her when he thought she had betrayed them. Beyond Gaz dying that scene hurt me the most emotionally. Yes, romantic love is great and all but have you ever lost a best friend???

Ah, Liaison being just so honest? About her sex life was refreshing to read and write about. A lot of those converstaions happened off page but I love being able to show growth through time jumps. I didn't actually start out with the idea of her being poly, it just kinda developed? The end goal originally was for her to end up with Simon.

Okay on that note my friend likes to point out I started writing Liaison to fix how I left Tears From Dreams and Memories (In case you don't check the tags, everyone dies or wishes they were dead, this is hard core dead dove: do not eat levels) and likes to joke that I made it worse not better. 😅 She's still mad I killed Gaz and lied to her face repeatedly about Kate being the betrayer.

I will accept your congrats in advance because I am still mid master's degree. If I didn't need it for licensure I wouldn't be doing it!

Also rant away? I love hearing that people like my words. I write for me but it is so much fun to know that other people like it too. And if you ranted I must be raving so enjoy? I guess?

I don't know how to end this...

[godheadjones]

okay jeronica friendship rant and my appreciation of them lets go

first i want to talk about the archies weird mysteries episode 5- attack of the 50 ft veronica. in this episode, dilton has invented a ray that can enlarge things! the plan is originally to enlarge food and plants, but after a test, it doesn't seem to work. dilton is big sad :( but wait, it did work? but only on living breathing things? oh interesting but we don't need it now. cue the start of the episode. veronica is bitching about jughead to his best friend, who is also her boyfriend, or just archie. because guess what archiekins? he's weird. he's a weirdo. he doesn't fit in. look at him wearing that stupid hat. he's always alone and no one likes him. he's weird archie. after her bitching session, we get a dilton test 1 of the enlargement ray. doesn't work on the pile of food but secretly there was a bug in there and now that is big. cue jughead coming to betty's house. shes baking a cake, what fun! jughead makes this really smart comment about checking the cake or something and bettys like wow thanks! the big bug attacks the house and betty screams, the cake deflats, jughead is big sad :( so betty calls arch. next archie and veronica come over and veronica slams jughead again. that big bug is here and he's on a rampage! so maybe the ray did work? they go to dilton and veronica, as its veronica, plays around with the ray and gets zapped. oh no! later, as the night goes on and she has a date with archie, she keeps getting bigger and bigger until suddenly, shes huge! now shes hosting a party! archie and dilton are there, and so is betty but not jughead cause remember: he's a weirdo. archies like wow jugs missing all this food so sad :( and dilton asks why he isn't there? archie just says that veronica finds him weird so he's not invited. then veronica is 50 ft and she comes running out in a large table cloth as a dress and then shes mad. she goes on a rampage and tries to tear down the macys cause none of the clothes fit me so no one gets them. shes crying on the ground. cue jughead, whose going on a nightly walk or something and just so happens to have an umbrella. works very well for veronicas tears. he jumps around her cause like jittery. then veronica is bitching about how no one likes her anymore and we get smart jughead part 2 this episode and all the things veronica was bitching about him? he says that to her and he isn't like see now your like me haha he's actually really humble about it and is like well we’ll be weirdos together veronica i’ll help you so they go to diltons lab and then jughead says something about cake (i mean obviously) but then dilton is like genius genius omg we will do that and once veronica is normal sized again she and jughead have this really nice moment. cue the end of the episode. back at pops, because everything happens at pops in riverdale, archie and jughead are hanging out and archie says something about veronica not liking jughead or gonna change anytime and then we see veronica literally wearing jugheads exact outfit that day and shes like just broadening my style :) and the episode ends

i really like this episode because of how close they get. they don't become the closest of friends, but they don't hate each other anymore and i really like veronicas character development to jughead and i just find this episode so like friendly for these 2 like i want to cry sometimes and i just love how they hate each other but then they have THESE EPISODES WHERE THEY ACTUALLY HAVE INSIDE JOKES AND I LOVE IT SO MUCH <333

the inside joke in question is veronica is crying over being weird and jughead just "okay so you wear weird clothes, people avoid you, your sitting alone and you can DEF eat more burgers than me" and then she like "well yeah" so once shes small again shes like "oh jug, will you come to my party?" and jugs like "sure ofc just don't eat all the burgers" and i love this so much like she laughing like "oh haha" archie and dilton be like "um what? like yeah he likes burgers but why she laughing over that?" INSIDE JOKE THATS WHY

[daydream-believin]

What About the Smaller Picture (3)

Summary: Merlin knows best. And what he feels is best for you and Douxie right now is to sit around and wait for him to come back from New Jersey, Merlin-knows-when. (3) You’ve adjusted to Arcadian life pretty well. (1) or (4)

Warnings: Swearing, sleep problems?

Word count: 2474

A/n:  sorry this wasnt out sooner I’ve had a week

The curtains were blue. They had a little pattern of navy and white flowers and curvy lines like pottery painted with indigo. You had moved one of Doux’s bookshelves to be the second wall to allow the curtain rod to even be in place. This layout effectively created a nook of sorts around your little bed. To be frank the curtains weren’t absolutely necessary. The space kinda gave you university dorm vibes with the two twin beds across from each other. But there was no way you were letting this guy you barely knew watch you sleep. Even if you were good friends, you wouldn’t let him watch you sleep. That kind of vulnerability was special, reserved for only those closest to you.

Speaking of closeness, Douxie had been very adamant about you not calling him by his full name anymore. Made him feel like you were reprimanding him, he said. You could relate to the feeling, and so you were now being careful to replace all ‘Hisirdoux’s with ‘Douxie’s in your head. Or at least a ‘Doux’. Not ‘Babe’. Who told you that. You definitely never referred to him as Babe in your mind. Nope. That Is Not Something Friends Do.

“And,” Douxie rubbed the back of his neck, “Normally when people call me Hisirdoux nowadays it’s because they want to kill me. Only strangers and enemies call me that. Or Zoe when she’s pissed. So yeah, just Douxie is fine.”

“Just Douxie?”

He chuckled, “Yeah.” You looked up at him with a smile.

“Douxie.” He flushed, nodding. “Well, Douxie, what do you want for dinner tonight.”

That little nook you’d built hadn’t stopped Douxie from trying to talk to you all night, however. You’d think the curtains would be a clear message of don’t talk to me I want to be left alone but Doux hadn’t really taken that hint. You tried your best to brush him off the first few nights, even pretending to fall asleep. It didn’t stop him. By the fourth night you spent in Arcadia, you gave in. You had trouble sleeping anyways, as it was apparent so did your roommate, so might as well indulge him. It’s not like ignoring him did any good. Instead of staring at a blue-light screen that messed with your circadian rhythm, you talked about nonsense with Doux. And it was good nonsense. He was way too funny. Or maybe it’s that thing where if you’re into someone then everything they say is hilarious. You’ll never know. But it was nice, either way.

The funny thing was that not only did you actually start to like this, but now it was becoming hard to sleep without it. He helped. Your whole life you stayed up late, and then tossed and turned all night anyways. Now your bedtime routine was talk to Douxie for a few hours, slowly falling asleep, and then you’d sleep the whole night through like a baby. No more restlessness. No more waking up over and over again. Even if you did, you could just listen to him snore for a bit and fall right back to sleep. You guessed it was the feeling of safety he provided. Like someone was watching over you, even when you were at your most vulnerable. You’d never really had that luxury before.

 You had started noticing the trouble coming back when he would stay out late sometimes. And Douxie was gone one night and you suddenly couldn’t sleep at all. This was bad. A problem, if you will. But no matter. There were more pressing things to worry about.

Like the fact that all week, Douxie had been hinting that he had something you two were going to do soon. He would not tell you what it was. In fact he was taking quite a bit of joy in dangling this “surprise” in front of your face but not telling you anything about it. It was driving you a little crazy. You hoped what he had planned was nothing too wild, though. It’s not that you weren’t down, you were just tired. But you could use a little shaking up. This bookshop existence was boring. You weren’t boring. You had enough crazy stories to last an immortal lifetime from growing up in New Jersey. Not just modern-day Urban New Jersey. Early colonial Quaker-dominated New Jersey was wild too. Especially as one of those infamous New England witches. Maybe Douxie was taking you on some magic errand. That would be great, you were dying to do something actually in your job description ever since you got here. Not that working in the bookshop wasn’t nice, it just wasn’t magic. You were craving magic.

But alas, as the sun was setting and the last patrons left the store, life moved on as mundanely usual. You flipped over the sign, scratched a sunbeam bathing Archie behind the ears, and started the process of re-shelving all the damn books that customers left strown about. The sunset turned the bookshop pink. There were fewer cars rushing by. Now that there were no customers, it was very peaceful. Just you, Archie’s snoring, and the soft lute music playing. The music was lute covers of popular songs, and at this point you were pretty sure it was Douxie himself who recorded this shit.

Speaking of Douxie, you hadn’t seen him all day. It had made working the bookshop extra extra boring. Like if he wanted you to be free labor, he could at least give you the decency of his lovely presence. But no, it was just you, all day long. All by your lonesome, with nary a cute theater-kid adjacent wizard to keep you entertained with his company. It was a travesty really. But anyways, where was he. Better not be having fun without you.

You like to think your thoughts summoned him. He came in through the back door, panting, disheveled. Singed? He frantically looked out the door’s window into the alleyway from which he had just came from, looking for something. Whatever it was, he must have seen it, since he looked panic-stricken. In a painfully obvious attempt to swallow the fear, he turned to you, trying his best to sound nonchalant.

“SO. You know that thing? The surprise? Well. It is here a little sooner than I expected it to bE—” A loud crashing noise came from the alleyway. “Oh, fuzzbuckets.”

You dropped the book in your hand. “WHAT DID YOU DO.”

There was another very loud crash, this time closer. Douxie glanced back for less than a moment before rushing over to you, taking you hand.

“I’ll just have to tell you on the way love, come on!”

You two fled out the front door of the shop like your tails were on fire. Speaking of tails on fire, once you rounded the shop to the alleyway, you found out just what Douxie had been running from that was making such loud noises. Hellheetis. Five large hellheetis. Blazing bright in the Arcadian dusk. How the neighbors haven’t already called the cops or the fire department was a mystery. The large lion-like creatures growled, stalking down the alley. It was only a matter of seconds before they smelled and or spotted you and went back into the chase. You had to make a plan and fast. Distracting you from your thoughts, Douxie nervously laughed beside you.

“hehe, uh, could you believe there was only one of these at the start?”

You slowly turned to the wizard, “Did you,, hit them, Hisirdoux?” You could call him that now because you were in fact pissed off at the moment.

“Only twice.”

“Only twice… Okay”

“I may not be the best at monster identification. Or remembering which tactic to use for which.”

“I can see that.” You tried to keep your voice as calm as you could, which got a little easier to do as the hellheetis turned down a different alleyway, putting some more distance between them and you. They were still searching though, that was apparent. Thankfully the stench of the alley trash was keeping you covered.

“Believe me, Archie gets onto me about this all the time.”

“It’s okay… just. I think I have a plan. But one of us has to be bait. And it’s going to be you.”

“That’s fair.”

You sprinted up the stairs of the bookstore and up through the ceiling hatch onto the rooftop. You first instinct was to get them to the center of the square, where you could use the fountain as a water source. The alley they had started going down opened up to the square anyhow. It would have been a straight shot. But dear Mr. Casperan made a fuss about that being too out in the open or whatever.

Next solution. The bookstore’s rooftop had a facet, Douxie told you. You’d like to imagine it was put there so some nice old lady could have had a sweet rooftop garden without too much hassle. Maybe you should start a sweet rooftop garden. You and Douxie could have a little oasis in the city up here. You could grow veggies and flowers for your table. Maybe make a cute little picnic area. Stargaze at night. The facet. You quickly found it and made work of turning it on. Or at least you tried your best. You could hear roaring, getting louder, getting closer. The scary growls and roars were punctuated by Douxie’s frantic footsteps, grunts, and gasps. Please don’t get eaten, Douxie.

The facet was so rusty, it took all of your strength to get it to budge. And then nothing came out really, the hose attached to it lifeless without so much as a trickle. You tried to unscrew it from the facet to see if there was a problem and the metal part of the hose disintegrated in your hand. Okay. No water was in fact coming out of that facet.

Imaginary sirens rang in your ears. You had to get water, fast, or your partner was gonna be kit & kadouxle. Hellheeti chow. Growl mix. Douxies. Fiery feast. The big cats were gonna eat him okay. After managing to get the facet turned as fast as you could, fueled on pure adrenaline, and still getting little to no water, you made a judgement call of fuck that. Magic time. To be completely frank here that should have been what you had done in the fucking first place, but hey, fear dulls the mind.

Gathering up as much water as you could, like, metaphorically feel in the pipe, you pulled that shit out with all your might. Aaaannddd because of this you may have not actually remembered that you would need to catch said water in order to, you know, use it. Instead of a nice bubble to be used at your discretion, a magic roof-water tidal wave washed over you and over the side of the building into the alley below. Thank your lucky fucking stars that Douxie just so happened to have gotten the fire felines to the right spot in time. The uncontrollable rain rushed down, dissipating the hellheetis, soaking Douxie darling, and flooding not only your alley but all the alleys connected to it. Holy shit, stop it! STOP IT! It took a second, but you did finally get the river to stop pouring out of your rooftop. Fingers crossed there were no basement windows open and all your neighbors had flood insurance. And that no one saw. Can’t be connected to you if no one saw right. Shhhhhh.

You peered over the ledge to see if Douxie was alright down below. He looked like a cat caught in the rain himself. You probably did too. Douxie’s soaked bangs covered his eyes. Nevertheless, he was able to see you up on the ledge and gave you a thumbs up. You awkwardly returned it.

Toweling off your hair, and now in nice dry pajamas, you walked out of the bathroom to join Douxie on the couch. His own hair towel hung around his shoulders. You took a moment to enjoy how cute he looked all ready for bed, cozy in the blankets on the couch. And that semi-wet hair was looking pretty nice too. You only allowed yourself to linger on this for that moment however, as you remembered you were supposed to be mad at him right now. You crossed your arms as you approached the wizard.

“SO, dearest Hisirdoux, may I have the decency of getting to ask the question, WHY.”

“Funny story really.”

“Really?” You raised a brow

“Really.”

Douxie fidgeted with his hands. You watched this little nervous gesture intently as you sat down next to him. He took a deep breath before beginning,

“First thing. You’ve been here for some time now, and I thought it was enough time for me to start sharing my little, er, excursions with you,” Douxie’s face flushed a little, “I like monster hunting, and now that I know that I like you, I thought I’d like it more if I brought you along with me?”

Your face was flushed a little too now. “Hey, stop it, I need to be mad at you.” Yeah well the smile you wore gave up any pretense of that. Sorry.

“I didn’t know how familiar you were with monsters or how skilled at fighting you were, so I decided to go get some test monsters from Mervin the Monster Dealer, just to make sure our first time would be safe. FIRST TIME MONSTER HUNTING TOGETHER.”

You stifled a chuckle. “And you didn’t just ask me?”

“It was supposed to be a cool surprise okay.” He buried his face in his hands.

“… Hellheetis?” Safe monster your ass.

“Yes, I mean no, I- Mervin sold me the wrong thing alright. I thought I was buying those cute little fire sprite things you can easily just put out with your boot.”

This time you did not hold back that laughter. And you laughed, and Douxie laughed, and soon both of you were uncontrollably cackling until you were out of breath. Archie came in to see what the commotion was about and then promptly turned back around to go back to his spot in the window. You clutched your chest, still cracking up despite the lack of oxygen. Douxie wiped some tears from his eyes you were sure hoping were just from laughing too hard. You rubbed a hand on his back.

“So, I think I’ve had enough excitement for one day. How bout movie night?”

Douxie’s tired eyes smiled at you, “Yeah, I think that would be lovely.”

“Hey, I had a good first monster hunt, Douxie. Thank you,” You pulled your cold feet up under your legs, “But could you stop hogging the blankets!”

[thetaoofbetty]

your ask is under the cut, doll:

Hello beautiful I send this ask to someone else but they didn't answer me, maybe I sounded a bit trolly or say something wrong but I hope I don't—i don't think you sound trolly, lovely, sometimes people just get overwhelmed with asks and some fall through the cracks.

Like tumblr always fail me and sometimes don't send my asks so I lost everything write so I wrote it on my notes book and paste it here please don't show my user it's all sarcasm—i don't get notifications for your asks, doll. no idea why. i never see them until i'm in my inbox which might be part of the problem.

I love that every time the writers want to bring ba they put less effort—b/a is definitely a way to bring drama with minimal effort. just look at how the fandom reacts vs literally any other ship. it's sort of both ridiculous and transparent. especially the reaction to when you might dislike other ships more than b/a, it's like an actual crime around here.

it's not the nicest thought i've had but these people have been harassing me for years now so i'll say it anyway: the show and the b/archies have the same relationship that betty and archie have in the comics. always waiting, always getting their hopes up, flirting with it a bit, and then watching as archie picks veronica anyways.

On s2, okay the writers had to get out jughead of the way and it end up on a poorly drama but there was a set up and kinda make sense for the characters (also show how bh its the best investigative duo) I don't remember a lot of s2 too i should watch again and take a shot of vodka every time archie do something stupid (and pray for don't end up on the hospital)—i maintain, to this day, this was the time to do a b/archie arc. they could have written jughead with a found family trope that would have never worked long term but better writers could have pulled it off.

but the point remains that they've always had to create drama and/or isolate betty from jughead to put her back in archie's orbit. i have no idea why they think that's a good set up for a long term anything but i also don't care why they do what they do.

On s3 crickets—oh, i don't know, i think i got about a fair amount of trolls about that time she smiled at him while breaking him out jail.

S4 well we know this pretty well I won't go into details but they use the fake dating as the set up for you know the thing—riverdale is to tv writing and tropes what wattpad is to fanfiction and this is the hill i am willing to go out on. they take perfectly good tropes, pretend they know how to subvert and/or use them then turn around and offend everyone with them.

On s5a the 5x01 to 5x04 there's wasn't any hint for ba well yes, that's it—hah, does anyone remember how they acted after 5x01-5x03 to roberto? they really thought they were going to get some sort of epic romantic arc after betty said, "thanks but no thanks, i love jughead"? really? okay.

S519 after don't be part of the other part life's for 11 episodes (except they share a booth on the 5x15 and archie was more interested on play with his cup) after dealt with her sister death and almost being a able to share her horrible experience to Archie's best friend betty is finally ready to accept her love for archie, she had been waiting to him break up with Veronica to be together, she wants to make the things right this time and she will ask veronica for her blessing, we'll that's what some anons on my inbox told me I don't know—was she waiting for him to break up with veronica when she called off the fwb thing or nah? even tho he was single? i can't keep up with the goalpost moving, i need a chart. listen, all you need to know about them is that they're willing to accept the bare minimum from the show because they're willing to settle for whatever as long as they feel like they've won.

bugheads aren't mad because bughead isn't kissing right now, they're mad because the story arcs s u c k for both betty and jughead this season.

Imagine being with someone that you know that don't work—i've already done it. it was dumb on my part and sure, i could give you a bunch of valid reasons to why it went on so long but the gist of it is, sometimes we don't choose ourselves when we should.

You know my grandpa always told me that there's no better love story that the one with the guy saying that wanted something long term, grow on a house together and try to find a solution with other girl but she rated to be single and the girl that still have unresolved trauma for being kidnapped and find out that her sister die and will stay on a horrible  town that she wanted to scape when was young for her more awful mother—a story for the ages, no doubt. the story of betty and archie, in riverdale as it is, has always been vaguely interesting to me in that she built him up in her head and then realized she doesn't need to settle for him as evidenced by all the times she's done it and then realized it was a mistake. after the first rejection of her crush on him in season 1, the only time we see her truly live her life affected by a failed romantic relationship or interest is after she and jughead break up before college.

as for archie, i've always found it off-putting that he's totally fine with enjoying her attentions but always letting her know that she's his second choice. i don't hate archie nearly as much as most of you and i gotta be honest, that's just...so gross to me.

I guess is not about the story it's about you ship being together no matter what, it's about have sex scenes no matter why they do that or why they are together and literally have to get out other characters of the way to make it happen or how they are teh others second choice—yeah, that sounds about right. they ship like it's a competition instead of it being something they're truly invested in. i think the lack of content speaks pretty loudly on that if nothing else.

I found this on the tl the other day

tI don't believe on the au theory and if it is real I don't think I will be revealed until we are into the half of the 5 special eps (I mean the writers cna still make it canon if they notice people complaining about the characters being ooc but I don't think they care) but for their part but you I don't trust the writers and I'm kinda scary that they make betty admit she is in love with archie or something like that and I hate to say it even when I don't notice any interest from Betty's part into archie more than a sexual interest on a escape maybe you could give some light on here but I didn't notice any kind of interest/romantic interest from Betty's part to jughead—i say this with love, but expecting betty to be pining over jughead while her sister was missing is a thing i don't understand. she showed concern over him multiple times and that was before they ever even talked about the voicemail he left (and also while they were sharing the bare minimum of screen time). she'd been kidnapped. her sister was missing. her family always blames her for everything. the backstory we got for jughead was pretty much from his pov, we didn't get her side of it so of course it felt heavy handed with the way he feels about her.

the last thing she admitted to him when they talked is that she was addicted to chasing serial killers. which was right before they found her dead sister's body but that was also in the same episode we saw her run to jughead's rescue so what else is she supposed to do? it's not like jughead was outwardly showing his nonstop interest in her either. the audience has more information than she does (and having characters like tabitha or jessica give her half or wrong but negative information of what jughead's said or done isn't exactly building them back up) which is how stories tend to work.

i think the most important takeaway from bughead's arcs are that all of these things are unfinished: her role in his book, the talks, the breakup in high school, their feelings. all of it.

A very long ask—it was indeed.💜

[amazingphanisnotonfire-imagines]

Reggie//everyone loves a cliche

Request: Can I request a reader/Reggie with sort of the cliche footballer/cheerleader stereotype sort of fluff plot wise

hey! i hope this is what you wanted! i had a lot of fun writing this!

- At first, you and Reggie don’t like each other 

- Which is kind of a cliche in itself 

- He’s too arrogant 

- You’re to ‘preppy’

- Whatever the hell thats supposed to mean

- But its not like you hate each other

- You never go out of your way to make the others lives miserable 

- Just if there’s a mention of one of you, the other will roll their eyes 

- Any other time, you just try to avoid each other.

- But that becomes a bit more difficult when your best friends start dating

- Veronica and Archie become a thing 

- Meaning there is literally no escape from each other 

- Queue an endless amount of third and fourth wheeling

- ‘you’re the fourth wheel’ 

- ‘isn’t that better than third?’ 

- ‘no because you’re last’ 

- ^Just a snippet of the arguments you would have while Veronica and Archie shove their tongues down each others throats 

- So now you’re forced together regularly

- And because you usually have to spend time at Pop’s, you either have to sit next to or opposite each other. 

- God help anybody who thinks you’re a couple

- Or even just friends tbh

- ‘you think we’re dating?’

- ‘you think i would go anywhere near him?!’ 

- ‘exactl-hey! if anyone is rejecting anyone. its me rejecting you.’

- ‘you keep telling yourself that.’ 

- ‘i just asked for your order...’

- But one day something changes

- Archie and Veronica are late 

- How? You don’t know because you left practice at the same time

- And she’d specifically told you during practice that you were all going to Pop’s straight after. 

- So now you and Reggie have to be alone for a while

- As soon as you walk into the diner and see Reggie sat alone, your smile vanishes

- You’d already had a rubbish day

- And now you have to drag yourself over to sit opposite him

- ‘hey pom-poms. i thought cheerleaders were supposed to be happy all the time.’ 

- ‘i’m not in the mood reg. where’s veronica?’

- ‘probably wherever archie is.’

- ‘...’

- ‘whats up?’ 

- ‘do you actually care or do you just want something to gossip about in the locker room?’ 

- ‘do i look like cheryl blossom to you?’ 

- You’d crack a smile at that which would spark something unfamiliar in him

- ‘no...thank god’ 

- ‘i’ve heard a problem shared is a problem halved’ 

- ‘and where exactly did you hear that?’

- ‘its just something my mom used to say to me’ 

- ‘used to?’ 

- ‘we don’t really talk much anymore. but come on, tell me whats wrong.’ 

- ‘i’ve just had a bit of a crappy day. everything just got on top of me and then i ended it with a really rough practice.’ 

- ‘well, good news is that you’re crappy day is over, and you survived it. plus, i’ve seen you practice and you’re great.’ 

- ‘you’re just saying that.’ 

- ‘when do i ever just say things...especially nice things...and especially about you.’ 

- ‘true’

- ‘don’t tell cheryl, but i think you’re the best on that team.’

- Both of you would blush and look away, not really sure of what to say and praying for Archie and Veronica to turn up soon.

- A few minutes of some very awkward silence, they eventually turn up

- And both of you would be extremely thankful. 

- After that you start to look at him differently 

- And he starts to notice small things about you 

- Things shift between you ever so subtly

- Instead of rolling your eyes, they would light up at the mention of the other 

- And instead of avoiding each other, you found yourselves looking for the other 

- If one of you told a joke, you’d look at the other to see if they were laughing 

- And small looks would be shared between the two of you whenever Archie and Veronica were doing something gross

- Both of you would start to look forward to being the third and fourth wheel 

- Because now it doesn’t really feel like it anymore

- And slowly your friends start to notice the changes

- Subtle and not so subtle 

- Especially when you start hanging out with each other, without the need of anyone else being there 

- So now its just a matter of time 

- Which thankfully isn’t that long

- A month later...

- Veronica and Archie are late...yet again 

- But you don’t mind 

- Sometime you and Reggie go to Pop’s early so you can spend some time together before they turn up

- By the time Reggie gets there, you’ve already ordered his food and he feels his heart skip a beat because you actually remembered his favourite 

- ‘archie text me and apparently something has come up.’

- ‘i don’t want to know whats up.’ You’d reply with a scrunch of your nose.

- He’d chuckle softly and your mind would go blank for a few seconds 

- Because you made him do that! 

- You could happily hear that noise every single day for the rest of your life and never get sick of it

- Oh crap

- Do you like Reggie Mantle?

- Like more than a friend???

- Maybe even love him?!?!

- ‘y/n? are you okay?’

- ‘what? yeah...just thinking.’

- ‘remember, a problem shared is a problem halved’

- ‘i’m good, really.’ 

- But you’re really not good 

- Not at all

- You’ve fallen for Reggie Mantle

- Arrogant footballer

- But also so much more

- He’s got the kindest, purest soul ever

- He’ll do anything for his friends 

- And he’ll do anything to make you laugh

- Little do you know

- As you’re having your small freakout 

- Reggie is doing the exact same 

- He’s just realized how in love with you he actually is

- All it took was a crude joke and a scrunch of your nose 

- Now what does he do?

- He’s always so confident 

- Thats what made you dislike him in the first place

- But right now, he isn’t sure if he’s able to say hello

- So he blurts out the next best thing

- ‘goodbye’

- ‘what?’ 

- ‘i mean i love you’ 

- ‘what?!?’

- ‘what?’ 

- Now he’s standing up and trying to figure out the best escape route 

- ‘reg? where are you going?’ 

- ‘away. i don’t love you. i like you. i mean not that i couldn’t love you. i could definitely love you...very easily. maybe i do love you. can i kiss you? wait what?’ 

- ‘yes. you can kiss me.’ 

- That surprises both of you 

- But he doesn’t waste anymore time and leans over the table to kiss you 

- Its awkward because of the position he’s in and definitely a little embarrassing

- But its perfect 

- After a few dates you’d make it official 

- And then the real cliches would start

- Quickly you’d become the couple of the school

- Everybody knows who you are

- Probably because he gave you his letterman jacket after your first date and you haven’t taken it off since

- ‘it just looks better on you babe’ 

- Speaking of ‘babe’

- The nicknames...

- So many

- ‘babe’

- ‘baby’

- ‘sweetheart’

- ‘my love’ (which is a personal favourite)

- ‘darling’ (another favourite)

- And your nicknames for him where just as cute

- ‘reg’ (obvious, but he likes it because its the one you called him before you even liked each other)

- ‘mantle’ (for when you wanted to tease him)

- ‘love’

- ‘babe’

- ‘sunshine’ (his secret favourite. he pretended to hate it but you noticed the soft smile on his face whenever you said it)

- You definitely won prom king and queen 

- ‘you’re by far the prettiest queen this school has ever seen’

- Your Pop’s dates would become more and more frequent 

- Now its Veronica and Archie’s turn to share looks when you kiss

- He’d walk you to class every chance he got 

- And he’d always carry your books for you

- If you had a class together, he would always sit beside you

- And days were assignments were given and you could pick your partners were his favourite.

- When you didn’t have classes together he’d leave cheesy notes in your notebooks 

- Or even just in your locker 

- He’d always kiss you goodbye 

- He’d also pull you into empty classrooms/corridors to make out

- Even if you were going to be late to something

- Mainly Bulldog/Vixen practice 

- Much to your coaches annoyance

- Sorry Cheryl 

- If you were free while he was practicing, you’d watch him from the bleachers 

- And if he was free while you had practice, he’d definitely sneak in to watch 

- Again, sorry Cheryl 

- And at games you would always cheer the loudest 

- Sometimes you’d come up with your own cheers that were just about him 

- ...sorry Cheryl

- You were a constant distraction to the other

- Everybody would act so annoyed 

- But they secretly all thought it was cute 

- Because everyone loves a cliche 

- And this one was by far your favourite 

[alaffy]

Riverdale 5x17 - Dance with Death

This show and it’s ability to go from zero to sixty.  Several plots were delt with tonight.  And…it works, in that it does make sense but only because there are facts that are brought in at the last second so that it does work.   And, uh, I think Jackson lived?  Maybe he’s in the hospital for the rest of the season.

Let’s start with a few simple things. (haha)  Cheryl decides the church is going to start worshiping Gia and Kevin wants out because he’s afraid it’s becoming a cult.  Honestly, Kevin, worshiping Gia makes it less of a cult in my opinion. Although Cheryl does try to write her own 12 commandments, so….

Chad, the bitch, tries to get everything in the divorce.  He then, the bitch that he is, whines to Hiram Lodge, who suggests to Chad that the only way to win is if he kills Archie.  Meanwhile Archie and Veronica are…celebrating.  Chad tries and fails, which leads to him loosing everything in the divorce (don’t ask).  Chad, still a bitch, decides he’s going to try to kill Veronica in her apartment. Veronica (in a scene that is cheesy as hell and I love it) turns off the lights and puts on Flight of the Valkyrie. She jumps Chad, they struggle for the gun, it goes off twice, and Chad dies like the bitch he is.  Good.

Meanwhile, it something slightly more serious in tone.  Britta, remember her, comes out to Toni.  Britta tells her parents, who aren’t thrilled with the news, but Toni (who’s there at the time), believes she has talked them down.  That leads Toni and Fangs to have a discussion about their lives as teenagers and coming out to their parents.  

But there are two main stories tonight.  One has already been touched on with the fact that Chard tries to kill Archie.  After Chad reports that he failed, Hiram decides he’s going to take it upon himself to end Archie once and for all.  And, yes, he blows up the mines.  Archie and Jackson are trapped inside.  Veronica, avenging angel that she is, goes to her father and knocks him unconscious.  She then ties him up in his office and makes it clear to him that she’s had enough of trying to win his approval and that if Archie dies, she will kill him.  And make no mistake, the way this is played, I don’t think she’s kidding.  Meanwhile, at the mines, Archie is trying to dig a way out and Cheryl is praying.  And with what happens next, I’m not quite sure how we’re supposed to interpret this.  So, Cheryl is praying and suddenly Archie starts to see the fallen solders from last episode, who start to help him dig out.  We then cut back to Cheryl, who calls out the elements (Which respond to her), and suddenly Archie is able to escape with Jackson.  So it does seem like Cheryl is a witch, but if they are bringing in the supernatural, does that mean Archie wasn’t just hallucinating in the caves?  

Anyway, because Archie lives, Veronica does free her father.  However, she makes it clear if he goes after her or her friends again, she will kill him.  Later, we see him burning a photo of Veronica.  The fact that Veronica brings how their story would ends with one of them dead, I’m starting to believe this might be his last season.

And, finally, we have the highway/mothman/alien plot.  So, it turns out that Squeeky is Tabitha friend who goes missing.  Tabitha asks Betty and Jughead to look into it together. But first they got to meet Dr. Curdle who has another body that might be Polly’s and asks Betty to take a DNA test. One thing that is worrying is that this body has been cut up, which the others haven’t (hmm).  Betty, meanwhile, lets her mother know about the possibility.

So, basically, Betty and Jughead first figure out that the student of Jughead’s that had gone missing might have something to do with the case, even though he doesn’t fit the profile. So, they call the student up and they meet with him.  But just before he arrives, they see Alice on tv making a passionate plea for the killing to stop, while mentioning the new body in the morgue. The student describes about being held in a box that sounds similar to the box that Polly was held in and that he heard several people arguing about how he didn’t fit the profile. Then one of the people rescued him from the shed and took him back to the highway.  So, they know wherever that place is it’s close.  

Dr Curdle then calls Betty to let her know the test results arrived. Betty, Tabitha, and Jughead go to the morgue.  The body is not Polly’s, but it is Squeeky’s.  Furthermore, while Curdle was away from the morgue, someone broke in and stole Squeeky’s and the unknown killer’s remains.  Oh, and apparently Betty is related to the unknown killer.  Jughead realizes that they might be Blossoms.  Tabitha goes to inform Squeeky’s parents. Jughead and Betty realize that the family is trying to cover their tracks and that makes Jughead connect the “alien” body in the barrel.  So, they go to talk to Nana Blossom.  That body was a cousin of hers that had died in the woods and she just decided to, you know, preserve in syrup (oh Nana).  But she then tells them of how her husband had a bunch of illegitimate children and how Nana arranged for them to live with a couple in the woods.  But the family doesn’t live in the woods anymore, they moved to the mines, and after that…Jughead realizes that Old Man Dryfus is part of that family.  Turns out the story of the Mothman and the Aliens that Dryfus told Jughead, just a story he created to cover up what was really going on.  This really is the most disturbing episode of Scooby Doo ever.

Anyway, they get a call from Toni telling them Britta is missing.  Long story short, Betty, Jughead, Toni, Fangs, and Tabitha go to the Dryfus’ place.  Jughead distracts Dryfus so that the others can search for Britta.  They find Britta but are attacked by people in Mothmen costumes (and as ridiculous as this sounds it actually is an intense scene). One of them manages to choke Betty, which reminds her of TBK, but Toni saves her.  Betty hears a struggle inside and goes rushing in to help Jughead, who has Dryfus pinned on the floor.  Afterwords, in the police station, Dryfus tells Betty the location of Polly.  Betty and Alice go to a trunk of a car and, while we don’t see anything, it is clear by their reaction that Polly is dead.

Honestly, Polly’s ending kind of makes sense.  The thing is sometimes people with troubled lives, it doesn’t matter what you do to try and stop it, it’s like they are destined to have a tragic ending.  And let’s be clear, Betty’s argument with Polly didn’t cause her death.  Polly mental issues or her job didn’t cause her death.  The only people who are responsible for her death are the ones who believed they had a right to take anyone’s life.      

And it is clear by the previews that the next episode will involve the mental health of Alice.  It also seems like Archie and Veronica are moving in together, maybe?  Also, Tabitha asks Jughead to pretend to be her boyfriend.  And, while I have seen photos from the episode, I’m not going to comment on what I think may happen as the musicals have a tendency to blur reality and what’s in the character’s heads and this one really seems to be doubling down.

[alovesongshewrote]

Almost A Thousand Years - 1100 | Hisirdoux Casperan

Plot:  You’ve known Hisirdoux Casperan for almost a thousand years.  You’ve hated him for almost a thousand years.  And for almost a thousand years, you’ve been cursed to feel each others pain.  But somewhere in that time, things changed.  [Hisirdoux Casperan x Mostly Gender Neutral but Probably Female Presenting Based on How Historical Men Treat Them!Reader]

Word Count:  2,494

Warnings:  Enemies to lovers, so general hatred, reader starts out as a Gumm-Gumm spy, angst, death, pain, and later torture, but i don’t think there’s any swearing

A/N:  So, this has been my brain baby for a while.  As of current, I’m working on the eighth chapter, so there’s definitely more to come.  I’ve worked really hard on it, and I’m super proud of myself for sticking with it (my attention span is real short, so this is a miracle.)  Thank you so much for reading, you don’t know how much it means to me.  Also thank you to @mydouxie​ for asking for this super politely, you’re awesome and also the reason I’m putting it out tonight.  Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy the fic.

Back | Next

“Douxie?  Doux, come on, you’d better wake up right now.  Wake up.  Wake up!  Douxie, don’t do this, please,”  You begged, leaning over the body of your closest friend, and former worst enemy.

“Oh god,” you choked, “No, no, no, no, please… please don’t leave me,” There was silence,  And then you began to sob.  

The voices of your friends rung out around you, but you were too tired to decipher what they said and too numb to care.

This couldn’t be happening.  It just wasn’t possible.  Hisirdoux Casperan had been in your life for almost as long as you could remember.  There were times when he had been your life.  There was no way he was just gone.  But he was.  And it was killing you on the inside.  You’d been through a lot in the past nine-hundred-and-nineteen years.  You’d lost friends, suffered wars, witnessed pandemics, and been tortured.  You’d stayed strong through all of it, but this?  Seeing your best friend, dead on the ground?  This broke you.

There was once a time, long ago, when you would have celebrated.  Centuries in the past, when you were young and naive, and so absolutely stupid.  It was the beginning for you, and for him, and for this fic.

So, you tuned out your mourning friends and Archie’s sorrowful yowls, and you let yourself melt back into the past.

--

It was sometime in the twelfth century.  

King Arthur was on the throne, ruling his kingdom with an iron fist and a hatred for all magical beings.

And you were a witch.

This led to a childhood of abandonment issues, poverty, and self-hate.  You, and everyone around you,  thought you a freak; a monster.  There is no need to say that you had a rather nasty upbringing.  You’d experienced some of the worst things humanity had to offer, so the obvious next step was to turn against the humans and join the force set to destroy them.

When you were eight years old, you pledged allegiance to Gunmar, offering your services as a witch, and a spy.

Life with the Gumm-Gumms wasn’t much better than life on the streets, but at the very least you received some basic training where your magic was concerned.  The more you practiced, the stronger you became, the better asset you were, the less likely your death was.  It was simple enough.  The knowledge that your strength was the only thing keeping you from dying a horrible death was a fantastic motivator, and it really helped you rise through the ranks of the Gumm-Gumm forces.

Maybe a little too far.

Eleven years after you’d joined Gunmar, he summoned you to the arena.  You were in a panic, not knowing what he wanted, you just assumed that he wanted to kill you and you were absolutely going to die.

Upon entering the arena, however, you were not brutally murdered, which came as a bit of a shock to you.  You had no time to process this, however, when the king troll spoke your name, calling you to the center of the arena. You walked to the middle of the gigantic stone room, kneeling on the cold floor before your master.

“You’ve done well for our kind (L/N),” he bellowed, “You’ve proven your loyalty time and time again,”

You could feel the eyes of hundreds of Gumm-Gumms focusing in on you.  It wasn’t pleasant.  Maybe you’d die after all.

Gunmar rose from his throne, “You support the cause.  You know King Aurthur has wrongfully banished us from our homelands, imprisoned and executed our kind without reason,” 

You stood up straighter as the troll began to circle you, “Yes my lord,”

“Then you will have no problem with this task,”

“Anything you ask, my lord, it will be done,”

The troll made a sound that could have been a laugh.  You weren’t sure, you were pretty busy trying not to do anything that could get you killed.  Eleven years of allegiance were pretty good insurance, but there was no guarantee with the likes of Gunmar.

“You will act as our spy.  Go to the king’s wizard, demand he take you in as an apprentice.  There are whispers, rumors that the wretched magician is building a weapon that could destroy me,”  there was that laugh again, “You will find out everything you can about this weapon and report back to me,”

“Yes, my lord,”

“Do not fail me (L/N).  If you do not succeed, you already know your fate,”

You gulped, bowing to the king as he dismissed you.  Your mission was effective immediately, you packed up your (very) few belongings and headed through the woods to the kingdom of Camelot, preparing yourself to destroy it from the inside.

--

It didn’t take too much to get into the palace.  You were actually quite surprised at how little effort it took to convince Merlin to take you in as an apprentice.  Getting him to trust you was a different matter.

And getting the other apprentice to trust you was a different matter on top of the first matter.

Merlin was cold to you, but you’d gathered that it was just his personality, but the other apprentice?  He was quirky and kind to everyone else, but he treated you as if he already knew you were a Gumm-Gumm spy trying to steal vital information from his master.  His familiar acted much the same.

Maybe it was something about how you behaved?  You were used to the militaristic style of the Gumm-Gumms and Gunmar, who could kill you anytime he wanted if you messed up. 

You had no idea if that was the issue, or if this guy just had something against witches.  What you did know, was that whatever his problem was, it was keeping you from getting any actual work done.

If you didn’t report anything to Gunmar soon, he’d probably kill you, so you decided that you needed to get this apprentice out of the way.  You weren’t going to kill him, that would be too obvious.  You were just going to go up to him and calmly ask what his problem was.

This did not go down well.

By the end of that interaction, you and Hisirdoux Casperan were both screaming at each other, his familiar, Archie, had scratched your shoulder, and no less than three bookshelves had been knocked over.

Your relationship did not improve from there.

You fought with the boy wizard almost daily, with similar amounts of destruction.  It didn’t matter what it was whether it be his stupid man-bun, the colour you wore that day, his lute-playing, your fidgeting, or something even more trivial than that.  The two of you would always find some way to yell at each other because of it.

And it was really starting to piss Merlin off.

On the bright side, it was a decent way to let off steam.  The stress of being a spy was a lot to take, and yelling at someone really helped.  The catharsis really helped your work ethic.  You even managed to find out a little bit about Merlin’s weapon; an amulet of some kind.

Gunmar was pleased with your report.

With the exception of the constant fighting between you and Casperan, things were going pretty decently.  You finally had a place to experiment with your magic and use it for a purpose other than warfare, Gunmar was satisfied and showed no signs of killing you, and the king’s sister, Morgana, had really taken you under her wing.

And then she fell off a cliff and died.

Things took a downward turn after that.

You’d returned to Camelot, everyone mourning the sister of the king when Casperan approached you.

“You have something to do with this,”

You panicked for a moment before you realized he had no way of knowing that you did indeed have something to do with this, “I don’t know what you mean,”

“You have something to do with this,” his tone was angrier, more accusatory.  At his side, his familiar looked very concerned, “I don’t know what you did, but you are the reason Morgana is dead!”

“How dare you!” you cried.  You knew that you were kind of the reason that the sorceress was dead.  And you felt guilty about it.  You hadn’t let yourself feel guilt in years.  You hadn’t let yourself feel anything but fear in years.  You were having a very hard time adjusting to the pit in your chest.  Casperan was not helping.

“I dare because you can’t be real!  You have to be a traitor, or a spy or something!”

“Oh really?  How do you figure?”

“Douxie, stop,” Archie hissed.  Neither of you listened.

“Nobody with your skillset strolls up to the palace and asks to be an apprentice, you’re strong enough to be a master wizard, but you still came here, and stole everyone’s focus, and then you did,” he struggled to figure out your exact motive was, “Something!  Now Morgana is dead, and it’s your fault,”

If you weren’t actually a spy, you’d probably be offended.  You’d also point out how he had next to no evidence of this.  However, you were very much a spy, and you weren’t in the headspace to argue properly.  Instead of taking down his argument bit by bit, you just went for what you thought would hurt the most.

“So you’re accusing me of murder because you’re jealous?”  you scoffed, “Grow up!  It isn’t my fault that I’m better at magic than you!”

It wasn’t your fault, the fear of instant death did that.

“Better at magic, eh?  Well, let’s test that theory!”  Casperan moved a hand to his wrist where his magic bracelet of magic sat.  It glowed blue for a moment, showing spinning runes twisting into the form of a spell.

Then the blue light came at you.

You were more than a little shocked.  The two of you would fight, yes, but it never got physical or magical. Your back collided with the wall, dragging the breath from your lungs and making you cough.  

Archie hissed, once again trying to get the both of you to calm down.  It still didn’t work.

Casperan looked way too smug for someone who had only landed a hit with the element of surprise.  You scowled at him, reaching for your own cuff.  He wanted a fight?  You’d give him one.  

Your magic shot itself at the wizard, suspending him high in the air before dropping him harshly.

This continued for a time, absolutely destroying the room you were in.  The two of you probably would’ve fought for the rest of time had Merlin not barged in.

“What is the meaning of this!”  He exclaimed, stopping both you and Casperan mid-spell.

“They started it!” you and your fellow apprentice pointed your fingers at each other.

“I don’t care who started it.  I’ve had enough of your constant bickering!  You have both taken this too far, and don’t-”

“But master!”

“But master me.  Your fighting is disrupting the order of Camelot.  I cannot allow this to continue a moment longer!”

Oh no.  What did that mean exactly?  Was he going to cast you back out onto the street?  Kill you?  Maybe that was for the best.  If you were removed from the palace, Gunmar would kill you in ways Merlin had never dreamed of.

Maybe death by Merlin was the best outcome here.

So, you didn’t flinch when the master wizard raised his hands and spoke an incantation, painting the room in a green glow.

But you didn’t die.

Instead, a beam of light wove itself around your wrist, then around the wrist of the other apprentice.  The beam glowed brighter, tying itself into knots before it, and the green glow of the room faded away.

“Master, what-”

“What did you do?” you stared down at your wrist, shaking slightly.  You felt like you were going to be sick.

“An ancient binding spell.  You will now feel every bit of each other’s pain.  That should stop your pointless squabbling,”

“What!?  For how long!?” you cried out, grabbing your wrist and backing away from both wizards.

“Forever.  Now if you’ll excuse me,”

You didn’t even notice Merlin leave the room.  You just focused on the patch of skin where the magic had encircled you, binding you to Casperan and sealing your fate.

There was no way Gunmar would let you live if he knew about this.  You were compromised, it was as simple as that.  If the troll king found out that you were bound to Merlin’s apprentice?  And that said apprentice was already suspicious of you, and would absolutely use this connection to find out why you were really here?  You were going to die so painfully.

And suddenly you couldn’t breathe.  Your whole body shook slightly.  Your ribs hurt, your throat felt like it was closing, you had to go.  You didn’t even realize Casperan was talking, whether to you or his familiar, it didn’t matter.  You just turned tail and ran from the room.

And you didn’t stop.

--

Merlin searched for you.

He wasn’t the only one.

A small search party of knights, plus Merlin, scoured the land looking for you, trying to find where you’d run to. 

It was Italy.  You’d gone to Italy.  And you planned to go further, running as far and fast as you were able.

Needless to say, they didn’t find you.

The only reason they knew you were alive was Hisirdoux.  He wasn’t in immense pain, or in a vegetative state, or dead, so you had to be okay, wherever you were.  The thought was comforting, not only to Merlin, who considered you his responsibility but to Hisirdoux, who felt a little guilty.

A little guilty in this context means extremely guilty.  

He felt responsible for your disappearance.  He had wrongfully accused you, and you’d been punished for it.  He felt a little bit guilty every time he tripped or otherwise hurt himself.

The search continued until the battle of Killahead, where Gunmar revealed your spy status, demanding your head on a pike and accusing you of betraying him.  Hisirdoux stopped feeling so bad after that.

Instead, he was angry.  He’d been right, and no one had believed him.  You’d broken into his life, stolen the hearts of everyone he cared about, and none of them listened when he brought up how suspicious you were.  He was full of resentment, not only for you but for himself.  He should have tried harder to reveal you as a spy.  He should have done something, anything, but he did nothing.

These thoughts tortured him on the inside, one day leading him to punch a wall, scaring the daylights out of Archie.  The apprentice ignored the questions from his familiar, electing to stare down at his bruising hand and wondering if you felt that.

And even more than a thousand miles away, you did.

[forgottenyogurtgods]

This Conspiracy

PART I - THE TRIO

Chapter 20

In Which The Girlie Makes A Good Bet About The New Greenie

Archie wasn’t used to dreaming. Well, he had dreams of his days in the Glade – sometimes they’d escaped and other times they did not, nightmares those were called – but he wasn’t used to having dreams of a life outside of the Glade. Especially since he couldn’t remember that life.

He had several that night.

One was a short scene of him and a man. The pair of them talked – about what, he couldn’t recall when he woke up – over a quick meal of food so tasteless it made no mark on his memory. Another was of the Gladers, but they weren’t in the Glade. They were in a classroom and much younger. And he wasn’t in the lesson with them, he was observing them. It was… odd. 

Another was of Flossy and Graham. They were arguing over something. And there was a boy and girl, always watching and observing. They always seemed to be there, lurking in the background.

Everything was shades of white and gray and black and blue, cold and unfeeling. Sterile and hospital scented. Hair was perfectly groomed and pulled away from eyes. Faces freshly washed and tidy. Clothes put together, nothing out of place.

He’d never felt more afraid of that place – that weird dream landscape – than he had ever felt before. He was less afraid of the Maze than that place, whatever it was.

There was one girl, however, that haunted his mind. He couldn’t remember her face or any specific features beyond brown eyes, but she felt warm and peaceful. She was a welcoming grace, a spark of fire in the icy place. It would have been nice to know who she was. She made that place seem a little more bearable. A friend, that was what she was.

He was grateful to have woken up in the humidity of the Glade, wrapped in the sarcophagus that served as his hammock. Other Gladers woke with him, stretching and bemoaning the morning. Ben looked around with half-lidded eyes. When they saw him, Ben gave him a sleepy smile.

“Morning,” Ben said.

“Morning,” he said. He sounded monotonous to his ears, but Ben didn’t seem to mind.

“Should we go get breakfast?”

“Think it’s ready?”

“Never hurts to go check.”

They quickly changed into the cleanest clothes they had and jogged out of the sleeping area.

He could smell whatever Frypan and the Cooks were making – it smelled delicious, as always. He didn’t understand why some of the Gladers joked about Fry’s cooking. Sure it wasn’t some fancy gourmet food, but it was the best of what they had available – which was pretty amazing, all things considered.

It was still early, but he was surprised to see people in the dining area. Most of them were Runners, but a few Track-hoes were there as well. Flossy was back with them after her week-long illness that still bothered him.

“Good to see you up and about,” Ben said, setting his plate down next to her as he ruffled her hair. She gave a cry and swiped at him.

“I just got my hair to lie right for once,” she said, patting down the strands pitifully. 

“Here, let me help,” Minho said. He made a move to fix her hair, but he ended up ruffling it as well. She returned the favor, though it did little to actually make him look any less different or unattractive. Flossy seemed to notice this and sagged a little.

“That’s really not fair.” She huffed, quickly braiding her hair so she could keep it out of her face while she worked.

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[dreamerandcrazy]

Ok, so I haven't been able to comment much on my Riverdale rewatch mostly bc i'm watching it with my boyfriend and we have an agreement of no cell phones when we're watching, otherwise we can't pay proper attention to it. But I wrote down some notes about the episodes I did watch (I watched up until ep 6, which is very ironic bc apparently today is its anniversary, so yay for my perfect timing). I actually remember most of the stuff that happened in s1, so here's mostly a few things I paid more attention to or noticed about the characters and the ships, or things i'm able to look at through a different view now that i've watched all the seasons. Strap in if you want to see my notes, if not just scroll please, no ship or character hate here please. Also, feel free to ignore, this is really just a personal look in some stuff I didn't notice in my first watch.

- Betty's character used to be much happier and lighter in season 1. I know we're introduced to "Dark Betty" right in episode 3, but still, I feel like the way Lili played Betty in season 1 did not hold the same "darkness" as it does in the following seasons. The scene where she is dancing happily in her bedroom because she's going to homecoming with the boy she likes? The scene where she introduces Jughead to the Blue & Gold and gets him to work with her? Her genuine innocent happiness at seeing her sister again after so much time? The way she interacted with Kevin and Veronica? Those were all chef's kiss because she actually feels like a teenager in them. In all her girly glory, she radiates youth energy and it's a thing that was sadly lacking after s1. Btw this is not a critique at Lili's acting at all, I blame it entirely on Ras and his obsession with dark Betty.

- There's actually so many indications of Cheryl being a lgbt character in the first episodes that I have no idea how I missed it the first time. But then again, there were many indications with Veronica as well, and sadly that's not the path Ras chose for her.

- Jughead in s1 is truly so superior in so many ways that it's not hard to see why he quickly became such a fan favorite. I think even if he wasn't played by Cole Sprouse, he still would have conquered many fans' hearts. Sadly, the things that made Jughead such a loving and interesting character for me also fizzled out in s2 when the writing team decided to make him a woke serpent leader instead of allowing him to sticking to his true personality as a passionate mystery lover, a dedicated friend and very nerdy, which was very cute. I feel that we got some of that back for him in s4, which was good, but sadly s1 is where my love for him really stayed to stay. But I still care for him, and s5 has a promising storyline for him which i'm excited about, so let's see if s5 Jughead can become better than s1 Jughead.

- Going back again to Cheryl for a sec, I just noticed that the red lipstick actually wasn't that common for her in s1? At least not in the first five. I wonder when did it start becoming her trademark? Anyways, it's actually a really good look her and allows you to appreciate Madelaine's natural beauty even more.

- Also, did anybody notice how Alice lowkey figured out who killed Jason in ep 2 lmao, like... in episode two she legit says she wouldn't be surprised if the Blossoms themselves had killed Jason, which... is what happened LMAO, considering we know it was his father. And even more hilarious and tragically ironic note, in ep 6 she's laughing at Betty suggesting that Hal killed Jason because "do you think your father has the stomach for it?!"... Ma'am... i'm-.... 😂😂😂😂.

- This rewatch has reminded me of how much I adored and how I much I miss Josie and the Pussycats. The girls were such a nice addition to the cast, and their songs were so beautiful. I truly wish we get to see them again someday, but at the same time I also think the actresses deserve to be at a work place where they're given the treatment they deserve and not completely ignored and treated like extras.

- Archie/Valerie was super cute and is very underrated in the fandom, but i'm glad Valerie stood up for herself and didn't take any of Archie's or Cheryl's sh*t. Still sucks because they were really good together, though.

- Why was Jason not allowed to talk, lmao? Like, i'm sure it's become a running joke in the show at this point, but back when season one was airing what was the excuse for it? He appeared in so many flashbacks and scenes and we still never heard a single word ☠️☠️☠️☠️. I just want to know what was the reason lol.

- I liked s1 Reggie, but I feel like Charles Melton's Reggie is better because he actually feels like a douche with good intentions lol, and he has more of a personality. Most of the time I even forgot about Reggie in s1, but after s2 he definitely made me more aware of him. So for that, I like Charles Melton's Reggie more. But the actor from s1 still did a good job with what he was given.

From now on I will be talking about the ships, so bear with me, and know that I am a multishipper. Yes, I have my preferences. No, my word is not law, it's just an opinion, so please respect it.

- Bughead is still super cute in s1. I feel like from s1 they will always be my otp, even if I no longer feel as strongly about them now and have a different insight as to where I would like their story to go, and now I definitely see the problem others had mentioned before of how they kind of took over the show, which is something I kind of closed my eyes to before... But I really loved them in s1. It felt like a very juvenile teenage relationship, they didn't give much thought on why and if they should be together, they just went for it like teenagers usually do, and they were very very cute together.

- I feel like if you don't count Beronica (because they really were the best no matter what you say or ship), if there's a ship that deserves "best chemistry" award for s1 is probably Varchie. I lost my interest in them years ago, but this rewatch reminded me of why I actually loved them once. They never really became an otp for me, but Kj and Camila's chemistry in s1 was VERY GOOD, and I really liked them. Their kiss in the pilot was electric and the s&xual tension was OOF, and that chemistry carries on through the season. You can easily tell something will happen between them eventually. It makes me sad bc I don't know what happened after s1, but their chemistry from s2 onwards was just... not there for me. Which is ironic bc it's the season they truly started dating and they got a lot of smexy scenes, but I just... didn't feel it. But I'll leave that comment to my s2 rewatch. For now just let me enjoy Varchie's chemistry in s1 while it lasts because it was really good.

- Now we get to Barchie, who I made clear was the reason for my rewatch, so let's get to it. I LOVED the way Barchie was written in s1. I remember when I first watched Riverdale, I was curious about their dynamic but didn't put much thought into it because I loved Bughead too much and wanted them to be together, and I thought Barchie would be the traditional "first og ship" thing and wouldn't have a big follow up, but boy was I WRONG and am I GLAD for it. I'll talk more about their development in the next seasons when I get there, so for now let's focus a bit on s1. Just in like the first two episodes, there is so much Barchie foreshadowing, like, it's legit insane how it was right there in my face and I missed it the first time! "I have never felt what i'm supposed to feel with betty", "it's not my fault he doesn't like you", "I can't give you the answer you want"... Omg, those are obvious eyebrow raising "this will come back to bite you in the a$$" moments and it's incredible how they actually DO! I would call it clever writing, but like... it's Riverdale lol. So I really am just glad that the ship was done this way, i'm glad Barchie has the back story that they do, they've really come a LONG way and i'm happy I get to experience their whole growing storyline. It's also especially good because s1 actually provides you with scenes that show you their friendship and how they're so close, you see them hanging out, talking, their pictures together, everything was just really done well with them. Still have a bit of critique with the way Archie contradicted himself sometimes regardinf his feelings for Betty, but let's be honest, we've watched enough Riverdale to know that's just a problem with the writing.

- Kevin/Joaquin is still my favorite Kevin ship, i'm sad it's completely impossible to go back to them someday so for now i'll just be really glad it existed and that I got to see them even if it was short-lived. They had great chemistry and their kiss scenes always outsold.

- Beronica... sigh. Beronica. The most wasted chemistry i've ever seen on CW and I've watched a LOT of CW shows. There was so much potential there, s1 was practically overflowing with them and it's one of the reasons it became some popular. I remember when the Beronica fandom was the biggest one, ah, good times. Veronica and Betty were easily the best part of season 1, their friendship, their lowkey romantic moments, they were just superior in every way. This ship deserved better, not even just as a ship, but as a friendship.

- Veronica's s1 hair >>> Veronica's hair in seasons 2-4. I loved the side part and I am glad it's back in season 5, it looks so much better like that.

- Cheryl, as always, deserves better. Can't wait for her to meet Toni so I can watch again Cheryl finally get to love someone and be loved back, which is exactly what she deserves.

For now, that is all! I will probably make another post soon when i'm done with season one and from season two on I will be live-blogging the episodes since I will be watching it alone. Once again, pls, no hate, my thoughts are my thoughts. Peace.

[goldengrecha]

Today I'm thinking about manga versions of Maxie and Archie, because it's something... I even dont have words for it. Like. Holy fucking shit.

In the beginning, of course, they're confront each other - that's the classic, they're rivals after all, standing for different things and all that things. They're different. They're opposites. They're still strongly exist in each other lives, because of their conflict.

But then

This happens. And this IS beginning of the end, because of course they're working together - and at the moment it looks like it is only for benefits for their goals, nothing else. They will destroy each other when they will get to finish.

They're fucking irritating(/pos), it almost feels like they're drawn to each other, in any scenario, their destiny is to meet, to exist in each other lives. None of them exist alone (and when one of them do exist alone, it means that something went terribly wrong).

AND THEN THINGS JUST GO EVEN WORSE (/pos)

This panel. I don't know where to start.

Do I need start with that they're realizing they work together perfectly? Do I start with that this making them thinking they needed to work together from the beginning? Do I start with that two men, who, up until this point, was fighting with each other and conflicting, hating each other, founded in each other the best partner they ever could have? Do I start with that they're probably the best persons in each other lives?

It is already very emotional (at least for me), but with how story goes on, they're connecting more and more, becoming even more emotionally fucked up.

AND THEN THERE IS EMERALD ARC???? CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT EMERALD ARC???????

There is so much going on in emerald arc I barely can find words for describing my emotions.

This is the fucking tragedy. Because, what do you mean, they're put in situation where is only one of them can leave alive for some more time? (Remember how I said that if only ONE if them exist it means that some shit is going to happen something going to go really terrible. It either them both exist or them both don't).

What do you mean Archie is literally killed Maxie, just for chance of living a little longer?

And this is tragedy, because Archie, in the end, loses again. And now, not only he does lose in literal sense - he didn't achieve his goal, after all. He loses everything he had - his team, his life, and most importantly, he loses his only friend. He is all alone now.

Ah yeah can we talk about

This?

It's just one phrase. It has so much in it.

Not only he calls Maxie friend, not only he confess that Maxie probably the only one person which Archie was thinking as a friend, but also like.

Consider this: this isn't oras archie yet. This version of archie is cold, closed and gloomy, genuinely intimidating person. He doesn't care about his team members, it is kind of okay for him to use them as tools (which, ironically, shows even in this interaction with Maxie: after all, Archie still killed him for a chance of living a bit longer. And Archie acknowledging that he betrayed Maxie. He betrayed his only one friend). He is a cold person, but it almost seems like Maxie managed to warm him up a bit, just a little bit. This is actually incredible and, again, endlessly emotional, and I still can't stress this enough. Holy fucking shit.

Just imagine Archie at this point. Imagine, because, the best person in his life always was his rival. His rival, and maybe, even friend.

And I told about this before, but can we talk about that in distorted world they became one? It's just so symbolic. Like, Archie and Maxie from beginning were opposites, they was supporting opposite things, their goals was completely opposite. But they can't choose only one of this, because everything around them is a combination of different, sometimes opposite things. Like even the land and water in Hoenn! Exactly this combination of land and water create Hoenn as we know it, and how they know it. And they, people, who choosed only one of these things, in the end, became the one themselves - isn't this ironic? Isn't this funny? Isn't it symbolic in some way? (I also fucking love how this fusion explain in some way why when oras hits, Maxie is more like original Archie, and Archie more like original Maxie. They had explored each other minds I'm sure of it)

And finally, ORAS, part that I love the most.

Not only they both was given chance of living again, but this is literally their peak. They're working together again - and by that I mean they're working perfectly together.

They even acknowledge it themselves:

And this is so good in contrast with Ruby and Sapphire arc - back then, they too, realized and started to think they're work perfectly together, but it still was mixed with some evil fucked up shit, but here? They're working together because they (ironically), have the same goal. And they're helping each other.

They're working together perfectly, this is so good for them. And no evil bullshit this time! It's actually best versions of them in some way - because they're working together, for sake both of humanity and pokemon. They working towards happiness and safety for everyone, not choosing and prioritizing only one of them.

And they're talking to each other as if they was old friends, partners, every one of their interactions shines with this somewhat warm feeling. This is so good for them. I would even dare to say that ORAS part was the happiest moments in their lives.

And.. Then end of ORAS hits.

And, again, as classic already, it's a small panel, but how much here is.

First of all, can I point that Archie died two times, and both times he was thinking of Maxie in some way?

And both times is some kind of emotional moment for Archie: first time, he calls Maxie friend (he doesn't call him by name, but. He obviously talking about him COME ON), and second time he ask Maxie, if he would want to work together again, if they will have chance to do so. I just love seeing this progression, how Maxie became more and more dear person for Archie as time goes on, how he became more attached to him. And Maxie does too!

It is such an incredible moment filled with so much emotions, with so much sense. I love how Archie doesn't even say his question fully, but Maxie still understands him. Of course he does, because, I'm sure, even if Archie didn't ask this, Maxie still would think of it. I'm sure if none of them said this, they still would understand this wish to work together again that they both have. At this point, they are incredibly connected together, and they have only each other.

I also love this moment, because when Archie died first time, he was told that, if he will continue like this, he will end up all alone. And Archie agrees to that: he answer in the way that he is already accepted that he is alone now, and he doesn't even have Maxie by his side (I still can't get over that he really highlighted him in this speech holy fucking shit). BUT then, when he appears next time, he appears as ORAS self, and his ORAS self is very different from what he was, not only as a person, but his motivation is different, too.

He changed in some way. And he ISN'T alone, because now, Maxie is by his side again. And I can't stop thinking about how happy it probably made Archie.

And even dying, he is calm, because he isn't alone. He have Maxie by his side. His only friend.

[cartoonfangirl1218]

Riverdale should have been a Disney show

Riverdale should have been a Disney show. There I said it. I'll admit the first season was fine Great even. Self-contained with an intriguing mystery and you waited at the edge of your seat for what will happen next. But then... Part of the problem for me is because I've read the original comics since I was a girl. I still do get some from my mom, and the way they have changed the characters just bug me.Betty used to be the girl next door, always hopeful, smart, trying to figure out the mystery. And it was perfect that she was a reporter because Betty was always someone who valued honesty so her being the roving reporter was perfect. And her taking pills for anxiety or some sort of disorder was also a nice take because she does take on so much, and tries so hard to help and be good and nice and perfect. All the stress. Archie was also great in the first season. A bit horny, but he means well, and he truly is an average American boy so his big trouble of choosing between music and football. He's a klutz and sometimes his plans go sideways but he means well, he's all for family and Riverdale and school spirit. None of this whole Red Hood/semi mafia/wrestling nonsense. I actually really liked their take on Veronica, she still a bit materialistic and thinks she can depend on her wealth to get her out of trouble but I do like their take on trying to be enterneauripal and working to act less high class society girl as she was used to. 

Jughead, I'm conflicted with. Because he's good I guess as a brooding, investigative journalist he's good. It fits the setting of the show. But I do have a soft spot for him as the sane man to Archie. Going about his business, surprisingly philosophical. And you can't forget the most important attribute to him. His love of food! I miss that. Like the one scene in season 1, I forget what exactly but basically he ordered burgers and when Cole Sprouse just protectively held the burger to him...such a nice touch. That sort of guy I can see as a DCOM. The genius ditz I guess it's called. But he's not dumb. He just prefers napping to being awake. 

Now the others...omg.I have a bone to pick when it comes to the other characters in Riverdale. Josie and the Pussycats-- they are such lively musicians who solve crimes, sometimes in space. ABsolutely wasted here. Melody barely had any lines. And they didn't have Alex or Alexandra Cabot which was such a shame. I know, I know they're in the new Katy Keene show but having them be step-siblings who used to date is wrong and weird and bad and no! Stop having the twins in these shows with vaguly incesteous feelings. It's weird!

Kevin Keller, all his storylines revolve around his bfs or lack of bfs or how much he wants a bf. The Kevin of Archie comics was so much more well-rounded. He was head of ROTC, he was class president, he ran marathons, he was Veronica's bff, he was a reporter. He had an appetite to match Jughead's. He even had a brief crush on Jughead! He was so much better than this sham. He was confident in who he was and did his best to help others feel good about themselves too because he knows not everyone is lucky to come out as LGTBQ in a supportive environment. 

Reggie. I think not giving him enough of an arc in season 1 really backfired because if he appears, it's only as Veronica's arm candy. Which is a shame because he is a good contrast to Archie. A bit richer yet a cheapskate. Thinks he's a casanova, loves being the class prankster. A modern day politician with his sweet words when all he cares about himself. Basically like 

Yet he has his hidden depths with his neglectful workaholic parents and jealousy of Archie's popularity. Cheryl. Omg Cheryl. They have ruined you here. I'm sorry, I do NOT find any of her lines iconic. It's like she swallowed urban dictionary and a gothic novel and came out all jumbled in a google translate. She may be abused but the way she still treats others like shit and gaslights her gf and makes everything about her is just...ugh!!! OMg, comics Cheryl is actually fun and iconic. She's as rich and pretty as Veronica and unafraid to use it. She wants to be a star like a modern day influencer. She's a red-haired Sharpay Evans basically. 

Also Jason, her twin whom they sadly killed off. He was also fun like a meaner, snobbier version of Reggie. But with a huge crush on Betty which I think could have been used to milk such drama. 

Polly also got hit badly. She was a good older sister. She was a reporter, and inspired Betty's enviormental-feminist activities. A sane person. Not a cult worshipping cuckoo. Toni Topaz, ah she was so good in season 2 and then they made her Cheryl's arm candy. Alas. I liked her as a friend to Jughead. In the comics, she was his equal in food contests. That's no small feat. She was cool, and joined Betty's band and... she was her own person. Remember when Toni used to be a photographer for the South Side paper. Yeah. Basically Toni as a 3d character with personality. Please return. 

Dilton. Oh Dilton. Once the smartest person in the Archie universe and they turned you into a survival freak to get killed by the gargoyle king. Or whomever. I just remember he got killed somehow. Honestly, they should have stuck to smart Dilton. They need a smart scientist there, cuz no one is using their brains in Riverdale. 

Chuck. They have done you SUCH A DISSERVICE! So so bad. Chuck was a good person! He was a cartoonist, and a basketball player and Archie's friend. (Yeah, that's right Archie has friends in the comics. Even though Riverdale makes some effort to show Archie and Jug's bond, they're mainly consorting with their gfs. In the comics, they had guy nights. Reggie, Chuck, Kevin, Dilton, Moose. Come on show. Friendships are just as important.) And what did they do, make him a lying scumbag, turn him good and then have him arrested because of what Cheryl did! No, no no. Bad writers. Just no. Ethel Muggs. You have also been wronged in season 3. Making her a crazy freak. Ethel in season 1 was nice. Ethel in the comics is nice. Plain but with a good heart even though she had a slightly obsessive crush on Jughead. Here, making her cult worshipper.... smdh.  Okay at this point I know I sound like a bitter, bitter person complaining how it'S nOt liKE tHe cOmICs. But hey, I admit season 1 was good even if they changed the characters a bit. It’s just that I watched Riverdale because of the property it derived from. Because of the comics. At the least I expected some faithfulness to the characters. Not make them all so inconsistent and crazy. 

It's just the writing is so inconsistent! The plots hop around and so do their moods. Bughead and Choni broke up for one episode and then they got right back together. Even though they had VALID reasons to break up. Nope. That made fans mad. So they had to get back together. Ugh. And Archie got attacked by a bear and was so traumatized that he broke up with Veronica because "he's changed" for like two episodes before forgetting about it and going back to Veronica. Oh which brings me to the ridiculous "love triangle" of Archie/Reggie/Veronica where she couldn't choose. Please, Archie and Veronica were reuniting and planning to go run away for a weekend together. Reggie was completely forgotten until he walked in on them. And Veronica couldn't decide because she loves them both? No, she didn't. She may have felt bad to tell Reggie but it's not because she loved him. Forgetting a guy so quickly...yeah great proof of love. Horniness maybe. But her indecisiveness makes her look bad. Don’t tease a will they, won’t they when the answer is so obvious.  If you're going to do something like that, you should have there be something called CONSEQUENCES! They can get back together but at least wait. Wait 8 episodes at least so they can have character development. But who am I kidding. Character development is not the goal of this show. The character's just move because the writer's want them too not because it fits their personalities. Such as Archie's grieved reaction for baby Teeth in season 3. 

Not only do I have no idea when (the ridiculously named) Baby Teeth appeared, much less why Archie or I should care about his death. But sometimes the show juggles too much. Too many characters. Too many plots. It's all so ugh!!! So my final thought on this is... Riverdale should have been a disney channel sitcom. Archie comics are about family friendly entertainment and sometimes imparted lessons... well so does Disney. I get the appeal of having Riverdale reach a new teen generation, but from what I can see the only big thing Riverdale on CW is that it allows alcohol and gartituous sex scenes. 

Which is another small gripe of mine. I can handle sex scenes (hello Magic Mike XXL) but so many at such inappropriate moments too It's like that scene in an action movie where they suddenly kiss when they should be running for their lives. No teen is that horny all the time. Plus there's always less is more. If one kisses so much it loses the meaning. If you think your shirtless Archie is going to distract me from lack of plot haha. No. Plot and consistency still sucks and shirtless Archie does not make it better.

But Riverdale as a Disney show can work. After all the comic stories are a bit formulaic. It's all high school hijinks. And all the characters fit an archetype. Archie, the protagonist. Veronica, the fashionista. Betty, the reporter. Jughead, the slacker. Reggie, the class clown/bad friend. Cheryl, the Sharpay, Kevin, the sane one. And if people want a season long story arc with dramatics, Disney can actually handle it too. After all they had the mysterious "threat' lurking in the background of My babysitter's a vampire season 2. Or the Juliet and Mason saga of Wizards of Waverly Place. And if people want adult situations, look on to Jessie. Rewatching an episode now, there were so many adult jokes and references that flew over my head so they could sneak those in. Heck, Disney channel is infamous for all the innuendos they manage. And they handle consistency. Cody and Bailey broke up in Suite life on deck, they actually stayed broken up for a good half season. Gabe matured from a prankster tween to teen in love in Good Luck Charlie. Actions have consequences, characters grow. Storytelling 101

And the best part is they don't even have to think too hard for the plots of the week. They literally can build on stories from the comics. All 80 years of it. And I have put some examples right here from my own Archie comics. Like Veronica literally being the fashion police. 

Veronica and Cheryl teaming up + rolling around in their money. 

Cheryl changing the Cherry Blossom Festival to the Cheryl Blossom Festival 

Archie doing his classic Valentine's Day mix up

Veronica and Betty buy Cheryl’s maid service when her father forces her to get a job. 

Jughead and Trula (Jughead's nemesis & psychoanalyst in training) get amnesia and become friends. 

A boy dares to change Veronica

Jughead falls in love with the lunch-lady 

Betty and Veronica pretending to be distressed damsels to get Archie's attention (it backfires) 

Toni and Jughead foil each other in a food eating contest. 

Betty's cast causes more pain to other students

Reggie dates Cheryl (for real) 

Reggie helps Kevin dress for the dance and his mystery date 

Riverdale Shore. 

Cabot vs Lodge

I think all this pretty much illustrates my point. Archie comics equals Disney sitcom all by itself. 

[orangenfrottee]

Hey ho there, feel free to ignore this and I hope I'm not bugging you as I awkwardly slide in here, but I must ask: if you had full creative control of the show, how would you run season 5? You can pick and choose whatever leaks you want to include.

Ah!!! Thank you for your ask <3 I might have spent a couple nights typing out my answer, but in short: I'd cherry pick old story arcs, bring back everyone I like and who doesn't run when they hear Riverdale's calling.

I'd definitely get some decent writers (I'm partial to Jane Espenson, but no idea if she'd be a good fit) and definitely some diversity. I might accidentally fire all men and then play up all their shitty recurring themes for fun as a weird inside joke between me and the show.

I think if they ever gave me creative control of the show it would swerf hard to the crazy and not leave that lane because honestly, i think that's what Riverdale does best.

So, where would I start...

Instead of giving season four a decent ending, I would start with an extra long pilot with the title 'previously on' where the best and most important bits of the teens' school lives is shown with a heavy focus on Jason and the Farm. Parallely, we get to see the lovestory of Chic and Charles. The episode ends with a few very short scenes of the prom where everyone's happy and pretty.

Then we'd start on the real season five. It's been seven years and our characters are older and more grown up.

The show would at first only present the present lifesbof our characters and the barest bones structure to keep as much a little mysterious as possible (but here I tell you what happened during timeskip, too).

Archie is often considered the main character, so let's start with him:

Archie went to the Army after school (though he didn't actually pass his exams and thus didn't graduate, Mr Honey was quite amused). On his most recent tour he met someone special: Eric, his new friend.

Archie was wounded in battle with a... giant mutated elephant with sharp teeth and hallucinogenic venom. Or something. He isn't really sure what happened, but he's got a huge new scar all over his torso. The abs stayed in tact, but oh his pride. During recovery he met new wheelchair user (and on occasion crutches) Eric who has trouble walking since his legs are misshapen/he only has one. Archie thinks Eric got maimed by the same elephant he was, but thinks it rude to ask.

For Eric I'm picturing Sabrina's Ambrose.

With his hurt pride, Archie can't stay with the military and decides to go back to Riverdale.

Eric doesn't have a place to go, so Archie invites him along.

They need a job and since Eric has a calendar full of sexy half naked firefighters AND since they both have abs, Archie decides that type of uniform is the perfect fit for them and trades his newly renovated and well running boxing gym against the old fire station Penelope Blossom owns. (Literally, they even meet at Pop's to exchange keys and sign papers Penelope brought that Archie doesn't even skim.)

The fire station is quite out of everything, but it has a huge pool Eric likes to swim in and a fire truck. To make ends meet Archie sells his sperm to the Greendale sperm bank.

Archie is of course in love with Eric but unfamiliar with the concept of bisexuality and struggles to identify his attraction for what it is. Eric is a foreigner to Riverdale (or is he?) and unfamiliar with the town's culture and quirks. Still, something going on in Sweetwater River seems to be related to him.

Archie and Eric share the Andrews' House - and in the house next door... live Gladys Jones and Polly Cooper!

After Jughead and Betty left for College Alice' horrid mom impulses settled on Jellybean who didn't stand back, grind her teeth and took it but instead broke Alice' teeth. Her and FP were not amused (though FP was also angry at Alice for being too strict). Alice moves out but stays as a journalist in town.

FP gets in trouble for being a brutal gang leader without a gang beating up criminals behind the boxing gym on tape. Not wanting to go to an illegal fighting club prison, he hides with Canadian Serpents behind the border. (Joaquin's identical twin brother and Ricky live there, too. They're happy there.)

Maybe he'd call once or twice with misleading wrong snake facts that have nothing to do with the current mystery of the episode but fit into perfectly by chance.

Jellybean was invited along, but she chose to stay because she thinks Riverdale is rad and the old Cooper House is luxurious as hell. Also, her mom came back to become the new Sheriff!

Nearly seven years in, Gladys still holds the position because no one legally qualified wants it and she manages to keep gang violence at an all time low for Riverdale. Plus, she and Mary Andrews are not exactly friends but able to work well together. When there's another serial killer running wild in town she has no problem with having another girlfriend of Mary who happens to be a skilled professional in the most relevant field take over for a bit. If needed, the Riverdale gangs are usually willing to add muscle to good causes, too.

Jellybean has left Riverdale for university and will only be present for holidays and breaks. She'd still be played by Trinity because I love her and honestly, real nineteen year olds look like fourteen year olds everywhere in the world. Also this gives the viewers 'Archie vision': he will always see his best friend's toddling baby sister in the young woman which makes her the only undatable (legal) female on this planet for him.

While attending Riverdale High she lead the Andrews Boxing Gym and made it the most successful gym in the area. It won't be a plot point in the show (apart from her being angry at Archie for just trading it against trash) but there will be framed newspaper articlesband the like in Gladys' house.

Around the time everyone graduated, Polly was released from Shady Grooves and is back to her old smart self - and really missing her babies! As Choni leave for whatever private college Blossom women have always gone to, Polly takes them and goes home - just to learn on the porch that not only did her mother sell her childhood home more than a year ago without anyone ever telling her, the college fund she never had gotten legal access to and planned to use for the twins is gone too and her sister left town without saying goodbye.

Gladys has always taken care of all the stray kids she found no matter how tight the budget was and now there's this young desolate mother with twin toddlers in front of her posh murder house she'd gotten for cheap and she has this new gig as sheriff. Of course, she takes them in.

They stay in Betty's old room at first, but they soon get to remodel the attic to give Polly her own room. At present, Dagwood has Polly/Chic/JB's old room and Juniper the one facing Archie's. (When Archie sees her in the room, he actually has a flashback once to when he and Betty used to be so young, but then Juniper turns her gead, stares at him really creepily and smiles weirdly. Archie will be somewhat scared from then onwards and be reminded of when everyone thought Polly might gave killed Jason. Juniper would murder.)

At first, Polly's a full time, stay at home mom, but once the kids are older, she starts working part-time: for Gladys.

It turns out they work amazing together. Gladys tends to jump to convenient conclusions and threatens violence way to freely. Also, she is intimidating as fuck.

Polly is everything she isn't: level headed (to a point, in comparison at least), brilliant at combining clues and steering people (remember how she infiltrated Thornhill and made Cheryl unknowingly assist in her snooping plans?). On top of that, she has these stepford smiles and all the ways to appear unthreatening drillend into her head. Honestly, she and Betty are quite alike. While Betty has the lockpicking skills and knows her way around cars, Polly used to be really into fashion (or something) and, with all her experiences at the Sisters, the Farm and Shady Groves, Polly knows psychology.

She started solving some of Gladys' cases at the breakfast table, but now she's officially a deputy or an advisor or something. They're essentially like FP and Jughead, just that Polly is an adult (and that she wouldn't be in a gang beating suspects up regularly).

(These characters would all be mostly in the background though.)

Veronica finally gained perspective on her relationship to her father and grew up. Hiram's cut out of her life for good. They won't ever interact. (In fact, Hiram either moved to New York or he had a minor traffic accident where he lost all of his memory for good and now lives as Ram Rod and works as a trainer at Penelope's newly acquired boxing gym. Everyone is confused about it but doesn't care to ask.)

Veronica is successful at whatever she's doing and doesn't plan on ever moving back to Riverdale, but maybe something is up at Pop's that requires her checking up on in person and she just happens to cross paths with Betty who is also just there for the weekend. And they haven't had quality time together for years, because it's so hard to stay in contact sometimes even with people you love so much you'd die to keep them safe.

If I could come up with something meaningful for them to catch up on emotionally, I'd have them sitting together in a booth at Pop's for a whole episode just talking (but I'm not that deep).

Veronica might be engaged, but we see it fall through without really getting to meet the guy. She mostly just talks to Betty about him on occasion but in a somewhat messed up way. Ultimately, she realises how she treats him in some regards like Hiram treated her and her mother. She wants to grow up further and not be like her father anymore. Since the fiance was only a trophy pawn, she breaks it off and concentrates on introspection/ maybe therapy for a bit.

Later that season her sister comes back and surprise: Hermosa embraced becoming Daddy.

(These would have to be restricted to two half episodes only, she definitely deserves story arcs that aren't about her dad.)

Careerwise: she has a couple businesses, maybe a restaurant chain or a franchise and she seems to collect startups. She reinvests a lot and has to travel quite a bit but can work remotely too.

Everyone seems to want FBI agent Betty and if I'd go that route I'd have her demask Charles as the fraude fake FBI who hires guns for hire and fake emergency teams while making up fantasy horror stories about serial killer genes to scare his biological family into killing each other that I wholeheartedly believe he is. But I also like Betty's interest in mechanics and would love for her to have a career in mechanical engineering. Maybe she switched majors at uni and now works for a company developing prosthetics. Maybe she tries to get Eric into joining a study. (I mean, prosthetic legs would help his work as a fire fighter...).

She's in town to visit Polly and the twins but after talking to Veronica she spontaneously stays in town. She can do her work remotely, really. The two of them move into a two bedroom 'shared bnb' (or whatever it was called in season two) and we finally get to see their friendship on screen.

Betty isn't in a relationship at the moment abd she's so into her work, she isn't looking for one either.

Jughead had broken up with Betty seven years ago and never really had a well working relationship after. He's grown obsessed with finding a way to recreate what he had with Betty.

Not in a totally creepy psycho way, he's simply not understanding that he might be sex positive and he had been in love with Betty, but he is ace and quite aro, too. It doesn't help, that he finds people sexually attractive on their online profiles just to be repulsed by the tought of even kissing them goodbye in person.

(I don't think tv is generally a fitting medium for this, but I guess he can narrate for himself and make it work.)

I guess he has to be an author. Obsessed as he is about finding love again (he wouldn't call it like that) he figures it had either been the location or the constant fear for his life. He chooses to return to Riverdale. He probably instantly moves with everything he owns to Riverdale (not that it's much beside a modern laptop, the typewriter and his camera).

Archie gives the great advice how Jughead is obviously still innlove with Betty, duh.

He of course runs into Betty some day, they end up investigating some random murder together and find themselves in familiar positions and kiss - but it just isn't there anymore. Jughead feels nothing and Betty isn't really into it either.

Veronica later points him in the direction of maybe not being allo (because she used to question herself as aro).

Funfact: Jughead would have failed graduation with Archie if Mr Honey didn't forge some records that weren't actually submitted from Stonewall (they claim all records were deleted during a power outage). Jughead knows and is deeply shamed.

Thornhill has been renovated! Toni is pregnant! Choni will be raising their kids (surprise, it's going to be twins!) in Cheryl's ancestral home. Choni are married and happy.

Toni has reopened the White Worm with Fangs somewhere at the Southside and yes, let's make her the official Serpent Queen. Let her work lots of social causes (remember toys for tots?), grey area rule bending for good and of course she works well with Gladys. I've seen talk about her being a social worker floating around and honestly, I think that works amazing. She's working the local cases (and a few unofficial ones) and I think she and Cheryl are registered foster parents. On occasion (like once) they'd be shown taking care of a random kid.

Cheryl used her College time to study two things: business and Riverdale town history. Remember how in season two she took so much pride in her ancestors because she believed them to be good people? She might be disillusioned but she is the Blossom heiress and her and Toni's as well as Jason's kids will one day inherit a better family legacy. She'll invest in Southside rebuilding projects, advocate for new town memorials, maybe rebrand some of the Blossom product lines. Something like that

She won't run for mayor yet, but she's definitely invested in (local) politics.

Of course the pregnancy was with artificial insemination, the donor was either an unsuspecting red head from the Greendale Sperm Bank or they use some of Jason's that has surly been saved to guarantee the Blossom line when everywhere was scary talk about sperm counts going down due to mobile phones.

In addition: the maple factories need worker bees! Cheryl has a few programs with Toni to get Serpents/random Riverdalians newly released from prison or just with bad luck into a steady job and a cushy appartement overlooking the ex prison on the Southside. Pop's is also participating. Ethel works as a landlady for said appartement complex.

Also, why not add a second Blossom-Topaz lovestory to underline this incest-adjacent show and bring back Toni's grandpa and set him up with Nana Blossom. XD

Then during this season's arc, the Blossom uncle's corpse will be found in the river and the mistery is whether the FBI will figure out who the corpse us and what happened or not.

I love Reggie. Since Varchie is unlikely thanks to Eric, him and Veronica rekindling their relationship would definitely be a possibility I'm into, but he also seems to have an interesting connection with Kevin and Fangs that could be built on.

He would definitely have a car he'd love very much and I think it would still be Bella.

I'm not sure about his career, but it wouldn't include his father's car dealership. Maybe he'd be a successful movie star just in town between movie shootings.

Kevin was doing something with musicals on Katy Keene, I think? Writing or directing? He was trying to nake it big, but some plans fell through. Now he's back in Riverdale. Luckily, they are just about to open Riverdale's first theater in the relatively newly built but forever closed prison. Next to the Southside Theater the complex holds a mall and the White Worm.

Fangs works full time as the manager of the WW that he co-owns with Toni. He meets Kevin again once he's back in town.

Sweet-Pea somehow ended up as a junior doctor at the Riverdale hospital. He spends all of his scarce free time at the WW.

Some of the background Pretty Poisons officially work for the police now. Different than Gladys, they are actually ccccc for the positions they hold.

Peaches works as a manager for one of Cheryl's companies. She's happily married and has a kid (or something).

How long in prison do you get in the US for standing in as the head figure of a crazy pen and paper cult that has literal murders committed in his name? As a blond white dude probably just parole? So honestly, once they actually bring his case to court (and they have nothing against him because anyone could have been under the mask at any one time and people know of different gargoyle kings) he's released of all charges. No one in Riverdale actually knows though since his case took forever, Bughead had already left Riverdale and Alice didn't step up to follow the case. No one wrote about it, so no one knows. They just assume that of course the guy will be locked away forever, he's guilty.

In reality, he and Charles have bought a house somewhere in a different street of Riverdale where they aren't quite known and have adopted a couple kids.

Charles meets Alice regularly for lunch and she thinks he's this workaholic FBI agent only living for solving crime. They play a long con game I don't know the goal of.

(They have been behind the tapes even if that storyline gets totally ignored. They pretend FP being in exile is their doing, but the tape responsible was just a random security camera in the area.)

Josie's plans in New York sadly fell through (I haven't seen any Katy Keene but I want her back)

Lot's of bonding scenes with her brother Kevin who's also back in town. The two share a flat and on occasion burst into song together. Since I've already invented the Southside Theater, maybe she'd find a job there, too.

Val and Melody stayed in Riverdale aftee highschool and made careers in town for themselves. Maybe Melody at city hall and Val as a marketing specialist at the farm, Riverdale's most outstanding new grocery mart. Half of all Riverdalians don't get the controversy of the name, the others either think it's brilliant or tasteless. (Kevin for example has repressed the nemories so gard, he doesn't get it. Josie is very protective and angry at Val for working there.) The store belongs to the eccentric redhaired Eva Everafter or whatever pseudonym Evelyn can come up with to thinly hide her identity behind.

Somewhere in it I'd throw in a few lines vaguely referencing older happenings like "I still can't drink tap water" and the very first time Veronica sees Archie again after seven years she identifies him through his ab muscles.

So in short: Archie would be very dumb, everyone else is just there.

Also: Pop's would serve 50% vegan burgers and milkshakes so I could dig in with gusto.

[defeatedbyamerechild]

Cyrus woke up. His pupils were dilated, his eyes open wide, his heart was beating much faster than normal and his muscles were tense. The whole room was dark and silent. Without even thinking, he clenched his fists, holding tight to the sheets. He felt the bitter feeling of anxiety taking over his body as he started to breathe more and more quickly, feeling the beads of sweat rolling down his face and chills running down his spine.

He tried to look around, but felt paralyzed. It was getting hard to breathe. He closed his eyes and tried to remember the step-by-step his therapist had taught him, but focusing on that seemed very difficult at the moment. The only thing he could remember clearly was that he had to slow down his breathing...

He closed his eyes and started breathing in slowly, counting the seconds in order to control the movement of his diaphragm. He remembered now. He was supposed to focus on reality... describe his surroundings. But it was too dark to see properly... Very dark and very silent... How could he describe the world if he couldn't see it? Was it all even real?

That one recurring question, that always came to his mind in moments of difficulty, was the most terrifying part of it all. Was it real? Was the room real? Was his bed real? Was he actually there? His housemates, were they actual people? Had all that time really passed and had all the things he lived really happened or had it all been just a lie, a delusion, a hallucination? Had he ever really left the Distortion World...? And was it there, staring at him with its bright red eyes...?

No, he shouldn't focus on those thoughts. Focusing on objective aspects of the real world was vital at that moment. No speculation would be beneficial under those circumstances, what he had to do was simple, practical and clear observation of the material world. The real world. It was there, it was real, he could see it and sense it...

Not that he hadn't felt and seen things before that he later realized were not real... Back in there, in the Distortion World... Under the effect of Giratina's mind tricks... The boundaries between reality and delirium were unclear.

Still, he had left that place. He had to believe he had really left that place... because if not... No. No “ifs”. It was not time for “ifs”. Keep it simple. Practical. Cold. Objective. He had always been like that, practical and objective, so why was it so hard? It wouldn't be that hard if he could just calm down... He had to calm down.

He opened his eyes, now breathing much slower than before, and glanced around. The first thing he was able to make out in the darkness was his digital clock, or rather, the glowing green numbers on its screen. It was a quarter past three. He waited for a few seconds, still working on his breathing, until the number five turned into a six. Yes, time was passing. He felt his muscles relaxing slowly. His fingers finally let go of the sheets.

He glanced around. He could see his books, his computer and his mirror, reflecting the dim moonlight coming from his window. Mentally, he described them. Their colors, their positions, their shapes... the fear started to fade away as he slowly started to believe once again that the world around him was real. He had no proof, no indications whatsoever that his current reality was fake. Everything was in place... Everything was normal. Everything was fine.

Less than ten minutes later, he had already completely calmed down. He stretched his muscles and sat up on his bed, then sighed. It had been a while since the last time he had had a nightmare... He had almost forgotten how bad they were... Compared to his post-Distortion-World night terrors, his old childhood nightmares about his parents and bad school grades seemed like a joke. His nightmares back then were just bad dreams... the ones he had now were more like flashbacks. Terrifying, painful flashbacks...

But how could he have had a nightmare after all? Where was Ayumu? He cleared his throat and stood up. Clearly, Ayumu wasn't in the room with him... But that was strange, to say the least. Ayumu had been trained specifically not to do that, and up to that point he had never failed to fulfill his duty.

Cyrus left his room and walked through the hallway straight to the stairs. If Ayumu had left his room, then it had most likely gone downstairs, since all the other doors were closed on the second floor. There was light coming from the living room and Cyrus started to suspect that someone else was awake other than him.

His suspicions were soon proven to be right. Walking downstairs, he saw Archie, sitting on an armchair near the window, with Ayumu levitating next to him.

“Archie?” said Cyrus, in a mix of confusion and annoyance.

The other man turned his head at him. “Oh, hey there, Cyrus...” he said.

“What are you doing with Ayumu?” asked the Galactic Boss, approaching his housemate, but looking at his Pokémon.

“Oh... sorry, Cy” replied the Aqua Boss, “I borrowed Ayumu for a bit, hope you don't mind.”

“In fact, I very much do mind it.” Explained Cyrus, his intonation a bit more emphatic than his usual. “As far as I know, 'borrowing' implies on my knowledge and consent regarding your temporary possession of my belongings.”

Archie winced a little “Sheesh, Cyrus... Don't call the poor little fellow a 'belonging'... he's a Pokémon after all! A little living being like you or me...”

“I am aware of that, but he is currently under my care and therefore in my possession either way,” said the blue-haired man, “besides, Ayumu isn't only any useless Pokémon. He has a task to fulfill and you should not interrupt him on it.”

The other man hesitated a little before replying.

“Hey, wait a minute... No Pokémon is useless! Every little Pokémon has something to offer! Just like people! Everyone has something to give!”

Cyrus sighed heavily before continuing to speak.

“You are deviating from the topic. My point is: do not take Ayumu away in the middle of the night again. And please ask before taking anything from me.”

“Ay, captain!” Nodded Archie, not offended by the other man's complaints. “Sorry about that... Just didn't wanna wake you up, you see? You were sleeping so tight...That's why I didn't ask you before taking him.”

“Well, I would most likely have preferred to wake up with you than the way I did just now...” he said, looking away. “What are you doing awake at a time like this anyway?” he added, afraid that Archie might ask any questions.

Archie's face suddenly fell. “Oh well...” he said, “I'm worried about Maxie. He hasn't arrived yet...”

“From?”

“He went to a concert,” explained the Aqua Boss, “some tribute to an old guitarist who died or something like that... I was gonna go with him, but I was feeling sorta sick on my tummy... he ended up going with Tabitha...” For a few seconds, he remained in silence. “But he should have arrived by now.... and he doesn't answer his phone... I'm just so worried...”

“Hm” groaned Cyrus, unsure of what to say. The other man continued.

“That's why I took Ayumu, by the way! I thought since he's a psychic type, maybe he could help me calm down... I mean, I know several psychic types are capable of soothing people's nerves with their hypnotic abilities and so on...”

Cyrus squinted his eyes.

“Ayumu is a Munna, and Munnas are dream eaters... They are not interested in your mind unless you are sleeping,” he explained.

Archie chuckled, “oh well, Munnas do like a good sleepy noodle, that's true! But that doesn't mean they can't do other stuff! I've seen videos of Munnas that learned to eat away troubling thoughts from people's brains while they were awake!”

“Well,” replied the Galactic Boss, while gently placing his hand on Ayumu's head, “other Munnas may be able to calm people down while they are awake, but not Ayumu. He has been trained to eat my nightmares specifically, and nothing else.”

The other man seemed surprised. “Oh!” he exclaimed, “so you taught him which dreams he should eat? That's really neat!”

“No I didn't...” said Cyrus, “he was already trained when I received him... My psychologist has given him to me...” he made a brief pause, “I need him to be able to sleep properly...”

“Oooh” answered Archie, “so he's a service Pokémon! I didn't know that! Why didn't you tell anyone?”

Cyrus shrugged. “No one ever asked.”

“Heh!” chuckled Archie again, crossing his legs, “well, you know, boyo, people sometimes tell their friends things that they didn't ask about!”

“Yes, I've observed this phenomenon. It is very annoying” replied Cyrus.

“It's not annoying...” protested the other man, “that's how conversations go!”

“Precisely.” Cyrus frowned a little, “conversations are annoying. I very much prefer writing.”

The brown-haired man thought for a few seconds before replying.

“Well I've seen you giving huge speeches before... You can talk quite a lot for someone who doesn't like convos,” he said, then became silent once again. “You know, I think you're more fond of monologues... you can talk and talk without being interrupted and tell everyone what you think without other people disagreeing! That's why you like writing! 'Cause there's no one there to reply to you!” he concluded.

Cyrus widened his eyes.

“I...!” he said, but then huffed and looked away.

“What?”

“Nothing...” replied the blue-haired man, “I was about to protest, but I suppose you're right.”

Archie giggled.

“Well, I like conversations, you know? It's nice listening to people.”

“I could not disagree more,” answered Cyrus.

“Well, we're talking right now, is it that bad?”

Cyrus hesitated before replying. As much as he wanted to say “yes”, the fact is that it wasn't really that bad after all.

“It's not particularly annoying, but it is a waste of my time and yours,” he said, “which reminds me of the fact that It's past three and a half and I should be in bed right now.” he made a brief pause. “I'm going back to sleep. You should too.”

“Nah... I can't sleep...” answered Archie, once again becoming sad, “not without Maxie. You need your Munna to sleep and I need my husband.”

Cyrus raised an eyebrow.

“Didn't know Maxie was a dream eater...” he said, and Archie immediately looked up at him.

“Ha! I knew you had a good sense of humor deep inside, Cyrus!”

“That was not humor,” replied the other man, glancing away for a second.

“No?” asked Archie, frowning confused, “what was it then?”

Cyrus looked down, silent. He thought for almost a whole minute.

“Sophism,” he finally said and, upon realizing his housemate didn't seem to be familiar with the word, he developed, “a conclusion that seems to be correct according to the information given, but that is resultant from a false correlation between its elements and, therefore, is incorrect.”

Archie didn't seem to understand the whole explanation, but nodded anyway.

“OK... So, why did you use this sophism thingy right now?”

Once again, Cyrus was caught off guard. He stared at Archie for a short moment.

“I... don't know...” he confessed, “I just see people employing sophism in conversations all the time, so I guess I just... copied the behavior?” he started walking in small circles while he explained, “in fact, you had just used sophism yourself, when you compared my situation with Ayumu to your situation regarding Maxie... You created a false correlation, all I did was add the resultant incorrect conclusion. I mean, if I understood correctly, the reason why you cannot sleep without Maxie is because you're worried... this is a variable that is acting upon you right now, not a constant state. That, however, doesn't apply to me. I cannot sleep without Ayumu at any moment, regardless of what I am experiencing on that moment. Therefore, while your dependency on Maxie is situational, my dependency of Ayumu is invariable. It's not the same relation... Meaning your correlation was incorrect, despite the fact it seemed rational,” he concluded, then opened his arms, looking at Archie, and said “Sophism.”

Archie scratched his chin.

“Hm... you do know I was just joking, right, boyo?” he asked, and Cyrus blushed a little.

“So you mean to tell me that average people consider arriving at incorrect conclusions funny?” he asked, confused.

“Well, yeah,” replied the other man, “for example: peas are green... and melons are also green! Peas are round... and melons too! Peas come from plants and so do melons... that means melons are just very large peas!” he explained, then laughed a little and stared at Cyrus with a big smile on his face, but his housemate didn't show any reaction.

“Come on, it was funny,” added Archie.

“I'm not good with jokes...” explained the Galactic Boss, looking down.

“Meh... That's fine...” answered the Aqua Boss, “It was a pretty lame joke actually...”

There was a moment of silence. Archie kept staring at the window, fidgeting with his hands, while Cyrus remained still, not sure if it would be socially acceptable to just leave at that point.

The Aqua Boss sighed.

“Well...” said Cyrus. “Since Ayumu is unable to help you soothe your anxiety right now, I'm going to take him back with me...”

“Oh, yeah, sure!” said Archie, as if coming back to reality from a deep trance, “sorry again about taking him, I didn't know he was a therapy friend...” he thought for a few seconds, “you... you said he eats your bad dreams right? I hope you didn't have any sort of nightmare or anything because I took him...”

Cyrus looked away, slightly uncomfortable with that topic.

“Uhm. Yeah, to tell you the truth I did.”

“Oof... Sorry...” said Archie, “I really didn't want to cause that much trouble. Hope it wasn't a really bad nightmare.”

“It is always bad. That's part of the definition of a nightmare.” said the Galactic Boss, running out of patience.

“You wanna talk about it?” asked Archie.

Cyrus glanced at him.

“The only person who ever asked me that before was my therapist.”

“Well, I'm not a therapist, but I don't know... Talking can help sometimes!” answered the other man.

“There isn't much to talk about.” said Cyrus, “It was just a collection of vivid flashbacks from my most traumatic experiences, like always...”

“That... sounds like a lot to talk about actually, boyo.”

“Well, if I were to describe it and explain the whole thing, it would certainly take a while. But there is no point in talking about it. And I honestly would prefer not to...” he said, then made a short pause before continuing, “I've had a good share of discomfort by revisiting them in dreams already, I don't wanna repeat that by revisiting it via descriptions now.”

“I understand... You don't have to tell me if it makes you feel bad, Cy.” said Archie, in a way that reminded Cyrus of his therapist again. “I just wanted you to know that you can always talk to me if you feel like you need to open up to someone, alright?”

“Uhm... OK.” answered the other man, nodding and looking down. He didn't have lots of experience with that kind of talk. It sounded like something he should have heard from his parents when he was a child, but never did. No one had ever told him this kind of thing before. He didn't really know why, but that was comforting, and he started to feel like talking more. “Since you said this...” he added, timidly, “I suppose I'm going to share something else. I had a brief anxiety attack after waking up just now.”

“Oof...” said Archie, “I've never had one of those, but I know they are pretty awful.”

“Yes. But I was able to contain it,” added Cyrus, almost proudly, “my therapist has taught me some techniques to calm down.”

“That's great!” said Archie, “Proud of you, boyo! It's probably difficult to stop that from happening. Guess that's progress, eh?”

“I... guess...” said Cyrus. “Thanks.”

Archie looked down.

“I'm feeling sorta bad, though... You had that anxiety thingy because of me, right? Because I took Ayumu?”

“Yes, I guess that's not incorrect,” said Cyrus, “It was a consequence of my nightmare, which only occurred due to Ayumu's absence, so yes, it was an indirect consequence of your actions.”

“Darn...” replied Archie. “I'm sorry, Cy. I'm never gonna take Ayumu again! Promise!”

“That's good” said the blue-haired man.

“I wanted to soothe my anxiety and ended up making yours worse... Bad, Archie! Bad!” He said, then sighed again and looked at the window. He was still thinking about Maxie.

“If you have anxiety, then you should go see a psychologist too, you know?” said Cyrus.

“Oh, no, no, sorry!” explained the Aqua Boss, “I don't have anxiety, like... the disorder. I was talking about this feeling of uneasiness, you know? It's just something I'm feeling right now.”

“Oh” answered Cyrus, then scratched his head, “and... do you want to talk about it?” he asked, trying to be polite.

“Yeah, if you don't mind it...” said the other one, “I mean, I told you before, I'm worried about Maxie... You see, he is the most important person in my life! So, well... I know he must be OK, but I can't help thinking that something bad might have happened, you know? What if they had an accident? Or maybe they were mugged! Or maybe...” he put his hand over his mouth and shook his head, “Anything could have happened... And when I think about that... I think about how bad it would be If I ever lost him... I just...” he swallowed hard, “I don't know what I would do without him... I can't even think about it...”

“Hm...” said Cyrus, “Why do you think something bad happened to him, though?”

“Because it's almost four and he hasn't shown up! Or messaged me!” said Archie.

“What time should he have arrived?”

“He said 'something between two and three in the morning'...” he replied, then crossed his arms, “I mean, it hasn't been that long, he is not that late... but it's Maxie, he would have either messaged me or called if he knew he would be late...” Saying that, Archie puffed and fidgeted, clearly very nervous. He continued, “I'm just so worried... I mean, I love Maxie, but he's not an excellent driver... What if he crashed? Darn! I just hope he didn't crash the car... I hope he didn't... I hope he is not hurt!”

“uh...” began to say Cyrus, but soon noticed Archie wasn't done speaking yet.

“I should have gone with him!” continued the other man, “I shouldn't have stayed home just because of a sore tummy... I'm not even sick anymore! I could have gone with him... I should have! If I had gone with him, I could have avoided this...”

“This what?” asked Cyrus.

“This... This situation!” answered Archie.

“But you don't know what the situation is, therefore you don't know if you could have avoided it...” replied the Galactic Boss.

“Uh... Yeah...” said Arche, “I guess, but... What I meant is, if I were with him, if anything went wrong, I could at least try to protect him...”

“I don't believe being with him would have changed the outcome of the situation. Consider he had a car accident. You don't drive, so he would have been the one driving either way. Chances are, he would have had the accident anyway. Or if he got mugged... If a person was willing to mug him and Tabitha, the same person might as well have mugged him if he were with you. And resisting it would be worse, so it would have been the same.” explained Cyrus.

“Well... Yeah...” replied the Aqua Boss, “But I don't know, I would at least be with him... At least I would know what's going on...”

“Yes, that makes sense,” the blue-haired man crossed his arms, thoughtful, “your uneasiness right now results from the fact that you don't know what is going on with your husband... However, if you do not know what happened, that means trying to solve the problem now will be pointless.”

“Well, I'm not trying to solve it... I'm just... I'm just worried...”

“What for, though? I mean, very well, it will be very bad if something negative has happened to Maxie. However, you have no evidence of that whatsoever” said Cyrus, “while Maxie could have had a car accident or gotten hurt in any other way, he also could have gotten lost in a place with no phone signal, or the concert could have lasted much longer than it should have and it's still going on... or he could have stopped to eat something in a cheap restaurant and Tabitha got stuck in the toilet stall and they are trying to open the door, and that is occupying him so much that he forgot to call you. There is a nearly uncountable number of possibilities of things that could have happened, and you do not know which one has actually happened... Therefore, keeping your mind busy with trying to figure out something that, for all practical purposes, is impossible to find out right now... That is pointless.”

“Whoa...” said Archie, “Hold your Mudsdales, boyo... I think I got lost somewhere in your explanation.”

“I'm going to try to explain again, then,” said the other man, “my therapist told me to examine my thoughts regarding anxiety, panic and fear. One of the things I was taught is to analyze whether or not there is empirical evidence that can confirm the thoughts I am having. That is, is there anything I can actually observe that indicates something is wrong right now, or is everything coming from my own mind?”

“Well... Maxie is late... that is real, it's a fact” said Archie.

“It is. However, the only objective conclusion we can take from this I that, most probably, something unexpected happened to Maxie tonight. Still, we don't have how to verify whether or not this unexpected event has harmed Maxie in any way or not...”

“Hm.. Yeah, I mean... I don't know if he's hurt or not...”

“Exactly. You don't even know if he had a real problem or not,” said Cyrus, “and yet you already deduced you should have gone with him to avoid a hypothetical problem that may not even be real, and if real could not even be avoidable to begin with.”

Archie sighed, then smiled a little.

“Yeah... Maybe he's just fine... but what if he isn't?”

“Is there anything you can do if he isn't?” asked Cyrus, “Is there any way you might know if he isn't?”

“No...” said Archie, “and that... is scary...”

Cyrus opened his mouth a little, but said nothing. He looked down.

“I get that” he said, after a few seconds, “fear is... pretty much irrational. And sometimes the things our mind comes up with are really terrifying...”

Archie nodded.

“But we need to try to fight back rationally,” continued the other man, “because, well... if you just listen to all the horrible things your mind can make up, you will end up paralyzed with fear. The fact is that the possibilities are endless when you start to think about what could have been, or what could be... Sometimes I look around and I ask myself 'what if none of this is real and one day I just wake up in the Distortion World'... And that's very... well,” he looked away once again, ashamed, “scary...” he said. “But I can't live every day of my life in fear that at any moment I'll wake up in another reality. I have to be down to earth and rational and base my thoughts on what I can actually observe... On what is materially, objectively and undoubtedly real...”

“I didn't know you felt that way, boyo...” said Archie, “Don't worry, though. I'm here and I can guarantee to you that this house is real, no Distortion World here!”

“Hm... Thanks for this addition,” said Cyrus, “still, let's get back to your problem. The reason I said all this is because you have to be rational now and try to contain your anxiety. If there is no evidence that Maxie is hurt right now, and there is nothing you can do to verify that or to change that, so avoid thinking about that. It is better to hope for the best instead...”

“Heh...” chuckled Archie, “You're right, boyo... Not that it isn't difficult not to wonder what could have happened...”

“The fact is that so far, his absence can be explained by many different things. If he had been absent for, let's say... two days, or something... That would have narrowed the possible explanations. The longer he has been away, the less explanations you can think of, so you have more reasons to believe something bad has actually happened. But so far, it's still not that much time, as you said earlier...”

“True”, said the Aqua Boss, “maybe I should at least wait a bit longer...”

“I think that sounds reasonable.”

“Yeah...”

Once again, there was a brief moment of silence.

“Thanks for talking to me about this, Cy!” said Archie, smiling, “it really helped me. I'm still worried... But I feel a bit calmer.”

“You're welcome,” said Cyrus, “I didn't expect to be able to help, honestly.”

“Well, I told you everyone has something to give!” Archie smiled.

“Usually what I have to give is knowledge in physics, though”, answered the Galactic boss, and suddenly the other man started laughing.

“I like your jokes, Cyrus...” he said, still giggling.

“It was not a joke” replied the other man.

“It was still funny.”

“Well, I'm going back to my room and try to sleep the rest of the night,” said Cyrus.

“Okie! Have a good rest, Cy... I'll be here waiting for Max...”

Cyrus turned around and headed to the staircase, Ayumu following him right after. As soon as he started going up the stairs, he heard the front door opening.

“Maxie!” he heard Archie say, and looked back at the living room. The Magma Boss had just entered the house and the two men were hugging.

“Oh, Archie... I'm so sorry! My phone ran out of battery and Tabitha forgot his phone charging again!” said Maxie, “I couldn't warn you I'd get home late...”

Cyrus started going upstairs again, but still could hear the couple's conversation.

“I was so worried, baby...” said Archie... “what happened?”

“Well, The show was great, but they gave so many encores that when we left, the subways had already stopped running... So I had to take Tabitha to his house, and it's on the other side of the city so...”

The Galactic Boss entered his room, followed by his Munna. It was exactly 4 a.m.

“Well. I've got three hours of sleep left, Ayumu,” he said, “Could have saved nearly an hour if I hadn't stayed so long with Archie... But that's OK.”

Ayumu gently floated down and laid on Cyrus' bed. The blue-haired man sat down by the Pokémon's side, patted it on the back and then laid down on his bed next to it. He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep again. Ayumu snuggled up against his trainer and, within less than a minute, a thick magenta stream of mist started exhaling from the pink circle between his eyes.

—— (Scene by GabiWaffle)

[amazingphanisnotonfire-imagines]

Jughead//i didn’t wanna fall, but then i stepped right in

Request: If you're request are open/not swamped can i request a Jughead/Reader with the song Cliché- mxmtoon maybe you meet at his "birthday party" or something similar, tbh something like fluffy/soft would be super nice plot wise :D

hey! this is another one that i wrote like last year or something so the writing style maybe seem a little different than usual. i still hope you like it though!! have a great day all!!!

“Y/n!” Veronica greets you from across the living room. “You came!” 

“I did!” You smile brightly at her and hold up a pack of beer. 

“Wow, classy.” She laughs and pulls you into a quick hug. “Give it to Archie, he’ll put it in the kitchen. Won’t you Archiekins.” She smiles sweetly at Archie who walks past the two of you and he sends the two of you a confused smile. 

“Sure?” He asks, unsure of what she was referring to. 

“Put the beer in the kitchen.” 

“Right.” He smiles at her and you give him the beer. 

“And get us both a drink please.” 

“Of course.” He smiles.

“So when’s he getting here?” You ask Veronica and look around the living room. So far, you are yet to meet the famous Jughead. You’ve only just moved from New York, joining your friend Veronica in Riverdale after your parents decided to move. As soon as she found out you were moving here, she’d talked about her new friends constantly and not just her friends, but also boys...but there’s no surprise there. Apparently the boys in Riverdale were hotter than the one’s in New York, something you were yet to believe, despite being here for a week. So thats how you were invited to a birthday party of someone you’d never met.

“He’ll be here soon.” Betty joins your conversation. “He text Archie telling him that he’s on his way.” She adds. “He thinks they’re just hanging out.” 

“Oh.” You nod. “Clever. I need to pee, where’s the bathroom?” You ask.

“Up the stairs, down the hall and its the first door you see.” 

“Thanks.” 

“He’s here!” A boy shouts and the lights quickly turn off, everyone moves a few steps back just before the door swings open. 

“Y/n isn’t here.” Veronica whispers to Betty and the two of them quickly glance around the darkened room. 

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” She replies. 

“Shhhhh.” Kevin shushes them both. 

“Archi-” Jughead calls out but he’s cut off. 

“Surprise!!” Everyone shouts and he jumps slightly. 

“What the-” 

“Happy birthday!” Archie hugs him and he smiles awkwardly before sending a small wave to a few people. Someone turns the lights and music back on while other people mingle and talk to Jughead. 

“Shit.” You say loudly, once you reach the bottom of the stairs. “Did I miss it?” You asks and Veronica giggles while nodding. 

“Kinda.” She replies. “But thats okay.” 

“Damn.” You mutter, looking around the room and thats when you see him. The beanie clad boy that you’d only ever seen in pictures. Fuck, he’s looking right at you. Your eyes widen when you realize you’re staring at him and you quickly avert your eyes, deciding to join in the conversation happening beside you. “Surprise parties...am I right?” You say and the group of girls look at you offended. 

“We’re talking about her grandmothers funeral.” 

“Oh, shit. Sorry.” You apologize. The three of them stare at you until you walk away, muttering another quickly apology as you go. “Not much of a party topic.” You mumble to yourself while you try and find Veronica. How did you ever survive in New York? The only thing you did there was go to parties. How’d you manage to upset someone after only being at the party for 15 minutes? 

After searching for a few minutes, you conclude that Veronica, as well as Archie are no where to be seen and Betty had gone to talk to the people you’d just upset so that wasn’t an option. Pushing through the small crowd you look around the living room one more time. Again you lock eyes with Jughead causing your cheeks to burn before you quickly look back down at the floor. He’s even cuter the second time round and so after a few minutes of trying to get rid of the blush on your cheeks, you send him a small smile before walking into the kitchen and leaning against the counter. 

A few minutes later you hear someone walk in and so you decided to busy yourself instead of just staring out into nothing. While you search through the fridge you listen to the end of the conversation and once you hear them say goodbye you decide its safe to look up. Jughead is stood a few feet away from you staring at his phone. You quickly close the fridge and start to walk out as quietly as possible, buts its too late. He’s already noticed you, his lips quirking into a smile as he tilts his head to the side, a curious expression gracing his features as he looks you up and down. 

“Hey.” He smiles at you, waving softly. 

“He-hello.” You stutter and your cheeks start to heat up again. 

“Y/n?” He asks and you shake your head. “Are you okay? You kinda just stopped at hello and then stared at me.” 

“Oh. Right. Sorry. I was meant to say happy birthday.” 

“Thanks.” He replies and pours himself a drink. “Do you want one?” He asks and you shake your head.

“I’m good.” You show him the drink in your hand and he nods. 

“Thats a bottle of milk.” He raises and eyebrow and you look between him and the bottle in your hand, a confused expression gracing your features. 

“I was meant to get that.” You reply slowly making him chuckle. “So what are you doing in here? Shouldn’t you be out there?” 

“I’m hiding. Birthday’s aren’t really my thing.” He says, the last part seeming sadder than he probably intended to. 

“Oh.” 

“Anyway.” He grins. “Do you wanna dance?” 

“You want to dance with me?” 

“I don’t see anybody else in the kitchen. Do you?” He motions around the room and you shake your head. “Lets go then.Maybe you can make my birthday a bit better.” He says and your eyes widened. “Oh God. I didn’t mean like that.” He blushes and you laugh softly. 

“Its fine.” You shake your head. “Lets dance.”

--------

Ever since the two of you danced, you and Jughead had been practically inseparable. You don’t remember much from the night of the party apart from the dancing and then the hangover as you woke up in Veronica’s bed, but from the vague memories you do have, you know you had fun.

Over the last few days you’d been constantly texting, whether you were in class, at home, hanging out with friends, sometimes when you were sat right next to each other. And with every single word you seemed to fall further and further for him.

He was witty and charming and cute and hot and basically everything you could have wanted. 

“Its like he’s swept you off your feet.” Veronica laughs and you look at her confused. The two of you are sat in Pops’ waiting for the rest of the gang to turn up.

“Jughead. You’re in love with him and you’ve only known him a few days.” 

“He makes me laugh.” You defend. 

“And blush.” She adds and you rolls your eyes. 

“Who?” Betty asks while sitting beside Veronica. 

“Jughead.” She replies, sending a knowing look in your direction. 

“You’re all he’s talked about for the past three days.” 

“Same with her.” 

“Literally, even at the party. She went to pee and he talked about how amazing she was.” 

“You do know I’m sat right here.” 

“We know.” They smile at you. 

“What are you two smiling like that for?” Archie asks and sits beside you. 

“Because Y/n is in love with Jughead and they’ve only known each other for a less than week.” 

“Oooo.” He teases. “No one can compete.” 

“Huh?” The three of you ask confused. 

“That’s what Jughead said about her.” 

“Awwwww.” They tease. 

“What if its too good to be true?” Veronica says, repeating the words you’d said to her earlier. “Its like we click like lego.” She adds, despite you kicking her in the shin.

“Or the clacking of tap shoes.” Archie adds.

“I want to be with yo-Hi Jughead.” Betty trails off and the four of you quickly shut up.

“Hey.” Jughead waves confused. “Have we ordered yet?” 

“Yeah. It should be done soon, me and Ronnie ordered when we got here.” You explain and he smiles warmly at you. “Don’t worry, I got your favourite.” 

“Cool.” He says and looks around for a seat to pull up. 

“Don’t worry.” Archie stands up quickly. “Sit here, I’ll find a seat.” He sends you a wink and you roll your eyes at him before he wanders away, bring a chair back. Your foods brought out a couple minutes later and the five of you eat in silence.

“So” Jughead is the first to break it, Archie, Veronica and Betty starting their own conversation while you and Jughead talk. “How’s your day been?” He asks and sips his milkshake.

“Better now.” You reply with a smile and look down at your food. He giggles and agrees with you before he steals a fry. “Hey!” You laugh loudly and throw a few more at him. The two of you end up in a mini food fight while your other three friends just stare at you. 

“You’s are a walking cliche.” Veronica rolls her eyes teasingly. 

“Shut up Ronnie.” You glare at her. 

“Yeah, shut up Veronica.” Jughead adds. “Talking to you has made my day.” He whispers in your ear making you blush fiercely. 

“Mine too.” You reply and he smiles softly. You look at him, his smile mirroring yours and you melt at the way he’s looking at you. Maybe Veronica was right. Maybe you were a cliche. 

But cliche’s never work out right? 

----

“Why haven’t you been talking to Jughead?” Archie catches up with you in the corridor while you’re walking to your next class. 

“I’ve just been busy.” You shrug. 

“What happened to clicking like legos?” He asks and you roll your eyes. 

“Its just a cliche.” You reply. “I don’t wanna be a cliche. Its not real.” 

“But it was.” He argues. 

“It wasn’t.” You say before storming off. 

----

“Hey.” Jughead’s voice makes you jump as you look up from the menu.

“Hello.” You reply and place it on the table. “You’re not Veronica.” 

“Not the last time I checked.” He jokes and you laugh softly. “Listen.” He starts while sitting opposite you. Your milkshake is brought to the table and there’s two straws in it making you laugh softly. 

“This is such a cliche.” You mutter. 

“I have to know. Do you feel the same way I do?” The boldness of his questions takes you back and you stare at him confused. But he doesn’t look nervous, he’s confident as he stares at you, his eyebrow raises as he waits for your answer and you know there’s no way you can lie to yourself or anyone else any longer.  

“Yeah.” You say quietly. “I do, but I was scared of what you might say...” 

“Me too.” He admits. A strange silence settles over the two of you, neither of you knowing what to say. But as soon as you make eye contact again, you burst into laugher and he quickly follows. “I still think you’re cute.” 

“Me too.” You nod. “We both fell way to fast for any normal people.” 

“We’re a cliche aren’t we?” He asks. 

“Just a little.” You nod.

“Thats okay.” He takes a sip of your milkshake before pushing it towards you. 

“I wouldn’t want it any other way.” You smile brightly at him and take a small drink before pushing it back at him. He leans across the table and you meet him half way, his lips capturing yours in a sweet kiss. However it doesn’t last very long before you pull away and gasp. He looks at you confused as to why you pulled away so quickly and then he realizes...its because there’s milkshake down your chest. 

“Here.” He hands you some napkins and tries to dab at the stains. “Sorry.” He mumbles when he realizes he’s practically gotten to second base with you. 

“Its fine.” You laugh. 

“Are we always going to be like this?” He asks. 

“I think so yeah.” You nod. 

“One silly cliche after the other?” He wonders. Both of you know the answer, but neither of you really mind. 

Maybe some cliche’s work after all

[just-another-ficwriter]

Boyfriend Bonfire

Pairing: Firefighter!Sweet Pea x Reader

Words: 1800ish

Warnings: Cheating, implied smut

Summary: When Betty arrives home devastated from her breakup, Y/N, Veronica and Cheryl try their best to cheer her up with their own disastrous love lives. But Cheryl’s suggestion of preforming a ‘bad boyfriend’ cleansing ritual takes a firey turn that ends in a 999 call.

Notes: Filling another square for my @riverdalebingo card using the prompt Firefighter AU! A rewrite of a scene from Friends 1x14.

You can hear the sobs from beyond your apartment door before you’re even on your floor. The noise floats through the hallway and down the staircase and you instantly knows it’s Betty.

For one brief second you debate turning around and grabbing a coffee before heading home but the thoughts over powered by the need to make sure your friends okay.

“What happened?” Cheryl and Veronica both stare at you wide eyed as you slip through the front door, Betty hunched over on the couch in between them.

“Don’t ask-“ Veronica speaks the same time as you, a desperation in her voice but her plead is already lost.

“Reggie dumped me!” A loud ear splitting wail follows her words and the three of you grimace in unison as Cheryl rubs soothing circles on her back.

“You had to ask.” Ronnie rolls her eyes in the way she does at practically anything these days as she speaks through gritted teeth.

It takes a further twenty minutes to calm Betty down again, the seconds filled with the story of how Reggie had dumped her by text and the reality of how awful you all thought he was anyway. It isn’t until you’ve all changed into pjs and settle back into the living room that she seems to be a little less devastated.

“Men suck.” She sinks back into the couch, her cheeks puffing out as you all nod in agreement. “Reggie was a total douche bag and I didn’t even notice.”

“Hey you’re not the only one who’s had bad luck with men.” You place four glasses and a bottle of wine on the coffee table alongside a bowl of popcorn. Betty grabs the drink a little too eagerly but no one says anything as you settle in on the floor, hoping you could make her feel better. “Remember Chuck?”

“Which one was Chuck again?” Cheryl furrows her brows as she thinks, unable to place a face to the name.

“Chuck the weeper. Remember? He used to cry every time we had sex.” Your cheeks blush a light pink at the realisation you’d slept with him a handful of times despite this fact before you start to mimicking him. A fake sob erupts from you as your shoulders move up and down with each harsh breath. “Was- that- good- for- you?”

“Yeah well, I’d take a little crying any day over Nick ‘I-Win’ Sinclair.” Veronica shudders at the thought, her eyes glazing over a little at the memory. “I dated the guy for two months, and I never won once.”

“That’s why I’m so grateful for my TT.” Cheryl’s smiling sweetly, unaware her words have you all secretly seething.

“Yeah, well we can’t all be blessed with the perfect partners.” A bitterness drips from your words as you shove a handful of popcorn in your mouth but the redhead seems unfazed.

“We have more wine right?” Betty sinks the liquid in her glass faster then she knows she should, her eyes still puffy from the crying and now the alcohol.

“Oh!” Cheryl bounces to her feet, her sudden burst of excitement making you all jump. “You know my friend Ethal who shaves her head? She said that if you want to break the bad boyfriend cycle, you can do like a cleansing ritual.”

“Cheryl, this woman is voluntary bald.” You roll your eyes alongside Veronica this time, her statement making you laugh.

“Doesn’t mean it won’t work!” Cheryl stuck her tongue out in playful defiance. "I vote we do it.”

“What exactly will we have to do for this ritual.” Betty sounded sceptical but there was a flicker of hope in her eyes that made you feel bad for her.

“Urm...” Cheryl tapped her red nails on her chin, trying to think of something. "Oh! We could burn the stuff they gave us!”

“Or?” Even Ronnie seemed intrigued at this point.

“Or... we can chant and dance around naked, you know, with sticks.” There was a triumph in her eye but the idea just brought the rest of you back to reality.

“Burnings good.” You quickly revert back to her first suggestion.

“I’m in.” Betty sighs, but for the first time since you entered the apartment she's smiling. Even if there is a sense of doubt to it. "I definitely have stuff to burn.”

It takes Cheryl a few minutes to find everything she needs but when she eventually comes back with the trash can from your room and a lighter she found in Ronnie's bedside table you start to question why you're actually doing this.

For Betty. You think.

“Ok, so now we need some sage branches and the sacramental wine.” She looks at you like the items she's listed are normal kitchen cupboard staples.

“All we have is oregano and cheap vodka.” You offer.

“That’ll do.” She shrugs, scrolling through a website she's found on her phone. “Okay, so now all we need the semen of a righteous man.”

“Ok Cheryl, you know what, if we had that, we wouldn't be doing the ritual in the first place.” The words roll of Ronnie's tongue sarcastically as she starts to fill her glass again.

“Can we just start throwing things in?” Betty huffs frustrated as she reappears from her room with an armful of stuff.

“Fine, but don’t blame me if doesn’t work.” Cheryl finally snaps, clicking her tongue in annoyance but starts to light a small fire to let Betty get started.

“Ok, Jughead's letters. Reggie's boxer shorts.” Betty tosses the items in, flinching at Reggie’s name.

“This reciept from a dinner date with Donna counts right?” Cheryl pulls the piece of paper from her bag and shrugs off the looks the three of you give her. "I mean to give me and Toni good luck.”

“Look, here's a picture of Archie Andrew’s naked." There's a small smirk playing on Veronica's lips at the memory that quickly disappears when you show her the picture in your own hands.

“Oh look, here’s the one he also give me.” The two of you shuddered simultaneously as you throw them into the fire.

“I still can’t believe you were both dating him and the other didn’t know.” Cheryl looks between the two of you amused, but any bitterness either of you felt about the situation had long gone as you both giggle together over it.

“And now here’s the vodka to really burn these babies.” Betty hiccups, a little drunk as she freely pours the liquor on top before anyone can stop her.

“Wait isn't that stuff really flammable-“ Flames are shooting up before you can even finish your sentence.

-

“So let’s see a piece of something, boxer shorts, greeting cards, and what looks like a half charred picture of a naked guy- oh wait 2 pictures of the same naked guy.” You bite your fingernails with nerves, eyes shifting from your room mates to the firefighter picking away at the contents of your charred trash can. He’d introduced himself as Fangs but you’d been too embarrassed to pay attention.

“You know, it's a really funny story how this happened.” Veronica straightens up a little, batting her eyelashes at him with the type of giggle she only does when she’s anxious.

“It's fine, you don't have to explain.” The second firefighter looks at his friend and stifles a laugh. “This isn't the first boyfriend bonfire that we've seen get out of control.”

“Happens all the time.” Fangs shrugs like it’s the most normal thing in the world.

“Really?” You would have noticed the way Betty’s eyes widened in surprise but you were too busy staring at the unnamed man stood in your apartment.

You feel a heat rising through out your body as he catches your gaze for a few seconds but you can’t tell whether it’s from his lingering look or from the remains of the fire. “Oh god this is so embarrassing.”

“What’s embarrassing is that these men have acted so badly towards you that you feel the need to do this in the first place.” You aren’t sure whether you made it up or if he looks back at you when he speaks. But before you can think about it he’s clearing his throat and you’re thanking them before saying goodbye.

“I can’t believe it!” Cheryl’s at your side, clutching onto your arm, her excitement resembling that of a small puppy’s. “He was totally in to you!”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” You correct her with another eye roll, but there’s a part of you that wants it to be true.

“No what’s ridiculous-“ Veronica smirks, deepening her voice and mimicking his words from moments ago. “Is that you haven’t chased after him for his phone number.”

“Oh look.” Betty claps, still a little drunk as she points at the kitchen table. “I guess he forgot his helmet, now you have to go after him.”

You bit your lip in anticipation, pondering the thought. “You really think I should?”

“Go!” The three of them shout at you in unison and you grab the helmet, racing out of the apartment before you can change your mind. You barely make it a few steps before you’re crashing into something.

“I’m so sorry-“ He grabs onto your elbow to stop you stumbling backwards but all you can think about is the heat from his touch. “It’s you.”

“Hi.” You feel the blush raise in your cheeks and you look down hoping he won’t notice. “You uh, forgot your helmet.”

“I was just on my way to get it.” He gives you an easy smile before handing you a piece of paper. “And to actually give you this.”

You laugh in surprise, your eyes meeting his dark ones. “A phone number?”

“My phone number, incase anymore bonfires go wrong.” The jokes stupid but it has you grinning at him. “Or if you maybe wanted to go on a date sometime.”

“I’ll definitely consider it.” You thread the paper through your fingertips, not missing the way he smiles down at you. Or the way it makes your heart rate accelerate a little. “I just realised I don’t even know your name, I’m Y/N.”

“Sweet Pea.” He introduces himself properly, holding his hand out for you to shake.

“I guess I’ll call you then, Sweet Pea.” You take it, enjoying the way his name rolls off your tongue.

“I’ll be waiting by the phone.” Usually you’d find his line cheesy but there’s something about the way it falls from his lips as he turns with one last look. “Cute PJ’s by the way.”

Your eyes fall to your chest and find the eyes of a bunny rabbit staring back at you.

And finally let the embarrassment from the evening consume you. But you don’t care about it as much as you thought you would as you tap his number into your phone.

Riverdale Winter Bingo Masterlist

Forever Taglist: @p-marie-sp

Sweet Pea Taglist: @80sand90simagine @wildberryyyy @hopelesslylosttheway