#sweetpea fanfction

[snarkwrites]

10 | gangsta ; sweetpea

Notes:

SO.. I uhh... Got super into writing this recently. I just really liked where it was heading after part 7. Yes. Yes, I realize that literally no one asked for more of this but.. I wrote it. Might as well share it.

I warn in advance. There as a graphic and detailed fight in this chapter. Also. There is a LOT going on in this chapter. A LOT. I mean it and I cannot stress this enough. There is a LOT to process here. I basically took two or three episodes and mashed them together.

This is the third of four parts I have already written and waiting to go. I know, I know.. Literally no one asked for this. But you’re getting it anyway.

Warnings:

loosely canon compliant - this is the biggest warning, so if you’re into things that follow exact canon plot you are… definitely not going to like this. angst & slow burn, heavy sexual tensionstarting now, actually - this is just so everyone who started reading this thinking the smut would transpire in a hurry knows that apparently, it is not. violence / swearing & fighting, possible underage drinking and other shenanigans- look.. it’s high school. shit happens. also apparently, my ofc Alyssa uses the word fuck like all the time?…eventual sexual content / a virgin original character- this one is self explanatory. yes, i plan to write a smutty chapter in this at some point. when? i don’t rightly know. it’s got a while before we get there. revenge porn / grooming behaviors + an older boyfriend that Alyssa had in Chicago and moved to Riverdale to get away from are hinted at here. And this chapter might not be the only one in which we hear about Dave Novak. - I put this here so it doesn’t trigger anybody. I tried to be very very very vague when I wrote out things.. But if you can’t handle it, I understand. This is not going to be a huge part of the fic, no worries. It will have a small arc, but then it’ll be resolved.

Pairing:

Andrews!Sibling OFC, Alyssa x Sweet Pea

Other Parts:

[ one - two - three - four - five - six - seven - eight - nine -   soundtrack ]

Other Stuff:

[ faq - tag list doc ]

Tagging:

@brithedemonspawn​ is the only person on my Riverdale tag list. If you’d like to be tagged for this story by all means.. Please let me know. Please, I beg. It’d make me super duper happy!!!

                                                      TEN.

Toni was awake already. Jabbing at me tentatively. “Okay sleeping beauty. Don’t make me go downstairs and fetch the Prince Charming you moaned for half the night last night.” she teased. Laughing when I went bright red in the face and apologized profusely. “That must have been some dream.” she teased again.

I stuck out my tongue at her, grumbling. “Oh. It was. But it was a dream.”

“Doesn’t have to just be a dream. I went for it with Cheryl. What’s stopping you? Hm?”

“First of all, I am pretty sure he only tolerates me because of you and Fangs. Secondly.. Even if I did think he felt anything…” I took a deep breath. “ I don’t even know how to begin to tell him.”

“Well, I mean.. You open your mouth and words come out.”

“Smartass.” I teased, smiling at her.

“You love me though.” she teased back.

We made our way down into the kitchen just in time to snag what was left of breakfast. What shocked me was that one, my brother was actually sitting at the table and eating with my father and I, his actual family and two, he and the Serpents hadn’t somehow managed to unalive each other during the night.

He even seemed to be talking to a few of them.

My dad caught sight of my face and I tensed a little. He grimaced and walked over, surveying the damage. “What happened, tiny?”

“Fucking Amanda Geller.”

“Language, tiny.”

“Okay, the diseased blight of the earth named Amanda Geller.” I chose a different wording, making my dad laugh and shake his head.

“You shoulda seen it, Mr. Andrews. It went viral.” one of the Serpents spoke up, holding out his phone so my father could see the fight. 

I groaned and dropped my head to my arms, lightly beating it against them, swearing to myself quietly. “I knew someone would record the fight. Well.. this is just great.” I took a few deep breaths and continued with my explanation. “All I have to say for myself dad, is I got sick of taking her crap. So when she stole my clothes and hid them all over the hallway, I walked out to get them. She was all in the door when I threw it open to go back inside in a hurry before I got caught. The door hit her nose, she started to scream like the harpy she is and it all went downhill from there.” I reached for a piece of toast and the butter knife to butter the bread a little more.

My dad rubbed his chin. “I think I need to go down and have a chat with Weatherbee. I should’ve done this weeks ago, actually. When this started. Let me know if she posts a video. I mean it, Al. That’s a serious offense. Don’t try to go and handle it yourself. Let me handle it, tiny.”

FP chuckled. “Fred, you know your daughter’s every bit her father’s kid. Meaning, she’s a hothead. It’s going in one ear and out the other.”

“Again, Forsythe. Don’t encourage her, man.” my dad teased FP, gazing at me firmly. Waiting on me to nod and agree. I did, but I also added quietly, “Dad. It’s over and done with. And if it isn’t, I was the one who chose to fight her. If anything comes of it, kind of time for me to quietly take my lumps.”

“This is the same Mandy Geller who had you upset the first week back at school here, right Because I think I know her parents. Maybe I need to talk to them about their daughter’s crap too?” my dad asked. I nodded. Quickly shaking my head when he mentioned involving her parents. It wouldn’t do any good. If Mandy was a bitch, her mother was the queen mother of bitches. 

He shook his head. “Honestly, while I’m not in agreement with  fighting… I can’t say I blame you. And I told your mom that everybody has a breaking point and that if Archie’s allowed to reach his and explode, it’s only fair that you get the same slack when you finally hit yours.”

He hit play on the fight again, chuckling as he watched it. “ You are lucky you didn’t break your thumb, tiny. If you’re ever in a situation to punch again, don’t tuck your thumb. Fastest way to get it broken.”

FP spoke up, chuckling from nearby. “Your dad knows that way too well, little red. Broke his thumbs three damn times before we finally got it in his head that you don’t tuck it.” 

“Forsythe, don’t encourage her, man. Mary would have a fit.” my dad shot FP a look.

“Oh, she already did when I talked to her on video call last night and she saw it.” I admitted quietly, shaking my head. I hated fighting with my mother, but sometimes it felt like my mother went looking for reasons to lecture and nag at me. Like she held me to this god tier standard that she didn’t hold Archie to and sometimes, that really bugged me.

“Sounds about right.” my dad muttered, shaking his head. “How is she?”

“Well, she said she’s got another big case coming up. Then she lectured me like usual. About the fight and about not making waves. Because of everything going on here. I guess she just doesn’t want me overloading you guys.” I laughed, shaking my head. My dad nodded. Telling me that she was just worried about me and that we butted heads because I was a lot like her at my age.

I snorted, shaking my head in disbelief. “Not likely.”

“Sweetie, your mom used to sneak out of the bathroom of Riverdale High to ditch with FP and I. She could drink me under the table sometimes. And if somebody so much as looked at her wrong, she was not hesitant to call them out on it..She was a lot like you are now. I know she seems so straight laced now, but she wasn’t always.”

Something in my dad’s tone made me think that maybe Mom turning uptight had a lot to do with the reason their relationship got so strained. I kept quiet though. Nodding. Taking in what he said.

After I gathered up the plates on the table and put them in the sink, grabbing a wash cloth, Sweet Pea wandered over. Grabbing a cloth that sat nearby, running it under the water. I glanced at him, my eyes naturally settling on his lips straight away. He reached out, grabbing the bottle of Dawn from the edge of the sink, putting some on the rag.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“I wanna.” he shrugged it off. We finished off washing the dishes together quietly.

Then Toni, Sweet Pea and I set off for school. And as we walked along, I felt his hand brush up against mine again. Wordlessly, I gave his hand a squeeze.

None of us were talking because all three of us had a lot on our mind at the moment.

A time or two, I felt Sweet Pea squeeze my hand. Just as we went to step into the hall at school he muttered quietly, “It’s gonna be okay, Cherry. Stop overthinking. I can smell the burning.”

I gave him a pout as I met his gaze. Managing a nod.

Toni and I were looking all over for Cheryl. Not a sign of her.

“Maybe she’s with Nana.” Toni took a few deep breaths.

“If she’s not here by lunch, we’ll go to the hospital.” I assured Toni. She nodded, hugging herself a little. “It just bothers me because she wanted to meet us both in the middle of the forest to tell us something. Then she disappears before she gets the chance.”

“I know what you mean. And it doesn’t help that her mother is.. The way she is.” I responded quietly. Trying to come up with something, somewhere else she could be. The treehouse we attempted to build in the forest was torn down years ago, so that ruled that out by default. I shook my head. 

XXX

“Your girl’s got herself one hell of a body, Serpent. If I’d known that was hiding under those cardigans and little dresses, man.. Whew.” Chuck smirked at Sweet Pea, waiting on a reaction.

Sweet Pea took a long and deep breath. Opening and closing his fist.

“She’s not my girl. But about the next time you say some stupid shit like that, you’re going to be looking up at me from the floor, dog.” Sweet Pea leaned across the aisle, grabbing Chuck’s collar and pulling him in real close. Sneering at him. Daring Chuck to push just a little further.

He was already in a mood. Between Fangs being held at the station for no reason other than public rumor, being run out of the only place he knew as home and then seeing Alyssa so upset earlier, Sweet Pea was essentially just waiting for further provocation.

Chuck seemed happy to oblige. “I might just have to bump her up higher on my to do list. Since she’s not your girl.”

“Yeah, how about no the fuck you’re not. Forget I said she wasn’t my girl. As far as you and your mangy friends are concerned? She’s my girl.”

“Well, which is it, Serpent? And what are you gonna do to stop me, hm?”

Sweet Pea stood abruptly, sending the chair scraping noisily against tiled floor as it slid in his haste to stand. He reached across the aisle, grabbing Chuck’s head, putting him in a full nelson. Really making sure he locked it in.

“Consider this your only warning, you mangy fucking mutt.” Sweet Pea muttered calmly and quietly before carelessly letting go and letting Chuck spill into the floor.

From the front of the classroom, Archie turned, fixing his eyes on Sweet Pea. And after a few minutes, he wandered back, taking the seat in front of him. Speaking up quietly.

“Did he say something about my sister. Yes or no.”

“Depends on what the fuck is going to be done about it, Andrews.” Sweet Pea answered, taking a few deep breaths to calm himself down. Trying to remember that right now, there was sort of a shaky alliance with at least Archie Andrews. And deeper down, remembering Jughead’s advice about the situation with his growing feelings towards Alyssa the night before after everyone else had gone to sleep and the two of them sat out back of the Andrew’s house talking about it.

If he wanted Alyssa, he had to understand that she was nothing if not close to at least two members of her family. He needed to really prove to both the male members of the Andrews family that he wasn’t out to hurt her or just looking for a good time. That he could be trusted.

“Oh. Trust me. If you say he said something, Chuck’s going to wish he’d never even fucking looked at her when we get to wrestling practice this afternoon.” Archie assured Sweet Pea, pausing to continue, “It’s better if I do something, man. We both know that Weatherbee will take one look at you and expel you for nothing other than daring to be a Serpent and not willing to change. I can take a detention, a few late practices where I’m pushed to the brink and it’ll be dropped.”

Archie did make a good point.

And Jughead’s point the night before came back to him too. After debating a second or two, Sweet Pea filled Archie in on the entire confrontation the afternoon before between Alyssa and Mandy. Then he told Archie what Chuck had just said in the hopes of starting a fight.

Archie growled quietly. Turning to meet Sweet Pea’s gaze. “ You want to prove you’re not a threat to my sister? Keep an eye on her.”

Sweet Pea nodded. “Yeah. I can do that.”

Archie managed a smile, nodding. “Leave Chuck to me. I’ll get him when we have wrestling practice. Want me to get in a hit or two for you?”

“Fuck yeah.” Sweet Pea answered with no hesitation.

As class started, Sweet Pea found himself dwelling on Chuck’s assumption that Alyssa was his girl. Wondering if everyone else thought the same. Trying to figure out exactly how he felt about it and wondering if he needed to nip it in the bud for Alyssa’s sake. Wondering how she’d feel about having the assumption thrown at her.

He didn’t have to wait long to find out, because as he wandered the hallway looking for Alyssa and Toni during free period, he turned a corner and found her in a quiet heated discussion with Reggie Mantle, who was going overboard lately with the gifts and gestures to try and win her back.

XXX

“You act like it’s hard to break up with the guy, princess. All you have to do is just stop talking to him. Stop hanging out with them all the time. C’mon. Did you not see just how serious the trouble they can bring you was when the police raided the South Side last night and arrested half of ‘em?” Reggie leaned against a locker, gazing down at me.

I rolled my eyes. Worried about everyone’s assumption that Sweet Pea and I were a thing as of late. Worried that people saying this stupid shit was going to make him like me even less and make those few little friendly moments we’ve managed to have lately vanish.

And that was the last thing I wanted.

But I wasn’t so worried about people assuming Sweet Pea and I were together that I immediately shot down the assumption as Reggie made it.

Instead, I folded my arms over my chest. Gazed up at him, annoyed. “Are you still trying to win the bet? Is that what this is, Reg? That has to be all you want with me.” I mused. Reggie instantly shook his head, trying to reassure me that anything physical had nothing to do with it. Reminding me that he loved me and losing me was killing him. I laughed at that one.

“You don’t even know my favorite color. You don’t know anything about who I actually am, Reggie. You’ve based all of these feelings on the me you knew in fourth grade. I’m not the same girl. Not by a stretch.”

Reggie grumbled. Grabbed hold of my hip. “I know this, princess. And your favorite color is pink, by the way.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “It’s actually black, meatball.”

“But you always wore pink stuff…”

“Have I since we broke up and I didn’t have to pretend to be some quiet little priss though?” I questioned, waiting on Reggie to really stop and think. Realize that he was looking at me through blinders.

“Sweet Pea is not the kind of guy you date unless you want to piss off your family.” Reggie ground out the words, his jaw clenching. I could tell the entire situation was totally lost on him. Before I could stop myself, or stop to think that maybe Sweet Pea didn’t want the entire student body thinking he was bored or desperate enough to date me to begin with, my temper got the best of me and I blurted out, “ There you go, saying stupid crap without stopping to really think. How do you know I didn’t choose you strictly to piss off my family though? How do you really know I’m not choosing Sweet Pea because I actually care about him? I mean... think about it, Reggie.” flashing a smirk as I said it.

Petty and childish? Yes. Did I care much beyond hurting him like he hurt me weeks ago when he made the bet in the first place? Or every single time he’d casually speak over me or try to subtly suggest I do something differently to please him? No. No, I did not.

“Your dad liked me though.” was all Reggie could offer up as rebuttal.

I laughed, rolling my eyes. “You don’t take hints very well, do ya meatball?” I opened my locker, digging through it for the books I’d need after free period ended. Reggie sighed. “ You’re the first girl I actually loved. Forgive me if I’m not willing to stand back and watch you throw it all away on some fucking prick in a gang.”

This irritated me. Way more than it normally would’ve. I think it was just because of whom he was referring to and my growing feelings as of late. I slammed my locker door and whirled around, stepping closer to Reggie.

“But Reggie.. If I actually want Sweet Pea, then it’s not throwing myself away, now is it? Aw.. I know what this is. You’re afraid I’d let him punch my V card before you. Newsflash, Reggie.. If I were going to give it up.. I’d choose him one hell of a lot quicker than you.”

Reggie looked so hurt. And deep down I felt terrible for all the things I’ve said whenever Reggie Mantle forces me into a corner with this shit. I really do regret every single thing I’ve said. I hate hurting him, but he won’t just let me go. He has to keep fighting. Insisting that he loves me. Insisting that he knows me so well when I’m not stupid. I know he doesn’t really love me, more or less, he loves the idea of me. And he doesn’t know the person I am now at all. He only knows the quiet and sweet little girl I used to be back then.

He doesn’t want to know the real me. Every time I tried to open up to him and show him bits of myself, he’d quickly try and stamp it out under the guise of concern and care.

I did my best to keep a straight face. To pretend as if I didn’t feel the least bit of remorse saying everything I’ve been saying to him since we broke up.

After a few seconds of tension filled silence, I sighed and shook my head. Looking up at Reggie.

“You have to leave me alone, Reggie. I don’t love you like that. I thought I did but I.. I don’t, okay? This is over. The more you try to fight for it, the further you push me away. Move on already. Find any of the other girls here that are dying to date you. Just leave me alone.”

“I don’t want anybody else. I want you.” Reggie said it frantically, putting his hand on my upper arms. Gazing down at me. Biting his lip.

 And it killed me. It really killed me. 

Because I’ve had enough time by now to realize that I don’t feel the same way about Reggie that he insists he feels about me. Something in me snapped and I raised a hand, placing it palm down against his chest to keep him at bay when he tried to step closer. Shaking my head and gazing up at him as I told him firmly. Quietly. “And I don’t want you. This has to stop.”

“You’d really choose that Serpent… over me.” Reggie looked so hurt. He tried to hide it, but I could see it in his eyes. He shook his head sadly.

“I already did if you want me to be honest...” I admitted, going quiet. Feeling like a weight had been lifted at me even admitting the way I felt about Sweet Pea to anyone.

Nevermind that I was admitting it to Reggie, in the hopes of forcing him to finally leave me alone.

It hit me hard. I meant every single word of it.

Somehow, knowing that didn’t have me up in arms. I felt calmer. More relaxed.

“Whatever. When you get hurt, princess… all you have to do is come back to me.”

“Reggie, you have to let go.” I grumbled, gritting my teeth. Shaking my head at him being as stubborn as he was being about this whole thing.

Rather than argue, I sighed. Shrugging.

“We’ll see.” I side stepped Reggie and made my way down the hallway and into the student’s break room.

XXX

Sweet Pea stood there, shocked for a second. Everything she’d just told Reggie played over and over again in his mind. It froze him in place and he stood there in a daze. Just letting himself even begin to attempt processing what she told Reggie with no actual hesitation on her part.

 Suddenly, he found himself thinking back. Going over every single interaction that he had with her since they’d been thrown together in Biology. Before that, even. When he’d taken his motorcycle through the car wash fundraiser that the Vixens held one weekend right after she moved to town. The way he’d just kind of.. Seen her and singled her out. Behaving like a jackass because at the time, he’d written her off already. Nevermind that he didn’t know her at all. He’d kind of hung around the car wash that day, giving her hell. Getting a little more curious whenever he’d say something and she’d argue right back. He chuckled quietly when he remembered the part where she’d finally had enough and she’d taken her entire bucket of soap and upended it on his white tee shirt and then she’d doused him with the hose on full blast.

He listened closer. Alyssa only continued to confirm her feelings. His fists clenched every single time Reggie had the audacity to insist that she was making the wrong decision. Every part of him wanted to step out and reveal himself, but curiosity kept him hidden. Listening. Rooted where he stood until he knew the conversation between Alyssa and Sweet Pea was reaching an end because he could tell by the tone in Alyssa’s voice that her patience was reaching it’s last thin strand.

He finally had the sense  to rush away down the hall when he heard her walking away. Flopping over the back of the couch in the student break room and settling across it. Staring at the ceiling as he replayed her entire argument with Reggie Mantle. Everything she’d admitted that she felt for him in the process.

Having a verbal confirmation that he was wrong and Alyssa Andrews did have feelings for him completely threw him for a loop. He’d been content to just keep going like they were. Keeping his own growing feelings deeply hidden. To just keep being her friend because it was so much easier than making a move and ruining a friendship.

But now that he knew how she felt… Everything in him wanted to fight. To start attempting to make his own feelings for her known.

He chuckled to himself and made a mental note to tell Fangs later that he’d been right. And he had no doubt in his mind that Fangs was never going to let him forget that, not for a single second.

The door to the break room flew open and Alyssa wandered in, flopping against the couch dramatically. Her head leaning against his thigh. Making him catch his breath a little at the rush it sent racing through his body.

Everything felt amplified right now. From the smallest brush of soft red hair against his arm, to the way her perfume smelled.. The way she looked up at him with a raised brow and slowly licked her lips before asking him what he was giving her that goofy look for.

God, he thought to himself, if we were anywhere but school grounds right now… He quickly pushed the thought out, shrugging. Staying quiet, because he was half afraid if he opened his mouth right now, everything he wanted and needed to say was going to spill out. Messy. Unplanned.

Not how he wanted to go about doing it when he finally figured out how at all.

No, when he finally told her.. He was going to do it in a way that she had absolutely no doubt in her mind that he meant every single word he said.

She nestled her head completely on his thigh and if he thought the jolt at her doing so before was something, this time it was downright electric. Putting him on pins and needles instantly.

“Toni, have you heard anything?” she asked Toni.

Toni shook her head no. Veronica spoke up. “According to someone in the office, her mother came in and told Mr. Weatherbee that due to a family emergency, she was being taken out of school for a while?”

Alyssa shot up off the couch and Toni swore, standing to drag her hands through her hair.

Veronica cleared her throat. Looking from Alyssa to Toni. “Oh no. No you don’t, either of you, whatever you’re thinking.. If you go storming over there right now, guns blazing, it’s only going to make things worse.”

“What the hell do we do then? I’m not letting my girlfriend be locked away like some shit straight out of V.C Andrews, Lodge.” Toni said it calmly, but Sweet Pea knew she was panicking. And he had a second to think. If someone had done that to Alyssa, he’d be storming the place himself.

He took a deep breath. Grabbing hold of Alyssa’s hand. “I know you would literally fist fight God because she’s your best friend. Maybe Lodge is right.” his face went sour as the words left his mouth and Veronica mouthed thank you at him. Sweet Pea got Alyssa sitting down again. “I will physically restrain you, cherry, don’t test me.”

This time when he saw her blushing just slightly as they locked eyes, he knew he wasn’t imagining it. 

Veronica cleared her throat, pointing out the obvious flaws in what Toni and Alyssa had been seconds away from doing in going to Thornhill and confronting Penelope Blossom. She emphasized that maybe it would be easier if they went when they knew Penelope was away from the house. Maybe if they talked to the staff left on premises or to Nana Rose even..

“I doubt we’d get anything out of her.”  Toni butted in, reminding Veronica that the woman was starting to go senile. Veronica spoke up. “It’s worth a try. I say the three of us go over this afternoon. Under the guise of delivering her assignments. One of the girls on the welcome committee normally does that. I can talk to her and talk her into letting me do it instead. And you two can go with me. If I can get it out of her Nana where she’s been taken, then we’ll regroup  somewhere and plan accordingly.”

“I still say we just go straight to the source. We know Penelope’s behind this.”I pointed out. Too angry to really stop and think about things clearly. All I wanted was to go and storm the place.

“And that’s why we need to proceed with caution. Because whatever we do will come back on Cheryl. We don’t want that. She’s our friend.”

“And my girlfriend.” Toni spoke up quietly. Mulling over Veronica’s carefully thought out proposal.

Sweet Pea eyed Alyssa. “You know she’s playing the smarter game here, Cherry.” 

Alyssa grumbled but ultimately nodded. “Fine. Fine. Okay, we’ll try to figure out where Penelope’s taken her first.”

And Sweet Pea relaxed a little, not even realizing just how much he’d tensed up just then. 

Alyssa settled back against his leg, digging around until she found some romance novel in her messenger bag, opening it to where she’d left off reading.

Sweet Pea feigned interest in his cell phone. Not bothering to move himself because he didn’t want her thinking he didn’t want her close. Toni glanced at the two just when Sweet Pea’s fingers tangled in Alyssa’s thick red hair as he gazed down at his phone intently.

“Hey, you two. Look up and say Snakes.” Toni called out to Sweet Pea and Alyssa. Sweet Pea glanced up, giving her a dirty look almost as soon as he saw her phone raised. Shaking his head. Alyssa rose up a little, leaning against him dramatically, holding up her middle finger against the side of her face visible to the camera as she locked eyes with him, laughing quietly. “It’s just a picture, Sweet Pea.”

“I realize this, Cherry. But I want to be an asshole, so…”

She pouted at him, laughing quietly.

He let an arm settle around the back of the couch and across her shoulder indirectly. Pulling her closer as subtly as he could get away with. She gazed up at him a second or two, swallowing hard and Sweet Pea bit his lip, smirking right back at her.

From across the room, a throat cleared.

Jughead leaned in the doorway. “They’re letting Fangs out.”

Sweet Pea went to stand. Alyssa smiled. Digging around in her messenger bag for a pen. Taking hold of his hand. He raised a brow watching as she wrote a phone number across his palm in black ink.

She kept hold of his hand and muttered softly, “If they try anything.. Call that number. Ask for Mary Andrews. Tell her everything you find out and let her talk to Fangs. Don’t let them toss him a shitty public defender if they have anything they think they can take to court, okay? Please.” before smiling, nodding towards the door. “You need to get going. You guys are gonna have to sneak him out, I’m pretty sure of it. A bunch of people were all stirred up when that news report came on tv last night about him being a suspect in Midge’s death.” 

Sweet Pea nodded. He took a step towards the door, but he stopped to look back. “If anything feels weird when you guys go to check up on Cheryl, cherry.. Don’t push. Just leave and go find someone.”

He knew she crossed her fingers behind her back and he grumbled to himself, shaking his head. “I mean it.”

“Okay, alright, shit. Go. Go get our idiot out of there.” 

Sweet Pea nodded and stepped out into the hallway with Jughead. “If the tension gets any thicker, Pea, you’re both gonna explode.”

“If only you knew, Jug. If only you knew.”

Jughead eyed him and as they walked towards the police station, noting the crowd gathered out front angrily, they ducked behind the building to meet up with Fangs instead. As they stood there waiting on their friend’s release from jail, Sweet Pea found himself telling Jughead every single thing he’d overheard in the hallway.

Jughead chuckled quietly. Nodding.

“So.. please tell me you’re going for it.” Jughead glanced at him. Sweet Pea took a few shaky breaths and nodded. “Subtly though. She made it really clear to Reggie that she’s trying to get her head on right.”

“Yeah, given what Archie told me about Chicago, I don’t really blame her.”

“What happened?” Sweet Pea asked. He halfway didn’t expect Jughead to trust him enough to tell him. To his surprise, Jughead told him everything he knew… From the fighting Alyssa kept getting in trouble with. Sneaking out to frat parties, getting brought back to her mom’s place in cop cars at 3 am. And then he took a deep breath and told him quietly, “This part stays between us though. And it’s the biggest reason Archie’s twice as protective of her as he is right now. She got mixed up with this older guy, an asshole named Dave Novak. Guy was trying to pressure her into.. Stuff. You know what I mean.” Jughead stopped talking and glanced at Sweet Pea and Sweet Pea nodded. His jaw setting firm because he got the feeling that he was not going to like anything Jughead told him.

And as Jughead got into the whole thing, from the pictures sent because Dave pressured her into doing it, to the way Dave basically started trying to isolate her and put distance between herself and her mother.. To her finally having enough and breaking things off. Telling her mother what happened when Dave wouldn’t take a hint and leave her alone and he kept showing up. Leaving her harassing calls. Uploading the pictures he’d pressured her into sending him of herself to some revenge porn website.

Sweet Pea’s fist clenched and he took a deep breath. “Fuck.”

“Yeah. When all this Black Hood shit started, Archie’s first thought was Novak. But he found out Novak got arrested for pulling similar shit that he’d pulled on Alyssa with a way younger girl and he’s in prison.”

“He better fucking stay there.” Sweet Pea muttered quietly.

“Oh, trust me. If he gets out and he’s dumb enough to show here? You’re gonna have to fall in line. Behind Archie’s dad and Archie. Because Archie went with Fred to pick her up from Chicago and she told them everything on the way back because she was pretty scared. It took everything in them both not to go back and find the guy themselves.” Jughead informed, shaking his head. “She’s always kinda been a handful though.”

“Yeah. I kind of got that idea when Archie was talking about some of the stuff she used to do when they were kids last night. When he was trying to embarrass her but he only made her spray him with the sink hose instead?” Sweet Pea chuckled. Going serious. Staring at the number scrawled across his palm in black ink.

He wasn’t used to anyone giving a shit.

In all of this, adjusting to the fact that she did in fact, give a shit, was probably the biggest thing he was having to adjust to. Because he just wasn’t used to it at all.

Fangs finally made his way out of the station and as soon as they spotted him, the two made their way over, trying to get Fangs out of there as quickly as possible.

Just as they shoved through the crowd, Reggie and some of the other Bulldogs stepped forward, attempting to block their path. As Sweet Pea, Fangs and Jughead as well as some of the other Serpents who’d shown up were trying to fight their way through that situation, a shot rang out.

Fangs hit the ground and Sweet Pea and Jughead dropped beside him. Trying to stop the blood as it flowed from their friends body.

The Bulldogs scattered, as did the rest of the Serpents.When someone finally came to help them, they were rushing Fangs to the hospital. And in the hours following, all Sweet Pea could do was sit there and wait.

Quiet. Angry. With absolutely no way to keep himself calm.

XXX

Veronica came rushing back towards where Toni and I were hidden in the flower bushes that surrounded Thornhill, blocking a clear view of the place. Veronica cleared her throat. “Nana Rose is more clear headed than we thought, ladies. She’s clear-headed enough that she saw you two hiding in the bushes and she wants you to come in too.”

Toni and I shared a look. Wary.

“Penelope’s not in there, right?”

“Nope. That meeting she had with my father will take a few hours at least. Which is perfect, because it gives us time to find Cheryl and get her somewhere safe.” Veronica reassured us.

Toni and I walked in behind Veronica. My eyes darted around as I stood in the entryway of the grand lodge. I’d only been here twice as a kid. Both times Cheryl snuck me in right under her mother’s nose.

The place always felt more like a well kept tomb than a home to me and I always remember feeling horrible about having to sneak back home, knowing I had to leave my best friend behind in such a place.

If not for Jason, I would have felt so much worse. But Jason was gone now, Cheryl no longer had someone with her day in and day out to protect her from her cold hearted shrew of a mother.

Toni nudged me and I realized that Nana Rose was speaking to me. Offering a fond smile. “I remember you. You’re the little one Cheryl used to sneak in to play. Sit.” she told the three of us, nodding towards a deep red velvet covered chaise lounge opposite her wheel chair.

After a few minutes, the old woman sighed, shook her head sadly. “Penelope’s taken her from me. Took her off to that Sisters of Quiet Mercy. Because she refuses to have her daughter’s behavior in this house.”

“And yet..” I started but Toni quickly covered my mouth. Nana Rose gazed at me, nodding.

Veronica spoke up quietly. “Do you happen to know what happened to you?” she asked the question in concern.

“Of course. That hell spawn I call a daughter in law tried to kill me. Cheryl found out what she was up to.. Found me.” Nana Rose was starting to get that vacant look in her eyes and the three of us stood. Checking to make sure the woman was comfortable and that she had everything she wanted or needed in her reach before we made a hasty retreat out of the manor.

Once we were outside, Toni and I both exploded, talking over each other. Thinking up clever ways we’d love to get even with Penelope Blossom if we knew we could get away with it. Veronica cleared her throat, bringing us both to a hush a few seconds later.

“We have to break her out. You guys realize that the Sisters perform extensive conversion therapy, right?”

We shared a look and swallowed hard. “Like a conversion camp? To scare the gay away? What the fuck.” Toni dragged her hand through her hair as she stood there, trying to process. Freaking out even more because now we knew where our friend was. 

“We can try to break in and get her tonight. Pretty sure whatever meeting my father’s having with Penelope won’t be over for a while. I can get Archie to stall if we need.”

“One day all bets are gonna be off and I’m going to crush that woman’s vocal cords with my thighs.” I grumbled quietly as we hurried back towards town. To Pops so we could sit and think. Maybe come up with some sort of plan.

“Get in line behind me, cherry. Get in line behind me.” Toni muttered, hugging herself as she shook her head. 

XXX

The  doctors came out, solemn and quiet. With FP glancing at both Sweet Pea and Jughead.

“Fangs didn’t make it.”

Sweet Pea felt his stomach churning. He stood in a hurry. Still angry from earlier. Convinced that one of the Bulldogs had been the one to fire the shot. Jughead only barely managed to stop Sweet Pea just shy of destroying the waiting room completely.

“We’re gonna meet down by the quarry. Have a little memorial. Then we’re all going to focus on finding out who the fuck did this to our boy. Do you read me, kid?” FP grabbed hold of Sweet Pea, giving him a firm gaze.

“We know who did it. One of those fucking bulldogs.”

“Sweet Pea..”

“Shut it, Jug. The only one who’s halfway decent is Andrews and that’s questionable right now.” Sweet Pea ground out the words angrily.

“You need to get a fucking grip, kid.” FP commanded. Knowing it wouldn’t do him a lot of good. Feeling bad because he was having to lie to his son and one of the most loyal members of the gang but reminding himself that it was for Fangs own good. The quicker he got the kid out of town until the heat was off, the better.

“I need to go find whoever the fuck shot him and get even.” Sweet Pea answered calmly before storming off.

“Get going, Jug. Go after him and make sure he doesn’t do something stupid, son. I mean it. Now.” FP ordered his son. Jughead eyed him, a brow raised.

“I said go, son.” FP repeated firmly. Nodding to the door. Jughead raced out, stopping Sweet Pea in the parking lot. Getting him at least  a little reigned in.

“I know you don’t like me. But trust me right now, okay? The Bulldogs were not the one to fire that shot today. It doesn’t make sense. We’d have seen them.”

“Mantle had something in his jacket.”

“I doubt it was a gun. Let me dig around before you go off on a wild hair, Pea.”

“We don’t have time for you to play detective.”

“We’re going to make sure we get the right person and make them pay. I want them to pay just as much as you do.” 

Sweet Pea eyed him and then grumbled. “Fine. If you don’t find who did this by the end of the week, I’m getting some guys together and we’re doing this my way. We clear, Jones?”

“Crystal, Sweet Pea.” Jughead took a deep breath. Hoping he could pull off a miracle in just a few days.

XXX

Veronica gave Toni and I the thumbs up and we slipped in through the back way. Grabbing some nurses uniforms and quickly putting them on. We hurried through the halls, about halfway down the first one when Veronica slipped in and caught up to us.

“The wing she’s listed as is down the left hall. Not this one.” Veronica nodded and Toni and I walked down the hallway quickly. Once we found the door with Cheryl’s name on it, we peered up and down the hall to make sure it was all clear.

Nobody was around. Toni burst into the room. Going straight for Cheryl. Fussing over her, the two of them crying as Toni helped her out of bed. “God bless your Nana Rose.” I muttered as I made my way over after giving them time to reunite. Pulling her into a hug. “You scared the living hell out of me.”

“I didn’t even know what my mother was up to until she got me here.” Cheryl hugged me back. Veronica peeked in, nodding at us to hurry. “Run. Now. I’m going out to bring the car around.”

She took off to bring around the car she’d borrowed and the three of us hurried down the hall just as one of the night guards glanced up. Before he could say anything, we were at the end of the hallway.

And then one of the nuns stepped out.

We turned, bolting back the other way. Making a break for the other exit in the building, but then Toni spotted a door leading down to the basement open. She grabbed Cheryl and pulled her in and I leaned in. Hissing quietly, “You guys go down this. Follow it to the end. I’ll meet you outside.”

I hurried through the exit at the end of the hall, ditching the nurses uniform and hat as I went. Skidding to a stop in front of a tunnel. Veronica ran over, and between the two of us, we figured out how to get the padlock undone.

By the time we heard Toni and Cheryl’s footsteps in the tunnel, we had the door open and we were hissing at them to speed it up because we could hear the night guards outside shouting back and forth, looking for the escaped patient.

We tumbled into Veronica’s borrowed car out of breath and shocked we’d actually pulled it off.

And then, Toni checked her phone.

“We need to go to the hospital.”

I eyed her.

“Fangs. When the guys went to get him from the station, somebody fired a shot. It.. It hit Fangs.”

Veronica dropped us off at the door of the hospital and the three of us hurried inside just as Sweet Pea was storming out. Angry. Shouting.

And deeper down, upset. Hurting.

I could see it in his eyes.

Toni ran in with Cheryl in tow to find out what was going on and I caught up to Sweet Pea.

“Hey.. Whoa. Calm down.”

“He’s dead.”

I blinked in shock.

“No.” I shook my head. It didn’t make sense at all. “What happened?”

Sweet Pea was sitting on the sidewalk outside of the hospital by now. I sat down next to him. Trying to gauge the situation before doing anything. Eventually realizing that tonight was the time to push any feelings or anything else in my mind down and just be there for my friend. I leaned against him a little, putting an arm around him. The chill in the air crept in and I realized that I hadn’t even grabbed a jacket earlier, I’d been totally focused on the mission Toni and I had in going to break Cheryl out of the Sisters of Quiet Mercy.

“Those assholes on the football team blocked us so we couldn’t get him outta there fast enough. Started fighting. And in the middle of all that, somebody took out a gun and shot it. They hit Fangs.” Sweet Pea muttered the words quietly. As if he were in shock.

“I left earlier. Was going to go find ‘em. Jughead stopped me. I still want to though. Reggie…” he trailed off, going quiet. I tensed a little, reaching up to grab his jaw. Guiding his eyes down so that he had to look at me. “Was Reggie the one with the gun?”

My stomach churned. Because as much as I needed to know the answer, I was also afraid to hear it. It didn’t track with the kind of guy Reggie was, but these past few weeks have been a real eye opener for me about people I thought I knew.

“All I know, Cherry… He went in his pocket for somethin, right before the shot was fired.”

I fought back the way everything I ate rose up my throat. Took a few shaky breaths. “Was the place as crowded as it was last night?”

“More, actually.”

“It could’ve been any of them.” I bit my lip as I said it. Sighing. Shaking my head. “But if he was reaching into his pocket… Do the cops know you saw him reach for his pocket?”

“Do you really think they’re gonna listen to me, Cherry?” Sweet Pea held my gaze, taking shaky breaths. I swallowed hard, nodding in agreement. Because he was right. They damn sure hadn’t bothered to listen to Fangs when Fangs tried again and again to prove his innocence, hours following his arrest.

I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea or why I did it, but I moved from sitting on the sidewalk beside him to sitting in his lap. Facing him. Leaning against him. Starting to tear up myself because it wasn’t even two days ago Fangs and I had been arm wrestling at lunch. Taunting one another.  And if I wanted to sob right now, I couldn’t imagine just how bad Sweet Pea was hurting.

“They won’t listen to you. But maybe they’ll listen to me.”

“Whatever you’re thinkin, don’t.” Sweet Pea gazed at me firmly shaking his head no. I sighed, nodding. “That goes double for you, okay? I mean it, Sweet Pea. Whatever you’re thinking about doing.. Don’t do it yet.”

“I already told Jughead and FP I’d stand down. I don’t fucking want to, but Jughead thinks he can dig around. Find out who actually fired the shot.”

I nodded, leaning into him a little. “Right now you have to be super careful. Because those assholes in there are looking for literally any excuse to lock you guys up… And I don’t want that to happen, okay?” I gazed into his eyes, my hands on either side of his neck. My thumb dragging softly over the raised imprint of the double headed Serpent on the side of his neck.

He sighed again and then he leaned forward. Dipping his head down. Resting it against my chest. I didn’t say anything, but I knew when he started to silently cry. And I sat there, not moving. Letting him get it out.

Toni and Cheryl were walking out of the hospital, hugging each other. They were both crying too. When they sank down to the sidewalk beside us, nobody really said anything for at least ten minutes.

There wasn’t anything to say. We were all too shocked.

“Cheryl, we need to talk to my dad about stashing you at my place. Warn him what’s going on.” I muttered after about ten minutes. Cheryl nodded silently. Toni spoke up. “It doesn’t feel real.”

I nodded in agreement quietly. “You guys go ahead to my dads. If you go up the side of the house, my window should be open.”

Toni eyed me and I mouthed, “I’m behind you guys. Just trying to make sure the giant lug is okay.” to her as she nodded. And then they were gone, leaving me with Sweet Pea.

“You need some sleep, Pea.”

“I need to find out which one of ‘em did this, Cherry.”

“Let Jughead try first, okay?” I pleaded. Knowing in the back of my mind that most likely, my pleas held no weight with him in the situation because I wasn’t deluding myself here. I was still an outsider. He probably tolerated me for the sake of our shared friends.

And me pleading with him to take it easy, keep a low profile right now was admittedly selfish on my part because I loved him.

As selfish as it was, it didn’t stop me from trying.

“You need to get goin.” Sweet Pea muttered quietly. Gazing up at me, biting his lip. I shook my head. “ I don’t wanna leave you like this.”

He nodded and after I pulled myself to my feet, he stood up too. We started down the sidewalk and the further the hospital got from view, the heavier the tension seemed to get. I reached down and laced my fingers through his. Squeezing his hand.

He squeezed my hand back. Taking a few deep breaths.

“I’ll let Jughead try to find answers first.” he spoke up solemnly as we made our way into my dad’s house. I nodded, lingering at the bottom of the stairs. Making sure he actually settled down and tried to sleep.

After a few minutes, I went into the kitchen. Found my father sitting up, talking quietly with FP about something. Agreeing that whatever FP had done was something that needed to be done for safety.

They stopped talking when I pulled out the kitchen chair and sat down in it.

“Tiny, it’s late. What are you doing up?”

I shrugged. “Couldn’t sleep. I.. I wanted to ask you something. Can Cheryl stay here with me a few days?”

My dad nodded. “Penelope, huh?”

“Mhm.”

“Do I want to know?” he asked.

“She stuck her in Sisters of Quiet Mercy. Cheryl barely made it out of there.” I answered as I opened the fridge, digging around for a soda. Pulling the tab and taking a drink. Sinking down into a chair across the table from my father. Staring at the can of soda in front of me for a few seconds. Because between the events of the evening, I was just barely starting to process.

“She did what now?” my dad asked, gazing at me. Waiting on me to tell the whole story. I told him what we thought was the reason she’d done it, but I didn’t mention that Toni,Veronica and I had gone and gotten her out of there ourselves earlier. 

Then I spoke up again quietly after a few seconds. “Fangs was shot when he left the station. The doctor said he didn’t make it.”

“C’mere, tiny.” my dad held his arms open and I went into them, smooshing myself against him as I started to cry all over again. FP stood and cleared his throat. “I’m gonna make sure that kid Sweet Pea is actually in the livin room with the others and not out.. Trying to look for somebody to pay for it.”

“Yeah, you do that.” my dad answered, breaking the hug to glance at me. I shook my head. “It doesn’t feel real.”

“I know, tiny. I know.” he answered quietly, using a tone he always used to soothe my brother and I when we were little and we came to him upset about something. “If they have a memorial or anything and you wanna go, I’ll take you.”

“Please?”

“Yeah. You need to get upstairs and actually  get to sleep now. I’m pretty sure I know where you were earlier.”

I eyed him.

“You’re my kid. I know when you’re sneaking into and out of the house, tiny.” my dad gave me a small smile and I nodded. Letting out a deep breath as I stepped into the living room. Bumping into FP.

“He didn’t sneak out, did he?” I asked in concern.

FP gave me a knowing smirk. “Nah. He’s in the living room, talking to Archie about what happened. Any reason you’re askin, little red?”

I shrugged. Swallowed hard and managed the feeble answer, “Because he’s my friend and I was worried about him when I saw him at the hospital just now.”

“Mhm. Well, he’s here. Madder than hell. Plotting someone’s end, but he’s here. Keep an eye on him, will ya?”

“Yes sir.” I answered, hurrying up the stairs and into my room. Cheryl and Toni were sitting up talking and I shut the door behind me.

“I told dad where you were and I asked if you could stay here. He said you could definitely stay here. I did not tell him that we were behind your escape. I doubt anybody will do anything, but.. If they do, ah well.” I shrugged as I flopped onto the foot of my bed, glancing up at the two of them, propped on my elbow.

“Fuck them if they do. If they do, we’ll turn over everything we know about Penelope.”

“My mother told me that it was one of the Vixens who told her about Toni and I...” Cheryl spoke up, shaking her head. Disgusted with it. I grumbled to myself about it, glancing at her. “Yeah, it figures it’d be one of them.”

“And when I find out which one, they’re on my shit list.” Toni spoke up quietly.

Glancing over at me. “How’s Sweet Pea?” she asked a minute or two later.

“He’s still downstairs. He’s still messed up about Fangs. I’m just hoping to hell he listens to Jughead and at least tries to let Jughead find out who really shot the gun because I…” I went quiet, shaking my head.

“Yeah. I don’t want anything to happen either. But the whole thing didn’t help tensions at all. FP said earlier that he might have found a place on the outskirts for all of us to go. Some old fairground or something.”

“Yeah. I think that’s what he and my dad were whispering about just now. He knows we all snuck in, by the way.” I informed.

“We should all try to get some sleep. Doubt any of us can, but we should at least try.” Toni spoke up quietly. Cheryl and I nodded in agreement and then the three of us proceeded to do the exact opposite, sitting up all night to hold our own little private memorial for Fangs Fogarty. Talking about all the stuff we’d managed to get into, laughing through tears. Stating what we’d miss about him.

When we finally did attempt sleep, the sun was just starting to come up.

[nitaescence]

x. reminiscence | final part

genre : DDLG!au word count : 7.7 k warnings — nothing really crazy ;)

sweetpea masterlist

One month later

Jungkook woke up at the feeling of an arm circling his waist. Eyes closed, he smiled lazily and slowly rolled over in his bed. The sunray light coming through the window intensified gradually, warming up the hand he had draped over. His lips stretched even more when they got kissed and he eventually opened his eyes still heavy with sleep to gaze down at you.

The sun framed your hair in a gorgeous, warm toned halo of light and for a second he thought he was still dreaming. You smiled back, bedazzling him.

“Baby,” he slurred while sliding his hand up your back to cup your cheek. He found you ravishing in the morning, always had. He didn’t look tired anymore. “I missed you so much.”

You grabbed his hand and pressed it harder against your face and you pecked his palm, tickling the skin there.

His smile faltered when he noticed an arm snaking around your hips to pull you away from him and to get you to lie on your back, revealing a bare-chested Taehyung lying on top of you.

Powerless, Jungkook watched him sloppily making out with you while you welcomed him between your legs. Suddenly, he had the feeling the mattress was stretching and parting him away from you and Taehyung while he was unable to react.

His irritation stirred him awake.

He wasn’t in his bedroom but back in the hotel room he had been occupying for the past weeks. You weren’t lying next to him anymore and were replaced by one of the pillows. The only thing Jungkook had kept from his dream was the unpleasant feeling seeing Taehyung had roused and settled within him, making his head pound painfully when he wasn’t even fully awake yet.

He sat up on the edge of the bed and took his head in his hand. It seemed like his attempts at taking time for himself away from his friend didn’t make any good like he had hope it would. He tried to summon that vision of you as a way to help himself feel better but it wasn’t enough, that image of you, as soothing as it could be, was outweighed by the reality he had been attempting to make do with and had yet to succeed in doing so.

****************************************************

There were only a few people inside the coffeeshop, still a lot more than what Taehyung would have expected given the late hour in the morning. It took him a couple of minutes to decide on what to order. He let himself lean against the countertop while waiting and stared into space.

His eyes quickly scanned the quiet clients around. He paused and kept gazing at one of them at the other side of the room, sitting on one of the stools facing the storefront which overlooked the busy street.

The sudden call of his name snapped him out of his daze and he kindly thanked the staff member. He brought the scalding hot drink to his lips, cupping it to warm his hands reddened by the cold.

He looked back at the female stranger who had earned his interest while calmly walking towards the stools. He let two seats between him and her and sat down. He tried to take a discreet and quick peek without looking too suspicious.

She was resting her head in her palm, her hair was covering her face, right in front of her sat her cup of coffee she had barely started on; her other hand was making sure to keep her thighs covered with the skirt she was wearing to protect herself from the chilly wind the entrance door let in. He frowned at that. A plastic bag hung around her wrist, surely containing a recent purchase.

She didn’t seem like she had taken notice of Taehyung’s presence and he took the opportunity to analyze her a little bit more.

His phone rang out of the blue, making an awful sound against the wooden counter and he clumsily hurried to turn it off not to disturb the young woman.

Just as he was about to check on her, one of the clients who had decided to leave the place, walked their way and gruffly shoved her on his way out. It didn’t seem intentional but Taehyung didn’t miss the opportunity to slur an insult. He didn’t spare him a glance and favored rushing to prevent the female stranger from losing balance.  

He stood up and firmly held her arm and shoulder. She frowned, confused, brushed her hair away from her face and slowly looked up.

“You-”

Taehyung froze when he recognized you. Your brows furrowed a little more as you also took it in.

“_________...”

Your name escaped his lips in an inaudible voice. You looked away and tried to stir when your back hurt a little from your posture. He slowly let go of you but didn’t make another move, still stunned.

You let out a light giggle, running your fingers in your hair and kept your eyes down on your lap. “This- this is a little embarrassing…”

You eventually looked up worriedly when he still didn’t budge.

“You okay?”

Taehyung blinked and finally seemed to take a hold of himself. “Are you? That a-... brute almost knocked you over and…”

“Oh, no… I must have fallen asleep,” you trailed slowly and looked at the bag you were adjusting around your hand.

Taehyung was still staring at you. “I can’t believe it’s you... Can I sit ?”

“Yes, of course.” You hurried to answer back. You looked as he took the seat next to yours and offered a shy smile.

He faintly drew his brows together.

Were you... ?

Questions jostled one another in his head. “What- what are you doing here?” A sudden thought made his stomach knot. “Are… Are you with someone right now?”

The smile never left your lips as you shook your head. “I actually quit the company.”

“Really?”

“Hm-mm… It was a little complicated but I managed to find a place... where to live until I find something better.”

“Something better?”

“Yes…” You bit your lip, looking away when his gaze felt too insistent and made you feel self-conscious. “The people there, they’re… different.”

Taehyung’s frown remained after he noticed the shadows under your eyes. He pointed at your legs. “Did they do those to you?”

Your hand tightened around your skirt and goosebumps covered your bruised thighs. You denied it, unconvincing and he kept observing you grimly as you slightly curled up.

“Why did you leave?” He didn’t intend to but he almost sounded like he was scolding you.

“Because I felt out of place… It was suffocating and... because... I wanted to feel good again.”

“I- I thought they treated you right.”

“They did. They gave me a roof over my head but privileges only came when I was under contract. When you’re profitable. Honestly, when you’re not it feels like you’re caged. You don’t have clothes of your own.You can’t buy yourself anything except food.”

Taehyung listened silently.

“You know before you, I never had the chance to live the way you allowed me to. To get to spend so many days in a row outhere,” you revealed in a small voice as you looked up in front of you. “You have no idea how much it did me good. I couldn’t go back to those never-ending days, patiently waiting to finally be someone’s liking again and even then, nothing assured me I’d get out. So I decided to put, as small as it might seem like, my happiness before comfort.”

“I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

You frowned and rushed to wipe your eyes, flustered. “Oh- uhm, don’t worry about it… I’m just a little tired.”

A silence fell. He didn’t want the atmosphere to get awkward and promptly stood up from the stool.

“Let’s go out.”

You sniffled softly and looked up at him confused, still a little teary-eyed.

“Where?”

He grinned a comforting tight-lipped smile, “I’m getting hungry, aren’t you?”

You smiled back weakly, lightly nodding as you took his outstretched hand.

****************************************************

You stepped out of his car and heard him telling you he wouldn’t mind if you left your bag inside.

You shut the door and waited for him to lead the way, clutching the light jacket you were wearing to yourself as the wind blew harder.

“Let’s hurry inside,” he breathed, his palm hovering the small of your back.

When you had noticed the name of the restoration chain, you wanted to stop yourself from going any further but you kept on walking; you understood he was treating you and as much as it made you a little uncomfortable, you didn’t try to oppose his plans, you didn’t have the strength to. You didn’t have the strength for anything at that moment.

You kept your head low and avoided catching anybody’s eyes while Taehyung took things in hand.

You sat down quietly and chose not to remove your coat. Taehyung took one of the menus given. He kept looking back and forth between the writing inside and you looking outside the window.

He softly cleared his throat in hope to get your attention, “what are you having?”

It looked like he interrupted you while you were deep in thought. When you locked eyes, he still had that same comforting look. You inhaled and tried to empty your mind.

“What you’re having,” you smiled.

Taehyung grinned back and didn’t argue.

He felt pleased when he noticed your face beaming a little after lunch.

“Well, I hope I didn’t annoy you,” he joked as he held the door open for you.

“What?” You frowned while walking back to his car. “What do you mean?”

Shoving his hands in his dress pants pockets, he was the one fleeing your gaze now. “I was just surprised to run into you and…”

“I was happy to see you too, Taehyung.”  You said promptly.

He craned his head back up quickly, “really?”

You nodded, smiling. He stood still, staring back at you without a word and you didn’t know how to bring him back.

“Uhm- I, uh…” You hesitated, pointing at the bad inside his car.

He snapped out of his reverie and went to fetch it for you. You thanked him and took it from his hand. He seemed not to want to let go.

“Are you going to be okay?”

“I think so,” you looked down at your hands and focused on not to get teary-eyed again when familiar and unpleasant thoughts filled your head in response to his question. “I’ll figure out things.” You gazed up at him, blinking rapidly, before you trailed in a small voice, “I have to.”  

He observed you silently and you decided to take your leave before he’d see your tears.

You half-smiled, “good bye, Tae.”

He didn’t even bother to pretend he was the slightest joyful at the thought of you leaving. He didn’t answer back. While the distance between the two of you extended, he attempted to unravel the mystery you had been and still were to him.

What had you done to get him so enamored when you hadn’t even been yourself ? And now that he got to see the real you, he also saw his mistake, the one that almost cost him a friendship. And he could still make amends to Jungkook. You weren’t too far yet. What was he waiting for?

While holding himself upright, his fist tightened around the car key in his pocket at the same time he felt his heart beginning to clench in his chest as he watched you, shivering, asking for directions.

You kindly thanked the passerby when you felt something tugging at your wrist. You frowned and turned around to see Taehyung, not quite breathless, holding your arm, resolute.

“Tae-”

“Let me drive you.”

****************************************************

The sound of the engine of the expensive vehicle was purring when you were drawing close to the building of the address you had given him. He parked the car and looked at the place askance.

You thanked him. You didn’t remember how many times you had done it that day. You were about to reach for the handle when-

“I’m going up with you.”

“No, Tae-” You shook your head and mentally prayed he wouldn’t come out of the car. You weren’t ready to embarrass yourself again. “Don’t bother yourself. I’m okay… I promise.”

“Wait,” he interrupted you, frowning. “I don’t understand…”

You looked at him confused.

“Didn’t they pay you ? The people you worked for?”

You bit your lip. It seemed you wouldn’t escape it. “They did.”

“Then why are you living somewhere… like this ?”

You kept your eyes locked on your lap. “I… can’t use that money right now.”

“Why not?”

“Because I have no bank account where the money can be transferred to and that having that much money cash isn’t safe.”

Taehyung sounded genuinely worried. “You still don’t have one?”

You shook your head, “I don’t know how to make one. I don’t know anyone who could have helped me.”

He ran a hand over his face.

“What did you do to handle things the past weeks?”

“What I had to.” You simply stated and Taehyung followed your eyes to your thighs.

When the silence that had fallen felt a little too long, you took it as your signal to finally step outside.

You froze when he gently held your knee in his hand. You glanced at him without a word while he seemed to be thinking.

“_______,” he met your rueful look. “Do you… still trust me?”

You stared at him as long as needed to grasp his meaning but you couldn’t so you answered regardless of anything else. Yes, you did. You’d always will.

A heavy breath escaped him. This question held so much meaning to him.

“Then, listen to me.” The tone of his voice became slightly firm. “Go take your stuff and come back down.”

“But,” you furrowed your brows a little. “ Where will I go?”

“You do trust me?” He asked to make sure and you nodded. “Just do as I say… Unless you want me to go up with you.”

You shook your head promptly and listened to him.

The whole time you were absent, Taehyung pondered texting Jungkook and before he could make up his mind, you appeared again with a backpack around your shoulder and the tiniest of smiles crooking your lips in his direction.

He knew he had done one right thing. Maybe this was the opportunity he didn’t know he was waiting for to redeem himself.

“Did you get everything?” He chirped when you sat inside.

You nodded and clutched your backpack on your lap. The following second, he made the engine roar obnoxiously loudly and drove away to leave the forsaken street behind.

****************************************************

You recognized the vicinity all too well the longer Taehyung rode along the elegant boulevard framed by the high and magnificent buildings. He steered the car inside the parking.

He cut off the contact and you slowly stepped out. Although you knew by heart the way to the apartment, you waited until he reached you to start walking behind him.

Taehyung wondered how it made you feel to be back home but as you, knowing Jungkook wouldn’t be there. He felt reassured to know you’d be in its safety and not in that desolate place doing God only knew what.

He unlocked the door and let you in before closing it behind him. Your eyes smiled at the familiar sight. Nothing much had changed. It smelled nice and felt warm and once again you felt your throat tightening.

You decided to linger next to the entrance after you had removed your shoes while Taehyung got rid of his coat and dropped his keys on the buffet.

He gazed down at you sweetly as you looked around and shared a smile when you made eye contact.

“Uhm, do you want to shower? Or rest?”

You chose to point your finger when you felt your voice too weak.

“Shower first? Okay. Come.” You followed him. He looked at you over his shoulder. “You can leave your things in Kook’s room if you want since he’ll be away for a while.” You didn’t comment. “Go ahead, while I get it ready for you.”  

He turned on the light and entered the bathroom. You walked down the corridor to the unoccupied room. You dropped your bag on the floor as you looked around.

It wasn’t empty, at least it didn’t come across as if he had definitely moved out. His video games and movies were stacked on the shelves, his desk was covered with dozens of pieces of paper and pens and a jacket was draped over his chair. The mattress had been lifted and tilted against the wall and was bereft of sheets.

You walked out when Taehyung shouted your name and went to join him. You gently pushed the door open, letting some of the steam out.

“Here you go.” He smiled when he saw you. “I didn’t know if you wanted to shower or take a bath. Your choice.” You nodded. He turned around and raised a hand towards the products displayed on the shelves stuck to the wall. “There’s just my stuff here… I- ”

“It’s okay. It’s… more than enough. Thank you.”  

He stared into space for a couple of seconds. “You should be good, now… If you need anything, just shout.”

You smiled reassuringly and watched him as he closed the door. You turned toward the water pouring down next to you and stretched your arm to feel the temperature of it. You closed your eyes and exhaled at the thought of a warm shower.

You took off your jacket and folded on the counter made out of marble. You took your sweater off and right after, you heard knocking on the door.

“Can I come in?” Taehyung asked behind the door. “I promise I won’t be looking.”

“You can. I’m not fully undressed yet.” You smiled while folding the cloth.

“I brought clean towels from the dri-”

You looked at his reflection in the mirror in front of you and noticed he was staring at your back. You froze as well when you directly remembered the bruises there. You couldn’t feel them anymore but the sight they offered would send shivers down to anyone’s spine.

You turned around before realizing he would still be able to see them in the mirror and simply looked down. You accepted the towels, clutching them snug to your chest and thanked him quietly.

Aware that he would soon make you uncomfortable, he forced his eyes off your back and smiled softly at you to make up for his staring.

“I can wash your clothes. I’m putting a load on.” You didn’t look up and remained quiet. He cursed mentally. “Just leave them there when you’re done. I’ll take care of it. I brought some of mine. They’re big but they’ll keep you warm.”

He put them next to the pile you made and gently closed the door again.

Later, you came out with a towel wrapped around your head. You could hear Taehyung speaking, you guessed, to somebody on the phone.

You headed towards Jungkook’s room. You came to a halt when you noticed the bed had been laid down and entirely made. You didn’t immediately notice Taehyung when he stood still behind you.

“_______,” he called again. You looked up over your shoulder a little startled. “I brought you these.” He lifted his hand that held a pair of slippers.

“Oh!” You kneeled and opened your backpack laying at your feet. “I have mine.” You smiled showing him your pair.

He raised his brows and grinned at your adorable self swaddled in his clothes, “perfect! I… I’ll go shower too and then we’ll discuss quietly.”    

****************************************************

It was taking all of the little energy you had left not to fall asleep the longer you remained seated on the bed so you left to go to the living-room. You took a chair and moved it closer to the picture window to stare down at the busy streets to clear your mind.

Taehyung reappeared half an hour later. You followed him with your eyes as he walked inside the kitchen.

“You want to eat something?” You shook your head. “You sure?” You grinned at the funny face he pulled. “C’mere.”

You stood up, got rid of the towel on your head to lay it atop the chair and went to sit next to him on the couch after he was done making his cup of tea. He took a sip and frowned when the drink burned his tongue. He let it sit on the coffee table.

“So, while you were showering, I made an appointment with my bank to sort out your issue with the company. It’s set thursday next week, so we’ll have time to gather every piece of information they need.”

You listened quietly and nodded with every pause he made.

“If you’re thinking of getting a new place to live in, I can settle another appointment with a friend of mine. He’s a realtor and he agreed to save a couple of apartments for you to visit.”

Taehyung went silent again and you didn’t know what to say back.

“That is if you don’t want to stay here… Cause, you totally could... if you want to.” He continued with a somewhat serious tone. “But you can take a look at the apartments first, at least the pictures posted on the website. They all look very interesting.” He smiled while handing you his phone unlocked. “You just have to select one and swipe your finger to look at them.”

You took the device but froze when you saw the different prices. For a second you thought your tiredness made you see double but it had nothing to do with that. You looked up from the screen and frowned at Taehyung as he leant to take his cup.

“Uh- I can’t afford them, Tae.” You shook your head a little, handing him his phone back. “Even with the money I earned I-”

“Don’t worry about the cost. I’m taking care of it. You just have to choose.” He smiled and finally managed to take a sip of his tea.

His expression faltered a bit when you still refused to take another look at the phone.

“______, there’s no way I’m letting you go back to that place. Out of question. I can’t even begin to imagine what would Jungkook’s reaction be if I told him that after luckily finding you, I abandoned you back there.” The tea made his hand warm and you felt it heating up yours when he took it in his. He lifted your chin to catch your eyes. “It’s too late... I know too much to let go of you... And-”

His gaze dropped down on his hand cradling your much smaller one.

“It’ll be my way of making up. I really wanna do that.”

You frowned, “you... owe me… nothing.”

He still refused to look back up, “I’m the one who ended the contract.”

You relaxed, “you don’t have to feel bad about this. I knew it was bound to happen. That’s what we were constantly told at the company. I don’t blame you for that. I never will. Whether you or Jungkook did it... I’d never blame anyone.”

“But,” Taehyung raised his head, “you didn’t get any explanation and-”

“It happens all the time,” you calmly explained. “Clients are never required to justify their choices. On the other hand, we have to accept them without discussion. Whatever they may be.”

“I’m not forcing you into anything,” he continued after a while, “but I really want to give you that. Not because it’ll help me sleep better at night or Jungkook would maybe stop blaming me for what I did but just because I do.”

You smiled tiredly at your hands still holding each other, “is it a habit of yours to gift apartments to anyone you know?”

“No, but-” He licked his lips slowly, “I’m just trying to find ways to give back some of the happiness you brought here, because you deserve it... Please say yes.”  

You knew you didn’t have to think about it twice, you’d never want to return to that awful building and even less so to that workplace but Taehyung had done so much more than what you could have ever imagined. Just the fact that you came across each other made you consider yourself quite lucky, what was he even supposed to do that day? You weren’t in a position where you could ponder things over, although you were sure Taehyung would surely give you all the time you would have required, you hated the thought of ending up becoming a burden in spite of what he had said.  

“Okay,” you sighed after what seemed to him an eternity. “Let’s do this.”  He let out a deep breath of content.

He stood up, cleared the table and told you to keep his phone to make up your mind while he went to tend to things he had put on hold. You allowed yourself to lay down a bit and lazily swiped through the different property advertisements.

“Did you find the rare gem ?”

He reappeared a long while after, showing an enthusiastic smile as he made a detour to the kitchen.

“Are you hungry? I’m going to cook something.” He froze, looking over where you were although he couldn’t see you.

He walked towards the couch he left you on and was surprised to see you curled up and fast asleep. He quietly remained there, completely still as he tried to come up with ways to bring you to bed with a small smile.

He left and came back to you again. He carefully took his phone away from your hand and discarded it somewhere. He squatted and gently slid his hand under your neck to circly your shoulder while the other snaked underneath your bent knees. He slowly stood up, immobilising when he realized how much you had lost weight.

He pressed his mouth to your forehead and shortly nuzzled your hair as he took his time to go to Jungkook’s bedroom. There, he laid you down where he had previously taken the covers off as carefully as possible. You stirred a little in your new position but you didn’t wake up, you seemed too far gone and it made Taehyung quietly coo over your sleepy figure.

He kneeled next to your face and caught a glimpse of your naked ribs beneath his sweater that had rid up and noticed a large purplish mark. His fingers clutched on the hem to cover you and his eyes lightly welled up with angry tears as he gazed back at your face. He caressed your head, kissed your forehead and pulled the thick blanket over your body leaving solely part of your face uncovered.

He walked out and left the door ajar.

****************************************************

You rolled over and rubbed your eyes, slowly waking up from your dreamless slumber. You remained motionless for a while wrapped in the thick covers as you took in your not so new environments. The sun was already high in the sky and for the first time in several weeks you felt rested and content.

The air outside the room was filled with the smell of cooking food, earning an eager response from your empty stomach. After you had finished washing yourself, you shyly walked towards the kitchen where Taehyung was.

He seemed really joyful at your sight. “Finally awake?”

You brought a sweater paw to your face, bashful. You walked to the other side of the kitchen island and watched him stirring ingredients together in a pan. “How long did I sleep?”  

“Uh, fourteen hours? Something like that…” he half-smiled at you.

You pressed your chin to your chest until he would stop looking at you. You slowly made your way closer to him. “Do you need help?”

He looked at the side of your face and his immediate answer would have been to tell you to go sit and let him be in charge of everything but he also remembered the forlorn look on your face every time you would get lost in your thoughts. If it helped you not to think of unpleasant memories you preferred to keep quiet for the moment then-

“Yes. I actually do.”  

****************************************************

Taehyung was greatly helpful, knew when not to overstep and showed respect. While making sure you would never feel uncomfortable during the different tasks at hand, he did his best to assure you wouldn’t regret the choices you were making at the dawn of your new life.

The apartment you had settled for was a fifteen-minute walk from his and brand new, decorated to your liking and with your own money like you had made it clear to him because it had this much importance that you could be able to contribute to what was now your first own place. It reminded him of you according to his words, simple and lovely.

You enjoyed assembling the pieces of furniture together, you missed sharing something new. You had spent those past weeks doing typical activities that had felt like anything but usual and having Taehyung by your sides helped lessen the overwhelming feeling of it. Although, you made sure he wouldn’t be involved in helping you find a new job because you wanted to be able to accomplish that on your own as well; in some way you hoped it would help him stop thinking you were that fragile, dependent girl he had always known you as.

You eventually found a position as a florist assistant in a small flower shop two stations away from your home. The owner, who was around Taehyung’s age, was willing to allow you a trial period and advised you to take online classes, offered by the same institute he trained by, to get familiar with floral composition and styling, the different design tools and the mechanics of running a floral business. You promised him to put your heart and soul into it.

****************************************************

It was late in the evening when Taehyung went to open the door for the delivery people to get your mattress inside. When the thick cushion appeared sliding through the doorway, you had made your decision on the final position you wanted to give the bed.

You helped him hold and place it correctly, it fitted perfectly.

“I’ll go get the sheets,” you informed him while heading out.

A few minutes later and your bedroom was finally complete and ready to use.

He dropped heavily on his back and looked up at you upside down. The sight made you smile.

“Don’t wanna give it a try?”

You slowly sat down not too close to his face, grabbing the mattress through the blanket in small squeezes. “If I do, I’ll never get up again…” Your smile grew fainter when his fingers traced along your thighs. You exhaled softly and stood up. “I’ll shower first.”

You closed the door after you, turned on the faucet to let it get to the ideal temperature and got undressed quickly. You stared at your naked reflection for a while and suddenly felt yourself overflowing with all sorts of emotions, not the bad kind. You simply felt incredibly grateful for the chance you were gifted to start over.

At first, you thought Taehyung had left when you stepped out of the bathroom and noticed his absence in your bedroom. You heard his feet shuffling back to where you were tidying your clothes in the wardrobe. He stood still, leaning against the doorframe and observed you quietly.

“You know you don’t have to stay if you don’t want to. I think I can handle things from now on.” You smiled apologetically.

He tongued the inside of his cheek, “you want me to leave?”

“That’s not what I meant,” you looked away, feeling your face getting hot and focused on the pile in front of you. “I don’t want you to put me before yourself anymore... I’ll never be able to thank you enough for what you did…”

You stood up and began fiddling with the soft pullover you chose to wear. He shortened the space between and combed your hair behind your ear. His voice came out soft and comforting, “if you tell me you’re happy now. It’ll be enough.”

You raised your face and turned around right in front of him, staring up right into his half opened eyes. “You made me happy for a long time and all those past days, when I thought I never would be again. Thank you Tae.”

His large hands came to grab softly on each side of your face when he noticed you getting moved. His dark hair slid past his eyes when he craned his head down towards yours that was only a few inches away. His natural scent pleasantly pervaded the air around you and made you feel comforted.

His thumb wiped the tear sliding down your cheek. “No more tears. I don’t wanna see that cute face of yours sad again.”

A small giggle escaped you followed by a tight lipped smile , “you won’t.”

Taehyung came to the conclusion he was hopeless, he had had plenty of time in your company with no one else around and the thought of you out there not requiring him by your sides anymore or that your relation wouldn’t go beyond what you were at that moment made him fight a war with himself you had no idea of.

He didn’t own you, not anymore, not in the way he used to and his feelings had ruined things with the people he cared the most about. He was trying to redeem himself, he couldn’t indulge in them anymore.

He pressed you snug in his chest and wrapped his arms to keep you the closest possible, the long while you both needed to put each other’s minds at rest.

He lingered longer, the time for food to get delivered and to share one last dinner together. He didn’t hurry when you were getting ready to go to bed, postponing the moment he would have to let you stand on your own two feet, so naturally he didn’t reject you when you wondered if he wouldn’t mind staying overnight to put you at ease.

You watched him from the bed where you were already curled up under the blankets as he got rid of his clothes. It was wide enough to fit three grown adults in it but you both favored lying face to face right in the middle of it.

Taehyung made sure you were fully covered while you simply gazed up at him in the darkness.

Smirking, air rushed out of his nose after he looked down at you, “stop fighting it.” He lightly hit the tip of your nose with his finger. “Everything’s okay... Go to sleep.”

You didn’t listen, looking back at him the longest you could, with tired eyes blinking non stop. He lightly scooted closer, sliding a patting hand on your back as hot air fanned your face while he whispered again, “sleep sweetheart.”

His eyes grew heavy as well but he wanted to wait for you. Laying there together filled his mind with pleasant memories of the quiet nights you had shared.

“It’s still you,” he spoke softly right before you slipped away, choosing that moment to close entirely the tiny, remaining space between your faces and to seal your lips in a short, loving kiss.

****************************************************

The remnants of last night were nothing but a blur. You frowned when you didn’t feel Taehyung next to you. You sat up in bed and looked for your newly purchased phone when you heard the message notification sound.

You rubbed your eyes quickly when you made out Taehyung’s name. You swiped right.

Taehyung [06:18 am] Hey! Sorry I left early this morning,, have quite some stuff to catch up on for work :((

Taehyung [06:18 am] I’m expecting you to tell me about your first day at work hahha I’m sure it’ll be fun!

Taehyung [06:18 am] You can text me laterand tell me how it went :))

Taehyung [06:24 am] Also I kept this to mysefl but last week Kook tried to get in touch with me… I didn’t say anything abut you cause i didn’t know your take on that but i’m givin you his number just in case (insert JK number)

Taehyung [06:25 am] I’m sure he’ll appreciate it!

You read all the messages twice.

Jungkook.

You hadn’t had the time to think of him those past days. You really wanted to talk to him again, at least once, to get some sort of closure. You’d understand if he didn’t want you in his life anymore. He had left Taehyung, temporarily, but by now he surely had moved on. The thought hurt but you were ready to accept it. You had time to get used to that reality. Meeting Taehyung and getting to where you were right now was pure luck.

You got ready for the day and made sure to keep your phone close by. You were only beginning to become familiar with the device. You couldn’t take any chances on your first day at work but the messages lingered on your mind hours long. Even if you wanted to call or text him, what would you say? Would he even respond? Taehyung had told you he’d appreciate the gesture but he wasn’t in his head and the last time they talked he wasn’t on good terms with Jungkook.

You grinned and bore it until you got time for yourself and a clear mind. You didn’t know for how long you had been staring at the rectangular object sitting in front of you next to your glass of water on your dining table. The sun had long set and the sole light inside your kitchen was a small table lamp positioned in one corner of it. You decide to get yourself something to eat first.

A few streets down, people were rushing at the entrance of a trendy bar. Jungkook was already inside, sitting on one of the stools and about to order his second drink when an alluring female stranger approached him, walking right next to him.

Leaning on his arms, he glanced at the side of her face before giving her the once-over. She was to die for, a red skin-tight dress hugged her curves so enticingly she had surely turned every person’s heads she had passed on her way to him. Her voice barely reached his ears, snapping him out of his thoughts. Her glossy lips indirectly pleaded to be kissed while they repeated his name after he’d answered her.

She eventually turned herself to him and he half-mimicked her, stretching one leg and nudging hers between his. Her fingers ran through her soft hair, allowing him a full view of the lacy black bra peeking beneath her cleavage. If he still had doubts about her intention, she had taken them away. She offered him a lusty look, he almost broke into a smirk but drank his glass down in one go instead.  

He didn’t move when she leant forward to whisper in his ears about her plans involving him, didn’t react when her nails dragged along his taut thigh muscle straining in his pants, bearing in mind to trace his crotch. He felt his cock twitching when her lips brushed his ear, almost moaning in it.

You turned off the faucet of the sink and dried your hands, heavily exhaled and took your phone on your way to your bedroom. You were going to do it, you were going to. You kept talking to yourself as a way not to slip away. You unlocked the device and opened the app.  

It didn’t take more for him to eventually leave the place with his new partner. She got even more turned on when she realized he was bringing her to a hotel, it had always been something she had wanted to try. They kissed in the elevator unrestrainedly, discouraging any other clients they met from entering on their way up to his floor.

You wrote and deleted and wrote again and deleted again, not being able to come up with the right words. What if he didn’t answer back? You tried again.

Jungkook got lost in the feeling of her body against his, opening herself to him wholeheartedly, she was his to take and to relish and it had been so long since he got to feel that way, since he had someone in his arms to love, since the last time he had you. And he missed you. So, so much.

He rushed to open the door, they crossed over the threshold and let it fall shut behind. She discarded her shoes and his jacket, then put her hands on his hips and untucked his shirt to open it with a harsh pull revealing the sinful sight of his heaving torso. She cursed out loud making them both laugh. He let her press his hands to her breast, stimulating her nipples with his thumbs.

“Okay,” you breathed once you had finally, finally sent your text and threw the phone away right after.

She made him walk backwards to the bed until his knees bent at the touch and he collapsed down. She took off her dress and let it drop down her body, grinning satisfyingly at the look he was giving her. She crawled on top him with a vixen smile, kissed his lips and licked her way down his pectoral and abs while her hands undid his fly. His brain was on fire. She let out a surprised giggle when she finally caught sight of his erection beneath his boxers. Jungkook laid there impatient and frowned down when he couldn’t feel her hands anymore, flexing his core to sit up.

She pushed on her legs and bent towards him, biting her lips, “I’ll get the water ready.”

He watched her walking away towards the bathroom, expertly unclasping her bra while swaying her hips although she didn’t need to do that to have him ogling her ass. His attention was drawn to the other room of the suite from where he could then hear some buzzing. He stood up to get rid of his pants but still decided to pay no mind to his phone until he realised his condoms were in his jacket pockets. He figured out he might as well check while getting them.

He picked his leather jacket from the floor and blindly looked for the condoms and his phone at the same time he heard her calling his name.

“Comin’,” he exclaimed in her direction before holding his phone out and squinting his eyes at the lit screen.

You got startled a bit when the notification sound rang in the quietness of your room and hurried to find your phone back, a shaking finger swiping the text you had just received.

Taehyung [23:37 pm] Hey :)) I hope your day went okay!

You weren’t expecting Taehyung to message you but immediately got reminded of his previous texts. You smiled while typing out your response. You sent it and barely had the time to notice Jungkook had read your text that your screen turned dark because of the incoming call. You answered, a little nervous.

For a couple of seconds, you couldn’t hear anything or rather heard silence, the type there was when someone held their breath, expectant.

You tried, “yes?”

“Is it really you?”

****************************************************

Jungkook had sent the unknown female away after offering her a ride service to her home but hadn’t been able to find any kind of rest since that phone call with you when dozens of questions were messing with his mind.

You were out there and managed to get back in touch with him. You barely said anything to each other. He understood before you told him that Taehyung had something to do with it but it didn’t matter because it reassured him in his initial thought and suddenly, he felt like it lifted a weight off his mind.

The next day, he came out running from the subway entrance, checking his phone an umteenth time to discover that the address of the flower shop you had given him during your call was only a few meters away. He went straight away, avoiding people in his way while tightening his grip around the device. He was this close now. The virtual voice announced he had reached the destination but when he scanned the shops along the sidewalk, none of them seemed to be selling flowers. He took another look at his phone and realised it was on the other side of the road.

He raised his face and was now able to situate the shop. The entrance was framed by sets of shelves brimming with different colors and green plants, rendering a quite charming sight in comparison to the dull buildings right next to it.

Jungkook remained staring at it, proceeded to step forward but froze when he saw people coming out and noticed you among them, holding different kinds of bouquets as you followed the clients around and picked the flowers they sedulously selected.

You were there, right in front of him. If he yelled your name, you’d hear him easily. He chose to remain quiet and observe you. You looked radiant and happy and so adorable in your apron it drew a faint smile to his lips. His chest tightened with nostalgia and his hands were trembling lightly. He had been waiting for a moment like this for a long time but he couldn’t bring himself to do anything.

A couple meters from his spot, you kept your distance while the clients entered back inside the shop to pay, following your boss, who had taken the arrangement you had made. You were carefully putting the flowers in order when you felt eyes on you. You stood up straight and looked to your side where you were thinking someone was looking at you, across the street.

                                                     Fin.

_____________________________________

:(( SWEETPEA is over and I'm sad about it! I hope you don’t mind the open ending I chose to write,, I thought it was a good compromise so you could in some way have the ending you might have thought of — did JK stay long enough for her to notice him? Is she going to keep in touch with him ? Will she prefer to develop things with Taehyung ? 

Thank you so much for the love and support you showed that fic,, it was more than I could have ever imagined :)) I love you all :*