#the jacket is an old letterman jacket they found in the fucked up lockers at hpa. seems like togami tried out being on the tennis team

[call-me-aesthetic]

If Twisted Wonderland was an American Public School

WARNING: There are some slight sensitive topics that are featured in here! Reader discretion is advised!

Part 2 can be found here

Heartslabyul

Riddle Rosehearts:

- That one preppy girl who takes all honors and AP classes 😑

- Wants everyone to know that he’s becoming a doctor one day for his strict parents or he’ll dishonor the family

- Reminds the teacher about homework, knowing well that he’ll get slander for it

- Complains about how he got a 90 on his test or a B on his report card, a try hard much?

- Wears a cardigan with thicc but cute glasses since he’s one of those people with can’t see shit on the board so he has to move to the front of the class

Ace Trappola:

- The SoundCloud rapper, that’s it

- “Wanna listen to my mixtape? It’s pretty fire, my guy.” 😩🔥

- You will not miss him BLASTING out some song on his Bluetooth speaker, that shit be echoing through the hallways

- Tells you to stop what you’re doing only for him to either sing horribly or do a backflip, thinking that he’s so cool

- Wears a Supreme jacket with AirPods and waves on his head

Deuce Spade:

- Assuming that he’s still a delinquent, he’s that kid with the most fucked up school record

- Not much of a bully but will still talk shit to your face without caring, might even throw stuff at you during a lesson and you would be the one getting in trouble instead of him 🗿

- If he ever gets mad, it would be overdramatic like kicking the desks, punching the lockers, or walking out of the classroom unannounced and everyone would look at each other wondering wtf happened

- Covers the entire desks with drawings of skulls and those “s” if you know what I mean

- Wears Champion hoodies, wants you to know that he’s broke and rich at the same time

Trey Clover:

- The guy that’s not really popular but everyone knows him since he’s in all their classes

- Most people might have a crush on him because he’s REALLY nice 😳👉👈

- Gives off “older brother” vibes based on the way he looks and acts, like offering you a ride home if you beg ask nicely

- Secretly bakes creme brulee but doesn’t want to mess with the flow so he sticks to the status quo

- Wears the school’s hoodie just because he thinks it looks good on him, and the fact that he doesn’t know what else to wear

Cater Diamond:

- Hot Cheetos girl 🥵

- Has a whole buffet of food in his backpack and will not hesitate to eat them during a lesson, no sharing either sorry

- Excuses himself to the bathroom or full on skips class just to film a Tiktok

- Has about 100 followers on Instagram Magicam and brags about how he’s famous

- Wears a Thrasher hoodie with large hoop earrings and his hair in a bun

Savanaclaw

Leona Kingscholar:

- The kid who flunked their freshman year that also sort of vibes with new classmates

- Always gets mistaken as a teacher by people since he looks and sounds old

- Knows the lessons but still fails them anyways, didn’t really give a damn either 🙄

- Captain of every sports club you can think of, never actually plays but has a lot of knowledge on them

- Wears the school’s letterman from years ago since it used to be his brother’s and that he’s too lazy to buy a new one

Ruggie Bucchi:

- That one kid who NEVER has money for the book fair or any other school event

- Always has to ask his classmates for some cash

- If he somehow does, then he’s one of those kids who buys Diary of the Wimpy Kid or the World Record books

- If he’s feeling cheap, he’ll buy the “cool stuff” like the chocolate scented calculator or fruit snacks 😭

- Wears oversized hoodies and basketball shorts that are clearly hand-me-downs

Jack Howl:

- That one athletic kid who’s both scary good and competitive when it comes to school games like football or soccer

- Literally the best player on his team and without him, they’re trash as hell 💀

- Tries his absolute best to support his teammates without yelling at them for how dumb they are

- “KICK THE FUCKING BALL! DO YOUR LEGS EVEN WORK?!”

- Wears the school’s jersey just to show off his “school spirit”

Octavinelle

Azul Ashengrotto:

- The kid who sell snacks for “charity” but everyone knows he’s keeping the money to himself

- If you don’t have cash or try to negotiate with him, the only thing he’ll do is raise the price up

- “What do you mean you don’t have ten bucks? I can see it in your pocket.”

- Just bring nothing with you, he’ll doing anything to steal your stuff 🤭

- Wears a collar shirt with a tie and khakis that have pockets to keep his glasses and money in

Jade Leech:

- The kid who puts on a goody two shoes facade but is actually a stoner

- Only does “safe” drugs like vape but occasionally smokes weed, mostly in the bathroom or behind the school 🌬

- Can play it off and hide the scent when he’s high, teachers never suspect anything from him

- No one really cares to stop him unless he gets caught or something idk

- Wears clothing that either makes him look like a businessman or a junky, there’s nothing in between

Floyd Leech:

- The kid that’s plays basketball or volleyball just because he’s hella tall, and is actually good at the sports but doesn’t put much effort into them

- Always stays behind after gym, even though the teacher tries to make him leave for his next class 😬

- “I swear after this one shot, I’ll go to class.” *He never made that shot*

- Will jump you no matter who or where you are, and will get angry if you step on his new shoes

- Wears the jersey of any famous team with the latest pair of Jordan sneakers

Scarabia

Kalim Al Asim:

- VSCO girl at best, don’t lie to me now 🤡

- The only words he knows are “And I oop– sksksk.” and “Save the turtles.”

- Walks during a track meet while everyone else is running and sweating hard, the teacher doesn’t care either

- Doesn’t really do anything in gym but talks to his classmates and stands near the water fountain to refill his Hydro flask

- Wears tie dye shirts with cute scrunchies

Jamil Viper:

- That one quiet kid who everybody thinks is a serial killer but he’s actually not, I swear

- He just wants school to be over and spend the rest of his summer relaxing 😔

- Although he shouldn’t abuse his “power,” he‘ll move his hands in his pockets or backpack to make it look like he’s about to pull a weapon out.

- “Chill, I’m just grabbing a pencil.” *Everyone in the class started crying*

- Wears dark colored hoodies that intimidates people but are actually comfy

Pomefiore

Vil Schoenheit:

- The baddie popular girl 😌💅✨

- Arrives to school late with a Starbucks in hand from his local Target

- Fixes himself every 5 seconds like reapplying his lipgloss or spraying Bath and Body Works cherry blossom perfume

- Uses acrylic nails and long hair extensions as weapons during a cat fight

- Wears a crop top with ripped jeans and those clout sunglasses

Rook Hunt:

- That creepy guy in the hallways who tries to get your attention, even if you don’t know him

- Scares people when he says, “Ayo, where my hug at?” 🥶💯

- Uses at least 10 cans of Axe body spray a week after gym class, which stinks up the locker rooms

- Waves at you if he passes your class, even walking into the room just to say hi

- Wears literally anything but always include a hat

Epel Felmier:

- The artist girl who just wants to be alone 🧑‍🎨

- Purposely draws in front of you but pretends like you’re not looking

- If you complement him, he’ll just brush it off and proceeds to diss himself

- “Thanks but I’m not THAT good at drawing, teehee.” *Insert Radio Rebel face*

- Wears a hoodie or a cardigan with big pockets to put his art supplies in

Ignihyde

Idia Shroud:

- I don’t even need to tell you who he is, y’all already know ahaha 🥴

- Sneaks a whole PlayStation in his backpack so he can play with it during lunch

- Is on his phone 24/7 even in class to the point where teachers don’t care anymore

- Tries to get people into anime but only to little success

- Wears a shirt of any anime character or that damn ahegao hoodie, girl bye

Ortho Shroud:

- The nerdy kid who’s known for destroying others at many games

- Plays classics like D&D, Yugioh, Pokémon, the whole shabang

- Daily Beyblade battles during recess with everyone surrounding him, the menacing aura radiates off of him

- Will steal your things if you lose to him but gives it back a week later cuz he’s sweet 🥰

- Wears light up Sketchers shoes and those Minecraft shirts you find at Old Navy

Diasomnia

Malleus Draconia:

- The theatre kid who also goes to band practice, change my mind 👁👄👁

- Takes his role seriously when it comes to school plays and concerts, even if he gets casted as a damn tree or doesn’t go solo

- Remembers the songs and their lyrics to any musical you name, a really good singer at that too

- Plays almost every instrument, you definitely know this since you can hear him down the hallways during a test

- Wears a white button up shirt, black pants with fancy dress shoes, and top it all off with a fricking Rolex watch

Lilia Vanrouge:

- The weird guy who pranks people and vandalizes school property in every way possible

- If you ever get a textbook with a message that tells you to go to a certain page only for you to found a picture of a dick, yeah that was him 😒

- When using a Chromebook, he’ll leave a tab open on YouTube so when the next person uses it, pray that your ears will still work by tomorrow

- During lunch, he is a literal DEMON that mixes milk with chicken nuggets together and having the audacity to eat it too

- Wears an oversized raincoat or a windbreaker but idk wtf kind of things he has hiding underneath

Silver:

- That guy in class who consumes Monster energy drinks and falls asleep 99% of the time but somehow manages to pass the class 🤷

- Whenever he’s awake, he’ll talk to the teachers since he’s basically friends with them for some reason

- Writes his name out of boredom on any desk you sit on but in different places, sometimes around the corners or the sides

- Has a sixth sense because he’ll wake up if you try to draw on his face and if you did get something on him, it’s on sight

- Wears those colorful hoodies that zips all the way up to cover his face with a matching backpack, it’s pretty cool ngl

Sebek Zigvolt:

- That kid who literally knows everything about historical wars and will show it off during class

- Also has knowledge on weaponry, which has people questioning him but he’s just very dedicated on serving his country and people

- Knows how to fight and defend himself from a bitch since he spent his summer at a military boot camp, put respect on my man’s name 😤

- Honestly a great partner for a group project, actually does the given work but not the whole thing for you

- Wears anything that has camo pattern and chunky combat boots

I only made this because me and my friends were talking about our school memories so yeah. This is based from my experience so they might not be exactly accurate. Might even be a part two if you want.

#anime #twisted wonderland #twst #riddle rosehearts #ace trappola #deuce spade #trey clover #cater diamond #leona kingscholar #ruggie bucchi #jack howl #azul ashengrotto #jade leech #floyd leech #kalim al asim #jamil viper #vil schoenheit #rook hunt #epel felmier #idia shroud #ortho shroud #malleus draconia #lilia vanrouge #twst silver #sebek zigvolt #twst headcanons

[beauregard-s]

Verdigris | Bill Denbrough

Pairing: Bill Denbrough x Reader (18 yo in this one)

Word Count: 2.7k

Warnings: language, mild hate-to-love trope and mentions of cheating and toxic relationship

A/n: ‘The one with Baseball Player!Bill and the song Verdigris by Gus Dapperton’

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He can’t stop watching you. 

At the bowling alley on a Friday night. Your arms crossed, a hidden smile on as one of your friends rolls the ball and misses the pins miserably. You probably had a night off, or else you’d be at the arcade trying to tame the thirteen-year-olds that keep fighting over the Pac-Man machine. 

Bill can’t stop staring and it’s annoying beyond belief.

“For fuck’s sake, Bill! Are you playing or not?”

He’s forced to drag his attention away from you under Richie’s hiss only to perceive how everybody is staring at him - except for Ben checking on his shoelaces after tripping on them at least twice already. The looks range from Richie’s pissed one, to Mike, Beverly, and Eddie’s confusion, and laying on Stan’s impassivity.

“I just puh-played two rounds ago, Richie, stop m-mah-messing the order,” he complains, yes, but stepping up and grabbing himself a ball is the same as calling his own bullshit.

His move is absent anyway, only hits three pins because he backs off as soon as the ball leaves his fingers, making room for Ben to go next. Standing more in the back so he can turn his head in your lane’s direction again, all the way across the alley.

Only in time to watch you striking for the second time that night.

Only in time to catch how your eyes automatically fly in his direction right after that.

It’s quick, just a few seconds before you turn away again like at school two - or three? - weeks before, when you shouted out loud in a hallway about how you were cheated on, a thing many girls would hide, never talk about and pray for it to never come up. But you didn’t. When Henry Bowers leaned by your locker and probably tried to slide in some smug explanation, you shut the metal door so loud people around turned their heads and others who didn’t hear it from the first time caught on what was happening as soon as you told him to go ‘get his dick wet with Anna Thompson from now on’.

That being said you stormed out, and your eyes met his because he was frozen in a trance not perceiving at first he was blocking your way.

He couldn’t call you a bully, but nor could he call you an angel. You were Bowers’ girlfriend for quite a while, never messed with him but was never smooth either. You always stood neutral about Bowers tormenting him, almost bored, he noticed. Maybe uncomfortable with the situation if he overthought on that?

Never mattered. Bill recognizes he doesn’t know much about you, never got interested in doing so. Never needed to. You are just y/n, Henry Bowers’ blessed girl - because, thinking about it, yes, someone must be somehow holy to endure that one. Y/n, who he thought that barely minded him but still locked eyes and seemed to flash him a very inconspicuous smile that brought him back to Earth and made him move aside to let you walk into your 6th period class.

Y/n that since then started to hover above him like a little bird of prey, keeping those secretly mischievous eyes on him whenever they shared the room. Driving him insanely curious to find out what all of this is about.

“I swear to God, Big Bill!” Richie cries out in frustration, clapping his hands together in a desperate try to get his attention, “it’s your turn again!”

***

“Homealone again?” Stan asks while buckling up on the driver's seat after leaving the alley almost forcefully when the place closed, Mike’s horn breaking the late-night silence as he leaves to take Ben and Bev home.

“Yeah, for the weekend.” Bill sighs, sinking into the seat and smirking. “Why? Wanna throw a p-party?”

Stan snorts in the dark, turning the keys for the headlights to break through the darkness ahead. “Not after the last one,” he starts the car and leaves while Bill recalls the last party they went to. The party where around 1 am everybody started gossiping about how someone entered a room without knocking and... 

“Y/n l/n, then?”

Bill moves uncomfortably. Of course, the party where everybody found out you were cheated on before you could do it yourself. Stan Uris really sees everything, knows everything, and perceives everything. And also have the gift of smoothly leading people into the point he wants to get to.

“I don’t think so,” Bill says. 

Stan swirls the steering wheel to the left into a quiet street, suffocating another laugh. “So you’re telling me you were not perving on her the whole night.”

“I wasn’t p-puh-p-perving!”

“No!” Stan’s laugh finally comes filled up with irony. “At the bowling alley, at school, whenever she shows up during practices and her great presence disturbs you to the point you miss the pitches… Since she broke up with Bowers, whenever she’s around your mind goes wasted”. Bill grimaces and he goes on. “And judging by tonight, she seems to be at the same place as you are.”

“She’s not at the same p-place as I am because I’m not at any p-place, Stan.” Bill sticks his arm out of the window into the cold breeze, feeling something boiling inside him. That annoyance again. “She’s been teasing me since she broke up with her dear b-boyfriend, it’s all.”

Stan slows down at a crossing, making a snap noise with his tongue. “How convenient, no?” Bill scowls, eyes off the road to look up at his slightly raised brows, and he goes on, “Bowers’ girl gets cheated on and then starts flirting with you, Bill Denbrough. The guy who had his lip split open by those fists more times than we could actually remember.”

“Tell me about it…” Bill’s voice barely comes out as he watches the stores slowly turning into houses with dark windows and faded front porches, trying to smother that burning feeling inside. 

“And you’re playing her game,” Stan adds calmly.

Bill snaps his neck towards the driver's seat again but Stan only shows that same impassivity from earlier, eyes solely on the road. “Don’t tell me you’re not, because you are. I saw it tonight. Besides it, we all know you’re that sucker for unbecoming stuff.”

Bill shakes his head, gnawing on his cheek in bitterness as the car stops in front of a two-floor house and Stan turns the keys, sending them into silence and darkness again, turning on his seat to face a skeptical Bill unclasping his seatbelt harshly.

“I am not. I wanna f-find out what game is she p-playing b-but I’m not playing it myself.”

“Okay,” Stan taps onto the wheel, grinning in his disbelief because he knows Bill well enough to know he may sound like he has his foot down when he’s in fact as unsteady as sand. “But she could put you in big shit trouble, you know?”

Bill gets out of the car, leaning into the window as soon as he closes the door, drawing a cockish grin. “Yeah b-but, again, I’m not playing her game, Stan.”

He assured himself that, even though his mind wanders towards you until he goes to sleep and even though you remain there when he wakes up Saturday morning. 

He’s not playing your game.

But you’ve been testing his limits, slowly getting under his skin somehow with so little effort. Catching his attention when he doesn’t want to give it to you. You’re guaranteed trouble and he hates how you leave him restless whenever you are out of his sight and trouble his mind whenever you are both sharing space.

But he’s not playing your game.

Yet he still finds himself waiting outside the arcade later at night, at a discreet distance with his hands tucked in his jacket’s pockets to keep them from freezing under the fall weather. Bill watches you leading the last kids outta the place, promising an upset little guy they’ll be open early the next day too and turning the sign hanging on the glass door as soon as they leave to warn everyone the place is finally closed. The sweet way you talked to the kid doesn’t match the troublemaker image he painted of you in his mind throughout the day.

He’s not playing the game, but he’s ending it before he goes insane. Being a chess piece is not on his plans. He doesn’t know where you’re going with all of that so he walks into the store, immediately catching your attention.

You’re checking and closing the cashier when the noise makes you look up from behind the counter only to find the surprisingly-not-so-popular pitcher of the Derry High School’s baseball team standing there in between the flashing machines. 

“Hey there, Denbrough,” you say softly, bringing your attention back to the dollar bills. “We’re closed.”

He taps his foot, trying to find the words to say what he wants to say because even though he planned talking to you the whole day, suddenly he feels lost and vulnerable under that nonchalant way of yours. 

“I know, I didn’t come to play.” Bill feels proud of how steady he sounds although he’s clenching his hidden fists. He has the slight impression you are not as confused as you seem when you eye him again. This time deeper. 

“How can I help you then?” 

He thought he had a solid plan, but he doesn’t at all. All he can think of is how did Bowers get you? A straight A’s girl with such sweet talk, pretty face, and bold demeanors. 

“You can help me by stopping m-messing around.” There goes his steadiness through the window, every single drop of it when your lips give him a lopsided smile, closing the cashier and pulling a bunch of keys out of a drawer.

“And what do you mean by messing around?” you walk around the counter and passing by him because even though Bill Denbrough is standing in front of you straight out of a dream in his stupid letterman jacket, a robbery wouldn’t be welcome and you gotta lock the doors and close the curtains. That blocks all the light from the outside, sending both of you into a gloom only lightened by the neon lights around. 

“I mean all the flirting you’re doing.” His voice deepens a tone. “ I want you to stop it.”

He looks adorably anxious, of course. All fidgety when he’s trying to confront you that way but flinching when you turn on your heels to face him, his hands still in his pockets for what? Hide his nervous manners?

Not that you’re that secure yourself with your sped up heart. You wish you had pockets too so you could hide how you poke a cuticle on your thumb.

“I’m not flirting with you,” you say simply. “I know you’d like that, but-“

“You wish, l/n” he hisses and you know you’ve hit a weak spot. Also not that you didn’t know said weak spot exists.

“I know what you’re doing, and I’m not getting in trouble for it.” Bill steps closer, letting his sweaty hands finally fall to his sides. 

“Again, I’m not the one messing around” You see his jaw clench, and go on leaning back against the Donkey Kong machine. “You are.”

Bill snorts and the way he runs his fingers through his auburn hair messing it in frustration makes things to you. Yes, Bill Denbrough in his lettermen jacket is stupid… stupidly hot, even if you hate admitting that.

“I’m n-not-“

“Are you sure?” You defy him, resting your hands on the machine and accidentally hitting the joystick. “So you’re telling me you’ve not been leering me around, casually hanging out with your friends by my locker or… Following my ex-boyfriend around to make sure he’s not coming close to me, Bill?”

Touché. 

You never called him ‘Bill’ before, but thought it would match the soft-turn your voice takes and the little ‘got you’ move you just made. Bill thinks it raises a level. He said he didn’t come to play, but it feels like he did and now he’s losing because you know something you shouldn’t. 

You know last Tuesday he followed Patrick Hockstetter’s car because he saw them harassing you when you were walking home after school. He watched when they pulled over by the sidewalk, Bowers leaning out through the window and saying something that made you argue with him for a while before you kept walking and they drove out. Bill should’ve turned right and drive home, but he turned left and followed them instead, made sure they went home and not after you. 

“I was just trying to m-muh-make sure you were safe,” he reasons but inside he’s recognizing his failure.

Maybe you’ll call him a creeper for that? No, you just bat your eyelashes.

“You really have an unforgiving hero complex.”

“I don’t have a hero complex.”

He does. And maybe an unforgiving crush too because he realizes you’re not the one hovering here. He is. He always thought he never paid attention to you but he did all the time in the deep of his head, dreary by the fact that you ended up with someone like that disgusting jerk.

“A hero complex and a huge neglect towards yourself, apparently” you bicker, the changes in his mind showing briefly in his expression.

“Okay, I m-may be the one m-messing around but you don’t seem like you’re trying to run from it.”

The others have already warned Bill about that, his lack of fear and his broken anti dumbness filter, mainly Beverly, but there he is again. Making dangerous, uncalculated moves, totally improvising his next step to avoid a checkmate from you.

He’s kinda angry, maybe embarrassed, eyes locked on your as he comes closer. You don’t answer because he got a point. From the moment you noticed Bill paying more attention to you after you were publicly free from Henry, you never intended on cutting him off. You fed the fire and now, with his eyes so deep in yours and the smell of his cologne all around you, you let him taste a bit of power to decrease that embarrassment of his. 

“Are you trying to imply that I want you too?” You whisper, no need to talk louder with his chest an inch from yours like that. 

He likes how beautiful you look like that, face shining in verdigris tones flashing from the next machine, the way it turns you into neon pink and back to the blueish-green. He likes how daring you look even if he’s towering over you, inches taller, little knowing how you’re putting on a fight to keep yourself solid and your thoughts in place. Without much success when he leans in and brushes his chapped lips along your soft ones.

“Again, you wish, l/n.”

The previous moves were yours but in a turn, you’re the one getting the final checkmate when you give in and pull him into a kiss. A greedy and heated kiss that showed how you’ve been craving each other. Bill presses against you as he’s trying to challenge the laws of physics, his tongue licking into your mouth as your hands clutch on his thick jacket, feeling his broad shoulders underneath. His hands cup your face, his thumbs gently tracing up your cheekbones in contrast to how roughly his lips take yours, only for a moment before his arms embrace your waist and he smugly slides a large hand into your jeans’ pockets.

He swore himself he wouldn’t play your game, but he feels like he did and just lost it when he leaves your lips and trails the tip of his nose down your neck, feeling how you softly quiver in his arms, breathing in your perfume. Pulling away before everything goes to waste.

“As I said, totally n-not running away from me,” he mutters, leaving you. 

You shake your head slowly, a mazy little smile glued on your lips. “Screw you, Denbrough…” But the words drip out like honey to him as he walks backwards towards the door. 

Bill turns the keys still in the lock behind his back, flashing a cocky grin at you as he pushes the door open. He feels defeated, you do too but somehow none of you regret what just happened in the empty arcade. He can see you don't by the way you look at him as he leaves. It’s not just one of those glances anymore.

He feels defeated, but maybe it will be worth it.

“S-see you later, y/n.”

#bill denbrough #bill denbrough x reader #bill denbrough imagine #bill denbrough fic #bill denbrough fanfic #bill denbrough fanfiction #it #it imagine #it fic #it fanfiction #it fanfic #the losers club #the losers club imagine #the losers club fic #the losers club fanfic #the losers club fanfiction #the losers club x reader #beauregardwrites

[spaceskam]

Prompt 7 makex

7. "I dreamt about you last night."

ao3

The viola stayed under Alex's chin even as his bow slowed and his fingers fell limp against neck.

Maria kicked him to tell him he was fucking up, but he couldn't fix it. He was far too busy watching as Michael Guerin, quarterback of the football team who was being scouted by five different universities, slipped into the band room with a note in his hand. He had that award winning smile on his face as he strolled towards Mr. Richard. Alex couldn't take his eyes off him; he never could.

Two months ago, he'd been assigned to tutor Michael Guerin because he was failing English. He'd been annoyed at first. While everyone else found him charming, Alex found him annoying, arrogant, and chronically heterosexual at best. However, two conversations with him later, he discovered he was a goddamn math genius and he wasn't actually bad at English either, he just didn't care. Alex had just made himself a personal pest rather than a tutor, breathing over his shoulder until he did his work. That hovering turned into something a tad unexpected...

"Alex," Mr. Richard said, not stopping as he waved the paper in the air, "Mrs. Doyle needs you, bring your bag."

Alex nodded, ignoring Maria's confused look as he quickly packed up his viola and headed towards the door of the band room. Michael was leaning against the wall beside the door, flashing that mischievous grin.

"Don't worry, you're not in trouble," he teased, speed walking down the concrete pathway that led to the virtually abandoned old gym that was only used during volleyball season. Michael had swiped his coach's key and made a copy, letting both of them inside.

"You can't just take me out of class whenever you're bored," Alex scolded, following him through the dimly lit gym towards the locker room without question. As much as those butterflies in his stomach were going crazy, he never let that show. It was easier to pretend he didn't a really give a shit about him if he acted like it at all times.

"Who said I was bored? You can't make assumptions like that, Manes," Michael said, still grinning wildly as he unlocked the office that was used as storage more than anything. There were stacks of extra chairs and two old desks.

"I'm not making assumptions, I know you," he said, carefully putting down his case and his bag, "But seriously, our concert is in a month and I have a solo."

"Ooh, violin solo? Look at you," Michael teased. Alex rolled his eyes, standing up and looking at Michael who was waiting patiently for him with his hands behind his back.

"Viola," he corrected. Michael shrugged like the difference didn't matter, rolling from his heels to his toes and then back again. Alex stared at him blankly. "So what so important that you couldn't wait until after class?"

Michael's grin became entirely childish as he took a step closer. Alex leaned his hands back on one of the desks, lifting himself to sit on it easily.

"I had a dream about you last night," Michael said. Alex raised a lazy eyebrow despite his genuine interest.

Whatever they did wasn't real. It was something Alex had found to be very useful for bribery whenever Michael needed to do homework or a stress relief tactic, all born out of Michael's innocent questioning if the rumors about Alex were true. Alex was nothing more than a step in Michael's coming out process. But that didn't mean he couldn't have fun with it.

"You were in that sexy little concert uniform, playing me a song, kept me distracted all day," Michael said. Alex furrowed his eyebrows.

"What are you talking about? My black slacks and white button-up? That's not sexy," Alex said. Michael bit down on his lip, eyes scanning over him anyway.

"Don't forget the bowtie," Michael breathed, taking another step closer, "Can I touch you?"

"Depends," Alex said, watching Michael snap his eyes up to meet his to wait for the permission he needed, "Did you finish that book report that's due tomorrow?"

"Yes," Michael answered.

"Mhm, what was it about?" Alex asked. Michael gave a soft sigh of disbelief, his shoulders dropping.

"Really, Alex?" Alex didn't budge. "It was about the roles the different women in Okonkwo's life played."

"Length?"

Michael gave a soft, pathetic whine. Alex leaned back against the wall, thighs spread wide and letting Michael continue to bounce up on his toes.

"1,534 words, double spaced," Michael answered.

"And?"

"And MLA format, c'mon, Alex," he groaned. Alex allowed a small smile and raised his hand, gesturing him forward. Michael broke out in a smile, barrelling forward to fit between his thighs and his lips meeting Alex's.

Alex locked his legs around his hips, holding onto the back of his head as he kissed him without thought. It was slow, deep, deliberate as Michael pressed in as much as he could. Alex leaned his head against the wall, Michael holding his hips at the edge of the desk to keep them close to his.

Touching him made it obvious how pent up with unused energy he was. He didn't have practice this morning, leaving him extra antsy and needing an outlet. Alex started to push off his letterman jacket with one hand, leading his head to the crook of his neck. Michael shook of the jacket and audibly sighed in relief as Alex touched his arm, slipping under the short sleeve.

"That why you couldn't wait?" Alex asked, voice breathy as Michael skillfully kissed and bit at his neck without leaving a mark. He pulled up the bottom of his shirt to touch more of his skin, feeling the way it helped him relax.

"I just," Michael whispered, pausing just for a second to speak as he squeezed Alex's hips, "There's so much fucking chaos in my head, sometimes I just need you to make it shut the fuck up."

"Sex is really that distracting for you?" Alex asked, laughter in his voice. To him, sleeping with people definitely didn't make his brain stop. If anything, it made him think more.

"No," Michael breathed, his face still in Alex's neck, "It's just you."

Alex felt his entire body go rigid and he thought about pushing him away. It felt like he crossed some sort of unspoken line, but he hadn't. Not really. It was just... A lot.

"Dreaming about you was actually kinda nice, sexy outfit aside,* Michael admitted, huffing a laugh, "Woke up feeling well rested for once."

"Um," Alex breathed, swallowing harder than he meant to. He let his legs drop from where they were locked around his hips. "Maybe we should..."

"Nah, I'm good, sorry," Michael said, lifting his head and kissing him again. Alex pushed away his concerns probably a little too effectively, focusing on his lips as he grabbed a handful of his hair.

They kissed and touched until the bell rang. That part was unintentional and they had to be each other's mirror, fixing up each other's hair and their clothes to make sure they looked normal whenever they went to their next class. Alex deliberately avoided eye contact, not ready to face the weird admissions that came up.

"So, uh, you'll come over after you get out of band practice?" Michael clarified before they left.

"Do I need to? I mean, you already finished your paper," Alex pointed out. Michael's eyes flickered over his face.

"Uh, yeah, right, nevermind," Michael said, putting some space between them until his back hit a stack of chairs and he jumped. Alex furrowed his eyebrows. That was easily the least smooth he'd ever seemed.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," Michael said firmly, "My dad's just working late and I had some math homework, but yeah I'm good."

"You're good at math, Guerin," Alex laughed.

"I know," Michael said, a smile slowly coming to his face, "Which is why I said I'm good. Let's go, don't wanna be late."

Alex left first, waiting outside the gym as Michael locked up both the office and the gym. His better judgement told him to put more space between them, let Michael take some space so he could realize whatever he was feeling wasn't real. It'd be gone as soon as he gave it some thought and Alex needed to avoid hurting himself.

But, as Michael locked the gym door and the bell rang telling him he was late for class, Alex didn't budge.

"So, I'll see you after practice?" Alex said. Michael looked at him with wide eyes, but it slowly bled into a sweet smile and he nodded.

Alex headed to class, knowing he was making a mistake and refusing to have any regrets.

#this may or may not be a small part of a much bigger story brewing in my head #malex #malex fic #michael guerin #alex manes #rnm fic #my fic #prompt

[bimbadoll]

Make my heart beat faster

#stanlon #it big bang #camwrites

[jugheadfanfics84-blog]

Hell of a Ride

Chapter One

New Girl

Today was it, the day I started Riverdale High. I sigh, picking my phone up and looking at the time. 6:00 a.m. I stretch and pull the covers back, deciding I better start the day. I walk through my apartment to the kitchen and pull out some cereal and milk. I pour myself a bowl and eat while scrolling through Facebook.

My life had finally fallen together a few days ago. My mom and I had always had a rocky relationship but this had broken it completely. She had started dating another guy, not out of the ordinary she went through them like underwear, well, I had found drugs in the guys pants pocket, while doing his laundry that apparently counted as one of my chores. I gave my mom an ultimatum, him or me. She picked him. I had packed up all my stuff and called my dad. My dad had left when I was younger but he had contacted me a couple years ago, explaining why he vanished.

My dad had sent me some money to get me started, way more than I asked for. I got this apartment which was on the Southside, not too far from a bar I had passed, and got me a used Jeep Wrangler. As soon as I got into town I started applying at any places I could and got a job at Pops as a server. I had plenty of cushion money but I wanted to make my own money and not depend on my dad’s so the money he gave me went into my savings account.

I step out of the shower and blow dry my hair, curling it with a round brush as I went. I brush out the curls to make waves. I put on my makeup and brush my teeth. I walk into my room and sigh, looking into my closet. The one thing I didn’t do was go shopping for new school clothes. I had to do that today after school. I pull out a pair of ripped skinny jeans, a sheer checkered shirt, and a black tank top. I got dressed and threw on my combat boots. I put all my new supplies in my bag and head out to my Jeep.

When I pulled into the school and parked I got several weird looks. I roll my eyes and walk into the office. I tell the secretary my name and get my schedule. “Watch out for those new Southside kids. They are a little rough.” I scoff and shake my head. I had heard all the rumors about the Serpents and the Southside and I thought it was all stupid. As I walk around the school looking for my locker I run into someone tall. I look up to see a guy in a letterman jacket, he had brown hair that was gelled back.

“Well hello there, cutie.” He says winking at me. I smirk at him.

“Hi, bye now,” I say continuing on the search for my locker.

“Hey, wait up. No introductions? I’m Reggie.” He says smiling at me.

“(Y/N). Are we done now?” I ask, getting irritated.

“Well aren’t you just a little spitfire. We are going to get along fine.” He says throwing his arm around my shoulders. I grit my teeth and pull his arm from around my shoulders and knock him to the floor, pinning his arm behind him. “We aren’t going to be doing anything. Stay away from me, perv.” I say in his ear and then shove his arm away and continue to walk down the hall, earning several glares.

“Okay, not to be to forward, but that was absolutely amazing.” I hear from behind me. I turn to see a pink haired girl in a uniform smiling at me. I smile back and chuckle.

“Thanks. I don’t take to well to guys who are like him. Privileged and think they are God’s gift to women. It never did sit well with me at any of my schools.” I keep walking and she starts to fall in step beside me. I look over and finally find my locker. “Ah, here we are,” I say putting in the combination and throwing my bag in, grabbing a few notebooks and a couple mechanical pencils.

“My name is Toni. I actually just transferred here.” She says smiling and holding out her hand. I shake it.

“(Y/N). Are you one of the Serpents that I was just warned about?” I ask chuckling. She laughs and nods.

“Yes, I am. I promise we don’t bite.” She says shaking her head.

“Don’t worry, I don’t listen to people’s judgemental shit. I like to get to know people on my own.”

“I think me and you are going to get along great.” She says. I nod in agreement.

The rest of the day went on quickly. I had a lot of classes with Toni, and I met her friend Jughead and his girlfriend, Betty. I became fast friends with them too. After school, Toni took me to meet her girlfriend and captain of the River Vixens, Cheryl.

“Cheryl, this is (Y/N), she just transferred here,” Toni says introducing me to Cheryl. Cheryl was tall and had very long red hair, she had on red lipstick and a yellow and white shirt with the letters HBIC on the back. I smirked,

“Hello, (Y/N) thank you for keeping my girlfriend so busy today. I had a lot of stuff to do.” I smile at her and nod.

“I should be thanking her. She was very helpful today.” I say shaking Cheryl’s hand.

“So will you be trying out for the River Vixens?” She asks me. I smile and shake my head. “No, I was on the dance teams at my old school but I don’t think I’d make a very good cheerleader.”

“Oh come on, it’ll be fun!” Betty says jogging up to us. “All of us on the squad together.” I sigh and think about it. I was supposed to be shopping for new clothes.

“Can it be tomorrow? I really need to go get some new school clothes.” I ask smiling. Cheryl smiles at me and nods.

“Take Toni with you, she knows the way to the mall in Greendale,” Cheryl says. Toni smiles and kisses her girlfriend goodbye and follows me out to my Jeep.

“This is yours? And you live on your own?” Toni asks in disbelief.

“My dad gave me some cushion money, which is why we will be stopping at the bank,” I say getting in.

After stopping at the ATM so I could pull a few hundred dollars out, Toni gave me directions to Greendale Mall. On the way, we listened to music and sang some songs together. We also talked about our pasts, how I ended up Riverdale and such. She asked me about my romantical history and I told her it was nonexistent as we got out of my Jeep.

“You’re kidding? Not one boyfriend?” Toni asks me, shocked.

“I’m not kidding at all,” I say opening the door and walking into the huge mall.

“Topaz!” I hear someone shout. I turn to see a very tall guy and another guy who is almost as tall as the first come towards us. The tall one had a black eye, black jet black hair that was slicked back and had dog tags hanging around his neck. The other guy had brown hair, had on jeans, boots and a flannel shirt with a leather jacket over top. He was very attractive. I blush and turn my head.

“Oh, god which one are you blushing at?!” Toni says before I can answer the two guys reach us.

“Who’s the Northsider?” The shorter one asks I see the tall one snicker.

“Actually she’s a Southsider. This is (Y/N), she just moved here. You guys would have met her if you showed up to school. She put Reggie on the ground this morning.” She says chuckling. They both look at me in disbelief.

“Her? She’s so tiny.” Tall one says. I glare and step forward. “Wanna be the next one?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

“Feisty. I love it.” He says laughing. “I’m Sweet Pea and this is Fangs.” I look over at Fangs to see him chuckling.

“Well I have to use the restroom, so Fangs why don’t you escort (Y/N) to Hot Topic?” Toni says, winking at me.

“Why can’t I do it?” Sweet Pea asks Toni.

“You can walk with them but I don’t think you will be escorting her anywhere without her throwing you off the second floor,” Toni says laughing and walking away.

“Well, follow me, milady.” Fangs says sarcastically. I smile and nod

“So, (Y/N) how are you liking Riverdale so far?” Sweet Pea asks, walking beside me.

“It’s not bad, I met a really cute guy today,” I say, getting on the escalator. I hear Sweet Pea chuckle behind me. Once we step off he puts his hand on his chest.

“Well, I’m just absolutely flattered.” He says winking at me.

I laugh and shake my head. “No, no. Don’t get me wrong, you’re pretty attractive but I was talking about someone else.” I fought every instinct to turn towards Fangs and wink. I did think he was attractive, but I wasn’t sure I was ready for something serious.

“Well is he a Serpent?” Fangs asks me, I turn to look at him and feel the betrayal of my blush creep up onto my cheeks.

“I just remembered...I gotta use the bathroom. I’ll be back.” Sweet Pea says winking at me and walking away.

I look back at Fangs and look down to the ground. “I don’t really want to say.”

Fangs smiles and pulls my face up by my chin. “Is someone scared of boys?” he teases.

“No, someone is scared of getting hurt. I’m not looking for anything serious right now.” I tell him.

“Ah, I see. Well, how about after you are done shopping with Toni, we watch some movies?” He asks me. A few hours alone with him couldn’t hurt.

“Sure, give me your number and I’ll text you when I’m home. You can come over and we will find something on Netflix.” I hand him my phone as he hands me his. I put my number in and hand him his phone back.

After Toni and I got done shopping, we went back to my trailer where she picked out a few movies Fangs likes and added them to my list on Netflix. She also helped me pick out an outfit. Once she found out Fangs was coming over she had gotten ecstatic. I tried to explain to her that I wasn’t ready for a relationship.

“Toni, I’m just not ready. I’ve never been in one before so I wouldn’t even know how to act.” I told her. She had just shaken her head.

“Okay, what about friends with benefits? Or are you a virgin?” She asked me. I rolled my eyes.

“No, I’m not a virgin. I lost it to my best friend back home before he got with his girlfriend.” I explained to her.

“So what about just being fuck buddies for now?” She asked again. I groaned.

“I don’t know, Toni. I don’t even know if he’s sexually attracted to me.”

“Well, we are gonna pick out an outfit and trust me you’ll know.” She had said winking.

It was going to be a long night.

#riverdale #riverdale x reader #riverdale x you #riverdale smut #riverdale x reader smut #fangs #fangs fogarty #fangs x reader #fangs forgarty x reader #hell of a ride #chapter one

[yourjughead]

Loyalty pt.2

Sweet Pea x Reader.

Part.1

A//N: oh my goodness I can’t believe the response from this! Over 25 of you asked for a part two which is I think the most requests I’ve ever gotten for a second part in such a short period of time. Thank you!!! I’m so nervous now to release this in case I ruin it but I mean, if I don’t I’m afraid you’ll all murder me or something 😂 Please enjoy and leave me your feedback thank you thank you thank you!

—————————

It was a while yet before you could go back to school but everyday a different Serpent would visit to check in and wish you well, with Fangs and Tonic never really leaving. There was no lead in who attacked you but that didn’t bother you as much as what was happening with Sweet Pea. His jacket was still on your hospital chair, not letting anyone touch it besides the nurses. When you were left alone at night you’d ask them to throw it over you and return it to the chair the next morning. They had pity for your disposition and did as you asked. You of course had your own Serpent skin but this one was Sweet Peas and although you hated yourself for it, you just wanted to be close to him again in any which way. That, in true Serpent style, didn’t mean you wanted to forgive him.

After three weeks in hospital you were finally released and eager to return to your friends and normal life. Yes you were still scars and that cast was decorated with scribbled serpent signatures but you just wanted to pretend it never happened. Not so easy.

You sat across the quad and for the first time since you asked him to leave, you saw Sweet Pea, still with Sarah and her coven. You looked back at your grey lunch when he saw you looking. He watched Toni tell you a story with other Serpents lurking around, more than usual since your little incident. It made you feel childish and with your constant reminder that you were their superior fewer of them started to show up as the day went on.

Sweet Pea decided to try and talk to you, believing he could manage Toni and the few stubborn stragglers still around you. With a deep breath he made his way across the crowded quad only to be jolted back by an old best friend.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Save it Fangs I have to talk to ynn”

“You don’t have to do anything besides leaving us alone” Fangs pushed Sweet Pea back by the shoulder when he tried to move passed him.

“Really I can’t talk to you either?”

“You hurt one of us, you hurt all of us. You’d know about that if you had a bit of loyalty” Sweet Pea pushed Fangs back and Fangs swiftly caught hold of Sweet Peas collar.

“You’ve got a Letterman too Fangs, why aren’t you being ostracized for it?”

“I didn’t trade my family for it or nearly get a friend killed” Sweet Pea caught Fangs jacket while Fangs just kept the even pressure on Sweet Peas collar.

“I can’t even rely on you to help me fix things and you’re supposed to be my brother”

“You lost that privilege the day you chose to wear the letterman over your skins” Fangs released Sweet Pea with a jolt backwards. Sweet Pea looked the ground, being stripped of his jacket was a massive dishonour and it was hitting him hard at that moment.

“Just be thankful she took the jacket and not that tattoo off your throat because if it were me? I’d want a pound of flesh as well” Fangs delivered the dig and went to turn back to you and Toni before deciding it wasn’t enough. While Sweet Pea had his eyes on his shoes Fangs swiftly turned and sent his knee soaring into Sweet Peas stomach and tossing him to the ground. When Sweet Pea was clutched his stomach and not even trying to get back up and fight Fangs realised just how much Sarah had changed him. Toni ran over to Fangs and pulled him away with you hobbling behind, Sarah went to aid Sweet Pea as other people from her friend group called for teachers.

~

“Sorry they benched you from the team Fangs”

“Sorry I could only get one kick in” he laughed lightly as himself and Toni sat on your trailer couch.

“C’mon Fangs we better get going to the meeting, you sure you’ll be okay until we get back?”

“Yes, I am in fact a fully functional human person”

“Weeeeelll” Fangs sighed sarcastically gently knocking on the plaster coating your arm. You swiftly punched him into his own with your better hand.

“Truce!” You laughed at the both of them before waving them off. You weren’t ready to be surrounded by endless amount of pity just yet, you earned your command and just because you were a little very broken at the moment, shouldn’t mean they forget that. You crashed down into the seat Fangs just left and continued watching TV. Not long after the sound of knuckles meeting metal filled the trailer.

You shakily stood, retrieving a gun from your couch side locker and made you way to the front door. You opened it slowly, with the gun ready to unleash, to see Sweet Pea standing there smiling.

“Hi Yn- wait yn don-” you closed the door again before he could finish his sentence

“Yn please talk to me please” you listened to his voice through the metal and eyed his jacket hanging from a stool. You put the gun down and sat back on the couch ignoring his attempts at getting you to open the door. Then it stopped. You let out a sigh of relief to which your recovering rib screamed at you for.

“Yn”

“JESUS CHRIST SWEET PEA! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!” The tall jet black haired boy had squeezed his 6ft2 body in your bedroom window before making his way to the living room.

“No no please you have to let me try and fix this, please hear me out!”

“Hear you out?!Have you ever heard the sound of one of your bones being broken over someone’s knee? Your own blood curdling screaming turning to sobs as you just want the thrashing to stop? No? Well I hope you never have to because I CAN’T STOP FUCKING HEARING IT SO IM SORRY BUT THERE’S NO OTHER ROOM IN MY BRAIN TO HEAR ANYTHING ELSE! ESPECIALLY YOU!” you picked up the magazines on the coffee table and hurdled them at him.

“I KNOW! I FUCKING KNOW I SHOULD HAVE BEEN THERE BUT I WASN’T! I KNOW I FUCKING ABANDONED YOU!”

“You shouldn’t swear” you cocked your head to one side before making your way to the front door. Sweet Pea put his hands behind his head and let the air escape his lungs. You opened the front door allowing it to swing back before gesturing for him to leave. He bit the inside of his cheek before noticing his Serpent jacket, picking it up and holding it in his hands.

“I’m taking my jacket”

“Why are they all out of jumpers at The Gap?”

“Well they didn’t take your sense of humor from you” he stood chest to chest with you, your back against the wall by the door. It had been a long time since you both were this close, a long time since either of you had even looked each other in the eye.

“You don’t need the jacket SP” you hand grabbed hold of a section of the fabric but he still didn’t release

“I need it”

“You can have it when I have your loyalty again”

“How do I get that?”

“You’re a smart little preppy, you’ll figure it out” you pulled downward on the jacket, snatching it from his grasp, he stepped in closer to where your chests were now touching, the both of you just hovering over each other. If this was before the letterman the next part would have gone differently.

“So you want me back? Otherwise you wouldn’t say that”

“Get out” you whispered as he was even closer. The corner of your lip still scarred drew him in and you felt yourself slowly melting into his charm before you came to your senses and pushed him back.

“Get out!” you were more forceful this time and he seemed to obey, begrudgingly.

“I’ll do the gauntlet again" you let a light laugh escape you as he stood at the bottom of your steps outside the trailer.

“I think they’d kill you if you went down that again”

“Let them” he shoved his hands in his pockets and began sauntering off you watched him walk out of sight and then began cursing yourself for even letting him that close.

~

Sweet Pea was walking home alone, the entirety of the Winter night settling into his bones. He was happy with the little progress he made with you but knew there was still a mountain to go. He found himself outside of Sarah’s as she just parked her car in the drive.

“Sweeties!” She ran at him and wrapped her arms around him. He buried his head in her shoulder before she pulled her head back and kissed his cheek.

“What did you this evening Sweeties?”

“I just went over to yn to try and sort things out and-”

“Ughhhhhhh Sweeties let it go, you said you’re sorry and she didn’t accept, what more can you do for them? Give them a pound of your flesh?”

“Do you think that would work?” He laughed at her and she hit him playfully into the chest.

“You don’t need them and besides, the letterman suits you more than that nasty icky leather thingy. Your new family wouldn’t just drop you because of one girl falling over or whatever”

“Umm she was nearly killed because I didn’t do what was expected of me, she wouldn’t have even been there if it wasn’t for me annoying the seniors.”

“I said or whatever” she looked at Sweet Pea like he was stupid when it was her who was missing the point, she let go of Sweet Pea to answer a text as it came into her phone.

“Sweeties you should go home, you have the game tomorrow”

“Yeah you’re right, wanna give me a lift home?”

“Not really no, see you tomorrow” she kissed his cheek before returning her eyes to the screen and slipping into her house leaving him alone to himself once again. He had totally forgotten about the game tomorrow and actually enjoyed not worrying about it for once. Even if that meant worrying about you instead.

———————————

Xx

#riverdale #riverdale headcanons #riverdale cw #riverdalexreader #riverdale x reader fluff #riverdale x reader #riverdale x oc #riverdale x you #sweet pea imagine #sweet pea x oc #sweet pea #sweetpea imagine #sweetpea x reader #sweetpeaxreader #sweet pea fic #sweet pea x reader #sweet pea x you #riverdale southside #southside serpent x reader #southside serpents #serpentxreader #riverdale serpents #sweat pea #southside #sweet #riverdale fanfiction #riverdale fic #riverdale fandom

[fallynephemeron]

Betwixt- Jordan

I did end up doing a mood board for Jordan. It’s pretty basic. He’s pretty basic.

But,  he’s important, because he’s Xavier’s first love.

One of those early teenage crushes that gets out of hand, and he’d catch himself staring and have to avert his eyes at the very second Jordan would glance his way and he’d feel his face turn crimson. 

Xave’s poking at me, reminding me that’s the color Jordan’s letterman jacket was. Crimson. 

It was awful, and delicious at the same time, and sometimes he felt like he was going to die he was crushing so hard.  You might remember the feeling if you’re old like me. Or maybe you’re young and have a crush like that right now.  Enjoy it if you do,  there’s nothing else like it, especially if you’ve never had a boyfriend or a girlfriend, or a ... non-binary friend. Is there a term for that?   

anyway.....  I got sidetracked.

This was right about this time his faerie-ness started manifesting.  But of course he couldn’t know that.  It’s not like it’s super obvious or anything.

At least ... right now it’s not. 

It’s still pretty dormant, and just waking up,  like the same as growing up from a child to a teenager.  It’s kind of raging and awakening and still half asleep at the same time.

Let’s just say the faerie half of him was becoming aware the same way his human half was.  Well, not the “same way”  but... you get what I mean.  I hope.

Suddenly boys weren’t just boys.   They were full lips that he couldn’t stop staring at, and long lashes, and freckles he’d daydream about and hair the sun glinted off of just right and he’d find himself nearly feeling faint glimpsing the groove of bone and muscle in gym class when a shirt would get tugged up to wipe sweat from one of their faces.

It was his human half that blushed when he caught himself staring, and longed to get lost in their eyes, that daydreamed of holding hands and flirting and giggling, and revelled in the feeling of a deep crush.  Also his human half that flinched away, afraid of anyone finding out he liked boys, and felt ashamed. 

The faerie half just made the longing worse. Made it harder to turn away when he was caught staring. His faerie half didn’t seem to care if he got caught either. It urged him to do crazy things, like licking his lips slowly when Jordan was looking at him, and lingering in the locker room after school, hoping to bump into him.  

He found himself having arguments with himself about how reckless he was being. That he was going to get beaten to a bloody pulp by Arden if he didn’t fucking knock it off.  They already called him a f*g,  it would be so much worse if he actually confirmed it.

Life in 7th grade is hard enough without being small, femme, pretty, gay, and half faerie that didn’t care at all if that got you killed.

#betwixt #xavier alexander maxwell #being a halfling kind of sucks #middle school kind of sucks a lot #story link #original fiction

[jugxbets]

Archie's Little Sister: Chapter Seven

A/N: I don’t feel like much happened in this chapter, but i still hope you all enjoy.

Warnings:cursing??? i think that’s it, maybe a little bit of angst.

No Summary.

Tags: @zook7430 @myboyjarpad

(Let me know if you want to be tagged.)

——————————————————————————

“In a Lonely Place”

Alex was sleeping like a baby when Archie woke her up at 5 am.

Classes didn’t start until 8.

“Wake up!” He barged into her room.

He was wearing his athletic attire.

Alex groaned at the sound of his voice.

“What gives? It’s 5 in the morning.” She croaked.

Archie chuckled. “Why, it’s best time to exercise.”

Alex groaned once more. “I’m tired, Archie.”

He walked over to her bed and pulled the sheets off.

She rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Don’t you want to stay in shape?” Archie asked as he pushed the sheets to the side.

“No! Now let me sleep.” She pulled the covers over her body again and turned around so her back was facing him.

He sighed and took the sheets off again.

“Come on, lets jog to school.” Archie insisted.

“Archie!” She scolded.

“I’m not gonna leave you alone ‘till you say yes.” He sat in the bed.

She groaned for what felt like the hundredth time.

She huffed. “I hate you.”

She sat up. Archie cheered.

“Whoo! Alright, i’ll let you get ready. I’m gonna go make my protein shake.” He said, as he got up and walked out.

She scoffed. She laid back down and stretched. She felt like falling asleep again, but she knew Archie would go back in to torture her.

She finally stood up.

She put on some shorts and a tank.

She put her hair in a pony and took her makeup in bag and extra clothes so she could get ready after she took a shower at school.

She put on her sneakers and went downstairs.

Archie was in the kitchen, drinking his shake.

Alex rolled her eyes and approached him.

“I honestly do hate you.” She said as she rubbed her eyes.

“I know. Come on.”

He took one last sip and headed out. She followed.

They jogged around the block a couple of times since they had time to kill.

A lot of time to kill.

They were both sweating like pigs.

They finally stopped when they both got tired.

“Okay, I didn’t miss this at all.” Alex said between gasps.

She bent down to try and catch her breath.

Archie stretched as he tried to do the same

“Oh, come on. Feel the burn.” He grinned.

She glared at him.

“Let’s just get to school, idiot.” She scoffed.

They took a couple of more breathers before actually running to school.

It turned to more of a race when they started.

Alex kept pushing Archie to throw him off.

It worked and she got ahead.

“Cheater!” Archie called out.

She laughed.

There were times when Archie would almost catch up, but Alex would speed up, making it impossible to keep up.

Nonetheless, Alex won.

They stopped when they got inside the school, both of them gasping, trying to catch their breath.

“Holy.. Shit.. I… Think.. I… Might… Die…” Alex gasped.

Archie laughed.

“You’re such a fucking cheater.” Archie said, trying to cool down.

She shrugged.

Once they both calmed down, they walked over to the water fountain and drank an enormous amount of water.

“I can’t believe we forgot to bring water bottles.” Alex said as she wiped her lip.

Archie chuckled. “Me neither.”

Alex sighed. “Well, i’m gonna go shower.”

Archie nodded as she walked away.

She still had a shit load of time to kill, so she took her time.

The showers were empty, of course, leading her to play music as loud as she wanted.

When she was done, she wrapped a towel around her body and used another to dry her hair.

She tossed the towel to the side and got started on her makeup.

She did it quick, since she didn’t bring a lot of stuff.

She dried herself down and slipped some clothes on.

She didn’t do much to her hair but dry it and brush it.

She put all of her stuff together and shoved it in a locker.

When she was done, she walked out of the girl’s locker-room.

The halls were still empty, but classes were going to start soon.

She walked around to look for Archie.

People started showing up.

She couldn’t find him. She shrugged and went to her locker to put her book bag in there.

She walked to the Student’s Lounge where she saw everyone.

She greeted all of them as she sat down on the arm rest of Kevin’s chair.

“What are we talking about?” Alex said as she leaned on Kevin to purposely annoy him.

He chuckled.

“Well, actually, we were just talking about—” Kevin was about to fill her in when Betty interrupted.

“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to call you.” Betty asked.

She looked upset.

Alex tensed.

“Shit, i forgot to call you back, Betty.” Alex sighed. “I’m sorry. Did you guys find anything?”

Betty and Jughead looked at each other.

“Polly told me about a car she and Jason hid so they could run away together. Jughead and I went to go look for it. We found it, and it was full of evidence. It had drugs, suitcases, and Jason’s letterman jacket. All the evidence we needed to confirm Polly’s story. But by the time we told Sheriff Keller, someone burned it.” Betty explained.

“Wait, back up- Drugs?” Alex asked, making sure she heard correctly.

Jughead nodded. “They needed money.”

Alex scoffed. “Do you guys know who burned it?”

They both shook their head.

Alex was in shock.

Jason dealing? Him running away with Polly? But why? Because of her baby?

“And that’s not all.” Jughead added.

“What?” Alex asked.

There’s more?

“Betty and I went to the Sister’s again to get Polly out of there but when we got there..” Jughead trailed off.

“She ran away.” Betty’s voice broke.

“What?! None of this is making sense.” Alex scoffed. “Why don’t you get Kevin’s dad on this?”

Betty shrugged. “My mom and dad don’t want to get the police involved. They don’t want anyone to know that she ran away or about her 'shameful condition.’”

Alex scoffed. She didn’t like Polly, but man, were her parents selfish.

“Please.” Veronica began. “What decade is this?”

“Also, since she knew where Jason’s getaway car was, they’re afraid people might think she ruined it and that if she did…” She trailed off.

“She could be the murderer, trying to cover her tracks.” Jughead continued for her.

Oh, shit. Alex didn’t even think about that. Maybe she’s Jason’s killer. If she ran away the night of the Variety Show, there’s a chance she could’ve ran away before that. Maybe on July 11th, when Jason was murdered.

“Who could’ve possibly burned the car?” Archie asked.

“Sheriff Keller said it’s possible someone was following us.” Betty responded.

Alex scoffed. “What the actual fuck is wrong with our town?”

“Oh, my god. Honestly, guys, we should just move.” Veronica said.

Betty sighed. “Guys, what if Polly’s really hurt? What if whoever killed Jason is coming after her next?”

She was getting all worked up. She calmed down as soon as Jughead put his arm around her, getting questioning looks from everyone.

Alex knew he had a thing for her, but seeing it hurt her.

She knew she had to suck it up and let it go.

“Betty, even though your parents don’t want to, maybe you should go to the police.” Archie suggested.

“Second it.” Kevin joined. “We can talk to my dad together about how has to be discreet.”

Jughead rolled his eyes.

“No offense, Kev, but your dad answers to a higher authority than God: the Blossom.” Jughead said.

“He’s right.” Alex nodded. “They’re the first people he would tell.”

“And if there’s anyone to keep this a secret from, it’s the Blossoms.” Betty added. “They’d twist it around and go after Polly out of spite.”

“How can we help?” Veronica asked. “Tell us, B, and we’ll do it.”

Betty sighed and thought about it.

“Can you guys help my parents and i look for her in the forest she ran off to?” Betty finally said.

Everyone nodded. Even Alex. Betty seemed really worried. She just wanted to be there for her.

“Of course.” Archie didn’t hesitate to respond.

The bell rang and everyone went their separate ways.

Betty, Alex, and Veronica had the same class next period, so they walked together.

“Did i just notice Riverdale High’s very own Holden Caulfield put his arm around you?” Veronica was dying to ask.

Alex rolled her eyes, not wanting to to talk about it.

“Okay, so these past couple of days, i haven’t been in a great place, emotionally.” Betty explained. “And Jughead was really there for me..”

Veronica nodded.

“Oh, my god. Swoon!” Veronica laughed.

She glanced towards Alex. She saw her acting weird.

Then she remembered that Alex and Jughead also had a moment.

She was going to say something when Alex noticed that she remember. She shook her head and Veronica didn’t say anything. Not about their moment anyway.

“Uh, in that case, if he helped my girl navigate some turbulent waters, well then Veronica Lodge approves.” She dramatically said.

Betty laughed. Alex rolled her eyes once again.

“Hey, are you okay?” Betty asked Alex.

She didn’t think Betty noticed her acting weird. Veronica looked at her, waiting to say something.

She sighed. “Yeah.”

Veronica also sighed when she didn’t say anything about Jughead.

Betty nodded.

“Come on,” Alex gripped her forearm softly. “Let’s go find Polly.”

They continued to walk when Kevin stopped them.

“You guys, oh, my god.” Kevin ran towards them.

“What?” Veronica asked.

“Cheryl just tweeted #PollyCooperKilledMyBrother, #NowhereToHide, #SharpenYourPitchforks.” Kevin showed them his phone.

All of their jaws dropped.

“Oh, no.” Betty said as she looked at the tweet. “We need to find Polly before the Blossoms do.”

They all nodded.

They decided to recruit some other people from school to help them look for her.

They asked everyone they knew to help them out.

Most of them agreed, some of them didn’t.

Everyone agreed to meeting at the forest after school to begin the search party.

——————————————————————————

Everyone met up in the forest. There was a bunch of people there to help, which made Betty and her parents happy.

“Okay, the Sisters of Quiet Mercy are due north,” Betty began. “The getaway car was west, on the Old Route 40.”

“The closest bus station is east, headed towards Sweetwater.” Jughead added. “If Polly wanted to leave Riverdale without anyone seeing her, she probably would’ve left through—”

“Right here.” Betty finished for him. “Eversgreen Forest.”

When they were done, they led the group through the forest.

Everyone was calling out for Polly.

It was freezing, but many of them didn’t care.

Eventually, the group split up into smaller groups, but they stayed close.

Alex was with Archie, Betty, Val, Jughead, Josie, and Melody.

Everything was going smoothly until they spotted the Blossoms with a group of their own, searching for Polly.

They had dogs with them.

God, they were so extreme.

The Cooper’s group approached theirs.

“Alice Cooper, where is she? Where’s Polly?” Penelope asked, full of rage.

“You think if i knew that, i’d be out here with the mosquitoes?” Alice hissed.

“Face facts, Mommy Dearest. Polly killed Jason.” Cheryl accused.

“She escaped from the asylum once, who’s to say she didn’t before, say the day Jason got murdered?” Cliff joined in.

That’s exactly what I was thinking earlier.

“The noose is tightening around your murdering daughter’s neck.” Penelope got close to Alice’s face. “I know it, Sheriff Keller knows it.”

“Hold on now.” Sheriff Keller chimed in.

“And i promise you, when we find her, and we will find her, the entire town of Riverdale will know, too.” She continued.

Then they walked away, to continue to look for Polly.

Alice was worried.

She decided to call the local news and announce to them that Polly was pregnant. It was for Polly’s safety.

They all walked back to a church, while most of the people who helped search for Polly, headed home.

Everyone else waited outside for the Coopers to make their statement.

They finally came out and Alice began talking.

There were reporters and news people outside, waiting for them. Along with a local crowd.

“There’s been a swirl of rumors today about our daughter, Polly. And we’re standing here to tell you that they’re all false. Yes, Polly was seeking treatment in a private care facility, and she was under strict observation, even at the time of Jason Blossom’s death.”

Archie, Alex, and Jughead looked at Betty. She didn’t seem into it at all.

Sometimes, Alex hated Alice for the way she treated Betty.

“When she found out about the murder, she was beside herself with grief. You see, my daughter, Polly, is pregnant with Jason Blossom’s baby.”

The crowd gasped and muttered.

“Polly wouldn’t hurt a fly, let alone the father of her unborn child.” Alice continued

She looked straight into the camera and gave out a message.

“Polly, darling, if you’re watching this, please come home.”

Once she was finished, she and Hal went home.

Reporters tried following them to ask questions but the Coopers weren’t having it.

Everyone else went home too.

Alex walked with Archie, Jughead and Betty.

Once they reached their house, Jughead and Betty started walking alone.

As soon as Alex entered their house, she ran upstairs and went to her bedroom.

She buried her face in her pillows and screamed.

Archie knocked at her door.

She sighed and got up to open the door.

“Can i help you?” She asked as she went back to her bed to sit on it with Archie following.

“I just want to make sure you’re okay with all this Jason stuff… And Jughead.” Archie said as he put an arm around her to pull her into a side hug.

In the position they were sitting, it was the best he could do.

She groaned softly. “It just sucks man. Jason was such a liar. And i lost my chance with Jughead. I don’t even think we’re friends anymore.”

“No, if i know Jughead at all, he doesn’t give up on friendships. Not right away anyway.” Archie assured her.

She sighed.

“I just fucked up. And i keep fucking up. Why are we like this, Archie?” She whined.

Archie sighed. “Honestly, i don’t know. But you better fix your attitude if Jughead’s going to start living with us.”

Alex paused. She stood up, leaving Archie’s arm hanging.

“Living with us? Why?” She asked.

“He’s been living at school. Ever since the night of the last drive-in. He doesn’t want to go home because his dad fell off the wagon. I offered and dad doesn’t mind. Just be cool, okay?” Archie explained.

Alex scoffed. “Well, he probably won’t even accept because he said he couldn’t be around me. Fuck!”

Archie rolled his eyes. “Maybe it’s good you guys aren’t dating. You guys wouldn’t be sneaking around in here.”

Alex whined.

“Did something happen between you two?” Archie finally asked.

She hesitated to tell him.

“We kissed.” She shrugged. “But it was before he started dating Betty, or are they even dating? I don’t know. And I told him i needed a break, and now i regret it. I just wish the kiss didn’t happen so he could feel comfortable about living here. I just- UGH!”

She tried to explain how she felt the best she could but she wasn’t making any sense so she gave up.

She threw herself on the bed.

Archie chuckled. “Seems like you’re under a lot of stress.”

Alex rolled her eyes. “You have no idea.”

“Well, i’m sorry that happened. But trust me, your friendship is not over. I think he’s actually considering living here. And if he does, you will behave. Nothing bad could happen if you behave.” Archie said.

She scoffed. “He kissed me. I’m not the one that needs to behave.”

“So not what i meant. What i meant was: Don’t act like a bitch to him because he’s dating Betty. You’ve got to support his choice.” Archie elaborated.

She sighed. “Life stinks.”

Archie chuckled. “Sure does. Just go to sleep. You’ll feel better tomorrow.”

Alex scoffed. “Tomorrow the problems continue. I’m not just stressed about Jughead.”

Archie nodded. “I know. But for now, you need sleep. I’m gonna go. Goodnight.”

He got up and left.

Alex stood up and got ready for bed.

——————————————————————————

They had school the next day.

It went smooth for most part.

Alex didn’t spend so much time with Betty and Veronica anymore since all they did was talk about Jason and Polly. She was sick of it. Whenever she did hang out with them, she did what she did best. Tuned them out.

After school, Archie, Alex, and Jughead decided to walk to the construction site.

Mostly for Jughead to check in on his father.

The walk was awkward, but they got by.

They were all in Fred’s office trailer, waiting for them to come back

Archie and Alex were bouncing a tennis ball back and forth between them.

Fred and FP finally walked in. Hardhats and everything. All Alex could think about was never again.

“FP!” Alex greeted him with a hug.

“Hey, kiddo! How are you?” He returned the hug.

He smelled like a bar and fresh cement.

“I’m good.” She nodded.

He left his arm around her while they walked towards the boys.

“How was your first day back?” Jughead asked.

“Oh, it was great.” Fred responded. “Your dad is the hardest-working guy on the crew, as always.”

He tossed his hardhat to Jughead.

FP chuckled.

“Oh, in that case, why don’t we celebrate to mark the occasion?” Jughead suggested as he put the hardhat over is beanie.

“Yeah, we were all thinking we could all have dinner or something.” Archie added on.

Fred was hesitant. “Uh, tonight? I don’t know..”

“Oh, come on. it’ll be fun!” Alex tried to convince him.

“Hey, why aren’t you hanging out with the girls? Aren’t they, uh, doing something tonight?” Fred asked.

Alex rolled her eyes. “Betty is busy with Polly and the Blossoms. Veronica is clubbing. So, would you like me to go to Betty’s and catfight with Polly and her unborn child or go underage drinking with Veronica? 'Cause both can be arranged.”

FP chuckled while Fred sighed.

“Fair enough.” Fred said.

“Still got that smart mouth, huh?” FP nudged Alex.

She laughed.

“Anyway, I’m game if you are.” FP looked at Fred.

Fred was still thinking about it.

“On me.” FP insisted.

He sighed. Archie bounced the tennis ball to him to catch. And he did.

He finally gave in and they ended up at Pop’s.

They sat at a table instead of a booth.

Alex was between Archie and Jughead while they sat across their dads.

The whole time, they were reminiscing. It was great, they were all laughing together.

“We spent the whole summer fixing up that old VW bus.” FP laughed.

“Yeah,” Fred nodded.

“Remember what we called it, Fred?” FP asked, expecting him to remember.

“The Shaggin’ Wagon.” They both said in unison.

They both laughed as they thought about it and repeated it.

Alex’s face twisted in confusion.

“Isn’t shagging the same as—” Alex began.

Fred cut her off. “Uh, no.”

She shrugged. FP laughed because he knew what she was going to say and the answer was yes.

“Anyway,” FP continued. “This was before your dad had game.”

Alex bursted out laughing. “As if he ever did.”

Archie joined her and started laughing too.

“No, he did, i gotta give it to him.” FP insisted. “Senior Year, he started a band, and then the girls were all over him.”

Archie and Alex were slightly taken back.

“A band?” She asked to make sure she heard correctly.

FP laughed as he nodded.

“We were awful.” Fred mentioned.

“Yeah, yeah, we were.” FP chuckled.

“Ooh.” Fred grimaced at the thought of it.

“But it was great. Best time of my life.” FP admitted.

“You know, your dad was what is commonly known as a BMOC, Jughead.” Fred said.

“Come on. The hell i was.” FP defended.

“In what way?” Jughead asked before shoving a french fry into his mouth.

“Football, for one.” Fred responded. “He single-handedly defeated our arch-rivals, the Baxter High Ravens.”

Jughead seemed impressed.

“He doesn’t care about that stuff, Fred. Football, sports.” FP interrupted. “Takes after his mom in that respect, and i mean that as a compliment.”

Jughead’s mood changed.

“I’d rather see you spending your time writing, thinking up stories, you still do that?” FP asked. “Nose in a book? Typing away?”

“Yeah, yeah, Jughead works on the school paper with Betty.” Archie responded for hints

Alex nudged him.

“Betty?” FP perked up. “Ooh. Who is Betty? Is that your girlfriend?”

He got weird. Everyone noticed.

Alex’s jealousy got the best of her and let it wipe out her good mood.

“She’s..” Archie tried to explain.

“I.. Wanna know more about.. bands.” Jughead changed the subject. “What was the name of the band?”

FP laughed.

“Ah, yeah. It was called The Fred Heads.” Fred answered.

Everyone started laughing.

“Wait, the what now?” Archie asked through a laugh.

“That’s so bad!” Alex laughed.

“Yeah, that’s why it doesn’t come up very often.” Fred admitted.

Pop came over to their table to give them their check.

“Oh, thanks, Pop.” Fred said as he took out his wallet and gave him some money.

“Oh, come on, Fred. This was supposed to be my treat.” FP reminded him.

“Hey. You get it next time.” Fred insisted.

“Hey. Excuse me, Pop?” FP called out before Pop left.

“We invited you guys out. Let me pay.” Jughead took his wallet out and started taking out some bills.

“Put your damn money away.” FP demanded.

“FP, take it easy.” Fred whispered.

FP started taking money out to pay for the check.

“You owe me this.” Fred said.

Archie, Alex, and Jughead shared a look.

“Yeah, sure.” Fred gave in. “Go ahead. You get this one.”

Fred took his wallet out and started putting his money back in.

“You know, if i’d have known, I would have gotten another milkshake.” Fred joked.

Once FP paid, they went back to Fred’s. FP insisted on jamming with Archie.

They all went to the garage, where they could be as loud as they wanted.

Alex joined by playing the drums.

Jughead was there, just watching and head banging.

“Damn, you guys are good.” FP admitted. “Way better than your dad.”

Both Archie and Alex chuckled.

“Hey, does Fred keep any beer in there?” FP pointed at the fridge.

“Uh…” Archie began.

“I think so.” Alex responded absentmindedly.

Archie glared at her. She shrugged.

“Dad, don’t you think it’s a little late? Kinda..” Jughead trailed off.

“Oh, yeah, yeah. No, it’s all right.” FP nodded in agreement. “You know, I got a big day tomorrow anyway.”

FP walked over to the small couch to get his flannel. He and Jughead were about to leave.

“Hey, Mr. Jones, before you go, can i ask you a question?” Archie put the guitar to the side and stood up.

Alex looked at him and raised a brow.

“Yeah.” FP responded.

“Earlier tonight, you said our dad owed you.” Archie began. “What did you mean by that?”

Alex looked at FP to see what he was going to say.

He was hesitant to answer.

Jughead walked up to Archie and whispered to to him. Alex couldn’t make out what he said.

“I mean.. It’s just a question.” Archie defended. “Did something happen between you two?”

“It’s ancient history, but your dad and me, we.. we started Andrews Construction together.”

Archie and Alex were taken back.

“What?” Alex said, shocked.

Jughead turned around, trying to control his facial expressions.

Alex noticed but didn’t say anything.

“You and my dad were partners?!” Archie asked.

FP chuckled. “He wouldn’t call us that.”

Archie crossed his arms across his chest.

“Anyway, we, uh.. We struggled at first.” FP admitted. “Fred, he just had you guys to worry about, provide for. I had Jughead, and Jellybean, and their mom, and hospital bills.”

Archie and Alex nodded.

“So i took some odd jobs that weren’t exactly on the level.” FP continued. “And sure enough, one of them landed me in some hot water, and your dad was good enough to bail me out.”

Archie smiled.

“Then he said we should part ways. That I was a liability. Made me sign a paper saying the bail money was him buying me out of the company. Never mind that share of the business was worth 10 times that, easy.”

Archie and Alex shared a look.

Their dad was always a good man. He didn’t do something that didn’t need to be done unless it did.

“So that was that.” FP finished.

“He went his way, and I went mine.” He walked over to his jacket to take out a flask.

Jughead turned around.

“You know, I think i need something a little harder than beer.” FP said before Jughead could say anything.

Jughead’s reaction broke Alex’s heart. She wanted to hug him and tell him everything would be okay. But she couldn’t.

FP went to the bathroom and to say goodbye to Fred before he and Jughead headed home.

Alex stood up from the drumset and threw herself in the couch.

Archie put his guitar away.

“Jughead, what your dad told us.. I had no idea.” Archie said.

“Me neither.” Jughead confessed. “Illuminating, isn’t it?”

“There’s always two sides to a story.” Alex said.

“Yeah,” Archie sighed. “My dad must’ve had a good reason.”

“For screwing over my dad?” Jughead asked.

“Ready to roll, Jugs?” FP slurred from outside.

Jughead hopped off the stool and took FP’s flask to hide it in the couch.

Jughead sighed. “See you guys tomorrow.”

He put his dad’s arm around his neck and helped him to their truck.

“We need to help him, Arch.” Alex said as she sat up.

Archie sighed. “I know. I’m gonna ask dad about the whole FP thing later.”

Alex nodded.

——————————————————————————

It was the next day.

Archie told Alex that she asked their dad about forcing FP out of the company he helped founded.

Fred told him that FP was a mess. He didn’t have his act together and Fred couldn’t have that. He had his own family to worry about.

Alex was understanding but still felt bad about Jughead.

She was walking down the hall when she saw him by himself.

“Jughead!” She called out.

He turned around.

“Hey.” She said.

He smiled. “Hey.”

“You going to the Blue and Gold office?” She asked.

He sighed as he nodded. “Gotta figure the Jason and Polly stuff out. The sooner the better.”

“Could you use some company?” She offered.

He nodded.

They walked in the room, where they saw Sheriff Keller and Principal Weatherbee taking a look at their murder board. They paused.

“Hey.” Jughead greeted.

“Hey.” Keller responded.

They didn’t seem to happy. Alex froze. Her picture was up there. She was sure they knew about her and Jason.

“Uh, what’s up?” Jughead asked.

“I’m going to need you to come down to the station with me.” Keller simply said.

Alex scoffed. “Can you do that? He’s a minor, call his dad. Or his lawyer.”

They ignored her and walked away with Jughead.

Jughead was in shock.

Alex followed behind them. She tried calling FP but he wasn’t picking up.

She saw Archie and Betty talking by their lockers.

They saw him being taken away.

“Call my dad.” Jughead said before disappearing into the distance.

“Yeah, we will.” Archie responded.

“Of course.” Betty said.

Alex went up to them.

“Archie, i think we need to call dad. FP isn’t picking up.” Alex said.

Archie nodded. They walked off with Betty following.

——————————————————————————

They all ended up at the station.

Archie and Alex wanted to go in and see him but they only let Betty.

That pissed Alex off more than she already was.

Their dad arrived and started talking to Sheriff Keller.

“Jughead’s not helping himself. I asked him for an alibi and he just gave me lip.” Keller said.

Alex scoffed.

“This is ridiculous. You have no real evidence.” Alex raised her voice.

“Alex, please.” Fred tried to calm her.

She took a deep breath.

“He was working with me.” Fred responded.

Archie and Alex were taken back.

“Yeah, the week of July 11th, was it?” Fred asked his kids.

Alex nodded when Archie didn’t.

“Yeah, I had him tear down some drywall for me.” Fred continued.

“You can provide me with documentation to support that?” Keller asked, unconvinced.

“I have to check my time cards.” Fred told him.

Keller looked at Archie and Alex. They both nodded slowly.

They released Jughead. They walked out of the station.

FP was just arriving.

“Jughead!” He called out. “Im sorry. I came as soon as I got your messages. My phone, the friggin’ battery. I forgot to plug it in last night.”

FP saw the look in their faces. They were upset. Especially Jughead.

“What the hell happened?” FP asked.

“Nothing. It’s fine now.” Jughead snarled. “Mr. Andrews took care of it.”

FP got pissed.

“What jacked-up crap did they accuse you of in there, huh?” FP demanded to know. “Those bastards trying to throw you in jail like they did your old man? Well, screw that.” He raised his voice.

“i will rip Keller a new one for trying to pull that..” He tried marching in there but Fred held him back.

“FP, settle down..” Fred stopped him.

FP took Fred’s hands off of him.

“Hey! Hey!” He shoved Fred. “This is my son, he is my son, Fred!”

“You’d do the same for your boy.” FP shouted.

He attempted to go in again, but this time, Jughead held him back.

“Dad.” He said sternly. “Don’t make things worse.”

“Please.” He whispered.

FP looked back at him. He calmed down and nodded.

“Yeah, all right then.” He agreed.

“You, uh, coming home with me?” FP started walking the opposite direction.

“He can stay with us, Mr. Jones.” Archie offered.

FP looked back at him and Alex.

“We already offered.” Archie mentioned.

“Is that what you want?” FP asked Jughead.

Jughead didn’t say anything. He just sniffled. FP took that as a yes.

“Maybe that’s for the best. If you don’t mind, Fred.” FP said.

“Whatever you want, FP.” Fred sighed. “It’s between the two of you.”

“I’ll go with you, dad.” Jughead’s voice broke as he walked towards him.

Alex felt so bad. She knew he wanted to stay with them but he didn’t want to make his dad feel bad.

FP stopped him.

“Son, listen to me.” He sighed. “I’m gonna do what you want, get my act together. I’m gonna get your mom and Jellybean home so we’re all under the same roof. I promise. But I… I just need a little time to do that. Not a lot, not long. A month, two at the most.”

Jughead wasn’t convinced. He had broken his promises to him so many time. He looked away.

“Hey,” FP cupped his face so Jughead was looking at him. “And then we’ll be back on track, alright?”

Jughead didn’t say anything. He just glared at him.

“You.. You believe that, don’t you?” FP asked.

“Yeah, I believe you, dad.” Jughead whispered.

They hugged. Then FP walked away.

Jughead was in tears. Betty walked up to him and caressed his cheek.

All Alex could think about was how that could have been her.

They walked off, with Alex and Archie watching them longingly.

“Am I sensing envy from both of you?” Fred asked.

Alex scoffed. “Let’s just go.”

And they did just that.

They went back to Fred’s office.

Fred made Jughead a time card that said he was with them on July 11th.

“Looks like you’ve done with before.” Archie pointed out.

“Yeah, well, FP’s got his tricks, i got mine.” Fred said, taking a good look at the card. “Maybe i should have given him another chance back then. Either way, Jughead doesn’t deserve what’s happening to him.”

The corner of Alex’s mouth twisted.

“Hey, at least he has us though, right?” She shrugged.

Fred and Archie looked at her. They nodded.

Archie sighed.

“Well, if you don’t mind, Alex and I have somewhere we need to be.” Archie walked towards the door, taking Alex with him.

“Yeah, sure, son. You guys have fun.” Fred said.

With that, they walked out.

Alex’s face twisted in confusion.

“Where do we need to be?” She asked.

“At Pop’s.” Archie simply said.

Alex’s brows furrowed. “Why?”

“Because everyone is there.” He shrugged.

“Why are you being so vague?” She scoffed.

“We should all be there for Betty, Alex.” Archie explained.

Alex was still confused. “We always are. It’s never been an issue.”

“With you, it has lately. Because of Polly.” Archie said.

Alex scoffed. “Polly’s there?”

“Look, you have to face her one way or another. Why not do it now, with me by your side?” Archie pulled her close to him by wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

She took a deep breath and nodded.

They got there. Polly looked at her but didn’t say anything.

They were sitting at a one sided booth.

They were all waiting for the Blossoms.

“The Blossoms should be here soon.” Betty assured Polly. “Once we’ve talked things through with them, we’ll call mom and dad.”

Polly nodded.

“Are you nervous?” Betty asked.

“I’m thankful.” She smiled.

Alex rolled her eyes.

“At the home, the Sisters said each of us had a guardian angel.” Polly continued. “You’re mine, Betty.”

Why do they insist on being so cheesy all the time?

Pop’s door bell chimed as Cheryl walked in.

She didn’t look so happy.

“Cheryl…” Polly stood up.

She caressed Polly’s baby bump.

“I’m so sorry about Jason,” Polly began. “I know how much you loved him.”

She reached for her arm.

“And he always talked about how much he loved you.” Polly continued.

Betty looked around.

“Cheryl, where are your mom and dad?” Betty finally asked.

“You have to leave. Now.” Cheryl finally spoke.

Polly was taken back.

“My parents, I don’t think they want to help you.” Cheryl explained.

“What are you talking about?” Betty asked.

“They want you out of the picture, Polly. It’s not safe for you with them. It’s not safe for JayJay’s baby.” Cheryl continued.

Polly was freaking out.

“Where am i suppose to go? I can’t go back to the attic.” Polly’s voice broke.

“No. You don’t have to, Polly.” Veronica said. “And don’t worry about my mom, Betty. She’ll want to help.”

Betty nodded. They got up and left.

Alex, Jughead and Archie walked home.

“Well, that was train wreck.” Alex scoffed.

“At least Ronnie came to the rescue.” Archie shrugged.

“I guess.”

Jughead was quiet. He was still upset about what happened earlier that day.

They arrived at home.

Archie and Jughead went to his room to help make Jughead feel at home.

Alex didn’t bother to follow. She went to her own room and fell asleep.

#riverdale beronica #riverdale fanfiction #riverdale jughead #riverdale #archie x reader #archie x jughead #archie x veronica #archie comics #archie andrews #beronica #betty and veronica #betty cooper #veronica and betty #veronica lodge #cheryl blossom #jason blossom #fp jones #fred andrews #jughead x reader #jughead jones #smut #fanfic

[eirabach]

Wednesday [1/2]

Sorry I’ve been MIA. Life.

Back to pornstravaganza!

Captain Charming 1950s AU for the Queen of CC @hencethebravery on the occasion of her birth! Happy Birthday my darling Alana, I kept it pure for you!

(Part two is going to be… less pure ;) )

1.6k. Rated hard T / mild M for insinuation.

Wednesday, 1959

Nobody goes to Granny's on a Wednesday.

It's drive in night down at the bluff, and the young denizens of Storybrooke can almost all be found there, parked up in their daddy’s cars pretending to watch a movie while much more closely watching each other. David Nolan should be there too. As the star of the High School football team and with looks to rival any of the stars on screen he's never lacked for invites from fresh-faced girls in poodle skirts or, for that matter, their mothers.

But he has a standing appointment.

Nobody goes to Granny's on a Wednesday. Nobody except him.

Him, and his secret.

The diner seems darker than usual, Granny slouching over the counter studying the Sears catalogue and the only sound is the faint hum of the generator between the turning of her pages. At the other end of the counter sits Killian Jones, his feet crossed on the Formica as he leans back against the far wall.

“Didn't think you were coming.”

“I wasn't.”

He sees the flash of Killian's teeth as he grins before swinging his legs down and standing, his hand automatically rising push an unruly lock of dark hair out of his face. It makes David's fingers itch, so he balls his hand into a fist instead.

“You hear that Granny?” he calls. “Nolan wasn’t planning on gracing us with his presence!”

Granny looks up long enough to huff, “Either of you going to grace me with your cash?”

Killian's shoulders droop slightly, and David lifts his eyebrows in question. He knows, the whole town knows, how Mr Jones took off in the dead of night and left his two boys with nothing. Liam’s in the navy now, shipped out to somewhere humid and far enough away that the checks don't always come in time.

Sometimes they don't come at all.

“A chocolate shake,” he says, “and a soda water. Mind if we have a booth?”

She laughs, a tobacco tainted cackle. “And disturb all my other customers? As long as you're paying boys you can have whatever you want.”

Granny sets to work making their drinks, her head bobbing gently as she moves along the counter but never turning towards them as David heads to the corner booth, the one with no window and the light bulb that's on the fritz.

(It isn’t like she doesn’t know, anyway, what carries on in the dark corners of her Wednesday nights. But they say her granddaughter went out west with some girl or other, and Granny doesn’t ask, and Granny doesn’t tell.)

It's the booth most popular with courting couples, the one where, just a week or so ago, David had found himself getting a little hot and heavy over a grilled cheese with a pretty little creature called Mary Margaret Blanchard. Killian hasn't been here then, of course, but news travels all the same and he gives David a wry look as he slides into the seat opposite.

David can't help but flush slightly. “Don't look at me like that, Jones. You've done your share of petting.”

Killian's lip twitches and he sits back against the leatherette seat, his jacket squeaking as he folds his arms.

“Not nearly enough,” he says and David feels his cheeks grow hot as Killian's eyes drop to the open v of his letterman jacket. The shirt beneath is old and worn thin, and Killian's eyes linger far longer than is proper. Not that any time is proper. Not that David can bring himself to care when Killian stretches, resting his arms against the back of the seat and allowing David in turn to see the dark shadow of hair beneath his own oil stained shirt.

It's a game they play, the two of them, alone in the flickering shadows of Wednesday nights. Who can make the other crack., who's the best at playing pretend with their blood high and lust in the air.

“I'm happy to lose,” Killian had said once, that first time they’d played crammed into the back of David’s truck, his hand on David’s thigh, his breath at his ear. “Make me lose, Nolan.”

That's why they meet here now; it’s harder to lose with the tabletop digging into their bellies and Leroy singing in the distance, shadows cast under Killian’s eyes and his mouth red in the blueish lights.

Harder, but not impossible.

Granny drops their drinks on the table without a word, and returns to her catalogue. There are two straws in the milkshake, innocent red and white tubes of paper that David stares at unblinkingly before risking a glance over his shoulder. Granny has turned her back to them, and he doesn’t know if he wants to kiss her or kill her for it.

“Here.”

He pushes the milkshake towards Killian who is also eyeing the straws with interest. “You look hungry.”

Killian scoffs, and shifts himself so that he can lean over the milkshake as it sits between them. “I'm not a charity case.”

“Never said you were.”

Killian nods down at the milkshake. “Share?”

Granny turns another page, and the air grows somehow thicker, the buzz of the generator competing with the rush of blood through his veins as, just for a moment, David lets himself wonder.

Would their noses brush as he took his first sip? Would Killian's stubble be sharp or soft against his own smooth cheek? Would it be like hiding in this booth with a girl? Would Killian let him pull him onto his lap? Run his hands over his back and steal a kiss or ten? Or would he be bolder, braver, would he be the one to slip his tongue into David’s mouth? Would his prom night promises sound so much sweeter for their sin? For how much they shouldn’t, for how much they do?

He dares to look over his shoulder again. Granny's gone entirely now, and he can hear her somewhere in the back, her clattering a sure sign that she'll be gone some minutes at least, and if no one sees does it matter? If no one sees does it count?

(Had it counted that first time when no one had seen them but the stars overhead, his whole world turned upside down in a haze of cigarette smoke and calloused hands?)

Killian wraps his pink lips around the straw and sucks, his eyes fixed on David as he swallows.

It feels like a challenge.

He feels like a coward.

“No thank you.”

Killian releases the straw, a single drop of milkshake clinging to the fullness of his bottom lip, just sitting there, damp and cool and inviting and making David’s blood boil, his fingers curling against his jeans as he forces himself to look away. Killian just watches him still with those pale unblinking eyes, giving only the slightest quirk of an eyebrow as he pushes the drink another inch closer.

“Don't you want to try?”

“Fuck off,” David says, but his voice cracks on the words, his heart fluttering traitorously as the eyebrow shifts higher, and it won't do. It won't do at all.

He's a congressman’s son, his father tight at McCarthy’s side as he routs men like Killian out, and David can't, daren't, won't be one of them.

No, he needs a congressman’s wife, pretty and agreeable and silent on his arm, not this lavender lad with the haunted eyes and the leather jacket who makes his heart skip beats and his cock betray him.

He closes his eyes briefly; tries to replace him with Mary Margaret, tries to imagine the turn up of her nose, the delicate bones in her wrists, but it's Killian who leans in closer, Killian's arms that flex beneath the leather, Killian's breath that falls, hot and chocolate sweet, in the inches between them.

“Why’s that then?” he says, low enough to be a threat if Granny were to hear and query it. “Cause I'm temperamental?”

It's too close to an admittance, the truth of what he is - what they are - hanging between them and David feels like he's hanging on a precipice where any fall stings with failure and tastes like regret, where what he says next counts for more than any stolen kiss or locker room stare.

“We all know about your temperament,” David shoots back, and Killian smiles, teeth framed by stubble as the tip of his tongue sweeps out to lap up that last drop of milkshake.

“One does so love to garner a reputation.”

David winces. He's not been deaf to the whispers these last few months, that the Jones boy drove his family away by his behaviour, Killian's leather and swagger not enough to stop the hiss of faggot in his wake. He's heard the sermons against the sodomites in the church Killian no longer attends, had nodded along with the other boy’s teeth marks still purple at his shoulder.

“I didn't mean…”

Killian smiles again, soft in a way that makes David's chest hurt, and taps a nicotie stained finger against the edge of the glass.

“I think you did.”

“Killian, I -”

Killian leans down and takes David’s chin firmly in hand. “I think you mean this too.”

His lips are feather soft and oh so fleeting as they brush against David’s, the sticky sweetness of the milkshake lingering as he pulls away, his cheeks bright and his eyes brighter. David can't help but crane after him, his throat parched for the want of another morsel of that sweetness even asKillian slips out of the booth, and out of his grasp.

“One day,” he says, his own breaths a little uneven, “you might even admit it.”

“You know I can't,” David mumbles, his hands reaching out for the other boy against his will. “Killian you know I can’t.”

“You won’t, you mean. Not that it matters.”

Killian’s lip curls, and David's heart sinks as he pulls a crumpled dollar from his pocket and drops it on the tabletop.

“You can't lie to yourself forever, Nolan,” he sneers. “Until then, I'll buy my own damn milkshakes.”

--

The next week finds David parked up on the bluff, Mary Margaret at his side and his college acceptance tucked into his pocket.

He smiles and laughs and kisses her until her shirt is askew and her lips are red as blood, drowns himself in the taste of her lipstick until he's almost forgotten, until it matters. Until it’s almost real.

(Real as chocolate milkshake and the scent of leather. Real as stubble against his throat and make me lose, Nolan. Please.

He's the one who loses, he supposes, in the end.

Nobody goes to Granny's on a Wednesday.)

#hencethebravery #captain charming #clare vs writers block #clare vs rare pairs #romantic captain charming #smut adjacent #captain charming angst #i guess #500 followers pornstravaganza

[spaceskam]

From A Whisper To A Scream (1/10)

(if the beginning looks familar, it’s because I posted the first 1k before I realized I was going to make it a full story)

ao3

The viola stayed under Alex's chin even as his bow slowed and his fingers fell limp against the neck.

Maria kicked him to tell him he was fucking up, but he couldn't fix it. He was far too busy watching as Michael Guerin, quarterback of the football team who was being scouted by five different universities, slipped into the band room with a note in his hand. He had that award-winning smile on his face as he strolled towards Mr. Richard. Alex couldn't take his eyes off him; he never could.

Two months ago, he'd been assigned to tutor Michael Guerin because he was failing English. He'd been annoyed at first. While everyone else found him charming, Alex found him annoying, arrogant, and chronically heterosexual at best. However, two conversations with him later, he discovered he was a goddamn math genius and he wasn't actually bad at English either, he just didn't put in the effort. Alex had just made himself a personal pest rather than a tutor, breathing over his shoulder until he did his work. That hovering turned into something a tad unexpected...

"Alex," Mr. Richard said, not stopping as he waved the paper in the air, "Mrs. Doyle needs you, bring your bag."

Alex nodded, ignoring Maria's confused look as he quickly packed up his viola and headed towards the door of the band room. Michael was leaning against the wall beside the door, flashing that mischievous grin.

"Don't worry, you're not in trouble," he teased, speed walking down the concrete pathway that led to the virtually abandoned old gym that was only used during volleyball season. Michael had swiped his coach's key and made a copy, letting both of them inside.

"You can't just take me out of class whenever you're bored," Alex scolded, following him through the dimly lit gym towards the locker room without question. As much as those butterflies in his stomach were going crazy, he never let that show. It was easier to pretend he didn't really give a shit about him if he acted like it at all times.

"Who said I was bored? You can't make assumptions like that, Manes," Michael said, still grinning wildly as he unlocked the office that was used as storage more than anything. There were stacks of extra chairs and two old desks.

"I'm not making assumptions, I know you," he said, carefully putting down his case and his bag, "But seriously, our concert is in a month and I have a solo."

"Ooh, violin solo? Look at you," Michael teased. Alex rolled his eyes, standing up and looking at Michael who was waiting patiently for him with his hands behind his back.

"Viola," he corrected. Michael shrugged like the difference didn't matter, rolling from his heels to his toes and then back again. Alex stared at him blankly. "So what’s so important that you couldn't wait until after class?"

Michael's grin became entirely childish as he took a step closer. Alex leaned his hands back on one of the desks, lifting himself to sit on it easily.

"I had a dream about you last night," Michael said. Alex raised a lazy eyebrow despite his genuine interest.

Whatever they did wasn't real. It was something Alex had found to be very useful for bribery whenever Michael needed to do homework or a stress relief tactic, all born out of Michael's innocent questioning if the rumors about Alex were true. Alex was nothing more than a step in Michael's coming out process. But that didn't mean he couldn't have fun with it.

"You were in that sexy little concert uniform, playing me a song, kept me distracted all day," Michael said. Alex furrowed his eyebrows.

"What are you talking about? My black slacks and white button-up? That's not sexy," Alex said. Michael bit down on his lip, eyes scanning over him anyway.

"Don't forget the bowtie," Michael breathed, taking another step closer, "Can I touch you?"

"Depends," Alex said, watching Michael snap his eyes up to meet his to wait for the permission he needed, "Did you finish that book report that's due tomorrow?"

"Yes," Michael answered.

"Mhm, what was it about?" Alex asked. Michael gave a soft sigh of disbelief, his shoulders dropping.

"Really, Alex?" Alex didn't budge. "It was about the roles the different women in Okonkwo's life played."

"Length?"

Michael gave a soft, pathetic whine. Alex leaned back against the wall, thighs spread wide, and letting Michael continue to bounce up on his toes.

"1,534 words, double spaced," Michael answered.

"And?"

"And MLA format, c'mon, Alex," he groaned. Alex allowed a small smile and raised his hand, gesturing him forward. Michael broke out in a smile, barrelling forward to fit between his thighs and his lips meeting Alex's.

Alex locked his legs around his hips, holding onto the back of his head as he kissed him without thought. It was slow, deep, deliberate as Michael pressed in as much as he could. Alex leaned his head against the wall, Michael holding his hips at the edge of the desk to keep them close to his.

Touching him made it obvious how pent up with unused energy he was. He didn't have practice this morning, leaving him extra antsy and needing an outlet. Alex started to push off his letterman jacket with one hand, leading his head to the crook of his neck. Michael shook off the jacket and audibly sighed in relief as Alex touched his arm, slipping under the short sleeve.

"That why you couldn't wait?" Alex asked, voice breathy as Michael skillfully kissed and bit at his neck without leaving a mark. He pulled up the bottom of his shirt to touch more of his skin, feeling the way it helped him relax.

"I just," Michael whispered, pausing just for a second to speak as he squeezed Alex's hips, "There's so much fucking chaos in my head, sometimes I just need you to make it shut the fuck up."

"Sex is really that distracting for you?" Alex asked, laughter in his voice. To him, sleeping with people definitely didn't make his brain stop. If anything, it made him think more.

"No," Michael breathed, his face still in Alex's neck, "It's just you."

Alex felt his entire body go rigid and he thought about pushing him away. It felt like he crossed some sort of unspoken line, but he hadn't. Not really. It was just... A lot.

"Dreaming about you was actually kinda nice, sexy outfit aside,” Michael admitted, huffing a laugh, "Woke up feeling well rested for once."

"Um," Alex breathed, swallowing harder than he meant to. He let his legs drop from where they were locked around his hips. "Maybe we should..."

"Nah, I'm good, sorry," Michael said, lifting his head and kissing him again. Alex pushed away his concerns probably a little too effectively, focusing on his lips as he grabbed a handful of his hair.

They kissed and touched until the bell rang. That part was unintentional and they had to be each other's mirror, fixing up each other's hair and their clothes to make sure they looked normal whenever they went to their next class. Alex deliberately avoided eye contact, not ready to face the weird admissions that came up.

"So, uh, you'll come over after you get out of band practice?" Michael clarified before they left.

"Do I need to? I mean, you already finished your paper," Alex pointed out. Michael's eyes flickered over his face.

"Uh, yeah, right, nevermind," Michael said, putting some space between them until his back hit a stack of chairs and he jumped. Alex furrowed his eyebrows. That was easily the least smooth he'd ever seemed.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes," Michael said firmly, "Sanders is just working late and I had some math homework, but yeah I'm good."

"You're good at math, Guerin," Alex laughed.

"I know," Michael said, a smile slowly coming to his face, "Which is why I said I'm good. Let's go, don't wanna be late."

Alex left first, waiting outside the gym as Michael locked up both the office and the gym. His better judgment told him to put more space between them, let Michael take some space so he could realize whatever he was feeling wasn't real. It'd be gone as soon as he gave it some thought and Alex needed to avoid hurting himself.

But, as Michael locked the gym door and the bell rang telling him he was late for class, Alex didn't budge.

"So, I'll see you after practice?" Alex said. Michael looked at him with wide eyes, but it slowly bled into a sweet smile and he nodded.

Alex headed to class, knowing he was making a mistake and refusing to have any regrets. 

“Why did Mrs. Doyle need you?” Maria asked when he took his seat beside her. He looked at her with furrowed eyebrows.

“Huh?” 

“The art teacher? The one who called you out of class?” Maria filled in, but she soon realized something and her eyes widened, “Wait, you don’t even take art, Alex, what‒”

“Shh, class is starting.” 

He avoided her questioning looks and changed the subject when she tried to bring it up. Eventually he’d probably have to talk about it, but it was much more fun to completely avoid that. He didn’t think he ever wanted people to know he was hooking up with Michael Guerin, at least not while he was in high school. Maybe he’d brag about it in a few years.

After practice, he quickly headed to the car that had been passed down through all of his brothers and started his drive to the back of junkyard where Michael lived in a trailer with Old Man Sanders. Halfway through, his phone started ringing. The only reason he answered it was because of the name across his screen.

“There better be a good reason you’re calling because you interrupted a really good song,” Alex said playfully. His brother’s laugh was clear on the other side of the call, clear enough to tell Alex he was actually somewhere with good reception.

“I can hang up and leave you to it, but I had a small window and I wanted to make sure you were all good,” Flint said. Alex smiled easily. He missed Flint more than he ever thought he would. Their relationships got better once he was out of the house and they weren’t being directly put against each other anymore. 

“Yeah, Dad’s been chill lately,” Alex said.

“Good, good,” Flint said softly.

“Where are you now?”

“Uh, can’t say, you know how it is,” he said. Alex rolled his eyes.

“What’s the point of it being called the family business if you can’t tell family?”

“You know how it is, Alex, you’re not quite a Manes Man yet.”

“I turn 18 in super soon and Dad is already trying to talk to me about the Air Force which means that eventually he’s going to have the whole Family Business talk with me,” Alex said, annoyance in his voice. He was always stuck in this weird middle ground where he both felt left out and wanted nothing to do with it. The idea of being under his dad’s thumb  for his whole life sounded like hell, but there was something kind of cool about their multi-generational dynasty of researchers. He didn’t know too much about exactly what they did, but he knew rich people paid them a lot of money for it. Alex was pretty sure they were spies. “I should get to know where my own brothers are.”

“Well, you know where Greg and Clay are, isn’t that close enough?” Flint teased.

“Clay is boring and Greg gives me history lessons every time I ask him where he is,” Alex groaned, “At least you go cool places.”

“It’s because I’m the coolest,” Flint bragged. Alex rolled his eyes. “Here, I’ll give you a hint: it’s really fucking cold.”

“Canada?” Alex guessed, “Somewhere in Europe? You promised if you went back to Europe you’d get me something.”

“Good thing I’m not in Europe,” Flint laughed, “Not in Canada either. But, hey, look, I gotta go, I was just checking in.”

“Sounds like you’re trying to get out of talking to me before I can figure out where you are.”

“You got me,” Flint said, “But I also have to actually go. I’ll try to come see you soon.”

“Bring me something cool when you do.”

“I’ll do my best. Alright, love you, bye, weirdo.”

“Bye!”

Alex ended the call just as parked behind Michael’s truck and it wasn’t long before he found himself in his kitchen, mixing together ingredients to make cookies as the oven preheated and forgetting all about Flint. Michael had been the one to offer to make the cookies, to give them something to eat while they did homework, but it quickly turned into Alex doing all the work and neither of them was surprised by that.

Nor were they surprised when Michael still wanted something to do. Alex let himself focus on the kisses Michael was putting on his neck, his eyes slowly closing as he completely forgot what he was doing and rough hands slid beneath his shirt. He didn’t know what the hell had gotten into Michael today. He was always touchy, but today he’d brought it to an all new level. Alex didn’t say anything. He liked how desired it made him feel.

However, that only lasted up until the moment they heard his dad’s truck drive up. Alex pushed him off and pulled up the collar of his shirt to wipe his neck dry. Michael quickly hopped up to sit on the other side of the oven, effectively putting a few feet between them by the time Old Man Sanders walked inside.

“Boys,” he said, putting his keys on the hook beside the door.

“Sanders,” Michael said, mimicking the gruff tone of his voice. 

“Hi, Mr. Sanders,” Alex said, giving the most respectful smile he could manage. Sanders was probably used to him being here at this point considering Alex found himself at Michael’s at least twice a week. He was a very dedicated tutor, after all. However, Alex was taught nothing if not to give the best impression to adults as possible.

Sanders, however, never seemed to put up the same over the top act. He walked closer, peering into the bowl of half mixed cookie dough with a raised eyebrow.

“Y’all planning on making dinner or just desert?”

“Haven’t decided,” Michael answered. Sanders nodded.

“Alright,” he said. He looked at Alex and then over to Michael. “Make sure you leave that door open, you know this trailer has thin walls.”

Alex held his breath and Michael’s eyes widened. “Dude!”

“Don’t act like that, I know you.”

“Alex is my tutor,” Michael pointed out. Alex wanted to laugh. As if that would stop him.

“Well it ain’t Alex I’m worried about,” Sanders said. Michael watched him with an unreadable expression until Sanders reached up to ruffle his hair. “Relax, I’m messing with you, boy. You know I trust you more than my own eyes. But I still don’t need Sargent Jackass thinking you corrupted his boy. No offense.”

“None taken,” Alex laughed, letting himself relax when he realized he didn’t care. Sanders suspected something and he didn’t care. That was kind of nice.

“Good kid,” Sanders said, taking a deep breath, “Well, make sure you feed that dog. Alex, you can stay as late as you need.”

Sanders shuffled back to his bedroom and shut the door behind him. Michael leaned his ear against the wall, holding a finger out to Alex to tell him to wait. Alex just rolled his eyes and went back to stirring. Seconds after the shower turned on, Michael was back to being pressed up against him and taking his ear between his teeth.

“Oh, I’m gonna corrupt you alright,” Michael said, voice rough as he pulled Alex’s ass as close as he physically could.

Alex gasped playfully, grabbing his wrists and easily flipping them so Michael’s back was the counter. Michael’s eyes widened and his smile was borderline filthy as Alex pushed up against him. He leaned in close and Michael’s eyes drifted down to his lips before meeting his eyes again.

“You know better than anyone that there’s not much left to corrupt,” Alex said softly, “And what happened to asking?”

Michael nodded, still grinning as he looked at him with those dopey eyes.

“Right, sorry,” he said, “Can you please spit in my‒”

“I’m gonna finish these cookies,” Alex said, gently pushing him out of the way. Michael laughed softly, but he stayed put as Alex did just that.

He eventually found himself on the floor of the living room as the cookies baked. Michael was reading his essay and Alex laid, cuddling their old dog that only answered to the name Dog even though Sanders tried to give him a million names that never stuck. So he cuddled Dog and listened to Michael read and smelled the cookies that were baking. It was nice and homey in a way that made him never want to leave.

It stayed nice as they went over the physics lecture while eating cookies. It stayed nice when Michael fed Dog and suggested they go to his bedroom so they didn’t have to listen to him eat. It stayed nice when his books ended up on the floor and Michael ended up in his lap. It was even nice when Michael bit into his shoulder to keep quiet.

“Okay, so we have 4x²+12x=135, so how does that factor?”

Alex was laying in Michael’s bed, half naked and body still a little hazy as he focused on the homework that he came over to do in the first place. Michael was distracting, but he was going to at least pretend to help with his homework.

“Hmm,” Michael hummed, flopping down beside him after replacing his briefs, “Both factors start with -2x, right?”

“Right,” Alex confirmed, smiling a little to himself. Michael was a math genius and algebra was his specialty, but Alex quite enjoyed when he was able to fog up his brain to the point he had to actually think. “So factors of 135 are 3 and 45, 5 and 27, and 9 and 15, so which of those pairings help you get the factors of the equation?”

“What was it again?” Michael asked, voice genuinely a little lost. Alex rolled his eyes, but he was still smiling as he felt Michael roll closer to peer over his shoulder.

“4x²+12x=135,” Alex repeated. In the middle of his reading, though, Michael had gone back to kissing on his neck. “Hey, pay attention.”

“I am, I am, keep talking,” Michael urged, his hand sliding down until it started to edge past the waistband of Alex’s unbuttoned jeans.

“Keep talking?” Alex laughed, playfully nudging him before squirming a little as Michael's thumb pressed against the hickey he'd left on his ass that was still a little sensitive, “Are you getting off on me reading you equations?”

“You’re just so hot,” Michael breathed, but Alex wasn’t too stupid to hear the concealed yes in his words. He laughed and rolled onto his side, shoving Michael gently.

“You are! You fucking weirdo,” Alex teased, still laughing as Michael rested his head on the bed now that Alex had rolled away. He had that endlessly fond smile that he only gave when they were alone, his curls flopping towards the bed because of gravity. He was ridiculously gorgeous and overwhelmingly sweet. But that was too close to feelings, so Alex looked back to the math. “And you say that I’m a nerd.”

“What if I read you some Shakespeare, would you get turned on then?” Michael questioned. Alex just rolled his eyes and did his best to focus. Michael settled against his back, peering over his shoulder. “Okay, where were we?”

“Yeah, where were we?” Alex echoed.

Thirty minutes passed as Alex talked over Michael's homework. A few minutes in he'd resigned to the understanding that Michael wasn't really listening. He'd rested his head against Alex's back, his eyelashes brushing his skin as they closed and didn't reopen by the time Alex reached the third question. The only reason he knew he hadn't fallen asleep was because, at some point, he'd begun to play with Alex's fingers and he hadn't stopped.

It was weirdly peaceful between them. They didn't do this. They didn't cuddle or touch unless it was leading to something else. That made it feel less like convenience and more like he actually wanted to be here. It made things blurry in a way Alex wasn't prepared for. So why wasn't he putting a stop to it?

After a moment, he found himself not even focusing on the math anymore. Instead his eyes stayed on the way Michael's rough fingers rubbed against Alex's precise calluses that came from playing a stringed instrument every day for years. It was a drastic contrast, similar to the one that came with Michael's torn up nails and Alex's neatly painted ones.

"You need to stop biting your nails," Alex told him softly. Michael breathed in heavily like he was being woken up, lifting his head off Alex's back and leaving him cold.

"Paint them for me and maybe I'll stop," he said, voice rough and sleepy in a way that struck Alex in his chest.

"Wouldn't you get made fun of?" Alex asked.

"Fuck 'em," Michael said. That paired with the cuddling and the whole dream comment from before was... a lot. Alex cleared his throat.

"Okay."

Within a few minutes, Alex found himself perched on Michael's lap and a bottle of nail polish balancing on his math homework. It was a pretty compromising position, both of them shirtless and disregarding the homework he was here for, but Alex couldn't bring himself to mind.

"I wish I could see the look on Valenti's face when he sees this," Alex said, painting the black varnish over his nails. They were short and torn up, the skin around them just as bitten, and Alex knew his work would be messed up within a couple days, but he kept on nonetheless.

"Nah, he won't actually care. The dude tries so hard to fit in that he forgets to have his own opinions. He won't react until someone else does first," Michael told him. He looked dazed and sleepy, his cocky walls thrown to the wind. It was Alex's favorite version of him.

"Still. I don't know how you deal with all of that shit."

Michael shrugged. "It's not like I'm out or anything, so it’s not at me."

"Yeah, but doesn't it bother you hearing them say homophobic shit? I don't think I could stay quiet all the time," Alex said, raising Michael hand closer to his lips. He blew on his nails gently before swapping hands. His freshly painted one rested on Alex's thigh.

"It's easier to stay quiet," Michael admitted. Alex raised an eyebrow.

"Then aren't you just doing the same thing Kyle does?"

"I don't conform so much that I lose myself," Michael said, shifting a little bit as his eyes focused somewhere to Alex's left. "I, uh, I just spent so much of my life in foster care and bouncing around to shitty houses where silence was the best option. It's not an easy habit to unlearn."

"Oh," Alex said, eyes widening a little, "I didn't know that."

"Yeah," he said, shrugging his shoulders, "Once you hit a certain age, they just start putting you in group homes because most families don't want to foster teenage boys. I get it, I guess, but the one I was in last was hell. Everything I did was wrong and I paid for it."

"How'd you end up with Old Man Sanders, then?" Alex asked.

"Long story," Michael said, "But basically he found out I was sleeping in one of the abandoned trucks in the junkyard and instead of sending me back, he went through all the work to get certified to foster and went through hell to get me in his care. I basically just got really fucking lucky."

"Sounds like it," Alex agreed. He didn't have the right words for it and, honestly, he wasn't sure he'd say them if he did. Michael was sharing more than he usually did. They were still in this weird middle ground of doing things they didn't do and Alex didn't want to pop the bubble.

"But my point is that it's not as easy as just speaking your mind," Michael said. Alex nodded, switching hands again to put a second coat. He thought about doing a third coat just to have an excuse to stay in his lap.

"Reminds me of my brother," Alex admitted. Michael laughed and Alex glanced at his face for a second, that easy smile on his lips.

"Your brother? That's a funny way to say you don't think I'm hot," Michael teased. Alex rolled his eyes.

"I meant the whole conformity thing. He used to have a personality, I think, and sometimes he’s still cool, but somewhere along the line he just stopped fighting. It was easier to keep his mouth shut and do what my dad said. Even now he does that, goes where my dad tells him to. I never really got it, but I guess you have a point," Alex said, “I’m just not a fan.”

"You've just got massive balls, dude," Michael said, shaking his head, "Seriously, I know I joke that you're just a band geek, but it takes balls to be you and refuse to conform no matter what. It's... It's really impressive. Sometimes I wish I could be like you."

Alex stared at him for a long minute. He didn't know what earned him this version of this man but he didn't want to go back. He let himself be a little reckless; he let himself fall just a bit.

He leaned in for a kiss and it was welcomed. Michael wrapped one arm around Alex and placed his free hand on his cheek. It felt so natural to be with him in this way and that in itself was overwhelming. But, in the morning, they'd go back to normal. Tonight was a fluke.

Michael tightened his grip on him and moved so Alex's back was pressed into the mattress. Alex weaved his hands into his hair and wrapped his legs around his hips. Michael was warm and relaxed, just comfortable with being with him. Alex had an unhealthy attachment to it. He needed to put space between them before he got his heart broken. 

He pulled Michael closer.

They shared breath as Michael kept the pace slow, each kiss seeming to hold their own distinct and equally important purpose. Alex's heart was slamming in his chest and he didn't mind. 

He dragged his hand over his back. Michael had scars all over him, almost as much as Alex, and he kept them covered with clothes as often as possible. But here he was bare and Alex could feel them. He put his hand flat against the small of his back, pulling him down even more. Michael smiled.

It was all ruined by Alex's alarm going off.

"What the fuck is that?" Michael asked, lifting his head just barely. Alex shoved his shoulders gently. 

"I gotta go," Alex said, sitting up and reaching for his shirt after he turned his curfew warning alarm off.

"Go? Dude, it's late, just stay," Michael urged softly, that same voice from earlier that day when he asked Alex to come over despite not needing his help. A hand crossed over the front of his chest, trying to push him back into bed. Alex pushed his hand away, hoping it would also push away the butterflies that filled his stomach at the request to just stay.

"My dad would freak out if I did that," Alex said. 

"What happened to not conforming?" Michael asked. Alex rolled his eyes.

"Not the same thing," Alex told him. Michael still had that look on his face like he actually didn't want him to go. And Alex really didn't want to. "I gotta go."

"But…" he said, his eyes darting around the room as if it would give him an excuse to make Alex stay. "At least let me drive you home."

"I drove here," Alex laughed. Michael scowled and gave an irritated pout. Alex made the questionable decision to kiss it off his face. When he pulled away, Michael's eyes were still closed and he signed.

"This is torture, you know that, right?" Michael groaned. Alex stood up and Michael collapsed onto the pillow. It was only then that Alex realized the bottle of nail polish hadn't spilled. He didn't comment on it as he reached over to grab it and closed it.

"You already got off tonight and you have two whole hands, so I don't consider it torture," Alex said decidedly, slipping the bottle into his pocket. 

Michael wrapped the pillow up in his arms, cuddling into it as he stared up at Alex with those eyes that were hard to deny. Part of him wanted to cave and crawl back into bed, but a much bigger part knew that would only be bad for him. He needed to take a day or two away from him and reset so he didn't end up catching feelings. Or, more feelings.

"You're so mean to me."

"Shut up," Alex laughed, stepping into his shoes. He picked up his bag and pulled it over his head. Michael still looked utterly pathetic. "You know, for a jock, you're pretty whiny."

 "Fuck you."

"I know you want to," Alex teased. Michael breathed in deep.

"God, I really, really do."

"I'll see you whenever," Alex laughed, grabbing his keys.

"Tomorrow," Michael corrected. Alex smiled and opened his bedroom door.

"Tomorrow."

#malex #malex fic #michael guerin #alex manes #rnm fic #my fic #verse: from a whisper to a scream