#and she was like 'if i dont see that same text at midnight sharp on my bday im gonna be sad' LMAO

[todayisafridaynight]

WELL I LOVED SUBSTITUTE FATHER SO MAKE THAT TWO don't apologize bro 😭😭😭😭😭 I love everything you put out so I'm biased, and I wish there was something I could say... but no I get what you mean 100%, and if nothing else I hope you're happier with this fic! :] And uh. That You Don't Die Of Hypertension ☠️ HBD to your sis though

OH here i thought you thought it was mid (╯▽╰ )im glad you liked it tho, ty for enjoyin then LMAO (*￣▽￣*) my self confidence is at least three layers below the earth at this point so its just a me problem LMAO s'all good :]]

[radiantroope]

18. “Hey, are you still awake?” + 43. “Don’t go on that date.” with JJ pls

18; “Hey, are you still awake?”

43; “Don’t go on that date.”

warnings: maybe a swear or two, possible grammatical errors

a/n: this turned out really long omg i’m sorry but i hope you like it

What was supposed to be a one night stand with a Touron had turned into casually hooking up over the course of the week. JJ despised the guy, Rory, already. He couldn’t help the anger that boiled in his stomach when he woke up and saw the two of you on the pullout couch. His gut twisted when he watched you kiss him goodbye in the morning only to see him again later that night. It’s been a week already, shouldn’t this kid be long gone? JJ thought you himself.

As luck would have it, Rory was in town for a whopping four weeks. The blonde Pogue didn’t know how much more he could take. He couldn’t continue laying awake at night, listening to squeak of the shitty make-shift bed or your poorly muffled moans. He was one more sleepless night from exploding on the both of you.

“You coming back to the house with us, Y/N?” Pope asked from across the table at The Wreck. John B. was hosting a small kickback with a few kids from the cut, just hanging out having some drinks.

Usually you were the first to jump on that idea but Rory had asked you on a real, proper date. He wanted to have a picnic on the beach and watch the sunrise. Unbelievably romantic and something you definitely weren’t used to.

JJ, who sat to your left, noticed your hesitation to the question. He was your best friend and had learned over time to pick up on your little tells. Like the way your knee was bouncing nervously under the table at that very moment. He raised an eyebrow when you glanced his way but couldn’t meet his eye.

“I-uh.. No, I actually have to wake up really early tomorrow,” you replied with a small smile.

“You? Waking up early? That’s funny,” John B. said through a laugh, earning a fry directly to the forehead at your hand. He playfully scowled at you and stuffed the fried potato in his mouth.

“I have a date, ding-dong,” you retorted and fiddled your thumbs together in your lap.

JJ’s heart dropped into his stomach. He locked eyes with Pope from across the table. The blonde’s jaw clenched and he shook his head as he averted his gaze to the table. It’s just a little fling, bro. It probably doesn’t mean anything. Pope’s words rang in JJ’s head. Well now this Touron was clearly more than a fling and he was after your heart. The same heart he’d been after for years.

John B., Sarah and Kiara extended their excitement for you, saying how happy they were that you were giving someone a chance. Much like JJ, you weren’t one for relationships. After your father left you and your mom when you were ten, you believed that’s what everyone would do eventually. Leave you. Some would call it commitment issues, but you couldn’t handle rejection. The idea of falling in love with someone and for them to wake up one day and leave you terrified you.

Something about Rory made you break down those walls, slowly but surely. He was so gentle and kind. He always checked up on you at parties or did the simplest things like hold the door for you. He wasn’t bad in the sack either and that was always a plus. He gave you a sense of security and intimacy that you’d been craving as much as you hated to admit it. Though, you were keeping it casual. You weren’t confessing your love for the kid, it was just a date.

You thanked the two of your friends but the silence from JJ threw you off. He was usually the first to make fun for you for going soft or tease you about doing something out of the ordinary for a guy. But he wasn’t even looking at you.

“JJ?”

The blue eyed boy grunted in response, keeping his eyes on the table. He had leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. He still had more than half his dinner sitting in front of him, untouched.

“What’s wrong?” you frowned slightly and turned to face him.

“Nothing,” JJ’s reply was short and cold. You weren’t used to him talking to you in such a way.

“J-”

“I said nothing’s wrong, Y/N. Drop it,” he snapped, tone sharp and venomous. His gaze was hard and emotionless when he finally met your eyes.

Your mouth clamped shut as you stared at him and waited for him to apologize. When he remained silent and went back to staring at his food, you cleared your throat and stood from the table. You tried to will the stinging in your eyes away as you picked up your purse.

“Y/N...” Pope tried to stop you from leaving.

“Thanks for dinner Kie. I’ll catch you guys tomorrow,” you looked at everyone except the blonde Pogue.

John B. looked at you sadly but gave you a soft smile and a nod. Pope had his head in his hand as he shook it slightly. Kiara was glaring daggers at JJ as she kicked him from under the table. Sarah gave you a small wave and an apologetic smile. With that, you turned on your heels and left the restaurant, feeling like a weight was sitting on your chest.

-

JJ was borderline plastered as he stumbled through the backyard and into the empty chateau. He’d gone in to retrieve more beer from the fridge but when he saw a picture of you, hanging from the metal front by a magnet, he paused. He felt horrible for how harshly he’d spoken to you earlier in the day. He was drinking to try and distract himself from the fact you were going out with someone who wasn’t him. To numb the ache in his heart that he didn’t have you.

He fished his phone out of his pocket and found your contact with ease. ‘Hey, are you still awake?’ he sent the text without hesitation, surprised he didn’t misspell anything with his drunken state.

You debated ignoring the text. You were still upset with your best friend for being so rash. In the whole seven years you’d known him, JJ had never lashed out at you before. Though it was almost midnight and you were concerned something may have happened at the kickback. No matter how upset you were at your best friend, you’d always worry about him. So you sent back a simple ‘Yeah.’ in response.

The Maybank boy flopped on the couch, dialing your number and holding the phone to his ear. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as he tried to stop the room from spinning.

“Hello?” JJ’s breath hitched when he heard your voice come through.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for how I talked to you earlier,” his voice was strained and his words slurred together.

You sighed softly and sat down on the edge of your bed. You weren’t used to him getting this drunk. When he did it usually went he had too much on his mind and was trying to drown out those thoughts.

“JJ, it’s okay-”

“No, no it’s not. I was an as-asshole to you and I’m so sorry,” he cut you off, hiccups interrupting his words every so often.

“I forgive you, J. It’s fine,” you reassured him and stood up to slide your shoes on. Even though you were supposed to be up early, you wanted to make sure JJ was okay. You left your house quietly and started making the short walk to the chateau with your phone still pressed to your ear as your best friend rambled incoherently.

“I’ve been keeping a-a secret. I haven’t told anyone for yeeeaars.”

“You haven’t even told me?” you couldn’t help but smile at the small confession he was making.

“Nope.”

“C’mon, JJ, you gotta tell me now! We’re best friends!”

JJ went silent when you uttered the words best friends. He didn’t know how to respond. He opened his eyes and picked up his head, thinking of what to say next. As the chateau door opened and his eyes fell on you, he kept the phone pressed to ear and mumbled, “Dont go on that date.”

“What?” your brow furrowed as you stepped into n house and walked towards the couch.

You hung up the phone and stuffed it in your back pocket. JJ let his own slip from his hand and fall beside him. He stared up at you, azure irises glossing over. He was tired of hiding. He was tired of pretending he didn’t care about you as more than a friend. It was tearing him apart inside trying to keep it all in.

“I’m in love with you. I have been for God knows how long. I cant fucking stand seeing you with other people and wishing it was me,” JJ choked out as you slowly walked closer, finally moving to sit beside him. “So please, don’t go on that date if you feel the same way too.”

You were shocked as you stared into his watery eyes and saw no trace of dishonesty. He reached up to brush your hair of your face, letting his thumb trace your jawline. You reached up and cupped both of JJ’s cheeks, leaning forward and pressing your lips against his bruisingly hard. He wrapped you up in his arms, tears streaming from his closed eyes and wetting your cheeks as you let years of pining for one another pour out in the kiss.

[oh-theatre]

Sycamore High: Highs and Lows of the Midnight Stars  (Chapter 16)

A/N: I know its a short chapter but a very important one, Also I'm sorry that it's just four characters but I hope you still enjoy

summary: Ted and Tommys happy moment falls away as Henry and Chad have some unfortunate news to deliver

words: 1,676

warnings: Mention of death

Ao3 Link

Ted was extremely happy he couldn't sleep when his phone exploded with buzz. Being sent to bed 3 hours earlier by 2 very concerned professors, he was still unable to sleep. Many thoughts about the previous day had been racing through his mind, many occupied by a certain hot-chocolate loving nerd. Which would immediately send a knot of guilt when Bill crossed his mind. 

You can not be happy right now

Your friend is suffering

Bzzt

Ted bounces up grabbing his phone off of the guest bedroom nightstand rubbing his eyes that had been adjusted to the dark.

Hot Choco: Hey! 

The knot in his stomach slowly disappeared seeing the one-word text. He quickly opened his phone ready to text back. 

SB: Yo… What’s up?

HC: OH! You responded quickly, shouldn't you be sleeping?

SB: Shouldn't you?

HC: Touche dear, touche

Ted freezes at the nickname. They hadn't discussed anything after their...session. Having been interrupted by nervous texts from multiple friends and hadn't had time to talk about anything. Ted was sure he was taking too long to respond and he was sure it had meant nothing but the little word sets off a wonderful flutter in his chest. 

HC: Ted, you still there?

He looks down at his phone he was now holding to his chest and quickly typed. 

SB: Yeah sorry, just had a moment. 

HC: Sorry about… the whole ‘dear’ thing. 

He's apologizing? Ted thinks, he shakes his head absolutely enamored with the be-speckled boy on the other line. He swoons, yes swoons, and replies quickly.

SB: No no! It's ok! We just haven't had time to...discuss anything I guess. 

HC: Do you want to?

Ted thought for a moment, did he? Or did he want to forget everything, or-

SB: Yes...yes absolutely

~~~

“I found her” Henry whispers carefully closing the bedroom door after checking in on Ted for the fifth time. Chad sits up immediately ushering for his husband to come sit next to him on the bed. Henry slugs over feeling exhausted and curls up into his husband's arms. Chad strokes his head lovingly planting little kisses on his head.

“What is it, love?” Chad coos, still comforting the tired man. 

“Ted's mother” Henry says “I talked to the police and they called today. They found him” Henry explains, his voice falters a bit with each word. Chad furrows his brows but encourages him to continue. “Its… It's not good” He chokes back a hot. Chad sits up concerned, wiping away incoming tears forming in Henry’s eyes.

“Love?” Chad asks “What happened?” 

~~~

“Tommy?” Ted calls out feeling absolutely crazy. He wanders a little further into the park finally sitting down on a bench near a low hanging tree. He fidgets nervously constantly checking his phone when suddenly his vision goes blind he panics pushing the two hands off of himself. 

“Woah!” Tommy yelps startling back. Ted heaves relieved turning angrily towards Tommy, who simply smiles innocently and wraps his arms around Ted's neck. Ted tenses quickly but slowly melt into the embrace feeling a lot safer. “Hey, you” He whispers sweetly into Ted's ears. Ted feels an exciting shiver down his spine. 

“H...h-hi” He manages hearing Tommy giggle in response. He removes his arms much to Ted's disappointment and makes his way around the bench to sit next to Ted. He sits cross-legged on the bench and stares intently at Ted. Ted stares back almost lost in the shining boy's eyes. He clears his throat and sits up straighter. “So...um... I..” He tries. Tommy places a comforting hand on Teds. 

“Why don't I start?” Tommy offers, Ted nods “I like you. Like a lot” Tommy smiles sweetly, Ted feels his heart melt. “I don't know how you feel, but if the kiss was any indication, I think you might like me back but I'm not sure” Tommy teases releasing a chuckle from Ted. “But I also know you're going through a lot right now…” He continues, Ted nods. He is, and he had the same concerns about...starting anything right now. “So...I understand if you're not ready. And I'm more than willing-”

“I've never done this before” Ted interjects. Tommy tilts his head confused “Been in a relationship, like a serious one.” Ted explains Tommy nods willing to listen. “And I do like you, but I just...I don't wanna mess anything up” Tommy flushes light dust of pink. 

“Well, you won't know if you don't try” Tommy shrugs hopeful “But Ted… it's up to you” Ted contemplates this for a moment gazing at the encouraging smile Tommy gives him. He thinks back on everything that has happened. The one constant had been Tommy, the kind stranger willing to give him a chance. An unexpected friend and possibly more. A boy so willing to give Ted whatever he needs. Ted stares at Tommy's eyes, the eyes he had seen so many times before. Beautiful, inquisitive brown eyes hidden behind wide glasses. Full of love and absolute excitement. He pushes himself forward meeting Tommy's lip kissing him gently, yet full of passion. Tommy buzzes and immediately returns the gesture cupping Ted's face. They pull away after a longing moment, desperate for air. They stare sweetly into each other's eyes.

“So that's a no?” Tommy jokes, Ted nudges him joining into his sweet laughter. 

“No...that's a yes” Ted says adding quickly “If you want to” Tommy practically jumps up nodding. Ted stands up wearily watching the animated boy lovingly. He grabs him gently calming him down. He pulls him into a hug feeling Tommy embracing him instantly. The moment is pure and everything Ted wants right now. Everything he needs, nothing could ruin the sweet moment held between two young boys under the moonlight. 

“Ted Michael Porker!” The boys jump apart at the call of Ted's full name. He turns toward the source of the noise, his eyes grow wide staring at two very angry professors. He backs up instinctively scared their anger would turn to punishment, Tommy places a protective border between him and the men. The men sigh resigned and approach calmly. Chad approaches first holding up his hands in a surrendering manner. 

“Ted? Kiddo? I'm sorry we didn't mean to startle you…” Chad speaks steadily, his voice softening “We were just very worried when you weren't in your bed” Ted quivers clutching onto the back of Tommy's shirt who places a comforting hand on him. 

“P-p-please dont hu-hurt me” Ted stutters all of his thoughts and control falling away as he feels himself resolve back into a scared little boy. 

“Oh god… Ted no... no never” Henry speaks now, the anger in his voice falling away. He approaches in the same manner as Chad “Ted we would never hurt you. We were just worried” He insists, Ted remains in his position still scared. Tommy turns to Ted holding him gently. He pushes the hair out of his eyes and strokes the tears away from his eyes. 

“They aren't going to hurt you, dear” Tommy assures keeping his eyes on Ted. Ted tries to speak but fails as his emotions crumble around him “I promise, they were just worried.” Ted nods and the pair turn to the ever-patient men. “We are very sorry professors, Ted and I shouldn't have snuck out” He apologizes, the men nod and approach calmly. 

“Thank you, we were just worried” Chad remains calm. Ted takes a deep breath and walks towards them standing a little straighter. Chad stays where he is, allowing Ted the first move. 

“I-im sorry” He sniffles “It won't happen again” Chad and Henry share an amusing look before letting out light chuckles.

“Ok…” Henry pauses “It better not mister” He teases lightening the mood. Ted joins in, followed by Tommy. “Ted we need to talk to you though” Henry admits reserving a serious tone now. Ted grabs Tommy's hand who quickly interlaces his fingers with Ted. “Its…” Henry looks to Chad, who nods “It's about your mother, Ted”

~~~

“Are you sure you want me to stay?” Tommy whispers to Ted as they sit on the couch in the apartment. Ted fidgets nervously waiting for the promised tea and the return of the professors. He turns dazed to Tommy taking his hands.

“Mmhm” He admits, Tommy nods squeezing his hands encouragingly. 

“Ok...ok” Tommy says as the professors return handing the boys some tea, they take it graciously. The two men and Tommy stare as Ted's cup shakes violently in his hands, he notices and quickly places it on the coffee table scared he would break it. Tommy assures him silently before they turn to the men. 

“We talked to the police and they finally got back to us” Henry begins, Ted nods listening intently. “They said… that they found your mother-” Ted jumps up relieved.

“They did?”

“Ted-” Henry tries

“When can I see her?”

“Ted-” Chad stands

“Where is she?”

“Ted” Both men say firmly 

“Is she ok?”

“Ted!” Tommy shouts taking the hyper boy in his arms facing him. Ted blinks before looking around.

“Sorry” He whispers “Sorry… I got excited” Tommy nods understandingly and sits them both down. They turn back to the professors.  “So… where is she?” Ted asks calmer this time. The professors share an uneasy look leaving an anxious feeling his stomach. 

“Ted…” Chad starts, Ted inhales a sharp breath

“Where is she?” he demands shakily. 

“Ted I am so sorry…” Chad feels himself lose control, Henry grabs his hand squeezing it. 

“No...” Ted cries softly, Tommy mimics Henry's gesture to Ted, a horrified look in his eyes. Ted turns to Tommy shaking his head in disbelief “No…” His voice weak and hollow. 

“Ted your mom…” Henry tries. Ted shoots his head over to Henry glaring

“Don't say it” He demands firmly “Just...dont” 

“She's dead… Ted I'm-” Ted stands shaking, he storms away into the hall. The three men jump at the sound of a door slamming. Hearing a loud sob choked back, the night slips away.

[freyjaiam]

Part of ‘Frey’s 12 Days of Ficmas’

03: Peraltiago: The Battle of Turkeys

Holidays were always chaotic for Amy. She just wanted them to be perfect. She always made a plan and did her best to stick with it so that there was no discord. If one thing went wrong it rocked her. She did her best to keep it cool, her friends and husband always there to try and ease her nerves in a way her parents never could when she was younger. However, being married to Jake was a new pressure she hadn’t dealt with before. Her husband didn’t have many fond memories of any holiday. She wanted to change that. Which was why she was up at four in the morning opening her binder to start the day. She had many pieces of the puzzle already in play.

Gifts?

Wrapped and under the tree her and Jake decorated on December first. Half of Jake’s were decoys because she knew he was impatient and did his best to guess what she’d gotten him by shaking and “accidentally” opening gifts. Socks, underwear, and other random things were under that tree. His real gifts were safely stashed with Rosa, who would be bringing them at dinner. Save for the one gift she still had to pick up before the dinner started.

The table?

Already set. She’d been up until midnight making sure it was perfect. She’d researched many websites, magazines, and even watched some daytime television to get these ideas. Her colors were traditional. The plates each had a little sheer giftbag coordinated with the person assigned to that seat. Gina had promised her that she’d get the flowers for her centerpiece, but since Amy knew Gina liked to sabotage her due to thinking it was funny she also bought extra flowers which she had in the fridge to keep them as fresh as possible.

Alcohol?

Alcohol is a must for parties. Especially with the precinct. Jake’s parents were also coming. Not Amy’s. They decided to visit her brother this year. Her and Jake had bought some and everyone else attending said they would bring something as well. Needless to say it wasn’t going to be a dry party.

Food?

Amy had a slight fight with Charles about the food. She knew she wasn’t a great cook. Despite her promise to always follow the recipe, and despite Charles having gone to the store with her to make sure she had all the ingredients for everything she said she wanted to make, he still insisted on coming to help cook. All Amy could think about was the food truck fiasco where both her and Gina quit because they weren’t cutting the bread right. She didn’t want a hospital visit this holiday, and she knew if Charles was in the kitchen with her she’d probably stab him in the face with her best kitchen knife. So they eventually agreed to split the side dishes in half. She would be in charge of the potatoes, gravy, and green bean casserole. They argued over the turkey. He finally relented but she knew that sneaky sonuvabitch  was making his own turkey to bring here. She just knew it. The little attention whore was probably hoping she’d fail so that he could take the credit for—

“Okay, Amy, focus,” she said outloud with a shake of her head. “You got this. Just…” She checked her watch. “Just under ten hours until people start to show up.”

She went to the fridge to pull out the turkey that she’d taken out of the freezer and—

“Oh… Oh no…” She set it on the counter and it thunked. “WHY ARE YOU STILL FROZEN?!”

.

.

.

“JAKE!” Jake bolted up from bed. His heart was racing and his hand went over it as he looked at his wife. He instantly knew something was wrong due to the wild look on her face. Well that and the giant nicotine patch he saw on her forehead. He hadn’t seen that since their wedding. “We have an emergency!”

“You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“We have more important things to worry about than your heart, Jake!”

“Ouch. Okay. Hurtful. But okay.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just really freaking out, because I already messed up this morning. Jake, the turkey is frozen. Frozen! There is no way I’m going to get it thawed out, in the oven, and ready in time for dinner.”

“Can’t we just, I don’t know, put it in the oven to thaw out?”

“No Jake, that is how you get raw turkey in the middle and dry and burnt turkey on the outside. I’m a disaster in the kitchen but even I know that! I need your help!”

“Okay,” he crawled out of bed and walked to her. He put his hands on her shoulders. “Breathe Amy. We got this. We’re a team, now, remember?”

“Yeah.” She took a calming breath. “Jake, what are we going to do?”

“I’ll put on some pants and find us a turkey. Shouldn’t be too hard since its still early. Right? I mean, corporate America cares more about making the extra dollar now than taking a holiday off for their employees so… I’m sure I’ll find something.”

“Thanks. I’ll start the other stuff but… Please hurry.”

Jake slipped on a shirt, shrugged on his jacket, and found his wallet and keys. On his way out the door he didn’t ask once about the turkey wedged in the microwave that was destroyed due to the door being on the kitchen floor. He just hoped to God he found a turkey before it was more than just the microwave receiving a beating from Amy today.

.

.

.

“Jake? What are you doing here?”

“Oh, nooooooooooooo—-Hey Charles!” Jake spun around to see his best friend. “Just picking up a few things we forgot.”

“Really? But I went shopping with Amy the other day. She should have everything.” Jake hated the almost gleeful look that came upon his best friend’s face. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong,” insisted Jake.

“Then why are you here?”

“I told you-”

“No, nope, not buying it,” said Charles, hands on his hips. He was practically bouncing on the heels of his shoes. “Something is up. I can smell it.”

“Well… Get your nose checked. Because we’re fine!” Jake then decided to flip the tables. “Why are you here?”

“Amy said I could make a dessert so I’m making pecan pie. All the extra hours we got this week I couldn’t make the trip until now…”

Jake’s eyes narrowed. “I thought you went shopping with Amy this week?”

“I did.”

And there it was. The small hiccup. The slight catch of breath, the way Charles slightly adjusted his brown tie, something was up with him. Jake didn’t know what it was, but he was the best damn detective in the city, so he was going to sniff it out.

“Oh? Then why are you here? If you went shopping with Amy then you should have everything you need as well. So, Boyle, why are you really here?”

They stood, face to face, waiting for the other to break. They stood like that for a good minute before Charles cleared his throat and backed off. They silently regarded one another and then separated. Jake sighed a sigh of relief when Charles exited into the pasta aisle. He then made his move. He went down the cookie aisle, knowing Charles would be following him. He knew his friend, and he knew he’d be watching. He took a sharp left down the the dairy aisle, apologizing to the woman whose cart he ran into when he was too busy looking to see where Charles was. Little did Jake know, Charles was doing the same thing, and they both froze in slight surprise when they met again near the turkeys.

“Aha! I knew it! Something is wrong! She messed up the turkey already, hasn’t she?!”

“What? No! I’m just…”

“Oh save it, Jake. I know you’re covering for her.”

“Okay, then why are you here?” Jake raised an accusatory finger at Charles. “You’re here for turkey, too. Aren’t you? You promised me you wouldn’t interfere with Amy’s turkey!”

“My toes were crossed, Jake, no promise was made!”

“Dammit. I forgot about your freakishly long toes,” muttered Jake. “Rookie mistake. Next time I make a promise with you the shoes come off, Buddy!”

“Admit defeat, Jake. I’m going to make the best turkey, and you can’t stop me,” said Charles, showing his ugly side, but Jake could get ugly, too. “I knew she couldn’t do it. I was going to just let the chips fall where they may but decided that swooping in with the better turkey would be better.”

“You know what?” Jake grabbed a turkey. It was perfect. And not frozen at all. “There will be no swooping today! Amy and I are going to make the best turkey. Better than any dry piece of meat you’ll have to offer!”

Charles gasped, then snagged his own turkey. “All have you know my turkey is moist and delicious and it will beat the pants off of your turkey! So bring it, Bitch!”

Challenge accepted.

Merry freaking Christmas.

.

.

.

“Amy! Amy we need to…” It was quiet. Too quiet. Jake locked the door and timidly made his way to the kitchen, hoping she was ok. Amy wasn’t there. There was a pile of potatoes, half peeled and half not. There was also a bag of green beans on the counter. He set the turkey in the sink because he remembered something about a turkey needing to be in the sink from his mother. It was now eight in the morning. They had six hours. They needed to get this bird in the oven. “Ames? Where are you?”

It was then he realized she wasn’t there. He pulled out his phone and texted her that he was home with the turkey. He saw her start to reply, but no message was sent. Did she not trust him to do it? Had she thought he’d fail at getting them a turkey? The thought hurt a little, but he couldn’t let it get to him. Not yet.

Because he had to beat Charles.

How hard could it be to make a turkey?

He removed the plastic and only puked one when pulling out all the guts from the ass of the turkey. Thankfully he made it to the trash can. He threw the guts over his vomit and then took out the trash to remove the evidence of him yaking in the bin. Twenty minutes later he heard the jangling of keys in the door right after he finished cramming stuffing back up the ass he’d just pulled guts out of.  He was washing his hands and talking as he heard someone approaching him from behind.

“Amy, not cool, where have you-” He turned around and the woman in front of him wasn’t Amy. She had long, brunette hair, blue eyes, and was smiling nervously while wringing her hands before placing them in the back pockets of her jeans. “You aren’t Amy.”

“Jake…” Amy stepped into the kitchen. She had an easygoing smile as she approached him. She took his hand then tugged him forward a little closer to the mystery woman. “Jake this is Victoria. Your half-sister.”

“My…” He looked her over once more. She had Dad’s nose. “Oh.”

“Um… Surprise?” said Victoria before letting out a nervous laugh.

“Um, yeah… Hi!” Jake eagerly opened his arms for a hug and she gave him one. She was tense at first but relaxed slightly before he pulled away. “Victoria, huh?”

“Vicki, please, only my mother calls me Victoria and usually that’s when I did something pretty bad,” she said with a laugh.

“Right. Right. So, where are you from?”

“Minneapolis, Minnesota originally but currently living in Fargo, North Dakota.”

“Oh, you don’t sound like—”

“Yeah, trust me, not everyone from there talks like the people from the movie,” she said with a laugh. “Everyone from that town hates that damn movie.”

“Right,” said Jake, chancing a look to Amy, who loved that movie. She seemed unphased about it though. “Fargo sucks. I mean, if you want a good movie, then the one to watch is Die Hard, right?”

“Let me show you where to put your stuff while Jake processes,” said Amy, gesturing toward the hall that lead to the spare bedroom, shaking her head at Jake’s poor attempt to see if his sister liked the movie he loved. When she returned she wrapped her arms around Jake. “Hey… Doing okay?”

“How… When…”

“I kinda went over your notes, and babe we really have to work on your organizational skills, but I managed to track down Vicki with the help of your dad. Um, I didn’t give him a heads up about her being here today either. But she wanted to meet you. More than him. Um… She’s never met your dad so…”

“That’ll be interesting.”

“You’re okay with this?” she asked, her eyes searching his.

“What? Are you kidding me? I love it. I’m just surprised you kept the secret that long from everyone or that no one found out. Wait… Did you fake a turkey emergency to get me out of the apartment or…”

“Oh, no, the turkey is a disaster. I really did need a new one that wasn’t a solid brick of ice. But I see you got one, and started it, thanks Babe.”

“Yeah, about that…”

Jake filled in Amy about meeting Charles at the store. Suddenly, gone was the bubbly woman he loved and in her place was a demon ready to suck the soul out of Boyle’s body and place it into the fiery pits of hell.

“We need to destroy him,” she said flatly.

“Okay, but it’s Charles,” said Jake. “The guy can cook. And let’s be honest, the two of us can barely manage not burning a pizza in the oven.”

“Yeah, but we have a secret weapon,” said Amy with a grin.

“What is that?” asked Jake as Vicki entered the kitchen.

“Hey, Vicki, I was just telling Jake that you are part owner of a restaurant up in Fargo,” said Amy, giving Jake a slight nudge.

“Oh, really?” said Jake, a sneaky smiling on his face as he pressed his fingertips together.

“Okay. I’ve only known you both for a couple hours but I can see something is going on,” said Victoria. “What’s up?”

“Well…”

.

.

.

Charles felt pretty damn smug. His turkey was perfect. Along with the cranberry sauce and desserts Amy asked him for after their little fight over cooking dinner. He also made some sweet potatoes, just to be safe. Oh, and some fresh rolls. He nodded to Rosa who had a sack full of gifts as well as some beer. The girl she was dating, the one she met on Jake and Amy’s wedding day, was with her parents instead. Their relationship being new Rosa had turned down the idea of meeting her parents on the holiday and instead decided to celebrate with her second family.

“Charles.”

“Hey Rosa! What’s with all the gifts?”

“None of your business.”

“Okay, okay…”

“What’s with all the food?” asked Rosa, nodding toward the bag. “I thought Amy was cooking.”

“We decided to split the cooking duties this year.”

“Uh huh… But wasn’t she making the turkey?”

“Well… I figured—”

“You went behind her back and made your own, didn’t you? Bad move Charles. Though I approve because it’ll be funny to see Amy annihilate you when you come in the door with it.”

“Trust me, you’ll thank me later,” said Charles as they got to the door. He knocked and it was Jake who answered. His face stern as he looked at Charles. “Hello, Jake.”

“Charles.”

“Ugh,” said Rosa, shouldering her way in with her stuff, avoiding the standoff at the door. She nodded to those who were there. When she noticed a new face she turned to Amy with a questioning look.

“That is Victoria,” said Amy, taking the bag of gifts. “Jake’s sister.”

“Holy crap,” said Rosa. “Well that’s a surprise.”

“Yeah, he thought so, too. Thanks for keeping his gifts. Glasses are in the kitchen for drinks.”

“Okay. Hey, just a heads up, Charles-”

“Oh, I know, Jake told me. Don’t worry. We have it handled.”

Rosa had to admit. It smelled damn good in the kitchen when she got her drink. She also noticed the perfectly cooked pies cooling on the counter top. She smirked at that, remembering Charles saying something about cooking the desserts. Rosa poured her drink and went into the living room to ready herself for the fireworks.

.

.

.

“Oh, Charles, sorry. I had no room for the turkey in the oven,” said Amy. “Your sweet potatoes went in there though. They fit just fine.”

“That’s ok, Amy, my turkey will be fine sitting out for the next couple minutes. Since it’s done and perfect. Oh, I saw the pies. Where did you buy them from?”

“I didn’t buy them,” said Amy with a smug grin. “They’re homemade.”

Charles scoffed at that. “Oh, please, no one here will believe that.”

“Ohhh, but it is the truth,” said Jake, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “They are homemade. My sister made them.”

“Kate?” asked Charles. “Well now no one will eat your food. There will probably be glass in it!”

“No, not Kate,” said a woman Charles didn’t know, hands on her hips and her eyebrow quirked. Charles instantly disliked her. “Me.”

“Charles, I’d like for you to meet my sister Vicki. She is a co-owner to a wonderful little restaurant and OUR FOOD IS GOING TO WIN! In your face!”

“Oh, bring it, Jake. My palette is superior in every way. I’m going to wipe the floor with you!” Charles then quickly shifted gears. Because since she was Jake’s sister he totally loved her already. “My name is Charles, I’m Jake’s best friend, it’s really nice to meet you by the way–-Now get ready to suck it!”

“Wow,” said Vicki as Charles marched out of the kitchen area. “He’s… A lot.”

“Oh, yeah, he’s very intense. Maybe a little insane. But he’s my partner and best friend aside from Amy and means a lot to me so hopefully we can get along after all this.”

“Who cares. I just want to win,” said Amy, taking another drink for herself before announcing that dinner was ready.

Jake’s dad had cancelled. Which was fine with Amy but heartbreaking for Jake so she supported him with a half hug. Vicki wasn’t too sad about the dad she never met not showing. Surprisingly she got along really well with Jake’s mother and Kevin, the both of them very curious about her business at home. When it came time to carve the turkeys Amy and Charles faced off at opposite ends of the table. Everyone got a helping of each turkey. From the looks of it Amy and Vicki’s looked better. But looks weren’t everything. They took their seats. Amy cut her toast in half so that the eating could start, and then she just watched. Everyone seemed happy with all the food and that made her feel better by a lot. The turkey was what mattered the most. Charles tried to say she cheated by not making it. Vicki intervened by saying she never touched the turkey and only gave guidance while making the pies.

That had shut him up.

“Okay, you have to settle this for us, who had the better turkey?”

“Must we really?” Kevin sighed before sharing a look with Vicki. “I must warn you. This group of individuals are always involved in some inane quarrel about who is better at what.”

“Competition is healthy, Kevin, and I must say that Santiago had the best turkey,” said Raymond Holt. “Properly cooked. Properly seasoned.”

“Hah, suck it Charles!” sneered Amy.

“I pick Charles,” said Gina.

“Oh you would,” scoffed Amy. “Just like I knew you wouldn’t bring the flowers.”

“Get off my back, Amy, damn!” said Gina before grabbing her wine.

They all went around the table. It was close. Charles was ahead by two before they got to the last of the guests. Rosa picked Amy as did Jake’s mom, which rocked Charles because apparently he’d been trying to butter her up all night. The final vote came to Kevin and everyone looked at him expectantly. He sighed, finally relenting, placing his cutlery down before pondering his decision.

“I’m with Raymond. Amy had the better dish.”

“YES!” Amy cheered before standing up and starting her celebration dance.

“NOOOOOOOO!” shouted Charles at the same time, hands slamming on the table and rattling everything on it.

“Hey, can we get some pie now?” asked Scully.

“We saw the pies cooling on the counter and if you make us wait any longer we may just burn the place down,” said Hitchcock.

“This is the best Christmas ever,” said Rosa, laughing at Charles losing it once more when his pie was bypassed in favor of Vicki’s when he tried to say his pies would be better than hers—then losing tremendously.

.

.

.

Everyone was gone. Vicki was in the guest room getting ready for bed. Amy was putting the last of the dishes away when two arms wrapped around her middle. She smiled, hands settling over his as he hugged her tightly.

“Can I say this was probably the best Christmas I ever had. Meeting Victoria at the top of the list and then beating Charles in the Battle of Turkeys. Also, present decoys? Nioce.”

“I’m glad you’re happy,” she said turning in his embrace so that she could wrap her arms around him fully. “I’m sorry your dad didn’t show.”

“It’s okay. I’m used to it.”

“Hey-oh. Sorry,” said Vicki, who’d come into the kitchen. “I’ll come back.”

“No, no, we’re cool. What’s up?” asked Amy.

“Well I’m not quite tired yet since it’s only nine where I’m from. I was going to ask if you all wanted to watch a movie or something.”

“We… We could watch Die Hard,” said Jake almost breathlessly.

“Oh, yeah. That’d be good. I like that movie.” said Vicki. “Just let me take my contacts out!”

“Oh my God I love her,” said Jake as she left, making Amy laugh. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers for a quick yet satisfying kiss. “I love you, Ames. Merry Christmas.”

“I love you, too. Merry Christmas.”

END

[writing-in-riverdale]

say something | archie andrews x reader

request

written by: kelly

edited by: @jugheadxresderinyourhead

anonymous said: hi ! here’s your character and number(s) : archie andrews , 63,64,66,77 :)

prompt: 63- “you left without saying goodbye.. i hate you for that” 64- “i loved you and then you were gone.. and i knew i’d lost you” 66- “please say something” 77- “i can’t.. i can’t loose you”

chapter song: all about you / birdy

✘

the day that i was sent away was the hardest day of my life to date. a scared 16 year old girl, pregnant with the baby of riverdales small town hero. archie was my dream guy. 

he had always been the one boy that i had a crush on consistantly throughout my life. one day he showed some interest back and that was it.

 we were together and inseperable. 

the night that i lost my virginity to archie was the start of a snowball affect. it sealed our passion for one another and also left me pregnant.

did archie know? no, he didn’t. was i going to tell him? yes eventually. just not now. 

my parents were shocked when i told them, they were local lawyers and active members of the church so as you can imagine, they weren’t happy. the plan was to send me to a home for un-wed mothers. i made it clear that the baby was going to stay with me, and they respected that. 

on one term.

 i left for the duration of my pregnancy and when i returned, the baby would be made out to be my orphaned cousin who my parents “adopted”. 

and after a week of paprerwork, i was gone. i wasn’t allowed to talk to any of my friends, i wasn’t allowed to tell archie, i wasn’t allowed to even tell my older brother who was in college at the time. it was our own personal deep, dark secret.

✘

over the last 8 months, i’ve developed into a mother. i gave birth to my daughter a week ago, and i’ve never felt better. bettys sister polly was here too. she is pregnant at the moment with jasons baby. what a shame. shes been helping me with my little girl, she’s also been helping me figure out what im gonna say when i get home. 

“you know that betty will be a great babysitter.” polly stated, trimming the roses.

“betty will be a great mom one day.” i reply, smiling while i remember my best friend who i miss dearly.

the baby starts to fuss, so i sit down in the garden and begin to feed her. 

“does it hurt?” polly asked, curious about the breastfeeding.

“at first it does, butonce you get used to it its super natural and relaxing. shes getting what she needs from me.” i clarified.

there was a blissful silence in the garden. i loved being here with my little princess. 

“have you got a name for her yet?” 

“i have a few that i like, im not sure which one i want for her yet.” i answer, trying to think of a better excuse for not naming her yet. its just that i dont feel any of the names that have been suggested thus far arent good enough for her.

the moment of blissfulness was about to end. and so was my trail of lies.

from the courtyard, i catch a glimpse of betty and jughead. they were running past all of the nuns to get to the rose garden. it was comotion, people were shouting as the pair of them start calling out for polly. 

i knew they were looking for her but i didn’t think that it was going to ever lead to them being here, while im here. feeding my baby, that they don’t know exists.

i see betty hug polly, and that brings a massive smile to my face. and while they were having a sweet reunion, jughead looks over at me. his eyes almost pop right out of his head. he turns a ghostly shade of white. 

“betty..” juggie says, stepping back. 

“whats up-” she was stopped mid-sentence. she too, had the same deer in the headlights look. 

“y/n?” she says looking down, at the pink blanket draped over my shoulder.

“hi guys.” i mutter, smiling softly.

the tension could of been cut like butter. it was dead quiet, confusion and shock filling up the atmosphere around us. now it was time for me to explain.

✘

“so the baby is archies?” betty enquired, her arm around my shoulder.

“yes. 100 percent.” i reply, looking down at my little girl.

“and your parents took you here, so that people would think you had gone to live with your brother while they were adopting the baby?” jughead recalled while stroking her little hand with his thumb.

“again, yes. i wanted to leave this place at first but i love it here now.” i state, looking around at the old building with lush gardens and wild flowers.

“we need to get you home, the both of you.” betty insists, getting up and dusting her skirt off. 

and with that the plan was hatched. myself and polly were to pack our stuff and betty would pick us up at midnight. 

and so she did. she came in archies truck, which she borrowed and we drove off into the night. i was longing for him. 

✘

we arrived at bettys grandmas house. it usually sat empty because her grandma was always overseas. she had set it up for myself and polly to stay in while they where figuring out what to do next. 

betty has made us some tea, we were sitting on the sofa exhausted from the crazy escape.

“jugheads staying at archies.” she said quietly, pursing her lips as if the words were forbidden.

“he’s better off at the andrews’ house.” i insisted, pretending like i didn’t even care that she mentioned archies name. 

the night was coming to an end, i settled down in a spare room and i fell asleep.

  ✘

the next morning i had decided to do something completely and utterly stupid. i was going to go and see archie. i needed to tell him that i was back and that i was the mother of his child. 

i was always one to act on impulse, thats what led me to be where i am in my life.

i got into a pair of jeans and a loose white shirt, put my hair up into a ponytail and got a diaper bag ready for the baby. we were about to leave when betty see’s me heading out the door.

“where are you going?” she asks, leaning against the doorway.

“i need to do it today bets, i can’t be here and not see him.” 

“lets go then.” she expresses, grabbing her car keys and heading off in front of me. no questions asked. 

“betty, the baby?” i ask, holding heer car seat.

“bring her with, i’ll watch her while you speak to him.” she suggests.

what am i doing? is this really going to happen? i feel sick. 

✘

as i walk into the auditorium at riverdale high, i feel this urge to crack a smile. as much as i used to hate it here, i’ve missed this place. 

it was always nice coming in and being a kid. i’ve had to acknowledge that archie wont be happy to see me. i know him well enough to establish that the boy has issues with people leaving him. 

i walk into the football locker room and head straight to his locker. i can see him standing there, texting someone. i stand awkwardly trying to say something but its like my voice disapeared.

 i take a sharp breath, trying to get some more confidencence to talk but im just numb. he’s so beautiful and as i see him standing there i remember looking at my baby. she has his eyes. those beautiful eyes.

and then i see him put something back into his locker and he quickly glances over at me and looks back. then it was like reality had stopped, he stared into his locker, trying to comprehend if his brain was decieving him. 

it wasn’t.

i was there.

he looked back at me, this time for longer. he had scanned my body. he knew something was different, i could tell.

“hey arch.” i mutter. pressing my foot against the concrete.

he just continued to stare at me. not a peep. 

“please...say something..” i stutter, trying to comprehend what he is thinking. 

“thats the thing-” he says looking up at me.

“i don’t know what to say..” he continued, placing his left hand throigh his thick hair.

the silence was deadly. you could hear the white noise.

almost in the same moment that silence was shattered by him slamming his fist against the metal locker.

he was impulsive, like me.

“FUCK” he raged, scaring the shit out of me.

my breathing picks up, i close me eyes. i felt his pain. 

“what the fuck y/n? you leave and then..oh shit.” he sits down, overwhelemed by the situation. 

“arch i can explain..” i say walking over to him. 

“explain what? you left without saying goodbye..and i hate you for that.” he spits, looking at me dead in the eyes. 

and with that, it felt like my whole world had stopped. i was almost winded by that word. hate. had it really gone that far?

“i loved you so much too.” he continues. 

“like i had so much love for you and you didn’t take that seriously.” he sneered.

“i cant loose you..” i croaked.

“well you should of thought about that before you left me without saing anything. god, you really dont get it. i loved you and then you were gone.. and i knew that i had lost you.” he confessed.

“I didn’t leave because i wanted to, i had to.” i snapped.

“you left because you’re selfish.” he interupted.

“i left because i was pregnant.” i corrected him.

and then the white noise returned. he looks at me and all of a sudden it clicked in his mind. thats why i looked different. thats why i had changed and thats why i had left. he looks around the room, as if his reality was slipping. 

“you had a b-” he stops to breath.

the look on his face was priceless.

“you had a baby?” he stammered, obviously shocked.

“i had our baby. i had to leave arch, i didn’t have a choice and i couldn’t tell you.”

he uses his hands to rub his face, tears forming very slowly in his eyes.

“i’m not mad.” he admits, looking down at his feet.

“i know.” i answer.

“i’m hurt or i was hurt. i don’t know-” he was interupted by a cry.

i see betty rush into the locker room with the stroller.

“i think she’s hungry.” betty whispers, looking at a gobsmacked archie.

“she?” he asked looking up.

i go towards to stroller, grabbing the baby. and lifting her up. 

“i want to hold her.”  he stands up, marching towards me. 

i look down at her, she wasn’t hungry. she was fussy.

archie comes around and looks down at her face. i could feel him almost melt. 

“she is so beautiful.” he says in awe.

“she looks just like y/n.” betty mentions with a smile ever present on her face.

“she does.” he agrees.

“she has your eyes arch.” i smile, gushing over this gorgeous child that i had a part in creating.

i turn around and i hand the baby to archie, proudly.

“have you named her?” he asks, looking up at me.

“i have a name in mind.” i reply.

“and?” betty questions.

“well my grandma’s name was ivy and archies grandmas name was belle, so i was thinking-”

“ivy belle.” he says cutting me off abruptley.

“oh thats so sweet.” betty whines, pulling her bottom lip out. 

“ivy belle andrews.” i purred.

archie looked at me and without any hesitation,

“im her dad.” he smiles.

✘

and in a moment, a hostile environment can be turned into a memory forever fuelled by love. 

archie and i got married when he graduated high school. he was working with his dad, and also writing and producing music on the side.

we had little miss ivy belle, and shortly after our wedding we welcomed a little cheeky little ginger haired boy named freddie forsythe. 

the teenage girl who was once pregnant and scared is now happily married, a mother of two and a journalist at the riverdale register. i never thought that my pregancy would of lead to my happily ever after, but it did.

✘ 

tag list: @hauntedcherryblossombanana-blog @sadbreakfastclb @jugandbettsdetectiveagency @fragilefrances @onceuponagladerhead  @natalieroseg @mhysaofdrxgons @hiimalyssawriter @kindflowerwelove

[artificialqueens]

party chapter twelve - shalaska - pureCAMP

A/N - here’s another pathetic apology. it’s been over a month. i am a mess and a ball of stress, and i’m very sorry. i hope you like this<3

btw, a man is mentioned in this. this man is not intended to be chad. i know who chad is. this is not chad. thank u

When Alaska woke up, the bed was empty. She could’ve lain there forever – would have if she hadn’t been alone – but her outstretched arms were grasping at nothing but cold pillows, and she wanted to be grasping at a warm body. She knew she’d fallen asleep encompassed in a warm body, one that was composed of familiar geometric shapes and sharp angles, but that body was gone now. Alaska blinked a few times and sat up, feeling groggy. She could hear voices. One sounded clear and high and female, the other low and rough and male. Part of her wanted to listen, but the other part begged her to lie back once more.

So she did, sinking back down into the pillow and closing her eyes as she listened to the voices grow louder and closer in proximity. The voices should have been instantly recognisable to her; she’d heard those two exact voices arguing and laughing many mornings when they were on tour, but fatigue made her mind foggy. All she could think about was the previous night.

Sharon had said that Alaska ‘didn’t deserve the bad publicity’ that was synonymous with her name. She’d said a lot of things, but that one stuck in her mind. It wasn’t like Alaska didn’t get bad publicity anyway, but she understood where Sharon was coming from. It was only recently that Alaska’s general public view had shifted from liked and loved to loved or hated, whereas Sharon had been a figure of strong controversy and adoration since her win, way back when. It must have been exhausting for her.

Almost absent-mindedly, Alaska reached for her phone to break the cardinal rule of reality TV superstardom. She was guilty of it, almost everyone she knew was guilty of it at some point, and even though it brought nothing but strife it was still an unshakeable urge. To know, to read, to acknowledge.

Anonymous: i know right… she used to be really sweet but then she let all the “fan favourite” fame get to her head and she’s a total snake now. I never understood why everyone loved her anyway, she was so fake on her season. And on as2 she clearly just wanted to keep detox and Roxxxy in the competition, and then she had a meltdown because she was about to be treated the way she treated everyone else. So then what does she do when everyone’s commenting snakes about her and her relevance is crashing down (because who cares about her when you could care about Katya)? She pulls out her last trick and does a show with sharon needles. Sad, really. Sad how she pretends they’re still super good friends and uses her to boost her fame and ego when she needs it. Besides the fact that sharon is a complete dick (look on reddit) it’s obvious that alaska only performs with her because it makes people excited and sharon seems to really like her… gross. Dont use another queen for your own good. Anyone else agree?

197 likes. 445 comments. 3 shares.

Honestly, that was mostly standard. Tons of people thought she was a snake for caring about her friends, and viciously defended Katya – the same Katya who would call her at midnight, giggling because a fly had landed on her baby hands and she’d managed to capture a few seconds of it on snapchat. Those were the deluded kind, and their words about being a snake or undeserving were ones she’d grown used to, and unaffected by.

Even so, the comment riled her up. She hated when fans assumed things about her life that they wouldn’t know. For one, she was friends with Katya. Secondly, how dare they assume she was just using Sharon? How dare they claim disgusting falsehoods from behind their keyboards, hidden warriors declaring that Alaska was using Sharon for her own benefit? They didn’t know that Alaska’s heart had been beating differently since they’d kissed, and how would they? They didn’t know Alaska had been falling hard for the past few months, and Sharon had fallen too, and how would they? They didn’t know that the overdose had shattered a gaping hole in her heart that bled with the worry that it would be too late for their love to survive, and how would they? How could they assume something so blatantly wrong? They knew nothing. Nothing at all.

“-irresponsible. But you already know, so I won’t keep going on. Morning, Lasky.”

Alaska sat up, forcing a smile onto her face to counteract the inevitable anger that came from reading comments about herself and the people she cared about. Michelle looked beautiful as always, her face creased with motherly concern, and Sharon’s pyjama top was undone all the way down, Alaska’s eyes instantly drawn to the sliver of exposed chest.

“I’m being lectured again about being irresponsible and taking drugs. It was an accident! But whatever.” Sharon informed her, and resumed her argument with Michelle.

The woman in question frowned. “How do you accidentally do drugs? You don’t just fall face-first into a pile of powders, Sharon.”

Sharon snorted. “No, you fall purse-first. I didn’t mean that it was an accident that I did coke. That was very much intentional.”

Even through the years of her sobriety, Alaska knew exactly what Sharon meant. It was never an accident. After so long, she still hadn’t forgotten. She never would. Memories like that just didn’t go away. It was seared into her mind forever, the way that the club lights would get brighter and the pounding of the music in her chest would spread to her head, her arms and fingertips, all through her body until she felt nothing and everything at the same time. The way she felt numb yet hyper-sensitive, seeing everything in vivid technicolour that made her ache in a painful but good way.

“She means how much she took.” Alaska said quietly. The memories flashing through her mind were scattered, frayed at the edges and missing chunks, and it made her feel sick. “It’s so stupidly easy to overdose, Michelle. You have no idea.”

Immediately, Sharon’s gaze lowered to her feet. The older queen knew exactly what Alaska was remembering, knew she was reflecting on their old club days.

“You just… you have a little and it’s fun, it feels good, it lowers your inhibitions, and then it wears off after like ten minutes. Ten minutes, that’s it. So you go get more, because you can’t feel it anymore and you want to feel it again. And then you keep doing it, because it lasts a little longer each time and you lose a little more sense every time but it still wears off. You forget that it builds up in your system and… and…”

Alaska couldn’t finish. The image of Sharon, with her dilated pupils and her quivering hands, leaning over the mattress to vomit on the carpet before falling back onto the bed, it was far too raw. Far too real. No matter what happened, no matter how she recovered or how many jokes would be made about it, that moment would never leave her. It had chilled her to the bone.

“You take too much. You overdose. You nearly die and ruin the tour and Christmas and any chance you had at redeeming your fucked-up reputation.” Sharon finished bitterly. “You worry your friends, you worry your mom, you worry anyone who bothered to care for you. It’s so easy, Michelle. It shouldn’t be, but it is.”

Michelle’s brow creased further, warmth and concern evident in her eyes. “Thank god you’re okay now. Why did you in the first place? I know you’re… partial to your illegal substances.”

Sharon bit her plumped lip and fidgeted. “Well, there is the fact that I like it, but… I don’t know. Is there ever a reason? I wanted to go out and party after stressing about the tour and arguments and all of that, and I happen to be a Ru Girl. People will give you anything when you’re a Ru Girl. Of course I said no the way a drag queen does, which sounds like ‘Sure!’ and the rest is drag. History. Her-story. Whatever. I’m alive, at least.”

Her attempt at lightening the mood, tossing in a few jokes to elicit a laugh, didn’t really work. Alaska smiled weakly, mainly out of tact, her emotions mirrored in Michelle’s face. The older woman looked as if she might tear up and hug the life out of Sharon in an instant.

“Right. Is the next rehab session soon?”

Sharon cut in before Alaska could drop a spiel that would keep Michelle happy. “Yeah, but I’m not going.”

“Oh shit,” Alaska muttered under her breath as Michelle’s face went from concerned to angered.

“Let me talk, first. Don’t look at me like that,” Sharon murmured. “I’ll go every now and then, but it’s not necessary. I know why I did it and what led me to that environment – I’m a fucking drag queen. Do I get urges? Yes, but I have Alaska by my side 24/7 to guilt me into being a good girl. I don’t need their goddamn group therapy where John the divorced father of three kids and heroin addict tells us he used to work in a bank. I can make this change on my own.”

Michelle didn’t look convinced, but she nodded. “If you think so. I’m gonna call or visit regularly, to check in. In the meantime, I know you’ve updated your social media, but I think you should speak to your friends who spent Christmas fretting about you.”

Alaska winced, knowing that the worries of their friends was one of Sharon’s biggest guilt-trippers, guaranteed to cause her mood to change. She’d already learnt how to tiptoe delicate around things that could trigger mood swings, but Michelle hadn’t been around to notice.

“Don’t fucking remind me.” Sharon grunted, but Alaska noticed that she reached for her phone from her pocket as Michelle walked out of the house. Her own phone began to buzz as Sharon typed.

-BOTS Ladies ❤-

Sharon: i’m an asshole. Sorry i ruined the tour and xmas.. cunt wait to see you all again when im allowed to be around people again

Phi Phi: jesus i thought you’d never text us

Detox: BITCH!! We were terrified!!

Courtney: don’t ever do that again, shags. I cried when i found out u were ok. Even willam bellend did

Sharon: not really planning on doing it again..

Jinkx: get better soon

Alaska: am i not a person??

Sharon: ur an alien..

Fame: are u two hanging out rn?

Katya: because what u see isn’t always a person

Jinkx: alaska are you with Sharon omg?

Jinkx: michelle told me nothing after u got out of the ER and ICU

Sharon: boo

At the same time that Sharon looked down at Alaska in the bed, Alaska shot her a sheepish smile. Her mind raced, but she really had no idea how else to relax.

Sharon vocalized Alaska’s thoughts. “You just told our friends that we’re currently in the same place, which can literally only be my home.”

Thankfully, the only undertones in her voice were ones of amusement. Sharon collapsed onto the bed next to her, a wide grin spreading onto her face as she watched Alaska try and figure out a response.

“Uh… I guess I did. Oops.” She managed.

Sharon cracked up. “You’re so stupid!” She laughed, shifting under the covers to where Alaska was still sat up. She pushed Alaska so she was also lying down and held both of her hands. “I wanna kiss your idiot face. You mind?”

Alaska chuckled, freeing her hands so she could tug Sharon closer. “My idiot face wants to be kissed.”

In an instant, Alaska completely forgot that she’d slipped up to their friends, because Sharon’s lips were connected with hers. The older queen’s teeth bit into Alaska’s bottom lip, sucking it gently as her hands roamed in her short dark curls. Her touch was soft but insistent, wantonly asking for more whilst keeping the boundaries between them. Flush against her, Sharon was cold from walking around the house, and she curled her body into Alaska’s for warmth and closeness as their tongues entered each other’s mouths. After a few seconds they pulled apart, needing air, and pressed their sweating foreheads against one another. When Alaska opened her eyes, she saw thick dark lashes and bright blue eyes watching her, the tiniest of smiles accompanying their loving gaze.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She panted, breathless. She couldn’t control the smile that made its way onto her face as she took in Sharon’s expression.

Sharon smiled wider. “Looking at you like what?”

“Like you love me.”

The blonde kissed her again, languid and luxurious, as if she had all the time in the world. A quiet gasp escaped from Alaska’s lips, but she was in too much bliss to care.

“Because I do, pumpkin. Every moment I get to kiss you is every kiss I missed out on in four years of fucking up. That’s a lot of lost time to make up for.” Sharon breathed, her gaze never once leaving Alaska’s face. Her skin was flushed red, her lips slightly swollen from kissing, her hair mussed from Alaska’s hands – in short, she’d never looked so beautiful. Alaska’s heart beat faster at the sight of her.

“Four years is a lot of time to make up for.” Alaska repeated, arching her neck as Sharon began to plant kisses along the bottom of her jaw. “Four long years.”

Sharon started concentrating on a spot just underneath the curve of her jawline, sucking at the sensitive skin there. When she was done, she kissed the red mark she’d left.

“I can handle that.” Sharon took a moment to breathe and speak, before instantly getting back to work at Alaska’s jaw and neck. Her facial hair was growing through again, the short, dark stubble, and Alaska knew Sharon had a thing for it. Back when they had been together before, although she had never admitted it out loud, Alaska always noticed the slight increase in affection – mainly kisses on her jawline – when she had facial hair.

“We should do something today.” Sharon said suddenly, nipping at Alaska’s ear.

Alaska laughed at Sharon’s imitation of what she herself used to do when they originally dated. “Like what? Isn’t the next rehab session later today?”

A hint of teasing laced Alaska’s words. She knew there was no way in hell she was going to get Sharon to go another time – at least not in the same week. Just as she expected, Sharon let out a loud whine.

“It’s Thursday! We agreed that I wasn’t gonna go today, don’t make me go back to that suicide-inducing church. They’ll make me speak to the fucking priest, I’ll burst into flames. I mean something fun! Just us.” Sharon’s plea was almost childlike, her feverish touch and hungry lips making way for wide blue eyes and a hopeful expression.

Alaska hummed, deliberately dragging her decision out. “Hmm… all I remember is you saying you’d cook if I didn’t make you go… I don’t know, Noodles.”

“Please!” Sharon begged. “Come on, I never use proper manners. Indulge me.”

“I’m gonna need some more persuasion than that. Indulge me, what? I’m missing some manners there.” Alaska taunted further.

Sharon sighed. “Can you pass me my glasses? I can’t see a goddamn thing.”

Alaska bit back a comment about Sharon’s age, choosing the path to a quiet life. Shifting over, she reached for the table where the blonde’s glasses were sat and managed to hook them onto her finger, practically flinging them at Sharon’s face. Sharon wrinkled her nose, filling Alaska with the uncontrollable urge to kiss it, and put the glasses on.

“There we are.” She said, satisfied, and pulled herself up. She positioned her hands either side of Alaska’s head, moving so her body hovered over hers. Alaska was essentially pinned into place.

“You look prettier when I’m wearing glasses.” Sharon stated, lowering herself down.

Her lips kissed Alaska’s gently, teasing her. She knew the light touch wouldn’t be enough, and Alaska would crave more as she always did. When Alaska tried to lift her head to intensify the kiss, Sharon drew back ever so slightly, so the pressure stayed tantalisingly soft. The ball was in her court.

“Are you persuaded yet?” Sharon breathed, not giving Alaska the chance to respond before resuming her unbearably gentle kiss. Alaska found herself shaking her head.

“You’re not? Okay, what about this?”

Sharon withdrew suddenly, and Alaska moaned at the loss of her warmth above her. She waited desperately for something else, something more, allowing her to get her own way and enjoy her time with Sharon.

What she received instead was entirely unexpected; a pair of strong red hands scrabbling at her sides, her stomach, under her arms, tickling her. Alaska shrieked and flailed, uncontrollable laughter escaping from her as she writhed about. Sharon knew all of her weak spots – a four year relationship had ensured that – and she abused them all, delighting in the squeals of laughter she was causing and joining in with a few joyful chuckles of her own.

“FINE! FINE! FINE! WE CAN DO S-S-SOMETHING! YOU DON’T HA-HAVE TO GO!” Alaska giggled, practically yelling the words. “FREE ME! L-LET ME GO!”

Instantly upon her surrender, Sharon laughed and leaned down again to kiss her, this time properly. Her weight on top of Alaska – lighter due to her stay in hospital – was comforting, and when they pulled apart, Alaska grinned dumbly.

“Your glasses bumped my nose.” She complained, rubbing the little red mark they’d left. “Have you got any ideas of what you want to do today?”

Sharon smiled, pushing them up with her middle finger. “Your nose bumped my glasses. I actually don’t know. We could just see if there’s anything to do and make something out of the day.”

“I like that.”

-

Appearing in public with Sharon wasn’t new to Alaska, especially not when they were in drag. Appearing with public in Sharon out of drag happened a few times, generally during BOTS or with friends, never really alone. Appearing with Sharon out of drag, in public, in Pittsburgh, with the knowledge that there was some kind of relationship-but-not-relationship happening behind the scenes? Alaska didn’t really know how to act.

The city had practically become a hive for fans of strange, weird, underground drag to flock to, or just fans of Sharon, Alaska and the Haus of Haunt. The two didn’t dare to hold hands or come across as too affectionate, because they just never knew who was going to see them. Not all drag race fans were skinny white twinks obsessing over Jeffree Starr, and all it would take was a single sneaky picture from a fan of the two acting differently to spark even more online drama. Alaska wanted to avoid as much of the drama as possible, even if Sharon had already added to it,

Thankfully, their walk down the streets of Pittsburgh had been fairly uneventful. No one really gave them a second look, not caring or not knowing who they were. Alaska knew the city had a great sense of pride for the two of them, but in the daytime they weren’t really stars. The true reverence was at night, in full paint, under the sweltering lights of a club. As two fairly ordinary looking guys, minus a little bit of Botox,  there was no point in staring. Unlike when they were in drag, there was really nothing to see.

“This feels so weird. We worked so hard to never be seen with each other.” Sharon mused. “I spent ages wanting to be with you and now it’s happened, it feels strange. Get what I mean?”

Alaska nodded. “Completely. I was just in denial, and now-”

“We’re here.” Sharon finished.

There was something symbolic about it, simply walking through the city. It was pleasant enough to walk around, enjoying the peace, but there was more to it. Every step felt like retracing an old memory – drunkenly stumbling down the road after a long show, kissing for the first time in the shelter of the bus stop when it rained, dates back when no one cared to learn their names. They’d come full circle, in a way. They were back where it had all started.

As they walked into the lesser-populated parts of the city, the amount of people thinned. The occasional group of kids skated past, but other than that, it was mostly empty. A few people walked past, but not enough for Alaska to feel too exposed. She slipped her hand into Sharon’s, smiling bashfully as Sharon gave hers a squeeze and didn’t object. For some reason, Alaska felt her heart swell. Sharon didn’t mind her showing a little bit of affection in public. Maybe things were changing.

Caught up in conversation, Alaska didn’t even notice the man walking in their direction until they collided, momentarily leaving Alaska dizzy. She opened her mouth, ready to apologise, and stopped when she saw Sharon’s expression.

The blonde looked shell-shocked, her lips parted slightly as she and the stranger stared each other down. Alaska tried to search for something familiar about him, but found nothing in his brown eyes, ruffled black hair, and lean build.

“Aaron. Good to see you.” He said, his voice expressionless.

Alaska frowned. Hardly anyone called Sharon Aaron. In fact, Alaska had only heard Michelle call her Aaron once, and that was in the hospital after just over half a decade of knowing her. Even Alaska herself usually called her Sharon. It was strange hearing her referred to as Aaron.

“You too, Mark.” Sharon replied, her voice even. Mark turned to Alaska, and Sharon quickly filled her in. “Alaska, this is Mark… my ex-fiancé. Mark, you know Alaska.”

Mark pursed his lips, his eyes cold. His gaze fell onto their entwined fingers. “I do know Alaska. You’ve reunited?”

Sharon coughed. “Let’s not do this, Mark. I really don’t want to do this.”

A sense of protectiveness welled up inside Alaska. Sharon’s voice was quiet, totally unlike herself. She seemed stripped of her confidence, something Alaska had been trying her best to preserve and build up since the overdose.

“Funny, I recognise those words from the night you told me I wasn’t good enough. He’ll get cold feet and leave you, the way he left me.”

Mark directed the last part towards Alaska, who glared at him. How dare he?

“You know it wasn’t like that.” Sharon sighed. “Things weren’t working. I was unhappy.”

Involuntarily, her grip on Alaska’s hand tightened. Alaska had had enough.

“Back the fuck up, Mark. It’s not your place to tell Sharon what makes her happy or criticise her for pursuing her own happiness. The last thing she needs right now is you stressing her out by being an asshole.” She spat.

Mark narrowed his eyes. “Oh? You care about her wellbeing? Again, funny how we broke up, you started talking again and then she took an overdose. I’m not saying it was intentional, but I’m saying that she’s always been good at lying.”

“That’s not true!” Sharon insisted, fiercely defending Alaska more than herself. “Don’t listen to him. Come on, let’s just get out of here.”

Mark scowled. “You’re good at brainwashing people, Aaron. I never knew you could do it to the same person twice. Thank god I got free from it.”

Without another word, Mark continued walking down the street, and Alaska tugged Sharon along, desperate to distract her from what had just happened. Sharon had told her back in the hotel room months ago that she’d had a fiancé she couldn’t bring herself to marry. No doubt Alaska had been mentioned, judging by Mark’s hostility towards the pair. Alaska recalled Sharon admitting that she couldn’t bring herself to say she loved him.

“Sharon?”

“Yeah?”

Alaska hesitated, but pushed on. “I love you.”

There was a long pause. Oh, shit, Alaska thought. I’ve gone and fucked it up now. This was going to be the part when Sharon couldn’t say it back, was just enjoying their hands-free, no stress thing they had going on. Perhaps Alaska had it twisted. But no, she was overreacting. Or was she? Sharon didn’t love her. But she did! She’d spent so long saying so. What if things had changed? Alaska was freaking out. The silence dragged on for what feel like hours, each second that ticked past stabbing into Alaska like a knife.

“I love you too.” Sharon responded. “I like saying that as long as I’m saying it to you.”

Alaska pulled the shorter queen into a whirlwind kiss, wrapping her arms around her and tilting her face upwards before letting her go and smiling.

“Shall we just go home? I can call a cab if you’re gonna find it hard to walk all the way back.”

Sharon brought Alaska’s hand to her lips and kissed it. “Whatever you want. I need to start thinking about you more.” Alaska’s insides felt warm, but something wasn’t right. A gust of cold wind on the back of her neck, a mosaic out of place in a beautiful picture. Everything was perfect but something just didn’t feel right. A feeling of foreboding began to encroach.