#penelope blossom is awesome

[riverdale-retread]

Riverdale S3 E22 Finale (Spoilers!) 

- Life would lose its meaning, if I lost you, my love is the song lyric that sends us out of Season 3 and I kept thinking about S5a. This lyric is the expression of the central tragedy of this show, namely, Jughead and Veronica, the person with the biggest heart and the biggest brain, respectively, yearning to have their love  & devotion properly reciprocated by Barchie, and not getting it. (I hate this place. I hope S5b takes me somewhere better).

Toni is the True Serpent Queen

- Toni assembles everyone and their weapons so quick, both the Serpents and the Poisons, and they know what’s what and follow her command. 

- But first, she gets drugged. Toni Topaz I feel like wouldn’t have been into Harry Potter, maybe because she would’ve figured out Rowling’s issues faster than everyone else.  Nevertheless, if she had, Toni would have known better than to accept food or drink from Penelope Blossom, especially when Penelope calls it ‘calming tea.’  When I first saw this I was convinced that Penelope had straight up killed Toni, but I am so glad she didn’t. 

- Toni is awoken by the ever wonderful Grandma Blossom who always knows whatever the hell is going on.  Grandma Blossom wants Toni to participate as a side player in the Main 4′s plot but Toni is very firm:  I NEED TO SAVE CHERYL.  Because you know, the main four always do that to Choni. Go Toni with your proper priorities.  Because when Choni do come to the rescue of the main four, NOBODY SAYS THANK YOU. 

Sidebar: Girlfriends well met, because after her valiant self sacrifice for her lady, Cheryl saves her own self, more or less. She also runs, several miles, in the dark, in heels, holding a baby, and her hair is still perfect at the end of it.  Cheryl Blossom is a witch, nobody can tell me otherwise.  And I very much enjoyed the multiple archers.  Yeah, a solo archer is really of limited utility, but I agree that a gang of archers can be all that.

I also liked the very brief, very tiny, Alice and Cheryl scenes.  They both  have snappy bitch energy. Alice answering the question from Cheryl about Why should I trust you! with What choice do you have? is the most persuasive anyone has ever been with Cheryl.  Betty could learn a thing or two. 

So then Alice stays for Polly and wants Betty to be safe from the Farm.  So it’s sometime AFTER she married Edgar that she met Charles and became the secret mole? Alice hates herself, so she can’t love her daughters and that’s why Charles’ intervention works.  I would feel bad for her, but she’s so shit.

Penelope Blossom is a Terrific Villain

-  Penelope, like a good madame (I assume?) lets people be who they are.  That has to be the key to her success as a sex worker. She understands people.  Penelope Blossom understands that Edgar’s greed for money outweighs his need to indulge in his various perversions, and so she buys all of Betty’s organs, in bulk.  (I am a sicko for finding this funny, but I mean seriously, Penelope has a way with words). She got Dagwood (Jason Jr. The Second)  because she understood that Edgar really only wants to keep girl children and gay boys. 

The total filth and lack of any sort of hygiene at the Farm’s organ harvesting surgery room gives me absolute heebie jeebies.  Edgar is such a pervert, but it’s useful that perverts in tv and film are such ornate, fussy people because otherwise he’d just straight up murder Betty and there’d be no more show.

- By the way Penelope doesn’t want to rescue Cheryl, just Betty, even after she knows Evernever is harvesting organs. Damn that is cold.

- Penelope has been observing Jughead very closely during their repeated interactions this season, so she knows that Jughead loves to give Poirot monologues, and she lets him!  And Jughead just has a whole selection of these speech openings in his head, all the time, to pull out whenever.  Use quote from Conan Doyle re: Impossible, Improbable, Truth, In Real Life, now crossed off the Jughead Master To Do List!  Oh and Jughead talks to Hal Cooper for the first time in his life, and so calls him Mr. Cooper because Jughead politeness compulsion is so ingrained.

- Penelope only wears her long opera gloves on her left hand because that’s the site of the worst injuries sustained in the Blossom Fire. I want to know where she keeps all the right handed gloves.  

- Penelope also understands that Betty is basically Alice in a Gothic Wonderland, and knows that she will, without question or attempt at escape, just obediently follow written instructions that say “Put This On, Come Downstairs.” Especially if you make the gown pink.  (Pause here to say, OMG Betty is so! very! beautiful!  Penelope voice to purr:  Elizabethhhhh Pretty~~~~)

-  Penelope is the OG Game Master.  Penelope is a homophobe but I mean she is all about that drag queen showmanship. She juices up the game like a grown up: ALL OF THE CHALICES WERE POISONED. It’s just  slow acting. And maybe there is an antidote which might work and maybe there isn’t. Or maybe it was never poisoned to begin with. LULZ  you just have to finish the game!   The singsong delivery of the line:  Tick To~~ck is so fan.tast.ic. 

Hal Cooper Is A Gormless Woman Killer

- Hal Cooper is not scary. Once more - Hal Cooper Is Not Scary.  He just isn’t.  No disrespect to the performer, but he just isn’t threatening, at all.  Chic is unsettling and weird, at least, but Hal Cooper is not scary.    What he is though, is hateful.   

I find it hilarious that Hal Cooper’s final benediction, delivered by Penelope, is:  YOU WERE A TERRIBLE SERIAL KILLER.  This neatly echoes Alice Cooper bursting out in hysterical laughter when Betty first accuses her father of having killed Jason Blossom - The man is just not capable teehee.  And it’s true that if Hal had been tasked with killing Jason Blossom he wouldn’t have succeeded, but not for the reasons Alice thinks.  Hal is a woman killer, not a plain serial killer.

Hal’s a misogynist with control issues about women,so  his heart was only in it when he was out to kill women, and that’s why he fails so badly at killing men.

Compare to Sister Agatha, who killed all of her sister nuns to tie up loose ends, and to Penelope Blossom, who mostly kills men who have directly harmed her or get in her way.

Mary Andrews Gave Her Obtuseness To Her Son, Who is Just Not Bright 

- Does Mary know who Veronica’s father is?? Fred Andrews was often a little bit uncomfortable around Veronica. He didn’t openly approve of the Varchie relationship the way he did Valerie, for example.  FP, Failure Father Jones, expressed grave concerns when his child went into business (for a bit) with Veronica Lodge, but Mary is like, So Archie, are you and V endgame? Where do you stand?  I mean, she herself is queer, so that must be why relating to her straight son (if he is) (all his most important emotional connections are with boys and he keeps needing to find Jughead replacements soooo....) are so awkward.

- Archie, going off to fight the Bear Man, asks in the most super casual way that his friends tell his parents that he loves them, if he dies, and then adds as a total afterthought, “You guys too.”  This little bit reveals everything there is to say about Archie being both so, so dumb and yet so loveable.

Sidebar: Giant Unexplained Man who is willing to wear a bear head hat and beat a teenager to death in the woods (what was the wanted ad for this job like?)  is so Riverdale.

- Archie has played two whole rounds of live action  G&G with real death stakes and still doesn’t know that it’s Gargoyles and not Gremlins because that boy is just not smart.

Veronica is the Smartest of the Main Four, says the Show

- Veronica keeps saying sensible things that are directly contradicted by Jughead and I don’t like this.  I saw this in a really well put together film commentary once - that women often ask questions in movies that are answered by the nearest man, that women posit things that are sensible but then the nearest man shows  them to be wrong by saying the opposite thing that comes true. And this exact thing keeps happening to Veronica by Jughead here and it does them both a disservice. Jughead listens to women (all people really, but especially women) very closely and carefully, you know? And Veronica is the smartest one of the main four, the all-rounder.  I know Betty gets the best grades but come on, she’s not the smartest.   

Example 1:  Archie says “The invites say not to tell anyone or bring our phones,” to which Veronica explains, to Archie, “So it’s a trap.” Archie’s face is like OMFG WHAT I NEVER THOUGHT OF THAT but Jughead glares at Veronica like she’s stupid and snaps, “What that ever in doubt?”   Um. Hey now.

Example 2:   Veronica, who has never played any version of G&G, is the one to say,  “We don’t even know where to go!”  and immediately, Jughead answers, “Actually, Enchantress, we might.”   Let me reiterate, Archie has played the real life version because Warden Norton and Hiram Lodge forced him to from when he was in prison and he knows the rules enough to hallucinate the game when he has Bear Claw Fever, but he still doesn’t know what the game is called!  Betty must’ve gotten a quick tutoring session between when she didn’t know anything about the game and when she moved into the Farm and was comfortable addressing Jughead as Hellcaster. So there is no justification for Jughead to be so irritable with Veronica for her questions.

Example 3:  When given the Poison Roulette game, Veronica at first refuses to participate, which is also a sane response, and yet again, Jughead, who was waiting for her to object,  then reads her the rest of the instructions.  Jughead, why are  you being so mean to Veronica? 

Example 4: In the throes of the game, Archie wonders aloud WTF  is going on because he’s slow, and Veronica says, as she’s dying of poisoning, that maybe they can figure out the whys and wherefores later, which is a sensible thing to say, and then Jughead goes, Nope, figuring out how all this is connected is the answer!

Example 5:  Jughead then goes on this Bible infused ramble (Did FP put Jughead in Sunday school at some point?) - Jason Blossom death begat the Black Hood  which begat Gargoyle King, but our Cafeteria Catholic Veronica isn’t having it because it is wrong, and so she points out that Black Hood existed before the Blossom murder, and Jughead goes, in essence,  Oh oopsie but I am still right.

BUT!  After all that, the Show realizes that in order to shoehorn Charles into the story, and make the character turnaround for  Alice have at least half a chance and  establish that law enforcement does sort of exist in this universe, they have  to have Veronica say, “Actually, it kind of tracks.”   This is a signal to the audience that since the smartest person in the show has accepted that this tracks so we all need to just fall in line. 

Performance sidebar: Betty’s chuckle of surreal disbelief is a golden piece of acting genius in this show and I love it, and Jughead’s mind getting wiped completely clean as he figures out that he shares a half sibling with his girlfriend is just as classic. 

Jughead Loves Archie & Betty, in this order

-First up, Jughead loves Archie more than Veronica does.  I love how the one reaction you see of the remaining three when Archie gets slammed by the Bear Man is Jughead, and Jughead’s legs just give out from under him when he sees Archie take the blow.  Both of the girls are dry eyed, but Jug definitely starts to cry.   It’s dark and it’s hard to see, but I swear.  The Archie POV shots are fascinating too.  He does look at Veronica first, and that helps him decide to fight harder, so he grabs a big branch.  Then he gets flung in a way Archie does not get flung, and this is when he seeks out Jughead, and his eye contact with Jughead is what gives him the critical second  wind to win.  

-  By the way, is Bear Man dead?? Is he the second man Archie has killed?  

- Before Betty’s solo challenge, Jughead tells her he loves her.  (Betty just doesn’t do that for Jughead. I know, it’s petty, but girl, learn to take a moment.)  Anyway, they share a long kiss, in the dark, and I am annoyed because I can’t see. Show me!  And when she’s drinking the poisons he doesn’t take his eye off her for even a second.  Oh Jughead.

Veronica Loves Betty & Archie, in this order

- ‘K so ... grabbing and downing a goblet that you both think is full of cyanide that will make you die a gruesome death immediately, and declaring that you did it BECAUSE I LOVE YOU is the most piercingly romantic thing anyone has ever done for anybody on Riverdale.  I feel like this is neck and neck with Jughead making that final phone call to Betty before letting himself get Aslan-sacrificed by the Ghoulies in the S2 Finale.  You’re my best friend... and... and  says Veronica and my heart is breaking and so is hers because she can’t finish the sentence. To which Betty says, I love you too.  

OK primal howl break here to ask Betty how could you! How! Could! You! How!!!! And WHY???  And what did it get you?

- Oh golly I am so upset. 

- Veronica is supposed to choose her closest companion, and Betty volunteers.  So Betty knows that Veronica loves her most.  Note the very careful wording of this - Veronica has to choose the companion she feels closest to. Betty knows. 

- And fucking Archie, after witnessing how much Veronica loves Betty, and how golden and perfect and whole Veronica’s love can be for a person, picks the worst possible fucking time to say he loves Veronica. Sure you do Archie. Yup. Uh huh.

- Oh, and then we find out that nothing happened with Reggie after Archie cockblocked him that night after Reggie gave up everything for Veronica once again. Veronica is committed to Archie and wants Archie, and I love Veronica so I want her to get what she wants (even though I know she’ll never get it - sob!), but also, justice for Reggie when?

Chic v Jughead. 

- I absolutely love Jughead’s WTF disbelief throughout the final quest.  When Penelope announces, Let the final quest... Begin! in the same theatrical way he himself had when he was gamemaster, he quirks his eyebrows at her like, Is that the best you can do?  

Sidebar:   Penelope’s very gender traditional ways of thinking are revealed - the girls have to poison themselves and boys have to fight off an attacker.  

- Jughead learns that learning the motives of a serial killer are unilluminating.

gif by @rudys-pankow​

I mean, this is the Wow, OK, heard ‘round the world.  The single best delivered line of meta commentary in a television show ever. No, just, ever, ok? No contest. Just accept it.

The Farmies

- When Cheryl first finds them in their room at the Farm, Kevin and Fangs are doing some sort of hand holding, loving-eye contact type of semi-dance ritual, and ... but for the cult context this looks so adorable.  The fact that they both overcome this experience enough to be in a long term stable relationship, both finish college, both work out a stable (enough) adult life, and want to start a family together is so heartwarming to me. (And yet sad, because it just breaks apart in S5a.)

- The Worthy ascended and we’ll never see them again. Dun dun. Except they just.. moved. What does Kevin thinks has happened?   The Ascension of the Farmies is a weird misdirect, because Ascension just means We Move Houses. Farmies are such drama queens.   Riverdale is down in some sort of valley, right?  So they just literally ascended to a house geographically higher up!

Set Up for Season 4

- I mean obviously, the S4 set up is the Is Jughead Dead but that was never a true cliffhanger, to begin with, and now I know Jughead lives into his mid twenties at least, so Betty insisting the other two stand naked in the forest burning the beanie was just her being very dramatic.  And her pronouncement about ‘We never speak of this ever’ is contradicted immediately because they involve the entire village almost immediately.

- Cheryl has Jason all to herself, finally. Cheryl discovering Jason’s corpse and her horror at it contrasts nicely with how casual she is about this corpse in the next season. 

- Hermione arrested for attempted murder of Hiram.  Oh, and Mad-Dog Monroe and Archie want to create a community center. 

- Meanwhile, Preppy Jughead was my jam so I am very hyped for S4 retread.

[thebrownssociety]

Space Jam 2 AU [AKA Across The Serververse] Part 2.

Hey! Roxy Goth here. So, just a couple of quick note before we carry on, firstly -  from now on I think I’ll just have the title of this as ‘Across The Serververse’ and drop the Space Jam 2 AU bit. 

Secondly - I can’t remember exactly how Rhythm got the toons into the Servereverse, by that I mean if they literally just stepped into it, ALA Dom + LeBron or if they had to go into a spaceship like Marvin’s. 

So I’ve just done something that may or may not be right. Enjoy!

Warning: Swearing

*6 months later*

Pepe and Penelope were excited. After 6 awesome - but admittedly long - months they were finally coming back to Tune Town. As they had been last to be picked up last time it meant they were also last to be dropped off, so by this point they had the boat to themselves.

“Ah, mon leetle cherry-blossom.” Pepe said, embracing Penelope. “The other passengers, they have gone, which leaves a monsieur and a mademoiselle alone together. What do you suppose we do in ze short about of time we have?”

Penelope giggled and hugged him, but as she hugged him she got a view of their home world. “P-p-pepe-” She said, faintly.

Not liking the nervousness in his wife’s voice, Pepe turned and his jaw dropped.

Tune Town was deserted. There were no signs of life anywhere, tumbleweeds ambled lazily across the desert parts of it, while in the forest parts the trees had started to go somewhat wild. That had always been Elmer and Sam’s job [and Marvin’s, if he was around] to cut down the trees. So where were they?

Before either of them could really process what was going on, the trees started shaking with so so much force that Pepe and Penelope were inclined to cling to each other, despite the fact they were on a boat.

“What is it?” Penelope whispered.

“I don’t know.” Pepe said, forgetting to put on his French accent. 

Just then a small figure darted out of the trees and ran towards the beach. “Don't stop!” The voice of Bugs Bunny called. “Keep goin’!” They could see him properly now, running down the beach and along the jetty. When the boat got close enough the rabbit braced himself and jumped onto it, hitting the floor with so much force he became flat.

“Hey! You have to pay!” The boat-captain yelled, while Pepe shook Bugs so he became 2-D again.

The rabbit reached into hammerspace and pulled out a couple of notes before just hurling them at the captain with an impatient. “Dere, does dat cover it? Now-” He turned to his friends. “Am Oi glad ta see you two!”

Pepe and Penelope were to stunned to respond to that, there eyes taking in the rabbit’s appearance. His eyes were wild and excited, his chin had stubble on it, his fur was messy and unkempt and - the most worrying of all for Bugs Bunny - his ears were down. He had also seen fit to dress himself in a tramps outfit. 

Seeing his friends horrified look, Bugs looked down at himself and said. “Eh...I guess ya wanna know what happened, don’ cha?” Upon getting a nod Bugs yelled to the captain to ‘park it a moment!’ and - grabbing a torch out of nowhere - began with: “It all started a mere two weeks after you left meself, Daf and Elmer were practising our famous ‘Duck Season, Wabbit season’ routine, actually, ya know what? I’ll show ya in flashback. Hold on-” He put his hands to the side of his head and concentrated.

*Flashback starts*

“Duck season!” Bugs said, ripping down a poster,

“Wabbit season!” Daffy snapped, yanking down another poster.

“Duck season!”

“Wabbit season!”

“Duck-!”

Bugs was cut of in his witty comeback by Elmer suddenly sighing and sitting down on the grass.

Bugs and Daffy looked at each other in confusion, before simultaneously shrugging and sitting next to the hunter, one on each side of him. Bugs got a carrot out his hammerspace and took a bite. “Eh...what’s up, Hunter?”

“Sowwy.” Elmer said, tiredly. “I’m not feewing it today.”

“No prob-lemo!” Daffy said, before Bugs could speak. “What do you want to do? We could go to Australia!” He pulled down a backdrop of Australia, causing them all to sweat. “Or France!” He pulled down another backdrop and threw a string of onions round both his brothers necks. “Or England!” He pulled down another backdrop and grabbed a cup of tea out from hammerspace. “Justh name a place!”

Elmer, holding a cup of tea with a string of onions slung round his neck, looked wide-eyed and confused. “...Home?” He said, simply.

Daffy sighed and the backdrops fell around him. “Okay then. I suppose we’ve had enough for one day. Oh, Bugsy, Bugsy ol’ buddy, ol pal!” He slung an arm round the rabbits shoulders. “Might I enquire what you are making for dinner?”

“Eh...ya can ask.” Bugs said nonchalantly.

As Daffy started to try and barter his way into a good dinner, the scene switched to the middle of Tune Town, where a tall, black, slightly shimmering man was talking to the other LT’s.

Bugs’s eyes narrowed and he marched towards them, yelling. “Hey! Who de hell are you? Dis is a private island, ya know!”

“I am Al-G-Rhythm.” The guy said, smoothly. “I am Warner Bros newest mode of technology. The link between all of your worlds. The Serververse. No longer will you have to travel between world like a second-class citizen, you can all live in one place together.”

“An’ dis benefits us...how?” Bugs asked, not believing all this for a second.

“You get to expand your horizons. Actually go into other characters worlds. You can explore, who knows? Maybe even rebrand-”

“Eh...I don’t think so.” Bugs said, confidently. “We’ve done enough ‘rebranding’ over de past few years. We’re all good here.” The other toons nodded along with him. 

“That’sh what YOU think!” Daffy said, dramatically poking Bugs in the chest. “I for one would LOVE to spread my wings!”

“Eh...jus’ talk ta Warner Bros, Daf. I’m sure they can get you a role spoofing some of de other properties.” Bugs said, easily.

“Of course.” AL-G-Rhythm purred. “With the offer I’M making you you can go anywhere and be whoever you want to be. All of you.” He added, seeing the other Looney Tunes beginning to look interested. “Anything and anywhere you want to be. I mean, let’s face it, you’ve all done so much for this stup - I mean, Warner Brothers over the years, isn’t it time you cut loose and had some fun?”

Bugs’s eyes narrowed. The Looneys were perfectly capable of having fun without needing to go across the serververse, thank you very much. He looked around, expecting to see his family with similar expression, but instead they were all talking to each other about it and sounding...excited?

“I can take you anywhere you want to go.” Rhythm said, his voice raising a little above the noise. “Hogwarts, Austin Powers, Matrix, you name it, WB have probably done something with it at some time. And if you wanted to go back in time, no problem, we still have the Paramount Pictures stuff on a different planet.”

“Reawwy?” Elmer -who was a big fan of The [original] Addams Family - asked.

Rhythm smiled. “Reawwy - eh, really. All you have to do is step into the serververse...” He stepped to one side and a suddenly a glowing door appeared from nowhere. “...And you can go anywhere you want. Now...who’s with me?”

The other Looneys looked tempted, they really did.  But after a shared glance and one of those ‘telepathic conversations’ they were so good at, Porky shook his head and said, politely but firmly. “T-th-thanks for t-t-the offer, Mr R-r-rhythm, but if it’s all the sa-the sam - makes no difference to you, we’ll stay here.”

The other looneys nodded.

Al-G-Rhythms eyes grew hard and his voice dropped to a baritone level as he said. “Well...don’t say I didn’t try and do it the nice way.”

Before any of the toons could ask what he meant though, Rhythm raised his hands and every toons except Bugs was lifted in the air, all with various shouts of surprise.

Bugs heart pounded as he looked at his family's frightened faces - some of them were clearly in pain - and he yelled. “Let ‘em go! Take me if ya hav’ ta!”

The other Looneys all started yelling at him not to do it, that it was a stupid idea. Rhythm looked at the grey rabbit and seemed to be considering it. Then he shrugged and - with a dramatic swoop of the arms -  made all of Bugs family disappear. 

“NNNNNNOOOOOO!” Bugs yelled and kind of did a little dance where he tried to go to one side, then the other, but realised that unlike his cartoons he had no idea what had just happened. “A’ight Buster.” Bugs growled. “What the fuck have you done with my family?”

“Oh!” Rhythm said, with false innocence and Bugs’s fist itched to punch him. “That was your family? Oh...I had no idea. From the way you treat them I thought it was the ‘Bugs Bunny’ show.”

“Yeah, a’ight, ya made ya point. Now bring ‘em back!”

“And where would the fun be in that?” Rhythm smirked, then became deadly serious. “Now listen to me ‘wabbit’ and listen carefully, course I ain’t sayin’ this again. I have sent your assistants-”

“-Brothers and sisters you mean.” Bugs corrected.

Rhythm looked surprised. “You consider Lola Bunny a sister? I thought you were dating.”

“Eh...” Bugs waved a hand. “That’s in canon Doc. This is ‘off-stage’ so ta speak.”

Rhythm hummed thoughtfully then - remembering he was supposed to giving a monologue - carried on with. “Whatever they are to you is no matter. The point is they are all spread across the servisverse and they’ve all been sent to random places that-” He laughed. “-Hell, even I don’t know! And YOU-” He pointed at Bugs. “-Have 6 months to find them and if you DON’T they will be deleted!” He started laughing hysterically.

“Eh...” Bugs said, left eye beginning to twitch. “Ya know Warner Bros have access to the servers as well and will realise we’re not in our world? They’ll then send us back.”

Rhythm scoffed. “You think I’m an idiot? I’ve thought of that - you wanna know how? Well, FORGET IT!” He suddenly bellowed, getting right in Bugs’s face. “I’m not going to tell you! You’ll have to figure it all out for yourself. but I’ll make it fair for you.” He said, voice taking on a soft, almost fatherly quality. “I promise that I won’t look at your progress until the last day, deal? Then you can’t say I’ve interfered. Deal?”

Bugs yelled his protestations at the top of his lungs, but Rhythm just laughed and disappeared back into the serververse. 

*End flashback*

After the end of that flashback it was safe to say Pepe and Penelope were quite shocked. They were still trying to get there head around the fact that all this had happened in the 6 mere months they’d been away, when they heard a strange sound and saw Bugs crying.

Penelope hushed him and Pepe offered him a handkerchief. Bugs blew into it noisily at exactly the same time the horn blew before handing it back to Pepe who looked at it in disgust and threw it over the side of the ship. 

“So what happened after that?” Penelope asked, fearing she already knew the answer. “Where are they?”

“Oi don’t know, okay!?” Bugs wailed. “I don’t know! Dere in different worlds somewhere, but I don’t know where and I don’t know how it works! Oi don’t know if they’ve just gone to the worlds, but without being able to shift so they stand out like a sore thumb or if they’re replacing someone else within dat world! In which case, where’s de character dere replacin’? Oi don’t know which worlds dere in, oi don’t know if dere safe or happy or bein’ tortured - I DON’T KN-!”

*SLAP*

Bugs blinked and felt the imprint Penelope’s hand had just left on him. “T’anks. Oi needed dat.”

“We weel get them back.” Pepe said, placing a hand reassuringly on Bugs’s shoulder. “Myself and Penelope will help you. We will not rest until out family, it iz complete!”

Bugs smiled shakily and wiped his eyes. “Well, dere’s one issue with dat-” Seeing his brother and sister’s curious look he gave a half-hysterical laugh and asked. “Well, why do you t’ink oi’m still here? Oi can’t get out. I’ve tried goin’ back through to Warner Bros central, oi can’t do it. The portal we use physically won’t let me through. Oi t’ink Rhythm has put some kind of block on me. To stop me leaving so oi can’t find da others. It’s de only thing that makes sense. An’ I’ve tried different versions of me as well from all across the years. King me, jester me, classic me, new me. I even tried Ace Bunny, dat’s how desperate oi was! I can’t leave-”

“-What about Chungus?” Penelope asked. Seeing the weird looks Pepe and Bugs were giving her she explained. “It sounds like Rhythm has put some sort of block on YOU. But...Big Chungus...he isn't technically a version of you, is he? He started out as a meme taken from when you were shape-shifting”

“He’s in ‘World of Mayhem.” Bugs said, doubtfully.

“Which is a game!” Penelope said, excitedly. “Not a tv show! Have you tried it? No? Well, give it a go!”

Feeling excited for the first time in 5 and a half months Bugs took a breath and started to shape himself into the monstrosity that was Big Chungus. When he had finished he smiled, leapt onto the mast and - donning a pirate hat and sword - yelled. “Full steam ahead! Warner Bros Central here we come!”

As the exit - aka the portal - that led to Warner Bros Central loomed over him Bugs felt nervous. ‘Please work, please work, please work-” He chanted under his breath. 

Then with a flash of blinding light, they went through. 

[arsenicpanda]

Charles for 002 (you can add Chic in there too)

Again, apologies for the lateness!

|002 Charles Smith

How I feel about this character: I love him. Charles is one of the best yanderes I have ever seen, and he’s definitely the best yandere sibling I’ve ever seen. Not a brocon or a siscon, nothing weird there, just a wholesome love for his siblings. Like, all that nefarious action of listening in on Betty and Jughead and arranging to have to rebury the body of the Shady Man, and it wasn’t for any vengeance purpose or anything, it was just a scheme to get them to like him more because he wants them to like him. Honestly, it’s kinda sad? Idk, I want good things for Charles and more family shenanigans, especially if murder is involved.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Just Chic. There isn’t really anyone he’s interacted with that would make me ship otherwise.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Betty and Jughead, his precious siblings <3. Why won’t they love him? Does he need to murder more of their enemies? Because he’ll do it. Also, if he ever finds out about TBK, he will break out of prison and dedicate his life to hunting him down for hurting his baby sister.

My unpopular opinion about this character: The Charles serial killer reveal was fucking amazing. Yeah, it was underwhelming, but it was such a great character beat that you forget how underwhelming it is because it’s just so awesome.

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: More interactions with Jughead; I wanted to see more of that relationship, and also more of him and JB, the forgotten sister.

my OTP: I guess Chic? Like, Charles wants to date him, so I guess Charles can date him.

my cross over ship: No crossover ships, but I desperately want him to punch Itachi in the face for being a shitty brother.

a headcanon fact: He was heartbroken when he found out Betty and Jughead broke up because they were so perfect for each other :(((( Also, whenever Betty and Jughead get married, he will break out of jail to go to their wedding, whether they invite him or not, and he will absolutely cry the whole time.

|002 Chic

How I feel about this character: I fucking hated Chic for the longest time because he really overstays his welcome in 2b. But then he was revealed to be dating Charles, who loves his family, including and especially the two siblings who tied Chic up in a basement, beat him up, and then handed him over to a serial killer. Like, Chic has to make nice with these people who he definitely hates, and that is the funniest fucking thing to me. Give me more of Chic trying to make it through interactions with the Cooper family, please. Also, Chic pretended to be Charles to get in with his family for reasons entirely beyond me, and that is the weirdest thing to do in relation to your significant other. Like, how was that supposed to end? Didn’t Charles want to meet them himself? What was the long game? Someone explain, please.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Charles and only Charles because his relationship with Charles is the only reason I like Chic. Like, what delightful murder husbands they are. Tricking your boyfriend’s family into thinking you’re your boyfriend for Reasons? Iconic, fantastic, a perfect ship.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: I need to know more about that time he pretended to be Jason Blossom for Penelope. Like what the actual fuck? How did she pitch that and why did he agree? What has he told Charles about this? I demand answers, Riverdale.

My unpopular opinion about this character: Idk, that he’s funny? I can tolerate him now, is that an unpopular opinion?

One thing I wish would happen / had happened with this character in canon: More of Chic having to deal with the Coopers while Charles is there. Guaranteed comedy gold.

my OTP: Charles, aka the only reason Chic is fun.

my cross over ship: None. Chic is only fun in the context of dating Charles.

a headcanon fact: Chic whiteknuckles it through every interaction and holiday with the Coopers because he loves his murder husband and he will endure, no matter how badly he wants to stab Betty and Jughead with his dinner fork.

[ginger-grimm]

NO NUANCE NOVEMBER - RIVERDALE EDITION

Archie is a horrible main character. He has no valuable plot line. Other than that he is just a shitty character in general. He cheats on his girlfriend, puts his family, friends and teens in danger because of a hero complex, betrayed his father and best friend to work with an actual mobster...

In fact, all the characters on this show are shitty. It's just that some are shittier than others and some are more redeemable than others.

Choni is a bad ship. The worst ship. They're rushed, toxic and would never work past high school IRL.

All the ships on this show suck safe for Veggie.

Reggie is an underrated character and deserves an actual storyline.

Veggie >>>>>>>>> Varchie

Barchie is a horrible ship with no real chemistry and it clearly died before it even started in s1.

Veronica Cecilia Lodge deserves her own damn storyline that isn't linked to her father, her boyfriend or some stupid business.

Dilton Doiley's death was unnecessary. The writers just wanted to kill off a well-known character but not a main. I will never get over his death.

Cheryl Blossom is an AWFUL character. She's entitled, an elitist, a bully, nasty for no reason, abusive towards her girlfriend and generally a nuisance. Being a lesbian and having a traumatic past doesn't give her the right to act this way. It's a reason, not an excuse.

Toni Topaz was her best self in s2. Period. Everything about her was ruined when she got with Cheryl. It's a damn shame because Madelaine and Vanessa have such good chemistry and the couple could have been awesome. Also, Toni could have gone places.

The writers ruined Kevin and Fangs when they had them involved in that fucking tickle porn plot.

All the parents on this show, safe for Fred and Tom, suck ass.

Nana Rose is not a fucking saint. She adopted Penelope just to groom her to marry her son and treated her horribly.

Penelope Blossom and Hiram Lodge should have gotten arrested and locked up in like s3. Period. Penelope killed kids and Hiram...well, you know why. I like Mark and Nathalie as much as the next girl but they're characters stopped being interesting long ago, if they even were to begin with.

Bughead was cute in s1 but they should have split in s2 for good.

Jughead should have never joined the Serpents. It's clearly not something he ever wanted, considering the Serpents ruined his family, and he should have continued writing instead.

The concept of teens being made Kings and Queens of gangs is so annoying to me. Like an IRL gang would ever put a 16 year old in charge, even if he is legacy.

This show has an ensemble cast and should use it. It's annoying watching the core four have their own boring/annoying major plotlines and then sprinkle in some weird shit for Reggie, Toni, Kevin and Cheryl that makes no sense and is cringy/uncomfortable to watch.

Notice how all the POC/LGBTQ characters get the worst storylines/unnecessarily killed off? What's that about? Stop it. This literally starts with Veronica.

S4 was the worst season of this show. Yes, s3 was batshit insane but at least it some semblance of a main plot. In s4 everything was related to Jug and everything else was confusing/boring/frustrating.

PLEASE stop giving us weird incest plots. We do NOT need to see this in 2020. Or ever.

[raymondebidochonlifechoices]

I feel like you'll have a hilarious and hot take on this question, so I would like to know: What do you think would be the most obnoxious Christmas traditions of the main RiverFamilies? Feel free to imagine a time before serial killer dads, drug dealing mothers and of course - horror of horrors - Hiram getting sick (I mean, thank the lord he is okay #prayforHiram).

#prayforHiram You’re killing me! 😂😂😂 What an incredible ask! I feel that whatever these people are doing, it must be obnoxious! I can’t possibly do this justice, but I’ll try my best! Thank you so much, @lucivar ! I hope you enjoy it!

Obnoxious Christmas Traditions of the RiverFamilies

The Andrews’ Christmas Gifting Tradition

In an effort to instil the true meaning of Christmas to little Archie, the Andrews are regularly participating in the Southside’s toys for tots drive, by sharing little Archie’s 3 favourite things. Which, at the tender age of 5, were: empty pens (for spitballs!), potato stamps and paper cup phones (Betty showed him how to make those and they’re totally AWESOME!). Archie continues this honoured tradition when he has his own family. When Veronica offers to foot the bill for 5th Ave. FAO Schwarz’s best toys, Archie explains to her how the Southsiders would be very offended if they thought they were given “handouts”. Judging by their looks, Veronica thinks they already find the Andrews’ gifts quite obnoxious.

The Jones’ Christmas Decoration Ride

Before Gladys took Jellybean and fled to Toledo, she and FP used to get drunk on spiced store-bought eggnog and ride to the other side of the tracks to ruin join the Northside’s Christmas Parade, jackets and bikes ludicrously decked with Christmas lights. It may or may not have been the reason the Neighbourhood Watch was created. When Jughead is an adult (and maybe a bit bitter that Yale didn’t give him a spot after Bret got to prison), he revives the family tradition and rides around Yale campus during winter break with his helmet decked with two shiny red Christmas balls, green garland around his neck and Betty at his back, prim and proper in her pink peacoat and lavender earmuffs. He feels ridiculous but also quite smug and decides to keep it up. A few years later, it becomes a huge success with four-year-old Julie Rosalie Jones. It’s another matter altogether for sixteen-year-old Julie Rosalie. Jules doesn’t know what’s worse: her dad’s traditional Christmas riding apparel (that year consisting of a plastic blinking snowman glued on top of his helmet) when he rides home from work at the exact same time that Tobby Davies comes to pick her up for the Winter Formal. Or her mom discussing curfew with Tobby while polishing her Glock P80 with her Christmas apron (the one with the little frogs with the Santa hats).

The Blossom’s Christmas Carol Panto

As proposed by @lucivar herself: “Cheryl and Jason doing like a feral Dickensian Christmas play with heinous costume changes”. Cheryl gets the idea at the age of eight. It’s a Charles Dickens meets Phantom of the Opera meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre kind of thing. Penelope regrets making Cheryl sit through the latter. Or allowing any of the former really. Cheryl and Jason play all the roles. All the costumes are in shades of red. It’s a pantomime. It becomes a fixed feature of the Riverdale Christmas Tree Lighting at Pickens Park and everyone is expected to applaud. When Cheryl becomes head of the Vixens, the entrance of the Ghost of Christmas Past is revised into an elaborate cheerleading routine. (Polly was very excited about it, until Jason disappeared and she was sent to the Sisters of Quite Mercy.) After Jason’s death, the Christmas Carol Panto is the thing Cheryl misses the most. She is ecstatic when she discovers on senior year that, thanks to taxidermy, she can finally share the experience with her beloved Antoinette. Afterwards Toni makes sure every little bit of Jason is burned to ashes. When Juniper and Dagwood are eight, Polly revives the tradition.

The Coopers’ Christmas Carol

Nothing says passive-aggressive better than Hal and Alice dragging little Betty and little Polly to go banging on doors at 7 o’clock in the morning on the day before Christmas with manic smiles on their faces in order to “regal” their neighbours with their special arrangement of “Away in a manger”. Betty wouldn’t have continued with it, if Alice and Polly hadn’t told young Julie Rosalie all about it. So now Betty and Jughead make sure that every Christmas Eve Jules wakes up grandma Alice and auntie Polly by singing out-of-tune on the phone any and all Christmas carols. Young Jules is a fast learner with a powerful set of lungs and if Betty uses FBI resources to mask the caller id so that her mother always picks up, that’s nobody’s business. When Jules is seven, they even spend the holidays in Riverdale, so that Jughead can film Alice waking up screaming Jules singing for granny Ali for posterity.

The Lodge’s Reindeer Sleigh (with real reindeers)

There’s nothing Hiram Lodge loves more than flexing his muscles, both literally and figuratively. So, when his little princess asks for a Christmas ride down 5th avenue “in Santa’s real sleigh, daddy!”, a new tradition is born. (Of course, if Papa Poutine had agreed to take the reindeers back, it would have been just a one-time event). When Hiram returns to Riverdale, this tradition evolves into the Lodges riding their reindeer sleigh at the head of the Northside’s Christmas Parade. Which wouldn’t be so bad but for the horrendous smell or reindeer shit left behind. After Hiram’s final conviction and imprisonment (#prayforHiram), the city council asks Veronica to retire the reindeer sleigh. She refuses to budge in the face of such blatant sexism (since only female reindeers keep their antlers in December, Santa’s reindeers are all girls) and counter-proposes to hire unemployed Southsiders to do the clean-up. Archie thinks it’s an excellent idea, which should have been enough warning. 

[diazpoems]

Me watching Riverdale S2:

THE WAY KEVIN IS RAISING HIS HAND TO THE MOTHERFUCKING SKY WHEN HIRAM ASKS FOR A VOLUNTEER FOR A WRESTLING DEMONSTRATION. THIS THIRSTY MOTHERFUCKER. HIS FACE IS PRICELESS.

I wish I could just jump into Riverdale and shake the characters and be like

Cheryl: Your parents fucking suck

Josie: Your parents fucking suck

Veronica: Your parents fucking suck

Betty: Your parents fucking suck

Archie: Your dads okay so far, I don’t know about your mom

Jughead: Your dad used to fucking suck but as a person, at his core, I don’t think he’s evil, and he’s getting better, but he’s got a ways to learn. I don’t know about your mom

Kevin: Your dad’s decent so far? Don’t know about your mom

Like especially Josie because I know it’s hard and that a lot of the trauma her mom felt probably manifested itself badly and Josie probably feels attached to her mom and like she owes her being a good daughter because her mom’s had it bad but like I also DON’T CARE. FUCKING TREAT YOUR CHILD RIGHT. I DON’T GIVE A SHIT WHAT HAPPENED. THATS YOUR CHILD. WOMAN UP AND BE A FUCKING DECENT PERSON. I DON’T CARE THAT YOU PUT A ROOF OVER HER HEAD, FOOD IN HER MOUTH, GAVE HER A SINGING CAREER (But continue to control it and not give her leeway to think and act on her own). SHE DON’T OWE YOU SHIT. FUCK OFF WITH YOUR WEIRD LIFE-FUCKING-SUCKED-FOR-ME-BUT-IM-ALSO-A-CLASSIST-BITCH PARADOX. MY DAD’S GOT IT MADE RIGHT NOW BUT HE HASN’T FORGOTTEN HIS ROOTS, HASN’T FORGOTTEN THE DISCRIMINATION HE FACED AND THE FACT THAT HE GREW UP SHIT POOR EARLY ON AND HE HASN’T DECIDED “Hey, let’s ridicule people for being in a similar position that I was in!”

Basically, this is me begging for for Josie’s mom to ✨fucking do better✨

Anyways yeah normalize Riverdale characters disowning their own parents ✌🏽🥰

Hmmm. If I wasn’t completely and utterly for the Serpents before, the white serpents learning to shut the fuck up and stand with Toni and her grandfather in opposition of the genocide and colonialism that was perpetrated by Cheryl’s great great grandfather? Hell fucking yeah

Dude I’m sorta crying at the scene with Hiram seeing Veronica in her confirmation dress because he’s a piece of shit but this is how it goes down, like it’s a whole thing

I love that I immediately knew the meaning of “Catholic chic”. Apparently that’s all going to church every Sunday for the formative years of my life accomplished

I hope Penelope Blossom dies in a fire :)

OH MY GOD, LOVE SIMON CAME OUT RIGHT AROUND HERE, KEVIN IS ASKING MOOSE TO IT, MY COMFORT MOVIE OH MY GOD-

Ugh, I don’t trust Midge. Something about the tropey-ness of her being The Girlfriend™️ and her face, as well as the fact that she played Gen in tatbilb, something doesn’t sit right. The haircut feels too manic pixie, like she’s hiding something. Bad vibes

NOOO CHERYL ILL GO ON A VACATION WITH YOU 😭 GOD IM SO GONE FOR HER

Aaaaand she did some fuck shit. Aaaand Toni is pretty. Aaaand there’s the internalized homophobia.

Jughead saying that growing up Betty’s and Archie’s windows being parallel always bothered him sounds more like a jarchie admission than a bughead one, I’m just sayin’

BETTY AND JUGHEAD’S REACTIONS WHEN THEY HEAR THE BED SQUEAKING IS ME. Like the little amused but lowkey confused and baffled expression on his face as he’s like “is that their solution to everything? Can’t they ever just talk?” Like no apparently not. Me too Jug, me too-

Idk Vee, maybe he’s asking questions about your father’s line of work and the business of his associates because your dad and mom are fucking evil

What the fuck Veronica. I mean yay because that just gets us closer to Jarchie kiss but like what the fuck Vee. Also Jughead is super cute, like why does the blue eyes black hair thing absolutely melt my weak heart, like I didn’t choose to fall for this pasty ass white boy but here we are. Also Veronica’s eyes are really big and dark and pretty like girl help im falling for these two-

BETTY LITERALLY POINTED IT OUT, C’MON NOW CW, I KNOW WE’VE MADE THE MISTAKE OF GROVELING WITH SPN BUT PLEASE IM BEGGING YOU WE NEED A JARCHIE KISS-

CAN HETEROSEXUALS PLEASE STOP FUCKING ALL THE TIME ON TV. WHY DO YOU HAVE TO SHOVE YOUR STRAIGHTNESS IN MY FACE. NOT EVERYONE IS STRAIGHT YOU KNOW.

“Entertain Jughead” 😏

DUDE. They were sitting ALONE. TOGETHER. In the WOODS. With them being the ONLY ones who haven’t kissed. DUDE.

C’MON MAN, THEY’RE STARING FUCKING LONGINGLY AT EACH OTHER

If there are weird gay ships for straights then Jeronica is the weird straight ship for gays

Ok so is there a legitimate reason why Veronica is faithful to her parents and defends them to a tee and partakes in their mob shit or is she just daddy’s little fucking girl. Like it isn’t her fault that she’s been manipulated but it pisses me the fuck off. And people who want her to stay with her parents because supposedly they’re the only ones who love her even though it’s toxic and warped? Like do you have a brain?

Archie and Veronica really love supporting gentrification, classism, and Vee’s rich daddy and mommy’s innocence huh

Look i actually agree with Reggie for once, get Hiram’s ass, deal with it Veronica

Wow, nice, shaming Jug for eating. That’s cool, Arch. That’s awesome. And no Betty, she doesn’t have everybody’s vote. Because Veronica’s parents are motherfuckers and when it comes to choosing between a murderer/abuser/rich/classist/gentrifying fuck and supporting your bestie uwu guess which one im fucking picking. Also, THANK YOU JUG for explaining to your friend that even though he lives in a fantasy land where northside Riverdale is the only one worth referring to when talking about Riverdale at all and thus the only one that matters and is worth protecting, the southside exists and people live and have grown up in the southside and building a prison there where it will be even more easy to profile and incarcerate southside residents under false or exaggerated pretenses ISN’T A GOOD THING. That his own friend isn’t quite apart of his and Veronica’s and Betty’s socioeconomic caste and that he’s not going to pretend like he is, he isn’t going to be quiet about it just because you’re friends again. That he’s not going to lay down and let Archie explain what a good move for Riverdale is when he clearly means northside riverdale, let him explain how the southside needs to be dealt with to someone who grew up on the southside and knows it more (not the most, I’m not saying Jug isn’t out of his depth with certain aspects of being a full southsider) intricately than him. LIKE FUCK. ARCHIE. WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU’RE TALKING TO. Like he just doesn’t get why building prisons and stereotyping and condemning all southsiders and gentrifying entire neighborhoods is really fucking bad and a big deal and it annoys me so much. Like yeah Arch, obviously you don’t see the big deal because it doesn’t affect you and you delude yourself that it doesn’t affect your friend either, but it actually is that bad.

In conclusion, Archie and Veronica and sometimes Betty are giving me headaches rn. Like I’m not saying Jughead is perfect at all but in this particular instance he’s the only one I agree with for the most part right now.

Yeah Arch, you see things differently because you’re not the one who’s on the receiving end of the problem

YES MOMMA ANDREWS. SNAP! GO FERAL! SHOW THAT SOB SOME CONSEQUENCES!

Ah, so this is the jarchie “break-up” scene. You know what. I feel no heartbreak. Get his ass Jug.

Get. His. Ass.

They sent Cheryl to a conversion institution. I’m literally crying. This isn’t an exaggeration. I feel like I want to cry. Just. God fucking damn it.

SHE DOESN’T WANT TO GET BETTER. SHE’S NOT SICK. YOU ARE. DIE. FUCKING DIE. BURN IN HELL. AND PENELOPE BLOSSOM TOO.

“That’s not how things go in Riverdale” is a veiled way of saying “don’t challenge the upper class and don’t try to stifle gentrification,” I hope you all know

[pug-bitch]

That’s not why I’m going (13)

Trouble with the male gaze

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Drake Walker x Amara Suarez

Rating: some foul language, some extremely suggestive, and a VERY steamy scene, around 60 diamonds :D. This is absolutely NOT appropriate for people under 18.

Word count: 3,859 (let me know if the ‘keep reading’ cutoff isn’t working well!)

Notes: This starts on the next day, after the regatta, with Drake’s POV.

*****

Drake is sipping his champagne, on the Nevrakis yacht, his eyes glued to Amara. He’d spent the day with her, and with Maxwell, sailing together, which was a true relief, since they had been able to be completely themselves. Maxwell had proven to be a loyal friend in this whole ordeal. He’d accepted their relationship wholeheartedly, despite what it meant for his house. Drake was grateful for that. He’d always known that Max was a good person; he’d always been true to him and to Savannah, after all, but his acceptance meant a lot to Drake.

After the fun they’d had all day, it was tough for Drake to just stand there, unable to be himself, amidst all the suitors and everyone who didn’t know the truth. But he was ok with it, as long as he was near her.

He thinks back to her opening up to him about Sergio, and how much it meant for both of them. He can’t believe that she’s still standing, after all that she’s been through. Of course, he knows that she took a massive hit and stopped living her life for two years, but she remained a positive person through and through, and the tragedy in her life had not extinguished her solar personality. The thought makes him smile, and he wonders if he can, too, regain some of the lightheartedness that he lost with his dad and sister. Amara reminds him, constantly, of how much he has to live for.

‘Walker.’

Before turning around to face her, he recognizes Olivia’s icy tone. ‘Nevrakis.’

She clinks her glass to his. ‘To a successful Lythikos stay.’

‘I’ll drink to that.’

She leans closer to him. ‘Be careful, it shows.’

‘What shows?’

She points her chin to Amara. ‘That you’re happy. It’s pretty revolting.’ She takes a sip. ‘And inspiring. I didn’t know that people could grow hearts.’

He smirks. ‘Why, you in the market for one?���

She snorts, visibly amused by the banter. ‘Well played, Walker.’

He hesitates to ask her what he wants to know, and finally makes a move for it. ‘So, did your plan work? What you wanted to achieve in Lythikos?’

‘You mean, did I successfully bone the Prince? Unfortunately, I did not. But, if you must know, we made out a little bit, so not all hope is lost.’

He smiles, his eyes still firmly attached to Amara, who is socializing with Bertrand and Hana.

Olivia continues. ‘Just FYI though, Liam seems quite obsessed with her, and he definitely does not get the hint that she has a massive Walker boner.’

Drake winces at the colorful expression and chooses to ignore it. ‘I know. He can’t talk about anything else, and I’m starting to lose my patience.’

‘Really, it’s unnerving. Everyone gravitates around her like she’s the Sun.’

‘Well,’ Drake says, ‘you seem to enjoy her company, too, so I’m sure you understand her appeal. She’s pretty exceptional.’

Olivia rolls her eyes. ‘I mean, she’s ok. Definitely the best drinking buddy out of all of them, so that’s something. And I guess her tits aren’t bad either.’

Drake almost spits up his drink. What is up with everyone trying to talk to him about Amara’s tits? He raises an eyebrow and looks at Olivia.

She pursues, ‘Oh please, don’t look at me like I’m a creep, I’m joking. In any case, I’m going to try harder with Liam, but I have my limits. I’d like to get out of this with some remains of my dignity, at least.’

Drake nods. She’s right. Liam might not give up that easily, and that’s exactly what has been bothering him since their last conversation. There is no reasoning him, and although Drake completely understands the idea of being infatuated with Amara --hello--, he also could not understand Liam’s refusal to take a hint.

His eyes find her again. They had spent the night together, and most of the day, but he missed her. It had never happened to him before; he used to be the type to get tired of someone after a couple of dates. Maybe he had never met anyone he was compatible with, and that had nothing to do with his personality, after all. Funny how meeting someone special puts things in perspective.

Her hazel eyes meet his, and they share a smile. God, she’s beautiful. Her smile unleashes a flurry of butterflies into his stomach. He knows she doesn’t feel completely comfortable in this lavish world of nobles and rich bitches, but she sure moves seamlessly and adapts to her surroundings without a wince. She grabs another champagne flute and heads downstairs, possibly to the powder room. Drake looks around. Liam is in the middle of an animated conversation with Maxwell and Penelope, so that’s his window.

*****

Amara heads downstairs to get away from the party; although she enjoys talking to Hana and Bertrand, she needs a minute to herself. She secretly hopes that Drake saw her leaving the deck, even though it may be a little reckless to meet in the bathroom of a yacht.

She looks in the mirror while washing her hands. She notices that she looks happy. Is that crazy? She put herself in an impossible situation, much more complicated than any situation she’s been in, in the past two years. And yet, she feels blissful every day, every time she locks eyes with Drake, every time their hands touch.

Every time she hears him rattle her door. Like now.

She opens up. ‘Quick, come in.’

He hurries in, making sure no one followed them. By now, they’ve mastered the art of the sneaky bathroom rendezvous, and they have a system. Plus, this yacht is enormous and has two restrooms, so they don’t risk much.

Without saying a word, they fall onto each other and share a passionate, urgent kiss. Amara tastes the champagne on his lips. Their kiss deepens, as they hold each other closer. Drake props her up onto the sink, their signature move. She swiftly slips out of her underwear, now naked under her dress. Drake grunts at the sight, and quickly gets on his knees.

Without missing a beat, he spreads her legs, and leaves a trail of wet kisses on the inside of her thighs, until he reaches her core. Before kissing her there, he looks up and locks eyes with her. The fire in his dark eyes drives her crazy, and she moans in anticipation. Soon enough, Drake’s lips are on her pussy, and his tongue is inside her. Fuck, he’s good at this, she thinks. He picks up the pace, and she gets closer to climax. She tugs on his hair, and pulls him back up. As much as she’s loving this, she wants him now, and they’re running out of time. ‘Fuck me now,’ she whispers.

He doesn’t need to be asked twice. Within half a second, his pants and boxers are down to his ankles and he enters her softly, moaning into her kiss: ‘You’re so beautiful, Amara…’

As they readjust their clothes, Amara jokingly says, ‘We have to stop meeting like this.’

Drake chuckles. ‘Heh. I hope not. I love meeting you like this.’

He kisses her lips tenderly, and they rejoin the party.

*****

‘Hello, dear.’

Amara turns around, to see Tariq greeting her with a glass of champagne. ‘Oh hey Tariq, I hadn’t seen you in a while!’

‘I’ve been away on vacation, but I’ve been following your whole journey in the press, they sure love you.’

Amara smiles. ‘Well, I’m glad to hear that. Wouldn’t want to embarrass Maxwell.’

Tariq stares at her head, and adjusts a stray strand of hair for her. Weird, she thinks. Who gave him permission to touch her hair? He says, ‘Here, now you’re perfect. Jeez Amara, why are you so disheveled? Did you go for a roll in the hay with the Prince already?’

Amara fakes a laugh. She forgot how awkward this man is. ‘Hah, not at all, I guess the wind messed up my hair, that’s all.’

‘Well, whatever you’ve been doing, it looks good on you. You’re glowing. Alright, I’m going to go mingle, but I hope to see you,’ he pauses and pokes her cheek, ‘very soon.’

What could she say to that, besides breaking his arm next time he gets any closer? She watches him join Madeleine around the appetizer table. Maxwell approaches Amara and asks, ‘Hey, are you ok?’

‘Yeah, just wondering why Tariq and Madeleine are staring at me right now, but I’m good. Did you see that he poked me?’

‘Yeah, that was strange to say the least. What did he say to you?’

She gets closer to Maxwell and whispers. ‘That’s the strange part. He fixed my hair and asked me if I messed it up during, I quote, a roll in the hay with the Prince. Like...what?’

Maxwell makes a shocked face. ‘That’s a dickish thing to say. What the hell! Are they gossiping about you now?’

She glances over at them, and realizes they are still talking. ‘I don’t know… I don’t like this, Max.’

He softly pats her arm. ‘Hey little blossom, don’t let these bitches get to you. Tariq is kind of a sleazebag, no one will listen to him anyways. Just get pumped for tomorrow’s beach day! We’re all gonna go swimming, and there will be a beach party afterwards, doesn’t that sound awesome?’

Amara smiles. Oh, Maxwell and his parties. ‘How do you guys do this? The constant celebrations?’

‘Well, it’s a perk of the job, I guess. We have to show that Cordonia is doing well. If we stop having fun, the people will think there’s something to worry about.’

‘Is there never anything to worry about?’

He shrugs. ‘Well, sometimes there is. Not now though. So, please enjoy the perks and don’t think about the rest.’

She smiles but can’t help but think this is a recipe for disaster, especially since she knows how much trouble House Beaumont is in. She needs to look into this, and no matter what Max says, she’ll enlist Drake’s help to look at the numbers, he’s better than her at this stuff. It’s the least she can do to help Maxwell.

*****

‘Amara, are you decent?’

‘One second, I’ll be right there!’

The next day, Amara and Drake are in Amara’s room, getting ready for the beach day, when Hana’s sudden arrival startles them. Drake whispers: ‘Shit, I should have left earlier…’

‘Hey, relax, it’s Hana. She won’t find it weird that you just came to hang out. You’re already in your beach outfit, nothing will tell her that you changed here. Just be cool, ok?’

He nods, and Amara heads towards the door. ‘Hey hun, come in, Drake is already here!’

Hana’s smile does not falter, and she appears to find the situation normal. Drake relaxes a bit. ‘Hey Hana! You look great, I like your hat.’

‘Oh thanks Drake, I figured, if not today, when can I wear a giant sun hat?’ She giggles lightheartedly. Drake and Amara look at each other, visibly relieved that Hana is also acting cool.

Amara pours her friend a coffee from the Keurig in her room, and Hana sits on the bed. ‘Sorry I barged in, but I was ready early and thought we could hang out for a bit.’

‘You did the right thing,’ Amara says, ‘we were doing the same thing, just having coffee and killing time before Max comes to get us!’

‘Awesome. Um, Amara, I have a favor to ask you…’ Hana glaces at Drake, visibly hesitant.

Drake gets the hint and gets up, ready to leave. ‘Oh, I can let you guys chat--’

‘No, stay,’ Hana interrupts decisively. ‘I mean, I hope you don’t think I’m weird for asking her that, but you can absolutely stay, it’s not a big deal. I trust you both.’

Amara sits down on the bed next to her friend. ‘What’s up, hun? You can ask me anything.’

Hana’s hands are playing nervously with her sundress. ‘Well, it’s just… I would like your opinion on my bathing suit. I was trying to be stylish, without looking unprofessional. I’m set to have a one-on-one with Liam today, and I just don’t want to be wearing anything too revealing.’

Amara, surprised to hear Hana mention Liam, which literally never happens, quickly accepts. ‘Of course. Let’s go into the bathroom and show me. I’m sure you look amazing.’

In the bathroom, Hana unties the belt of her dress and shows off her indeed stylish bikini. Amara exclaims, ‘Holy shit, that is such a nice bathing suit! I love it! Not at all too revealing, I love the high-waisted bottoms. You’re good to go!’

Hana, visibly relieved, puts her dress back on and goes back to the bedroom, followed by Amara.

Drake pours himself another cup of coffee, and Hana breaks the ice and says, ‘I hope you both don’t think I’m being unreasonable, or presumptuous to think that my outfit may have any type of effect. I just… well...’ She takes a deep breath and, looking straight into her coffee, lets it all out. ‘I don’t want the attention. I’m here because my parents want me to marry into royalty, to honor my mother’s heritage. But, I’m sure you’ve picked up on it by now, my heart’s not in it.’

Amara takes her friend’s hand, and Drake says, ‘Hana, we both get it. Sometimes, duty can get in the way of what you truly want, but this is your life. And, well, I know I speak for Amara too, when I say that we’re here for you.’

Amara nods furiously. ‘Absolutely. I get why you don’t want to upset your parents, so I understand that you want to play along, but you don’t have to go above and beyond. Just be yourself, treat Liam like a friend, and you can rock any bikini you want, it’s not going to be interpreted like a signal that you’re interested.’

Hana lets out a sigh. ‘Thanks guys. I know Liam’s not necessarily into me, but...I have trouble with um…’ She looks into Amara’s eyes, in which she finds reassurance and comfort. She continues. ‘I have trouble with the male gaze in general. I’m, um...not interested. In men.’

Amara squeezes her hand tighter. ‘Thank you for telling us, hun. We love you and we support you always, ok? Right, Drake?’

Drake nods and promptly replies, ‘Of course. We’re here for you, whether you want to tell people or not. Like we said, it’s your life. You deserve the best.’

Hana bursts into tears, and Amara catches her in her arms. ‘Thank you so much, both of you. I’ve never told anyone before. I knew I could trust you.’ She sniffles. ‘I truly appreciate you both for never pushing me towards Liam, for never making me feel uncomfortable about a competition that’s already too much to handle. I don’t want to tell anyone else for now, I don’t think it would be well received by the other suitors, and I certainly am not ready to tell my parents.’

Amara pats her back reassuringly. ‘Of course, whatever you need. If you run into any issues, any unwanted attention, talk to one of us, okay?’

Both Drake and Hana nod. Hana gets up, gives Amara a tight hug, and says, ‘Thank you. I knew I had to tell you today. It’s like I couldn’t contain it anymore, you know?’

‘I can only imagine how hard it must be. If you want to cancel the one-on-one, let me know, we’ll make up an excuse for you.’

Hana takes a deep breath, and heads towards the door. ‘I’ll be fine. But thank you for offering. I’m going to go reapply some makeup, I’ll see you both downstairs.’

Once Hana is gone, Amara and Drake look at each other, both quite shaken by what had just happened. Amara’s eyes are glossy with tears. ‘I...can’t believe she just trusted us with this.’

Drake nods. ‘Good for her. That was really moving. I do hope she stands up to her parents eventually, but, y’know, one thing at a time.’

Amara wipes away a tear. ‘I know. I can’t imagine what this situation must be like, when your parents are not supportive. It must already be scary when your parents are, you know, regular parents and not obsessed with nobility.’ She takes a deep breath and goes to sit with Drake on the loveseat. ‘Sergio was 16 when he came out. Not long after our mom passed. He told me and our dad at the same time. I had never seen my big brother so scared. His hands were shaking, his voice was trembling. When he was done, my dad just said. ‘I’ve known you were gay since you were 7. I’ve loved you since you were born, and I will continue to love you forever.’’

She looks into Drake’s eyes, which suddenly fill with tears. ‘Shit, Amara,’ he says in a shaky voice. ‘That’s the sweetest fucking thing I’ve ever heard.’

Amara chuckles, and wipes Drake’s tears away. ‘Ohh, look at my big strong man! Come here!’ She covers him with kisses.

‘Masculinity is a construct, Suarez,’ Drake says matter-of-factly.

‘True dat. Well in any case, Hana is gonna need our support. And, I didn’t want to scare her, but we both know Liam can be relentless.’

‘With you he is, because he’s obsessed with you. He’s always been more...distant and friendly towards Hana. But yeah, let’s keep an eye on him. Hana needs us.’

*****

Drake has always loved the beach. As he is lying down on a towel between Amara and Maxwell, he thinks about how lucky he is, to have met this woman, despite the adversity. How lucky he is to have Maxwell on his side, too. And Hana, who had trusted him earlier. Sure, he knows she had meant to tell Amara, and not necessarily him, but he had offered to leave the room, and she had told him to stay. He knows he’s a good friend, that’s probably his best quality, and he’s happy to offer Hana his support, even though they haven’t known each other long.

‘Hello, everyone,’ Liam says with a bright smile, tilting his sunglasses.

They all reply courteously, and Drake starts to rethink his self-assessment as a ‘good friend’. He had been a shit friend to Liam these past few weeks, hiding things from him, lying to him every day. But, in the end, was Liam that innocent? No, probably not.

‘Hey Liam,’ Drake says, feeling like a hypocrite.

‘How is everyone doing on this beautiful day?’

God, Drake is starting to hate Liam’s public persona. Who is this infomercial host? Where is his friend Liam, who is funny, smart, and above all, normal? He’d changed ever since Leo abdicated, which was not hard to understand or foresee, but it made Drake profoundly sad nonetheless.

‘We’re all doing great, thank you,’ Hana replies politely.

‘I’m happy to hear this, Lady Hana. Are you ready for our moment together? I propose we go get some light lunch by the water, what do you say?’

Hana acquiesces, puts her sundress back on, and, after one last glance towards Amara, follows Liam into the horizon.

Amara looks at Drake and whispers, ‘Do you think they’ll be ok? I’ll keep my phone on hand in case she needs me.’

Drake nods reassuringly and places his hand closer to Amara’s. She closes the distance between them and catches his fingers in hers. He loves these little moments, even if they have to remain hidden for now.

‘Hello.’ A curt voice startles them and they both move their hand as fast as possible. Drake looks up, and sees an awkward figure, dressed in very long swimming shorts and, for some reason, a button-down shirt. At the beach.

‘Hey Bertrand.’ Drake is surprised to see him without a vest, but at least he’s still in business casual. ‘Sit down with us.’

Bertrand takes Hana’s spot and reluctantly unbuttons his perfectly ironed shirt. ‘It’s really hot today. I wish we had an umbrella.’

‘Oh come on, Duke Ramsford,’ Amara teases him, ‘you need to work on your tan!’

Maxwell giggles, and adds, ‘Yeah, I tell him all the time. I tried to get him to go to the tanning salon, but he’s stubborn.’

They all laugh heartily; even Bertrand lets out a disciplined chuckle. ‘Well, Lady Amara, I’ve got good news for you. I just had coffee with Prince Liam, and he’s very taken with you.’ Bertrand smiles earnestly, and even though Drake cannot see Amara’s face, he just knows that she’s trying hard not to let her smile falter. Bertrand continues. ‘As you know, we’re headed to Applewood Manor on Friday, and on Saturday morning, one of the suitors will be crowned Apple Queen; I would like it to be you! The press would love it.’

Amara gently nods, and acquiesces. ‘Alright, that sounds great.’

Maxwell, thankfully, interrupts his brother. ‘Bertrand, we’re trying to have a good day here, you think we can enjoy the sun and maybe worry about this weekend later? It’s important for Amara to relax, too.’

Bertrand looks like he’s about to protest, but seemingly changes his mind. ‘Alright, that’s fair. I’ll let you go about your day. But be ready to talk about apples this weekend!’

He gives them a stuck up smile and walks away. Drake contains his laughter until Bertrand is far enough away, and explodes. ‘Holy shit Max, the stick up your brother’s ass is still alive and well!’

Maxwell wipes away a tear of laughter. ‘Oh man, this was some interaction. His button-down, I just can’t! He’s not the one who needs to hide a hippo tat, but he still wears a shirt to the beach.’

Amara chimes in, ‘Max, don’t listen to anyone, your hippo tat is fabulous. And yes, Bertrand is unreal. I was talking to my friend Mia the other day and tried to explain the concept of Bertrand, and she did not believe me.’

Drake adds, ‘You know what I don’t believe? That my sister had this huge crush on him. She had heart eyes every time he was around, and I was like...well, no offense, your brother is a good guy, but he’s not exactly Bradley Cooper.’

‘Love the reference, Walker,’ Amara adds. ‘Bradley Cooper is my go-to hot celeb, too.’

Drake smiles. It’s been a while since he talked about his sister in such a lighthearted way. He owes it all to Amara, after all. She’s the one who inspires him to be less gloomy, every day, and since he told her to think of her brother in a positive way, why wouldn’t he do the same for Savannah?

‘Alright,’ Drake says while getting up. ‘I’m going to the bathroom and I’ll get us all some beers, what do you guys say?’

Max and Amara nod, and Drake enthusiastically walks away.

*****

‘Amara, I have to tell you something,’ Maxwell says in a concerned voice as soon as Drake is out of earshot.

‘What is it?’

He looks around, his brow knit with worry. ‘It’s about Savannah.’

*****

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[hillnerd]

THE LEAD UP TO HARRY/GINNY

So, I see a lot of people saying Harry Potter/Ginny Weasley was ‘forced’ felt ‘rushed’ etc. 

Hinny was lead up to for 5 books, son! :) In no way is that rushed.

Harry and Gin’s love story is basically one of bad timing, where themes, foreshadowing, language and characterization have been used to slowly establish Ginny as special in Harry’s life, and forge the foundation on which their relationship is built in book 6.

I have receipts. :D

LONG ‘ESSAY’ ABOUT H/G BUILDUP IN BOOKS 1-5:

Book 1 - first girl he meets

she’s the first weasley kid/first nice kid he even hears speak actually

And there’s this brief description of him watching her I find very poetic:

The train began to move. Harry saw the boys’ mother waving  and their sister, half laughing, half crying, running to keep up with the train until it gathered too much speed; then she fell back and waved. Harry watched the girl and her mother disappear as the train rounded the corner.

Book 2- giant book of foreshadowing

So, this book ties Ginny and Harry thematically, establishes certain patterns with them, ties Gin to the main themes of the books very inextricably, ties her to Harry in a way no other character is tied, and also establishes her as a future love interest for Harry.

In NO way am I saying Harry had romantic notions about her at this point in the series (heck no! He’s just 12!)- but rather from a writing perspective, things were put in place to establish future H/G goodness.

From the get go, she is described, again, in somewhat cute/‘poetic’ language

At that moment there was a diversion in the form of a small, red-headed figure in a long nightdress, who appeared in the kitchen, gave a small squeal, and ran out again.

--

Harry just caught sight of a pair of bright brown eyes staring at him before it closed with a snap.

--

Ginny seemed very prone to knocking things over whenever Harry entered a room. She dived under the table to retrieve the bowl and emerged with her face glowing like the setting sun.

--

“Oh, are you starting at Hogwarts this year?” Harry asked Ginny. She nodded, blushing to the roots of her flaming hair, and put her elbow in the butter dish. Fortunately no one saw this except Harry’

So she’s this adorable little winsome gal who Harry (established as pretty effing rude about most girls/women he describe), is giving language I’d love to have written about me even now, as a full-grown married woman.

So, of course we start off book 2 with Ginny being a shy little sister, who has a crush on her brother best friend/is enamored with the boy hero. Even though she could have been written as burdensome or annoying to Harry- he never once feels that way about her (even when tackled by that cupid dwarf with her singing valentine.)

To the contrary, he’s always quite sweet with her, giving her his books, notices when she’s out of sorts, pulls out his wand to expelliarmus Draco when he’s taunting Ginny by holding her diary (which mirrors Ron’s going after Draco when Draco was calling Hermione mudblood),  and then he freaking saves her.

Also, let’s point out a silly things: Draco calls Gin Harry’s girlfriend in book 2. ;)  How’s THAT for romantic foreshadowing? :) 

“Leave him alone, he didn’t want all that!” said Ginny. It was the first time she had spoken in front of Harry. She was glaring at Malfoy.“Potter, you’ve got yourself a girlfriend!” drawled Malfoy.

The language when he saves her, again, has emotional resonance than he had for almost anyone else in the series for the first few books- THIS IS NOT ROMANTIC- just establishes a theme of how Harry considers her and has a soft spot for her (seriously, read this, then go back and read his underwhelming reaction to Ron possibly being severely injured in PS/SS with the chess match… like… for reals):

He couldn’t not go, not now they had found the entrance to the Chamber, not if there was even the faintest, slimmest, wildest chance that Ginny might be alive.

And between the feet [of the statue’s robes], facedown, lay a small, black-robed figure with flaming-red hair.

“Ginny!” Harry muttered, sprinting to her and dropping to his knees. “Ginny — don’t be dead — please don’t be dead —” He flung his wand aside, grabbed Ginny’s shoulders, and turned her over. Her face was white as marble, and as cold, yet her eyes were closed, so she wasn’t Petrified. But then she must be —

“Ginny, please wake up,” Harry muttered desperately, shaking her. Ginny’s head lolled hopelessly from side to side.’

Also, in this book, though it’s quick little bits here and there, they establish also how Harry and Gin instinctively ‘get’ one another, despite their lack of interaction- like when she defends Harry to Draco with ‘he didn’t want all that’- or when he keep Ron from prying after he saves Gin

“I’ll explain when we get out of here,” said Harry with a sideways glance at Ginny, who was crying harder than ever.

“But —”

“Later,” Harry said shortly. He didn’t think it was a good idea to tell Ron yet who’d been opening the Chamber, not in front of Ginny,

This is how their dynamic works later in the series- they just get each other’s motivations/needs. Even this early on, hints of their dynamic is established - as hey, some people just get one another- even when they are platonic childhood friends.

So on top of all the above, she’s connected to him in that she knows horcruxes and Tom Riddle basically better than anyone, really. (I was sort of bummed they didn’t use this more later, though DAMN is she doesn’t sass Harry out of yelling in book 5 over it :D). She introduces one of the most important things in the series- needing to know Voldemort, Voldemort’s soul imprints, and how to defeat horcuxes.

Only four characters have ever had the mental influence of a horcrux, that we know of- Harry, Ginny, Ron and Hermione. Of them all, only Harry and Ginny ever really got perspective on Riddle/Voldemort- vs Ron and Herm were influenced, not sharing back and forth. This makes Ginny stand out thematically from any other character in the series- that she shares this connection with Harry.

Harry saves her in probably the most traditionally romantic/fantasy driven/fairy tale way- literally the hero saves a damsel in distress from a giant reptile with a sword- but Rowling subverts this by having them literally have no romance build from there for another 4 books- because they are kids.

So yeah- she’s established early on, writing-wise, as a future flame for him, and tied them very closely.

Book 3 - briefest of shared moments

Ginny is barely present in this book, but despite her crush making her rather mute in front of him- they have a share moment of humor (which seems to be a big connection for the two of them- the two always catching each other’s eye and smirking at eachother later in the series.)

“Ah, there’s Penelope!” said Percy, smoothing his hair and going pink again. Ginny caught Harry’s eye, and they both turned away to hide their laughter as Percy strode over to a girl with long, curly hair, walking with his chest thrown out so that she couldn’t miss his shiny badge.

Both are deeply affected by dementors (along with Nev, though his is just mentioned as being pale along with Gin) on the train.

Ginny, who was huddled in her corner looking nearly as bad as Harry felt, gave a small sob; Hermione went over and put a comforting arm around her. “But didn’t any of you — fall off your seats?” said Harry awkwardly. “No,” said Ron, looking anxiously at Harry again. “Ginny was shaking like mad, though…”

And she gives him another card when he’s in the hospital (which he keeps, even though he hard to literally keep it under a fruit bowl so it won’t sing anymore- he’s dispassionately thrown out Hagrid’s rock cakes and Ron and Hermione’s gifts he actually enjoyed before- so here he is, still having a tender (but platonic) spot for Ginny.)

Book 4- character establishment and missed opportunities

So, again, Ginny isn’t around much in this book. She still blushes around him a little, but is able to smile and talk with him much more easily, especially about the twins’ joke shop endeavors, and definitely has a lot more of her sass come out (fleetingly saw a couple of times of it in book 3).

She’s still not included in any of the trio’s antics (not even being told about Sirius’s innocence)- and they mainly establish that she has a great sense of humor like her brothers, laughing a lot at things Harry and Ron do (while Hermione can’t bring herself to laugh, b/c it’s hermione), and being compassionate as per usual to people and animals alike (as in book 3).

Anyways, the main thing that stands out in this book- is the missed opportunity for all the main characters to go out with their future romantic partner/s.

Ron and Hermione don’t go to the ball.

Harry and Ginny don’t go to the ball.

Harry and Cho don’t go to the ball.

It’s a big missed moment for them all, really. :P

So yeah- we all are very aware of all that yule ball, who is going out with who drama-

Anyways, another moment I like is Weasleys are always his escape - and she’s a part of that. :

Fred, George, and Ginny came to sit next to [Ron and Harry] too, and Harry was having such a good time he felt almost as though he were back at the Burrow; he had forgotten to worry about that evening’s task, and not until Hermione turned up, halfway through lunch, did he remember that she had had a brainwave about Rita Skeeter.

Book 5 - Establishing the foundation through interactions, themes and language.

So, this is where we get to see full-out Ginny. No longer is it just hints at her sass, pieces of her compassion, tiny shared moments between her and Harry- oooh no. This book is where we finally have Ginny’s full glory out and about, and it’s awesome. She is ballsy, she is cool, and lord help me, I love her so much. JKR establishes a very very firm foundation for a romantic relationship between them to blossom in this book.

From the get go, Ginny is on point.

So a quick exploration of how awesome Ginny is:

The door opened and a long mane of red hair appeared. “Oh hello, Harry!” said Ron’s younger sister, Ginny, brightly. “I thought I heard your voice.”

This is after he was screaming, and had just been teased by the twins for it. Again that poetic language is used for her, and she’s now part of his gang- and intimate along with Ron and Hermione (or as close as anyone can get) with his plans and life.

Like, I could go on forever about how cool Gin in this book, but I’ve literally written pages at this point. Suffice it to say- she kicks arse - like, she’s hangin with the twin and being cool in Grimmauld place, she’s kicking butt at quidditch, she’s flying into Smith when he’s an arse, she’s known for her bat bogey hex.

“Yeah, size is no guarantee of power,” said George. “Look at Ginny.” “What d’you mean?” said Harry. “You’ve never been on the receiving end of one of her Bat-Bogey Hexes, have you?”

And she’s compassionate too, as she’s kind to Luna and Neville a whole bunch in this book

“I’m nobody,” said Neville hurriedly. “No you’re not,” said Ginny sharply. “Neville Longbottom — Luna Lovegood.”

She and Harry share grins and laughs throughout the book

Well, hello there!” [Lockhart] said. “I expect you’d like my autograph, would you?” “Hasn’t changed much, has he?” Harry muttered to Ginny, who grinned.

So yeah, Ginny is amazing, so it’s not really a surprise that the next book, when Harry is no longer crushing on Cho, he takes notice.

The main points of connection between Harry and Gin are that: a few times in this book he relies on her to help him emotionally, or she just steps up to do it- at times she does it better than any other pier of his, including Ron and Hermione.

The first moment where she really helps Harry out is on the Hogwarts Express:

The train was gathering still more speed, so that the houses outside the window flashed past and they swayed where they stood. “Shall we go and find a compartment, then?” Harry asked Ron and Hermione. Ron and Hermione exchanged looks.

“Er,” said Ron.

“We’re — well — Ron and I are supposed to go into the prefect carriage,” Hermione said awkwardly. Ron wasn’t looking at Harry; he seemed to have become intensely interested in the fingernails on his left hand.

“Oh,” said Harry. “Right. Fine.”

“I don’t think we’ll have to stay there all journey,” said Hermione quickly. “Our letters said we just get instructions from the Head Boy and Girl and then patrol the corridors from time to time.”

“Fine,” said Harry again. “Well, I-I might see you later, then.”

“Yeah, definitely,” said Ron, casting a shifty, anxious look at Harry. “It’s a pain having to go down there, I’d rather — but we have to — I mean, I’m not enjoying it, I’m not Percy,” he finished defiantly.

“I know you’re not,” said Harry and he grinned. But as Hermione and Ron dragged their trunks, Crookshanks, and a caged Pigwidgeon off toward the engine end of the train, Harry felt an odd sense of loss. He had never traveled on the Hogwarts Express without Ron.

“Come on,” Ginny told him, “if we get a move on we’ll be able to save them places.”

So back to school they go, and poor Harry is all alone and a bit lost as to what to do with himself when Ron and Hermione leave him for prefect stuff. Ginny immediately takes charge and is super sweet, finding him a compartment, hanging with him and Neville and Luna. I’d like to point out, she didn’t HAVE to help him out at all. She has her own friends in her year (who hail her over the second they’re in the great hall) and a boyfriend- she’s just being awesome.

She then comforts him about Cho for a sec (as she gets the whole trying to look cool

Harry slumped back in his seat and groaned. He would have liked Cho to discover him sitting with a group of very cool people laughing their heads off at a joke he had just told; he would not have chosen to be sitting with Neville and Loony Lovegood, clutching a toad and dripping in Stinksap.

“Never mind,” said Ginny bracingly. “Look, we can get rid of all this easily.” She pulled out her wand. “Scourgify!” The Stinksap vanished.

Ginny, unlike the other young ladies in Harry’s life, has the ability to bring calm to the storm at times with pointed humor. Like the first DA meeting, when Luna and Hermione break into a fight that derails the whole thing:

“Yes, he’s got an army of heliopaths,” said Luna solemnly.

“No, he hasn’t,” snapped Hermione.

“Yes, he has,” said Luna.

“What are heliopaths?” asked Neville, looking blank.

“They’re spirits of fire,” said Luna, her protuberant eyes widening so that she looked madder than ever. “Great tall flaming creatures that gallop across the ground burning everything in front of —”

“They don’t exist, Neville,” said Hermione tartly. “Oh yes they do!” said Luna angrily.

“I’m sorry, but where’s the proof of that?” snapped Hermione.

“There are plenty of eyewitness accounts, just because you’re so narrow-minded you need to have everything shoved under your nose before you —”

“Hem, hem,” said Ginny in such a good imitation of Professor Umbridge that several people looked around in alarm and then laughed. “Weren’t we trying to decide how often we’re going to meet and get Defense lessons?”

Ginny is able to calm him where no one else can when he’s afraid after he’s had the dream with Mr Weasley- not only de-escalating him, but also cheering him up, while standing up to him full on and able to snap him out of it and make him listen:

[Hermione] sat down next to Ginny, and the two girls and Ron looked up at Harry. “How’re you feeling?” asked Hermione.

“Fine,” said Harry stiffly. “Oh, don’t lie, Harry,” she said impatiently.

“Ron and Ginny say you’ve been hiding from everyone since you got back from St. Mungo’s.”

“They do, do they?” said Harry, glaring at Ron and Ginny. Ron looked down at his feet but Ginny seemed quite unabashed. “Well, you have!” she said. “And you won’t look at any of us!”

“It’s you lot who won’t look at me!” said Harry angrily.

“Maybe you’re taking it in turns to look and keep missing each other,” suggested Hermione, the corners of her mouth twitching. “Very funny,” snapped Harry, turning away.

“Oh, stop feeling all misunderstood,” said Hermione sharply. “Look, the others have told me what you overheard last night on the Extendable Ears —”

“Yeah?” growled Harry, his hands deep in his pockets as he watched the snow now falling thickly outside. “All been talking about me, have you? Well, I’m getting used to it… .”

“We wanted to talk to you, Harry,” said Ginny, “but as you’ve been hiding ever since we got back —”

“I didn’t want anyone to talk to me,” said Harry, who was feeling more and more nettled.

“Well, that was a bit stupid of you,” said Ginny angrily, “seeing as you don’t know anyone but me who’s been possessed by You-KnowWho, and I can tell you how it feels.” Harry remained quite still as the impact of these words hit him. Then he turned on the spot to face her.

“I forgot,” he said.

“Lucky you,” said Ginny coolly.

“I’m sorry,” Harry said, and he meant it.

“So … so do you think I’m being possessed, then?”

“Well, can you remember everything you’ve been doing?” Ginny asked. “Are there big blank periods where you don’t know what you’ve been up to?” Harry racked his brains. “No,” he said.

“Then You-Know-Who hasn’t ever possessed you,” said Ginny simply. “When he did it to me, I couldn’t remember what I’d been doing for hours at a time. I’d find myself somewhere and not know how I got there.”

Harry hardly dared believe her, yet his heart was lightening almost in spite of himself.

[Herm and Harry give input on how he was in bed the whole time and no one apparated into hogwarts]. I’m not the weapon after all, thought Harry. His heart swelled with happiness and relief, and he felt like joining in as they heard Sirius tramping past their door toward Buckbeak’s room, singing “God Rest Ye Merry, Hippogriffs” at the top of his voice.

So yeah- Ginny was able to bring him peace of mind in a way LITERALLY NO ONE ELSE COULD.

She goes on to bolster him about his quidditch ban (and is the only person to really do so, it seems) and then again shows her ability to ‘get’ him:

“Good catch,” Harry told Ginny back in the common room, where the atmosphere closely resembled that of a particularly dismal funeral.

“I was lucky,” she shrugged. “It wasn’t a very fast Snitch and Summerby’s got a cold, he sneezed and closed his eyes at exactly the wrong moment. Anyway, once you’re back on the team —”

“Ginny, I’ve got a lifelong ban.”

“You’re banned as long as Umbridge is in the school,” Ginny corrected him. “There’s a difference. Anyway, once you’re back, I think I’ll try out for Chaser. Angelina and Alicia are both leaving next year and I prefer goal-scoring to Seeking anyway.”

Harry looked over at Ron, who was hunched in a corner, staring at his knees, a bottle of butterbeer clutched in his hand. “Angelina still won’t let him resign,” Ginny said, as though reading Harry’s mind.

Then she inspires hope in him, yet again:

“It’s Easter eggs from Mum,” said Ginny. “There’s one for you… . There you go… .” She handed him a handsome chocolate egg decorated with small, iced Snitches and, according to the packaging, containing a bag of Fizzing Whizbees. Harry looked at it for a moment, then, to his horror, felt a hard lump rise in his throat.

“Are you okay, Harry?” asked Ginny quietly.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Harry gruffly. The lump in his throat was painful. He did not understand why an Easter egg should have made him feel like this.

“You seem really down lately,” Ginny persisted. “You know, I’m sure if you just talked to Cho …”

“It’s not Cho I want to talk to,” said Harry brusquely.

“Who is it, then?” asked Ginny.

“I …” He glanced around to make quite sure that nobody was listening; Madam Pince was several shelves away, stamping out a pile of books for a frantic-looking Hannah Abbott. “I wish I could talk to Sirius,” he muttered. “But I know I can’t.” More to give himself something to do than because he really wanted any, Harry unwrapped his Easter egg, broke off a large bit, and put it into his mouth.

“Well,” said Ginny slowly, helping herself to a bit of egg too, “if you really want to talk to Sirius, I expect we could think of a way to do it… .”

“Come on,” said Harry hopelessly. “With Umbridge policing the fires and reading all our mail?”

“The thing about growing up with Fred and George,” said Ginny thoughtfully, “is that you sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” Harry looked at her.

Perhaps it was the effect of the chocolate — Lupin had always advised eating some after encounters with dementors — or simply because he had finally spoken aloud the wish that had been burning inside him for a week, but he felt a bit more hopeful… .

So on top of ALL THAT- there are literary themes tying Ginny and Cho together. His current flame is somehow always getting cocurrently talked about or written about with Ginny flitting around in there. Ginny and Cho’s lives mirror each other, or they are inexplicably linked in scenes. We see scenes where they intersect, Ginny and Cho are in competetition (note, Ginny always wins), and their love lives seem to twist into one another’s. Coincidence?! I think not! :D

“Ginny used to fancy Harry, but she gave up on him months ago. Not that she doesn’t like you, of course,” she added kindly to Harry while she examined a long black-and-gold quill. Harry, whose head was still full of Cho’s parting wave, did not find this subject quite as interesting as Ron, who was positively quivering with indignation, but it did bring something home to him that until now he had not really registered.

“So that’s why she talks now?” he asked Hermione. “She never used to talk in front of me.”

“Exactly,” said Hermione. [hermione shops]

Ron still breathing down her neck. “Ron,” she said severely as she turned and trod on his feet, “this is exactly why Ginny hasn’t told you she’s seeing Michael, she knew you’d take it badly. So don’t harp on about it, for heaven’s sake.”

“What d’you mean, who’s taking anything badly? I’m not going to harp on about anything …”

Ron continued to chunter under his breath all the way down the street. Hermione rolled her eyes at Harry and then said in an undertone, while Ron was muttering imprecations about Michael Corner, “And talking about Michael and Ginny … what about Cho and you?”

Somewhat to Harry’s disappointment, it was Ginny who managed to find Cho Chang and her friend first

“The Defense Association?” said Cho. “The D.A. for short, so nobody knows what we’re talking about?”

“Yeah, the D.A.’s good,” said Ginny. “Only let’s make it stand for Dumbledore’s Army because that’s the Ministry’s worst fear, isn’t it?” There was a good deal of appreciative murmuring and laughter at this.

“All in favor of the D.A.?” said Hermione bossily, kneeling up on her cushion to count. “That’s a majority — motion passed!”

Harry glimpsed Ron and Ginny skimming over the stands and felt a horrible pang that he was not up there with them… . “You really miss it, don’t you?” said Cho.

“Yeah,” said Ron slowly, savoring the words, “we won. Did you see the look on Chang’s face when Ginny got the Snitch right out from under her nose?”

“I suppose she cried, did she?” said Harry bitterly.

“Well, yeah — more out of temper than anything, though …”

Harry looked around. Cho was passing, accompanied by Marietta Edgecombe, who was wearing a balaclava. His and Cho’s eyes met for a moment. Cho blushed and kept walking. Harry looked back down at the chessboard just in time to see one of his pawns chased off its square by Ron’s knight.

“What’s — er — going on with you and her anyway?” Ron asked quietly.

“Nothing,” said Harry truthfully.

“I — er — heard she’s going out with someone else now,” said Hermione tentatively. Harry was surprised to find that this information did not hurt at all. Wanting to impress Cho seemed to belong to a past that was no longer quite connected with him. [paragraph about Sirius’s death]

“You’re well out of it, mate,” said Ron forcefully. “I mean, she’s quite good-looking and all that, but you want someone a bit more cheerful.”

“She’s probably cheerful enough with someone else,” said Harry, shrugging.

“Who’s she with now anyway?” Ron asked Hermione, but it was Ginny who answered.

“Michael Corner,” she said. “Michael — but —” said Ron, craning around in his seat to stare at her. “But you were going out with him!”

“Not anymore,” said Ginny resolutely. “He didn’t like Gryffindor beating Ravenclaw at Quidditch and got really sulky, so I ditched him and he ran off to comfort Cho instead.” […]

“Well, I always thought he was a bit of an idiot,” [Ron] said, prodding his queen forward toward Harry’s quivering castle. “Good for you. Just choose someone — better — next time.” He cast Harry an oddly furtive look as he said it.

“Well, I’ve chosen Dean Thomas, would you say he’s better?” asked Ginny vaguely. “WHAT?” shouted Ron,

SO THERE YA GO- ALL THAT BUILD UP- :) was it fast and out of nowhere? no way! Reread and see it right there in the books, mates!

Like, you can not like their ship- but there is no denying the buildup.

:)

[riverdale-retread]

Riverdale S5 E10: The Pincushion Man - 5 Things I  Loved/ 3 things to consider

1. I love the fact that the actual makers of Riverdale have the same relationship with Jughead that a lot of the fanfic reading and writing fandom have with Jughead.  We all, collectively, enjoy his adorable traits - a gift for romantic gestures, devotion, resilience, bottomless kindness, courage, a sweet-spicy mix of feral anger and weepy softness. The point of Jughead for the makers seems to lie generally in taking things away from him, because he suffers in such an affecting, emotionally open way.   A lot of the fandom also revels in his pain and suffering.  Where the fandom differs from the makers, though, is that the fandom actively tries to give the nice things back to Jughead, and most of the Jughead intra-fandom arguments are about what that should be.

Which is to say, this midseason cliffhanger’s purpose was  to Take Things Away From Jughead.  Jughead starts this episode in a nice place (he’s housed at Archie’s, he’s got two stable jobs, he’s got some direction to his writing, he’s made a new friend, who is no less than the beautiful, kind, smart Tabitha). He ends it naked, out of his mind, bloody, alone in the woods and possibly summoned by aliens or rats or something, and his ex-NYC-girlfriend that he seems both afraid of and dislikes knows exactly where he lives.  He can’t even have a drug induced nostalgic sex dream stay a nice sex dream.

2. The Blossom altar and magick witchcraft whatever that was, was awesome.  I was HOOTING.  The Blossoms keep giving me so much to love.   This religion also has some sort of rosary or maybe it’s an offshoot of Catholicism? (Nana Rose totally looks like she’s praying using a rosary).  Everything about this - the pile of sage, Penelope Blossom’s crazed eyes, the fact that this table full of macabre stuff wasn’t just a display but an altar all this time, and the fact that THEY CAN SUMMON WITCH WIND filled me with joy.

3. I loved Betty stabbing Glen in the stomach.  Her antihero path continues - she is annoyed at having to make a cake each for the twins, you know, like, they’re not two separate people.  Asshole Aunty!  She uses tears and wiles to properly manipulate Charles, throws a knife at Chic (LOVED THIS TOO) and isn’t all that arsed about Charles being shot.  Like, Charles is shot in the chest (!) and Glen was stabbed in a way that she knew would miss organs, but the one Betty rushes to is GLEN and this seems like a strategic, calculating choice.

4.  I really LOVED, like, ADORED that Reggie’s way of trying to get the groves from Cheryl was to woo Nana Rose, and he wasn’t cheap about it either. Put on a silk tie, combed his hair back, and bought two dozen scarlet roses.  His full service smiling and winking with his handsome face, giving her some of his sexy young man energy was fabulous.  His willingness to set an entire forest on fire though was very disturbing.

5.  Things we learned about Jughead this episode were all very very interesting to me.  When he gets high he gets naked. . He dances around, which I just found so cute.  He has a really lovely chest tattoo - a big crown, a quill, and a bunch of roses. He likes bondage, with handcuffs. He is really scared of Jessica but also won’t refuse her advances even in hallucination.  He uses “being a Betty” as an insult, and it’s supposed to mean something to other people, and yet when his guard is down, he would have sex with Betty again in a second (I mean, fair. Have you seen her?).

3 things to think about 

a) So now we know that Archie was in Uzbekistan, and it’s like I’ve already said. It makes zero difference to this story, to know where he was.  Oh and just a funny bit - The reporter who calls Archie is named Sara Bellum = Cerebellum?  This cracked me up.

b) Neither Glen nor Jughead (!) understanding that actual people really don’t like it if you turn their lives into content under your name as a sole author if you don’t have prior permission is very amusing.    Like Glen seems to think Betty would be flattered by his delving into her entire family tree in this invasive way, and we’ve seen the Serpents’ reaction to however it is Jughead depicted them in his novel. 

c) I’m not sure why I hate Uncle Fucking Frank so much.   He’s constructed to be sort of sympathetic.  A nice enough looking, gruff, manly man, that Archie obviously likes and trusts on sight, who is on some sort of redemption arc from a dark past about which he feels very badly, and so on.  Like, normally, this type of character does not make me HATE them - feel bored by them because done to death, sure, but the level of vitriol I feel about Uncle Fucking Frank surprises me.  I WANT HIM DEAD.

[ao3feed-choni]

by jckmd

AU in which Southside High closes down before the school year starts, and the Serpents are at Riverdale when Jason's body is found.

or

Cheryl Blossom needs a hug and Toni Topaz is more than willing to provide one. Sweet Pea and Fangs are awesome friends, Penelope is an awful person, same old, same old.

Words: 11092, Chapters: 3/3, Language: English

Fandoms: Riverdale (TV 2017)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/F

Characters: Sweet Pea (Riverdale), Fangs Fogarty, Jughead Jones, Betty Cooper

Relationships: Cheryl Blossom/Toni Topaz

Additional Tags: Romance, Hurt/Comfort, Humor

[leelee10898]

Back to you: Chapter 20 - Ready for it?

** So I decided to post this a day early because next chapter Aria makes her choice!!!!***

Summary: we pick up where 19 left off, the girls are at the club Olivia is trying to get a look at the ladies Credit cards. A confrontation happens and someone gets hit!! Aria,Liam and Leo share a very intimate moment. Catch up HERE

Rating: Mature, NSF

Chapter/Title inspiration: 

Tag list: @bobasheebaby @scarlettedragon @annekebbphotography @speedyoperarascalparty @greyeyedsmile14 @stopforamoment @mind-reader1 @xxrainbowprincessxx @hopefulmoonobject @alicars @katurrade @indiacater @bella-ca @blznbaby @blackwidow2721 @liamxs-world @simsvetements @furiousherringoperatortoad @choicesfannatalie @crookedslimecreatorpasta @coldcollectornight08

***********

“How about we play a round of credit card roulette?” Olivia blurts out? “What is that?” Kiara asked. “ well, everyone puts their cards in the middle of the table, who ever’s card is drawn pays for the next round.” Aria filled the ladies in. They all surprisingly agreed as they placed their cards in the center of the table.

“That’s a lovely necklace Lady Aria.” Pennelope admired. “Yes, how quaint.” Madeline sneers. “Thank you Pennelope, it was a gift. From Leo.” Her eyes shifting to Madeline. Aria sipped her drink. Anger flashed across Madelines face momentarily. “You and Leo have become very close. ” Pennelope stated, looking like she had something she wanted to ask. “You could say that.” Aria giggled as she sipped her third cupids kiss, man these things were good.

“I hear Leo has been known to be a bit rough in the bedroom . They dont call him the playboy prince for nothing.” Kiara drunkingly giggled sipping her mixed drink. “I hear he gives a safeword to each partner who agrees to it.” Penelope adds in. Aria gulps her drink down, grabbing the next waiting in front of her. Were they seriously talking about this now? Safeword? He never gave her a safe word. And then it dawned on her, hes been holding back. She knew how intense it was everytime they had sex, her core tingles just thinking about it, how much more it could be.

 “Well since you all seem to want to know so much about Leo in the bedroom, why don’t you just ask lady Aria herself. She spends more then enough time in between his sheets these days.” Madeline sneers as she gulps down the rest of her drink. “Jealous hes not fucking you Maddy?” Olivia narrows her eyes at Madeline. Aria shoots Olivia a thankful look. Hmp. Madeline whined as she walked off. Penelope and Kiara trailing after. “Well, this will be easier then we thought, those idiots left their cards behind.” Olivia chuckled. They sort through the cards settling on the last one, it was a match. “It was Penelope?” Aria gasped. “Poodle loving Penelope?” Olivia scoffed “Wow, I don”t know if I should be insulated or impressed.” Olivia chuckled to herself. “Um Madeline sent me to get our cards. ” Pennelope sadly requested. “Pennelope, sit down we need to talk.” Aria insisted. “I know you paid someone to take those photos of Tariq in my room.” She stated firmly as she eyed pennelope down. poor pennelope was so drunk, she crumbled on the spot. “Oh Aria i’m so sorry, I never meant to hurt you.” She sobbed “Madeline told me you and Tariq were in love, and we should get you together. I didn’t know she was going to set up a photographer I knew I shouldn’t have gave her my credit card information.” 

“Madeline did this? Of course she did aria though. She sighed "Penelope you were used as a pawn in her little game. ” Aria shook her head. “I’m sorry Aria, can you ever forgive me?” Penelope cried. “I can, but Why did you send Olivia and I those letters?” Aria questioned. Confusion spread across Pennelope’s face. “Letters telling us to leave court? I didn’t send any letters.” She shook her head clearly confused. "If you didn’t then who…” Aria trailed off lost in thought, she snapped out of it. “please keep this between us Pennelope.” “Thank you Aria, I won’t say a word.” Pennelope smiled as she took the cards and left. “Well I expected blood.” Olivia disapproved. “There you are.” Ellie rushes up hugging Aria. “Ellie, this is Olivia. Olivia my best friend Ellie.” Olivia and Ellie stare each other up and down. “You the one helping Aria figure out who set her up?” Ellie questioned “yes, is there a problem?” Olivia scowled. “Nope, whats your poison i’m buying. I like this one Ari, she doesn’t seem like she takes any shit.” Ellie chuckled. After a few drinks Aria was feeling pretty good. She caught sight of Madeline at the bar. “I’ll be right back.” Aria gulps down the shot in front of her making her way to Madeline.

“Pretty ballsy of you to send me to get your pathetic wedding rings.” Aria snapped. Madeline whipped her head around facing Aria, her mouth twisted into a sick grin. “And you went crying to Liam, I knew you couldn’t handle the pressure.” Madeline chuckled. “I know you set me up, those pictures with Tariq.” Aria accused. “Careful there Aria, throwing accusation around like that could get you removed from court.” Madeline grinned. “Don’t test me Madeline, I will tell Liam, Ill go to the press.” Aria threatened. Madeline took a step forward closing the distance between the two. “And tell them what exactly? That the queen to be blackmailed you and undermind the king? Think about it Aria. How will that look for Liam, for the country? You’re not going to say a word.” Madeline smiled taking a sip of her drink. Arias fist balled against her hips. “I can get rid of you like I got rid of  Hana.” Arias face twisted in anger, rage boiling in her blood. The next thing Aria knew her fist connected with Madelines Jaw. “I know you’re up to something, and I will find out.” Aria stormed off leaving a stunned Madeline holding her Jaw. 

“Aria are you ok?” A voice behind her asked. She turns to find Liam. “Liam? What.. what are you doing here?” Aria stammered. “I invited him, and Walker.” Leo stood next to her. “Nice right hook Hale.” Drake chuckled. “She had it coming to her.” Aria shook her hand now feeling the pain as the adrenaline wore off. “That was awesome little blossom.” Maxwell jumped around. “Liam invited Beaumont.” Drake chuckled as he rolled his eyes at Maxwell. “We have a booth in the back, come on guys Ellie and Liv are already back there.” Aria motioned to roped off area. “Well well well boys, welcome to the party.” Ellie giggles. “Aria you never told me how fantastic Ellie was.” Olivia grins. “I knew you two would hit it off, your both insane.” Aria laughed. “Here’s some ice for your hand.” Drake handed Aria a plastic bag filled with ice that he got from the bar. “What happened to your hand?” Ellie wondered. Leo chuckles “Rocky here punched Madeline in the face.” “You didn’t?” Ellie gasps. “You couldn’t have done it while we were around?” Olivia scoffed. “Now now ladies, I think we just need to forget about the big bad wolf and have a few s-” “SHOTS!” Ellie hollered cutting Maxwell off. “I love you.” Maxwell clutched his chest holding his hand out to Ellie. Ellie giggled “come on lover boy lets go.” The two wandered off to the bar to grab a round of shots.

“Are you ok my love?” Liam consoled. “You worry to much I am fine.” Aria nudged him playfully. “I am surprised however, Leo you invited Liam and Drake out?” “We worked things out.” Liam chuckled. “Yeah, we came to an understanding.” Leo grinned nudging his brother . Aria eyed the two uncertain of how to take the situation. If they weren’t fighting that was a good sign. “Ok I hope you guys are ready to partayyy, because its go hard or go home tonight yall!” Ellie shimmied around the booth handing out shots. Aria raised her glass in the air “Here’s to, good friends, good times and..” “great sex!” Ellie cut Aria off.  Aria could only shake her head and laugh. “Here here” “cheers ” wooohooo" the group cheered. 

Later on….

“Woooo” Ellie yells as they all slam their shot glasses down on the table. “Oh I don’t think I’ve drank this much, ever.” Liam gags. Leo chuckles “Liam you’re such a light weight, these ladies are putting you to shame. ” “I don’t know how many more fruit flavored shots I can do. I need whi-” whiskey they all said in unison. “Ooh this is my jam, lets go everyone on the dance floor, come on were dancing.” Aria jumped up grabbing Leo and Liams hand. Ellie followed her dancing. Come one walker, lets get out there before Aria comes and bugs us.“ Olivia demanded. Drake nodded and followed Olivia to the dance floor. Ellie and Aria dance together swaying their bodies in sync with the upbeat pop song. They were tearing up the floor. They both loved to dance. Ellie started dancing with Liam Laughing "Liam why are you do stiff? And I don’t mean in the good way.” Liam blushed at her comment. “I told him the same thing, Liam let loose, tonight is about having fun and not giving a fuck about court bullshit. ” Aria giggles as she spins her body around, Leo catches her. They dance close together for the rest of the song. “Im gonna go grab a drink, want anything?”

Yeah, grab me a beer just put it on the table. I’m gonna try to get your brother to loosen up, hurry back.“

Leo chuckles and kisses her cheek, Aria heads over to Liam grabbing his hand. "Dance with me.” Liam smiles. A sultry tune replaces the upbeat one they had been dancing to. Liam pulls her closer, saying his body with the music, still very stiff. She stands on her toes pulling him down whispering in ear. “Just let the music guide you, stop thinking about it. ” she shakes her hips against him. Liam closed his eyes, he stops thinking about everyone watching him, what was expected of him, just letting the music guide his body. His hands find her hips as he rocks them against her. His hands roam her sides his breath hot on her neck, she sees Leo out of the corner of her eye, watching him watching her. She felt a jolt of excitment run through her body. She hooks her hand around liams neck pressing her body closer to his. Liam grabs her hips as she sways her body to the music eye fucking Leo at the same time. She bites her bottom lip as Leo makes his way towards them. Aria turns her back to Liam swaying her hips in sync with his as she pulls Leo close. He can see the hunger in her eyes. He moves his body against her, his hands move against her hips and waist. The three move in sync the two men sandwiching her in the middle. Leos mouth hovers over her neck, his hot breath making her throw her head back as the heat pools in her core. Her lips find Liams as she sloppily open mouth kisses him. Leos mouth settled onto her neck, nipping and kissing her. She turns her head towards Leo, his lips crashing against hers. Both men’s hands traveling her body. She would be lying if she wasn’t completely turned on. The song came to an end. Aria eyed both men. she needed to cool down, a cold shower would help, but right now it was the beer waiting for her. “Well boys, I think I need a drink.” She turns and walks away switching her hips. Both Leo and Liam tilt their head watching her. “That ass.” Leo admired “yup” Liam agreed.

Aria sits back at the booth, by herself. Drake and Olivia were holed up in a corner making out. Ellie was dancing with Maxwell, she took the moment alone to cool off. Still hot and bothered, she forced her self to shake off naughty thoughts. Liam sits down next to her, his face flushed. “I think I may have to call it a night, I had wayyyy to much to drink and i’m feeling horrible. ” Liam laid his head on the table. “Why King Liam are we admitting defeat?” Aria giggled. Liam waved a napkin in the air. She caught Bastien’s eye as she motioned for him to come over. “ hey, its ok go rest. Bastien is gonna take you to the hotel.” She lifts his head up. “Good idea, good night my love. I am sorry.” Liam slurred out as he leaned against Bastien. “Leo.” Bastien nods “Bringing back memories huh Bastien.” Leo claps him on the shoulder. “You know you were always worse.” Bastien snorts a slight smile forming on his face. Leo chuckles walking up to the table sliding in sitting next to Aria. “Have many drunken stupors your highness?” Aria eyes Leo jokingly. “Maybe one or two.” Leo chuckles. You know I heard some juicy gossip tonight. Aria runs her finger around the the rim of her beer bottle. “Oh?” He arches his eye brow. “Mmhmm, it had to do with a certain prince and his rough sexcapades. I believe a safe word was involved.” Aria glances up at him. Leo squirmed in his seat. Fuck, shes pissed, is she pissed? Leo thought to himself. She folds her hands on the table and leans in closer. “You’ve been holding out on me Rhys. I wanna know why?”

Leo looked up shocked shes not pissed because I was a male whore,shes pissed because I have been taking it easy on her? She never ceases to amaze me.

“I don’t want to hurt you love. Things can get a bit wild. And I respect you to much.” Leo grabbed her hand. “Don’t feed me that shit Leo. I can handle it.” Aria demanded. “I don’t want you to get hurt love. So no, its not happening. ” Leo insisted. “Now please can we drop it?” Leo pleaded. She eyes him up and down. This wasn’t over she would get what she wanted one way or another.

“Ok, but maybe we can still have a little fun?” She batted her eyes at him while a manicured finger nail trailed the inside of his leg. “What did you have in mind Beautiful?” Leo gulped down the remaining scotch in his glass. Aria grabs him gently by the shirt pulling him in, her lips meeting his. He deepens the kiss, she pulls him closer with one hand grabbing his bulging pants. She pulls back

“Lets go back to your place.” Aria breathes in his ear. Leos turns towards her locking eyes with hers. “No love. I have an even better idea, let’s go back to the hotel. ” A shit eating grin forms on both of their faces. Madeline had it coming to her.

Back at the hotel they enter Leos room as soon as the door closes he pushes her up against the wall. Kissing her hard. She helps him out of his shirt, Leo fidgets with her dresses stuck zipper before he rips it off her body. Aria groans in appreciation of his roughness, he peppers kisses along her neck and chest reaching his hand behind her un hooking her bra and tossing it across the room. He yanks his jeans and his boxers off his hard member springing free from its confinements. Aria grips his dick twisting her hand up and down the shaft. He lets out a deep growl as he kisses and sucks her neck. “I want it rough Leo, don’t hold back.” She breathed out. “No love, I cant.” Leo whispers breathlessly. She grips down on his dick, her eyes full of fire narrow in and lock on his. “Don’t fucking tell me no.” She released his cock from her hand. A mischievous grin spreads across his face. “Kitty wants to play rough? we’ll play rough.” He pulls her into his chest kissing her hard his hands slide down her back as he cups her ass, grabbing hard and giving it a hard slap. He lifts her up, she wraps her legs around his waist. Leo walks her over sitting her on the table.  He rubs his hands across her breast, rolling and her pink nipples with fingers pinching each one, a soft moan escapes her. His hands ghost down her body as he pulls her across the table settling her against him. He continues kissing her, his tongue slips past her lips as they fight for dominance. His hands roam her ass and in between her legs. He presses his length against her wanting center feeling her soaking wet panties against him making his hard length twitch. He grips her undies ripping them in half and tossing them on the floor. He looks her in the eyes.“Are you sure about this?”

“Hell yes.” Aria grins pulling him in for a searing kiss. “If its to much, if you can’t handle something say the safe word, I will not stop unless you say the safe word love. Do you understand?” He places a soft kiss on her lips. “Yes.” she whimpers

“Are you really sure about this?” Leo pleads. “Fuck me hard Leo, dont hold back.” She could see the hunger in his eyes, like she seen many times before, except this time was different, it was almost animalistic. He licks his lips, a devilish grin spreads across his face. “Safe word is Apple.” he whispers into her ear as he he swiftly yanks her off the table and turns her around roughly pushing her front side down against table. His fingers trail down her spine to her round plump ass. He whacks one cheek and the the other, causing Aria to jump and gasp. He pushes himself against her pumping his hips. Teasing her wanting core. He kisses the back of her neck all the way down her back grabbing and smacking her ass with force. He runs two fingers across her slit, while settling on his knees. His tongue drawing tight circles along her sensitive bud, he dips two digits into her wet sex. He pumps them in deep, curling his fingers to reach her sweet spot sending chills through her body. “Oh fuck.mmmm.” she moans.

 He pulls his fingers out slowly. “Your pussy is so wet for me baby.” He groans as he sucks Her juices off his fingers. He grabs a hold of her ass as his tongue plunges into her hot center. He slaps her ass hard again, watching it Jiggle he moans in between her legs, sending tingles throughout her body. He bites and kisses her ass, as he continues his pleasure assault to her dripping wet sex. “Oh fuck Leo, mmm. I’m gonna cum, oh fuck.” She screams. “Not yet kitten.” He orders . He spreads her legs farther apart shoving his tip inside of her warm center. “Leo” his name falls off her lips like a prayer. He shoves his cock into her deep, she squirms back squeezing her walls down on his large intrusion. He pumps his hips fast and hard moving the table beneath her. Her moans fast and loud, “oh, oh fuck, Leo oh oh god.” She clings to the sides of the table. He whacks her ass hard as she screams out. He pulls out of her and turns her around, picking her up and placing her back on the table. He grabs a hold of one leg pulling her onto his thick length. He thrust hard and deep. “Mmm you like that kitten? Your pussy feels so good on my cock, oh fuck yeah baby.” He grunts as he pounds into her powerfully. He rubs circles around her clit. He could feel her walls contracting around his cock. “Cum for me baby.” His thrust never faltering he pushes her through her first climax. He leans in kissing her, scooping her up into his arms he tosses her onto the bed. Laying next to her he pulls her on top of him. She lowers herself down onto him rocking her hips as he thrust into her with force. She screams out as he slaps and pinches her ass. Aria grips the headboard as she slams her ass repetitively against his hips. “Oooh fuck,fuck Leo, fuck yes oh god. I’m gonna cum.” She throws her head back. “That’s right baby, cum on my dick.” She lays her body flat against his digging her teeth into his shoulder, she screams out as he thrust hard into her. She feels the heat explode as she gives into her second orgasm. Leo tosses her onto the bed, kissing her deep. He flips her around pulling her ass up in the air slapping it hard leaving a red mark.

He shoves his rock hard dick into her his fingers grab a fist full of hair while his other hand rests on her hip. She bucks back against him, his long thick cock filling her completely. Her cries mixed with pleasure and pain. Leos loud moans mixing with Arias loud screams could probably be heard many floors up. He pulls her body up by her hair and she leans against his chest. She bounces up and down matching his fast rhythm. “Oh fuck baby, I want you to cum on my cock again.” He grunted out. Aria breaths are fast and erratic, he feels her muscles contract again as she rocks her hips through her third orgasm. He pulls himself out flipping her over he shoves himself into her again. Leo hooks her leg around his neck and and leans over her, his cock position right on her gspot. He thrust into her hard and fast, Kissing her through her moans. She feels the coil tighten again as the heat pools. She screams loud, each stroke sending electricity through her body. His hand slides up her chest and settles on her neck grasping lightly Placing a little pressure against it. He plows into her with delicious speed, stroking her gspot each time. “Oh kitten you feel so good. So. Fucking. Good.” He moans. “This is my pussy! tell me who’s pussy this is?” He demanded. “Y-,yours.” She stutters. “F.f.f fuck Leo.”

“That’s right kitten, scream my name. Let everyone know who’s fucking you.” His name flys off her lips like a chant. The heat pooling like lava dangerously close to spilling over. His strokes send a spark through her body. He kisses and bites the inside of her thigh a loud moan escapes her lips. “Cum with me Ari, squirt on daddy’s dick. ” he continued to ram her with so much force the headboard banged furiously against the wall, the sounds of slapping flesh and pleasure filled screams fill the room.

“Her walls fluttered around his length. Her eyes rolled back into her head, she seen stars as she gave into her forth and most intense orgasm. Her jucies squirt out in a wave against his thick cock dripping down her ass and his legs . "Oh fuck Aria, oh my fucking god.” Leo grunted as he pumped through his own release, coating her throbbing walls with his milky white seed. Leo collapsed along side of Aria. She lie there twitching and withering the after shocks of the most intense sex of her life. Leo pulls her body close, wrapping his arms around her calming her down. “Are you ok love?” He stroked her hair, praying he didn’t go to far. She turned to face him. He took her hands in his kissing them. “I didn’t hurt you did I, please tell me you’re ok?” She leaned in giving him a sweet, soft kiss “im fine.”

“I love you Aria.” He stroked her hair. “Mmmm I love you too. That was amazing. ” She whispered and she nuzzled up against his chest and fell fast asleep.

[taliasburns]

🌟 i dont even remember when and why i followed you exactly but you always have quality content and you're my ad network bud. love you floor.

im p sure you had to follow me bc of the alexdanversnetwork sahfskaf. BUT YOU STAYED BC I AWESOME. ily

URL: okay | i don’t go here | good | iconic™ | CHERYL BLOSSOMICON/MOBILE: okay | good | great | the dopest | HOPE MIKAELSONTHEME: not my fav | okay | good | love it | VALENTINA CARVAJALORIGINAL CONTENT:  n/a | okay | good | a photoshop legend | MEREDITH GREYPOSTS: not my thing | okay | good | quality content | PENELOPE PARKFOLLOWING: not yet! | well i am now | YES! | A BABE (for mutuals and my faves)

WANT ONE?

[clearbluesky1515]

Is it still me who makes you sweat (am I who you think about in bed?)

One thing Cheryl was completely sure of: her girlfriend was the sexiest person on the entire planet

Or

Living with Toni has it’s perks and disadvantages

Cheryl loved living with Toni. She loved waking up cuddled into the shorter girls chest. She loved feeling her cold feet in the morning, most often shivering violently because Toni was a complete and total blanket hog.

She loved the scent of Toni’s shampoo and the way that she looked in Cheryl’s oversized sweatshirts. She loved waking up to Toni dancing around the kitchen in her underwear whilst making the worlds most amazing chocolate chip pancakes.

She loved living with Toni

But it also brought challenges. Not “it was your turn to load the dishwasher” or “Jesus Christ my girlfriend is such a fucking slob” challenges. The biggest challenge of living with Toni is the sheer amount of sexual frustration that she feels about pretty much every time she’s in her girlfriends presence. Toni was hot, Toni was the sexiest person on the entire planet; Cheryl was sure of it.

Kissing Toni is amazing. A truly otherworldly experience. Toni is soft and gentle, always asking permission, always checking to make sure she’s okay. And when Toni kisses, it’s with her entire body. Cheryl’s face cradeled in her hand, finger running gently up her ribcage, through her bright red hair. Lips on her neck. On her collarbone. On the hollow of her breasts.

It’s invigorating.

And also frustrating as hell because her girlfriend is the most respectful person on the planet. And they’d talked about living together after Cheryl had officially gained full control of Thistlehouse. And they’d made sure to set rules and boundaries. They both weren’t ready to have sex yet. Didn’t think it was the right time. Because of Penelope Blossom induced trauma and way too old and restrictive nuns poking and prodding her with needles and failed conversion therapy attempts.

They both had a lot to work through. A lot to learn about one another.

And Cheryl wanted to learn more about Toni, wanted to know everything about the other girl. But Cheryl also desperately wanted to get off. Because as much as she loves having Toni around, they’ve been more or less attatched at the hip for weeks( hell for months) now. Which really didn’t leave a lot of “alone time” for either one of them.

And how exactly do you ask your new live in girlfriend for time alone?

Was there some sort of guide to this?

Could she really just say “Hey sweetie, I think you’re awesome and really do enjoy spending time with you, but I really just need like a half hour to work myself into a really amazing, mind-blowing orgasm.”

Absolutely not.

No way in hell.

So really Cheryl shouldn’t be surprised when her body takes matters into her own hands.

Of course it does, because as all other evidence would show; Cheryl has all the self control of pre schooler when it comes to her girlfriend.

Which of course leads her to this very moment. She wakes urgently, aware of hard her throat is beating in her chest, sweat cooling on the silk of her night gown. She disorientated, everything’s dark and foggy, which is why she doesn’t notice at first that her hand is shoved all the way down the front of her underwear, on her stomach with her hand literally trapped between her legs. She also doesn’t notice her girlfriend, staring at her with the most intense look she’s ever seen.

Reality sets in and her face flushes violently, she rips her hand out of her underwear and turns unto her back. Burrowing her face in her arms.

Jesus Christ this is so enbarrassing

“I’m sorry- I didn’t mean to- It’s just...”

And she trails off again because what the fuck is she supposed to say in a situation like this?

“Must have been some dream.” Toni says with a smirk, her voice dripping with seduction.

“You could tell me about it. If you want, I mean”

And of course she wants, she wants so fucking bad. But it feels like she can barely speak and the throbbing between her legs is so intense and her heart feels like it’s going to burst out of her chest and-

“It’s okay. You don’t have to. It just seemed like you were pretty close to you know...finishing earlier; I could help you out. Talk you through it if you want.”

She stares at her girlfriend incredulously.

“Why are you being so normal about this?”

And Toni grins that lopsided, adorable grin of hers when she says “It is normal Cher, you shouldn’t beat yourself up for having a sex drive like literally ninety five percent of all teenage Americans.” And she says it so teasingly and lovingly that Cheryl can’t help but relax.

“It’s-I was- I dreamt about you.”

She feels blunt nails scratch against her abs, shuttering violently at the sensation.

“Mhmm... what about me?”

Cheryl pauses, trying to catch her breath. She rolls on her side to face her girlfriend, legs tangling together instantly.

“Your... Your mouth and you-your hands. You were kissing me and I was just kind of like... y’know grinding into your thigh”

“Yeah what else?”

And Toni’s looking her straight in the eye, bottom lip pulled between her teeth. She blushes furiously, but carries on regardless.

“I was really- I was wet. Dripping all over your thigh, you teased me about it. I was so close I didn’t even bother caring.”

What Cheryl’s not prepared for, what she really doesn’t see coming are the words that come whispered, unbidden from her girlfriends mouth.

“I think about you too. I think about the way you sound when you moan...your lips on my neck. Working me up slowly until I can’t take it anymore.”

“Oh yeah?” Cheryl breathes out.

“Mmm...I think about making you cum, about hearing you cum. Feeling you cum against my fingertips, my mouth, my thigh.”

“What else?” Cheryl’s voice is virtually unrecognizable, all desperate and airy.

She can’t control they way her heart is pounding in her chest. Or the sweat dripping from her temples, nor the intense, endless throbbing between her legs.

“Touch yourself. I know you want to.”

Cheryl’s hand slips beneath her waistband without a second thought. Her whole body twitches as she finds her clit. Rubbing frantic circles, hips bucking forward on command.

A moan tears out of her mouth.

Toni whimpers and Toni sighs, she pulls Cheryl into her in a desperate sloppy kiss. It isn’t until their hips are almost flush against each other that she realizes that Toni has one hand down her own sweatpants, and her face is screwed up in the most deliciously agonizing way, her jaw hanging slack in her immense pleasure.

Toni groans into her mouth. “Imagine it’s my hand... that I’m stroking you. Tha-that I’m inside you right-mhmmm. Fuck. Right now.”

And Cheryl tenses and Cheryl holds back. Because she’s so fucking close, her eyes watering from the intensity of it.

“You’re s-so wet and you’re so close and you wanna cum so bad” Toni all but fucking whimpers into her

And Cheryl clenches around her own fingers. Her hips canting sloppily into her hand, moaning as the palm of her hand hits her clit.

“I-I don’t... I want- together”

And Cheryl’s so out of breath and so frantic she can barely string a sentence together. Toni understands regardless, speeding up her own thrusting.

Cheryl tries to slow down, to wait; but she honestly can’t take one more second of this, clenching desperately against her own fingers, her clit pulsating violently, her whole body shuddering with the effort of holding back her release.

“Ar-are you... I’m s-so. Ahhh...I’m gon-gonna-

Toni pulls back cupping her jaw

“Me t-too. Let go baby.”

Her orgasm hits her full force, her whole body falling into her girlfriends arms, she twitches and she shakes, rubbing at her walls working herself down. Toni’s hand are gripping(almost painfully) into her hair as she rides out her own release.

They lie there for what feels like an eternity, wrapped in each other’s arms.

Toni pulls back to brush the hair from Cheryl’s eyes; lightly massaging her sweat soaked scalp.

“Good? “ she asks lightly.

“You honestly have no idea how much I needed that.” Cheryl says, relief coating her voice.

“Well one could only assume from the way you were moaning my name in your sleep earlier.”

“Asshole. Don’t be so smug.”

“I’m not smug, I’m merely stating facts, even in your sleep I completely rock your world.” Toni grins up at her.

“I hate you”

“No you don’t.

“No I don’t.”

That night Cheryl gets the most sleep she’s gotten in months.

[xocriminal-minds-imaginesxo]

Redamancy

A/N: This is a multi-shot. Let me know what you think!

Mad props to anyone who can tell me what the title means! (I googled obscure words)

Ella’s heart pounded hard in her chest as she fell to the ground and tried to scramble away from the attacker. She glanced quickly over her shoulder to see how close they were, but she saw nothing. What had pushed her? Who or what was chasing her? Sitting up she looked around the room confused and nervous. After a few moments she decided she was safe and took a breath, sighing in relief. Then something grabbed her arm, and she let out a blood curdling scream.

“Ella!” Luke’s hand was gripping Ella in an iron grasp, trying to wake her from the nightmare. Her eyes snapped open and she looked around at her colleagues on the jet, all eyes fixated on her. Their gazes ranged anywhere from confusion to concern.

“Sorry.” Ella panted out of breath, pushing the hair that was stuck to her sweat covered forehead back.

“That was a really tough case. Maybe you should consider talking to someone when we get back.” Emily spoke softly, and sincerely.

“What?” Ella pulled the elastic from her tangled red hair and began raking her fingers through it, trying to tame the wild curls. “Oh, no. I’ll be fine, it wasn’t the case.” Her voice was mumbled as she tried to speak while holding the hair band between her teeth.

“What was it about?” Spencer asked as he handed her a cup of tea.

“Thanks.” Ella grabbed the steaming mug from him after tightening the messy bun on top of her head and took a sip. “It was one of those dreams where in the dream you’re terrified, but then you wake up and are genuinely confused about why you were afraid. I was just running, like I was scared of something, but I never saw anything.”

Ella shrugged her shoulders and placed the mug to her lips once again, breathing a sigh of relief when the team didn’t ask any further questions. She met the gaze of Luke who was still sitting next to her, a concerned expression still slightly visible. Almost as if to say that he knew she was lying.

The jet landed, and the team meandered begrudgingly back to the bull pen where the paperwork needed to begin. Ella dropped her go bag and embraced the blonde woman waiting for her at her desk.

“I heard it was a tough case for you.” Penelope squeezed her tightly and Ella nodded her head.

“Yeah, it’s always rough when it hits so close to home like that, but I’ll be ok. My family was kept safe and none of us got hurt, it’s a win in my book.” Ella smiled graciously at her friend.

“Well, I brought everybody coffee because I knew you would be tired having left so early in the morning.” Penelope moved to the side and revealed the beverage tray of everybody’s orders.

“Oh, Garcia! That’s so awesome of you!” JJ smiled and pulled her into a hug.

“Oh please, my favorite crime fighters need their sustenance!” She expertly began handing out all the orders. “JJ, Emily, Reid, Rossi, Ella, and…. Newbie.” Luke laughed and took the coffee from her hands and held it up in an ironic cheers motion.

“I’ve been here for two years now Garcia you think you coul-“

A chorus of no’s resounded from the other team members and Luke dropped his head but chuckled. After Garcia had gifted everyone their beverage of choice it was time to get to work. Ella manned her station and got started.

After closing the last file, Ella leaned back in her chair and let out a sigh of relief. She moved her head from side to side smiling at the sound of all the pops and cracks her neck released.

“Sounded like you just broke your neck.” JJ said with a hint of disgust in her voice. Ella twirled her chair around to face her coworker who was already facing her. “You done?”

“Yes ma’am.” Ella looked down at her watch, “and I think it’s a new record. I love when we get home from cases in the morning.”

“How are you finished, I still have three files.” Spencer sounded exasperated.

“Three! I have seven!” Luke groaned and flopped back in his chair. Ella shrugged her shoulders and looked at her coworkers. She grabbed a pad of paper and a pen from her desk.

“Tell you what, I’ll go get lunch.” She took the paper up to Emily and Rossi’s offices to take their orders before coming back and getting JJ, Spencer, and Luke.

“I’m coming with you, I need a break.” Luke rose from his chair and stretching his arms above his head, letting out a yawn.

“Alright, but we have to go get Garcia’s order first.” Ella grabbed her sweater off the back of her chair and the two walked down to the bat cave. “Hey, we’re going to get lunch.” Penelope’s eyes looked from you to Luke and she smiled brightly.

“Like together?” She questioned eagerly.

“No, like for the team.” Ella raised an eyebrow. “What do you want.” Garcia’s face fell as she told them her order. Ella rolled her eyes, then she and Luke were on their way.

They walked in companionable silence for a few blocks. The crisp fall breeze rustling through the orange and yellow leaves. Ella looked around smiling brightly, fall was her favorite season of them all. She shivered and wrapped her sweater tightly around her. Luke took off his sweater and handed it to her.

“I’m already wearing one, and you’ll get cold.” Ella protested.

“I’ll be fine, your teeth are chattering, put it on.” He wrapped it around her shoulders and she slipped her arms into the sleeves, immediately feeling much warmer.

“Thank you.” She smiled.

“So are you going to tell me what really happened on the jet today?” His voice was nonchalant, as though he had just asked her what her favorite song was.

“I already told you guys, what happened.” Ella crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked down at the cement.

“Look, we’re all entitled to our secrets. I have mine, and I know that everyone else on this team has secrets of their own. I just… if you want to talk about it, you can.”

They returned to the BAU about ten minutes later with everybody’s order in bags. While on the elevator, Ella searched through the bags for Garcia’s since she was down the hall from everybody else. The elevator doors opened, and Ella reached out and grabbed Luke’s arm before he could open the glass door. Luke swiveled around and met her gaze. She pursed her lips and stared at the floor for a moment before looking back to him.

“Thanks.” She murmured softly. Luke put his hand on her elbow and squeezed gently, without saying a word and she nodded. “Alright, let’s deliver lunch.”

Ella walked down the hall to Garcia’s office and stepped inside smiling brightly. It’s impossible not to smile when you look around at all the trinkets and collections Penelope has littered around her desk. It was an organized chaos of cheer.

“Oh good your back I wa-“Garcia spun around in her chair and froze, an eyebrow raised. “Is that Luke’s sweater?” Her hot pink lips were spreading into a giant grin.

“Yeah…” Ella was confused. “I got cold on the way to the shop and he lent it to me. It’s freezing out there today.”

“Oh my sweet little cherry blossom.” Garcia stood up from her chair and placed a hand on Ella’s cheek, who was now more confused than ever. “You do know he’s totally into right?”

“What?” Ella’s voice came out in almost a shriek. “No way! What are you talking about?” Garcia rolled her eyes.

“Whenever we go to the conference room, he always has to sit next to you.”

“That’s usually the only chair that’s left.” Ella protested

“Because everyone knows and they leave it open for him, I mean JJ and I have talked about this multiple times. I wish you could see the looks he gives you when you aren’t looking, they’re melt worthy. He always goes the extra mile for you, and he tries to spend as much time as possible with you. I guarantee you, had it been JJ or Spencer who decided to go on a lunch run, he wouldn’t have gone. He’s protective of you, he obviously cares about you, and his eyes totally light up when you walk into a room.” Garcia rambled. Ella scrunched her eyebrows together a little confused. Though she couldn’t help but look over her shoulder, down the hall, where Luke had sat down to get back to work.

[forasecondtherewedwon]

Update: “Cometh the Rose”

Pairing: Betty/Sweet Pea

Rating: E

Genre: Romance/Drama

Chapters: 6/?

Summary:

“Maybe, had she recently been involved in fewer alarming incidents, she would’ve been able to join her friends in getting a regular summer job, but the truth was that nothing as tedious as a fast food fryer or as safe as a day camp counsellor was really Betty’s speed anymore.”

Summer’s coming and Betty goes out to get a job. Penelope Blossom’s door is the first and only one she knocks on.

Excerpt from Chapter 6:

“Because Sweet Pea didn’t just want Betty’s boobs, or her bod, or her butt, he wanted to be good. He wanted that confidence he believed came with being awesome in the sack. That feeling of buying a product with batteries included. If he had that, maybe he wouldn’t get huffy when they had to stop making out in order for her to be ready for clients. Maybe it would even kill that fleeting surge of jealousy he got when he saw Jughead. Yes, sir, being good would work miracles.

Sweet Pea was no dummy. He knew that some men were born good, some achieved goodness, and some had goodness thrust upon them. It was unclear at the moment which guy he was, except that he wanted to be the one thrusting, not thrusted upon, or whatever. So he went back to the basics, as defined by himself and the random assortment of songs, movies, and ‘Most Romantic TV Scenes EVERRR’ clips on YouTube.

And then he got sick of all that shit and decided to wing it.”

AO3: Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6

FF: Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 | Ch. 6

[its-choni]

Genesis

PART 1

It’s been 7 years since Cheryl Blossom’s life has completly changed. She’s not the red fire girl anymore. She’s a model, influencer and engaged to one of the most powerful men in the country, Mike Davis.s

 Her mother looked forward to this special day, it will put an end to the deviant ideas her daughter always had. When she found out about Heather, Cheryl was only 15, Penelope thought it would pass but when she found out that her daughter was dating this pink haired serpent girl, she knew her daughter had to be cured. She sent her to the sisters quiet of mercy but it wasn’t enough, Toni Topaz would have done everything to live out that happy story she planned with the Blossom daughter. Except if there was money at stake. That’s how Miss Blossom sent Toni Topaz away, offering her a chance to live a decent life, far away from her daughter. Toni left one night, leaving Cheryl only a “i’m sorry” note. Since that day, Miss Bomshell had sworn that she would never date a girl again.

--

“What about white and baby pink ?” said the 25 years old woman.

“Whatever you want is fine by me babe”

“I need you to help me and saying yes to everything i’m proposing doesn’t help, at all” she growled.

“Alright, i’m sorry, your dad put a lot of pressure on me to master the new maple sirup product, maybe you could call your mom ? She would be happy to help”

Cheryl rolled her eyes and left, used to this kind of discussion. She decided to get some fresh air and a coffee in town with Veronica, she knew she could count on her friend to help her with the preparations. 

“Mike is always busy and never helps, i dont know what’s fucking wrong with him, he’s the one who proposed“

“Cher, chill out, you’ve 8 more months, and Betty and I are here okay ?” retorted the dark haired girl.

“I know… it’s just that i’m scared, and nervous”

“About what ?”

“Being engaged with a man, for the rest of my life” 

“Is dating a girl easier ?”

“Dating Toni was” she answered quietly.

--

When Cheryl found her dress, she knew it was the one. She kept imagining the moment she would say yes to Mike. She didn’t cry, she didn’t get excited. She just knew it was the one, Veronica and Betty did too. Except that they all knew HE wasn’t. They all kept what they were thinking in their head. Toni was gone, 7 years ago now, Cheryl had to move on.

But it’s easier to say than to do. Her smell, her touch, her hands, her body, Cheryl could’nt forget it, and Mike had nothing in common with her. He’s nice, gentle, and gives good hugs, but he’s not Toni, and will never be. 

She hates when she thinks of her, she feels like she’s betraying her future husband, but she can’t help herself. 7 years later, she still misses her voice, the way she used to play with her hair saying that it will be fine, her soft skin and her lips. Damn her lips, Cheryl could have died for them, she could have died for Toni, but she left, and all she took was the heart of her only true love. Everytime she listened to a song, she thinks of her. When she sleeps with her fiance, she wished it was her. When she has nightmares, she pushes Mike away, because she wants someone else to hold her. She knows it hurts the man she’s going to marry, but she can’t help herself, Toni fucking is everywhere.

--

Cheryl wakes up with Mike already at the office, working with her father. She has a lot to do. She has to meet the wedding planner to taste different meals, choose which bouquets will adorn the wedding room and meet Betty, it wasn’t part of the day but her cousin seemed really to want it.

She had choosen mashed potatoes, beans and meat. For the dessert, a giant cake. She hopes her fiance will like it, and if he doesn’t, he only had to be there. Roses and pionies will be placed throughout the room. And now, she had to meet Betty at hers.

When she arrived, her cousin was happy, well and pretty excited, with Jughead smiling oddly. 

“So... what are you guys keeping from me”

“Nobody knows, we wanted you to be the first to hear the news” said the blondie,”We’re pregnant”

“That is so awesome!” Cheryl said while tears were running down her face,“I’m so happy for you guys”

“Well there is more Cheryl” Jug added

“Is it twins ?”

“No” Betty laughed,”but we wanted to ask you if you would agree to be her godmother”

“Fuck yes of course ! OMG it’s a her, i’m going to cry again you idiots !”

--

On her way home, Cheryl was thinking about the baby and how she would cherish her with every inch of her being. She always used to love babies but she thinks she would be a terrible mother. Penelope never showed the right way to educate and love a child. The red haired girl doesn’t see her carrying Mike’s children anyways. They never talked about it, but the wedding was already a big thing. She hoped he will never put the subject on the table.

When she unlocked her door, she heard big noises coming from across the street. Probably new neighboors. Cheryl didn’t paid much attention, she only  knew because Mike informed her that someone, or a family, had recently bought the house opposite them.

An hour after, the doorbell rang, Mike use to have his keys, maybe he just forgot them she thought. She opened the door,

“Hi-”

“What the fuck is going on” said Cheryl, shaking.

“Sorry i wasn’t aware you live here, i wanted to say hi to my new neighboors”

Cheryl closed the door in front of the pink haired girl, 7 years later, she was back, and she will live in the opposite house of the street.