[ Reggie isn't sure what else to add. It's Jughead, so he's not particularly motivated to make an effort to keep the conversation going, so: ]
anyway gtg 4 work now but thanks for the heads up I guess
[ Not like he can do anything about it while still on the outs with Nick, but it's... the thought that counts...? Or something. Whatever. Good talk, bro. ]
[ It's a bit of a journey from the Gray Room in the Up to the Sinema in the Down, but Reggie gets there, dressed in his work clothing but looking in no way elegant when he slams the door open and stalks toward the back of the theatre to find Jughead. ]
You better not have locked yourself in there, you spineless little snake!
[ He'll find out in a second, because he's about to try the projection room door. ]
[ He has an inkling of what this might be about, even if it hasn't completely hit him just how badly this confrontation is about to go. One things for certain though - he's not hiding. Soon as he hears Reggie's bellowing, he steps out of the projector booth. ]
What's wrong with you? Keep it down! [ Not that there's really that many patrons. ]
[ Reggie glances over his shoulder, taking the moment to ground himself just a little more as to where they are and who else is (or could be) watching, so when he looks back at Jughead he only glares and points aggressively toward the door.
Let's take this outside. ]
Now.
[ He turns to storm out the exit, fully prepared to drag Jughead with him if he doesn't follow on his own (but Reggie doesn't expect that to be an issue). ]
[ Once they're outside, no sooner has the door clicked shut behind them that Reggie is turning sharply on his heels to face Jughead again, his fist already flying mid-swing through the air before it cracks Jughead solidly across the face.
Reggie's fighting style is obviously very freestyle and imprecise, he's an athlete but no boxer or gangbanger, so his technique mostly relies on aggression and brute force (speed and timing too, when he's thinking of it); it's a good hit, one that leaves his knuckles throbbing and is sure to leave a mark (if not a few) behind for Jughead to remember it by, but it doesn't strike anything especially sensitive, or targeted for extra pain.
(Not that it won't hurt, but it'll probably also look worse than it is.) ]
That's for hitting Nick, you little bitch.
[ And lying to Reggie about it!!!! Well, not really, but sort of. At least, Reggie feels like it should count. ]
[ If Jug ever spends like a week without sporting fresh or healing bruises on his face, it's a miracle. The blow connects of course, snapping his head to the side and leaving a good portion of his face tingling with the shock. Yeah, that's going to hurt for a while. ]
I didn't think it was important. [ He straightens up, glaring at Reggie. ] If you want me to apologize, that's not going to happen. He deserved it.
Over a friggin' kiss? How the hell do you figure that?
[ Reggie rubs at his knuckles, bu he doesn't seem fixing to come at Jughead again, at least; paying back one punch in kind feels like enough, and even if it was quick a trip coming all the way down here just for that, Reggie's satisfied for now. It comes fairly naturally to him anyway, this aggressive yet impulsive protective instinct, that he hasn't even given a second thought to tracking Jughead down like an angry boyfriend just to defend Nick's honor. ]
Because need I remind you, Nick's been there for Betty even when you weren't, so I think you owe him a helluva lot more respect than a lousy sucker punch.
[ He's not shouting anymore, but certainly still mad. ]
I don't give a crap if you apologize. You just better not do it again.
Do I need to remind you what happened the last time he was there for her? What she had to do to because of him? [ Three hours of camming, which could've been so much worse than it was but still a violation. And, while we're on that subject. ] You know that's not a promise I'm going to make and anyone who kisses my girlfriend or does anything else to her without her explicit consent can expect the same treatment.
[ There's that, too. Betty didn't want to, or at least that what she told him. They had a whole fight about it. ]
If even Betty didn't know that was against the rules, what makes you think Nick did? He was trying to help her, you bridge troll-- and in what universe do people ask someone they've kissed already before every single time? Don't make it out to be more than it was, he just wasn't thinking.
[ His whole body re-tenses just a bit, arms and shoulders stiff, jaw clenched, fingers curling tightly against his palms. ]
Because... [ He pauses. ] That's none of your business.
How about when their boyfriend is back in town? Or is that concept too difficult for you?
[ He braces himself for a fight, body angled towards Reggie so he has more of a chance to punch back should it come to blows again. ]
But this was apparently enough of your business for you to come all the way down here while I'm at work just to punch me in the face? Give it a rest, Reggie.
No-- [ He grinds his teeth. ] But around here no one cares about that kinda thing, so even if you guys do it doesn't exactly mean that people will just know that.
[ It'd be obvious to Reggie, sure, but he knows them, and Nick is from a very different world than they are, even if it is just across the river.
He draws back slightly, jaw still tight and eyes narrowing. After a pause, he decides why not, he'll bite: ]
Give what a rest? [ This might as well happen. He cracks his knuckles against his palm, but it's idle, not threatening. ] You got something to say to me, Jughead?
So just because he's an idiot, I have to shut up and take it. Got it.
[ This is so much bullshit but he's already hashed it out with Betty and he sure as hell doesn't need to hear it again from Reggie of all people. This really is none of his business.
He gives Reggie a tired look. Does he have the energy for this conversation? Nope. ]
No, I guess not. After all, you said it yourself - you just like to keep things simple.
Or maybe just try not overreacting like some kinda paranoid crackhead.
[ Not that Reggie's one to talk about overreacting or losing his temper, but whatever-- he doesn't care that much about the sanctity of Betty's relationship with Jughead, obviously, he's only invested in so much as Nick is involved. Which is, er, complicated.
But does he feel like Nick will keep trying to pursue Betty after and in spite of this? No, so it seems like a moot point to him. Not a "next time" sort of situation. ]
And what I said is that it's none of your business-- all you need to know is that if you mess with Nick, then you mess with me. Figure it out.
[ He wants to spit back something about how it happened in their home, how he's not the one trekking halfway across town just to retaliate - and then it hits him. They have the same motive and once that clicks so does the rest. Jughead doesn't know anything about this relationship outside of what Reggie has told him, but it doesn't seem like much of a stretch to assume it's not so much out of convenience anymore.
This explains so much. ]
Yeah, I think I just did. [ Whatever anger he still had in him makes way to what can only be described as cockiness. ] Tell your boyfriend we're good - as long as he doesn't get Betty in trouble.
[ Reggie bristles a bit, mouth opening as if to argue, but then after a second or two he closes it again, working his jaw to one side and briefly shifting his glare away as well.
He's not comfortable with the label yet -- among other things he's still not fully ready for the world to know about him -- let alone hearing it come out of Jughead's mouth, but weirdly he still feels no particular urgency to deny it. Maybe because they're still not speaking, so the effect is for once slightly more affirming than accusatory. Not to mention, "boyfriend" is vastly preferable to "Dominant."
Still, though. Fucking hell. That cocky tone makes Reggie want to punch Jughead a second time, make both sides of his face match. ]
Yeah, yeah. Don't friggin' flatter yourselves. He doesn't need her any more than she needs him now.
[ Which is to say: they don't need each other at all, at least not in that way. And at least not now. Hard to predict how future circumstances may help or hinder that status quo, but for now, all that matters is the present.
And really, those are easy enough terms to agree to. His gaze turns back forward again. ]
[ This is another thing that he could argue against - if Nick doesn't need Betty right now, why was he there? Why was he kissing her in the first place? Not even Betty knew that and that makes him think Reggie would have even less of a clue. It's pretty much a moot point, anyway. Even on a good day Jughead is less than interested in the relationship drama that goes on in Riverdale, and although he has more of a reason to be invested here, it's not that appealing. ]
Suits me just fine.
[ He lifts his hands, as if to signal that the subject is dropped yet again. It's a little disappointing. They've had a surprisingly good couple of conversations lately but after this, he has to wonder if he was wrong after all. Maybe very little has changed. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Fine, he'll grant that does complicate things further, even if he still doesn't totally understand it. ]
a citation for what
why would she get one for that?
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then that must be the only one thats NOT cuz like, I've never got in trouble for screwing one or the other
or maybe someone just snitched on them
bettys ok now tho right
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[ Hence this very text. ]
she's fine.
1/2
[ Reggie isn't sure what else to add. It's Jughead, so he's not particularly motivated to make an effort to keep the conversation going, so: ]
anyway
gtg 4 work now but thanks for the heads up I guess
[ Not like he can do anything about it while still on the outs with Nick, but it's... the thought that counts...? Or something. Whatever. Good talk, bro. ]
later 👋🏽
2/2
hey where r u
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work. why?
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I wanna talk to u
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you know where to find me
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[ It's a bit of a journey from the Gray Room in the Up to the Sinema in the Down, but Reggie gets there, dressed in his work clothing but looking in no way elegant when he slams the door open and stalks toward the back of the theatre to find Jughead. ]
You better not have locked yourself in there, you spineless little snake!
[ He'll find out in a second, because he's about to try the projection room door. ]
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What's wrong with you? Keep it down! [ Not that there's really that many patrons. ]
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Let's take this outside. ]
Now.
[ He turns to storm out the exit, fully prepared to drag Jughead with him if he doesn't follow on his own (but Reggie doesn't expect that to be an issue). ]
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Closing the door to the projector booth behind him, he heads outside with Reggie. ]
What do you want?
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Reggie's fighting style is obviously very freestyle and imprecise, he's an athlete but no boxer or gangbanger, so his technique mostly relies on aggression and brute force (speed and timing too, when he's thinking of it); it's a good hit, one that leaves his knuckles throbbing and is sure to leave a mark (if not a few) behind for Jughead to remember it by, but it doesn't strike anything especially sensitive, or targeted for extra pain.
(Not that it won't hurt, but it'll probably also look worse than it is.) ]
That's for hitting Nick, you little bitch.
[ And lying to Reggie about it!!!! Well, not really, but sort of. At least, Reggie feels like it should count. ]
Didn't think to mention that part to me earlier?
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I didn't think it was important. [ He straightens up, glaring at Reggie. ] If you want me to apologize, that's not going to happen. He deserved it.
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[ Reggie rubs at his knuckles, bu he doesn't seem fixing to come at Jughead again, at least; paying back one punch in kind feels like enough, and even if it was quick a trip coming all the way down here just for that, Reggie's satisfied for now. It comes fairly naturally to him anyway, this aggressive yet impulsive protective instinct, that he hasn't even given a second thought to tracking Jughead down like an angry boyfriend just to defend Nick's honor. ]
Because need I remind you, Nick's been there for Betty even when you weren't, so I think you owe him a helluva lot more respect than a lousy sucker punch.
[ He's not shouting anymore, but certainly still mad. ]
I don't give a crap if you apologize. You just better not do it again.
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[ There's that, too. Betty didn't want to, or at least that what she told him. They had a whole fight about it. ]
Why do you care, anyway?
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[ His whole body re-tenses just a bit, arms and shoulders stiff, jaw clenched, fingers curling tightly against his palms. ]
Because... [ He pauses. ] That's none of your business.
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[ He braces himself for a fight, body angled towards Reggie so he has more of a chance to punch back should it come to blows again. ]
But this was apparently enough of your business for you to come all the way down here while I'm at work just to punch me in the face? Give it a rest, Reggie.
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[ It'd be obvious to Reggie, sure, but he knows them, and Nick is from a very different world than they are, even if it is just across the river.
He draws back slightly, jaw still tight and eyes narrowing. After a pause, he decides why not, he'll bite: ]
Give what a rest? [ This might as well happen. He cracks his knuckles against his palm, but it's idle, not threatening. ] You got something to say to me, Jughead?
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[ This is so much bullshit but he's already hashed it out with Betty and he sure as hell doesn't need to hear it again from Reggie of all people. This really is none of his business.
He gives Reggie a tired look. Does he have the energy for this conversation? Nope. ]
No, I guess not. After all, you said it yourself - you just like to keep things simple.
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[ Not that Reggie's one to talk about overreacting or losing his temper, but whatever-- he doesn't care that much about the sanctity of Betty's relationship with Jughead, obviously, he's only invested in so much as Nick is involved. Which is, er, complicated.
But does he feel like Nick will keep trying to pursue Betty after and in spite of this? No, so it seems like a moot point to him. Not a "next time" sort of situation. ]
And what I said is that it's none of your business-- all you need to know is that if you mess with Nick, then you mess with me. Figure it out.
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This explains so much. ]
Yeah, I think I just did. [ Whatever anger he still had in him makes way to what can only be described as cockiness. ] Tell your boyfriend we're good - as long as he doesn't get Betty in trouble.
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He's not comfortable with the label yet -- among other things he's still not fully ready for the world to know about him -- let alone hearing it come out of Jughead's mouth, but weirdly he still feels no particular urgency to deny it. Maybe because they're still not speaking, so the effect is for once slightly more affirming than accusatory. Not to mention, "boyfriend" is vastly preferable to "Dominant."
Still, though. Fucking hell. That cocky tone makes Reggie want to punch Jughead a second time, make both sides of his face match. ]
Yeah, yeah. Don't friggin' flatter yourselves. He doesn't need her any more than she needs him now.
[ Which is to say: they don't need each other at all, at least not in that way. And at least not now. Hard to predict how future circumstances may help or hinder that status quo, but for now, all that matters is the present.
And really, those are easy enough terms to agree to. His gaze turns back forward again. ]
And shut the hell up, I don't wanna hear it.
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Suits me just fine.
[ He lifts his hands, as if to signal that the subject is dropped yet again. It's a little disappointing. They've had a surprisingly good couple of conversations lately but after this, he has to wonder if he was wrong after all. Maybe very little has changed. ]
If that's all, I'm going back to work.
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