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bragnificent) wrote2018-07-20 11:23 pm
bragnificent) wrote2018-07-20 11:23 pm
[ Whenever Reggie and Sweet Pea end up face to face, there's always that moment -- usually the initial moment, right at the beginning -- where he's slightly taken aback by Sweet Pea's height all over again. Reggie's a tall guy himself, taller or at least as tall as all his friends, so he's not used to people who can loom over him the way Sweet Pea does.
And every time, he doesn't know how he feels about it.
Not intimidated, though; he slams the car door shut, beeps the lock, and follows Sweet Pea, glancing over his shoulder only once as he wonders uneasily if his car will be safe out here. For good measure, he sets the alarm too. ]
I guess that makes you Princess Welfare. [ Stated with casual smugness, continuing the aggressive banter. ] Don't worry. How could I get lost in something that's probably smaller than my bedroom?
And every time, he doesn't know how he feels about it.
Not intimidated, though; he slams the car door shut, beeps the lock, and follows Sweet Pea, glancing over his shoulder only once as he wonders uneasily if his car will be safe out here. For good measure, he sets the alarm too. ]
I guess that makes you Princess Welfare. [ Stated with casual smugness, continuing the aggressive banter. ] Don't worry. How could I get lost in something that's probably smaller than my bedroom?
( sweet pea busies himself with the double locks, twisting the keys a little more aggressively than normal. he has to consciously stop himself from slamming the door open, like he'd like to slam reggie's head in. he pointedly mimics reggie's gesture from before, the exaggerated sweeping arm and a slight bow, the curve of his lips razor sharp. )
Sorry. Did I say charming? I meant infuriating.
( but he doesn't wait for reggie to cross the threshold, and instead grabs the collar of his jacket and shoves him inside. )
You want to attract more Serpents by standing there all day?
Sorry. Did I say charming? I meant infuriating.
( but he doesn't wait for reggie to cross the threshold, and instead grabs the collar of his jacket and shoves him inside. )
You want to attract more Serpents by standing there all day?
[ Sweet Pea shoving him ignites that impulse to fight back in Reggie, especially as he narrowly avoids tripping and hitting the wall. The urge flares, then tempers, Reggie settling just to hit Sweet Pea's shoulder in response-- not quite a punch or a shove, more like a swat.
It's objectively a bad idea to keep provoking someone while on their terf, especially someone Sweet Pea's size, but Reggie can't help himself. He's no slouch in a fight himself, and while he's not necessarily trying to start one now, he's always imagined they'd be relatively evenly matched if they did ever throw down without anyone else getting in between them.
And obviously in that hypothetical, he also imagines himself winning.
Reggie's on his own here, though, and Sweet Pea isn't. Literally this is the heart of Serpent territory, so Reggie would be better off trying to be more discreet. Behave himself a little bit. If anything, though, the environment only makes him more annoyed and tense. He makes a show of looking around the trailer in poorly disguised disdain, eyes scanning from the walls to the desk to the floor to the bed, and everywhere else in between. ]
What're they gonna do, stab me? [ Quote from man stabbed. Reggie rolls his eyes, throwing his own bookbag onto the nearby bed. ] I'm surprised you even know what charming means. This place of yours sure as hell doesn't qualify.
It's objectively a bad idea to keep provoking someone while on their terf, especially someone Sweet Pea's size, but Reggie can't help himself. He's no slouch in a fight himself, and while he's not necessarily trying to start one now, he's always imagined they'd be relatively evenly matched if they did ever throw down without anyone else getting in between them.
And obviously in that hypothetical, he also imagines himself winning.
Reggie's on his own here, though, and Sweet Pea isn't. Literally this is the heart of Serpent territory, so Reggie would be better off trying to be more discreet. Behave himself a little bit. If anything, though, the environment only makes him more annoyed and tense. He makes a show of looking around the trailer in poorly disguised disdain, eyes scanning from the walls to the desk to the floor to the bed, and everywhere else in between. ]
What're they gonna do, stab me? [ Quote from man stabbed. Reggie rolls his eyes, throwing his own bookbag onto the nearby bed. ] I'm surprised you even know what charming means. This place of yours sure as hell doesn't qualify.
( the trailer is definitely not barbie's dreamhouse, but it's still a home, with all the same furnishings you'd see in any northsider home, albeit much more outdated. the couch has probably seen better days. hell, it's probably been there since his parents moved in before he was born. and, right now, it's pulled out to create an extra bed, which is usually where sweet pea sleeps unless his parents aren't home. they rarely are.
there's a small kitchen and a tv that still has an antennae, and further past their immediate line of sight is the master bedroom and the bathroom. the ceiling is barely high enough for sweet pea to stand comfortably, his shoulders hunched slightly to give him a bit more room. the back wall of the living room is covered in posters, mostly featuring action movies and rock bands. it seems apparent that this is sort of sweet pea's makeshift bedroom. and it's fairly tidy, for a teenage boy.
he pulls his shoulder bag over his head, tossing it haphazardly by the door. then reggie swats at him and sweet pea grabs his arm instinctively, ready to throw down if necessary. a warning, perhaps. he makes the mistake of letting go; reggie makes the mistake of opening his mouth again.
sweet pea could endure reggie badmouthing everything about him for the next few hours, but he'd prefer not to. so there's really only one thing to do. his hand is a weight against reggie's chest (his annoyingly toned chest), pushing him back into the wall of the trailer and keeping him there, his other hand twisting in the fabric of reggie's jacket. he could slide his hand up to reggie's neck if he wanted to, see how talkative he'd be with a damaged windpipe. but he doesn't, he just stares down at him, their eyes locked for a tense moment. his voice is rough, almost a growl. )
Keep talking shit like that and I'll gladly feed you to the snakes. You're on my turf, Mantle. Show some fucking respect.
there's a small kitchen and a tv that still has an antennae, and further past their immediate line of sight is the master bedroom and the bathroom. the ceiling is barely high enough for sweet pea to stand comfortably, his shoulders hunched slightly to give him a bit more room. the back wall of the living room is covered in posters, mostly featuring action movies and rock bands. it seems apparent that this is sort of sweet pea's makeshift bedroom. and it's fairly tidy, for a teenage boy.
he pulls his shoulder bag over his head, tossing it haphazardly by the door. then reggie swats at him and sweet pea grabs his arm instinctively, ready to throw down if necessary. a warning, perhaps. he makes the mistake of letting go; reggie makes the mistake of opening his mouth again.
sweet pea could endure reggie badmouthing everything about him for the next few hours, but he'd prefer not to. so there's really only one thing to do. his hand is a weight against reggie's chest (his annoyingly toned chest), pushing him back into the wall of the trailer and keeping him there, his other hand twisting in the fabric of reggie's jacket. he could slide his hand up to reggie's neck if he wanted to, see how talkative he'd be with a damaged windpipe. but he doesn't, he just stares down at him, their eyes locked for a tense moment. his voice is rough, almost a growl. )
Keep talking shit like that and I'll gladly feed you to the snakes. You're on my turf, Mantle. Show some fucking respect.
Wh--
[ His back hits the wall, not terribly hard but still enough that the thin metal tremors slightly against the sudden force of his weight. Reggie looks at Sweet Pea indignantly, mouth still halfway open even though he isn't sure yet what he wants to say-- but he wants to say something, if only because Reggie hates being told what to do, and to show Sweet Pea that he isn't afraid of him.
Jaw clicking as it tenses, Reggie drops his eyes briefly to Sweet Pea's mouth, then wets his lips and raises his gaze back up to maintain a glare. Proximity, that all; where else is he supposed to look, crowded up against the wall like this? He shoves back against Sweet Pea's chest with both palms, which likely won't do much for actually moving the other boy back, but it's still satisfying nonetheless; Reggie leans his weight on his toes to better get up in Sweet Pea's face. ]
If there was anything to respect then maybe I would. But anybody can be tall and pretty-- just like anybody can be gangster trailer trash. Like, you have a neck tattoo and sleep on a freaking pull-out couch, but yeah, sure. I'm in total awe of you.
[ That this is a bad idea has probably sunk in more after Reggie's finished saying it, but if he realizes that, he doesn't let on. He just breathes slow, tense breaths, hands loosely curled into fists at his sides. ]
It isn't really talking shit when it's true, right?
[ His back hits the wall, not terribly hard but still enough that the thin metal tremors slightly against the sudden force of his weight. Reggie looks at Sweet Pea indignantly, mouth still halfway open even though he isn't sure yet what he wants to say-- but he wants to say something, if only because Reggie hates being told what to do, and to show Sweet Pea that he isn't afraid of him.
Jaw clicking as it tenses, Reggie drops his eyes briefly to Sweet Pea's mouth, then wets his lips and raises his gaze back up to maintain a glare. Proximity, that all; where else is he supposed to look, crowded up against the wall like this? He shoves back against Sweet Pea's chest with both palms, which likely won't do much for actually moving the other boy back, but it's still satisfying nonetheless; Reggie leans his weight on his toes to better get up in Sweet Pea's face. ]
If there was anything to respect then maybe I would. But anybody can be tall and pretty-- just like anybody can be gangster trailer trash. Like, you have a neck tattoo and sleep on a freaking pull-out couch, but yeah, sure. I'm in total awe of you.
[ That this is a bad idea has probably sunk in more after Reggie's finished saying it, but if he realizes that, he doesn't let on. He just breathes slow, tense breaths, hands loosely curled into fists at his sides. ]
It isn't really talking shit when it's true, right?
( he barely notices reggie's hands connect with his chest — though, somewhere in the back of his head, he wishes they'd stayed there — yet his eyes flicker down anyway, as if sizing reggie up again, trying to decide what exactly he wants to do with him.
he feels like a bull getting ready for the charge, his nostrils flared, his jaw tensing; every word out of reggie's mouth is a red flag and sweet pea swears he can feel his blood boil beneath his skin, his cheeks flushing in rage. his hand slips roughly up reggie's neck, but he doesn't quite press hard enough to be uncomfortable. no, he just wants reggie to know that he could. but he won't, because that isn't who he is. or, it's not who he is at this very moment.
he leans in, his barely an inch away from reggie's. he can feel the heat of reggie's breath on his face, the quickening beat of his pulse under his fingers. )
You don't have a fucking clue, do you? All bark, no bite. ( which isn't strictly true, but sweet pea isn't going to admit that. it doesn't matter how many times he gets called trailer trash; it's always going to hurt, and some stupid part of his brain is going to tell him it's true. that he isn't worth anything, that he's just another lowlife who crawled out of sunnyside with a knife in his mouth. some days, he believes it. but today isn't one of those days. today he's got something to prove. ) You think I don't notice the way you look at me?
( his lips barely brush reggie's, there and then gone. he lowers his voice to a husky whisper. he could be completely wrong, and they'll just end up punching each other, but he has a pretty good feeling he's not. reggie has never been terribly sutble, and sweet pea is a lot more observant than reggie thinks he is. is this a worse idea than using their fists to solve their problems? probably. but there's a different kind of tension buzzing between them that a fistfight just won't resolve. ) Come on, Mantle. Admit it.
he feels like a bull getting ready for the charge, his nostrils flared, his jaw tensing; every word out of reggie's mouth is a red flag and sweet pea swears he can feel his blood boil beneath his skin, his cheeks flushing in rage. his hand slips roughly up reggie's neck, but he doesn't quite press hard enough to be uncomfortable. no, he just wants reggie to know that he could. but he won't, because that isn't who he is. or, it's not who he is at this very moment.
he leans in, his barely an inch away from reggie's. he can feel the heat of reggie's breath on his face, the quickening beat of his pulse under his fingers. )
You don't have a fucking clue, do you? All bark, no bite. ( which isn't strictly true, but sweet pea isn't going to admit that. it doesn't matter how many times he gets called trailer trash; it's always going to hurt, and some stupid part of his brain is going to tell him it's true. that he isn't worth anything, that he's just another lowlife who crawled out of sunnyside with a knife in his mouth. some days, he believes it. but today isn't one of those days. today he's got something to prove. ) You think I don't notice the way you look at me?
( his lips barely brush reggie's, there and then gone. he lowers his voice to a husky whisper. he could be completely wrong, and they'll just end up punching each other, but he has a pretty good feeling he's not. reggie has never been terribly sutble, and sweet pea is a lot more observant than reggie thinks he is. is this a worse idea than using their fists to solve their problems? probably. but there's a different kind of tension buzzing between them that a fistfight just won't resolve. ) Come on, Mantle. Admit it.
I--
[ At his sides Reggie's hands open, suddenly unsure what to do; they simply hang there frozen, a bit like Reggie himself. He'd already tensed when Sweet Pea hit him with that "you think I don't notice the way you look at me?" challenge, prepared to have to defend himself from whatever implications might follow. How does Reggie look at him? What the hell does that mean?
But the kiss makes things clearer. If it can even really be called a kiss, that is, but it certainly makes the point. He exhales sharply, one hand finally finding its way back up to Sweet Pea's chest, but not to shove-- just to rest. He wets his lips again in annoyance and briefly glances aside, unsure of what to say.
Fuck. Or maybe... fuck it. ]
What the hell's respect got to do with it?
[ That's hardly much of an admission to anything, but then Reggie's other hand hesitantly digs itself into Sweet Pea's hair, pulling him closer into a more proper kiss. It's cautious at first, slow and testing like he's prepared for this to be a trap, but then gradually growing more aggressive. Reggie doesn't need Sweet Pea's respect, he's decided. Hoarsely, he adds: ]
Cuz you're not getting any from me.
[ (That remains to be seen.) ]
[ At his sides Reggie's hands open, suddenly unsure what to do; they simply hang there frozen, a bit like Reggie himself. He'd already tensed when Sweet Pea hit him with that "you think I don't notice the way you look at me?" challenge, prepared to have to defend himself from whatever implications might follow. How does Reggie look at him? What the hell does that mean?
But the kiss makes things clearer. If it can even really be called a kiss, that is, but it certainly makes the point. He exhales sharply, one hand finally finding its way back up to Sweet Pea's chest, but not to shove-- just to rest. He wets his lips again in annoyance and briefly glances aside, unsure of what to say.
Fuck. Or maybe... fuck it. ]
What the hell's respect got to do with it?
[ That's hardly much of an admission to anything, but then Reggie's other hand hesitantly digs itself into Sweet Pea's hair, pulling him closer into a more proper kiss. It's cautious at first, slow and testing like he's prepared for this to be a trap, but then gradually growing more aggressive. Reggie doesn't need Sweet Pea's respect, he's decided. Hoarsely, he adds: ]
Cuz you're not getting any from me.
[ (That remains to be seen.) ]
( it's a victory, of some kind, when reggie pulls him in all the way, the space between their mouths ceasing to exist. distantly, sweet pea wonders if reggie has ever even kissed a boy before now. the irony of being his first isn't lost on him, makes it all the more sweet, truth be told. or maybe reggie's fooled around with that andrews kid in the locker room when no one was looking. sweet pea doesn't really care. he's more interested in the fact that reggie is what one might call enthusiastic. aggressive, sure, but that's to be expected between them. everything is a fight. this is no exception.
sweet pea pushes back, his tongue sliding between reggie's teeth. as long as his mouth is occupied, sweet pea won't have to listen to his bullshit. it's not the worst idea he's ever had, but it's working — for the most part. he groans when reggie keeps talking, somehow, even when they're sharing the same air, their breaths circulating between the scant space where their mouths part. he juts his hip forward, partially out of frustration, and partially just to see how reggie will react, blunt fingernails digging into the back of reggie's neck. )
Do you ever shut up? ( rhetorical. because, yes, he's aware that for fifteen whole minutes reggie was behind the wheel they barely spoke a word. that's not the point. they weren't making out then. )
sweet pea pushes back, his tongue sliding between reggie's teeth. as long as his mouth is occupied, sweet pea won't have to listen to his bullshit. it's not the worst idea he's ever had, but it's working — for the most part. he groans when reggie keeps talking, somehow, even when they're sharing the same air, their breaths circulating between the scant space where their mouths part. he juts his hip forward, partially out of frustration, and partially just to see how reggie will react, blunt fingernails digging into the back of reggie's neck. )
Do you ever shut up? ( rhetorical. because, yes, he's aware that for fifteen whole minutes reggie was behind the wheel they barely spoke a word. that's not the point. they weren't making out then. )
[ Reggie's certainly been shut up effectively for the moment, at least in a manner of speaking-- he may not be talking, but his enthusiasm continues to make itself known by the growls and groans that he makes into and against the kiss. The more Sweet Pea pushes, the more steadily emboldened Reggie seems to get, his fingers digging and pulling roughly at Sweet Pea's hair, the hand on Sweet Pea's very slowly creeping southward.
This is a problem. A different kind of problem than the two of them usually have when they're in a room together, or even from their partnership, because before they started kissing, Reggie was perfectly content with the deliberate state of blissful ignorance that allowed him to not have to acknowledge any desire for Sweet Pea at all. Yes, there's always been something different about Reggie's disdain for him compared to, say, Reggie's disdain for Jughead, but it was easy enough to pretend like that difference wasn't attraction. There were always plenty of other factors in play to distract enough from that.
But now that they are kissing, Reggie wants to let it happen, like a switch has been flipped in his brain amplifying all the angry lust that's been simmering under the surface this entire time. He has wanted this, even before he ever let himself know he did.
Sweet Pea's hip pushes forward and Reggie's hand slips down from his chest, beginning to blindly try to grapple with Sweet Pea's belt buckle. He barely thinks about it, acting more on instinct now than strategy, concerned with only getting Sweet Pea's pants open rather than if he's moving too fast or too far yet. ]
This is a problem. A different kind of problem than the two of them usually have when they're in a room together, or even from their partnership, because before they started kissing, Reggie was perfectly content with the deliberate state of blissful ignorance that allowed him to not have to acknowledge any desire for Sweet Pea at all. Yes, there's always been something different about Reggie's disdain for him compared to, say, Reggie's disdain for Jughead, but it was easy enough to pretend like that difference wasn't attraction. There were always plenty of other factors in play to distract enough from that.
But now that they are kissing, Reggie wants to let it happen, like a switch has been flipped in his brain amplifying all the angry lust that's been simmering under the surface this entire time. He has wanted this, even before he ever let himself know he did.
Sweet Pea's hip pushes forward and Reggie's hand slips down from his chest, beginning to blindly try to grapple with Sweet Pea's belt buckle. He barely thinks about it, acting more on instinct now than strategy, concerned with only getting Sweet Pea's pants open rather than if he's moving too fast or too far yet. ]
[ he should have been home over an hour ago, but he lost track of time at the library. there was a campus wide alert on the incoming storm and, to say the least, jughead regrets not heeding the warning sooner. by the time he makes it back to the apartment, the weather has taken a severe turn for the worse and his only reprieve is the thought that he'll once again have a quiet, warm place all to himself.
reggie is probably holed up somewhere with one of his innumerous frat fuckbuddies, which means he won't have to see him until the blizzard passes.
......or not.
it looks like he made the novice mistake of having hope. he barely gets the door halfway open before he is immediately greeted by the sound of vague noises coming from further inside the room. mantle is home. ] Great. Just what I need. [ removing his outer coat, he hooks it onto the rack as he makes his way toward the living area. ]
What are y— [ annnd his voice cuts off because what he sees is almost as mortifying as what he hears. ] Reggie.
reggie is probably holed up somewhere with one of his innumerous frat fuckbuddies, which means he won't have to see him until the blizzard passes.
......or not.
it looks like he made the novice mistake of having hope. he barely gets the door halfway open before he is immediately greeted by the sound of vague noises coming from further inside the room. mantle is home. ] Great. Just what I need. [ removing his outer coat, he hooks it onto the rack as he makes his way toward the living area. ]
What are y— [ annnd his voice cuts off because what he sees is almost as mortifying as what he hears. ] Reggie.
[ Reggie would have holed up with one of said frat fuckbuddies, too, but any of the ones he might have asked were either just far enough out of the way (compared to home) that he wouldn't have beaten the storm there, or were already out of town for the holidays; left no other choice, he came straight home after class, flopped on the couch, and hoped that maybe he'd at least have the place to himself tonight.
The later it got and the harder the storm began to come down, the more it seemed possible that maybe Jughead found other lodgings for the night-- or maybe just got trapped at school. Either way, making himself comfortable, Reggie certainly forgot all about the possibility he could still be interrupted... until he is.
He looks in the direction of Jughead's voice, muting the porn that's playing on his big screen-- some corny but classic guy-enjoys-being-seduced-by-his-best-friend's-mom story. Reggie hasn't gotten too comfortable, luckily -- Reggie may be shameless enough to watch porn in the living room, but he's not yet so bad that he'd jerk off out there, too -- but he still flinches, caught between startled and flustered.
(But only barely.) ]
Well. [ He glances toward the TV, then back to Jughead. ] I guess you didn't freeze to death.
The later it got and the harder the storm began to come down, the more it seemed possible that maybe Jughead found other lodgings for the night-- or maybe just got trapped at school. Either way, making himself comfortable, Reggie certainly forgot all about the possibility he could still be interrupted... until he is.
He looks in the direction of Jughead's voice, muting the porn that's playing on his big screen-- some corny but classic guy-enjoys-being-seduced-by-his-best-friend's-mom story. Reggie hasn't gotten too comfortable, luckily -- Reggie may be shameless enough to watch porn in the living room, but he's not yet so bad that he'd jerk off out there, too -- but he still flinches, caught between startled and flustered.
(But only barely.) ]
Well. [ He glances toward the TV, then back to Jughead. ] I guess you didn't freeze to death.
[ augh. why does he have to deal with this?
with his school bag still slung over his shoulder, jug's eyes flicker between reggie and the frozen porn on the tv — a seriously unfortunate freeze frame. this is not what he wanted to know reggie does on his free time when he's home alone. he can only be grateful that he didn't walk into more, so it's going to end here. adjusting the strap to his backpack, jughead moves right in front of him, blocking the screen. ]
I'm having a lot of regrets about that, actually. [ with a quick search, he nabs the remote from wherever reggie tossed it aside to. ] Freezing to death seems like the preferable option right now. [ yep. say bye to your porn. he's shutting the tv off and now he's turning all of his focus on you. ] You shouldn't be watching this crap in the living room, Reggie. Or at least not on the TV! Don't you have a laptop? Earplugs???
with his school bag still slung over his shoulder, jug's eyes flicker between reggie and the frozen porn on the tv — a seriously unfortunate freeze frame. this is not what he wanted to know reggie does on his free time when he's home alone. he can only be grateful that he didn't walk into more, so it's going to end here. adjusting the strap to his backpack, jughead moves right in front of him, blocking the screen. ]
I'm having a lot of regrets about that, actually. [ with a quick search, he nabs the remote from wherever reggie tossed it aside to. ] Freezing to death seems like the preferable option right now. [ yep. say bye to your porn. he's shutting the tv off and now he's turning all of his focus on you. ] You shouldn't be watching this crap in the living room, Reggie. Or at least not on the TV! Don't you have a laptop? Earplugs???
[ Nose wrinkling, Reggie allows the TV to get clicked off without argument, but that doesn't mean he's not steeling himself for a different argument-- maybe because he feels like Jughead is overreacting, or maybe just because he can. Reggie doesn't need more of a reason than that to argue.
He stands, as always ready to use the few inches he has on someone to make part of his argument for him. ]
Who watches porn with earplugs in their own freaking home except for pathetic, horny losers with something to hide? Like, we're not that married. [ They're so not "that" married it's really not worth taking seriously at all. Right? Right. ] The TV's higher definition. This place doesn't have good enough lighting to make watching it on my laptop worth it.
[ He shrugs dismissively, then puts his hands on his hips. ]
And so what? I live here too, so you might as well get used to that.
[ Never mind that he'd 100% be crashing with someone else tonight if he could have swung it in time. But oh well. ]
He stands, as always ready to use the few inches he has on someone to make part of his argument for him. ]
Who watches porn with earplugs in their own freaking home except for pathetic, horny losers with something to hide? Like, we're not that married. [ They're so not "that" married it's really not worth taking seriously at all. Right? Right. ] The TV's higher definition. This place doesn't have good enough lighting to make watching it on my laptop worth it.
[ He shrugs dismissively, then puts his hands on his hips. ]
And so what? I live here too, so you might as well get used to that.
[ Never mind that he'd 100% be crashing with someone else tonight if he could have swung it in time. But oh well. ]
[ It takes a little bit of adjusting to at first-- their dynamic without Archie around to be at the center of everything. Reggie and Ronnie both usually spend more time with him than with each other, but obviously that's changed quite a bit over the summer, and especially over the past few weeks since Archie's been... well, gone. Now they've been spending a lot of time together; they still see Archie when they're able to visit, but otherwise, most of that time is spent alone. Just the two of them.
But that's okay, too; they're all in this together these days. And it's only natural to get closer under circumstances like this.
Veronica says they won't be selling booze, but that doesn't mean Reggie doesn't bring some along to spike his own drinks with. Today, he pours out two shots from a flask, then brings them over to the counter where she's currently hunched over paperwork of some kind, setting one down right in the middle of whatever she's looking at. ]
You do know what they say about "all work and no play," right?
But that's okay, too; they're all in this together these days. And it's only natural to get closer under circumstances like this.
Veronica says they won't be selling booze, but that doesn't mean Reggie doesn't bring some along to spike his own drinks with. Today, he pours out two shots from a flask, then brings them over to the counter where she's currently hunched over paperwork of some kind, setting one down right in the middle of whatever she's looking at. ]
You do know what they say about "all work and no play," right?
[ he doesn't even try to hide his scoff as reggie stands. maybe his height might serve to intimidate most people, but jughead is way too used to this tactic by now — not just from him, but from his own guys. setting the remote down on the coffee table, he rolls his shoulders back as he angles his head up at him with a vague, almost amused smile. give him a fucking break, mantle. ]
Home? Are you seriously using that as your excuse? You don't come "home" more than once every, what? Two, three weeks? This isn't your home, Reggie. It's your pit stop in between all of your carnal traipses. It hasn't been your "home" for the past two years, so don't start calling it one now just to suit your fancy.
[ breathe, juggie. a full blown fight is not worth it. ]
Why are you even here? Didn't have enough time to get off at one of your fuck buddies' places instead? Or wait— did your two years of lascivious gallivanting finally leave you high and dry of viable paramours to leech off of?
Home? Are you seriously using that as your excuse? You don't come "home" more than once every, what? Two, three weeks? This isn't your home, Reggie. It's your pit stop in between all of your carnal traipses. It hasn't been your "home" for the past two years, so don't start calling it one now just to suit your fancy.
[ breathe, juggie. a full blown fight is not worth it. ]
Why are you even here? Didn't have enough time to get off at one of your fuck buddies' places instead? Or wait— did your two years of lascivious gallivanting finally leave you high and dry of viable paramours to leech off of?
All work and no play keeps Veronica from going crazy?
[ which is so true it's a little silly, but she does have a small smile on her face when she looks up from her papers ( and the shot glass he put there ) to give reggie a look.
yeah, things have been hard since archie got put away. almost impossibly hard, actually. the need to get him out of there, to find a way, has been taking over her thoughts completely. well, almost. she does have the speakeasy to run, and-
and she has a not-really-but-kinda-boyfriend who she's learning to trust without archie there as sort of a literal middle man. reggie is way more than just a distraction to her, but he is a good one. and she's not usually one for hard liquor, but. well. when it's presented to her like this, when she's feeling entirely too stressed- how could she say no? ]
But I suppose I could take a break. [ she picks up her shot glass, but glances over to the staircase that leads up to Pop's before reaching to cheers him ] The door's still locked, right?
[ which is so true it's a little silly, but she does have a small smile on her face when she looks up from her papers ( and the shot glass he put there ) to give reggie a look.
yeah, things have been hard since archie got put away. almost impossibly hard, actually. the need to get him out of there, to find a way, has been taking over her thoughts completely. well, almost. she does have the speakeasy to run, and-
and she has a not-really-but-kinda-boyfriend who she's learning to trust without archie there as sort of a literal middle man. reggie is way more than just a distraction to her, but he is a good one. and she's not usually one for hard liquor, but. well. when it's presented to her like this, when she's feeling entirely too stressed- how could she say no? ]
But I suppose I could take a break. [ she picks up her shot glass, but glances over to the staircase that leads up to Pop's before reaching to cheers him ] The door's still locked, right?
Close enough, I guess. Even though you've definitely got that backwards.
[ Both sayings-wise and general priorities-wise... at least in Reggie's opinion. Not that he isn't just as invested in finding a way to get Archie out of lock-up, but he's also invested in never working so hard there isn't still time for pleasure alongside all the business. And he'd always thought Ronnie was similar enough to him that she'd think the same, so recent months have definitely been enlightening in that respect. He doesn't know how she stays so level-headed and focused all the time.
He glances over his shoulder in the same direction for a second, then looks back to clink his glass to hers. ]
Locked up just like you told me, boss. [ His eyebrow quirks slowly, before he knocks his whole shot back in one go. ] Bottoms up.
[ Both sayings-wise and general priorities-wise... at least in Reggie's opinion. Not that he isn't just as invested in finding a way to get Archie out of lock-up, but he's also invested in never working so hard there isn't still time for pleasure alongside all the business. And he'd always thought Ronnie was similar enough to him that she'd think the same, so recent months have definitely been enlightening in that respect. He doesn't know how she stays so level-headed and focused all the time.
He glances over his shoulder in the same direction for a second, then looks back to clink his glass to hers. ]
Locked up just like you told me, boss. [ His eyebrow quirks slowly, before he knocks his whole shot back in one go. ] Bottoms up.
[ Reggie's still not used to living in this apartment, or sleeping in this bed-- and he's especially not used to waking up in it with company. His head hurts a little, and for once not from a hangover, but rather spending most of the night awake and...
Well, awake. He'll leave it at that for now, because he's not sure how ready he is to recollect exactly what he spent the night doing and with whom yet that's left his body feeling this heavy and sore and weirdly, reluctantly satisfied. Maybe after coffee.
He turns slightly, looking over his shoulder at Jughead before elbowing him gently, voice still mostly slurred with exhaustion when he speaks: ]
Hey. Go make me some coffee.
Well, awake. He'll leave it at that for now, because he's not sure how ready he is to recollect exactly what he spent the night doing and with whom yet that's left his body feeling this heavy and sore and weirdly, reluctantly satisfied. Maybe after coffee.
He turns slightly, looking over his shoulder at Jughead before elbowing him gently, voice still mostly slurred with exhaustion when he speaks: ]
Hey. Go make me some coffee.
Edited 2018-12-01 04:47 (UTC)
[ Reggie narrows his eyes but doesn't respond immediately, mostly because he doesn't have an argument at the ready-- Jughead may not be privy to all the finer details of where and how and with whom Reggie spends his time outside the "home," but the general idea is pretty much spot-on. Reggie doesn't like staying here alone with Jughead, whereas crashing on the couch or in the bed of someone who's company he can stand?
Well, it's a no-brainer, honestly. ]
"Home," then. Whatever. [ Complete with air-quotes. ] The point is, I have the right to come and go here as I please. And I wasn't about to get my ass stranded in some snowbank just so I could try to crash with one of my frat bros instead when this place is like, way closer.
[ He doesn't appreciate the implication that any of his bros and/or so-called paramours would leave him hanging, but it obviously feels pointless to argue with Jughead of all people. Reggie doubts he could understand the nuances of loyalty that come with such friendships-with-benefits... and also, maybe he should be taking some offense to that? He can't actually tell. ]
That isn't all I do when I'm not here.
Well, it's a no-brainer, honestly. ]
"Home," then. Whatever. [ Complete with air-quotes. ] The point is, I have the right to come and go here as I please. And I wasn't about to get my ass stranded in some snowbank just so I could try to crash with one of my frat bros instead when this place is like, way closer.
[ He doesn't appreciate the implication that any of his bros and/or so-called paramours would leave him hanging, but it obviously feels pointless to argue with Jughead of all people. Reggie doubts he could understand the nuances of loyalty that come with such friendships-with-benefits... and also, maybe he should be taking some offense to that? He can't actually tell. ]
That isn't all I do when I'm not here.
Whatever, man.
[ he genuinely doesn't care what reggie does outside of this apartment. it has nothing to do with him and jughead strongly prefers keeping it that way. there are some things in life you just don't need to know. reggie's personal life is at the top of that list for him. ]
Just no more porn. If you want to continue watching, then do it on your laptop. I'm going to take a shower now. When I come out of it, I sincerely hope my eyes won't be afflicted by... that kind of content onscreen.
[ the thought of a nice, hot shower is at least enough for him to drop this argument. he is tired and hungry, and he honestly just wants to spend the rest of the night relaxing. he won't let reggie mantle take that away from him. besides, he may as well try to make the best of an overall crappy situation. it's not like either of them can leave until the blizzard ends.
why make this harder than it has to be?
so, excuse him while he disappears for a good 10-15 minutes. he is going to enjoy his momentary escape from his "husband". ]
[ he genuinely doesn't care what reggie does outside of this apartment. it has nothing to do with him and jughead strongly prefers keeping it that way. there are some things in life you just don't need to know. reggie's personal life is at the top of that list for him. ]
Just no more porn. If you want to continue watching, then do it on your laptop. I'm going to take a shower now. When I come out of it, I sincerely hope my eyes won't be afflicted by... that kind of content onscreen.
[ the thought of a nice, hot shower is at least enough for him to drop this argument. he is tired and hungry, and he honestly just wants to spend the rest of the night relaxing. he won't let reggie mantle take that away from him. besides, he may as well try to make the best of an overall crappy situation. it's not like either of them can leave until the blizzard ends.
why make this harder than it has to be?
so, excuse him while he disappears for a good 10-15 minutes. he is going to enjoy his momentary escape from his "husband". ]
[ juggie is going to second him on the coffee. it sounds like a terrific idea right now. too early, too groggy. mind isn't awake enough to review the events of last night, no less contemplate its overall implications. it's... it's a lot.
it's a change. it's momentous and...
okay, maybe some of the memories are beginning to drift back now. he lets out a slight groan. ]
......Coffee. [ eyes still very much closed, jug runs his fingers through his hair as he gathers the energy to start getting up. ] Coffee. Right. On it. [ he guess it's the least he can do for him after— jeez, he can't even think it. he's sitting up. ] Want something to eat too? [ just going to act like they're both not naked in bed. yep. ]
it's a change. it's momentous and...
okay, maybe some of the memories are beginning to drift back now. he lets out a slight groan. ]
......Coffee. [ eyes still very much closed, jug runs his fingers through his hair as he gathers the energy to start getting up. ] Coffee. Right. On it. [ he guess it's the least he can do for him after— jeez, he can't even think it. he's sitting up. ] Want something to eat too? [ just going to act like they're both not naked in bed. yep. ]
[ Turning more so that now he's facing Jughead's direction, Reggie brushes his own bangs from his face and lets his eyes rest on Jughead as they start readjusting to wakefulness, reality starting to come back into focus.
Which is a mixed blessing at best, for the moment. But food does sound good; Reggie smirks, sitting up slightly on his elbows and giving Jughead's arm a more playful swat, with the same kind of energy one might slap an ass with. ]
Actually yeah, so you'd better get to it, then. Chop chop. [ Not even ten minutes into morning after... glow and already he's Like This. ] But coffee first, though. Otherwise I'll probably never feel like getting out of bed.
[ He lays back down, stretching his legs and his back to make a point of settling back in to get comfortable. Is this going to be a breakfast-in-bed sort of morning? He's hoping so. ]
Which is a mixed blessing at best, for the moment. But food does sound good; Reggie smirks, sitting up slightly on his elbows and giving Jughead's arm a more playful swat, with the same kind of energy one might slap an ass with. ]
Actually yeah, so you'd better get to it, then. Chop chop. [ Not even ten minutes into morning after... glow and already he's Like This. ] But coffee first, though. Otherwise I'll probably never feel like getting out of bed.
[ He lays back down, stretching his legs and his back to make a point of settling back in to get comfortable. Is this going to be a breakfast-in-bed sort of morning? He's hoping so. ]
[ Rolling his eyes as Jughead heads off to shower, Reggie scoffs and sits himself back down, still annoyed (he'll probably always be annoyed) by being told what to do in his own home. Well, sort of home. Occasional resting place where he keeps some of his things.
But he doesn't turn on more porn, flipping the TV back on to a movie instead. He could just as easily retreat into the spare room in order to give both of them more space, but he's both stubbornly resentful of the idea that he should have to -- he bought this TV, after all! -- and also, there's really nothing else for him to do; going on his laptop or taking a nap or playing video games hold no real interest to him for the moment.
So he sits back, one leg crossed over the other, and defiantly tries to get invested in whatever action movie he's tuned into the middle of. ]
But he doesn't turn on more porn, flipping the TV back on to a movie instead. He could just as easily retreat into the spare room in order to give both of them more space, but he's both stubbornly resentful of the idea that he should have to -- he bought this TV, after all! -- and also, there's really nothing else for him to do; going on his laptop or taking a nap or playing video games hold no real interest to him for the moment.
So he sits back, one leg crossed over the other, and defiantly tries to get invested in whatever action movie he's tuned into the middle of. ]
[ the shower was just what he needed, so by the time he was done, he felt much more relaxed and at ease. of course, it's pretty much afterward that he realizes he forgot to bring a change of clothes with him. blame it on the fatigue or simply out of habit, but he is usually more conscientious about it when reggie is home.
oh well, it doesn't matter. the bedroom is only a couple of steps away from the bathroom. besides, it's not like he has anything to hide here.
wrapping the towel around his waist, he starts to dry off his hair with a smaller one as he steps out into the hallway. he can hear the sound of a movie playing on the television and it... admittedly assuages him more. he wouldn't have been surprised if reggie ignored him and went straight back to porn. it's nice that he didn't. so, curiosity gets the best of him and he makes a quick detour to check out which film reg is watching and— how is he married to him?
he can't believe he's watching 50 shades of grey. god, this is... this is worse than the porn.
yeah. no. not in this household, buddy.
jug is literally so incredulous that he isn't even going to say anything as he crosses the room to lean over the couch and grab the control. honestly, he has pretty much forgotten that he's still only in a towel. if reggie looks over now, he is going to get an eyeful of exactly how much collegeand being a gang leader has changed juggie. with lean musculature decorated with a scattering of scars, he now has a full tattoo sleeve on his right arm depicting a dark castle against a skull backdrop merging into the southside's forest and a lovecraftian half sleeve on his left forearm with the crowned serpents tattoo standing out boldly above it.
a few quick flicks and he switches the channel to something else — anything else. it could be a cartoon for all he cares. ]
When I said no porn, I didn't mean you should substitute it with bad erotica. [ seriously. he can't even deal right now. ] Watch this instead. [ have fun with the sound of music, reggie. he's heading back to the bedroom now. need to put on some warm clothes. there will at most be a final glimpse of the serpent rules intricately tattooed onto the back of his left shoulder as he disappears out of sight again. he'll be back in a few minutes, if only to grab something to eat. ]
oh well, it doesn't matter. the bedroom is only a couple of steps away from the bathroom. besides, it's not like he has anything to hide here.
wrapping the towel around his waist, he starts to dry off his hair with a smaller one as he steps out into the hallway. he can hear the sound of a movie playing on the television and it... admittedly assuages him more. he wouldn't have been surprised if reggie ignored him and went straight back to porn. it's nice that he didn't. so, curiosity gets the best of him and he makes a quick detour to check out which film reg is watching and— how is he married to him?
he can't believe he's watching 50 shades of grey. god, this is... this is worse than the porn.
yeah. no. not in this household, buddy.
jug is literally so incredulous that he isn't even going to say anything as he crosses the room to lean over the couch and grab the control. honestly, he has pretty much forgotten that he's still only in a towel. if reggie looks over now, he is going to get an eyeful of exactly how much college
a few quick flicks and he switches the channel to something else — anything else. it could be a cartoon for all he cares. ]
When I said no porn, I didn't mean you should substitute it with bad erotica. [ seriously. he can't even deal right now. ] Watch this instead. [ have fun with the sound of music, reggie. he's heading back to the bedroom now. need to put on some warm clothes. there will at most be a final glimpse of the serpent rules intricately tattooed onto the back of his left shoulder as he disappears out of sight again. he'll be back in a few minutes, if only to grab something to eat. ]
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