AN/ BONJOUR AMIGOS, LONG TIME, NO SEE. IN LIGHT OF THE CURRENT CLIMATE, I DECIDED TO USE SOME OF MY (NOW UNLIMITED) FREE TIME TO GET BACK INTO WRITING WHICH IN TURN HAS GOT ME CONTRIBUTING TO THIS. AFTER ALL THIS TIME, IT WILL BE A MIRACLE IF ANYONE IS STILL READING HOWEVER, I AM REALLY EXCITED TO BE POSTING AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY FINISHING MY FICS.
I HOPE YOU ALL ENJOY THE LATEST UPDATE TO THIS (LONG-FORGOTTEN) CHONI FIC!
Jughead was sitting on the couch, the passed-out ten year old wrapped under his arm, when the distant roar of a motorbike hit his ears. A smug smile graced his face as he picked up the sleeping Jason to go and tuck him into bed, making sure the crown beanie stayed on the redhead.
The kid had been insistent he was going to wear that hat. The retired Serpent had been insistent that he wouldn't. Nevertheless, as always, Jason Blossom was right. Less than an hour later, the child had not only forcibly removed the beanie from his uncle's head, but he'd also convinced the older man to take him for their second burger of the day (Cheryl was going to kill him) and watch Toy Story 1…2… and 3.
And now there was the sound of Toni Topaz's motorbike fast approaching him.
While Cheryl's son was still downstairs, albeit asleep, with Jughead's beanie on and a milkshake moustache.
It was official, Cheryl Blossom was going to kill him.
Carefully, he carried the ten year old in the direction of the stairs, deciding bedtime was definitely on the cards for his young nephew.
Cheryl kept her arms around the Serpent's waist just a moment longer than she should have when the roaring engine of the ancient Triumph rumbled into silence. Content, she just breathed in the smell of Toni, that – much to her disbelief – hadn't changed, and was still a blissfully overwhelming combination of vanilla and cinnamon. Sugar, and spice, and all things nice, she thought to herself, realising there was probably no better way of describing Toni Topaz.
"You have any plans of letting go, Bombshell?" she chuckled, and Cheryl just gently shook her head in reply. "Fair enough Blossom, but it's getting cold."
Stunned at her own response, Cheryl smoothly replied. "Well I know how we could heat things up a little…"
"And how would you do that?"
"Wouldn't you like to know Topaz…"
"Wouldn't I indeed," the Serpent said, voice scarcely above a whisper.
Slowly, Toni turned her head to face Cheryl, both of them looking at each other in a way painfully similar to a night twelve years before. Eyes meeting, the icy blue melting in the chocolate brown, breath hitched, paused for a mere second that felt as if they were frozen forever.
They weren't teenagers anymore. That much was certain when Cheryl leaned into the embrace, gently grazing her lips over Toni's, waiting for the other girl's reaction. It was almost immediate, hands tangling in the red ringlets, lips parting just ever so slightly.
Cheryl smiled as she kissed the girl, relishing in the familiar taste of cherry cola and candy.
Toni chuckled slightly to herself, allowing herself to get lost in the kiss.
Jughead opened the front door, confused about what was taking the duo so long to come back in. Then he realised, bursting into applause.
The two girls jumped apart, splitting like a tree struck by lightning, simultaneously cursing the dark-haired man.
"Thank you," Cheryl stammered, "Jughead."
"Would you look at that?" the man chuckled, "Lesbihonest, I was not expecting to open the door to that."
"Jughead!" Toni groaned.
"I can't believe this." He said, shaking his head. "On the first date too."
"Did you even go on a date with Betty before you guys kissed?" Toni asked.
"I mean… no…"
"Then shut up."
"Oh," he added, face burning slightly.
Straightening her dress, Cheryl decided it was time for a change of topic. "So Jug, how was JJ? Did her behave?"
"Yeah, the kid was great. He's just tucked up in bed."
"And what did you guys end up having for tea?"
"Pasta," Jughead quickly replied, thanking his foresight for destroying the evidence of their Pop's trip.
"So definitely not junk food?"
"Definitely not."
"Good, thanks for looking after him Jug."
"Anytime, I love hanging out with the him. Anyway, I best be heading home, I don't want to keep Betty up any later than she has to be," he added with a smile, "Goodnight ladies."
"Night Jug." They both replied, smiling at the Serpent as he climbed on his own bike and started the engine, disappearing into the darkness.
"I never envisaged Jughead Jones babysitting the children of Riverdale when we were kids," Toni declared, pouring another glass of Prosecco. "Like really, what changed so he started to love kids?"
"Probably how much Betty started babysitting Polly's kids."
"Juniper and Dagwood? They're still the stupidest names of the century."
"Definitely," Cheryl agreed, "right after Tiny."
"Tiny?"
"Yeah, isn't that you? Tiny Topaz?"
"Like Cheryl Bombshell wasn't the worse of that pair."
"Debatable," the redhead shrugged, giggling in spite of herself.
The two settled into a comfortable silence, each scrolling through their phones until the distant chime of a clock signalled midnight.
"I ought to be heading home," Toni suggested, finishing the last of her wine.
Cheryl glanced at the other girl, at the candyfloss highlights she found once again enchanted her. Her eyes lingered on the exposed serpent tattoo on her forearm, desperately longing to reach out and touch it.
"I mean, you could always stay the night," Cheryl offered, shocked when she noticed the suggestive tone her voice had taken.
"Very forward, Blossom," Toni chuckled, "but on this occasion I have to refuse, I have to go check in on my older brother."
"Surely Toby is capable of looking after himself?"
"One would think so but seeing as he continues to couch surf chez moi, I must say otherwise."
"Well then you ought to go make sure he's not destroying the house."
"Trailer, Blossom, a Serpent never forgets their roots."
"Not even a retired one?"
"Nope. Look at Jughead. You can take the Serpent out of the Southside, but you can't take the Southside out of the Serpent."
"I suppose," Cheryl mused, smiling at the other girl as they headed towards the door. "Will I see you soon Topaz?"
"I imagine so, Bombshell."
As Toni stepped out of the door, she embraced Cheryl, leaning in to place a chaste kiss on the redhead's cheek.
That innocent gesture soon evolved into something more, that didn't go unnoticed by a sleepy ten year old peering over the bannister.
"Mummmm!" a voice groaned from within the shadows, and Cheryl rolled her eyes as Toni smirked.
"And with that, I'm offski," Toni laughed, letting go of Cheryl and heading towards her bike. "See you around Bombshell!"
Cheryl turned to face her son, face falling at the milkshake moustache and beanie.
"Shower, Jason. And bed."
"But Mum why were you kissing the pretty lady?"
"Shower JJ."
"Tell me Mum."
"Maybe in the morning."
"It's twelve twenty five, it is morning."
"Get to bed, Jason Blossom."
"Or what?"
"Or you can't go and see your cousins tomorrow."
"That's sooooo not fairrrr," the young boy moaned, breaking into a yawn less than halfway through his sentence.
"Bedtime for you I think kiddo, and we can talk over breakfast."
"Fineeeee."
The sound of a second motorbike in the distance woke the old woman up a second time, and once again she made her way towards the window, her curiosity getting the better of her.
It was coming from the direction of Thistlehouse, much like the last one.
A gloved hand tugged at the curtain, peering into the darkness, searching for the telltale flashlight of a motorcycle.
All these guests, perhaps there was a party of some sort. Perhaps, she ought to go and join in?
And then she noticed it. From this distance, a tiny detail. So small, all she would have had to do was blink and she would have missed it.
The faint, but unmistakable, flash of bubblegum pink hair.
Even in her old age, Penelope Blossom knew there was only one person with hair like that, and there was only one reason the person in question would be heading to Thistlehouse.
The sadistic smirk spread over her lips, her realisation bringing a similar joy to a child on Christmas morning. Of course. Her earlier suspicion was confirmed.
Her second chance had arrived, once again building a home in the haunted ruins of the past.
Penelope Blossom grinned, letting the curtain fall back over the window. She let out a laugh, almost a cackle, as she climbed back into her bed, cocooning herself within the covers.
Her revenge would be sweet. She'd waited twelve years for this. She was in no rush. She had all the time in the world.
Oh, how sweet to finally deal with her unfinished business.
AN/ DUN, DUN, DUNNNNN... WELL THEN, POOR CHERYL NEVER SEEMS ABLE TO CATCH A BREAK DOES SHE...
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