IMAGINES ▹ ROSS BUTLER

↳ the set up

( THE SET UP )
by mantleismagnificent

One day you decide to go on a walk because the clouds and the sun ratio was perfect. You ended up in Sweetwater River enjoying the smell of the flowers during the summer. Although as you were enjoying your day you saw him sitting in a rock, eyes puffy from crying. He looked sad and you weren't a person to ignore that. You approached him sitting next to him and handed him a sunflower you found.

"Do you need someone to talk to?" you shot him a small smile rubbing your thumb in his face to clean up the last residue of his tears a bit shocked by your motion he grabbed your hand against his cheek and you both just looked in each other's eyes for a while. You could see the hurt in his eyes, so you pulled him for a hug and he held you tight like he never wanted you to leave.

You guys got to talking and Reggie confided to you things you were pretty sure he'd never say to anyone else. He told you about the troubles in his family, his best friend Jason who was murdered last year and how that sometimes affected the way he played thinking he could never amount to how Jason played. You reassured he was great since you'd seen him play as you went to every single game and supported your friends.

For two weeks you both met up near Sweetwater River and just talked about anything and everything. For those two weeks you saw the real Reggie, the one he didn't allow anyone to see. You were delighted that Reggie would let you see that side of him. Soon your friendship would end and the relationship started when he asked you out on a date to Pops to keep it simple. Although at the very end of your date your friends arrived to Pops and disrupted your date because they thought he was bothering you not letting either of you speak a word they dragged you out of there.

They had always been your protectors against the bad world. They claimed you were too sweet and innocent and the world didn't deserve a person like you, but were elated you existed in their lives. Anytime anyone that wasn't them would try to talk you they directed them to an exit because your pureness was not to be corrupted by anything or anyone. Sometimes they would be so strict as to only watch PG-13 movies and were certainly surprised when they caught you watching a horror film once. They made you swear to only watch those kind of movies on their turf and you gave in pleasing your best friends.

Although your new found friendship that was blooming into a relationship may catch them off guard you decided to keep quiet about it until you and Reggie spoke further about where it was going.

To: Reggie

Hey, I'm sorry I got dragged out of our date. They can be a little over protective when they want.

To: (Y/N)

A little?

To: Reggie

What can I say I have good friends, although I was quite enjoying myself this time. 😉

To: (Y/N)

Can I stop by or is the police still hogging you?

To: Reggie

Police is gone lol, window is open Mantle.

To: (Y/N)

Be right there 🙈

It all became routine, when you were not the gang and their over-protectiveness during the summer you were with Reggie on dates as you made your relationship official, but you hadn't told any of your friends because you weren't sure how they would react. He would climb your window and into your heart every day. Because of your overprotective friends you found it quite surprising you didn't get caught especially because he was your first boyfriend and kiss. You wished to tell the details to Betty and Veronica but your lips were sealed for now until you and Reggie could find the perfect moment.