IMAGINES ▹ ROSS BUTLER

↳ freak

( FREAK )
by gay-for-rey1999 

The lights were flashing behind you as you nursed another drink, talking to a random boy you just met. You were discussing the latest episode of a tv series when strong arms wrapped around your waist and you felt your boyfriend's face burrow into your neck.

"Reggie," you laughed, leaning back into his solid form. "We were just talking about the midseason finale that aired last night."

"Oh yeah," he commented. "I was so pissed that his sister died."

Suddenly, the boy you were talking to excused himself to get another drink, even though his cup was still half full.

"Reggie," you scolded. "What was that all about?"

"He was flirting with you, (Y/N). He kept touching your arm and leaning in."

You turned in his arms to face him, caressing his cheek. "You know I never notice when people flirt. My heart belongs to you, Reggie Mantle. Never forget that."

He dropped a light kiss to your lips and led you into the dance floor. Holding you close, he began to sway to the beat of the music. Most guys, especially high school guys, would take this opportunity to start grinding, but not Reggie. You identified as asexual, and therefore weren't very comfortable with any sort of sexual contact. The furthest you two got was second base, since you valued emotional intimacy so much more than physical intimacy.

One day when you two were kissing instead of studying, Reggie's hands found their way under your shirt. You pulled back from the kiss immediately, and explained to your boyfriend about your distaste for sex. He was incredibly understanding and respectful, and never strayed from the boundaries the two of you put into place.

Coming back to the present moment, you leaned your head against his strong chest and held him close. You could feel the steady beat of his heart through his shirt, and you were pleased to find it slightly elevated. After 3 months together, you still made his heart beat faster. Your moment was disrupted by Cheryl Blossom, who demanded everybody's attendance in the den, where participation in truth or dare was mandatory.

Minutes later, you found yourself nestled in the crook of Reggie's neck on one of the plush den couches. You could never get over how soft he was with you, especially compared to how he was with other people. He was always careful not to overstep and made sure you were comfortable, even if it meant sharing his personal space.

As soon as everybody was in the room, Cheryl spoke up. "Listen, bitches. If you flunk your turn, you leave. Plain and simple. We're starting with Mantle. Truth or dare?"

"Truth," Reggie answered. You knew it was because he didn't want to stand up.

"How does (Y/N) like to take it?"

"Excuse me?" He spluttered, while you turned bright red

"From behind? On top?" Cheryl elaborated. "Come on, Mantle, we need those juicy details."

"No you don't!" He exclaimed. In that moment, you were so grateful to his loyalty. Plenty of teenage boys would have hopped on such an opportunity to boast, even if they weren't getting any action.

"If you don't answer this question, you leave," the redheaded hostess reminded coldly.

"We haven't done it," you piped up, knowing Reggie would sooner leave than betray you like that.

"What? Why?" Chuck asked from across the room, utterly bewildered.

"That's none of your business," Reggie countered savagely, pulling you closer into his side.

"Whatever, freaks." and the game went on. You managed to evade fire until it was your turn to choose.

"Truth or dare, (Y/N)?"

"Truth," you answered, knowing full well what you would be asked.

"Why haven't you hopped on that d? We don't call him Mantle the Magnificent for nothing."

Once again, your face turned bright red before squeaking out, "I don't like sex."

A flood of rude comments overwhelmed your ears as everybody reacted to your answer.

"How do you not like sex?"

"What kind of teenager are you?"

"I guarantee you'd like sex with me."

"Mantle is obviously doing it wrong."

"What a freak."

As you hid your face in Reggie's chest, his hands came up to stroke your hair comfortingly.

"Come on, baby girl. We're leaving." He sent a death glare to everybody in the room as you two made your way out of the creepy mansion Cheryl called home.

Reggie led you to his classic black Camaro and opened the door for you. It was a quick drive to your house, where Reggie insisted on walking you to your front door as he always did. You wrapped yourself around his torso, hugging him tightly.

"Am I a freak, Reggie?" you mumbled as your eyes filled with tears

"Of course not, (Y/N)! They're the freaks, since they can't accept someone as wonderful as you for who you are." He sounded furious, but you knew he wasn't angry at you. "You're perfect just the way you are, baby. I-"

"What is it, Reg?" you looked up at him through your dampened eyelashes.

"I love you," he whispered, so quietly you almost couldn't hear it.

Suddenly, new tears formed in your eyes and a huge smile spread across your face. "I love you too, Reggie," you whispered back.

He smiled too, and you met for a slow, sweet, passionate kiss. His hands rested firmly on your back, holding you close, while one of yours moved over his heart, the other tangled in his silky black hair.

You continued to kiss for a few minutes, until your dad opened the front door. "No funny business on my front porch, Mantle," he scolded after you sprang apart.

"I'm sorry, Mr. (Y/L/N)" Reggie apologized quickly. "We were just-"

You cut off your bumbling boyfriend with a pointed look to your father. "Dad, go back inside. We were just saying good night."

"Whatever, kids," he huffed, leaving the front door open as a pointed reminded.

"Thank you for tonight, Reggie. You make me feel human."

"Any time, baby girl." He leaned in for one final good night kiss, and walked away toward his car. You waited until he pulled away before going inside, where your father was waiting to interrogate you.

"So," he prompted once you got inside. "What was that excessive display all about?"

"There's nothing excessive about kissing my boyfriend goodnight, dad," you huffed. "It's not like anybody was around to see anything except for you spying on us."

"I still don't understand what you see in that boy, is all."

"He's incredible, dad. He's sweet, caring, protective, chivalrous, everything I could ever ask for."

"You love him, don't you?" The edge was gone from his voice as he saw the passion in your eyes when you defended Reggie.

"Yeah, I really do," you answered with a dreamy expression on your face. "And he loves me, too." You bid him goodnight before he could say anything more and fell asleep snuggled up against your pillows, pretending they were Reggie's perfectly sculpted chest.