choni - unwritten

dinner at thistlehouse

i'm so sorry for the lack of fanfiction lately! been super busy with exams but i have my last one tomorrow so i should be back to my daily uploads. unfortunately, this chapter can't be too detailed but i promise i'll try my best in the next one. stay tuned for the next chapter... it's got some good stuff.

cheryl pov - 

my eyes opened to an awful, strong smell. i woke up with a jolt, remembering everything that had just happened. daddy seemed to be back. i looked up to my mother above me, wavering some sort of liquid in a bottle under my nose. i gripped her arm tightly in horror.

"oh mumsy, i had the most frightful daymare," i said, hoping it was true, "daddy was back."

out of the corner of my eye i watched a familiar face wheel nana rose into the room. i sat up, scared for my life.

"calm down, it's not who you think," mother calmly spoke.

"hello cheryl, i'm your uncle claudius, twin to your father," the man said with a smile.

i started to notice features from this man that weren't daddy's. although they looked the same, 'claudius' didn't have my father's iconic red wigs, or the same nasty snarl.

"twin?" i asked, "daddy never said anything about having a brother,"

"allow me to explain," he began.

uncle claudius continued to shape the idea in my brain that as boys, he and daddy were inseparable, but when they got older they had disputes about money and power. claudius went off to sail and didn't hear about daddy's death until he got back. i guess it made sense, but i didn't fully trust this man.

toni pov - 

i was ordered to leave after cheryl fainted. i had ran over to her and held her hand as she lay there peacefully, but penelope had marched over and shoved me off, shouting at me to leave. i did, because she had hurt me as she pushed, but i didn't go far. i knew i would be hearing from cheryl soon enough, and all the events that had occurred. i ran out to my motorbike, rubbing my arm and climbing on. i began to reverse outside the gates of the house into a tree where i was out of view. i proceeded to watch as dozens of red-haired family members left thistlehouse. i texted cheryl.

toni - hey, r u ok?

she responded a few minutes later.

cheryl - hi toni. yes i'm fine. the man was my uncle claudius, twin to my late father. i'm so sorry about today. i should have never bought you and got you caught up in all this mess.

toni - this is no mess cheryl. besides, i wanted to support you. 

cheryl - thankyou. that means a lot.

...

cheryl - do you want to come for dinner tonight at thistlehouse? uncle suggested it after mother practically pushed you out of the way. he said he wanted to meet my friend.

toni - are we friends now huh?

cheryl - look i'm sorry for everything i said to you and how i acted on your first day. you're not that bad i guess.

cheryl blushed as she wrote this.

toni - don't worry, i'll be there blossom.

cheryl pov - 

toni knocked on my door for the second time that day and i ran down. as soon as i opened it she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me in for a tight hug. i was first shocked but then i  eased and hugged her back.

"are you ok cheryl?" she said with urgency.

"i'm fine, thanks," i said pulling away from the hug as i heard footsteps behind us.

"oh, you're back. dinner is on the table," mother said, eyeing us both, especially toni. 

i took toni into the dining room and we sat down to a table laden with food.

"wow!" toni exclaimed, "this really is a feast, compliments to the chef!"

mother scowled. toni and i sat down next to each other and i smiled at her nervously. she realized my anguish immediately and took my hand from under the table, squeezing it with reassurance.

toni pov - 

the table was eerily silent, i let go of cheryl's hand and started a conversation.

"so, mr blossom," i began, "how does it feel being back in riverdale after all these years?"

just as he was about to answer, penelope cut in.

"ignore that person claudius, i assumed tonight would be family only."

i guess she didn't know i was coming tonight then.

"it's alright, i enjoy meeting new people."

i looked at him with surprise. he continued.

"do you know, during my journey's as a sailor, i came upon, the most wonderful island."

i took a mouthful of food, expecting him to say something like hawaii or the caribbean. 

"lesbos," he said simply.

i choked for a second. penelope gave a small sigh.

"oh, my god," cheryl said with embarrassment. 

"it is the most beautiful, natural place on earth."

"oh, you're not going back on the boat dear boy, are you?" nana rose said with concern, "you're staying here with us." 

claudius took her hand to assure her. 

"whatever i can do to make sure you and this house are well cared for, mother. that is, of course, as long as i'm welcome?" he directed his gaze to penelope's prying eyes.

cheryl pov - 

secretly, i sort of wanted claudius to stay. he reminded me of my father, which was a bad thing i was sure. but, he seemed so supportive and unlike to daddy.

mother sighed, "there's a room, over the garage."

i looked at my uncle and he winked at me. i was confused. did he suspect something was up with me?

"it's freezing in winter and boiling in summer, but... it's there."

they raised their glasses to each other and i gave a small smile. i looked at toni and she smiled at me too.