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His hands caress my jaw as he pulls away from our kiss. Even through the cold weather and his brooding demeanour, you can sense nothing but his comforting warmth. The corner of his lips twitch as one of his hands glide to the back of your head. His fingers gently comb through your hair as he lays a kiss on the tip of you nose, our foreheads pressed together as he lets out a shaky breath.
✯
It's been 6 months of this and nobody knew except for Veronica. You couldn't lie to her when she grew suspicious of your late-night sneak outs. Knowing Veronica, she and Archie would've gone on their own mission to find out what you were actually doing.
"I need to tell you something," Sweet Pea says in a whisper, but you two are completely alone.
"What is it?"
✯
Sweet Pea found you on wandering around the streets of the South Side. It was your first time here and Riverdale was completely different from New York. At first, you thought he give you a catcall or a whistle, but he was nothing like that.
"You alright? Lookin' a little lost there."
"I'm fine," you shifted uncomfortably, looking around for an escape route if needed.
"'m not gonna do anythin' to you," he smiled and rocked back and forth on his feet, "but by the way you look, I suggest you turn left and keep walking."
"Excuse me," your jaw dropped as you stared at him, "by the way I look? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Your outfit must cost more than my house," he laughs, "and those pearls 'round your neck."
You looked around and realized the potholes in the middle of the streets, the burnt out lights and the cracking buildings.
"If you walk a couple blocks to your left, you'll reach the North side in no time," he winks.
"Oh, thank you," you smile at him and stick your hand out to shake his, "I'm Y/N. Y/n Lodge."
He purses his lips and his eyes go wide, "A Lodge? Hm, I've heard about you people."
He takes a firm grasp on your hand, "call me Sweet Pea."
✯
"What I'm 'bout to say," Sweet Pea reluctantly begins to speak, "I don't want it to change you- or even us."
"What is it?" You grow impatient, your anxiety creeping through your body.
"You know that I love you, right?" He begins, "I love you so fucking much, Y/N."
✯
When Veronica found out, she was furious. You didn't blame her, you two were just supposed to be friends. How could a Lodge end up tightly wrapped by a serpent? You and Sweet Pea were on opposite sides of the world, even though you were in just a small town. By then, Sweet Pea was all that you could think about. Breaking you two apart would be like ripping out each other's beating hearts. It'd hurt too much and it'd feel like death.
"So what, are we just supposed to stop seeing each other?" He grabbed onto his hair, his eyes shut in frustration.
"No, no, no," you protested as you rubbed your cheeks with the palm of your hands, "I can't do that to you. I can't do that to us."
Tears already stained his eyes, "Y/N, I don't fucking care if you're a Lodge or not. That's bullshit. I love you for you and nothing is going to stop me."
That was the first time he ever said those words to you: I love you. It replayed in your head until you convinced yourself that it'd be okay. That it'd stay secretive. Only close friends would know about you two.
✯
"Are you breaking up with me, Sweets?"
"God, no! What the fuck, of course not," he laughs and holds you tighter. Most of your anxiety washes away in a flood of relief.
"Then just tell me, I can't wait!"
"You never can never wait," he winks. You give him a gentle punch to the arm and he acts as if you actually hurt him.
"Jus tell me, Sweet Pea!"
"Okay, okay fine," he takes a deep breath in.
✯
Even though you two were never seen in the light of day together, word travelled fast through Riverdale. Hidden kisses and 3 A.M. dates at Pop's were forbidden. When word finally reached your parents, they calmly sat you down in the office. The fire flickered and the whiskey sat still on the dark mahogany desk.
"Mija, you know we respect your privacy," he starts, "but we've heard that a certain snake has found his way to you."
The thick lump in your throat grew as you sat still, looking between your parents.
"And you know that we can't have that rumour, especially now than ever, it'd ruin the campaign," your mom can't even look you in the eyes as she sips on her wine.
"We just want to know if it's true," he stares at you. You know you can't lie to your own father.
"Of course not," Veronica barges in, and covers for you, "why on earth would Y/N be with Sweet Pea?"
"Sweet Pea," he nods and leans back, "so this snake has a name?"
All my feelings pooled down to my feet, leaving my body numb. I look at Veronica and she winces.
"If it's not true, then there's a way we can get rid of this little whisper," he looks at you and you finally gain the courage to speak.
"What can we do?" Your voice is small, barely audible through the crackle of the fireplace.
"Simply get rid of him," he shrugs, "it won't be that hard. He's Southside trash. A serpent, too. Nobody would suspect a thing if a gang member goes missing or even dies. Even if his body is found, the fingers will point to the Ghoulies."
✯
Did Sweet Pea find out what your father has planned? There's a look of uncertainty in his eyes, something that's being held back. You can't lie to him anymore. You can't look into his eyes without seeing your father's plans. Your confession is at your lips, ready to spill all the details of your little 'family meeting' you had last night. Everything single detail. You part your lips, shutting your eyes as you urge your words to step forward.
"I want you to become a serpent, Y/N," he spits out, "my serpent."
His breathing is rapid at first, but slows down with every second.
"I don't know what to say, Sweet Pea."
"Baby, you don't have to give me an answer right now, but I want you to think about it."
So, you're thinking about it. You're thinking about him and your family. You're thinking about it all.
