Queen of the Serpents- [Sweet Pea] // Riverdale

50

*Natalie's POV

"Shh," I let out a heavy sigh as I slowly began to sit up. The voices went to a low murmur. "She's awake." I heard whispers. I slid on my shoes and slowly got up from the couch hissing a bit.

"I'm glad you guys made it out all right." I spoke up. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you guys." I exhaled.

"Don't worry, Natalie." One of the serpents spoke up. I nodded my head and walked away. The house was filled with serpents and when they saw me walking they would give me a slight nod and would move out of the way.

"Oh yeah, I worked at Pops for a summer." I heard Fred's lively voice as I made my way into the crowded kitchen.

"Well looks like sleeping beauty has awoken." Archie laughed at Jughead's joke and quickly pulled out the stool so I could sit down.

"Thanks." I muttered as he placed a glass full of  orange juice in front of me.

"How you feeling?"

"What's going on here?" I looked away from Jughead and at FP. "You do all this?" He motioned.

"With an assist from Archie." Jughead gave Archie a slight bump to the shoulder. "Toledo's gonna have to wait." He looked back at his dad.

"Maybe so." FP walked around the island. "Bulldogs helping Serpents, Freddie Andrews opening his house to a bunch of snakes." He patted Fred's back. "There goes the rest of your Northside boat, buddy."

"We're all neighbors here." Fred shrugged. "Here's some breakfast, Nat." Fred placed a plate of food in front of me. "Eat up." I gave him a slight smile. "And I picked up your medication," he whispered lowly. "I left it on Archie's desk." He told me making sure nobody heard.

"Thank you." I whispered. He gave my shoulder a slight squeeze.

I lifted up my glass of orange juice and cleared my throat.

"Thank you for opening up your home to us!" I raised my glass and looked up at him. "For welcoming us with open arms! For providing a safe haven to the serpents!" The serpents watched intently. "To Fred!" I yelled lifting up my glass higher.

"To Fred!" Everyone cheered.

"And with whatever you need," I looked at him. "The serpents have your back."

"Thank you." He smiled and gave me a slight squeeze. The serpents went back to their individual conversations. "Now," he grabbed a plate full of bacon off the counter. "I gotta go around and pass out some bacon." He laughed.

"Bacon!" He yelled walking a way with the plate making me laugh a bit.

"How you doing, girl?" FP walked over to me.

"Just fine," I answered sharply. I grabbed the piece of toast and got off the stool.

"If anyone is looking for me, I'll be in your room." I looked at the two boys I had grown up with. Archie and Jughead nodded their heads.

"Na-"

"Dad." I heard Jughead sigh.

I ignored FP and continued to walk away.

I closed Archie's door behind me and stood in front of the full body mirror.

I lazily took off my jacket and set it down on the foot of the bed. I brought up my shirt and stared at my reflection.

This would more likely leave a nasty scar.

"Natalie?" There was a knock at the door.

"Yeah?" I immediately pulled down my shirt.