Chapter Text
“Yooo, your boy is back,” Sweet pea shouted while letting himself in, only to be met with the site of Toni straddling Fangs in nothing but a bra.
“Oh shit l,” he said while throwing his hands over his eyes.
“What the hell Sweet pea?” Toni said while throwing her shirt back on.
“Yeah dude ever hear of knocking?” Fangs chimed in.
“Oh I’m gonna be sick,” Sweet pea said still keeping his eyes covered.
“Dude you can uncover your eyes,” Fangs said.
“My eyes, I think I lost my vision.” The dark haired Serpent shouted.
“Don’t be dramatic,” Toni said while punching him in the arm.
“Thought you were on tour with Josie?” Fangs spoke up.
“Well I was but, I got a little home sick and wanted to see you guys but, that’s besides the point when did this happen?” He said while pointing at the both of them.
“About a month ago,” Fangs said while wrapping an arm around Toni’s waist.
Sweet pea raised an eye brow, “What happened to we’re like family?”
Fangs shrugged.
“I’m going to be sick,” Toni rolled her eyes.
“What about red and Kevin?”
“Kevin and I just don’t have that spark anymore,” Fangs sighed.
“Cheryl and I just don’t work.”
“I thought you were trying to get back with her literally not too long before I left with Josie?”
“I was but, like I said we don’t work.”
“I need a beer,” Sweet pea said while making his way over to the fridge.
“Look can you just be mature about this?” Toni said while following behind him.
Sweet pea shot her a look while twisting the cap off of his beer, “Pea don’t be like this,” She pleaded.
“Its weird okay? You guys are both like my siblings and that’s how the three of us have always viewed each other, I feel like this is going to make things awkward for our little trio.”
“We promise it won’t, you’re our best friend and we want your full support. Can you just be happy for us?” Fangs begged.
Sweet pea sighed, “I’ll try but, shit better not be weird.”
For Sweet pea it only made things weirder, after his conversation with Toni and Fangs the two of them decided that they should go to pops to grab a milkshake. But, the whole time Toni and Fangs were literally like two dogs in heat feeling up on each other. Which only made things more awkward for Sweet pea.
After Fangs and Toni left the diner, Sweet pea made it a point to go downstairs to the Whrym for a glass of whiskey.
“Yo, hog eye can I get another,” he said while downing what was left in his glass.
Before he knew it his phone began to buzz he turned it over only to met with his girlfriends name.
“Hey babe,” he said while picking up.
“Hey, how are things back home?” she asked.
He sighed, “oh you know same old same old.”
Josie could see right through him, “What’s bothering you?”
“Nothings bothering me I’m great,” He said taking a swig out of his glass.
“Sweet pea you and I were shacked up on a tour bus for nine months I know when something isn’t right with you.”
He sighed, “well everything would be alright if it wasn’t for the fact that I just had to see Tiny caught in a tongue war with Fangs.”
It was silent on Josies end, “You there?””
“Yeah, I just can’t believe Toni is with Fangs.” She said almost sounding shocked.
Sweet pea groaned, “Yeah, I hate it.”
“Why?”
“Because, we’ve always been like siblings, it’s making things weird when we hang out,”
Josie sighed, “Pea, I love you but grow up.”
He looked almost shocked, “Excuse me?”
“They’re your best friends right?”
“Yeah?” He asked confused.
“Do they seem happy?”
He rested his face in his hand, “I guess so?”
“Okay, then be supportive.”
Sweet pea sighed, “I’ll try,”
Before Josie could utter another word to her boy friend his attention was caught else where when a certain redhead entered the bar.
“Hey babe, I’ll call you back.” He said before hanging up.
“Red,” he shouted motioning the girl over to where he was sitting.
She raised an eye brow making her way over to the boy, “Yes, Sweet pea?”
“What brings you here?”
“I needed a break from the horrors of Thorn Hill so I decided to grab a drink. I thought you were on tour with Josie?” She questioned.
“I was but, I got homesick.”
She nodded. “Can I buy you a drink?”
“No that’s okay.”
Sweet pea shook his head, “I insist, Hog eye another whiskey and whatever the lady would like.” He said sitting some cash on the counter.
She rolled her eyes at his persistency “I’ll have the same,” she said sitting down next to him.
“I told you that you didn’t have to do that.”
“I know, but no one should drink alone.”
Believe it or not Sweet pea actually liked Cheryl, there was a point in time where he couldn’t stand to be within in ten feet of her, but when her and Toni started dating he was around her all the time. She grew on him to say the least.
After a couple of drinks Sweet pea couldn’t help, but complain about the whole Toni and Fangs situation.
“I mean come on of all people they go for each other?” He said taking another swig out of his glass.
Cheryl inhaled deeply before doing the same to her drink, “Sweet pea I get that you’re upset and I hate the thought of her with Fangs just as much as you, but why are you telling me this?”
“Well, this might sound crazy but I was thinking maybe you could try to win Tiny over?”
Cheryl chuckled, “Sweet pea I get that their relationship is something that is going to take some getting used to for you, but Toni has made it more than clear that we aren’t ever going to happen. She also seems to be enjoying Fangs as her companion.”
Sweet pea let out a loud groan while throwing his head back, “You were my only hope red.”
“I’m sorry Sweets, don’t get me wrong I miss Toni more than anything. I refuse to get in the way of her happiness, I’m not trying to have anymore disputes with her.”
Sweet pea whined, “Maybe you’re right, am I an asshole for wanting them to split?”
“I wouldn’t say you’re an asshole, I’d say that you should just try to be supportive they are your friends after all.”
Sweet pea looked at the girl astounded, “What?” She asked confused.
“When did Cheryl Blossom become so good hearted?”
She rolled her eyes, “What can I say, I’m an adult now, I mean teenage me would of been all for your plan, but I’m trying to do better, even if that means letting the woman I love go.”
The boy shot her a proud smile, “Well cheers to that,” He said lifting his glass
“Cheers,” She repeated.
“Also Red, maybe try talking to Tiny, Just to be clear I don’t mean try talking to her in hopes of getting her back, I mean try winning her back as a friend, I’m sure she misses you just as much as you miss her.”
Cheryl nodded, “Thanks Sweet pea, but I doubt that.”
“Hey, I know Tiny she still cares about you I mean she spent what a year or so trying to get to to come out of Thorn hill? I’m telling you just talk to her.”
Before the girl could say anymore her phone began to buzz, “One second Sweet pea,”
“Yes Britta, What do you mean how is that even possible? I’ll be right there.”
“This was really nice catching up, but I have to go. Britta the girl Toni is having me foster was trying to make tea and almost caught my kitchen on fire in the process.”
“Do you need me to go with you?”
She shook her head, “Nothing I can’t handle, thank you for the drink.” She said giving the boy a quick hug.
He smiled to himself, “Thank you for the advice red it was definitely some help.”
She nodded before making her way out of the bar, after a few more drinks Sweet pea finally found himself back at Toni and Fangs apartment.
“I love you,” He said as Toni let him in.
She raised an eyebrow as the Serpent embraced her in a hug, “I love you too, are you drunk?”
He laughed, “Ehh maybe a little.”
“Sweets?” Fangs said as he made his way into the living room.
“There’s my boy,” Sweet pea said making his way over to him pulling him into one of those bro like hugs.
Fangs looked over at Toni confused, “I love you man.”
Fangs chuckled, “I love you too.”
As they both pulled away Fangs made his way over to Toni, “Is he drunk?” He whispered in the girls ear.
She nodded, “Here Sweets drink up.” She said handing him a coffee mug.
“What’s this?”
“Coffee, It’ll help sober you up.”
He took a quick sip out of the mug before sitting it down on the coffee table, “I just came here to tell you guys that I’m sorry about the way I acted earlier, I should have tried to be a supportive friend, that’s exactly what I’m going to start doing. I’m just glad you guys are happy.”
“Well we’re glad that you’re finally coming around,” Fangs spoke up.
“You can sleep here tonight you shouldn’t be out driving,” Toni chimed in.
The boy nodded before falling back onto the couch.
-
“Hog eye, remind me to place an order for some rum,” Toni said as she poured what was left in the bottle for one of her customers.
She went to toss the bottle in the trash can beneath the counter.
“I’ll have a cherry Cola,” as soon as she heard those words she knew exactly who that was, she turned around so fast it’s a shock she didn’t get whiplash.
“Cheryl?” She said surprised to see the girl.
“Hi TT.”
“What brings you here, is there something wrong with Britta?”
“No need to worry Britta is fine, I actually came here to see you.”
Toni looked at her confused, “Why exactly?”
“Because I want to apologize for what I did to Kevin and Fangs, building you a nursery for baby Anthony and expecting you to live there with me. Also for being a major bitch over the river vixens.”
Toni was surprised she never in a million years would of thought that Cheryl Blossom would be able to swallow her pride and apologize.
“You’re forgiven, I’m actually really happy that you stopped by, I had been thinking about stopping by Thorn hill a few times just to check up on you, but I always end up talking myself out of it.”
Cheryl nodded, “When do you get off?”
Toni raised an eyebrow, “Here in a few minutes, why?
“I was thinking maybe when you’re off duty, you could sit here with me and have just one drink?”
Toni contemplated a moment, “Yeah, okay just let me finish up real quick.”
After Toni finished up serving a few more customers, she then poured her and Cheryl some kind of fruity mixed drink making her way over to where Cheryl was sitting.
Toni couldn’t even deny that it was nice catching up with Cheryl, she honestly missed talking to her, “You remember that one time Sweet pea dared you to get on my motorbike?”
Cheryl smiled as she took a sip of her drink, “Indeed, that was the day after I told you I’d never get on your little death contraption.”
Toni laughed, “You had fun though.”
Cheryl rolled her eyes, “I was terrified, the only thing that kept me calm was holding onto you,”
She was trying to keep her gaze on anything that wasn’t Toni.
Toni was left almost speechless her hand that was resting in her lap made its way onto the table, almost out of habit she slowly went to reach for Cheryl’s hand. She then had to stop herself.
She felt as though this whole thing was becoming awkward, “Cheryl, I’m okay with just being friends. You know I’m with Fangs I-“ before she could say anymore the girl cut her off.
“I know, I didn’t come here to spark up anything. I don’t know why I even said that, I’m sorry,” She said grabbing her purse.
She was about to walk away when she felt Toni grab her arm. Both of them just stood there staring at one another as a song started playing throughout the bar.
“Oh you’re in my veins and I cannot get you out, oh you’re all taste the night inside of my mouth.”
Toni couldn’t help but feel like it was some kind of sign, “Do you want to dance?” Toni said not taking her eyes off of the girl in front of her.
Cheryl nodded as Toni took her hand in hers. Toni moved her hands to Cheryls waist as Cheryl’s hands found there way around the shorter girls neck. They both began to sway to the music neither one of them saying a word just enjoying each other’s company.
“Everything is dark, it’s more than you can take , but you catch a glimpse of sunlight, shinin shinin down on your face.”
Before they knew it their bodies kept inching closer together, Toni’s hand began making its way up to Cheryl’s cheek. Her heart was now starting to race, she knew that she shouldn’t do what she was about to do, but she couldn’t help herself. Her breath was now shaky as she began to lean in.
“On your face, Oh you’re in my veins and I cannot get you out.”
Before she could lean in any further she was caught of guard by Cheryl’s lip crashing into hers. It was like a spark of electricity throughout her entire body, she’d be lying if she said that she didn’t miss this. Because she more than missed it, she craved it.
But, a little voice in the back of her head kept telling her that this was wrong. She pulled away from the girl abruptly.
“I-“ She was in such a sudden shock that she couldn’t speak.
“Toni, I’m sorry I don’t know what came over me.”
Toni stood there dumbfounded, “This was a terrible idea, I don’t know what I was thinking. You and I we can’t be friends it’s clear that something is still there. I’m with Fangs I can’t believe that i just did that how could be so stupid?”
“TT-“
“I have to go,” Toni said grabbing her things.
-
“Hey babe,” Fangs said as she made her way into the apartment.
She smiled at him awkwardly, she couldn’t even look at him due to guilt that she was feeling.
He stood up from his spot on the couch making his way over to where she was standing, “You okay?”
“Yeah, I just don’t feel well.”
He gave her a remorseful look, before embracing her, “I’m sorry babe,” He said running his hands over her back.
“I just need to lie down.”
“Okay, I’ll watch Anthony just get some rest.” He said placing a kiss to the crown of her head.
All Toni could think about was Cheryl, her fiery red hair, big brown eyes and her smile. She was love struck, she knew she still had feelings for her. She tried hard for so long to make them go away, but apparently they never did. All she wanted was to run over to Thorn hill and tell the girl just how she really feels.
Part of of her was ready to go tell Fangs. She didn’t want to keep it from him, she also didn’t want to hurt him she was so conflicted.
“Tiny?” She heard a very gruff voice say outside of her bedroom door.
“Go away Sweets!”
“Fangs told me you didn’t feel well, can i just come in for a second?”
She sighed, “Fine.”
The door opened revealing the dark haired Serpent holding two pudding cups along with two spoons. “I brought these.”
“Pudding cups?” She questioned.
“Yeah, remember when we were kids every time one of us wasn’t feeling well or was upset we would always share a pudding cup?”
“I remember,” She said with a smile.
He made his way over to sit beside her on the bed, “You don’t look sick.”
She rolled her eyes Sweet pea could always see right through her it was one of his traits that she found annoying. “I’m not in the mood,” She said taking one of the pudding cups out of his hand.
“What’s really wrong?” He pried.
“Guess who I saw at work?”
He raised an eyebrow, “Who?”
She took a deep breath, “Cheryl.”
Sweet peas eyes widened, “Did she speak to you?”
Toni nodded taking a bite out of her pudding cup, “She apologized for everything basically.”
“So that’s what’s got you all worked up?”
“Not exactly, can I tell you something? If I tell you, you can’t tell a soul.”
“Serpents honor,” He said putting his hand over his chest.
“She apologized and I forgave her, then we sat down for a drink. We did some catching up, then we kissed.”
His eyes widened.
“I feel awful, I know that it’s wrong but there’s still a part of me that never lost feelings.”
He inhaled deeply running his fingers through his hair, “Tiny, I have confession to make. I kinda talked to Cheryl last night at the Whrym.”
“What do you mean you talked to her, what about?”
“About you.” He said flinching like he used to do when they were teens waiting for Toni to sock him in the arm.
“Why were you guys talking about me?”
“It just came up in conversation, she said she missed you and I told her that she should just talk to you.”
It took every thing in her not to punch him, “So basically this is your fault?”
“I wouldn’t go that far, all I told her was to talk to you not kiss you.”
Toni looked at him angrily, but deep down she knew it wasn’t really the boys fault, “It’s not your fault it’s mine.”
“What are you gonna do?”
“I don’t know,” She groaned throwing her head back.
“Part of me wants to tell Fangs then part of me just wants to forget about it.”
“What’s your heart telling you?”
Toni gave him an annoyed look, “It doesn’t matter what my heart tells me.”
“Yes it does, what do you want Toni?”
“I want my girl back, but Fangs-“
“I get that you care about Fangs, but if you want to spare his feelings I’d just be honest with him. If red is truly what you want I say go for it, why stay in a relationship with someone you don’t really want to be with?” He said resting his hand on her shoulder.
“I guess you’re right.”
“Of course I’m right, I’m always right.”
“Do you really want to push your luck with me today?” Toni said glaring at him.
The boy put his hands up in surrender, “No need to get all hostile.”
She laughed at the boy, “Thanks for the advice Sweets,” She said giving him a peck on the cheek followed by a punch to the arm.
“Ouch! What the hell?”
“My way of saying I love you, now let’s finish up these pudding cups.” She giggled.
-
“Fangs?” Toni spoke up.
“Hey, you feeling any better?”
“Yeah, a little bit.”
He smiled, “Great here come have a seat, I just made some spaghetti.” He said pulling out one of the kitchen stools for her.
She nodded while taking a seat, “Here you are my love.” He said sitting a plate in front of her.
“Thanks,” He leaned in to give her a kiss, but she backed away.
“Did I do something wrong?” He asked confused.
“No, Fangs can I talk to you?”
He nodded taking a seat beside her, “Whats up?”
“I saw Cheryl today.”
He sighed, “What about her?”
“She came to the bar to apologize for everything, we ended catching up.”
He looked at her puzzled, “That’s all?”
“We talked about the past and our relationship, things were kind of getting awkward. This song started playing and I just-“ She hesitated.
“You just what?”
A tear fell down her cheek, “I started feeling all these emotions and we-“ She couldn’t even say it.
“You what Toni?”
“I- we kissed.”
He didn’t say anything, he couldn’t even look in her direction.
“I don’t know what to say, is that all you guys did?”
“Yes, I stopped the kiss, I felt so bad when it happened, I’m so sorry Fangs.”
He nodded, “Do you still love her?”
Toni swallowed harshly before saying her next words, “I do.”
“Do you love me?”
Toni was trying her hardest to fight back the tears that were threatening to spill, “Of course I love you Fangs, but I don’t think I love you in the way that I’m supposed to.”
“So then what the hell were we doing?” He said sounding upset.
“I don’t know, I think us raising a kid together sent of us both some mixed signals or at least it did for me. I love Cheryl I always have you know that, I never stopped loving her.”
“So what we’re done?”
“I think that might be for the best, I don’t want things between us to be weird and I still want us to be friends.”
“Toni, I’m gonna need some time to process this whole thing.”
“I get that.”
-
Toni decided after her conversation with Fangs to make a detour over to Thorn hill. She knocked twice before she was met with a younger redhead.
“Ms. Topaz?” The girl said surprised.
“Hey Britta, is Cheryl home?”
“Britta who’s at the door?” Cheryl said making her way over to where the girl was standing. She froze as she was met with the site of Toni.
“Can we talk?” Toni spoke up.
Cheryl nodded as Toni made her way inside.
“Britta, why don’t you go check on Nana Rose?” Cheryl said looking over at the girl.
The girl nodded making her way towards the stairs.
It was silent until Cheryl broke the ice, “What exactly do you want to talk about?”
“Us.” Toni practically blurted out.
Cheryl was taken aback by Toni’s response, “what about us?”
“It’s clear that there is still something between us I know you feel it too, I still love you, I don’t think that I ever stopped loving you.”
“I’m confused, earlier at the bar after we kissed you said that we couldn’t be friends. Now you’re telling me that you never stopped loving me?”
Toni sighed, “Cher, I was taken by surprise when we kissed and I felt guilty because I was with Fangs, but when I went home you were all that I could think about. All I wanted was to rush over here and tell you just how I really feel. You are the love of my life, the only girl that can make me weak in the knees with just a smile, even by just the touch of hand. The girl that I want to spend every waking minute with, the girl that I want to go to sleep next to at night and wake up to in the morning. You are the woman that I love, truth be told I just want my girl back.”
Cheryl looked up at her with teary eyes, “TT,” was all the girl could manage to get out, as she rushed over to Toni throwing her arms around her neck.
Toni wrapped her arms around her waist, they stood there like that for what felt like centuries.
“I love you Toni, more than any words could ever explain.” Cheryl said as they both pulled away.
Toni rested her hand on her cheek, “I’ll never let you go again,” She said before Cheryl’s lips crashed into hers.
Before Toni knew it her Jacket was being thrown onto the floor along with Cheryl’s top, “Shouldn’t we take this upstairs?” Toni said in between each kiss.
Cheryl nodded, wrapping her legs around Toni’s waist as Toni lifted her up caring her up the stairs.
-
“That was amazing,” Cheryl said as she scooted closer into Toni’s side.
“Yeah tell me about it, thats another thing I can say that I definitely missed.” She said with a laugh.
“I can’t believe you can still carry me up the stairs.”
Toni looked over at her, “Hey, I still got it.”
She giggled, “That you do.”
“I missed this.” Cheryl said trailing her fingers up Toni’s arm.
“Me too,” she said leaning down to kiss the girl next to her.
“Ms. Blossom? Oh shit!” Britta shouted as she threw her hands over her eyes.
“Britta! What the hell?” Cheryl said pulling the covers all the way up over her and Toni.
“I just came to ask you if you wanted any Tea?”
“Next time knock, also didn’t I tell you not to make tea unsupervised?”
“Sorry, Nana Rose wanted some and I couldn’t find you. Now I can see why I couldn’t.” The girl chuckled.
“I will come down in a second and fix some tea for Nana, now fly away little bird.”
“Make sure you use protection!” Britta shouted as she made her way out of the room.
Cheryl rolled her eyes, “That girl is going to be the death of me.”
Toni laughed, “I’m glad the two of you are getting a long so well, she needed someone like you.”
Cheryl smiled before leaning in to kiss Toni one last time, “Duty calls I better go make Nana some tea.”
Toni groaned while grabbing the girls hand as she went to get up, “Can’t it wait?”
Cheryl chuckled as she grabbed her robe, “It’ll only take a few moments, then you and I can continue our little rendezvous.”
Toni smiled while planting a kiss to the top of her hand, “Don’t be too long.” Toni shouted as Cheryl made her way out of the room.
Toni couldn’t even deny that she had never been happier than she was in that moment.