🐍Sweet, sweet serpent

It started just in the trailer.  It only took from the moment of walking from his bedroom to walking to his kitchen for the feeling he truly feared to hit him like a truck. All at once the attack of a crazed rage filled every limb of his body. It was painful but not in a physical way. This was a wave of heat seeping through every muscle he had in him. The attack was his own mind giving him a feeling that could have no self control, one would have to step in to get Sweet pea to see his errors. But no one was around and instead he was able to access this fierce hate inside himself. The monster inside.

 Sweet pea felt terror seeing his father again, it was the anger that hit later on when he realized what it all meant. Being undermined, miss treated, hurt from the inside out. He thought years ago he’d been free from Pearce Sweetsel’s wrath but it was all beginning again. Just as he was finding a good foot place after a hard fall for himself and the Serpents. Plans were happening that would make a change and even better he had things with Toni going so well. 

 A crash ripped around him as the sound of glass exploded. He hadn’t even realized just how hard he had been gripping the handle of rum in his hands and then finally shooting up to send it flying at the wall, the liquid of the drink spraying with glass in every direction. His next move was the wooden chair from the small makeshift dining table that was in the kitchen. Just like the bottle it was thrown across the room. This release felt amazing and he was just lucky no one was around to see him like this. The vision would have just been dark eyes and a foul, twisted look that no one would recognize. The more he realized how easy it was to just destroy the quickly things fell apart around him. He had destroyed the kitchen, leaving it littered with the glittering shine of glass and whatever had been placed on the counter was now spread across the ground. He just wanted to get rid of the painful memories that flooded back to him and snapped him into this storm of uncontrolled emotions. These were years though. Years of feeling small under a man who didn’t love him. Years built up that were finally being Years built up that were finally being roped back to him as the beast reclaimed a spot back into his life.

It was hard enough already having his mother in and out. One day she’d be there, drunk and kicking him out because just his face was painful enough to look at, a serpent boy who resembled his father too much. Or, she would leave without a trace, leaving Sweet pea with no one... at least when she was gone he had a place to stay. Sweet pea’s storm went on into the living room tearing apart the place. He’d regret it later, knowing he’d have to clean it all up and try to explain it to Toni and Fangs but at the moment his vision was cast red and he only sought out the destruction. At some point he’d be able to call someone and they’d help calm him down but if he did that now there was no telling just how stable he’d be in holding back enough anger to not fly off the handle at someone he loved. 

 Apparently rage was satisfied with the destruction in the trailer but it was not finished burning and the wild fire began to spread. Throat ripping screams had filled the air and looking around the trailer Pea needed an out and thus the crashing sound of the trailer door thrashing open and him storming out was the silence breaker into the hot and quiet summer air. His hands went to his face as the memories of Pearce’s screams filled his head. Over and over he was reliving the life of a confused child as they tried their hardest to think of what they could have dome that night to deserve that bruise or maybe the words that knocked them down, making him feel smaller than life and less loved. 

Panic was starting to move in and Sweet pea’s long legs picked up where his head was stuck by pain and fear. He was running away from his problems, down into the darker parts ot the streets, he was running as fast as his feet would take him and who knew how long it had been when he stopped all he knew was he was in a place he didn’t recognize and his legs were giving out from not stopping one beat. By now the adrenaline was falling out and he was left shaking on the ground, leaning against some tree in the dark, from what he could see in the dark he was at one of the parks on the Southside. No lights were ever lit so he really didn’t know too well. All he was focused on was breathing. Trying to get the anger to go but alone and left with only dark thoughts... it was impossible. He had become so overwhelmed with emotions that he didn’t even hear the sobs as they pressed in and out of his body. Even his eyes which were streaming tears hurt from all the stress. 

“Don’t think you’ll ever stop being a dumbass when it comes to me, dating or not, but it’s cute that you’re trying,” Toni teased, pinching his cheeks a bit. “I’m sure you could stop if you tried. How in the hell am I gonna make any good tips if you’re at the end of the bar steady trying to get my number knowing good and well it’s in your phone?” She didn’t mind it though as much as she teased. Although she knew Sweetpea needed her from time and time again, it was nice to be wanted; and yes that went against a lot of the feminist ideals she believed in, but just having someone want her in both a sexual and romantic way was a lot for Toni–it was everything. “Does that mean I can still trip you with Fangs’ lucky pool stick? Because I think we all know if I try and use my foot that’s a no win for anyone. Yeah yeah, I bet you’d love for me to stroke your ego some more, but only because you’re hurt… Sweetpea is the biggest and strongest Serpent there is,” Toni giggled knowing she was only inflating his head more. “I love the way you say babygirl sometimes,” she smiled, shaking her head. 

“Me? The worst? I could name three people including you that are higher,” Toni joked. “The girlfriend is supposed to be. However, we’re not some sappy couple from a 80s movie where I’m some pink skirted cheerleader checkin’ for some leathered delinquent with a motorcycle. Wait.. actually we kind of are,” she spoke, laughing towards the end at her realization. She rolled her eyes as she moved to his top half and slowly removed his shirt. “I think I’d be more pissed if it didn’t turn you on.” Toni did her best to get it over without moving him too much, but as she removed the shirt she only saw how many bandages and wrap she had put on and how badly he was truly hurt. “I’m gonna sleep on the couch tonight so we don’t have to worry about me rolling over and hurting you.”

“A man can dream can’t he?” Sweet pea relaxed a bit into the couch. Even when he was being called a dumbass Toni was able to make him grin about it.  “Definitely not. I wouldn’t want to stop trying to flirt with you. I’m too obsessed with that look you give me when I do it. How else am I going to be sure I still have a chance with you?” He asked. “Just wait till we get back to school where I can slip some dumbass note in your locker asking if you like me.” It was a very middle school thing to even think about but at the time when he was trying to do anything expect how badly he wanted to get back at the Ghoulies it was better. “See, I don’t get it, you hate when I get hurt from fighting others but you are more than willing to hurt me with a pool stick and keep that little smile on your face.” He pointed out, reaching up to brush his finger over her bottom lip. “You do, huh? Come here.” He said sitting up slightly and pulling her chin in toward him looking her directly in the eyes. “You’re my babygirl. And don’t you forget that.” It was in a low tone almost as if the room were full of people and he was telling her a secret.

“Would you? That would be great, thanks.” Fangs joked right back and rolled his eye. “It’s all heart eyes for you, Sweets.” He gave his best friend a wink and rested back against the couch. “I’d much rather crash here than anywhere else, I mean, I’ve crashed at Kev’s, but too many of those and we might burn out on each other, I don’t know.” It was a bit outside Fangs’ norm to be as into a relationship as he was with Kevin, but he didn’t mind it, it just felt like feeling around in the dark sometimes. “Toni said she doesn’t want to move in with us though, so we’ll have a lot of time to fuck around without the disappointment.” He joked with a light laugh. “You just figured that out? Of course we are.” He nudged Sweets right back and grinned like a kid. “Hurt at the hands of us screwing around, sure, by those stupid gremlins is a different story.” He gestured at Sweet Pea’s face. “So uh, we’re planning a movie night, warm you guys up to Kevin. S’it cool if we do it here?”

Sweet pea rolled his eyes at his friend. “That’s what I damn thought. You better start telling me how lucky you are to have me around.” He joked. He really would like to see more of Fangs, but he understood that if his friend wanted to stay somewhere else he couldn’t say no. He’d just be bitter about it silently. “Lets face it, Kevin is nowhere as cool as I am.” He laughed before giving his friend a nod. “Toni probably wouldn’t be able to handle living with the both of us. As much as she is always trying to make sure we don’t kill each other i think us living together with her would really just stress her out.” He said. “It would be two against one. Even if I have been hearing that you two are trying to take me out. She always has a bet against me and you and you’re usually the one she roots for. I’m starting to think this is just you two finally trying to kill me off.” Sweets and Kevin might be polar opposites but if it meant that Fangs was happy he’d do anything for his best friend. “Sure, tell him as long as he buys pizza he’s more than welcome to come here. But… what kind of movie night is this? Don’t tell me we have to watch some romantic comedy.”

“You literally flirt with me more now than when you were trying to get with me,” Toni spoke, rolling her eyes playfully. “Where was this energy a few months ago’?” It was only teasing, but she was glad that she could help Sweetpea focus on something other than his pain. He always masked when he was hurt or any emotion other than anger. Toni’s face was obviously cringing just thinking of the idea of playing second fiddle to some guy. She’d probably punch anyone for even suggesting something like that, not probably––she would, but playing along she kept it going just to keep hearing Sweetpea compliment her. “Oh come on, it’ll be so much fun. I could spend the entirety of my day curling my hair and reading books upside down while all the big strong Serpents go and save the day,” Toni spoke in a singsong manner. “That’s all I’m here for? To punch a couple of Ghoulie girls and make you cum?”

She smiled back at him once their hands connected, “Sometimes I forget how much you like kissing me.” Toni rested her forehead against his, giving him a once over before standing up. “I bring it up because I’m speaking it into existence. Gotta tell God my wishes. No one said I’d be there to make it better. I’m more-so there to laugh and crush your ego even more,” she giggled. “I know you appreciate me. So stop thanking me and just get me cheese fries instead.” Slowly, Toni tried taking off both of his shoes and moving to unbuckle his jeans. “Don’t get turned on, you’re going to bed,” Toni quickly commented before the boy could get anything out. 

“I’m trying to make up for all that time I could have been doing it but was a dumbass instead. So either I keep flirting with you or I go back to being that dumbass. It would be hard as hell since now that I know I can flirt with you I don’t think I can stop now. So once again you beat me.” Only this time he wasn’t going to be stubborn about losing to her, he loved flirting with her now. He didn’t know why she kept up with this whole fresh pie when he came home thing but it was nothing he was into. “You could do that… or just stick to chasing Fangs and I around and do bad ass stuff as always. I won’t turn down to you telling me I’m big and strong though. Rolling his eyes playfully he coughed out a laugh. “You are trying to make even my compliments sound bad. How about this, babygirl. You are also good for patching me up when I need it.” Sweet pea tried to lift himself but could only get a few inches closer before the pain hit on his ribs.

Fangs nodded as Sweet Pea asked if he’d be alright without the crutches. He’d been doing his PT and could go for a day or so without them once and a while, so he knew he’d be fine for a couple hours. “Yeah I’m good, I’d rather hit him in with my firsts than these sticks.” He nodded and headed out of the trailer behind Toni. “Yeah, grab the keys.” He called back as he hopped in the car. “Man the dude thinks he’s gonna bang you in a lighthouse? He’s really that stupid.” He said to Toni with a laugh while they waited for Sweets to get in, putting on his hoodie as they drove. 

Once they got there he looked around and pointed out a spot. “I’ll get some dead branches and start the fire.” He patted his pockets and swore under his breath. “Uh, tell me you brought your lighter..” He asked @pea-serpent· as he realized he didn’t have his with him. 

Toni just rolled her eyes towards @pea-serpent​, not even acknowledging that he was speaking to her. If he was gonna find some way to have an attitude with her, Toni would do it better. She walked straight out the trailer and to the car, sitting in the front passenger seat, eyes glued onto her own phone. “Reggie’s an idiot. What did you expect? I could have told him to meet me at a Burger King and he probably still would have came running,” Toni replied to Fangs with a slight laugh. 

Once they had arrived, Toni scooped out the area trying to find a good place for her to hide and get everything on camera. “Leave it to Fogarty to forget the one thing he was in charge of.” Toni only hoped that Reggie would arrive quickly so she didn’t have to pretend any longer to care about the Bulldog.

With a clenched jaw Sweet pea just watched as Toni ignored him. This could only lead to a stubborn argument and if Sweet pea would have gone on he knew that it would have ruined everything so instead he just let her ignore him. “Fine.” He mumbled now sitting in the car staying silent the whole time. He obviously had nothing to say and instead just focused on the ride. “Come on Fangs.” He said feeling around his pockets knowing he always needed a lighter to smoke. “Guess we are in luck, Looks like I can come in handy sometimes.” He said pulling one out of his pockets. “At this point the thing doesn’t even have to be perfect. I just want to get that dog to see what messing with snakes costs.” He was helping Fangs put the wood together but did turn to Toni. “Do you know when @musclvd​ going to show up?” He asked hoping this wasn’t going to be a waste of time.

“At least it’s comfortable and broken it. Function over form.” Fangs shrugged. He quirked an eyebrow as Sweets mentioned him moving in, he’d talked briefly about it with Toni as well. “Oh yeah, she mentioned that we should get our own place, thought that could be cool. I’ve got some cash stashed at my uncles’ with my mom.” He had worked for a few years and saved up as much as he could in case she had more medical bills, but once his uncle took her in, he took over it all which Fangs appreciated, even if the guy didn’t want him around. “But yeah, that would be cool, thanks.” He nodded as Sweets explained trying to avoid doing something stupid, he knew him well enough to know how he was. “Hopefully the jackass will get it through his head to just stay the hell away.” He couldn’t help but grin as he and Sweets were back to their usual back and forth. “I mean it could possibly be your dead body.” He made an ‘i don’t know’ gesture and chuckled. “If I wanted to rig it I’d fight you right now and hit you in all your weak points.”

“How about I leave the room while you confess your love for my damn couch then.” He laughed. “I see those heart eyes, Fangs. It’s almost like you are in love.” Sweet lea went to sit next to Fangs on the old couch, it really was worn in at his point, but didn’t it’s job of hosting some of the best movie nights for the Serpents. “You don’t have to stay here if you don’t want to. But if you need it the door is open, got it? And I’ve been working at the garage, saving up for a new place myself. I’d rather room with you than someone else who will just piss me the hell off. And if we live together we can do whatever the hell we want and Toni can only try to stop us.” He said nudging his friend as they had normally had to go for a less dangerous plan on the normal. Sweet pea’s smirk had faded, and he just nodded, obviously his father was nothing he wanted to talk about. “You know, I think Toni and you are teaming up against me. All she keeps telling me is you are going to come back and beat me. I just think you both love seeing me hurt.”