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“Hey, Toni. It’s Cheryl. I heard you’re in Manhattan. I know you’re probably busy but I would love to see you. It’s been a while. Call me when you can!”
That was the utterly embarrassing voicemail Cheryl had left two days ago. Cheryl moved to Manhattan pretty much as soon as school had finished. Biding Riverdale and her rotten family goodbye was something she knew would be inevitable. She needed to get out of there if she wanted to even have a chance at the happiness she needed and a chance at living the life she actually wanted. Once she did, it finally felt like she could breathe. The weight of years slowly lifted as the seasons passed from melting ice cream over fallen leaves and icy crystals to blossoming flowers. All throughout this, Cheryl grew more and more into her new life and into herself.
Some things from the past, however, stayed and among a few others, Toni Topaz was one of them. After their initial feud in high school, Toni had become one of a few cherished friends to Cheryl. Maybe more at times of chased kisses during slumber parties but Toni Topaz was never hers. It was a short high school crush that was quickly overshadowed by prejudices.
Toni’s nana had always hated the Blossoms for the terror they rained on the town, so it came naturally to dismiss and be unwelcoming to the youngest Blossom offspring.
The Blossoms, not including Cheryl anymore, hated everything Toni was. Even more than anything Toni’s nana could have expressed. They called her Southside scum on more than one occasion. They never deemed her worthy of Cheryl’s company. It became one of the lesser of two evils, however, as the Blossoms picked up on their union possibly becoming more than friends. They would never approve of Cheryl’s “deviant tendencies”.
As quickly as things between Toni and her had blossomed, they were stomped back into the ground by judgment that young love simply couldn’t survive.
The repercussions Cheryl faced at the display of affection towards another woman and the looming fear of being sent back to the place that would rid her of her “unnatural” feelings were debilitating to the redhead as well as any romantic feelings. Cheryl and Toni never crossed that line again. Maybe they were star-crossed lovers because the stars back then simply didn’t align.
Despite all of that Cheryl was never able to rid herself of the thought of Toni. She would long for her in the dark and lonely place that was her mind back then. No matter how many times Cheryl would push the thought of her down, Toni Topaz would always resurface. Even nowadays in the brighter times, the South Side Serpent would be on her mind. The thought of Toni Topaz was a constant like cicadas in the summertime. Even after leaving her old life behind.
When Cheryl heard that the one she longed for was in Manhattan she couldn’t help but want her to know that she was still on her mind. This led to the voicemail recorded in the middle of the night and the anxious bobbing of a foot against the footrest of a barstool.
After several hours of waiting, Cheryl ended up almost dismissing the thought that Toni would be interested in seeing her. But here she was sitting in a bar in Downtown Manhattan nervously waiting for Toni Topaz to step through the door.
When she finally did, Cheryl’s eyes immediately latched onto her. Toni Topaz still had the flannel mesh aesthetic going for her but in a bit more sophisticated way. Her hair was still long but not pink like it was in high school. Beautiful dark brown hair was cascading down her shoulders. Eyes studied her beautiful face. Full lips. The delicate beauty mark above them. The beautiful structure her cheekbones provided. Deep brown eyes. Long lashes. Defined eyebrows. She was still as gorgeous as back then. She didn’t look a day older. Admittedly, it had only been about three years since Cheryl had laid her eyes on the formerly pink-haired woman.
Toni’s eyes were scanning the bar for Cheryl but when they finally landed on her a smile settled on her lips.
When Toni had almost made it across the room, Cheryl was ripped from admiring the woman by the awkwardness that was greeting someone she hadn’t seen in years. Cheryl slipped off her bar stool a moment too early and waited for Toni to finally get closer.
”Hey Cheryl,” Toni said cheerily.
”Hey Toni, I’m glad you made it,” Cheryl said sweetly. She was awkwardly fidgeting with her hands and rubbing them on the side of her thighs as she was considering whether to extend her hand for a friendly shake of hands or whether she could hug the smaller woman. After a few awkward glances, smiles, and chuckles, the moment passed without so much as a touch of hands and both women went to sit down on bar stools.
“I was surprised you hit me up,” Toni admitted as she waved over the bartender to order herself a drink.
Cheryl was still scolding herself for how unfortunate their greeting had gone so she immediately started rambling in response.
“I’m terribly sorry if this is awkward but I heard you were here so I thought-“
”It’s fine, Cher. This is nice. I’m glad we get to catch up. How have you been?” Toni said with calmness and reassurance radiating off her and the smile that she was shooting Cheryl. Cheryl couldn’t hide the smile that was lighting up her face and took a deep breath as she eased up a little. This was Toni. Sweet and considerate Toni, just like she had gotten to know her all these years back.
“I’ve been really good. Getting out of Riverdale was honestly the best decision. What about you?”
Cheryl picked up the glass of red wine she had ordered earlier and took a sip as she waited for Toni’s response.
“I’m glad,” Toni said as soft and sincere eyes found brown ones.
“I’ve been good too. Slowly getting where I want to be in life. You probably know what it’s like,” Toni offered.
“I only wish you the best, Antoinette, so I’m happy to hear that,” Cheryl responded empathetically.
Cheryl was curious to find out more about the ever-so-enticing woman.
”What even brings you to Manhattan? If I may ask.”
“Oddly enough a job offer,” Toni chuckled as she took the drink the bartender had set down in front of her. Cheryl hadn’t even noticed the drink being brought out because she only had eyes for the woman now sipping on the drink.
“That’s so exciting, TT,” Cheryl exclaimed in a sudden and absolutely unfiltered burst of glee.
“How long I haven’t heard that nickname,” Toni commented playfully. Her hand had moved a little closer to where Cheryl’s was resting on top of the bar. At the same time, the brunette was sporting an adoring smirk glancing at the redhead as the realization of it hit her. With the realization, a deep blush settled on pale cheeks. Cheryl was fighting the unsettling feeling in her stomach. A whirlwind of worry and tension was clouding her joy but soon was dispelled by the soothing voice of the woman next to her.
“Still as cute as back then. Don’t worry,” Toni said endearingly and purposefully leaving out whether the compliment was aimed at the resurfaced nickname or the redhead. Thankfully, Cheryl was too mesmerized by the curl of full lipgloss-covered lips to get into her head about the compliment too much before Toni continued the initial conversation.
“Yeah, I’ve been offered a position as a photographer for an up-and-coming designer that’s based here.”
“That is truly amazing! This must be a dream come true for you,” Cheryl said in awe. The redhead’s eyes flickered to the hand, which had moved closer to hers a few moments ago, as she thought about touching it to convey the enthusiasm she felt for the other woman. No matter how much Cheryl wanted to touch the delicate hand that was close enough to radiate warmth she didn’t dare to move her own.
“It really is. You know I’ve always been into photography and it’s honestly nice but also surprising to get a real shot at it,” Toni said in a voice laced with hesitation and uncertainty.
“You’re obviously underselling yourself here. Your photography has always been breathtaking, meaning this is a well-deserved opportunity,” Cheryl argued passionately. The hand, which had gestured along in an effort to convince, settled back on the bar counter. Unintentionally, it landed closer to the one that was still placed there. The feeling of the simple touch of their pinkies surged through the redhead. The craving to touch her was only spurred on further. With her eyes still trained on their touching pinkies, Cheryl felt the need to continue the conversation. She wanted to know where the brunette might go. Where this might go.
“Are you going to take the job?”
”If the place I looked at today or well any place honestly pans out I might, yes. What are you up to nowadays?”
Cheryl’s eyes looked up to find Toni’s eyes trained on her. Their eyes met without the intention of parting any time soon.
”Let’s hope it does then. I’m still dabbling in the arts so I work for an art gallery,” Cheryl said still a little too sidetracked by the amber orbs that had her entranced.
“Oh, you do? So do they actually let you exhibit your art?”
“Yes, something along those lines,” Cheryl admitted with a small smile. Toni’s eyes flickered down at their barely touching hands shortly before she inched forward just a little more so that her hand was slightly covering Cheryl’s pale hand.
After a short moment of utter stillness, where none of them breathed nor said anything, both of them settled into the comfortable feeling of skin-to-skin no matter how small it was.
They continued to talk and catch up for hours. Their hands never parted. As the evening progressed the slight touch turned into the dancing around of fingers to them ending up comfortably slotted together.
Cheryl was drunk on soft touches that were handed out so graciously by the woman next to her. The drinks only added to the cloud that had already formed in her mind and they did in no way dull the electric and warm sensation that traveled at the stroke of a finger.
Toni softly played with the ring that decorated Cheryl’s finger as she sipped on the last round of her peach-flavored drink. Cheryl couldn’t help but crave even more of the brunette’s touch. To feel the lips that wrapped around the rim of the glass, which was already covered in the remains of lipgloss. She wanted Toni. She wanted her for a long time but they had never crossed that line. They were only an inch away from more than just friends and maybe they could actually try things in New York.
”Do you want to come over to my place?”
Toni was obviously surprised at the question but quickly agreed without any second thoughts.
In the backseat of the taxi taking them to Cheryl’s, Toni’s fingers danced almost teasingly across the soft skin of Cheryl’s forearm. Fingers left goosebumps in their wake and made tingles travel through Cheryl’s body. The craving to feel more of Toni’s touch was still not satiated but only further ignited. She wanted to finally feel those lips on hers again and for her hands to ignite every inch of her skin. Cheryl had never desired anyone like she did the one she wasn’t allowed to have. She had never really desired anyone until and honestly even since Toni. No matter how many times she had been told she would go to hell for this want and desire with Toni she was sure she would be fine. If Toni wanted her, she could have all of Cheryl. Cheryl wanted to know what it was like to be all wrapped up in Toni Topaz.
As Cheryl unlocked the front door to her spacious studio apartment, Toni’s eyes scanned the clean and fancy place covered in light greys, red and white in surprise.
Stepping further into the place Toni marveled out loud.
”How do you even afford this? You don’t just ‘work’ at an art studio, do you?”
Toni turned around to look questioningly at the redhead, who hadn’t moved far from the door and still stood at a distance behind her.
”I may or may not own the gallery,” Cheryl admitted casually.
“Damn, Cher.”
The lack of body contact between the two was only diminished as they settled onto the grey couch with their legs touching slightly. The water Cheryl had offered was soon abandoned on the coffee table. Their bodies just gravitated towards each other amidst conversation. At this point, both were probably aware of where this could go. They were again just an inch away from more than just friends. Toni’s wandering hand traced up and down Cheryl’s arm and Cheryl’s hand was carefully placed on the knee of the leg Toni had pulled up on the couch.
Toni’s lips moved as she talked about anything that came to mind, it wasn’t that Cheryl wasn’t interested in everything that left her mouth but the redhead was too caught up in craving to taste the last bit of remaining lipgloss on Toni’s full lips. Toni must have picked up on Cheryl’s yearning stares because Cheryl felt Toni’s hand softly wrap around the back of her neck. Cheryl’s eyes moved to meet Toni’s.
Their eyes said everything they needed to know without a single word having to be spoken. As Toni softly tugged Cheryl forward, she leaned in slowly but willingly. She stopped only an inch away to ground herself for what was about to happen. They were only an inch away from being more than just friends.
A soft last glance gave their final consent before their eyes fluttered shut and the gap between them was closed. Lips pressed together softly and gingerly. Waves of relief and overwhelming satisfaction engulfed the redhead. Cheryl’s lips were the first to long and ask for more as they parted slightly to encase Toni’s bottom lip. The brunette didn’t hesitate to synch in. The lipgloss tasted like peach as if it had picked up the flavor of the drink earlier but the taste of Toni was definitely more intoxicating than any lipgloss or drink could be. One of Cheryl’s hands soon cradled Toni’s face and pulled the brunette even closer. The intoxicating push and pull of lips was soon joined with tongues sensually moving past parted lips. A deep moan escaped Toni’s throat at the added sensation and urged Cheryl on.
This was not comparable to the chased kisses in high school. This was so much more. Years of built-up and longing were being poured into a kiss. Cheryl wanted to absorb every little thing that she could. She wanted to feel Toni, so without breaking the kiss she climbed into Toni’s lap. As she straddled her the kiss deepened.
Cheryl’s arms were wrapped around Toni’s neck while Toni had innocently placed her hands on either side of Cheryl’s thighs. Passion traveled through Cheryl’s body and she wanted more. She wanted Toni to touch more of her. As a needy moan escaped her and disappeared right into Toni’s mouth, Cheryl couldn’t stop herself from grinding into Toni to urge her on. It honestly didn’t need much urging for Toni’s hands to softly caress over toned thighs covered only partly by a skirt. Toni decided to move her hands over her black skirt onto her hips. Every roll of hips made Toni dig her fingers deeper into her skin there.
A content groan left Cheryl as fingers finally moved to tug at her tight shirt. After Cheryl desperately nodded into the kiss, Toni’s fingers tugged the shirt out from underneath the skirt and pulled it up until lips had to disconnect to get rid of it.
Toni’s eyes traveled over newly exposed skin and red lace. A gasp left the smaller woman as she took Cheryl in. Cheryl felt so seen and desired as Toni’s eyes traveled up and down her body.
Cheryl’s fingers wrapped around the bottom of Toni’s shirt and pulled it over her head as soon as the smaller woman lifted her arms. The grey and loosely fitting shirt soon joined Cheryl’s on the floor.
When Cheryl was met with beautiful stretches of dark skin and the black bra firmly holding full breasts in place, she was overwhelmed by the sight of Toni.
Toni roughly tugged her down again to clash their lips together in another kiss filled with want and pent-up emotions. As Cheryl’s hands settled back on Toni’s neck and scratched at the base of her neck. The brunette’s hands settled back on toned thighs before they moved up exposed skin teasingly slow until they finally slipped under the fabric. The tingling sensation of touch was dizzying but nothing compared to the desire that settled in her lower belly as Toni palmed her behind. With a moan, Cheryl detached her lips from Toni’s.
”Bed,” Cheryl said barely able to catch her breath. Toni didn’t respond she simply gripped Cheryl’s ass tightly and lifted herself and the redhead off of the couch. The display of strength made Cheryl’s brain circuit. As Toni stumbled across the room, Cheryl held on tightly enjoying the delicious skin-to-skin of their upper bodies pressed together and her legs tightly wrapped around the brunette’s hips.
Cheryl’s thighs soon hid soft sheets as Toni placed her on the edge of the bed. Toni was still standing but leaned down to kiss the redhead sensually. She ended up parting their lips soon after, which Cheryl responded to with a displeased grunt.
”Are you sure?” Toni asked softly gazing into Cheryl’s eyes.
”Yes I want you. All of you,” Cheryl admitted breathlessly. Cheryl’s hands reached out to caress the soft skin of Toni’s waist.
”Are you?” The question was whispered because Cheryl was nervous about the possible range of answers.
”Yes,” Toni said certainly and pressed her lips softly onto hers. The kiss was soft and filled with emotion. This wasn’t just some hookup. This was more than that.
Cheryl’s hands moved to unbutton Toni’s black skinny jeans. She helped the smaller woman shimmy out of them before doing the same with her skirt.
They crawled up the bed in synch. Cheryl scooted up the bed as Toni followed her up carefully.
Soon red hair was sprawled across white pillows and Toni was straddling her hips. After a long while of indulging in more kissing, Cheryl’s lungs were screaming for air so she turned her head to the side to part their lips. It gave Toni perfect access to the sensitive skin of her neck. Full lips moved over her cheek and jaw and finally littered her neck with sweet and wet kisses.
The graze of teeth summoned a soft moan from Cheryl and was followed by Toni sucking harshly on the skin of her neck. Cheryl’s back arched off of the bed and fingernails dug roughly into the skin of Toni’s back. Cheryl would usually mind her skin being marked or flawed but the mix of pain and pleasure was simply mind-blowing. Also, this was Toni leaving her mark on her. Claiming her and Cheryl had simply waited too long to not be fully engulfed by fervor.
Toni’s tongue soothed the marked spot with a soft lick. The brunette continued to kiss down her neck. Over her shoulder and her collarbone. The bulge of her breasts that wasn’t covered by lace. Down her stomach. Toni was pressing kisses all over her body affectionately. Her fingers trailed softly behind her lips. She cherished every inch of Cheryl’s body with lips and fingers. It felt so right. It felt so good. Cheryl’s head was swimming with adoration and longing.
Hands tangled in brown strands and pulled Toni back up to Cheryl’s face. They shared an intimate moment of staring into each other’s eyes. Between swollen lips and eyes shining with the unresolved emotions from years of not being able to be together, a sense of relief settled. They had found their way back to one another.
”Touch me, Toni,” Cheryl whispered. “Please.”
They held each other’s gaze as Toni’s hand carefully traveled over the soft skin of Cheryl’s stomach and trailed along the waistband of red lace panties before slipping underneath. Cheryl’s body was trembling with want and as Toni’s finger finally touched her where Cheryl wanted her most a deep moan erupted from her throat.
Toni’s finger explored and moved skillfully in between milky legs. Their eyes never left each other’s as every nerve ending of Cheryl’s body lit up. The sound of heavy breathing filled the room and echoed off of the walls as Cheryl’s fingers were digging roughly into Toni’s back and arm. She was teetering at the edge of release.
As release finally ripped through her body, her eyes fluttered close. Warmth and tingling traveled through every limb as Cheryl saw stars.
Coming down from her Toni-induced high, Cheryl felt lips pressing softly to her forehead. The redhead felt so safe, so fulfilled, so content and so loved. The smile plastered on her lips wouldn’t disappear any time soon.
The stars had finally aligned. Maybe their reunion was inevitable. Maybe their fate was written in the stars after all.
Later that night in the haze of hours spend cherishing each other, Toni settled down next to Cheryl, who quickly nuzzled into her neck. Cheryl ended up falling asleep comfortably wrapped up in Toni’s arms and to full lips pressing softly to her temple.