not as sweet as you might think

“Because I’m tired, Jug! I’m stressed and I’m tired and I’m… drained. I’m so drained. Every day - people expect me to get up and get on with my life! When all I want to do is lay in bed and feel sorry for myself. My dad’s gone, Polly isn’t the same, mom burying herself in work and you and the Serpents? It… I’m kinda just… left behind.” The confession came rambling out past the blonde’s lips - her walls not up around Jug. She trusted him. She could be herself with him and know that he wasn’t there to judge or hurt or criticise. He was just there to support her. And she hoped it was clear that she was always there for him too, even if it was just to listen. The divide between them felt massive but… it wasn’t. It was her mind playing tricks on her, telling her that now he was fledged, she was going to just fade away into the background. She wanted this for him - a family. Protection… but she hated the idea that she may just… disappear. Become redundant. 

so i have a rey now... 

“Practice runs? How long have you been here?” amusement flickers alive within her voice, her stare, not that Betty can see that from her position. Arms wrapped lovingly about her waist, that slow wave as they move from side to side, lips grazing at the SOFTNESS of her neck, her heart. How it just might be the first time she’s come home to find that it likely smells like what the average home feels like, how it feels like to have the feeling of family, something that’s elsewise been absent for her. Though she knows her girlfriend grew up with cookie baking on Sundays, and family dinners around the table, she knows it’s not enough, a family, make; but between the pair of them, this is home, this is what, she has always thought family might feel like. The kind of sentiment that her friends have done their best to provide on all those feelings that she was missing throughout her life, and now, this feels like the beautiful extension of something that makes this all the more worthwhile.

It feels so odd to be the one at the centre of such ATTENTIONS, but for once, she’s willing to let it be. Letting herself be ushered, from kitchen to tiny table for two – the best thing that could be set between the pair of them, a smile that feels just right, a hand out to grasp onto Betty’s own to hold her right there for a moment. “Thank you. Honestly.” it’s harder to find the words, as someone who’s spent her whole life being the one that handled her own business, took care of herself, at every turn… but right now, she’s learning to love a little bit more of herself, learning to make sure she affords to take a little time, even when she feels like the process is impossible. “If you’re the one doing it – I don’t mind taking the time.” 

And she means it, every part of her. Being with Betty has been a hard reset on everything that she had thought she’d needed to do to take care of herself, to be better, to do more. Everything so far had been about looking out for others; without expectation for anything in return, without a thought to whether or not it cost her anything. But how lucky was she that Betty… cared enough to do this in the first place? For once, she feels SPEECHLESS, and for a girl ever ready with a witty word and a sarcastic comeback, this is another first that she’s going to hold onto. Willing herself not to get up, to help set things out, to assist in another way – “So what’s on the menu, chez Cooper?”

@b3ttyc00p3r​ // betty cooper

The way Toni looked - that slightly stunned appearance, it put a small smile on her face, reassuring her that she had in fact, successfully surprised the other girl. She deserved so much more than this but for now? This would have to do. This was manageable for the pair. Achievable for two girls with not a whole lot of money or options at their age, absent parents and living in a town like this. They did okay...Better than okay. They were happy, which - in itself, was difficult to achieve for anyone. But Betty had her partner in crime (not always literal) so the odds were most definitely in her favour. 

“Tonight, you will be dining on roasted chicken with seasoned potatoes and seasonal vegetables.” Betty teased as a slippered foot brushed against Toni’s leg under the table. Honestly, it was impossible for Betty not to search out physical contact with Toni was within reach.She adored the feel of her; Toni’s warmth, the softness of her hair and skin in contract to the fabric of her jacket, the smell of her which was oh so uniquely her. She found the pastel vision bought her reassurance and comfort. “And I have dessert ready to go.” she added, glancing to check she had turned the oven off, keeping the dessert warm and the small living space fire-free. “I just... wanted to treat you. I know I’ve been kinda busy and a little absent. I didn’t want you to think it was anything other than school.” 

Betty couldn’t stand the thought of Toni taking the blame for any of Betty’s behaviour. Or thinking it was a dip in her interest in their relationship. Their relationship was the only thing keeping her sane at the moment, to be truthful. The blonde was running flat out with her mother pushing to get her involved in editing the paper - anything to look good on applications. School was amping up, the Vixens were training again, Betty was also lending a hand with Pop’s when V was short on staff... The only real silver lining she had was Toni. The only thing to work so hard for - a better life with this girl opposite. “I just wanted you to know how... much I love you.” The last little part of her sentence carried great weight and honestly, the Cooper daughter was taking a great risk using the L word. There was always a chance it was too much, that it could upset the balance... but not saying it? That could be worse. And Toni deserved to hear those words. 

“Cheryl– Cheryl, it’s okay–” Betty had heard her from the other room. She’d heard the girl whimpering, muffled by heavy wooden doors but… she recognised the instantly. The blonde had run across the dark wood floor, it’s dark painted walls making it somewhat tricky to navigate in the dark. Betty scrambled on to the vacant side of the four poster bed and took her cousin’s clenched hand, her thumb brushing the back of it as she sat on the back of her heels, eyes squinting slightly to focus in the dark. “It’s okay, it’s just a dream… You’re safe. I’m here, you’re safe.” She reassured in a calming tone, soft shh’s passing her vaseline’d lips. She imagined it was to do with the send off they’d had for Jason - whatever nightmare she was having. That kind of thing didn’t just get put to bed, put aside… it lingered. It still tortured you until you truly came to grips with it. She was - of course, speaking from experience. Betty was still tortured by the horrifying mental footage of her father and his demise. Right in front of her… at the hands of her aunt. The thought crept up on her occasionally too, jolting her awake with tears streaming down her face and that feeling in her throat that made it feel like someone was squeezing their hands around it… waiting to extinguish her. So she knew. “You’re okay…” She added as her cousin’s eyes blinked at her in the darkness, prompting Betty to pull her a little closer into a hug, her hold tight and comforting as a hand soothed over rich red curls.