b cooper.

MONA: I'm starting to get the sense that you may have hit your head in the fire.

MONA: Good for me, one less bitch in my way for valedictorian this year!

BETTY: maybe I did, who knows? I really don't remember much of it

ARCHIE: Yeah. I'll be here for minimum another week.

MONA: The theme of the novel. Like what themes are you interested in? What did you think I was meaning???

ARCHIE: It matters but there's nothing that I can do to change it right now.

ARCHIE: Good.

ARCHIE: It is what it is, Betty.

ARCHIE: Are you okay?

BETTY: don't say it like that. like it doesn't matter

MONA: Depends on the theme...

ARCHIE: Well... It's a few days late I'm sorry. My phone burned up along with my back so I'm okay as I can be.

ARCHIE: How are you holding up?

MONA: Naturally.

MONA: That's good, I'm glad that you're doing okay. If you need a distraction I can always provide you with a good book.

MONA: Oh Betty Cooper... Leave it to the girl next door to check in on everyone else. I am perfectly fine.

MONA: The real question is, are you alright?

BETTY: I just want to make sure everyone's okay!

Betty had just smeared the last of the dark paint off of her lips, a small smile on her face as she could now press them together without flaking. tossing the paper towel in the garbage she leaned in closer to the mirror for a final inspection, satisfied that only a few paint smudges were left. God knows her mother would have a heart attack if she came home looking like that. although that would have been amusing to witness...

“I sometimes trust you too much. Who knows, you could always lure me into a false sense of security.” he mused, with a shrug. To everyone else, Betty was the sweet, girl next door. But Jughead? He knew better. There was something in Betty he saw, which no one else ever did. A kindred spirit. He couldn’t say it had been fun, being painted on but he liked seeing the enjoyment in Betty’s eyes. He never admitted it out loud, but he was weak for Betty Cooper. There was something innocent, yet intimate the way they had been so close doing something so childish. He remembered the look he caught her giving him, he had simply quirked a brow and she made her excuse. “I’m not stupid. If there was one thing I learnt from FP it was never to boss your lady around. It also gives me a break from having to make decisions every day with my gang of hoodlums.” he said with a huff of laughter as he carefully took in the scenes around them. Always alert now, mind constantly whirring with ifs and what’s and detailing every scenario. War tactics almost, is what he called it. It was hard to switch off when he was constantly weighing up the serpents situations. As they stopped, he let out a groan before rifling into his pockets to remove a few dollars. “Oh Betty Cooper, you wound me. Watch the master at work. Just promise not to cry when I win.” he said smirking. 

“and why, exactly, would I do that? we’ve always been good at solving mysteries, not creating them.” maybe mysteries was an exaggeration, but any time Betty was searching for answers, he was one of the first people she went to. the fact that he had helped her on that first terrifying night in the Southside only served to solidify that response, feeling like she would never be able to tell Jughead just how grateful she was for him. “oh? I’m your lady?” she questioned, almost stopping as the words hit her. of course he hadn’t meant it that way, but it was her natural reaction.

“what?! if you didn’t want to do something you should have told me,” she explained, fingers running over the darts in front of them smoothly. picking one up after he had paid Betty leaned closer to whisper in his ear. “besides, you can’t tell me you haven’t thrown your knife around a few times.” almost instantly she sent the dart flying, the satisfying pop of a balloon making her turn back to him with a bit of her own smirk on her lips.

“We really should have planned, you’re right! I didn’t really know I was coming until earlier today to be honest. Veronica kind of convinced me.” He gave her a quick hug before pulling away so he could hear her better. “I noticed you and Jug are kind of matching, did you help him out with his end of the costume?” Archie asked with a chuckle. “Very original, it’s a classic costume, most guys who like football want to be able to dress up as one, I’m a perfect example for this.” He did a little twirl as if to model the costume for her. “You know me, I always have to go with as simple as possible.” 

“seems like Veronica’s the reason half of the people are here tonight,” Betty admitted with a light laugh. the fact wasn’t surprising at all to her - maybe only that Cheryl Blossom had had some influence, as well. as she always did. at the mention of Jughead she bit down on her lip slightly, nodding her head. “I did, yeah. more like forced him to let me do it. she shifted a bit in the leather jacket that overwhelmed her frame, the movement causing a whiff of his preferred cologne to make itself known. things had been chilly at the carnival, and Jug was ever the gentleman, after all. shaking her head she laughed at his pose. “god, I was gonna say maybe that’s what I should wear next year but...who knows where we’re all going to be?”

After he grabbed something to eat, Hunter decided to head back to the bar. It seemed that a lot more people were starting to arrive later in the night at the Seventh Heaven party. “Yeah, can I get an Old Fashion, please?” He ordered, watching as the bartender nodded and went off to go make his drink. Green eyes glanced around the area, the music blaring as people danced in their costumes, some hideous and some very well put together. Quickly, he looked over his shoulder to check on where his drink was, not seeing the blonde bump into him when he turned back around.

Hunter reached out his hand to grab her in case she stumbled backwards. “It’s alright, you okay?”  When he realized she was in fact okay and didn’t fall, he took a step backwards against the bar. Long, muscular arms folded across his bare chest, his lips cracking a smile in her direction when he’d heard what she’d said. “At least you didn’t have a drink, then it would’ve been a waste of good alcohol.” Hunter pointed behind him. “Would you like one?” He asked her just when the bartender brought his own drink over as he ordered another. Reaching over, Hunter handed the drink to her. “Now you actually have an excuse.”

her mouth dropped open automatically, immediately taking in the guy’s appearance in front of her. instead of checking to see if she had gotten anything on his shirt Betty was staring at a set of abs...for perhaps longer than was appropriate. dragging her eyes back up to his she simply nodded, hardly even knowing what his question had been. wasn’t he cold in that outfit? all she did was grab the glass he offered, holding it between her hands as she lifted it cautiously to take a sip. “I shouldn’t be taking a drink from a stranger in a bar,” she said hoarsely, the Cooper upbringing taking over any other sensible thought at the moment ( which she was sorely lacking right now ). “what is this, anyway?”

“You sure I don’t look too awful? I’d feel better if maybe you had more face paint on than I…” he trailed off, trying not to rub at his face which was still slightly drying after having it plastered on him by Betty not even an hour ago. The things he did sometimes. He’d of been happy just going as himself. But at least Betty mimicked him in design, it almost looked as if it was intentionally planned. Around them dozens milled in costumes, ranging from elaborate to dollar store and it was at least safe to stay he wouldn’t stand out like a sore thumb. “So you got me to the carnival, decorated me, now what do you want to do?” he asked, looking at the blonde with a raised eyebrow.

@iconicblondebetty​

Betty’s mouth dropped open in mock offense, shaking her head at him. “what, you don’t trust me? do you really think I’d let you show up here looking awful?” not possible she thought to herself. the makeup process had taken some convincing, and even she didn’t realize what she was in for until the first few strokes were on his face. being so close to Jughead, practically sitting in his lap. the way she could study him when he had his eyes closed, flushing when he had caught her once as she muttered some excuse. the cool air felt good after that, walking slowly with him through the festivities. “oh so you’re still letting me make all the decisions?” she somewhat teased, biting down on her lip as she studied their possibilities. “what’s a carnival without cheesy prizes, right?” stopping in front of a booth with darts and balloons her excitement was evident, gesturing for him to step up with her. “c’mon, Jones, let’s see what you’ve got.”

Betty was trying to stand unobtrusively off to the side of the bar, hoping no one would rope her in for another round of shots. she had no problem with drinking - it was just that she had already survived one round of vodka and wasn’t sure if she would another. besides, she had arrived at the Seventh Heaven party not too long ago and still wasn’t entirely comfortable on her own. it hadn’t taken long for people to disperse among the crowd, not too worried about it considering she was sure they would stumble into one another soon enough. but with a push from behind the guy she stumbled into wasn’t one she recognized, eyes moving upward with an apologetic look on her face. “I am so sorry,” she started, checking to make sure nothing had spilled on him before continuing. “leave it to me to be clumsy without even having a drink in my hand,” she mused, a slight laugh accompanying her words.