maskormenace | 001

[ He won't be able to miss the look of surprise that plays out on her face at his words. He was so busy with the Serpents that he didn't know what was happening with the Black Hood? Maybe she'd kept it that way on purpose, to protect him. ]

I guess if we were broken up... we weren't speaking much.

We weren't. I'm at Southside High, we don't really see each other as much as we used to. It's - easy to avoid each other, I guess.

[ Which sucks so bad but it was for his good and her good and they'll always find some excuse to keep the other out of whatever trouble they're in, huh? ]

[ She stares straight ahead as she drives.] I bet I hated it. I just hate idea of it.

That makes two of us. [ He glances over at her, full of things he wants to say about how sorry he is and how something Archie said stuck with him and maybe there was some truth to it because wow he's been spiralling ever since she broke up with him and he's no longer sure if he can find the breaks, let alone have the power to hit them.

But she's driving, so he settles for something less extreme. ]

It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. [ Which says a lot. ]

[ Her mouth twists and she looks at him.] I was a coward, sending Archie to do it. [ Her eyes go back to the road and she feels tears welling up in them.] But I couldn't... I was so tired and scared. And I didn't think I could convince you that I meant it, I didn't think I would be able to go through with it if I was there with you. Even with your life at stake. It was the worst thing I ever had to do.

Hey, Betty... it's okay. I get it. We can talk more about it later, when we're not on the road. Okay?

[ He does want to talk it through. Properly. They're in a vacuum here, if they aren't honest with each other now, then when can they be? ]

[ She glances at him, her smile a little tearful as she nods.] Afraid I might crash?

That, and I really want to hug you right about now and then we'll definitely crash. Totally selfish motivations.

[ He gets a laugh out of her, a genuine smile staying on her lips afterward.] Okay, that's fair. [ She looks his way.] You can turn on the radio or even use your power to make it play something you like. The drive isn't too long.

You sure we should mix powers like that?

[ But okay, he'll give it a shot. It's still new and some things are untested - like willing up a song on the radio. He closes his eyes, draws a deep breath and mumbles a title under his breath. Something he heard on the radio back home, moderately nostalgic, good driving music. ]

I believe in us. [ She means that more than she can say. And once the music is playing, she smiles softly, driving them towards the farm while listening to whatever music he decides to put on.

Once she gets them to the Meadows and starts them down the road, he can see the structures around the farm, the cows too.] This is my home here.

[ The closer they get to the farm, the more his eyes widen. It's not what he expected in the least - not that he's got extensive experience with farmland but RIverdale isn't exactly Manhattan. He knows what a farm looks like and this is... that but more than that.

He turns to look at her. ]

I think you undersold this place a bit, Cooper.

[ She can't help but glance at him every once in awhile as they make their way down the drive, laughing at what he says.]

I couldn't even begin to explain this place. [ He'll notice there's something surreal about it all, everything feels... different. The air smells different and magical. At least, that's how it makes her feel. And as she drives to the garage, she parks her car near it, not in it. The garage is meant for the Raven boys and her car is safe where she parks it anyways.

She moves to get out, getting her bag from the trunk and taking her time so he can look around more.]

[ Magical is a good word for it. He can't quite put his finger on what it is, like it eludes description - something he's definitely not used to. Mildly dazed he gets out of the car, taking it all in. Kind of glad he finished that burger on the drive over or it would have been long forgotten by now. ]

It's incredible. I've never seen anything like it.

Ronan created it all. Wait till you see my room and the rest of the house.. [ She grins at him, understanding exactly how he feels because she'd felt the same the first few times she came here. And even now, she still feels in awe of it, of Ronan's creation.

She pulls the bag onto her shoulder before she tilts her head towards the house.] We can go on a tour after I get changed.

[ He's reluctant to move on so soon but she's right, they have all the time in the world to take a tour and he's honestly curious to see what it looks like on the inside. He keeps his hands in his pockets as he follows her inside. ]

Created? I'm guessing that doesn't involve working construction.

He dreams it. That's his power. [ There are others, she's started to catch onto or learn about, but Ronan is private and for now, she'll keep things simple. The Meadows is a lot to take in at once.

She leads them towards the side of the house, towards a door and instead of digging for keys in her bag, she simply reaches out and opens the door, stepping inside and pulling it open further so he can follow her into her room.

And if there ever were a room that could whisper her name it is this one. The room is beautiful and has bookcases filled with books, a milkshake machine and every window is a view of the lavender fields in France, despite the fact that outside, there is clearly a completely different view.

She sets down her bag near one of the sofas before glancing at him with a tentative smile.] This is my room.

[ And he thought his power was too good to be true, this is some next level stuff. Not that he's thinking too much about that now that they're actually in her room - if the outside was impressive, this is... yeah. This is a lot, in a really good way. Perfect. ]

...I had no idea what to expect, but this is exactly it. [ More her room than her actual bedroom back home, somehow. ] It's beautiful, Betty.

Thank you, [ she says it in that soft, flattered voice she gets, her head tilting downward, bashfully. ] He let me dream it with him and I picked everything out. [ She moves to sit on the couch, pulling off her shoes and socks with a tired sigh. ] It was a surreal experience.

I can imagine. [ He turns his attention to the decor, back half-turned to her so she can have some privacy to change. Hands still in his pocket, now less casual and more out of a fear to break something by accident. ] Actually, no I can't.

How long did it take before you got used to all this?

A month, I think. [ She says it with a laugh before she moves to stand and head towards her closet, which is surprisingly modest. She pulls out a pair of jeans and a sweater, her go-to outfit before she glances at him, a smile quirking her lips.]

You know what else is surreal? You. Here. [ She glances downward.] I wasn't sure if you'd ever show up.

[ That breaks his heart a little. Maybe they weren't really hanging out much back home, but they still had the option. Really being apart like this sounds like hell. ]

I hate that you had to go through that. [ There's a shiver of emotion in his voice. There's a lot he hasn't processed yet, but he's starting to. ] I'm here now and I'm not going anywhere if I can help it. Not without you.

[ She moves to lay the clothes over the back of the couch before approaching him, reaching out for his hands, letting hers slide up his arms until she can hold his face.]

I'm just glad you're here, Jug.

[ That's all the invitation he needs to kiss her, softly and sweetly and full of emotion. He missed her back home, even if she was right there, missed her with an ache that somehow made it easier to go full out against Penny. Having her back, having them back to how it used to be in the early days... he can't mess this up. ]

[ She returns that kiss with equal emotion, pressing closer to him. It feels like it's been longer than just a month since she's seen him. But it's been a rough one. No matter how complicated things are back home, no matter what he remembers doing or what she does, he's here right now.

One hand leaves his face, arm wrapping around his waist to pull him closer, fingers curling in the fabric of his jacket. And she only breaks the kiss to whisper against his lips: ] I love you, Jughead Jones.

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