001 | Text

[burger_king]

The year is 2018 and the Red Scare is alive and kicking. Worlds collide as we're brought here under mysterious circumstances, given gifts we couldn't dream to prepare for. Trapped without hope for escape we ask ourselves - will we ever see our homes again? Our loved ones? Will we embrace our new lives and is it a question of when - not if - that these powers turn on us? So many questions, and yet the biggest mystery is something else entirely.

Best burger joint. Give me your suggestions. Bonus points for cheap menus.

Comments

[burger_king]

Maybe a bit soon. [ The reply is careful. ] Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind living closer to you but I haven't even met these guys yet.

There's still a lot I have to figure out about this place.

[ Registration. How much he wants to live outside of the system. ]

[perfectible]

[ She nods, keeping her mouth from twisting with nerves. It was probably too soon to virtually ask him to move into the same house as her. Of course, she can't help but wonder where he'll go if he's not planning on staying in the government housing and if that means he might get into trouble or hurt.

She nods, smoothing her hands over her legs twice before she speaks:] I understand. It's a lot to absorb.

[ Yes, registration. She plans on doing that soon.]

[burger_king]

[ If it was just the two of them, he'd move in with her in a heartbeat, no hesitation. It's everything else that has him slowing down. ]

Hey... [ He moves closer, rubbing a hand on her shoulder. ] I'm not going to do anything stupid.

[ He's going to do something stupid. ]

[perfectible]

I know that, [ she says that softly, glancing up at him.] Just remember that there aren't Serpents here to look out for you, Juggy. And I just want you to be safe. [ She looks forward, brow furrowing.] I have nightmares every night about that. About you getting hurt. [ About Archie and Veronica and her parents. Polly. All because of her.]

[burger_king]

[Okay, it's time for that hug that he couldn't give her in the car, tight and tender and warm. ]

I know. [ Though he's kind of sort of building a new network of baby snakes. ] And I know this probably doesn't help much, but I'm here. I'm safe - we're safe. He can't get to us here.

[ He pauses, hesitates though really there shouldn't be any hesitation. ]

If you need me to be here, I'll be here. Okay? I can stay the night whenever you want me to.

[perfectible]

[ She lets him hug her, leaning against him with a soft exhale.] No, Jughead, no. [ She shakes her head, looking up at him.] I'm fine, honestly. [ She isn't but she will be.] I will be fine.

[burger_king]

You're not fine. [ He looks at her, searching her expression. ] I want to be with you. It's not a... a favor.

[perfectible]

I know, [ she murmurs as she meets his gaze, keeping her expression as even as she can. The last thing she wants to be is a burden but she knows he wants to be there for her. And that's why she's always been so open with him.]

I'm going to be okay, though.

[burger_king]

[ They help each other. He's no expert on relationships or functional families but that one thing he does know is true - you help each other. ]

You will. [ He smiles, small and humorless. ] And I'm still going to spend the night here from time to time. Like we did back home.

[ Accidentally more often than not. ]

[perfectible]

[ Her lips curve into a small smile, her hand reaching for his to hold.] And that way, I can just distract you from getting into trouble.

[burger_king]

[ He lets her take his hand, squeezes hers gently in return. ] Oh yeah? As I recall, we were always pretty good at getting into trouble together.

[perfectible]

I haven't really had much of a chance since I got here. [ Her smile becomes a bit more of a grin.] I know there are stories to chase down here.

[burger_king]

Maybe we can resurrect the school paper. Put out the, uh... [ What's a good name. ] ...Black and Blue?

[perfectible]

[ She laughs at that.] An underground newspaper?

[burger_king]

Yeah, why not? Maybe it'd have to be digital edition only, but I don't see why we can't continue to do what we do best.

[perfectible]

Digging for the truth at any cost? [ She leans against him, reaching for his hand to thread their fingers together.]

[burger_king]

Asking the hard questions, no matter what. [ He lets her take his hand, feeling calm and centred for the first time in who knows how long. ] You in?

[perfectible]

How could I refuse? [ Smiling, she gives him another kiss before she glances around.] I guess I could give you a tour of my room.

[burger_king]

[ God, it's hard to concentrate on why they're actually here. ]

Yes, you should. Before something else comes up and we forget again. [ He pulls back a little to avoid temptation, but keeps her hand in his. ]

[perfectible]

[ He pulls back, the action reminding her that they should behave, for reasons. So she keeps her hand in his and she does a leisurely lap around the room.] This is the reading nook. We were just there. [ She points to the bed.] The bed is over there and the closet too. [ She pulls him towards what looks like some kind of weird soda machine.]

This is my magic milkshake machine. Push the big button and tell it whatever flavor milkshake you want and it'll appear.

[burger_king]

[ The fake interest he's feigned over the places that they've already visited is replaced by real interest when she shows him the milkshake machine. ]

Wow. You really have quite the setup here. Question is, is it as good as Pop's?

[perfectible]

It tastes exactly like Pop's.

[ She perks her eyebrows.] Want one?

[burger_king]

We're never leaving your room again, are we?

[ Not that he's complaining. ]

[perfectible]

[ She laughs at that.] I'm not holding you hostage.

[burger_king]

I didn't say that you were. [ He wants to kiss her. He always wants to kiss her, but there's a whole house to see. ]

C'mon. Show me the rest of this place.