Alcohol, an irresponsible situation, and a backseat of a vehicle all optional. Teenage angst and hormones not optional. All teenage characters from any time, setting, or canon welcome, as are adult characters aged down.
Just Feeling It Out: Maybe you'll finally get to touch a boob!
Accidental Boner: Oh. Hi there, downstairs.
Deep Kissing: Heavy tongue action.
Flawless Approach: WILL YOU PLEASE HAVE THE SEX WITH ME? always works.
Party: A crazy atmosphere can lead to crazy decisions.
Goofballs: Both of you kind of suck at this, but at least you're cute.
Experience Difference: It doesn't count if it's not with you. That's what you tell yourself, anyway.
Boyfrands/Girlfrands: Finally rounding those bases with your honey.
No Play: They've told you no touching them below the belt. Oops!
Fumble: You touched the wrong place or said the wrong thing. Is this the end of your adventure.
Desperate: Please, please, please, let me stick it in.
Oral: Sometimes, you just want to kiss someone there.
Feels So Good: Let's hope you can last.
Love Confession: Now is a good a time as ever to tell them how you feel
Success: Awww yeah, break out the cigarette.
Failure: Hopefully they'll forgive you for staining their clothes.
[ nobody seemed to mind his "whole shirtless boxing thing" before his summer construction job. then again, he didn't have a reason to vent as much back then. his curtains are open because they're usually drawn, and anyway, all of it goes right over his head when his phone dings on his nightstand.
archie catches the bag, stills it, and takes the distraction as an excuse to catch his breath. it's betty. he smiles ( it's fond ) and shoots a message back, only leaning over to glance through his window towards hers once he hits send. ]
Can't sleep either. [ there's a lot of reasons not to sleep. and one of them is across the way, shirtless. she moves to stand in front of her window, giving him a tiny wave in case he can see her. ]
So, my parents are out of town. The house is kind of weird when it's just me.
[ betty cooper is...perfect. that's what he said to her. and he still believes it, staring down at his screen, looking at a message he's not entirely sure how to respond to. she's doing the right thing, tutoring, milkshakes, and home to archie. she's the one person he feels like he can tell anything to, just maybe not lately, and that's his fault.
( i'm never going to be good enough for you and not i don't like you. )
he waves back, swallows his hesitation and answers her. ] They still won't let u c Polly? [ her parents are awful, and his dad's asleep. it'd be easy to offer his own company, but what comes out instead is: ] I'm surprised ur not having a sleepover.
[ she isn't perfect. she's nowhere close to it. she just pretends she is and then gets frustrated when people fall for it. archie was supposed to see through it somehow, even if she tried her hardest with him. but life doesn't work that way.
she glances up at him when asks his question, shaking her head in the negative with a helpless shrug.] No. [ they left her here alone to deal with it.]
I didn't feel like dealing with [ she erases the first part.] I thought some time alone would be nice. [ there's a pause.]
[ she is to him. she's better than most people. somehow even her flaws manage to look great. or maybe, compared to his screw-ups, betty's simply a good person. he doesn't want to be the guy that messes up her life or makes it more complicated than it needs to be. archie's reasons fall flat when he realizes she's hurting. his mom isn't at home and that's tough in and of itself, but he can call her. he can visit.
for betty, none of that is an option right now. a part of her family is missing and instead of talking about it, her family - like everyone else in riverdale - keeps pretending everything is normal. he bites his cheek, then the bullet. ]
[ it's her choice whether or not she lets archie 'make her life more complicated', not his. she already decided that long ago. and he wouldn't. he was the least complicated part of her life, the most normal and good thing. still is even after... everything.
she smiles at his text, he can probably see it. it's not a triumphant smile. she didn't text him for this result, she isn't manipulating him. she doesn't do that. not on purpose. she simply wanted to know someone else was out there, maybe thinking about her.]
You don't have to. [ pause, her eyes lift to look at him before she texts quickly--] I mean, I'd like that but if it's too much trouble, don't worry about it, Arch.
[ hey, it's a win. whatever happiness she can wrestle out of what sounds like a lousy night is for keeps. he doesn't suspect ulterior motives from her; cheryl, maybe, but other than losing their siblings in some way, those two have little in common. he's extending the olive branch because she's his best friend ( no matter what happens ) and he wants to be there for her. ]
I'm already grounded. What's another week? [ he always finds a way to be where he needs to be. a little trouble is the least of his concern. it's not like he's going to listen to any objections she has after that. she's as bad as he is when it comes to their parents trying to keep them apart. ] I'll be right there. Get the front door for me?
[ it doesn't take much for him - a change of clothes, tracking down his shoes, and then he's outside her door. he's had time to calm down but his pulse is still a little unsteady, standing there. ]
[ before she can protest about him getting even more grounded, she sees him moving. the least she can do is give him a tiny bit of privacy as he changes, moving to head down the stairs as he requested, after sending him a text saying that she'd get the door.
she beats him there, obviously, pulling the door open only when she notices his silhouette in the small door window. her heart is racing too, she can't tell why. this feels different. something feels different.]
Hey. [ her smile is soft and shy yet steady as she pulls him inside quickly and locks the door behind him.] Thanks for coming, Ar-- [ she realizes then how close he is to her because she tugged him inside and she swallows thickly.] Ch. Want anything? [ pause.] From the kitchen, I mean.
[ he tells himself it's adrenaline. boxing, sneaking out, it's the risk! it has nothing to do with being alone in the cooper household, just the two of them. so what? they've been alone before. tons of times, actually. at pop's, at lunch, in the halls— oh. ]
Hi. [ they haven't been alone like this, with betty's arms around him as she locks the door. he gets why. it's a small town, people talk. she's doing it for the sake of secrecy, he knows that, but it doesn't stop him from noticing how nice she smells, or how blue her eyes are. he grins reflexively, lets an um slip, and tries not to laugh at how ridiculous he's being. or is she the one that's acting weird? what else would she mean by that than something from the kitchen? he spends a second longer than he should searching her eyes, before he nods. ]
Yeah, I — uh, could use something to drink. [ despite knowing where the kitchen is, he's not trying to step around her. ]
[ they've been alone before, definitely. just not in the low light of her empty house, late at night. not even after all these years of being friends had they done that. her skin tingles and she pulls her arms to her sides once she notices it, lets out an uneven breath as she nods at his request.
however, she doesn't move either, she looks up at him.] Archie, I... [ she what? what did she want to say? what did she want to tell him? what words could she use to fill the awkward yet somehow still comfortable silence drifting between them? ]
I'm glad you were awake. [ lame. the lamest. she almost winces at how lame that is. still, she needs the words as padding for whatever mixed feelings she's having at this moment.] Sometimes my thoughts wander and... I really didn't want to be alone. [ there, there's some truth and she feels so vulnerable even with that tiny admission.]
Betty... [ don't? don't go there again? don't say it once more when he's not so certain he can deny her a second time? yeah, any of those. betty's the girl he thought he'd end up with eventually and it's obvious now that she thought the same, more than the way that little kids sometimes do. but with everything that happened last summer, it'd seemed like something that two people who have known each other forever say because they're supposed to say it.
is he relieved when she takes another route? maybe. it doesn't show on his face ( small miracles ) because he's also trying to sift out his true emotions. ] I'm always going to be here for you, no matter what's going on in our lives. I'm glad that I still can be. [ he's grateful for a lot of things, particularly her forgiveness. she can accept that archie isn't what she needs him to be and somehow still wants him to be a part of her life. that's what makes betty so amazing - her capacity for good.
what's confusing for him is that his back remains nearly against her front door and he's not fidgeting to find space. what's puzzling is that normally, he goes after what he wants when he feels this way, nervous but not, excited but strangely comfortable. his mouth is insanely dry and in hopes of alleviating that, he wets his lips and inhales. it doesn't do much, but it pushes him to reach for her hand and if she doesn't dodge him, then he squeezes past her to guide them both towards the kitchen.
there's even the slightest possibility that he's walking slower than usual, not for an inability to navigate the darkness, but because he wants to keep betty close and doesn't want to think about why. ]
[ she catches the warning in the way he says her name, it's part of the reason she doesn't push forward. she doesn't want to rehash it, she doesn't want her heart to be broken again, she doesn't want to fight with him ever again. it had been miserable.
she nods at his words even if they hurt a little, because no, they aren't the answer she wants. but she can't force him to feel anything for her, she doesn't want it to be fake or out of obligation.
he takes her hand and she doesn't act surprised, she just lets him guide her towards the kitchen, even if she knows the way in the dark or even blindfolded. and yet, she lets him keep the lead.] I think we have some sodas...
[ and he doesn’t want to lose betty, not now, not ever.
archie has made some pretty terrible choices lately, and honestly, he hasn’t entirely worked out which ones he regrets. except for one. he knows where he should have been on the fourth of july and who he should have been with. it’s because of jughead ( and the idea of another strained friendship ) that archie won’t be the one to give in here. he hopes not anyway. he’s not amazing at resisting his impulses. when he feels something, be it positive or negative, it kind of blocks out everything else.
betty’s palm is soft in his. she doesn’t have callouses from plucking guitar strings or from sports. his own feel clammy. is she going to bring attention to it? it'd be a very un-betty thing to do, but archie sometimes wonders if there's more about her that he's missed. ]
I could go for something with bubbles. [ he answers, going along with it even as he tugs the fridge door open. archie hasn’t let go yet. his fingers are laced with betty’s casually, maybe, as he drums on the door with the fingertips of his other hand. he’s looking at the contents of her refrigerator without seeing. the soda's not hidden or anything.
it's just that the side of his head touches the edge of the door and he leans into it, flicks his gaze back over to betty, watching her again instead. he's been called absent-minded before, but this isn't that. ]
[ his hand is warm, that's what she notices. not the difference in the texture of their skin but how his fingers make hers feel less chilly. betty is usually cold, like most girls her age and archie seems to be the opposite as he considers his options in the fridge.
she wonders if she should let go of his hand, if she should have even asked him to come over. something prickles just beneath her skin, that feeling that tells you that something's about to happen. she just can't tell what it is. and yet every breath she draws is steady and even, quiet as she lets him decide what he wants.
except that he doesn't make any choice, he looks at her instead, leaning against the open door of the fridge with her hand in his and his head against the door. she watches him for a moment, uncertain but almost unwilling to break whatever comfortable silence this is. but betty wouldn't be betty if she didn't.
so she just gently lifts her eyebrows in question, silently asking what's up, what he's looking at her for. what does he want?]
I don't know, [ he answers. non-committal, vague, thoughtless. facing things head-on immediately and feeling them? not his strong suit. ] I don't know what I want, Betty.
[ if it sounds entirely like a huge dilemma and not like the tiny challenge of being indecisive over a beverage, it's because it is. why does this suddenly matter? is it like with ms. grundy, having the impact hit him later than it should have because he was too close to it? like without the obstacle of anything or anyone else, he's finally seeing betty. it's a lot. she has enough on her plate, she surely doesn't need him dropping his own mess in her lap. ]
I know I'm supposed to be more together than this. [ chill, archibald, it's soda pop. ] I thought I wanted a cherry coke, but now I want root beer. [ his short attention span and ever changing mind probably isn't news to her. ] Do you ever feel like you're just going in circles? Like you keep coming back to something?
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bakerstreet2017-09-14 07:44 pm
no subject
archie catches the bag, stills it, and takes the distraction as an excuse to catch his breath. it's betty. he smiles ( it's fond ) and shoots a message back, only leaning over to glance through his window towards hers once he hits send. ]
Can't sleep. What's ur excuse?
no subject
So, my parents are out of town. The house is kind of weird when it's just me.
what timeline shhh
( i'm never going to be good enough for you and not i don't like you. )
he waves back, swallows his hesitation and answers her. ] They still won't let u c Polly? [ her parents are awful, and his dad's asleep. it'd be easy to offer his own company, but what comes out instead is: ] I'm surprised ur not having a sleepover.
WHAT. NO YOU SAW NOTHING.
she glances up at him when asks his question, shaking her head in the negative with a helpless shrug.] No. [ they left her here alone to deal with it.]
I didn't feel like dealing with[ she erases the first part.] I thought some time alone would be nice. [ there's a pause.]I just forgot that it isn't.
i saw EVERYTHING
for betty, none of that is an option right now. a part of her family is missing and instead of talking about it, her family - like everyone else in riverdale - keeps pretending everything is normal. he bites his cheek, then the bullet. ]
I'm no Veronica, but I could keep u company?
Re: i saw EVERYTHING
she smiles at his text, he can probably see it. it's not a triumphant smile. she didn't text him for this result, she isn't manipulating him. she doesn't do that. not on purpose. she simply wanted to know someone else was out there, maybe thinking about her.]
You don't have to. [ pause, her eyes lift to look at him before she texts quickly--] I mean, I'd like that but if it's too much trouble, don't worry about it, Arch.
no subject
but other than losing their siblings in some way, those two have little in common. he's extending the olive branch because she's his best friend ( no matter what happens ) and he wants to be there for her. ]
I'm already grounded. What's another week? [ he always finds a way to be where he needs to be. a little trouble is the least of his concern. it's not like he's going to listen to any objections she has after that. she's as bad as he is when it comes to their parents trying to keep them apart. ] I'll be right there. Get the front door for me?
[ it doesn't take much for him - a change of clothes, tracking down his shoes, and then he's outside her door. he's had time to calm down but his pulse is still a little unsteady, standing there. ]
no subject
she beats him there, obviously, pulling the door open only when she notices his silhouette in the small door window. her heart is racing too, she can't tell why. this feels different. something feels different.]
Hey. [ her smile is soft and shy yet steady as she pulls him inside quickly and locks the door behind him.] Thanks for coming, Ar-- [ she realizes then how close he is to her because she tugged him inside and she swallows thickly.] Ch. Want anything? [ pause.] From the kitchen, I mean.
no subject
Hi. [ they haven't been alone like this, with betty's arms around him as she locks the door. he gets why. it's a small town, people talk. she's doing it for the sake of secrecy, he knows that, but it doesn't stop him from noticing how nice she smells, or how blue her eyes are. he grins reflexively, lets an um slip, and tries not to laugh at how ridiculous he's being. or is she the one that's acting weird? what else would she mean by that than something from the kitchen? he spends a second longer than he should searching her eyes, before he nods. ]
Yeah, I — uh, could use something to drink. [ despite knowing where the kitchen is, he's not trying to step around her. ]
no subject
however, she doesn't move either, she looks up at him.] Archie, I... [ she what? what did she want to say? what did she want to tell him? what words could she use to fill the awkward yet somehow still comfortable silence drifting between them? ]
I'm glad you were awake. [ lame. the lamest. she almost winces at how lame that is. still, she needs the words as padding for whatever mixed feelings she's having at this moment.] Sometimes my thoughts wander and... I really didn't want to be alone. [ there, there's some truth and she feels so vulnerable even with that tiny admission.]
no subject
is he relieved when she takes another route? maybe. it doesn't show on his face ( small miracles ) because he's also trying to sift out his true emotions. ] I'm always going to be here for you, no matter what's going on in our lives. I'm glad that I still can be. [ he's grateful for a lot of things, particularly her forgiveness. she can accept that archie isn't what she needs him to be and somehow still wants him to be a part of her life. that's what makes betty so amazing - her capacity for good.
what's confusing for him is that his back remains nearly against her front door and he's not fidgeting to find space. what's puzzling is that normally, he goes after what he wants when he feels this way, nervous but not, excited but strangely comfortable. his mouth is insanely dry and in hopes of alleviating that, he wets his lips and inhales. it doesn't do much, but it pushes him to reach for her hand and if she doesn't dodge him, then he squeezes past her to guide them both towards the kitchen.
there's even the slightest possibility that he's walking slower than usual, not for an inability to navigate the darkness, but because he wants to keep betty close and doesn't want to think about why. ]
no subject
she nods at his words even if they hurt a little, because no, they aren't the answer she wants. but she can't force him to feel anything for her, she doesn't want it to be fake or out of obligation.
he takes her hand and she doesn't act surprised, she just lets him guide her towards the kitchen, even if she knows the way in the dark or even blindfolded. and yet, she lets him keep the lead.] I think we have some sodas...
no subject
archie has made some pretty terrible choices lately, and honestly, he hasn’t entirely worked out which ones he regrets. except for one. he knows where he should have been on the fourth of july and who he should have been with. it’s because of jughead ( and the idea of another strained friendship ) that archie won’t be the one to give in here. he hopes not anyway. he’s not amazing at resisting his impulses. when he feels something, be it positive or negative, it kind of blocks out everything else.
betty’s palm is soft in his. she doesn’t have callouses from plucking guitar strings or from sports. his own feel clammy. is she going to bring attention to it? it'd be a very un-betty thing to do, but archie sometimes wonders if there's more about her that he's missed. ]
I could go for something with bubbles. [ he answers, going along with it even as he tugs the fridge door open. archie hasn’t let go yet. his fingers are laced with betty’s casually, maybe, as he drums on the door with the fingertips of his other hand. he’s looking at the contents of her refrigerator without seeing. the soda's not hidden or anything.
it's just that the side of his head touches the edge of the door and he leans into it, flicks his gaze back over to betty, watching her again instead. he's been called absent-minded before, but this isn't that. ]
no subject
she wonders if she should let go of his hand, if she should have even asked him to come over. something prickles just beneath her skin, that feeling that tells you that something's about to happen. she just can't tell what it is. and yet every breath she draws is steady and even, quiet as she lets him decide what he wants.
except that he doesn't make any choice, he looks at her instead, leaning against the open door of the fridge with her hand in his and his head against the door. she watches him for a moment, uncertain but almost unwilling to break whatever comfortable silence this is. but betty wouldn't be betty if she didn't.
so she just gently lifts her eyebrows in question, silently asking what's up, what he's looking at her for. what does he want?]
no subject
[ if it sounds entirely like a huge dilemma and not like the tiny challenge of being indecisive over a beverage, it's because it is. why does this suddenly matter? is it like with ms. grundy, having the impact hit him later than it should have because he was too close to it? like without the obstacle of anything or anyone else, he's finally seeing betty. it's a lot. she has enough on her plate, she surely doesn't need him dropping his own mess in her lap. ]
I know I'm supposed to be more together than this. [ chill, archibald, it's soda pop. ] I thought I wanted a cherry coke, but now I want root beer. [ his short attention span and ever changing mind probably isn't news to her. ] Do you ever feel like you're just going in circles? Like you keep coming back to something?