“Why didn’t you tell me about the dinner?” “What?” “Your Mom basically tackled me in the hall to invite my Dad and I over before the dance. Did you not know?” “No, no. Of course. I’ve just, you know, got so many … plates are spinning.” “I’m a little terrified by the social experiment of it all, but I think it’s good if our families get to know each other. “I think it’s important for us. You know?” “Yeah.”
(Riverdale, 1x11, Chapter Eleven: To Riverdale And Back Again)
Betty shook herself from her thoughts and turned her head to the left to see Jughead, bathed in the red and blue lights of the squad cars, approaching her with a furrowed brow. He pulled her into a hug when she didn’t answer, his arms surrounding her in warmth. She let his scent envelop her, calming her scattered thoughts and fully bringing reality back into focus.
“Yeah, just… I don’t… I’m sorry, Juggie…” she whispered, hugging him to her even tighter.
“Hey whoa, Betts,” Jughead lifted her chin so she would meet his eyes, “what could you possibly be sorry for?”
“I don’t know, Jug. I think I’m just frustrated. I don’t want this to be the rest of our lives, you know? Always one step behind them with no clues to go on, constantly looking over our shoulders and being paranoid that someone is watching us. I miss our little boy so much and we’re still no closer to having him back home and–” she choked, tears spilling from her eyes.
“Baby, stop- breathe. I promised you we’d catch them, and we will. We aren’t completely without leads; we just have to hold on a little longer, okay? Can you do that for me, Betts?” Jughead asked, searching her eyes as he caressed her cheek.
“Yeah…” Betty replied. She pressed her forehead to Jughead’s chest, the feel of his hands rubbing her back soothing her. “Yeah, I can do that, Jug. I’m just so exhausted… And between watching Ethel flay Mr. Svenson in living color and the suffocating feeling I’ve had over me these last few years, I just lose my head sometimes, ya know?”
“We all go a little mad sometimes, Betts,” he quoted softly, brushing his hand through her hair.
“Really, Juggie? Hitchcock references at a time like this?” Betty scoffed, pulling back to swat his arm lightly as he chuckled under his breath. He buried his face in her hair and took a deep breath, centering himself.
“You know me, Betts. Pop culture references are how I deal with traumatic events.”
Betty stood off to the side of the porch, shivering as she watched the crime scene techs and federal agents flooding the old farmhouse.
The images of Svenson’s murder were still playing behind her eyelids every time she closed them and she just wanted to get as far from this place as possible, never to see it again.
She honestly hoped someone would just do the world a favor and burn it to ash. Too much misery and horror happened at this place, monstrosities that would stick with her forever.
The whole scene reminded her too much of the day the feds had swarmed her house in Greendale - the one place that was supposed to be her safe haven - because those psychos defiled it.
She let out a staggering breath, closing her eyes tightly and silently praying that this would all be over when she opened them again.
Unfortunately, she knew that was wishful thinking on her part. There was only one way to finish this and she knew she had to be ready to see this through to the end, no matter what. She had lived in fear long enough, running wasn’t going to be an option anymore.
“You okay, Betts?”
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Coming Soon To AO3
Y'all, it only took me a year and three months to get this chapter completed and in the finishing stages but it’s finally almost done and will be posted within the week! I hate that it took so long but I lost my mojo for a bit (getting cancer can do that to you) but I’m glad that the conclusion is finally happening. I hope you guys enjoy it!
