perfectible | (no subject)

[ It's a lot to take in. Betty never knew that side of Archie existed, that he was ever interested in guys. He was always sort of hopelessly bouncing from one girl to another. Maybe that was the problem all along?

That thought feels like a betrayal to Veronica, though.

What she thinks about it doesn't matter, she needs to be here for Jughead as he processes the fact that his best friend was living with and dating a guy he hates(?), at minimum dislikes strongly. It was confusing to Betty too but this place was different than home, it was a different world. It was a world that had her dating another guy when she was hopelessly still in love with Jughead.

It was a place you could be endlessly lonely in. She can't fault Archie for finding companionship.

Either way, she glances at him, tentatively.] That was my reaction too. I didn't... know. And he never told me. I only found out a day or two ago. I wasn't sure if I should even tell you.

[ This changes, perhaps not everything, but a lot of things. Different friends fill different purposes and looking at it like that, he could understand why Archie didn't mind Reggie so much. Sports, partying, all the things that Jughead couldn't care less about. That made sense. You can tolerate crap for that sort of outlet, but he never thought it was a real, meaningful friendship. Even living together here wasn't too strange, there's hardly any from Riverdale here, so you hold on tighter to the ones that are.

But a relationship? That's different. That requires actual feelings and if Archie couldn't even tell Betty about it? Man. He doesn't know what to make of that either. If anything, it only serves to make him feel like him and Archie slipped further apart than he initially thought. He thought he'd tell Betty, at least. He thought a lot of things that's looking more and more wrong. ]

I'm glad you told me. [ Let's start there, that's something he knows. ] I don't really know what to do with this information.

[ Betty doesn't know how to sort it out in her head either. Archie didn't tell her everything, he hadn't told her about Grundy, after all. Maybe he was ashamed and that makes Betty sad to think about.

At Jughead's words, she smiles softly, sadly.] I don't really know either.

[ That's a good point. It's a shame Archie isn't around so they can discuss it, another thing that didn't really happen with Grundy at all. ]

I mean... he's not here, so it's not like this matters. Except it does. [ Reggie's here and now he may need to reevaluate everything he knows about the world. ]

[ If Jughead were any other guy, she'd have to remind him not to let this change his opinion of Archie. But Jughead is Jughead. He's sensitive and open-minded, understanding and accepting, those are some of the many reasons she's head-over-heels in love with him.]

It does. [ She confirms. It won't matter back home but here, it does.]

[ Most of all he believes there are more important things to worry about than who wants to bang what and all the interpersonal drama that comes with it. It'll change the way he sees Archie, but his opinion of him? Nah. Never. ]

So, what do we do? Not that I'm planning to hang out with Reggie anytime soon.

You don't have to. [ She gives him an earnest, hopeful expression.] No one expects you to be friends, Jug. [ She can only bridge the gap so far. If Archie were here, maybe there was a chance Reggie and Jughead would be able to tolerate being in the same room.

But no one is asking them to do that now.] Maybe just call a ceasefire.

Yeah, I don't see that happening. Ever. [ Anything is possible, except that. ] I can try. It seems kind of dumb to keep all that up when there's just the three of us.

[ Not that it was his fault. Reggie is the asshole here. ]

You're the bigger man. [ She reminds him, bumping his shoulder with her own, giving him a loving smile.] If he doesn't accept it, then he's still a jerk and you can at least say you tried. [ She glances towards a nearby fountain, her expression thoughtful for a moment.]

But it feels like he's changed a little. I think that was Archie's doing.

[ He smiles a bit. It feels good that she knows he's not actively doing anything to fire up this animosity - he's just giving back what he gets. ]

If anyone can make that happen, it's Archie. [ He sighs. ] It's going to be weird to not have him around. We didn't spend a lot of time together back home, but... he was always there when you really needed him.

[ Nodding sadly in agreement, she feels the same way. It'll be hard not to have him around but--]

He'll be there when we get back, at least.

There is that. [ He gives her hand a squeeze. This is such a strange situation to be in - on one hand, he really wants to go home, but on the other that would mean going back to gangs and serial killers and not being together with her. Right now he can't tell which is better, but he does want to make the most of the time they have here. ]

So, what do you want to do today?

[ She knows that she won't remember this place when she goes back, she won't have had the time she's had here to heal. She'll be back to on the edge of breaking and she goes back to break Jughead's heart.

But she also goes back to more people she cares about, she goes back to trying to take down the person who is trying to take them from her.

So basically, it's a very mixed bag for her as well.

At his question, she glances around.] I think there's a movie theater near here. And a record store.

[ He perks up at the mention of a movie theater - familiar comforts, and all that. ]

Been a while since we actually saw a movie. [ They've had movies on... ] Want to see what's on?

[ She knows the way to his heart.] Yes. [ She looks pleased that he's happy about it.]

Let's go then. [ She does know the way to his heart. She alone. ]

[ She wants him to be happy here, she wants him to feel the love he deserves, to find a niche that isn't quite like the one he'd sought out back home.]

What kind of movie are you craving?

[ He does feel happy here, most of the time. He's got her, and a handful of friends he actually likes hanging out with and do normal teen shit. Life is looking up and maybe that's enough to keep him from doing stupid shit. ]

Something... nice? That's not very helpful, is it. [ He chuckles. ] It's been a long day, I don't think I want to see anything too deep.

No, I get it. Something that isn't mind-bending but also won't put you to sleep. [ She starts to drag him towards the theater, knowing exactly what movie she thinks will do the trick.]

Exactly. [ He slides an arm around her shoulders, happy to have her take the lead. ]

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wrap?

yep!