perfectible | (no subject)

[ It's probably for the best that two teenagers don't move in together. It's a pretty adult thing to do for two people who aren't even out of high school yet. She's not hurt by it, she understands. ]

Well, and I don't think you have a magic milkshake machine either. [ It's a tease but she's also not really interested in having sex in the housing that this place provides you. She lived there long enough to know the walls are thin and privacy is limited.] That's kind of a deal breaker now.

[ She tucks herself close to him.] Have you met your housemates yet? Mine... was the reason I came here. He dealt in guns and I think drugs.

[ Eventually he hopes to get out of there and into something more private, but that takes cash and if there's one thing he's sorely lacking right now it's that. Give him a couple of months tho and maybe he'll work something out. ]

Not really. I try not to stick around more than necessary. [ He's used to trailers and storage closets and sleeping on Archie's floor. Sharing a whole house, with strangers? It's too weird. He makes a face. ] They housed you with a drug dealer?

Yeah, his name was Mickey. And he... wasn't always stable. [ Her mouth twists, a little ashamed.] I didn't feel safe, like I could trust living there so I asked to stay here instead.

[ He frowns - this is part of the whole thing that bothers him about this place. They set it up so it looks like they're taking care of these unwilling superpowered people, and then they force underaged girls to live in an unsafe environment. There's a lot of talk but not a lot of action, especially for the younger population and maybe he's comfortable fending for himself but a lot of people aren't.

This isn't the time to get into it though. They've had a really good evening and he's not about to ruin it with his social justice bullshit. ]

I'm glad you got out of there... you shouldn't have to deal with stuff like that.

[ Betty has been lucky all her life, never knowing what it's like to be set adrift and have to fend for herself. She almost feels ridiculous telling him about this when he's dealt with horrible living circumstances often.

But she tries to push away that guilt, moving instead to kiss his chin instead.]

No one should.

You're right. [ He answers that kiss with one of his own, pressed gently against her forehead. She has nothing to feel guilty about, it's not her fault his home situation has been shit on and off. If anything, she's given him space to breathe when he needed it the most. ]

...Something should be done about that. Not tonight, but sometime.

Something should be done, [ she agrees with a gentle nod, not wanting to dislodge him from where he is. She sighs softly, feeling warm and weighty in the best way. Snuggling a little closer, she smiles.]

We missed most of the movie.

[ He makes an amused noise - oops. Not like it stood much of a chance. ] I'll never be able to see Grosse Point Blank the same way again.

Is that good or bad? [ She teases him softly, letting her eyes close as she stays tucked beneath his arm and against his chest.]

I know I should probably get up and shower and stuff but I don't think I can get my body to move.

Good. Definitely. [ He could fall asleep right now if he let himself. She has a point though. ] I could come with you?

[ If they're at that point.]

[ Her cheeks color at the suggestion and yet... she smiles.] I mean... I wouldn't say no to that.

[ He didn't think about the suggestion that much when he made it, but now that she's agreed... ] We should take full advantage of our situation here, right?

[ She lets out a breathy laugh at that. But he's not wrong. There's literally nothing stopping them from it. And suddenly she's grateful she thought to ask Ronan for a bathroom attached to her room (sharing a bathroom with a house full of boys wasn't something she thought would work.]

Um, my bathroom is near the closet.

[ A wise choice. He shifts a little, propping himself up on an elbow to get a better look at her. ]

Okay. Lead the way. [ He smirks, teasing. ]

[ She groans a little, burying her face in his chest for a moment longer. But she does rally and moves to sit up, stretching a little. After stealing a kiss, she moves to slip out of the bed, realizing that she is so very naked so she makes her way towards the bathroom as quickly as she can, for some silly reason (albeit, walking a little crookedly). ]

[ It's a silly, playful thing to do and when was the last time they even had the chance to do silly, playful things? Never. Not like this and Jughead for one has every intention of making the most of this for as long as it lasts. Sooner or later, something will happen. That's the way it goes.

He follows her out of bed and into the bathroom, feeling downright giddy and sure, it'll take some time before he's not self-conscious about being buck naked around her but it's not as bad as it could be.

[ It all feels delightfully normal and Betty is also quite keen on relishing in it while she can. She isn't quite as pessimistic as Jughead but she also acknowledges that either one of them could be ported home at any time.

Chewing on her bottom lip, she has to resist the urge to cover up out of shyness as they make into the bathroom. She realizes as she moves to reach into the shower to turn on the water that this is the first time she can actually see him completely naked, given that they were both hidden under the sheets.

She turns on the water to let it heat it up, which in this house probably only takes mere seconds. She turns, finally, to look at him, holding out her hands for him to take.]

[ He'd prefer realistic but, y'know. Semantics.

Although he was already aware of how naked he is, that awareness goes into hyperdrive when she turns to look at him. His nerves are sparking up, a little bit of colour rising on his cheeks as he fights the urge to cover up. Instead he steps closer, catching her mouth in a kiss. ]

[ She keeps her gaze locked with his, her eyes not wandering quite yet, even as he takes her hands and kisses her. Her hands move delicately to his shoulders as she kisses him back, moving to guide him in moving with her as she takes a few steps back into the shower, beneath the spray.

Once the warm water hits her skin, a soft gasp escapes her lips and she breaks the kiss, smiling up at him.] I never expected to do this here, with you.

[ He follows close, not wanting to be away from her for a moment if he can help it. The rush of the water takes the edge off a little bit, even though they're both still extremely naked. He keeps his eyes on her face for now, reaching up to brush back her hair. ]

Me neither. There's a lot I never expected that we'd do. [ Or at least not anytime soon. ] Really thought I'd lost you for good for a moment there.

I was scared I was going to lose you too. [ To the Black Hood, be it by violence or by the killer's machinations. The last thing she'd wanted to do was hurt Jughead and a part of her had been scared they'd never get back to this.

She moves to press a little closer, her hands resting on his arms as she keeps looking up at him, trying to tamp down her nerves as she says what she does next.]

I... [ Her gaze lowers to his mouth.] I have nightmares sometimes. I just thought I'd warn you before we go to sleep.

[ It's no surprise to hear that, but it breaks his heart nonetheless. He slides an arm around her shoulders, holding her in a gentle embrace. There's no judgment here, just quiet acceptance of the darkness in her. ]

[ She doesn't resist him, she lets herself be drawn into an embrace. Her arms wrap around him and she lets him hold her for a little while.] I didn't mean to bring the mood down.

You didn't. [ He presses a kiss to whatever part of her head he can reach. ] I'm glad you told me.

Me too, [ she murmurs against his shoulder. She is glad she told him, that he knows even if he would have probably figured it out some night sooner rather than later. She hugs him a bit longer before she moves to give him one last squeeze. She pulls back some, a gentle, shy smile on her face as she reaches for and offers him the shower gel from a nearby cubby.]

Shall we?