perfectible | duplicity ic inbox

[ It's a fact he was confronted with the moment he woke up in Duplicity - he may hate being told what to do, or being controlled by someone else but if anyone was going to have the power to do it it'd be Betty Cooper. He can not only accept that, but live pretty comfortably with that promise. She knows him. She'd never misuse it. ]

Okay.

[ He probably won't use that kind of veto power either, but it is nice to have it said out loud like this. They're ride or die, no matter what happens or who shows up along the way.

There's a brief moment of hesitation - maybe this isn't the time for it, or maybe this is the perfect time for it. They're in a state of limbo, with the war, the so called election and not knowing what side they'll come down on or what that'll mean for the future. If he doesn't do it now, maybe he won't get another chance. This is it. ]

I, uh... I have something for you. I was going to give it to you earlier, and then- well. A lot happened.

[ He had a plan. October 2nd, during a stolen private moment in their backyard while watching some movie with their friends. There was a plan, to turn a historically awful day into something else, but you can't make plans in Duplicity. By the time October 2nd rolled around, he'd forgotten it along with so many other things.

He shifts in his seat to dig his hand into the pocket of his jeans, emerging with something small and shiny and probably cheap, but with enough sentiment to weigh up the lack of a hefty price tag. This was always going to happen, if not now then in a couple of years once they're out of school, out of their parents' houses, out of Riverdale. ]

I'm always going to be yours, Betty Cooper.

[ There's no question she wouldn't use the power given to her by the city to control him and it's the same for whatever power he grants her. She refuses to betray that trust he so carefully placed into her hands. She won't let this city didn't break them, to break that understanding, she just needs to remember that.

Whatever thoughts were in her head just a moment ago stutter to a stop as he fishes for something out of his pocket. It's more than just something, it's a ring. And while it might be simple and undoubtedly cheap, she understands the meaning behind it immediately. It sets her heart racing, has a flush spreading over her cheeks and a floored sort of smile curving her lips. Her gaze leaps to his face when he promises to be hers forever, pushing her out of her stunned silence as she let's out a shaky laugh, utterly gobsmacked and full of love. ]

Juggie-- [ She smiles and murmurs his name as the tears well up in her eyes, her hands moving to his cheeks as she nods, excitedly whispering the next word against his lips before he can actually ask her the question she knows in her heart he wants to ask.] Yes.

[ Because they may be young but this the inevitable, undeniable path they were heading down, come hell or high water. ]

[ Maybe this was an easier conclusion to come to because of where they are. This isn't a marriage proposal in the traditional sense - this isn't how he would've done it - but it's as close as they can get here. A promise, stronger, more determined, a symbol that seems to mean so much more here in a city where things like love and faithfulness are hard to come by. He's always going to be hers. Always.

He can feel a swell of warmth flood his chest when she responds and in that moment he realises that he wasn't sure what she was going to say. Maybe exhaustion is partially to blame but he can feel a matching sting in his eyes as he kisses her, deep and loving and never ending. ]

[ While she wouldn't blame him for doubting it, her answer couldn't be anything other than yes. Because as hard as things have been here, as difficult as things can be, she loves him endlessly. And nothing worth having is effortless, she's figured that out. Perfection isn't what she wants, it's always what she's been driven towards and she wants what they have, more than anything. It's messy and lovely and fractured and soothing.

It's home.

She kisses him until her lungs scream for air and even then, she leans in to draw her lips against his jaw, her hands settling on his shoulders and her lips curved into a happy smile.]

I love you, Jughead Jones.

[ She strove for perfection and he tried to pretend he didn't care about anything - in hindsight, it feels like they both needed to find each other to balance it out, to find the softness, the imperfections in each other. She's done so much for him just by being there, quietly or vocally supportive, admonishing when he's being an idiot, but endlessly there. How lucky can a guy get, to find that person when he's still so young? ]

I love you too, Betty Cooper.

[ And he kisses her again, knowing all of this to be more true than anything. ]

duplicity ic inbox - FIRST STAY

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject