A/N: Hey all! I wasn't planning on continuing this fic, but I had a few requests and I finally got an idea I liked. I might periodically update this fic from now until whenever season 2 starts. DISCLAIMER I am very busy with 2 jobs at the moment, where I don't have much free time, so this will be updated VERY irregularly. I wanted to keep this chapter more Cheryl POV since last chapter was mostly Veronica. Anyway I hope you enjoy this random update!
Cheryl wakes up in a cold sweat. It takes her a moment for her senses to kick in and take in her surroundings. The room she's in is unfamiliar to her, she doesn't recall the events of the last 17 hours. At least, not at first.
She turns her gaze to the weight on her chest. Veronica. The raven haired girl had her arm wrapped around Cheryl's stomach and her forehead was pressed against the redhead's shoulder. That's when her memory starts flowing back to her. The lake. The water. Her body began shivering just thinking of it.
Cheryl remembers Veronica being her saving grace, well her and a bloody handed Archie. (Well even Betty and Jughead deserved some credit.) But Veronica, she was there for the aftermath. Veronica held her close on the ride back to the Pembrook, desperately trying to keep her warm. Veronica started a fire for the girl to sit in front of, slowly dethawing. Veronica made her hot chocolate to warm her insides as well. Veronica held her close, helping her drift off to sleep. Veronica was there for everything, even when she didn't have to be.
Cheryl took a moment to study the sleeping girls face. She looked tense. There was a sternness to her features, something that shouldn't have been so evident in a sleeping figure. She gently shifts to her side so she can get a better view of Veronicas face. Her brow was furrowed, a deep crease spliting her forehead. Cheryl wondered if she was responsible for Veronica's restlessnes. She reaches out to lightly stroke the crevice. Veronica twitches slightly in response, her features softening the slightest bit.
Cheryl continues to soak in every detail of Veronicas features. She's never been so enamored looking at someone before. Veronica was strikingly beautiful, Cheryl admits this, but something about the soft curve of her chin, the high cheek bones, and the lone freckle by her ear, that made Cheryl's stomach flutter. Moments later Veronica's eyes did the same thing.
"Hey." Veronica's voice is barely above a whisper. Her eyes still fighting the light, flickering open and close.
"Hey." Cheryl whispers back, not sure what to say, but afraid to ruin the calm moment. She knows they have to return to reality eventually, but right now she just wants to enjoy some peace.
Veronica, adjusted to being awake, pokes fun at her bedmate. "Were you staring at me?"
"No." Cheryl practically scoffs.
Veronica hums in disagreement, "Mmmhmm"
"Ok says the girl who's arm is firmly wrapped around my waist." Veronica tightens her hold on Cheryl, dragging her as close as she can manage with a dead arm.
"Don't act like you don't enjoy it. Plus you started it. Who would be thought the queen of ice would be such a cuddler?"
Silence. The word ice, broke the fun, and dare I say flirty, atmosphere. A tension fills the small space between them. So much for the escape from reality. Veronica instantly regrests her poor choice of words, internally chastising herself for her carelessness.
Cheryl rolls onto her back, and stares at the ceiling. Veronica's arm slowly falling off the other girls stomach. She retracts her arm altogether, unsure of what to do.
"I'm sorry." Cheryl breaks the silence, her voice barely audible.
"Cheryl you-" Veronica tries to protest. She's the one who ought to apologize, but Cheryl cuts her off.
"I should have talked to you." She turns her head to lool at Veronica, "When you asked me what was wrong. I should have just spilled my guts right then and there. Instead of putting you all in danger. I should have known." Tears begin to form in the redhead's eyes.
"No." Veronica's voice is stern. She reaches out to grab hold of Cheryl's hand. "We should have known." She assures. "We should have noticed you were struggling. I know we aren't all the best of friends, but we as a people need to start doing a better job of taking care of one another." She leans in closer to the quietly crying girl, "Cheryl, I promise I'm going to help take care of you." Her grip on Cheryl's hand tightens in affirmation.
"I don't deserve your help." Cheryl's voice is weak. Veronica has never seen her so broken. Not even the image of her on the ice, could top this.
"Of course you do. You deserve to have some company on this journey, if only to be there when you need to cry. We all need a shoulder to lean on." Veronica tries to keep her voice steady, but inside she's an emotional wreak. "Do me a favor though, stay with me." Her coice starts to waver as tears begin to fall from her own eyes. "I don't want you back in that toxic house. I need to know you're safe."
Cheryl only nods and begins to cry harder at Veronica's request. Never has she felt so wanted. She curls into Veronica's chest, the feeling of the other girls arms wrapping around her comforts her. They stay entangled in each other's arms for what feels like an eternity. Cheryl cries herself to sleep, while Veronica presses light kisses to her temple. Sleep welcomes her soon after. The two sleep much more soundly this time around. The adrenaline from the lake fully worne off. Veronica's features don't hold as much tension ad before. Her forehead crease barely visible. Cheryl hardly moves, no tossing and turning like she usually does. They sleep for another several hours, each of them grateful it's Saturday. They'll face the music eventually, but for now they just seek solice in each other's arms. And that was enough.
