Sweet Pea would be the first to admit to himself and himself only that he was watching Betty like a hawk. He wouldn't admit it to anyone else, not that it mattered. He knew everyone knew he was. He also knew that every friend, gang member, and family member alike was doing the same thing. And it left him proud as fucking ever. Again, not that he would admit it. Ever since his sister had shared what she had been subjected to at the hands of that fucking miserable excuse of a human, Drew, Sweet Pea wasn't taking any chances with her safety.
Jughead looked up from where he was sitting with Betty and met Sweet Pea's eye. He nodded at him before whispering something into his sister's ear and kissing her temple. Then, he was making his way towards Sweet Pea and sitting down next to him. "Hear back from Fangs on the time he's supposed to arrive?"
Sweet Pea nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. He, along with everyone in the house, hadn't gotten much sleep after Betty shared her story. "He'll be here no later than six tonight."
Jughead nodded his head in approval, eyes on his sister still. Sweet Pea watched his expressions, taking in the multitude of them that flickered across his face. Pea knew Jughead well enough to know that there was a storm brewing inside him, much like himself. They both loved the blonde girl and would do anything to make sure she was safe. Hell, every Serpent would do whatever it took to keep her safe, including dying for her.
The day passed in a relative calmness. Betty was busy making sure the people who came and went were taken care of, handing out food and drinks if they wanted some. Sweet Pea shook his head at Jughead whenever they made eye contact. His sister always felt the need to make sure everyone was content and happy â something Alice had drilled ruthlessly into her. Ironic, considering Alice never gave a damn about her. Pea noticed that Betty hadn't eaten anything herself right at the same time Jughead did. Nodding his head, Jughead stood up. "I got it." He headed to Betty, murmuring something into her ear as he placed his hand at the small of her back and led her into the kitchen. Looking to the left of him, Pea nodded at Quin and the two of them quietly made their way to the kitchen just in time to hear Jughead talking to his baby sister in a soft tone.
"âĶI know what she said, but you got to eat, baby. You haven't had something all day," Jughead said softly, eyes staring at Betty who was chewing on her lip and staring down at the sandwich with a bit of apprehension in her eyes. Pea frowned in concern, making his way into the kitchen.
"Shortcake?" Sweet Pea asked softly. "What's wrong?"
Betty inhaled shakily but shook her head as she tore a piece of the sandwich off and chewed it. "Nothing."
Pea looked at Quin, then Jughead, both of whom were watching Betty. "Did Alice get worse when it was just the two of you?" Pea's voice was knowing; Alice was the very definition of a helicopter parent for Betty and had often limited what she ate, saying she didn't need the extra fat. It drove Sweet Pea mad and he would always have an extra plate of food ready to give to his baby sister after Alice fell asleep. He could only imagine how she got to eat without him looking out for her these past three years.
Betty closed her eyes, pain etched across her face. "She wasn't any easier than before she took me."
Pea swallowed down his anger as he added it to a list of things he'd torture the woman over whenever he caught up to her. He pulled out the chair at their kitchen table and smiled gently at his sister.
"It's okay, shortcake, you're allowed to eat," he said softly, and she nodded, taking a bigger bite of the sandwich. Quin made himself busy with starting a new pot of coffee as Jughead stayed behind Betty, rubbing her back gently. Pea knew she didn't have an eating disorder, but he also knew how she saw herself thanks to Alice and her cruel words. He made a promise to himself that he and Jughead would help her through it.
When she was done eating the sandwich, she went to go put the dish in the sink before accepting the coffee Quin handed her with a soft smile.
"You know we'd do anything for you, doll?" Quin asked seriously.
Betty nodded, soft smile matching his. "I know, Quin. Thank you." She turned to look at Jughead and Sweet Pea. "You two, as well. Thank you."
Pea kissed the top of her head as he went to go pour his own cup of coffee. "Nothing to thank us for, Betts. Ever. I'm your brother. By definition, I look out for you."
Jughead nodded as he went and placed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "The Serpents love you, too. We will do anything to make sure you're safe and can get through this."
Betty hummed as she nodded her head. Just then there was a knock on the door.
"Anyone home?" Fangs called.
"In the kitchen," Pea called back, and they heard their friend come through the house and into the kitchen. He paused at the entrance.
"Betty," he smiled, a tender expression in the man's face. Betty smiled back as she went to hug him.
"Hey, Fangs," she murmured.
He pulled back gently, looking over her form. "Are you okay?"
Betty sighed. "No, but I'm getting there."
Fangs nodded, pressing a brotherly kiss to the top of her head. "We will help."
"Did you find Drew?" Betty asked, taking Pea by surprise. He didn't think she would want to know about that. Fangs nodded.
"I did. I won't lie and keep information from you; I just need you to tell me how much you want to know," he said, making eye contact with Pea, who shrugged and nodded his acceptance. It wasn't right or fair to keep Betty in the dark â not when she was the one who suffered at the hands of that monster.
Betty chewed her lip. "I want to know everything."
Searching her eyes for a moment, Fangs nodded. "Okay." He went out of the kitchen only to return a few moments later with his bag. "I got pictures of not only Drew but the men he has." He laid out pictures across the table, pointing out the various people but Sweet Pea heard Betty's sharp intake and followed her line of sight to a picture that must have been Drew. He studied the man, taking in everything about him. He had a cold and dead look to his eyes and Pea shuddered at the image of those being the eyes staring at his baby sister every time he forced himself on her.
"That Drew?" Quin asked. Betty nodded.
"Yeah," she whispered, eyes staring at the man. "He always looked like that. Cold."
Jughead nodded. "I understand, baby." His voice was low and soothing, but Pea could hear the anger he was controlling. He looked at Fangs. "You find Alice?"
Pea looked at his friend, too. Fangs nodded.
"Yeah, but she is not on her own. Ever. Drew or one of the fucking idiots he has is with her at all times. It's like now that she's realized Betty is gone, she knows she's in danger," he sighed.
Pea shrugged. "Let her know. We'll just plan accordingly."
Betty looked at him.
"What does that mean?" Betty asked carefully. Pea sighed.
"What do you think, shortcake?" Pea asked softly. Betty shook her head.
"You cannot go after her. Them. You can't, Sweet Pea," Betty stressed. He kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, but I can't do that," he whispered. And he was sorry. He knew how scared Betty would be for him; for Jughead and the Serpents. She shook her head back and forth, growing more anxious.
"No! No, no, no!" Betty exclaimed. "I shouldn't have come back! You're putting yourself in the line of fire. All of you! It's my fault!" She went to bolt but, naturally, Jughead was there. He caught her, wrapping his arms around her, and held her.
"Shh, baby," he murmured. "It's okay." He eased them to the ground so Betty had a sturdy foundation she could sit on and not fight against him as her body shook. Sweet Pea crouched down in front of her, holding onto her shoulders gently.
"Betty, Betts, it's okay honey," he whispered. She continued to shake her head, so he knew she just needed to come out of her panic on her own. He looked at Jughead who nodded. The fell silent but still held onto her in case she needed to be stopped from running. Or, from hurting herself.
Sweet Pea sat there next to them as Jughead kept is arms around her, waiting for her to calm down. Eventually, she did. Taking a final inhale, Betty met Sweet Pea's eyes.
"Better?" Pea asked gently. She nodded.
"Yeah," she uttered. "Sorry." Then â "You're right. I know you guys need to find her. Just promise I can come with you?"
Sweet Pea knew she wouldn't agree to him going and would find a way to get there if he denied her, so he nodded. "Yeah, of course. It's your fight as much as it's ours."
Jughead spoke up then. "You just make sure to keep an eye on yourself, okay? We'll all help but we need you to help us."
She nodded. "Okay."
They dropped the subject after that, knowing that they would have plans to make in the upcoming days.
Author's note: Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving! It was my first without my grams, so I spent it with my dad and took some time for myself. Happy holidays and thank God 2020 is almost over. Enjoy the chapter and comments and kudos always appreciated! XX