Cingulomania

This is a work of fanfiction. No copyright infringement is intended. I own nothing pertaining to the Archie Comics/Riverdale universe.

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Chapter 6

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Sweet Pea spread peanut butter thickly on two slices of bread. Sliding the butter knife along the lip of the container to clean it thoroughly of the peanutty substance. He then dipped the knife into the open marshmallow fluff container. Betty watched in amazement as the sticky marshmallow landed in little globs on the other two slices.

"You have to plop it on before you spread it or the bread will rip. Then there's crumbs on the knife and I might die if they get into the jar." He was intent on making his sandwiches perfectly. His tongue was stuck between his top teeth and his bottom lip. She found his efforts absolutely adorable. Neck tattoo and all.

"I can see how that could kill a person." She smiled at him. "What if I don't like this?" Sweet Pea stopped mid spread, mouth hanging open in shock.

"Why on earth would you not like this? How could anyone not like this?" He continued with his task of spreading gooey marshmallow across the surface of the bread, shaking his head as he did so.

"I dunno, everyone is different you know." She found it funny how he was so passionate about his peanut butter mallow sandwiches.

"I know, and people who don't like this delicacy are monsters. They shouldn't be allowed in society with regular people. It's disturbing." He licked the knife, then set it down in the sink. "Okay, are you ready?" He looked to her, holding the edges of the bread.

"Yeah I'm ready." Then he smashed the two pieces together, she did the same. Taking a huge bite, his eyes closed, and his head fell back in satisfaction.

"Oh yeah." He said, mouth full of sticky bread and goo. Betty, took a small taste of her sandwich, trying to figure out if she liked it or not.

"Hmmm…" She was still on the fence about it. It wasn't bad, but she wasn't sure how she felt about it. She kind of wanted something salty, but she took another bite. "It's different." Her mouth was full and she felt a little rebellious having spoken with her mouth full of food.

"It's different? That's all you can say? You're a monster aren't you?" He leaned over, his face so close to hers. His mouth was open slightly, she thought he might her kiss her. She kept her hand with sandwich up in between them, then he took a bite of her sandwich. Winking at her as he chewed.

"Hey! I never said I didn't like it Sweet Pea!" She laughed.

"I think we need burgers, and fries, and something sweet and thick…" Then he did kiss her, taking her by surprise.

"You read my mind." He took her sandwich, consuming it in two more bites. Betty cleaned up the countertop, sweeping crumbs to the edge into her palm, then threw them into the trash can. Sweet Pea had already put the jars away in the cupboard.

"Will you get my jacket when you get yours? I'd appreciate it." His smile brilliant, she could never deny him.

"Of course!" She gave him a peck on his cheek and bounced down the hallway.

He washed the knife in the sink, dried it and put it away. He made sure the kitchen was in acceptable shape, then shut the light off and met Betty in the living room. He put his jacket on, and helped her into her own.

"I must say Betty, that jacket suits you." She blushed a little.

"Thank you. It feels good to be in it." He kissed her forehead again. The action causing her to slump into his chest. It made her feel settled, and calm. Then her stomach growled, and they both laughed. She looked up to him, smiling splayed across her face.

"I think I want a double bacon cheeseburger." Her mouth watered at the thought.

"Really? I pegged you for a salad dressing on the side type of chick." He was trying to get a rise out of her.

"Are you serious? A salad? Give me a break. I need to eat." She had crossed her arms now in mock defiance.

"I was hoping you'd say that. Can't be eating rabbit food all of the time, I'll get weak. Then who's bike would you be on?" She bit her lip, looking down at her borrowed boots.

"I wouldn't be on anyone's bike." Then she reached for the living room door, so they could leave for the second time that night.

"No one's huh?" He followed her, shutting the door and locking it.

…

The bite that Betty took from her cheesy heaping burger would have made any other guy lose their appetite, but it only made Sweet Pea want to have dinner with her every night. Her eyes closed in ecstacy, juice from the meat patties sliding down her chin. Her hand snaked up to wipe the drip from her face. She continued to chew in delight, savoring the flavor of her meal. It somehow tasted much better than she remembered. She wanted food to always taste this good, to always feel this amazing.

Swallowing her bite, she opened her eyes, meeting Sweet Pea's gaze. He was watching her intently, revelling in her intense hunger.

"I've never wanted to eat with a girl more. It's amazing how you just bit into that sucker." He licked his lips, wanting to watch her some more, forgetting his own food for the time being.

"Oh my god…" She swallowed again, feeling self conscious. She couldn't look him the face again, instead reaching for her napkin.

"Oh your god what? I'm just sayin' it was hot. I wish we could eat together all the time." He drug his eyes away from Betty's embarrassed face, to look at his own burger. He hoped he hadn't got jipped and that his meal would be as satisfying and Betty's was.

"I've never been so hungry. It tastes so, so good!" Her head fell back against the back of the booth. He laughed, bringing his burger up to his lips. He took a bite. It was pretty damn good, but Betty's reaction to eating was much more appealing to him. They sat in the booth, eating their food, and slurping their milkshakes. They made small talk in between bites, comfortable to just be with each other.

"I don't really know anything about you, just that you write for the Blue and Gold, you must get it from your mom. Among other things. How'd you learn to fix cars?" Sweet Pea asked, popping a fry into his mouth.

"Among other things. Right. I learned from my Dad, about the only thing he ever really did with me. He would be tinkering around the garage, and I'd watch him. Eventually he'd started teaching me things. It's not a big deal." She nibbled at her fries also, dipping them into ketchup before biting them.

"It's a pretty big deal to me. Don't sell yourself short." He meant it. It was something that would come handy with the Serpents.

"I'm a River Vixen too." She said it a little quietly, not meeting his eyes.

"A River Vixen, please tell me you're kidding." He couldn't believe his ears.

"I'm definitely not kidding. I'm not the Captain or anything, so it's not like you have to be embarrassed to be seen with me.

"I'm not embarrassed easily. Besides, it's badass that you're a River Vixen and now a Serpent, shows your duality."

"What about you? What do you do?" She sucked on her straw, watching his face.

"Me? I can't really disclose that information in such a public space. Someone might rat me out, and we can't have that." He looked around the diner, only older couples were in now, no one in high school left beside them. The other teens out getting drunk in random houses.

"So mysterious Sweet Pea, I'm intrigued. What can you tell me?" She ate the last bite of her burger, leaning forward to hear his secrets.

"I'm an enigma Betty, you have no idea. I'd rather not show you what I'm about than tell you anyway." He said in a low voice, leaning in to steal her last fry.

She was utterly enthralled by this boy. Wanted to know everything she could about him. She could learn something new everyday concerning her friend and it would never get old. It would just add to the layers that made Sweet Pea. She wanted to learn everything she could, devour his information like the pages of books. It was a yearning to do so.

"I just want to know about you." She was serious now, watching the planes of his face relax from his devious crooked smirk into a that of a sincere smile.

"You'll learn in time Betty." He slid out from the booth, taking the plates with him, settling the bill with Pop Tate.

She'd never been out with someone like Sweet Pea before. He was harsh, but he was so respectful. Probably from growing up with a single mother. She liked that he was so good, to balance out his Serpent side. It gave her hope for herself. He came back to the booth, hand outstretched toward her.

"Come on. It's only eleven. I have an idea." She took his hand, he helped her out of the booth, escorting her toward his bike. Taking their places on the motorcycle, Sweet Pea started it and pushed off from the curb.

…

They drove through the southside of Riverdale, to the wooded highway road that led to Greendale. Betty hadn't been in Greendale in years. She had no clue what was in the next town over, but she was about to find out. Riding on the open road, no other cars to bother them or to have to slow down for made her realize just how much she liked to ride on the bike. She thought maybe when the weather was better, less unpredictable, that she would ask Sweet Pea to teach her to ride. Then she might get a bike of her own, go for rides on her own, when she wanted to feel the wind blow through her hair, freezing her skin until it tingled.

While the road seemed to be deserted, Sweet Pea seen a splash of red and blue just ahead of them around the slight bend nearing the motel between Riverdale and Greendale. He slowed down considerably so as not to be flagged down by law enforcement themselves, however, he did not slow down enough to get a good look at who the 5-0 were harassing tonight. After gaining some distance from the police activity, he regained his speed, once again allowing Betty to squeeze onto Sweet Pea's torso.

Betty was slowly becoming addicted to the feeling of the wind whipping around her face, through her hair. She liked the way Sweet Pea's hair flew straight back, she imagined that hers looked similar, wild blond strands horizontal to the asphalt beneath them. The trees were nothing more than dark streaks against the gray smear of the night. They passed the dingy motel awhile ago, the only light being the one from the motorcycle.

"We're almost there babe." Sweet Pea shouted back at her. She could see the glow of light from miles ahead. Little butterflies assaulting her insides.

She kept her eyes open, wanting to see every building and tree flash by them as they entered the Greendale city limits. There were sparsely set streetlamps guiding them toward their final destination. They were on the main street that went through the middle of the town, businesses on either side of them. Shop windows filled with dresses, cakes, meats, and the like. Betty hadn't been through this side of town in quite some time. The end of the main street gave way for some older victorian bungalow style homes. Some were refurbished as businesses, a lawyer's office, and a palm reader among them.

Sweet Pea began to slow down toward the end of the small houses. The road curved, sending them into the industrial area of the small town. There were machine shops, manufacturing plants and a gas station before they began to slow down. Pulling into a large parking area of a huge building with several truck docks and bay doors, Sweet Pea slowly drove them to the back of the building. There was another brick building behind the first. It wasn't as large, but there were still bay doors, and one truck docking area. He pulled the bike around to the door and turned off the motor.

"Here we are. You ready?" Sweet Pea asked, laying a hand over Betty's.

"Where are we?" She was skeptical about the building, about what was inside.

"It's a surprise, you'll like it. I promise." He escorted her to the door and unlocked it.

It was dark inside and she could smell familiar odors of a working auto shop. She felt the thrill at the prospect of what could be concealed in the darkness. She had wrapped her arms around his one, allowing him to guide her through the building. He liked the feel of Betty grasping for him, holding herself to him, even if it was just his arm. He felt up the wall for the light switch, finding it and flipping the switch to the "on" position. With the large shop illuminated, Betty could see the eight bay shop, with six lifts and a multiple machines and tool boxes. Her heart skipped a beat as she let go of Sweet Pea's arm. There were several classic cars in the bays, some totally rehabbed, other's in various states of repair. The prospect of working on their engines and transmissions, and fixing their carburetors made her pulse quicken.

"Welcome to The Shop." Sweet Pea lifted his arms into the air, smiling. Knowing that Betty was already thinking of the things she could do with the vehicles inside. He side stepped her, walking toward a wall to the side of her. Turning around to see where he was going, she spotted the skeleton of a bike. They both came to stop in front of it.

"You asked me earlier if one day you could have a bike of your own? Well, I happen to have one of FP's old beaters. He's had it here for years. Rumor has it, it's your Mom's old bike." He put an arm around her shoulders, squeezing her to his side.

"My Mom's old bike? Are you sure?" Her eyes were wide in surprise. She felt like her heart might explode.

"I mean, I can't be certain, but I'm sure FP can give you the rundown." He smiled at her a brilliant toothy grin.

"This is incredible Sweet Pea." She hugged him as tightly as she could, he wrapped his arms around her as well.

"I thought you might like it. Come on, lets get her to a bay."