Cingulomania

CHAPTER 9

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

A/N: How goes it my loves? I just wanted to say thank you for the incredible love you give me. I appreciate you deeply. I wanted to say, from here on out we will have more Marijuana use, I am asking around and researching information pertaining to "dabs" and such. As a delinquent teenager in the midst of ditch weed and quarter sacks that contained mostly stems and seeds, I have literally no clue as what the current weed culture is like. Aside from the rogue brownie or piece of CBD chocolate for my awful aching back, I don't partake in the puff puff pass scenario. If you are familiar with such endeavors, please for the love Sweet Pea, hit me up. Thank you again for the reviews and the pm's, I really do love you all! ~S.C.~

…~*~...

*Gooey by Glass Animals*

Intermittent lyrical content

"Alright, come close

Let me show you everything I know

The jungle slang

Spinning 'round my head and I stare

While my naked fool

Fresh out of an icky gooey womb

A woozy youth

Dopes up on her silky smooth perfume"

…~*~...

FP was pleasantly surprised by Betty's idea, he hadn't anticipated the girl being so invested in the Serpent's monetary plans and business deals right away. He figured she would be receptive to the aiding of the older community and their inability to purchase pain relieving medications with their small pensions and SSI benefits. The girl was the epitome of volunteer community work, her heart would have surely broken for the unfortunate and destitute. Sweet Pea brought a sack filled with edibles for the VA, Betty was as bubbly as ever while she explained her little Bake Sale scheme. It would look like a community event, one that the local police wouldn't be investigating. Betty was delighted when FP okayed the plan, assuring her that it would be brought up at the next meeting. He then hurried the two teenagers out of his office so he could call and check in on Alice. He had told her about Hal at breakfast and if he knew her at all, she'd be in total disarray.

Sweet Pea and Betty spent the rest of their day riding around town, checking in on the customers that had ordered from him, then getting milkshakes at Pop's. Sweet Pea was ever the gentleman, escorting Betty to her door, kissing her goodnight and promising to call her later. He kept his word, calling Betty just in time for her to get comfy in her bed, wishing her a good night. FP had left for the night, her Mom was busy going through the closet, desperately trying to think of anything other than her now incarcerated, hopefully soon to be ex husband. Betty slept well that night.

The next week flew by for the Cooper women, Alice had taken back her patch at some point, she had a party coming up soon for her re-entry. Betty was glad that she didn't have school with Jughead, it would have been absolutely awful to see him everyday, not to mention Sweet Pea was picking her up and taking her home everyday. Friday brought the picture perfect setting of Betty's school week crashing down. There was an announcement that Southside High was closing, there would be students transferred to Riverdale and Greendale High schools starting the beginning of the next week. Her heart hammered and her stomach was in knots. Veronica leaned over the table they sat at with Archie and Kevin, her eyebrows seeming to be more arched and ominous.

"Well, there goes your cover. It looks like you'll have to be honest with Jughead and tell him what's going on. We wouldn't want a brawl in the parking lot would we?" Veronica's fingers were laced together, she had the whole creepy Montgomery Burns thing going on.

"Why do you have to say it like that?" Betty brought her head to rest in her palms, elbows on the table top.

"You should probably be up front with Jug anyway. He's been our best pal since we were practically infants. He deserves the truth from you Betty." Archie was not happy with her. He had been angry from the start, from the first time he'd seen her slip from the back of the Serpent's bike, he was mad. Sure Jughead messed up, but that wasn't a reason to go traipsing around the town with the guy's friend.

"Okay Archie, way to not take sides. I have things to do. Catch you later Betty, Veronica." Kevin was done hearing about the tragedy that was Betty and Jughead's breakup and consequently Archie and Veronica's breakup, it was getting old. He'd never wanted to have a murder board so badly in all his life.

"Real nice Arch. Bye Kev, I'll text you later." Betty rolled her eyes at the ginger.

"Archiekins, you never give up do you? I'm going to high tail it as well, family business. You know how it is, right Betty?" Veronica winked at the blonde, smiling as she walked away.

"Why am I the bad guy here? Sure Jughead was wrong for breaking up with you, but you still have to be honest. He can't show up for school Monday and see you on the back of that guy's bike. It's just wrong Betty. Think about it." Archie was zipping his backpack, not looking at how irritated his friend was.

"I promise I'll tell him, before monday, but you have to give it a rest. You don't know Sweet Pea, you don't have to the right to judge him, or me." Betty was up from the table before Archie.

"Right my little pooh bear, wanna take a chance?

Wanna sip the smooth air, kick it in the sand

I'd say I told you so but you just gonna cry

You just wanna know those peanut butter vibes.

My, my simple sir, this ain't gonna work

Mind my wicked words and tipsy topsy slurs

I can't take this place, no I can't take this place

I just wanna go where I can get some space."

Practically running down the long hallway to the front door of the school, Betty couldn't wait to see him leaning on his bike, leather perfectly in place, a smile wide across his face waiting for her. She felt giddy at the thought of his soft lips on her own, bringing that heat from the pit of her stomach to the tips of her toes and the crown of her head. Sweet Pea never disappointed her with his greetings. She pushed through the door, cool autumn air rushing around her, green eyes meeting Sweet Pea's chocolate ones.

He couldn't wait to see the girl today, to celebrate her Mom's return and the closing of his school. He'd be joining her elite academic schedule next week, he'd already been told he'd made it into honors classes at Riverdale. He'd been with her everyday after school, but he still couldn't get enough of her. She was with him in his dreams and distracting him from his lame classes at Southside. It would be oddly comforting to be with her more often, being able to talk to her throughout the day, minus text messages. He watched her bounce down the steps of the school, almost running to him. She practically attacked his face, her hands grasping his jaw on either side, pulling him into a bruising kiss. He liked it when she was the one to initiate touch, it made his dick twitch to think of her taking control of him in other ways.

"Hello to you too babe." He kissed her quickly on her forehead, taking her hand in his own, taking no notice of the stares they were receiving from the students and faculty alike.

"Please tell me you're going to be here next week." Betty said.

"What if I'm not? What if I have to go Greendale?" He pouted, but she noticed the twinkle in his eye.

"You're coming here?" She almost jumped into his arms, her impact into his torso caused him to step back a little bit.

"Yes, I'm coming here, with you, Toni, Fangs and-" He pulled back from her embrace slightly. "Jughead."

"I figured that one was a given. I'm not worried. I'm just glad you'll be here with me." She kissed him again, pulling him into her embrace.

"You aren't worried about having to tell him?" His hands rubbed up her back under the leather of jacket.

"A little, but we shouldn't have to hide." Her eyes closed as his lips brushed the skin of her throat, his teeth skimming her jaw. "I don't want to hide."

"I missed you Betts." She smiled at him, biting her lip.

"I missed you too Sweet Pea." One more quick kiss then they were on the bike, Sweet Pea bringing the bike to life between their legs, and they were off.

…~*~...

"Truth be told

I've been here, I've done this all before

I take your gloom

I curl it up and puff it into plumes…

Hold my hand and float back to the summer time

Tangled in the willows now our tongues are tied

How can I believe you, how can I be nice

Tripping around the tree stumps in your summer smile."

…~*~...

The Cooper house was empty, save for the two teenagers in Betty's pink bed. A pair of combat boots were thrown haphazardly near the side of the bed, next to a smaller pair of tennis shoes. Sweet Pea was nestled cozily between Betty's legs, the heels of her feet resting on the backs of his jean clad thighs. He was so much bigger than her, she felt like he might consume her entirely, she wanted him to. His left arm was under her head, allowing him to control their kisses, his right hand was playing with the hem of her shirt. She was riddled with goosebumps from his heated fingers skimming her stomach. Her whole body was on fire, she liked it, had never felt so heated before in all her life. His tongue was teasing the shell of her ear as he pressed his hardened crotch into her center. The sound that fell from her lips sent a shiver of pleasure down Sweet Pea's spine.

"That's my girl. You like that baby?" Sweet Pea whispered huskily into her sensitive ear.

"Mmhmm." Her tongue was already snaking out from her swollen lips to flick at his earlobe. His hips involuntarily thrust back into her.

"Oh god baby, good thing our clothes are still one, you'd be in some fuckin' trouble." He pulled her shirt down to expose her decolletage, leaving a wet trail across it with his tongue. "You taste so good."

"I love the way your tongue feels Sweet Pea." She was breathy, trying desperately to keep from outright moaning.

"Ooh, that's my girl. Let me have that mouth." He devoured her words before she could get them out, his tongue dipping into her open mouth. "We'll have to stop soon, your Mom wasn't happy with me the other day when she caught us." He slipped a hand up her shirt, fingers teasing her cotton covered nipple.

"Mmm, how am I supposed to want to stop when you keep making it harder?" Tightening her grip in his hair, Betty used her heels to push him further into the valley of her thighs.

"You're makin' it hard Betts, real hard." He rolled his hips, catching her mouth with his, using his free hand to pull a thigh further up his body.

"You're naughty." She pecked his lips, running her finger tips along his jaw.

"You have no idea baby. I'll have to show you sometime." He rolled off her, settling in the bed on the side of her.

"All in due time." The sound of a car door shutting pulled them from their heated glare. Sweet Pea sat up, scooting to the end of the bed, reaching for his boots. Betty followed suit, pulling her shoes on, then going to her vanity to check her hair. Meanwhile, Sweet Pea fixed the bedding then sat on the end of the bed, watching Betty smooth the tangles from her blonde locks.

"You should wear your hair down more often" He said, catching her eye in the mirror.

"Why's that?" She asked, placing the brush back onto the vanity surface.

"I just like it. You look more yourself with it down." He looked away, hearing the sound of high heeled shoes on the steps down the hall.

Alice was expecting to find her daughter in a compromising situation today. She'd pulled up to the house, noticing the parked bike in their driveway. The last time she'd come home to a bike on her driveway, Betty was being pinned to the mattress under the 6'5'' male. After having seen the young man, she could understand the appeal, she had a similar infatuation with FP at that age. It was a nice surprise to find the two separate, no faces being swallowed by the other.

"Well, good afternoon. How was school?" Alice, was eyeing Sweet Pea, not entirely trusting him. He seemed nice enough, he wasn't a brooding mopey little shit like Jughead, but she still had to be on guard.

"It was good. They shut down Southside High, so we'll be going to school together." Betty was so happy, she was glowing. Alice looked from Betty to Sweet Pea.

"I heard something about that today. I wanted to talk to you about the party tomorrow." Her eyes narrowed at Sweet Pea.

"What about it Mom?" Betty knew something was up, her Mom had that look on her face.

"On the off chance I end up staying at the Wyrm, I don't want you two getting into trouble. I don't want to be a grandma just yet, you hear me Casanova?" Sweet Pea smiled at her.

"I promise Mrs. Cooper. I won't defile your daughter tomorrow night." He winked at Betty who was shocked, mouth agape, unable to speak.

"Clever Sweet Pea. Very clever. Anyway, FP's coming for dinner tonight, I think he's bringing Jughead as well. If you're staying tonight as well, all I ask is that you behave yourselves." Then Alice turned on her heel, going to her own room to get ready for her dinner guests.

"So, the most awkward dinner ever imaginable huh?" Sweet Pea raised an eyebrow at Betty.

"Yeah, I guess so. Should be real fun tonight." She stood up, eyes not leaving his.

"Would it be too weird if I stayed? I could help with dishes. You know I'm good with my hands." He placed his palms on her hips, pulling her closer to him.

"I know all about your hands. You wouldn't mind staying?" She asked, placing a knee on either side of his.

"You know I'm here for you darlin'. Anytime, for anything." His hands laced through her hair, pulling her face to his.

"I know. I hate when you leave." She kissed him sweetly.

"I won't leave then." He was serious, he'd move in if she really asked him to. He knew how it must seem to everyone around them. Teen lovers, infatuated with each other, the newness of their blossoming relationship. The truth was, he'd never been on this type of level with someone before. He'd fooled around with girls before, lost his virginity at some random chick at a Serpent party awhile back. It wasn't special, he didn't even know her name, a hang around looking to get some type of recognition with the club.

Being with Betty made him feel different, like he had something to live for. Someone to live for, she made him want to be better. In just a week's time she had him feeling things he'd never felt before. Thinking about things he'd never thought possible. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her, her scent was all over his pillow all over his clothes when he got home at night. He'd think about the things they'd been up to when he'd slipped his hand under the elastic of his boxers. He'd think about how she moaned his name when he rolled his hips into hers while he gripped his hard length. He couldn't stop her name falling from his lips as the pleasure rippled through his body, imagining it was her who milked him of his seed as he came. He couldn't help imagining that it would be her that he would finally say 'I love you' to.

The door clicking down the hall brought him back to reality. He pulled away, looking deep into Betty's endless green orbs, he could already feel the words welling in his soul. If things kept going this way, he'd be saying those three simple words to her in no time flat. He'd never second guess it either, he'd mean it with every beat of his heart, because it already belonged to her. She was everything to him already.

"Hey, we should probably see if your Mom needs us to help out in the kitchen." He was reluctant to have her leave his lap, but he knew tonight wouldn't be the night for them.

"Probably a good idea. You're distracting. You taste too good." She left a peck on his lips then removed herself from his lap. She watched him adjust his belt when he stood.

"I'm distracting?" He walked up to her, grabbing her ass in both hands, rubbing his clothed erection into her. "You're too goddamned sexy not to be distracting. Let's go." He turned her around without another word then led her down the stairs to the kitchen.

…~*~...

"Right my little pooh bear, wanna take a chance?

Wanna sip the smooth air, kick it in the sand

I'd say I told you so but you just gonna cry

You just wanna know those peanut butter vibes.

My, my simple sir, this ain't gonna work

Mind my wicked words and tipsy topsy slurs

I can't take this place, no I can't take this place

I just wanna go where I can get some space."

…~*~...

Alice gave jobs to both of them, having Betty handle the salad, and Sweet Pea mincing garlic and fresh parsley and basil for the garlic bread. Meanwhile, Alice was pounding chicken breasts flat so she could bread them and fry them in her cast iron skillet. When Betty was finished with the veggies for the salad, she prepped for the marinara sauce. She sliced onions on the cutting board next to Sweet Peas garlic, side glancing him when their arms would touch.

"You two are way too much. How can you even think around each other, much less get anything done?" Alice didn't look at them, she kept smashing chicken, then resting it in the egg and milk wash. "FP put you together didn't he?" Placing the last chicken breast into the bowl with the others.

"How did you know?" Sweet Pea asked, drizzling olive oil onto the italian bread halves.

"He has a knack for these things. Always has." She smiled at the two of them. "Hurry up, they'll be here in an hour."

…~*~...

"Alright, come close

Let me show you everything I know

The jungle slang

Spinning 'round my head and I stare

While my naked fool

Fresh out of an icky gooey womb

A woozy youth

Dopes up on her silky smooth perfume"

…~*~...

"Did you want some more chicken parmesan Jughead?" Alice had a lazy smile on her face as she offered Jughead the baking dish of chicken with oozing gooey cheese and sauce.

"No thank you Mrs. Cooper, I think I've had my fill. Three pieces was enough, not to mention the garlic bread and salad. It was delicious, incredible in fact." Jughead offered a small side smile of his own, looking from Alice to his Dad.

"It really was incredible Alice, my favorite." FP rubbed his full belly, winking at her. Alice blushed at his gesture.

"I remember FP, I made the bread just like Senior taught me." She set her fork down on her plate. Looking around at the table full of awkward teenagers trying desperately not to look at one another. "I do hope everyone will be at my little get together tomorrow night. It would be awful if any of you couldn't be there. I've been enjoying getting to know the younger Serpents." Alice was trying to break the ice between the kids in hopes they could finally talk about the Sweet Pea in the room.

"I'll be there Mrs. Cooper, don't worry." Jughead was the first to answer.

"We'll be there as well, Betty and I are setting up with Toni and Fangs. Wouldn't miss another Cooper joining our ranks." Sweet stood up, gathering up dishes and silverware, putting the cloth napkins into a separate pile.

"Oh Sweet Pea, you don't have to do the dishes, you are a guest afterall." Alice stood as well, helping the boy with the salad plates and cups.

"It's no problem, my Mom always taught me to clean up after myself." He continued to go around the table, snagging the dishes from each setting, gathering the napkins on the end of the table. Betty stood as well, gathering up the leftover food to send home with FP and Jughead.

"If you insist, it's refreshing to have some extra help around the house lately. I do appreciate you fixing the toilet the other night." Alice shot a look to FP, which he understood as come help me, he followed with the food dishes from Betty's hands.

"That wasn't weird or anything." Jughead said after FP and Sweet Pea followed Alice into the kitchen from the dining room. The sound of water running and plates being scrapped in the other room followed his comment.

"I don't think it's weird Juggie." Betty, stuck a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Your hair looks nice. You've been wearing it down lately?" He sat back in his chair, watching Betty's face intently.

"Thanks, I needed a change." She smiled slightly at him, tucking her hands into her lap. She felt extremely uncomfortable, but she had to make headway with Jughead.

"Sweet Pea's been around a lot lately too. Fixing toilets, picking you up from school, leaving later and later. From what I hear." Jughead smiled at the irony. He'd never been welcome in the Cooper house for more than dinner or the occasional study session. He'd be skinned alive if Alice ever caught him in the house after 7:30 in the evening on a school night.

"He has been around a lot. We've been working on a business idea for the Serpents. If Archie wants to feed you more information, all he has to do is knock on the door. I'd gladly let him take notes." Betty scraped her chair across the wood floor, not far, but enough to make her upset known.

"I think it's more than a weed bake sale and fixing what your Father is obviously incompetent at mending in this house. Archie is my friend, he sees a lot from his window next door, and from the football field at school. Let's be honest here Betty, please." Jughead wasn't smiling anymore, a sneer graced his face, a darkness settling into his sharp features. He looked like he did when he'd ripped Betty's heart out of her chest and stomped on it.

"You want honesty Jug?" She sat up straight, hands flat on the table top. "If you care so much about who I spend time with and for how long, then you shouldn't have left me standing in the cold outside the Wyrm. You would have accepted my standing with the Serpents. You would have seen that I put myself on the line last Friday. You should have seen ME and no one else. I think it's funny you and Archie take an interest in my life now that neither one of you have anything to do with my choices." She took a deep breath, looking into Jughead stormy blues eyes, his anger more than apparent.

"I'm seeing Sweet Pea. He doesn't hold me back or tell me I'm wrong for doing the Serpent Dance. He stays here late on school nights because we have a business to build and it takes time. I'm sorry you think you have some sway in what I do, but you don't, you gave that up when you gave me up. How's that for honesty Jughead?" She sucked in another deep breath, noticing the lack of clanking silverware. She knew they'd all heard every word she'd said. It didn't matter, all she could do was wait for Jughead to respond, the scowl now gone from his face. Hurt replacing his rage from moments before. He'd had a feeling that what he'd seen only seven days ago was more than Sweet Pea showing her the ropes as a new Prospect. He'd felt the shift when Betty looked care free and perfect behind Sweet Pea's back. His heart fractured.

"I'm sorry Betty." He didn't know what to say, he didn't realize that his actions had hurt her this badly. Yes, he hated that his friend was the one to pick up the pieces of her heart, but it was his own fault that there were pieces in the first place. "I-" He cleared his throat, trying to rid it of the burning he felt. "He better treat you right. I'll see you tomorrow at your Mom's party." He shot up out of his seat, thanking Alice for dinner again, then left to Archie's house.

Betty let her head fall forward, hating the deep fissure that was in her chest, hating that she'd hurt Jughead. Even though it was him to draw first blood, she still felt the searing of her heart when his face fell. Tears fell from her eyes when she heard the door shut. She couldn't let him see the way he destroyed her, the way she still felt about him despite her moving on so quickly with Sweet Pea. It's how things were between her and Sweet Pea, quick, no questions asked. She heard his boots on the tile of the kitchen floor. Then she felt his warm palms on either side of her face, bringing her to face him where he knelt next to her chair. His thumbs wiped at the wetness of her cheeks, he kissed her forehead.

"It's alright Betts. I know it hurts, it hurts like hell." He whispered into her hair. She held onto his hands, tears falling freely onto the front of his shirt, he let her.

"FP, I think we should let them have their privacy." Alice took FP's hand, tugging him back into the kitchen toward the back door to the patio, forgetting about the rubbermaid containers full of food. FP followed her, because he'd follow her just about anywhere. He felt guilty, for how Jughead hurt Betty, for how he had hurt Alice the same exact way twenty years prior. He felt the pain of it all come crashing in on him, he hugged Alice to his heaving chest.

"I'm sorry Alice, I'm so fuckin' sorry. For everything."