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 13

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Fangs and Sweet Pea watched Betty more than they watched the movie. Gaging her reaction to one of their favorite movies was almost as much fun as getting blitzed and watching The Evil Dead for the thousandth time. She didn't flinch, wasn't a squeamish girl either, never tucking her head behind Sweet Pea's arm, or grasping onto his bicep for dear life like some chicks had in the past. The only other female in their small group that wasn't a total cream puff was Toni but she was basically a dude so she didn't count. Not realizing that he'd been staring at Betty so intently, he was caught in the act by none other than the girl herself. Her eyes grew wide as she shrugged her shoulders in questioning. He jerked back to reality, catching his best buddy's harsh glare upon taking in the rest of the dim room. Sweet Pea was territorial to say the least, and Fangs had overstepped his boundaries.

"Sorry, most chicks can't handle this flick. They get all creeped out and you actually watched it. Pea's gotta be the luckiest dude I've ever met. I'm gonna head home, can I snag a couple of these krispies?" Holding the container in his hand, glancing from brown to green eyes.

"I don't see why not. We can always make more, right Sweet Pea?" Betty leaned into Sweet Pea's side, running the palm of her hand over his thigh.

"Yeah, we can make more Fangs, take the rest. See you tomorrow." Sweet Pea didn't look at his friend, he only watched the slender fingers of the girl tucked into his side. The delicate circles her fingertips made over the his denim covered thigh sent heat shooting to the pit of his stomach, he couldn't be bothered to acknowledge his best friend, even for a moment.

Fangs watched for a minute, the electricity zooming around the pair had him feeling like a voyeur, a mild sensation of unease crept up his spine. He was witnessing something he wasn't meant to. Something he'd only ever seen once in his short life, an energy that ebbed and flowed from one individual to the other then back again. His grandparents had this type of relationship, knowing the other's thoughts from just one shared glance between the pair. He felt like an intruder all of a sudden, not even bothering to say thank you, clutching to the plastic container, he bolted from the apartment, out to his bike below. Now seated on his Grandad's FLSTF FatBoy, wondering if he himself would ever find that someone who could make him forget this life they lead. The meetings, and the insesent crime, guns held on rib cages, and wondering if you'd be getting paid a visit from the Ghoulies. It was rough, but his Grandma stuck with his Grandad, became a serpent, she was his Grandad's ride or die, and that they did. He longed for it after watching Sweet Pea and Betty together tonight. The bike roared to life, giving one last glance to the second floor apartment, he smiled for his oldest pal, grateful that he'd found someone real, someone who could hold him down. Then Fangs pushed off from the curb and drove to his own home.

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"I think we're alone now." Sweet Pea wagged his eyebrows at Betty.

"Observant are we?" Betty leaned further into Sweet Pea's arms, brushing her lips lightly against his.

"I've been waiting for Fangs to take off for hours. I haven't been alone with you in days. Not since that day when Jughead crashed the Blue and Gold." His calloused fingers brushed over the apple of her cheek, heat rising in her chest. She had to admit it to herself, she missed his lips on hers, the desperation in his movements. The way he tasted on her tongue was something she longed for, she craved it. Leaning into the warmth of his palm, her eyes met his. He was yearning for her as well.

"Did you miss me?" She was fully in his lap now, straddling his muscular thighs between her own, allowing herself to settle into him.

"I always miss you babe. You're my drug of choice." Fingers tangled into the hair at the base of her neck, he brought her lips to his, his tongue darting out to finally taste her. A sigh rising from his throat had her smiling against his full pout. She couldn't help but like that she brought this out in him. "What's so funny darlin'?" Sweet Pea was intrigued by everything Betty did. He wanted to know every thought that crossed her mind, and every emotion she felt.

"I like your little noises. It's cute." She almost blushed at her admission, but kept her head up, eyes trained on his.

"Cute? I'm cute? You're sitting in the lap of a drug dealing Southside Serpent, you shouldn't be calling me cute babe." Palming the swell of her hips, he pulled her even closer to his body heat.

"Oh yes, you're very dangerous and scary. What with all of your gardening and baking and culinary expertise. You have me shaking in my converse Sweet Pea. My dangerous biker boy." Her lips were soft on his, teasing him with words, she let her tongue slip between her lips and sweep past his own. He couldn't help but to let his eyes slide shut, revelling in her flavor, the sweetness of her pulling him in.

"You better believe I'm dangerous baby girl, you've only seen the outside layers of this Serpent." He bucked his hips up into her, it was her turn to let the moan fall from her mouth. Biting her bottom lip, she let her forehead fall onto his, slender fingers taking purchase of his silky black hair.

"I want to see all of you Sweet Pea, soul deep, every part of you." She was so close to him, her hot breath feathered over his face, goosebumps erupting down his neck to his shoulders. It made him long for her more to feel her skin under his palms.

"Soul deep huh?" His fingertips were trailing the skin on the small of her back, a slight shiver running up her spine. "You think you can handle me babe?" He was serious now, wanting to know if she was in this with him for the long haul, he wasn't trying to have some short lived waste of time with her. He wanted more, needed more, all of her.

"I can handle you Pea, you know I can."

"I know Betts, I just wanted to hear you say it." His tongue was hot in her mouth, the heat of his chest pressing into her own.

"I love you Sweet Pea." Wrapping her arms around his neck, she couldn't get him close enough.

"I love you too Betty." They were silent for a moment, breathing each other in, enjoying the feel each other. "Hey Betty?"

"Yeah?" She lifted her head to look him in the eye again.

"Would you do me a favor?" He was scared to ask, scared of her answer to be exact.

"Anything." She smiled slightly.

"Anything huh? You mean that for real?" He was skeptical, but Betty hadn't let him thus far, he hoped like hell she was ready for anything.

"When have I declined you anything?" She raised her brow at him, questioning his lack of confidence in her.

"True, but you might not like what I'm gonna ask you babe." Her eyebrows knit together in confusion.

"How bad could it be?" She was genuinely confused.

"I want you to wear my snake baby girl." Her eyes grew wide, this wasn't what she was expecting him to say. She felt her heart sputter, then swell.

"You want me to wear your patch?" This was just the tip of the iceberg, if he was asking what she thought he was asking, it was basically a marriage proposal, for all intents and purposes, he was asking her for her hand.

"Not just the patch babe, but the snake too. I've never asked anyone this. If you don't want to, or aren't ready, I understand." He looked away for a moment, not wanting to let his vulnerability show.

"Tattoo and patch? You really want me that much Sweet Pea?"

"I want you forever Betts." His lips were insistent on hers.

"I'll wear your patch Sweet Pea, and your snake." Betty was flushed and heated, smiling wide.

"You mean it? You really want to?" He almost couldn't believe what he'd heard, that she wanted to commit to him in the same way he wanted to commit to her. His heart felt like it might explode.

"I mean it, I want to wear them, I want you Sweet Pea." She kissed his forehead, the tip of his nose and finally his full lips.

"That's the greatest thing you've ever said to me."

"I love you." She said.

"I take it back, that's the best thing you've ever said to me. I love you too." His hand was at the nape of her neck, pulling her toward him. His other hand on her back, pushing her down into him. She was delightfully heated, loving his proximity. The feel of him so very close to her. She couldn't see a time in her life when she wouldn't want this, wouldn't want to be utterly consumed by Sweet Pea. She felt confident in her choice.

"Hey kids! Hopefully you're dressed, I have company coming over." Tanis turned the light on, nearly blinding the pair on the couch. She had bags of groceries in her hands, dropping them on the dining room table.

"Mom! Jesus, of course we're clothed. We're in the freakin' living room for God's sakes. What do you take me for woman?" Sweet Pea was scooting away from Betty as he spoke, taking her hand in his. Tanis leaned over the back of the couch, resting her chin on her hands, smiling in that all knowing way she did when she knew more about a situation than she led on.

"I take you for a hormonal teenage boy. A teenage boy with an exceptionally beautiful and curvaceous girlfriend. I also take you for being a hopeless romantic, bringing Betty home with Pops burgers and shakes to go. Wooing her with some sort of horror movie that you find absolutely alluring, one might say "The Evil Dead" or "Night Of The Living Dead", something "dead" I know that for sure. If I know our Betty here, she wasn't phased the way most girls usually are, she impressed you, and here we are. A table full groceries that need to be put away and a couple of my oldest friends on their way over to have a little chat. Now, if you could be so kind my dear spawn, put the shit away and let me change out of my scrubs." She pet him on the head, winked at a smiling Betty then took off down the hallway to her room.

"Well, that was a lot." Betty laughed, her head falling back against the couch. "What's so funny now?"

"I love her, I love you and your Mom. I can't wait to get patched in, this is great." Betty got up and started going through the plastic sacks, pulling out condiment jars and boxes of noodles.

"You love my Mom too huh?" Sweet Pea was behind her now, his hips firm against her waist.

"I do, I really think she's something special. I could get used to this you know. Putting groceries away with you. Of course, you'll actually have to help." She handed him a jar of peanut butter. He took it, half smiling at his girl.

"I'm helping." He kissed her forehead, and picked up several loaded bags to take into the small kitchen. Betty smiled to herself, liking the homey dynamic they shared.

"Are you staying the night Betty?" Tanis came swishing down the hallway in a long black peasant dress. The tips of her shoulders golden against the gauzy material. Her curly hair was up in a clip at the back of her head, wispy tendrils wild around her face. She was so beautiful, smoothing lotion over her tanned arms, Betty was mesmerized by the older woman. Seeing similarities between her and Sweet Pea, appreciating them that much more.

"I would have to run it by my Mom first Tanis, I'm not sure how she'll react if I ask." Betty was folding the plastic bags that were empty, still entranced by Tanis and her flowy dress and beautiful skin.

"You can ask when she gets here. Her and FP should be here soon. Lots to talk about." Tanis winked at Betty, then took the items from the table into the kitchen.

"Why are they coming over?" Sweet Pea said what Betty was thinking.

"If you must know Son, they have some news to share. FP thought you both should be here." Tanis pulled out a baking dish from the fridge, it looked like lasagna, sticking it in the oven, she glanced at Sweet Pea and Betty in the doorway. "I have a sneaking suspicion that we will be both shocked and elated. Something just tells me, I could be wrong, but not usually." Her delicate fingers pressed the buttons on the top of the stove, turning on the oven then starting the timer.

"This is real mystical and all Ma, but what does it have to do with us?" He crossed his arms, leaning on the door frame behind Betty. His Mom gave him a raised brow, a fist on her hip.

"Mystical Sweet Pea, really? You know I should put you over my knee Son. Go set the table. You're irritating the hell out of me." Tanis shewed the couple out of the kitchen, swishing again down the hallway to their shared bathroom. Turning the light on, she watched her son and Betty from the bathroom out of the corner of her eye.

The way the two kids were around each other made her think of better times with Sweet Pea's father. She wanted to think they'd had the same dynamic, but she'd be lying to herself. She wished for just a minute that she wasn't a bit jealous of their relationship, of their comfort with one another. She hadn't been with a man in that capacity in nearly a decade, she didn't see the need in having a string of men parading around her young impressionable son. Sweet Pea needed stability and the life she led would bring enough issues as it was, besides, the men she kept company with were not wonderful role models for her little boy. She was glad when FP took interest in Sweet Pea, allowing the goofy kid to follow in his footsteps made her feel a little better. FP was an incredible leader, an even better father and good friend. Sweet Pea could have followed after his own father, but he never was aloof or self centered and she couldn't have asked for better. Finished with putting her moisturizer on, she looked at herself, the faint lines on her face becoming more apparent. She wasn't getting much younger, and she was only getting more lonely. Soon Sweet Pea would be out there on his own, with Betty no doubt, and she'd be coming home to the silence and the cold bare oven. She didn't even have a cat. She laughed to herself. Young love causing her to feel the fleeting remnants of her own youth. She could see how bound to one another the young lovers were. It was only a matter of time before the girl was wearing Sweet Pea's patch, hell probably getting his snake on her body too. Tanis had a feeling, she knew in her bones that they would be together indefinitely. She could see the beautiful life her son would lead before her very eyes. She welcomed it.

"Ma! I think they're here!" Sweet Pea was looking out of the window next to the door.

"Yeah, I'm coming. Get ready for this, it's big my handsome." She patted her tall lanky boy on the back and winked at him. He knew she felt something. She was usually right, she always had some feeling and he always tried to disregard it.

"I hear ya Ma. I'm sure you're right." The knock came just as he finished speaking, and he turned the knob, smiling brightly at FP and Alice. Motioning for them to come inside. They obliged, and came to sit at the dinner table.

"To what do I owe the pleasure FP, Alice?"

"We all might want to sit. It's big news, Betty dear, take a seat. Sweet Pea, you too." Alice was formal, her uptight disposition was ever present when she was uncomfortable.

"What's going on Mom? Mr. Jones?" Betty's eyebrows knit together, she was confused by their demeanor.

"It seems that your Mom and I will be moving things along quicker than we thought." FP looked from Alice to Tanis.

"Yes, I've filed for divorce. You probably already knew that I had Betty. Your father has been served in county, he will sign. FP and I have decided to move in together. That means…"

"That means Jughead will be living with us…" Betty looked away from her Mom and FP, she felt like she might lose her dinner.

"Yes, but there's more, bigger than Jughead and yourself under the same roof. It's quite the news Elizabeth." Alice put on a bright smile. She beamed at FP.

"This can't be good." Sweet Pea whispered in Betty's ear.

"It seems that we are-" Alice started, then looked from Tanis, to Sweet Pea then to Betty. "We're expecting." Alice bit her lip, smiling all the while.

"Holy shit…" Sweet Pea couldn't help his slip of the tongue.

"Expecting?" Betty's mouth went dry, she could deal with a baby, but not with Jughead. "You're pregnant Mom?" A smile crept onto her face.

"Yeah Betty, we are."