Thanks to my reviewers! Super glad to see some familiar faces as well as a ton of new faces! New faces, keep it up with revewin: Boris Yeltsin, top story, bloodysleepingdragon, Guest 21, ExcitedGuest, and Fangnerd!
Guest 21: Bickering Jug and Sweets give me so my joy you have no idea I love writing it
Excited Guest: I'm trying to update once a week from here on out!
Fangnerd: Juggie is pretty smart ;) Hard to pull the wool over his eyes!
Song for this chapter is Lil' Red Riding Hood by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. It's totally one of my favorite songs, and it's particularly appropriate, since in this chapter we'll have a werewolf going to Grandmother's house in the woods.
KEVIN to GROUP CHAT (Sweet Pea, Betty, Jughead): So, I'm totally in for this little adventure. However, we'll have to wait until after the variety show, being that I'm in charge of it. We go on Sunday?
BETTY: Oh, thank you so much Kevin! I'll pay you back in gas money and snacks :) I just need to think of the right cover for my Mom…
SP: No problems here, not a parent to care where I am ;)
JUG: Sadly, same.
BETTY: Well, my mom likes you, Kev. If I conveniently leave out the other two passengers…
KEVIN: Tell your mom we're going to an Art Museum for extra credit and to look at a college. I'll have my dad verify the cover story.
JUG: Why would your dad cover for you? How do you know he will?
KEVIN: I just do. Don't worry too much about it.
XXxxXX
"So, Myles, you being a professional jazz man, you must be living your dream?" Fred tried to make polite conversation. Josie winced. God, what was Hermione thinking bringing Fred and Archie? It was bad enough her father always critiqued her, but now with two utterly non-magical humans in the room, they had to be careful about what they said. At least, with just Hermione, they wouldn't have to speak in code about their true selves.
"Well, yes and no," Her father was examining Fred with a look Josie did not like. Something a little too dangerous, "The real struggle is always art versus commerce." Her father said pointedly. Josie sipped her water, wanting to sink into the ground. She didn't hear what Fred said, but she heard Mrs. Lodge's response.
"But if we're talking about the future and long-term security, it can't always be about following your bliss," She said, "Bliss does not keep one alive."
"You can for sure say that," Josie couldn't help but say out loud, which caused her parents to snap their heads toward her with disapproving looks. Mrs. Lodge almost looked charmed.
"On the contrary, I'm quite happy. However, for our children, for our future...you'd do anything."
"For the good of old traditions," Myles added in, his eyes looking to his wife.
"I'm missing something, aren't I?" Archie leaned in, looking nervous. Sweating, to be honest. Why was he sweating? This dinner party wasn't that nerve-wracking. He also wasn't looking her in the eye.
Josie forced a smile, "Yes. But don't worry about it."
Maybe they should have put some vervain in the Andrew's drinks, just to be safe. Josie didn't trust Mrs. Lodge at all.
Mrs. Lodge sipped her wine and Josie resisted the urge to sudder. She'd also refused most of the food. Of course, if the Andrews weren't here, she'd just be having...well, that wasn't wine. As it was, she was politely picking at the few items on her plate, though not eating with any real vigor.
"Personally, I'm just excited to hear my daughter perform with Josie." Mrs. Lodge said, steering the conversation away from what she correctly noticed to be tense, but into a far worse one. Miles' eyes were as stormy as a black sea.
"Why am I just hearing about this?"
Josie pressed her hands to her forehead. She hated this night already.
XXxxXX
You just need some sleep, you just need some sleep…
Archie Andrews was sitting through the most terrifying dinner party of his entire life. He'd tried to sneak around it, after the hellish day he'd had, but his father had been unusually stern about the whole affair.
And now here he was, sitting with monsters.
Well, he didn't think literally, or he wasn't sure. It was a really bad hallucination if it was something, and he was no longer sure a lack of sleep was the cause. Mrs. Lodge, her skin paler than usual, eyes red, and fangs under her lips. The smell of blood wafting from her cup was unmistakable. And then, the McCoys, with glimmering skin, the smell of the sea, and webbed fingers. When Josie spoke, it still sounded like Josie, which made it all the worse.
In fact, he mostly tried to block it all out. He didn't know why he was here anyway. Sympathy vote? Show off the fact that his tie didn't match his suit pants? He couldn't figure it out.
He didn't even realize his father had finished his presentation, until Fred was seated again.
He'd missed most of the argument.
"Fred Andrews is a working man, Myles. He's not like us, he's a different perspective...a needed perspective in Riverdale. One that speaks to the majority of its inhabitants," Mrs. Lodge was saying in low careful tones.
Her wording was weird. This whole night was weird.
"Yes, but we have someone else already bidding for this." Sierra's voice was almost apologetic, "Someone who understands the delicateness of the situation."
"I can understand, if you explain it to me," Fred offered, looking far too hopeful.
"You really can't. Don't take it personally. It's just something your born with." Myles sounded like he wanted it to be personal. Before his dad could open his mouth again, Sierra sighed.
"Even if I wanted, we'd need two thirds of the board to sign off on this. It's just not going to happen. I really am sorry, Fred."
Sierra looked at Archie. Her forehead twisted, in a way that looked like she was truly seeing him, as he was seeing her. Archie looked down at his plate quickly. Someone needed to explain this, and fast or else he was worried he'd lose his mind.
XXxxXX
"And to think I was going to apologize to you…" Veronica gave a dark chuckle, staring with disgust at her mother, "You just want to award it to your boyfriend." She accused.
"Now, Ronnie-," Her mother frowned, holding the documents...the documents that Veronica oh-so-conveniently could alter, in her fingers.
"No, just, no." Veronica wasn't even sure she wanted a part in Lodge Industries, not the way it was now, "Only if you break up with Archie's dad, stop seeing him." She had to try. For her father, who she loved. Her father, who taught her the difference between shoes at the age of four. Her father, who read her bedtime stories as a child. Her father, who had been her confidant far more often than her mother was. Her father, who was rotting in jail now for them.
"I can't promise that."
"Then forget it. However you're going to 'rational' this, I don't want a part of it." Veronica tried to breeze past her mom, go to Betty's or call one of her old New York friends, but her mother grabbed her arm.
Her mom looked her right in the eyes, and for some reason...Veronica couldn't look away.
"You will sign the paper, willingly. You want to help your dear mother, because Archie's dad deserves this."
"Archie's dad deserves this…" Veronica mumbled, echoing. Like someone else was pulling her fingers, she neatly penned her name on the dotted line. Just like that. She wanted to do it.
"Thank you dear," Her mom kissed her forehead, "I knew you'd see it my way."
Veronica couldn't remember walking between the living room and her bedroom. All she remembered was going into her on-suite bathroom, looking into the mirror.
She'd just signed that damn contract. She hadn't wanted to, but she also had? Her head hurt the more she tried to figure it out. A feeling rose up inside of her. At first, she thought she was going to vomit. Instead, it was a sandpaper sort of feeling up her throat.
Though she couldn't explain why or how, Veronica had signed that contract and felt used.
XXxxXX
"Hello Riverdale, and welcome to the 75th annual Variety Show! We have a good group of acts tonight, so sit back. First off, we have Daisy, who will be shocking us with some magic. Yes, let's give her a round of applause…"
"It's not actually magic, is it?" Betty whispered to Sweet Pea, watching as Daisy danced out onto stage in a sparkly dress. To avoid questions from her parents about the trip tomorrow, she'd agreed to help Kevin with the whole show. She was in charge of telling kids when they were up next, making sure everyone was ready to go out on stage with everything they needed. And Sweet Pea, having nothing better to do tonight, came too.
"Hardly. Does that look legit to you?" He asked, scoffing.
"Looks fine," Betty gave a helpless shrug.
"It's all sleight of hand. If you went out there, you could actually wow them." Sweet Pea nudged Betty's side playfully.
"She hates performing," Kevin broke in, crossing off Daisy's name on his own list.
"Is that even moral?" Betty scrunched up her face, "To actually be magic, doing magic?"
"If anything, you could call that cultural appropriation." Sweet Pea said, half-teasing.
"Sweet Pea." Betty said, deadpanned.
"You're different now. We exist under a different set of rules." Sweet Pea shrugged. Betty looked at Kevin, who just shrugged too. He was usually 'Mr. Follow the Rules."
"You are. There's so many intricacies about magic that humans can't begin to understand. I mean, murder is still murder but...well, now's not the time." Kevin decided.
The night flew by quickly, even with Sweet Pea bothering Betty. Kevin threatened to kick him out of backstage and he got better. Well, less outwardly annoying at least.
The Pussy Cats were preforming mid-event, and were by and large the group most came to see. Even Betty couldn't wait to hear what they were made of again. She gave Veronica a thumbs up, pleased to see her friend included. Archie was in the back, and he'd go on after the intermission. When she'd tried to talk to him, he'd seemed...distracted.
As soon as they began singing, Betty was entranced. She felt her clipboard fall to her side, and just sighed at the lovely sound coming from Josie specifically. She saw Sweet Pea stand, his head tilted. He'd only ever heard them at the rally, if even then. At the time, she couldn't be sure he'd been listening.
"They're incredible, right?" Kevin said, seeing his face, "They should be famous!"
"Yeah," Sweet Pea drew out the word slowly, but seemed confused. After a moment, Betty saw him dig into his backpack and pull out a tin of mints. Weird time to be doing this, but whatever. He took it, winced at the taste, and then laughed.
"I don't fucking believe it." He said to himself. He took out two more mints, nudging Betty and Kevin.
"Is this gunna kill me?" Kevin asked suspiciously.
"No."
"What is it?" Kevin pressed.
"Just eat it. I'll explain after." Sweet Pea sounded aggravated.
Betty popped it in, and nearly gagged. First off, this was the worst tasting mint she'd ever had. It tasted more like dirt. Like someone had compressed the soil outside into a small capsel. Sweet Pea might be poor, but he could sure as hell afford better tasting mints, or she'd buy him some, because this was just ridiculous. Second, it made her feel weird. Off. Human.
Yes, human, though it took her a moment to realize the feeling was pre-fall Betty, the way she'd lived her life for nearly 15 years. And still, it felt foreign.
It also seemed to fuck with her hearing, because Josie...wasn't as amazing as Betty had just thought she was. Really gifted, yes, but not someone who deserved to hold the audience in the way she was, in the way they had.
Sweet Pea glanced around, then seeing everyone too preoccupied with the song, drew Kevin and Betty into a small contained circle.
"Josie is a siren." Sweet Pea explained. Kevin's eyes widened.
"No shit! That's why she sounded...sounds…" He frowned, licking his teeth, "That was awful, whatever that was."
"It was a potion-pill that counters any magic. I use it to give to new wolves so they don't phase accidentally at school. I couldn't phase right now if I wanted to, and Betty couldn't do magic. Wears off in half an hour. But, it also counters incoming magic. So...we hear Josie how she is without her siren song. God, can't believe I didn't see it before."
"Well, no one did," Kevin twittered nervously, "Jeeze...is she dangerous?"
"I guess she could use it badly. She could ask you all to do something, and you'd feel compelled to do it. You could fight it, but it would be awful hard. But I don't know her too well. Is she generally nice person?"
"Yes." Betty answered, "Rough around the edges, sometimes, but nice."
Kevin looked vexed. "This changes things. I mean, I can't in good conscious know she could do this to some unwilling human...force them to do something they don't mean to."
"Vervain." Sweet Pea answered, "Start putting it in the water fountains as soon as possible. Doesn't make the water taste different," He added for Betty's sake.
"Like vampires?" Kevin said, perhaps a little too loudly, and slapped his hand over his mouth.
Sweet Pea tapped his forehead, "Exactly."
The Pussycats were near finishing. Kevin looked still very unsure. He was regarding Josie in a new way now. Still, he looked back to Sweet Pea. Betty saw the gratitude in his eyes. Sweet Pea didn't have to let Kevin know, give him a potion pill.
"I-," Kevin began.
"Don't mention it," Sweet Pea rubbed his temple, "This damn thing always gives me a headache."
"I feel strange without my magic," Betty admitted, shocked how readily it had become a part of her. Sweet Pea counted the pills.
"Remind me that this is what we need to work on next."
XXxxXX
Early the next morning, Kevin picked up Betty Cooper outside her house. Jughead and Sweet Pea were already smushed in the truck, hiding down in case Mrs. Cooper looked outside.
"That's my foot, idiot." Sweet Pea snapped at Jughead.
"If it wasn't so big, I wouldn't have stomped on it." Jughead hissed back.
"Shut up you two," Kevin stage-whispered, a ridiculous grin plastered on his face as he waved to someone in an overly cheery manner. Betty opened the passenger door, sighing.
"Mom, yes I'll call you. I'll be fine. Kevin's a great driver." She assured. Sweet Pea smelled her mother's noxious perfume right next to the car and shoved Jughead down farther. Jughead nearly squawked, but Sweet Pea slapped his hand over his.
"I don't doubt that," Mrs. Cooper assured Kevin, "Just be smart, okay?"
"Yes, bye, mom." Betty said meaningfully. Kevin started the car and drove off. Two turns away, Betty turned to the back.
"You can unsquish now." She said, eyes glimmering with laughter.
"Oh, thank god." Sweet Pea stretched out, "Hey, so, I called shotgun awhile ago…"
"Um, no. My car, my rules, and I want Betty up here." Kevin shot him down.
"Plus, it's like my trip." Betty was looking at him with faux-offence.
"Yeah, but shotgun is the nav. I'm great at directions. How good are you?" Sweet Pea tried again. Really, he just didn't want to be so close and comfy next to Jughead.
"Fine," Betty said, but her face told otherwise.
"Hardly," Jughead choked on a laugh, "She once got me and Archie stuck in the forests for three hours. Sheriff Keller finally found us. But, ah, she should be at the front," Jughead sobered at Betty's even redder face, "I mean, you're not even supposed to be here. Why are you here?"
To be honest, Sweet Pea had better reason than Jughead, but he couldn't explain that in any true way.
"Who doesn't like a good road trip?" Sweet Pea settled for, "Is that coffee and food I smell?" He asked to Betty.
"Scones, yes. And coffee. But share. I couldn't bring much, otherwise my mom would wonder why." Betty fished out a Tupperware bin and a thermos.
"You're a saint Cooper." Sweet Pea said, and snuggled back up against Jughead, "Well, guess we'll just have to get real cozy back here-,"
"Betty, don't you want to sit by me?" Jughead asked with a tinge of desperation.
And that is how Sweet Pea successfully got his shotgun seat.
XXxxXX
The trip in its entirety took about four hours. Betty had also planned ahead and brought a variety of snacks; sunflower seeds for Kevin, thin mints for herself, a family size bag of Lays for Jughead, and spicy beef jerky for Sweet Pea. Plus, four 20 oz bottles of Pepsi.
After a little bit of arguing, it was decided that Kevin would control the music on the trip there. On the trip back, each got an equal hour to play their music. Sweet Pea, out of boredom or real opinions (Betty honestly wasn't sure), critiqued each song Kevin picked.
"Why are you two friends?" Jughead moaned. Betty couldn't ignore it was nice being back by Jughead, even if there were two others in the car. For one, Sweet Pea hadn't been joking about the lack of space. They were sitting shoulder to shoulder, something Betty wasn't going to complain about. Plus, with the two boys bickering about the relative goodness of Kanye West vs. Arcade Fire, it actually felt quite intimate in the back.
"He's not so bad." Betty shrugged. She couldn't explain her and Sweet Pea's strange friendship. They just were friends. Simple.
"Yes, he is," Jughead insisted as Sweet Pea tried to start another rousing round of I-Spy. Which, was usually a tree, since there wasn't much else flashing by.
Betty gave a little shrug. It wasn't her job to make these two like each other.
They only had to stop once for gas, which Betty insisted on paying for, so they made good time. They pulled into the diner Jughead had found around 10AM. Betty, due to the spell, knew exactly where her grandmother's house was, but she'd played it off that she'd managed to get the address from her father with innocent questions.
"So, uh, I think only two of us should go. I don't know how Polly will be, and I don't want to overwhelm her. Plus, it's been awhile since I've seen my grandma."
"100% in agreement." Kevin nodded, "Honestly, I say Jughead."
Jughead looked surprised to have been voted in.
"Polly does know you best," Betty said, "I was going to say that too."
Between her three companions, although Sweet Pea was the most 'in the know', Polly had never met him. That left Jughead and Kevin. While Kevin had become a staple late middle-school and early high school years in Betty's house, Jughead had been the friend that Polly had played with as a child on the block. They were only a year apart, so a lot of Betty's friends had been Polly's and vice-versa. Plus, having the son of the sheriff come knocking seemed like something that might set her off.
"What are we supposed to do in the meantime?" Sweet Pea asked, pulling up his Google Maps, "The entire town is like...one road."
"Your appetite rivals mine. There's a perfectly good diner right here." Jughead waved a hand. Sweet Pea looked ready to argue, until his stomach growled.
"Be safe," He whispered to Betty. Betty could tell he didn't like the idea of her going off to here, when something was weird, and he being left behind. But they didn't have many choices.
"It's her grandma. What do you think is gunna happen?" Jughead laughed.
"Fuck off, okay?" Sweet Pea growled, shoving his hands in his pockets, "Just be on the lookout."
"Whatever dude." Jughead rolled his eyes.
The duo hopped back into the truck.
Kevin motioned to the diner, "Shall we? I think we're long overdue for a talk."
XXxxXX
"So, are we here?"
Betty stepped out of the truck. She sucked in. She didn't even have to compare the picture of the spell she'd taken to compare against Google Maps to know they'd made it.
Her grandma's house was exactly as she remembered it, somewhere way back in her mind. Tucked deep into the forest, exactly when you thought there was nothing there. There were wind chimes on the trees. A white picket fence surrounded her yard area. Small crabbe apple trees were just starting to let go of their fruit outside her house. Betty remembered Polly daring her to eat one, back in their youth, and the bitter taste it had produced. Without taking a step inside, Betty could almost smell molasses cookies, which her grandma always had for them whenever they came to visit. A whole slew of memories splashed in, nearly overwhelmingly.
Betty wiped her hand across her eye, feeling a little misty, "Yeah. This is it."
The door opened and an older woman came onto the porch, "Well, you took your gold old time, didn't you?"
Jughead frowned, no doubt trying to reconcile the woman in front of him as the mother of Betty's prim and proper mother. How could this woman, standing barefooted with not a hint of makeup on, in just a black tank and a pair of stained jeans, have birthed Alice?
"Did you tell her we were coming?" Jughead whispered, as he worked her words around his head.
"In a sense," Grandma Smith said. Betty couldn't help but run into her grandma's arms. It had been so long. Why hadn't she visited in years?
"You're so big, but Polly has told me that," Grandma Smith patted her cheeks "Why don't you two come in and have some tea? Polly is asleep, but it's best not to wake her."
Betty nodded, relief washing through her.
"She's okay, right?"
"Oh, she's strong. Of course she is. It's just better for her to be here, for now." Grandma Smith assured, "And, forgive me, but I didn't catch your name."
"Jughead Jones." He said, holding out his hand.
Grandma Smith's eyebrows rose to her hairline.
"Yer dad wouldn't happen to be FP, would it?" She asked.
"Uhm, yeah?"
"Good kid. Guess he's a man now," Grandma nodded to herself, "Guess I shouldn't be surprised your two ended up as friends." She added.
"Why?" Jughead laughed, "I don't think my dad has ever really talked to your daughter."
"Well, that's a question for them. Not my place to say. Do you like Earl Gray, dear?" She turned to Betty.
"That's fine." Betty was caught up in the house. It felt exactly how she remembered it. Small, but welcoming, "My god, Judy's still alive? She must be at least my age." Betty said, spying the grumpy ragdoll cat under a rocking chair.
"Just about." Grandma agreed, setting two mugs in front of them. Judy jumped up, twining around Betty's legs, settling on her lap.
"Jughead! It's sitting on my lap!" Betty squealed.
"Erm, great?" Jughead rubbed his beanie. He leaned forward to pet it, but it hissed angrily at him.
"I should have told you. Judy is known for hardly liking anyone but grandma. It never let me pet him when I was little. I can't believe it's letting me touch him now."
"Him?"
"Named it Judy before we found out the gender," Betty laughed, "Is he dying or something?"
"He can tell you're just changed." Grandma said. Betty snapped her head up, about to ask...well, not sure what she was about to ask, when she heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs.
Betty set down her mug in excitement, turning around as the upstairs door opened and her sister appeared.
"Grandma said you'd find me!" Polly exclaimed.
Jughead, who had just taken a sip of his tea, spat it up and began to choke. It was obvious why, but Betty was just frozen.
Polly was very much pregnant.
There was a silence before Grandma Smith interrupted.
"Polly dear, here's your green tea. Why don't you take it outside, like you usually do. Jughead, you're a strong young man, aren't you?"
"Uhm, debatable."
"Good. I need help carrying up some items from my basement. We'll let these two talk, right?"
Jughead gave a helpless shrug to Betty, just before her grandma whisked him away.
"You're...wow, Polls." Betty managed to choke out as Polly opened the screen-door to the backyard.
"Imagine how I feel," Polly laughed, "I feel like a whale."
"No," Betty said automatically, "Not at all."
"Oh stuff it," Polly shoved her shoulders, "I'm as big as a house, Betty. That glow they talk about? Totally fake." She sipped her tea, "Why'd it take you so long to find me? Grandma said that mom and dad probably weren't forthcoming about it, but If I know you...you're insufferable when you're committed to something."
"I don't know. I mean, a lot's been going on." Betty said, feeling a little guilty, "You seem, to ah, be dong well...all things considering that…"
"Jason's dead." Polly swallowed thickly. She sniffled, holding in tears, "Betty, I'm so sad. I loved him so much and he's gone. I can't believe it."
"So you do know," Betty murmured, "Mom and dad said you were sick. I realize now it's stupid to believe them."
"They were the ones who sent me here. I guess I didn't believe it at first. I thought it was going to go on like the plan we made, that this was part of it when he vanished. I sort of head a breakdown when it all came to, the night they found Jason's body. I tried to kill myself."
The night my powers came in. That's where they all were...god.
"It was stupid, and dumb," Polly swallowed, "I'm just glad FP Jones found me in the woods in time, or else...well, you know."
"Wait, FP found you?" Betty's mind whirled. Did Sweet Pea know this?
"Yeah. I tried to drown myself, like Jason. He called mom and dad. They decided I need a break from everything, here."
"Do they know that you're…"
"Knocked up? Yeah. Dad was pissed. Mom was afraid. I'm not sure why," Polly frowned.
"Do you know what's been going on around town?" Betty didn't even know where to start.
"I asked not to. I don't want to get stressed out, bad for the baby." Polly said, "Even though it's killing me not to know."
"Oh." There was a beat, and Betty winced. Should she tell her?
"Just out with it."
"It's such a metal mind puzzle, Polly. Just...can you take me through it? You're the piece I think I'm missing." Betty took her sister's hands.
"Anything, of course." Polly said, "So, well, no one liked we were dating. Mom seemed stressed, but dad was just furious about it. And the Blossoms? I'm not sure, they're so hard to read, but Jason just kept saying he couldn't stay there. We couldn't stay there. He suspected I was pregnant first, and he was happy when the test came back, but terrified too. He kept saying we should leave, because we weren't safe and dad would never accept it. I knew it to be true, so I agreed. On July 4th, I started planning. I figured I had about a couple months until I started to show, so I got a job right away, you know, at the Pizza place in town. Jason was doing his own thing to get money, but I don't know what. He was always supposed to disappear first. Cheryl was in on it too. She was going to make her parents really believe he was dead,or something like that. And, once things had cooled down and he'd found us an apartment and gotten a job somewhere, a small town outside of New York, and gotten us new IDs papers, I was supposed to vanish too. Cheryl was going to take care of that as well, but we hadn't discussed specifics. He hid a car for me, his I think. With things for us, things for me and the baby. I waited, day after day, but…"
"Polly, it's okay. You don't have to say it again."
"But Jason's dead. It's okay. Grandma says more I say it, the more it really works to remind me. The better it will get. Gosh, Betts, I'm still waiting. Sometimes I feel like I'm still waiting, even if I know he's not coming back."
Betty couldn't do much more than hug Polly tight.
"I'm sorry you had to go through this." She whispered, "I'm so sorry."
"Me too. Did that help at all?"
Betty buried her face in her hands, "It gives me more questions. But, it fills in a lot of blanks. I mean, I'll get there, I think."
Polly sipped her tea, but made a face, "It's cold. Darn. Lemme just go microwave it and we can catch up with what's new with you."
"Wait, actually," Betty couldn't not tell her sister, "I can show you."
"Okay?" Polly snorted, letting Betty take the ceramic mug.
Betty held it close, "Augindio."
When she handed it back, the cup was steaming hot again.
"Woah, what the heck?" Polly blinked twice, "What just happened?"
Betty bit her lip, and couldn't help but smile, "I'm a witch."
"What?" Polly snorted, "You're pulling my leg!"
"No, really! Watch." Betty held out her hand, lifting all the leaves off the ground. Polly's face was pure awe.
"You'd better watch out. Not let that boy see you," Grandma Smith was standing in the doorway, "He's untriggered, isn't he?"
"What does that sentence even mean?" Polly squinted, "Grandma, Betty says she's a...a…"
"Witch." Grandma Smith agreed, sitting next to Polly on the bench, "From yer pa's side."
"Wait, she's serious?" Polly gaped, then rubbed her head, "Oh, please tell me I'm not dreaming you're not really here…"
"No dream, dear," Grandma Smith said, patting her cheeks, "I wish I could have told you before. I wanted to, I did."
"Is Polly a witch too?" Betty asked in excitement, having not thought of this previously, at the same time Polly asked, "How do you know about this."
"Live in Riverdale long enough and you find out everything." Grandma Smith laughed, "Reason I left. Too much Supernatural drama. I prefer the simple life." She waved a hand, "And as for Polly," Her smile dropped off, "She was one, once."
"Time out," Polly stopped her, "What do you mean 'once'? I think I'd remember doing that." She waved a hand toward the leaves.
"It's hard to explain, but I want you to know your mother did it to protect you two. I can't disagree with her, not completely." Their grandma's face was sad. She pressed a kiss to Polly's forehead.
"The suppressants." Betty realized, "My anti-anxiety meds and your birth control, probably. Which is how you got pregnant. Because they were just for acne when you first got them. They weren't actual birth control pills."
"Suppressants?"
"Your mother decided the safest thing for you both was to suppress your witch powers when you were about the age to come into them. It's a gamble, but Riverdale is dangerous, no matter how safe you think it once was. Especially for you two. She knew the risks."
"What risks? Why us?" Betty was bursting with questions.
"You two because you're naturally gifted. Lots who want to abuse that, if given the chance. Risks that if you suppress it too long, it just vanishes."
"I got mine really late, though. Couldn't it happen for Polly? She has to be off her 'birth control' now, right?"
"Dear, it would have come in when she tried to kill herself if it was. I think Polly got off hers too late."
"So what?" Polly's voice was near tears, "Mom just decides to never tell us, never let us decide and because of that, my witch heritage is gone forever? God, that's so like her and so unfair!"
"Dear, shush," Grandma rubbed her shoulders, "It's not all it's cracked up to be. Plus, your kid will still be a witch, if it's a girl. The magic is still in your bones, just unreachable, far as I know. There's another path for you."
"Being a witch hurts sometimes," Betty tried to offer up, but felt just awful.
"I'm just over emotional. This really sucks, but I'm still happy for you." Polly whispered, trying to stop her sobs, "Things are just so much more difficult, huh?"
"Yeah." Betty agreed, sighing.
"There you are. Mrs. Smith, I'm done," Jughead said. His sleeves were pushed up to his elbows. He looked like he was sweating a little, his face was flushed. Betty knew Jughead wasn't one for much physical activity.
"Thank you, dear. Why don't we all come inside and I'll make you lunch."
"How long can you stay?" Polly twined her fingers in Betty's.
"Probably until three. Told mom I'd be home by eight," She leaned in, whispering, "And please, keep this on the DL. Jughead doesn't know."
"Lips are sealed, I promise."
XXxxXX
"I can bite you if you really want to know." Sweet Pea offered to Kevin, reading over the menu. This place felt just like Pop's, but a little different. It's like they'd stepped into the Twilight Zone.
"Um, no. Get those werewolfy jaws away from me." Kevin said, holding up a knife in defense.
"Oh, I imagine one werewolf's mouth you want near yours…" Sweet Pea smirked, then shrugged, throwing his arm over the back of his seat, "You asked if it hurt." He pointed out at Kevin's expression.
"I don't want to know where that mouth has been or start howling at the moon or chasing cars."
"You don't know a thing about the process? Damn, that's sad. And you're supposed to be...what's the title again?"
"It's not official."
"Look, point is. I bite you, nothing really happens to you, crept you get an awesome scar to show off to the ladies...erm, to the men. It's your kin that get all fuzzy down the line. But, since you're gay, unless you get a surrogate, you wouldn't even have to deal with that. And, that's if the kid even ever kills someone. Which is a big 'if'." Sweet Pea was deciding between a burger or Chili Cheese Steak. Fries and a milkshake for sure though. He looked up, stifling his laughter to a joke he hadn't yet told, "I hear it hurts like getting bit by a wolf."
"Yeah, one would think." Kevin glared.
Their waiter came over to help them. Looked like the owner, maybe, since there wasn't many others in the restaurant. After taking their orders, he paused.
"Those two you came in with, that took the truck. That was Dolores Smith's other granddaughter, wasn't it?"
"Yeah. She's a regular, then?" Kevin gave back his menu, "And plus she looks just like Polly."
"And the other was FP Jones son."
"That's creepy." Kevin blinked, reaching for what Sweet Pea thought might be his taser.
"He looks like him. Smells too. But it's not strong. He's an untrigged werewolf still, right?"
"Uhm.." Now Kevin looked really taken aback.
"Yes." Sweet Pea interjected. He took a good look at the man. The man sniffed the air.
"And you-,"
"I'm part of FP's pack, yep." Sweet Pea guessed. The man seemed ready to say something else, but thought better of it. The man nodded to himself, and then looked at Kevin again.
"He smells human."
"I am and I'm sitting right here." Kevin tutted.
"His family is the bridge between the two worlds. He knows shit, but apparently not enough," Sweet Pea added, rolling his eyes, "You're a wolf too. Is there a pack up here?" He ransacked his brain to recall if FP had ever said anything about it.
"Not a complete one. Lots of passer-through, lone wolves, and outcasts," The man shrugged, "We do alright. Not like the Serpents, though."
"So, doe all the packs know each other?" Kevin asked, leaning in.
"Vaguely. But 'course we all know about FP's Serpents."
"Because they're the biggest?"
"Because he's the Werewolf Alpha."
"Well, yeah." Sweet Pea snorted.
"No, I mean, he's the Alpha."
Sweet Pea sat up straight, "Big daddy Alpha? You're shitting me. No way."
"Riverdale is the place for 'em." The man shrugged, "Vampire Leader, Witch Coven leader too…"
"There's one witch in Riverdale and she's just come into her power. She's not taking over any coven seat," Sweet Pea growled, rising up to protect Betty's name. The man took a step back.
"Hey, just what I've heard."
"You heard wrong." Sweet Pea insisted.
"Right, sorry. Didn't mean no offense," The man bowed of all things, "I'll ring that up right now." He seemed to scurry away like a mouse, his anxiety and submission rolling off of him like a tidal wave.
"Explain." Kevin's voice was rough.
Sweet Pea took three deep breaths, "What he claims is preposterous, 'cuz I'd know. There's a…king for every magic breed. Like, the ultimate alpha. He says FP is the werewolf one. King of all the wolves in the Northeast. Stupid. I'd know that. And who'd be the vampire one? Mrs. Lodge? Plus, there hasn't been a 'coven' in eons, so Betty's-,"
"Woah, re-wind. Mrs. Lodge is a vampire?" Kevin asked, furious, "And Josie is a siren and Bety's a witch and goddamnit."
"Grundy was a siren too. I think that Midge girl is a nymph. Or fae. Fairy? I can never keep straight who prefers to be called what. Haven't confirmed yet."
"Holy…" Kevin ran his fingers through his hair.
"Since you seem near useless, why don't you tell me what you do know."
Kevin regarded him suspiciously for a moment, "I've been taught not to like Serpents. But you're not totally bad. We both deeply care for Betty, that much is clear. Plus, you would do anything for your people- supernatural and the wolves- as I would for mine. So, just don't fuck up and I won't give you a reason to be sorry. I know where my dad keeps silver and wolfs bane, got it? We pool all our knowledge, that's the only way this works." Kevin said, sounding very authoritative, like his dad.
"You're terrifying when you need to be. That's good." Sweet Pea agreed, "Now, you first."
They spent the next five or so hours pouring together their knowledge. Kevin didn't know a lot, but had access to history, sealed town records, which Sweet Pea did not. He also had species specific weapons and trinkets, which were invaluable. His total knowledge took an hour to relay. Sweet Pea found a map and drew out the wolf territories he knew in the USA as well as making a more detailed map of the Northwest, as well as listing all magical creatures he knew to exist, dots on a map. His knowledge could have taken all week. It brought neither closer to the issue at hand, Jason's murder, but they left with a sort of quasi-friendship. Or, an agreement, to be transparent from here on out.
As they were leaving, Sweet Pea motioned for the bill.
"It's on the house." The man insisted.
"We got like 100 bucks worth. No way," Sweet Pea shook his head.
"For you, of course. You're FP's." The man said. Sweet Pea sighed.
"I didn't mean to snap at you. You didn't offend me. I'm not going to send FP after you, I just think your gossip is misinformed."
"That's nice to hear, but still, it's free. Really. FP's a good one, remember that. I'm sure you'll be too."
"Uhm, okay?" Sweet Pea was confused, "Thanks...Paul?" He said, glancing at the name tag.
"Have a good day," Paul bowed again, just as Betty and Jughead pulled up.
"Why'd he bow?" Kevin asked, folding up the maps and papers into his backpack.
"No idea. Wolves out here might just be weird."
XXxxXX
"Damn, I'm sorry Polly," was all Jughead could manage, after Betty gave an abridged version of what she'd been told. Of course, leaving out any mention this way or that way of the magical world.
"It happened. It sucks. I just need to focus on this now," Polly said, placing a protective hand over her stomach.
"Do you find out the gender soon? Do you want to?" Betty leaned in, still trying to wrap it around her mind she was an aunt. And, she realized belatedly, that meant Cheryl was too.
"Next check-up, uh-huh. I'm not sure yet. Jason wanted a girl, but I'd be happy with either." Polly blushed.
As Betty helped her grandmother wash the dishes, she chatted lightly with Polly about baby related things. Polly seemed over-excited to have someone else to talk about this, since her grandma wasn't the kissy and mushy baby sort of person.
"Polly?" Jughead interrupted them. He'd been frowning, palms supporting his chin as he worked through the information, Betty assumed, "Did you ever go to the car Jason hid?"
"No. I didn't want to risk it before Jason gave the ok, and once I found out he was dead, it all happened so fast...coming here." She glanced down, frowning.
"Where is it? If it's still there, and hidden well, it could give us some major info on where you were supposed to meet up with him. Or, what he was doing that could have gotten him killed. It could be the clue to everything!"
Betty smiled brightly at Jughead, pride filling her. He caught her smiling face and gave a half-grin, blushing and glancing away.
Polly, if she noticed, didn't comment. She seemed to be deep in her own mind.
"Go to the car off the lost Highway on Route 40. Once you pass the wold maple syrup sign, then you'll know you're almost there. Remember the keyword is revlicarum. That's what he told me. He made me memorize it." Polly said suddenly. Jughead was already furiously jotting it down, "You'll keep me informed, right? I'm in it now."
"If we know anything, of course." Betty said, though she doubted her texts would go through at home, as they hadn't this entire time.
"We should be getting back." Jughead said after a long second.
"Yeah, yep." Betty agreed. She gave a goodbye to Polly, promising to come back the next she could. She turned around, but found her grandmother nowhere to be found, "I'm going to find Grandma. I'll meet you in the car, Juggie."
Her grandma was in her room, searching through a jewelry box.
"Oh, Betty. Before you left, I wanted to give you something that's rightfully yours. Now that you're sixteen, I think you're old enough to have it." She said, holding up a pendant. She carefully dropped it into Betty's palm.
"Grandma, it's beautiful." Betty gave a sharp intake. It was a delicately filigreed half moon, with a star hanging in the crescent. In the middle of the star was a tiny gemstone.
"The design isn't silver, but it's actually rhodium and the stone is a moonstone. I had them made for you and Polly when you both were born, hers is just a slightly different design. They're imbued with magic, and connected to each other. Of course, I hoped you'd both be witches, but Polly can still use it without her powers. I'm sure Alice doesn't say it often, so I will. I'm proud of what you've become so far and I'm sure she is too." Grandma Smith said, a rare misty eyed expression on her face, "Can I?"
Betty lifted her pony tale, feeling a sense of ease wash over her as her grandmother clasped it.
"Keep Polls safe," Betty murmured.
"I'm doing my best. Now, get, before your mom figures it out and comes down here to yell at both of us."
Betty gave one last wave to her family, closing the door behind her. Jughead was dutifully waiting in the car, fingers tapping on the steering wheel. Even though he wasn't sixteen and she was, he'd known how to drive for years before her. Plus, he had a fake where he claimed to be at least 21, whereas Alice would kill Betty if she did.
"You okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Betty gave him a strange look as she slid into the second seat. Her fingers thumbed the new necklace. Jughead was strangely quiet. She quirked an eyebrow at him, but he was staring right at her face.
"What? I don't have something here, do i?" She said, glancing in the mirrors for smudged lipstick or eyeliner or something. When she turned back, Jughead was up close.
"Just…" he trailed off, as though realizing words could never correctly describe his emotions. As his eyes flickered to her lips, she should have guessed it, but she was too starstruck by thinking that no one had ever looked at her like this before. He surged forward, his hands grabbing her cheeks as he leaned in for a long overdue kiss. Betty eagerly reciprocated, shivering as his tongue traced along her bottom lip. She grabbed his coat lapels, bringing him closer.
All too soon it was over. Jughead pulled back first, red in the face, looking at her grandmother's house. Yeah, probably not the place for this.
"Hearing Polly talk about Jason, it seemed stupid to waste more time," he offered up weakly.
"Well, I'd be open to not wasting time again soon," Betty said, hoping it sounded sexy, but her voice was rough.
Jughead just grinned.
XXxxXX
Sweet Pea noticed three things immediately as Betty and Jughead pulled up to the diner.
One; Betty smelled like Jughead's cologne and her lipstick was a little smudged. Not a far guess for that one. Sweet Pea felt his wolf side bristle, but he shoved it down. Betty was nearly literally glowing. He could be happy for his friend. Or, attempt to.
Two; she was wearing a magically-charged necklace. It looked silver, but Sweet Pea wasn't sure. He sure as hell recognized the nice looking moonstone in could also feel the connections, that it was a family amulet. Interesting choice. Moonstone was a witch's conduit, yes, but more commonly it was a werewolf's stone. Said to help in transformations, if it was pure enough. The Serpents weren't exactly cash filled so gemstones weren't common, but he'd heard the myths.
Three; there was a smell underneath Jughead's that Sweet Pea needed to further investigate.
As Kevin offered to clean out his car before setting out and Jughead went inside to order a piece of cake to go, Sweet Pea tugged Betty just behind the building. She gave him a inquisitive look.
"Not silver," Sweet Pea said, going for the pendant first, as it didn't burn him.
"No, rhodium, I think my grandmas said. She knew I was a witch. She had this made for me when I was born. Polly too. She's not a witch. Shit, I have so much to tell you guys, but Jughead can't know." Betty frowned, "Can't we tell him? At least about me?"
"Let's hold off, just for a couple weeks. Just to be safe," Sweet Pea wasn't going to have this come down on him, if FP's son found out. Betty looked ready to argue, but her fingers clasped around the necklace. As though recalling her own danger, she nodded.
"So, Uhm, don't freak out." Sweet Pea said. He grabbed her shoulders, leaned in and sniffed her hair. He inhaled deep.
Betty jumped back, "What the heck are you doing? Did you just sniff my hair?"
"I told you not to freak." Sweet Pea said, letting the scents wreath around him.
"Well it is weird, so what did you expect? Why?"
"You smell, off." Sweet Pea tilted his head, "Like my wolf pack, but different."
"Like another pack?" Betty tried to understand.
"No, like mine, but not quite mine. I can't explain it. It's really strange." Sweet Pea seemed just as frustrated, "Familiar, almost exactly, but missing an element or two of my pack smell."
"Any reason why I'd smell like that?"
"No," Sweet Pea groused, "Damnit."
"Why are you two creeping back here?" Kevin poked his head around.
"No clue. I'm ready. Is Juggie?"
"Here." Jughead held up his to-go bag. He gave Betty a curious look, glared at Sweet Pea, but didn't press it.
Back into the car the four went.
Notes!
*The reason that they chose to to go the variety show was (a) they needed Kevin's car in this and (b) I had to find a time to explain Josie was also a siren to the group
*If you read, even though two extras tag along, having the moment when Betty goes to find Polly as a Bughead moment is still very important and I wanted to keep it as such.
*The sisters will appear later, but having Gma Smith come too was also more important to me. Plus, I hate Polly was sent there
*Sirens, if you imagine, are basically water-vampires. That's the easiest way to think of them. They're less like the cutesy mermaids you see in things and more based on the sirens in The Vampire Diaries
*Judy the male cat that hated everyone was actually a cat my greatgrandma owned. Gma smith and her house is actually partially based off my grandma and greatgrandma
*Because I flubbed when I first began writing this, Polly was with Betty in the start, but I needed a reason for her to be gone suddenly. I like my sane Polly a BIIIT better, don't you too?
*Lastly, for tumblr's Riverdale-Events, I am participating in the 8 themes they have released, relating them all back to this story as one-shots! I have it posted on my tumblr (youngbloodlex22) and a03 under 'Hic Sunt Dracones' and will likely post it on here later. So far here are the 4 oneshots I have written
1. Bughead and sex pollen. For those of you that want this story to be all bughead, you'll likely really like this chapter
2. Joaquin/Kevin and a conversation about dating a werewolf
3. Polly and Jason and how they met (THIS STORY SPECIFICALLY IS ALSO V IMPORTANT TO BOMB LATER ON!)
4. Midge and Fangs and How to Not Get Stolen By the Fae
I have an Archie/Josie one FOR SURE planned, and then I'm thinking my last three chapters will be a Veggie, a Choni, and a SweetBetts, but that's not set in stone. If there's one you wanna see, lemme know!
Remember to review!