though archie’s world seems to be spinning at ten fold , in walks ELIZABETH COOPER , and suddenly — it’s halted . every emotion , every negative thought that’s flushed over him since the morning , is no longer relevant . there’s just this , the smile on her face , the blue of her eyes … and it’s MAGIC .
❛❛ god , it’s so good to see you , ❜❜ more so than she even knows . outside of this , in their neighboring windows , she KNOWS when things are up . she’ll never let him venture to the darker corners of his mind without her own intervening … but when he’s here ? she’s not there to catch him . yet … she takes his hands , and even though he’s grown so used to calloused touch , it’s like they never parted in the first place .
even with this — he longs to reacclimatize himself , to hold her properly , to place themselves back on the track they were headed on — before all of this happened . and then , by route , ❛❛ you look … ❜❜ he has to stop himself — where are they , now ? what is he allowed to say ? what did their last kiss mean to her ? has it been too long ? — when he’s lucky enough to see her , these are the thoughts that consume him . he opts to change topics , before she notices , ❛❛ i’d do anything to be with you guys today . ❜❜ and , there’s a part of him that wants to yell , what the FUCK is he going to do , will he rot in here before they get their chance ? — but it’s CHRISTMAS DAY . it’s BETTY COOPER . she’s here , and in this moment , he has to remind himself that that’s enough . ❛❛ betts , can you do me a favor ? ❜❜
despite the setting , the room is empty and it’s more than likely the closest thing she’ll get to be being around him alone - for now , that is . there’s a plan in place , she’s found ... interesting people who might be the certain ADVANTAGE that she would need over the jail . but there was simply no need for these thoughts ; she was here with archie . that was all she needed .
“ no arch , it’s so good to see you . i know i was JUST here last week but - it feels so much longer than that . ” girl will squeeze his hands lightly , hesitating for a moment before rubbing the back of his hands with her thumb . god , it was the simplest of touches - and yet ? as much as she wouldn’t mind more , she was content , for now . “ --- and you know i wasn’t about to let you spend christmas alone . i mean , we’ve been together on christmas since forever ! ”
gentle smile on her lips , she shakes her head . in all honesty , she’d jump onto him . but ... they’re still in murky waters right now . betty doesn’t want to burden him with that talk when he’s here , that’s a talk for AFTER he’s out . “ -- it’s just a dress , arch . ” but still , she’ll tug on a waved piece of hair , and there’s some heat forming on the apple of her cheeks . “ i tried to get jug and ronnie to come , but i don’t think jug could escape his family , and ronnie has pop’s ... so i guess you’re stuck with me -- ” she’ll end it on a teasing note , letting him know that she’s only joking . “ oh ! but marina and i made cookies the other night , and i brought some for you . she says she misses you a lot . and don’t worry , you can eat it here -- ” she begins to babble , as if to avoid any awkward silences . she blinks , doe eyes steady on him . “ of course , archie ! anything . what can i do ? ”
