Chapter Text
It was beautiful.
The swirling tones of pink and orange in the dimming sky was almost as hypnotizing as the dark blue of the water; she could almost hear the waves crashing onto the soft, sandy shores. It made her feel free in a way. Freedom. Something she no longer had.
“What do you think?” A voice from behind her asked.
“Breathtaking.” She rasped, for lack of a better word. “It reminds me of Kauna'oa Beach... I went there once with a friend.”
And for a moment, she was there again, seventeen, carefree, hair spilling from her usually meticulous ponytail, across her shoulders, his arms pulling her close, his hand dropping once or twice to tickle her bare thigh, making her giggle as they watched the sun set together that last night.
The girl sounded both impressed, surprised, and familiar. Too familiar.
“That’s just where this was taken!” She exclaimed. “I actually took this when I was a senior in high school, but it’s the one I’m still the proudest of.”
No. She thought. It can't be.
It couldn't be... Could it?
She whirled around.
“Toni.” She gasped, pressing a palm to her lips.
“Betty?” Toni asked, looking just as shocked, her jaw falling. “Oh my god... Betty...”
Hearing the name that he no longer allowed her to use, not once, but twice in rapid succession, broke whatever resolve she had left in her, and she threw her arms around the still pink-haired girl, nearly crushing her as she clung to the only other person that had known him best.
“Betty.” Toni repeated, slowly, carefully, gently pushing her back.
Hesitantly, the Serpent reached out to cup her cheek, the gesture causing the thousand memories she had kept bottled up to resurface in one painful swoop.
“Betty.”
“Toni...”
“Where have you... We looked...” She seemed to realize herself, her mouth forming a thin line. “Oh, Betty.”
Without another word, Toni folded her into a hug.
“I’m sorry.” She whispered. “I’m so sorry, Betty.”
It was Betty’s turn to pull away, a brow lifting in confusion.
“Sorry?” She echoed. “Antoinette Topaz, what on earth do you have to be sorry for?”
Toni frowned at the use of her first name, a former banter between the two.
“Don’t even get me started, Elizabeth.” She taunted.
Her smile disappeared in an instant at the approaching footsteps.
"Elizabeth.” He called, his tone nothing like Toni’s teasing one. “Where did you run off to this time, darling?”