Pop's

by Heath and Ashes

Betty and Jughead's love story is written over many milkshakes, many conversations in a booth and random moments in time. Yet there is one witness who has watched the story unfold over the years.

Betty and Jughead's love story is written over many milkshakes, many conversations in a booth and random moments in time. It starts out friendly and innocent. They are little, their heads barely reaching over the table of the diner as they sit together with their red-headed friend. The Cooper girl and the Andrews boy talk incessantly while the raven haired boy with the beanie quietly watches on, a small, slightly sad smile on his face as he observes the two.

Then they are just a little older as a young blonde sits alone in a booth, crying bitterly over a broken heart and unrequited love. The bell rings as the Jones boy walks in and slowly sits next to her, tentatively putting an arm around her, unsure of what to do exactly. She immediately leans in and rests her head on his shoulder as the two friends comfort one another.

Now they're teenagers sitting across from each other, heads bowed closely together over the greasy tables as they plot and theorize about the murder of the Blossom boy. They are co-conspirators, partners in crime, or in this case, justice.

Then begins the simple touches on the arm, a brush of the hand as they reach for a French fry, long gazes over their milkshakes while the other isn't looking that seems a little less innocent. This grows to where their hands seemed to be forever laced together across the booth. They begin sharing a bench, her golden head nestled yet again on the boy's shoulder, only this time for different reasons.

Sometimes it isn't a joyful meal. There are moments of silence as the other seems at a loss for words, eyes rimmed red from unshed tears. There are others where heated words are thrown across their burgers, but these are always resolved with sweet kisses and regretful looks.

Then a few years go by, their booth remains empty. Until one day, the bell rings over the door as the pair walk in, the diner looking the same as ever, but they themselves have changed a little. There are rings shining on their left hands and her belly is noticeably bigger. There are new, subtle lines on their faces as maturity and experience has left its mark. Their gazes over their milkshakes are still the same though, their smiles holding hidden secrets as they share a plate of fries, a reflection of the past.

Finally, they stand, their hands laced together as always as they leave the diner. This has all been written over many meals, many moments. Yet, there is one witness who has watched their story unfold. He has seen them grow up, seen them mature and fall in love. Pop Tate watches the couple from behind the counter as the door closes and he smiles knowingly to himself.