Author's Note: Thank you all for your awesome reviews from the last chapter! I promise I'm working on responding to them individually, but for now, here's an update :)

Jughead freezes, knowing that he has to be hallucinating. He blinks several times, rubbing his eyes and shaking his head, but every time his blue irises emerge, they meet the green ones of Betty Cooper. In a trance, he steps forward, walking slowly across the room, every breath catching in his chest. For the first time in almost two weeks, his hand and soul are completely pain free, mesmerized by the light directly in front of him. He sits on the edge of the bed, reaching his good hand out to stroke the side of Betty's pristine visage, still not convinced this is reality.

Betty's eyes close briefly at the contact, sending a tear running across Jughead's hand. The moisture is the last thing Jughead needs to prove that this is in fact happening, and emotion explodes in his chest. Letting out a strangled cry, he collapses into Betty's shoulder, clinging onto her for dear life, never wanting to release her. Never again will he let go.

"Shh," Betty whispers into his hair, wrapping her arms around him. "I'm here, Juggie. I'm okay." Her voice is hoarse from the intubation and ventilator, but strong nonetheless.

He has never felt so overcome with emotion, never allowed himself to get this out of control. Jughead continues to cry into her chest, releasing all of his pent-up anxiety and exhaustion from the last two weeks. In her arms, he is home, and he has been so very homesick.

After several minutes, Jughead composes himself enough to glance up to Betty's face, which is also shining with tears.

"I thought I was going to lose you, Betts," he whispers. He shakes his head, fighting off another round of sobs and looks into her eyes, the beautiful eyes he thought he would get to peer into again.

"I know," Betty replies softly. She brushes Jughead's dark curls from his face and slowly scratches his scalp as he lays his head on her shoulder. "But I'm okay. I'm here and I'm better."

At that moment, Alice walks into the room, having hung up the phone. "That was your sister," she informs Betty. "She's so glad to hear you're on the mend, and as soon as you're up for it, she wants to bring the twins to see you."

Betty smiles and nods, her fingers still combing lazily through Jughead's hair. "That sounds wonderful," she murmurs.

Jughead closes his eyes as he continues to rest against Betty's shoulder. The gentle scratching on his scalp is sending tingles down his spine, and for the first time in what feels like an eternity, he is relaxed and happy. He would typically refrain from any public displays of affection in front of Betty's mom out of respect and modesty, as well as a little fear, but a herd of wild horses could not drag him away from where he is right now.

"I'm sorry I didn't let you know they were waking her up, Jughead," Alice tells him. "They first introduced the idea after you left yesterday afternoon, and by the time I texted you, she was already waking up."

"It's fine, Alice. It made for a pretty fantastic surprise," he replies, smiling up at his girlfriend, who returns the grin.

"I'm going to run down and grab some coffee," Alice says. "Anyone need anything?"

"I think we're good, Mom, thanks," Betty tells her.

Once Alice has left the room, Betty leans down and kisses the top of her boyfriend's head. He straightens up, leaning back to survey her. She has a nasal cannula around her face helping her to get oxygen, but other than that, she looks good. There is only one IV running now, which is far fewer than the number she had while sedated. Overall, Betty looks pale and tired, but absolutely stunning nonetheless

"I love you, Betty, more than life itself," he says breathlessly. The wave of emotion continues to swell within him, and he struggles to find words to convey it to his girlfriend.

Betty smiles serenely. "I love you too, Juggie, more than you know." She glances down, noticing his cast for the first time, and wide eyes dart back to his face. "What happened to you?"

Jughead hesitates. He doesn't know whether or not Alice has told Betty about Hal's absence, and he certainly doesn't want to break the news of the impending divorce. "Have you talked to your mom about some of the Cooper happenings since you went under?"

Betty grimaces and sighs. "She told me about my dad leaving, if that's what you're alluding to."

"Yeah. So, I kind of caught him trying to get into your house after your mom changed the locks, and we may have gotten into a bit of an altercation," Jughead replies, holding his cast up. By now, there are a plethora of silver signatures on the black plaster. "His jaw won against my hand."

"Oh, Jug," Betty sighs, taking the casted arm into her lap and rubbing his shoulder. She shakes her head. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault I can't land a punch correctly," he shrugs, refraining from telling her the part of the story where Hal tried to strangle him against the side of the house. Betty doesn't need the added stress.

"Well thank you," Betty says quietly. "For protecting the house from him."

"Anything for you, Betts," Jughead says, wrapping his arm around her waist and kissing her temple softly. "You know that."

0o0o0o0

Betty is released from the hospital that evening. Her white blood cell counts are good, and her lung x-rays came back clear from pneumonia. The doctors have warned her that it is very important to take it easy, and Jughead plans on making sure that happens, even if it means preventing Alice from throwing any more welcome home parties. However, the impending divorce seems to have the Cooper matriarch distracted and subdued, so thankfully nothing has been mentioned on the party-planning front.

Jughead walks through the front doors of the Cooper house behind Betty and Alice, carrying their bags. He sets them down on the floor and straightens up, watching Betty carefully. The doctors and physical therapists at the hospital warned her that she lost a good deal of muscle mass from non-use while she was in her coma, so she will be weaker than usual and tire very easily. She has lost even more weight than before, and Jughead would be surprised if she weighs more than 100 pounds at this point.

"I'm going to go to the store to get food for dinner," Alice tells them. "Any requests?"

Jughead looks to Betty expectantly. For the first time in his life, someone else's stomach takes priority over his, and he wants her to choose something she wants.

"Probably nothing too heavy," Betty tells her. "I'll probably have salad or soup, so if you and Jughead want something else, go ahead and make that."

"Elizabeth, you need to eat something a little heavier than that. You're wasting away in front of us."

Jughead and Betty glance at one another, concealing their respective shocked expressions. Alice has never suggested that Betty should eat something 'heavier'.

Betty shrugs helplessly. "I don't think I can," she says apologetically. "My stomach still isn't right, especially after they gave me that dose of chemo today."

Alice sighs and nods before heading out the door.

Jughead walks over to Betty and wraps his arms around her, kissing the top of his beanie. She returns the gesture, wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him close.

"I feel bad for disappointing her," Betty says into his chest, "but I really don't think I could eat anything too solid right now."

"She understands," Jughead replies evenly. "You're doing the best you can."

"I never thought she would tell me I need to gain weight," Betty giggles. "I can't wait to use that against her in the future."

Jughead grins. "Future. I really like the sound of that."

0o0o0o0

At dinner, Betty does her best to eat as much of the chicken and rice soup her mother prepared, but only finishes half her bowl before laying her spoon down. Both Jughead and Alice notice, but don't say anything, not wanting to add to her guilt. Shortly after helping Alice clean up, Jughead helps Betty climb the stairs to her room. It is so early that the sun is still shining, but both teens are completely spent after the last two weeks.

"Oh, my goodness," Betty says, halting as she walks into her room.

The typically pristine, pink bedroom is strewn with Jughead's clothes and belongings. They are on the floor, on her desk, and there's even a pile on her bed. Several books litter the floor, as well as his headphones and laptop. Betty looks up at him, amused.

"It looks like you've moved in."

"Yeah, sorry about that." Jughead smiles sheepishly and begins to move around the room, consolidating his clothing as best he can.

"It's okay," Betty laughs. "Did you stay here the entire time I was in the hospital? I thought you would go to your house."

"Nah, I stayed here the nights I wasn't with you," he says, stuffing some of his clothes into a bag. "I kept an eye on the house for your mom when she was on duty." He straightens up, and adds, "Plus, your pillows smell like you, and that helps me sleep." Jughead ignores the burning in his cheeks.

Betty gives him a smile. "Are you going soft on me, Jones?"

"Me? Never." He stuffs his headphones into his duffle bag and gives his girlfriend a crooked grin.

"You know, Jug, if you wanted to put your stuff in my bottom dresser drawer, it's empty," Betty shrugs, doing her best to appear casual and sitting on the edge of her bed.

"A drawer, huh?" he asks, walking over and sitting down next to her. "You're sure you're ready for that next step in our relationship?"

"I think you've proven your worth," Betty returns, smiling up at him.

Jughead leans down and kisses her. He's been waiting for this all day for this moment, but hasn't found the right time. Her lips feel both foreign and incredible against his. She moves to deepen the kiss, but after a few moments pulls back, not trusting himself to utilize self-control if they go any further.

"Not right now, Betts, you need to take it easy," he sighs, rubbing her back with his non-casted hand. He shifts his pants uncomfortably, cursing his hormones.

0o0o0o0

While Betty changes into her pajamas, he places his clothes in his new drawer. He peeks up while Betty changes, making sure that she's steady on her feet, and is dismayed to see the evidence of her increased weight loss. Her hip bones jut out of her abdomen while she puts on her sleeping shorts, and when she changes into a baggy t-shirt, he can count the vertebrae and ribs running down her back. Jughead sighs, but makes no mention of it. Betty has already expressed insecurity with how skinny she appears, and he certainly doesn't want to exacerbate things.

Betty crawls into bed, appearing exhausted, as Jughead finishes packing his drawer. He is careful to shut it fully; while he and Alice have been on good terms for the last fortnight, he doesn't know how she will react to his new real estate in Betty's dresser.

"Hey, do you mind if I call my dad really quickly and give him the news?" Jughead asks her, stripping down to his boxers and crawling into bed next to her. Before Betty's release from the hospital, the three of them had all agreed not to tell people until the next day, as to not immediately overwhelm Betty with visitors. "He's been really supportive of me through all of this so I'd like to let him know."

"Of course," Betty replies, nestling into his chest. She wraps one of her legs around his, and Jughead has to think of anything except his beautiful girlfriend to distract himself from his urges as he dials FP's number.

"What's up, Jug?"

Based on the background noise, Jughead surmises that FP is at the White Wyrm. This would typically make him uneasy, but it seems as though his father has turned the corner with regard to his alcohol use.

"Hey, Dad," Jughead says, resting his cheek against the top of Betty's beanie-clad head. "How's it going?"

"Can't complain." The background noise becomes quieter, signifying that FP has walked outside. "What's going on with you, everything okay?"

"Yeah, things are good," Jughead says, unable to stop himself from grinning. "Things are great, actually. Betty is awake and at home."

"You're shitting me." Jughead can hear his father's smile. "That's great news, Jug. I'm really happy for you guys. Tell her I'm thinking about her, and I'll try to drop by in the next couple days to visit."

"Sounds good and will do," Jughead says, giving Betty's shoulders a squeeze. "I'll talk to you sometime this week, okay?"

"Bye, son."

Betty falls asleep within minutes of the phone call, and while Jughead is not far behind her, he takes special care to wrap himself around her sleeping form and bask in the feeling of sleeping next to her. Over the last two weeks, he has constantly wondered whether or not this would ever be possible again, and to actually do it feels incredible. Her quiet, rhythmic breathing is music to his ears as he slowly drifts off into the first peaceful slumber he's had in almost two weeks.

0o0o0o0

At noon the next day, Jughead and Betty are still in bed. Jughead is in the purgatory between sleep and wakefulness at this point, enjoying his quiet time wrapped around his girlfriend, but Betty still seems to be out, recovering from her body's fight for her life.

All of a sudden, Betty's bedroom door flies open with a bang. Jughead jumps, his long limbs flailing in every direction, and Betty slowly lifts her head from her pillow, adjusting the beanie on her head.

"Really, you two? No calls or texts about this sensational homecoming?" Veronica asks, striding into the room and sitting on the edge of the bed, despite its inhabitants. Archie shuffles in behind her, hands in his pockets. Jughead pulls the sheet over his naked upper body, feeling self-conscious in front of their unexpected guests. Though Veronica's words and tone are severe, a giant grin spans across her face and there are tears in her eyes.

"Sorry, V," Betty yawns, smiling and stretching. She sits up, leaning over to hug her friend. "I needed a couple hours to return to normalcy. I was going to call you this morning, I promise."

"Morning has come and gone, Betty," Veronica laughs, hugging her friend back. Tears are spilling from her eyes at this point. "I am so glad you're okay, B. The past two weeks have been the worst of my life."

"I know," Betty says, smiling up at Archie and hugging him as well before settling back against the pillows. "I'm sorry for the scare. I know things have been difficult for you guys."

Archie pulls up Betty's desk chair and sits down. "Never mind us. How are you feeling?" he asks her, his brown eyes still wide with concern.

Betty smiles reassuringly and leans back into Jughead's chest. "I'm good, Arch. Just readjusting and catching up on some rest."

"Well, you look amazing," Veronica says, her brown eyes running Betty up and down. "Seriously, B, you have more color than I've seen you have in forever."

Betty smiles shyly. "Thanks, V. I feel the best I've felt in a long time. The doctors told my mom and I they kept me under a couple days longer to make sure I would be good enough to go home after waking up. All my blood levels look good, so I'm back to my maintenance chemo once a week and supposedly back to normal."

"Well, then," Veronica says, leaning forward excitedly. "I say we take this meeting to Pop's and get some lunch- Daddy's treat."

"Hold your horses, Veronica," Jughead interjects, wrapping his casted arm around Betty's shoulders protectively. "Betty has to take it easy. Otherwise, she'll end up back in the hospital."

Betty smiles up at Jughead. "I feel good today, Juggie." She gives him a mischievous look. "In fact, I think good enough for a cheeseburger and milkshake at Pop's."

Jughead looks down at her, stunned. He cannot remember the last time Betty felt good enough to eat any sort of sustenance, especially a cheeseburger. "You're positive?" he asks her, not able to help the grin that tugs at the corners of his mouth.

"The only way I can really know is to try," Betty shrugs, returning his smile. "And this is the best I've felt in a really long time. I say we take Veronica up on her offer."

Once dressed, Veronica's car service drives the foursome to Pop's. Jughead can't remember the last time he actually sat in a booth here; since Betty's diagnosis, Pop's had been a stop to get food on the go when he was starving and didn't have any energy left to cook once returning to the Cooper's house. And over the past two weeks, Jughead had not visited at all; his stomach had constantly been in knots so he hadn't had his usual appetite, and constantly being asked about Betty when her condition had been so fragile was exhausting, even if the concerns were well-intentioned.

"You're sure you're okay?" Jughead murmurs to Betty as they walk up the stairs to the Chock'lit Shoppe.

Betty looks up to him, studying him over her surgical mask. "I am fine, Juggie. I learned my lesson before. I'm not going to overdo it again." She gives him a sideways glance. "Plus," she adds, "I'm not the only one that's dropped too much weight during this fiasco."

Jughead blushes. Though he hadn't stepped on a scale, he knows she's right. "Touché, Cooper," he grumbles, opening the door for her.

"Well aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Pop exclaims when Betty walks through the door ahead of Jughead, Archie, and Veronica. He comes from around the counter and gives Betty a huge hug, which warms Jughead's heart. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good, Pop," Betty tells him through her mask, her green eyes crinkled with her smile. "Today's the first day I've had any sort of appetite, so of course I had to come see you."

"Well I'm so glad you did," Pop smiles down at her. He glances to Jughead. "Has this young man been taking proper care of you?"

"Of course," Betty says, wrapping her arm around Jughead's waist. She glances up at him. "He always does."

Several minutes later, the four friends are seated in their favorite booth with their usual milkshakes in front of them. Jughead notices Betty is sipping hers slowly, as if testing whether or not it would settle well in her stomach. It is then that he realizes she probably wanted to come to Pop's so he could get a greasy, fattening meal rather than her.

Pop places their plates in front of them and they all thank him. Unable to help himself, Jughead digs in immediately, cramming a huge bite of cheeseburger into his mouth and reveling in its taste. In that moment, he pledges never to go two weeks without Pop's again.

Not wanting to draw any attention to her, he watches Betty in his peripheral vision. She eats a couple fries, obviously testing the waters, and after several moments of hesitation, she cuts her burger in half and takes a bite.

"How is it?" Jughead asks her. His own burger is almost gone at this point. Archie and Veronica are also watching cautiously, knowing Betty's struggles with her appetite during her chemotherapy.

"Delicious," Betty smiles at him. She places the other half of her burger on his plate. "There's no way I can finish it though. My stomach isn't big enough right now."

"You could save it for later," Jughead tells her.

"Go for it, Juggie," Betty tells him, smiling. "There's no guarantee on how I'll be feeling later. Besides, I can tell you want it."

"If you insist," he shrugs, digging in.

The gang spends an hour at Pop's but Jughead can tell Betty is fading by the time they ask to get their bill, which Pop refuses to give them.

"It's on the house," he insists, refusing to listen to their arguments.

Once the car service drops them off back at the Cooper's house, Betty is evidently ready for a nap. They wave goodbye to Archie and Veronica, and once in the doors, Jughead helps Betty up the stairs, where she crawls into bed.

"Want to lay with me?" she asks, rubbing his side of the bed.

"Who am I to refuse?" He crawls over her and wraps his arm around her, kissing the back of her neck.

Betty turns over to face him and kisses him tenderly. "I love you, Jughead Jones. Thank you so much for everything. You're unbelievable."

"I love you too, babe," he says, testing out the endearment for the first time while tracing his hand down the side of her face. "More than you know."

Betty smiles and slowly traces her hands down his chest and abdomen and begins to undo the button on his jeans. She reaches her hand in, stroking him, and Jughead lets out a shuttering breath.

"You're sure you're feeling up to this?" he asks her, shifting his jeans, which had suddenly become too tight.

"I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't, I promise," Betty murmurs against his lips, giving him another deep kiss. "Besides, my mom is at the Register. We have all the time in the world."

"I don't want you to get too tired," Jughead groans as Betty continues to run her hand along all the right places.

"Who says I have to do any of the work?" she giggles, cocking an eyebrow at him.

"Well okay then," he laughs, rolling on top of her and kissing his way down her neck. Betty lets out a shriek of laughter, and their afternoon is very well spent.

0o0o0o0

That evening after dinner, Jughead sits in one of the Adirondack chairs on the Cooper's deck with Betty curled up in his lap. The late spring evening is warm with a light breeze, and Jughead honestly doesn't think things could get any better. Alice did decide to have a gather for dinner, but at Jughead's request she kept it small, so she, FP, and Fred Andrews talk on one side of the deck, while Jughead, Betty, Archie, and Veronica are on the other side.

Jughead traces small circles on Betty's back as she nestles her head into the crook of his neck. He wouldn't be surprised if she was already asleep by this point. The evening had been fun and full of laughter, by far the closest to "normal" since Betty's diagnosis, but now the friends sit in comfortable silence, enjoying both the weather and the comradery.

"I'm sorry I've taken your son from you, FP," Jughead hears Alice tell his father from the other side of the deck.

"No worries, Alice," FP replies, taking a swig from his beer bottle. "He's got it bad for that girl of yours. Besides, you're saving me a small fortune on groceries."

The adults laugh, and when it dies down, Jughead hears Alice speak again.

"I couldn't have done this without him," Alice tells FP and Fred quietly. "Especially with Hal leaving us. He's really held things together around here."

FP smiles over at his son, and Jughead pretends not to have heard their conversation. "He's a good kid," his father replies. "He makes me proud every day."

Jughead smiles. His friends don't seem to have heard the conversation, but he didn't need them to. He kisses the top of Betty's beanie and rests his chin on top of it. The last two weeks have been absolute hell, but things seem to be on the upswing, and he is so very thankful.