Hello here is a new chapter. I'm sorry for the wait.
I'll explain more in the A/N at the end.
Hope you enjoy!
I do not own these characters.
Jughead had a hard time figuring out how he went from being handcuffed to a table to laying on his trailer's dusty old sofa, with his head resting on Betty's lap. It didn't take him long to stop questioning it and just enjoyed it. He felt relaxed. Betty's gentle fingers tracing the features of his face. His eyes were closed, and he was on the edge of sleep.
"You're so pretty." She almost whispered.
"Thanks." He groaned. "That's just what every guy wants to hear. That they're pretty."
"I'm serious Juggie. You're beautiful." He could almost hear the smile as she spoke. "People really have to stop hitting your face."
"I'll be sure to the person who attacks me next know that my girlfriend said the face is off limits." He said half asleep.
Betty gasped, and her hands stopped moving. The small jerk of her body was enough for Jughead to get shaken from him from his dozing. He looked up to her with one eye and saw that hers were wide and her lips were parted.
"What's wrong?" He asked mid yawn.
"You... um… you called me your girlfriend?"
That was enough to for Jughead to fully wake up. He sat up and turned to her, cursing his drowsy self for his big mouth.
"I'm sorry, Betty I didn't mean it." He quickly apologized.
He instantly regretted it when he took in her reaction. She looked disappointed and sad. He felt like he slapped her, or worse.
"I mean... I'm not sorry...?" He tried again. When her face didn't change he took a deep breath. "Betty, look, I don't know what I'm doing. I feel like the more I say the more I'm gonna mess things up, but somehow I can't stop talking."
"I wasn't thinking when I said what I did. I was half asleep. But it doesn't mean I didn't mean it. It felt right. And I'd like nothing more than for it to feel right for you too, but I understand if you don't want that." He spoke honestly and full of hope. Hope that was quickly dissipating with every second she remained quiet.
"Veronica called you my boyfriend earlier at the sheriff's station." She finally spoke. He green eyes looked up to his. "I didn't want to correct her, but I didn't want to assume anything."
"You aren't Betty." He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "So how bout we make it official? Betty Cooper, will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yes!" she lunged at him, causing him to fall back on the couch. Her arms circling over his own made him unable to balance himself right. Which is how they found themselves tumbling to the floor a few seconds later, both laughing.
Jughead's laughter filled her ears. Betty was intoxicated on it. She'd been afraid that Jughead's mood would be down based on that morning's event. But even as they fell to the floor, he seemed relaxed and happy. Something she was sure didn't come easy to him anymore.
Betty was blind and wasn't foolish. As soon as they stepped into the trailer she knew something was amiss. The biggest indicator was also because Betty wasn't deaf. The second FP introduced Jellybean to vinyl, the Jones trailer was filled with music from the time she got home till she went off to bed.
Betty may not have been in the trailer for a while, but it was impossible not to notice. She also noticed the obvious absence of a woman's touch in the trailer. Mrs. Jones and Jelly hadn't been in the trailer for some time, but Betty chose not to question Jughead. He didn't need more things on his plate.
Betty pushed off him as she sat up. Her hands pressed against his sides causing Jughead to groan.
"Oh my god! Are you ok?" Betty removed her arms immediately worried about causing more damage.
"It's ok, Betts" he laughed as he sat up a bit and propped up on his elbows. "My side is still a bit tender from the tasing."
"I still can't believe they did that to you." Betty said annoyed. "It was excessive and could've cause some real damage."
"Hey, if the sparks from kissing you don't kill me, neither will theirs." He smirked.
"..."
"Um..."
"Pfffftt! You're such a dork!" Betty folded over in laughter. "That was way too cheesy, Juggie."
"Ok, ok, reel it in." He pressed a hand to her mouth to muffle her laughter. Tears already coming out the corners of her eyes. "Betty the neighbors are gonna hear you. We can't have the world knowing I'm not the amorist everyone thinks."
"No one thinks that!" Betty licks his palm to break free. She's laughing even harder now.
"That's gross Cooper" he winced as he wiped his hands on his pants. The blonde just giggled and stuck her tongue out at him. "And don't lie. I know it was my Casanova-vibe that allured you."
"It most definitely wasn't." She said still smiling. A small blush appeared on her cheeks and her voice got softer. "It was a lot of things. But that wasn't one."
"Oh yeah?" He gave her a small peck. "It was the hat then, wasn't it?"
"Yup, your hat is cute." She brushed the hair the fell on his eyes back and hooked her arms around his neck. "You actually started wearing it in 5th grade, which is when I started crushing on you."
"Definitely not a coincidence." He smiled, kissing her again. "And 5th grade? I never had a clue."
"I was very good at hiding it." She beamed. "But it was just a little crush. It took a couple of years for it to get serious."
"And now he we are."
"Well, what about you? When did you start liking me?"
"Oh Betty, you had me in the palm of your hand the minute you gave me those cookies you baked in 2nd grade." He laughed. "I'm sorry my reasons aren't the most noble."
"Are you saying you just like me for the cookies I bake?"
"No. I also like the cinnamon rolls, cakes, muffins, and basically anything edible you make." He laughed as she palmed his face away.
"You're the worst!" The glint in her eye showed him that she wasn't really upset. The passionate kiss that followed further cemented it.
It was the most ardent kissed they had shared. Perhaps spurred by finding themselves alone, or the fact that Betty had been straddling him for the past 10 minutes. Jughead's arms tightening around her waist, pressing her as close as possible to his chest. Her own circling his neck as her lips parted and he deepened the kiss. The broke apart when the need to breathe was too much, but quickly found the other's lips again.
Betty's slowly raised her hand to his caress his neck, tangling her fingers in the dark locks that escaped his hat. His hair was soft, and she couldn't help the desire to tug on it, eliciting a low groan from him. As he gently tugged at her lower lip with his teeth, Betty's hand sought more of his hair. She grabbed the brim of his crown and began to pull it off slowly.
Jughead unexpectedly broke away, startling Betty. His arms shot to his head and pulled at his hat, jerking it loose from Betty's hold.
"Please... please... no." Betty could feel him trembling under her. His breathing had become erratic, but not as a result of the make out session like hers. She noticed his knuckles turn white by how tight his hold on the hat was.
"Juggie?" Her voice filled with concern for him. "What's wrong? Are you ok?"
Jughead didn't relax. It was as he somehow forgot she was there. Betty was beyond worried and unsure what to do. Without thinking and hoping it wouldn't make things worst she hugged him tightly. She buried his face into her neck and prayed her words could calm him down.
"It's ok Juggie. You're ok." She whispered. "I'm here for you. I'll always be here."
She loosened her embrace and gently wrapped her hands around his own. She struggled to uncurl his fingers from his hat. Once she found success, his arms fell limply to his sides. His face still somewhat hidden in her neck. She cupped his face and pulled him away, so she could see his eyes.
They were confused. Darting around her as if he was trying to recognize her. There was fear in them and so much pain that Betty couldn't fight it when her own eyes started to mist.
"Oh Jug..." she sobbed and hugged him again. "It's so unfair. You're the most amazing person. Why did this happen to you? You don't deserve it. I'm so sorry."
She whimpered into him, pressing small kisses to his neck that was now wet. She wasn't sure if it was his tears or her own. She silently cursed the world for hurting him. Jughead Jones. He was the strongest person she knew. She had always looked up to him, hoping to one day be as fearless of being herself as he was.
The world had tried its best to break him. In the last few days she had seen that her Jughead was still in there. Her lifelong friend was there for her giving her butterflies and filling her with nonstop laughter. She had also seen the fragile state his mind was in. When he snapped on Reggie or the dull zombie state his medication left him in. Now, after seeing the light in his eyes get snuffed out, she was afraid the world had succeeded.
That thought really scared her. She already struggled so much just trying to keep herself together. How could she help Jughead when she could barely function on most days? All she could do was be there for him. And god, she hoped that was enough because as much as it scared her, being without him was insufferable.
She felt his arms go around her waist. His lips press against her own skin.
"Thank you, Betty."
She pulled back just enough to see him staring at her. The light, though dim, back in his eyes. She connected her lips to his by instinct. There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, but she couldn't think of the words, so her body assisted where she stammered.
"I promise I'll tell you everything soon." He declared as he pulled back. "But right now, I just want to be here with you. Is that ok?"
For the second time that day, Betty basically tackled him to the floor. Once there she cuddled into his body. He didn't argue as she blatantly got herself comfortable to lay on top of him. He simply held her and pressed small kisses into her hair to thank her for her understanding.
It was uncomfortable being wrapped up on each other while lying on the floor. But neither one would want to be anywhere else.
Jughead's nostrils filled with an enticing aroma, stirring him from slumber. His eyes fluttered open and he saw the reason hovering above his face. The glorious bag of takeout dangling just inches away. He turned to see his father crouched next to him with a devilish smirk on his face.
"Why are y'all on the floor?"
Jughead's body realized this as the words registered in his head. The uncomfortable hardness of the linoleum floor making his back ache. He also noticed his arm had fallen asleep which made him look down. Betty was snuggled up on him. The peaceful expression on her face made him smile. She looked like an angel. Her lips were slightly parted, and he was positive there would be a small wet spot on his shirt. He stops himself from chuckling, afraid that the movement would wake her.
"I guess we fell asleep." He answered his dad. "What time is it?"
"It's not too late, but you should probably wake her up, so we can eat." His dad stood and walked to the small table. "We should try to get her home before Alice turns up."
Jughead had to agree. The last thing he would want is Betty to stress even more. He gently nudged he with his functioning arm.
"Betty, wake up." He spoke softly. "There's some delicious burgers waiting for us"
"Mm..."
"Come on Betts. I'm withering away here, and only you can save me." He teased poking at her ribs.
"Juggie shhh..." she swatted his hand away still asleep. "Please baby... let me sleep."
Her words effectively made Jughead stop all efforts. He hoped his dad didn't come back because he wasn't sure how he would explain the stupid grin on his face. And as if he thoughts summoned him; his dad walked back into the living room.
"What's wrong with your face boy?" FP chuckled.
"Shut up."
"Everything's set up. Are you coming?" His dad laughed.
"I'm pretty sure I'm gonna die here." He smiled. "And I think I'm ok with that."
"Too young to die kid. Don't worry I got this." His dad walked back into the kitchen and before Jughead could question what he was gonna do, the crashing of glass blared through the trailer.
Betty shot up as Jughead rolled his eyes at his father's antics. The blonde was startled as she looked around. FP ran back into the living room panting.
"Oh god, I'm sorry kids. My hand slipped." He explained.
"Talk about Oscar worthy performance." Jughead muttered.
"Juggie?" It was rare to see her in a state of disarray. Her ponytail had come loose while she slept. Some strands had escaped and framed her face. Her eyes were clouded and barely open.
"Hey there sleepyhead." He sat up tucked the offending hair behind her ear. "How are you feeling?"
"My neck is stiff. What was that crash?"
"My dad has clumsy fingers." He rubbed the side of his neck as best he could from that position. Then, unable to help himself, he wiped the little bit of drool off her cheek.
"Oh my god." Betty tensed up and flushed red when she realized what he did. "I'm so sorry. Your... shirt... oh god."
He leaned in and kissed her softly in hopes to ease her embarrassment. His dad then called them again to eat and on cue his stomach growled loudly.
"Come on Sleeping Beauty." He stood up and offered her a hand. "We gotta eat before the dragon shows up and you gotta cut your hair and eat the poisoned apple."
Betty giggled as she took his hand and got up. "You have your fairy tales all wrong Juggie."
"Well, I usually just skip to the end because I know there's a kiss." He winked at her.
"So cheesy." She laughed again. "My big bad Serpent boyfriend is a cheeseball."
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and pressed small kissed to her hair and trailed down. "I really like the sound of that."
"Me too, Juggie." She turned her head to kiss him properly. "Me too."
A/N: So, real life has been a real bitch lately. I have been so busy and unfortunate things were happening one after another. I really let it get in my head. I'm sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out but it felt like I was in a rut and anything I wrote was bad. That's probably why this chapter is mostly filler to cheer myself up. And honestly, it worked. Writing is a nice escape when life is too much. I promise I won't let as much time go by in between chapters. I really appreciate everyone who reads my story. Thank You!