Chapter 21: The Serpent's heartbeat

"What?"

Sweet Pea repeated and Betty didn't back down.

"Yes, there's no way I'm letting you sleep on the streets or go to Mama Felicia."

"You're actually considering letting me stay at your house?"

Sweet Pea said, sounding more angry than surprised. Almost outraged she'd ever suggested such a thing.

"Well. Yes. Jellybean is staying with them tonight obviously so I could sneak you into Polly's room or something…"

"You know there is no way I can accept this, right?"

"Fine. Don't think of it as a kindness, its a payment for telling me about Mama Felicia and everything else, for joining the blue and gold."

"I'm sorry Betty, there's just no way I can do this. If I'm caught by anyone you have no idea what I could be charged with, or what it will do to either of our reputations. I'm not Jughead! You can't treat me like it, he's your lifelong friend, best friend to Archie Andrews, more of a Northsider than I'll ever be, even if you weren't dating it would be different."

"Then tell me, how can I help you?!"

He threw his hands up,

"I never said I needed your help, Cooper! As I said, this has happened before!"

They were now shouting at each other, both too stubborn for their own good.

"And what did you do then? You dealt with it by yourself and it happened again, so this time, let me help and it won't happen again!"

"You can't guaranty that and I don't need you looking after me like I'm some child!"

"Just let me help you, to make it easier for you! Your seventeen, you shouldn't have to do this alone!"

"What do you want from me, Cooper!"

"I want for you to let me help you, to realise you don't deserve this, to accept help!"

He just shook his head, pressing his lips together and began retreating backwards a few steps before turning around, but before he could disappear she called out to him.

"Don't go! Fine, fair enough you don't want to stay with me, I realise it was a reckless offer but we'll think of something else!"

He stopped but didn't turn around,

"Thanks for all the help, really but here's where I draw the line!"

"What, so this is it? You get to decide when and how I help you? Helping you find your bike is alright, sharing stories and ideas is alright, planning on working together is alright but any further than that and you push me away!"

"That is exactly it."

He said, no longer shouting but his mindset. He still hadn't turned around.

"That isn't your decision to make!"

"Oh yes, it is!"

"What happened Sweet Pea?! What happened that you can't let anyone in?! And before you deny it, I know it's not just me you push away, it's everyone. I've seen it, around Toni, Fangs and Jughead you're all tough and reckless and loud but never personal and close!"

He now turned around in a furry,

"Don't pretend to know me, Betty! Don't pretend to have me all figured out and don't you dare, don't you dare to ever judge me! I never should have said anything I said because you're just like all the rest, nothing more than a Northside snob!"

His snarling face was so close to hers she blinked back in shock. She opened her mouth to say something but no words came. And damn him, he couldn't but glance at those full, red lips. He hated himself for after everything she'd said that all he wanted to do was close the distance between them and kiss her, to bite her lip, to be able to call her his. But he knew he couldn't. And he knew he couldn't accept her offer for the same reason.

They stayed like that for a short while and Sweet Pea, somewhere in the back of his head prayed that she would keep arguing, keep insisting to help but she didn't. And he knew that was for the best, and yet, he couldn't help but feel disappointed. He was just looking for a fight he told himself and he stepped back, realising no one was going to be saying anything anymore before turning around, leaving her to stare at the Serpent take was permanently on his back. She knew it was of no importance right now but she couldn't help wonder if the tattoo on his neck was the only one he had or if there was another on his constantly covered skin, under all those layers.

She watched him disappear into the darkness, heading god knows where. She could just turn around, go home, the only sign any of this every happened the ache she felt in her chest and the paper she was hoping to find unsigned on her desk one day. But Betty Cooper was a lot of things and a quitter wasn't one of those things.

Jughead seemed to have calmed down enough to feel embarrassed by Jellybean's attire. Or lack thereof.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to umm…"

She laughed at his complete loss of words, he himself, at least had been wearing shorts and an undershirt.

"It's perfectly alright. I'm just going to get changed, see you in a minute."

She said and rose carefully before walking back into the living room, chuckling at Jughead's response, even if she herself was extremely relieved her towel had stayed in place. She dressed quickly into the last outfit she'd taken with her, knocking on FP's bedroom door to signal she was ready. Soon Jughead came out too and they shared the little food left for them in the fridge. Fp was long gone, leaving them nothing but a simple note reading,

"I'm out, food in the fridge."

Jughead didn't seem surprised, he didn't even read it. It seemed FP was out quite early a lot."

They ate most of their breakfast in silence, both hungry from the events that had just occurred. Jellybean made herself a mental note that today she had to call her mom, whatever else she was doing that had to be done.

"Jughead, are we going to talk about your panic attack?"

She asked and he sighed, shoving another mouthful of cereal in his mouth.

"Thought you might want to."

He said once he finished his mouthful then said nothing for a while.

"I had them constantly as a kid, and then became worse as a young teenager but they were…manageable. But the problem with panic or anxiety attack is it doesn't get easier. Everyone, no matter how many hundred I'd had before that one is just as bad as the last and just as bad as the first. But as years passed and I became more and more stable they slowly started to stop. Until finally, once I really started to accept that this was my life, they stopped. That is…Until three days ago."

"Until I arrived."

He nodded,

"Yeah, that or the phone call."

Her heart dropped, that was yet another wound that now had to start healing again.

"This is the second one since then but dealing with them is always more difficult alone and my thoughts go crazy and I sometimes say stuff that doesn't make any sense or I don't mean so if I ever say something to you that…."

"You don't have to apologise for that Jughead, I know you don't mean it and I'll be there for every single one to come from now on."

She said sincerely, no strings attached, no excuses or maybes.

"But it's not that simple. They'll just keep coming until the problem, the thing causing them is fixed. It used to be accepting my situation and the way things were but now I'm not so sure how to fix this. There's just too much going on…But maybe once all is done, I'll get more and more used to you coming and going."

She nodded, it would be better, it had to be.

"It'll all be over soon. Everyone will be happy. Me, you, dad and even mom."

"Do you really want to.."

"Yes, I know she may seem like the villain right now but she's still my mom, I won't repeat what happened between me and dad, I hope you won't either."

"We'll see."

He said and that had been the end of it.

"No."

She said, staring after him, knowing he had heard it even if she hadn't raised her voice, even if he didn't turn around or make any sign of having heard it.

"I'm going to help you whether you like it or not. And if that makes me a Northsider bitch then so be it."

She said and marched after him. She reached him and tugged him by the arm, forcing him to turn around, catching him a little by surprise but all she did was press the keys she'd taken from out of her bag into his palm.

"This is the least I can give you, a key to the school and to the blue and gold office, now don't go ruling either of our reputations by being caught with them or losing them."

She said and closed his hand over them before letting go of his arm, letting him decide what he'd do with the gift. She had no idea what he would do but to her surprise, he simply put his closed fist into his jacket pocket and nodded,

"Thank you, Elizabeth Cooper."

He said and turned around again, and this time, she let him go. She stood there for a while, watching him, just wondering if that had been the most he'd ever accepted from anyone. One of the very few things he'd been given and didn't have to fight for. And she had no idea just how right she was. Or just how hard Sweet Pea's heart was beating beneath the Serpent coiled on his back.

Neither Jughead nor Jellybean were sure what to do with themselves so they pulled out a pack of cards and taught each other every card came they knew, which in Jughead's case wasn't very much but they played them all without complaint. Spit was Jellybean's favourite game and was made even better as it left Jughead cursing his clumsy hands wildly as she snorted with laughter.

She won most games but they both played for hours until finally, they decided to get some proper food. Jughead once again offered to go with Pop's but Jellybean was already feeling like she'd been there too often and wanted to try something else, not understanding her brother's obsession with it.

"What? Pop's is the best diner in the whole world and perfect to eat and hang out at."

Jughead said after she'd voiced her feelings on the matter, she only rolled her eyes.

"Really? I mean sure they serve milkshakes and burgers and have a nice 60s vibe to it but I don't get what's so great about it?"

"Exactly that! And the amazing history and location of it."

"If I wanted to go sightseeing or get a history lesson I wouldn't go to a dinner for it."

They kept going backwards and forwards with their stupid argument, no real conflict actually forming. They didn't stop when getting on their bikes and were still going on, Jughead talking about all Betty had done to keep the place open as they went along slowly. Too slowly.

"Seriously Jug, Betty said herself that going slow was more dangerous than going fast!"

Jellybean complained but Jughead was having none of it,

"When I'm driving yes! Not you!"

"That makes no sense."

Jellybean said and without warning, she shot forward. Jughead cursed and sped up to catch up to her but she just kept picking up speed until eventually, Pop came into view.

Jughead was definitely pissed when they arrived. And made no effort to hide it but she did see the smile beneath his deep frown. After a few scowls from Jughead, they entered the Diner. They looked around for a place to sit when a voice called them over,

"Here!"

They followed the voice and found it to be Betty, seated at a table with Veronica, waving them over. They came over and slid into the free seats, Jellybean sitting next to Veronica who was sitting opposite Betty. The blonde and brunette both said an excited, "Hey." As the Jones's took their seats.

Jughead, sitting next to Betty gave her a quick kiss before saying,

"Hey Betty, Veronica, mind if we join you?"

"By all means."

Veronica said and Jellybean was glad to be part of their little group, even if she still wondered whether Jughead would tell Betty about the panic attack or want to keep it between just them. She shook off the thought almost immediately, this was none of her concern and the last thing she wanted to do was push him.

So she let it go and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with the straight A student who wasn't as simple or innocent as she'd first appeared to Jellybean and the rich kid who had a more loving heart than Jellybean could have thought. Her brother of course...Wasn't exactly too doom and gloom but she had jet to see what exactly he really was. He seemed to be walking a fine line.

Sweet Pea bit his lip, oh God what was he doing? He'd come early to school for God's sake, just to leave his paper for Betty without anyone seeing him. Like some overachieving student, he'd written his draft for Betty already and had actually done his best. He couldn't remember the last time he'd tried so hard for something that wasn't his education or the Serpents. This didn't matter at all, it wouldn't give him extra credit because he'd keep it anonymous, no one could find out or he'd be made fun of yet, somehow, it mattered so much.

He hovered outside the blue and gold, deciding whether or not to enter. He knew he could, he could just walk in, put it in Betty's draw and she'd know it was from him and go. But for some reason he didn't. He paced backwards and forwards, clutching the small stack of papers he'd even stapled together in his hands. God this was stupid he decided and finally went in. Funny how he'd never been in here before, let alone wanted to be, but now…

Now he was really excited to be part of something that wasn't the Serpents, that didn't involve a team and a reputation, it just meant writing about the things he knew best, stories, legends, people and the Southside. He opened the door slowly, as if afraid someone was inside, which of course there wouldn't be.

He closed the door behind him gently and walked towards the desk at the back of the room, Betty's desk. He reached it and was about to go around it to open the draw when a voice from behind him stopped him.

"Sweet Pea? What are you doing here?"

He turned around, quickly hiding the paper behind his back as he now faced Jughead, standing at the door. Jughead looked very confused and kind of angry, probably thinking he was here to steal something.

"Nothing. Just looking for you."

Sweet Pea covered up quickly but in his usual cool manner. Jughead looked at him suspiciously,

"In here?"

"Yes, I know you write for this rubbish you call a paper so I came here to look for you."

"And you thought you could find me in Betty's desk because…"

Jughead said, walking towards him but not looking particularly menacing in his fur-lined coat and shoulder bag.

"I wasn't, I was waiting for you and thought I might as well look at what you two get to in here, nothing much it seems."

To Sweet Pea's relief, Jughead took the excuse and shrugged,

"Fine, what you need me for."

"My bike. Where is it? I baby sitted your sister for you so give me my bike."

"Ah, well…You'll have to wait for Jellybean to come to school, she'll be riding it."

Jughead said smirking and Sweet Pea scowled at him menacing, the only thing keeping him from choking Jughead was the paper clutched behind his back and the fact that the boy was his leader's son.

"Oh, Betty really knows how to pick 'em doesn't she."

He said, standing up to his full height and stepping up to Jughead. He blinked at the words,

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean, how did a girl like that end up with a miserable douche like you."

"Don't talk to me like that."

Jughead said, fire in his gaze but Sweet Pea couldn't care less. He just needed Jughead angry enough to leave and besides, he really did want to know.

"Tell me, how did you get the Cooper girl?"

"It's none of your fucking business, now get out."

"Not a chance boy. For once it's time you answer to me. What makes you think you deserve her?"

"I don't!"

Jughead yelled, snarling into Sweet Pea's face.

"That's what I thought."

Sweet Pea said smugly but before he could stop himself he added,

"But for some reason, she seems to think you do. And whatever fucked up thing you do Jones, don't hurt her. Send the Serpents to hell if you want but treat her the way she deserves to be treated, don't get her stuck in the middle. You're a lucky mother fucker so don't fuck it up. If you ever do anything to hurt her in any way I will hunt you down myself."

Jughead's frown fell and he looked up at the boy he'd always seen as heartless and nothing but a rough brute with new eyes. His expression turned shocked and realisation dawned on it. Sweet Pea cursed his running mouth and was about to leave, damning that paper when Betty herself walked in, Jughead turning around at the sound of the opening door. She smiled at the both of them,

"Hey, Jughead, Sweet Pea? What are you doing here?"

She said then frowned at the expression on Jughead's face, now turned to her.

Sweet Pea didn't waste the opportunity and quickly but carefully moved the paper's from behind his back to Betty's desk, face down. Betty noticed the movement in the corner of her eye but kept her attention on Jughead, letting Sweet Pea know that she would indeed keep this as their secret. Jughead was too lost in his thoughts to notice anything and hardly registered Sweet Pea leaving.

He passed Betty without looking at her but she didn't feel offended, knowing it was all part of the act. She faked confusion at seeing him but before she could utter a word or ask what was wrong with Jughead he was upon her. His lips crashed into hers and she pulled back a bit in surprise but immediately leant back into him. He wasn't kissing her like he usually did, with tenderness and love but with need and want. He pushed her against the wall, his mouth taking and taking, trailing down her neck viciously as Betty tilted her head back and moaned, forgetting the world. She let him go on, biting and sucking, growling as he went, her hand in his hair until good sense came back to her and she stopped him with a hand against his chest. Not understanding he pushed further into her, now flush against her. She gasped in pleasure but knew this was wrong. Something was wrong with Jughead and this was how he was dealing with it, by losing himself in her.

"Jughead…"

She said breathlessly as his mouth kept going lower and lower down her front, his hips grinding against her's, hands trailing down to her rear.

"Jughead…" She tried again, "Stop."

He stopped, breathing heavily, bringing his face up to meet her eyes.

"What…what is it?"

He asked, eyes filled with lust.

"Jughead, tell me, what's wrong? Why…why did you look at me like that when I came in?"

She asked worried and he shook his head,

"It's nothing."

He said and leant forward to nibble at her earlobe. She kept in her gasp as she pressed on.

"Jughead, please, talk to me."

He sighed, leaning his forehead against her's. He kissed her softly, tenderly before answering.

"What…what could possibly make you believe I deserve you?"

He said and she pulled back.

"What?"

"Why would you possibly want to get involved with a Serpent?"

"Jughead, where is this coming from? One day you want us to run away together and the next you don't think you deserve me. Of course, you deserve me and you don't need me to tell you that.

You deserve me because you care for me, because you held me when my world was falling to pieces, because you opened up for me, because you did everything you could to protect me, because you're a good person. And I deserve you because I fought for you and your father, I didn't let you go, I didn't let you block yourself out and disappear. I deserve you because no matter what, I was by your side and because I accepted you for who you were, now and last year. We deserve each other because we went through all kinds of hell for each other, we stand up and protect each other and we always, always are better together. Because whenever one of us messes up the other is there to help clear up the mess, to forgive the other. So don't ever, ever kid yourself in thinking you don't deserve me. You fought for me, you earned all my love, now stop messing about and accept it."

She said and he almost felt stupid for ever thinking anything else.

"You're right, I'm sorry. It's just sometimes," He shuddered, "It's hard to believe you chose me."

She smiled, kissing him tenderly,

"And that you chose me."

She said into his mouth and he once again pushed against her and deepened the kiss until they were once again, lost in each other.

Betty had the first period free and decided to spend it in the blue and gold as Jughead was in chemistry.

She took her chance, hating to go behind Jughead's back, especially after earlier but knowing it was necessary, to help out a friend.

She picked up the paper's Sweet Pea had left for her, pleasantly surprised he'd done them so early.

She sat in her chair and read all of it in one sitting, finishing just before the bell rang. She jumped in her seat at the familiar, yet still surprising sound and quickly picked her stuff together, Sweet Pea's words still ringing through her head like they would for the rest of the day.

She walked down Riverdale high's simple halls, her head still in the clouds and decided she had to talk to Sweet Pea, just to tell him how honoured she was he'd trusted her with all this. And of course she would keep all of this a secret, her head was buzzing with articles and headlines she would never write.

At the end of the day, she came back into the blue and gold, plopping her bag down and sitting down behind her computer, designing the cover to next week's paper, introducing the South Sider's column.

She worked on it for a good hour, wanting to advertise it just right, make it something the Southsiders actually would want to be a part of and not just for Northsiders entertainment and gossip. She finally got it right and the cover was ready for printing. She smiled at her work, closing her laptop. Wanting to read through parts of Sweet Pea's paper again she opened the drawer she'd put it in then gasped. No, this couldn't be happening. She searched her desk frantically, throwing stacks of paper to the ground, running her hand through her hair. She searched her bag twice and every corner of the room, every stack of paper's three times, she went back to every class she had that day, cursing herself for not locking up the draw in her hurry to get to class. She burst back into the room after her unsuccessful search and looked everywhere one more time before falling to the ground in defeat. What had she done?

The papers were gone.