Betty sat in her last class of the day, staring absentmindedly out of the window, the last few weeks had seemed to fly by and somehow also felt like an eternity. Her and Jughead had fallen into a comfortable rhythm with each other, and she was actually feeling like an important part of his life. He had started including her more in his club life, talking to her about his frustrations and stresses, explaining the other crews he worked with, and even complaining about some of them as customers. Jughead had started picking her up from school on most of the days and when he couldn't be there another Serpent was there in his place even though she still occasionally opted for walking home knowing her mom would need to see her. Alice had known that Betty was seeing someone, and she knew eventually she would have to tell her mom how serious it had gotten and even let her meet the Serpent she called her boyfriend, but for the time being Alice had seemed to be oddly understanding of Betty's need to take it slow not to mention her mother was wrapped up in work so much lately she was hardly around even when Betty was home. With her odd sense of freedom Betty had spent most of her time at the Wyrm with him, sitting at her designated table and doing her homework or focusing on studying while Jug played pool with his friends or held meetings in the club house, occasionally leaving her under Gears watch while he did orders and inventory in the basement. The crew was also starting to get used to her, knowing she would be there and each of them creating their own bond and friendship with her, since Fangs was going for his GED he would even sit with her and let her tutor him. She was happy, still a little scared of some of the situations but Jug was always right there by her side whenever she felt uneasy. This was her life now, and she was just doing everything in her power to remain understanding and go with the flow.
The final bell rang and she grabbed her stuff sliding out of her seat. Kids walked around her, some even in costumes already, starting the halloween festivities early. She walked out into the hallway glancing quickly at Archie's locker where he stood with Veronica. Shortly after Cheryl's party they had come out as couple, Betty wasn't even that mad about it but it had severely strained her relationship with both of them, they had hardly spoken since that night. She had even changed her plans for Homecoming, ignoring Veronica's texts about it and went with Kevin after Jughead had made it clear he wouldn't go to a High School dance. Veronica looked up catching her eyes and smiled softly at her, she smiled back but quickly turned to her own locker, opening it and grabbing some books before closing it back up and walking out of the schools front doors. She bounded down the steps, finding Jughead as usual across the street. He was standing next to his bike, his face stuck in his phone as he typed something. She walked to him quickly just as he looked up and smiled effortlessly at her.
"Happy Birthday Handsome," She grinned at him before he could he could say anything, dropping her books to the ground and throwing her arms around his shoulders, lifting herself up on her toes. He wrapped his arms comfortably around her waist, leaning his head down and kissing her softly. She tilted her head to the side opening her mouth and sliding her tongue confidently against his, he groaned into her tightening his grip and pulling her tightly to him, moving his lips against hers. She pulled away smiling seductively at him, pressing herself to him.
"I'm starting to think I might actually enjoy my birthday this year," He gave her sideways smirk, pulling up one side of his mouth. She chuckled pulling out of his grasp and leaning down to pick up her books, gasping when his hand connected with her butt, smacking it playfully.
"Not at school," She scolded standing up straight and glaring at him.
"But it's my birthday," He pouted and she rolled her eyes. "Do you need to stop at home?" He asked, grabbing his helmet off the handle bars and handing it to her.
"No, I don't think so. Toni said she wants to do my hair and makeup, and I have my costume in my bag," She thought out loud, tapping her gym bag with her hip.
"Fair warning I don't have a costume, not really my thing," He shrugged.
"Of course it's not," She said dryly "Well I'm still wearing mine," she lifted her chin to him.
"What are you gonna be?" He asked watching her carefully.
"You'll just have to wait and see," She smiled at him mischievously tucking her books into her backpack and throwing it over her shoulders before grabbing his helmet from him.
"Why am I suddenly very worried," He laughed breezily, grabbing his handlebars and throwing his legs over the seat, waiting for her to climb on. She lifted the helmet onto her head pulling it snuggly on and held his shoulder as she pulled herself up behind him. He revved his bike to life, and she wrapped her arms around his torso, glancing up at the school and catching the stares from Archie and Veronica right before Jughead pulled away from the curb, speeding down the street.
They pulled up to the Wyrm and Jug pulled his bike around to the back, cutting the engine and kicking his stand down. He slid off his bike in one swift motion, quickly grabbing her hips and lifting her effortlessly off the seat and setting her down next to him. He slid his fingers through hers and walked through the back door. They made their way into the main area of the bar, where Sweet Pea was waiting with Fangs and Gears aiming something in their direction. Without a moment of hesitation Jug grabbed Betty making her gasp and shielding her from them, his back towards them as loud pops sounded behind him. Confetti rained around them and onto the floor.
"They are just party poppers," Sweet Pea laughed heartily, stepping over to them.
"Fuck you guys," Jug growled, relaxing against her, straightening his back and turning to them. He glared at first but it melted into a chuckle fairly quickly.
"Ayy!" Fangs yelled running to Jughead and grabbing him in a bear hug trying to lift him off the ground but failing, "We are gonna get fucked up Birthday boy," He laughed sounding like he was already drunk, giving up on lifting him up and just going to dry humping him instead playfully.
"Get the fuck off me, you just saw me like an hour ago," Jughead rolled his eyes, pulling his arms out of the hug, but Fangs just looked up at him making an over exaggerated kissing face "I'm gonna fucking punch you if you don't stop touching me," He glared and Fangs dropped his hands pouting visibly. Betty stood off to the side, crossing her arms over chest and laughing at them.
"You ready for a real Southside party?" Gears asked stepping to her side and bumping her hip with his.
"As ready as I'll ever be," she laughed, watching as Fangs made his way back to the bar, yelling loudly at Toni, who gave him a dirty look before walking away and ignoring him.
"It is your first time, we'll be gentle… take our time," Sweet Pea smiled at her seductively, stepping in front of her, "This cherry is easier to p.."
"Pearce," Jug warned stepping in between them.
"It's a joke," He laughed, but Jughead didn't even crack a smile, His shoulders tensed as he stepped up on Sweet Pea looking down at him even though their height wasn't much different.
"You're a joke," Jug spat.
"I still get to punch you 22 times fucker," Sweet Pea smirked, provoking him further. Betty dropped her arms to her sides watching them carefully, the hair on her neck standing up, as she watched the tension spark between the boys.
"I'm gonna fuck you up," Jug growled throwing himself at Sweet Pea, he shoved his shoulder into his chest knocking him backwards. Sweet Pea swung, his fist connecting with Jug's side.
"Hey!" Betty couldn't hold back the yell as she stepped forward about to throw herself in the middle of it to pull them apart.
"They are just fucking around," Gears grabbed her shoulder, holding her back. "They won't hurt each other," He laughed. Betty stepped back watching as they wrestled landing punches.
"No fucking knees you piece of shit!" Jug yelled laughing after Sweet Pea tried to knee him in the groin.
"There is way too much testosterone in this room," Betty turned to see Toni standing behind her rolling her eyes, having abandoned her post at the bar " Come on Bett's," She grabbed her hand and pulled her to the stairwell in the back hallway.
"Will they really be okay?" Betty asked worriedly, trying to look down the hallway.
"Neither of them have guns right?" Toni asked, starting to climb the stairs stopping short and turning to Betty who just nodded assuming that Jug wouldn't have a gun on him for just picking her up from school. "Then they will be fine," Toni shrugged, turning and hurrying up the stairs. Betty hesitated for a minute stealing one more glance down the hallway before running up the stairs to catch up. She followed the girl into their Clubhouse, where a large bag was already on the meeting table they used. Toni walked to the bag and pulled out a curling iron and a large makeup caddy.
"You ready to become the hottest Serpent anyone has ever seen?" She turned, raising an eyebrow at Betty and smiling, somehow looking more like a snake than any of the boys ever did.
"I guess…" Betty laughed timidly. Toni motioned for her to sit in the chair she had pulled out, and she obeyed plopping down and twisting her hands nervously in her lap. Toni went to work making Betty close her eyes, and then instructing her to look different ways as she glided a brush expertly over her eyelids. Betty held as still as possible, breathing lightly as toni glided liquid eyeliner in a perfect cat eye. She had Betty do her foundation while they waited for the curling iron to heat up.
"Are you getting excited for tonight?" Toni asked, as she contoured Betty's face and applied blush.
"I guess, is it that big of a deal?" Betty laughed, catching on to the fact that they were all asking if she was ready for it.
"It's one of the biggest parties we throw," Toni smirked at her "I mean it is honoring one of our most infamous members," She looked at her pointedly, pulling out red lipstick.
"It's so weird how you guys see him so differently than I do," Betty mused.
"Or is it weird how differently you see him than we do," Toni countered raising an eyebrow, putting the red lipstick down and pulling out a pinky nude instead.
"I guess that's true," Betty shrugged.
"It's easy to forget that he is only 22," Toni said thoughtfully, holding onto Betty's chin to keep her still as she applies the color to her lips. Betty held still watching the girl as she concentrated sticking out her tongue slightly.
"He has grown up more than anyone I know… but he does it well" Betty smiled at her blotting her lips together.
"Just don't forget… He is still just a kid. If you watch carefully you can see it… he doesn't always know what he is doing," Toni paused watching Betty meaningfully. "That's why he needs us, that's why he needs you," She examined Betty's face who had pulled her eyebrows together taking in the words she had spoke. She stayed silent not having a good response but Toni's statement was sticking in her brain, repeating over and over again. He was just a 22 year old kid, who seemed to always know what to do. He kept everything running smoothly, the crew relied on him, other gangs tested him, and all the while he kept his sanity with his family and with Betty. She was suddenly filled with so much admiration for him that tears involuntarily pricked at her eyes and she was suddenly aware why they chose to make such a big deal of his birthday. He did everything he could for these people with no expectation of anything in return except loyalty and respect which they all gave him unquestioningly. Toni grabbed the curling iron and started to separate her blonde hair into sections.
"So how many people are supposed to be coming?" Betty asked doing her best to hold still.
"Literally the entire Southside," Toni answered laughing lightly "Normally Jug just makes an appearance then sneaks off to his room. He isn't much of crowds type of guy which is ironic because he is somehow also the most magnetic person in the room."
"He is kind of an enigma, isn't he… magnetic is a good word," Betty laughed thoughtfully "You would think someone that charming would love being the center of attention."
"Not Jones, he would be so much happier if he could just fly under the radar, but as the leader of our little operation that's just not in the cards for him," Toni sighed somewhat sadly.
"But that's why he needs us," Betty smirked repeating Toni's words from earlier.
"Now you're sounding like his Charmer," Toni squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. They laughed and talked about the boys for awhile as Toni curled her hair, telling her funny stories from the past and all the embarrassing things they had done and inside jokes they shared. She finished up and pulled Betty's big buxom curls to the front of shoulders, running her fingers through them to loosen them and give them a bedroom look. "You still need my cut right?" Toni asked stepping over to the bag and pulling out her leather serpents jacket.
"Yeah If that's alright," Betty nodded.
"Who are you gonna be?" Toni asked handing her the jacket and smiling.
"Black Canary," Betty answered "It seemed like going for a blonde superhero with a biker vibe would fit well," She shrugged standing up from the chair.
"I cannot wait to see that! We should change soon, people are probably gonna start showing up and if I know those boys at all they are going to want to pregame. Fangs already started that at like noon," Toni rolled her eyes smiling. Betty nodded grabbing her duffle bag and started across the hall into Jughead little apartment, walking through to his bathroom, shutting the door behind her and placing her bag on the ground. She looked up into the mirror and froze at the reflection staring back at her, her dark makeup and plump pink lips making her look mysterious and sexy. She bounced her full curls pursing her lips at the mirror and raised an eyebrow seductively. She took a deep breath feeling confident as she got undressed and pulled on fishnet stockings before sliding on a tight black strapless leotard that hugged her curves tightly, pulling up high on her hips and up on her butt probably showing way to much skin. She adjusted her strapless push-up bra making sure she filled out the sweetheart neckline before clipping a black choker around her neck and sliding on Toni's cropped leather jacket. She examined her self one more time bending down and pulling on her black combat boot high heels and finishing the look with a pair of black fingerless gloves. She looked over herself smiling, feeling good and like she fit in with their image. She stepped out of the bathroom hearing voices in his makeshift living room. She inhaled a long breath squaring her shoulders and following the sound of laughter making her way into the room. Sweet Pea and Fangs were leaning against the counter clinking their glasses together dressed in red T-shirt that read Thing 1 and Thing 2, Toni was sitting in one of the large chairs dressed as a cowgirl in micro jean shorts and a tied up plaid shirt, her heeled cowboy boots crossed at the ankle. Gears sat on her arm rest dressed in a cheesy Flash suit. Her eyes settled on the back of Jughead's beanie where he sat facing away from her laughing with his friends. Betty stepped further into the room and Sweet Pea noticed her first letting a low whistle nudging Fangs to look up, She blushed suddenly feeling not as confident as she had a moment ago. The rest of the room looked up at her following suit, she watched as Jug turned his head his jaw going slack. He stood slowly turning to her completely, his eyes roaming over her in a predatory gaze. He stepped towards her grabbing his beanie and pulling it off, tossing it onto the chair and closing the distance between them grabbing her roughly and making her gasp. He held her tightly against him, his eyes still taking her in as he leaned his face too close to her. She blinked up at him as his hands slid down her sides gripping her hips tightly. He swallowed, clenching his jaw, his eyes growing dark but he stayed silent.
"Betts, you look fucking insane," Fangs chirped clapping his hands in front of him.
"Look at you, you little Serpent Queen! Someone get her a shot of whiskey," Sweet Pea laughed. Betty looked over Jughead's shoulder blushing but smiling appreciatively.
"Everyone out," Jughead gritted out, Betty looked to him worriedly, shocked by his demeanor. Everyone else seemed stunned too as they got quiet but nobody went to move right away. A moment of silence passed, and Jughead narrowed his eyes. "I said get out," He commanded more sternly.
"Come on guys, we should start the party downstairs," Toni chimed in trying to help him out, she stood up grabbing gears by the arm and glaring at Sweet Pea who just shrugged and started to follow her too, she turned to Betty at the doorway "You really do look amazing," She smiled reassuringly before ushering the boys out and closing the door behind them.
"Jug that was rude, they just…" but she was cut off melting into a gasp as he crashed his lips to hers forcefully and walked her back pushing her hard against the wall. He snaked his arm around her back pulling her against him as he held her jaw tilting it up and moving his lips desperately against hers, she moaned into him, his intensity radiating off of him in waves. He pulled at her jacket shoving it down her arms roughly. His need for her was contagious as she got lost in his kiss, helping the leather off her body letting it fall to the ground, once her arms were free she reached up holding his face as he tangled his hands into her hair, she dropped one hand to his shoulder clutching it tightly as he hiked her up forcing her to wrap her legs around his waist. With her new height he easily dipped his head into her neck pressing his soft lips to her skin, she tilted her head back hitting the wall with a thud and gasping when he bit down on her bare shoulder. He reached his hand around her body gripping her butt tightly, his fingers reaching under her and pressing her entrance through the fabric of her body suit making her legs tighten around him. He gripped his fingers tighter groaning against her skin in frustration. He pulled back searching her face, his eyes so impossibly dark she shivered. She unwrapped her legs wiggling against him until she could stand.
"How the fuck do I get into this thing?" He growled, grabbing at the top that covered her breasts. She gently grabbed his hand stopping him and pushing it to his side.
"You don't. It's not my birthday," She smirked.