Chapter 7: I'll Be on Your Side Forevermore

A/N: I made a vow to update every week for Serpentine and The Winchester Charm. Apparently, my mind and body decided I'll update every 2 weeks instead…Hope you'll enjoy this one. We have a darker side of Betty that's starting to show a little more prominently. I personally love that Betty has a dark side, so we'll be exploring more of that as she grows older (no virgins webcamming though).

Please leave a review to tell me what you think! Thank you so much for reading.

Title comes from the song 'That's What Friends Are For' by Dionne Warwick & Friends.

Disclaimer: I don't own Riverdale. If I did, Bughead would have stayed true to character.

July 2008

Riverdale, NY

The Three Musketeers of Riverdale were now, at the age of six, old enough to go to Sweetwater Camp.

It had been something Fred and FP had done when they were little, and ever since Fred had brought it up last summer, the three of them had been begging to go. Fred had signed all three of them up for camp the moment FP and Alice had agreed to it (FP agreed immediately once Jughead told him he wanted to go – his boy wasn't a camp sort of child and FP was just thankful that being best friends with the more athletic Betty and Archie had given him the desire at all. Alice was a different story; it had taken weeks of Betty begging her to even consider it).

Sweetwater Camp was located at the edge of Riverdale, on several acres of land, surrounded by forestry and bordered by Sweetwater river. Fred dropped the three kids off together (FP had been a little too hungover and once Betty learned that Fred would be driving both boys to camp, she wanted to tag along, too, freeing up Hal's morning as he'd been roped into dropping off the little girl at the camp by Alice). Once Fred had ensured the kids had their bags and their parent's numbers, talked to the camp counsellors and helped them settle into their cabins, he waved goodbye and promised to be back in three weeks' time to pick them up.

Jughead was a little offended that the camp was divided into boys' cabins and girls' cabins – the only reason he'd wanted to go in the first place was to spend time with both Betty and Archie. On the plus side, at least one of his cabin mates was Archie. On the downside, their other two cabin mates were Reggie Mantle and Chuck Clayton. Archie being as stereotypical as any future All-American jock was something Jughead could barely tolerate; add two more people just like that and he was slowly losing his mind.

Reggie and Chuck played 'pranks' all the time – it was relentless bullying he couldn't get far enough from. Any given time he was in their vicinity was a time they'd pull his pants down or give him wedgies (what exactly was their fascination with his underpants?) or push him into the lake. He dreaded stepping foot into his assigned cabin, for fear of having water poured over his head while he slept (great wake-up call at two in the morning on his first night there).

They got to choose what activities they wanted to participate in.

While Betty and Archie had signed up for a few of the more athletic activities (swimming, rock climbing and baseball. Betty had enthusiastically signed up for a ninja warrior course that had Jughead cringing on the sidelines as he watched her climb, swing, sweat and scramble all the way to first place. It had been far too much physical exertion for him to even endure watching but Betty had loved it so much that one of the camp counsellors had advised her to look into taking a gymnastics class once she got home), Jughead preferred to take up less physically demanding activities. Betty sat through arts and crafts with him (he made her a beaded bracelet in gratitude) and Archie took woodshop with him (Archie made a birdhouse while Jughead made a clock for his dad; they had to have the help of older counsellors since they weren't allowed to use any of the machines or tools, but Jughead certainly helped keep things steady while Jake-the-counsellor helped shape the mass of wood into an actual clock).

Jughead loved spending time with his best friends, even doing something as silly as a scavenger hunt that they'd somehow managed to rope Jughead into doing as well. He enjoyed running around with them, solving riddles and laughing so hard he almost busted his gut when Archie grew progressively stumped over each clue. He hated that the camp required him to take up at least one physical activity during his time there. He ended up taking swimming with Betty, mostly because he knew that, unlike Archie, Betty wouldn't get lost in her love of whatever sport they were participating in and forget about Jughead.

It wasn't Archie's fault he'd forget about Jughead – he was just too much of a jock, his mind going at a simple one-track direction at any given moment. If he loved something, he forgot about everything else, getting immersed in it until something else caught his attention and distracted him. Jughead had long ago learned to look past this fault of Archie's, especially since Betty never seemed to forget Jughead's existence, always making sure he was right there next to her, fingers twining with his and a comforting smile thrown his way to make him as relaxed as he could get with other people around, doing things outside his comfort zone. Even if Archie flaked, Betty would always be there for Jughead. Of this, he was unwaveringly certain. He wasn't sure what he had ever done to deserve such loyalty, but he would hold onto it for as long as the universe and Betty Cooper let him.

Swimming turned out to be a disaster.

Chuck held him under, and Reggie grabbed the paper crown he'd so carefully set aside on top of Betty's dry towel by the side of the lake, throwing it in. Jughead felt his heart drop as he watched the yellow crown float away, barely registering Betty swimming up to the three of them. He kicked Chuck, hard, getting him somewhere in the ribs. It hurt enough for Chuck to yell in pain and let him go. Jughead felt a strong sense of satisfaction at that, but it was quickly dashed by utter heartbreak as he tried to scoop his paper crown out of the water only for it to fall apart in his hands.

Chuck and Reggie laughed, swimming away to joke around with other mean boys who loved 'Jughead Jokes', as they called it. Jughead knew that Archie loved being a jock but he sincerely hoped he would be a rare nice one.

"Oh, Juggie," Betty whispered, voice low and sweet. Jughead sniffled, turning his head away so she wouldn't see him cry. "Summer won't be over by the time camp is. We'll go back to the carnival and get you another one."

Jughead nodded, not trusting his voice enough to speak. Realistically, he knew that his dad would probably be too busy to take him to the carnival again. Betty would insist on going anyway, roping one of Archie's parents into bringing them, most likely. It just wouldn't be the same. Even if he got another crown, it wouldn't be one his dad got for him. It wouldn't have the same good luck magic. He couldn't say any of these things. It was silly and childish and he was almost seven years old now, almost in first grade. He shouldn't still believe in good luck magic. His mom always said he had to grow up faster.

Betty, however, seemed to know without him having to say it. She wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pressing close to his side. "I promise I'll get FP to take us," she said, eyes locked on his, and Jughead believed that she would honor her promise. Despite how grumpy his dad would get, despite how drunk he'd get or how busy his work made him, all Betty would have to do was bat her lashes, smile with her eyes all round and big and say, "Please, FP." It turned his dad into putty in her hands. Jughead understood and sympathized. She had the same effect on him, after all.

Betty got him to abandon the torn shreds of paper he'd once called his crown. They swam together for a while, Betty suggesting a race to distract him from Chuck and Reggie being mean. She ducked under, pulling at his ankle until he flailed about, coming up for air only to find her giggling as she swam away. He chased after her, the two of them splashing at each other until Jughead could feel his face splitting into a wide grin, his cheeks actually starting to hurt from it, his heartbreak a dull throb in the background.

Eventually, they swam a little closer to Midge, Ethel and Archie. Jughead was a little reluctant to play with the other two girls but having Betty and Archie there set him a little at ease. Archie suggested playing a game of chicken and Jughead was relieved when Betty picked him as her partner right off the bat (Ethel, even more self-conscious than Jughead when it came to her weight, chose to be the referee instead, leaving Archie to partner up with Midge). Jughead would be the last to admit it, but joining in on the fun did take his mind off of things. By the end of the day, as he sat in between Betty and Archie in the food hall, his plate piled high with food, Jughead barely remembered his lost crown.

Halfway through dessert, Betty stood up. "I need to pee," she whispered to Jughead. "I can't finish my pie. Can you eat it?"

Grinning, Jughead helped himself to her dessert, too, only noticing that she was gone longer than it takes to pee once his sweet treats were demolished. Frowning, he looked around the food hall to see if she had come back and was talking to someone. As much as he was a loner, Betty was a social butterfly. She got along with everyone, people easily liking her from the moment they meet her. He couldn't blame them. He'd loved her from the moment he'd laid eyes on her, pink dress and pretty smile like nothing he'd ever seen before in his short two years of life. He did get a little jealous sometimes that he had to share Betty with so many people, but he knew she liked spending time with him and Archie the most, so it was mostly okay.

He didn't see her anywhere in the food hall and was just starting to get worried when she slipped in through the door, skipping past the throngs of other kids and taking a seat right next to him with a pleased smile on her face, her eyes twinkling under the fluorescent orange lighting.

"Betts, where've you been?" he whispered to her, brows furrowing as he took in her flushed cheeks and windswept hair.

"I told you. I had to pee," she whispered back, not meeting his eyes as she grabbed for some grapes.

He frowned at her. "You've been gone for, like, fifteen minutes," he countered. When she didn't say anything, he tried again, "Betty…"

"Don't worry about it, Juggie," she said suddenly, turning to look at him with a happy smile. "I promise, everything's fine."

Midge told an apparently too-funny joke that had Archie snorting his milk right out of his nostril. As the kids around them burst into laughter, the scene distracted Betty's weird disappearance from Jughead's mind.

Jughead patted Archie on the back, chuckling behind his hand as his friend's face turned as red as his hair, indulged in way too many smores (Betty could only have one, and he got to have the rest of her share, too) and chatted happily with his best friends as they walked back with the rest of the group towards the cabins. Betty hugged him and Archie before separating to go into her cabin (she had to share with Cheryl Blossom, but she also had Midge and Ethel to balance out the evil) and Jughead held onto her for a little longer, squeezing just a little tighter than usual. He knew that Chuck and Reggie would be in rare form tonight and he wasn't looking forward to seeing either of them without his crown on. He felt so naked and vulnerable without it and, honestly, the only thing that had kept him calm all day was having Betty there to hold his hand.

As he followed Archie into their cabin, dread pooled in his belly, making his insides squirm and the food that he'd eaten so happily barely half an hour before felt like it was crawling up his throat. Chuck and Reggie shouldered past him, knocking him into the doorframe. Pain shot up his arm and shoulder. Archie winced in sympathy, patting him on the back consolingly.

"Do you want me to say something?" he asked in a whisper.

Jughead shook his head, biting his lip to stifle his shout of pain, blinking back the tears. "No," he said, tilting his chin up stubbornly. "I'm fine."

The four boys got ready for bed, Jughead moving silently and Archie doing his best to keep the other two boys from jumping on him. Finally, as Chuck moved to his bed, Jughead felt some of the tension leave his shoulders. He watched with wary eyes as Chuck, the instigator for most of what Chuck and Reggie got up to, got into bed, still chuckling over Reggie's latest joke about Jughead. He didn't relax until Chuck got settled in, pulling his blanket over his body.

Blowing out a sigh of relief, Jughead snuggled deeper into his own blankets, ready to sleep for the night. Chuck and Reggie had pulled pranks on him in the middle of the night before, but it had been a particularly strenuous day. Hopefully they were too tired to wake up in the middle of the night just to be mean to him.

Before Jughead's eyes could fully close, a terrified scream had them snapping wide open.

Shooting up in his bed, Jughead looked over to where the scream had come from. Chuck had scrambled so fast out of his bed that he had hit the floor and was now crawling on hands and knees to get away from his bed. Brows furrowing, Jughead took another look at Chuck's bed, eyes widening at the slithering coil of green and brown hissing on Chuck's blanket.

"Oh, my God!" Archie yelled, catching sight of the same thing Jughead did. He scrambled off the top bunk, rushing down the steps. Jughead lurched out of his bed, fingers reaching for the light switch. Reggie had started screaming, too, and Jughead looked up to where Reggie was seated, terrified, on the top bunk of his and Chuck's side of the room. His eyes were locked on another snake, creeping up the side of the bunk bed, getting closer and closer to him by the second.

Archie, eyes blown wide, knees trembling, rushed towards the door. "I'm gonna go get a counsellor!" he yelled out. "Juggie, get them out of here, okay? Just…Just stay calm!"

Jughead wasn't entirely sure how he was supposed to do that, but he tried anyway. Running towards Chuck, Jughead yanked on the other boy's shirt until he came up off the floor, pushing him out the door. Reggie was yelling as they stumbled outside, "Hey! Don't! Don't leave me here! Hey!"

Jughead shook Chuck off as they stood outside on the patch of grass outside their cabin. Chuck, still shaking in fright, fell to his knees without Jughead there to hold him up. Jughead turned to head back inside, stopped only by the strong grip on his wrist.

"Where…Where are you going?" Chuck asked, voice barely above a whisper.

"I have to go back in there!" Jughead insisted, prying Chuck's fingers off his wrist. "Reggie's scared. He's screaming. He won't come down from there on his own."

Chuck, still shaking, watched as Jughead dashed back inside.

Reggie was still rooted to the spot on his bed. The snake crawling up the side of his bed was inching closer. Fortunately, Jughead noticed, the ladder to get down from the top bunk was on the other side of the post it was slithering up.

"Reggie!" Jughead called out, catching the scared boy's attention. "Reggie, you have to climb down!"

Reggie stared at him, eyes round in fear.

"Reggie, just climb down!"

Reggie shook his head. "No, no I can't," he cried, tears pouring down his cheeks.

"Reggie, do it!" Jughead insisted, flicking his eyes back and forth between the other boy and the snake.

No matter how much Jughead insisted it would be fine, Reggie couldn't move, frozen in place. Jughead eyed the snake curled up on the bottom bunk. It looked to have made itself a comfy nest on Chuck's pillow so Jughead tentatively climbed up the ladder, grabbing onto Reggie's hand and leading him slowly back down.

Reggie was still crying, sniffling into his own shoulder, when Archie came running back with a few counsellors. They herded the four boys further away from the cabin, shutting the door and windows as quickly as they could. Jughead heard them whispering hurriedly about animal control and making sure none of the other campers were aware until the snakes were out of the cabin and in custody.

Archie stood next to Jughead, pressed close in fear. Jughead's gaze swept over the entire scene, taking in every detail, every small little thing. As his eyes went from the locked cabin to the counsellor speaking rapidly to animal control on the phone, his gaze landed on the forest right behind them. Through the thick shrubbery and dense forestry, he could see a flicker of gold. His eyes caught a shade of startling green before it streaked away. His sharp gaze followed as the blonde halo disappeared into the shrubbery, headed towards the girls' cabins.

Brows furrowed, Jughead dragged his eyes away from the tress and back to the locked cabin.

No…No way.

The four boys were shepherded into a bigger counsellor's cabin, where they were given the counsellors' beds. Chuck and Reggie, too traumatized from the last time they got into beds, outright refused and were instead given sleeping bags and all the extra blankets the counsellors could find. Jughead watched them with heavy eyes, watched as they cowered underneath their blankets (they refused more than one thin layer, yanking them back every few minutes as though to check there weren't more snakes hidden beneath just waiting to strike), his mind racing until exhaustion forced him into a deep, restless sleep.

He woke up to the sound of Reggie having a nightmare, screaming about snakes eating his eyes. By the time Taran, one of their counsellors and a senior at Riverdale High next semester, managed to get Reggie settled again, it was time for all of them to get up for breakfast. Jughead shuffled into the boys' showers, disoriented and feeling like he'd barely slept a wink. He was more tired than he was before he'd finally closed his eyes just a few short hours ago.

Chuck was still in the counsellor's cabin, having refused to go anywhere without at least one of them guarding him. Reggie had been fine going in with Archie. Jughead brushed his teeth, half-asleep, and listened to Archie talking to Reggie about what they were going to do later after breakfast – baseball, from the sound of it. Jughead shuddered. Sports terrified him, to be honest. Much more than the snakes last night had.

He spat out his toothpaste, rinsing out his mouth, and straightened up only to find Reggie standing right behind him. Jumping a little, Jughead turned to scowl at the other boy.

"Make some kind of noise, Reggie!" he complained. "You scared me half to death."

Unlike Chuck, who was still terrified of his own shadow when Jughead left the cabin ten minutes ago, Reggie had turned his fear from the night before into anger. Reaching out, he shoved Jughead back, hard. Jughead grunted, pain blooming up his back as he hit the porcelain sink.

"Don't think I don't know it was Betty," Reggie warned him, voice low. Around them, Archie's slightly off-key voice echoed off the walls as he sang in the shower to some upbeat High School Musical song Jughead's been forced to listen to five hundred times that summer alone.

"What was Betty?" Jughead gritted out against the pain, glaring at the other boy even as his heart started to race. There was no way Reggie had come to the same conclusion as he had.

"The snakes," Reggie spat out, dashing Jughead's hopes. "I saw her leave the mess hall last night. She was gone a long time. She's always been a little psycho. Bet she wanted to protect her little weirdo boyfriend."

"Shut up," Jughead shoved Reggie back. "Shut up! Don't talk about her like that!"

"Or what?" Reggie challenged, smirking when Jughead's jaw snapped shut. "Maybe I should tell Taran. Maybe I should tell everyone. Then they'll know how crazy Morticia really is. They'll lock her up somewhere she really belongs. Like a nuthouse."

Jughead's hand shot out and wrapped around Reggie's wrist, squeezing hard.

Reggie stared at him, jaw dropped, his eyes growing round in fear and pain. He had been taunting Jughead about being unable to stop him from talking about Betty just moments ago – it wasn't a secret that Jughead wasn't athletically capable. He was lanky and awkward and while he might have been the tallest boy in class since kindergarten, he was just clumsy when it came to sports. He couldn't climb, he swam like a little girl and he was just terrible at any team sports. The last time he'd tried to play baseball, he'd almost brained Archie with a rogue ball. Reggie didn't think he'd ever even seen Jughead run before.

What Reggie didn't know was that while Jughead never bothered to learn how to throw a baseball or shoot a hoop or any of the million things Archie thrived on, Jughead had learned a different set of skills.

His dad had always been insistent that Jughead learned how to defend himself. While Jughead's dad had never once laid a hand on him in violence, he kept saying that it was important for him to learn how to fight. "Someone's always gonna wanna pick a fight with you, boy," his dad would say. "You gotta learn to defend yourself. Maybe even defend others."

Jughead hadn't been fond of his dad's fight lessons, particularly because he'd tried to teach Jughead in front of their trailer where the neighbors could all see them. His cousin Sweet Pea, in particular, was fond of laughing every time Jughead fell down or didn't duck out of the way fast enough. "My friend Fangs' grandma fights better than you," Sweet Pea had taunted him once.

It had kept him down enough that he didn't want to even attempt the fight lessons anymore. Jughead's dad had started teaching him in the Andrews' backyard instead and, to Jughead's surprise, it was Betty who jumped at the chance to join in. Archie, as athletic as he was, preferred team sports over using his fists. Betty took to it like fish to water, eagerly joining in whenever Jughead and his dad started their lessons. Her enthusiasm for it made Jughead just as eager to learn, which he knew his dad was grateful for. They never really told Betty's mom about the fighting lessons, but he knew that she blamed him and his dad when Betty had asked, just weeks later, to start taking karate lessons.

Jughead hadn't seen the point of learning how to fight, beyond making his dad and Betty happy, but now, he was thankful for it.

Gripping Reggie's wrist with all his strength, he twisted the other boy's arm at just the right angle to make him tear up, knees buckling.

"If you get her in trouble, I'll come after you," Jughead warned Reggie.

"Let go of me!" Reggie spat, anger transforming quickly back into fear.

Jughead ignored him, his rage at Reggie for even threatening Betty making his vision cloud. His head felt like it was filled with fog. His ears were ringing, his blood boiling under his skin. He could feel his heartbeat thudding loud and fast, thrumming against his throat. "I'll hurt you back," he promised Reggie. "You even try to hurt Betty and I'll do worse than put snakes in your bed."

Reggie sniffled, pulling weakly to get his arm free. Jughead didn't let up until the other boy relented, crying, "Okay! Okay, I won't tell! I promise!"

Jughead finally let him go, eyes dropping to the finger-shaped bruises he'd left on Reggie's wrist. Reggie, sniffling and trembling, tears streaming down his cheeks, ran out of the bathroom. Jughead stared after him long after he was gone, only snapping out of it when Archie clapped him on the back.

"Dude," he called out, making Jughead cringe. Archie had been going through a 'dude' phase ever since hearing Chuck use it. He'd been starting every other sentence with 'dude' for weeks now. It was starting to irritate Jughead more than he could say. Betty usually balanced the scales a little, keeping a happy medium between Archie and Jughead and their ever-growing differences. Without her around, he felt off-balance, a darker edge to his words and thoughts…And actions, if what he'd just done to Reggie was any indication. Jughead searched for some sign of guilt or regret for threatening Reggie and was just a little surprised that he found none. He wondered what that meant, if it meant anything at all.

"Are you okay?" Archie asked, brows furrowed in concern, in full puppy dog mode.

Jughead shook himself out of it, smiling at his best friend. "I'm fine," he assured the redhead. "I should shower. I wanna meet up with Betty for breakfast before we have to start the day."

Archie grinned, reaching for his toothbrush. "I can't wait to tell her what happened," he said excitedly, squeezing out some toothpaste. "She won't believe it."

Jughead knew, even without ever having to ask Betty, that she wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised about the snakes.

Archie darted straight for their blonde-haired Tracy True-obsessed best friend the moment they entered the dining hall. Jughead followed at a slower pace, ignoring the hunger pangs as the smell of breakfast foods wafted around him. He kept his eye and attention solely on Betty as Archie launched into an exciting tale of snakes, taking note of the way Betty tried to seem surprised and failed (Archie didn't notice, too caught up in his embellished tale, but Jughead noticed. He always noticed).

Jughead kept his silence, barely saying a word about anything else, as Archie chattered on. His best friend didn't really need anyone to talk to him, just someone to listen as he spoke continuously. He and Archie got their own plates of food and sat on either side of Betty, Archie never breaking stride in the amazing story of how four boys overcame an entire nest of monstrous snakes.

Jughead watched with alert eyes as Archie darted away once he took his final bite, called away by Moose Mason to play a game of soccer before camp activities officially started that morning. He took a quick look around, ensuring there was no one around to overhear. Their table was at the far corner of the room, furthest away from the buffet table and furthest away from the door. With most people having finished with their breakfast and starting to congregate to talk with their friends and joke around, Betty and Jughead were completely alone – and free to speak about Jughead's suspicions.

Betty sensed that Jughead could tell that it wasn't just a random thing for snakes to be on Chuck and Reggie's beds. He was too observant. She knew he would put it together. She also knew he would never get her in trouble.

Knowing that he was trying to find a way to say that he knew, to confront her, Betty kept quiet, eyes locked on a deep groove in the wooden table. She lifted her hands up onto the tabletop, her nails scratching at the groove. The longer Jughead kept silent, the more anxious Betty started to feel. Her vision started to blur and, her ears ringing, burning, Betty nails dug deeper into the groove. She barely felt the roughness of the wood, barely felt as it started to chafe at her skin, stinging her nails.

Jughead, eyes flicking back to Betty after a careful survey of their surroundings, gasped a little at the sight of her fingers digging so roughly into the wood. He winced as he watched, sure that she would draw blood at any moment. He reached out, grabbing both her hands in his and gently pulling them away from the table. Betty sat with her shoulders hunched, tension clear in her posture, unable to look his way.

She wasn't nervous before when she had thought of the snakes, when she had snuck out to find them and bring them to the cabin…She hadn't even been nervous when Archie was prattling on as though the four boys had battled basilisks instead of harmless garden snakes. But now…She was nervous, unsure if Jughead would think she was wrong or evil or crazy. She didn't care what anyone else thought but she couldn't lose Jughead.

"Where did you find them?" Jughead asked, breaking the silence between them. "The snakes?"

She shrugged limply. "Near the mangroves," she whispered. "I saw them the other day when we were playing."

"You took them and put them in the cabin," he stated more than asked.

"I made sure to put them in Chuck and Reggie's beds only," she was quick to reassure. "And they're garden snakes. They're harmless."

"Betty…"

"I wouldn't have really hurt them," she blurted out, fingers curling into tight fists, nails pressing just a little too hard into the soft flesh of her palms. "I promise! I just…Wanted to scare them a little."

Jughead caught her hands in his, smoothing her fingers out with his own until their palms were flat against each other, holding on and keeping safe. "You wanted to protect me," he whispered, awed. No one had ever wanted to protect him – not like this. Not even close to this.

Betty nodded, eyes watering. She wanted very badly for him to understand that all she ever wanted was to protect Jughead. She wanted him safe and happy and near her. She didn't want him to think she was a monster.

What if that is what he thinks now? Betty thought, a voice very much like her mother's echoing in her mind to reveal her biggest fear. Of course he thinks that. Who wouldn't? You're such a crazy girl, Betty. Jughead won't want anything to do with y–

"Thank you."

Betty finally dragged her eyes up to meet his, her jaw going a little slack as she took in his unexpected words. There was no judgement in his ocean blue eyes, just warmth and gratitude. Acceptance, even, of the crazy part of her she was starting to get scared of.

"Thanks for looking out for me, Betty," Jughead said, blushing a little.

Betty started to smile, warmth starting to spread from her chest to the tips of her fingers and toes. "Of course, Jug," she replied. "I'll always look out for you."

"I won't tell anyone," he promised her, knowing her fear of being caught out without needing her to say it. "And, I promise, Reggie and Chuck won't either."

Betty's smile flickered. "Reggie and Chuck know it was me?" she asked, horrified.

"Reggie thinks it's you," Jughead admitted reluctantly, wary of the way her back was stiffened, as though she was ready to bolt at any moment. Terrified that she would run, his grip on her hands tightened, trying to anchor her there with him.

"If Reggie knows, then he would have told Chuck," Betty whispered. "I'm going to get in trouble."

"No," Jughead said firmly, startling her. She looked up at him, confused, scared. "I told Reggie he's not ever going to tell anyone. He won't ever get you in trouble over this."

Betty frowned at him. "And he'll listen to you? Just like that?" she asked skeptically.

"He will," Jughead said, confident, Reggie's scared face flashing in his mind. "I promise you, you're not gonna get in trouble."

Betty eyed him suspiciously. There was something in the way he spoke…Suddenly, without a doubt, she knew, "You threatened Reggie?"

Jughead blushed, shrugging slightly. "Just a little," he mumbled.

She started to smile, an indescribable warmth spreading through her and making her feel lightheaded and giddy. No one had ever protected her like this.

Betty used their joined hands to pull them closer, folding their arms between their bodies as they hugged. "Thanks, Juggie," she whispered into his ear. "Thanks for looking out for me, too."

"Always," he vowed.

They cuddled up together, content in their friendship, their bond, their shared darkness, until Archie came crashing into the seat next to Jughead.

"What are you guys doing?" Archie asked, mildly curious, mostly impatient. "The baseball game is starting soon! Come on!"

Jughead groaned as Betty pulled away, eager for some baseball. He grumbled as his best friends dragged him out to the baseball field, begging for the counsellors to give him the duty of equipment manager instead of having to play.

Despite the physically exhausting day, Jughead got a pleasant surprise at the end of it.

The cabin was declared officially snake-free. Jughead and Archie happily went back to their own beds, eager for some rest. Jughead flopped down onto his bed, feeling his muscles ache and wondering if he could convince Betty to get them to leave camp early. He could hear Archie noisily rifling through his belongings, messily thrown around the room as though a bomb had gone off just in his bag alone.

Jughead grunted every two minutes of Archie's chattering, barely paying attention to what was actually being said. He didn't think anyone understood how tiring it was to be Betty and Archie's best friend – on a good day, they were both so hyperactive it was hard to keep them alive. He couldn't even begin to describe the bad days. Frankly, he had no energy left to take note of what Archie was saying.

When the door swung open, Jughead didn't lift his head to greet the other two occupants of their cabin. He did, however, jolt upright when Taran, one of the camp counsellors, spoke up, cheerily greeting them, "Hey, boys!"

Jughead stared at Taran, standing in the doorway with duffels in each hand and a calming smile on his face, two little boys behind him. "What's going on?" he asked, wary.

"Well, we're switching up cabin mates," Taran said easily, leading the two boys deeper into the cabin. "Just to make sure everyone gets to know everyone. Chuck and Reggie are staying in another cabin for the rest of camp. Meet your two new cabin mates, boys!"

Jughead reluctantly climbed down from his bunk, trailing behind Archie who happily greeted his friend Moose Mason and met with new, shy Kevin Keller. Jughead greeted them with solemn hellos that had Taran laughing, clapping him on the back and telling him to 'lighten up'.

"Alright, kids, get some sleep," Taran encouraged as he ushered Moose and Kevin to their new bunk beds. "We've got a fun, exciting day ahead of us tomorrow!"

Moose gave them slightly uncertain smiles as he shuffled over to climb up the top bunk. "Hope you guys don't mind," he said, sounding apologetic.

"Naw, you guys are way cooler than Chuck and Reggie," Archie grinned widely, stating it so firmly as though he believed it to be true despite having just met Kevin mere moments ago.

"Thanks, Archie," Kevin said, blushing a little as he pulled at his sweater vest, too self-conscious about his slightly plump body to change into pajamas until everyone else was asleep and the room too dark to see in.

"Are they really changing cabin mates for everyone?" Jughead asked, disbelief coloring his tone.

Moose hesitated as he plumped up his pillow. "I heard Chuck and Reggie were too scared to come back here," he confessed quietly. "They're scared there might still be snakes. But Kevin and I know better. They wouldn't let you guys back in here unless there's no more snakes. Right, Kevin?"

Kevin nodded, smiling bravely despite the gut-churning fear he felt. "Yeah," he agreed. "I'm not scared."

Jughead shot Kevin a small smile in return, climbing back up to his bed, ready to turn in for the night. He didn't know if it was the snakes Betty had put in the beds or his own threat to Reggie that had scared the other boys into switching cabins. He wasn't sure he ever wanted to know. He did know, however, that he'd had a far better time all day that day because Chuck and Reggie hadn't come anywhere near him at all. They'd even chosen to sit farthest away during mealtimes.

Despite how exhausting it was to run around all day after two best friends who were hyperactive at an above average level, Jughead knew that he would enjoy camp a lot more now.

And he was right.

Chuck and Reggie never got over their sudden fear of snakes, brought on by one nightmarish night, and they stayed as far away from Betty and Jughead as they could. Jughead knew that Reggie had told Chuck of his suspicions of Betty's involvement because he would see Chuck glaring in her direction now and again. One meaningful, angry look thrown Reggie's way and Chuck's friend would be leading him away, telling him that 'it's not worth it'.

Jughead didn't care. It was nice to just play with Betty and Archie. It felt good to be with his friends, not having to worry about bullies. Betty's happy smile made him feel like he was floating in the clouds. And Archie being Archie made Jughead feel a little invincible, even if he had to climb walls and dodge balls and go to woodshop classes.

The three of them also practiced together for the talent show, a required activity that every camp-goer had to do. It was going to be held on the last day of camp, when the parents came to pick up their kids. They would be asked to stay and watch the talent show before the kids get ribbons and trophies for their camp achievements. The kids had all been encouraged to think about what they'd like to do for the talent show since the first day of camp. They could choose to go solo (which Jughead dreaded) or as a group of up to five. Betty, Jughead and Archie decided right off the bat to perform together. Betty suggested they perform a song and the three immediately took music class at the camp to come up with something for the talent show.

By the end of their three weeks at Sweetwater Camp, the trio had had enough fun to want to come back the next summer. Betty, Jughead and Archie had flourished under the tutelage of the music teacher at the camp, an overly enthusiastic recent college graduate by the name of Ms. Berry. Betty was found to be the best singer of the three and had taken up center stage, with Jughead sloppily playing drums behind her and Archie strumming awkwardly on a guitar to her side. Archie, having had thrown a fit when he realized he wouldn't be the main attraction, shared the spotlight with Betty as he, too, was given his own microphone to sing into. Jughead was just thrilled to be in the back, beating on the drums and watching as Betty twirled around on stage, her voice as pretty as she looked.

On the day they were meant to leave camp, the trio stood together backstage as one of their camp counsellors, Marnie, took to the stage to greet the parents and give a little introduction to their talent show for parents of first-time campers. Betty caught sight of their parents first and, with an excited gasp and a tug on Jughead's sleeve, she pointed them out to the other two.

"They're really here," Betty beamed. "Look, Juggie, your mom and dad are here too."

Jughead stared into the crowd, easily picking out his parents. They were seated next to Fred and Mary Andrews, Archie's parents a buffer between Jughead's parents and Betty's mom, who seemed to jump down each other's throats any chance they got. While Archie's parents and Betty's parents seemed happy to be there, chatting to each other as they looked around the multi-purpose room the camp counsellors had turned into a makeshift concert hall, Jughead's parents looked stiff and uneasy. Jughead studied the angry scowls on their faces, knowing that FP and Gladys Jones had just had another fight and were doing their best not to let anyone else know. They didn't normally care except when they were around Betty's mom. They liked to pretend they had no issues whenever they were around her.

His stomach turning slowly to lead, Jughead hoped that whatever issue his parents had, they could put it off long enough until the end of their little performance for the last day of camp.

"We're going to be okay, Juggie," Betty said quietly, picking up on his anxiety. Archie was skipping around them, following along to the vocal exercises that Marnie was leading the others on. Betty sidled closer, taking Jughead's hand in hers. He could feel his racing heart slowing down, his anxiety melting. Betty's hand felt warm and nice and suddenly he felt braver than he'd ever been. "Just remember what we practiced."

They weren't the first to go on stage and the Blossom twins had insisted on going last so that they could have a big finish complete with sparklers and the entire group of campers come out to do jazz hands around them as they belted out the last few lines of their duet (they had also insisted on having the biggest cabin on the campgrounds, with their parents getting the camp runners to agree to Cheryl and Jason sharing the cabin as the only co-ed one in camp history. Jughead didn't know what Cheryl and Jason's parents had done to get the camp to agree to that but he was going to ask his parents if they could do the same thing next year so that he, Betty and Archie could share a cabin all to themselves. Moose and Kevin were way better than Chuck and Reggie, but Jughead felt the best when it's just him and his best friends).

When it was time for them to perform, Jughead snuck another look at Betty. She was almost bouncing in place, a large smile spread across her face, her ponytail high. She was clasping the microphone tightly in both hands, green eyes fixed on the heavy curtain in front of them, shielding them from the crowd of parents temporarily.

As though she could sense his eyes on her, Betty turned, meeting his gaze. She smiled, happy and free, and Jughead's last lingering anxieties drifted away.

"And now," they could hear Marnie saying from the other side of the curtain, her voice booming from her own microphone. "It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to three adorable little rock stars…The Archies!"

The curtains drew open and they were met with a wall of applause. Jughead could even see his dad standing up from his seat, two fingers in his mouth as he whistled for them. Blushing and grinning just as much as Betty and Archie, Jughead looked over at Archie for the countdown, starting the song at the same time.

He missed a few beats and Archie skipped over an entire verse and started over without telling either Jughead or Betty, but they made it to the final line of the song to overwhelming applause. Betty, grinning hard, skipped over to Jughead and got him out from behind the drums, pulling him to stand up front between her and Archie. Jughead took Betty's hand in his and felt Archie twine their fingers together on his other side. Together, they took a bow, Betty and Archie waving enthusiastically to the cheering crowd with their free hands.

The curtains closed, with Marnie asking for another round of applause for The Archies. Jughead caught Betty around the middle as she threw herself at him, thin arms wrapped around his neck.

"We did it, Juggie!" she said happily, pulling back to look at him with sparkling green eyes. "I told you we'd be fine!"

Archie wrapped an arm around both their shoulders, guitar still slung around his neck. "Guys, I'm hungry enough to eat a whole cow," he said dramatically. "Let's go hit the snack table!"

The three of them went through the crowd of other campers yet to perform, clapping them on the back as they passed through, congratulating them.

"Guys, go on ahead to the dining hall, okay?" Taran directed them with a grin. "Go have something at the refreshment table with the other campers who have already performed. We'll bring you back out for the final performance."

Betty giggled when Jughead and Archie play wrestled for the last grape flavored juice box, Jughead won by pinching Archie's side, making the redhead squeal and squirm away with a glare.

"Here," Jughead handed the juice box over to Betty, surprising her. When she looked at him in surprise, he shrugged shyly. "I know grape's your favorite."

She took the box from him, blushing pink. "Thanks, Juggie," she murmured, sneaking two extra cupcakes for him in return, the tiny quirk of his lips upwards her reward.

They were forced to return to the stage for the Blossom twins' performance, which was absolute torture for Jughead. While Betty and Archie did the jazz hands as instructed, Jughead flopped down on the stage floor and pretended to be dead. Marnie came rushing out to check on him, but Betty's amused laughter caught her up to speed on Jughead's little trick. Cheryl got so angry she had a screaming temper tantrum and had to be carried away by her dad.

Once the kids had calmed down slightly and the crowd had stopped tittering away, the counsellors led the campers to bow one last time before leaving the stage in a single file to reunite with their parents.

"You did great, kiddos!" Fred cheered them on as the three Musketeers ran to greet him and Mary. He ruffled Archie's hair, feeling his heart swell three times its usual size as he hugged his son for the first time in three weeks. Archie grinned at him with Mary's smile, looking at him with Fred's dad's eyes, and he just couldn't resist the urge to sweep his little boy up into his arms for a bear hug.

"Daddy!" Archie giggled, legs dangling for a moment before kicking away to be put down. "Dad, we had so much fun! I made you something in woodshop! Juggie and I won a three-legged race! And Betty's our camp's swimming champion!"

Betty greeted her parents more reservedly, remembering to obey the Cooper Etiquette now that Alice and Hal were right in front of her again. Jughead watched her silently from between his parents, hating how small she looked with Alice towering over her with all her rules and Hal barely aware or interested.

"Really enjoyed the music, guys," Mary beamed at the three kids. "It's an awesome band!"

"Personally, I enjoyed that last number more," FP joked, winking at Jughead, who blushed a little at the reminder. It had been a spur of the moment rebellion that had been worth it when he'd heard Betty giggling at his little joke. It made him warm in the heart that his dad had thought it was funny, too.

"Did you see what the band's called?" Archie boasted, making Jughead rolled his eyes.

"Maybe you guys can perform again next year," FP clapped Jughead on the shoulder, making the little boy light up. While Betty and Archie's parents had agreed to the two of them coming back for camp next summer immediately when asked, Jughead's parents hadn't been so agreeable. Jughead knew it was because camp was a little expensive and had resolved himself to sitting at home for three weeks next year while his best friends were off having the time of their lives at camp.

"Really?" he asked, his eyes darting from his dad and mom and back again. "I get to come back next year?"

"Yeah, kid," Gladys replied with a tight smile. "We already put your name in."

Jughead allowed himself a small smile, quiet and reserved, as Betty and Archie threw their arms around his neck, bringing him in for a hug to celebrate. He held onto them as tightly as he could, nose pressed into Betty's shoulder. He could hear Chuck loudly complaining to his dad about the cobras he and Reggie had to battle unexpectedly and felt his smile turn into a full-blown grin.

He wondered if next summer, camp was going to be just as fun as this one.

Yeah, so Betty and Jughead are dark. Like, could-be-psychotic dark. Are we surprised? I can't wait to explore more of that with what I've planned for them in the future. I do enjoy their need to defend each other, though. Very Bughead of them.

Please leave a review to let me know what you thought of this chapter.

Thanks so much in advance.

Love,

Lorelai.