Only You
This is going to take a long time
And I wonder what's mine
Can't take no more
Wonder if you'll understand
It's just the touch of your hand
Behind a closed door
All I needed was the love you gave
All I needed for another day
And all I ever knew
Only you
Only You - Yazoo
December 2019 - The Build Up
Two Weeks Before New Years
"So, we all set then?" Jughead asked, glancing at his friends as they finalized his plans.
"Yeah, Boss. I think we're good. Toni and I'll go dig up the equipment outta the storage room and get everything set up. Are we starting' now, or...?" Fangs questioned, trailing off when he caught the stare Jughead was sending Sweet Pea.
"Yeah but give us a minute, we've got some things we need to discuss before we get to it. We'll meet you guys downstairs in half an hour," Jughead replied dismissively. Everyone else in the group agreed and headed downstairs, leaving an irritated looking Sweet Pea alone with the Serpent King.
"Well?" Jughead prompted, pausing for the other man to get his issues off his chest.
"What? I said I'd help, didn't I?" Sweet Pea bit back, slumping down in his chair in defiance. "What more do you want from me, J?"
"Well, for starters, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop acting like a whiny little bitch and tell me what the fuck your problem is? I want to know why you've felt the need to treat Betty like shit all these years?" Jughead demanded.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Sweet Pea responded with a scoff, ignoring the question.
"Cut the shit, Samuel! Toni filled me in on all about the rumors you started about Betty back in high school and the trash you've been spewing about her ever since then. She's never done a goddamn thing to you, so I'll ask again, what the fuck is your problem?"
"Nothing. I don't want to talk about it," Sweet Pea grumbled under his breath.
"Well, that's too bad because I'm sure as hell not going to stand idly by while my second disrespects my Queen like that. So, I suggest you start speaking unless you want me to bump your ass back down to doing grunt work!" Jughead snarled, standing and leaning over his desk to scowl at the man.
"Fine, you wanna know? It's because I know how girls like her are! I mean, hell, it's not a big jump to think she and her lying sister are just alike!" Sweet Pea shouted back without thinking.
"Wait, what?" Jughead remarked, tilting his head in confusion.
"I said, it's not a big jump to think she and her sister are just alike," Sweet Pea reiterated condescendingly.
"I heard what you said, asshole. What I mean is: how the fuck do you even know her sister? They lived like two towns over and she ran off before Betty even moved here. I've only ever seen pictures and we were together for a year."
"Is complicated but basically I met her at one of Sabrina's get togethers over in Greendale. Apparently, they knew each other from cheer competitions and Polly came out to party one night when I was there and we just kinda hit it off," Jughead sat back down, thoroughly surprised, smoking his cigarette casually as he listened to his friend's tale.
"She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen in my life and I was hooked from day one. We dated on the low for awhile, she said it was 'cause her mom was a psycho bitch, so she started sneaking out so we could see each other in secret. It all happened so fast but I didn't care, I thought we had something good, Jug."
"I'd never met anyone like her before, and I understand we were only seventeen at the time, but I knew I wanted to have a life with her. It wasn't until I was already completely gone for her that I found out she'd been lying to me the whole time. Turned out she actually had a rich boyfriend back in Midvale and I was just the side piece she was slumming it with for thrills. I caught them one night and..." Sweet Pea trailed off.
"And she didn't even feel bad about what she did, man. She broke my heart and she didn't even care. Last I heard from Brina, she'd run off to this farm upstate with that preppy boyfriend of hers to live with some religious freaks. I was so angry with her for what she put me through that, when I realized who Betty was, and it brought all those hurt feelings back," Sweet Pea explained.
"I tried not to let it bother me so much when she was all over Andrews' business but then I started to notice this look you got every time she came around. I knew that look all too well so I worried she'd end up doing to you what her sister did to me."
"Oh..." Jughead replied, not knowing how else to respond to this new development, "Does Betty know? About you and Polly, I mean?"
"Doubtful. Polly was pretty adamant that we keep things between us hidden... I suppose she didn't want anyone in her perfect little life to know that she was spending most of her nights rolling around with a snake," Sweet Pea remarked sadly, staring down at the burning cigarette in his hand.
"Damn, man. I had no idea, you never said anything to any of us..."
"I was too ashamed to tell anyone. Pol' made me feel like I didn't matter and I didn't want people finding out that I let a girl use me like that," he admitted.
"Well, I'm sorry you had to go through something like that alone but Betty is not like her sister. She's probably the sweetest, most genuine person you'll ever meet and she would never hurt anyone on purpose," Jughead explained, moving around the desk to stand beside his friend.
"I know Polly hurt you Sweets, but whatever bad blood there is left between you and her needs to stop bleeding into how you treat Betty. She didn't do anything wrong, she probably doesn't even know what went down, so stop punishing Betty for her sister's sins."
"You're right, JJ. I'm sorry. I guess in my mind if I took it out on Betty, it would make up for me not being able to lash out at Polly. I know that isn't rational but the way she messed with my head, I haven't exactly been thinking rationally for a while."
"I understand, but it's not me you need to be apologizing to. I can't guarantee she'll forgive you, but still..." Jughead spoke softly, placing his hand on Sweet Pea's shoulder in comfort.
"I know, Boss. I'll make things right with her, right after you do."
Betts,
God, today was a rough one. I had a long talk with Sweets at the bar and you wouldn't believe the story he had to tell. Honestly, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear he pulled it straight out of some damned tv drama.
It was insane but (hopefully) I can tell you about it someday soon.
As bad as it sounds, while I felt bad for the guy after hearing what he had to say, after he left all I could think of was how much I miss having you in my arms.
You are the one good thing I have left in my life and I'm still hoping to be able to prove it someday. I love you so much, Betts...
-Jug
One Week Before New Years
"Come on Cooper, you have to come celebrate with us! Leaving aside the fact that everyone will be there and neither of us wants you to be alone on New Years', it'll be the perfect chance for you to knock JJ's socks off!" Toni begged, pouting for good measure.
Soon after Toni and Betty had begun hanging out, they invited Veronica to join them for a girl's night and the trio had become inseparable ever since. They went on shopping trips to Greendale, had coffee or dinner at Pop's together several times a week, and were often at each other's apartments.
Tonight, they were having an impromptu sleepover at Veronica's Pembrooke apartment (complete with cheesy romance movies, junk food, and alcohol). Veronica was in the process of telling the girls her plans for her New Year's Eve party at the Whyte Wyrm and Betty was understandably nervous. It seemed to her that Veronica was inviting everyone within a hundred-mile radius but Betty was only concerned with one specific person being there.
"Honestly T, if Bettykins shows up wearing that outfit you sent me snaps of, his socks aren't the only clothes that'll be knocked off his body when he sees her," Veronica teased, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively as she passed the girls their margarita's.
"Veronica! I mean... that would be the goal but..." Betty snorted, laughing for a moment before turning solemn again, "... but what if he gets upset that I just showed up at the bar when I haven't made an effort to talk to him before now?"
"Cooper, we've gone over this... I can guarantee you, none of that will matter to Jughead in the slightest. He's been trying to give you space to figure this all out on your own, just like you asked for, right? You're ready to talk about everything with him?" Toni asked.
"Of course," Betty sighed, using her colorful straw to stir her drink. "I've been ready since the night I left him in that parking lot."
"Then what's the hold-up?" Toni questioned softly but Veronica interjected before she could reply.
"Honestly Betty, I think after that you effectively marked him as your territory for every female in the tri-county area to see–"
"Oh my God, V! I did not!" Betty protested.
"Cooper, you totally did. I'm fairly certain the entire southside knew you staked your claim on him before you were even through tossing that hag outta the shop," Toni laughed, winking at Betty while sipping her drink.
"I'm so embarrassed..." Betty whined as she buried her face into the throw pillow on her lap and squealed in frustration.
"Hey, don't be embarrassed, B. It was about time you asserted that fierce dominance I know you hide under all that pastel. I'm sure Jug doesn't mind either, he seems the type who would love that sort of thing," Veronica declared. Betty raised her face, just enough for her eyes to be visible, and gave a long, exasperated sigh.
"Well, I guess I'm just scared something else is gonna go wrong and then it'll all explode again. I don't know if my heart could take it, honestly..." Betty trailed off with a sad smile. The other girls come to sit on either side of the blonde, hugging her between them. She could feel the tears forming in her eyes as she continued, "I don't want to lose him."
"It's all going to work out, I promise," Veronica assured her.
"V's right, Betty. We haven't really talked about it, but I can tell how much he misses you. I see it in his eyes every time someone mentions your name. You're not going to lose him," Toni whispered into her hair, comforting her new friend as best she could.
"And B, not to sound insensitive but since I'm the one throwing this party, you have to be there. I've already designated you as my official co-host," Veronica announced with a chuckle. Betty let out a watery laugh, cutting her eyes at her best friend's statement. She knew Veronica well enough to know that she wouldn't be getting out of helping with the party so she conceded.
"Gee thanks, Veronica. I can't wait," Betty replied sarcastically, "Fine, I'll help but I'm telling you right now, if another one of your highschool friends starts blathering on about their latest foreign investments or some stupid shit, I'm carving their heart out with a spoon."
"A spoon, Cooper? Why a spoon?" Toni wondered with a giggle.
"Because it's dull, it'll hurt more..." Betty replied, grinning as both girls fell into a fit of laughter.
Betts,
So what's this I hear about you going all Hellcat on Candy in the middle of Nova's the other day? Hmm? And before you even think about it, no I didn't hear it from her. I haven't seen her at all since I threw her out of the Wyrm that night and told her never to come back.
However, I did have a very interesting conversation with Toni this morning. I always knew you had a feisty side to you, Betts. I like it ;)
Seriously though, it seems only fitting that it was you who finally knocked some sense into her.
Toni said that you guys have started hanging out over the last few weeks and she just so happened to be with you when it all went down. I'm glad you guys have connected. She is one of my closest friends so I am excited you guys are getting along.
She explained that she had already figured out what was going on between us before I even got a chance to tell her and the guys. Not that I'm surprised, Toni is usually pretty observant.
She thinks you're pretty great and I couldn't agree more.
She also read me the riot act for the way I handled our relationship and everything that happened after. Called me an idiot for ever doing anything to hurt you and said if I didn't make things right, I'd have to answer to her personally (which frankly, is terrifying).
Well, I gotta go now. I love you, baby...
-Jug
"Hello Betty, how are we doing today?" Dr. Burble asked, smiling as Betty moved inside her office to take a seat. The older women instantly noticed the way that she seemed to be carrying herself much better -brighter and less anxious- than she had in previous sessions.
"I'm doing okay. I've had a few rough nights this last week but I think the new meds are starting to help. I'm not hearing her voice as much as I did before and look," she declared brightly, opening her palms, "...no new cuts. And I took your advice and started my journal again and it's really helping me work through my thoughts! Also, I wrote some new poems and– Sorry, I'm rambling again." Betty clamped her mouth shut, blushing in embarrassment.
After her relationship with Jughead imploded, Betty realized she was still holding onto a lot of anger and resentment from her past that contributed to her mental health issues and she needed to fix that. She relied on coping mechanisms that weren't healthy and knew she needed to work through those traumas if she hoped to have a strong future with Jughead.
She'd spent the last month and a half going to therapy twice a week and Mrs. Burble had been a godsend, helping Betty work through some of the lingering issues she still carried from her mother's abuse and neglect. When she started writing again, it felt really great to have something she'd once loved back in her life.
Most of her poems were centered around love and loss and the heartache that accompanies the two. And every time a new poem about him poured out of her, she could feel her anger towards the situation (and him) wane to the point where now, she just plain missed him. There was no resentment or rage left, only sorrow at the loss of the love of her life and uncertainty on how she could make things right between them.
"Don't apologize, Betty. That's wonderful that you're writing again, I know it was a passion you sorely missed. And you've every reason to be excited about your progress thus far. Feeling more in control of your emotions and triggers is a big deal," Dr. Burble said with a soft smile. "Now, was there anything in particular you wanted to discuss at today's session or would you like to continue where we left off on Tuesday?"
"Actually, I wanted to see if I could get your advice on something. See, there's this New Year's party and my friends sort of told me that I needed to be there to help host it. Problem is, it's at the bar he owns so I know he'll probably be there too and– I know I'm ready to talk to him, but..." Betty trailed off.
"But you're afraid of what he'll say when he sees you?" Dr. Burble finished for her. Betty nodded her head, chewing her thumbnail in contemplation.
"I'm just afraid that because I didn't try to contact him before now, that he– I don't know, that he might tell me it's too late? That I took too long deciding what I wanted and now he's moving on?" Betty confessed.
"Alright Betty, why don't we look at the situation from a different perspective? If the roles were reversed, would you have?" Dr. Burble asked as she set her pen down, folding her hands in her lap to focus on her patient's response.
"What, moved on? No, not even a little bit."
"And why is that?" she prompted.
"Because I love him," Betty replied sincerely.
"And don't you think he loves you?" Dr. Burble challenged, picking her pen back up.
"I mean, maybe? V and Toni keep saying that he does, and he even told me that he cared deeply for me, but we never got around to saying the L-word," Betty paused to smile, remembering all the times they chose to say 'I hate you' instead. It felt like it was their little thing and she honestly treasured it.
"It's funny cause we had these silly little signals we'd use, things that were just for us, so the other would know how we felt without actually saying how we felt. I don't know why but we never could say that one four-letter word," Betty admitted with a nervous chuckle.
"And those things you had; those little signals. How did it make you feel when he used them?" Dr. Burble asked.
"Loved..."
"And how did you want him to feel when you used them?"
"Loved," Betty repeated.
"So then, do you think maybe it's possible that you each felt the same way but you chose to use other methods to voice your deeper affections, given the similar history of extensive familial trauma and neglect?" Dr. Burble urged Betty to continue while writing something down on her notepad.
"I guess? I mean, that makes a lot of sense when I think about it. I know that word hasn't had a lot of positive connotation in my life and just from what he's told me about his upbringing, that word wasn't thrown around a lot either," Betty agreed.
"So, what's truly stopping you from seeing him then? If he may harbor the same feelings for you, isn't it worth a shot to find out for sure?"
Betts,
Can you believe that not only is Archie helping me with this plan I came up with but so are the Serpents? Even Sweet Pea is pulling his weight (ironic, huh? haha)... Not sure if it'll work out the way I'm envisioning it but seeing how hard everyone is working makes me optimistic.
I hope you like what I've got planned; I want to make it special for you. I have been so afraid that it won't be enough and you'll tell me to leave you alone forever. Toni says I'm being neurotic and I just need to loosen up and let things happen naturally but you know me, Betts. Forever the worrier when it comes to things that matter.
Well, I gotta go for now but I can't wait to see you... I love you, Duchess...
-Jug
December 31st, 2019 - New Years Eve
Betty tentatively stepped out of her rideshare, her stomach tied in knots at the feeling pulsing through her veins. She apprehensively took in all of the eyes trained on her as she walked towards her destination, trying not to let her nerves get the best of her.
Logically, she knew everything was going to be just fine but something about walking into the Whyte Wyrm for the first time since that horrible night left her on edge. A lot had happened since the last time she'd seen Jughead and, despite reassurances by her friends and her therapist, she didn't know if she was truly prepared for things to go wrong.
Truthfully, she wouldn't blame Jughead if he never wanted to speak to her again, she knows she has a lot to make up for with him. She hated leaving the way that she did, especially when she believed he was sincere, but she needed time to work things out without him– even if she missed him more than she could explain.
Toni and Veronica assured her that he would be here tonight -and that he would definitely want to work things out with Betty- but she was still afraid he would ignore her anyway. She just kept trying to hold on to what Dr. Burble had said at their last session to keep her grounded and focused.
Her eyes scanned the bar for a moment to see if she could find her friends but so far there were only a few party guests and a crew setting up the stage for The Pussycats and their opening act to perform. Josie and the girls had agreed to play a special New Year's Eve 2020 show, at Veronica's behest, for all of her friends in Riverdale.
This should be fun... well, it might be if everyone shows up tonight, she thought before shaking her head, trying to clear her thoughts and mentally prepare for either the best or worst outcome for tonight.
Suddenly, she heard her name being shouted from the front door where Veronica was now waiting for Betty to greet their guests. She rushed over to her best friend and hugged her before taking a minute to admire her outfit for the evening.
"You look amazing, V! I love this color on you," she said with a smile before realizing her other friend was missing, "Hey, where's Toni? I thought you guys were coming together?"
"I forgot to tell you... When we were getting ready she got a call and said something came up that the Serpents needed to handle asap so they wouldn't be able to be here till later on tonight."
"Oh... Is everything alright?" Betty asked, noticing for the first time that most of Jughead's friends were missing. Her mind started to race as she thought about all the possible scenarios that could be taking place right now. "You don't think it's anything dangerous, do you?"
"I'm sure everything's fine, B. It didn't sound dire from what I gathered, so it's probably nothing. You know how secretive the Serpents are about their business. But I wouldn't worry, I'm sure everything will be fine and he'll be here in a bit," Veronica replied gently just as people began filling up the parking lot.
One by one, all of the guests entered the bar until finally, it seemed like everyone who was coming had arrived. Even the Serpents had finally made it to the Wyrm about an hour later, ready to partake in the festivities.
Well, all except one particular Serpent, that is.
Betty sat quietly listening to everyone talk excitedly while she stared at the front door, willing him to walk through it. When Toni showed up, she said she wasn't sure where Jug had gone after they headed to the bar but promised Betty that he'd show up. Every time the bar door swung open, her heart would leap into her throat only to drop back into her stomach when someone else walked inside.
After another hour of everyone around her either talking in little groups or dancing, Betty decided to head to the bar to have a drink alone. She just needed a minute to breathe and collect herself. All she could think about was how everyone was there except Jughead and how much that fact made her heart ache.
She guessed that he might have decided, for her comfort, to just take himself out of the equation for the night but that's not what she wanted at all. She wanted him here beside her right now. She had so much she wanted to say to him, so many things she needed to make up for.
What if your fears were correct? What if he has moved on and now just wants you to do the same?
Nope, not gonna think about that, she thought, scolding herself before asking the bartender for another pineapple rum and orange juice. He nodded and Betty thanked him, handing him her card while she stood at the bar to wait for her drink. She fidgeted with the zipper on the leather jacket she wore while thinking about what to do aboutJughead.
She was just debating whether to open her messages to send him a text when she heard a familiar tune begin to fill the air and she held her breath, her eyes darting up to the stage. The house lights rose and she stood frozen, her gaze transfixed on the person holding the bass guitar in front of the center microphone.
"Jug..." she whispered, placing her drink back down on the bar absentmindedly. She watched him closely as the opening riff played, barely registering that Toni, Fangs, Sweet Pea, and Archie were on stage as well providing the backing track. All she could focus on was Jughead's eyes as they searched the crowd for something.
Or someone...
He was dressed in black slacks and a fitted black button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows showing off his ink. Betty couldn't deny that he looked amazingly confident up there with the band, however, his face showed his true emotions. He was letting himself be completely vulnerable as he sang the opening lines to one of her favorite songs.
"It's a mystery, too good to be true, I find my purpose when I look at you," Jughead's husky vocals rang out through the crowded bar, every patron listening as he sang, "I bleed transparent, It's not the way I choose. But it's only when I'm vulnerable, my true colors shine through."
Betty's heart galloped as she gradually made her way to the stage, her drink and her friends long since forgotten behind her. Jughead hung his head briefly before his voice belted out the chorus to the song, "For a moment, I'm a poet without words, speechless 'cause you love me at my worst. I don't deserve this, I let it surface and all I know is, today I woke up falling in love again."
Betty's thoughts shifted to his last birthday as she watched him croon...
"Thank you, baby."
"For what?"
"Well, this is the best birthday I can remember having since before my family fell apart and it's all because of you. Just standing here with you in my arms, dancing to our song–"
"Our song?" Betty questioned in a whisper, leaning back to look up at him with wide eyes.
"Well yeah, Betts. I mean, since we did the cliche thing and danced to it while you were making my birthday dinner, I just figured that now this was our song," he teased.
"I like that logic," she replied after a moment of thought, eyes lighting up with glee.
"Look at us being all domestic. I just hate it..." Jughead joked with a laugh, pulling her back to his chest and swaying.
"I hate being all domestic with you too," she giggled, kissing him softly. "Happy Birthday, Juggie."
She'd made it about halfway across the bar when their eyes finally locked and her heart hammered in her chest. She not only witnessed the love that filled his eyes, but she could also feel his emotions bleeding into his voice as he continued to serenade her, "Starving artist, no match for a queen, but walls come down and love's limitless when you find what's meant to be. Supernatural, it's more than what we see. A trust that can't be broken seemed impossible to me, but I've tasted true love and I believe!"
"For a moment, I'm a poet without words, speechless 'cause you love me at my worst. I don't deserve this, I let it surface and all I know is, today I woke up falling in love again."
By the time she reached the stage, he was singing the final chorus and hot tears were flowing down her cheeks. "...I don't deserve this, I let it surface and all I know is, today I woke up falling in love again..."
The music slowly faded out and the lights dimmed as the crowd erupted into a thunderous roar of applause. Betty's eyes flew around the stage, desperately searching the darkness for the one person she needed to see more than anything.
Where are you, Juggie?
"Hey there, Duchess."
She spun around to see him standing behind her, his hands in his pocket with his head tilted down slightly in submission. He looked so young and exposed, merely standing in front of her humbly waiting for her to respond.
"You sang me a song..." she sniffled, taking a small step forward and not even bothering to wipe her tears as she watched him.
"Correction Betts, I sang you our song," he quipped, the corner of his lip turning up into a small smile as he took a step toward her. She continued to advance and he stood captivated, watching her approach him slowly.
"Our song..." she whispered and Jughead nodded, closing the final gap between them to cup her face in his palms. She closed her eyes as he wiped her tears, gently pressing his forehead to hers, leaving their lips mere inches apart.
"I love you, Betty Cooper," he breathed, "You are the sun and the moon; the very air I need to survive, and I can't go another day without telling the whole world that you're mine. I know I'm a mess, and more than a little screwed up, but I swear that I'll spend every second I've got left in this lifetime and the next proving just how special you are to me. You're the only woman I have or will ever love and I can't live without you anymore..."
"Say it again, Juggie," she pleaded softly, her fingertips dusting along his jaw.
"Betty Cooper, I love you..." he hummed softly against her lips. Betty couldn't deny herself any longer and she caught him off guard, wrapping her arms around his neck and placing a desperate kiss on his lips.
He quickly melted into their embrace, pulling her against his chest and holding her like he was afraid she'd disappear at any moment. When they finally broke apart, Jughead used his thumbs to wipe more of her tears before caressing her nose with his.
"I love you too, Jughead Jones. I love you, I love you, I love you," she chanted, placing small kisses to his face to accentuate each sentiment before suggesting, "Do you want to get outta here, maybe go somewhere quieter to talk?"
"I never thought you'd ask, Betts..."
Betty followed Jughead quietly up the stairs leading to his apartment, her heart fluttering in her chest like a hummingbird. His hand hadn't left her grasp since the moment she'd suggested that they find somewhere more private and she blushed at the passion she could already feel coming off of him.
Once he unlocked the door, he ushered her inside and she gasped at the sight in front of her. His entire apartment was filled with candlelight, Wicked Game playing lightly in the background, champagne and strawberries chilling on the kitchen island, and pink rose petals scattered on the ground leading towards the bedroom.
"Juggie?" she whispered in astonishment, turning to meet his tender gaze as she asked, "When did you do all of this?"
"Ronnie helped actually. She's one hell of a party planner, I'll give her that," he chuckled, stepping closer and helping her remove her jacket before pulling her into his arms, "I wanted tonight to be perfect for you, baby."
"Oh, Juggie," she murmured, lovingly dragging his mouth down to hers. She missed this feeling -tasting him, consuming him- and she never wanted it to without it again. She'd already gone too long without him and now that she had him back, she was never letting go. Betty moved her hands to grip his shoulders, jumping into his arms as she nibbled on his bottom lip.
"Take me to bed... Please," she pleaded, eliciting a lusty growl from Jughead. He carried her down the path of petals, kissing her with urgency, kicking open his bedroom door before laying her delicately onto the silk-covered mattress.
Betty stretched her arms over her head, watching with a ravenous hunger as he stood up, slowly undoing the buttons of his shirt. He stared down at her as she pulled herself up to sit at the edge of the bed, replacing his hands to finish with the buttons. Once his shirt was hanging open, she moved her hands up his chest and across his shoulders to push the material to the floor.
She took in his lean build momentarily before she grabbed the hem of her bodycon dress (that had already ridden up well past her hips) and pulled it over her head, leaving her completely nude from the waist up. She shuffled back up the bed as his darkened eyes followed her, his hand palming his stiffening erection through his slacks.
Once Betty laid herself out for him again, Jughead slowly crawled his way up her body, licking and biting at her soft flesh along the way. He took his time with her: nibbling her taut nipples, dragging his tongue along the curves of her firm breasts, suckling a bruise onto the skin in the valley between them. It was the most delicious form of torture she had ever experienced but she needed more; she needed release...
"Please, Juggie... I need you..." she moaned, rubbing her center against the thigh that was firmly planted between her legs.
Jughead pulled away and tsked playfully, chuckling darkly at the displeased huff she released. He made his way back down her body at the same leisurely pace, splaying his hands across her abdomen to keep her lying flat.
By the time he made it to the apex of her pleasure and removed the soaked lace that covered it, she was a writhing mess, her body prickling with a heady desire for release. Before she could even begin to beg, Jughead's mouth was on her, his tongue lapping at her. He groaned at her taste, his tongue swirling around her swollen clit before moving back down to her entrance.
She gasped for breath as rode his face, one hand teasing her stiff nipples, the other buried in his thick curls while his skillful tongue worked her higher and higher. She could feel the coil in her belly tightening just as he slipped two fingers inside her, curling them repeatedly until the tension snapped and she cried out, her release coating his tongue as he licked her clean.
After she came down, Jughead made no move to stop his ministrations, working her body through two more climaxes before lazily making his way on top of her. Somewhere between her first and her third orgasm Jughead had removed his slacks and his boxers, relieving some of the pressure on his aching cock.
"Please, please, please," Betty whimpered, her hips canting as she begged him to take her completely, his hard shaft slipping through her wet folds as she rocked back and forth. She could taste her essence on his tongue still and it only made her need that much greater.
"I've got you, Betts," he rasped as little by little he slid into her slick core until he was fully buried inside. He paused for a breath then he began gliding himself in and out of her at an excruciatingly slow pace, building her up and keeping her hanging just on the edge of the precipice until she could take it anymore.
"I need–" she keened, her heart pounding in her chest, "...more... Please..."
She didn't have to ask him a second time before he sped up, throwing one of her legs over his shoulder to go deeper and began driving into her at a devilish pace. When his thumb found her throbbing clit and began rubbing tight circles, she splintered, coming harder than she'd ever come before.
Her body arched off of the mattress as she fell into bliss, her pulsing walls clamping down on his shaft and pulling his release from him. Jughead shouted her name as he filled her with his seed, the sensation causing her to quake with pleasurable aftershocks. Once they were both spent, Jughead collapsed on top, breathing heavily into her neck as she clung to him.
"Am I dead? I think I might have died... You and that magical cock of yours has finally succeeded in killing me..." Betty panted wildly, trying to catch her breath from the mind-blowing orgasms Jughead had just given her.
She was pretty sure she couldn't feel anything from the neck down and at the moment she couldn't be bothered to care. His husky chuckle rumbled through their still connected bodies and she looked up, seeing his satisfied smirk and a gleam in his eyes.
"What?" she asked innocently
"Me and my magical cock, huh?"
"Oh, most definitely... Ma-gi-cal... And deadly. It has taken my life Juggie, but oh what a way to go," Betty sighed dramatically, her fingers ghosting along his jawline as she giggled.
"Well, I hope it hasn't taken you from this world just yet. I still got plans for you, Duchess," he teased, thrusting his still hardened member deep inside her.
"Mmm. Round two, Snake Boy?" she moaned
"That's a good start..." he replied, capturing her mouth once again.
October 31st, 2021 - Epilogue: Happily Ever After
Betty,
I dreamt about you again last night. I saw you in that same church again, walking towards me in this stunning white dress that you always seem to be wearing. I was worried at first, afraid that my nightmares had returned, but then you took my hand and I think my heart actually stopped. You've never looked more gorgeous than you did at that moment.
I hated to even wake from that beautiful vision, knowing that when I opened my eyes you wouldn't be there to greet me. I swear to you, right here and now, that if you and I can work things out, I'm going to make you my wife one day. It's going to happen, just wait and see...
I guess I should go. I miss you, love...
-Jug
"Betts, you about ready to head out there... I think he's getting antsy..." Betty turned to see Veronica's fiancee standing inside the doorway of the large dressing room where they were preparing for the biggest party of her life.
"Almost T, just need another minute. Tell Snake Boy to chill," Betty teased, grinning at Toni as she stepped in to give Veronica a quick kiss before disappearing back out the door.
While Katy finished adjusting Betty's dress to allow for better movement, Veronica touched up her make-up and hair as needed. Betty looked around at all of the people who were there helping to make this day possible and she sighed happily.
When she first met Jughead Jones all those years ago, she never imagined this would be where they'd end up. But now that they were here, she wouldn't want it any other way.
Once everything was ready, she and her friends stepped out of the room, chatting as they walked down the long hallway leading back out to the venue. Before she could even make it fully into the room, she felt someone's hands grab her waist, spinning her to face them as they pulled her close.
"May I have this dance, Mrs. Jones?" Jughead whispered in her ear, his fingers trailing along her exposed shoulders. He had never seen her look more beautiful than she did right now, so happy and relaxed, her eyes shining as she beamed up at him. He grinned at her in return, gently running his knuckles along her neck.
"Of course, Mr. Jones," she accepted with a smirk, placing her hand in his. He casually led her through the crowd of guests to the dance floor, his eyes never wavering off of the vision beside him.
For a moment, I'm a poet without words
Speechless 'cause you love me at my worst
I don't deserve this, I let it surface and all I know is
Today I woke up falling in love again
Their song softly floated in the background as they held each other close, finally getting the happily ever after they both longed for; that they were both grateful to have together. Even though their relationship started as a secret, hidden from all those around them, it grew into something that neither of them was expecting.
"I hate you so much, Snake Boy..." Betty whispered with a smile, staring into her husband's eyes while running her fingers through his dark locks at the base of his neck as they danced.
"I hate you more, Duchess," he replied, leaning down to kiss her lovingly. Betty gave a happy sigh against his lips, knowing that he would be hers until the end of time.
~~FIN~~