Author's note: Continuation of part two of the date. I have to get bloodwork today and will be grumpy all day cause I can't eat until after. So, uploading this now as I'm not as grumpy. Enjoy! (Regrets hopefully to be updated sometime tomorrow or Thursday. And then I need to get out the next chapter for The Lost Ones and a couple of others).

Jughead had, after their kiss that was, unquestionably, the best thing that had happened to him in the past five years – book publishing included – led Betty to a secluded little patch of grace. Sitting down, he folded her into his side, tilting his head towards the food spread out before them.

"What'll it be, Betts?" Jughead asked.

He watched in fascination as she chewed on her lip, taking in every minute detail about her expression as her green orbs trailed over the food before her before she looked back up at him with a smile.

"As much as the tacos from the vendor are a personal favorite," she began, signing as she spoke. "I really want to try your homemade pizza." Betty paused as a gentle laugh fell from her lips and it was music to his ears once more. "Juggie, when did you teach yourself how to cook? You're infamous for burning eggs."

Her tone was light; teasing in a way that Jughead had fucking missed. He was surprised he had been able to go five years without her banter in his life. He shrugged as he chuckled himself.

"I didn't want my diet to consist of only coffee and takeout," he admitted. "Needed some form of greens in it as well."

"Says the guy who lived off Pop's burgers," she teased gently, eyes twinkling in mirth and he didn't question his thoughts; just acted upon them and quickly but tenderly brushed his lips against hers'. He heard the way she gasped in surprise before melting into the kiss, fingers coming up to clutch at his shirt as he pulled a happy hum from the back of her throat. Shit, Jones, still got it, kid.

Pulling back, he caught sight of the expression on her face – feeling the breath knocked out of him the next minute in a quick flash of wonderment. Her eyes were closed; cheeks rosy as a soft but growing smile spread across her lips, threatening to split her face in utter happiness. It was a look he hadn't seen in years, yes, but one he still recognized well. She always did used to say the only person capable of making her feel infinite happiness was him. He leaned forward, pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead so she knew he was there and waited for her to open her eyes. Slowly, she did so and looked at him.

"I don't know how to make sense of what I'm feeling," she murmured, not signing as she stared at him intently. He didn't think too hard on the fact that she wasn't signing – he understood that this was something she wasn't sure on how to make sense of. Tucking a loose tendril of hair that had slipped out of her braid, he studied her face, reacquainting himself with every facet of it once more but not memorizing it; her features were etched into the back of his eyelids – he wouldn't ever forget them.

"Does that scare you, Betty?" Jughead asked, voice soft even though, sadly, she wouldn't hear the tone of his voice. It was okay, however. He'd just have to become a master at his expression and how to convey his emotions through his facial expressions. Jughead knew he had succeeded with conveying his tone through his expression, at least this time, because her own expression became tender as she shook her head.

"No, Juggie, I promise," she murmured. "I just – the feelings never went away, you know? They were just dormant. I haven't dated anyone in the past five years; haven't had the time to. And, it's not really on people's list of things to do to pick up a new language."

Jughead interrupted her by placing a gentle hold to her wrist. "For the people who care about you, it takes top priority."

She chuckled. "You looking to get kissed again?"

"Wouldn't complain if you're offering, no," he teased and she shook her head fondly, this time initiating the kiss herself. Pulling back once more, she placed her head against his chest, and he felt, rather than heard, the way she inhaled deeply, knowing she was taking in his scent. Pulling back, she looked up at him with a smile.

"Good feelings," she promised softly, referring to her earlier statement. "And, I'll know what to do with them once more as time goes."

He nodded, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head. "Good enough for me, baby." Jughead signed, watching with a small, affectionate smile as her eyes lit up. He knew what that term of endearment meant to her; that she felt loved and safe whenever he called her that – no matter the type of day she was having. If he called her that in the bedroom, she was feeling a bit wild; if he called her that after a screaming match with her mother in high school, fingers held safely in his palms so she couldn't hurt herself, she felt safe. He knew – at the time – what the endearment meant for her. How she wouldn't let anyone use a different version of it for her – not even Ronnie, who had the tendency to call her babe from time to time.

The smile that crept back on her face, tell-tale blush following shortly after, caused his own to hitch back in as well. He felt like all they had done in the past ten-minute conversation was smile. If that was how it was going to be with however they progressed forward – well, no one would be the wiser to how secretly pleased he was by that fact. He was a soft person for Betty Cooper and Betty Cooper alone. Five years sure as shit hadn't changed that.

Author's note: Felt like this was a good place to leave it off on. Told you guys – pure fluff fest here. Sorry, not sorry. Xxx