If it were ever possible for time to stop, then I was pretty sure the presence of the Lady in Black standing by the bar door successfully achieved that goal. Every Serpent in the room stood around, frozen in place with their mouth's agape, staring at the drama that was unfolding in front of them.
I couldn't help but feel Jughead's tension and rage as he pushed me behind him protectively, keeping one hand in mine to keep me grounded. The silence in the room was finally broken by the raised voice of my mother coming to my defense.
"Excuse me?! Where in the hell do you get off-," was all she managed to scream before FP placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and pulled her away to keep a brawl from breaking out. She turned to glare at him until he gave her a soft look letting her know she needed to back down.
"It's ok Alli, let me handle this," he pressed kisses to her temple before turning to acknowledge Jughead's mother. Gladys climbed up on stage as FP met her halfway to block her from getting to me and Jug, glaring at her the whole time.
"Why the hell are you even here, Gladys? I didn't figure me being released from jail was something you'd come running home for," FP stated, clearly anxious, rubbing the back of his neck as he sighed. I peaked slowly around Jug's shoulder just in time to see Gladys shoot daggers at me.
"Geez, if looks could kill..." I huffed under my breath only loud enough for Jughead to hear. What did I ever do to her to make her hate me this much? I wondered as Gladys stepped around FP to come closer to Jughead and I. His shoulders tensed even more and I knew his anger was shooting through the roof right now. She gave us both a hard glare and looked back at FP.
"Well, JB called me and let it slip that JJ here got himself some Northside Princess to be his girlfriend. Now, imagine my surprise when JB mentioned she was also joining our gang. I just thought it best that I was here to see this, but what JB failed to mention was that he was dating a fucking no good piece of trash like Betty Cooper," she spat at me.
"WATCH IT GLADYS!" Jughead snarled at her, venoming dripping from his words. His face hardened and his breathing became heavy. I knew that he was about to lose it at any moment so I placed my free hand under his shirt on the small of his back, rubbing my thumb lightly across his skin in an attempt to give him some comfort. Skin to skin contact had always calmed me and I'm just hoping to do the same for him in this intense situation.
I could see his tension starting to fade as he breathed a loud sigh before he continued, "Look here, let me make one this clear to you, Gladys. You will not come into my bar and speak about my Queen that way, do you hear me?" He commanded, never once showing any signs of backing down. Gladys' eyes filled with hatred as she pushed forward to get into Jughead's face. I cowered in fear behind him but he kept my hand firmly in his grip to keep me with him.
"Excuse me, boy? Your bar? I think you mean mine and your father's bar? Last I checked, I'm still the reigning Serpent Queen and I'll be damned if I give my title up to some whore that easily," Gladys crossed her arms triumphantly and stared Jughead down, but he just looked at his father with an amused expression and shook his head.
"She doesn't know, does she Dad?" Jughead said, chuckling at FP who just shrugged and scratched his chin, nodding in return.
"Nope," he said, emphasizing the 'P', "Didn't see a point in telling her since she had no plans on coming back. That, and how she reacted when I got... well, you know all that," FP stated quietly. Even after all these years he still hated himself for the role he played in helping Clifford Blossom cover up Jason's murder.
Gladys looked back and forth between the two men with a confused look and waited for them to explain. "What in the hell are you two idiots babbling on about?" She demanded. Jughead barked out another laugh and motioned for his father to explain.
"See Gladys, the thing is, you aren't the Serpent Queen. Haven't been since you left. And as far as the Wyrm goes, you have no stake in this bar - or this gang as a matter of fact," FP explained plainly. The fire that had dimmed in Gladys' eyes was now a blazing inferno as she listened to FP speak.
"What the hell are you talking about, Forsythe? Of course, I'm the Queen. What the hell does this jacket mean if I am not?" She spat at FP. Before he could reply, Jughead stepped forward dragging me with him.
"What he means - Gladys - is that your name was never on the deed to this bar. You never had a stake in it. It has been and always will be a Jones family legacy and, well... You. Are. Not. A. Jones." Jughead growled through clenched teeth. I knew that he had a strained relationship with his mother but I never imagined the intense hatred that was swimming through the air right now. It broke my heart for him that she never got to see the good man that he'd become. He stood confident in front of everyone and continued.
"And, you never completed your initiation so technically you're not even a real Serpent. Dad and Grandpa kept meticulous records when it came to initiations, and you only became 'Queen' when you got knocked up and dad married you. The last actual Queen to do the initiation was Alice Smith. Therefore, Alice is Queen and has already relinquished that title to Betty. So, I will say this one last time, you will NOT talk about her that way in MY bar, got it?" With that, he turned to grab my clothes before leading me off stage to go change before we had to face whatever fresh hell that was surely on the agenda for the evening.
I glanced at the table where my friends were sitting just in time to see Veronica mouthing 'What the fuck' and Kevin and Joaquin in a secretive discussion. From the look on his face, I had no doubts that Joaquin was explaining the awkward situation with whatever details he had. I looked away and followed Jughead's retreating form back to my dressing room. He half-heartedly smiled at me and held the door open so I could step inside.
As I passed him, he turned to address his dad, "Dad, I know this is your celebration, but I need a minute. I just... I don't want to be disturbed for a minute, handle this for me? Please?" He asked before closing the door and locking it, collapsing into the plush chair we moved in here for the night. He leaned forward, his shoulders shaking, elbows on his knees and face in his hands as he spoke.
"Jesus Betts, I am so fucking sorry about her. I have no idea what the hell Jelly was thinking telling that witch about you and me. By now she should fucking know better than to tell Gladys anything. JB knows I don't really get along with that woman and haven't for years. The fact that she showed up here and said those things about you. God-," he choked back frustrated tears.
My heart continued breaking for this man in front of me - the man I loved more than my own life - as I stepped between his knees, hugging his head to my stomach and soothing him by running my fingers through his hair. He whimpered and wrapped his arms around me so tight I could hardly breathe. At this moment, I didn't care, all that mattered was that Jug needed me to help him through this ordeal.
"Juggie, look at me," I whispered. He lifted his head weakly to look at me while still hanging on for dear life. "I don't care what that woman thinks of me. She can hate me for what my mother did, she can hate me because of which side of town I was raised, and she can even hate me for taking her 'title' as Queen. But none of that matters to me, as long as I have you and we love each other. Gladys doesn't scare me, she doesn't intimidate me, and I will not let her run me off. I love you, Jughead Jones, and nothing's gonna change that fact."
Jughead's eyes filled with fresh tears - happy ones this time - as he pulled me into his lap to smash his lips into mine. Our kisses started out as slow, tender ones at first but quickly became something more. They were fevered, animalistic even. I could feel his hands sliding everywhere over the soft silk of my robe and I realized I was still mostly naked from my dance. Jughead whimpered in protest as I leaned back and broke away from our kiss to stand.
I ran my hands down the valley of my breasts towards the knot that was keeping my robe closed. His eyes darkened as his tongue swiped across his bottom lip, wetting it before pulling it between his teeth. I take my time undoing the tie before I let the robe slowly fall to the floor and bend over to remove my panties, never breaking eye contact. He lets out a lustful moan as I stand before him in nothing but a pair of heels and my pasties, just two tiny little crowns hiding my raised nipples.
"Jesus Princess, you know you're gonna be the death of me right?" he said, adjusting his already rock-hard erection and pulling me closer to run his hands and lips over my body, making me shiver at his touch.
"Well, let's find out just how much you can take, Juggie... Strip. Now." I commanded seductively. He gave me a devilish smile as he stood up and brushed his lips against mine. "Not so fast. What's the magic word, Princess?" He rasped, running his fingers down my bare arms and creating goosebumps in his wake.
"Please... my King," I said softly, lowering myself to my knees and looking up at him through heavy lashes. Jughead removed his shirt, tossing it behind me while I worked to undo his pants. He hissed as I pulled his cock free, plunging it into my waiting mouth and taking him all the way inside. I pulled back slowly several times, hollowing out my cheeks and swirling my tongue over the tip with each pass until he scooped me up off the floor to slam me up against the wall. He growled deep in his chest while our tongues fought for dominance, his hands squeezing my thighs.
He trailed hot kisses down my neck while removing my pasties to get access to my hardened nipples, pinching and rolling them between his fingers as his length slipped slowly between my dripping folds. "God, you are so beautiful, Betts. I love you so much it fucking hurts. I can't lose you, Betty. I wouldn't survive it. Please, I need you," Jughead's pleas were so consuming and heartbreaking that I couldn't deny him anything he wanted at that moment.
"Then take what you need, Jug. You have all of me already, just take whatever you need," I gasped as I felt him thrust into me, his hot breath and tears soaking my neck as he fucked me. There was desperation in his movements, a primitive drive pushing him to take all of me. My head thumped against the wall as I clung to him and whispered words of love and affection into his ear. I panted and felt myself building towards my peak, my walls clamping down on his length suddenly and screaming his name when I crashed down, my body convulsing with pleasure.
Jughead continued to pound into me harder and faster than before, not satisfied until we were both spent. His lips overtook mine as he thrust deeper, smacking our pelvis' together and causing me to feel another climax approaching. He took me higher with each push forward and on his last thrust, we both reach our crescendos and came together. I felt myself pulsing, pulling every last drop from him as I rubbed my hands up and down his back. I winced slightly when he slid out of me, still holding me in his arms as he tried to bring his breathing back to normal. He walked us to the chair, sitting down and silently enjoying the afterglow for a few minutes before he finally spoke.
"Do we have to go back out there, Betts?" Jughead whispered while stroking my hair. I sighed knowing that as much as I didn't want to, we had to face whatever happened next. It wouldn't do any good for us to hide from her and it won't show very good leaders to the rest of the Serpents either.
"I know you don't want to go out there but we need to deal with this situation before it gets any worse. No matter what, she's still your mother - even if she isn't a good one. We'll handle this together Jug, just like we always do. Okay?" He smiled at me and nodded. He knew I was right and that there was no point in delaying the inevitable. "Come on baby, let's get this over with."
Once we are both fully clothed, we stepped out into the bar where everyone has gone back to doing their own thing and celebrating FP's release from prison. I looked around the bar and spotted JB and Gladys in a booth at the back while FP and my mom were slow dancing to some old love ballad on the other side of the room. If I didn't have knowledge of what had happened just an hour before, it would have been a beautiful sight.
Jughead gathered his nerves and squeezed my hand before pulling me into the direction of his mother and sister. He knew it was now or never and I wanted to get this over with just as much as he did. No matter how hard I tried, I could barely remember the woman in front of me. She was much older - and her hair was a bit more gray - but her eyes are just as I remembered: hard and cold. It's something in my dreams about Juggie that I had never been able to forget. That cold steel expression that she gave me when she ripped him out of my life as a child.
"Gladys-," I nudged him gently. Jughead cleared his throat and tried again, "Mom, tell me why you're really here?" He asked. Gladys gawked back, a mock look of hurt on her face.
"What? I can't want to see my kids? And meet my son's whor-, uh, girlfriend?" Just from the way Gladys strained to say that word, I knew it pained her to even breathe the same air as me and my mother.
"Well Mom, you saw me. I'm doing fine, just like I was doing fine at fifteen when you cut me off for coming back home. Oh, and like when I was eighteen and graduated highest in my class. Oh, and when I helped clear dad's name, or when I turned the Serpents clean. I was fine all those times, without you, and now that I've found Betty again, I'm more than fine. I'm the best I have ever been in fact," Jughead's expression softened when he said those last words and I couldn't help but beam with pride. I loved this man more than I could ever express and I knew he felt the same.
Gladys gazed down at her nearly empty whiskey sour as he spoke, her face giving off a somber expression. I could tell she was upset by his words, even if she tried to hide it. Maybe a part of her knew she had been a shit mother to her son and wanted to make things right. Then again, maybe she was just pissed that she had lost her title - and family - to the woman she hated most in this world - and her daughter. Either way, I wanted to at least attempt to make peace with this woman, for Jug and Jelly's sake of nothing else.
"Mrs. Jones? I know you and my mom have a painful history, but you have to know, I'm not my mother. I love Jughead, he's it for me. I want nothing more than to be with him and make him happy. I promise you, I will never do anything to intentionally hurt him," I tried to show her how sincere I was but her eyes shot up to mine with that same raging fire.
"Oh, is that so? Would that before or after you get divorced, Mrs. Andrews?" I flinched at her use of my married surname, which she noticed right away. She raised her voice and pointed her finger in my face.
"Yeah, that's right! I keep up with all the news in Riverdale. Did you think I didn't know you're married to that piece of shit? That monster that raped my baby and you just expect me to welcome his slut into my family, just like that?! You make me fucking sick. Coming in here and seducing my son, giving him God only knows what diseases after you were with that pig. You will never be good enough for my boy. And the sooner he realizes that and throws your sorry ass out, the better," Gladys' cruel words stabbed at my heart while she continued to call me names.
The momentary shock had at her words started to fade and all I could feel was my darkness starting to rise to the surface. The anxiety rose and I started to spiral, instinctively curling my fists in. Before I could break the flesh, I was pulled out of my thoughts by Jellybean throwing her drink on her mother in a rage.
"That's enough, Mom! Are you serious right now? First, you insult Betty, who by the way is one of the sweetest, most caring people I have ever met but then you shout to the ENTIRE bar what happened to me?! Then, somehow, you have the nerve to blame Betty for the monstrous things that creep did when she was a victim too? This conversation is over, you need to get out. NOW!" Jellybean was seething at this point, shaking uncontrollably. The entire bar was surrounding us, waiting for orders in case Gladys tried to make more of a scene than she already had.
"Forsythia I-," Gladys started, shocked and dripping with margarita remnants. Before she could continue FP steps up to the table.
"You heard her Gladys, get the hell out. And don't think of stepping foot in this bar ever again. My last official act as King before our boy takes over completely is stripping you of your Serpent title and jacket. Hand it over and get out. I won't ask again," FP held his hand out, waiting for her to place her jacket into it. She got up, a mixture of embarrassment and anger in her expression, and threw the wet jacket in FP's face.
"Fine, I'm leaving. But just know," she turned to face Jughead and Jellybean, "from here on out, you're both dead to me. As far as I'm concerned, I have no children."
With that, Gladys Jones stormed out of the bar as fast as she came in. Jughead pulled a shaken Jellybean into an embrace as she broke down into tears over all the things her mother said.
"Juggie, take her upstairs. I'll get everything taken care of down here and I'll be up in just a few minutes. Okay?" I whispered to him while he comforted JB. I saw him give a nod before he helped his broken baby sister up the stairs. I turned and approached the bar where all of our friends were still sitting in shock. Sweet Pea's eyes followed the siblings as they retreated upstairs, a strange look clouding his features. I needed to ask Jellybean about this later, something was obviously going on with those two.
"Guys, I'm so sorry about everything you had to see tonight. Tonight was supposed to be fun and damn if that woman didn't come in and ruin it," I sighed while taking a seat at the bar, pinching the bridge of my nose to stop a headache from forming. Veronica laid her head on my shoulder while Toni rubbed my back, both trying to reassure and calm me at the same time. No one dared to say a word, well that was until Kevin couldn't take the silence any longer.
"Hey B, look at it this way, it wasn't all bad. The drama was riveting, we got to watch you go all 'Fear Factor' and be buried in snakes, you did that flawless performance to my favorite song by The Weeknd, and if we're being honest, I for one had no idea you screamed like that during sex. Jughead must really know what he is doing in that department," Kevin blurted out and winked before Joaquin smacked his chest, giving him a look. But it was too late, I'm already utterly mortified.
"Oh my God, did the whole bar hear us?!" I buried my face in my arms on the bar, trying to hide my crimson blush. I'm going to have to speak to Jughead about soundproofing these walls if he wants to keep having adventurous sex all over the bar. I could still feel the heat in my cheeks as everyone around me chuckled.
"Don't worry Cousin, anyone who has been in this bar at least once in the last year has heard you two going at it at some point. We're all quite used to it by now so no need to be ashamed. In fact, I agree with Kevin. If nothing else, we know Jughead knows exactly what he is doing in the bedroom," Cheryl chimed in, making me blush even more. Can the floor swallow me up now?
"Okay, that's it, I'm done. I'm heading upstairs to check on Jelly before I crash. You guys are welcome to hang out as long as you like. Toni, Sweets, will you guys lock up after last call?" My friends nodded and wished me a good night before I turned to carry myself up the stairs.
So much had happened in the last few days - hell, in the last few hours - that all I wanted to do was be with Jughead and forget the rest of the world even exists for awhile. By the time I reached the door to our apartment, I could feel the adrenaline crashing, just making my need to sleep all the more real.
I wasn't too surprised when I turned the doorknob and was met with nothing but silence. As I approached Jellybeans' room, I could faintly hear Depeche Mode humming on the other side of the door and figured it was probably better to leave her alone for now. I could check on Jellybean in the morning. Right now I was far too exhausted to think about anything else but sleep. At least, that was until I walked into mine and Jughead's room.
I saw his clothes from earlier piled on the floor, the bathroom door propped open just enough for me to make out the sound of running water. As tired as I was just seconds before, I couldn't resist sneaking into the shower with my man. I peeled my own clothes off as I watched him through the frosted glass of the shower door. Even with the distortion, he was exquisite. He was sexy and all mine. They were right, Jughead definitely knew what he was doing in the bedroom and I was addicted.
As I slid the door open slowly he kept his back to me letting the cascade of water rain down on him. I could see the tension in his shoulders weighing him down as much as it had been doing to me. I grabbed his body wash and squeezed some into my palms before rubbing my hands together to get up a good lather. I started slowly, washing and rubbing his shoulder muscles before moving down his spine, covering every inch of his back in the suds. As he stepped further under the water, I watched his tattoo become visible again once more, no longer blocked by the soap.
His relaxed moans were enough to encourage me to keep washing him, to make him feel better, to make him forget the horrible night we'd had. I snaked my hands around his hips, lightly tracing them along the V of his pelvis before Jughead spun around to push me into the shower wall. His lips were on me in a flash, biting and suckling at the tender spots on my neck and behind the ear. I could feel how aroused he was and it only served to make me want him that much more.
"You're all mine, aren't you, Princess?" Jughead whispered into ear, tongue gliding along the curve of the lobe before gently tugging at it. I was so turned on by his domineering attitude that I couldn't think to speak, only nodded to confirm his question. He chuckled into my ear and continued to suckle on my skin.
"No Princess, use your words. Are you mine?" He breathed against my lips as he brought his hand between us and slipped his fingers inside me. The pressure that he placed on my sensitive sex with his thumb just tipped me closer to the edge.
"Yes Juggie, I'm yours, forever. Please," I bucked against his hand, riding out my current wave of passion and begging for more. I needed him more than I ever needed any man before. He was like a drug that I can't get enough of and never wanted to give up. I wanted him, and only him, forever. He pulled his hand away and kissed me hard while I wrapped my legs around his waist. He pushed himself into me, arousing a gasp in response. He halted to let me adjust before he continued, moving slowly in and out of me, dragging himself along the sensitive walls and making them clench.
Of all the places we had done it, I'd dare say sex shower was one of my personal favorites. There was just something so sensual and intimate about the act and it never failed to be an enjoyable experience for both of us. While our bodies moved together, I heard his jagged breaths as he grunted and mumbled into my neck.
"Mine... all mine... Need you... stay... please... love you... mine... forever... mine..." I felt myself tumbling over the edge and as I fell, I dragged him with me. Once our breaths were evened out, he set me back onto my own wobbly feet so we could get washed again before we stepped out of the shower. He still hasn't said anything more to me and I was starting to worry that something Gladys said could have affected him more than he was letting on.
"Juggie?" I asked as he stepped out to grab his towel and handed me my own. We dried off and slipped into some night clothes but the entire time I could feel his eyes watching me. Like he was afraid of something or that I might disappear at any moment.
I could tell whatever was bothering him earlier was still eating him alive and I wanted to help him unburden himself. He must have been able to read my worried stare because he looked at me with such pain that my heart shattered, "Juggie... Please, talk to me," my voice quivered. He stepped forward and grabbed my hand.
"Promise me, Betts. Promise me that we won't turn out like FP and Gladys... Promise that you are mine, forever. Please?" The expression of agony on his face just broke me apart. I never wanted to see that look on his face ever again.
"Juggie, I meant what I said in there. I. Am. Yours... Forever, or for however long you will have me at least. I mean it," I said, grabbing both sides of his face so he had no choice but to look me in the eye. I tried to bore the truth of my words into his eyes so he would have no doubt about what I was saying. "I love you, Juggie. Only you."
"I love you too, Betty Cooper," he pulled me close and we fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
"Ok Serpent's, listen up. This is Betty's first meeting as an official member and I want you guys to treat her with the trust and respect I know you already have for her. There will be no secrets when it comes to my Queen and she holds as much authority as I do. Is that understood?" Jughead asked before all those in the room shouted their agreement.
Jughead and I stood at the head of a long conference table surrounded by all of the Serpents, minus the Prospects and some older snakes who preferred to spend their time inside the bar to be Jug's eyes and ears on the floor while these meetings took place. This was the first time I was allowed to be a part of any actual Serpent business, even though it had been a month since I was crowned.
I had my suspicions that there were somethings going on behind the scenes that were pressing but Jug said he wanted more intel to formulate a plan before he included me in it. He had been on edge a bit lately and I noticed he had been a lot more clingy, not that I minded in the slightest. I loved being wrapped up in his arms and spending time with him but there was still that fear in the back of my head.
"Ok, have any of the scouts seen or heard anything?" Jughead asked. Sweet Pea stood up, his body language very rigid as he spoke. He kept giving me strange sideways glances that were making me more nervous.
"No Boss, seems that whatever the Ghoulies are planning, they've been keeping it to themselves. Haven't had any clues since- well, since the note was left on your bike," This bit of news startled me, though I tried not to show it. Just hearing the Ghoulies being mentioned caused my body to shiver. What note? What isn't Jug telling me? I wondered before bringing my attention back to the discussion at hand.
"...if you see anyone who looks out of place or new, you all know what to do. We're going to increase patrols in the area and double the security rounds, at least until we figure out what the hell Malachi's angle is or if he is just working for someone else. Ok, now the next order of business..." Jughead continued but I had completely tuned out what he was saying, still trying to figure out what pieces I was missing and determined to get the truth out of Jug after the meeting.
"Ok guys, that's all for now. You're dismissed," he said and all the Serpents began to file out the door. I remained planted firmly in my seat, making it very clear that Jughead and I had some more things to discuss. After the last person walked out, Jughead closed the door and locked it before he walked over to me, lifting me up to set me on the table so that he and I were closer to eye level.
"Ok Princess, what's wrong?" Jughead asked softly as he tucked a few stray hairs behind my ear. I know whatever was going on, he was just trying to keep it from me to protect me but I was a part of this now and I needed to know everything.
"Juggie, what aren't you telling me? And don't lie to me, I want the truth," I demanded. Jughead brought his hands up to cup my face and searched my eyes. The fear and desperation in them were evident but I also saw that he knew this wouldn't go away by hiding it.
"I didn't tell you before because of the initiation but then- then things escalated and now there are more threats and I'm afraid of what'll happen. And dammit, I can't lose you, Betts. I'm the Big Bad Serpent King and I'm terrified of what might happen to you," Jughead's eyes filled with tears and his voice trembled, showing me that his fear was very real.
"What's going on, Juggie? Nothing's gonna happ-" Jughead pulled me into an embrace stopping my sentence in its tracks.
"The Ghoulies, Betts, that's what is going on. There's been a threat, a very real one... against you," Jughead whispered almost like he was afraid if he said it that it would come true. I felt a cold chill run down my spine and tried desperately to find the ability to speak.
"What- why? What did they say? Jug, am I in danger?" So many things were running through my head that I wasn't even sure what to expect next. Jughead continued to hold me as he spoke.
"They somehow caught wind that I have taken you as my Queen and they want to use you as a bargaining chip to get me to be... compliant. Ghoulies have been trying to push drugs back into the Southside ever since I pushed them out and they're looking for any weakness that they can use against me. They know that unless they have some leverage they won't get what they want out of me," Jughead's fingers twitched in that tell-tale sign that he was craving a cigarette but he was trying to resist the urge to leave the room so we could talk more. We had been trying to quit smoking but the last month had been so stressful for him that I decided against nagging him when he picked it back up.
"Those damned freaks hate the fact that the Serpents are making the Southside better and also making a profit off legit business deals so they want to hurt us, mostly me, in any way they can. I waited to tell you because I didn't know if they were just rumors but a few weeks ago I got a note that was very clearly a threat against you, so I couldn't keep it from you anymore," Jughead walked over to his desk and pulled out a worn slip of paper.
Can't wait to hear how that bitch of yours screams when we all get a taste of her. Better hide that pretty thing away or the next time you see her will be when you are collecting what's
left of her in the river. -M
Jughead could tell how visibly shaken I was as he brought his arms back around me and held me to his chest. "I swear to you, Betts. I won't let them touch you. I'll kill each and every one of those bastards before I'll ever let them hurt you."
"I know, Juggie. What are we going to do? Have the guys heard anything about what they might be planning?" Even though I was terrified of what the note implied I knew that, right now, I needed to be smart and help the gang figure out what the Ghoulies might be planning. I walked over to the other side of the room and grabbed Jughead's cigarettes and brought them to him.
"Baby, I know you don't like me smoking in front of you. I can wait," Jughead tried to push the pack away but I grabbed his hand to stop him. I slowly pulled two cigarette out and put one between each of our lips before opening his zippo to light them. He took a long drag, watching me do the same, then closed his eyes and blew it out slowly, "Thanks, baby. That one won't mess you up?"
"No, I needed this just as much as you did. So what are we going to do now Juggie?" I asked, taking a drag and flicking my ashes into the ashtray on the desk. I could tell from his expression that he was struggling with an idea but he was afraid that I wouldn't like it. I raised an eyebrow at him and blew smoke over my shoulder before I spoke, "Just tell me, Jug."
"Well, the only thing I know to do now is to give you a bodyguard, at least until we can figure out a plan of attack. You're gonna need protection around the clock if I'm not here. I can't let anything happen to you," Jughead brushed my hair back from my shoulder and buried his face into my neck as he hugged me close. I wrapped my arms around him and tried to keep him grounded and calm.
"It's ok, I'll do whatever will help you sleep better at night. We'll get through this together," I tilted his head up to give him a kiss before embracing him once again.
All I can see is darkness, just a black and endless void. No light, no breeze, no indication of where I am other than the broken down tombstones and the horrid stench: the smell of rotting flesh and death. I try to struggle but this only serves to make the chains around my neck and waist tighter.
I know that I have to use my head if I ever want to get out of this, I just wish I knew what he was doing and how I got here. I feel my breath starting to get harder and harder to take. "Juggie, where are you? Help me..." I gasp.
"No one's gonna save you now Blondie." A chilling voice echoed in the darkness."And once we are through with you, you're gonna beg for death to take you." I feel the chains squeeze tighter and tighter and tighter as a hand reaches down to unbutton my pants. I beg and fight until all I can do is scream...
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed, clawing at my throat desperate to get the unseen chains off my neck. I could feel hands on me but I flailed in an attempt to keep my captor away from me. I continued to scream and cried out in fear when someone shook me gently.
"Betts, Betty, wake up, Betty! You're having another nightmare! Wake up!" I snapped out of my dream state to see Jughead hovering over me, fear and concern etched on his features. I looked around in confusion and saw that I was still in our bed in our room at the bar. The moonlight shining into the room illuminated it just enough for me to see clearly. There was no darkness, no unseen evil, no chains binding me.
"Oh, Juggie..." I choked out as the tears broke through. In one motion he lifted me up and cradled me on his lap. The sobs that escaped my body were just as bad as they were all those months ago when the nightmares first started. I thought that I'd moved past this fear. It had been almost three months since my initiation, two since the Ghoulies had threatened to attack and kidnap me from the Wyrm, and one since my divorce was finalized. And soon it would be close to a year since Jug and I got together. So much has happened and I am not sure what to do anymore.
I spent my time always looking over my shoulder, always in constant fear, to the point where I no longer wanted to leave the bar. Not even when I knew I would have someone with me. There were too many risks and once the panic attacks started again, I knew there was no stopping the eventual nightmares.
"Shhh, Betts, it's ok. I got you, Princess, you're safe. I promise I will protect you. Forever, baby. I'm not gonna let anything happen to you. I swear," Jughead's voice was soft and reassuring, but I was just so tired. Tired of the fear, tired of the nightmare's, tired of the paranoia. I didn't think I could take it anymore and I was done being afraid. I knew Jughead had shot down the one good idea to stop the Ghoulies because it was too much of a risk but I was tired of hiding.
"Juggie, I know you may not want to hear this, but I think we need to think about Sweets plan more. It's a good idea and I know you won't let anything happen to me," he was about to protest so I cut him off and continued, "and before you say anything, just know I want to do this. I want this to be over so we can go back to how things were before. I know you're scared but we have some pretty skilled badasses at our disposal and I think it's time to use them," he looked straight ahead for a moment, trying to decide what he should do next.
"Can you really handle it, Betts? It's not going to be easy and there is a good chance that it can go sideways real quick," Jughead lifted my chin to look into my eyes and I nodded in response. "Ok, if you are sure, then I guess we are using you as bait."