Chapter 2

Jughead and Betty casually walked hand in hand to Pop's. She was still feeling a little nervous about everyone else's reaction to her costume choice (and the fact that they were matching she thought amusedly), but knowing that Jughead liked it and went so far as to match with her made her feel a bit better.

"Penny for your thoughts?" The question forced her out of her reverie and back into reality.

"Huh? Oh...it's nothing really. Just a little nervous about everyone's reaction to my costume…" She whispered back honestly.

"Hmm. Well to be honest, I'm not exactly keen on having everyone's eyes on you either." His tone sounded almost disapproving. The thought made her frown.

"What's with the long face?" He asked curiously. It amazed her how quickly and easily he was able to catch her change in mood so quickly. She was proud of the fact that she could always be the bubbly/happy-go-lucky/perfect Betty to the world, but to him, it's like he could see straight through to her soul. The feeling was as freeing as it was unnerving.

She paused for moment, coming up with the right words to express her feelings. "Well I wanted you to like my costume...I didn't really think about how you would feel about how everyone else would think about it..." The guilt was coursing through her body and she put her head down facing away from him.

He chuckled at her and gently grabbed her chin to face him. Bright blue eyes gazing into a sea of green. "Bets, it's alright. This isn't the 1940's. You can wear whatever you like and I can't do a thing to stop you. Do you look amazing? Obviously. Do I want the entire teenage male population of Riverdale ogling you? No, definitely not. But it can't be helped." He shrugged in amused defeat.

"You're beautiful and extra sexy tonight and I don't have a thing to complain about. You're here with me and while everyone else can look, only I can touch." And with that, he gave her a quick wink and a chaste kiss on her lips.

"So stop worrying about what everyone else is going to think or say. They'll have their barrage of questions when they first see you and then you'll be free for the night." He ended his speech with such finality she could only look at him with mild amusement.

"How did you get to be so smart about the complexities of social interactions between Riverdale teens?" She teased him as she planted a quick kiss.

"I think I should be offended" He joked as he put his free hand to his heart. "I'll have you know I'm renowned for my people watching skills."

"Whatever you say, Puddin"

The dynamic duo finally arrived at Pop's around 8:30pm.

She took a deep breath as Jughead grabbed the door handle.

"Bets, don't worry. I promise it won't be so bad, and if it gets to be too much I'll swoop in and protect you. As a good Joker should." He added with a wink and swung the door open dramatically and walked in first.

She giggled at his actions and followed him into the diner until she ran into his back as he abruptly stopped in front of her and said "No way."

"Ow! Hey why did you ju-" She cut herself off when she followed his gaze and looked at their regular booth. She immediately started laughing and after a beat Jughead joined in.

"What are the chances?!" She asked no one in particular as they approached their friends.

"Did you guys plan this out or something?" She asked the group as her head swiveled from the group to Jughead.

"Huh? Plan what Betty?" Archie asked as he turned to make eye contact with her. He looked ridiculous turning his whole body, but his cowl wouldn't let him just move his head.

There in their usual booth sat Archie, dressed in a (very expensive deluxe edition looking) Batman costume, Kevin, in a neon green suit with black question marks that only he could pull off and a purple mask and matching neon top hat, and Cheryl, in a knockout leafy green unitard with bright green tights and killer knee high black boots.

When they all finally got a chance to look at each other, they all started cracking up.

"Oh. My. God! this is the most epic coincidence"

"Haha The Joker and Harley Quinn, huh? Suits you guys"

"Hashtag Gotham meets Riverdale"

"No way, you guys totally did this on purpose!"

They gang continued laughing and gushing over their costumes as they headed to Kevin's car to get to Veronica's house. Their laughter finally dying down once they were all in the car.

"I can't believe you guys are all in Batman costumes!" Betty exclaimed. "And here I was thinking I was being original. So much for that!" She laughed again as she rolled her eyes.

"Yes well, unfortunately my costume choices are very limited when it comes to sexy redheads." Cheryl replied bitterly. "Not that it isn't totally adorable that we're basically a matching set, but just making a point."

"Yea, Cheryl told me about her costume crisis. She was adamant about dressing up as another redhead bombshell and I told her about Poison Ivy since I was going as the Riddler. I figured it would be cool to match with someone" Kevin explained.

"It's awesome that we're all matching, Ronnie will be super happy too!" Archie added excitedly.

"Oh really? Why's that?" Jughead asked dryly.

"Well she's going dressed at Catwoman remember?"

"Oh that's right! I completely forgot she told me that last week" Betty added as she remembered her best friend mentioning her costume choice.

"And what about you and Jug? Betty, I thought you said no one was going to find out about your costume until tonight, not even Jughead." Archie asked.

Betty could feel herself start to blush and she was extremely grateful for the face makeup as it would hide it from the innocently prying group.

Almost as if he sensed her unease, Jughead replied as he put his arm around her "She didn't tell me. I accidentally found out and figured I'd surprise her myself. Plus, what kind of Harley could be without her Joker right?"

"That's right Puddin" Betty cooed as she nuzzled into his hold.

"Hashtag relationship goals. You guys are so sickeningly sweet I may not eat any candy at all tonight."

The group laughed again and began talking about what to expect at the 'Greatest Halloween Party Ever'.

"See, no one even batted an eye." Jughead whispered in her ear so no one else could hear.

"Yea, I guess I got all worked up for nothing. Thank you for keeping my crazy in check Mista J" and she sweetly pecked him on the lips.

"Not sure how The Joker can keep any crazy in check, but I guess anything for you Puddin".

They arrived at Ronnie's apartment building and headed to the huge banquet hall, easily following the sound of pounding music and wild teenagers. When they opened the double doors the blast of music nearly made them take a step back.

"Whoa, Ronnie does not mess around when it comes to parties!" Betty yelled, her eyes alight with excitement and awe.

"Mista J" She called to Jughead sultrily "I'd like to see my best friend now, care to join me?"

"Lead the way Puddin" And before anyone else could react to their exchange, Betty grabbed his wrist and yanked him into the throng of teenage hormones. The iconic Joker laugh could be heard before it was eventually muted by the pounding music.

"Um...what was that?" Kevin asked the remainder of their Gotham group.

"I'm not exactly sure if I need to vomit from cuteness overload or if that was just actually gross." Cheryl commented actually looking physically nauseated.

"Did...Jughead...just use a Joker pet name for Betty?" Archie asked thoroughly confused and bewildered at their behavior. He's gotten somewhat accustomed to Jughead being more open and affectionate towards Betty, but it was still weird seeing him basically flirting in front of everyone. Definitely a sight he thought he would never see. He was happy for them.

The three looked at each other and shrugged. Now was the time to party, not dwell on the intricacies that is Betty and Jughead's relationship. They chalked it up to another one of their weird moments (Jughead and Betty considered them special, but tomayto/tomahto) and walked inside to enjoy the party.

Hello! Thank you everyone for your reviews! I can't tell you how much they mean to me! :D

Some people had asked me to continue the story, so here we go! Not much happened, but it was kind of getting away from me so I figured it's best to stop here and continue with the party the next chapter.

Let me know what you think and what you would like to see and I'll see what I can do. Let me know what other characters you'd like to see thrown in there as well and what you would like them to be dressed up as!

Thanks again! Any and all feedback is much appreciated and incredibly useful.

You guys are amazing and super nice! 3