Sunlight streamed through the windows of Jughead's small apartment as Betty stirred awake the following morning. It was nearly 11 am and Betty was shocked she had slept in so late. Betty had always been a believer in the early bird gets the worm and found herself relishing in the fact that no one had knocked on her door at 6:30 just to 'check' if she was awake. Living with Alice Cooper for 12 hours had been unbearable and Betty was considering turning around and going right back to New York before Jughead had so unexpectedly offered up his 'spare' apartment. The very same apartment that Betty realized she hadn't slept in last night. While she still wound up staying at the Wyrm, her current position was much more preferable in Betty's mind than waking up alone, or if she was being honest, with anyone else.
When she finally opened her eyes, she turned slightly to observe Jughead. He appeared to still be asleep and Betty took the opportunity to simply stare at him. His hair was sticking out in every direction and his chest was rising and falling in prefect rhythm. He was beautiful and Betty was so enthralled she reached out to run her fingertips along his jaw. When he didn't immediately stir she decided to be brave and lightly swept her thumb across his plump bottom lip.
To her surprise, he opened his mouth the slightest bit and teasingly nibbled at her thumb.
"G'morning" he mumbled as she giggled softly, his voice thick with sleep was doing something to her she wasn't sure she was ready for so early in the morning.
"Morning sleepyhead" she responded.
Jughead opened his eyes all the way and moved his hand to cup her cheek. He tilted her head to the side and surprised her when he bypassed her mouth all together and started peppering kisses along the underside of her jaw. Her hands instinctively found his thick locks of hair and latched on. As she felt herself begin to lose control, her practicality kicked in and Betty removed his lips from her neck attempting to form a coherent thought. Cupping his jaw, she brought his face level with hers and kissed him softly on the lips.
"We need to brush our teeth and I should really get going. Alice Cooper will be none too happy to realize I wasn't there last night and didn't happen to make it home before she woke up." Betty reasoned aloud. But no matter how much reasoning was put into her response, her resolve began to slip away as Jughead slowly rolled her over until he was covering her body completely.
He leaned down toward Betty's neck and surprised her when she felt his lips graze her ear instead, "I seem to remember telling you that you needed daily attention last night Betts."
The notion sent shivers up Betty's entire body and Jughead picked up on her slipping resistance. Before she responded he was already palming her breasts and her voice was betraying her mind as she moaned at the contact.
The only sound that could be heard for the next few minutes were Betty's gasps and Jughead's moans as he brought her to the brink of orgasm with his fingers alone for the third time in less than 24 hours. As she came hard around his fingers, Jughead connected their mouths. Working her through her release he kissed her with everything he had in him. Betty was so lost in the feeling she had forgotten about their unbrushed teeth, she had forgotten about everything outside of those four walls and she found herself again, not quite ready to pop the bubble they seemed to be occupying within his apartment.
She surprised him when she suggested they clean up before they start the day and he found himself trailing after her into the bathroom without so much as a second thought. They were both still nude and as soon as they entered the shower, Jughead pressed her up against the far wall and enveloped her mouth with hers. They languidly made out for a few minutes before Betty snaked her hand between then to feel Jughead's arousal. He had been turned on since they first woke up and Betty was eager to return his affections.
"Um.. Jug" Betty sounded nervous and Jughead looked down at her trying to decipher the sudden change in demeanor. "Tell me what feels good, okay? I just want to make you feel good but I haven't done this in a long time, so I –" Jughead cuts her off with a bruising kiss and she takes that as a signal to move forward. He's head is spinning with sheer desire as she runs her hand up and down his arousal. She works him slowly for a while and they continue making out. After a few minutes, he wraps his hand around hers and guides her pace. She obediently follows and he is so turned on by her that he decides her hand just isn't going to be enough.
Jughead uncurls her hands from around him and guides them up to his shoulders. Betty wants to protest, to tell him that she wants to repay his favor and make him feel good. But all of her protests would be cut short as she feels him lift her up from under her thighs. Betty's instincts kick in as she wraps her legs around his waist and feels the cool shower wall behind her. He's inside of her within seconds and Betty knows she won't last long in this position. Based on the moans and pace Jughead's keeping, she's not sure he will either. It's fast and wet, slippery and sexy, and Betty comes within minutes of the position change. Jughead succumbs shortly after, his released pulled out by her walls tightening around him. He leans his forehead onto her shoulder and she remains locked around his waist when she decides to break the silence.
"I didn't even know sex could be like that Jug." She punctuates the thought with a thorough kiss and break apart long enough to clean up and exit the shower. As they walk into his apartment again, Betty looks around to find her clothes. She's painfully aware of the fact that he chose not to answer her last statement. She can feel the physical connection they share even if it has only been a day but a part of her knows Jughead's never been one to express his emotions vocally. He was always more talented with the written word than the spoken word, but she has no idea where his mind is at.
Once dressed, the silence still heavy in the room, Betty starts brewing coffee in the kitchenette. She's caught off guard by Jughead when his arms slip around her waist and he hugs her gently from behind. His breath tickling her ear as he says, "I can't seem to keep my hands off of you Betty Cooper. How on earth could Trev have possibly had you prancing around him every day and not 'indulge you', as you so eloquently put it last night."
He kisses her neck as she responds, "Juggie, I don't know what came over me last night." She takes a deep breath in to gather her thoughts and think of what to say next. She feels him stiffen and immediately turns around to cup his face in reassurance. "I don't want you to think I regret anything, because I don't" she tilts her head down to catch his eyes and continues, "Trust me, I don't regret a second of it. I just haven't ever been a really sexual person for the last 22 years and I'm a little overwhelmed by how badly I seem to want you." She leans forward and wraps her arms around his neck as the next statement sends shivers down his spine. "I've never wanted anyone more in my entire life and I'm just not sure how to deal with that yet."
He pulls her face back and kisses her once again. This time it's soft and pure. It's slight pushing and pulling without either feeling the need to deepen it. "Betty, this has quite literally been like a dream to me, and I get that this was just something you wanted to get out of your system. You're spreading your wings and I can't fault you for that."
She looks at him with confusion and blurts out, "Did you not hear anything I just said? I'm not here to spread my wings Jug. I'm here because I want you."
"You don't even know me Betty. Not really, not anymore. I don't really know you either. This thing between us, whatever you want to call it. It's amazing, but like you said – it doesn't have to be anything serious. Just an indulgence." His eyes are downcast as he says it aloud and he feels her gaze burning into him. They're interrupted by the coffee maker's chime signaling it's done.
The air is thick with tension as they both pour a cup of coffee and Betty begins to gather her purse and things. "I'm going to go get settled in across the hall if that's still alright with you." He nods his approval and she slips through the door before he even has time to absorb the gravity of their previous conversation.
Jughead has never, in his entire life, been in a serious relationship. So why did he all the sudden feel Betty's absence in his apartment so painfully. When she turned for the door, he had wanted to say something. He wanted to say something about the connection he had always felt for her. He wanted to say something about the way they moved together the night before and again that morning. He wanted to tell her there's no way something could feel that wonderful, that fulfilling, that perfect – without really meaning anything. Instead, he stood silently as she made her way across the hall.
Betty finds some rags and cleaning spray and proceeds to stress clean the tiny apartment she will be using for the next few days. She realizes there's no sheets on the bed and the place has a layer on dust on it. She wonders briefly how long it sat empty. Once she's cleaned the whole space, she decides it's time to return the calls she's certain are waiting for her on her phone. Surprisingly, her mother had only called once about two hours ago and Verionica sent her a text asking for a check in call.
Betty concedes it's about time she tells her best friend about the recent upheaval of her life. Veronica and Betty spend the better part of two hours on the phone with one another as Betty confesses her feelings about Trev and the breakup. She tells Veronica all of the details about the last few years, the impotence, the lack of intimacy, the feeling of always wanting more than he was capable of giving. Veronica, ever the best friend, tells her it's okay to want more out of life and she doesn't blame Betty at all. She offers to come visit her at her apartment before they leave the city when Betty realizes she hadn't told Veronica about her impromptu trip home and it's subsequent events.
"Actually, V, funny story… uhhh… I'm in Riverdale." Betty tries laughing at the end of the thought and is met with total silence from Veronica.
"Excuse me, what? Why Betty? Did Trev kick you out of the apartment, that piece of shit-"
Veronica is cut off by Betty's casual response "No, just wanted to feel my feet on the ground for a few days before reality sunk in. I decided home would be the best place for that."
"OMG Betty, as your best friend, I have to tell you that I don't think Alice's home is the best place for your post break up. She's definitely come a long way over the years Betty but I don't think it's healthy that you stay there. You know that our hotel here has a spa, a gym, and Cher and I should take you for some retail therapy. Come stay with us will you?"
Betty mulls over the idea for only a minute before deciding against it. "No thanks, V. You know I appreciate the offer but I'm actually staying in a friend's empty apartment so no need to worry about 'Alice's environment'". She struggles for a moment before saying even lower, "I've got my habits under control. So there's really no need to worry about me." Veronica was one of a few people to know about her stress relief tactic. Veronica discovered early on in their freshman year that Betty had a problem. She never judged her for it but Betty always knew somewhere in the back of her mind Veronica worried about her.
"Staying at a friend's empty apartment, huh? Would this friend happen to be male?" Veronica inquires.
"Yes, V. This friend is indeed a male." When Betty doesn't follow the statement up with the customary response of it's not what you think or nothing to worry about Veronica's interest is piqued. Betty can't find it in herself to lie to her best friend and she could actually use the advice on this occasion.
"Spill." The simple phrase coming from Veronica unleashes something in Betty. She's dying to tell someone of their tryst and finds herself on speaker with both Veronica and Cheryl listening as she gives them the PG-13 version of her return to Riverdale. She details the tension at home and Archie's invitation to the bar the previous night. She tells them both about her instant attraction to Jughead and the night's progression of events. She leaves out the more sordid quotes and brings them up to speed with the day's events, ending with her current predicament of hiding out in said extra apartment.
When Betty's story seems to be done she pipes up once more, "I don't know V… my head's spinning with something but it's not exactly guilt. I know Trev and I just broke up but I have never felt this way with someone so quick. I know I have limited experience and all but everyone wants to believe in the fairytale of love at first sight, right? I feel foolish for even thinking about it but this is so unexpected in the best way."
"Betty, I've got a confession to make, I was involved with someone back in Europe when I came to visit you and meet Cheryl. After the first day we spent together alone, I knew nothing could ever compare . everyone always says that when you know, you just know and something in me just knew that cher would be it for me. I ended things with my on and off again fling that same day and never looked back. We didn't tell you for a while but I had known that entire time that she was going to be my forever. So don't feel bad for moving on so quickly. After what you told me earlier I'm pretty sure you and trev were really done years ago and healing can happen sometimes before you even rip the band aid off."
Veronica's confession catches Betty off guard and she summons all of the memories she has of Veronica and Cheryl together. She knew they were obsessed with each other in the beginning but she never truly considered they had fallen in love at the drop of a hat. As much as fairy tales were meant to be envied, she saw one happen before her very own eyes. She recalls the envy she felt at the bar the other night and the sight of them wrapped up in each other. She wonders if an onlooker would have possibly let that thought cross their own mind if they had seen her and Jughead in the kitchen that same morning.
"Thanks, V. You always know just what to say." Betty ends the call with the typical farewells and promise to call again soon. Maybe even catch up again before she left New York.
At the end of their phone call, Betty formulates a plan. First, she calls Alice to quell her mother's fears and tells her she's staying with an old friend. Her mother knows she rightfully has no room to have an opinion on the matter and must feel for what Betty's going through, so she decides not to push the subject. They hang up and Betty assures her mother that she is fine and she'll be back to visit before she heads back to New York, she simply needed time to clear her mind.
Once Alice is taken care of, Betty calls an Uber and slips out of the bar through the back door. She goes into town and buys linens for the bed, some basics for the apartment and stops by the grocery store. Betty was always an adept cook and decides if Jug won't let her pay rent, she'll just cook him a meal. She had noticed his barren fridge the night before and is pretty certain he didn't have concrete dinner plans for that night.
She returns to the Wyrm, loaded down with bags, and is surprised when she can slip back through the back door and up to the apartment without anyone seeing her once again. Grateful for the reprieve from prying eyes, she sets about implementing her plan for the evening and utilizes every square inch of the dining room table and sparse countertop in the process.
When the home made lasagna is almost done she finishes up the garlic bread and ices the chocolate cherry cake she made when she first arrived back to the apartment. The oven dings to signal the lasagna is done just as she's putting the finishing touches on the cake and Betty starts to get nervous. Theoretically cooking dinner for Jughead to repay him for his hospitality is a great idea. Jughead has always been an enthusiastic eater and she knows he'll appreciate it. But when she exits her apartment and brings her hand up to knock on his door, she can't seem to do it. She stands there for a few minutes debating on how she is going to invite him in for dinner and begins to second guess her idea altogether when the sound of the door leading to the deck breaks her thought process. She looks over startled to find Jughead waltzing in, cigarette pack and lighter in hand, and eying her quizzically.
"Hey there Betts. Wasn't sure I'd be seeing you today." He drawls, seeming unaffected by her presence. It catches Betty off guard as she clears her throat.
"Yeah, uh, I was actually just coming over to offer you dinner. I went into town earlier and decided to make some comfort food for dinner, and you know me. I can never cook for just one person so I wound up with lasagna, bread, and cake. There would have been more sides if the kitchen space wasn't so limited. I always seem to -" Her rambling comes to an abrupt end as Jughead's hand, once again, lands on her shoulder and gently squeezes.
"I'd love to have dinner with you." He punctuates the thought with a wink and Betty can't help but laugh a little at the ease in which he's fallen back into the flirty banter. "Lead the way", he instructs as he gestures towards her door with the hand that has recently left a warm sensation on her shoulder.
As they enter the now clean but still sparsely furnished apartment, Jughead's mouth falls agape at the sight of the food in front of him. He's never been much of a cook but he always considered himself a food aficionado. It smelled heavenly and looked even better. Jughead's hand finds purchase on Betty's lower back as he follows her into the apartment.
They serve their plates and eat in companionable silence. The lack of conversation not bothering either of them as they chew away at their food. When Betty pauses she looks up and laughs at the sight of Jughead inhaling his dinner like he hadn't eaten in weeks.
"My mom always said silence is the highest compliment a chef could get. When no one has time to comment on the food, it means they're too busy eating it, and that means it's good." She shrugs as she ends her thought and returns to the food. She's surprised when Jughead puts his fork down and his plate is empty. Hers, on the other hand is only partially picked at. Her nerves were starting to get the better of her and it wasn't helping her appetite.
"Look Betty" Jughead starts and clears his throat, steeling his nerve. He knew he needed to have a real conversation with her after their night together. It seemed too good to be true when he woke up this morning and she was still there. He didn't know how else to describe her presence beyond simply enthralling. He was fascinated by her. Fascinated by the way she moaned under him, fascinated by her shy demeanor in the most intimate times, fascinated by her giggles that followed his snarky comments. Most of all, Jughead found himself fascinated by what Betty Cooper had been through in her life that lead her into his bar last night. The chance encounter seeming to steer both of their paths into each other. Whether that was to cross of intersect was yet to be decided, but it was fascinating none the less.
"Thanks for dinner, it was seriously amazing." He reaches across to grab her hand and starts again, "I don't know everything about what you've been up to in New York for the last few years and I really don't need to. I know you're in a vulnerable state and I don't want to feel like I'm taking advantage of that when I'm around you. I know you said this morning you weren't sure how to deal with you felt, and I respect that. But you also said that this doesn't have to be serious, and I can't stop thinking about that." It's true. He had been thinking about it nonstop since she left that morning. It was the only line playing over and over in his head like a bad pop song. He had spent the time apart sitting in his apartment. He tried to fall back asleep only to be entranced by the lingering presence she still had in his bed. The sheets were still ruffled and parts of the pillow still smelled like her. He laid there for quite some time before eventually drifting off for a while and waking up for a smoke. "You're right, this doesn't have to be serious, but I'd be lying if I said that I might not want it to be. We were always honest with each other, maybe not in a soul bearing way or anything when we were younger, but we never did lie to each other and I don't want to lie to you now. I think I always had a crush on you Betty. All through elementary and middle school. By the time I realized that's what it was, you and Trev were getting closer and I thought for sure I had lost my chance. That idea solidified when you guys stood the test of time and went to college together. I thought I was over it, you know? But then you came walking into my bar last night and I was hit with this sense of wonder that I hadn't felt in a long time. Like a lingering thought of 'what if?' I know you said this doesn't have to be serious, I just want you to know that this can be as big or as little as you want it to be. I'm in."
When she didn't immediately respond, he began to panic. He picked up his dish to break the tension and went to grab hers when she put her hand on top of his.
"Jug…" she said, still looking down at the table.
"Betts…" he replied sarcastically as he proceeded to successfully extract her dish and deposit them in the sink. He started the water and had every intention of washing the dishes when he felt her reciprocate his actions that morning in the mirror image kitchen across the hall. She wound her hands around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder. He layered his hands on top of hers and chuckled.
"I only gave you and Archie the brief version of why I'm back in Riverdale, but I want to tell you more." They separated and she grabbed his hand to lead him over to the door. Jughead had a confused expression on his face when Betty gripped the door handle and proceeded to exit her apartment and walk straight over to his.
As she entered his apartment she shot back teasingly, "What? I need at least a shot or two to delve into my shit with you Jug."
Taken aback by her sudden shift, Jughead couldn't help but feel that intoxicating want start to seep through him again. She was so much more than perfection and pink and ponytails. She was real, raw, brash, and brave. He knew she was strong so if she needed to lubricate her mind before her mouth would open, he knew it was going to be an interesting night.
They took two shots and settled on his couch. His arm slung over her shoulders and her arm loosely laid out on his knee. They talked for hours. Betty told him everything about her and Trev. She told him it never really felt right in all of their years together. How she was taken aback by Veronica and Cheryl moving across the country and kind of happened to wind up living with Trev without really ever having a say. She says it made sense at the time. The semester was starting and he hadn't gotten a dorm yet so he just wound up crashing at her apartment and didn't actually leave until their break up. She told him about the job offer in Florida and the expectations for them to get married and move in together. She told him about her helplessness in feeling like all of her best laid plans had just gone up in flames. She even told him about how it bothered her less than she expected it to. Finally, she told him about the lack of intimacy and contact in their relationship and how that drove them further apart unconsciously over the years. By the end of it, she felt as if he was her roommate who kissed her sometimes and helped with the chores. Betty divulged some of her deepest thoughts to Jughead that night under the guise of whiskey.
"I talked to Veronica earlier, one of my friends from college, and she made me realize something," Betty turns toward Jughead as she works up the nerve for her next move. "I realized I might have been over that long before it was truly over. So I know you think I'm vulnerable and you think you're taking advantage of me. But remember what I told you last night down in the bar, I think I would know if I couldn't handle something." She breathed as she moved in to cover his mouth with her own.
Jughead was overwhelmed by all of the night's confessions and the reality that for a second night, Betty was in his lap, in his apartment, and he wasn't sure he ever wanted her to leave. Before he has time to feel guilty for still shielding parts of his life from her, his brain melts as she pushes her tongue into his mouth and grinds into his lap.
After their long talk earlier, there aren't many more words exchanged between the two. The only ones being 'yes, more, and again'. For the second night in a row, she winds up in his bed and they fall asleep locked together.