A/N: Thank you to everyone who took the time to review. Thank you so much for all the support. I love doing this and it makes it even better to know you all love it too.
I edited this myself, so as always there will be errors. Sorry about that.
There is a song in the chapter, Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright, if you want to listen along.
I also think the next chapter is going to take a little bit longer to post. I have other things I need to write and I also need some down time. I think it might take me ten days to post the next chapter as opposed to seven. Nothing crazy.
Enjoy!
Betty tried her hardest to focus on her chemistry assignment but couldn't. She could feel her phone vibrating in her pocket. Text message after text message, going unchecked and driving her crazy.
When Ms. Grundy was nose deep in an issue of Cosmo she pulled out the device to read her messages.
Get out of class. I need to talk to you about something. - Veronica - 03/15/17 - 1:05pm
Seriously, leave class. - Veronica - 03/15/17 - 1:09pm
Do you want to go to dinner this Saturday? Anywhere you want. :) - Jughead - 03/15/17 - 1:10pm
ELIZABETH MIDDLE NAME COOPER! Ask Ms. Grumpy to go to the bathroom. - Veronica - 03/15/17 - 1:11pm
Do you think I could pull off the colour indigo? - Cheryl - 03/15/17 - 1:15pm
Oh my god, Reggie was presenting his English project and got so nervous he farted. I'm dying. - 03/15/17 - 1:17pm
I'm coming to your class. - Veronica - 03/15/17 - 1:18pm
Betty looked up and saw Veronica dancing through the door window. She was making 'come here' motions with her fingers.
Betty put up her hand. "Ms. Grundy, can I please use the washroom?" She asked.
"Yeah, whatever." The young teacher dismissed without looking up at her student.
Betty exited the classroom swiftly and met Veronica in the hallway. "What's up?" Betty asked as Veronica turned, leading the blonde to the nearest bathroom.
"You look nice today." Veronica remarked, once inside, taking in Betty's ripped white jeans, blood red blouse and black scarf. "Cheryl would approve."
"Well, that's who I get ready for in the morning." Betty joked. "So, is there something you want to talk to me about? You seemed pretty demanding over text." She shoved her hands in her back pockets. "My middle name is Marie, by the way."
Veronica touched her up her makeup in the mirror. "You lost our bet." She stated frankly.
"Did you guys talk about what happened after the concert?" Betty felt her cheeks flush.
"Yes, but even if he didn't, I can still see the aftermath all over your neck." She smirked while Betty re-adjusted the scarf. "Instead of a date, I want you to help me do something else." She said tucking in her black t-shirt and straightening out her black jeans. "And we only have two and a half days to do it."
"What do you want me to do?" Betty asked, feeling nervous suddenly.
"It's Jughead's birthday on Saturday and you are going to help me throw him a surprise party." She turned and smiled at her friend.
Betty narrowed her eyes at Veronica. "Um, he asked me out to dinner on Saturday and mentioned nothing about his birthday."
"That's because he hates his birthday." Veronica smirked. "I didn't know when his birthday was until he started living with me. That was his payment for a roof over his head."
"You didn't know when his birthday was for three and a half years?" Betty raised an eyebrow.
"I just figured he was a vampire. You know, moody, pale, an ancient wisdom in his eyes. He's celebrated so many birthday's he just hates them now. 'Not again! Not another 18th birthday!'" She threw her hands up in the air as if she was cursing the heavens.
"You are the weirdest person I've ever met." Betty declared. "You didn't actually think that did you?"
Veronica shrugged. "For a few seconds, I mean anything is possible. But I've been toying with the idea of a party for a couple of days, not sure if I should piss him off or not. But because it's his champagne birthday, I'm throwing him a fucking party whether he likes it or not."
"A champagne birthday?" Betty asked.
"It's when you turn the age of the day you were born on. He'll be 18 on the 18th." Veronica leaned against the sink. "I already have Kevin taking him out all afternoon. Pops is delivering burgers, fries and milkshakes at 7:30 and I think it should be a pool party."
"It's the middle of March, Ron." Betty pointed out.
"I have an indoor pool." She grinned. "You and Jughead seemed to have such a good time in Cheryl's pool, I thought I'd extend the fun."
"What do you need me to do?" Betty asked smiling fondly at her friend.
"Get some balloons, streamers and other supplies for the party and I need you to be there by 5."
"I can do that." Betty beamed. "Should we get him something? Are you getting him something?"
"Free room and board from now till the end of college." She said nonchalantly.
"What should you I get him?' Betty pondered. "I have no money but he would probably like a first edition of something right? He likes Neil Gaiman" Betty was pacing tapping her lower lip.
"Or you could get him something a little more personal." Veronica said with a suggestive look.
Betty put her hands on her hips. "I'm not getting him sex as a birthday present."
"Why not? You know he'll like it."
Betty gasped, ignoring Veronica. "I have a perfect idea but I need your and Kevin's help. Like a group gift."
"What?" Veronica asked genuinely interested. "What do you need me to do?"
"Can you sing?" Betty asked Veronica with a grin.
Veronica scoffed in annoyance. "Uh, I am so done with all you music people." She ran her hand through her hair.
"He'll really like it and it'll be really sweet." Betty assured.
Veronica sighed. "Fine, what did you have in mind?"
Betty was happy to ignore her phone as it buzzed and vibrated in her pocket. She wanted to interact with Jughead as little as possible so she wouldn't ruin the surprise. She pulled helium filled balloons and bags of party supplies from her car.
Veronica had the door open before she had to knock. "Holy shit B, does the store have anything left?" She asked taking some of the bags from her.
"I just want it to be a nice party and I want to make sure he has a good time. Plus you gave me a lot of money to spend." Betty put everything down and pulled out two bottles of sparkling wine. "Champagne was too expensive." She explained. "But I thought it was appropriate to have some."
"That's okay, I have a fully stocked cellar. We'll pop a few bottles tonight."
Betty took out her phone.
"Does he still think he's taking you out to dinner?" Veronica asked.
Betty looked through her texts, they were all from Jughead who was complaining about having to go shopping with Kevin. He was asking if they were still on for that night, telling her that he would pick her up at 6 if they were.
"Should I text him?" Betty asked.
"It'll seem weird if you don't." Veronica pointed out.
I'm actually at your place right now. We can just go together when you get back. - 03/18/17 - 5:02pm
Why are you at my house? - 03/18/17 - 5:02pm
Veronica needs help picking out an outfit for a date with Cheryl tonight. - 03/18/17 - 5:03pm
"That sounds fake but okay. Veronica has never needed help with fashion. - 03/18/17 - 5:03pm
"He's starting to become suspicious." Betty said. "What should I text him back?"
Veronica snatched the phone out of the blonde's hand. "What is wrong with you? Why can't you lie well?" She slid the phone into her back pocket. "No more phone for you. He has to come back here no matter what, it'll be fine. Lets bring this stuff to the pool area and start setting up. We only have like forty minutes."
"Where's Cheryl?" Betty asked.
"She has to eat dinner with her parents or something." Veronica shrugged. "She's coming later."
Veronica led Betty through more of her house, parts she had never seen. It was even larger than Betty had originally guessed. The indoor pool was at the back of the house, down a long corridor and around a corner opening to a large, dimly lit space.
There were plush white deck chairs lining the sides, a bar on the far wall and change rooms near the door. Rolled towels were piled everywhere and tropical planets were tucked in the corners. Crown moulding lined the upper part of the wall which led to a glass ceiling. The sun was setting and blues, yellows and reds bled across the sky. There were lights in the pool, lights on the floor and lights in the wall sconces.
"This is gorgeous." Betty stated putting the bags down.
Veronica started placing the weighted helium balloons in the spaces between the deck chairs and in the corners of the room. "I figured it would be a nice place to have a party. The bar is fully stocked too." She winked. "Lets start hanging streamers and banners. We still need to change before he gets here."
Betty nodded and they set to work. While she said nothing, she was worried Jughead would hate what they had done and it would give him another reason to hate his birthday.
"Kevin, I don't understand why I am taking you to my place." Jughead asked for the twelfth time.
"Ron has my art history textbook." He explained.
"Can't you just get it on Monday?" The boy in the beanie asked.
"Do you not want to hang out with him or something?" Joaquin asked, sitting in the backseat, scrolling through his phone.
Jughead looked in the rearview mirror. "That's not it, I just didn't know you were hanging out with Ronnie. Betty said she had a date with Cheryl tonight." For a split second Jughead panicked. Veronica knew it was his birthday now and all his friends were acting strange.
"I'm not hanging out with her. I just need my art history textbook. You can pick up Betty and my house is on the way to the restaurant. It just makes sense." Kevin reasoned.
"I guess you're right." It did make sense and there was no way Veronica could plan a party without Betty giving it away. She was a terrible liar.
The house was dark when they entered and Jughead's uneasy feeling came back. "Ronnie? Bets?" He shouted.
"I'm just gonna run up to Ron's room and grab my book." Kevin darted up the stairs.
"Guys?" Jughead shouted again.
His phone buzzed.
Cheryl and I blew off our date, we're drinking by the pool. B is with us. - 03/18/17 - 5:47pm
Jughead huffed and headed towards the back of the house leaving Joaquin alone in the foyer.
"Bets, if we don't leave now we are going to be late." Jughead started talking before he rounded the corner to the pool.
His eyes went wide when he took in the area before him, decorated for what was obviously a birthday party. Betty, Veronica and Kevin jumped out from their respective hiding spots. "Surprise!" All three of them shouted.
Joaquin came sliding in behind him. "Surprise man." He nudged him on the shoulder out of breath.
"What?" Jughead said, eyes still wide as he took a step into the space. "Kevin, how did you get here before me?"
"I booked it up the stairs, down the back stairs and ran my ass over here." He was still panting.
Jughead stood perfectly still, his hands balling into fists as he stared at his friends. He wasn't sure what to do.
Betty shot a look over to Veronica and ran over to him. She was in a white and red striped bikini. "Happy Birthday!" She beamed, throwing her arms around his neck while he placed his hands on her waist.
"What is happening?" He asked her.
"We decided to throw you a surprise party for your birthday. Which I'm kinda pissed you didn't tell me about." She looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"That's because I hate my birthday." He said through gritted teeth. "I hate when people make a big deal about me."
"But you are a big deal, at least to us you are." She looked up at him through her lashes. "Veronica went out of her way to do this because she loves you."
Jughead looked over at Veronica. She was looking at him and for the first time in their friendship she looked unsure.
"Can you give us a chance to try to make you like your birthday?" She asked. "It's a pool party, some food and it's just us. Can you let us try?" She smiled.
Jughead took a deep breath in and sighed knowing that something was going to go wrong. Something always went wrong on his birthday. But he couldn't say no to Betty, to Veronica. It was a nice thing they were trying to do and all he could do was hope for the best. "Fine." He looked away and tried not to smile. "I'll go get into a bathing suit."
"Yay!" She exclaimed. "I promise you won't regret this." She kissed him and smacked his butt in the way out.
When he returned, wearing a pair of red board shorts and a white tank top, everyone but Veronica was in the pool. She was waiting for him with one of his favorite beers. "Happy Birthday, Forsythe." She grinned.
"I knew it was a mistake telling you. I should have just given you actual money." He sat on the deck chair beside hers.
"It's not that bad. If it makes you feel better, you can just pretend we are just hanging out like normal but there's a cake at then end."
He rubbed his face. "You didn't."
"Oh, I did." She nodded while taking a pull of her beer.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Look at this place." He motioned to all the decorations.
"Betty did this." Veronica gave credit where credit was due.
Jughead smiled and looked at Betty, Kevin and Joaquin in the pool. She was teaching them cheers and the proper moves to go along with them.
"Do you like your birthday gift?" Veronica asked pointing to Betty.
"You didn't get me a person for my birthday." He rolled his eyes. "I got her here all by myself."
"I got her here in a bikini though. A skimpier bikini than I expected." She smiled. "I'd ask if this is the first time you've seen her all wet but I know it's not." She wiggled her eyebrows.
Jughead let out a laugh and took a sip of his beer. "That was untoward." He smiled warmly at her causing her to smile back in the same way.
"I love you, Old Sport." She leaned forward and gave him a hug.
"I love you too, Kid."
"How does it feel to be the only adult in the room?" She asked putting her hair up in a bun.
"No different than being seventeen, all I can do is vote and join the army."
"You can gamble." She pointed out.
"Ask me that question again when I turn twenty-one." He took another swig of his beer and looked at the bottle. "Not that it matters, I guess. We've never been hard up for booze have we?"
"We have been truly blessed with little to no adult supervision." They both raised their beers and tinged them together.
Jughead tried to hide the fact that this comment bummed him out. As wonderful as it had been to be able to do whatever he wanted, he wished he had a parent who reprimanded him when he came home drunk or got a bad grade. His mother wasn't a disciplinarian and his father didn't care. It made him upset that he would never have that in his life.
He was happy for the distraction when Cheryl came around the corner, commanding the attention of everyone in the room. She was wearing an indigo bathing suit and took off her white sarong letting it fall to the ground. Her hair was up in a fancy braided bun and she was in full makeup. She was looking at Betty and the boys in the pool. "You're doing it wrong." She informed, stepping in cautiously and walking towards them.
"She is something else." Jughead said as she watched her teach Joaquin and Kevin the 'proper' moves to the cheer.
"Say that you like her, that you were wrong and that she's actually lovely." Veronica poked him in the knee.
"Lovely is a strong word." Jughead finished his beer and stood, removing his shirt. "She's bearable."
Veronica was still staring at her red haired lover. "I'm in love with her." She admitted with no hesitation.
Jughead felt his whole body relax and he smiled softly. "I'm happy for you, Ron."
"I'm terrified to tell her. Our arrangement wasn't supposed to be about that." She stated.
"You can never tell her and be miserable or you can take a chance and hope for the best." It was the best advice he could give.
"Easy for you to say, you know when you tell that one you love her she's gonna say it back." Veronica motioned to Betty who had her hands on Joaquin's hips trying to sway them correctly. He hoped his friend was right. There is no way he could be wrong about something that felt this right, he just knew he couldn't rush it.
"Tell her." He encouraged. "But if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go piss off your girlfriend."
Cheryl clearly didn't want to get her hair or face wet so Jughead moved around the pool, finding the best place to jump in. He cannonballed in right beside Cheryl, effectively drenching her.
She gasped in shock as her make up started to run and wisps of her hair clung to her face. "Jughead!" She screeched.
He started laughing, swimming away from her. The redhead charged after him, catching up and trying to push him underwater.
Betty, Kevin and Joaquin watched while Veronica joined them. "It's nice they are finally getting along." Veronica said. "It sucks when your girlfriend hates your best friend."
"Or your best friend hates your boyfriend." Betty chimed in.
Cheryl had her teeth gritted together as she pushed Jughead under the water. His hand was on her face trying to push her away from him, smearing her makeup all over her skin. He would resurface every once in a while when Cheryl's strength faded for a moment.
"I think she's legit trying to drown him." Kevin stated, cocking his head to the side.
Veronica shrugged. "They'll be fine." She turned to Betty. "Now, show me this cheer."
Once everyone had dried off and changed, they gathered around the dining room table for a feast of burgers and fries.
After dinner Betty encouraged everyone to go into the piano room. Joaquin sat in a chair and Cheryl sat on the couch wrapping a blanket around herself.
Veronica and Kevin came into the room with champagne flutes and a bottle of bubbly. "Some champagne on your champagne birthday." Veronica announced popping the cork like a pro.
Each glass was filled and handed out. "I don't even like champagne." Jughead mumbled.
"Oh man, your life is so hard. Displeased with the champagne." Veronica rolled her eyes and took a sip.
"This is the perfect drink for what we are about to do. Are you ready for your birthday present?" Betty asked placing her drink on the table and looked at Jughead.
"Not really." He said.
"Well, you're getting one, so you should sit..." Betty said steering him to a seat on the couch right beside Cheryl. When she realized that wasn't the best idea she moved him one seat over. "Here."
"I don't like that you went out of your way to get me something." He complained.
"We didn't actually get you anything and we didn't spend any money. We are doing something for you to show you how much we love you." Kevin smiled. "So shut up and enjoy it."
Betty looked over at Veronica and Kevin as she sat down on the bench in front of the keys. Kevin stood behind the piano while Veronica pulled a plush foot rest in front of it.
"What are you guys doing?" Jughead asked suddenly getting nervous.
Betty looked over at him and gave him half smile. "We've only practiced this once all the way through together, over Skype, so I hope it works. Happy Birthday, Jug."
She looked at the piano and started playing the opening notes of Jughead's favorite song.
Kevin started singing first.
I've heard there was a secret chord/That David played, and it pleased the Lord/But you don't really care for music, do you?/It goes like this/The fourth, the fifth/The minor fall, the major lift/The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Jughead was always jealous of Kevin's singing voice. It wasn't that interesting kind of singing voice with low warbles and slightly off key highs, like Betty's. Kevin had perfect pitch and tone. It made sense why he loved musical theatre so much. If he went for it when they moved to New York, Jughead had no doubt that he would make it in the industry.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah/Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Betty started singing the next verse. She sounded different from the first time he heard her sing. There was more confidence in her voice and she went for it without wavering. She was concentrating on the keys and when she had to strain her voice, she closed her eyes. She was so beautiful it was hard for Jughead to keep his eyes focused on her.
Your faith was strong but you needed proof/You saw her bathing on the roof/Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you/She tied you to a kitchen chair/She broke your throne, she cut your hair/And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah/Hallelujah, Hallelujah
It was clear that singing was not Veronica's forte when she began her verse. He knew this already, she never stopped singing in the house but she wasn't good at it. She was willing to make a fool out of herself for him though. It made the gesture even more beautiful and Veronica looked at him with a smirk and a shrug.
Maybe I have been here before/I know this room, I've walked this floor/I used to live alone before I knew you/I've seen your flag on the marble arch/Love is not a victory march/It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah/Hallelujah, Hallelujah
They started circling back, Betty singing the next verse and Kevin finishing it up.
There was a time you let me know/What's real and going on below/But now you never show it to me, do you?/And remember when I moved in you?/The holy dark was moving too/And every breath we drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah/Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Maybe there's a god above/And all I ever learned from love/Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you/And it's not a cry you can hear at night,/It's not somebody who's seen the light/It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah
Jughead watched his friends sing his favorite song for him. Grinning at each other as they began harmonizing. Jughead decided that this was what he wanted for the rest of his life, good friends, music and Betty. This was his family because they had never failed him the way his blood had time and time again.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah/Hallelujah, Hallelujah/Hallelujah, Hallelujah/Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The three of them looked at him expectantly. "We went more for the Rufus Wainwright version but the words are the same." Kevin said apprehensively after Jughead did nothing.
He wasn't saying anything because he was trying to contain his emotion. He could feel tears stinging the corners of his eyes. "No, no, it was amazing, the best gift I've ever received." His voice cracked. "I can't believe you guys did that for me. It actually kinda makes me like my birthday."
"And that's the greatest gift of all!" Veronica exclaimed. "Oh shit!" She shook her head and ran out of the room.
"Her brain is like a bag of cats, I swear." Jughead shook his head.
They all looked over when a small hiccough escaped Cheryl's lips.
"Cheryl, are you crying?" Betty asked taking a step towards her friend.
"The song is just so beautiful, all the words and stuff." She blubbered out. "You know, like Veronica can't sing but she loves you so much she embarrassed herself and Betty." She extended her arm towards her blonde friend. "I've know you for so long and you have the voice of an angel and the piano playing is so lovely and the gay one." She vaguely gestured in Kevin's direction. "The gay one is heavenly." She started bawling.
Kevin brow knitted together and he shrugged, leaning towards Betty. "The gay one? She does know my name right?"
"She called me Betsy for nearly six months when we started hanging out." She whispered back.
"Well, it wouldn't be my birthday unless someone started crying." Jughead joked and Betty shook her head as they continued to watch Cheryl cry.
She finally looked up and glared at them when she realized they were staring at her like she was insane. "What?" She barked. "I'm allowed to do this! I'm allowed to have all the colours of emotion." She stated as she stood and wiped her face. She walked towards Betty and stopped at her side. She wrapped her arms around her waist and rested her head on her shoulder. "Your song was really good, or whatever." She muttered.
Betty hugged her back with a chuckle. "Thanks, Cher." She rested her cheek on her head. "You know we weren't making fun of you right?"
"I was." Jughead piped up.
"I thought you said you'd stop being so much of an asshole if I helped you and Betty get together." The teary eyed redhead spat.
Shocked confusion swept Betty's face as she looked down at Cheryl and then to Jughead. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Kevin!" Veronica shouted from the hallway. "Turn the lights off."
Kevin scurried to hit the lights as Veronica came around the corner carrying a cake. Eighteen candles were lit sitting on top of the circular chocolate confectionary.
Betty started singing 'Happy Birthday' and everyone else joined in. Betty watched the smile spread across Jughead's face as Veronica stopped in front of him.
He was having a good time.
She sighed in relief. She was so worried he was going to hate the whole affair and this would be the nail in the coffin. He would never want a birthday again.
He blew out all the candles and Kevin turned on the light. He burst out laughing when he read the cake and looked at Veronica. "Very fitting."
Betty leaned forward and rolled her eyes. It said, 'Happy Birthday, Asshole!' in typical birthday cake cursive.
Betty let go of Cheryl and went to wrap her arms around the birthday boy. "You aren't an asshole." She whispered as she kissed him.
His hands caressed her sides as he melted into the kiss. "I'm really glad you're here." He whispered back.
"Where else would I be?" She smiled, linking her fingers with his. "Let's go get cake." She nodded towards the kitchen and she pulled him along.
They watched a movie after but all Betty wanted to do was get up into Jughead's bedroom. They excused themselves after they finished Finding Dory and headed upstairs.
"Have fun." Veronica sang as they left the room.
Jughead led the way. Betty had never seen his room before and had no idea what to expect. It was three doors down from Veronica's room and he held the door open, motioning for her to go in first.
His bedroom was simple. There walls were a grey-blue and there was a queen size bed in the middle of the room with plain grey sheets. Two white oak night tables rested on either side of the bed and two lamps with grey lampshades sat on top. There were two dressers and on top of one there was a flat screen television and a Playstation. A desk sat under the window which had his laptop on it. Other than the stacks of books everywhere, the room was spotless, like he was ready to pick up at any moment.
"It's not much but it's something." He rubbed the back of his head. "One day I'll have something that's mine."
"I love it, Jug." She smiled. "It feels like you."
"What simple and empty?" He half joked.
"Jug." Betty lightly scolded. She took a step towards him, running her hands up his arms. "Did you have a nice birthday?" She asked.
"It was probably the best birthday I've had. Maybe the only good birthday I've ever had." He placed his hands on her hips.
"That can't be true." Betty reasoned.
Jughead shrugged. "My birthday meant my family had to come together and while my mom tried, my dad couldn't handle it. There was almost never anyone to invite so by the time I was ten we just gave up celebrating it."
"I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. There's no point in dwelling on it now. I realized today that it's not my birthday that sucked it was the people I was always forced to celebrate it with." He brushed off the topic. "You wanna get in your pyjamas?" He asked. "We can get in bed and watch a movie."
"You want to watch a movie?" She smirked. "In bed? With me?"
"I like the idea of it. I want to show you my favorite film." He shrugged.
"Okay." She smiled, gathering her sleep things and headed into the bathroom. She changed quickly into black short shorts and a mauve tank top. She took her hair out of its bun and watched as the strands fell around her face in loose waves. She quickly brushed her teeth and washed her face. When she emerged he was sitting at the foot of his bed in plaid pyjama pants.
She walked towards him and stood in front of him. She took one of his hands while the other threaded through his hair. He let his free hand rest on the back of her thigh just below her butt. "Bets, I'm scared." He told her.
"Why?" She inquired.
"I am so afraid I'm going to fuck this up. I mean it's barely started and I'm afraid I'm going to do or say something that's going to scare you off or push you away. I can't have that." He looked up at her. "I have so little of this in my life." His eyes were wide and pleading. "You wanna know what the last thing my dad said to be before I left?" He asked.
"If you want to tell me, I want to hear it." She said trying to be as diplomatic as possible. Not wanting to force him into anything.
"He told me that everything that was shit in our life was because of me. He said that everything I would have in the future would be shit because that's what I do, I ruin everything. He told me it was in my blood. That I couldn't help it, that was what my kind did." He hung his head.
Betty felt her brow furrow at the statement. She had never really thought about what type of person Jughead's father was. As hurtful as the statement was it was more a reflection of him than his son. If it was in Jughead's blood to fuck things up then it was certainly in his. She wondered about how much sadness and hate this man carried around, not only for his family, but for himself as well.
"Jug, the opinion of one sad man doesn't mean anything." She moved her hand from his hair to his face.
"He's my father, shouldn't he know me best?"
"From the sounds of it, he doesn't know you at all." She cupped his face and made him look at her. "And you can't fuck this up because you aren't in it alone. You don't decide, I don't decide, we decide, okay?"
He nodded.
She bent over and kissed him putting both of her hands in hair. She straddled him, sinking her knees into the mattress. She opened her mouth slightly and her tongue darted out, asking for entry. She didn't want the sweet kisses they had been giving each other all week. She wanted the sloppy, fevered kisses they had the night after the concert.
His hands wrapped around her and splayed out on her back, pushing her towards him. His tongue met hers as they lost themselves in each other. His hands travelled downward and began playing with the hem of her shirt, tugging upward. She parted from him and held her arms up, giving him permission to take it off.
Once the garment was on the floor he stared at her naked chest, his mouth agape. She tried not to giggle as he brought his hands up and started palming, squeezing and jiggling her breasts. They fit in his hands almost perfectly, they were just slightly larger than a handful.
He was broken out of his daze when she did start laughing. He looked up at her and his face flushed. "Sorry."
"They're round and squishy, I get it." She smiled and went back to kissing him like before.
He placed his hands back on her breasts but showed more restraint. He paid more attention to the nipples, pinching them lightly before breaking their kiss and taking one into his mouth. Betty to gasped and arch her chest into his mouth.
She pushed him onto his back. She looked down at him, her hands on his chest pushing her breasts together. "I wanna do something." She breathed out as she rotated her hips over his now hardened cock. "Do you trust me? Can I do something for you?"
He nodded frantically as his eyes fluttered shut, relishing in the pressure she was applying between them.
She leaned down and kissed him, moving to his neck, down his chest until she got the his pyjamas bottoms. She tugged on them and Jughead lifted his hips and she removed the material, tossing them aside. She took him in before she touched him. She only had Archie to compare him to. He was just above average length but he had more girth than her ex.
She looked at him as he looked at her, propped up on his elbows. She grasped him and he hissed at the contact. She began stroking him, slowly at first then faster and faster and he began letting out low moans. He laid flat on his back with his palms over his eyes and his fingers weaved in his hair.
She removed one of her hands and slowed her motions. She lowered her head and licked from the base to the tip which caused a strangled groan to escape his lips. She took him into her mouth and began sucking on the smooth flesh, her tongue circling and flicking over the delicate tip. His back arched, thrusting his pelvis up and pushing more of his length into her mouth.
She started moving my head quicker, lubricating him with her spit so she could glide over him with ease. She included her hand and started stroking him quickly, keeping her mouth mainly on the tip.
"Bets." He said breathlessly.
She continued, feeling his cock twitching. His back was still arched and his breathing was becoming shallow.
"Betty," he said again. "Stop, I'm gonna..." He trailed off as she kept going knowing he was close, wanting to get him there. He was trying to say her name now but it was only coming out as choked cries as he came. She felt his hot cum hit the back of her throat and pad of her tongue. After he had finished she sat up, swallowing and watching him ride out the rest of his orgasm.
He looked over at her, his eyes wide like he couldn't believe what had happened. "That was…" He trailed off and sat up to kiss her. He pulled her down so they were lying beside each other.
"Happy Birthday, Jug." She smiled, so happy she could be the one to put that look of pleasure and awe on his face. So happy, that she could be the one to do these things for him for the first time. "Do you still want to watch a movie?" She asked.
"You want to watch a movie after that?" He asked with a smile and raised eyebrows.
"Well, life doesn't stop just because you get a blow job." She re-adjusted the pillows and the blankets so her breasts were still out.
Jughead stood and put his pants back on, looking down at her. "You are just gonna sit there like that?" He asked.
She cocked an eyebrow. "Would you like me to put them away?"
He jumped onto the bed beside her. "No, no, please, keep them out." He begged with a grin as he turned on the TV and the disc menu for a movie Betty had never heard of popped up.
"Velvet Goldmine?" She asked.
"Yeah, it's like a glam rock fever dream." He explained, looking at her.
"How have I never seen this?" She asked snuggling up to him.
"I guess you just don't love music the way you say you do." He joked, wrapping his arm around her.
She smacked him on the stomach and he started the movie. They fell asleep before the previews were over.
Jughead woke up before Betty did.
She was lying on her stomach, her head resting on her arm, her blonde hair falling in front of her face. Her breathing was steady and she was snoring slightly. He couldn't believe he was waking up with a half naked Betty Cooper beside him. She hoped she was right and that the opinion of his father meant nothing, that he would be able to make this work. That any insecurity he felt about not being good enough for her would fade. If anything it would make him want to be better, work harder, make himself the man she would choose to love everyday.
He pushed the hair out of her face and she stirred. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at him, her eyes going wide, suddenly self conscious. She turned over and wiped the side of her mouth hoping there was no drool there."Morning." She said.
"Morning." He smiled. "Did you sleep okay?" He asked.
She nodded. "The Lodge family knows how to buy a bed."
He leaned towards her and pressed his lips against her shoulder, looking up at her. "What did you have planned for today?"
She shrugged. "I think you are going to have a hard time getting me out of this bed for anything other than food."
As if on cue, there was a knock on the door. "Jug? Bets?" Veronica asked through the door.
Jughead looked at Betty who pulled the sheets up over her chest. "What's up, Ron?"
"Can I come in?" She asked.
"Uh, no, not really," he laughed.
"You guys naked?" She shouted through the door.
"Kinda." Jug answered.
"Yeah you are." Veronica quipped with a chuckle. "Anyway, we are going to Felix's for breakfast, you two wanna come?" She asked.
Jughead looked over at Betty who was nodding her head while rubbing her stomach.
"Yeah, just give us a sec." Jughead yelled, collapsing back onto the bed.
"See you downstairs." Veronica sang.
Jughead rolled over on his side and pulled Betty towards him. He pressed his lips to her hairline. "I know you're hungry." As if on cue her stomach growled and they laughed. "I know you're hungry but please tell me we can have a morning where never leave this bed." He wished.
He could feel Betty smile against his neck. "Jug, if I have any say, we are going to have hundreds of those mornings." She kissed his neck and he snuggled her closer.
He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face.
Maybe birthdays weren't so bad.
Reviews are appreciated.