It was 05:03am on a saturday and she knew he needed his rest after what had happened, meanwhile her inquisitive mind couldn't help but wonder why, what awful thing had pushed The Jughead Jones to breaking point and would he still be breaking if she hadn't arrived?
She gently manoeuvred him off her lap and into what looked like a makeshift bed on the floor; how long had he been here?
As far as she knew he'd been staying with FP, at least that's what he'd told her. There were so many questions buzzing round her head and as Jug began to softly snore she knew that none of them were being answered any time soon so instead she proceeded to pack what few things he had here into his rucksack because there was no way he was spending another night here.
Her parents were away at a journalism convention in new york for the next 4 days so he'd come home with her whilst they figured something out, it was a temporary solution to both of their promblems given the only reason she'd been at the high school in the middle of the night during summer vacation was because she didn't feel safe at home alone and with the tought of having company to keep the fear at bay she lay down next to Jug and closed her eyes willing the sleep that she had been craving to come and withing minutes her breathing matched his and they slept the most peaceful sleep either of them could remeber having in months.
She was completely disorientated when she finally woke, forgetting for a moment what had happened in the small hours of this morning until she realised that Jughead was still next to her, fully awake but with a look of utter confusion on his face like he did'nt understand why she was there. Without thinking she reached out and began to stroke his cheek, ignoring the shivers the feel of his rough stubble against her fingers was sending down her spine. 'Hey there, how're you feeling?' he blinked at her a few times as if making sure she was really there but rasied his hand to hers as she tried to withdraw it 'please...don't...' he begged, his pain evident in his words.
Little did Betty know that this was the first time anybody had shown him any affection since his mom left and he'd no idea just how much he needed it until now, so she continued her caress, aware of just how hot it was getting in this tiny space as his eyes bore into her with an intensity she'd never seen before, she could'nt say how long it was before he spoke again 'I'm so sorry betts' and she snorted, an actual physical snort 'Don't you dare apologise, especially for having feelings Jug, do you want to talk about it or would you rather go and get some food first? we could go to Pop's, my treat of course' this was slightly more tactical than sincere, she knew that Jughead would never turn down the offer of free food and she needed to get out of here is she was going to focus on anything but how close they were right now.
The low rumble of his stomach was enough of an answer for both of them as they stood and gathered their belongings, Jughead noticed his bag had been packed but decided it best not to say anything, he d just sneak back her once they d finished at pop s, it s not like he had anywhere else to go and once they were both sure they d got everything they needed they exited the tiny closet and what happened next was something completely unexpected, for both of them, Jughead laced his fingers with hers and after giving him a reassuring squeeze back they walked like that all the way to pop s, hand in hand like it was the most natural thing in the world for them, and to each of their surprise it felt that way, like this was natural and it wasn t until they d arrived at their usual booth in pop s that they both realised that they didn t want to let go of the other, so instead they sat side by side, Betty s thumb skimming back and forth across his knuckles and he was shocked at just how soothing it was, and that with every stroke he could feel his tension melting away.
After a glorious feast of burgers, onion rings and cheese fries, washed down with multiple coffees and milkshakes, Jughead felt content which was laughable given he can t ever remember feeling anything even close to this and it was all thanks to Betty, he didn t know what she was doing, but a part of him, bigger than he would ever admit was wishing that she d never stop and with that he brought her hand, still interlocked with his up to his mouth and kissed it Thank you for this it didn t feel like anywhere near enough to say but it was all he had, she smiled and honest and sincere smile that told him he wasn t the only one enjoying this and then took a deep breath why have you been sleeping at the school Juggie, what s FP done this time? And the look of disappointment on his face said all she needed to know come home with me tonight, mom and dad are away and I don t think either of us really wants to be alone right now, we ve got plenty of food, a hot shower and a much comfier bed than the floor of that closet he looked at her, her eyes pleading with him and while a huge part of him was doing backflips at the thought of not having to sleep on a cold hard floor again he also didn t want her pity and as if she could read his mind she said please Juggie, this is as much for my sake as it is yours, more so in fact, please don t make me stay alone something flashed across her eyes that he recognised immediately, she was lonely, she felt alone just like he did and with that his mind was made up, he was going home with the Betty Cooper, the only girl he d ever loved (not that she knew that) and he couldn t have been happier