"Should I take you to his house?" He spat harshly at her, she pulled her lip between her teeth chewing on it.
"No, you could still just take me to my house, he lives next door," she answered quietly.
"Ha, Fucking perfect," He laughed darkly. She unlocked her phone her fingers moving swiftly over the screen.
"I'll just tell him I'm tired and I'm going to bed," She said out loud not really to anyone.
"You don't have to do that," His jaw clenched as he decidedly admitted defeat, and made the choice that he would surrender his unjustified claim to her.
"I want to," She said sweetly a soft smile on her lips, which made him angry for some reason.
"You want to tell your boyfriend you can't see him because you are in a car at 1 in the morning with a guy you made out with, who just told you he wants you again?" He spat sarcastically, hurt flashed across her eyes at his accusations.
"You want me?" She asked quietly clearly choosing to ignore everything else he had said. She looked out the window not meeting his gaze and ran her finger lazily along the slowly fogging glass.
"Jesus Betty," he sighed not wanting to even answer her or acknowledge the way her question made him want to lean over and grab her pulling her against him to kiss her and claim her as his, she wasn't his and he had to keep forcing himself to remember that.
"Why are you here Jughead?" She pressed further. He looked up at her through his eyelashes, despising the way he was so open with her, the way she made him want to be honest. It was a feeling he was not comfortable with at all. His life was a constant series of deceptions and manipulations and he was good at it, but around her no matter how cool and level headed he wanted to be, no matter how hard he tried to remain cold and disconnected he couldn't seem to stop himself from opening up and leaving himself far too vulnerable.
"I just wanted to see you," he admitted quietly and she sucked in a harsh breath.
"I wanted to see you too," She said her voice remaining soft and kind.
"And archie? You want to see him too right?" Jughead said looking at her sharply. She looked away from his stare pretending to suddenly be interested in the seam of her sleeve as she picked at it, pulling at nothing nervously.
"I should," she admitted " I know I should, and I feel terrible that I don't, this isn't like me," her voice was a mixture of sadness and confusion.
"Why are you telling me this?" He asked pulling her chin up with his finger to make her look at him, they both shivered slightly from the contact and Jug dropped his hand quickly before he lost control and did something more.
" I don't know," She said searching his face "I just want you to know that this isn't who I am."
"Who are you then?" He knew he shouldn't be questioning her like this, it wasn't his place, but in their weird state of honesty he couldn't stop the questions that kept falling from his lips.
"I don't really know who I am when I'm around you," Her voice was defeated but he could relate so completely to her words that it stole his breath. It genuinely made no logical sense, they had only seen each other that night and now this one but their undeniable connection was almost visible in the air as shockwaves of electricity bounced between them in the small confines of his car. He didn't know her anymore, and she definitely had no idea who he had become and what he was capable of but the second he was close to her it felt like she was a missing limb that he hadn't realized was gone. He instinctively grabbed her small hand in his and held it comfortingly, trying to sooth whatever torment was going on in her head. He rubbed his thumb mindlessly against her knuckles and watched her shiver slightly at his touch but she didn't pull away.
"I get that," He whispered in a low raspy voice, he knew his need to kiss her was becoming overwhelming and if he didn't find some distraction soon he would give in completely. "Are you gonna let go of trying to dig into the serpent?" He asked finally addressing the issue he had convinced himself was why he was there in the first place.
"For now," She nodded "as long as you can promise me you didn't have anything to do with Jason," her tone was strong but he could see the fear in her eyes as she looked at him.
"I didn't kill Jason," He said flatly. He looked at her deeply trying to will her to believe him, his words truly weren't a lie, at least not completely. But he knew she had to believe him or she wouldn't drop it and he couldn't have her in that side of his life it was too dangerous and he couldn't be succeeding in those parts of his life and protecting her at the same time.
"Okay, I believe you," her voice was small and tired and it flooded him with guilt but he swallowed hard knowing it was for the best. He pulled her hand up forcefully pulling her across the seat to him making her gasp in surprise. He burned his eyes into hers which were now inches from his face and lifted her hand placing a sweet, tortured kiss on the back of her hand, letting his lips press against her skin so hard they could have bruised. He closed his eyes tightly fighting the lump in his throat and not willing to lose the contact of his lips on her. He flipped her hand and pressed his lips back down to the inside of her wrist feeling her pulse jump against him. His skin started burning with a feeling he had never felt before and even the small kisses he kept placing on her arm felt like the most sensual and passionate thing he had ever done. He had tried to fight it but he was losing his resolve as her warm scent invaded his senses, his tongue slipped out licking his lips and involuntarily touching her lightly, he could taste her sweet lotion and a hint of salt as her skin broke out in a nervous sweat and he broke completely, swallowing the groan in his throat he watched her bite her lip and her eyes flutter close. He found his way up her arm and pulled her collared shirt to the side sinking his lips back down on to her collarbone, while simultaneously using his other hand to pull her jacket zipper down and pushing it open before snaking his hand in and around to the small of her back. He pulled her closer to him making her whimpered in return and when she didn't stop him he looked up at her through his lashes silently begging her to let him continue. She didn't move at all seemingly frozen in place, her eyes still closed but her lips were parted in a silent breath and he decided he didn't need any more reassurance than that. He slid his hand all the way up her back and grabbed her neck pulling it closer to him and slightly to the side, letting his lips find their perfect fit in the crook between neck and shoulder, her breathing audibly hitched in her throat as he lightly grazed his lips back and forth causing goosebumps to break out on her skin beneath him. He slipped his tongue out again and tasted her lightly, teasing her and she sighed leaning into him. He kept up with his ghost like touched torturing her, wanting her to show that she wanted it to, his hand on the back of her neck rubbed lightly before grabbing her hair and gently pulling from the roots. He looked up at her feeling like an animal about to devour its prey, his whole body was completely burning as if he had an unbreakable fever.
"Jug," She whimpered tilting her head giving him more access to her neck, leaning into him and that was all to confirmation he needed. His lips finally crashed into her neck kissing her skin passionately letting his tongue lick over the muscle on her neck before closing his mouth back around the spot where her pulse twitched, grabbing her neck fervently his other hand holding her hip in a vice grip as he got dangerously close to falling over the edge of control. He licked and sucked all the way back down to her shoulder, she started to let out a moan that quickly turned into a surprised yelp as he sunk his teeth into her flesh marking her and making her his. He sucked the skin pushing his tongue hard against the warm spot that he knew he was bruising. Her eyes popped open, her chest rising and falling with her labored breathing as she seemed to have a moment of clarity pushing him away forcefully her eyes wild and glassy. He growled at the sudden loss of contact, his eyes searching her face, an impossible need only growing more as he looked down at the angry red and purple mark he had left on her. He looked back up to her face, his body shaking violently, any of his control he had had was vanishing and he couldn't stop himself, even as her hands reached up and tried to hold his chest back, even as he heard her say his name in warning, he couldn't do anything except grab both her wrists in one hand pushing them down into her lap making her pull forward and his other hand slid along her cheek tangling through her hair as he grabbed her pulling her face to his. He crashed his lips to hers and she whimpered into his mouth, he stilled for a minute reveling in the feeling of her soft warm lips. He knew he should pull back, that she had tried to stop him and he should have listened, but without warning her soft sweet tongue slipped out and lightly touched his bottom lip just like she had the other night but this time there was no whiskey on her breath, no excuse to stop. His eyes rolled back behind his lids and he granted her entry opening his mouth and moving his lips desperately against hers her tongue found his as soft moans escaped her and fell against him like tiny bombs shaking him to the core. She kissed him back with as much desperation and it was one of the most incredibly full feelings he had ever known, his mind reeled as the word full kept playing in his mind. It was the epitome of what he felt, full, for the first time in probably his whole life he didn't feel that gaping hole that normally loomed inside of him. It was filled at that moment, filled with her, and his body suddenly went cold. His eyes sprung open and he pulled back jerking away from her too forcefully, she blinked open her eyes looking at him lustfully, her pink blush spreading from her cheeks all the way down her chest, the look in her eyes quickly cleared as her blush turned to a deep red. She looked around and he followed her gaze realizing the car was completely fogged up now with no visibility to the outside, the air around them suddenly felt in short supply and he tried to breath in but it got stuck in his throat, he could feel her looking at him and he couldn't take any of it. He started rolling down the window letting the cold air outside hit him like a ton of bricks. He couldn't stand how vulnerable it made him feel that he couldn't see his surroundings outside, but he hated even more how vulnerable he felt sitting next to her knowing that he had marked her skin but she had unknowingly marked him in a much deeper way, a way that was scorching his mind and his heart.
"Jughead?" Her voice broke through his haze making him look at her, her eyebrows were knitted together in concern. He inhaled deeply suddenly so thankful for the stingingly cold air that kept flowing through his open window seeming to also clear his mind a bit.
"I'm sorry," He muttered raking his hand through his jet black hair. "I don't know what happened," She just nodded in response but the hurt on her face was obvious and he rubbed his temple mindlessly trying to figure out what to say. " You have a boyfriend Betts," Was all he could seem to get out. He knew it was a low blow and he was just using it because he couldn't admit how deathly afraid of her he was, he knew Archie had nothing to do with it, in fact at the very thought of him rage pulsed through Jughead making him want to punch something. Betty flinched next to him as his eyes looked at his fist that was now pulsing in pain against the steering wheel and he realized he had punched something, he pulled his fist back and rubbed with his other hand becoming more and more uncomfortable with the idea that he wasn't in control of himself, not when he was around her and definitely not when he thought of her being with someone else. Not to mention he also seemed to have thrown his normally calculated and cautious mentality to the wind as if fully hit him that he had left himself completely vulnerable in a distinct car, parked openly on the street with fogged up windows leaving him no visible sight out at any direction. He cursed under his breath scolding himself for being so careless and stupid. He sighed deeply choosing not to look at her as he turned the key feeling the rumble of his car turn over and the engine start.
"Are you taking me home?" She asked her voice dripping with exhaustion. He simply nodded still not meeting her eyes. "Will you just take me to Kevin's?" she asked through a yawn making him tense slightly. He knew Kevin was seeing one of his serpents and it shouldn't bother him but the thought of any guy around her, watching her sleep made him extremely uncomfortable. He wondered for a minute what she slept in and his breath hitched in his throat as he thought of her in small boyshort and one of his T-shirts her small frame curled up under his covers, or what if she slept naked, he closed his eyes longingly trying not to think about it too hard but his mind reeled at the image in his head and his eyes opened sharply turning his head to look at her.
"Do you sleep with him?" He asked in a harsh tone. She gave him a confused look. "Like in his bed." Jughead growled not being able to hide his increasing jealousy towards the situation. She simply nodded as if his question meant nothing as she opened her phone mindlessly and started typing probably letting Kevin know she was on her way over, his stomach clenched as his anger made his vision blur for a second.
"Does he touch you?" He asked through gritted teeth knowing how irrational he was being but he couldn't seem to stop. She looked up from her phone surprised by his question.
"Um, sometimes he holds me," She shrugged clearly not understanding how much this was affecting him. Jughead couldn't stop the possessive growl that escaped his lips.
"Tell him he can't," He said lacing his words with a clear threat. Her eyes widened and her eyebrows arched impossibly high.
" I'm sorry?" Her voice defiant as she crossed her arms over her chest after dropping her phone back in her bag.
"Tell him he can't touch you." He growled again throwing his car into drive and peeling away from the curb. Betty fell back a little startled but straightened herself and continued watching him.
"Jug, he is gay," Betty rolled her eyes.
"I'm aware but I can't drop you off at some guys house so he can hold you all night," he looked at her from the corner of his eye a deep frown etched on his face.
"Okay, I'll sleep on the floor," She said quietly obeying him for some reason. He exhaled in relief and focused back on the road as he drove through the quiet streets. It dawned on him that she had a boyfriend who would probably appreciate his request as well, and his stomach twisted again, would she sleep on the floor at Archie's house too? His mind flooding with questions as he pulled up to a red light.
"Have you slept with Archie?" His question came out weaker than he had meant it and he scolded himself for sounding so pathetic.
"Like slept with him, or slept with him?" She clarified a deep blush growing on her cheeks. The light turned green but with no other cars in sight Jughead remained stopped and kept his eyes fixed on her.
"Have you fucked him?" He asked harshly making her blush grow deeper. His eyes narrowed at her extremely nervous expression, dread seeping its way under his skin as he awaited her answer.
"No, I have only been seeing him for a week," She looked away embarrassed "But I think tonight he wanted to," She admitted sheepishly. He inhaled as relief kind of set in and he felt an odd sense of satisfaction knowing he had detoured that plan.
"Would you have?" He finally dragged the car forward hitting the gas.
"I don't know," She answered honestly. He tried to push the thought from his head as he flew through the streets in his old car still enjoying the feeling of the cool air running through the window beside him. "I'm glad I didn't though," her voice was oddly sad but he looked over at her seeing her smile softly, making his heart thump loudly in his chest.
"Me too," He said reaching over and grabbing her hand, lacing his fingers through hers as they drove. Her eyes closed for a beat too long before she forced them open again. He was so utterly and completely conflicted, he knew he couldn't stop touching her and it was so easy and comfortable to drive around with her sitting next to him in his car, but nothing about it was actually easy. She had a boyfriend and a life, and he had the serpents and all his baggage, they could never work, he knew at least that much, as much as he longed for that drive to last forever he told himself this would be the last time he was with her, he had to let her go. He would take her home and forget about her and let her live her life the way she was supposed to. It was best for everyone and he sat in silence with her slowly rubbing his thumb on her hand as he burned the memory into his mind relishing the moment as he he forced himself to believe that. Her eyes fluttered closed and he watched as her head slowly lulled to one side, sleep clearly consuming her. He took the bump over the railroad tracks slowly being careful not to wake her, but as his speed decelerated he noticed a pair of headlights slowly creeping around the corner behind them. He pushed the gas accelerating back up to speed and took a quick left, a gut feeling of uneasiness spreading through him, he pulled all the way down the street and slowed at the stop sign watching carefully in his rearview mirror as the same headlights pulled down the same street before quickly turning off their lights, his breath quickened as he made another left and sped down the street his car rumbling too loudly. He expertly maneuvered his car down a few for streets making an unpatterned zig zag. Before finding a familiar main street and speeding down it. He contemplated waking her, realizing he had no idea how to get to their destination but as he squeezed gently on her hand trying to get her to stir, he looked back in the mirror seeing the same car a ways away now but still on their tail.
"Shit."