Author's note: Thank you to all the love for this one! Xxx
Jughead woke up earlier than normal for a Saturday. It was usually his one day during the week that he allowed himself to not get lost in his writing – a day that Ethel granted him to take off as well. Waiting outside the penthouse building, he held a tray of coffees, having texted Archie that he was coming by. He hadn't told his friend the reason for his visit – not wanting either Archie or Veronica to come up with an excuse to suddenly needing to be somewhere else. He eventually was let in and made his way up to the familiar stairs and to their home. Knocking once, the door opened soon to reveal his longtime friend.
"Hey, Arch," he greeted as the redhead held the door open for him and ushered him inside.
"Hey," Archie replied just as Veronica came into the room and accepted the coffee Jughead handed her.
"Not that we're not happy to see you, but what's the occasion, Jughead?" Veronica asked, taking a sip of her coffee. "You usually never want to be caught dead on this side of the city."
"I ran into Sweet Pea, which led me connecting with Betty Cooper of all people," he said, watching as Archie and Ronnie both stiffened for a moment before Archie sighed.
"Let's take a seat on the couch," his friend muttered, and Jughead followed the two of them into their living room and sat down, watching them. "Look man, we know how this looks."
"How it looks? You mean, the fact that you two not only knew she was in the city – thanks for letting me know, by the way – but the fact that she lost her hearing? How that looks?" Jughead asked.
Veronica chewed her lip anxiously. "We – I didn't know how to tell you. You two were together and then you weren't."
"Fair enough," Jughead conceded. "Why do I get the impression that something happened between the three of you though? I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm happy she's living with Claire and Sweet Pea and the three of the seem to be making it work and taking care of one another. But, you two are her best friends. I don't get the impression that she's happy with you guys. What happened?"
"Man," Archie sighed, shaking his head as he ran a hand through his hair. "We were surprised when found out, okay? We didn't-we didn't know how to handle it."
"'It' being her or her hearing impairment?" Jughead asked, forcing himself to keep his voice calm as he looked over to Veronica, who shrugged helplessly.
"She's not the same Betty we know from high school," Veronica explained and Jughead laughed, the sound cold and unamused.
"Always knew you were a bit judgmental, Ronnie, but I never thought it'd be to Betty of all people," he snapped. "Of course she's the same Betty. Do you even know how she lost her hearing? She lost it by being the journalist she always was. By hunting down the bad guys. Just…tell me you guys weren't idiotic enough to say or do something that made her feel less than?"
He watched them both shift around uncomfortably, knowing that they had.
"We, uh, tried to go out for dinner one night," Archie began, rubbing the back of his neck. "Her interpreter was there, and I made the mistake of trying to order for Betty. I didn't realize that that would have embarrassed her, and I didn't realize just, uh, how good she was at reading lips."
He faltered and Jughead clenched his fist.
"Fuck you'd say to her or in front of her?" Jughead demanded, tone like steel.
Archie cast a look of despair towards Ronnie and she nodded. "I, uh, mentioned to the waiter that she couldn't hear and wouldn't be ale to understand what he was saying so I'd just order…normally."
"Normally?" Jughead asked. "As in Betty is someone who is abnormal because she can't hear? Am I understanding correctly?"
"I didn't mean it that way," Archie sighed sadly. "I was just wanting to make sure she felt comfortable and I was trying to help and…"
"It fucking backfired is what happened, Archie," Jughead hissed. "Of course she can read lips and of course she's normal. Let me ask you something: would you have said that in front of any other hard of hearing individual? You don't judge Kevin for being gay. Would you suddenly become homophobic towards him?"
"N-No, of course not," Archie stuttered, and Jughead nodded, standing up as he did so.
"Make no mistake, Archie, you weren't trying to help her," Jughead said. "You were uncomfortable in front of her because suddenly you think there is something wrong with her that you can't fix. Nothing is fucking wrong with her and you hurt her. Either make it right or don't contact her again."
He walked out of the penthouse then, knowing that something had happened between them and, while not an intentional reaction on Archie's part, Jughead knew how hurt Betty must have been by her oldest friend's reactions. By the fact that he appeared a bit too ignorant around her. Sighing, he tossed his coffee cup in a nearby recycling bin and headed in the direction of the metro.
XXX
A while later, he walked towards her apartment in Greenwich Village, having texted to see if she wanted to grab brunch. He was in half the mind to ask if she was alright with it just being them and not Claire, too. He knew Claire was a security blanket for her but there was nothing she needed protecting from with him. He wasn't going to hurt her. Ever. And, since their breakup was amicable and they both hadn't done anything stupid to cause it in the first place, he wasn't holding any resentment towards her, either.
Knocking on their door, Sweet Pea swung it open with a grin. "They're finishing up getting ready."
"Actually, I was going to ask Betty something," Jughead replied and followed the taller into the apartment.
A few minutes later, Betty came out with Claire trailing behind her. Giving Betty a soft hug, he nodded a hello towards Claire. "Hey. I was wondering if it was alright if Betty and I just went. You and Sweet Pea can go have, I don't know, a breakfast of your own or something."
Claire signed his request to Betty, who looked a bit unsure. Signing, she began to speak to him directly.
"Juggie, I'd love for us to be able to have breakfast on our own, but I don't think it'd be easy to not have Claire there. I, uh, if something makes me excited, I'll tend to talk faster and sign faster, as well. Which wouldn't be a problem but if you're debating another topic with me, I wouldn't be able to keep up with how fast you might talk," she explained, cheeks red as if she were ashamed. It tore at his heartstrings.
"Nothing to be ashamed of," Jughead murmured, squeezing her hand softly. "Also, why I thought to bring a notepad. I mean, I'm still learning the language – but I've spent a few hours each night teaching myself the basics of sign language from a software I've downloaded so I can sign somewhat."
It was quiet for several beats and Jughead wondered if he had offended anybody. Just as he was getting ready to attempt damage control, Betty spoke up quietly.
"Did you just say you're learning sign language?" Betty sounded touched and he nodded.
"Yeah, of course I am," he replied, looking at her. "I want to make sure I know how to communicate one hundred percent with you."
Turning to Sweet Pea, she signed something, and he laughed as he translated it. Jughead wasn't feeling any type of jealousy with the way the two looked at each other – it was the way he looked at JB. Pure sibling-like feelings.
"She says you're kicking me out of my spot of her favorite person, Jones. Thanks for that, by the way," he added dryly. "I learned sign language the night after we caught up with each other. Claire really helped teach me so if you want, take some time to talk with her. She's patient and thorough when it comes to teaching the language."
Jughead grinned at Claire, a questioning look on his face, and she nodded.
"Hell yeah, I'd be happy to help," she replied, before turning to Betty and signing to her. A moment later, she turned back to Jughead.
"She's alright with going on her own," Claire said. "Text or call Sweet Pea if you two need anything and just make sure to ride back with her on the metro."
Jughead grinned at Betty as he agreed.
"Well, come on," he said, holding out his hand and watched as she took it happily. "The day awaits."
Author's note: Enjoy! Thoughts lovely per usual! Xxx