Jughead was buzzing with excitement. He had been for most of the day. His fingers started to tingle when he spread fresh sheets over his bed early in the morning, and, again, whenever his mind floated to Betty throughout his shift at Pop's.

We'll have almost 24 uninterrupted hours together, he contemplated as he cleared tables after the lunch rush. He nearly lost his grip as he imagined Betty in a cute pair of pajamas snuggled up on his bed next to him. The tray in his hand wobbled dangerously.

"Are you alright, Jughead?"

Jughead looked up toward the register and the sound of Pop's kind voice.

"Yes." He shook away the image now worming its way through his head of waking up beside Betty and brushing the tangled strands of blonde hair from her face. "Sorry, just a little distracted today, Pop."

Pop shot him an avuncular smile. "Finish that up. I'll let you out of here as soon as I can."

Jughead smiled back gratefully. Only a few more hours.

He rushed home to Sunnyside right after his shift ended. He might have broken a few speed limits on the way. The anticipation of her arrival was all-consuming.

Jughead brought his motorcycle to a stop at the edge of the trailer park, near the fence that abutted Fox Forest. He picked a few dandelions and wildflowers from the overgrown grass and tied them together with the rubber band he'd remembered to slip on his wrist from the diner's back office.

The trailer was dark when he returned, and Jughead breathed a sigh of relief that his father had already set off for Seaside. There'd be no intrusive questions while he vacuumed the carpet and cleared away most of the junk from the coffee table.

He tossed all but one of the empty alcohol bottles strewn about the trailer. He washed it out and arranged the wildflowers inside, placing the makeshift bouquet on the kitchen's round wooden table.

Satisfied with the trailer's appearance, Jughead began to prepare dinner. Betty was probably expecting him to order takeout, but he had wanted to cook for her. He wasn't exactly a master chef, but years of unreliable parenting had demanded he learn his way around a kitchen. After some deliberation, and a gift of leftover frozen ground beef from Pop, he'd decided on spaghetti and meatballs. Simple but classic.

Jughead whistled to himself as he combined the ingredients for the meatballs together. After browning them, he spooned a can of crushed tomatoes into the pot and seasoned them, leaving the meatballs to simmer.

He took a quick shower before starting on the spaghetti. As the pasta water boiled, he pulled on his clothes—black jeans, his nicest blue button-down, and his trusty suspenders. No hat, though. They hadn't talked about it, and it would likely be awkward if Betty showed up wearing something super casual, but Jughead had wanted to dress up for her. It'll be fine, he reassured himself as he examined his appearance in the small mirror over his dresser. She always looks nice.

Jughead returned to the kitchen to drain the spaghetti and finish any last-minute touches. He was stirring the tomato sauce from a safe distance, careful to make sure it didn't splatter on his shirt, when he heard a timid knock at the door.

He leaned the wooden spoon against the inside of the pot and rubbed his hands on his jeans. The nerves bubbled over in his stomach as he walked to the door and pulled it open.

It seemed he and Betty had the same idea because she was standing on the landing with her hair down clad in the prettiest dress he had ever seen. Jughead gaped at her, finding himself mesmerized by the crochet trim and floral embroidery adorning the pale pink sundress.

Betty smiled at Jughead, a blush dotting her cheeks. Her fingers fiddled with the hem at her mid-thigh.

Jughead's lips twitched as his gaze lingered on the smooth skin exposed by her dress's sweetheart neckline. The only word he could choke out was, "Wow."

Betty blushed redder, both of them startling when a horn honked behind her. Betty turned her head to the car and waved goodbye to Kevin. She glanced back at Jughead.

By now, he'd managed to regain the ability to speak. "You look really pretty."

Her green eyes sparkled. "You don't look so bad yourself."

Jughead smirked at the compliment, a semblance of his usual confidence returning. His eyes fell to the overnight bag by her feet. He lifted it up and ushered Betty inside, his heart doing a little flip when he caught a whiff of her coconut shampoo.

He stashed the bag by the hallway entrance as Betty's gaze swept over the trailer. "You cleaned?"

Jughead shrugged, trying his best to come off as nonchalant. "A speck of dust here, a speck of dust there."

Her nose scrunched adorably as the appetizing aroma from the stovetop wafted through the trailer. "And you cooked?"

"Affirmative."

Betty's lips crooked up. "You didn't have to."

"I wanted to." Jughead took her elbow and tugged it lightly. "Come on. Let's eat."

She followed him to the kitchen table, the corners of her eyes crinkling up when she noticed the flowers. "Those are pretty."

"Nature is god's gift," he quipped.

Betty giggled and seated herself gingerly in one of the three brown leather and metal dining chairs surrounding the table. "I thought that was hamburgers for you."

Jughead snorted and turned around to grab two ceramic bowls from the cabinet shelves. A shiver ricocheted down his spine as his mind flashed back to the night he'd pressed Betty up against the hinges and kissed his way down her neck. His fingers froze and the bowls rattled together softly.

Betty peeked up from rearranging the silverware on the paper napkins. "Do you need help?"

"I'm good."

Jughead collected himself and placed the dishes side-by-side on the counter. He served them each a helping of spaghetti, spilling four meatballs apiece and several spoonfuls of tomato sauce over the pasta strands. He set the bowls down on the table and appraised her with a glint in his eye. "Bon appétit."

Betty began to twirl the spaghetti with her fork. "Don't you find it odd there's no equivalent expression in English?"

Jughead grinned. "Immensely." He poured them each a glass of water from the pitcher he'd set on the table before she arrived. "Almost as odd as your aversion to semicolons."

Betty rolled her eyes, but he could detect the gleam in them. "Better I dislike one of your writing quirks than a personality quirk," she retorted.

Jughead cocked up an amused eyebrow. "Is it, though?"

She laughed and took a dainty bite of pasta. Her eyes were soft and bright when she glanced up at him. "This is delicious, Juggie."

"Thanks." A rush of warmth ran through his body and he helped himself to a large bite of his own. "Pop's been giving me lessons."

Betty swallowed a small morsel of meatball. "From busboy to sous chef?" she teased.

Jughead chuckled. "I don't know about that. My repertoire is pretty limited."

"Does that mean I'm responsible for breakfast tomorrow?"

"Depends." Jughead slurped down a long spaghetti noodle. "What would you make?"

"Hmm." Betty's lips curved up as she thought about it. "How does French toast with butter and syrup sound?"

Jughead let out a soft groan. "Like you should sleep over every night."

Betty's cheeks crimsoned, her gaze casting downward to her bowl, in what Jughead could only assume was embarrassment.

Jughead's hands went cold. "Sorry," he muttered sheepishly. "That was, uh, a joke."

Betty was quiet for a moment, but then her fingers reached across the table and pressed gently on his wrist. "It's okay, Jug." She smiled softly at him. "I wouldn't mind that either."

Jughead allowed himself to meet her gaze. He swallowed thickly. There was a delicate glimmer in Betty's eyes that he was almost too afraid to decipher. Like a yearning. Did she want—? He jerked his head, refusing to ponder that possibility in words. No, don't go there.

Betty lifted her hand from his and picked her fork back up. "You must be pretty close with Pop?"

Jughead nodded, his lips curling up into a fond grin. "He's always been good to me."

They resumed eating, reminiscing about their favorite childhood memories at the diner. When their bowls were long empty, and after Betty assured him she was stuffed and didn't need seconds, Jughead cleared the table.

"I'll wash up and then we'll watch something?"

Betty toyed with the strap of her sundress. "Okay," she murmured.

He ran a sponge over the dirty dishes, his eyes traveling after Betty as she wandered into the living room. She seemed restless again. She perched on the edge of the couch, slipping her feet in and out of her heeled sandals and then taking one of the folded afghan's loose threads between her fingers. He watched her play with it for a second before he turned back to the sink.

Jughead finished rinsing the bowls and placed them on the dish rack to dry. He pulled two patterned mugs from the cabinet. He filled them with hot cocoa mix and topped them off with boiled water, milk, and mini marshmallows.

He carried the two mugs into the living room. Betty glanced up as his footsteps approached.

"Dessert." Jughead set the mugs down on the coffee table, his lips turning up into a smirk. "You may have assumed hot chocolate was just a winter drink, but you should know it has health benefits all year round."

Betty offered him a tiny giggle as he settled in beside her on the couch. "Thanks." She blew on the mug and took a small sip.

"Good?" Jughead's hand snuck over the cushions to rest on the folds of her dress. She looked too pretty for words. He felt like he'd been waiting all evening to touch her. "Chocolatey enough?"

"Mhm." She glimpsed at him. "Juggie?"

"Yeah?"

Her green eyes pierced his. There was something needy and insistent in them, tentative but fierce. He gazed back at her, his body thrumming with a similar urgency. Betty leaned closer, her hand reaching out for him. Jughead pulled Betty in by the tousled blonde strands falling over her neck until she was sliding onto his lap in a straddle. Their lips fused together. Betty took Jughead's cheek in her hand and pressed further into him. Jughead responded eagerly, kissing her deeper, his fingers tangling in her hair. Her mouth pursed open and Jughead sucked on her bottom lip before sweeping his tongue inside and stroking it along hers. Betty whimpered, her breath warm and sweet on his. Her fingers ran through his hair, her palm hot against his ear. Jughead's hands lowered to glide up her body, over the soft, sheer fabric of the dress and then onto the exposed skin of her back. He brushed the thin straps of the sundress down her shoulders, kissing her slow and thorough as his hands caressed the silky skin of her arms.

Betty rolled her hips against him and Jughead growled. He eased his mouth from hers, nipping at her jawline and then kissing down her neck toward her collarbone. He nibbled at her skin gently before running his tongue over the tender spot. Betty mewled as her head fell back.

"Jug," she choked out between muffled moans. "Do you have something?"

"Huh?" He was too absorbed with licking over Betty's pulse and the little shudders it prompted to follow what she was saying.

"You know…if we were to…"

Jughead pulled back to look at her, thinking he couldn't possibly have heard Betty correctly. But there was the same glimmer in her eyes as earlier at the table, flickering even stronger now. She bit her lip as he stared at her and all the blood in his body rushed south. "Oh," he stuttered. "Do you want to?"

"I think so," she murmured. "Do you?"

Was man's greatest invention the all-you-can-eat buffet? But Jughead quickly stifled any sarcastic comments running through his head. He studied her carefully despite his racing heart. Of course, he didn't want to come across as overstepping her boundaries, but it seemed equally as important that she know how much he ached to be with her.

"I do." His hand skimmed her cheek. "But only if you're sure."

Betty nodded. "I've been thinking about it a lot."

Butterflies exploded in his stomach. But he needed her to be one-hundred percent certain. More than. "Can I hear you say it?"

Betty smiled shyly at him, but her voice was steady. "I want you, Jug. I want all of you tonight."

Jughead smiled and covered her lips with his, kissing Betty even more insistently. As their tongues tangled, he pulled the straps of her dress down her arms, leaving the garment hovering around her waist. His cock stirred in anticipation when they broke apart for air and he discovered the tops of Betty's breasts heaving under a pretty baby blue satin bra. Locking eyes with her, Jughead gripped the backs of Betty's thighs. He slowly lifted her off the couch and lowered her delicately to the floor. Jughead's hands drifted up Betty's sides to her shoulder blades, his mouth close to her ear.

"Let's go to my room."

Betty nodded eagerly, and he interlaced their fingers, walking her to his bedroom. Jughead came to a stop at the base of his bed. He turned to face her, thankful he'd left the dresser lamp on. Betty was bathed in a pale white glow, as beautiful as moonlight. Jughead grasped onto her waist, his eyes darkening when Betty's breath hitched. He tugged gently on the waistband of her dress until it slipped from her hips and crumpled into a ball at her feet. Betty watched, entranced, as Jughead pulled the suspenders from his shoulders next and unzipped his jeans. He pushed the pants down and stepped out of them, kicking his shoes off as well. Betty's eyes found his, her gaze determined as her fingers reached out to unbutton his shirt. She only made it halfway through before Jughead gathered her into his arms. He kissed her hungrily, guiding her down onto the bed.

His fingers danced across Betty's body as they traded kisses, fumbling for her bra clasp. He unfastened it and tossed it aside, his mouth latching onto her nipple. He licked and sucked the tight nub, Betty writhing beneath him. His hand slid down the curve of her waist, connecting with soft satin. He took a brief moment to admire her remaining lingerie—a matching pair of panties with lace frills. Did she plan this? Jughead's heart burst to think so. His gaze on hers, he slid the panties down her legs. Betty tugged impatiently at his half-open shirt as he climbed back up, and he smirked, tossing it off, too.

Jughead kissed her once more before propping himself above her on his elbows. Betty's blonde hair fanned over his pillow, her pink lips slightly parted. He sucked in a breath as he stared down at her naked body. He had touched her before in a rush of stolen moments, but he had never been able to really fawn over her like this. He was blown away by how lovely she was. He wanted to kiss her everywhere.

His eyes lifted from worshiping her body to meet her gaze. Betty was peering at him nervously, unsure of why he'd stopped.

"Juggie," she whispered. "Is something wrong?"

With her? Could she really believe that? Didn't she know she was stunning? That he wanted her more than anything?

"You take my breath away," he admitted.

Betty flushed, the prettiest smile rising on her lips. Her thumb lifted to brush his cheekbone. "The feeling's mutual."

He grinned boyishly at her. There was something he was dying to do, but he needed to ask her permission first. "Can I go down on you, Betts?"

Betty's eyes grew wide. "Oh."

"I don't have to. If you don't like it, or…"

"No, I, uh, I just haven't...I mean I have…but he never...did that."

Jughead tried to suppress the judgmental frown rising on his lips. Leave it to her asshole ex to not only suckerpunch strangers at parties but also not give two shits about getting his girlfriend off in return. He snapped his head down. Not the time, Jughead.

"Ah," he muttered instead.

"Have you done it before?" Betty asked softly.

"Yeah, I have."

With your ex?

"Yes." He took a breath, adding in a slightly raspier voice, "She was pretty into it." He hoped this came across as strictly factual and not like he was bragging or somehow rubbing in Betty's inexperience.

Betty nodded, musing. "Did you like it, too?"

"Yeah." He let out a faint chuckle. "I did."

"What did you like about it?"

"I guess I liked making her feel good."

There was a flirtatious gleam in Betty's eye now that had his cock twitching in his boxers. "And you want to make me feel good, too?"

Jughead stifled the groan in his throat. "Yeah, Betts, I really do. More than anything."

He hoped she knew he meant more than he had ever wanted to for anyone else. She seemed to. She blushed deeply, her green eyes shimmering in anticipation.

"Okay," she told him. "I trust you."

Jughead's lips ticked up. He bent down to kiss her before parting her legs and kneeling between them. He bowed his head, trailing kisses up her inner thigh. His mind went dizzy as he inhaled her scent. She was already so wet; he felt desperate to taste her. His hands resting on her hips, Jughead pursed open his mouth to lick a stripe over Betty's slit. Betty wriggled against him, her body in shock at the first feel of his tongue.

"Shh, baby," he mumbled. He blew a hot breath over her clit and held Betty's hips steady.

Jughead began to lap softly at her, his strokes featherlight. Betty mewled, her eyes fluttering shut, her body easing into the pleasure. He licked a little faster, and she was soon bucking slowly against his mouth, eager for more. Jughead hissed, loving how easily Betty's body seemed to respond to him. He raked his tongue over her with firmer strokes and she moaned.

"Jug…" she stuttered out. "I need…please…"

Her strangled words were so sexy, a groan lodged in his throat. He licked deeper into her folds.

As Betty cried out, his tongue rose to her clit. He flicked the nub lightly and then swirled his tongue over it. Betty gasped at the sensation, her legs shaking around him as he began to suck on her. Her fingers threaded through his hair, tugging desperately at the strands. It was like she wanted Jughead to devour her. He sucked her clit harder and her moans grew frantic. Jughead felt on fire. The noises she was making were driving him crazy. All those breathy little whimpers and gasps of his name. They were perfect. She was perfect.

Eager to feel her skin against his, Jughead fumbled for one of her hands. Betty's fingers clenched tightly around his. He licked and sucked at her, holding her as her body bowed off the bed. Jughead could tell she was close. Her clasp on his hand tightened, and then, all at once, she was splintering apart with a cry.

Betty came hard against him, shivering and panting. Her release flooded his mouth, overwhelming Jughead with her taste. His mind clouded over, but his tongue kept stroking her through it, until she crumpled limp as a ragdoll against the sheets.

Jughead eased his head out from between Betty's thighs. He smiled up at her. Betty's eyes were glazed over, her body still softly trembling, but she hummed and returned his grin. He kissed his way back up to her mouth, brushing his lips tenderly against hers so she could taste herself on his tongue.

"Did you like it?" he murmured.

"Yes." Betty gazed at him through hooded lashes. She looked like she was floating, as if nothing had ever felt so good.

Jughead leaned in to kiss her once more before pulling back on his knees. He stared down at her, absently fingering himself over his boxers. It didn't take long for him to get hard again.

"Do you still want to…?" he asked, his voice a little shaky.

Betty propped herself up against the pillows. Her fingers snaked down his chest, taking over for his hand and stroking him through the cotton fabric. "I do. Do you?"

Jughead grunted as he hardened in her grasp. "Yes," he told her, almost bashfully. "I want all of you, too."

Her lips curved up and Jughead managed to tear himself away to reach for his nightstand drawer. He dug a foil packet out from the half-empty box and slipped off his boxers.

His fingers shook as he ripped open the condom and rolled it on. It was more than just excitement. His heart was beating so fast.

Jughead settled himself between Betty's thighs. His hand grazed her shoulder. "You're sure?" he asked again.

"I'm sure, Jug." Her eyes flickered with need. "Please."

Jughead took a deep breath and slipped his tip inside her. His eyes immediately rolled back at how tight Betty was. He pushed in a little deeper. Betty grimaced, adjusting to the feel of him.

His thumb wiped away the soft bead of sweat that formed on her brow. "Okay?" he asked.

"Yes."

Jughead slid in as fully as he could. "Too much?"

Betty shook her head. "I'm okay."

Jughead pressed down to kiss her as he began to move gently in and out. She felt so good squeezed tight around him—warm and wet and his. He jerked to keep from losing control. After a minute or so, Betty's hips rose up to meet his thrusts and Jughead let his pace slowly accelerate. Her nails dug into his skin and Jughead groaned into her mouth. He wasn't sure he'd be able to last much longer. His body had never felt so pent up before. But he really wanted to make her come again before his own release.

He angled his stomach up so he could slip his hand between them.

"What are you…" Her voice trailed off into a moan when she felt his fingers circling her clit. "Oh, Jug."

"Does that feel good?" he panted. He drove into her again, sinking to the hilt inside her.

"Yes," she whimpered. Her legs locked around his waist. "Don't stop."

He continued stroking her clit, easing in and out of her with gentle but firm thrusts, until he felt her body start to clench.

"Jug," she gasped.

Her eyes fluttered shut as her body arched off the bed, her clit pulsing under his touch. She was teetering right on the edge.

"Let go, Betts," he whispered.

Betty's entire body shook as she fell apart. She clawed at his back, crying out his name. It was enough for Jughead to lose it, too. He came right after her, spilling into her in a rush of quick, jerky thrusts.

Jughead groaned as he collapsed on top of Betty. Her arms went limp around him, and he shuddered against her, both of their skin slick with sweat. He wasn't sure how long they lay entwined like that, but eventually his breathing slowed, and he forced himself to pull out of her after one last soft kiss.

He stood up to dispose of the condom, wrangling his boxers back on as he moved from the bed.

When he returned, he saw Betty had draped the olive-colored comforter over herself. She smiled shyly up at him.

Jughead smiled back. He slipped under the covers with her and pulled her upright into his arms to lean against the headboard. She snuggled into him.

His fingers traced tiny circles over her shoulder. "You okay?"

Betty nuzzled her cheek into his collarbone. "Yes."

"Did it hurt?"

She tilted her head up to look at him. "Just a bit and then it was okay."

"And now?"

"A little sore, but good."

"Good." Jughead slotted their fingers together over the blanket.

"Was it okay for you?" Betty bit her lip, a trace of worry in her eyes. "I know it probably wasn't as good as you're used to—"

"No, Betts." He squeezed her hand. "It was incredible."

"Really?"

"Really." Jughead brushed a stray tuft of hair behind her ear and cuddled her closer in his arm. "I'm so lucky you're mine."