Never Quit Loving You

T H I R T E E N

Fred was kind enough not to bring up the fact that Jughead and Betty had spent two hours together upstairs before walking into the kitchen with Wesley in front of them, all three of them looking sleepy yet happy. Cheryl, though, was another case. During the days that followed, she would throw amused looks at Jughead any time she had the chance to see him and was constantly hinting Betty about the way his eyes lit up every time he looked at her. Jughead would roll his eyes when he met the redhead. Betty would simply dart them onto the ground, her son, or anything else that was found around her at the said moment, to avoid Cheryl's.

Jughead had started putting Wesley down for a nap every day. The boy adored his funny voices but as the days went by, would even fall asleep without a story as long as Jughead's big warm hand covered his hair, stroking it. The guy also tried to make sure Betty would get enough rest. Every time he went to put their son to bed, he suggested she get into her own. Though Betty, stubborn as she was, wouldn't take his advice too often. On those days, they'd lay together on the couch in the living room, and she'd fall asleep anyway, melting under his touch just like their son did.

Today was one of those days. The blonde had been asleep for about half an hour, and Jughead had dozed off a few moments later, as well. With his arm trapped under her neck and the other holding her waist to keep her close, he could clearly feel the soft pats on his hand that rested over her stomach.

Grunting, Jughead hid his face further into Betty's hair, tightening his hold on her. "Mommy," he heard. His eyes sank open and narrowed a bit at the bright light shining over their heads. "Juggie."

The guy raised his eyes and met his son's, who looked a bit grumpy. "Hey there, bud," he quietly croaked.

Wesley frowned at him bigger. "Need potty," he whined.

The guy moved before he was aware he had done so. Still avoiding gazing at the lit lamp over their heads, he sat up, swiftly removing his arm that was under Betty. "Course," he mumbles.

Wesley hurries to the bathroom and Jughead drags his feet behind himself, catching up. After he has helped the boy out and made him wash his hands, they walk back into the living room and the boy runs to the couch to occupy half of the space Jughead had taken up earlier. The guy stops on the doorway and watches the way Wesley seems to be satisfied with the position for a moment before actually climbing on the still sleeping Betty, her face turned toward the backrest.

Jughead would've stopped him just to let her sleep for a while longer, yet he couldn't find his words or his legs, seeing the bothered look on his son's face. When Betty turned onto her back and Wesley was on top of her, now smiling, he nuzzled his face into her neck and mumbled something incoherent. Betty seemed to understand judging from the small smile on her face, though.

"'Course, baby." She kissed his forehead before closing her eyes again. Her nose nuzzled into his hair and arms wrapped around him.

Jughead cleared his voice very quietly and finally, reached his hand out to shut the light Wesley had probably turned on, for it was raining and dark outside. "May I join you two?" he asked, dragging his tired feet to the couch that was clearly becoming overcrowded.

Betty smiled at him through her heavy eyelids and shifted as much as she could, still holding onto their son. Jughead climbed next to them, turned onto his side, and first pressed a kiss on the side of Betty's face, then on the top of Wesley's head.

The little boy giggled when Jughead's arm dropped over his back and tickled along his face, letting out a quiet squeal right after.

"Tickle," he said through his giggles and turned his cheek to rest against his mommy's shoulder, now watching Jughead, grinning.