Bughead Oneshots

※Sad Memories※

This is set in Season 4 in the beginning since they never really addressed Hal's death.

JUGHEAD'S POV

I came home one day with my dad. I was spending some time with Archie since he hasn't really been the same after his dad's death, although Veronica is there to support him and Jellybean was at a friend's house. I entered the house and heard the sound of soft piano music coming from the basement. My dad and I creeped downstairs and saw quite the sight. Betty sat on the piano as her fingers flew across the ivory keys. She played beautifully and the composition seemed rather complicated, however she seemed like an expert.

(Song)

My dad smiled, scratch that, smirked at me and left as I stood there with a small smile watching her play, totally engrossed. I was completely overwhelmed by the time it was over. I clapped and she abruptly turned around and let out a sigh of relief.

"Jesus Jug," she mumbled, "you scared the living daylights out of me."

I chuckled at her response and sat down beside her on the piano stool, wrapping my arms around her as she laid her head on my shoulder. 

"There was a piano here?" I asked carefully.

She chuckled, "That's your first question? Well, yes we never cleared out the basement."

"I didn't know you played," I then stated.

"Hmmm," she hummed, "it is sort of private. I haven't played in a long time. By that I mean at least a year. My dad taught me how and after he was arrested I couldn't look, much less play the piano without breaking down. Now..." she trailed off with a hint of sadness in her voice.

I frowned down at her and stroked my hand up and down her arm for comfort.

She cleared her throat, "Anyways, I decided to play it just to reminisce the sad memories."

"Sad?" I questioned confused.

She looked up at me and I noticed the tears in her eyes and I hated to see her hurt, "Well my dad wan't always an evil person. So they are reduced to nothing but sad memories. There's nothing I can change."

I decided to cheer her up, "Tell me about it."

She smiled softly, "He started when I was 6 from the basics and we would sit exactly like this. He used to tell me that music really helped us focus. It was a good opportunity and I could be great one day. He lived by Music is life that's why our hearts have beats. What I was playing is the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven which is very emotional and difficult to play. He explained the essence of it, that it started by being a bit melancholy, but it built up to be joyful then ended in sadness again. Overall, it is a very agonising song."

"That's great Betty," I replied honestly.

"Yeah," she started, "but they've simply faded and I feel like that person was a stranger because of what he had become."

I pressed a soft kiss to her hair, "How are you?"

"Shouldn't we be asking Archie that?" she retorted.

"Betty," I warned, "you should be asked too. You lost your father as well."

"Yeah, but mine was a serial killer, an angel or should I say devil of death," she weakly attempted a joke.

"He was still your father," I explained, "he will always be part of you and that doesn't mean you are a bad person. God, you are the kindest yet strongest woman I've met. You said it yourself, he was a good person who taught you piano and who you fixed cars with. That doesn't change, it will always be there, in your heart."

She sighed, "Damn it I hate when you're right."

I chuckled and kissed her cheek, "I have my moments from time to time."

She nodded and I attempted another jab, "Please allow yourself to grieve Betts, you'll get sick if you don't."

The tears threatened to spill.

"Go ahead Betts," I encouraged, "It's only me and I don't want you to hurt yourself by bottling it up and I'll never judge you."

That's all it took for the dam to break. Crystalline tears flowed down her cheeks.

God even when she's crying she's perfect

Not the time Jughead

I wrapped her up tightly in my arms. I stroked her hair softly as I whispered sweet nothings, pressing soft kisses from time-to-time. Finally, the sobs turned to sniffles which turned to deep breaths.

"Betts?" I cooed softly. 

I saw that she had fallen asleep and I picked her up carefully and carried her upstairs. I lay her down, tucking her in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before going down to talk to my dad.

"Hey Boy," he greeted as I entered the dining room.

"Hey dad," I replied.

"How's Betty?" he asked carefully and I know he loved Betty like his daughter, sometimes I think he might love Betty more than me.

"She's coping," I replied and my dad nodded worriedly.

"It's really hard you know," I continued and he looked at me concerned, "she's going through a tough time. Her dad is dead and so is Archie's. Betty however isn't letting herself grieve because of all that he did. That's why she was playing the piano because her father taught her that and I think that's part of her grieving process, trying to be optimistic, I let her cry on my shoulder though. However, I just realised the trauma she's gone through and how much she's lost- almost her entire family except for Cheryl and her niece and nephew. I know Betty, she's a master at covering up her emotions, but I'm scared that it would hurt her if she does this, keeps putting on a brave face till its burnt her out. This is the first time she cried for her dad and not for someone else."

My dad looked at me carefully, "I know son."

"You know what," I cut him, "the worst part is that I can't fix it. There's nothing I can do, if only I could take away all that pain from her. I wish that she didn't suffer because she deserves the world. She doesn't need this crap that the universe is giving her, she is meant to do amazing things. I mean this town would be dead if it weren't for Betty's amazing detective skills and her determination to fight for what she believes."

"Boy," my dad interrupted, "you can fix this, by being her support system. She needs help and you need to show her that you love her and that you care for her and her needs. Betty, despite what she says, is an exact copy of her mom. Appearing tough on the outside, she will get through this, just support her."

"Thanks dad," grateful for the advice.

He nodded with a smile and I bounded up back the stairs to Betty who was still asleep. I quickly stripped and got in the covers and spooned her from behind.

"Sleep well my angel, I'll be always there for you," I whispered before being consumed by darkness.

I'll never leave her side.