Believer ➵ Bughead

Chapter 1

"How did you find out?" Betty asked immediately. She was baffled to find out that he knew about what happened that night.

" It doesn't matter how I found out. What matters is why he became one, Betty! Are you aware of how dangerous the serpents are considered in this town? If people find out about him, you both are going to be in deeper trouble than you already are."

Betty sighed. Archie was right. After the events that took place that week, she already knew how tricky it would be for Jughead and her. She talked to him about it, that night. Yelled at him, warning him of the things that might happen if he decided to become a serpent. But in the end, she knew how much the serpents meant to her boyfriend, and she'd let him do whatever he wanted to.

" The serpents are practically family to him, Arch. When they offered him that jacket, he couldn't just refuse it. " She paused, thinking carefully about the next words she spoke. " In the end, we have to let him make his own decisions, whatever the consequences they may bring. "

" But Betty, you're not getting my point! After the crimes that his own father did to protect him, maybe he might start doing the same, but to protect you!"

The sound of footsteps were suddenly audible, getting closer to the bottom floor. Jughead appeared at the arc dividing Betty's living room and her kitchen. His hair was neatly tucked into the gray beanie he wore religiously, and his jeans were ripped in all the right places. Betty couldn't help but stare.

" Betts, why is the town's musical prodigy in your kitchen at this ungodly hour?" He said, his voice raspy and mellow.

" He was just about to leave, don't worry. You can go back to sleep."

"I'm not leaving until Jughead gives back that damn leather jacket." Archie demanded, his voice getting higher.

"SHH! You'll wake up my parents! Can't we just deal with this tomorrow?"

" I agree, the right side of my brain isn't awake yet, so if I respond right now, you're prone to get a useless, yet creative answer." Jug joked.

Archie looked back at Betty, his eyes exhausted from all the sleepless nights he's had piecing together his father's "accident". He closed his eyes, and touched one of his temples gently, almost as if he was thinking of what to do. Finally, he sighed, and headed for the door. Before he left, he spoke.

" I just want you to be safe, Betty."

And with that, he left.

" He found out you were a serpent, Juggie. I don't know how, but he's worried you might start acting like them. But you won't...right?"

Jughead chuckled. Betty could feel her skin burning into a bright shade of red.

" I promise, I won't. Archie's just going insane because he's been obsessed with that robbery at Pop's."

" I guess you're right.. I'm super tuckered out from that conversation with him, though. I'm going upstairs. Coming?"

" Absolutely. I don't want to be alone in this dark, unsettling house."

Betty looked at Jughead questioningly.

" It's your average suburban home, Jug."

" Exactly my point."

...

Archie hated it. He hated the way he looked at her, and he hated the way she looked at him. He wanted all of it to stop. He watched Betty and Jughead from his window. His arm placed around her waist, her cuddling into his grasp. It looked like they fit perfectly together, like two sickly sweet puzzle pieces. He knew there was no need to be jealous, but Veronica had been horrible those past few weeks. Archie loved her, but her constant bitchy mood was starting to become a problem. She started to cancel their plans last minute because she "had more important matters to attend ", which Archie knew was complete bull. Not only that, but whenever their plans would actually work out, she'd whine the whole time. Complaining about some product she bought with her daddy's money not arriving on time, or her mother being rude to her. He had enough. One night, after him and Ronnie's little fights, he looked out Betty's window. That was the night he finally noticed how beautiful Betty truly was. Her blue camisole fit snugly on her torso, how her shiny golden hair looked healthy and strong, unlike Veronica's heat-damaged raven locks. Her figure, not even close to perfect, but looked amazing, even with her tiny waist and chest. He could hear her singing a familiar tune.