Based on 'Lights Down Low' by MAX. Contains light smut towards the end.
Heaven only knows where you've been
But I don't really need to know
"Are you okay?" He asks her as she stands in his doorway. Her eyes are red and she's much paler than usual. The faded bags under her eyes seem to growl at the light radiating from Jughead's living room. "Where've you been?"
Betty takes a deep breath and leaps forward, engulfing Jughead in a tight hug. Surprised, he jolts back a bit but automatically wraps his arms securely around her. He rubs her back protectively as he feels her body shake against his. It's like he can sense her silent tears falling onto his jumper whilst her neck buries into his neck.
"Wanna talk about it?" Jughead whispers into her hair. This receives a shake of Betty's head, letting him know now isn't the time.
"Can I stay with you tonight? I don't want to be alone right now." Betty questions carefully as she pulls away, avoiding eye contact like she's scared he'll say no. Instead, she feels Jughead's hand on her face, tilting it towards him.
"Betts," he swipes his thumb gently under her eye, wiping away the fallen tears. "You know you're always welcome here."
I know where you're gonna go
On my heart, where you're resting your head
Betty's head is resting on Jughead's bare chest as they lay in his bed. One of his arms is wrapped around her shoulders, his fingers tracing circles on her back. Her fingers are intertwined with his other hand, and she can feel his chest rise and fall when he breathes.
Jughead wears a single pair of pyjama pants, and Betty wears one of his t-shirts. One of her legs is draped over his, the soft cotton stroking her bare skin. They both feel so at peace, Betty seems to have forgotten why she was even upset.
And you just look so beautiful
It's like you were an angel
Every time Jughead sees her, he thinks she is the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. He is so in love with her. But right now, something about her is heavenly. As he stares down at her face, he focuses on everything about her.
Betty's face isn't as pale anymore, the fair skin glows softly in the light. Her green eyes pierce everything around her, small emeralds shining iridescently. As her tongue darts out, it partially licks her bottom lip and leaves a trail of shine which compliments the pinky-tones. He wants to kiss them so badly.
Can I stop the flow of time?
Can I swim in your divine?
'Cause I don't think I'd ever leave this place
"I love you." Jughead hears her whisper and his heart skips a beat. They've said this multiple times to each other before, but that doesn't stop the smile creeping onto his face. He doesn't think he'll ever get used to hearing those words come from Betty's mouth.
For most of his life, Jughead doubted he was ever worth loving. His mother left with his sister when he was fairly young, and his dad's been a drunk for as long as he can remember. Jug always knew, deep down, that he was loved by his family. After all, they were his blood and he was theirs. But that didn't mean he ever felt like it.
The first time he can ever remember truly feeling loved was with Betty. And it wasn't even the first time she told him she loved him. It was when he was arrested by Sherriff Keller.
Betty had been there for him, and believed him. She believed he couldn't have killed Jason, she was there for him. True, he didn't kill Jason. But others wouldn't have put it past him, just because of how he looked and dressed. Betty was different. Betty believed in him. Betty loved him. Betty loves him. And he loves her.
