"Don't let go"

36-king and queen

Betty's Point Of View-

"Jughead will be crowned on his 18th birthday in two weeks time" FP announced, sat at the head of the table, these meetings have became normalcy to me. After all I've been part of these since Jugheads been gone.

Since Jugheads king, maybe I'll be one of the seniors, to have a higher seat at the table.

"I don't want it, I mean I don't deserve it, I haven't been here making decisions and helping out, baby girls been of more help than me." He said with a sigh. What is he doing? This is his legacy.

"It's non-negotiable Jughead, you knew this day would come" FP argued.

"If anyone should get the crown it should be baby girl, that's all I'm saying" he said kicking his feet up on the table and then leaning over to pass me his cigarette.

"All due respect babe, this is your legacy we're talking about here, no ones more worthy of the crown than you" I whispered as he was so close to me.

"We will need a minute" FP announced and I immediately left the room, Jughead behind me.

"What are you doing? Has there ever actually been a female leader? I'm not up to the position, it should be you up there" I shout whispered as we stood outside of the board room.

"But, what exactly have I done for the serpents in the past 8 months? You've been calling the shots, setting people straight, your a queen anyway and you deserve the crown" he smiled leaning against the wall opposite me, one hand in his pocket.

"I'm not arguing with you Jughead, you take your place as king and I'll be sat there next to you, like a second in line" I said sternly.

"Or...." he trailed off.

"Or what?" I asked.

"Or I'll be king, and you be queen, think about it! Us, side by side, kicking the bad guys asses, having everyone bow down to us" he said sauntering towards me.

"You know for there to be a queen, the king has to be married to them right?" I snorted as he reached me, leaning over me, putting one hand on the wall behind me, trapping me in.

"One day, we will be, but we're breaking all the rules anyway, once I'm king what I say goes, and if I want you by my side, you will be" he smiled leaning down to kiss my forehead.

I stood playing with my hair, weak at the knees.

"You can't say things like that Jughead" I rolled my eyes putting my hand on his cheek.

"Like what?"

"Like one day we'll be married, we don't know what the future brings, one day you might find a new queen, we're so young to be making decisions like this, I'm easily replaceable, so just think about it okay?" I sighed.

"Betty, there's no way that you'll ever be replaced, ever. I doubt that there will ever be a girl who can turn my head, convert me over from the dark side like you did" he laughed, but I could see in his eyes he was serious.

I leaned up on my top toes with a grin to connect our lips, but just as I felt his breath on my face, the door swung open and the seniors filed out, one by one until FP reached us at the end of the que.

He nodded his head, a motion for us to enter the room, which we did and he shut the door behind us. We took our seats and I felt like I was about to be shouted at like in school when we are sat in front of Mr W.

"Jughead, you will be king, you know the rules, there can't be a queen until you decide to marry" he said sternly.

"FP it's fine, I'm not up to a position like that anyway" I clarified.

"...but, you did die, and then come back to life, so if you want baby girl to be by your side she can, on one condition" FP said and I sank in my chair. I am totally honoured to be queen, I just feel guilty, I've been here for like five minutes, there are more worthy people than me.

"What's that?" Jughead said lighting another cigarette.

"You get engaged" FP laughed and my eyes widened.

"That's crazy" I spluttered.

"Yeah dad, did you just propose to her for me?" Jughead laughed.

"Can you please take this seriously for once in your life!" I shouted and the stormed off, up to the apartment up stairs.

Jugheads Point Of View-

I leaned back in my chair rubbing my chin after watching Betty walk away.

"Why you always gotta do that?" My dad said leaning on the table in front of me.

"Do what?" I said in my defence, if you can't laugh you would cry in a situation like this.

"Of course I want to marry her, she's everything I've ever dreamed of and more, but I don't want to marry her just for the sake of it, it's forced" I argued and my dad nodded in agreement.

"Go explain that to her then, because by now, she's halfway through a bottle of jack" he sighed and I raised my eyebrows, she really has changed since I've been gone.

I trudged through the bar, picking up two beers on my way and made my way to the apartment. I let myself in and of course there was Betty sat on the couch with a bottle in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

She looked at me and rolled her eyes, that stung a little bit but I guess I deserved it.

"Heeey, whatcha got there" I said taking the jack out of her hand. She just let me and stared at the wall.

"Are you going to talk to me?" I nudged her but she didn't move, she took a drag of her cigarette. I sat in silence for what seemed like an eternity, watching her drink the beer she had in her hand.

"Betty please talk to me..." I said grabbing her hand after a while.

"I can't do this Jughead..." she said so quietly I was only just able to hear her.

"You don't have to be queen, it doesn't matter to me" I said softly, but her eyes were glued to the wall, she wouldn't look at me, then the realisation set in and that wasn't what she was talking about.

"I mean this, I'm not part of your world am I? No matter how I dress, who I hang around with, it's just not as simple as that" she said standing up her face streaming with tears.

"Betty you are my world!" I argued feeling the lump in my throat.

"No jughead, you get crowned king, but I think we need to take a break until life isn't as fucked up as this, for fuck sake you are going to be a gang leader your not going to have any fucking time for a girlfriend" she shouted and now it was turn to stare at the wall.

"So that's it then? Your just going to drop everything that we had, because of this?" I said coldly.

"No, I'll wait for you, and I'll come back to you because even in all your fucked upness I still love you, but we need space from each other just until your king at least" she cried.

"Just tell me how I can fix this?" I pleaded.

"Just go home okay? Tell FP I'll be staying here for a while" she said folding her arms across her chest and wiping a tear off her cheek.

I got up feeling like my whole world has just exploded and she stopped me in my tracks, giving me a kiss on the forehead.

"I'm sorry Jughead" she whispered but I was too distraught to say a word, if I spoke then I would just cry, and that was not me.

"Right" I said coldly and slammed the door and left.

Betty's Point Of View-

I wish he put up more of a fight for me, but he didn't.