Flash of Red

Chapter 18

"Jug, oh my god." Tears welled in Betty's eyes as she covered her mouth in shock, watching Jughead carefully.

"I know it's only been a little over a year since I met you and it's been exactly a year since we first got together, but I love you Betty and it's so excessive I feel like I have to do this." He pulled a box from his pocket and she gasped, tears sliding down her cheeks. "You can say no because I know it's super early and we're watching a marriage fall apart so if you're scared, I understand. Or if you just simply don't want to, that's fine, too. But Betty, I have loved you since you knocked on my door and I want a life with you. One with some big wedding—or small, I wouldn't mind—and kids running around chasing the dogs and learning to ride the horses. You've made me realize this and I'm so thankful," he stood, taking the ring from the box and holding it out to her, his hand shaking slightly. "So, I'm asking you, if you'll marry me?"

She looked at him for a moment, his face wracked with nerves. But after another beat, she started to nod and his face lost the fear and turned to relief.

"Yes? Yes, you'll marry me?"

"Yes! Yes, I will marry you, you big dork!" He slipped the ring onto her finger, kissing her quickly before she hugged him and laughed. "Oh my god, I've never felt my heart pound like that before." He pulled back from their hug, cupping her cheeks and wiping her tears. She placed her hand on his chest, sniffling as she looked at the ring.

"I-I know it's not much, we can always get a different one if you want. I just didn't know what you would like so I went with the-" she cut him off with a kiss, Jughead sighing when they pulled apart.

"Jug, it's gorgeous. I love it so much." He kissed her again, resting his forehead on hers. "How long have you been planning this?"

"I'm not sure, but it became full proof about a month ago. That's when I bought the ring." She smiled, pulling her head off of his. "You're sure you don't want a different one? Or you don't want to wait? I won't be offended, Betts."

She cupped his cheeks, giving him a reassuring smile. "Jug, I mean this when I say it, I absolutely love it. It needs to be fitted correctly, but it's perfect. It's the only engagement ring I ever want to wear. And no, Jug, I don't want to wait. We did everything fast and so far, I think we've turned out pretty great."

He chuckled, kissing her deeply, her hands threading through the hair at the nape of his neck. "You just made my self esteem go way too high up." She threw her head back and laughed, Jughead smiling wide at the noise.

They had walked back to the house after that and were glad when they found it silent. He had carried her to bed where he made love to her thoroughly and languidly, leaving each of them spent and exhausted afterwards. The two of them laid in bed and watching her ring catch the light off the moon until they fell into a deep, restful sleep.

~

Betty woke up the next morning to Jughead kissing down her stomach and she threaded her fingers through his hair, tugging on it to get his attention. She furrowed her brows in question even if she knew what he was about to do.

He gave her a cocky smile, hooking his fingers in the side of her underwear. "I'm hungry." He winked and she groaned as he chuckled groggily.

He pulled her underwear off, kissing back up her legs. He nipped at the inside of her thighs before he pressed a light kiss over her center, sighing. Her hips bucked up and he chuckled, smirking at her arrogantly.

He took a moment to admire her. The way the early morning sun shined above her, casting a glow above her face as her chest heaved under her t-shirt and the green color of her irises shimmered. He could drown in her beauty.