Work Text:
They say, "Nothing lasts forever"
But they ain't seen us together
Or the way the moonlight dances in your eyes
Jughead honestly can't remember a time when Betty Cooper wasn't in his life and he thanks the universe for that. Truth is, he didn't want a world without her and he'd like to think his girlfriend knew that. Hell, he didn't want to spend a day without her in it. Without seeing those beautiful eyes, her golden locks, or her feisty attitude. But Jughead does remember a time when they were the only ones confident in their love.
After high school, when Betty was about to leave for her first semester at Yale and Jughead, the University of Iowa. They had almost broken up twice that summer, but they were able to reconcile. Alice Cooper had gotten into her daughter's head, but not by being manipulative- by being realistic.
"Betty, honey, college is hard as it is. But having a boyfriend across the country? I think you're getting your hopes up and continuing to be together while that far away... It'll be the hardest thing you ever do and I think you're gonna regret it."
That had been a tough conversation in order to save their relationship, but those five words had always stuck with him and even on the hard days, he'd repeat them to himself. "To the moon and back."
Everyone thought their input on his relationship with Betty was necessary, but Jughead didn't care what other people thought. It was his and Betty's love, he knew in his heart he wouldn't be able to find that kind of love and commitment anywhere else. Before Betty left for Yale, he gave her a necklace, a locket. One-half of the locket was a picture of Jughead and the other was his thumbprint, a cheeky reference to her dream of being an FBI agent.
Doing long distance throughout college had been tough, but they made it through. And now they had graduated from college a year ago, been dating for six, moved in together and everything was perfect.
Just a t-shirt in the kitchen
With no make-up and a million other things
That I could look at my whole life
Jughead knew that being a trainee at the police department had meant a lot of things for Betty: ten-hour shifts, being emotionally drained after a long day, not being taken seriously, and a different sleep schedule. Jughead had landed a job at the Riverdale Times, where he mostly wrote cutesy news stories he didn't care much about, but since the pandemic, he was able to do ninety percent of his work from home. And since most nights Betty didn't get home until four in the morning, that meant Jughead didn't go to bed till four in the morning. He'd altered his sleep schedule to fit hers just to get a few more hours of his beautiful girl.
Today, however, was Monday. Betty worked Wednesday through Sunday every week, so today was their collective day off.
Waking up at one o'clock today, Jughead reaches for his girlfriend, expecting to feel her warm, smooth skin or maybe the tank top she wore to bed last night, but her spot was empty and when he heard music playing in the distance, he knew what she was up to. He rubs his eyes and sits up, getting out of bed, wincing at the cold wooden floor on his feet. He walks out of their bedroom and into the kitchen, immediately seeing his girlfriend making what he assumes is french toast for breakfast- his favorite. She's swinging her hips to the music, her hair tied back into a messy ponytail, and wearing his Ramones t-shirt, which was especially cute because of how big it was on her. He smiles and stays quiet, taking in the view. He almost has to pinch himself to remind himself this is my life.
He slowly pulls the stool out at the counter, resting his chin in his hand and watching the beautiful girl who was his. The stool squeaks under his weight and she turns around, dropping her movements as a shy smile overtakes her expression. "How long have you been standing there?" She asks shyly, rounding the counter as he puts his arm out, bringing her to sit on his lap.
"Long enough to have had some morning entertainment." He takes her coffee cup off the counter and sips it to wake him up a little more. "Making breakfast?" He asks, bringing his lips to hers for a soft kiss.
She puts her arms around his neck and nods. "French toast."
"Mm?" He wraps his arms around her, securing her to him. "You rarely even eat breakfast, I feel spoiled."
She giggles, sighing happily and kissing his cheek. "It's a thank you."
"Thank you for what?" He pulls away, looking at her, dumbfounded. What could he have possibly done for her that was any more than what she did for him on a daily basis?
She looks down, rubbing her hands along his arms. "Since I got this job... It's turned our whole lives around. It's tough work and every day I get home so late, you have a perfectly cooked dinner at four in the morning, and I'm always cranky, miserable, starving. You've done everything to make this seem like a perfect situation, but it kind of sucks, doesn't it?"
"It's the bare minimum." She shakes her head and he hushes her, bringing his hands to her either side of her face. "Sweetheart, it doesn't matter what time you go to work or what time we both go to bed, or what shape you're in when you get home. I don't care, that doesn't mean anything to me. You're doing damn hard work, Betts. I don't need to be rewarded for doing what I'm supposed to do- Supporting my girlfriend." She looks at him, a sad smile on her lips as she leans in and kisses him. He melts into her, bringing her closer before he pulls away for a moment. "Although it is appreciated."
She laughs, "The french toast is going to burn."
"Who cares?" He chuckles, pulling her off his lap to go tend to the french toast, but before she can walk away, he takes her hand in his. "I'm going to marry you someday."
"Well, I'd hope so. Otherwise, I'm making this breakfast for no reason."
A love like this makes a man have second thoughts
Maybe some things last forever after all