Earth is in my bones, I can't live without it.
The sun is just starting to set on the first week of spring as Jughead and Toni drive towards the beach. It's a bit warm for such an early hour, but neither of them care much.
They sit there for a while, letting the wind brush their hair, listening to the waves crash on the shore, and the distant screams of seagulls. It was peaceful; Jughead doesn't think he could've ever imagined this would be his life now, but here they are.
“I don't remember the last time I went here,” Toni says with a smile. She rests her head against his shoulder and he kisses the top of her head. “It used to be pretty quiet back then. There were so many people on the beach that it never felt like a vacation anymore, ya know?”
Jughead smiles fondly at the memory. “I think it was always a little less lonely when you were there.”
She snuggles into him more. “Yeah. We had each other though.” He looks down at her and she smiles up at him. “What do you wanna do next?”
He shrugs. “We have all summer. You wanna go back and see if Archie's home yet?”
Toni pulls away from him, leaning back in her seat to look out the window. “You know I can't do that right now, Jug.”
He sighs and leans over, pressing a light kiss to her cheek. “I know.”
“Besides.” She turns to face him again. “How about we spend the rest of the summer together? Like you said, it's always been too busy between me and Fangs anyway. Let'er just chill for once.” She smiles at him and he smiles back.
“Alright then. Let's get back to your place so we can chill and watch movies.” She giggles, pulling him close for another kiss before getting out of the car, grabbing her bag, and heading inside. He follows behind her, watching her walk through the door and disappear from sight, feeling warmth spread through his chest.
They're going to have fun. This year was different than most of those they shared before, but it also didn't change how happy they make each other. They'll make new memories, spend every day with each other no matter what. It's not really fair that he gets to be with her and she still has the freedom to find someone else, but even then, he knows that Toni will keep herself safe. She loves Archie, but he'll always love Toni more. And if he gets hurt by someone she considers one of her closest friends, he' s sure that he'll take his time dealing with it. But for now, all that matters is that Toni is okay, and that Toni is happy with him. As long as he knows where she is, he thinks he'll be alright. He's got a lifetime ahead of him after all.
Three years later
Jughead lets himself fall onto the couch with a loud thud. He closes his eyes and breathes in the smell of popcorn and beer. His hands slide up and down the sides of his body slowly, trying to relax. The only thing that feels slightly better than the couch beneath him is the hand wrapped around his waist, holding him steady against the armrest.
"How was work?" Toni asks quietly, looking up from her laptop screen. A few stray strands of her hair have fallen across her forehead and he moves them off.
He doesn't answer, instead leaning forward to press a kiss to her lips. Her fingers dance lazily along his hips for a moment before pulling him back to the couch with her. His breath catches in his throat when she tugs him closer, making sure there is barely any space between them. He grins against her mouth and places soft kisses along her neck.
Her eyes close and he watches as she lets out a low moan, her arms tightening around his body. When he finally stops kissing her neck and starts trailing small kisses along the curve of her jaw, she lets out a shaky exhale.
"Are you ready for bed?" she asks softly. "I'm exhausted."
"Of course, babe," he mumbles, sitting back a bit so he can remove his shirt. She takes his hands and helps him stand. The two of them make their way into the bedroom and he immediately crawls under the covers, pulling her close to him. "I missed you today."
Toni wraps her arms around his torso and presses a soft kiss to his lips.
"I missed you too," she whispers as they lie pressed together, bodies intertwined. She runs her hand along the side of his face, tracing shapes across his cheekbones and down his throat. "And, hey, did you get those tickets?"
Jughead lifts his head slightly, peering down at her. "Tickets for what?"
His girlfriend frowns and shifts in his hold. "For tonight? Remember? Our anniversary party?"
He laughs. "Oh! Right. Yes, sorry, I completely forgot."
Toni rolls her eyes and pulls his face down to meet hers for a proper kiss. "You should probably sleep now though. You have classes tomorrow. Don't forget, you promised me pancakes when we wake up."
"Yes ma'am," he mutters against her lips. He gives her one last kiss before climbing out of bed, leaving the room to change out of his clothes. She sits up when he returns, running her fingers idly through her hair.
"Hey, Juggie?" She pauses and bites her lip for a moment. "Promise me something?"
"Anything."
"Promise me you won't forget our anniversary again."
He reaches out and grabs one of her hands, squeezing it tightly. "No. Never again." He kisses the back of her hand and stands up. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight," she smiles.
