#//co written by cari and lola

[southsideprince]

airing the grievances - a sweet pea and jughead para (discord)

Sweet Pea was sat in the snake ground, a pack of six and a carton of cigarettes. For once it was empty, either people were working or at home and Sweet Pea was enjoying the silence it brought. Raising the bottle to his lips, he took a deep mouthful of the beer. The funeral had been and gone, an emotional day but it was needed to start the process of moving on. Upon hearing footsteps approaching, he looked up, distracted from his inner musings to see Jughead standing there. “Can I help you?”

Jughead had been looking for Sweet Pea, it had been a few days since the funeral and only a couple since the announcement of his father being let go from the police department. Overall, Jughead was feeling down. But he also needed to make things right, if anything it had shown that he and Sweet Pea could find a middle ground and maybe begin working together to get things sorted. After asking around, someone had mentioned seeing him heading for the snake ground and with beer and chips in hand, he made his way over. As he approached, he saw Sweet Pea lookup. At his question, he simply held up the beer and chips with a small shrug. “Thought we could chat?” 

He let out a snort, but indicated to the space next to him. “Do what you wish, Jones.” he replied, moving his feet to the ground to make room. “But if this is going to lead to us braiding each others hair and painting nails I’m walking away” he added, raising a brow as he took another sip of his beer. 

A smirk graced his lips as he took the offered seat, curling one leg underneath him he turned his body to face Sweet Pea as he cracked open one of the beers. “I’m not down for the nails, but I think you’d suit some pretty little plaits with bows.” he commented, opening the bag of chips and popping one into his mouth. 

Sweet Pea shot him a look before taking another sip. “Watch it Jones, or I’ll shave that mop you call hair.” he warned, leaning over to help himself to chips. “But what did you want to talk about?” he asked, curious as to why he’d approached him. He must have made an effort to find him. 

Jughead looked affronted and touched his beanie protectively. “You touch my hair and I’ll burn your trailer to the ground.” he threatened, patting it gently. As Sweet Pea helped himself to chips without even a please, Jughead rolled his eyes. “I wanted to thank you for....well for the other day. Stepping up, helping me. It meant a lot.” his voice was less teasing, more sombre as he tried to express his sincerity. It had been tough, preparing it all and getting everything ready. Sweet Pea knew more, knew what had to happen and had guided him through it. Had put aside the differences to help lead and step up when Jughead felt he was floundering. 

Sweet Pea focused his gaze on Jughead as he spoke, disregarding the threat- banter could come later. The tone had taken on a serious one and he simply sipped at his beer as he spoke. When Jughead had finished, he remained quiet for a few seconds before taking a large breath and a long sigh. “It was an important event...I wanted to make sure it went correctly because I thought you’d fuck it up. Couldn’t trust you to do it right.” he replied, chewing on his lower lip for a few seconds. Until he ran a hand across his eyes. “But you did good, okay? You took charge, you injected hope and faith and the speech was incredibly fitting- and tell anyone I said this, I’ll knock you sideways but I was proud, okay?” he added, voice quieter as he focused on the grass, not able to meet his gaze as he spoke. 

Jughead felt his heart sink at Sweet Pea’s words, not expecting him to be so brutal. It was hard for both of them, but to hear he didn’t have faith in him? He was about to interject until Sweet Pea spoke up once more, only this time it sounded less hostile and more....open. Jughead took a small sip of his beer before clearing his throat. “That means a lot, Sweet Pea. Thank you.” he said, sitting up a little straighter in his seat. “I won’t tell a soul that you actually said a good word about me- jesus, new love must be doing you good?” he added with a small smirk. 

Sweet Pea was still staring at the ground, that was until Jughead spoke and thanked him and he managed to look up and meet his gaze once more. It was strange, he didn’t even feel hatred anymore- he could barely remember why he had such resentment for Jughead. It didn’t even seem important anymore, as sad as it was to think, if they hadn’t died would they still be at each other’s throats? He felt a grin stretch across his face, the insinuation of Jughead about him and Reggie made him weak all over. “You really asking me about my love life, Jones? But if you must know, he makes me happy. It’s strange how we just went from enemies to...this. I guess I just got bored punching his face and instead I wanted to kiss it. Funny how the world works.” he said, a genuine smile on his lips. “But it means one war is behind us, there’s still a lot to do and a lot to happen until things are set rightfully but I don’t know, I consider this a good step for us as a family- and with you and Archie as well, I think its the beginning of a new era-” 

Jughead wasn’t one to get in the way of romance. It blossomed in strange and weird ways and crept up when least expected. Was it a surprise to him still? Yes. Did he wonder if both had ulterior motives? Of course. And as much as Jughead had his own issues in the past with Reggie it seemed both of them being together was bringing out the better sides of them. “I feel awful now that I kissed him but it makes a hell of a lot of sense on why you looked like you were going to strangle me in my seat. Maybe this is what it took, not just me and Archie being friends but you and Reggie or any other serpent/bulldog/vixen pairing. With everything that has happened it sure helps in getting the town all on the same side. Let’s just hope everyone is on board and can put differences aside.” he replied with a sigh. 

Sweet Pea let out a snort, remembering the night of the lock-in and the amount of rage he was holding that night. “I think I was more pissed at our argument earlier that night and it kind of just took the piss with you kissing my sister and my non-boyfriend at the time. Man, fate really had it out for you that night. But I see you got some kisses in yourself loverboy....” he teased, grabbing another beer and tossing his empty to the ground. “Reggie made a public announcement, so here’s hoping it subsides but if you and I and Archie and Reggie are working together it should stop any future bloodshed.” he mused. 

Jughead remembered the argument, it was heated and hate-fuelled and nearly ended in them tearing each other to shreds. But Jughead didn’t want to admit that maybe it was some home truths he had been denying. “I’m sorry I went for you about being on the football team, it was petty and stupid. Toni went to the vixens are you’re right, I was being two-faced about it. I guess fate if you want to call it that, decided I had to go through the wringer that night. Or maybe it was bad karma, I don’t know. I may have got kisses, but none of them holds a candle to someone- well that’s not important. It’s complicated.” he murmured, finishing off his beer with a big gulp. “But you were on point with my father and at the time I didn’t want to listen, but with what happened the other day I can’t help but feel something isn’t right. He still isn’t saying anything about why he didn’t help us or give us a heads up and it’s so frustrating!” he grabbed another beer, popping the cap off with ease and drank deeply. It was bothering Jug more than he let on. He just didn’t understand. 

Sweet Pea shrugged, already sort of over it. “It’s okay and believe me when I say that. I was harsh and angry and spoke out of anger. At the end of the day, he is your father and I guess I was putting across my own issues onto you and that wasn’t fair. I have no idea why FP is being how he is and I just don’t get it- he was our King before. Loyal, faultless and everything else and it just seems so against him not to give us a heads up. It’s all fucked, I can’t help but feel this is just another way of pushing us to the side and not getting justice for Peaches and Joaquin...” it unnerved him, just how everything was going down. It felt like a move against them. That they still didn't matter despite it being another two dead teenagers.

Jughead could only agree. It was mighty suspicious at best. “I think we’ve both had a misunderstanding of each other, I don’t know much about your past but I’ve picked up enough and the way you care about this club, this family is admirable and I can see how I may have confused that with you being jealous of not being the leader. I didn’t even ask for this, it was just handed to me without consultation and I guess I just wanted to prove myself to him that I didn’t think of the repercussions. You’re a decent guy, Sweet Pea and I admire you and the way you just put everyone first.” it felt like history was being made right now. The way they were speaking, the walls were finally crumbling down and he felt they were getting a clearer view of each other. “I don’t know if was a move to push us further aside but I can assure you, I will not stop until we find out who did this and why. But I can’t do it alone....” 

Sweet Pea had held resentment for a while, he had felt it was his right to lead. The things he did, the things he still did to this day just to make sure everyone had at least food on the table and a place to feel safe. But he also realised Jughead was right and neither of them had given the other the chance. Maybe he was getting softer, or maybe he was just done with fighting everything and everyone. “I’ve been more than tough on you, maybe most of it was unneeded. You’ve stepped up every time we've needed you- even if you didn’t ask for it. You’re a good King, I see that now and so does everyone else. You can take this club further and from now on..-” he leant over towards Jughead, holding out his hand. “-you won’t be doing this alone. I got your back. I swear on my life.” he said, finally ready to bury this hatchet and work together. It had all been put into perspective and he didn’t want to lose anyone else. 

And there it was. The moment. He didn’t realise how much he needed to hear it and somehow it meant a lot more coming from Sweet Pea than anyone else. Jughead took Sweet Pea’s hand in his, both of them shaking hard. “And I have yours. from this day until my dying day. Let’s nail this fucker to the wall.” 

Hands were shaken, bottles were clinked together. That evening the beginning of something new had blossomed and may God have mercy on any soul who tried to get in the way of it.

@jonesingforaburger