#as the godfather of indie cinema quentin tarantino likes to say—

[vraska-theunseen]

"the drive-in closing is just one more nail in the coffin that is riverdale... no, forget riverdale, in the coffin of the american dream. as the godfather of indie cinema, quentin tarantino, likes to say-" jughead im enamored with you

[onceuponamirror]

eggshelling

a/n: oh my god why am i doing this, please help someone set me free from this teen soap!!! 

set during 1x02; this is kind of an exercise for me to work through the themes of expectation riverdale explores, some of my headcanons for the characters’ relationships/pasts/thoughts via Jughead, who’s not as objective as he thinks himself. 

i’ve been doing a lot of reading on ace representation lately and i’ve been wrestling with the fact that i do really like bughead (and frankly have since i was a kid) but it is also inherently erasure now. then i read this article (An Asexual’s Defense of Jughead’s Kissing Betty) and felt that it made only good points, so i went forward with this writing. jughead can still be ace and love/be in a relationship with betty. 

implied pining, ace jughead.

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It was supposed to work. It was girl meets boy. He’d been forced to put on enough rom-coms at the Twilight by said girl for him to know about the expected subtext. In a way that only Betty Cooper can be presumptuous without condescension, Jughead always knew that she planned on dating Archie.

Literally, he thought, watching Betty flee the lunch table. As in, it was part of a plan, subconscious or not, towards perfecting the image. Good grades, good extra curriculars, good boyfriend. It made sense, after all. She expected to date Archie, and a part of Archie probably expected to date her too.

Archie twisted after her, calling her name, but it was half-hearted at best. Still, he followed after her, but now beyond Jughead’s earshot. They spoke for a moment, a quick conversation of unfiltered teenage anguish he was sure, before Betty practically sprinted away. Jughead raised his eyebrows and dipped his head back down to his fries, but for perhaps the first time, his appetite failed him.

Poor Betty. He couldn’t hear them, but could gather what happened enough based on body language. Archie had always been a quick study anyway.

The night before at Pop’s flickered into his thoughts. Archie had come in looking for Betty, sat down, seemed tense and upset; that conversation they’d had about Jason’s death—

"Seventeen years old and how will he be remembered?”

—Jughead shuffled his fries around with his finger, looking for one that would strike his fancy. He wasn’t sure when he’d get his next meal, so he forced himself through a couple, but his stomach was still swirling, thinking about Archie and Betty.

Their relationship must’ve finally snapped. Based on his earlier observations in combination with the ominous conversation he’d had with his old friend, he wagered that Betty had probably put her heart on the line and Archie had turned her down.

Archie wasn’t known for his introspection; he’d coasted well enough through life that it had never occurred to him to question it, which is why, last night, Jughead had been surprised by the tremor in his former friend’s voice---

“Was he doing everything he was supposed to do? Everything he wanted? I mean, did he even know what that was?”

---Hindsight is 20/20, and watching Betty retreat up the hill towards the main building, he couldn’t help but think something about Jason Blossom’s murder has opened up more than parents installing an earlier curfew. Death is a reflecting pool, and all that.

Archie, who had become a chiseled study of Americana, was already Jason’s heir apparent, on the very same path of all golden boys---but something about their conversation gave Jughead the suspicion Archie was gathering the courage to refuse a throne.

Betty Cooper was the first casualty of that. Archie’s an idiot, of course, Jughead thought with an eye roll. But that was nothing new; only Archie Andrews would see Betty as an obligation.

Still, Jughead was glad of it, if he was being honest with himself. Jughead was never one for authority, and destiny was no different. Something about the idea that Betty and Archie should be together just because they were best friends always sat wrong with him.

He remembered lying awake, the floorboards creaking below him as he pretended not to be able to hear his father’s hushed conversations with the thuggish men who only came in the night.

He remembered staring at the stick-on stars that Betty had forced him to put up after he mentioned he liked sleeping under the stars (irony was certainly not a fickle friend) and thinking about the look on her face when she’d seen Archie flirting with Tina Patel.

He remembered thinking even then that Archie didn’t deserve her.

Still, despite all his riot acts, Jughead had long accepted that one day, fate would step in and bring Betty and Archie together. One day, he’d turn around and be a third wheel and frankly, he’d rather be prepared for it.

So on those long nights where he’d watch shadows move across the wall, he did his best to not think of Betty Cooper.

It was oddly easier said than done. Most people didn’t interest him—he’d certainly never understood Archie’s preoccupation with chasing girls—but Betty was...different.

At first, their relationship was only tangential to the fact that they were both friends of Archie. And Jughead had actually resented her for it, expecting her to come between them. He’d glare at the back of her, roll his eyes at everything she said, give her firmly monosyllabic answers to her prodding questions---

(Okay, that part may not have changed)

---but then the summer when they were eight happened, the summer that Archie signed up for pee-wee football and disappeared into sports. Jughead had seen it coming---Archie was a people-pleaser, and football pleased everyone in Riverdale---but it still stung a bit. Maybe because it was the first time he admitted to himself he wasn’t sure what it was he had in common with his best friend.

Jughead spent the first few weeks of summer lying under the tree of his backyard reading comics. His parents were still on good terms then, even though his dad had taken on some extra work after his sister was born and hadn’t been around as much.

Hot Dog had started barking from inside the house, which usually meant that someone had rung the doorbell. He’d hoped it wasn’t one of his dad’s new friends---they were kind of shady---but he knew Archie was at football practice so he returned his attention back to his comic. And then---

“Jughead! Your friend is here to see you!” His mom called from the back porch; she opened up the screen door and little Betty Cooper skipped out.

“What are you doing here?” He’d asked, eyes narrowed.

“Do you wanna go to the water park? I’m allowed to bring a friend.”

He’d gaped at her. “Why are you asking me? Why don’t you wait for Archie to get out of practice?”

She’d shot him a look that clearly said she thought he was messing with her. “Because I wanna go with you.”

It was the first moment that Jughead had realized that Betty wasn’t the enemy, but his friend too. She was giving and thoughtful and understood things that Archie didn’t. They spent that summer making up mysteries to solve, watching old movies, and drinking lemonade. It was pure and innocent, and sometimes a lot more fun than he ever had with Archie.

She stood up for him when Reggie Mantle started calling him Jughead---a spiteful play on the old family business of blowing glass maple syrup jugs, which his father had run into the ground not long after Jughead had been born---and suggested he take the name in stride.

“It’s like how I go by Betty,” she’d said, hand on his shoulder. “Making it mine.” What she didn’t say was, how I rebel against my mother, but they were a little too young for that kind of self-awareness.

Then they got older and Jughead, ever the observer, began to see the way Archie effected Betty. It put a sour taste in his mouth; he was going to become a third wheel. Then when his dad got fired by Archie’s father, things got bad at home.

Archie got more into football. Betty started spending summers away at internships. Sleeping under glow-in-the-dark stars turned into occasional nights outside. Occasional nights became crashing at the Twilight. Crashing became living. Living became surviving.

Jughead exhaled, closing his eyes, trying to force himself to be present. When he opened his eyes, he saw Betty at the crest of the hill, watching the scene below her. She shifted, and for a fraction of a moment, he thought she was looking at him, alone on his bench.

He frowned and forced himself to look away. Betty always was able to see right through him, and a special knack for doing it especially when he didn’t want her to.

Maybe he should reach out. But he hadn’t spoken to her in months, not since the night he left home, eggshelling around the broken glass of his father’s anger. Jughead figured it was better that way; the Jones were already a disgraced founding family, and he didn’t need more scrutiny. He especially didn’t want the pity.

He thought of all the emails Betty had sent that summer that had gone unanswered, and felt a sting at his side; guilt, maybe, or empathy. Archie’s selfishness had taken both him and Betty as casualties, but for him, it had only cemented his opinion that one should just look out for themselves and not bother with anything else.

He wondered what it would do to Betty. Kind, thoughtful, knowing Betty. Betty who always was a sacrificial kind of sweet. Betty, who was the light that made shadows.

Still grimacing, he dumped the rest of his fries into the sad excuse for a tupperware container he’d been lugging around. Waste not, want not.

He tried to throw his thoughts back to the murder---Archie was now in a suspicious conversation with Principal Weatherbee, and he should be paying attention, but his thoughts remained with Betty.

He hoped he was right about her loving the idea of Archie more than anything, and he told himself that it was because she deserved something with more meaning. She was always wrapped up in what other people asked of her that Jughead isn’t sure she’d ever asked herself what she actually wanted.

Then again, that wasn’t a question he was interested in asking to himself, so maybe he shouldn’t judge. 

Suddenly annoyed with himself and deciding he wasn’t going to get any more ground in on the novel today, he got up, gathered his things, and slipped away behind the scenes. The only thing you’re good at.

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[simon-eriksson]

“As the godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino, likes to say”

☆ tv show meme: male characters [3/25]: Jughead Jones

[scleramotif]

SHUT UPPP "as the godfather of indie cinema, quentin tarantino, likes to say" SHUT UPPP SHUIT UP SHUT UPPP

[therosevest]

‘as the godfather of indie cinema, quentin tarantino, likes to say -‘ ok king

[lawrencegarte]

As The Godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino likes to say...

[nadjaofstatenisland]

Actually the most important moment in Riverdale history—“As The Godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino likes to say...”

The best part of that scene is when Kevin doesn’t let him finish that thought.

[prokage]

AS THE GODFATHER OF INDIE CINEMA QUENTIN TARANTINO LIKES TO SAY

[protectjugheadjonesiii]

“As The Godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino, likes to say...”

[jugxbets]

Archie's Little Sister: Chapter Four

A/N: guyssss, plsssss lmk what you guys think! maybe suggest what i should do for the next chapter? i’m really liking how this is going so far!

Warnings: cursing(obviii), mentions of sex, again, statutory rape(fuck grundy), slight self harm(thoughts), angssstttt and an asshole Archie

No Summary.

——————————————————————————

“The Last Picture Show”

Archie and Fred were getting ready to go to Ms. Grundy’s performance.

Alex was in the kitchen having a snack when Fred walked in.

“You sure you don’t wanna go?” Fred asked, pouring some coffee for himself.

“Yeah, dad.” She assured him. “I don’t even know her like Archie does anyway.”

Fred nodded.

“Why do you even wanna go?” She scoffed.

“I just want to get to know her.” He shrugged.

“Ew, dad, please don’t tell me you’ve got a thing for this woman.” Alex desperately said.

Fred laughed. “My dating days are over.”

Alex narrowed her eyes. “I’m sure.”

Fred sighed. “Are you sure you don’t want to come? We were gonna go to Pop’s right after.”

Alex groaned loudly. “Yes, dad! I was gonna stop there later tonight anyway.”

Fred narrowed his eyes. “You’ve got a date with someone i don’t know about?”

Alex bursted out laughing. “No! I’m just going with Betty, Veronica, Kevin, and Jughead.”

Fred shrugged. “Alright. Be careful.”

Alex nodded.

Archie came down.

“You ready, dad?” Archie asked. He seemed filled with dread.

Fred nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go, son.”

“Bye, guys.” Alex waved.

They walked out.

She did nothing for the rest of the day. The weekend was always her favorite.

——————————————————————————

The gang met up at Pop’s. Jughead had already been there.

He looked upset.

When they got to their usual booth, they noticed and asked.

“The Drive-In closing is just one more nail in the coffin that is Riverdale. No, forget Riverdale, in the coffin of the American dream.” Jughead began ranting.

Jughead was on the window side of the booth, while Betty was on the other side. Veronica and Kevin sat across them, with Alex in the middle.

Betty seemed out of it. Alex was into what Jughead was talking about. Veronica didn’t seem to care. Kevin was only half-listening.

“As the godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino, likes to say..” Jughead continued.

“Please, God,” Kevin interrupted. “no more Quentin Tarantino references.”

“What?” Jughead snapped. “I’m pissed.”

Alex slightly nodded.

“And not just about losing my job. The Twilight Drive-In should mean something to us. People should be trying to save it.” Jughead continued.

“The Twilight Drive-In does mean a lot to me, too, Jug, if that helps.” Alex tried to be on the same page as him. “I’ll help you save it.”

Jughead glared at her, which he didn’t mean to. He thought she was just trying to make him feel better. But nothing could at the moment.

She rolled her eyes.

“In this age of Netflix and VOD, do people really want to watch a movie in a car?” Veronica argued. “I mean, who even goes there?”

“People who want to buy crack.” Kevin responded.

“And cinephiles, and car enthusiasts.” Jughead added to Kevin’s response. “Right, Bets?”

Betty snapped out of her thoughts. “Totally.”

Alex could tell they were just making Jughead angrier.

“It’s not just about that, though, Ronnie. Jughead is losing his job. And come on, we use to hang down there a lot when we were kids. It hurts. Jug has the right to be pissed.” Alex defended him.

“Thank you!” Jughead exclaimed.

Alex smiled.

“Anyway, its closing the town owns it but didn’t invest in it.” Jughead said in disbelief. “So when an anonymous buyer made Mayor McCoy an offer, she couldn’t refuse..”

Veronica cocked up an eyebrow.

“Anonymous buyer?” She interrupted once again. “What do they have to hide? No one cares.”

Alex cringed at her words.

“I do!” Jughead furrowed his eyebrows.

Alex sighed. “So do i, V.”

“Also, you guys should all come to closing night.” Jughead mentioned.

Everyone nodded as they sipped on their drinks.

“I’m thinking American Graffiti. Or is that too obvious?” Jughead brainstormed.

Veronica made a suggestion. “I vote for anything starring Audrey Hepburn. or Cate Blanchett.”

“Or The Talented Mr. Ripley.” Kevin added.

“Why not Rosemary’s Baby?” Alex also suggested.

They nodded like they agreed.

“That’s a good one.” Veronica said.

“Betty, your choices?” Kevin asked her, snapping her out of her thoughts once again.

“Everything okay, B?” Veronica asked.

“Yeah, i’m just thinking. Um…” Betty didn’t hesitate to respond. “Maybe Rebel Without a Cause?” she smiled.

Jughead smirked at her.

Alex saw and it made something inside of her burn. She didn’t want to believe that she was actually jealous so she ignored it.

“Agreed.” Alex sighed with a smile.

Veronica’s mom came to our table to serve us our food.

Veronica thanked her and she walked away.

Alex and Veronica watched her walk to Cheryl’s table.

“Be sure to put all that cash in the register…” They overheard Cheryl say.

Veronica reacted quick and stood up.

Alex overheard what Veronica’s mom said to Cheryl and snickered.

Veronica returned back to their booth.

Then the heard the door bell chime.

“Now that’s an odd combo of people.” Kevin pointed out.

Everyone glanced to look at them. It was Fred, Archie, and Ms. Grundy.

Alex scoffed.

“What the hell?” Her brows furrowed.

Betty got ready to get to over there. Jughead noticed and started panicking. Alex was confused.

“I’ll be right back.” Betty simply said and got up.

“No, Betty.” Jughead said as he tried to stop her. “No. Don’t..”

“Wait, what’s happening?” Kevin finally asked.

“Yeah, Jug?” Alex questioned looking at him.

They watched Betty walk with Archie outside.

Jughead start nibbling in his fingertips out of anxiety.

Alex was beyond confused. They all looked through the window and watched them talk.

“Should i..?” Alex asked, almost getting up.

“No, don’t!” Jughead said, almost warning her.

“Okay…?” She trailed off as she sat back down.

“What’s happening out there? Do we know? Is it about me?” Veronica began.

Alex scoffed and rolled her eyes.

Jughead peeked outside and cringed.

“I have a strong inkling,… and no.” he said with furrowed brows. “Also, i’d let it go.” he suggested.

“Yes, but you’re you, and i’m me.” Veronica sighed dramatically. “You do you, girl.”

Alex sighed. “Find out and let me know.”

Jughead scoffed.

“I’ll be back.” She grabbed her bag as she got up and walked outside.

“What was it like before she got here?” Kevin asked.

Jughead grabbed an onion ring and shoved it in his mouth as he looked out the window.

“I honestly cannot remember.” Kevin continued.

“Me neither.” Alex admitted.

Kevin decided to go to the bathroom. Alex slid out of the booth for him to go.

She sighed as she saw him walk into the men’s room.

She sat down but slid into Jughead’s side.

“I understand why you’re mad, Jug.” Alex said. “We can try to save it though. You and me.” She smiled.

He sighed. “What’s the point?”

His attention was towards the window.

She put her head on his shoulder. “I know you. You’re not going to be at peace if you don’t at least try. So let’s try.” She shrugged.

He finally looked at her and smiled.

“What would i do without you?” He put his arm around her and rested his head on hers.

“You’d be lost.” Alex chuckled.

He did too. She glanced out the window. She saw Archie get very tense.

“Okay, seriously, what is going on? Why has Betty been acting weird all evening?” She looked up at him.

He shrugged. “No clue.”

Alex narrowed her eyes. “I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me..”

Jughead tensed. She felt him.

“It’s nothing.” He looked away.

She shrugged. “Whatever.”

Jughead and Alex stayed in their position for a while.

Until Kevin came out and slid into where he was, completely oblivious about interrupting.

“I’m craving a burger now.” Kevin said.

Jughead and Alex broke of their connection as soon as he came.

They glanced out the window and saw Betty leave.

“Looks like Mama Cooper didn’t think so..” Kevin trailed off.

Alex shook her head. she was still confused but decided not to ask.

“Shall i call Mrs. Lodge over? I want a burger too.” Jughead suggested.

“Same.” Alex shrugged.

They called her over and ordered what they wanted.

Then Archie and Veronica came back in. Archie went back to the booth his dad and Ms. Grundy were in.

Veronica sighed as she took her seat again.

Alex waited for her to tell her what happened. She was about to but she glanced at Jughead who was shaking his head.

“U-uh, nothing happened..” Veronica stammered.

Alex narrowed her eyes.

“Okay, guys, seriously, what the hell?” Alex asked with her eyebrows furrowed.

Jughead sighed.

“Just don’t worry about it.” Veronica tried her best to distract Alex from it.

Alex scoffed.

They all ate their meals and headed back home.

Alex didn’t wait for her dad and Archie since they still had to take Grundy home.

Jughead took her home.

“Do you mind staying with me? At least until my dad and Archie get back?” Alex asked him while they walked.

He was hesitant. “I don’t know, Alex…”

“Come on, you can sleep over. it’ll be like old times!” Alex said with a smile.

He sighed. “Fine, i guess.”

She laughed. “you know you want to.”

“Yeah, alright, i said yes.” He chuckled.

She smiled.

They got home.

They walked into the house, closing the door behind them.

“Do you want a snack or anything?” Alex asked, locking the door and throwing her hoodie in the couch.

Jughead chuckled. “You know me so well.”

Alex smiled. “What do you mean?” She asked like she didn’t know.

“You asked me if i wanted a snack after we just ate like five burgers.” Jughead smirked.

Alex laughed. “well yeah.”

“But i’ll take a snack.” He took her up on her offer.

“Alright, you can wait for me upstairs.” Alex said walking into the kitchen.

He climbed the stairs and waited in her room.

She popped some popcorn and got some potato chips with some canned sodas. She didn’t bother to open or pour the popcorn into a bowl.

She carried everything in her arms and went upstairs.

She got to her room and dumped everything on the bed. Jughead had already made himself at home. He was sprawled out on her bed.

“I’ll go see if Archie has any pajama pants you can borrow. He won’t mind.” She assured him.

He nodded as he began eating the snacks.

She went to Archie’s room and looked through his drawers. She saw some that were awfully familiar and smiled.

“Yeah, he shouldn’t mind since these are yours.” She tossed them to him as she walked back in.

Jughead chuckled.

Alex started getting ready for bed.

She got out an oversized “Led Zepplin” t shirt that used to belong to her dad.

Jughead was laying on the bed, watching her and eating the snacks.

“Your room looks very different.” He pointed out as he looked around.

Alex chuckled. She was taking off her makeup at her vanity.

“Yeah, it’s not pink anymore. I don’t know why Forest Green has been so aesthetically pleasing to me lately.” She shrugged and continued to take her makeup off.

“I get it.” Jughead shrugged.

When Alex was done she got up and lifted her shirt up with both arms and took it off.

Jughead panicked and turn away. “What are you doing?”

Alex chuckled as she took her bra off.

“Calm down, you’ve seen me naked before.” she shrugged.

“When we were kids, Alex!” He put his hand over his eyes.

“It’s the same thing, Jug.” Alex giggled, taking her time to put her t shirt on. “It’s not like i’ve got much to show.”

He swore she was trying to kill him.

“Not really, Alex, seeing as your body has developed.” He unintentionally pointed out.

She rolled her eyes and finally put the shirt on.

“You can look now.” She assured him.

And he did. He was still in shock. She laughed.

Alex went back to her vanity to brush her hair out.

“That’s a first.” Alex admitted, looking at him through her mirror.

“What do you mean?” Jughead carefully asked.

She scoffed. “No one has ever reacted like that.”

He was shocked. “You’ve taken your shirt off in front of other guys before?”

Alex shrugged. “Yeah, and let me tell you, they were not impressed.”

Jughead’s eyes softened.

“It’s whatever, though, i get it. I don’t have much to show off. i could probably use a boob job.” She shrugged as she continued to brush her hair.

“Don’t, Alex..” Jughead stopped himself.

She stopped and turned around to look at him.

“What?” Her eyebrows furrowed.

“You don’t need anything. You’re.. fine.” Jughead held himself back from using the ‘perfect.’

She tilted her head. “You think so?”

He turned to the snacks and his face turned pink.

“Totally.” He blandly said as he ate some popcorn.

She smiled. she got up and took her jeans off, along with her shoes.

“Oh, i don’t wear any pants to bed, so…” She let him know.

He shrugged. “You wear very short skirts, anyway.”

She smiled as she sat on the other side of her bed. “i suppose.”

“Alright,” He said as he got up. “I’m going to get changed.”

He got up and tried walking out.

“Where are you going?” Alex asked, concerned.

“To the bathroom. Wanna come?” Jughead sarcastically asked.

She smiled. “Maybe i do.”

He scoffed. “In your wildest dreams, Andrews.”

He walked off down the hall and into the bathroom.

It wasn’t long until he came back.

Alex had moved the junk food out of the way and got under the sheets, leaving the left side to Jughead.

“Uh, i’m not sleeping in the bed with you, am i?” Jughead stammered.

Alex glared at him. “Is that a problem?”

“N-no! it’s just, is it appropriate?” Jughead carefully asked.

She scoffed. “it’s not like we’re gonna do anything.”

He nodded. “I guess you’re right.”

He switched the light off and got into bed with her. Her bed was small so they were pretty close to each other.

They both looked up at the ceiling. It was awkward.

“I hope Fred isn’t too mad that i stayed over.” Jughead suddenly said.

Alex chuckled. “I texted him. I told him i didn’t want to be alone. He’s actually thankful you’re staying with me.”

Jughead scoffed. “Well, any time, i guess.”

“Hey, did Dilton Doiley ever stop by the office? i completely forgot about that.” She chuckled.

Jughead gulped. “No, he never showed.”

“Hmph.” Alex responded.

She changed the subject.

“So, what’s going on with you and Betty?” Alex asked, afraid of the answer.

He let out a big sigh. “Same as before. Nothing.”

She was a little relieved but she felt bad for him.

“And the other girl?”

“Well, it’s a bit complicated.” He shrugged.

She nudged him. “Tell me about it.”

“No, not right now anyway. Let’s just get some sleep, it’s a school night.” He said, looking at her.

She didn’t look back at him. Her eyes were at the ceiling.

“okay.” she whispered.

He sighed. They both began to close their eyes. Eventually, they fell asleep.

——————————————————————————

It was morning. Alex was the first to wake up. She let out small groans as her eyes were fluttering open.

The first thing she noticed was something poking her waist. She assumed it was Jughead’s elbow, considering the position he was in. She put her hand under sheets to try and move it, only to find out it wasn’t his elbow.

Her eyes widened as she touched his morning wood, not his elbow.

She accidentally stroked it, causing a moan to come from his lips.

She gasped softly and quickly snatched her hand away.

She stirred as she tried to wake him up without having to tell him. His dick was still pressed against her so he kept moaning softly.

She didn’t know whether to be turned on by that or shocked.

Eventually, she woke him up.

“Jug.” She whispered.

Jug sighed. “Hm?”

He opened his eyes and met hers. He smiled.

“Good morning.” He closed his eyes again.

She swore she almost died. His sleepy voice was the best.

“Uh, Jug, i think a certain someone woke up before you..” She hinted.

“Who?” His brows furrowed while he kept his eyes closed.

She smirked and put her hand under the sheets again.

She brushed it ever so slightly, causing his eyes to fly open as he jumped up.

“This.” she grinned.

“Oh, God.” His face turned bright red.

He took her hand off of him. He crossed his legs and he turned around so his back was facing her.

“I’m sorry, Alex.” He began to apologize.

She chuckled. “It’s okay. It happens.”

“No, it is not okay. It’s not gonna go away for a while.” Jughead stammered.

“Well, what do you usually do, jerk it off?” Alex casually asked.

“Jesus, Alex..” He trailed off as her buried his face into the pillow he was on.

“I can help if you want.” She offered. She knew she was getting to him.

“What? Are you insane?” Jughead muttered.

She laughed. “A little.”

He sighed.

“You can do it if you want.” She shrugged.

“No, just distract me.” Jughead desperately said.

All he could think about was her. How she wasn’t wearing any pants. The little red lace panties she was wearing. How she looked when she took off her shirt last night. It was only making him harder.

“What do i say? If anything, i’ll just make you harder.” She teased.

“I’ll say.” Jughead blurted out.

She smirked. He got embarrassed all over again. He groaned.

“Well,” She said as she sat up. “If you won’t let me help you, the least i can do is go shower while you take care of that.”

Great. Now all he can think about is her naked. The hot water running over her fit, petite body.

He sighed. “You can go but i won’t be taking care of it.”

“I think you should.” She finally got up and started looking for her clothes. “You can get blue balls.”

He laughed. “I’ll suffer then.”

“Your call.” Was the last thing she said before walking off and going into the bathroom.

30 minutes later, she went back into her room.

“Are you flaccid now?” She teased.

He chuckled with his face still buried into the pillow.

“Yep.”

She chuckled. She went to go sit by him.

“Don’t be embarrassed.” She said, rubbing his shoulders. “i’m sure if i had a dick, it’s be just as hard for you.”

He looked up at her. “I hate you.”

“I’m so sure.” She mocked him. “Come on, i think i heard my dad cooking.”

He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

She lead them downstairs.

Archie saw Jughead and was surprised.

“Jughead? What are you doing here?”

“Good morning, Archie. Mr. Andrews.” He greeted.

They greeted him back.

“He stayed the night.” Alex said as she ate some bacon.

“With you?” Archie asked.

She nodded.

“I hope you guys didn’t sleep in the same bed.” Fred hopefully said.

She shook her head.

“I didn’t see him in the couch.” Fred narrowed his eyes.

Jughead got anxious.

“He slept on the floor. I didn’t want to be alone last night, okay?” Alex said as she stuffed some more bacon in her mouth.

“This will be the last time, Alex.” Fred warned her. “Jughead?”

Jughead nodded. “Of course, Mr. Andrews.”

“What’s the big deal?” Alex asked. “It wasn’t a problem when we were kids.”

“Yeah, well, you guys were kids. That’s the difference.” Fred said as he made her and Jughead a plate.

“Okay, well, we’re just friends so it’s cool.” She assured him.

Archie wasn’t buying it. Jughead was too hungry to care. So was Alex.

“We better hurry if we wanna make it to school on time.” Alex said to both boys.

They ate pretty quick and went back upstairs.

Jughead jumped into the shower while Alex got ready for school.

She brushed her hair out. She turned on her hair straightener. Once it was hot enough, she began to straighten her hair. It took her about 20 minutes.

Jughead was out by then. All he did was put his beanie on his head and called it a day.

He watched Alex put on her makeup. He was mesmerized.

“Take a picture. It’ll last longer.” Alex teased as she put on some of her favorite lipstick.

He chuckled. “Maybe i will.”

She scoffed and rubbed her lips together.

She got up and looked for her clothes to wear.

“Gee, is this going to take another hour? We’re gonna be late.” He teased.

She went through her closet and observed every piece of clothing she took out.

“You can go if you want.” Alex shrugged.

“Nah.” Jughead laid down on her bed and sprawled himself out.

She chuckled. “Then don’t complain.”

Archie walked into her room.

“You almost done?” Archie agitatedly asked.

“Yeah, i’m just looking for something to wear.” She shrugged.

He rolled his eyes. “Hurry up.”

She flipped him off, but she didn’t take her eyes off of the clothes she was observing.

She decided to go with a black, oversized neck crew sweater tucked inside her gray plaid skirt. She paired it with her fishnet stockings and some Doc Martens.

Jughead made sure not to look at her while she got dressed.

“okay, i’m ready.” She said as she took another look in the mirror.

She ran her finger across her bottom lip.

“Finally.” Jughead stood up.

She grabbed her bag as they headed out. Archie heard them and got up to follow.

They let their dad know they were leaving and headed out.

Jughead said he’d meet them at school since he needed to get his back pack from his house.

They said okay and continued to walk to school.

They arrived.

Everything went smoothly for the most part.

Alex stopped by the Blue and Gold office. Betty seemed to be in a rush.

“Hey, what’s up?” Alex asked Betty.

Betty gathered some papers and a clipboard.

“I’m sorry, Alex, I’d love to stay and chat but i have to go interview Grundy for an article right now. See you.” She walked out.

“Okay..” Alex said as she walked out behind her.

She shrugged, not thinking too much about what she was doing.

She went to the Student’s Lounge instead.

She walked in on Kevin ranting about how it’s the quintessential rite of passage, where you have to make out with your significant other at the movies.

Alex snickered. “No, it’s really not.”

She went to sit down across Veronica.

He sighed as he threw himself on the bigger couch.

“Why don’t we all go together?” Veronica suggested. “I can’t promise you any action, but maybe i’ll bring you good luck.”

Alex nodded. “I’m in.”

“Great. Another night. Another hag.”

Alex and Veronica started laughing.

“Speaking of hags..” Cheryl walked into the room. “Veronica, It’s so devastating to me that your mother has to sink such unspeakable lows just to keep this knockoff Hermes bags on your arm.” Cheryl faked her sympathy.

Kevin and Alex rolled their eyes.

“What’s next, selling her hair extensions?” Cheryl continued.

“My mom’s a waitress, Cheryl, not Fantine.” Veronica responded, interested. “And your faux concern reeks of ulterior motive. What is it?”

“Only to remind you of your place in this high school,” She paused. “nay, the town’s social hierarchy.”

“Threatened much?” Veronica tempted her. “Don’t worry. You may be a stock character from a 90s teen movie, but i’m not.”

“And what does any of this have to do with my mom being a waitress?” Veronica continued.

“It’s just that i saw her talking to a Southside Serpent last night, in the alley behind Pop’s.” Cheryl responded.

Alex and Kevin both shared a look.

Veronica was confused. She looked at Alex and Kevin.

“They were having an extremely heated, intimate discussion.” Cheryl went on as she pulled her phone out to show her a picture. “See for yourself.”

Both Alex and Kevin got up to see the picture.

That looks like Jughead’s dad.. It can’t be.

Cheryl walked alway with a smirk.

Veronica turned to face both.

“Who or what is a Southside Serpent?” She asked, confused.

“They’re a gang of bikers who pretty much stays on the south side of town.” Alex began explaining.

“And thank God, ‘cause they’re sort of dangerous.” Kevin added. “Drug dealers and petty thieves.”

Alex nudged Kevin to make him stop talking because he was worrying Veronica.

“Then what was my mom doing with one of them?” Veronica scoffed.

Alex shrugged. She was more into the idea that she saw Jughead’s dad. She had to let it go.

It probably wasn’t him.

Eventually their free period ended and they went their separate ways for class.

——————————————————————————

After school, Alex went with Jughead to talk to the mayor as promised.

“I’m sorry, but the Twilight Drive-In?” Mayor McCoy began. “It’s a blight that’s become a cesspool, and a hangout for criminals and transients, and the deal’s done.” She assured them.

Alex groaned.

“Andrews construction is scheduled to demolish the lot on Monday.”

Alex’s head snapped towards her. “My dad’s company?”

“Mmhmm.” McCoy responded, not looking up from the documents she was looking at.

“Mayor McCoy, when I was a kid, my family and i would go to the drive-in all the time. We couldn’t afford tickets for everyone, so my sister Jellybean and I would hide in the trunk, until we were parked. We’d sneak out.” He chuckled softly.

Alex looked at his with soft eyes. They were going to lose so many memories if they let the places get closed down.

“It’s like my home.” Jughead continued.

Mayor McCoy just smiled.

“We all hung out there when we were kids, Mayor McCoy. We have memories there. You guys can’t just take that away from us.” Alex said.

The mayor sighed. “That’s a very sweet sentiment, Mr. Jones, Ms. Andrews. But the future of Riverdale is at stake.”

They groaned.

“I’m sorry, but it’s done.” Mayor McCoys said before walking off to a meeting.

The sighed.

“We can go convince my dad.” Alex suggested.

He nodded. “Tomorrow. I can’t handle any more rejection.”

She nodded.

He walked her back home and her day ended.

She ended up saying in that night with her dad, watching movies.

Archie didn’t come home until later that night.

Alex was about to go upstairs when she saw Betty, Veronica, and Archie talking. They look like they were arguing

She peeked out the window. She couldn’t make out what they were saying.

She shrugged and decided to go upstairs and go to bed.

——————————————————————————

“Mayor McCoy says you won the contract to tear down the drive-in.” Jughead began.

He and Alex decided to pay her father a visit at work. They were trying to talk him out of the contract and save the drive-in.

Fred put the coffee pot he was using back in its place and sighed. “I did.”

“Look, I’m sorry, guys,” Fred began as he walked to his desk. “I know how much you guys love the Twilight and so do I..”

“Mr. Andrews, just give us one week to track down the the person who bought the land, and convince them not to demolish a hole house of cinema.” Jughead begged.

Fred glared at Alex. She was pretty quiet.

“It’s a big contract for me, Jug, and for my guys.” Fred reasoned. “Whatever they build in the place of the drive-in could mean more jobs..”

Alex groaned.

“Yeah, in what? Some hypothetical future?” Jughead raised his voice.

He sighed. “You put one Jones out of work, why don’t you put out another, huh?”

Alex grimaced at his words. She had forgotten for a second that FP worked with her dad for a while.

“Jug, your dad was taking materials from one of our job sites. I had to let him go.” Fred explained.

“Right.” Jughead’s voice broke. “You did what you had to do, like you’re doing here now.”

It made Alex’s heart break, knowing how much he was suffering.

Jughead scoffed. “Later.”

He stormed out with Alex groaning and following him.

“Wait, Alex,” He called out. “A word.”

They paused.

“You can go.. We’ll catch up later.” She assured Jughead.

He nodded and left.

“Why are you doing this to me? You know that place means a lot to me, too, but it’s for the sake of Riverdale.” He shrugged.

She nodded. “I get that, dad. We just wanted to try to save it. Neither of us would have been at peace if we didn’t at least try.”

Fred sighed.

“At least now, we can move on.” She shrugged and walked out.

——————————————————————————

It was morning. Alice and Hal Cooper had showed up at the Andrews’ door. They knocked.

Alex opened the door.

“Can I help you?..” She awkwardly asked.

“Hi, Alex.” Alice smiled. “Is Fred here? We’d like to speak with him.”

She glared at her. Then she slammed the door in their face.

“Dad!” She called out.

“In here!” He peeked his head out the kitchen.

“The Coopers are here to pay you a visit.” She said, as she went back upstairs.

She didn’t go all the way, she wanted to hear what the Coopers wanted. She hid behind the wall at the top of the stairs.

“Hey, uh, sorry about that.” Fred opened the door.

Alice seemed pissed but brushed it off with a smile.

“We’re sorry to come unannounced, Fred.” Hal began. “It’s been a rough couple of months for us, But Alice and I…”

He got cut off by Alice.

“We think your children and Betty should stop spending so much time together.” Alice got to the point.

Alex softly scoffed.

“Their relationships aren’t good, for any of them, and their respective behaviors reflect that.” She continued.

“All right. So, if there was anything that you could do on your end…” Hal trailed off.

“My kids are good kids.” Fred responded.

“I live next door, Fred.” Alex sternly said. “I see them sneaking out at night, slinking at all hours.”

Alex’s face scrunched up. She hadn’t sneaked out of the house since summer. Well, besides that time she went to Ethel’s house.

“Alice,” Fred whispered. “Are you spying on us?”

Alice didn’t respond. “Come on, Hal.”

“We said what we came to say, it’s on him if he ignores us.” She continued as they walked away from their doorstep.

Fred walked back in.

Alex came back downstairs.

“Mrs. Cooper is such a bitch.” Alex casually said.

“Hey…” Fred trailed off.

She shrugged. “You totally agree.”

“If you say anything, i’ll deny it.” He sipped on his coffee.

Alex smirked.

——————————————————————————

It was the night of the last drive-in. Alex bailed on Veronica and Kevin to be with Jughead. She thought he would like to spend his last time there with her.

He didn’t watch from a car, though, he would watch the movies in his booth.

Where he would put the movies in and let the audience see through the projection screen.

Where he had been living for the past couple of months.

Alex noticed the bed. “Hey, Jug, have you been staying here?”

She scanned the room and saw most of his belongings there.

He didn’t say anything. His eyes were on the movie.

“Jug?” Alex asked again.

He sighed. “Not after they demolish the place, no.”

Alex scoffed. “Why aren’t you at home? And where are you gonn—”

“Don’t, Alex.” He stopped her.

She sighed. “Fine.”

She sat back down on the other side of the projector.

“If you’re going through some stuff, Jug, you know my dad would take you in.” Alex assured him.

He didn’t say anything again.

She sighed.

“I’m gonna go get some snacks.” She got up and left.

She walked past the cars that were out there. It was like a maze.

She saw Sheriff Keller’s truck and saw that Veronica and Cheryl were in it. She was confused.

“Hey, guys, where’s Kevin?” She asked as she climbed onto the truck.

Veronica brightened.

“Oh, hey! It’s the ditcher.” She teased.

Alex scoffed. “I see you guys replaced me.”

Cheryl glared at her then went back to eating her licorice.

Veronica chuckled. “Kevin is at the snack booth.”

Alex nodded.

“Where are you parked, Power Brows?” Cheryl asked, not taking her eyes off the screen.

Alex sighed. “I’m not. I’m in the movie booth with Jughead.”

Veronica and Cheryl paused. They both looked at her.

“What?” Alex asked, completely clueless.

“Okay, i’m just going to ask..” Veronica began. “Are you and Jughead, like, together, or?”

Alex scoffed. “No! We’ve been best friends since we were in diapers. He’s like a second brother to me.”

“Mmhmm.” Cheryl replied with a devious smile.

“A brother you’d like to fuck.” Veronica teased.

Cheryl bursted out laughing.

“Okay, that’s my cue to go.” Alex jumped off the truck and continued to walk.

It was a couple of minutes before she ran into her dad’s truck.

What is he doing here?

She was on the passenger side. She knocked on the window.

Fred motioned with his hand for her to step in

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Alex asked as she closed the door.

“Well, I—”

Fred was cut off my a harsh knocking on his side. It was Alice with a flash light.

“Alice!” Fred shouted.

Alex nearly jumped out of her skin.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your adultery, Fred, but you need to come with me.” Alice shouted.

“What the hell?” Alex furrowed her brows.

“Alice, what..” Fred began but got interrupted again.

“It’s about the kids.” Alice briefly xplained.

Fred looked at Alex for a second and she shrugged. Then they both got out his truck, following Alice.

“What’s going on?” Fred said when they got into her car.

“You might want to see this, Fred.” Alice said as she turned the car and began driving.

Betty was in the passenger side, sobbing softly.

“Betty?” Alex whispered.

Betty didn’t respond.

“See what?” Fred shouted.

“Your son and his teacher!” Alice shouted back.

Alex gasped. “What?”

“Yeah,” Alice nodded. “Archie’s been having an affair with his teacher.”

“Oh, come on, Alice, how could you stoop so low?” Fred asked in disbelief.

“Betty, that’s not true, right?” Alex’s voice broke.

“I’m so sorry.” Betty said as more tears came down her face.

On the way to school, Fred and Alice kept arguing back and forth about it.

Alex could barely hear what they were talking about since they kept talking over each other. She didn’t even care. She felt betrayed. She’s never wanted to hurt someone this badly before.

The ride felt like forever.

But when they did get there, Betty sobbed even more.

She didn’t want to get out of the car but Alice forced her.

They all got out and barged in.

Alice lead them to the music room.

She barged in, where they all saw Archie and Grundy having an intimate moment.

Alex softly gasped. Tears began falling from her eyes.

“Well, well, well.” Alice began.

They broke apart of their connection.

Fred couldn’t believe his eyes.

“There they are. What did I tell you?” Alice continued.

“Can someone tell me what’s going on here?” Ms. Grundy innocently asked.

Alex glared at her.

“Of course. Archie, would you like to share with us what your and Mrs. Robinson have been doing during your 'music lessons?’” Alice motioned quotation marks with her fingers.

“And please don’t leave out any of the lurid details, because Betty here keep a meticulous diary, and i’m more than happy to fill in the details.” Alice continued.

Betty sobbed more. “I’m sorry.”

Alex began breathing heavy. “I’m gonna kill you, you stupid fucking bitch!”

Alex almost ran up to Grundy but Fred caught her.

“Whoa, whoa, hey, Alex, calm down.” Fred held her.

Archie sort of froze. Grundy backed away, full of fear.

She broke free of Fred’s hold.

“How can you ask me to be calm at a time like this?! How can you not want to rip her head off for what she’s doing to Archie?” Alex screamed.

She was angry.

“Alex, she hasn’t been doing anything to me..” Archie began.

“Bullshit! She’s been taking advantage of you and you let her!” She kept sobbing.

She kept trying to go towards Grundy but Fred was blocking her path. “Alex, stop it.”

Archie was taken back. “You shouldn’t even be talking, Alex.” He snarled.

“Shut up!” Alex continued to breathe heavy.

“Everything that happened, i wanted it to.” Archie said. “That’s what you said to me about Jason.”

He got closer to Alex. She looked at him in disbelief.

Betty furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Alex. So did Alice.

“What’s he talking about?” Fred turned to look at Alex.

Alex shook her head. “Don’t, Archie. Don’t you fucking dare.”

“Face it. You’re taking your emotions out on me.” Archie got closer to her face, with their dad in the middle.

“Jason used you. He took advantage of you. Just because you’re having a hard time trying to accept that, does not mean you get to take it out on me.” Archie pushed her buttons.

Alex sobbed. She’s never felt so betrayed.

“Fuck you, Archie.” She growled. “That is totally different and you fucking know that. Grundy is an old hag, she’s twice your fucking age! THERE’S A FUCKING DIFFERENCE.” She sniffled.

“Don’t talk about her like that, Alex. At least she isn’t a 15 year old slut.” Archie snarled.

“Archie, don’t!” Fred warned him.

Alex shoved him and slapped him. Everyone gasped. Fred roughly held her back. Archie froze.

“That is enough!” Fred shouted.

Everyone paused for a moment. Alex’s heavy breathing and sobbing was the only thing they could hear.

Archie didn’t realize what he was doing. He was blinded by anger. He didn’t mean it. But he said it anyway, and he can’t take it back. When he realized that, he instantly felt like shit.

Fred tried holding her but she didn’t let her herself. “No— Don’t!” She screamed.

“And you knew.” Alex sobbed when she turned to Betty. “All of you fucking knew!”

Betty began apologizing but Alex stormed out, not wanting to hear it.

Fred wanted to follow her but he knew he needed to stay where he was to deal with the situation.

“Well, cat’s out of the bag.” Alice grinned as she crossed her arms.

“Alice..” Fred groaned.

Archie still hadn’t said anything. Betty was pissed because he just slut shamed his sister.

Everyone except Alice, it seemed, were mortified about what had just happened.

“I never thought that i would live to see the day.” Alice chuckled. “Both of your kids are dysfunctional.”

“Mom..” Betty growled.

“And i thought the one thing we’d keep Riverdale safe from was child predators.” Alice got in Grundy’s face.

“Ms. Grundy’s not a predator. She’s a good person.” Archie argued.

“Archie, you don’t have to defend me. Not to her and not to your sister.” Grundy assured him.

“No, he doesn’t.” Fred said, full of stress.

“Well,” Alice said with a graceful sigh. “I think the next step is to take this to Sheriff Keller and let the wheels of justice take over.”

Grundy got tense. She moved to the back of the room and took a seat.

“Dad, you can’t let that happen.” Archie pleaded.

“Son, i don’t want to hear it. You see all the problems she just caused?” Fred sternly responded.

“She didn’t force me to do anything! How many times do i have to say it? I went after.” Archie explained.

“Well, there’s so surprise there.” Alice looked at Fred.

“Why are you doing this, mom?” Betty finally spoke. “Putting Ms. Grundy on trial.”

“This ain’t just about her.” Alice began. “This about him and his sister.” She aggressively said.

“I wanted you to see the kind of people they truly are and clearly, they’re both unstable.” Alice pointed to Archie.

“Wait, that’s what this is about? Your crazy grudge against my teenage kids?” Fred asked in disbelief.

“I’m never going to stop being friends with them, mom!” Betty shouted. “Ever.”

“We are done here.” Fred said, turned to Archie.

“Oh, we are far from being done here!” Alice shouted.

“Shut up.” Fred snapped.

“Stop! Please!” Archie begged. “You’re right, Mrs. Cooper. I’m selfish, and i’m stupid. I pretty much just ruined my relationship with my sister and I don’t deserve to be your daughter’s friend.”

Fred looked at him with soft eyes.

“But please, don’t hurt Ms. Grundy because you wanna hurt me.” Archie continued.

“This isn’t about hurting anyone, Archie.” Alice responded. “It’s about doing what’s right, and of course, informing our neighbors.”

“Alice, i swear to god..” Fred began.

“You swear to god, what—” Alice got cut off.

“You say one word of any this, mom, and i will tell everyone that i broke into Ms. Grundy’s car.” Betty snarled.

“Betty..” Alice tried to reason.

“That i robbed her,” Betty continued. “and made up the story of their affair. This applies to what just happened with Alex, too.”

Alice sighed.

“It will be like, i finally..” She paused. “Snapped. Like Polly.”

“Betty..”

Betty wasn’t having it. “It’ll prove what everyone already thinks about us: 'Crazy runs in that family.’” Betty continued.

“Like mother, like daughter.” Betty whispered.

“You wouldn’t dare.” Alice muttered.

“I’ll quit.” Grundy suddenly said.

Everyone looked at her. “I’ll quit my job. Will that satisfy you?”

“Yeah, it will.” Betty answered for her mother. “It has to.”

“And i absolutely would dare, mom.” Betty hissed.

“She has to leave town.” Alice barely spoke.

“The hell she does.” Archie got worked up all over again.

“Son.” Fred sternly said.

“Why does she need to leave town?” Archie raised his voice.

“Because it’s what’s best.” Fred responded. “And Alice will keep her word.”

Archie scoffed.

“I will.” Alice cocked up an eyebrow.

“I’ll pack up my things, i’ll be gone by morning.” Grundy said as she got up and walked out.

Archie went after her. She didn’t say anything.

“Now let’s go, because Im worried about what Alex will do next.” Fred glared at Archie.

Archie sighed.

It wasn’t until they walked back to the drive-in that Archie realized what he just did. He betrayed his sister. He told himself he would defend her if her dad ever found out about Jason. He felt stupid.

Fred got his truck back and they both got in. He could feel his father’s disappointment.

He couldn’t help but feel the lump in his throat.

They arrived at the house and Fred stopped the car.

Archie felt the tears in his eyes.

“Don’t ever call your sister a slut, again, Archie.” Fred quietly said. “Do you hear me?”

Archie nodded.

Fred got out and opened the door for Archie to get out.

He sighed when he wouldn’t.

“You are not those things you said.” Fred began. “You’re not stupid. Alex will forgive you. You just need to give her time. This wasn’t your fault.”

A tear streamed down Archie’s face. “I betrayed Alex, dad. She’s never going to forgive me. That most definitely was my fault. And Ms. Grundy..” He trailed off.

Fred sighed.

Archie eventually got out of the truck.

He couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. Fred went in to hold him while he cried.

Alex saw through the front door’s window.

She felt her heart ache when she saw her dad hugging him.

She sneaked out the back door before they went inside the house.

Fred and Archie walked in. Fred called out for Alex but he didn’t hear anything back.

“Check down here, I’ll check upstairs.” Fred said as he climbed up the stair.

Archie nodded and went through the rooms and called out her name.

Fred did the same upstairs.

They couldn’t find her.

She left her phone on her bed. They couldn’t go through it because it was locked.

“Dad?” Archie called out as he climbed the stairs.

“In here.” Fred called back out.

Archie stood in the doorway of her room.

“She’s gone.” Fred’s voice broke.

——————————————————————————

It was about 7 in the morning. Alex stopped by the local kid’s playground. She used to go there with Archie as a kid when the fighting from their parents became too much for them.

She was sitting on the swing, softly swaying back and forth. She was crying.

Jughead walked past. He glanced over to the swings and did a double take when he realized it was Alex.

He had his back pack. He looked like he was on his way to Pop’s.

He approached her.

“You bailed on me for a playground?” He teased.

Then he noticed she was crying.

“O-oh, i’m sorry. What’s wro—”

“Just go.” She whispered.

He was taken back. “What?”

“Leave me alone.” She said, still not making eye contact with him.

His brows furrowed. “Why?”

She sniffled and sighed. “Because you knew about Archie and Grundy, and you didn’t tell me.”

He froze. He didn’t say anything for a while.

“Alex, you can’t tell—”

She looked up at him.

“Who? My dad? He already knows. Mrs. Cooper knows. She’s the one who exposed them.” She raised her voice.

Jughead stood quiet. She looked back down to her legs.

“All of you knew. And you lied.” She said as her voice broke and new tears fell down her face.

“Alex..” Jughead said full of sympathy.

“Go away, Jug.” She demanded.

He sighed and walked away.

She sobbed.

Then a familiar truck pulled up.

She quickly wiped the tears away when she saw her dad get out and approach her.

She didn’t look at him.

“What are you doing here?” Fred asked, looking down at her.

She shrugged. “I don’t want to be anywhere near you or Archie right now.”

Fred’s face scrunched up. “Why me?”

“Because!” She stood up and finally looked at him.“Your attention will always go to him. Your love, your support, your everything!” She shouted.

Fred sighed. “I love you both, equally, Alex.”

She let out a humorless chuckle as she sobbed.

“Could’ve fooled me. You hugged him because he was crying like a little bitch for his elderly girlfriend while i needed that hug because he betrayed me and i’ve never wanted to hurt myself more in my life.” She cried and sobbed harder.

Fred pulled her in for the hug she needed so desperately. “Ssshh, hon. Everything will be okay.”

She sobbed into his chest and hugged him back.

Archie watched from the truck. He cried when he saw how hurt she was.

“Let’s go home, Alex. You’re freezing.” Fred said.

She nodded.

They got into the truck. Alex didn’t say anything to Archie. She didn’t even look at him.

When they got home, she went straight to her room.

As soon as her body hit her bed, she fell fast asleep.

[uglyvamp]

as the godfather of indie cinema, quentin tarantino, likes to say

[cooperjones2020]

What’s Past is Prologue, What to Come, pt. 4

Summary: He wanted to hit whoever made Betty cry. He wanted to hit Betty so she’d keep crying. Interrelated vignettes from Jughead Jones’s obsession with Betty Cooper. Dark!Jug, Creepy!Jug, Stalker!Jug, generally Sociopathic!Jug.

A/N: We’re ditching the Shakespeare. Instead, I leave you with this quote which is delightfully creepy out of context: “Since he longed to take possession of something deep inside them, he needed to slit them open” (Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, 215).

TW: implied child abuse (for this chapter specifically, check the other tags on ao3)

(parts one, two, and three)

ao3—>http://archiveofourown.org/works/11394858/chapters/26628525

By the time he stood across from her in the dusty classroom that housed five ancient PC monitors, two typewriters, and a microfiche reader, Jughead had given up fighting his obsession with Betty Cooper. He had given up fighting the way it hurt when she looked at Archie. He liked the hurt, liked the pain, liked the reminder he was alive.

When Betty and Archie seemed to be alright, after the disastrous night of the back to school dance, Jughead felt the embers in his stomach die down. But that ease of tensions came coupled with a new awareness of Betty. She seemed lighter to him. Not that she felt that way—he could still sometimes see her struggle with the ashes of her feelings, could see her face fall when she thought no one was looking. But the air around her seemed to be lighter, as if some of the threads that tied to her to Archie had been cut.

When he appeared in the doorway of the student newspaper office, he did so silently, so she didn’t notice him where she was bent over her work behind one of the ancient computer monitors. She wore a burgundy top today, new, one he hadn’t seen and that provided a marked contrast to her normal colour palette. He liked it. He liked the possibilities it represented.

“If print journalism is dead, what am I doing here?” he asked her, leaning against the doorway with one leg crossed over the other.

“The Blue and Gold isn’t dead, Juggie. It’s just dormant,” she replied, pressing her hands together in front of her heart, before running a finger along a dusty keyboard. “But waking up. You’re writing a novel, right? About Jason Blossom’s murder?”

“I am. Riverdale’s very own In Cold Blood.” He plucked a magnifying glass out of a pencil cup and held it up in front of him, looking at Betty through it.

“Which started out as a series of articles. I’m hoping you’ll come write for the Blue and Gold.” She looked so hopeful, so earnest and untouchable, he was a goner before he even walked in.

He tried anyway. “I just don’t think the school paper’s the right fit for my voice.”

“Juggie, Jason’s death changed Riverdale. People don’t wanna admit that, but it’s true. We all feel it. Nothing this bad was ever supposed to happen here, but it did. I wanna know why.” Every time she called him Juggie, his heart rate slowed down. It had been her nickname for him since they were kids and its effects were just as strong and just as addictive as morphine.

“Would I get complete freedom?” It was a feint, but he was interested in her answer.

“I-I’ll help and edit and suggest but it’s your story. It’s your voice.”

“Doesn’t sound like complete freedom but I’m in.”

“Okay, great. Um, in that case, I have your first assignment.” She did that thing with her hands again, like she was in an old episode of the Donna Reed Show and her body just couldn’t contain its joy. “There’s one person who was at the river on July 4th that no one’s talking about.”

“Dilton Doiley and his scouts.”

“Exactly.”

He brushed his thumb off his nose in gesture of camaraderie and conspiracy and turned to leave. He didn’t need complete freedom. He’d lost it long ago in any case. But, since the dance, and the night he and Archie had joined her and Veronica at Pop’s, he did need increasing access to Elizabeth Cooper.

We crave absolutes. They comfort us. But life is infinitely more complex than that. He was still attempting to untangle the threads that used to bind Betty to Archie when he discovered Archie and Grundy in the music classroom and it fucked everything up. It threw off his entire world axis in which Archie was deserving of Betty and he, Jughead, was not. Then, Betty found out about it. And with that, she threatened to slip back out of his control.

Closer access to Betty Cooper meant many things for Jughead Jones. It meant re-memorizing the smell of her hair and analyzing all the micro expressions that gave him insight into her moods. It meant resuming his game of guessing which underwear she was wearing that day, double points if he figured it out before he saw her bra strap.

It also meant seeing the places her enamel was wearing thin. After Dilton had left and they’d discussed the connotations of Archie being with Grundy at the river’s edge, Betty snapped a pencil in two with the force of the grip of her left hand. But she kept talking as if she hadn’t noticed.

He cut her off, “Betts, promise you’ll sleep on it before you go off the rails. We don’t know for sure what happened.”

She was staring at the cork board over his left shoulder. He could count the veins in the purplish skin beneath her eyes. He knew she wasn’t sleeping.

He slowly reached forward and unclenched her hand, removing the broken pencil pieces and brushing away the splinters that clung to her palm. She didn’t flinch, or even blink, when he touched her fresh half-moon cuts.

He wasn’t really sure how he wound up in a booth at Pop’s with Kevin and Veronica. He’d been typing away on his laptop, content as he was capable of being, when Betty walked in. Next thing he knew, he was ranting about the drive-in to a semi-captive audience. At least she’d bought him a burger again.

“The drive-in closing is just one more nail in the coffin that is Riverdale. No. Forget Riverdale. In the coffin of the American Dream. As the godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino, likes to say—”

“Please, God, no more Quentin Tarantino references,” Kevin cut him off.

“What? I’m pissed. And not just about losing my job. The Twilight Drive-In should mean something to us. People should be trying to save it.” The drive-in, the diner, the friendly neighborhood Hitchcock blonde to his right, all of the pieces of Riverdale that looked so great on paper. That, cliche as they were, kept him from sliding into the darkness that loomed.

Veronica interrupted his thoughts. “In this age of Netflix and VOD, do people really want to watch a movie in a car? I mean, who even goes there?”

“People who want to buy crack.” Trust the sheriff’s son to dismiss such an iconic emblem of working class Americana and Jughead right along with it.

“And cinephiles and car enthusiasts, right, Betts?” Betty knew what he was talking about, she knew what the drive-in meant to him.

“Totally.” But she wasn’t paying attention to him. He began tapping out a staccato rhythm with his foot.

“Anyway, it’s closing because the town owns it but didn’t invest in it. So when an anonymous buyer made Mayor McCoy an offer she couldn’t refuse—” Jughead stared out the window as he spoke.

“Anonymous buyer? What do they have to hide? No one cares.”

“I do. Also you guys should all come to closing night. I’m thinking American Graffiti. Or is that too obvious?” He directed it at the three of them, but he looked at Betty.

“I vote for anything starring Audrey Hepburn. Or Cate Blanchett.” Surprise, surprise.

“Or The Talented Mr. Ripley. Betty, your choices?”

“Everything okay, B?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m just thinking. Um…Maybe Rebel Without a Cause?” Betty flicked her eyes at him and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling at her.

He turned his attention back to his dinner and contemplated the possibility that maybe one or two of the threads that used to connect Betty to Archie might now connect to him instead. He vaguely registered Veronica getting up and returning and the sound of the bell on the door jingling behind him.

“Now that’s an odd combo of people,” Kevin said.

Jughead and Betty both turned to look over their shoulders in one motion. It was Archie, Fred, and Grundy. Fuck. He glanced at Betty. Her mouth dropped open.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Betty, no. Don’t.” He made a half-hearted attempt to reach for her, his hand closing on empty air. He wanted to protect her, but what more could he do? She needed to snip the rest of the threads on her own. And truthfully? Archie needed a Betty Cooper-style kick in the ass.

Jughead grimaced at the two of them out of the window.

Again, Veronica’s voice intruded. “What’s happening out there? Do we know? Is it about me?”

Archie’s back was to him, but he could see the hurt and concern all over Betty’s beautiful face. “I have a strong inkling. And no. Also, I’d let it go.”

“Yes, but you’re you and I’m me. You do you, girl. I’ll be back.” He rolled his eyes at Veronica and settled lower in the booth.

“What was it like before she got here? I honestly cannot remember.”

Jughead didn’t respond. He sneered and ate the strawberry off Betty’s milkshake.

His final attempt to save the drive-in had been a bust. Mayor McCoy shot him down and even Fred wouldn’t help him. So, Rebel Without a Cause played to a full house. Of course. Nothing like nostalgia to pack them in.

Jughead watched from the projection room. She didn’t come. Whenever she came to the drive-in, she’d come up to the booth and drag him down to socialize for a while. Or she joined him up there with a blanket and some snacks.

He texted her, a little while after the movie started, but she didn’t respond.

She didn’t come.

The chill woke Jughead early the next morning. Indian summer had faded and no one had ever bothered to insulate the projection booth. He registered that he had a novel of a text from Betty sitting unread on his phone. He wasn’t ready to answer her yet.

He ate a stale pop tart and, from his seat next to the projector, he surveyed his dilapidated kingdom. A plastic bag blew across the empty lot. Discarded soda cans and spilled popcorn decorated the grass like some kind of fucked up Christmas tree.

When he could delay it no more, he stood to finish packing.

The Betty box had grown over the years. It took up more than half his backpack space, but he wouldn’t risk leaving it at the trailer. A drunk FP was an unpredictable FP.

Jughead watched the last reel finish winding then did a slow turn around the room that had been his only safe haven the past few months. He grabbed a shirt he’d missed packing, shoved it in his backpack, and, with an old photo of him and Jellybean in hand, closed the door.

He didn’t exactly need to add vandalism to his record, but seeing as Fred was the one tearing the drive-in down, he reckoned he was pretty safe. So he marked out “JUGHEAD JONES WUZ HERE” in black spray paint along with an outline of his crown on the side of the concession stand.

Then he tossed the can of spray paint away, to join the litter on the ground. When he turned to leave, FP was standing behind him. Jughead looked away so they wouldn’t make eye contact.

His father and the Serpents had been hanging around the drive-in for months, but he only sought him out when he hit the level of drunk of slurring his words and talking about reuniting their family. It was a little early, even for FP, but Jughead still didn’t want to talk to him.

When his father spoke though, his words were clear: “They’ll tear that booth down too. Raze the whole place, send it to the junkyard. And us with it.”

“Yeah. Or maybe they’ll save it. All the pieces. Store it in the town hall attic and rebuild it in a hundred years. Wonder who the hell we were.” The image made him smile. Then he remembered who he was talking to and cut his eyes away to frown at the ground.

“So where you gonna live now?”

“I’ll figure it out, Dad. I always do.” He just barely stopped himself from checking his dad with his bag as he walked past. That kind of aggression never worked out well for him with FP, and he didn’t need any more surprise injuries that needed explaining away to Betty.

[queenapple]

ppl act like that scene where he says hes weird is the cringiest but if we're being real the most painful juggle scene was when he calls quentin tarantino the godfather of indie cinema lol i loved kevins rebuttal to him saying that, bless his heart.

ive never seen a tarantino film in my life

[mrs-jughead-jones]

“As The Godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino likes to say—”

“Please, God, no more Quentin Tarantino references.”

(What aesthetics can I request?)

[clementine-kesh]

@whyispickingausernamesohard in my mind jon is jughead because you can’t convince me teenage jon wouldn’t be real pretentious and say shit like “quentin tarantino the godfather of indie cinema” and martin is betty because they both love fighting injustice by committing crimes but the other way around is also very choice. also we have no idea who martin’s dad is so for all we know it could be hal cooper and martin’s middle name could be serialKillergenes

i haven’t talked about it a minute but reminder that teenage jonmartin au but it’s just bughead IS real

[carrow]

character posters → jughead jones, riverdale

The Drive In closing is just one more nail in the coffin that is Riverdale. No, forget Riverdale- in the coffin that is the American dream. As The Godfather of indie cinema, Quentin Tarantino likes to say...