Jarchie Oneshots

||Maybe we can fix this again?||

• Sometimes friendships don't work out after graduation, though you always meet another again, if not in the best circumstances
• parent!Jughead
• Referenced unstable relationship, pregnancy, money problems, trauma, alcoholism, child neglect, cheating (s4 stuff)
• Also (soon) minor character death but mostly referenced
• minor Barchie bash bc yk cheating and stuff
• reference to anorexia, ig (though mostly in the past)

The sun was burning.

Jughead couldn't remember the last time he had bought something to eat. Probably breakfast, at least two days ago. It wasn't helping that he had a little five year old, tucking on his hand and whining all the time.

"Dad- Dad, I can't anymore" The boy gasped, stumbling over his own two feet as he held onto his father's hand. Jughead sighed softly, stopping to walk as he crouched down in front of his son, so that he could be on the same high.

"I'm sorry, bud. I know that we've been walking a lot those past few days. We're almost there, alright?"

"But I can't anymore"

"I could carry you?" Jughead suggested, already opening his arms before the boy even nodded. Once he picked him up to rest him on his shoulders, he continued.

The sun was already setting when they passed the sign of his childhood town. By now it was washed out and sprayed with graffiti.

"See that sign? We're almost there"

Instead of going to the Southside straight away, he took a detour to the most known diner in Riverdale: Pops Chock'lit shoppe.

"You hungry yet?" Jughead asked, setting down his son in front of the diner. It still looked the same, if instead of neon red, the color was more pinkish. The boy nodded eagerly, grabbing his father as he headed towards the entrance. The two entered the diner, bell jiggling in the same tune. Jughead could only smile softly as his son ran over to the bar stool.

"Help" He mumbled after a moment, arms reaching up, though not able to get to the top of the stool. Jughead picked him up again in order to sit him down on the stool. After he sat down next to him, Jughead fidgeted out his wallet in order to look how much he had left.

Ten bucks.

Well, it could be worse.

It should be enough for one menu at least.

"Alright, uh what do you want? Some fries and nuggets?" Jughead suggested and the boy nodded, ordering once an all too familiar face showed up. At first, Jughead tried to look away when he saw Pop coming up from the kitchen, though then he just gave it up. He didn't change that much those past few years after all — apart from losing weight, growing his hair out and wearing glasses, so Pop probably recognized him right away.

He didn't speak up about it until shortly after when he brought the food though.

"Since when are you back in Riverdale?" Pop asked, testing the waters as he reached the plate with food over the counter. Jughead paused for a moment, just watching him. He seemed to have aged quite a lot, those past six years. His hair was grey and thinner, wrinkles more prominent. He seemed as kind as always though.

"Things are not great with dad. Toni called... to suggest that I should come to say my goodbyes before it's too late" Jughead eventually said, after making sure that his son was occupied with his dinner and wouldn't listen in too much.

"I'm sorry, kid"

"I'm not a kid anymore"

"You're still to me. Speaking of kid: who is that?" Pop asked, eyes moving over to the boy next to him. Jughead inhaled deeply, hesitating.