Learning To Love You

Chapter 12

The serpent bar wasn't often quiet, usually filled with the drunken slurs of old bikers and the blaring music of whatever Toni had picked out for the evening. 

Yet, even Jughead couldn't stand this level. Every serpent was shouting over one another, arguing and setting off rows.

"ENOUGH!" he bellowed, slamming his fist down on the table. In that very second, the bar fell so silent that you could hear a pin drop. It was a regular serpent meeting that had gotten out of hand, mostly due to Tallboy's outdated suggestions. 

"...Thank you" he sighed "I make the rules, if you don't agree with it then the door is over there" he spoke, glaring at each and every one of them in waiting. 

When no one moved, he continued "Okay, that settles that. Fangs and Sweetpea you're on deliveries and Tallboy you're on watch. Meeting's over" 

He left without another word, his hands shaking as he pushed his way out of the bar. 

"Woah, woah boy. Hold on" FP paused him, grabbing his shoulder. The boy watched as his father's usual blank expression turned into a wide smile "I knew you could do it, my boy. I see myself in you" 

It didn't feel as good as it should've. He wanted to be happy that his father was finally approving of his choices, finally showing some sort of pride towards him. But it just felt worse. He had acted in the same way FP would, and becoming a carbon copy of FP Jones was not the plan. 

"Th-thanks" he nodded, escaping past him as another serpent came to interrupt. He burst out the hunter's green doors, stumbling over to the metal railings as he felt the air practically draining from his lungs. 

Needing something to kill the feeling, his shaky hands reached for a lighter and a small box. As soon as he brought the wrapped tobacco to his lips and took a slow intake, the sickness seemed to settle. He could think straight even for just a tiny moment. 

His body slowly slumped to the ground, knees up to his chest and back against the cold railings. "Fuck..." he muttered to himself, shaking hand tugging at his unruly curls. 

He jolted as his phone burst to life, the irritating sound of his ring tone sounding. He quickly pulled it out as he took another drag of the addictive nicotine "Hello?"

"Jug! Hey!" her sweet voice echoed through the phone. At any other time, he'd be overjoyed to hear her cheery tone, but today was just not his day. 

"Hey, Betts...I'm kinda busy. Is this urgent?" he asked gruffly, squeezing his eyes shut tight in an attempt to wash away his troubles. 

"Oh...sorry" she chuckled awkwardly "I was just calling to chat because laying in bed all day is really boring, but if you're busy then don't worry about it. I can entertain myself"

"Right, yeah. Bye then" he replied, not able to bring himself to be any more cheery than his current tone. 

"Wait....Jug is everything okay?" she asked softly, the words he really didn't want to hear right now. That question just made things worse, it made him realise nothing was okay. 

"Yeah, yeah I'm good. Just busy" he nodded, quickly ending the call before she could argue back. 

---

"There! Over there" Betty urged, pointing out the boy outside the bar to her best friend. 

Veronica leaned over after parking up the car, raising an eyebrow "You sure you wanna go over there? He doesn't look like a talker today"

"I don't care, he's always there for me V. I need to do the same" she replied, opening the car door with her crutches in hand. 

"I get that but your ankle-" she tried before the door slammed and Betty was gone "Okay then" she sighed, fiddling with her manicured nails instead. She wasn't about to get involved at all.