When Jason Blossom is presumed dead, Riverdale shifts on its axis. Letting in the horror, and darkness that had been held at bay.
Archie, Veronica, Clary, Jughead, and Betty grapple with desires, love, drama, and murderers all while coping with the...
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Jughead Jones
VERONICA RAISED HER MILKSHAKE IN A TOAST
"To Archie Andrews, our hero who saved the cheerleader and saved the town."
Archie shook his head with a grin. "Actually, I think it was Clary's speech."
"Here, here to Clary Blossom,"" Veronica amended, and we all joined in, clinking our glasses.
That night, we drank many milkshakes, finding solace in our booth. Despite the dangers outside, in this little corner, we felt safe.
"Hey, can I come back to your place?" Clary asked as we prepared to leave.
"Yeah, why though?"I asked, curious.
Clary leaned in and whispered, "Well, Cheryl's planning to burn down Thornhill tonight."
"What?!" I exclaimed, but Clary quickly hushed me. "It's okay, she'll be fine."
I chuckled nervously and draped an arm around Clary's shoulders as we headed towards her car.
Back at the trailer, which I had cleaned up after Sheriff Keller had ransacked it, Clary admired the transformation. "Wow, it looks great in here."
"I cleaned up after Sheriff Keller trashed it. Just in case my dad..." I explained, taking off my hat and coat as Clary wandered further into the living room.
"Until he gets out, I'm not giving up on him, Jug," Clary declared, her eyes scanning the cleaned-up space.
"Hell no. That's why I love you, Clary," I admitted, watching her reaction closely.
Clary froze for a moment, then turned to me, a hint of a smile ghosting her lips. It was clear she was holding back her emotions, but I knew.
"I love you, Clarissa Blossom," I repeated, the words carrying more weight this time.
A genuine smile spread across Clary's face as she stepped closer to me. "Jughead Jones, I love you."
We shared a small, tender smile before our lips met in a tentative kiss, which quickly grew more passionate. I couldn't resist; I lifted her up, and she giggled, wrapping her legs around my waist.
I carried her to the kitchen counter, pressing her gently against the cupboard as I slid her shirt off. Our lips found each other again, her hands pulling my sweater off in return. Clary raised her leg slightly, drawing me closer, our breaths mingling heavily.
My hands cupped her neck, trailing kisses down when a sudden, hard knock on the door startled us both.
"Oh, my God," Clary gasped. I turned to the door. "Is that Alice?"
"Who else would it be?" Clary muttered, the knocking persisting.
We hastily pulled our clothes back on. As I opened the door, expecting an angry Alice Cooper, I was surprised to find all the Serpents, with Hot Dog barking on the steps.
"Easy, Hot Dog. He's family," one of the Serpents said.
"Hey," I greeted them, puzzled.
"Heard your dad could've snitched but didn't," Tall Boy spoke up. "Serpents take care of their own. We want you to know, no matter what happens to him, however long he's away, we've got your back. This is yours, if you want it."
He handed me a Serpent jacket, and after a moment's hesitation, I put it on.
"Juggy?" Clary called from the doorway, concern in her voice.
I glanced at her as she stood there, arms crossed, wearing her own jacket.
"Clary, I—" I began.
"I need to go find Cheryl... I just got the call that the fire alarm tripped at Thornhill," she interrupted, starting to walk away. I reached out and grabbed her hand, and she sighed, allowing me to pull her back in.
"I'm sorry they interrupted," I said softly, cupping her cheek.
"It's okay... tonight wasn't the night," she replied with a hint of disappointment.
It wasn't that my feelings for Clary were driven solely by physical attraction. After her speech, her unwavering support in my father's case, and everything we'd been through, my initial crush had deepened into something more profound. I wanted her to know what she meant to me.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said, kissing me lightly before leaving, clutching her coat tightly around her.
