Trapped in Silk

1.0

The bright lights surrounding the pitch, illuminating the streams of people beginning to file into the stands. Jughead held back, choosing to stand at the side to avoid the group of tiresome people that would without a doubt drive him up the wall with their constant shouting and mindless chatter. He lend against the rusting metal with his jacket pulled up round his neck to protect himself from the bitter chill of the wind. He scanned the sidelines, trying to pick out Archie, and with his vibrant red hair it really wasn't that difficult. He stood surrounded by his team mates, laughing at something Jughead was sure he wouldn't understand. His eyes wandered over the growing crowds, he didn't belong here. 

Archie was looking up at them to, until  his eyes wondered to a gap in the stands, picking out the beanie wearing boy instantly. A warm feeling filled his chest as he made his way over ignoring the looks from his friends. He came. Their eyes connected for only moments before the game started, Archie hoped it would be enough to convey his gratitude.

~•~•~

When the final whistle blew Archie came running over the him, engulfing him in a slightly sweaty hug.  "And here we have Archie Andrews in his natural habitat", Jughead mocked, sounding like David Attenborough,"Nice playing".

"Theres no need to be so sarcastic", he replied with a disdainful smirk.

"I mean it, you were amazing", he continued, he felt betrayed by the blush making its way to his cheeks and the waver in his voice. This was ridiculous, Jughead Jones didn't blush.

"I can't believe you actually came", Archie smiled, his voice also growing softer as the adrenalin left his system and the cheering of crowd died down. The harsh lighting only made Archie look even more muscular, defining every curve, every loose strand of hair, every fleck of colour in his eyes. The air was crisper the it had been before, the night forgetting the touch of the winter sun. Jughead's lungs were filled with the scent of mud, sweat and Archie's dad's cologne that the red head was bathed in. The moment was perfect. Jughead felt like taking a picture, he knew that this moment didn't belong to him, but that only made him want to hold on to it tighter.

"Pop's?", Archie suggested, turning back round to face the pitch, admiring the beauty of it all.

"Sure, wanna find your dad?", Jughead asked, trying to get his fead out of the clouds.

"Nah, I said id meet him at home", he said turning back to look at him,"Oh crap, I said id go out with the guys, you could probably come to if you want", he offered, screwing up his face.

"Nah, im good. They think I'm a weirdo", he laughed, but if was a rather pitiful one.

"You are a weirdo, but your my weirdo so they'll have to deal with it". He grinned, teeth illuminated by the LEDs. 

"I think I'd rather not-".

"Come on", Archie interrupted, ignoring the feeble sounds of protest and grabbing his hand. Jughead's heart was beating so fast he forgot what it was exactly he was meant to be doing, which led to him stumbling along behind, mouth open, cheeks hot. Archie didn't even let his hand go when they stopped in front of the team. Most of them had gone by this point, Jughead only recognised a few; Reggie, Chuck, not his biggest fans. 

Reggie strode towards them, eyeing them quizzically. He clapped Archie on the back before turning his gaze to Jughead. He lifted a hand violently upwards causing Jughead to flinch and turn away, trying to mask his embarrassment as it appeared  that he was only going to use it through his slightly greasy hair. Archie pretended not to notice, probably embarrassed he thought . Yet Archie's face remained warm and easy, this made the knot in his stomach ease slightly and his shoulders relax. 

"Nice playing dude".

"You to, you know Jughead right. He's coming with us", Archie let go of Jughead's hand to catch the ball that was chucked his way before throwing it straight into the back of another guys head causing them all to giggle like little kids, somehow Jughead expected more from the most macho guys in the school. But their gaze soon turned to back to Jughead, like a pack of hyenas, his hands made fists at his sides, his jaw clenched. 

"I don't think so. Fatso here doesn't belong with us, maybe the cheerleaders will take him", he sneered, revealing in the laughter surrounding him, Archie rubbed the back of his neck, shaking his head as he looked towards the ground. Jughead felt as though he'd been punched in the gut, he knew he was fat but to hear someone else say it was unbearable. He swallowed back tears, willing his body not to let it show. 

"Can you even catch a ball you freak", Reggie continued. Right on queue the ball that was circulating was thrown straight towards him, spinning as it collided with the back of his head and falling to the ground.

"Thats enough guys", Archie moaned, still not making eye-contact.

"Standing up for your boyfriend Andrews?"

"Im not a fucking fag", Jughead whispered through gritted teeth, taking a step towards him.

"Ooh, I see the little guy isn't such a pansy after all", he chimed in, a wry smile emerging on his face, "You coming Andrews?, you can even bring your friend if want." 

Archie was facing him now, forehead creased, eyes glassy. All he managed to say came out in a broken whisper. "No friend of mine would say a thing like that", and with that he strode off, away from the brightness of the stadium lights.

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