Trapped in Silk

1.4

"So I'm... what exactly?" Archie began, leaning back into the sagging couch, eyebrows knitted together.

"Your nothin, not nothing, I think you're  amazing, but not like that. Gay, you know, but its ok.. to-be-gay," Jughead rattled off, perching on the arm of the sofa, moving his hands wildly.

"What?"

"Ok, firstly, I'm not my dad, secondly, I can't remember where exactly I was going with this", he sighed, beginning to bite his finger nails,"Why are you here?"

"I was mad at you."

"Oh."

"But now I'm just confused," Archie spoke plainly.

"I don't mind if your friend is gay, frankly its none of my business, I just wanted you to know that," he replied, growing increasingly quite. Moving his hands into his lap, staring out of the window, lip betwixt his teeth. Silence.

"But you said.." he trailed off, turning his body to face the raven haired boy.

"My dad always said it was wrong, unnatural," he whispered, moving his eyes to the floor, "I don't think that."

"Im gay."          Nothing.      "You can't just-"

"I love you," Jughead croaked, sliding off the arm rest and into the other's arms, burrowing his head into his neck.

"I love you too," Archie smiled, taken aback, "You're my best friend, we're not going to fall out over something like this, ever. Ok?" Jughead's muscles tightened, his words felt like daggers in his back, eyes brimming with tears. He clenched his jaw, nuzzling further into his shoulder. "Ok?," Archie chuckled, grabbing him by the shoulders and pushing him back, revealing his red rimmed eyes.

"Ok", Jughead whispered, faltering slightly.

"Oh my god are you crying," he laughed, pulling him back into his chest. Jughead let his fall weight fall, relaxing fully into the embrace. 

"No," he muttered, trying to play off his heartbreak.

"Jughead Jones," he paused, looking up towards the ceiling, "The sappiest twat that ever lived." Despite his cool exterior, inside he was swooning. Jughead had never really let him get this close before. It felt special, to be this close to something this precious.

"Shut up," he moaned, grabbing a pillow, smacking Archie  over the head. Giggling like a child he  scrambled to his feet, preparing for war.  But when Archie stood up, lunging towards him, it got too much. He didn't know if it was the place, the memories the grey trailer held, or how strong Archie had gotten, but terror took hold of his body. Archie meant safety. Archie wouldn't hurt him, but then again his dad shouldn't turn him either. Suddenly all he could imagine was the glint of a glass bottle being hurled in his direction, the sound of the shards falling to the floor.

His chest tightened. Breath catching in his throat. He was frozen. Archie continued forwards, devious smile on his face, oblivious. His palms were slick with sweat, trembling with the sudden, overwhelming fear. He thought he was going to throw up.

Archie slowed down, cocking his head to the side, something was wrong. He saw the colour drain from his friend's face, his rigid body silhouetted against the rising sun. Archie had seen this before, it gave him a pain in the pit of his stomach, a pit in his soul. He'd seen it when FP had a few too many on a night out, he'd seen it when people yelled or jocks got too physical. He'd never caused this. It made him feel numb. 

They stood still, silent. Jughead could feel his heart flutter, his arms tingle. He felt like he was floating above himself. Archie raise his hands, approaching like you would a wild animal, it caused a pang of guilt to penetrate Jughead'd chest. All he did was cause pain to others, he was too much of a burden. Trying to snap out of it he ran a hand through his hair, turning to face the wall. He just had to recompose himself. His chest grew tighter.

Archie padded across the floor, moving on his tiptoes. He wasn't sure if the unspoken rule stood, was he allowed to approach him now, all he wanted to do was to pull him in tight, to hold him against his chest. Normally he took Jughead somewhere quite. Somewhere he could just take time to breath. Thats if FP didn't get there first, he didn't know what his technique was, Jughead never talked about it. In fact they never really talked about these things, Archie was there for him. Nothing else needed to be said, even if he wanted to.

He placed a hand on Jughead's shoulder, hesitating when the trembling boy flinched, jerking himself to the side, muttering an apology under his breath. Archie smiled sympathetically, bending his head down to peer at his face. He was starting to hyperventilate. Without warning Jughead's legs gave out, sending him collapsing to the grit covered floorboards. 

"Hey, hey," Archie cooed, dropping to his knees, guiding Jughead to the ground. "Ive got you." 

"M'sorry", he stuttered in between frantic breaths, "I don't, I-I don't mean to bother you."

"No no no, lets not do this again Juggie. Im right here. Just breath in time with me... thats it, a bit slower". Jughead continues to take sharp, shaky breaths, resting his head on his knees, tracing the lined of the wood with his eyes. He hated this. This weakness. His panting picked up again, he pressed his hands to his chest.

"Keep going, close your eyes... picture your happy place-"

"I swear to god Arch", Jughead wheezed, eyes flitting up dangerously, the hint of a smirk on his lips.

"Keep going", he sighed, the corners of his mouth turning up. He placed his hand on Jughead's knee, rubbing circles with his thumb. At hearing the revs of a car engine outside he got up, pulling the flimsy curtains closed, turning to admire the soft light illuminating Jughead's place skin, showing of the contours of his face, before returning to his place beside him, moving just a little bit closer.

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Hey everybody, I hope everything going ok. This updates a little longer than normal. Please feel free to point out my mistakes, or post suggestion and criticism. Till next time.