Assorted Riverdale Imagines

Jughead

Requested
You are twenty one years old and thought by now you'd be better with your stupid crushes you get. But no, you were awful at hiding them. Of course you don't get them too often and they don't even last long. But for some reason your brother's best friend seemed to live in your mind rent free. His dark fluffy hair and his stupid green eyes. Even his broody attitude made you want to melt. The crush had started back in middle school when Jughead would always be super nice to you. It eventually went away but came back when you were in high school then and he joined the Serpents. Now it's back again. As a kid you thought it would be weird to date your little brother's friend because he was younger. As an adult you understand how ridiculous that kind of thinking actually was. Jughead wasn't much younger anyways, only a year or maybe even less. This is what you get for your parents being unable to keep it in their pants when they already had a baby.
"Y/N? Are you okay?" Archie waved a hand in your face. "You went blank."
"Oh yeah," you shrug. "I was just thinking." He raises a brow. "Just about school, I'm getting close to the end of my undergraduate and need to start looking into the LSAT and law school. Mom wants me to go to the same school she went. But I'm not sure."
"Well whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll be great," Archie smiled encouragingly. "You've always been able to achieve your goals with hard work. Dad would be proud."
"I hope so," you smile back but there was a pang in your chest. "I want to be a great as him and mom."
"Well, you're doing a pretty damn good job at doing that," he hit your arm. "You're doing great, Y/N, believe me. We are so proud of you. Dad was always boasting about how he had a daughter who was gonna be an amazing lawyer. He wanted us to follow our dreams and would want you to choose your own path. He would say something like, 'sometimes life gives you hard choices and each of them come with their own path but have the same outcome in the end. Just because you think you're obligated to go to a school your mom went to, doesn't mean you have to. You have a brilliant mind that can get into any school you want. Your mother knows that whatever you pick is what's best. She will understand.' And then give you his signature Fred Jones smile and a big dad hug."
You laugh, "that's pretty spot on. Arch, you know he'd be proud of you too. You are doing a damn good job with the construction company. You joined the Navy. You have grown up so nicely, Archie. I'm proud to have you as my brother."
"Thanks sis," he smiled back. "So, I told Jughead that he could stay here tonight. Betty is coming back from school and he doesn't want it to be awkward. They haven't talked much since the breakup."
"Okay," you nod. "Should I go shopping? Do we have enough food? Does he need anything? Also, are you gonna make him sleep on your floor? Is there even any room in there anymore? Your new bed take up most of it."
"Jughead is fine and I am sure we have enough food. I thought about just ordering a pizza anyways," he chuckled. "And, I figured Jughead could stay in the extra room. I mean who knows how long he plans to stay."
"Right," you laugh.
"What's that face? You haven't had that face since high school," he studied your face.
"What face?" You frown. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Y/N, I know you. I know that you're hiding something. Is this about Jughead? Do you not like him?" Archie questions as mom comes into the kitchen.
"Not like who?" She asks looking between the two of you.
"Jughead," Archie answered. "Y/N is hiding something. Look at her."
"Why wouldn't I like Jughead, Archie? He hasn't done anything wrong to me," you shake your head. "And I still don't even know what face you are talking about!"
"That one!" Archie laughs as he gestures to your face as mom nods. "And you're voice? What is it then? If it's not Jughead?"
"Oh, I think it's Jughead," your mom chuckled. "I think your sister has caught the little bug."
"Mom, I am twenty one years old," you groan. "I don't think it's called a bug anymore."
"You have a crush on Jughead?" Archie chuckled. "God! I thought that was just a weird phase you went into in middle school and high school! You have a crush on my friend!" He turned red with laughter. "That's so weird!"
"Oh stop it, Archie," your mom hit him. "Y/N and Jughead are adults now. I think it's okay for her to like your friends. And she has been working hard in school. She deserves to relax."
"Ew." You both say.
"You guys still act like children," she rolled her eyes. "You're adults now, remember? If you like Jughead, Y/N tell him. The worst that can happen is he says no. Jughead won't hold it over you or make fun of you."
"Good advice mom," you nod. "You're getting better. But, I don't think I'm gonna say anything. This will go away. Eventually." She gives a knowing look. "It will! You guys, seriously, leave it."
    "How long?" Archie asks.
    "That doesn't matter."
    "Just don't go breaking your own heart," Archie shrugged. "Jughead will be here in 10."
    "That's fine," you sigh. "Just make sure you guys don't get into my fucking wine again."
    "Well if you would have went and got what I asked, we wouldn't have had a problem."
    "Please and get in trouble for distributing to underagers? No thanks," you roll your eyes.
    "Don't be a prude. We aren't much younger than you," Archie rolled his eyes.
    "Still not of age," you raise a brow. "You're a baby."
    "Fuck off," Archie pushed your arm.
    "Language," your mom chides.
    "Yeah Archie, stop using bad words in front of mom!" You tease. "And if you get into my wine... At least let me drink with you."
    "Deal." You wave him off and look back at your book. You hoped it would distract your mind from the broody, dark haired, green eyed guy coming to your house. Fortunately, it did for a few minutes until Jughead came to greet you like he always did.
"Where's your sister and mom?" You hear.
"Mom is getting ready to meet Brooke," Archie explains. "Y/N is probably still in the kitchen."
"Cool." You hear their footsteps grow closer and you sigh shutting your book. "Hey, Y/N, haven't seen you in a while. Do you ever leave?"
"Well, I've been locked up here trying to get my finals done," you sigh. "I've finally got a moment for myself. Trying to read, but I haven't been able to concentrate."
"Maybe it's because you've read that book four times," he points out.
"Well it is one of my favorites," you sigh. "But maybe I am ready for a new book."
"Well, are we shooting towards YA or are you trying to explore?" He asks.
"Probably still YA," you laugh. "I love them, can't help it."
"I knew you would say that," he chuckled. "I've got a whole list for you. I had some free time when I got home from school."
"You are a saint Jones," you smile. "Honestly, you're the best."
"I know, I try," he shrugged.
"I love the mix here. Some classics like Lord of the Flies and I do love Laurie Halse Anderson. Sarah J Maas is an all time fave. You know me so well," you look over the list. "How do you find the time?"
"Well, I'm not working to be a lawyer like you so it turns out I have some extra free time," he laughed. "How is school?"
"Excruciating," you roll your eyes. "The only motivation I have is that if I dropped out now, I'd have to explain to people that I got three years into my schooling and got lazy."
"Well, I know you can do it," he encouraged. "You're gonna be great."
"Don't you know how to flatter someone," you giggle. "If you keep doing that, my head might grow."
"Bigger than it is now?" Archie joked. "Doubt that's possible. Anyways, Jug, Y/N said we can drink her wine tonight if she can drink with us. Maybe we can talk her into getting something stronger?"
"Doubt it," you laugh. "Why would I have to get something stronger when there's a whole cabinet of liquor? Honestly, Archie do you know anything? Mom keeps fucking Brandy under there. There's a little tequila under there and some nasty Jameson."
"I think wine will be great," Jughead says. "Honestly, I don't think I want to feel like shit later or tomorrow."
"Smart man."
"Fine," Archie shrugged. "What do you want to do today? We can play some games, match movies, or go down to the gym."
You snort, "Arch, I think you're the only one who uses their free time to go to a gym. Mad dog has it under control, you do not have to go check on him. Relax and have some fun. You're only twenty once and I wish I would have done more."
"You're twenty one," Archie gave you a look. "You still have a life to live."
"You should relax both of you," Jughead chimed. "You both have been working hard for a long time. Y/N you should join Archie and I for the night. Unless you have exciting plans."
"Does sitting in my room, playing Bobs Burgers and reading fan fiction count?" You laugh. "Because that sounds like an amazing night to me."
"As much as I would love to argue... That does sound nice," He shrugged. "If you change your mind then we will be here."
"Thanks. Don't have too much fun watching Archie blow a blood vessel since he's not at the gym." You walk upstairs to your bedroom. You can hear the boys muffled laughs. You try not to listen to their conversation. To Jughead talking about Betty. You did try. But the temptation was too strong. You crack your door and stand behind it.
"She came home with a guy," Jughead tells Archie. "She said they got close when he helped her study for a paper. She literally brought a guy home to a house I live in. We live in."
"That sucks," Archie sighed. "What happened anyways? Why did you guys break up?"
"We were just so busy with school and so far apart. I think it put a strain. But, she said that she couldn't be with me because I don't love her like she loved me. Obviously, that was fucking lie. She told me that I had someone else that I was looking at instead of her. I don't fucking understand," he groaned. "This is all shit! Then she brings home a guy."
"Well, was she right?" Archie asked. "Is there someone else? Someone you have your eye on? Someone at your school? I mean, I wouldn't judge. It would make sense. New people." You swallow and try to move closer without making any noise. You close your eyes and try not to move. "Come on, you don't think there's anyone who is possibly better for you than Betty?"
"No. I mean, I didn't think so. I thought this side of us was over. After high school and those on and offs. Then you... I thought the breakup thing was done and it was gonna be fine from then," Jughead sighed.
"That didn't really answer my question though."
"I don't know maybe there's one person," Jughead says. You feel your heart begin to race. "But it wasn't like I was trying to find someone and she is definitely not interested. She's always busy too. Who knows if it would work out. Our schedules might not add up and it would be the same thing all over again."
"Well, if she's the one then you guys would figure it out. Maybe you should talk to this girl," Archie suggests. "Tell her how you feel and see if you guys could go out. The worst that would happen is she says no and you don't even know that she would do that."
"Maybe but I'm not sure I can ruin what we have already," Jughead laughs. You are trying to think of it's anyone from Riverdale and you weren't paying attention as you hit your elbow off the door. The door slams shut and you let out a little gasp. "What was that?" You swear under your breath and rub to your bed hitting your pinkie toe off the pole of your bed.
"Y/N?" Archie called. "What are you doing up there?"
You groan, "nothing, I just hit my toe and my elbow."
"Are you okay?" Archie laughed.
"Oh yeah I'm ecstatic! Just pain radiating from every where and maybe some bruising. A little blood on my toe," you were talking more to yourself now. "I'm fine!"
"Should we go check on her?" Jug asks and you can't hear the answer because you're more attentive to your radiating pained, bleeding toe. "I thought you were just joking, your toe is actually bleeding."
"Yeah, my life right?" You joke.
"How did this even happen? You were supposed to be laying in bed," he chuckled. "Maybe you should sit."
You did as told and sit back on your bed, "I was trying to get something and bam."
"Right. You weren't eavesdropping on Archie and I?" Jughead laughed. "Like when we were kids?"
"Whaaaat?"
"You'd try to listen if we were talking about you or something you could tell on us to your parents," Jughead chuckled.
"I did catch you guys talking shit once!"
"No, you caught Archie who was eleven at the time. I would never talk bad about you," Jughead chuckled. "Especially not after how you threw Archie over your couch."
You laugh, "I don't think I could do that now. He could break me now." You shutter at the thought of you and Archie wrestling.
    "Yeah," he nods. "Anyways, so now that I know you heard me... What do you think I should do?"
   You make a face, "I don't know if I can help with this. You are the only one who can decide if you're ready or not. Don't feel pressured into doing anything you don't want to or aren't ready to."
    "Well, how do you know if you're ready again? I've known nothing but Betty for so long. How would I know when it's time?" He asks.
    "Do you hate her?"
    "No," he shook his head. "I couldn't hate her, but I don't think I love her either. I don't know if I ever did."
    "Is there anyone you have your eye on? I know girls aren't prizes or anything. But, is there anyone you can see yourself being happy with? Someone you think could make your day easier? Someone who would work through the hardships even if you're miles and miles away from each other?"
    "Maybe, but I don't know how she feels. I mean, I think I do but how do I know how she feels?" He sits next to you.
    "Jug," you face him now. "Does she make you happy even when you are sad? Does she make your heart jump? Do you smile when you just think about her? Do you think about her often? Even when you're busier than a procrastinator in the last hour of a due date?"
     "I think about her all the time," he admits. "I mean it doesn't help that we're friends. She's everywhere I look and she can always put a smile on my face."
    "Then, it sounds like maybe you're ready. But if it turns out later that you aren't then I am sure this girl will understand," you say. "But you should know things take time."
    He nods, "right... I just want things to be normal. I want to be able to go home and not have to worry about Betty being there and screwing this new guy."
    "I know and I can say try not to let it bother you but that's not how life works," you shrug. "It sucks and you feel things that you know you shouldn't."
    "Right."
    "Where's Archie?"
    "He said something about making a call to Mad Dog," Jughead shrugged. "Can I get you a bandaid or maybe some toilet paper?"
     "Yeah can you grab me some toilet paper," you nod examining your toe. "So, Jughead, I have a question and I don't want you to get angry when I ask it. So don't take it the wrong way."
    "That sounds promising," he laughs from the bathroom.
    "Okay!" You bite your lip. Maybe it wasn't a good question to ask. Maybe it was just something for you to think about. You shake your head. "Did you come over here to stay so you can see..."
     "To see into Betty's bedroom window to see if they were doing anything? I'm not gonna lie, I did think about that," he comes back in. "But, I figured that would be weird and stalker like. So, I decided to avoid the window as much as I could. And you gave some good advice."
    "I try," you take the paper from him and press it to your toes. "That's pretty grown up of you."
    "Well I'm not just any little kid anymore," he laughed. "I'm almost legal age for adulthood. I heard after this it's just a boring straight line of work and sadness."
    "You aren't wrong."
   "So... I haven't seen you in a while. Is there anyone special in your life? Someone who makes you happy?" Jug asks.
    "No," you bite the inside of your cheek then let out a light laugh. "I haven't really been looking, I guess."
    "Why?"
    "I don't know," you shrug. "I just haven't been able to find anyone who screams... Choose me. Well, not anyone I haven't known already."
    "So, is there someone here in town?"
    "Hard to say. On one hand, I don't really want to tell you because it's like the one thing I can keep private. On the other hand, I'd love to tell you because it would finally get some weight off my chest. I don't have many friends who would love sit with me and talk about how I sort of have feelings for someone who I probably shouldn't," you explain. "I don't know if it's necessarily wrong to feel this way, but it would make some things weird."
     "How so?" He pushes himself back to the head of your bed. You frown a little, unaware of him watching your face. "Come on, you can tell me. I'm not gonna make fun of you or anything. We're friends and by now Archie has already snuck off to the gym so it's just me an you."
    "Well, he hasn't left yet," you laugh. "But, I think you're right." You look towards your bedroom door for a moment waiting for Archie to come and stop you from doing something stupid. He didn't come. You could hear the plates in the kitchen which meant he wasn't coming. "Okay. So, I guess it's just that I don't want to ruin my friendship with this person or any other relationships this person has with other people close to me, like Archie. It's a complicated problem."
     "Well, do you think there's any way this person could like you back?" He asks. "How close are we talking? Best friend? Friend? Or like you've known each other long enough you can say friend but really it's just that if there wasn't a middle variable you guys wouldn't know each other?"
     "I'd like to say 'friend' but I'm scared that they don't feel the same. Or that if we took out a variable then maybe I'd lose them too. Like, have do you feel that way with anyone? Like, say of Fangs left would you be able to be friends with the tall guy? Or would we be friends if Archie wasn't the middle man?" You wonder. "Do you understand what I'm asking? I know that it sounds completely stupid. I just don't want to feel like maybe I am just Archie's older sister."
     "It's not stupid and I get it. I think sometimes with my breakup that I don't have the same friends as I used to... And if Fangs left I know Sweet Pea would still come hang out when he could. We have been through a lot so I think he'd still be my friend. As for you and I, do I think we'd be friends if Archie was never in the picture? Who knows. But if Arch were to go off on another adventure or get deployed or whatever he does; we would still be friends. We have more in common then just Archie being close to us. I'd gladly introduce you as my friend and not just Archie's sister. Y/N, who is this friend? Why do you think they think of you as just Archie's older sister?"
     "I don't want to say who it is," you swallow. "It's just hard. This is a reoccurring crush thing that happens with me. And I thought I could sustain it but it's hard to keep your feelings locked in. I thought I could."
    "If you tell me, then I could try and help you tell them. Help get one of those chips off your shoulder," he gave you an encouraging smile. "Come on, you got me to open up and helped me with my problems. Let me return the favor."
    "Jughead," Archie pushed the door open with his elbow. He was carrying a plate in one hand and a sandwich in the other. "I thought you were just checking on Y/N not getting comfortable in her bed. What are you even doing?"
     "We're talking. You know like human beings," Jughead laughed. "What are you doing? Other than eating a sandwich that you didn't bring for me."
    "Well, I thought you'd be down by the time I had almost finished my own. But you weren't so I'm guessing that Y/N told you about her crush on you?" Archie sighed. "Listen, if you guys make things awkward here I'll kick your ass."
    "Archie!" You gasp and you jump off the bed quickly. You felt like a fifteen year old all over agin.
    "Wait this guy we've been talking about is me?" Jug asks. "Why didn't you tell me?" He looks between the two of you. "If you knew Archie why didn't you say anything?"
    "Because she's my sister and I don't want to get involved in her affairs. I'm here to be her support for things like life events not to help her get laid. That's weird and I especially think it's weird when the guy is my best friend. I mean come on," Archie was almost yelling.
    "I told you that I didn't want to do anything about it because I don't want to change anything! This is so humiliating and I get it if you want to keep your distance from me or whatever so you don't feel uncomfortable here that's the last thing I want," you explain.
     "Archie I'll be down in a little while," Jughead waved off the younger Andrews sibling. "Y/N, you have always been the coolest fucking person to me. Literally, there was never a time I didn't think you were the best person I've met. Even when you would make me and Archie dress up like princesses. Those dresses were comfortable though. And when you went away to Chicago with your mom I thought that I lost someone or something. Then you came back and I was with Betty and basically a new person. But, you were the same. Still amazingly smart and independent. I have had a crush on you since grade school and Archie has known that for years."
    "Wait really?"
    "Yeah! How could I mean you were like the first girl other than my mom and sister who came into my life. I just always thought, 'she thinks of me as Archie's friend'. Little Jughead Jones and his cute little crush on the older girl."
"That's funny," you laugh. "Just how you said it though. I mean it's funny because I've had this damn crush on you since middle school. And, I've always told myself no because you were Archie's friend. I couldn't like my brothers friend because what if things went wrong? What if I'd take a friend from Archie? So, I'd push it down and move on. It didn't work."
He lets out a light laugh, "Y/N, I didn't come here trying to watch Betty or make things weird. I came mostly to get out of the house but I wanted to see you."
"That's nice," you nod, unsure of what to say next. "So what now?" He moved closer to you and grabbed your chin. He was steady as his fingers pulled you close to his face and then your lips barely brushed his. You hold your breath for a moment, frozen in place then his fingers moved towards your neck so he was cupping your head in his hand you let your breathing start again. His lips were warm and alluring as he moved slowly making sure you could ease off your surprise. Your hands move to his shoulders and you pull him closer to you.
He pulls back so his lips were just hovering over yours, "I've been wanting to do this for a while."
"Me too," you nod.
"Archie's gonna kill me," he chuckled and you bite your lip. "Die happy right?" He kissed you again.
"We should go find him," you laugh. "He's gonna come back and I don't think this is what he wants to see. We should tell him before he sees us and freaks out."
"You're right. What do we tell him?"
    "I don't know," you bite your lip. "What do you want to tell him?"
     "That maybe things won't be so hard now... And that we want to try this. Maybe tell him that he should've just told us that we had liked one another," he laughs. "That there is someone better for me than Betty."