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serpent-jugheadjones · 7 years

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The Partner Revealed - Part 6

Pairing: Jughead Jones x Reader

Description: After the Drive-In’s incident, will things between them return to normal? Jason’s memorial reveals more than they expected about the case.

Warnings: Cheryl’s bullying; other than that, I think you’re good.

Word count: 3964

A/N: Took me long enough to get it done. This is the slowest of burns… I wanted their relationship to build in the fic, not just explain it and move on. I promise you’ll get some ‘action’ next part! Also, there’s a reference to one of @jugheadxreaderinyourhead‘s stories.

Y/N’s point of view

Y/N squints her eyes when sunlight invades her room, hitting her mirror and eventually her face. She’s been up all night after the Drive-In, with everything about it still clear in her memory. First, the long wait for Jughead, then the way his arm rested on the back of her seat, his breathing close to her skin... She imagines what his lips would’ve felt like, had he not backed away. Anyway, it’s no good wasting time on what ifs, so she gets up to take a shower and change the clothes that still smell like buttered popcorn and men’s cologne. The warm water falls down her body, soaking her hair and slowing her thoughts, finally getting her mind out of that.

She leaves water droplets and wet footprints on the floor heading to her room. Y/N didn’t take a towel, knowing she was still alone, something more often than not. She loves it, actually, for a few phone calls a week are all this independent girl can handle from her parent’s loud personality. Y/N remembers about Betty’s offer while getting dressed and reflects if she should accept it. Maybe spending more time with Jughead is not such a good idea, giving the previous night’s events – and the way she’s been drifting from her goals. Looking at her writing desk, she sees that old homework still lying there, unfinished. She writes its last paragraph with ease, and carefully places it in a folder, inside her Y/F/C backpack. It feels good to be a multitasker, after all.

Without realizing, she’s standing in front of the Blue and Gold’s office door. Apparently, her desire to be with Jug is stronger than her mind. Y/N doesn’t even have to knock for Betty to open the door, and she does it with a smile. “I knew you’d say yes.”, the blonde cheerleader says grabbing Y/N’s hand and pulling her in. “It will look good on my college applications.”, she claims, not wanting to reveal the unconscious reason she’s there: the magnetic quintessence of Jones III. “Where’s Jug?”, she asks looking around. “He went to get Kevin. You know Kev’s dad is the Sh…” “Sheriff, yes.”, she completes Betty’s sentence. “Right. Last night someone broke into their home and destroyed his murder board.”, the blonde discloses, fixing a styrofoam board and some thumbtacks. “Damn. Things are getting serious.”, Y/N quivers. “Thankfully Kevin had a good look of how it was before it got smashed.”, Betty says with a rascal look. “So we’re making our very own murder board, Miss Drew?”, Y/N infers excitedly.

The door opens and both Kevin and Jughead walk in. Jughead looks flabbergasted at the sight of Y/N. It’s understandable, after his lack of action at the Drive-In, but she can’t help wondering that he’s distraught like that because he doesn’t want to see her anymore. Betty notices the weird vibe coming from them and goes help Kevin pinning pictures with names and newspaper cut-outs at the board, giving them space to talk. “I… I don’t… Don’t…”, Jughead stutters. “Don’t worry about it. Let’s pretend it never happened.” She knows it won’t be forgotten, but she’s committed not to bring it up again so that awkwardness between them can disappear once and for all. Jughead simply smiles and nods. She can almost feel the weight being pulled from his shoulders. They both join the others on the murder board.

The group not only enjoy the new set of eyes they have on the case but brainstorm about who could’ve broken in the Sheriff’s house. Kevin shares with them a list of things that were stolen: files, background checks, audio and videotapes of the interviews. Whoever did it was smart enough not to leave fingerprints behind, and Jughead adds the fact they chose that specific night to do so, with everyone at the Twilight, including Sheriff Keller himself, patrolling. Y/N suggests it may not even be the killer who stole the stuff, but she doesn’t have time to explain her point of view as Trev walks in. He asks if his date with Betty is still up. Y/N thinks that’s odd, for it seemed the blonde was recently desperately in love with Archie Andrews, but believes it’s probably for the best she’s moving on. As soon as the ex-football player leaves, Kevin bombards Betty with questions about her date. She claims it’s just an intelligence gathering, but everyone heard her call it a date with an ear-to-ear smile. Bets tries to justify herself saying they have the upper hand, not the Sheriff, being able to access the kids at Riverdale High in a way he never will, and that she’s just taking advantage of that. They can’t go against it, but it’s highly unlikely that Kevin will let that go any time soon.

Jughead’s point of view

Jughead is finding it hard to keep his focus on Jason’s case with Y/N standing next to him, with the scent of white chocolate and ginger taking over his nostrils, in addition to the sound of her voice muffling everyone else’s. He catches himself staring at her lips more often than ever, furious at himself for not taking action when he had the chance, pondering if he’ll even get a second one. “Y/N/N, come have lunch with us. We’re meeting Archie at the football field.”, Betty says locking arms with the Y/H/C girl, not giving her much room to deny it and snapping Jughead out of his daydream. “Eating is always the solution to my troubles.”. At least he hopes so, as this is a completely new dilemma.

They meet up with Veronica in the cafeteria line and each one of them just grabs a pack of fries to go. Jughead finishes his before they even arrive at the bleachers to join Archie, not only because he eats fast but the unstimulating conversation made him want to be deaf. Betty’s still dragging Y/N around like a handbag, so he couldn’t even try to engage on interesting conversation.

As soon as they sit, the subject changes from Betty’s love life to Archie’s. Thankfully, Y/N is released from Betty’s arms and sits down next to him. She extends her fries to him. He smiles and grabs a few, a small act assuring him they can get back to normal. He has to focus on chewing, otherwise his lips would be busy doing something else, and the school bleachers with all his friends around isn’t exactly how he pictures his first kiss to go down.

“Sorry to interrupt, Sad Breakfast Club.” Jug and Y/N look at each other and roll eyes, already used to those not quite insults. “But I’m here to formally invite you to Jason’s memorial at Thornhill this weekend.”, Cheryl interjects, handing out black envelopes to everyone. It’s very surprising that Jughead is on the guest list, giving all the years of bullying coming from both Blossom twins, but what really makes them all dumbfounded is that Y/N gets one. “Yes. Morticia, you are invited. Personally, I wouldn’t have, but mother says everyone who had a connection with Jason is welcome.”, the red-haired refers to Y/N derisively, making Jughead clench his fists inside his jacket’s pocket, so hard it whitens his knuckles and pop his veins. Cheryl’s gone just as she appeared, quickly and quietly, off to deliver more envelopes.

Y/N’s point of view

Y/N holds her black invitation with hesitation. Her father is a doctor, so evidently she has seen him dealing with the loss of a patient and grief is not a new feeling for her. Actually, what’s making her uncomfortable about the situation is having been invited altogether. It’s not like Jason and her were friends. They barely knew each other, and whenever the football team was around, he made sure to torment Y/N just enough to make it seem like he despised her for not conforming to the tycoon pattern. Ultimately, she doesn’t mind it all that much, the bullying and the mainstream. The charming girl tries to brush those worries away as she notices Jughead’s concerned look towards her reaction.

Jug is waiting outside her classroom after the last period. “How come you don’t drive the Impala to school everyday?”, he asks inquisitively. “If I did, you wouldn’t walk me home.”, she answers playfully, bumping his shoulder with hers. “Should I also walk you to Thornhill this weekend?”, Jughead asks and she can almost sense a nervous tone but his confident face hides it well. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.” She’s not sure if it’s appropriate to be this happy about going to a memorial. However, the girl can’t help herself. As they head to Y/N’s house, she notices Jug is walking closer and closer to her each time. This happier young lady tried her best to act normal all day, attempting not to lose his friendship, even if it meant he would lose what seemed to be a passionate interest in her. However, analyzing the way things unfolded, she believes they could hold hands, sharing some warmth, and nothing would break them apart ever again, quite the opposite: it is as if a stronger bondage between those misfit teenagers is being welded just because they made a conjoint effort to remain in partnership. She can finally let loose.

Y/N makes out someone whisper-shouting her name at the classroom’s backdoor, but ignores it, heavily considering she’s going mad. When she hears it for the third time, much closer to her, the confused girl turns around to discover Jughead, squatted behind her chair with a cheeky look. “What are you doing here?”, she whispers, making sure the teacher is still writing on the board, unable to see him there. “Came to rescue you, of course.”, he replies, grabbing her book from the desk and placing it on her backpack, slowly leaving, still unnoticed by the others. “Ask to be excused.”, he instructs her. The teacher is just as astound as Y/N that she raised her hand in class. “May I go to the bathroom?” As each word leaves her lips, she knows how much being with that boy means to her, for she’ll leave class just because he asked, and without explanation. The retired physicist agrees at once and the half oblivious, half ecstatic girl walks out.

They end up at the student lounge. Jughead leads the way, still carrying her backpack. “Care to enlighten me why you ‘rescued’ me from a pre-test class?”, she asks pretending to be angry, not very convincingly, and Jug can tell. “You know, usually shining knights are thanked with a kiss, not questions.” He playfully points at his cheek and the girl’s heart almost beats out her chest. “I’m not a knight, though.” Jughead doesn’t give her time to process it or even make a move but a smirk doesn’t leave his face. “Why then?” She sits on the couch and he joins her. “You looked bored. Clearly I’m better company than Mr. Tedious Teacher.” He points at his chest. Y/N just chuckles.

Betty enters the student lounge looking dismal. Y/N notices her quick change to a resentful expression at the sight of Jughead sitting next to her, laughing. Both pause their conversation to shift their attention to the information the blonde got from her ‘date’ with Trev, but not only that, also what she managed to get out of her father in relation to Polly. Y/N changes sits to comfort Bets after finding out her sister tried to kill herself, even though it didn’t make sense for her. “Why does a rich kid sell drugs?”, Jughead asks rhetorically and stands up. Y/N/N almost forgets what they’re talking about at the sight of Jug’s brows frown in concentration. “He was running away from his parents.”, Betty says. “But why would he have to run away from mommy and daddy dearest?”, Y/N inquires. “Because they’re monsters.”, the blonde expresses. “Yeah, but why, specifically.” Jughead’s tone gets more serious. “Well, we can’t exactly just ask them.”, Y/N points out sadly. “So we have to ask Jason.” Both girls look at him puzzled. “Are you suggesting Ouija board? Because that’s not a reliable source of information.”, the Y/H/C girl states skeptically. “No. Dead men tell no tales. But their bedrooms, their houses…”, Jug explains, implyingly. Y/N is reluctant to accept the idea of snooping around the dead kid’s room. If she wants to get into an Ivy League college, breaking and entering is not something very good to have on her record. Betty, on the other hand, jumps on Jug’s plan without a second thought, which made Y/N suspicious, weakening her already faint will to take part in that plan. It’s only after Juggie promises Y/N will be the first to read his manuscript that she accepts to be their look-out. Bets doesn’t look pleased with the negotiation, constantly suggesting they don’t need a guard.

Jughead’s point of view

Jug is getting ready to leave for the ghostly mansion, slowly recollecting that week’s events. As he leads up to the memorial, he gets slightly confused because he finally realizes the extra attention and weird looks he’s been getting from Betty. Even more so with her proposing to go with him to Jason’s memorial. The beanie-clad boy politely declined, explaining that since he was going from Y/N’s place, it would be better if they just met there. Actually, he had to emphasize Beth’s house was linearly opposite from where they were going to leave.

He tries to convince himself it’s just to get close to Archie’s best friend, even if that sounds ridiculous, because so is she. Besides, Jug can’t afford thinking it’s more than that since his mind is already having a hard time figuring out why Y/N won’t leave his thoughts. He decides to target his energy into Jason’s case, managing to make the right knot for his tie after a few attempts and covering his curly dark hair with his beanie.

He fails at his mission to concentrate on the novel the second Y/N opens her front door. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of the girl wearing a knee-length black dress, topped with a loose dark grey knitted cardigan. Nothing fancy, but he wouldn’t be able to tell even if it was. “Looking good, Jones.”, she breaks the silence, running her hands down his blue tie. Jughead remains speechless, with irregular heartbeats, simply noticing her cheeks gaining a rosy tint. “You look… stunning.”, Jug finally finds the combination of words he was looking for. He can see the smile she’s trying to hide, which jump-starts his heart. “Shall we?” She entwines fingers with him, closing the door behind her. It’s only then he observes Y/N is a few inches taller, coming to the conclusion that she really doesn’t need heels to be phenomenal.

He lets go of her hand, against his personal wishes, as they arrive at the poignant gates of Thornhill. Given their mission there, it’s advisable to keep a low profile, and the town’s weirdo walking in hand in hand with the town’s loner isn’t exactly discreet. Much to his dismay, Mrs. Blossom calls out for Y/N. “Where are your parents, dear?”, the woman questions. “Australia. But they send their condolences.”, Y/N answers with empathy for the grieving mother. “Oh, yes. Dr. Y/F/L/N and Mrs. Y/M/L/N, always away.” Rancor is filling her voice. “Were they abroad during the July 4th weekend?” Jughead resents her for asking that and he’s just about to stand up for Y/N when Archie saves them both from the scandal. The confusion caused by the ginger’s resemblance to Jason shows on the woman’s face with intensity, which grows when he hands her a folded varsity shirt with a visible number. It’s 9, her son’s. A sweet unintentional act that distracts her from accusing Y/N of killing Jason.

Freed from Penelope’s nonsense, she pulls Jughead inside to sit on the far corner, where it was less likely to have people eavesdropping. “Of course. It all makes sense now.”, she whispers. “What does?”, he asks bewildered. “Cheryl said everyone who had a connection with Jason was welcome. I think it’s so they gather all their suspects in one room. Including us…”, Y/N explains and Jug is just about to agree with her when Betty sits next to him. “You look nice, Juggie.”, Betty says. “Thanks, Bets. You too.”, he replies blatantly. Everyone’s heads turn back at the sight of Cheryl Blossom walking towards the lectern, wearing the same outfit she was found in at Sweet Water River, leaving everyone dumbfounded. The girl stood out in white in a room full of black. Craziness aside, Jug believes she’s the only one in that family who’s actually dealing with grief. Mrs. Blossom looks thirsty for justice and her husband seems cold and distant.

Y/N’s point of view

They listen to Cheryl’s melancholic story. Y/N can see, out of the corner of his eye, Penelope’s wrath being choked to keep up appearances, and that makes her understand why Jason’s sister is so mean, almost feeling sorry for the spoiled girl. As Cheryl finishes her speech, everyone is directed to the Winter Salon. Betty seizes this opportunity to sleuth, making sure the three of them are out of eyesight. Jughead places his hand on Y/N’s shoulder. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?”, he asks, practically begging. “You know what? To hell with it. Let’s go.”, she answers. After the way she was greeted, Y/N doesn’t have anything keeping her on track anymore.

Thornhill is such a dreadful maze that a couple wrong turns are enough to get them lost. It takes Jughead to close his eyes, retrace their steps and remember Veronica’s directions to eventually make it to Jason’s room. They go in with all the caution possible, bewildered by the extensive amount of football gear and trophies everywhere. “Is is just me or does it feel like we’re being watched?” She gets goosebumps. “That’s just the icy chill stare of the dead.”, Jughead answers in a very spine-chilling way that visibly frightens even himself, so everybody look at him stopping for a second to recompose, probably trying to be rational again. He finally instructs them to look under the mattress, inside the drawers, behind the headboard and in the closet as those are the most likely places for a teenage boy to hide things. Their snooping is cut short as an old lady in a wheelchair calls out for them, scaring the life out of their bodies.

“Turns out I was right about being watched.”, Y/N whispers in Jug’s ear, as she holds tightly onto his tense arm. The lady comes to light and they recognize Jason’s practically blind grandmother, who confuses Betty with her sister, Polly. They silently instruct the terrified blonde to go along with the lady’s mistake. “Such a shame. Your wedding was the last thing I was living for. I lost a grandson, but you, you’ve lost the love of your young life.”, grandma Blossom confesses with sadness. Y/N and Jughead quietly watch as Betty’s heart breaks and she runs away. They hurry after her. She’s spotted by the gate and Y/N simply signals Jug she’ll handle it.

Y/N is sure Betty would rather have one of her friends to console her. Be that as it may, this needs immediate attention. The white chocolate and ginger smelling girl isn’t sure if she should hug her, deciding it’s safer to just place a hand on her back. “They lied. Jason didn’t break up with Polly. He’s not the reason she left.”, the blonde speaks through sobs. “That’s horrible. I know it hurts, but you’re closer to the truth now. We’ll figure it out, together.” Y/N tries to comfort the distressed girl. “You’re right. I’m gonna confront my parents. I won’t rest until I know what happened to my sister. Thank you, Y/N/N.” Betty takes Y/N by surprise embracing her. The blonde girl wipes the tears away and leaves Thornhill to get some urgently needed answers. “That was really nice of you.”, Jughead says behind Y/N. “I just hope I didn’t add more wood to the fire…” Y/N wants the girl to find what she’s looking for, even if that’s NOT what she wants to find. “So, you’re parents are in Australia, huh?”, he asks raising his eyebrows. “Yep. Wanna have a movie marathon to forget this hellish day?”, she asks hopefully. “Only if we get Pop’s take out first.”, he adds with a smile. “Took the words right out of my mouth, Jones.”, she replies as they walk automatically to their favorite dinner.

Jughead’s point of view

Jughead is once more in the cushiness of Y/N’s couch. First thing he does before they start their marathon is remove his jacket and tie, unbuttoning his shirt’s collar so he can breath. They’re much more comfortable around each other than the first time, therefore sitting closer. Her hand weightlessly lies on his arm. He lightly brushes his fingertips on her skin, which is way more interesting to look at than the TV both of them neglected after the third movie. Jug’s watching the colorful luminosity from the television on her body, but the worn-out boy can barely keep his eyes open, so he’s about to stand up and leave when he notices Y/N is napping on his arm. Not wanting to disrupt her looking so peaceful, Jug just grabs some pillows and rests there. That couch is undoubtedly a huge improvement from a mattress on the floor of Riverdale High’s storage closet, not to mention the fabulous girl next to him. He falls asleep quicker than ever before.

A/N: Should’ve ended here but I had to set the bar for the next part.

The Blue and Gold’s room is packed with tenseness with the revelation about Polly’s actual condition. “Betty… if your parents lied about Jason and Polly, there’s probably more that they lied about.”, Jughead suggests, not actually accusing anyone. “What do you mean?”, the blonde looks clueless. “Your dad said he would do anything to protect Polly. So the next logical question is… How far would he go to protect her?”, Y/N implyingly accuses him of more than taking Betty’s sister away. Jughead figures Bets will be mad at it. “Guys, whoever broke into Sheriff Keller’s house and stole all his evidence wasn’t at the drive-in. My Dad wasn’t at the drive-in.”, Cooper discloses with little hesitation. Probably since Y/N was there for her on a moment of need she’s been taking the smart girl’s suggestions into consideration. “I’m sorry, Betty, but we have to add them in.” A sympathetic Y/N pins ‘Coopers’ on the murder board. “We need to talk to Polly.” Jughead looks at her with a hint of demand and the blonde just silently agrees.

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