Chapter Text
As predicted, Jughead Jones has an awful lot to say about American Werewolf and Sweet Pea didn't know that there was so much you could say about a movie. He's never really considered the implications of music and lighting and directing and he doesn't know all of the names that Jughead is spinning out at an incredible speed, but he's just nodding along as they head out of the plaza. He's got his arm over Jughead's shoulders and Jughead is snuggled under his arm, sweet as anything and enthusiastically describing in a lot of detail why the fight scene was his favourite in the entire movie even though he's not terribly keen on civilian disturbance.
It's cold outside and Sweet Pea wants to offer his jacket but he also doesn't want to relinquish his hold of Jughead's slender, lovely shoulders. A few people give him looks and he smirks at them. They're all Northsiders, obviously, so there's no need to worry about this getting back to the King. (Sweet Pea doesn't even want to think about what would happen if the Serpent King found out). So, he just relishes in showing off the boy on his arm. That is, until they get to his motorbike because that seems to signal the end of the night.
Sweet Pea's not at all ready for that to happen, because he's enjoyed the company of the evening far too much, so he tugs Jughead's wrist a little towards the bike and grins. "Let me take you somewhere for a ride." He winks and Jughead smiles at him.
"Not in a million years."
The taller boy leans against his bike and grins. "Chicken, Jones?" He gets an unimpressed look for his efforts, so changes tact. "Fine, yeah. You probably wouldn't enjoy it anyway."
Jughead rolls his eyes. "Oh yeah, reverse psychology. That's really gonna make me get on your incredibly dangerous motorbike with you."
Sweet Pea reaches out to put his hand on the nape of Jughead's neck; fingers curled around the slender slope possessively just the way that Reggie had done it a few days ago. Jughead melts a little under the touch, and pushes closer to him in the cold night till they're almost flush together. He can feel the little hairs that poke out from under Jughead's beanie and he has to catch his breath at the sight of those wide green eyes looking up at him.
His phone buzzes in his pocket but he doesn't get it. It's the same person who's been messaging him all night and who messaged him all throughout the movie. He's been lucky that Jughead hasn't noticed, but FP wants an update and Sweet Pea was supposed to give him one. He can feel his heart hammering in his chest and he knows he needs to get Jughead to show him where he lives, but just as he opens his mouth to offer to take him home- walking if needs be, Jughead tiptoes and suddenly-
suddenly Sweet Pea's being kissed.
His lips part reflexively before he registers just how soft Jughead is against him. He smells of peppermint and popcorn and he tastes like the sweetest, most addictive substance Sweet Pea can possibly imagine. And then he realises that he's being kissed and that's not how he rolls, especially not with someone as enticing as Jughead. He kisses. He straightens and moves his hand from Jughead's neck to cup his cheek while his other hand catches his slim waist and pulls him closer so their hips bump together. Jughead's hands are pushed into Sweet Pea's chest and when they start moving, Sweet Pea's not sure what to expect until those slender arms are wrapped around his neck and he can feel Jughead's tongue and jesus this kid is doing something to him.
He snakes his arm tighter around his waist as Jughead's fingers tangle in his hair and he makes the quietest, little mewling sound and Sweet Pea groans in appreciation.
When Jughead pulls away, he's flushed pink and his eyes are sparkling. "I'll um-" he begins, voice squeaky, "I'll see you in school tomorrow." He winks, and disappears into the darkness.
Sweet Pea has to take a moment to get himself under control, but by the time he realises that he really shouldn't have let Jughead out of his sight, he looks around desperately, but the boy is gone. He's left with tingling lips and a straining erection and then-
his phone buzzes.
Try as he might, he can't put it off forever, and when he arrives back at the trailer park, he can still taste Jughead, and FP is waiting outside his trailer. He looks even more imposing than last time, if that's possible, and he has his arms crossed over his chest. His jacket sleeve is tugged up slightly in the position and the half moon glints on the exposed strip of wrist. Sweet Pea can make out a crown symbol, and he frowns in confusion. FP has a lot of tattoos, but Sweet Pea has no idea what they mean. "You've been avoiding me." FP greets, not sounding too angry, but not exactly pleased either.
Sweet Pea lifts his hands in surrender. "I was just with him." He says, trying to stick as close to the truth as he can because he's seen what's happened to Serpent Liars, and he's not exactly sure how well FP would take it if he found out that Sweet Pea just had his tongue down his son's throat. "We went to see a movie. Um- American Werewolf. He was...he was talking my ear off about it." He stammers most of it out, but FP looks stricken.
He eases down onto the front steps and Sweet Pea stands awkwardly, watching him. The older man nods a little, eyes looking wet. "Yeah. Yeah, that's Jug. He loves crap like that. Classic movies and stuff." He wipes his face. "Does he still-" he wiggles his fingers, "is he still writing?"
The image of Jughead at Pop's hunched over his laptop springs to mind and Sweet Pea nods. "Yeah, all the time. He's worked on a manuscript and he works for Pop waiting tables." He's a little impressed how it all sounds, actually. He's learnt more about Jughead than he thought. He continues to rattle off all that he's found. "He used to be really good friends with this red-headed kid named Archie. I'm still trying to figure out what it is- Archie wants to make it up to him, but Jug doesn't wanna hear it. He's got a weird hate thing with this douche bag named Reggie, but I'm handling that. Nothing serious. He's top of the class in practically everything-"
"Archie Andrews?" FP interrupts, "big kid? Always with a guitar or a football?"
Sweet Pea briefly remembers Jughead mentioning music when he was having the heated argument with Archie. "Yeah. But Archie doesn't really do music as much anymore. And there's someone named Grundy and Betty involved- I'm still figuring it out. It's weird," he admits, everything starting to flow out of him and it actually feels really good to get to talk to someone about this. No one else knows so there's no one else to confide to. "He seems to be on the outskirts yet he's still really weirdly connected to everything."
FP gets that fond little smile that always seems to come onto his face whenever his son is mentioned. It makes Sweet Pea feel weird and he suddenly remembers the alcoholism thing. "Yeah, that's Jug alright- wait- top of the class?" Sweet Pea nods and pride settles on FP's face.
"He...he doesn't drink. At all. He actually- he said-" he trails off, not wanting to say and knowing that he's said enough.
FP looks up a little viciously, before his shoulders sag. "I don't drink anymore. I'm sober now. Not that he'll- he won't believe that, but it's true."
Sweet Pea can't make eye contact. "That's what I figured, yeah."
"Anything else?" He asks desperately.
"He writes for the BlueandGold student newspaper and he keeps having meetings with the Mayor about the educational funding bill. He...He can hold his own, Sir. He does it well." He says it before FP can ask. "I still don't know where he's living, but I'm working on. He's keeping to himself."
FP stands up, nodding seriously. He pats Sweet Pea's shoulder. "But he likes you, right? He's opening up to you?"
He can still feel Jughead's lips and his hands in his hair. "Yeah," he manages, throat dry. "I think so."
FP nods, patting his back. "Good job. Keep going, keep reporting back to me. By the way, there are two sleeping Serpents in your trailer, but I'm assuming you knew about that."
Sweet Pea resists the urge to groan. "Sorry."
"It's fine. But they can't know. No one can." His eyes are suddenly very hard and he pokes Sweet Pea again with a grave voice. "That's the most important thing. He would be in a lot of danger and if anything- if anything happened to him-"
Sweet Pea nods hurriedly and watches as FP slips into the darkness; as stealthy as his son.
When Sweet Pea gets into school the next morning, Jughead is there waiting for him at the main entrance and Sweet Pea can definitely get used to this. He parks his bike and heads over to the boy. Jughead beams at him and nods to Sweet Pea's outfit. "You like nice today. Trying to impress me?"
Sweet Pea snorts and wraps his arm around Jughead's shoulder just because he can. He looks down at himself and shrugs a little. His Serpent jacket is over a tight white v-neck and his jeans are new. He does look pretty good. Jughead looks good too, though. In jeans and an oversized plaid shirt that just makes him look even smaller. "I'm pretty sure I'd impress you wearing anything." He grins as Jughead rolls his eyes and they push into the corridor together. Immediately all the eyes swivel to them and Sweet Pea grins hard and he wishes he had sunglasses because this is just too good. Reggie and his cronies are by their lockers and Sweet Pea relishes the glare that the Bulldog levels at him but he doesn't care at all.
He wonders if Jughead realises it at all as they stop by his locker and the shorter boy swaps out his books. Or if he's just completely clueless to social cues. He wouldn't put it past him.
"Everyone's looking at us," He whispers and Jughead arches an eyebrows as he slides some stuff into his satchel.
"Does that bother you?" He asks innocently.
"I like it."
Jughead looks amused. A smile twitches around his mouth. "Is exhibitionism a kink I should know about now?"
Sweet Pea groans and slides closer, putting his hand in the back pocket of Jughead's jeans much to the scandalised yelp of the girls opposite. "Say kink again to me, baby. It gets me hot." He whispers teasingly and Jughead snorts loudly. But Sweet Pea's being serious and he can feel Reggie's gaze burning into the back of his head so he clutches the collar of Jughead's shirt in his hands instead and tugs him close. "Should we give them something to look at?"
Color rushes to Jughead's cheeks and his eyes flicker down to Sweet Pea's lips. "I'm not sure-"
Sweet Pea kisses him to the collective gasping murmur of the rest of the student body. He gets such a rush from Jughead's lips he's not sure he'll ever get tired of kissing him. He uses his grip on his shirt to depend the kiss and swipes his tongue against Jughead's full bottom lip. When they pull apart he can see Archie Andrews staring with his jaw dropped and a blonde girl next to him with the widest eyes he's ever seen. "It occurs to me," his whispers, resting his forehead against Jughead's, "that I have yet to ask you on a second date."
It takes Jughead a second to answer, he still looks a little dazed, which Sweet Pea takes as the highest compliment. "Technically," Jughead grins, all lovely and pink and excited. "I asked you out."
"Well then, it's my turn. I'll think of an appropriate date activity."
"As long as it doesn't include hiking, I'm pretty sure I'll say yes." Jughead says, his voice smitten. Sweet Pea winks.
"It might include some other physically strenuous activity."
Jughead swats him upside the head and heads down the hall.
Sweet Pea follows him.
It turns out he doesn't have to think of another date idea, because one presents itself to him in the terrifying form of Cheryl Blossom.
Sweet Pea isn't really scared of anyone except the Serpent King, but even he has to admit that there's something dangerously cut throat about the scarlet-haired demonness that marches into the student lounge at lunchtime. Jughead is enthusiastically writing down a list of questions to ask Toni's grandfather after Sweet Pea had informed him that his dark skinned friend had said yes.
They're cuddled up together on the couch which brings about another point. When Sweet Pea had wondered whether Jughead was aware of the attention they were getting, his answer has been received as he watches Jughead sit by him on the sofa. The lean, pale beauty knows just how to arch his neck or cock his head to look completely alluring and Sweet Pea's even caught the odd smirk being tossed to a few of the jocks in the corner. Reggie is one of them and Sweet Pea's never been prouder. Jughead Jones is showing him off and he likes it.
Jughead's a little shit just like him. Just a bit more...innocent and demure.
It makes sense that Sweet Pea would want someone similar to him. One a scale of one to Reggie, he's fairly narcissistic.
It's all going well until Cheryl comes in and she stops before them like some angry female shadow. Sweet Pea looks up at her and wonders who the hell she is. She's wearing a cheerleading outfit but she looks a lot more than just a Vixen.
"Cheryl." Jughead says, looking completely confused. "Can we...help you?" It soothes Sweet Pea to know that this isn't a regular occurrence.
She smiles and it looks like fire. "You can, quelle surprise. I never thought that would be the case and yet here we are."
Sweet Pea doesn't like her tone. "No thank you," he says shortly, turning back to his phone.
It appears one doesn't say 'no' to Cheryl. "You see," she continues, like she hasn't heard him. "I'm having one of my legendary soirees." She hands them both two black cards. Shiny, glossy and oozing luxury. "At the manor this weekend. The guest list is as superb as usual, but I am lacking one gay couple. Kevin has let me down by breaking up with his latest bae, but you two," she looks between them, and drops her voice seducitvely, "you're just the talk of the town."
"Small town." Jughead frowns, looking at the invitation.
Cheryl Blossom expects you...it begins in silver. Sweet Pea rolls his eyes. "Thanks, but no thanks-"
"You can't be serious, Cheryl." Reggie snaps from across the lounge. Cheryl doesn't turn round but she does roll her eyes back into her head in annoyance. Sweet Pea's with her on that one. "You're not going to invite Suicide Squad and this piece of Serpent shit to your party?"
Sweet Pea coils his hands into fists but Jughead touches his hands and shakes his head subtly. It enough to have him relaxing and he tries not to linger on the effect that this boy has on him after such a short amount of time. Cheryl's voice rings back without a beat. "You're welcome not to come, Reginald. But you two," she turns back to them and smiles, "you are expected." They are apparently climbing the social ladder now.
Jughead sighs and shakes his head slowly. "I don't know, Cheryl, this isn't really my scene-"
"Shocker." She drawls sarcastically and Sweet Pea can't help but snort. She notices and turns her attentions on him. "You." She decides. "You seem more...amiable. Talk your little boyfriend into coming and you can do me another favor while you're at it."
"I doubt it." Sweet Pea sighs, but gestures for Cheryl to continue. He doesn't know why, but he sort of likes her.
"You have a little...friend. Bring her."
Oh. Oh. He just stares dumbly before Cheryl sighs and turns back to Jughead. "Come." She insists, voice softer. "I've never been a bully to you. And I definitely could have been. You're giving me ample material right now-"
Jughead laughs. "Fine, Cheryl," he says, a little smile in his voice, "I'll think about it."
There's history between them. Sweet Pea wonders what the hell it is. Cheryl nods her head like a Queen whose subjects have just pleased her, before walking out. Sweet Pea tucks the invitation into his pocket and sees Reggie's gaze fixed on Jughead, who's stroking his fingers over the shiny lettering of the invitation.
There's such visceral envy in Reggie's eyes that Sweet Pea relishes it. "We're going." He says, and Jughead chuckles.
"Most interesting second date ever." He declares.
As expected, Sweet Pea's walking to English when Reggie appears out of nowhere to shove him against the lockers.
Except Sweet Pea is just as strong as the Bulldog and he shoves back so they're both just standing a little way from each other in the hallway. The symbolism isn't lost on Sweet Pea. The Bulldog's yellow jacket and Sweet Pea's serpent jacket. He raises his eyebrows expectantly. "Yeah?"
Reggie fumes, jaw locked and eyes hard. "Stay the hell away from him."
Possessiveness rises up inside him but he squashes it. "And you can speak for him, can you?"
Reggie is shaking with barely contained anger. "Go back to wherever you came from."
Sweet Pea does his best to look completely casual, and he walks past Reggie, nudging him hard as their shoulders collide. "I would," he whispers, "but I think he'd follow me. He loves my lips and he makes the best sounds-"
It's below the belt, and pretty objectifying if he's honest, but the punch in the face he gets and the look of hatred on Reggie's face is more than enough to make it worth it.