Chapter Text
Jughead was stressed, to say the least.
The generator had run out of fuel in the middle of the night so his phone didn't finish charging overnight. It had rained while he slept and part of the roof was sagging with the weight and a leak was slowly forming. He would need to reinforce that before the rain got any worse. He still had some old planks laying around but he would need longer nails to keep the board in place against the rain. That meant a trip to the hardware store. He hated going there, the owner often worked the register and he had a thing for Jughead. Eyeing him up and down, suggestive comments and innuendos that Jughead forced himself to ignore and the way he held onto Jugheads' body at any opportunity. But if Jughead didn't want the roof to fall in he would need those nails. The generator would also need more fuel if he wanted to cook food for tonight. The school lunches were getting lighter as the school population was due to double next week.
Jughead had been horrified to learn of South-Side High being burnt down and he had been happy to find out that none of the students had been hurt. The declaration of the South-Side High students to be transferred to Riverdale High was met with dissatisfaction from a lot of Jugheads school mates. The most vocal being Archie and the other Bulldogs. They didn't want any 'South-Side Scum' infiltrating their territory. Jughead thought it was ridiculous, those kids deserved education just as much as the north-side kids and if Riverdale High could accommodate them then why not?
But back to the point, the other kids coming meant that the school populous was about to almost double in size and that meant that resources were being stretched thin to get the staff ready. That meant that Jugheads only guaranteed meal of the day was getting smaller and less filling. He had started working at Pops' diner after an emotional night had left him telling Pops' a little too much about his 'home' life. That gave him a little money for non-perishable food he could keep at his hide-a-away. He had saved for a few weeks and got an old gas hot plate and a thin frying pan he could use to fry eggs and veg in to make himself an omelette. He didn't do it often though as the hot plate took up fuel that he needed for the generator and the eggs and veg were left over from the diner and he didn't want Pops' getting suspicious of anything. It meant that he went hungry more often than not these days but it was what it was and Jughead did what he always did, learned to adapt and moved on. It was reassuring that none of his friends had picked up on anything yet. His hunger was interpreted as a typical teenage boy (even if he wasn't one biologically) and was overlooked. If he could fool the north-siders, he could fool the south-siders. And boy did he need to. A perk of being either constantly invisible or a persons' waiter meant that Jughead heard a lot of gossip from all kinds of people. He heard beak-ups and make-ups, confessions and cover-ups and even some stuff that anyone else would go to the police about. It was through this gossip network that Jughead learned of his fathers' growing reputation as 'The Serpent King'. If anybody from the South-Side figured out that he was FP Jones' child then they would tell his father and god knows what happen then.
He dressed in his usual attire of ripped jeans, combat boots, wife-beater over bandages but under a loose black t-shirt and flannel overlay that would most likely find its' way around his waist by the time school ended. His signature beanie was last, pinned with hair grips to keep it from falling out if he moved to fast, or if he was targeted by bullies. It happened quite often nowadays. They always seemed to know what thing about himself he was insecure about that day and they loved to exploit it. The biggest one was his gender identity. They pulled at his bandages in the locker room, trying to unravel them and 'prove' he was a girl. He started wearing his wife-beaters pretty soon after. The liked to go high school cliché and shove him against lockers before forcing him to the ground and kicking him. He didn't care for that as much as he did Reggie. Reggie was another league altogether, he was the perfect mix of sadistic and twisted. Jughead had learned to avoid him when he was on his own. To stay in public places and not be pulled off into small dark places with Reggie – Not again. When Reggie was with the other Bulldogs, he was verbal and physical but on his own, with no witnesses, he was more mental. Messing with Jugheads' mind and implementing thoughts that kept Jughead up in the night wondering if the switchblade in his back pocket would hurt more than a kitchen knife. Hopefully, some of the South-Side kids would get fed up with Reggies' attitude and teach him a lesson.
After packing his backpack with everything he needed, remembering that he had a shift after school, he unlocked the trapdoor and climbed out into wet and muggy woods just north of the train tracks. He relocked the trapdoor from the outside and made sure the entrance was covered before starting the trek to school. It took him half an hour on a good day, more if it was slippery and foggy like it was today. His phone told him that it was meant to clear up mid-afternoon then get heavy late-evening and that night. He would need to reinforce that section of the roof before the night fell. Which meant going to the hardware shop on his way to the Diner. Great. Riverdale High was intimidating in the dreary fog and Jughead was tempted to get a photo of it, use it for inspiration for his next short story, but he heard the warning bell go off and he was forced to sprint the last few sections to make it to homeroom in time. School was the same as always, the downside was that it was a Friday which meant two days with limited food unless he pulled the Bambi eyes on pops and scored a free dinner at the Diner. Pops refused to let him work on a Saturday, saying that a teenage boy should be out with his friends having fun not stuck inside serving them. Jughead had managed to convince him to let him work Sundays saying that his family weren't religious but his friends' family was so he had nothing to do that day. Jughead usually used Saturday to stock up on food in the hidey-hole and to do any upgrading or repairs needed. Jughead was reminded that the South-Side kids would be arriving on Monday via Archie lamenting about it at lunch. Jughead wasn't really listening, more focused on eating the food in front of him and begging his body to keep it as long as possible. He knew it was feeble but he could at least try. He paid enough attention to reassure Archie that everything would be fine while secretly wondering what Archie would do if he knew that the 'Serpent Prince' was sitting right in front of him. Jughead knew he had no claim to that title except via his father and he wanted to keep it that way. He didn't want to be pulled into the world that tore his family apart, that destroyed his love for his father and the world that twisted his mother into a woman he didn't recognise before she grabbed Jellybean and ran. The whole reason he lived the way he did was to make sure he never got pulled into that world. Still, the sick satisfaction of his Serpent hating friends sitting at the same table as a serpent legacy was intoxicating and Jughead revelled in it secretly before finishing his food and saying goodbye to his friends to make his way to the library. He used the free use sockets to charge his laptop and phone when he ran low on generator fuel. Like today. It was here that Reggie found him.
Jughead had been pulled into a new story and hadn't noticed the library getting emptier as the free period ended. He noticed when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up and a shadow fell over him. He swallowed, saved his work and shut his laptop down before standing and turning to face Reggie. He was in full Bulldog regalia and had a crooked smirk on his face. He didn't say anything at the start, just dragged his eyes over Jugheads form while slowly licking his lips. He stepped closer, close enough that Jughead would have had to shove him away to not be pinned to the tableside. Reggies' cologne invaded his senses, something overly woody and fake earthy. Meant to be 'Manly' but just smelt desperate to Jughead. A smell that teenage boys lathered on because they think it makes them more attractive and mature. He swallowed and tilted his head back away from that smell. Reggie had thought of this, as the moment Jughead tilted his head back and exposed his neck, Reggie ducked down and licked a stripe from Jugheads collarbones to his jaw. He shuddered in disgust, both at the action itself and at the now cooling trail of saliva on his skin. "Be careful next week Juggie" Reggies' voice was hot on his ear as were his hands on Jugheads hips. "The South-Side Serpents take what they want when they want. Make it theirs for everyone to see." A sloppy kiss was placed onto his neck, just under his ear. "We wouldn't want you to forget who you belong to, would we?" A hand crept from his hip to the front of his pants and a whimper escaped his mouth without his permission. "I know Baby" Reggies' hand started to rub at the seam line of Jugheads pants, "It's a scary thought for you." Jughead had the sudden image of plunging his switchblade into Reggies' dick and he had to disguise his laugh as a sob. "But don't worry. I'll look after you" Jughead let out a proper sob at that, terrified of what Reggie considered 'looking after him'. Another kiss was placed on his neck as Reggies' voice dropped an octave, "I'll make sure you stay mine. That you remember who you belong to." Reggie pulled away suddenly and didn't look back as he left Jughead to collapse onto the floor. The library doors opened and slammed shut, letting Jughead know that Reggie was gone.
Jughead escaped to the roof for the rest of the day, letting the cold air dry the tear tracks on his face. He felt so worthless when Reggie had him, so weak and small. He was prey to Reggie and he knew it. Something to hunt and hurt. He hated it, that feeling of weakness. He wanted to be taken care of, not taken advantage of. Why was his life just one train fuck after another? He heard the final bell go and climbed down the fire escape before escaping down the road into town before Reggie could find his way out of the building. Jughead was reminded of his need for nails when he passed the hardware shop on the way to the Diner. He doubled back and took a deep breath before pushing through the door and locking eyes with the owner over the counter. The old man straightened up and painted a side smile onto his face. Jughead forced a smile onto his face before disappearing into the isles and out of sight. The nails were at the other end of the store and Jughead was aware of footsteps behind him as he found the nail section. He forced himself to keep taking shaky breathes and reached for the nails he would need. A body pressed up against his back and the overpowering smell of liqueur washed over him. He swallowed down his gag and took the nails from the shelf. "Missed you this Saturday" hands landed on his hips and he was seconds from throwing up. "I had other arrangements to take care of." He tried to push past the old man but was blocked by an arm shooting out in front of him. "Now Juggie, that's no way to talk to your older and betters." The arm moved from the shelf to his cheek and Jughead had the urge to bite his fingers off but… Slimy lips were pressing onto his with a sloppy tongue pressing forward not a second later. Jughead froze and kept his lips closed. The kiss lasted far too long and Jughead could feel the vomit in his throat as the man pulled back, licking his lips and taking the nails from Jugheads hands. Jughead followed him to the register and watched as the sale symbol came up on the register. A few seconds later a bunch of zeros' were displayed and the man was sliding the nails across the counter with a wink. Jughead forced a small smile on before looking at his watch, acting shocked and sprinting out of the store and down the road. He shot down an alley before bending over and vomiting into the gutter. Both the Hardware Man and Reggie in one day was too much for him to mentally handle, he needed to go to work. The diner was a familiar and safe place for him. Pops' was the closest thing he had to an actual father and the public setting meant that if Reggie came in he couldn't do anything without risking being thrown out for 'harassing the staff'. Jughead was in a warm and safe shelter with the chance of warm food now and then. He was home as much as he could be.
No-one Jughead had bad blood with came into the diner that night. No Bulldogs and no Ghoulies just a team of mathletes celebrating a win on top of the other usual Friday night families and couples. The rush kept him on his feet for a good few hours and his uniform was not splashed with food once – which given the abundance of kids that night was a miracle. He managed a small smile for Pops when the older man ruffled his beanie and patted his back, sending him off with a pay packet and a Styrofoam container that was warm to the touch. Jughead took the back streets till he reached the train tracks and opted to follow them rather than risk meeting anyone in town. He ate the dirty fries as he walked, the pay packet zipped safely into a secret compartment in his backpack. Just in case. The blue cheese got rid of the final lingering trace of the Hardware Mans saliva from his mouth and the bacon grease made his fingertips shine in the setting sun. The fat and carbohydrates would last him until tomorrow night at least and he had a few granola bars left in his stockpile if he needed a boost. He binned the Styrofoam in a bin in the rail yard before climbing the fence and disappearing into the forest. He was an expert at finding his hidey-hole by now and he was happy to see that the roof had held as best it could. There was still a pretty significant leak happening but there was no hole and it hadn't collapsed like he had feared so he was happy. He eyeballed the size of planks he'd need and got to work, he planned to criss-cross the planks rather than replace them. They still had some structure to them, just not in weather this heavy. That was what the second layer was for. The top layer of planks ran vertically so he got a step stool and fitted the second layer horizontally, nailing them into the main log beams and to the boards above them. It took him a good few hours to trim and nail the boards to his liking but he was happy once it was done. He packed the remaining nails away and placed them into the crate he kept his maintenance supplies. The junkyard was only a twenty minutes' walk from the hideout and Jughead had found wooden crates that he stole – hey they were junk, anyone could have taken them – and made into shelves, nailing them together to make one sturdy unit.
He noted that he was low on food and given the limited food at school, he would need to stock up again. He took his pay packet out and counted it out next to a list of food and their prices. He could get a can of fuel from the gas station along with a packet of granola bars, a packet of crackers and some more shampoo while still having twenty left for emergencies. With a game plan in his head and everything locked up, Jughead settled in for some sleep. Remembering at the last moment to turn his phone off completely to preserve battery before slumping back down and sleeping. He was jolted awake about an hour later with the image of being on his knees in front of Reggie still vivid behind his eyelids. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before flopping back down and letting the tears fall. He must have eventually worn himself out as he opened his eyes to the sounds of birds singing outside and a train running past on the tracks, just close enough to be able to faintly hear. He forced himself up and turned his phone on. 07:30, perfect. The lake near his hidey-hole opened to the public at 10 which meant that the workers didn't start arriving until 9 at least, so Jughead had time to gather his soap, shampoo, conditioner and a change of clothes before locking up the hide-a-away and sneaking into the lake for a wash. He was incredibly quick at it now and he was done in under 10 minutes. Not wanting to get caught and not wanting to look at his own body let alone touch it. He washed the discharge away from his inner thighs and was happy to note it was still white/clear rather than brown. His period was due to end of next week but malnutrition had started playing havoc on his body and not only were his periods inconsistent in timing but also amount. They were getting lighter and lighter as months past and Jughead had the sick idea of starving himself further if it meant that he could get rid of this thing that went against his identity. Of course, Jughead had no idea that The Serpent King had ordered his younger soldiers to go and scout the area they would be in, or that one of the said soldiers had followed a gut instinct towards the lake and was now watching a silver bodied goddess rise from the shining water like something out of a fairy-tale. The soldier watched enamoured as the goddess ran her hands over her smooth silver skin and finger combing her thick raven locks till they fell around her face like a dark halo. They watched as the goddess stepped into a pair of briefs and wound bandages around her chest until it lay flat under a black vest. The goddess was masculine, they could work with that. The clothes further shook their idea of them, it wasn't until the goddess wound their hair up and hid it under a grey beanie that the Soldier realised that they were not looking at a goddess but a god. They smirked, even better.
With the weekend survived Jughead headed into school on Monday feeling well enough to crack a smile at Veronica and Betty in the courtyard. They moved passed him and Jughead came to a standstill. Sitting in the parking lot, taking up two spaces right by the schools' entrance, were three gleaming motorbikes, old fashioned greaser bikes with each one having a green snake spray-painted onto the sides. Jughead turned his head and saw on the other side of the row were two muscle cars, both with the green snake on the side.
The Serpents had arrived at Riverdale High.