Chapter Text
It had become routine for Jughead, Archie, Betty, and Veronica to occupy their usual table at Pop’s three times a week. No one ever initiated this newfound tradition; they all just showed up on time and ate together a few times in a row, and the routine sort of stuck with them.
The last few times, tensions had been somewhat high with Veronica mad at Archie and Betty lost in her thoughts. But, things began to cool down just as Jason’s murder investigation picked up.
“All I’m saying is that there’s a lot of shadiness surrounding Jason’s murder,” Veronica said.
“I feel like we are being kept in the dark about something bigger than any of us expect,” Betty replied, absently sipping at a milkshake.
Jughead followed the conversation intently; he was writing a book about this town and Jason’s murder after all. He would nod when necessary, but he opted out of speaking in favor of stuffing his face with the big, juicy burger that was placed in front of him. It had been a while since he had a meal bigger than a bag of chips, and needless to say, he was ravenous.
He continued to listen to the three chat about Jason’s murder as he ate, and too soon enough, he looked down at his plate and saw it empty. He briefly contemplated asking for more, but his tab at Pop’s was already high enough.
Breathing out a low sigh, he flopped back and crossed his arms. “We should continue to take the investigation in our own hands,” he chimed in, voice cool yet holding a dangerous spark.
“Won’t that be risky?” Archie questioned, eyeing Jughead wearily. “What if whoever murdered Jason comes after one of us?”
“What if whoever murdered Jason is someone right here?” Jughead started, earning questioning looks from the other three. “What if Jason’s murderer is someone we live with,” he added, glancing at Betty with a subtle hint of sympathy. “All I’m saying is that we don’t know, but we can’t let that stop us. The police will no doubt hide crucial information, especially if it involves prestigious town members. We’ve got a decent lead going, so I think we should keep it up.”
Betty agreed instantly, which prompted Veronica to agree as well. Archie still seemed hesitant, but Jughead met his eyes, and the two shared a silent conversation that ended with Archie nodding reluctantly.
“Well that’s settled,” Jughead said, patting Archie’s back. “Shall we all go to Archie’s to do some research?”
“Can’t,” Veronica started, already standing from her seat. “I have ‘mandatory family time’ with my mother.” The annoyance dripped off her tone, and Jughead, Archie, and Betty nodded sympathetically before she walked off.
“Betty?” Jughead asked.
“My parents are too suspicious of me right now. But, I’ll be in my room, so we can Skype while we search.”
Jughead took that answer well enough, and the three exited the diner. As they walked, Jughead wondered if Archie was okay with the him inviting himself over, but Archie never declined, so Jughead figured Archie didn’t mind all that much.
When they reached Betty’s house, they stopped momentarily.
“I’ll be on Skype in a few minutes,” she whispered as if her parents could hear her. She then bolted up the steps and into the house.
Jughead and Archie made their way over to Archie’s house and up to his room. It had been a while since Jughead had been in Archie’s room, and weirdly enough, everything appeared the same. He moved with ease and familiarity, dropping his heavy backpack to the floor before flopping down on his back on Archie’s bed.
“Geez, Jug. What’s in that thing?” Archie motioned towards the backpack before sitting at his desk and pulling up Skype.
“My entire life,” Jughead said easily. He rolled his head to the side and shot Archie a sly grin, but the smile never reached his eyes. However, Archie just shook his head before turning back to his computer.
“Hey. I have to whisper so my parents won’t hear me.”
Jughead sat up at the sound of Betty’s voice coming from the computer. He shifted around until his feet were planted on the floor facing the computer. “That’s fine, Bets. Do you know where we should start?”
“I’ve got a few ideas,” Betty said, and the three got to work, theorizing quietly with each other as the hours passed.
There had been a dull ache throbbing in Jughead’s stomach as they worked, but suddenly, the pain burst across his stomach in the form of twisting cramps, and he wrapped an arm around it in shock. “Bathroom break,” he called out, doing his best to keep his voice from shaking. Archie and Betty both said okay, but neither looked up from the web pages they were reading.
Jughead walked easily out of the room, but once he shut Archie’s door, he had to grip the wall beside him as the pain flared, making it hard to stand. He staggered hunched over into the bathroom, closing the door and turning on the faucet before dropping to his knees in front of the toilet. He was shaking hard as he lifted the toilet seat, but he felt incredibly hot and incredibly dizzy.
His stomach lurched, and he pressed up on his knees, heaving harshly into the toilet. He tried to force himself to stop, to take a break, because his heart was hammering against his chest and breathing was becoming difficult, but it seemed like there was not stopping point. He just kept throwing up, wave after wave. He was beginning to feel incredibly weak, and he could almost laugh at how after everything, he was going to die like this. But, his thoughts were interrupted by the door opening.
“Shit, Jughead!”
He felt a hand on his back. “Are you okay? Should I get my dad?”
Jughead rapidly shook his head, which proved to be a bad idea. He had to grip the edge of the toilet to keep from toppling over as another wave hit.
“Well, what can I do?” Archie asked, voice frantic.
Jughead wanted to answer but couldn’t. He just kept vomiting. It was as if his body was purging all contents he’s consumed from birth until this day. He heard Archie run out of the room, and he briefly panicked that Archie was going to get his dad as another, more violent wave hit that had him gripping the rim of the toilet with both hands as his whole body tensed up. He was mid thought on how this must be what death felt like when he finally stopped, stomach settling.
He just managed to flush the toilet before he fell back against the bathtub, breathing heavily and shivering hard. The entire room was spinning, and he felt both hot and cold at the same time, which he was finding incredibly puzzling just as the door opened once more.
Archie turned the tap off before crouching down beside him. “Betty told me to ask if you’ve been feeling bad all day.”
“No,” Jughead replied weakly, and it was the truth. He’d been feeling fine up until a few hours ago. His mind supplied the most logical reasoning despite not wanting to believe it. “Food poisoning,” he breathed out.
“From Pop’s?”
Jughead nodded. It was the only meal he had all day. He knew that the manager had hired a few new high school students, so honestly, he shouldn’t be that surprised.
“You always eat there, though.” Archie said, head tilted in confusion.
“Shit happens,” Jughead replied, voice raspy and pained.
Archie nodded before standing. “Do you want me to call your dad?”
“No!” Jughead jumped to his feet, and he began to sway, but Archie grabbed his shoulders to steady him.
“Woah! Easy, Jug.”
In through the nose, out through the mouth, Jughead mentally told himself. Just breathe. And after a minute, he was able to stand upright without Archie’s support. “I just need to sleep,” he said, which was going to be a problem because he had no idea where he was going to sleep.
“You can sleep here,” Archie said as if sensing Jughead’s internal dilemma. “My dad won’t mind.”
Jughead nodded tiredly, stepping around Archie to leave the bathroom and start down the steps to the couch, but he stopped when a hand fell down onto his shoulder, steering him towards Archie’s room.
“You’re not sleeping on the couch, Jug. Not after that.” Archie’s voice was firm, and Jughead wanted to protest, but his feet shuffled towards Archie’s room as if on autopilot.
“Juggie! Are you okay?”
Jughead glanced with drooping eyes towards Archie’s computer monitor, noting the concern in Betty’s wide eyes despite the shit quality of Skype.
He waved weakly. “I’m okay. Just ate some bad food.”
Archie helped him into bed and under the covers. He felt so comfortable and so warm for the first time in a while, and he wanted to fall asleep instantly, but his eyes snapped open when he felt a hand brush against his forehead.
“He’s a little warm, Bets.”
Reply, Jughead’s mind screamed, but he could feel himself drifting.
“That’s pretty common with food poisoning. Just get him some water, Archie. Have him take small sips when he wakes up, but he needs to drink some or he’ll dehydrate.”
“You don’t need to dote on me,” Jughead whispered, surprised he was still able to follow the conversation despite being half-asleep already.
“You would do the same for any of us,” Archie said softly, lightly brushing Jughead’s bangs back. “So, shut up, and let me take care of you.” He added, voice light yet firm.
Jughead breathed out a low laugh. “Fine, dad,” he chided lightly. His lips curled up into a soft smile, and he drifted off into a blissful sleep.