𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄 || 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘐𝘵 𝘏𝘢𝘴 𝘓𝘦𝘥 𝘔𝘦

"YO, JELLYBEAN! PASS ME THE WRENCH, KIDDO."

The cold touch of the tool graced Chris's calloused hands. Wiping his nose with the back of his wrist before continuing to twist the bolt. Humming gently with the sound of music playing through his sister's phone that rested on the seat of his bike. Well, actually Toni's, but at this point, he would consider it his after having taken care of it over the year and fixed the problems with it. Smiling at the bittersweet memory of his friend that still popped up on occasion.

Shuffling to his left got his attention. Turning his head and smiling wider to find his sister still tinkering with the new exhaust pipes that he ordered. "Having some trouble over there?" He teased, earning a huff from his sister who placed the part down. "I don't understand why you decided to even get these. The old ones were fine." She complained.

Chris nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but I want this to be looking good when I give her back to her owner." He explained simply, leaving the discussion at that and nothing else. The whole reasoning for him coming to Toledo all those years ago had been to just getaway. From the police, but also the cursed town of Riverdale. Having lost all faith and confidence that the town could turn itself around. The recent murders by the Black Hood set a reminder in Chris's head that he would like to have forgotten. With the war against the Serpents and Ghoulies, the whole bullshit that happened with Hiram Lodge, all of it just set the town down a road it can't return from.

I guess you could say Chris was just happy to get out of there before everything officially hit the fan. All that he could truly say he was worried about was his brother, dad, and friends that he guessed solved yet another murder. Which was quite funny to Chris since none of them could still find him. But Chris was confident they would soon piece things together and come looking for him. It was only just a matter of time before that happened and he was put behind bars.

But until then, he wasn't going to try and make the same shitty mistake he did before. Finding that being with his mother and sister was probably the greatest decision he ever made. Their familiar yet foreign company came as relaxation and a new step in the right direction for him. They'd helped him get better and stop all the bullshit that he'd been doing when he was in Riverdale. Now, it was like he started a completely new life. "You still won't tell me who this belongs to. It's not like I don't know what happened back home."

His sister's words had him faltering for a moment. Sparing a side glanced before placing the wrench down and sighing. It was true. After the whole thing with Jason and him being affiliated with the murder, the word spread quickly. He wasn't labelled as a murderer, but definitely was someone the police wanted to catch. Chris had told his mother and sister everything, and they fully believed him. They knew him better than anyone else in the entire world, they understood him better than anyone. And if they didn't, Chris was sure he would be rotting in a cell or out on the road.

"You remember, Toni Topaz? The girl I used to always hang with when we were just kids?" He inquired, earning a nod from his sister who quickly put the pieces together. "She gave you the bike when you left Riverdale." Jellybean finished as Chris nodded. There was a short pause between the two siblings. Chris knew exactly why and inhaled deeply before forcing a smile. "Hey, why don't you go check on that Camero by the front gate? Malcolm said it needed some tuning to it."

A groan came from Jellybean who rose to her feet. "Malcolm says a lot of things." She muttered, walking away as Chris chuckled shaking his head. His smile slowly washed away as he began getting back to work on his bike. Running a hand over his shaven head, fingers brushing over the scar lining the side of his head. Jaw clenching as he inhaled deeply and grabbed the exhaust and began attaching it onto the bike.

Even though things were perfect for Chris, his presence and past still affected others. Mainly and only his sister who he was sure she put up a front whenever they talked or were around one another. He understood, in a sense, but overall he did. Half the time, he couldn't even look at himself in the mirror. Not only from what happened but just the scars that continued to add on every day, from what Chris could feel at least. But he didn't try and pressure her into conversations, willing to go with her speed of it all. With him having shown up a year ago out of the blue with so many problems going on with him, he didn't blame her for being put off by it all.

But with coming to Toledo so suddenly and all the guilt he's been feeling, he's decided to try and get better. Slowly maturing and allowing himself to get better over time. That helped him get off alcohol and drugs. The consumption of drugs was gone completely, but alcohol was still on the table for him. Of course, his mother controlled how much he was to have, which he was grateful for.

Sniffling slightly, Chris stood to his feet and took a few steps away from the bike. Resting his oiled gloves on his hips as he stared at the beautiful creation of machinery. Still, to this day, he will never understand why Toni even let him take the bike. So many memories have been tied to it between the pair, and she still let him take it. Perhaps she believed it meant more to him than it did to her.

"Yo, CJ!" Swivelling on the heels of his feet, Chris smiled at the sight of Malcolm. "Hey, what's up, man?" He greeted as the darker skin man shrugged. "Nothing much, we just got a drifter in the back. Could really use your help with this fucker." That simple word, "drifter" had Chris sighing. Not from annoyance, but from exhaustion by this entire dilemma he's found himself in. Surprisingly, not because he put himself in it, but because of his mother.

Forcing a smile, Chris nodded for Malcolm to lead. About to pull his gloves off, but stopped himself knowing it would probably be best. Considering the fact that things weren't going to be exactly pretty for the next few minutes. All thanks to the deal he'd found himself pulled in with Malcolm. Both of them were forced to do things they never signed up for but did it for the paycheck. The normal and so un unique traits of a scumbag.

Making their way across the small scrap yard, they stopped at a back supply shed. Malcolm pulled out the keys with Chris glancing around. Frowning at the sound of the front gate opening, but not thinking too much into when the shed door opened. Following inside and shutting it behind him. Sighing in annoyance as his finger flipped the light switch. Hearing the groan of a man, beaten, bleeding, and definitely not having the best of Mondays.

But as he got a better look at the person, a more aggravated sigh came from him. "Third time this month, Jerry. I thought we went through this with you the two other times." Chris stated, walking towards the broken drunk. Jerry, well, he was far older than both Chris and Malcolm combined. It did break Chris quite a bit seeing the man liked this. He was just, old, and lost. The bags under his eyes along with the red tint within them, the foul smell of alcohol on his breath, the long bushy beard. It told Chris enough that he once was in Jerry's spot. Just now, he'd pulled himself out to get better, only finding some parts of himself never being able to be left behind.

Only now, Chris could control when he wanted to let that side of him out. It wasn't like he tried to keep it in on a tight leash. There had to be times when he let that deep desperate anger come to the surface. But whenever he got the chance, he kept it tamed and at ease. For his own sanity that at often times teetered towards completely being shattered. Which was why besides doing the usual starting of a punch, Chris grabbed a chair.

Pulling it right across from the tired drunk who fought to keep his eyes open. "Jerry, talk to me, man. Tell me what you did this time." Chris told the man, reaching up and patting his cheek. The action caused Jerry to jolt with energy and a gasp leaving his lips. Releasing a breath as he smiled shakily at the Jones boy. This type of situation not having been their first, but also under better circumstances. "CJ, listen, I promise you I'll get you what I owe. Just give me three days and you'll have it all doubled."

Another thing that broke Chris was the man pleads, wanting to just be able to get through this without being hurt. Chris knew what that felt like. Just wanting to get through life without any trouble coming his way. To just be, okay. Not to have to be in debt your entire life and always have to look over your shoulder. He knew exactly what that felt like. "How much?" Chris questioned, attention shifting to Malcolm who stood behind Jerry. "$1,500," Malcolm told the boy, hands slamming down on Jerry's shoulders. Causing a whimper to come from the drunk who trembled.

Wringing his hands together, Chris chewed on the inside of his cheek. This position he and Malcolm were put into to deal with these, drifters often weighed heavy on his mind. These drifters were people who owed money to Toledo Serpents- and yes! Chris joined the Serpents, his mother's Serpents. It made him laugh how easily he was convinced to join these guys and not his fathers. Maybe it was just resentment he held towards his father after the horrible childhood. But besides that, these people owed Serpents, which Chris and Malcolm's job was to rough them up. Make sure they paid on time or punish them for not doing so.

This was one part of his new life that he hated more than anything else in his life. The reason for leaving Riverdale was to avoid this type of thing. But it seemed like this type of stuff just continued to follow Chris whether he liked it or not. Rubbing his gloved hands together, Chris shook his head with a bite of his lip. "Let him go." He huffed with a wave of his hand. "But, CJ, your-"

"I'll handle her." Chris cut the man off with a sharp look. Even if they were in the same position, there were ranks to this gang. And Malcolm knew where he stood from Chris. So, with a shake of his head, he grabbed a knife from his pocket. Cutting the ties as Chris turned his attention to Jerry, "That's our deal, Jerry. You get me the cash - in person in three days and you're good." He told the old man who glanced up at Malcolm in shock. Grasping each of his wrists and rubbing them to soothe the sizzling pain of his skin. His eyes quickly landed on Chris in complete bewilderment that the Jones boy had no time to care about. "Get out of my sight before I change my mind," Chris ordered.

A plethora of 'thank you's' came from Jerry who quickly made his exit out of the shed. Leaving both men to sit and stand there in silence. Thoughts of their own flowed through their minds as they wondered if this had even been a good idea. It seemed that Malcolm wanted to say what was on his mind since he looked at Chris with a deadpan. "You do know when your mom finds out, she'll be on both our asses, right?" A scoff came from the boy who rose from his chair. "I already told you that I would deal with her," Chris assured.

"Yeah, but I think we both know your mom with still be at our necks for this shit." Malcolm spat, his tone not harsh at Chris, but just in general. They both aren't thrilled about the things they are being made to do. In fact, they both hated it quite a lot. But they still had their orders and still had to follow them whether they wanted to or not. "Well, we'll deal with that when the time comes," Chris told the man as they both made their way out. Stepping back out into the misty cold air that created goosebumps up and down Chris's body.

"Until then-"

But as he went to speak, Chris froze, completely. His mind went blank as his eyes widened at the sight of not only Jughead but Archie-fucking-Andrews. The trio wearing matching dumbfounded looks on their faces their thoughts moved faster then anything the body could. Chris's eyes flickered to his mother who wore a smile. Eyes twinkling with something he couldn't dyspher, but could only question why they were here. Did she lead them here? Does she have the police on their way? Did she plan all of this to get him arrested? So many questions that Chris couldn't have the answer to since his eyes focused on the two other boys.

It was cruel, honestly. Coming back into his life so suddenly like this, no warning. But he couldn't be a hypocrite, he did it with his mom. Putting all this responsibility on her shoulders, Chris did the exact thing as what was happening right now. All the memories back to Riverdale, his last few memories he had of the pair before he left suddenly came back. A horrible reminder that their outlook on him was one way and their perspective of him might just be more guilty of Jason's murder.

A slow smile tugged at the corners of Chris's lips as he looked Archie up and down. Licking his lips as his eyes focused on the tightness of the boy's jeans before meeting the ginger's gaze. "Did she think you two were together, Red?" He inquired amusingly, earning a chuckle from Archie who shook his head. Not answering but walking towards the oldest Jones brother and hugging him tightly. "I'm so happy to see you again, Chris," Archie muttered into the boy's shoulder.

Something about that reassured him and caused Chris to close his eyes. Arms tightening around the ginger giant that undoubtedly put on some muscle, even more than he already had a year ago. But just looking at not only Archie but Jughead as well, it felt like he could find just the tiniest changes in their expression or growth. Surprisingly Archie had a far more rogue-ish look to himself. The hair was astray and messy with the rather dirty shirt and sweater, yet, still had Chris staring for a moment longer. Then there was his little brother who still sported the same hat and same denim jacket. Everything about him was the exact same as Chris remembered, still the same little brother he cared and loved more than himself.

But them being here after so long of the trio being apart, it all felt right. The comforting nature and aura of Archie with the addition of the smile that graced Jughead's lips. Everything about it just felt okay and easy now. Hell, if given the chance, Chris was sure he could walk through hell again now that he's seen the two. "Likewise, Red." Chris smiled pulling away from the embrace and letting his hands cup Archie's face. Holding it gently in his calloused hands and allowing his eyes to go every little detail. Every wrinkle, spec of dirt, hair, scar, every single thing. "And you still look as sexy as I remember." He quipped, earning a chuckle from Archie flushed.

Their relationship had never been known to anyone besides FP and Jughead. It'd been better that way since it'd been only short and sweet. But now, that he was here, he would savour it and try and get every single last drop. There was no doubt Archie and Jughead had left Riverdale for a reason and would be brought back. So, Chris didn't stop himself when he pulled Archie in and pressed his lips against his aggressively. Smiling into the kiss when hearing the ginger release a soft sigh of content.

It all felt the exact same as Chris remembered it feeling. Those same familiar butterflies and the same arousal that continued to build in pants. But it was short-lived when Jellybean gagged. "Oh, god. I don't want to see this." She quipped, earning a tiny shove from Chris who pulled away from Archie with a smile. Finally turning to his brother who had an admiring look in his eyes. Something hidden within those orbs, but nothing that Chris could truly notice or decipher. Smiling softly as he walked towards his little brother with open arms. Jughead raising a finger in warning. "You just pressed your lips agent's Archies. Don't you dare." Chris shushed the boy like he was a baby and brought the boy into a soft hold.

Caressing his head before slowly turning his head and kissing the boy's forehead. Instantly being shoved away, laughter filled the air from the small family as Chris grinned widely. Cupping his brother's face and nodding to himself. "It's great to see you, Jug." He muttered, pulling his brother into a proper hug. His arm tight around the boy, secretly hoping none of this was just a sick dream that he'd conjured up. But the longer he stayed in this position, the more real it became and the further Chris felt reassured. "You too, CJ," Jughead whispered, pulling from the hug and smiling softly.

Clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth, Chris jutted his thumb over his shoulder to Malcolm. "This is Malcolm. A good friend of mine, so good that he'd going to take you to some free beds to get settled in." Chris told the pair as Malcolm scoffed but still followed his order. "Great, I'm a butler." He huffed, taking the pair's bags and leading them away. Giving Chris the space he needed to talk to his mom.

As soon as they got far enough, Chris slowly turned his head towards Gladys. "We need to talk about, Jerry." Gladys didn't reply for a few moments, her eyes focused on her other son. A soft smile pressed against her lips. It'd been so long since Jellybean or Gladys had seen the boy, Chris knew they would be a bit star-struck for a little bit. The momentary shock already washed away from him and was only replaced with just warmth and relief. "What is it that we need to talk about with that sorry drunk?" Gladys questioned, looking at her oldest son.

"I gave him three days. After that, if he doesn't have the cash, we kill him." Chris sighed, stuffing his hands into pockets as his mother raised a brow. "What happened to killing him now?" She inquired as the boy pursed his lips. "It was my decision to leave him alive. If Harry has a problem with it then he can come to talk to me." His tone matched much of his mother's. Defiant, stern, prideful, and unbreakable. It may have been something he picked up on after the few months of staying in Toledo and being by his mother's side for a little at the start.

"I'll talk to him and it'll be your fault if someone gets killed because of him." She growled, eyes holding a heavy glare that her son didn't back down from. Keeping eye contact with her as he took one step closer. Voice hushed just in case if someone heard and wanted to snitch. "That man has been marching Malcolm and me around like a fucking toy soldiers. So, no. I'll deal with him if he wants to express his anger. You can continue to worry about chopping up parts for us." He ordered before walking away.

It could be said that Chris oftentimes forgot his place. That couldn't be anything else but the truth since he liked to try and play leader. His mother had always known this since he was a little boy. Always playing the leader amongst his friends with Jughead. Only now, she understood why he felt such a way and felt a tiny bit softer. Harry hadn't been the greatest people they have worked with, but that was something they had to deal with. Especially considering they had far more things in store for them involving the man in black.