"PLEASE MAKE A FIC ABOUT LIKE BEING IN A BAR WITH THE SERPENTS AND ONE OF THEM IS FLIRTING WITH YOU AND JUGHEAD GETS JEALOUS AND YA." –Anonymous

"What do you want, Jughead?"

"...I don't know."

Those three words broke your friendship as fast as "welcome to the Serpents" had started it.

It was only supposed to be an assignment–show Jughead the ropes of the Serpent trade, let him go off on his way, receive a huge bonus. You didn't expect to become friends.

Being the youngest member of the gang and indoctrinated since birth, it was seldom you found someone your own age to talk to. Jughead quickly became your best friend, teaching you everything about being a teenager. He showed you the best movies, texted you passages from the best books, and gave you sips from the best milkshakes. You listened to his relationship and friendship problems, and even comforted him when his relationship with his girlfriend came to an end.

"Jughead, how do you know you're in love?" You asked him one day, leaning against your bike.

"I guess you know you're in love with someone when one day they look normal, then the next everything about them seems to glow," he said, smiling sadly.

Your brow furrowed at the thought. You hoped to feel that way, someday.

It was the last day of his training. You'd taken a drive into the countryside on your bikes, sitting by a stretch of Sweetwater river that ran into the South Side of town.

"I'm gonna miss you, kid," you said, playing with a piece of wheat in your mouth.

"I'm gonna miss you, too," Jughead said, smiling. He leaned into you affectionately.

The sunlight hit the water in just the right way, reflecting off and coloring everything in gold. In that moment, Jughead seemed to glow.

Is this what being in love, feels like? You wondered. Your heart thrummed in your chest, the way it did before you entered a dangerous situation. Not fear, though. Excitement.

Hesitantly, you leaned into Jughead, pressing your lips to his. It felt like magic.

He pulled back. "I... I can't, (Y/N)."

Your heart shattered.

"What do you want, Jughead?" You asked.

"I... I don't know," he replied, averting his gaze.

Sadly, you ran to your bike, speeding off, away from the evil, golden light.

"Another, please," you said gruffly to the bartender. He filled a mug with frothy beer, sliding it over.

You pondered over the color of beer. Gold. Like the feeling of love, it could fool you into thinking it would solve all of your problems. At least beer couldn't leave you, you figured.

You began to down it, when you felt a tap on your shoulder. You slammed your mug down, turning to the culprit in anger.

"Whoa, whoa," the boy said, holding his hands up. It was Kenny. The second-youngest member of the Serpents, he was older than you but not by much. You always knew he had this weird thing about you, so you usually tried to keep your distance.

"What are you doing here?" You slurred.

"It's the White Wyrm, doll," Kenny said. "Everyone's here." He gestured to the pool table, where your gang brothers were laughing over beers.

You shrugged.

He raised an eyebrow. "Everyone except FP's kid. Where is he?"

You shrugged again. "Not my problem, anymore."

He smiled, sitting next to you. "You glad to be free of that dweeb?"

Your lip quivered. "Yeah."

Kenny wrapped an arm around you. "Those North Side-bred kids are all the same, doll. They'll play with us but never settle down. I'm sorry."

You nodded mournfully, too inebriated to push his arm away.

"You're looking a little trashed," the bartender remarked. "You still good to drive home?"

"I'll take her home," Kenny said, holding up the keys to his car. "Looks like you need a distraction." He grinned, eyebrows angling in in a predatory way.

Kenny was dragging your nearly-lifeless body to the door when someone grabbed him, slamming him against the wall.

The loud noise startled everyone, including you. "What... what's happening?" You stumbled back and one of your brothers held you up.

"You stay away from her, you hear?" Jughead snarled, gripping Kenny's jacket collar and lifting him up. His eyes were narrowed, and you've never seen him look more feral.

Kenny laughed. "I'm not the one who hurt her, buddy. You're the bad guy, here."

Jughead looked back to you, seeing the dried tears that streaked through your makeup. The scared look on your face. He let Kenny down.

"She needs a real man," Kenny said with sneer. "Not some wishy-washy North Side fuckboy."

At that, Jughead swiftly punched Kenny in the nose, sending him down like a felled tree.

He grabbed your shoulders with one arm, shaking out his hand with the other. "We're getting out of here."

The remaining Serpents created a barrier by the door, suspicious of Jughead's intent.

"It's okay," you said to them, sobering up. They created a path for you, and Jughead steered you out the door.

Once you'd reached the parking lot, you slapped Jughead across the face.

"Ow!" He said, holding a hand to his cheek. "What was that for!?"

"You think you can defend my honor like some misogynistic ass?" You said.

"You were drunk. Kenny was gonna rape you," Jughead insisted. "You needed someone to defend you."

"Why do you care what happens to me?" You asked, crossing your arms.

"(Y/N), I know you kissed me because you saw that glowing light," Jughead said. "Truth is, I saw that glowing light too. I've seen it since the day I met you. Hell, I see it right now."

He leaned in so close you could see the steam his breath created in the cold night.

"And truth is, it scares the shit outta me."

You pressed your forehead to his, knowing how much his love for Betty Cooper consumed him, how much it killed him inside when it was forced to end.

"What do you want, Jughead?" You whispered in reiteration.

"I don't know," he admitted again. But then, he traced his fingers along your cheek, bringing your face close to his. "But I do know... I don't want this to end."