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Ever since FP told his kid they were moving Jughead hasn't spoken to him In a week, even after Jughead had saved The Serpents and even after they moved to Tent City. FP walked Into their trailer to see Jughead sitting quietly at the kitchen table. FP sighed sadly before setting a chocolate milkshake In front of Jughead then walking away to make some coffee. But then suddenly Jughead wrapped his arms around his Dad from behind and buried his face In his back. That caused FP to slowly turn around so he was holding Jughead's head close to his chest; running his fingers gently through Jughead's hair.
FP: I'm sorry Boy, I'm sorry
He gently took Jughead’s face In his hands and forcing his son to look him In the eyes.
FP: Hey, we’re not going anywhere kiddo. We’re not going anywhere, we’re staying right here In Riverdale. But It’s all thanks to you. You’re a hero Jug, always remember that. The Serpents are safe and have a home because of you.
He gently kissed his forehead
FP: What do you want to do today baby? Let’s celebrate! Spend the day with your old man huh?
At that Jughead snuggled his head back Into his Daddy’s chest.
Jughead: I love you Daddy
FP: Oh baby, I love you too
He grabbed his bike keys
FP: Come on, let’s go
Soon they arrived at Pops. Jughead laughed.
Jughead: Dad… really? You just gave me a milkshake this morning.
FP chuckled as he took his son’s hand In his
FP: So.. a burger and fries to add to It Isn’t going to hurt you.
As FP and Jughead sat In their booth at Pops they saw a waiter accidently walk Into Pop sending the tray the older man had been carrying crashing to the floor, which had Jughead leaping up and rushing over to help Pop. FP smiled as he watched his baby help Pop clean up the mess, feeling happy that everything that had happened In Jughead’s life hadn't changed the person that Jughead was. Five minutes later Jughead walked back over and sat back down next to his Daddy. FP kissed Jughead's temple.
FP: I'm so proud of you baby, you have such a big heart and no matter what happens to you, you're so full of love and light. I love you so much baby boy.
Jughead smiled
Jughead: I love you too Daddy.
That said the two Jones men spent the rest of the day sitting together at Pop's enjoying the food and each other’s company. When they got home that night they went to bed; smiling about the strong love between them that always wins In the end. Later that night, FP always considered himself to be a deep sleeper. Even without the alcohol to keep him down, there weren’t much that could disturb him while asleep. So when he woke up one night disoriented and confused he had no Idea what the cause had been. Once the fog and grogginess that comes with waking up passed so suddenly he vaguely realized that his sheets were wet. It was a particularly chilly night so he didn’t understand how this happened. He couldn’t have sweated so much. His pajama pants felt dry as they rested comfortably against his body. Unconsciously he dragged his hand, following the wetness In his sheets until It made contact with a lock of hair. He jerked up Immediately In terror. His senses quickly came back to him and he could now hear quiet whimpers coming from beside him. He rolled over and saw Jughead. The boy was curled up on himself, holding his body In a tense, shivering ball as low whines escaped his throat. FP brushed his son’s hair out of his face.
FP: Baby? What’s wrong?
Jughead’s eyes were unfocused. He didn’t seem to have heard FP. When FP tried to touch his face Jughead recoiled, crying out In discomfort. That moment FP knew something was wrong.
FP: Juggie, what’s wrong? Are you sick?
The boy did not answer. FP felt the blood In his veins ran cold with fear. He quickly wrapped his arms around Jughead picking him up, placing his head against his right shoulder. Jughead shook and squirmed In his hold. He moved out of the bed and as they walked out, the moonlight shone from the window on his son’s face. FP gasped. Jughead’s face was unnaturally pale and his eyes were blood shot, with darks circles under them. The rest of his body was clammy and had taken a sickly shade of yellow.
FP: It’s okay Boy. I’m taking you to a doctor, okay? Just hold on.
Before FP could make It out of the bedroom Jughead lurched on his Dad’s shoulder and threw up. FP felt the bile trickle down his back but he just rubbed Jughead’s back, waiting for him to finish. Once the dry heaving was over he hurried to the bathroom. He lowered Jughead to the toilet and went quickly cleaned himself up, got dressed, and started the car. He walked back Inside. Soon something caught his eyes. There was something shinny on the floor next to the couch. Despite himself he went to take a closer look. He bit his tongue when he saw a syringe seemingly tossed on the floor. FP carefully picked It up, Inspecting It. He knew It wasn’t Jughead’s. His boy would never take drugs. He took out his phone and turned the flashlight on. Immediately a path of muddy footprints became visible, littering the floor. FP almost broke the needle In his hand as anger exploded In him. Someone came In and did this. They had hurt his little boy. And FP would make sure they would regret the day they decided to hurt a hair on his baby’s head. He wasted no time. He ran back to Jughead. He wrapped the boy In his Serpent jacket hoping to help ease the tremors. FP carried Jughead to the car and gently strapped him In. He drove to the hospital like a madman. His son seemed to be getting paler by the second while his cries became louder. FP hit the brakes as they reached the entrance not really parking the car as much as dumping It on the empty parking lot. He hoisted his son up and carried him Inside while whispering reassurance In his ear.
FP: I need a doctor!(Yelled loudly)
Doctor Masters: What’s wrong?
A nurse helped FP lower Jughead In a gurney.
FP: I am not sure. Someone Injected this to his bloodstream.
He showed the doctor the syringe who gave It to the nurse.
Doctor Maters: Find out what It Is. Quick!
The nurse nodded, running away.
FP: He’s going to be okay, right?(Asked desperately)
The doctor didn’t answer but started pushing Jughead towards a room. FP tried to follow him but he was ushered away by two other nurses.
FP: No, please. I can’t leave him! I have to be with my boy!
Nurse: Sir! You need to let the doctor work!
Finally they managed to get him to sit In the waiting room. FP didn’t move until the doctor approached him early In the morning. FP could see vomit and a little bit of blood littering the doctor’s scrubs. He felt his heart clench as he got up to meet him half way.
FP: Is-Is he…?(Asked In fear)
Doctor Maters: Your son Is okay
FP breathed out In relief. His knees buckled a bit but he managed to keep himself standing.
FP: Can I see him? I need to see him. Please.
Doctor Masters: Yes, of course. Right this way.
When FP saw Jughead laying In that hospital bed, an IV hooked on his arms he almost lost It. He forced himself to keep calm as he approached his boy. His face was still a bit pale but It was not nearly as bad as before. He had a peaceful expression for which FP was relieved as he remembered the pain In Jughead’s face a few hours ago. He ran his fingers against his boy’s cheek smiling sadly.
Doctor Masters: Thankfully we were able to clean his stomach In time.
FP: What was In the syringe?
Doctor Masters: Antibiotics
FP raised an eyebrow
FP: I don’t understand. Antibiotics cause all that damage?
Doctor Masters: One antibiotic can’t. But It wasn’t just one and the dose was quite big. If you hadn’t brought him In when you did, everything would have unfolded very differently.
FP: If I hadn’t woken up…. If he hadn’t come to my bed….(Tearing up)
Doctor Masters: He was probably very confused. I doubt he will remember what happened. He must’ve tried to come to you for help but passed out on the bed when he reached you.
FP kissed his son’s forehead
FP: So now what?
Doctor Masters: He’ll need rest. You can take him home when he wakes up but It’s better If he stays In bed for a bit.
FP nodded clutching his son’s hand
FP: I will take care of my son
It was more of a promise to Jughead than to the doctor. He heard the door close but he didn’t look up. He mumbled loving words to his boy, rubbing his hand until he woke up. As Jughead blinked his eyes open FP smiled slightly.
FP: Hey kiddo
He could hear the weakness and grogginess In his son’s voice.
Jughead: D-Dad? Where… Where am I? What’s g-going on?
FP: You’re In the hospital Jug. Someone snuck In while we were sleeping and Injected you with something. Something that Is making you sick bud. But Daddy’s going to take good care of his little boy, I promise.
He gently kissed his forehead
FP: Go back to sleep baby, I’m going to carry you home
As Jughead slowly closed his eyes his Dad gently picked him up Into his arms before grabbing the bag of medicine the doctors provided him with. Once home FP gently laid his boy In the bed before getting In the bed himself and tucking Jughead In.
FP: I’m going to join you with taking a nap
He chuckled
FP: You kept me up all morning with our hospital visit and Daddy Is exhausted kiddo.
He kissed Jughead’s cheek before he too fell Into deep sleep. FP spent a month treating his kid’s sickness. Once Jughead was better FP knew his son needed fresh air and took him to Picken’s Park. But what was a beautiful day with his little boy turned Into the stuff of nightmares. FP had just bought Jughead some cookies from a cookie stand. But as soon as FP walked back to where they were Jughead was nowhere to be found. The only thing he found… was the beanie; causing FP to quickly snatch up before he kept calling for him as he walked around. But as soon as he walked towards where his motorcycle was parked he saw someone In a Ghoulie mask throw Jughead Into the back of a car as he screamed for them to let him go.
FP: Jug!
FP: Stop!(Yelled desperately)
But by the time FP could get there they had speeded off. As his eyes teared up he fell desperately to his knees. But It was only when he looked at his stomach that he knew It wasn’t just despair, It was weakness, he couldn’t hear the gunshot over his loud yelling, but they must have shot him. He let out a pain-filled and weak gasp as he clutched his bleeding stomach.
FP: Baby
Then the world went dark
*****
As FP sat In his hospital bed with bandages wrapped around his midsection he was brought out of terrified thoughts of his boy by Fred’s voice.
FP: F-Fred? A-Archie?
Fred: Alice saw what happened and brought you to the hospital then called me. What did happened FP?!
FP: Jug and I went to Pickens Park to spend some time together. I walked away from him to get us cookies from a cookie stand. When I walked back over some Ghoulie In a Ghoulie mask was dragging Jug Into a trunk of a car. It was too late before I could get there, they drove off. I didn’t here It over my yelling, but they must have shot me, because the next thing I know, I was on the ground bleeding and my boy was gone!
Fred took a shaky breath at that before speaking up because the Idea of someone taking Jughead was terrifying.
Fred: I’m so sorry FP, but we’ll figure this out and find Jug. Once you get out of the hospital you can go to the Serpents and get them to help you find him. And no matter what Arch and I are going to be right here for you.
Meanwhile Penny threw Jughead who had his hands zip-tied behind his back onto a mattress.
Penny: Enjoy your new home Jughead Jones, until we put you In your grave. I bet you’re regretting cutting me and leaving me In Greendale now, Jonsey!
She walked out; slamming and locking the door. Three days later once released FP went straight to The White Wym.
Hog Eye: FP! Thank goodness you’re okay!
FP: I wish I was, Jughead was kidnapped by Ghoulies-
Toni: Did you see at all what they looked like?
FP: They were wearing the Ghoulie mask, but I thought I saw blond hair from one of them.
Sweet Pea sighed and rubbed his face stressfully
Sweet Pea: There’s something we need to tell you FP…. Jughead, me, Fangs, Toni, and the Serpent teens didn’t just get rid of Penny Peabody…. Jug took her Serpent tattoo… he cut It off with a knife.
A bomb Inside FP went off
FP: So you’re telling me you Injured a dangerous cobra and now she’s lashing out and feasting on my son’s blood?!!
He ran a shaky stress-filled hand through his hand before pounding a table hard and loudly.
FP: You guys really messed up! We’re going to work on the rescue mission Immediately. But I have two words for the Serpent teens when all of this Is done, community service! You’re lucky that’s your punishment for being stupid!! But I promise you, If I lose my little boy the community service will be harder than It sounds!!!!
Meanwhile Jughead screamed and cried out again as the knife dug Into his skin.
Penny: How does It feel being the one cut with a knife Jones? Now you get the treatment you gave me!
Jughead: You… You betrayed The Serpents long before I walked Into your office… I’m not sorry… You’ll never be a Serpent… You’re nothing but a deranged old bitch!!
Penny huffed as she held out her hand
Penny: Malachi, the whip please
As soon as the whip was In her hand Jughead screamed as the whip kept making contact with his back. When It was done Jughead laid on the floor breathing hard as his back bled badly.
Penny: Does your pretty little mouth have anything else to say now, Jones?
Jughead let out a hard sob as he pushed up with his hands.
Jughead: F-F-Fuck y-you
Penny: You just might get fucked Jones, you just might.
She hit his head hard with the back of the knife; knocking him out Immediately. Being knocked out was the best part, he was taken over by memories and moments of his Daddy, Fred, and Archie. But when he came out of It he felt a strange feeling on his back. Once Jughead realized what It was he started sobbing hard and loudly.
Jughead: No! P-Please stop!
Malachi: I can’t Jones, I’m having my supper
Jughead whimpered as Malachi sat on Jughead’s ass; Jughead feeling Malachi’s wet cock rubbing In the crack. Jughead continued to sob hard as Malachi continued to lick the blood on Jughead’s back. By the time Malachi was done he had blood all around his mouth. As Jughead curled Into a sobbing ball Malachi pulled his boxers back on. Malachi smirked and eyed his prey.
Malachi: Delicious
He looked at the other Ghoulies
Malachi: Let’s make my meat even more tender
Soon Jughead was met with kicks and punches. Jughead spoke In between his yells and cries.
Jughead: You’re the one that Injected me, aren’t you?!
Penny: Yes I am, Jonsey. And I watched you the whole time you were sick. I loved watching you suffer and be so miserable before I took you.
Jughead: My Dad’s gonna come for me and when he does he’s gonna kill you!
Penny smirked at that
Penny: Is he really? Cause when we took you I shot him and last I saw he was bleeding In Picken’s Park, and by now he’s probably dead. Which means that nobody even knows that you’re missing and we can do whatever we want with you.
When he heard those words Jughead fought through waves of despair and pain as his hand closed around a pipe that happened to be laying on the floor next to him, than he used his rage to push through the pain and stand up. When Penny moved to stop him he hit her with the pipe and knocked her out. After that everything was a blur as he fought his way through the Ghoulie’s and ran from the building with pain vibrating through his entire body. As Jughead ran through the rainy night he refused to believe that his Daddy was dead, because that just wasn’t possible but he knew that no matter how much It hurt he had to put some distance between himself and Penny and the Ghoulies before they dragged him back to hell and killed him. As Jughead limped through the rainy night after escaping his prison he could feel the pain rushing through his body and the tears streaking his face. Jughead struggled to stay upright as he ran, his back hurt from the whipping, his side hurt from where he'd been stabbed, and his head was spinning from the dizziness caused when Penny had slammed her knife Into his head. At that moment as he managed to get up to the road he heard Penny's truck approaching causing him to fall backwards Into a ditch on the side of the road turning his ankle as he fell. As soon as he saw the truck driving past he pulled himself back to his feet and limped Into town stumbling towards the all too familiar and comforting lights of Pop's knowing that If he could get there he could get someone to call his Daddy, and all he wanted In this moment after everything that had happened was to be held safe and warm by his Daddy. But as soon as Jughead tripped and fell Penny grabbed him by the back of his Serpent jacket and forced him to his feet. But then a man walked over to them.
The man: Hey, Is your son okay? He doesn’t look so good.
Penny: It’s under control
She started dragging Jughead away, but the man followed.
The man: Has he been hurt In some kind of accident? Would you like me to call someone?
Jughead: Help!(Cried desperately)
Penny: I’ll take care of It
He continued to cry and struggle but Penny picked him up and put him on her shoulder; causing Jughead to scream.
Jughead: No! Help!
The man: I’m calling the cops! You’re not this boy’s Mother!
He threw a nearby rock and nailed Penny straight In the head; knocking her right out. He quickly ran to Jughead.
The man: Okay, sit kid, you’re okay now. Is there anywhere you would like me to take you?
Tears filled Jughead’s eyes
Jughead: Sunnyside Trailer Park, the Southside
The man: Come on kid, I’ll help you
He helped the poor boy to his feet and let Jughead lean against him as he helped the kid walk. Meanwhile FP just called Sweet Pea’s cell.
FP: Sweet Pea, did you guys find anything?
Sweet Pea: Toni and Fangs said they a pool of blood near Pops. But we don’t know If It’s Jughead’s or not.
FP let out a sigh of despair at that
FP: Thank you Sweet Pea. I-
Suddenly Jughead bursted In; causing FP to quickly drop the cord phone.
FP: Jug!
At first Jughead wasn’t even sure the voice was real. He could have been dreaming. He could have been hallucinating. But then there was the hand on his shoulder.
FP: Shit… Son can you hear me?
The hand was real. The hand on his cheek was most definitely real. Jughead tried holding his head up by himself, but It seemed like his Dad’s hand was the only thing keeping It from falling back and hurting his neck again. His head moved forward and when his Dad’s hand left It, he could feel his own breathing lifting It up and down In waves.
FP: Jug, stay with me!
FP’s hand wrapped around his elbow and It took all the air Jughead had In his lungs to let out a pained whimper when his hand moved In what felt like gloving coal.
FP: You’re safe son. I’ve got you now.
His son passed out. After treating Jughead’s Injuries He carried his boy to the bed.
FP: Juggie, can you hear me?
FP’s voice was soft, terrified. Jughead opened his eyes and found his Dad. His Dad’s eyes were shiny with tears, their expression haunted. Jughead patted the bed next to him. When FP came over he held him close. As close as Jughead’s pain would allow.
Jughead: Are you real? Is any of this real? I cant- I can’t do this anymore. I need It to be over. Please, be real.
FP gently put their foreheads together and breathed his baby’s scent. FP promised this Is real, that Jughead was safe now. He could rest.
Jughead’s arms had deep cuts and his back had whip mark, right hip had a stab mark, but they seemed to be healing well; he put ointment on them and wrapped them In gauze. His legs seemed more bruised than anything. FP caressed Jughead’s face, kissing his forehead gently.
FP: I have something for you baby boy
He gently put the beanie on his head
FP: And look at your pillow sweetheart
Jughead looked and saw a long black pillow with green writing “In unity there Is strength.”
FP: I asked Alice to make that for you
He felt his Daddy whisper by his cheek; his lips gently brushing It.
FP: Welcome back baby boy
He gently kissed that cheek