@ivorysatin SAID : please, don’t go.
Frozen by the doorway, his hand braced against the frame. Jughead paused a few seconds before he turned his head to look back at her, looking suddenly very sad and alone across the small room. He had an image in his mind of a kicked puppy, or a wet kitten, and with a compelling feeling growing in his chest, he gave her a small nod of resolution. Still, he didn’t move back towards her, nor did he drop the coat that was thrown over his shoulder. He’d been able to make a swift, early exit, but it seemed that his night wasn’t yet over.
Silence followed for a long moment, green eyes watchful as he contemplated her state. He held up a finger. “I’ll be right back.” Turning again, he slipped quietly from the room, drawing the door mostly shut. He went back the way he’d come, following his nose towards the kitchens which he’d already made friends in, and when he re-entered from the back way, the chef barely looked at him. He helped himself to a glass of water and a half empty plate of hors d’oeuvres that had finished circulating for the new ones to be brought out. He left again without so much as a word of thanks, and made his way back to Blair again.
He pushed the door back open, and closed it behind himself all the way. The click of the latch filled the room before his footsteps as he languidly crossed the room. Sinking down beside her, he handed her the glass of water and plucked a quiche looking thing from the plate. Popping it in his mouth, he chewed contently. “It can’t be a completely terrible night if you’ve got food.”