Drag You Down
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Fandom: Riverdale
Pairing: Jughead Jones x You
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After a fight, Jughead is MIA. You find out he’s been hanging at the White Wyrm and you go to confront him. A heated argument leads to unexpected confessions.
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The Whyte Wyrm was the last place you ever expected to find yourself. The dive bar, filled with smoke, thumping music, and the Serpents who called it home, felt like the antithesis of everything you were. But tonight, you had no choice. Jughead was MIA, and after the fight you’d had, you needed to find him, needed to make things right, even if it meant braving the lion’s den.
You pulled your jacket tighter around you as you pushed through the door, feeling the weight of every set of eyes that landed on you. You stuck out like a sore thumb in your soft sweater and sneakers, the good girl walking into the Serpents’ den. But you didn’t care about any of that. All you cared about was finding Jughead. He hadn’t answered your calls, hadn’t responded to your texts, and the empty feeling in your chest only grew when Toni told you he’d been hanging out at the Whyte Wyrm for days, avoiding everyone. Including you.
You scanned the room, your eyes darting through the crowd, but there was no sign of Jughead’s familiar beanie or brooding presence. Instead, a tall, muscular Serpent caught sight of you, a predatory smirk spreading across his face as he swaggered over, blocking your view.
“Hey there, sweetheart,” he drawled, his eyes roving over you with an unnerving hunger. “You look a little lost. What’s a pretty girl like you doing in a place like this?”
You took a step back, trying to stay calm, though your heart was racing. “I’m not here for trouble. I’m just looking for someone.”
He leaned in closer, the scent of alcohol clinging to his breath as he sneered. “Well, you found me. How about I keep you company instead?”
You tried to sidestep him, but he moved with you, his presence imposing and uncomfortably close. “I’m looking for Jughead,” you said firmly, hoping the name would deter him. “Do you know where he is?”
The Serpent chuckled, a dark, mocking sound that made your skin crawl. “Oh, Jones? He’s not worth your time, princess. But I might be.”
He reached out, his fingers brushing your arm in a way that made you flinch, and panic flared in your chest. You opened your mouth to tell him to back off, but suddenly, Jughead’s voice cut through the noise, sharp and laced with fury.
“Get your hands off her.”
You turned to see Jughead standing there, his jaw clenched and eyes burning with a protective anger that sent the Serpent scrambling back a step. Jughead’s leather jacket hung off his shoulders, the Serpent emblem glaring in the low light, and his fists were clenched, ready for a fight.
The Serpent sneered but backed off, holding up his hands. “Relax, Jones. Didn’t know she was yours.”
“She’s not,” Jughead snapped, but his eyes flicked to you, and the tension in his eyes made you feel as though he hated saying those words. The Serpent slunk away, muttering under his breath, and Jughead turned his attention back to you, his gaze still simmering with anger.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Jughead demanded, his voice harsher than you’d ever heard it. “This isn’t your place.”
You swallowed, meeting his stare head-on. “I could ask you the same thing. You disappeared, Jug! You haven’t answered my calls or texts, and after our fight, I didn’t know if-”
“If what?” Jughead cut in, his tone sharp, though there was a crack in his voice. “If I was okay? Why do you always do this, huh? Running into danger like it’s nothing, just to find me?”
His words stung, but you couldn’t hold back. “Because I care about you! I was worried, Jug. You just left, and I didn’t know if you were hurt or-”
“That’s exactly the problem!” he snapped, his voice rising. “You care too much, and you always put yourself in the middle of my messes. I’m in the Serpents now—I’m dealing with stuff you shouldn’t be part of, and I can’t keep watching you throw yourself into danger for me.”
“What about you? That’s real hypocritical coming from you.” You scoffed, motioning to your environment.
“I’m the serpent, not you. I don’t have a choice in this life! My father is FP Jones. The Serpents are in my blood. Don’t choose this because of me. I won’t let you put yourself in danger!” He grabbed a hold of your wrist, as if doing so would force reason into you.
You took a step closer, your frustration boiling over. “So what? You just shut me out? Push me away because you’re too scared of what might happen?”
Jughead’s face twisted with pain, his eyes searching yours as if trying to find the right words. “I’m scared because I don’t want you to be part of this. The Serpents, the fights, it’s not your world. I don’t want you dragged down into it because of me.”
You felt your heart ache at his admission, the walls Jughead always kept up cracking right in front of you. “I don’t care about any of that,” you said, your voice softer now, pleading. “I care about you, Jug. I’m here because I don’t want to lose you.”
Jughead looked at you, his expression a mix of anger, regret, and something deeper—something raw and vulnerable that he rarely let anyone see. “No. Don’t. Don’t say that. Don’t make this harder than it already is. I’m doing this for you. You may not see it now, but you’re meant for more than this. Don’t let me drag you down.” Tears welled in his beautiful blue eyes. Your heart cracked at the sight. You sighed, cupping his cheek in your palm.
“Juggy, you are not a heavy weight to bare. You can’t get rid of me that easily. You will not drag me down.” You caressed his cheek with your thumb and he leaned into your touch, shutting his eyes. “I want to be here. I want to be apart of your life, no matter what that involves.”
“I thought pushing you away would keep you safe,” he confessed, his voice breaking slightly. “But it’s killing me. It’s only been a few days and it’s eating me alive. I can’t keep pretending like you don’t mean everything to me.”
Your breath caught, and you felt the sting of tears in your eyes. Jughead’s confession hung in the air, heavy and real, and you stepped closer. “Then don’t push me away,” you whispered. “I’m not afraid of your world, Jug. I’m afraid of losing you.”
Jughead’s resolve shattered, and he pulled you into him, his lips crashing into yours in a kiss that was both desperate and full of longing. The kiss was an admission, all the words he couldn’t say poured into the way his hands cupped your face, his lips moving against yours with an intensity that made everything else fade away.
You kissed him back just as fiercely, your fingers tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as if you could erase every fight, every fear, with the touch of your lips. Jughead’s hands slid around your waist, holding you tight, anchoring you in the moment.
When you finally broke apart, your foreheads pressed together, Jughead’s thumb brushed your cheek, wiping away a stray tear. His eyes were soft, filled with the vulnerability he’d been hiding for so long. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m sorry I tried to push you away. I just… I love you too much to see you hurt because of me.”
You smiled through the tears, resting your hand over his heart, feeling the steady beat beneath your palm. “You’re not dragging me down, Jug. We’ll face this together. Whatever comes, I’m not going anywhere.”
Jughead pulled you into his arms, holding you as if letting go would break him. In the noisy, chaotic heart of the Serpents’ lair, surrounded by the life Jughead had tried to keep you from, you knew that no matter what dangers lay ahead, you’d face them together.

















