004. Invigorating
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He has been there before. Fred remembers the blazing and melancholy heartache of a first love.
Nothing else feels quite like it.
Jughead huddles on the garage's couch, turning over Archie's sheen-black guitar pick between his fingers. His dark hair windswept. A spot of blood on Jughead's chewed lip. Fred joins him, noticing how Jughead's eyes stay lowered, moistening with tears.
"You and Archie have done everything together," Fred murmurs, keeping a solemn expression.
It's silly but he sees a younger, taller FP brooding in Jughead's place, his jaw trembling, clenching. It had been ages ago, but Fred remembers being younger and wrapping an arm around his best friend, shushing him. How FP kissed him so tenderly, aching for something Fred could not give him. But he knows Archie. Archie loves his eggs scrambled and being a musician and he loves Jughead deeper than anything he's ever had with Betty or Veronica Lodge.
"He needs time to catch up. Give him time."
"I'm not good enough," Jughead says, looking up, forcing a wide, humorless grin.
Fred grasps over Jughead's shoulder comfortingly. He watches as the teenage wraps his arms around himself, sobbing quietly into his knees.
It will be alright.
.
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Riverdale isn't mine. I wanted to jot something down for Fred Andrews/Luke Perry because,,, I can't believe he's dead. That's messed up. Riverdale isn't gonna be Riverdale without him and that's just the truth. If you are sad don't be afraid to be sad and we can all get through this. If you want a hug, I'll hug!