Jughead walked into the corridor outside the cells.
"Charles." he called out. His brother came over to the door.
"Jughead? What are you doing here?"
Jughead understood the tone of surprise in Charles's voice, he had no doubt that Charles had not expected anyone he knew to come visiting. Jughead himself had not expected to find himself here, if he was being at all honest. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
"I need your help." Jughead said, swallowing down pride and the sense of guilt he felt. He knew Betty would not approve of this. But Betty wasn't going to be of any help now. She had left. His father had left, Jellybean had left. His mother had left. Everyone had left him.
"You need my help? How could I possibly help you?" Charles asked.
"It was Jellybean making the tapes. Our sister. After I found out I told Dad and he took her to Gladys. They live there now. But the thing is, everyone is still looking for who did it. They want the tape maker to go to prison. Dad doesn't know, I haven't told him. She's not safe, if the police find out, it will ruin her life."
"I see. can't you ask Betty for help? Or contact our father? Why have you come to me?"
"I don't want to contact Fp because he will do something stupid. And Betty and I broke up. She and Mrs Cooper left to go on a road trip. They all just abandoned me here. I don't have anyone else to ask, Charles."
"Mrs Cooper and Our father are very good at abandoning their children aren't they? What is it you want me to do?" the first question was a rhetorical question. The second question was one Jughead had been hoping for.
"I want you to say it was you who made the tapes. It won't add much to your sentence in the long run- there's not much more they can do. If you confess, she'd be safe." Jughead begs.
"And what would you do if I don't confess?" Charles asks.
"I'd confess." Jughead whispers.
"That would ruin your life." Charles remarks.
"She's my sister. I have to protect her. Anyway, what more is there to live for? I've lost everyone. I won't get Betty back. Sure, I could go to college, make money, live comfortably, but I won't be happy. I won't find another love like Betty. But Jellybean will. she's young enough to fall in love, and make herself money, and live a decent life. So yes, I will give up everything for her if you will not."
"I will confess." Charles says quietly.
"Really? Why? I thought I'd have to bribe you." Jughead doesn't make reference to the many plans he'd put in place to get Charles to agree. He didn't think Charles would be so willing.
"Everything I did was to protect you and Betty. What Brett and Joan did to you and her was unforgivable. I only wanted to keep you safe. I will do anything to keep her safe." Charles explains.
"Thank you." Jughead says, gratitude honest in his voice.
"Its ironic, isn't it. You and Betty and Mum and Dad see me as a villain for something that fictional characters are praised for. If Klaus Mikaelson or Loki Odinson did what I did they would been praised." Charles says, letting his eyes drift shut.
"Murder is never excusable." Jughead felt forced to say.
"No. I think I have learnt that now. I am truly sorry."
"It isn't me you need to apologize too."
"Jughead? With the others gone are you still staying at the Cooper's house?" Charles asked.
"No. with Betty gone it felt wrong. I moved to the Andrew's deserted house, but then the gas and electricity got shut off, so I moved to the bunker in the woods." Jughead says.
"That is not a safe place to stay. I paid for rent on my apartment for another two months. Stay there. Please. I know you don't like me, but at least accept this. The keys are under the plant pot out the front. Taking the apartment doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean you have to forgive me. It just will keep you safe."
"Charles, I can't forgive you. Not yet. But I do understand you. And I still care about you. I was planning on bribing you with something, but I guess I can just give it to you. I have spoken to Hiram, and I'm getting you transferred to the same prison as Chic. At least one of us should be with the person we love."
"Brother, my words cannot describe my gratitude. And trust me when I say my sister still loves you. don't give up on love just yet."
"Goodbye Charles." Jughead says, leaving the cell block lost in his thoughts.
