Cingulomania
This is a work of fanfiction, no copyright infringement is intended. I own nothing pertaining to The Archie Comics/Riverdale universe.
…~*~...
"Hey listen, we have some new product, if you'd like to expand your horizons, your own business, we can make arrangements. Give me a shout okay Ronnie?" FP held out his hand to his associate, the shorter balding man taking the outstretched hand with fervor.
"Will do FP, I'll hit you up soon. Thanks for comin' out, I hope we can meet up again soon." Ronnie clapped a hand on FP's back in camaraderie.
"You got it." FP sat on his bike, pulling his leather gloves over his hands. He watched his long time colleague enter his Escalade then take off.
When the Serpents showed up in Philly more than a decade ago, Ronnie was the only business man he could get to listen to him. The only man in their world that took what FP had in mind seriously. He was the oldest customer, and business friend that he had. The fact that Ronnie had sent him south to Florida to meet his other contacts was incredible. Sure they had heroin and cocaine, but what FP was offering didn't come with overdosing and addiction. Weed didn't tear families apart. Glad that their meetings were short and to the point, he had no doubts that Ronnie would be getting in touch with him before they even go to the Florida state line.
When FP got back to his club members, he handed the stack of cash to Sweet Pea, so they could sort it later. It was to hit the road, get to the Everglades City and slang herb to the Swamp people and the Southern Good Ole Boys of the Gulf Coast. They'd stop at least seven times to slang on the way, and probably another ten on the way back to Riverdale. They'd come home with at least four months of pay for the club, giving them some security until it was time to harvest again. Sweet Pea had this market on lock and this run was the first he'd been on that he was an actual asset for. Sweet Pea felt good, knowing he'd brought some job security to his crew, that he'd be able to produce not just a commodity, but an actual business plan. Jughead was jealous to say the least, absolutely green with envy over the relationship between his dad and the boy that stole his girl away.
"Alright boys, lets get on the road, get to the sun." FP was the first to rev his engine, then take off toward the highway. The sun was setting on Philly and they had sand to sink into.
Sweet Pea and Fangs followed their President, falling in line behind him, Jughead was among the last few to set out onto the highway, he was reluctant to leave, he wanted to see more than a back alley deal between his Father and a slumlord drug dealer. Yet here he was desperate to make his Dad see him in a better light. These last few months had him looking and feeling like jackass.
Six motorcycles roared down the interstate toward the Sunshine State, and financial freedom for a short while. They kept on for quite some time, until FP felt that they needed to stop and rest, then they found themselves parking in a motel lot, a vacancy sign in the window of the dingy little office. FP stepped inside, paid for three rooms, gave a key to two of the older Serpents, Tobias and Liam, that came along for the ride, a key to Fangs and Sweet Pea, then handed his key to Jughead. They set a time to rise and vacate, then went to their respective rooms, sleep was a must at this point.
"I feel like I might be asleep already." Jughead let the bags fall from his shoulder, onto the carpeted floor in front of the bed, he looked around and scrunched his face up in distaste.
"I hear that boy. Lets get some shut eye." FP noticed his sons lack of comfort in the room. "Could be worse, we could be outdoors, layin' in the grass, or under a bridge? This is far better than getting caught up by the Ghoulies out in the open. Go ahead, take your pick, just stay on top of the comforter." FP, took his jacket off, setting it on the mini fridge.
"This could be way better if you'd have just left Sweet Pea in Riverdale. I'm sure Betty is dying without his tongue down her throat." The words were out of his mouth faster than he had time to think them. Wide eyed, he turned to his Dad. "I'm sorry Dad, I didn't mean, well, I did mean it, but I'm not trying to start anything. I'm glad to be on this trip. Glad to be here with you, to be trusted enough for this run."
"It's okay, I know things are still bad between you two, I just wish you'd squash this beef between you, let shit go. Betty chose her path Jug, just like you did, just like I did. Lets sleep okay?" FP hadn't the energy to deal with the teenage heartache, he had a soon to be ex-wife accusing him of everything under the sun, and a pregnant live in girlfriend with the same type of soon to be ex-husband, it was exhausting.
"Sorry Dad. Goodnight." Jughead laid down in his clothes on top of the itchy material of the comforter, it smelled stale and old, dust moates flew all around him no doubt. His eyelids were heavy when he heard his Dad speak again.
"It's alright son but, we have to be bigger than this issue between you and Pea, we have a lot of ground to cover, a lot of business to take into consideration. You are next in line for the throne and I don't want you screwing this up for yourself, having this hate for your brother. Sweet Pea has given us a way to earn that isn't in Jingle Jangle or prostitution, or runnin' guns for the cartel. It's a real way to help out the community back home and a way to advance our businesses. I need you on board. I love you Jug. Good night." Then he was silent, allowing for his weary head to rest finally, eyelids heavy in the dimly lit room.
FP was snoring before Jughead's mind finally shut down and allowed him to sleep. Not before he could think of all of the different ways Sweet Pea was a better fit for a Serpent leader, and Betty's boyfriend. Not before he seen a whole life for everyone without him around, not before he full on submersed himself in self hatred and pitty. He felt like a douche, rolling over once again, settling into the stiff pillow beneath his head. A long drawn out breath allowed for a small bit of comfort, enough to let him relax, finding sleep at last.
…~*~...
"I can't wait to see you baby girl. I wish this would go by faster. How's Mama Coop?" Sweet Pea was laying on top of the musty comforter of one of the twin beds in the room, his head resting on his bent arm. He'd already kicked off his boots, needing to feel free of the heavy leather and gum sole. Fangs eye roll was not out of view of Sweet Pea, which was intentional.
"She's doing alright. She's used to be being alone. My Dad always did what he could to stay gone as late as possible. She's cleaning the Wyrm, wnats things to be perfect for your return. For FP." Betty sighed a little at the thought of them coming home.
"Good, good. I'm glad you're there with her though, this place is disgusting. How are you doing?" Rolling over to his side, he let his body relax again, listening to Betty's sweet voice allowed him to release the stresses of their trip so far, it'd only been three days.
"You two are gonna make me blow chunks. It's sickening." Fangs yelled out so Betty could hear, he opted to take a quick shower so he could get away from the love sick puppy in the room. "I'll leave you to it Pea." He winked at his friend then exited the room.
"Enjoy Fangs, if you hurl, make sure to clean it up." Betty laughed at their banter, she missed her boys. She missed FP, and she even missed Jughead.
"When do you think you'll be heading back?" Betty was worried about the swamp and the meeting that was to follow.
"We should be down there in the next couple of days. We'll stay another couple, then we'll head back. So, next weekend about?" Betty's heart sank into her stomach, she wanted to cry. How could she be away from her love that long? They'd already been gone for three days and she was aching for his touch.
"I might die before you even start North again." She let her head fall into her fluffy pink pillow. Her eyes tingling with unshed tears. She'd never thought this run would take so much out of her. "I hate this. Is it always like this?" She was worried and lonely.
"It isn't always this long, but we have a lot of product to move, we're meeting some new people too. Hopefully we get some decent contracts, make more headway on the East coast. I'll be back before you know it baby girl. I love you Betts." Sweet Pea was feeling the longing for his girl, but he'd been on the road before, been gone for much longer, he was ready for the reunion when they came back to Southside.
"I love you too Pea, so much. Get some sleep, shoot me a text when you get back on the road. Please, be safe and come home to me." Betty let a tear slide from her closed eyes, the wetness falling onto her pillow.
"You know I will. I can't wait to see you Betty. Sleep well, or at least try. I love you." Sweet Pea's heart hurt just a little, he knew he'd be seeing her soon.
"I love you too Sweet Pea. Good night."
…~*~...
Florida was more than Sweet Pea could have hoped for. Thankfully Jughead hadn't started any shit with him lately, so things were panning out for the Serpents. They finally made it down to the swamp, Sweet Pea was pleasantly surprised that he even liked it there. He'd seen the West Coast, with its bohemian and hippie vibes. He'd never seen the mix of the South with tropical island, he wished Betty was here with him, that they could sit on the beach and watch the sun set. He wanted to see the look on her face after seeing the old southern churches, the palm tree lined streets, the ocean in the background. It smelled of salt and water, and he longed to hold Betty close, taking in the architecture of this totally foreign land he now stood on. Making a mental note to take pictures for her, he parked his bike next to his President in front of the little bar they were scheduled to meet at.
"You boys stay out here, I'll grab you when we are ready. No funny business, and no bickering, okay ladies?" FP stuck his finger out, pointing toward Jughead and Sweet Pea.
"Yeah Dad, play nice in public, I think we got it." Jughead shrugged off his bike, not making eye contact with Sweet Pea or his Dad, he was busy checking out the tall blonde that stepped out of the sweet shop across the street.
"Don't be a dick Jug. I mean it, you fuck up, you'll be payin' for it this time. No more freebees, not after the last time." FP walked inside the dingy low lit building.
"Jesus Jughead, why don't you just fuck her in the middle of the street?" Fangs was on one lately. His pissy attitude was starting to get on Jughead's nerves, not to mention the asshole was staring daggers at him.
"You wish, only problem is I wouldn't be fucking you Fangs." Jughead's eyebrow shifted on his face, obviously not amused with Fangs and his antics.
"You think you could fuck me good Juggy? Could you handle me? I don't think you could, besides, I'm not into whiny bitches Jones, or I'd have already fucked your face to keep you quiet." Fangs gathered his wallet and his keys from his bike, turning from the group of Serpents, who were stone faced and silent, to walk down the street. He never saw it coming, never expected to fall to his knees at the feeling of the blow to the back of his head. He never thought he'd see stars like they did in the cartoons of his youth. He never realized that he was punching into the soft flesh of Jughead's belly amidst the shooting patterns that still peppered his vision. Fangs Fogarty didn't realize he'd broken Jughead's nose until the blood spilled onto his knuckles and the sidewalk beneath their feet, the droplets scattered over their steel toes and somewhat onto their jeans. Jughead was matching Fangs blow for blow, smashing his fist into Fangs eye, feeling the tissue there give under the impact of Jughead's knuckles. At one point Jughead had the upper hand, his closed fist landing in the center of Fangs stomach, Fangs doubling over in pain, nearly losing his continental breakfast. He thought he might vomit right on Jughead; would serve the turd right. Fangs used the sick feeling to push up and land another hit to Jughead's jaw, his head flying sideways, eyes crossing from the impact, spittle flying freely from his open mouth.
The screams of his brothers and the bystanders were drown out by the sound of his own harsh breathing and the desire to beat the ever loving shit out the smug bastard beneath his own body. The tight bodied blond ran in front of a passing car to come to Jughead's rescue, all six of them had noticed that particular act of kindness. Jughead had given up the fight, for the chick at his side on the concrete of Everglades City. Typical that Jones would find the one dumb slut to sulk and cry on, smash her than leave in the next couple of days. Jones more and more like his old man was all the time, he just didn't know it yet. Jughead's surrender pissed Fangs off to no end, he wanted to beat into the soft flesh the punk's face, black his eyes and make sure his nose never healed, but he stopped.
"Get up you bitch! You fuckin' pansy ass princess. You can talk shit behind our backs, and in your precious school paper, but you can't stand up and fight like a goddamn man Jughead? We're your brothers, the only family you have left and you treat us like shit. If you can't stand in solidarity with us, then you shouldn't be wearing this patch. Especially the oroborus, that's a privilege, none of us got the option, and here you are given the fuckin' thing. Buck up Forsythe, because everyone here is sick of your shit!" Fangs was on both feet now, wiping his own blood from his brow. Righting the leather on his back, he left his brother's to pick up the president's son from the concrete.
With whatever luck Jughead had left, the beautiful, blue eyed blond was bracing his head in her lap. Her slender fingers were cool against his swelling face, he let his eyelids slide closed at the sheer feeling of her skin on his own.
"Oh my gawd, are you alright darlin'?" Her slight southern drawl was heavenly to his throbbing ears.
"Yeah, I'm okay, just need some ice and a couple advil." He looked into her eyes now, she smiled at him.
"I think I can help with that. Come on." She stood up, holding a hand out to Jughead.
"That's real cute Jug. Try to be back in time for negotiations." One of the other Serpent boys said.
"No problem Tobias." Jughead sent a half wink to the larger boy.
"So much for staying out of trouble. FP's gonna shit." Sweet Pea was looking around them, at the stares they were receiving from the townies.
"Jughead is on the road to a hospital bed, I'm just sayin'." Liam said.
"No shit. Come on Liam, let's get some breakfast, or lunch, whatever time it is. This week is gonna be long, and tiring."