[ gambling with their hearts is a game with high stakes. too high. this isn’t the only instance recently where he thinks jug is behaving stupidly, but this may be when he calls him on it. what’s he thinking? is he thinking at all? is he planning on running this by his girlfriend? not wanting to be around them isn’t why he’s resisting, he has no issue with crashing on the couch or the floor. it’s the other thing. he’s the impulsive one. the guy that doesn’t think twice before rushing into situations because his feelings constantly jump in the driver’s seat.

his pulse is too fast for someone calmly disagreeing with a friend, for someone that doesn’t feel anything. he cups his knees with his palms, steadying himself. there’s no shaking the inquisitive gaze of an investigator. jughead knows what twitches to look for, what questions to ask, how to wait archie out. likewise he recognizes when he’s being watched and what signs not to show, if he can help it. ]

I know. I’d do it again. [ that connection between them hasn’t changed. his door will always be open, no matter how many times fred andrews brings out the old and true speech about how each jones is on a twisted road and cannot be saved from themselves. ] It's not about staying here. I don't have an issue with crashing on the couch until I can find a place. [ he exhales like he has to get all the extra air out and take new oxygen in to get the next part out. ] But is that all you're asking me to do?