Chapter Text
Archie
How could he not want to trust Jug? They had grown up together, gone through the changes and the transformation and everything he was giving him back was... the doubt? Jug had taken it with a grin because, unfounded, he knew him and getting lost because he trusted others too much was a characteristic of Andrews. He dismissed it gently by taking a milkshake from Pop's and popping the salty licorice, from the stock always present in his Serpents jacket, in his mouth.
"If you don't believe me, go talk to him" he shrugged. "Why stay uncertain?" He winked at him and the door to Pop's closed. Archie stood in the corridor between the empty tables and the counter; Darlene was looking at him over her eyeglasses halfway up her nose. "Do you want something to take away, dear?"
"No, sorry. Another time.`` It wasn't his day, he wasn't passing by to bring dinner to the boys at El Royale, it happened on a Tuesday after a message from Jug and he was defeated. He walked the stretch of road to Lodge's house at human speed, ruminating was his hallmark, retracing his mistakes, the mantra that had led him to be who he was. He was not ashamed of it but he did not praise himself, at that point he only felt the need to face the reality of the facts even if with hurt.
"Andrews?" He sounded surprised and it wasn't usual of him although he had heard and seen him coming; that day was bringing so many new things. He welcomed him by standing looking at the wall where the painting of Veronica towered over them.
"You lied to me." Was his intent to make Lodge feel all the disdain and sadness he felt? Maybe not, but he also sensed the shame he was still trying in every way to repress. From the slight laugh that came to his hearing he knew it, he sensed it. "Interesting... if I knew what you're talking about."
"You not only have red eyes but a certain kind of skill as well."
Lodge turned on a side, just enough to show one eye, surely terrifying in the dark. He sharpened a smile and brought the glass of rum to his lips. "Afraid that I would not agree to cooperate by hook or by crook?" Archie continues. The other lowered his glass and laughed, pointing with it. "I would've surely have found a way"
"So? Why hide it." Lodge sat down in the leather chair behind the desk. "Because I can do it."
"One of the deals was trust."
"I think whoever told you... wanted to make you understand how much you shouldn't. Jug is a good man's best friend."
"So how many-" Archie had always been a good go-between, a person who was listened to and who could motivate others through kindness, his gift had only made it possible to expand that ability of his... but to what extent. It seems he continued to have limits for his every choice for a good purpose. "You have no power over me if you want the answer." he motioned for him to sit in one of the armchairs in front of him. Archie was reluctant but if they were to cooperate for the city ... he agreed.
"Did you like making fun of me?" He was not afraid to challenge him and look, straight in the eye, especially now in the face of the truth, was this perhaps what pushed him so low? Not noticing anything? No, instinct was one and it hadn't played against him, in fact he continued to stay in business despite all the others wanting to get him away from the idea, especially his father and Betty's mother. But something was wrong inside him and he didn't understand the root of the problem.
The other moved quickly, getting up and taking another glass plus the glass bottle, sitting down again and offering him a drink. "Playing is part of the pattern but it's not what I did with you."
"I don't think so." he swallowed in one gulp and poured himself more.
"I advise you to go home and think about everything there is at stake then, if you still think the deal is a mistake, we will bargain."
"I'm not talking about that."
"So what do you want?" What did he want, indeed? Why had he turned up at his house so late in the day? He hadn't even felt Veronica's presence in the house, it was long over between them and now she was dating Betty.
He breathed deeply a few times, fixing his gaze on the glass that he shifted in his fingers, the fireplace's fire created orange and yellow games like his own eyes. Then suddenly something else caught his attention and he understood.
It was a smell, different but familiar that he recognized and carried it to the first time he had smelled it, and experienced the effect on his skin. The room was soaked with it, the chair and even the glass, he stopped his fingers and stared into the red eyes. His heart was no longer beating but the memory of the distant sensation played his ears. He felt the urge to get away from there. "You're right, I better go."
Hiram raised an eyebrow and watched him stand up, he could feel his eyes on him even as he turned away. "I'm waiting for your call or another visit." he felt the shadow of a mocking smile, he turned to answer "Sure." he walked out of that house and walked away quickly, he couldn't believe himself.
The hand flew to the cell phone but he didn't feel like talking to Jug yet, he would have taken him for crazy but understood, they were strange creatures and they still hadn't understood all the steps to this new life. He could not even understand the effect, Jug would surely have told him if he had. He was almost home and that smell didn't want to leave his nostrils and mind; intoxicated was the right word. Only with hindsight or rather, the truth outside, he had been able to get the problem.
With Lodge he had always found himself in a strange bubble, despite their stormy past and inconsistencies, he thought he could be strong enough not to give in but inside he knew it was late and useless, the difference was now subtle and dangerous.
The skin kept vibrating with the desire to return there and this could not lead to anything good, it had to calm down. Could Betty help him? Was Veronica feeling the same with her? How would he open the conversation with his friends? No, out of the question. He just mulled over.