Afterlife with Archie/Riverdale fanfiction
Title: Death Becomes Him
Rating: R
Characters: Jughead Jones and Valerie Brown
Category: Gen
Genres: Dark, Horror,Supernatural
Summary: Valerie tries to make the pain go away
It had been a long night. Valerie was thirsty, but couldn't find any way to quench the urges that were rising inside of her. Now wasn't the time, she'd never be able to get away with it and the meeting hadn't begun. She chose the next best thing and went to Pop's for an Egg Cream Soda. She walked in and managed to be casual when she sat on a stool.
"I'll have a chocolate egg cream soda," she said. Suddenly, she noticed that Jughead was there. He looked extremely sad and he was in obvious pain. Her needs and desires began to bubble to the surface and she formed a calculating smile.
"Make that two. Give him one on me," she said. She could smell his emotions and it was intoxicating. Archie was a hot mess, but his scent and emotions were too much for her. She despised being ignored almost as much as being cheated on publicly for all practical purposes. She should have killed him, but she had been forbidden to. She hated Cheryl, but the Blossoms owned Riverdale. It made her hate the god-forsaken town she had settled in.
“Thanks, Val.” Jughead said, a surprised look on his face.
Val sat down and joined him. “I heard you guys fighting earlier. Are you okay?” she asked.
“No, I’m the opposite of okay. How could they do this to me? I hate them so much right now,” Jughead said.
“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be free? I mean, in the metaphorical sense? To be your own person and break free from the shackles that make your life the way it is?” she said. She could feel his pain and anger and it was making her crazy. She could picture the taste almost as if it were real.
Jughead formed a short laugh. “Have you met me? I’m the town weirdo and my friends fucked me over. I bought a bus ticket to Toledo, but my mom didn’t want me to visit her. I’ve always dreamed about it, but now I need it to be real,” Jughead said.
“What if I told you that I could help you? That there was a way to make you feel better? The bus station isn’t going to be open for hours. Don’t stay here or they’ll come looking for you. Humor me,” she said. He didn’t need them and she disliked most of them.
“Normally I’d ask what could be better than burgers and milkshakes, but I’m all ears. Let’s get out of here,” Jughead said.
“Oh, believe me…it’s much better than burgers and milkshakes,” she said. He’d be free soon and the pain would go away. He’d burst in the beginning, but she’d be there to catch him when he fell.
They left Pop’s and headed towards the woods that were close to Thornhill. In the light of the moon, they looked twice as murky and foreboding. The moon was covered with clouds and there seemed to be a glow in the distance.
“Val…why are we headed towards Thornhill?” Jughead said.
“So no one will see us,” she said before she kissed him. She bit his lip so that she could get a taste and even the tiny amount gave a hint of ecstasy.
Jughead’s eyes widened and he pushed her away.
“Val…I’m with Betty. I know you’re mad at Archie, but I’d never do that to him,” Jughead said.
Val started to laugh. “I’m not trying to make Archie jealous, I’m trying to set you free. He betrayed you and he’s selfish. Admit it…you resent him,” she said.
Jughead frowned. “He did a really shitty thing. To both of us. I still can’t do that to Betty. I won’t,” he said.
Valerie sighed. “I thought I’d give you credit, but I’ll have to be direct,” she said. Moments later, she sank her fangs into his neck. She could feel all the bottled up hatred and it was orgasmic. All the fear, the pain and anger were mixed into one and she made a mistake with Archie. He would be boring and she was glad that she didn’t get close to him. Jughead’s screams only excited her more. She stopped before he could pass out.
“What the fuck?! Did you just bite me?” Jughead said.
“I did more than that and you’ll thank me later,” she said. She pulled out a knife and cut her arm open. He was too weak to struggle and much like her, there was hidden depth to him. She put it into his mouth and looked at him.
“Go on…you know you want to. It’s better than death-That’s the easy way out. True release from suffering isn’t temporary, it’s permanent. Some say it’s when your soul is finished and you achieve Nirvana, but I found a much better and more interesting way to do it,” she remarked. She doubted he’d struggle and if he did, he was a fool.
Jughead drank from her wrists and when she felt that he’d had enough, she let go.
“God…I think I hate you even more than them right now. You pretended to gave a shit and you’re just here to eat me,” he said.
“No, honey…you’ve got me confused with the wolves. I heard things about your daddy, but I doubt it. You hate me now, but you’ll thank me later. I can sense a soul in need and all that darkness is like a black cloud around you and it’s beautiful,” she said. She wiped the blood off and licked her lips. He’d be ready soon enough and she could take him with her.
“Fuck you! On top of everything, my dad is a werewolf? Now you’re the one who’s confused. He’s a Serpent,” Jughead snarled.
“He can be both, sweetness. Soon enough, you’ll know. If he’s not, the you can set him free. We both can,” she said.
“You’re crazy and Archie isn’t the one who’s a mess. He dodged a bullet and I’m not doing a damn thing to my dad,” he said.
“I was afraid you’d say that,” she said. She shook her head before she snapped his neck. She’d carry him so that no one could find him if he didn’t get up. The others would make sure that it got covered up and he already bought a bus ticket.
Valerie scooped Jughead up into her arms and headed towards Thornhill. They wouldn’t be happy with her, but they’d see her point once she explained herself.
Eventually, Jughead woke up. He looked around and sighed. “God, that was weird,” he said. Suddenly, he felt the blood trailing down his neck. He was about to scream when Valerie covered his mouth.
“I wouldn’t. The people who’ll hear you won’t save you. If anything, they’ll kill both of us,” she said.
“What did you do, you psycho? Did you try and snap my neck?” he said.
“I didn’t try, I did it. You’re dead now and everyone will think that you moved to Toledo. If your mother says you’re not there, then you ran away. You’ll see Betty again, but you’ll be a better man. Literally…take a breath and feel the energy inside you. You’ve never been more alive, Jughead.” By daylight, he’d accept his fate. Even if he still hated her, he couldn’t touch her.
Jughead did as he was told and as she watched his reaction, she smiled. His eyelids were fluttering he moaned and moved his arms.
“What did I tell you? I was mad when it happened to me, too. All of us were and it wasn’t fair until we realized the gift we were given. Our sire gave us the gift of being living legends,” Valerie said.
Jughead looked at her warily. “We?” he asked.
“Josie and Melody. We were born in the 1800’s. We’ve been singing our song and doing this dance so many times, but it never gets old,” she said.
Jughead’s eyes widened in horror. “Cheryl? Is that why she and Josie close? She’s scary and pale and so was Jason. You all killed him, didn’t you?” he asked.
Valerie snorted. “They’ll never let Cheryl know-She’s weak and so was Jason. Clifford had to take care of him and he was becoming a problem. It’s not really incest and their families are one and the same. He was going to ruin everything. Polly came to her sense and made the right choice. Why do you think I went with you all to look for her?” Valerie wouldn’t have killed Polly afterwards unless she became a problem. She hated her parents and wouldn’t be weak after she turned.
Jughead stared at her in disbelief. “My dad is rotting in jail and of all people, Jason’s father is the one who killed him? Those people are creepier than I ever thought possible. The Coopers are Blossoms? Ewww,” Jughead said.
“They’re distant cousins, which isn’t that big of a deal. Jason wouldn’t tell and he was ruining their family. If you don’t want your father to rot, then set him free. We’ll do it together,” she said.
“So what, we’ll just magically get Papa Blossom to confess?” Jughead said.
Val laughed and shook her head. “Set him free,” she said. She gave him a knowing look and knew that he understood, but he was in denial.
Jughead gasped. “I’m supposed to make him like…this? A freak?” he said.
“Not a freak. Superior and above and beyond anything everyone else could ever imagine. There aren’t many of us and it’s because they don’t deserve it. It’s a special circle for those worthy of a better life,” she said.
“This isn’t better,” he said.
“That look on your face says otherwise. Come on…we’re going to be late and I need you to mind your manners,” Valerie said.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Jughead said.
Valerie grabbed him by the shoulders and stared at him. “You’re going to go to the meeting silently and when you get there, you’ll greet the Blossoms politely,” she said. Harriet Blossom was old, but she was also powerful. Everyone was going to delight in the birth of the next generation. The power would finally be passed down and it was only in women.
Once they arrived, everyone glared at her.
“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Blossom. It’s nice to see you,” Jughead said politely.
“It’s okay…he’s one of us now. He’s shed his skin, even if he hasn’t shut off his humanity just yet,” Valerie said.
“He never will, because he’s a weirdo and a loser. What were you thinking? Archie was even worse,” Josie demanded.
“Exactly. How much pent up darkness and energy do you think he’s got? He’s not a loser to me, but he’s still worthy. Archie was never a part of things,” Val said.
“Don’t call me a loser, you stupid cunt. I always wondered why you and Cheryl were friends. You know nothing and I’ll rip your throat out if you talk about me and Archie again,” Jughead snarled. His eyes widened and he opened his mouth to apologize, but Val formed a triumphant smile when he closed it and glared at her. He knew he meant to say it and his angst wasn’t in the way anymore.
“Language!” Mrs. Blossom said.
“The girl is right. He does have darkness about him,” Harriet said.
“I suppose it was all too much for him. His father is in jail and killed my boy,” Clifford said.
“No, you did and you all are crazier than I ever thought possible. Veronica’s right and Cheryl is in love with him. You killed him, you want to steal the babies and considering who their father is, they’re probably Rosemary’s babies. After all, why have fun when you can pick off the family tree? I do love Game of Thrones,” Jughead said.
Valerie gasped, but Josie and Melody started laughing.
“Woo…you did not just say that. Maybe I’m wrong. You can bite back,” she said.
“Pun intended?” Jughead asked.
This time, everyone laughed.
“I’m going to let your behavior slide since you’re transitioning, but I’m not allowing you to speak to and about my family like that. Mother’s right, but my family owns this town, not to mention your father. Accidents happen and you’ll be an example of what happens when he doesn’t do as I say,” Clifford said.
“So you have Val do all your dirty work? Slavery is illegal,” Jughead said.
Val slapped him. She had asked him to be polite and he was taking it too far.
“What’s wrong with you? What he did just say? They own this town,” Valerie said.
“Boy, you’d better shut up if you know what’s good for you. They’ll kill you in front of your daddy,” Melody said.
“He’s just trying to serve his master. Let it go,” Josie said.
“My master?” Jughead said.
“I prefer Sire. I turned you and you’re bound to me, just as the girls and were once bound to ours,” Valerie said.
“Ugh…so do I. I’m not going to sleep with you,” Jughead said.
Everyone started laughing but Mrs. Blossom. “Young man, if you don’t watch your mouth, you won’t live through the night,” she said.
The rest of the meeting went as usual. When it was over, Valerie and Jughead headed to her place.
“Admit it…that felt good. I’m about ready to kick your ass, but it feels better, doesn’t it?” Valerie asked.
“I’d never say that stuff. I mean, it’s just coming to me and I’ll say it. I wasn’t afraid of them, I didn’t want to cry and it doesn’t hurt. Nothing does,” Jughead said.
“No, it doesn’t, sweetness. Josie is crazy and I would have never turned Archie. He’s too unpredictable and even if his life is messy, he’d be boring. Not you, though. Everyone sees you typing away at your computer. All those ideas never have to be held back ever again,” she said. Valerie knew that she was right and she had never been tempted to feed on Archie.
When they got home, she pulled out blankets and handed them to Jughead. “You can’t talk to Betty. Not until you finish transitioning,” she said.
“I need her,” Jughead said.
“Exactly and your first time won’t be special. You could kill her,” Valerie pointed out.
Jughead sighed. “How long?” he asked.
“Well, it depends. We were traumatized and we had been invited to a private party by a rich man. It took us a few days. In your case…I’d give it 48 hours,” she said.
“Okay. I can lay low until then, but how do I avoid everyone?” Jughead said.
Val motioned for Jughead to follow her and them led him down to the basement. There was a locked door with rusty hinges there.
“This is Trevor’s. He’ll understand, as long as you don’t make a mess. You’d better hope that Harriet is willing to make you a charm. You were out of line,” she said.
“The man killed his son,” Jughead said.
“He’s also head of this town. They wanted the babies and Jason wouldn’t tell him where they were. On top of everything, he wanted to run away. Clifford knew that it was because of what was expected. Cheryl should have been pregnant first, but Jason was running because he didn’t want to do his duties. Any of them,” Valerie said.
“Fine, I’ll keep my mouth shut. He fucked up my dad’s life,” Jughead said.
“You and I know that for every problem, there’s a solution,” she said.
“I’ll think about it,” Jughead said.
“Do you want to sleep in the basement?” Valerie asked.
“Yeah, I do. No one will know I’m down here,” Jughead said.
Valerie went upstairs and grabbed spare pillows, as well as blankets. There was sleeping bag downstairs and he’d be fine. “I’ll make breakfast,” she said. He was used to eating purely for pleasure yet and needed to let things pass.